Sympathy For The Skin Self-Preserving Body Lotion

A Little Bit About Lush's New Preservative Free Venture:

If there's one thing about Lush that has attracted most of it's loyal customers, it's the company's dedication to their moral and ethical standpoint. Not only do they support and encourage campaigns that educate society and promote improvement within the cosmetics industry, but they never settle for anything - they're always looking for ways to improve their practice and their products.

Not happy that all of their products only contain a tiny percentage of harmless preservatives, Lush want to raise the bar within the industry and produce not only preservative free products, but ones that actually preserve themselves using processes that occur naturally in certain fresh ingredients.

Lush explain that it's rather simple to opt out of using preservatives in solid products as 'bacteria require water to grow and multiply', which is why most of their ballistics, bubble bars, solid shampoos etc.. have been able to make that transition quickly and effectively. However, lotions, smoothies and the few liquid hair-care products, have not been so easy to change.

After years of testing out their ideas, the company claim to have come up with 'an innovative way to rebalance formulations', enabling other products in their range to be sold preservative free whilst still retaining most of their previous features, not to mention their long shelf lives.

Although I have tried and tested all three of the body lotions that Lush have released as part of the first wave of preservative-free goodies, I was still intrigued to sample and compare all three items next to their original counterparts.

Review of Sympathy For The Skin:

Sympathy For The Skin is one of three lotions that are part of the first overhaul, and I was rather intrigued to see whether or not this preservative-free addition would equal or surpass my great experience with the original lotion. Made with the same ingredients that first attracted me to the original, the new lotion contains a combination of fresh bananas, almond oil, vanilla, fair trade cocoa oil and lemon oil -it reads like a recipe for cake, and smells this way as well.

On initial sniff, Sympathy For The Skin Self-Preserving Body Lotion smells like an expensive vanilla ice-cream. This rich and highly indulgent fragrance intensifies on your skin, leaving you feeling nourished whilst smelling incredible. After applying this to my skin, all I could smell was white chocolate and it was a real struggle not to lick it right off of my skin.

Although it's scent is almost identical to that of it's predecessor, I felt as if there was a slightly thicker, more rounded smell with this lotion. It's a little difficult for me to explain, but I felt as if the smell of banana was lightly lower in the mix - it was definitely the vanilla that dominated the overall smell here.

As with the original lotion, this one was no different in colour or consistency. From previous experience, I know that this is quite a thick lotion, so applying too much will only make you oily and will take a lot longer to fully absorb. However, despite it's consistency, this cream is not at all heavy and leaves your skin smooth, supple and beautifully soft. 

As I stated with the new Dream Cream Self-Preserving Body Lotion, if Lush continue to sell the lotion in this format, it would definitely be one of my first choices. And priced at £11.25 (the same as the normal lotion), it means I will definitely be opting for this over the original version.

As it's early days though, I am yet unable to comment on whether the shelf life of Sympathy For The Skin will be as impressive as it's older brother. However, as this product is probably the longest lasting body lotion that Lush currently offer, it'll be around long enough for me to test out it's longevity.

Original Sympathy For The Skin Body Lotion Review

Quantitative Ingredients: Almond Oil, Water (Aqua), Fair Trade Organic Cocoa Butter, Glycerine, Vanilla Pod Infusion, Stearic Acid, Fresh Organic Fair Trade Banana, Triethanolamine, Sandalwood Oil, Labdanum Resinoid, Lemon Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, Limonene, Perfume.

Vegan?: Yes.

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Blousey Shampoo

As I've said in previous reviews, I've been dyeing my hair since I was sixteen years old. Before that, I took very little interest in it's maintenance and condition; I was much more interested in listening to the heaviest music around and talking about the millions of tattoos I was going to get once I turned eighteen. Who cared if I didn't brush my hair for days at a time? Or if I did, what did it matter if I back-combed it or straightened it to an inch of it's life? These problems only worsened with the introduction of hair dye. 

Which is why, when I hit my twenties, I realised with horror, that my hair was in an absolute state. It was brittle, it was limp, it was lifeless. To counteract this problem, I'd blow dry it and straighten it in the hope of hiding the frizz ball that would come from leaving it to dry naturally. Something had to change.

When I asked for a pot of Blousey for Christmas last year, I had no previous preconceptions, and only hoped that it would work wonders, given it's £18 price tag. Described as being rich and moisturising, I soon discovered that, on paper, this shampoo sounded like my perfect product - created to rescue hair that has been bleached, dyed, damaged or hair that is naturally dry and fragile, Blousey sounded too good to be true.

The main ingredients in the shampoo are bananas, an ingredient known for it's hydrating qualities. The hair is further hydrated with the addition of Cocoa Butter and Capacu Butter, both of which penetrate the strands deeply and allows your hair to hold onto the moisture. Blousey also contains Cloves, Pimento berries and Star Anaise which help to promote a hair scalp and hair regrowth as well as giving the hair a healthy shine. An all-rounded perfect concoction.

What I love about this shampoo, is that it's look and scent are incredibly natural. You can really smell the fresh bananas when you lift the lid, and it almost looks like the batter for a banana loaf. It has a sticky, gloopy consistency, which takes a little bit of getting used to. I also found that it doesn't lather up like you would expect from a shampoo; it's more like a conditioner in that sense.   

Blousey promises to hydrate the hair, leaving it stronger and in a better condition, and that it does. When you rinse the lotion out, your hair automatically feels super soft and tangle free. This experience is somewhat heightened when dry, as that's when you notice the reduced frizziness and natural shimmer that it brings to your locks.

I coupled this with Lush's Veganese conditioner, which I found worked in harmony to soften and moisturise my hair. My only qualm with this product, aside from the price tag, is that I cannot use it as a regular shampoo. I found that my hair became greasy if I used this too much in succession, although this could be due to my using it with Veganese, a product was also designed to moisturise the hair. Perhaps the partnership between the two products is too heavy for my hair.

I tend to use this more as a hair treatment as opposed to a shampoo, coupling it with Jasmine and Henna Fluff Ease for an intense moisturising session once or twice a month. Although it didn't work as a shampoo for me, I'd still recommend that you try this product as it's beautifully scented and does do exactly what it says on the tin. The price is a little on the high side but if, like me, you only use it a couple of times a month, the results you get from it will definitely justify the expenditure. 

Quantitative Ingredients: Fresh Banana, Pimento Berry Oil, Fair Trade Organic Cloves and Star Anise decooction, Ammonium Laureth Sulphate, Glycerine, Propylene Glycol, Cocoa Butter, Soya Lecithin, Lauryl Betaine, Cocamide MEA, Cupuacu Butter, Perfume, Rose Oil, Blackcurrant Absolute, Rosemary Oil, Juniperberry Oil, *Geraniol, *Limonene, *Linalool, Citronellol.

Vegan?: Yes

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Jungle Solid Conditioner

I am completely baffled. Time and time again, I use Lush's solid products in the hope that I'll find something that works for me, and yet time and time again I am left frustrated and defeated. I wholeheartedly support Lush's attempt to reduce packaging waste and make their products environmentally friendly. However, if they are going to do this, surely they should be making products that can justify this switch?

Lush's Jungle Conditioner is yet another example of how me and solid hair care just do not gel. A solid bar based on fruits and cocoa butter, Jungle contains cocoa butter to give a rich condition and shine to the hair and help protect it.  It also contains fruit oils and fats to add condition and feed the hair, without making it too heavy or oily. In theory, it should leave hair nicely conditioned and easier to comb through.

On paper, it sounds as if Lush have once again created a cosmetic wonder. Yet in reality, it's a  nightmarish experience. First I tried rubbing the conditioner throughout my wet hair. It pulled and ripped my hair and left clumps of stray hairs embedded in the bar, not to mention the waxy bits that decorated my scalp. Then I tried lathering it between my hands, but with little success. The stuff simply would not lather-and after five minutes of trying, I managed to lather up enough to cover about a tenth of my head. 

I've read reviews online that suggest grating it down, microwaving it with water and so on. But seriously, who wants to go through all of that just to condition your hair?

Despite the fact that this product smells gorgeous; a tropical concoction of passion fruit, kumquat and fig, this conditioner is not practical, and will not making another appearance on my Lush shopping list. 

Quantitative Ingredients: Cocoa Butter, Cetearyl Alcohol & Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Propylene Glycol, Fresh Organic Avocado, Glyceryl Stearate & PEG-100 Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Stearic Acid, Perfume, Soya Lecithin, Fresh Figs, Fresh Organic Bananas, Fresh Passion Fruit, Fresh Kumquat, Cetrimonium Bromide, Ylang Ylang Oil, Vetivert Oil, Cypress Oil, Cedarwood Oil, Chlorophyllin, *Limonene, *Cinnamal.

Vegan?: Yes

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June 2013 Lush Inventory - Massage Bars

Okay, so my inventory is taking a little longer than I anticipated. And the worrying aspect, is that I haven't even photographed or documented the biggest aspect of my collection - the bath bomb and bubble bar! *gulp*

Here are my massage bars...

Current Stash:

Bewitched

Black Magic

Ego

Friends With Benefits

From Dusk Til Dawn

Hottie

Love Potion

Merry Xmas

Midnight Massage

Nutts

Once a Year

Peace

Sexy Boy

Shimmy Shimmy

Strawberry Feels Forever

Tender Is The Night

Therapy

Under The Covers 

Wiccy Magic Muscles.

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June 2013 Inventory - Lotions

This is the second part of my inventory, detailing all of the Lush products that I currently own. 

If you are interested in receiving a free sample of any of the products I showcase, please get in touch. I cannot promise I can cater for everyone, as there are a couple of products I would not be willing to share, but most items I would be happy to send out a trial. It doesn't cost to ask!

Hand, feet, face and full body Lotions;

Current Stash:

9 to 5

Almond Kisses

American Cream

Celestial

The Comforter

Creamed Almond and Coconut Smoothie

Creamy Candy Lotion

Dream Cream

Ginger Lotion

Glitter Bug

Karma Kream

Pied De Pepper

Potion

Ro-Argan Body Conditioner

Shave The Planet

Skin Drink

Skinny Dip

Starcraft

Sympathy For the Skin

Tiny Hands Solid Hand Cream

Turkish Delight

Vanilla Dee-Lite

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Oatfix Fresh Face Mask

Working 12+ hours a day, really takes it out on me, and the one aspect that I notice more than any other, is the quality of my skin. Those 6am starts, with the quick showers and long commutes to work, really takes it out on my face, and it's not long before I'm looking pale and weathered, with big bags under my eyes and dry skin spots all over. 

If it wasn't for my Lush face masks, I think I might have had to opt for plastic surgery by this stage! That's not to say that Lush face masks are the be-all and end-all of my health and beauty regime; I know that the quality of my skin is effected by the food that I eat and cosmetics I use. However, Lush's fresh masks enlighten even the most damaged of skins and leave you feeling like a million dollars. Really. 

Up until last month, I had only tried their Catastrophe Cosmetic Face Mask, and knowing that my skin really benefitted from using it, I felt there was no need to try any other. However, having gone into a Lush store on the whim, and smelt Oatfix, I just knew I had to buy it right there and then for fear I might start eating it in the shop. 

It smells absolutely divine, and it probably the one product I wish they would make edible (yes, more than Snow Fairy!). 

Made mostly of bananas and oatmeal, this face mask smells like a bowl of your favourite cereal. The bananas, a naturally oily fruit, are added to help the skin absorb the moisture and banish dryness. The oatmeal, ground almonds and kaolin bind the ingredients together and act as a very gentle scrub to lift dead skin away and leave the face looking brighter. A soft fragrance based on vanilla absolute finishes off this nourishing mask. Also in here is illipe butter to moisturise the skin and leave it supple.

This is a mask for dry skin, and even though I don't feel my skin is particularly dry, it makes my face feel invigorated and soft. 

When comparing it to Catastrophe Cosmetic, it's not the easiest of masks to apply. The consistency means that you have to take a bit more time smearing it on your face. Whereas other face masks are 'wetter' so you can apply it really easily, this one takes getting used to, and as you can see from my picture, it doesn't always cover your entire face with ease.

However, please do not let this put you off purchasing it. Despite it's flaws, it is an amazing product and does exactly what it says on the tub. It does make your skin feel smooth and refreshed; it does banish dry skin and redness; it does give your face a new lease of life. 

I use this maybe 1-2 times a week and I have noticed a real difference in the texture and consistency of my skin. My pores seem healthier and I hardly ever notice dry spots on my face anymore.

Quantitative Ingredients: Glycerine, Fine Oatmeal, Fresh Organic Bananas, Water, Ground Almonds, Illipe Butter, Kaolin, Talc, Vanilla Pod, Sandalwood Oil, Benzoin Resinoid, *Coumarin, *Benzyl Cinnamate, *Linalool, Perfume, Gardenia Extract.

Vegan?: Yes

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Sympathy For The Skin Body Lotion

Sympathy for the Skin is by far one of Lush's cheapest body lotions, but that by no means makes it one of their least effective. In fact, since I blindly invested in one of their large pots, going by smell alone, it has become one of the staples of my daily routine. 

Made with fresh bananas, almond oil, vanilla, fair trade cocoa oil and lemon oil, amongst other beneficial ingredients, Sympathy for the Skin body cream is a real treat for your skin. At first I was a little worried, as the texture is rather thick, something which I expected, given that the main ingredient is banana. However, this body lotion does wonders for my skin and doesn't feel at all heavy.

When I initially applied this lotion to my legs, I used rather a lot and found that it can make your skin feel quite oily. However, used in small doses, it sinks into the skin nicely and makes your skin feel radiant and refreshed, with a gorgeous sheen to boot. You can see the dark vanilla flecks in this lotion, which no doubt help to retain that gorgeous vanilla scent.

I use this mainly as a face moisturiser when I first step out of the shower for my 6am starts, and using it every morning has really helped to clear my skin of blemishes and stop my face from developing nasty dry areas during the winter months. The body cream leaves your skin super soft and moisturised, and the Sandalwood helps to tone and strengthen your skin. 

I use very little of this, as you can see from the picture below, so a 240g tub easily lasts me 6 months to a year. However, this body lotion is definitely worth the money, and will remain one of my staple Lush products for the near future. 

Quantitative Ingredients: Vanilla Pod Infusion, Almond Oil, Cocoa Butter, Fresh Organic Bananas, Stearic Acid, Glycerine, Triethanolamine, Sandalwood Oil, Lemon Oil, Labdanum Resinoid, Cetearyl Alcohol, *Limonene, Perfume, Methylparaben, Propylparaben.

Vegan?: Yes

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