Supernova Bath Bomb

   Take a dip into pink champagne waters with the best party prep bath bomb around - Supernova Bath Bomb from the LUSH Kitchen! Turn on your favorite playlist and pour yourself a glass of, well, whatever suits you... There's a galaxy waiting.

"Celestial celebration!"

   This bath bomb comes from the champagne heaven that is the Celebrate scent family, which highlights gorgeous notes of sweet orange oil, lime oil, and cognac oil... Also in this family are:

• Celebrate Body Lotion
• Celebrate Perfume(s)
• Celebrate Shower Gel
• Snow Showers Shower Gel
• First Snow Dusting Powder
• Golden Wonder Bath Bomb

   I had been lusting after Supernova for quite a while, so I was ecstatic when my order arrived in the post... On first impression, while still wrapped up, I could see the lovely shade of pink and smell the wonderful scent of the bath bomb. Once unwrapped, I noticed the red, yellow, and blue confetti throughout the ballistic and it was less dusty than expected (I have no idea why I expected it to be dustier)... I filled my bathtub with water that was bordering between warm and hot, as I usually do for LUSH Cosmetics bath bombs, and gently placed it in the water. This was a much slower fizzer than a name like Supernova let on to be but I was pretty pleased about it. Then, gradually, my entire bathroom filled with hints of sweet orange and lime, and I was slightly taken back to LUSH Christmas (I went a bit Golden Wonder crazy this past season) - the bath water ended up being somewhere between Barbie and rosy pink with confetti floating and melting about.

   After soaking in this bath for a while I hadn't noticed Supernova having any "body perks" - my skin wasn't any softer and the Celebrate scent I love so much was very, very faint on my skin and disappeared after thirty minutes... But my condition did cause a small ~issue~... My entire lower body looked as if I had sunburn for three or so hours, yet there wasn't any odd sensation or pain associated with this reaction.   Like I always say, with my illness I never know when/why/how my body will react to products/environments; I've not heard of anyone else experiencing any poor reactions to Supernova.

   I only purchased three Supernova Bath Bombs (two for myself and one for my mother, whose favorite LUSH products are those within the Celebrate family), and I'm regretting not grabbing another two or three for us to split... This is a wonderful product that left me in a great mood, and I give it a 4/5! If the scent lingered better and it softened my skin, it would have gotten a 5/5, but I'm not complaining whatsoever. I look forward to when this fizzer hits the Kitchen again, and definitely recommend you try one out.

Handmade With Fresh Ingredients: Sodium Bicarbonate, Citric Acid, Perfume, Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, Sweet Orange Oil, Cognac Oil, Lime Oil, Paper Confetti, Linalool, Limonene, Colour 45410.

*This post is in no way sponsored and all opinions are my own.*

xoxo Elle

Shark Infested Custard

   Dunnn-dun... Dunnn-dun... Dun-dun, dun-dun, dun-dun... DA-DUN-DUN! There's something swimming - erm - floating in the water with a fin as black as night... Shark Infested Custard Bath Oil made its way from LUSH Oxford Street, across the pond, and into my bath water.

"What's yellow and dangerous?"

   When dealing with bath oils/bath melts, I use 3/4 hot to 1/4 cold water to ensure that these products melt properly... Much like Razzle Dazzle, compared to IAARB, Shark Infested Custard melted quite smoothly within the water and when picked up by hand as well. Now, I adore throwing in a bath melt or bath oil into my cocktails because they add a little luxury to the experience, but I do tend to lean more towards melts - not just because of the financial end or accessibility, but because of how the product acts in the water. In my experience, melts tend to drift about and evenly distribute throughout the water but as oils melt they drift and cling to the sides of the tub (we are speaking melts vs oils ALONE in the bath water, with no other products)... I generally turn on the jets or swish my arms around vigorously to try and prevent the cling, and the mess that comes with it. This particular product did seem to have a bit more of a consistency difference than the other LUSH Oxford Street luxury bath oils after this "mixing" process I go through... I understand not every product will be the same though.
   As far as looks go, this is an absolutely adorable product... Who wouldn't be attracted to a tiny shark fin placed into a bright yellow ball with a name like Shark Infested Custard?! Add in the delicious aroma of the Vanillary scent family, that perfectly resembles vanilla custard... Borderline irresistible! I will credit all of the new Oxford Street bath oils with having gorgeously unique scents that are just as true when melted as they are in solid form.
   With an ingredient list that includes organic Shea butter, extra virgin cocoa butter, organic jojoba oil, and extra virgin coconut oil you can expect this little guy is one to pack the punch when it comes to moisture - but I was sort of disappointed. Instead of feeling soft and silky, I felt like I needed to shower... Like I was covered in cooking oil. It was so upsetting because of how wonderful I smelled! I'm writing it off to body chemistry not mixing with this particular product.

   All in all, even though I'm a huge Vanillary fragrance fan, I'm giving Shark Infested Custard Bath Oil a 3/5. It just isn't my favorite luxury bath oil out of all the Oxford Street exclusives like I thought it would be... No matter my usual tricks to keep the tub relatively comfortable and clean, I was left with a bright yellow ring around the tub and felt far too oily. I'm sure it is just my preferences, and I still think it is a very cute design.

Handmade With Fresh Ingredients: Organic shea butter, Fair trade organic cocoa butter, Laureth 4, PEG-6 Caprylic / Capric Glycerides, & PEG-60 Almond Glycerides, Perfume, Extra virgin coconut oil, Organic jojoba oil, Titanium dioxide, Fresh honeydew melon pulp, Rapeseed oil, Coconut oil, Glycerine, Sodium chloride, EDTA, Tetrasodium etidronate, Sodium hydroxide, Colour 19140:1, Colour 47005

*This post is in no way sponsored and all opinions are my own.*

xoxo Elle

Quinquireme of Nineveh

   Let's get right down to it, Quinquireme of Nineveh soap has several of my favorite ingredients that LUSH Cosmetics uses and I've never hit the Add To Cart button so fast in my life... This LUSH Kitchen exclusive fills the entire room with its dreamy aroma and brings about whispers of decades gone by.

"Precious cargo." 

   Firstly, let's define what the name means... Quinquireme is a large Greek, Roman, or Carthaginian ship used to wage wars and haul cargo between the first and fourth century B.C., and Nineveh is known as the capital city of ancient Assyria off the Tigris River... The poem Cargoes by John Masefield, about this vessel and its voyage, can be found by clicking HERE.

   This milky white bar of soap seems so simple and plain, but if you've used LUSH long enough you know that some of the best products aren't exactly as they seem on the outside... Through the wrapping, I honestly did not like the smell of this soap. So much so that it sat in my cabinet for almost three weeks! I finally ran out of the current slice I was using and decided to unwrap QoN, and when I did it was a burst of gorgeous fragrance that I couldn't believe I had been missing out on.

   Fair trade vanilla absolute and creamed coconut are the base notes for this soap -  think smooth, sweet, creamy, and borderline edible. Sweet orange oil adds into the mix, giving it the pinch of fruitiness it needs, and finalizes the heavenly scent that has filled my entire bathroom (but somehow it isn't overpowering whatsoever)... This scent stays on skin for a few hours and combines well with sharp citrus and/or sweetly fruity shower gels. If I were more of a fan of floral scents, I believe they would also pair quite well... Or, ya know, go crazy like I do from time to time by using Curly Wurly Shampoo during the same shower/bath...

   QoN has small bits of coconut throughout each bar that provide gentle but effective exfoliation. That exfoliation preps skin for the intense moisture given from the rapeseed and coconut oil, as well as the cleansing and soothing properties of the benzoin resinoid.

   I never get bitter about missing exclusive items, or when I only purchase one of something instead of multiples, Quinquireme of Nineveh Soap has become the only exception... *grumble grumble grumble*... I give this gorgeous product a 5/5, and hope I see it hit the LUSH Kitchen menu again - sooner than later - so I can stock up!

Handmade With Fresh Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Rapeseed oil and coconut oil, *Glycerine, Creamed coconut, Sorbitol, Sodium lauryl sulfate, Perfume, Sodium strearate, Titanium dioxide, Sweet orange oil, Fair trade vanilla absolute, Benzoin resinoid, Sodium chloride, EDTA, Tetrasodium etidronate, Sodium hydroxide, *Cinnamyl alcohol, *Limonene

*This post is in no way sponsored and all opinions are my own.*

xoxo Elle

Emperor of Ice Cream

   Buttercream, one of the most decadent types of frosting... So the LUSH Kitchen decided to whip some up! Of course, I'm talking about the recent Emperor of Ice Cream buttercream... A creamy soap in a see-through tub, this product's formula was brand new to me and I was so excited to give it a try.

"Scented with a vanilla pod infusion and delicately balanced with floral fragrance of jasmine and rose absolutes. This is a rich, creamy, no-expense-spared buttercream."

   When it came to consistency, I had no idea what to expect... I would say my conclusion is that if a regular bar of soap and D'Fluff shaving soap had a baby (consistency wise), that would be what LUSH's formula for buttercream is like... I love the slightly whipped feeling of this product. Coconut oil, cocoa butter, Shea butter, and macadamia nut oil leave EoIC packing quite the moisturizing punch, while still leaving your skin feeling very clean.
   This beautifully formulated soap seems quite pasty when you scoop it out of the tub, but the second it becomes wet it softens into the whipped consistency I mentioned previously. It is easy to over-scoop this product, but luckily with potted products you can just put a bit back... Once the small chunks soften, the lather this product gives is rich, creamy, and definitely proves the "no expense paid" aspect.
   I knew it would be floral, with notes of sweetness thanks to the vanilla pod infusion, but this scent wasn't what I expected... I'm very sensitive to floral scents. If something smells powdery (such as rose), or too many floral notes are combined, it tends to give me a headache... EoIC has notes of jasmine absolute, rose absolute, and lavender oil. All very strong on their own, and when combined? It was just too much for my liking. I love strolling through flower gardens in the warmer months, but I couldn't do it all day long - this scent linger, noticeably, for several hours.

   All in all I'm 100% in love with the buttercream formula, but Emperor of Ice Cream's scent is just not for me, so I'm giving it a 3.5/5. Luckily, my mother adores the product as a whole, so I was happy to gift the practically full tub to her... If you enjoy strong floral scents or the more bitter side of vanilla, this product is definitely for you!

Handmade With Fresh Ingredients: Fair Trade Vanilla Pod Infusion (Vanilla planifolia, Glycerine, Rapeseed Oil; Coconut Oil (Brassica napus; Cocos nucifera), Orange Blossom Honey (Citrus Aurantium dulcis), Cocoa Butter (Theobroma cacao), Perfume, Water (Aqua), Fair Trade Shea Butter (Butyrospermum parkii), Mango Butter (Mangifera indica), Organic Macadamia Nut Oil (Macadamia ternifolia), Extra Virgin Coconut Oil (Cocos nucifera), Jasmine Absolute (Jasminum grandiflorum), Rose Absolute (Rosa damascena), Ylang Ylang Oil (Cananga odorata), Lavender Oil (Lavandula angustifolia), Sodium Chloride, EDTA, Tetrasodium Etidronate, Sodium Hydroxide, *Linalool.

*All body products I review are used for a week+.

This review is in no way sponsored; all opinions are my own.*

xoxo Elle

Yummy Yummy Yummy

   Mmm, mmm, mmm! Yummy Yummy Yummy shower gel was recently in the LUSH Kitchen and I was told I just haddd to pick one up... So, I did!
   I'm in love with all things American Cream, and was told this was the strawberry equivalent - I find that it doesn't remind me of American Cream, but rather more spot on with the ever so wonderful D'Fluff shaving soap.

"A scrummy strawberry scented shower gel... Like a frothy pink milkshake to refresh and hydrate your skin."

   Even though Yummy didn't have the scent I expected, I still really enjoy it. The beautiful, fresh strawberry with notes of geranium, passionflower, and almond oil make you feel like you've been transported to a beautiful little garden... This orange-y pink shower gel is a very heavy scent inside the bottle, but once washed over skin? Far more delicate, and lingers for a few hours.
   Since I research Kitchen products a bit before purchasing, I was aware that this shower gel would be thin in consistency; be prepared, because it is borderline watery... The lather of this product matches it's consistency, thus it is rather thin and frothy. Also, Yummy does a great job of leaving your skin feeling wonderfully clean and nourished without any hint of residue!
   It arrived separated, as shown in the photo below (middle). At first I thought it was due to the temperatures in my state, but I've come to realize that it just separates on its own after each use. One or two little tips of the bottle mixes this gel back up, and it's ready for use.

   I give Yummy Yummy Yummy shower gel a 3/5, simply because I'm into more thick shower gels and the scent wasn't what I expected it to be... With that being said, it is still a lovely product that I definitely recommend to lover's of flower gardens and springtime! Don't forget to check out the LUSH Kitchen Instagram (@LUSHKitchen) each Sunday for the following week's menu.

Handmade With Fresh Ingredients: Fresh strawberries infused (Fragaria vesca), Sodium alkyl sulfate, Honey water (Aqua), Almond oil (Prunus dulcis), Sodium laureth sulfate, Perfume, Glyceryl stearate, Cocamide MEA, Propylene glycol, Glycol cetearate, Fine sea salt, Lauryl betaine, Olibanum oil (Boswellia carterii), Bergmot oil (Citrus aurantium bergamia), Geranium oil (Pelargonium graveolens), Passionflower seed oil (Passiflora edulis), Water (Aqua), Balsamic vinegar, *Limonene, *Linalool, Benzyl alcohol, Colour 14700, Methylparaben, Propylparaben

*All body products that I review have been used for a week+.

This review is in no way sponsored; all opinions are my own.*
xoxo Elle

Lemon Days & Ginger Beer

   If you want a product that screams summertime, Lemon Days & Ginger Beer bath bomb is for you! Fresh from the LUSH Kitchen, this bath bomb is easily one of the most effervescent products ever made by LUSH... The seasons may be changing, but this bath will keep the sun shining bright for months to.

   I have never experienced a LUSH product that so perfectly matches it's ingredient list... The scent of Lemon Days is vibrant with the complex fragrance of ginger beer, thanks to ginger oil and powdered ginger, with gentle notes of lemonade from the lemon peel and mimosa absolute - bubbly, for sure! This bath bomb is a dusty yellow color in solid form, but once it sinks to the bottom of the tub and dissolves it leaves your bath water a summery, saturated yellow with hints of glitter (much less than the average LUSH bath bomb).

   In comparison to ginger ale, ginger beer is a bit more robust in its flavor with some spicy notes... Mainly known for being a soft drink that plays a leading role in a Moscow Mule, it originated as an alcoholic beverage (fermented ginger, sugar, water, and cultures) in England in the mid 1700s... I'm not sure if you can get actual ginger beer (alcoholic) in this day and age unless you make it yourself.
   The scent that lingered on my skin was slightly floral - I believe from the geranium, bergamot, and sandalwood. What was left on my skin was gentle, with whiffs catching my attention a handful of times throughout the day... This quick fizzer is a mood uplifter, giving a more emotional response, rather than being a "wake up" product... Not to mention that there is little to no clean up after Lemon Days does it's job; fizzing away any blues!

   I adore Lemon Days & Ginger Beer bath bomb, and give it a 4/5! If you need to brighten your mood while relaxing, or in need of a simplistic bath, this product is for you... Although, this bath bomb would be killer in a cocktail! Make sure to keep your eye on the menus from the LUSH Kitchen. You won't want to miss out on the next time this wonderful product is available.

Handmade With Fresh Ingredients: Sodium bicarbonate, Citric acid, Lemon peel (Citrus limonum), Powdered ginger (Zingiber officinalis), Perfume, Ginger oil (Zingiber officinale), Mimosa absolute (Acacia decurrens), Mandarin oil (Citrus  reticulata), Sandalwood oil (Santalum austro-caledonicum vieill), Geranium oil (Pelagronium graveolens), Bergamot oil (Citrus aurantium bergamia), Gardenia extract (Gardenia jasminoides), *Citral, *Limonene, *Linalool, Coumarin, Hydroxycitronellal, Colour 19140.

*This post is in no way sponsored; All opinions are my own.*

xoxo Elle

American Cream Body Lotion

   Waking up at 3:00am EST to buy a product might seem odd to some, but for many lushies who have discovered The Kitchen, it is a regular thing.
   A few weeks back, I was lucky enough to wake up around 6:00am and find that American Cream was still in stock... A product I had heard of for ages, but didn't get to experience before it was discontinued. I was treated to it by Mister, and waited patiently for two and a half weeks until this 225g pot arrived.

   "Bring all the boys to the yard with this smooth, sexy, vanilla milkshake scented lotion."

   My first impression of this product was that it is thinner than I expected, but I'm not sure why that surprised me too much, because I thought the same thing when I used the American Cream conditioner. Personally, I'm excited about this, because I purchased this as a transitioning-into-warm-weather lotion... But I can definitely see where someone who isn't used to potted lotions could scoop too much of this up at once. (I'm all about heavy lotions in the cold months, but in the summer I sweat so easily that I have to use thinner lotions and just apply extra during the day.)
    Unlike the conditioner, the body lotion IS Vegan, which seemed to be a high selling point from what I gathered among other lushies wanting to snag this product up while it was in the Kitchen... When it comes to scent, I am completely in love with the American Cream line, because it is a true vanilla scent. It is not like a vanilla cupcake, but rather more aged, if you will... Right behind the vanilla notes are that of either the strawberry, a more mature scent, or nuttiness of the almond... If you enjoy the natural and grounded over the sweet and candy, you'll love this.
   Either way, this lotion glides over and into the skin like a gem and you'll get waves of its scent throughout the day. With that being said, if used as an all-over body product, it does mask any other fragrances you may be wearing... Many say they can smell the hint of lavender, but I personally cannot. Maybe it is my skin's chemistry.
   All in all, I give this product a 5/5! It was exactly what I was hoping for, and more... Like smothering a classic vanilla milkshake all over my body... It is easily a new must-have for me whenever I can get my hands on it... It is a beautiful product, and I have jumped on the wagon with so many others for hopes that American Cream body lotion is brought back as a permanent item, if not in the US, at least in the UK.

Handmade With Fresh Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Almond Oil (Prunus dulcis), Fair Trade Organic Cocoa Butter (Theobroma cacao), Glycerine, Stearic Acid, Triethanolamine, Fair Trade Vanilla Absolute (Vanilla planifolia), Clary Sage Oil (Salvia sclarea), Lavender Oil (Lavandula angustifolia), Benzoin Resinoid (Styrax tonkinensis pierre), Cetearyl Alcohol, Methyl lomone, *Linalool, Coumarin, Perfume, Methylparaben, Propylparaben

*All body products I review are ones that I have been using for a week+.*

xoxo Elle