Calacas and Lady Catrina (Day of the Dead range)

On the second week of Christmas LUSH limited gave to me......

2 Halloween specials

and a Snow Fairy lip and cheek tint

Halloween Specials

Ok so LUSH aren’t doing a Halloween range as such this year, instead they’re doing a range in celebration of the Mexican festival ‘Día de los Muertos’ (Day of the Dead). This celebration is all about remembering loved ones that have passed away. Instead of scary goblins and blood curdling shrieks, the people of Mexico welcome the spirits of their loved ones with the delicious smell of food in the air; tasty treats decorated like skulls, brightly coloured decorations and lighted candles to guide them home again. It is believed that dead relatives, both young and old, are allowed to return to the mortal world for two days to be reunited with loved ones.

I have managed to get my hands on two of the three products LUSH have released in honour of this celebration. All the products have the same scent this year.

1. Calacas Jelly

(Comes in 3 fantastically bright colours; orange, yellow and green)

Price: £2.95/100g

Product category: Shower Jelly

Contains: Organic aloe vera gel to cool, soothe, soften and protect the skin; Lime oil for its invigorating/ uplifting fragrance and antioxidant and astringent properties; Olibanum resinoid to soften and protect the skin; Neroli oil improves tone and texture of the skin.

How to use: To avoid comedy moments of trying desperately to hold on to your jelly while it slips and jumps out of your hands, simply rub the jelly vigorously on a shower poof to create a lather, and wash your body this way.

2. Lady Catrina Soap

Price: £2.95/100g

Product category: Hand and Body Soap

Contains: Rapeseed oil and Coconut Oil for their softening and moisturising properties; Organic agave nectar is soothing and softening on the skin and is a vegan alternative to honey; Lime oil is uplifting/invigorating and has antioxidant and astringent properties; Olibanum resinoid softens and protects the skin; Neroli oil improves tone and texture of the skin.

How to use: Apply bar straight onto the body/hands or use a sponge/shower poof.

Other interesting facts:

• Aloe soothes itching and reduces redness. It is excellent at calming sunburn and redness caused by the cold.
• Olibanum resinoid (aka Frankincense) is great for sore, cracked and de-hydrated skin, such as eczema-prone, dry and mature skin.
• Neroli is one of the few essential oils to be scientifically proven to increase serotonin production in the brain. This increase in serotonin enhances feelings of calmness and well being.
• The name Calacas comes from the decorated figures of skeletons and skulls displayed during the festival. While Catrinas (meaning elegant) are skeletal figures wearing beutifully extravagent hats.

Verdicts: If you like Whoosh and Happy for Sad this range is right up your street! They’re packed full of zingy lime which gives you an invigorating slap in the face and wipes all those cobwebs away. Guaranteed to wake you up and get you going on even the dullest and dreariest of autumn mornings. The Neroli is also very present in both products and I swear it really does lift my mood and make me feel happier. I’m leaning towards preferring Lady Catrina as it produces a lovely creamy layer (rather than a lather) on the skin and leaves my skin feeling so moisturised soft and supple. However both products feel really soothing and moisturising on the skin and really invigorate and uplift. Lady Catrina is deep purple (love it) with creamy swirls in colour and is cut from a huge flower decorated hat. While Calacas is available in three bright colours and is in the shape of a skull.

The only down side to both of these products is the scent is quite subtle on the skin once you’ve dried off (the soap leaves slightly more scent), though you do smell fresh and clean. That said I’d still highly recommend you give these refreshing jelly bean/fruit gum and lime scented goodies a go, and restore some much needed moisture to your skin during the Autumn/Winter months. I’m sure the only disappointment you’ll have is that they won’t be around forever.

Also in this range: Calavera ballistic (£2.95/180g); ‘Spectacular Bath Festival of Colours’ (LUSH).

On the third week of Christmas LUSH limited gave to me....tune in next week to find out :)