Buffy Body Butter



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

8 Buffy body butters,

7 Sonic Death Monkeys,

6 Bearded Ladies,

5 CHRISTMAAAAS EEEEEEEEEVES!

4 Ghost shower gels,

3 Hottie bars,

2 Halloween specials,

and a Snow Fairy lip and cheek tint!

Buffy

Requested by and dedicated to Elodie Schneider

Price: £5/90g; £9/200g

Product category: Body Butter (exfoliating)

Contains: Cocoa Butter softens, nourishes and moisturises the skin, leaving it sooth and supple; Shea Butter softens and moisturises the skin and contains vitamin A, which helps maintain and youthful appearance and healthy skin; Ground Rice is a gentle exfoliant, which sloughs away dry skin cells which leaves the skin brightener and looking fresher; Ground Almonds exfoliate and smooth the skin; Ground Aduki Beans remove dead skin cells and absorb excess dirt and oils from the skin. They polish the skin, leaving it healthy and renewed; Lavender Oil for its antiseptic, antibacterial and soothing qualities; Lemon Oil is an excellent cleanser and a powerful antiseptic for the skin.

Other interesting facts:

·  During a trip to Brazil, product inventor Rowena was inspired by the beautiful women who rub a mixture of sand and suntan oil on their backsides to improve circulation and reduce cellulite. She came home, mixed together cocoa and shea butters (to soften and moisturize), ground rice, almonds and aduki beans (to exfoliate you to polished perfection) and hey presto, Buffy was born.

·  Shea butter is so gentle that it has been traditionally used for baby massage in Africa.

·  Lavender is often used to calm the mind, aid restful sleep and as a relaxing oil.

·  The word lemon is derived from the Arabic ‘laymun’ and Persian ‘limun’ (generic terms for all citrus fruit).

·  The name aduki comes from the Japanese, ‘azuki,’ meaning good health.

·  Buffy is a fantastic exfoliator. Exfoliating the skin has considerable benefits in increasing the renewal of cells and hence the youthfulness and health of surface skin and reduce the appearance of cellulite.

 How to use:

1. Wash your body with the soap/shower gel of your choice before using Buffy.

2. Grab hold of the bar and give yourself a good scrub down all over your body on damp skin.

NOTE: Buffy is quite a rough scrub so be gentle. You can scrub a harder on your thigh and bum area (your cellulite will thank you for it).

TOP TIP: Keep the bar out of the direct flow of water from the shower (step out from under shower). You'll find it will last much longer.

3.  To use in the bath, just stand up (out of the water) and give yourself a good scrub then dunk yourself back in when you're done.

4. Rinse your skin briefly, then step out of the bath or shower and dry yourself off.

Verdict:

Buffy the cellulite slayer (as I call it) “slays unsightly bumps” (LUSH) sums this product up perfectly! I could just leave it as that, but this exfoliating body butter does so much more.

Buffy is one of my favourite ‘all year round’ must have products. Whether you need to get your skin smooth and polished for the beach in summer, or you’re fighting the effects the cold has on your skin in the winter (when your skin needs some extra moisturisation and hydration), Buffy ticks all the boxes. If you’re anything like me in the winter, you’re skin will get covered up and neglected a little. Well I’ve changed my ways since I was introduced to Buffy and come rain or shine; my skin always looks in tip top condition. I really can’t recommend it highly enough.

Comforting shea and cocoa butters are the prominent scents with this product, with very subtle calming notes of lavender (which comes through a little more on the skin once you’ve dried off) and fresh notes of lemon. It’s not an overpowering scent so doesn’t interfere with perfume or other scents you’re using. It kind of reminds me of Ceridwyn’s Cauldron, a very gentle, light, comforting scent.  

Buffy is a fantastic product for all over the body. Use it gently until you get used to its scrubby texture, and alter the pressure you use for different parts of your body. Go gently on the arms and upper body and rougher on the thigh and bum area.  I can’t believe the genuine difference it’s made to my skin in general and even more impressively, to my lumpy bumpy cellulite on the backs of my thighs and bum. With regular use (3-4 times a week), I’m pretty much cellulite free.

As well as banishing my cellulite, it’s softened and smoothed the slightly rougher skin on the backs of my arms, and drier skin on my knees and elbows. Buffy leaves my skin looking really fresh, healthy, beautifully polished and smooth. It leaves a comforting layer of cocoa and shea butters on the skin which deeply moisturises, softens and conditions. You won’t need to moisturise when you’ve used Buffy, which makes this the perfect product for people who are ‘on the go’.

I was so impressed with the results I dared to bare and sent a pic of my polished backside to Big Harry @LUSH times and it was published in the Christmas edition of LUSH times :)

Some people find the residue Buffy leaves on the skin off putting, though I love spending a few minutes when I’ve dried off massaging the beautiful butters deeply into the skin, and the results are definitely worth it.  This leads me nicely onto the Buffy vs. Aqua Mirabilis debate. Personally Buffy wins hands down for me every time and here’s why;

·  Buffy lasts so much longer and provides you with many more uses than Aqua Mirabilis.

·  Aqua Mirabilis is much more difficult to dry out between uses, and can get a layer of mould like product on the surface (which needs scrapping off) in between uses.

·  I much prefer Buffy’s scent as opposed to the digestive/nutty biscuit scent of Aqua Mirabilis.

·  Buffy’s effects on cellulite, smoothing and polishing the skin and level of moistuisation are far greater than that of Aqua Mirabilis.

However some people prefer the milkier nature of Aqua Mirabilis to the oilier nature of Buffy. I guess it’s down to personal opinion and preference, but after giving them both a go over a period of time, I’ll always fight Buffy’s corner. Personally I cannot sing it’s praises loud enough. I’ve tried many expensive products in the past claiming to banish cellulite, smooth and hydrate the skin and Buffy is the only product that has actually made a noticeable difference.

Finally I’ll discuss value for money. Getting the larger bar (200g) is definitely worth while as you’ll save some money (to spend on other LUSHie delights), though you’ll need to chop it in half for it to fit into the body butter tin. Just place the palm of your hand on the top of the bar and slice carefully through the middle with a long sharp knife.  

Another great tip to make it last even longer, is to make sure you don’t use the bar directly under running water, or submerge it in the bath. I was quite surprised at how long a 90g bar lasts considering I use it 3-4 times a week. Buffy is the most long lasting of all the exfoliating body butters LUSH sell (You Snap the Whip, Aqua Mirabilis).

I’ll get back to you on how many uses/weeks it lasts, when I start a new bar, as I’ve never actually counted, though I think I get at least a month out of a 90g bar? Obviously this will vary upon how long you spend using the product each time, and what areas you cover.  I tend to focus using the product mainly on my problem areas (such as my bum and thighs), then quickly and gently apply to the rest of my body. Although you probably don’t need to use it quite as often as I do, I’d say twice a week would be fine, if you spend some time giving your skin a good buff.

In my opinion an absolute must have product to use all year round for noticeably smoother, glowing, polished and deeply nourished skin.

In conjunction with using Buffy here’s some simple top cellulite busting tips I follow (apart from the smoking, tut tut);

·  Eat plenty of fruit and leafy greens.

·  Avoid excess junk food (treats in moderation are acceptable, lol).

·  Avoid toxins like excessive alcohol and cigarettes.

·  Drink plenty of water to hydrate your body and flush out toxins. Eight to ten glasses a day are recommended *this is one of the best tips for cellulite busting and improving the skins appearance*

·  Dry brush your skin daily, preferably before bathing.

·  Finish your daily shower with a cold rinse to tone your skin *not the most pleasant tip and admittedly I don’t do this every day (especially in the winter), brrrrr*

Hottie Massage Bar

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

3 Hottie massage bars

2 Halloween specials

and a Snow Fairy lip and cheek tint

Hottie

Price: £4.95/90g

Product category: Massage Bar

Contains: Cocoa butter softens, nourishes, moisturises and conditions the skin leaving it supple and smooth; Shea butter is gentle on the skin leaving it soft, supple and moisturised and improves skin texture and appearance ; Organic jojoba oil deeply moisturises and softens the skin; Ginger oil relaxes aching muscles, relieves aching joints and stimulates circulation; Vanilla absolute for its cosy/comforting scent and also its moisturising properties; Black pepper oil is warming, improves circulation and relieves aching muscles.

How to use:

As a massage bar: warm the product up in the palm of your hands, then apply liberally to the area you are massaging using your hands or the bar to work the beautiful oils deeply into the skin and muscles.

As an all over body moisturiser: warm the product as above, apply all over the body using your hands to work the product into the skin. TIP: Best to use in this way at night as it is quite greasy. You’ll wake up with beautifully moisturised, silky soft and supple skin, and best of all your pj’s and bed sheets will smell fabulous,

Other interesting facts:

·         Black pepper is known as natural pain reliever and also combats mental fatigue.

·         Ginger oils is thought to have anti inflammatory properties and is used by aroma therapists in treating rheumatoid arthritis and headaches.

Verdict:

It’s definitely getting colder here in the North West of England! So imagine my delight when LUSH released this new massage bar Hottie. Its sensual blend of vanilla, ginger and black pepper is sexy, warming and comforting (I’m hoping for more products with the same beautiful scent). Its careful blend of ingredients work wonders by releasing tension, easing aching muscles while stimulating circulation. The little knobbly bits (just like the retro massage bar Bewitched) enhance its effects, allowing you to massage the beautiful oils deeply into the muscles and skin.

Admittedly I’ve only tried this to massage my arms and legs as I still have to careful with my back, though it definitely eased my aches and pains and improved the circulation in my legs. Whether it’s the blend of ingredients or the action of massaging, it definitely has a warming effect too. Hottie has quite a low melting temperature, so it glides very easily on the skin (making it easier to work with) and leaves a generous layer of beautiful oils on the skin.  

It also makes a great intensive body moisturiser due to its blend of cocoa and shea butters with jojoba oil. Though if you’re using it in this way I’d recommend doing at night as it’s quite greasy. You’ll wake up with beautifully soft, supple and moisturised skin and your pj’s and bed sheets will smell beautifully dreamy. It’s going to be a blessing for post Christmas shopping aching arms and legs!  Hottie is currently my new favourite massage bar, so grab yourself one for a truly comforting experience, you won’t be disappointed.



LUSH review - Ginger Lotion

Requested by Kerry Dawes

Ginger Lotion

Price: £12.20 /225g

Product category: Hands and Body (retro).

Description: ‘Pink and feminine, but strong and confident at the same time’ (LUSH). A thick textured, off white coloured cream for the hands or body. The scent is beautiful and very unique, think less ginger bread men and more floral meets spice. Ylang ylang infusion and oil, mimosa absolute, rose oil, geranium oil and jasmine absolute bring the delicate floral notes to the lotion and ginger oil and infusion bring the spice. It also contains juniper berry oil which brings a subtle refreshing woody aroma.

Ginger has a warm spicy aroma that eliminates toxins, improves circulation, is good for muscle joint complaints, and has warming, astringent and antiseptic properties.

Ylang ylang has a sweet floral aroma and has uplifting properties. Mimosa has a sweet floral/woody aroma, with calming properties (good for reliving anxiety) and antiseptic and astringent properties for the skin. Rose is good for balancing the emotions and is good for all skin types though especially favoured for mature or rough, dry and irritated skin types. Geranium has a balancing effect on the skin. And finally jasmine absolute has a strong heady floral aroma and is beneficial for sensitive skin and muscular complaints. Jasmine is also used to treat depression or other stress related conditions and know for its aphrodisiac properties.

All of these beautiful ingredients are blended together with almond oil (emollient that leaves a silky feel to the skin) and cocoa butter (natural emulsifier that has softening, moisturising and conditioning properties leaving the skin soft and supple).

How to use: Apply to hands and/or body massaging into the skin well.

The verdict: The first point I have to make is that this scent will not be for everyone. You’ll either love it or hate it. Therefore I’d highly recommend asking for a sample before you buy a full tub. Also I’d recommend that you don’t make a judgement based on how it smells in the tub as it changes significantly as it settles on your skin into something so unique and beautiful. The ginger scent is quite dominant and overpowering in the tub and when you first apply the cream, but within minutes the scent settles on your skin and brings pretty notes of mimosa, rose and geranium with subtle notes of the ginger. The scent stays on the skin for most of the day too.

It’s a typical LUSH concoction that shouldn’t work but does. It’s become one of my favourite LUSH scents; it’s so beautiful and unique. As a cream it doesn’t disappoint, it leaves your skin silky soft and supple. It sinks into the skin quickly so it’s ideal to use if you’re in a hurry (no standing around waiting for it dry). Personally I feel that the scent stands alone and don’t feel the need to wear perfume with it. However if you do decide to wear perfume I’d advise that you choose carefully to prevent clashing scents. Ginger (gorilla perfumes) has the same scent (all be it stronger) as the lotion so would go nicely, and possibly Imogen Rose (LUSH or gorilla perfumes) to bring out the floral notes more.

I first received this as a sample and I’m now on my third tub. If your after something pretty and unique without losing its benefits as a cream, Ginger Lotion is for you.

Products with the same scent: Gingerman ballistic (retro) and Ginger perfume.

LUSH review - Crème Anglaise

Requested by Charlie Shaw

Crème Anglaise


Price: £25 /225g

Product category: Hands and Body.

Description: ‘Crème de la crème of body moisturisers’ (LUSH). A thick textured, golden coloured cream for the hands or body. The scent is beautiful and reminds me of cinder toffee with a hint of orange. It contains a luxurious blend of natural butters and oils blended into almond and saffron infusion. LUSH has gone all out on packing some of the finest ingredients available into Crème Anglaise, hence it being their seccond most expensive product.

These ingredients include:

Almond Infusion for its softening and nourishing properties and Saffron Infusion (the world’s most expensive spice btw) gives the cream its golden colour.

Extra Virgin Coconut Oil has moisturising and softening properties and brings a natural balance to the skin; Almond Oil has a high vitamin E content (antioxidant and anti aging properties) and leaves a silky feel on the skin; and finally Sweet Orange Oil which is known for its antiseptic and toning properties.

Cocoa Butter and Shea Butter have softening, moisturising and conditioning properties, leaving skin soft and supple. Shea butter also contains vitamin A and omega-9 which are known to help maintain healthy skin.

How to use: Apply to hands and/or body massaging into the skin well.

The verdict: Out of all of LUSH’s body moisturisers this is definitely the richest. A little goes a long way and it soaks into the skin well (no waiting around before you get dressed). It really does feel like you’re giving your skin a luxurious treat. It eaves my skin really soft, silky and supple and used over time my skin feels firmer and more toned. I’m also in love with the scent; it reminds me of sweet cinder toffee and lasts on the skin most of the day.

Ok so the question on everyone’s lips is, is it worth the £25 price tag??? Well I’ve never bought myself a tub, though I’ve been given one as a gift (lucky me). To be honest as beautiful as it is, in my current position I couldn’t justify spending £25 on a body cream. I think of all the LUSH goodies I could get with that £25 and end up walking away from it every time. In saying this I only have a tiny amount left and I’m very tempted to either use my 10% voucher towards another tub, or ask someone for it as gift, as it does give my skin amazing results every time.

The problem I have with this product is the use saffron. Other than giving the cream a beautiful golden colour, I’m not aware of it actually having any beneficial properties for the skin. I’ve researched this a little and haven’t found anything to suggest otherwise, other than it has been claimed to soften and lighten the skin. Therefore I don’t think this cream would lose any of its effects (with all its other beautiful ingredients), if LUSH left out the saffron, and it would certainly cut the price significantly. If anyone can provide some information to suggest otherwise please feel free to comment, and I’ll edit the post :) (I’m no expert) SEE NOTE BELLOW.

Anyway in saying all of this I believe that this is quite possibly the richest and most beautiful moisturiser I have ever used on my body. A beautifully scented, lovely luxurious treat and you won’t be disappointed with the results. If like me you struggle justifying the price, ask for it as a gift and use as a treat. Some people use it on their upper body only though with its toning effects I can’t help slapping some on my thighs and bum too.

NOTE: 

"Saffron has also anti-bacterial properties on the skin. It's an antioxidant. It's very healthy for the skin. It also supposed to easen the pain"(Alexandra)

LUSH review - Ego

Ego

Price: £7.50


Product category: Massage Bar (retro)


Description: ‘Blend of natural, moisturising oils and stimulating herbs’ (LUSH). This is a large tablet shaped massage bar with Ego imprinted on the face. It is creamy white in colour. Ego is much larger than LUSH’s other massage bars so in my opinion is worth the extra pennies. Nothing is mentioned on the website about how relaxing and sleep inducing this scent is, which is rather surprising to me.

It’s a herby, lavender and hint of sweet lemon unisex scent, so is ideal to have as a massage bar you can both enjoy. It contains lavender, tarragon and rosemary oils which bring a herby/woody scent to the massage bar and the cocoa and shea butter which bring comforting notes. Rosemary is known for its antiseptic and antimicrobial properties for the skin and is great for joint/muscle pain and for relieving stress and fatigue; lavender is also great for skin complaints and is well known for its relaxing and sleep inducing properties; tarragon is good for joint and muscle pain, digestive complaints and menstrual pain.

Looking at the ingredients it’s clear to see how carefully LUSH have chosen the ingredients to create a massage bar that brings both aromatherapy and skin conditioning properties.

How to use: You can use this in two ways. If you have a partner (unlike me *sobs*) get them to give you a lovely relaxing massage and return the favour. Heat the product up in your hands then use the whole product over the body and work the oils into the skin with your hands as you would a normal massage. You can also use this as an intensive moisturiser. Warm the massage bar as previous and either apply the product using the bar directly on the skin, or apply product to the hands and work the product into your skin that way.


The verdict: This massage bar is seriously relaxing. The blend of oils really do feel therapeutic for both the mind and the body. I find it really helps with aches and pains and it certainly aids a restful night’s sleep. I tend to use this as a intensive night time moisturiser, as 1 I don’t have a partner to give me a massage :( and 2 I have to be very careful with my back still. I would recommend that if your using it in this way, you do it before you get into bed. The product leaves an oily residue on your skin due to the beautiful essential oils, and it takes a while to sink into the skin. The cocoa and shea butters really moisturise and tone your skin too. When you wake up in the morning you’ll have beautifully scented skin that feels silky and supple. Your bed sheets will also smell great (bonus!).

If you’re using it as a massage bar, the positive is that you’ll find it a lot less messy and faffy than using oils. This massage bar is too big to store in the massage bar tins that LUSH sell so I store mine in a tupperweare tub away from direct heat (otherwise it will melt).

The bar itself seems to last for ages, as a little goes a long way, so you definitely get value for money. Great for winding down at the end of a busy day, relieving stress, soothing aches and pains, and helping you drift into a restful sleep.

Use with; Dreamtime temple balm/ bath melt, Twilight, Waving not Drowning, Playdoze or French Kiss for the ultimate bedtime relaxation.

Top Tip: When you get towards the end of the bar and are finding it difficult to use. Chop it up and use as a softening bath melt.

LUSH review -Schnuggle

Schnuggle


Price: £7.50

Product category: Body Butter (retro)

Description: ‘Sleep inducing body butter for bedtime’ (LUSH). This is about the same size as The Soft Touch, Buffy and Running to the Embassy and is white in colour. The sent is so relaxing and comforting. Think lavender, sandalwood, ginger and chamomile with a very subtle hint of jasmine. This product contains absorbent powders and cocoa butter, which is designed to superbly moisturise your skin without it feeling greasy. Ok so for the ingredients; kaolin cleanses and exfoliates the skin; lavender is great for skin complaints and of course for relaxing the mind and inducing sleep; sandalwood sooths and softens the skin and is known for its antidepressant, astringent and antiseptic properties; jasmine is great for muscular and skin complaints and stress related illnesses and finally chamomile has calming and soothing properties for both the skin and the mind.

How to use: This product is design for use in both the shower and bath. The best way I’ve found to use this is on wet/damp skin. Make sure you don’t submerge the bar as it will melt very quickly. I’ve found it best to either step out from under the shower, or stand up in the bath and rub the bar all over your wet skin. Rinse if you wish then dry off. I wouldn’t recommend using this on dry skin, as it doesn’t glide as other body butters do due to the absorbent powders, and drags on the skin.

The verdict: This is by far my favourite relaxing treat. It leaves your skin beautifully soft and silky and it really does relax and comfort you. This certainly helps me get off to sleep at night so I’d recommend using this just before bed. You’ll be left feeling like someone’s has wrapped their arms around you and given you the best schnuggle ever. A must have product for everyone after a long day at work, stress, hectic life styles and insomniacs.

Use with; Dreamtime temple balm/ bath melt, Twilight, Waving not Drowning, Comforter (strange but works), Playdoze or French Kiss for the ultimate bedtime relaxation.