LUSH HAUL #2

02/15/2010

So, I was so happy with my first LUSH Haul that I placed another small order with the HEAD, SHOULDERS, KNEES, AND TOES promo (which expired at the end of January, or else I'd link you there). Basically, for a promotional price you received a handful of samples, as well as two regular sized items, ranging from shampoo all the way down to foot cream, which is of course a fabulous way to try the brand if you're new... or to expand your collection if you're already obsessed. So, these are my first impressions, since with this kind of thing you really need to give yourself a good month or two before a true review.

1. FULL SIZED: "NEW!" SHAMPOO BAR

Regular price on this is $9.25 on the US site (usually lower on the UK site; depends on current exchange rates)
I was really hesitant about the idea of a bar shampoo. Apparently, the idea is that you save the packaging by just having the shampoo in a solid format. You can either rub it into your hands to lather, or just rub it on a wet head. And, I was pleasantly surprised. It works FABULOUSLY! This one smells like cinnamon... very spicy but fresh. The idea behind this specific shampoo bar is that it is formulated for hormonal hair loss. I can't attest to whether it assists with that, but it smells very nice and makes my hair really soft. I did use a pre-shampoo conditioner beforehand, and would definitely recommend a good conditioner afterwards if your hair tends to be dry.

2. SAMPLE: EACH PEACH MASSAGE BAR

Regular price: $8.75
The general idea behind massage bars, besides the obvious fact that you can indeed perform massages with them, is that you can rub the bar anywhere on your body for a nice moisturizing sheen. Although they do tend to be a bit oily, they're amazing for dry skin, especially in the winter. I adore the scent on this one... it's a lot more orange/lemon/grapefruit-y than peach, and it smells very invigorating. I would definitely repurchase this once I run out of the sample.

3. SAMPLE: LEMONY FLUTTER SAMPLE

Regular price: $13.25 1 oz; UK price ~$8.60
(If you're considering this one, ask for a sample, either via mail on another order or in a store. The samples are HUGE for this one!)
This is an extremely thick cream meant to soften the cuticles, or any smaller rough patches of skin. As far as consistency goes, it IS extremely thick and thus moisturizing. However, I don't love the scent. (But, don't just take my word for it. Check out the LUSH website... this is one of the most adored products and scents on the site!). It's just a strange sugary sweet herbally lemonish pie smell, which is strangely unappealing to me. I don't particularly feel the need to moisturize my cuticles, either, so I probably won't repurchase this one, unless the scent grows on me later.

4. SAMPLE: SUGAR SCRUB

Regular price: $4.95 US; about 50 cents less current UK Price
This smells very herbal, like ginger or ... I don't know, trees? LOL! It's just a round ball of sugar-y goodness that is extremely exfoliating and left my skin feeling incredibly soft after my shower. However, I wasn't sure how to store the remainder, and it just kinda melted into a blob, making it really difficult to use on my second use. I think I'd rather just have one of their exfoliating soaps than a sugar scrub, for this reason, but I did enjoy the overall effect.

5. SAMPLE: HANDY GURUGU SAMPLE

Regular price: $16.45/3.5 OZ US; $10.15 for 100 grams UK
I LOVE this lotion! It's very moisturizing, without being too thick. It's very creamy, and has such a calming, herbal scent. It sinks into the skin and, while the scent does tone town, you can still get a pleasant little whiff hours later. Make sure to either smell this in-shop or request a sample before buying, though, because unlike the Lemony Flutter, the general consensus on this one is that the smell just isn't that great. I'm absolutely hooked, though, and I will definitely repurchase!

6. SAMPLE: FAIR TRADE FOOT LOTION

Regular price: $19.50/7.9 OZ US; $12.47/225g UK
So, this one is a mix of cocoa butter, spearmint, peppermint, and almond oil in a thick, pink lotion form. I haven't really used a lot of foot lotions, so I don't know that I can truly compare this to any other similar product. It's nice and thick, but the scent is a little weird. It reminds me of the strange peppermint scent that would be used in some kind of dental/orthodontic setting, which just puts me off a little. Plus, that's just a bit high for foot lotion, unless it gives amazing results that I just haven't seen yet. I probably will not be repurchasing this.

7. SAMPLE: AQUA MARINA FACIAL CLEANSER
$9.75 US

This facial cleanser is designed for sensitive skin, which is definitely what I need, and so far it's been amazingly soothing on my skin. You cut off a pea-sized junk, mix it up in your hands with warm water, and apply it like a paste. Then, of course, rinse. It's a pinkish shade and is made from Calamine, sea salt, orange oil, patchouli oil, aloe vera, and sea weed. The smells was a bit overwhelming at first, but it's really grown on me, and as long as my skin continues to respond well to this, I'll definitely repurchase it and alternate it with my Fresh Farmacy (see first LUSH Haul for details)

8. SAMPLE: CELESTIAL MOISTURIZER

Formulated for sensitive skin, the Celestial moisturizer is a pleasant mix of almond milk and vanilla that leaves a faint milky vanilla scent on the skin. I used this when my skin had become extremely dry, due to a bad reaction with Proactiv.... again.... (you think I'd learn!!), and Celestial did a fantastic job smoothing and softening the rough patches. However, I think it's just too heavy for every day use, unless your skin is REALLY dry. While I may not necessarily repurchase this, I'd love to have a sample around for skin emergencies, as this really did the trick when nothing else did! (If you have sensitive skin, always try to get a sample in-store or tacked onto an online order to see how your skin reacts. These moisturizers are a big investment, and it should be worth it!

9. This was not part of the Head-Shoulders-Knees-Toes Kit, but it's something I've been wanting to try.
DADDY-O SHAMPOO

Check out the pull down menu before you faint at the price. The 3.3oz bottle is $8.75, and since the product is SO concentrated, it will last forever. This is a purple shampoo, meant to tone down the brassiness from blonde hair. Supposedly it's also good for keeping grey hair shiny. The scent, quite honestly, is overwhelming. It's like an herbally, almost chemically, candy smell. Although it almost makes me GAG in the shower, it smells very sweet and subtle on my hair, and I can catch whiffs of it hours later. It makes my hair look and feel great, although I haven't been using it long enough to know whether it tones down the brass. Since I tend towards oily hair, I didn't even use a conditioner with this, and it was fine. My hair is just as soft as if I hadn't skipped a beat. However, I've read that Daddy-O is drying on most hair types, so make sure to use a nice conditioner if you opt for this shampoo.

OKAY, that's it. I'll do my January favorites soon, as well as some of the beauty questions I've swiped from YouTube and GlamourCheck. Thanks for reading!