A few weeks ago I picked up this oil (as it was on offer in Tesco) and decided to use it exclusively to see how it fared against my other body oils. As I've used over half of the 200ml bottle now I thought it was time for a review.
When it comes to oils I prefer dry oils over thick greasy ones and I use them over slightly damp skin after a shower. So this fast absorbing dry oil appealed to me straight away. Plus the fact it has an easy pour opening so you can pour out as much or as little as you like with ease... something that is difficult to do with oil sprays and dropper style bottles. Making this a great option for applying all over the body in lightening quick speed.
Nivea Firming Body Oil (£6.96 - 200ml Boots here) much like all body oils state the oil will soften and nourish the skin and is good for use on stretch marks. So nothing new there really. But it also boasts it can firm the skin within two weeks.
So have I noticed any firming from using this? Not really. However I have noticed my skin feeling much softer as it's such a moisturising oil compared to other hight street ones I have tried. This may be down to how much I am able to use in one go, to really massage the skin or the moisturising ingredients. Either way I am loving it as a more winter dry oil (Garnier Ultimate Beauty Oil is my summer go-to).
As for the other aspects of the Firming Body Oil you should expect the typical Nivea scent which is verging on artificial yet pleasant enough and quite subtle. Consistency wise as mentioned this is more of a dry oil so you can apply this liberally and within minutes get dressed or just not feel like a greaseball as you sit around in a towel.
The main benefits of this for me is the size of the bottle, meaning I can use as much as I like over my entire body and also how nourishing it is on drier winter skin. So this will definitely be my all over oil from now on for when I really want to nourish my skin inbetween using oils from Garnier, Balance Me and Neom that I use a little more sparingly.
If you are looking for a good sized oil at a high street price then I'd definitely recommend this.
Fee xo.
I thought it was about time I review one of Lush's more recent products that I think is an amazing idea and so fun. Which I guess is why the product is aptly named FUN!
Lush's bath innovation - FUN, consists of 5 scented plasticine/clay type products aimed at children and adults (well I hope adults as I've been enjoying them all far too much). These fun water soluble products are 4 in 1 and can be used for the body as body wash, the hair as shampoo, in the bath as bubble bath/soap and also just for fun for making different things with.
As you can see I have a FUN gift set that was only available for Christmas 2013, which allowed me to try out 3 of the 5 colours/scents. However each colour can be purchased in 200g logs for £5.00 here or in-store at Lush. The bars available are - Red (mandarin & orange scent), Green (lemon & lime), Yellow (vanilla), Blue (lavender & chamomile) and Pink (fruit tonka).
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| The gold coloured FUN here is actually the yellow Fun in the existing range. |
The Fun things about FUN
Well it's pretty obvious this is a super fun product for playing with. It does dry out if you leave it out but if you just want it as a fun modelling clay thats scented you can play with it and then put it back in the wrapper to be re-used time and time again. So I love it just as a solely fun thing that doesn't need to be used in the shower/bath. But there is also the fun of creating, or should I say your children creating, little figures to take into the bath with them, making bath time a lot more fun and appealing. In the bath/shower the Fun bars work really well as soap/body wash, foaming nicely and smelling amazing so I'd definitely say this is their main use. However you can also pop a little FUN creation next to the sink and use it as soap though be careful of getting the bathroom steamy as it will melt into a blob! As for the scents they are all amazing and I can't pick a favourite! Just so fresh and yummy smelling.
Where FUN falls short
As the product does state it is 4 in 1 I tried out all the possible ways of using it and have to say 2 of the ways just aren't up to scratch. As a shampoo bar this just doesn't work, though I already imagined it wouldn't due to the softness of the product. It simply gets stuck in the hair and is hard to use - a total no-no. The other suggestion from Lush is to crumble it under a hot tap for a bubble bath which again didn't work, not many bubbles at all and little bits of the product were stuck to the bath once I had drained the water. However as soap to use in the bath it definitely works!
As you can see, here are two of my lovely creations which I took into the shower with me. The dinosaur may have taken some time to make... I will admit I did get quite in to it. But of course if you are more grown up than I you could just break off some of the product and use it on the shower. I would say my little dinosaur was more than enough for my entire body.
Just as I side note - these do contain sodium laureth sulfate, as do a lot of Lush products. Which I tend to avoid but as these seemed so fun I decided to use them and haven't had a reaction or any dryness, however if you do suffer with any skin problems I would suggest avoiding these like any other product containing sulfates.
My overall option of these as body washes is very positive and I will be buying myself a full bar of one of the FUN products when these are all used up. Also such a fun thing for children to play with and use!
However if you are wanting these to create bubbles in a bath I would give this range a miss.
Fee xo.
As some of you may know I like to avoid certain ingredients in skincare/body products - mainly Sulphates/Sulfates (a cheap ingredient that makes a lot of products foam up). Basically think of me as a Pescetarian of the beauty world.
So when it comes to shower gel, shampoo, facial scrubs/washes etc I do avoid sulfates or SLS's as they are often known (you can read about why I avoid this ingredient here). But one thing I have become more relaxed with is soap that contains it for washing my hands with. Meaning now I can indulge in lots of lovely soaps from the likes of Lush and The Body Shop.
Quite a lot of soaps from Lush do contains sulfates though fortunately this specific soap (mainly because it is a glycerine soap) is free from it, meaning I can use it as a hand soap and also in the shower on my skin, which is pretty good as this is such a zingy summery scented soap.
I have been a fan of soaps from Lush for quite a long time now because I find them great value for money and they smell and look so good! I personally like to just buy 100g of a Lush soap and then I cut it up in to four and use one slice/cube next to the bathroom sink, one in the shower and one next to the kitchen sink and then also have a piece to spare or pass on to someone else! So for this specific soap it cost only £2.95! Though you can literally buy as much as you wish as long as it's over 100g.
Bohemian Soap (£2.95 per 100g) is one of Lush's more basic soaps containing mainly Lemon Oil, Soap and Glycerine... but sometimes the most simple of products are the best, which I have definitely found with this soap. As a hand soap it works well as the lemon-y scent wafts up as you wash your hands and they a left smelling fresh and clean. But this is definitely a soap to be used in either the bath or shower as it is zingy and uplifting. So more often than not I opt for this instead of my many shower gels when I'm having a morning shower or I've just worked out (yes, I am trying to get fit for summer!).
Another soap from Lush that is quite similar in that is packs some punch, but is extra yummy smelling, is Rock Star (£3.40 per 100g) which is a more creamy soap but oh, seriously this is one to have a sniff of when you are next passing or shopping in Lush - just amazing!
Bohemian Soap is without a doubt my summer soap now along with Rock Star which I really do need to re-purchase as I'm currently using the smallest piece that I have left.
What hand soap do you normally use?
Fee xo.
I am a soap person. Well actually I am an 'anything that smells good' person. So I am very much in to body scrubs, shower gels, bath goodies and nice soap.
I have relaxed my rules on only using sulphate-free products recently and now use standard soap (if these soap can be classed as standard!) to wash my hands with and also sometimes in the shower. Basically because I missed the wide choice of amazing smelling soaps.
Two soaps that I have started using recently are the Honey I Washed the Kids soap and also the Rock Star soap from Lush. When I think of Lush I still do think of them as that amazing soap shop even though they do so many different and interesting products now. But for me the soaps and bath bombs always catch my attention first.
Honey I Washed the Kids Soap
(£3.40/100g - Lush website or in-store)
This is one of Lush's best selling soap and I can totally see why. Many times I have gone into Lush even when I was totally SLS-free and had to smell this just to inhale the scent. There is just something about this slightly honey/caramel/orange goodness; the balance of all the different scents is just perfect.
I have been using this as hand soap but also on my arms and legs in the shower as it is quite moisturising and lathers up really nicely. The block above is around 130g so would cost around £4.40 however the good thing about Lush is that you can ask for as much or as little as you like. I am pretty sure there would be nothing stopping you asking for say - 30g of a certain soap which would only cost £1.00 to try out. Actually I will try this out when next in Lush and report back!
This is a great soap for next to the sink as you can buy a 100g or more block of it then slice it up and each slice with still have a bit of the honeycomb on the top which looks great.
Rock Star Soap
(£3.40/100g - Lush website or in-store)
I love this just as much as Honey I Washed the Kids but for totally different reasons. This is the sweetest smelling soap you will find in Lush... I actually can't describe how sweet it smells but trust me when I say that this smells like no other soap. For me this smells like yummy vanilla and a bag of pic and mix. Also if you pick up a piece of this in store to smell you will notice how creamy it feels which is why it is so nice to have this next to the sink.
One thing about Lush soaps is that they are creamy and give a creamy lather and that is the most noticeable in this soap! It lather up a treat and it's a thick creamy lather definitely makes it worth buying.
If I were to give a few products from Lush as a gift at Christmas as I much prefer that than buying one of the Lush sets (though this year's Christmas gift sets start at only £6.95!) then this would always be included, along with The Comforter Bubble Bar (£4.25) as it just looks amazing.
As you can see this is what I like to do with the soaps from Lush. Unlike pretty much all soaps these slice up so easily, no sawing through them with a knife unlike other standard soaps I have had in the past - with Lush soap the knife just slices though them. So this means you can cube them up like I do or slice them so you don't get that annoying gooey soap mess unlike when using a bar of soap. It also means you can put some in shower and next to the sink. Or even for travelling with!
Lush have recently come out with lots of new products and I have to say I am very tempted by their Popcorn Lip Scrub (£5.25/25g - here) and also their Fun range (£5.00 - here) which is basically plasticine for children & adults to use in the shower, bath or even as shampoo!
What are your all time favourite products from Lush?
Fee xo.
For years and years I didn't really love Lush and thought it was overpriced. However now I always seem to have things on my wish list from Lush and know how to not spend too much in there and also buy products that last well!
I still do believe Lush is way overpriced on some products - Gorgeous Moisturiser £37.50/45g anyone?! Eeep. Also I do have to avoid quite a lot of products, mainly their shower gels, shampoos and soaps as they contain sulphates. But despite that I do have some firm favourites from Lush and love going in-store now and again to have a look at all the products especially for people at Christmas & Birthdays.
Breath of Fresh Air Toner Water
£3.75/100g (here)
This product is a long standing favourite of mine that I feel is a nice addition to my skincare routine even though it doesn't really add anything as such, it's just a pleasant product to use.
For me this is definitely a product I use during the summer months as it's so refreshing to use on a cotton pad at night after taking off my makeup or spritz on my face after applying makeup just to remove that matte look from the skin. However I do also use this in winter when I feel my dry is feeling a bit urgh from the central heating. Whether I use this wiped over the face with a cotton pad or sprayed directly onto the face (from a good distance mind) it is just a really refreshing feeling that just perks up the skin and gives it some life. Plus it smells lovely!
I've you have never tried any of the Toner Waters from Lush but are wanting to, then I would 100% recommend this one.
£3.75/100g (here)
This product is a long standing favourite of mine that I feel is a nice addition to my skincare routine even though it doesn't really add anything as such, it's just a pleasant product to use.
For me this is definitely a product I use during the summer months as it's so refreshing to use on a cotton pad at night after taking off my makeup or spritz on my face after applying makeup just to remove that matte look from the skin. However I do also use this in winter when I feel my dry is feeling a bit urgh from the central heating. Whether I use this wiped over the face with a cotton pad or sprayed directly onto the face (from a good distance mind) it is just a really refreshing feeling that just perks up the skin and gives it some life. Plus it smells lovely!
I've you have never tried any of the Toner Waters from Lush but are wanting to, then I would 100% recommend this one.
Tea Tree Toner Water
£3.75/100g (here)
The Tea Tree Toner Water is a new product for me but as I love the Breath of Fresh Air so much I thought it was about time I tried another toner water from Lush. So far I am liking the toner and use it on days were my skin is feeling a little more oily, before applying any makeup and also at night after cleansing to remove any residue. I only use this on a cotton pad and unlike the Breath of Fresh Air Toner I do noticed that it does remove excess grime so it is ideal for anyone with oily skin who doesn't want anything that is tightening or stripping. So far so good with this toner!
£3.75/100g (here)
The Tea Tree Toner Water is a new product for me but as I love the Breath of Fresh Air so much I thought it was about time I tried another toner water from Lush. So far I am liking the toner and use it on days were my skin is feeling a little more oily, before applying any makeup and also at night after cleansing to remove any residue. I only use this on a cotton pad and unlike the Breath of Fresh Air Toner I do noticed that it does remove excess grime so it is ideal for anyone with oily skin who doesn't want anything that is tightening or stripping. So far so good with this toner!
Glorious Mud Shower Scrub
£3.95/100g (here)
This is a totally new product for me and one that I was kindly given for my birthday last month by someone that remembered I don't use anything with sulfates in! I have yet to try it out as it has been sitting in my wardrobe making everything smell amazing but I cannot wait to try it out as I love shower scrubs that aren't the norm. But like most product that come like this from Lush I am going to be chopping it up in to 4 or 6 pieces so I get quite a bit of use from it!
Sugar Scrub Shower Scrub
£2.75/100g (here)
Ahhh the Lush Sugar Scrub Shower Scrub - not one of my favourite products. However I did receive this as a gift and I'm going to make it my mission to find a way of using it so it doesn't scratch my skin off this time?! When I first tried this I found it so abrasive that I was shocked and the only thing I found it suitable for was on my feet and knees and even then it was quite harsh. I just can't imagine anyone really liking how abrasive it is! But instead of wasting the product I am going to try this in the bath after it has soften a bit in the water and see how I go. But really I'm not a fan of this product at all.
Even though I have totally avoided SLS's/sulphates for the past two years I am thinking about being a little less strict when it comes to hand soap as I would only be using it on my hands and I am always so tempted my all the lovely Lush soaps like Porridge, Honey I Washed The Kids and Rock Star. I think I need to stop being so cautious!
Fee xo.
Now I'm definitely no water baby when it comes to taking baths - I much prefer showers. However in Winter there is something really nice about have the odd bath and just lying there all warm and totally relaxed!
But as I so rarely have baths it also means I'm extremely fussy! But that is mainly because I don't use anything that contains Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and haven't for quite a long time now (as it is so long winded you can read about why I avoid SLS here if you want) so for that reason I have to be picky but it also generally means the products are quite good quality!
In the Bath...
Balance Me Rose Otto Body/Bath Wash
(£12.25 from Naturisismo here)
This actually came free with Red magazine and at first I didn't like it because of the geranium scent to it. However as a shower gel it really made a difference to my skin and it can also be used in the bath with the same skin softening effects! Definitely will be purchasing this again once I run out. Really lovely, natural and a big surprise for me!
(£12.25 from Naturisismo here)
This actually came free with Red magazine and at first I didn't like it because of the geranium scent to it. However as a shower gel it really made a difference to my skin and it can also be used in the bath with the same skin softening effects! Definitely will be purchasing this again once I run out. Really lovely, natural and a big surprise for me!
N SPA Angel Cake Bath Melt
(£2.50 on offer Asda here)
Oh I love N-Spa products and I love that some of their products are free from SLS! My favourite product is their toffee scrub which is heavenly but this is a close second as it's just yummy but in a totally different way. I love the packaging and it kind of reminds me of a Lush product in a way, by the sweet smell and the colour.
(£2.50 on offer Asda here)
Oh I love N-Spa products and I love that some of their products are free from SLS! My favourite product is their toffee scrub which is heavenly but this is a close second as it's just yummy but in a totally different way. I love the packaging and it kind of reminds me of a Lush product in a way, by the sweet smell and the colour.
After soaking...
After getting out of the bath I really like to rub something into my skin that will soak in and not be all slippery for ages afterwards, so here are my two favourite products.
Good Things Soothing Body Butter
(£5.99 from Sainsbury)
I use this when I want to feel awake and summery as it really does smell amazing - like tropical fruits. It is also really thick but soaks in so so well and leaves the skin feeling plumped up and smooth. Plus it is free from all nasties!
(£5.99 from Sainsbury)
I use this when I want to feel awake and summery as it really does smell amazing - like tropical fruits. It is also really thick but soaks in so so well and leaves the skin feeling plumped up and smooth. Plus it is free from all nasties!
Neom Organic Body Oil in Lemon & Fresh Basil
(£30.00 from Feel Unique here)
I have tried so many body oils it's unreal as I just love how they soak into the skin like nothing else. But as they do soak in so well I don't like anything that contains chemicals - because anything that soaks into your skin goes into your bloodstream. The only thing I don't like about this is that it is glass and I'm always scared that one day I'm going to drop on my tiled bathroom floor, which WOULD NOT be good at all! But that aside the smell and feel of this on the skin is just amazing and such quality, plus you need such a small amount of this. Just in love with this as a product.
(£30.00 from Feel Unique here)
I have tried so many body oils it's unreal as I just love how they soak into the skin like nothing else. But as they do soak in so well I don't like anything that contains chemicals - because anything that soaks into your skin goes into your bloodstream. The only thing I don't like about this is that it is glass and I'm always scared that one day I'm going to drop on my tiled bathroom floor, which WOULD NOT be good at all! But that aside the smell and feel of this on the skin is just amazing and such quality, plus you need such a small amount of this. Just in love with this as a product.
Extra Treats...
From time to time I do get bored with baths so I like to try different quirky things! Sometimes it will be a new ballistic from Lush, sometimes it will be homemade and sometimes I just pick up random things I see and put into my drawer to keep my clothes smelling nice for when I want to use them.
Dr Rose's Apothecary (Rose & Co) Milk Bath
(£2.25 from Fragrance Directs here)
I have been meaning to try this for the last week but haven't had the time to fit in a bath really (don't worry I do shower!) but this looks really interesting! It is basically a white milky, sweet scented powder that you put into the bath and it makes it all nice and milky/vannila scented. There is quite a few in the range that I also want to give a swirl after this! Also it does around three baths and can be used in a foot spa!
Lush Mrs Whippy Bath Ballistic
(£1.99 in-store)
I try to be adventurous with the ballistics I pick but I always come back to this one as I really love it! I love how this foams up in the bath instead of whizzing around so really nice if you want a long soak and it definitely reminds me of melted ice-cream. So fun and it smells fab!
Would love to know what you use in and after a bath as I feel I need to try a few more products!
Fee xo.
Fee xo.
I would love to say I could walk into Lush, pick up something pretty looking and buy it. Sadly though so many products contain Sodium Laureth/Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) which I totally avoid due to it irritating my skin (well making my arms bumpy and just generally doing nothing for the skin).
So my Lush visits are planned with military precision, armed with an exact list of the products that don't contain SLS and I must say the list is always short. Shower jellies are out, so are all shower gels, shampoos and soaps, as are all the lovely looking Bubble Bars!
Having said that there are afew products that DON'T contain any sulfates...afew Bath Ballistics and some Shower Scrubs. I do find with Lush that the products that I think won't contain SLS as they don't generally lather up, always do contain it!
Cinders Ballistic £1.95/90g
So this little baby is totally sulfate free and is also pretty much chemical free (which is a rarity with any bath products not just ones from Lush).
If I'm honest though I bought this because it was one of the very few Ballistics that are sulfate free, so I can't say I bought it due to the smell...but it does have a lovely scent to it once in the bath, quite Cinnamon-y and perfect for winter.
Once in the water the Ballistic starts to fizz and dissolve, also the red popping candy starts to work which is a nice effect (unless you have the water running and you can't hear it which is what I did for part of it). I can't say it creates a wonderful effect by turning the bath water yellow.
But once in the bath you can really feel the essential oils in the water and even though they are no bubbles the water does feel really soft.
As for the scent it definitely does last on the skin after the bath and does leave the skin softer like a nice bath oil would!
Overall I would highly recommend this, however I have heard sometimes the crackling sound with the popping candy doesn't work!
Li'l Lush Pud Ballistic £1.95/90g
I definitely bought this on the look and smell of the product - though it is still sulfate free!
This had actually been sitting on my bedside table for afew days before I used it and actually smelt incredible - very Christmassy.
This actually fizzed alot more and for alot longer than the Cinders Ballistic and left a lovely layer of what looks like snow on the top of the water.
However it does turn the water brown which I can't say I loved (I also didn't love how it left a brown tide mark around the bath) - hence the no image!
But like 'Cinders' it does leave that silky feeling to the water with a lovely aroma of baked apples and cinnamon.
Overall for the price these are quite nice but I would just love to see a bubble or two...but I guess then it would contain a Sulfate of some kind!
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