Jingle Jelly

Festive fun in the shower

This sparking green shower jelly has a rather intoxicating scent which I'm personally not a fan of. It's spicy, green and rather piney but Lush's take on this smell just doesn't do it for me. The jellies also tend to leak a lot which doesn't impress, but if you do manage to get a nice solid blob it can get you endless amusement and clean skin and hair. Worth a go, but you're better off getting one with a different scent.

Christmas Angel

Delicious, but not edible...



This minty bathtime treat fizzes gently, releasing a luxurious froth and then a wonderful surprise of chocolate lumps! Yummy... Or not. When I tasted a bit of the chocolate my taste buds were in shock until the next morning. But then again it serves me right for being so greedy... This sparkly delight is more than satisfactory without tasting good too.

Mask of Magnaminty

This lovely green face mask is the only one with a shelf life exceeding 2 weeks, but this advantage is dashed by the fact it contains a preservative in order to achieve this. Which is a shame really, because this minty mask of magnificence is a lovely treat which is sure to brighten and clear the skin, and it's especially nice straight out of the fridge in summer.

Snow Fairy

A pink pot of girliness

Snow Fairy is pure girl. Pink, sparkly and sweetly scented, this bottle of shower gel could be the most girly product Lush has ever made, despite several men who are known to love it (we won't tell)! But despite all the hype about it, it's nothing more than a bunch of chemicals really. The most girly, but the least natural. And I know where my priorities are! Despite this, I must admit it makes a pretty good shampoo and is great for little girls, as long as you don't mind the chemicals.

Christingly

A tingly treat for Christmas

This bubble bar may be rock hard, but once you've broken it up and the bubbles begin to form, you'll be in love. The little pieces of mint scent the water beautifully and it smells like a combination of spearmint and bubblegum. It's absolutely delicious.

Christmas Kisses

The first bubble bar I ever tried, and it got me hooked

Christmas Kisses is a spicy cinnamon treat which will give you a bath overflowing with bubbles as you languish in its festive red waters. Until I tried this I was not a bath person at all, but this really is something different.

Angel's Delight

Somewhat overpowering

This hot pink, highly decorated soap is so strong-smelling that your neighbours might complain about the fake-fruity stench wafting from your bathroom. It smelled so strong that I gave it away immediately after using it on my hands, so I can't comment on its general performance as a shower soap.

Snowcake

Bathe in marzipan

This almond and marzipan scented soap is one of Lush's almost-edible creations. It's loved so much that it has become a Christmas regular, unlike many of Lush's Christmas products which make a brief appearance one year never to be seen again. Rub the delicious, creamy bar all over your body and you'll see why.

Milky Bar

Snuggle down with milky scented skin

The milky scent of Milky Bar matches that of Hot Milk? bubble bar. Use them together and you'll feel as snug as a bug in a rug, especially if it's before bed. Warm, inviting, and strangely addictive, this gentle soap shouldn't be overlooked just because it's not as colourful as the rest.

Hot Milk?

A bit of comfort before bed

This bubble bar is one of the most comforting Lush make. It smells powdery, soapy and just plain comforting. It is rather plain to look at but once you hop in the bath with it, you'll know why it receives so many great reviews amongst Lush fans everywhere.

Bathos

For those who really love a bit of violet

Here we have another violet delight in the form of Lush's bubbliest and most highly scented bubble bar. This is my favourite of the lot and you can get as many baths from one as you like - just add more to increase colour, scent and bubbliness. Yum.

Ne Worry Pas

More Parma Violet fun

Lush have couple of products with that wonderful scent of violets, and this is another one. Ne Worry Pas is a lovely ballistic which will soften your skin after making the bath water milky white and scenting the house with that gorgeous smell. The cute purple hole is there for you to tell your troubles to before watching them fizz away.

Romance in a Stone

A romantic bath for two

This ballistic is the perfect romantic treat and is scented with a mixture of citrus oils. It is packed with sexy rose petals and contains a sonnet in the middle so you can read it to your partner in the candlelight. It's a shame it's only a half sized ballistic because it really is one of the best.

Golden Slumbers

A relaxing bedtime bath

Golden Slumbers comes with a dusting of golden powder and several sprigs of lavender. Drop it in the bath before bed and enjoy as the calming essential oils soothe you. Just be careful not to fall asleep in the bath.

Green Wing

Avobath gets all dressed up for Christmas

This cute fairy shape is the lovely Avobath in a Christmas outfit. It has all the citrus and gingery appeal of normal Avobath but with added sparkle and cuteness.

Wish Upon a Star

...that you don't get this in your stocking!

For those who like the scent of pine and air freshener this might be lovely. But for me, it was absolutely disgusting! A big white ball of nothingness, apart from the vile smell of fake forest. The only thing that was cute was the little surprise in the middle.

Twinkle

American Cream for the bath

For lovers of American Cream conditioner, this is Christmas heaven in a bath. Scented with that strawberry-vanilla-and-something-else-rather-sexy fragrance, the smell lingers for hours. Some have more glitter in than others, ranging from coating you head to toe with the stuff to none being visible. Look out to find one to suit your preference.

Puddy Holly

The most delicious Christmas pudding you can get

Scented with almonds, this lovely Christmas bath bomb was so cute I couldn't resist. It looks just like a real Christmas pudding and luckily, it seems to reappear in Lush every Christmas (although it does sometimes undergo a name change). If only it was available all year round...

Christmas Party

A sparkly Christmas delight of a bath

This was another magical Christmas treat from Lush. This time, it smelled delicately of Buck's Fizz and showered the bath with an array of multicoloured stars. This was one bath I didn't want to get out of.

Letters to Santa

A vile Christmas bath

This ballistic turned the water a dirty green with a couple of foamy letters, and smelled sickly sweet with a hint of ginger to my nostrils. Well, I couldn't wait to get out of the bath. And when I did, I stared in horror at the stained bath tub. It's never been the same white since.

Jingle Spells

A magical experience

This ballistic is unfortunately a Christmas special, but when you can get your hands on it I advise you to. It makes a truly magical bath. Firstly it turns the water the deepest shade of purple, before erupting with hundreds of twinkling purple and silver stars! It looks like the night sky with a fragrance of juniperberry and fennel. Very sophisticated indeed.

Aromacreme

For floral armpits all day and beyond

This deodorant is a miracle. It contians no aluminium and is a cream which you simply rub into your armpits. It's the only deodorant I've ever used which has worked for an entire day. In fact, at the end of the day I love giving my armpits a good old sniff to get the most of the delightful fragrance! In the tub it's not so pleasant, but once on it's absolutely beautiful and, like Coconut, people have commented on my nice perfume. Considering I wear no perfume at all, I think that's pretty good going for a deodorant. I'll warn you that although I've used it for over a year without a hitch, some people find it can badly irritate their skin so it's best to ask for a sample first. Pray that it suits you though, because it's a product from heaven.

Coconut

The coconuttiest deodorant powder you could meet

You can't get a more pleasant, natural coconut smell than this. However, do not use it for a whole day on its own because you'll regret it when it wears off. It's great for a top up before going out for a couple of hours, and on these occasions people have even commented on my "lovely coconut perfume", and it's also nice to layer with another deodorant for added strength throughout a normal day. It makes a lovely dusting powder too so all is not lost. In fact, despite it not serving its purpose as well as it could, I really like this product.

Therapy

The original massage bar

This was Lush's first massage bar and I must say that they've improved as they've gone along. This is boring and the scent leaves a lot to be desired. Light lemon and lavender is an odd combination, but if you like subtle scents then it may just be for you. I suppose it could be theraputic but I gave it away after first use to make way for a more exciting massage bar.

Soft Coeur

More toffee indulgence for the skin

Even if you have nobody to massage or to massage you, you must get this for the cuteness and yumminess alone. But what's so exciting about this naughty massage bar is that as well as smelling of toffee and chocolate, it contains real chocolate to melt all over your partner for some sweet but naughty fun! What a tasty adventure!

It's a Pleasure Treasure

Bring some pleasure to your skin

This cute and rather romantic little massage bar has a lovely orange blossom scent and looks as cute as a button. It's a lovely treat for either a partner or yourself, but the sticky pink bit (calamine) could do with being removed before it gets you in a sticky mess.

Each Peach

Fruity overload!

This would be quite a nice massage bar were it not for the inescapable lemon sherbet scent. Nice for a minute or two, but quickly makes me feel sick. And it's a rather large bar to use up quickly too! The great thing is that it works as a body moisturiser, so if you can stand the smell (which most people should be able to, as it's not offensive but just a bit strong for me) then smooth it over yourself after a bath or shower for summery skin.

Flying Fox

A little tin of serenity

This temple balm never fails to sort me out when I'm in a foul mood and have no time to hop in the shower with the shower gel of the same name. Smelling like a summery flower garden just can't fail to make you smile, can it?

Dreamtime

A smelly lullaby in a tin

This temple balm stinks. To be quite blunt, it's an unpleasant mix of herbs that I'd really rather not smother all over me before drifting off to sleep. But if I'm desperate, it does work... if you use half the tin. The smell is so subtle once on the skin that you need a really good coating before it does any good. And even then, it probably only sends you off to sleep by knocking you out with that foul smell.

Whipstick

Good enough to eat

Tasting and smelling like a chocolate orange, this lip balm contains the real stuff to make it all the more tempting to lick it all off again. But if you can get past that initial hurdle, it will soften your lips beautifully.

Skin Sin

A herbal, fruity way to soften the skin

If you'd like to know what berries mixed with herbs smells like, try this. It's really unusual. But scent aside, it's a pretty good body lotion and managed to get my sore and peeling elbows back into condition in just a couple of applications. A good all round body lotion.

Ultralight

Ultragreasy and Ultraheavy

This moisturiser was not great for my skin, leaving it shiny and sticky all day. Containing SPF 14, a good way to use this up is to use it as a suncream on days when the sun isn't really out but it's warm enough to strip off.

Ocean Salt

Holiday heaven for the skin

This is a really hardcore cleanser for those without sensitive skin. But as long as you don't have that problem, Ocean Salt could become your new best friend. Upon first sniff it is rather medicinal, but once you mix the top crust of sea salt down into the creamy blue stuff underneath the grapefruit and citrus breaks through. Mmmm. It's quite simple really. Just a small piece smoothed over a moist face should be rubbed gently in circular motions and washed off again, leaving the skin glowing and soft. And as for my flaky, peeling nose and forehead... well where did they go?! Dry skin should have twice weekly helpings and oily skin daily. You see, it's great for all skin types because the salt can be used to either exfoliate dry skin or dry out oily skin, somehow without reversing the whole operation to dry out already dry skin. Miraculous stuff.

Cupcake

Well they do say that chocolate gives you spots...

I really wanted to love this face mask. 100% natural and so fresh it only lasts for 2 weeks in the fridge, it sounded like the chocolate treat from heaven. But it's thick, lumpy, difficult to apply and a nightmare to wash off. And even worse, it gave me spots. I want to give it another go but is it worth it?

Jungle

Take a trip to the jungle as you soften your hair

Jungle is Lush's only current solid conditioner, and that doesn't bother me at all. It's absolutely perfect for my hair and allows the comb to glide right through... a miracle for my hair, believe me. Some say they find it a nightmare to use but I don't think it could be more simple. You just rub it from top to bottom of your hair all the way round, and rinse. That's it. Granted, unlike normal conditioners you can't feel it sitting on your hair so it's difficult to know when enough is enough, but once you get the hang of it you'll be in love. And as for the smell... if, like me, you like hippy, incense scents with a hint of fruitiness you've found love.

I Love Juicy

I actually do love juicy

I Love Juicy has the most mouth watering, fruity scent you could want in a shampoo. I love it. It makes the hair shine in a similar way to Ultimate Shine shampoo bar, but unfortunatey this is not the only similarity shared by the two shampoos. This also contains Ammonium Lauryl Sulphate and SLS, but this time it even has parabens in it due to it being a liquid shampoo. It's a shame about that because it is a rather nice shampoo.

Ultimate Shine

...for ultimate shine!

This shampoo bar does a wonderful job of cleaning the hair, and after using you should realise that people will start using your hair as a mirror. It's that good. Unfortunately it does tend to make the hair a bit knotty so you may want to use a good conditioner afterwards, and it also has a menthol scent about it which is not to my taste. The little golden sparkles are not even noticeable to those who are worried about that, so that could be a bonus or a disappointment depending on your view on glitter. Another downside is a rather harsh chemical used in this particular shampoo bar - Ammonium Lauryl Sulphate - as well as the dreaded SLS. Known as an ingredient used to make the hair shine in bog standard, chemical laden shampoos, I doubt it's those essential oils doing the magic and more of this.

Squeaky Green

A truly green way of washing your hair

Squeaky Green is the newest (at time of writing this, of course) and greenest of all the Lush shampoos. It has no packaging (apart from a little yellow paper bag for those who want one), almost completely natural ingredients and no SLS! Perfect for the environmentally conscious Lush customer. It smells of the Go Green fragrance which I unfortunately hate but luckily the scent is very subtle and does not stay on the hair, particularly if you use conditioner afterwards. This little green shampoo bar lathers better than the other two I have tried and really goes leave the hair squeaky clean.

Hard

My very first shampoo bar... and it wasn't even scary

Whilst I loved the concept of a solid shampoo, I held off trying one for as long as I could resist. Rubbing a bar of something, over your head? But in the end I gave it ago. The first time I used it I was very cautious and spent about 45 minutes in the shower trying to work out what exactly I had to do (therefore undoing all the good I was doing for the environment by using an unpackaged product). However, when I dried my hair I was utterly amazed. This little pink shampoo bar with cocoa butter conditioner had worked! And not only had it worked, my hair looked healthier and glossier than before! I highly recommend this to those who live in hard water areas. Even if you don't, it wouldn't be a bad idea to try it. Just swoosh around the head to lather and stroke through the lengths of your hair to condition. Wonderful.

Rock Star

Plastic and not so fantastic

Rock star seems to have a love/hate thing going with all who try it. Now, what I find strange is that I love Lush's pink, candy scents to pieces. But perhaps I hate this thing so much because the smell of a sweet shop immediately after getting out of bed can make you feel a bit queasy on the best of days. Even so, there are hints of plastic and general unpleasantries, so I'd rather steer clear of this in furute.

Miranda

The fruity soap to wake you up gently

If you don't fancy being slapped in the face with a full on citrus soap in the morning, Miranda is a great way to wake you up at your own pace. I'm sure I can detect a hint of every fruit I've ever sniffed in there - it's an explosion of all things good for you. It's pretty too, which is always a winner for me. The little kiwi seeds gently exfoliate too, do it's a 2-in-1 product (or three if you count it being a wake-up aid)

Lily Savon

A savage attack on the nostrils

At very first sniff this is a lovely soap. Very floral indeed. But once in the shower, it just smells awful! It smells soggy, and just "off". I can't describe it but it's not pleasant. The lather is not wonderful, and to top it all, Paul O Grady isn't the most desirable person to be reminded of every time you have a shower.

I Should Coco

...needs to gogo!

What a disgusting soap. It does smell delicious, yes. But have you tried actually washing with it?! Once you get past all the dessicated coconut, you're left with such a pathetic little sliver that it's not even worth the effort of trying to wash with it. Cound be good if you got a bit without the coconut top coat, and looks good enough to eat, but sadly this soap just doesn't do it for me.

Honey I Washed the Kids

Honey and toffee soap to make your mouth water

Honey I Washed the Kids has a scent as well as a look which makes you really believe it's edible. If only! Its creamy honey base is topped off with a toffee top coat to give a finishing touch worthy of a lick at the very least. Absolutely delicious.

Happy Soap

Be happy - buy Happy

Happy Soap does seem to have an uplifting effect, with its tangerine and citrus oils and bright orange colour. You might want to use it up quickly though, because it loses both the colour and scent in a matter of days.

Gratuitous Violets

Parma Violets in a bar

If you like violets, you'll love this. It starts off as a sweetie, Parma Violet kind of scent and gradually evolves into a woody, more earthy violet scent. It's a lovely colour and produces a nice creamy lather too. What more could a violet lover ask for?

Figs and Leaves

Leaves a lot to be desired!

I looked forward to trying this exfoliating, powdery-scented bar of soap. Sadly, my hopes were dashed when I wetted the squooshy lump and the smell turned into something resembling gone-off fruit. The seeds clogged up the plughole and in the end I just binned it. How disappointing.

Skinny Dip

Go skinny dipping... but don't forget to take this with you!

Skinny Dip, originally a much loved shower gel, now comes in the form of a cheesecake-resembling buttercream. Sprinkled with coconut and scented with cloves, it can be somewhat offensive to the nostrils upon first sniff. But as soon as you let it perfume your skin, the lovely hidden scent of violet will reveal itself and you'll realise just how gorgeous this unlikely treat is.

Lemslip

Pure zingy lemon to get you soft and spot free

Anyone familiar with essential oils will be aware of lemon oil's wonderful ability to cure oily skin. Well this is the purpose of this slippery bar. Smattered with citrus peel, this buttercream is the perfect texture and consistency to smother all over your naked spotty body... and before you know it, you'll be glowing and all your spots will have vanished. I can't praise this enough... I can show my back and chest again! Woohoo!

A Ring of Roses

Come up smelling of roses

This lovely buttercream couldn't be more rosey if it tried. It's pink, it smells of roses and it has rose petals over it. It's a very sophisticated product, with a hint of the lemon fragrance evident in Amandopondo bubble bar. Out of all the Lush buttercreams, however, it is the most soap like. For those who don't like mushy buttercreams, this is for you. But, if like me, you like a bit more smooshy fun in the shower, try the others.

Flying Fox

When you really need to chill out, only this will do

Designed to make stressy women cool it, this shower gel combines the deep notes of honey with a large helping of jasmine to make a deep, unusual and enchanting fragrance. Anyone prone to stress needs this, and needs it now.