Favorite Lush Products

I absolutely love Lush especially their bath products which I am addicted to, I first found out about Lush through an online community that I’ve been a part of for about the past 10 years now, so every now and then I would read posts about Lush products but I didn’t see what the big deal was about, eventually though I decided to give them a go and I picked up a few items, two of the first items I bought were Ocean Salt and Sakura which are just a few of my absolute all time favorite products. Ever since then I have been hooked I don’t really know what it is that pulls me in but I find the scents and smells to be completely relaxing and therapeutic so anytime I’m feeling terrible or ill taking a Lush bath picks me right up!

 

Lush Fresh Fharmacy

“Fresh Farmacy is the soothing, cleansing bar to reach for whenever you see a spot starting rear its ugly head. It makes a tiny bit of froth to clean your face gently.”

For me this is definitely one of my must have skin products since it works like a miracle and is instantly calming and soothing to where after washing it off I can feel the difference in my skin immediately. This cleanser is really great especially if you happen to have mild acne breakouts, sensitive skin, red blotchy spots and I also found that it works great for pesky mosquito bites while it may seem a bit pricey at $9.75 for 3.5 oz  you really do get a lot of use of out it and for me lasts quite awhile.

Lush Ocean Salt

“The antibacterial effects of lime and the trace of alcohol in the product is ideal for blocked pores, blackheads or blemishes. The minerals in sea salt soften as the salt scrubs away dirt and blockages.”

This is by far my favorite exfoliator of all time plus I love the way this stuff smells it has a clean scent to me the biggest scent that I really get from it is sea salt and citrus. I always make sure to dampen my face and make sure to mix up the product before hand and afterward my face feels smooth, soft, clean and hydrated.  Again like Fresh Fharmacy this stuff will last you quite awhile since you don’t need to apply that much product so depending on how often you plan on using it (I use it about twice a week) you may want to opt for the smaller size at 4.2 oz for $19.95 versus the larger 8.8 oz at $34.95.

Lush Lemony Flutter

“We made Lemony Flutter to soften your cuticles; it's our thickest cream out there. It's so good at softening your cuticles and nourishing your nails that LUSH customers have been using it to soften and nourish lots of other body parts like their feet, elbows and knees.”

This is my favorite cuticle and hand cream plus the scent is lovely and decadent. The consistency is very creamy and buttery and you only need the smallest amount to cover your cuticles so this product will also last you quite awhile which is good since the price tag is $14.95 for 1.5oz. But I find it easy to work into my skin and it doesn’t leave my hands or cuticles feeling greasy afterwards, and something I started trying recently as a hand treatment that I read about is using a small amount of Lemony Fluttery and Ocean Salt mixed together and giving your hands and cuticles a good scrub and this leaves my hands feeling incredibly soft and helps to rid ragged cuticles.

Lush Sakura Bath Bomb

“Like the blossom in a Tokyo park on a spring afternoon. The Sakura Bath Bomb is perfumed with mimosa and jasmine to give you the joyful feeling of springtime, whenever you need it. Noriko, one of our product inventors, hails from Japan, and this Bath Bomb represents what it's like to be in a park while the breeze blows through the blossoms in the trees.”

This is my favorite bath bomb from Lush and I’m usually really particular about floral scents since a lot of them can come across as cheap and overpowering but this scent is amazing, it has a light, fresh, sweet floral cherry blossom scent. I literally want to live in my bath tub after I drop this in since it feels very relaxing plus it leaves my skin feeling soft afterwards so at $6.35 a piece it’s totally worth it in my book but to get your money’s worth you can always cut the bath bombs in half making for two baths instead of one.

Lush Rub Rub Rub Shower Scrub

“Sea salt shower scrub Rub Rub Rub is a bit of a variation on the normal shower gel. Sea salt is gently exfoliating, extra cleansing and mineral rich.”

Rub Rub Rub is like Ocean Salt and Sakura had a baby since it has the same type of scent as Sakura and Ocean Salt as well as a similar consistency and texture of Ocean Salt, I find it feels like a gentle body scrub and even though there’s fine sea salt it doesn’t feel harsh or abrasive on the skin, you can also use this as a shampoo since the sea salt helps add volume to hair. But overall I love this scrub and it is one of my top five favorite shower products, it smells amazing and really helps to soften the skin, this can also be used sparingly to help make it last longer since you really don’t need too much but still even at $19.95 I would buy it over and over again, which I do and probably will do forever.

 

Lush It’s Raining Men Shower Gel

“Our honey hand and body soap has become such a huge favorite that we just had to create a honey shower gel with the same scent. It smells like toffee-fudge, with refreshing sweet orange and bergamot oils to give it a little extra sweetness.”

I don’t know what it is but I really prefer shower gels to soap so when Lush first came out with this and it was limited edition I was really bummed because I love the Honey I washed the Kids soap but hate dealing with soaps plus I find the shower gel feels more moisturizing so I’m glad it’s back for good because I love it since it lathers well and leaves a lasting scent on my skin. While $27.95 for a 16.9 oz bottle may seem expensive I find these also last me awhile plus going ahead and getting the largest size is cheaper in the long run product weight wise since the medium 8.4 fl oz size bottle is priced at $17.95 and the smallest 3.3fl oz is priced at $9.95.

 

Lush Wiccy Magic Muscles Massage Bar

“The Wiccy Magic Muscles Bar is the one for sorting out aching muscles. The first time you use one of these, it feels very strange, as if a very small radiator has been turned on inside the part of your body you just massaged. Mark and Ro created this one together to soothe aches and pains.”

This is my favorite Lush Massage Bar because it feels like magic and smells amazing; a mixture of cloves and peppermint.  I especially like applying the bar to any achy parts and massaging it in well and taking a bath afterwards since once the parts you’ve applied the massage bar too start to have a warming/cooling relaxing effect plus it also leaves my skin soft and perfectly moisturized. This is definitely my favorite product to help relax sore muscles and it really works wonders, the only downside is the beans which can be a bit annoying when they start to fall out but overall an amazing massage bar that I will purchase forever even at $9.95 for a 2.4oz bar.

What Lush products are your favorites and what do you like about them?

Availability: www.lush.com

My 8 Makeup Essentials!

I decided it would be fun to share a few different types of items that I find absolutely essential and use on a daily basis

Lipblams/Chapstick

I have a huge obsession with just about any type of lipblams or chapsticks I love them and always have a ton in my purse and always seem to buy more than what I can use. The obsession definitely started when I was younger and I remember always getting packs of the Lip Smackers in my stocking for Christmas and I still love them, I also really like the Bath & Body Works and Victoria’s Secret one, I especially like the MAC Lip Gelee’s but by far the Jack Black Lip Balms are the best hands down since they not only taste good, haha but they have SPF and do the best job of moisturizing for hours at the time. 

Eye Liner

A classic black shade is a necessity in my book and can be applied in many ways to define the eyes and also a white liner to help open the eyes and make them look more awake. I would also opt for a creamy eye liner that glides on well especially if you have sensitive eye a few of my favorites are Stila Smudge Stick Waterproof Eye Liner in Stingray, MAC Fluidline in Blacktrack and Urban Decay’s classic 24/7 liner in Zero as well as Urban Decays new Perversion 24/7 liner.

Although the biggest essential of mine is liquid liner, I don’t think I could survive without liquid liner since regular stick liners just don’t cut it for me when lining my eyes I need something that is going to be opaque and long lasting throughout the day and to be accurate since I always, always wing out my liner I just feel naked if it’s not winged so liquid liner is a must and Urban Decay’s liquid liner in perversion is my favorite product that I will buy for the rest of my life.

Foundation

Foundation is definitely important just to help even out your skin tone or any discoloration and you don’t need to slather it all over your face leaving you with cake face just enough to for a good all over even finish. There’s a ton to choose from when searching for your perfect foundation such as oil free, moisturizing, full coverage, tinted moisturizers, etc the list goes on so when searching for a good foundation make sure to keep your receipts that way if it doesn’t work return and try again.

Setting

Also important especially if you happen to have oily skin since a quick light dusting of setting powder whether this is translucent or one to match your skin as this will help set your makeup and help to control shine throughout the day.

Primer

I feel like this helps set the foundation of your skin for everything, I use to never use a primer but a few years ago when I started using one I immediately noticed the difference especially in how much better my foundation applied over a smooth base and lasted longer throughout the day.

Concealers

I feel like having a good concealer or even multiple ones to be an ultimate everyday part of my makeup routine so you definitely want to pick a creamy formula that works for you to help hide possible under eye circles, blemishes, so I like to apply it under my eyes, bridge of my nose, and my chin.

Mascara

I never go anywhere without my mascara, since mascara is one of the best ways to define your eyes and enhance your lashes. So I always curl my lashes and apply about two coats of mascara.

Brushes

A good makeup brush can definitely make a difference in your makeup, the little sponge applicators that come with drugstore palettes just doesn’t compare, but over the years I have become fairly good at using them if absolutely needed. So if you’re just starting out Craft Store brushes at your local Art & Hobby stores are good cheap starters such as Lowe Cornell brushes, but in the long run it’s best to invest, MAC Cosmetics makes great brushes and of course Sigma, I absolutely love their brushes especially for the fact you can purchase different styles and types of brush sets that are affordable and great quality.  

So what are some of your makeup essentials or favorite items you couldn’t live without?

Favorite 11 of 2011

So I thought it would be fun to pick 11 of my favorite products for 2011 at first I wasn’t sure if I could pick 11 since it seemed like a lot but once I started looking through all my products it was easy and I’m sure I could have even picked more than 11. But I wanted to include items that I use on almost a daily basis that I truly have a love for.

Benefit Cosmetics The POREfessional –

I’ve found this to be a great primer since it aids in oil control, my foundation also applies more flawlessly and I find it last longer as well.

Urban Decay De Slick Oil-Control Makeup Setting Spray –

I definitely noticed a difference the first time I used this product, I spray this on after I’ve applied everything and I found that my makeup lasts longer to where I hardly have to touch anything up and it also keeps the shine away. 

Urban Decay Liquid Liner in Perversion –

This is literally my holy grail of liquid liners and I have tried quite a few from high end to drugstore and I’m really particular when it comes to liquid liners as I always wing out my liner so I have to make sure my liner will last all day and this one does just that. It applies smooth and opaque and it lasts for hours for example from the time I have to be at work at 6 in the morning till that night and it doesn’t “peel” off like some liquid liners do.

Katy Perry “Purr” –

This has been my go to perfume since I got it, so far I’ve used about half the bottle and definitely plan to pick a new one up once this is gone. I typically hate celebrity fragrances since they’re always so strong, overpowering and incredibly sweet smelling blech, but Katy Perry really outdid herself with this one, not to mention the cute packing to boot!

Too Faced Shadow Insurance –

This is also a Holy Grail product for me, I’ve tried Urban Decay’s Primer potion and while I did like it I prefer Too Faced since for me my shadows seems to perform and apply better and more vibrantly plus I find that it lasts longer.

Mario Badescu Control Cream –

I use this as a daily moisturizer since I have combination skin and also a bit of red “flushed” looking patches and this cream works wonderfully for both and feels soothing and calming, it applies cool, thick and creamy and soaks into the skin without leaving a “greasy” after feeling like most cream products can.

MAC Mineralize Skin Finish in Light Medium –

This would also have to be one of my Holy Grail products, I’ve used several other powder products but none that are as long lasting as this one, with other powder products I would have to touch up throughout the day but this one lasts and looks great for hours, it also looks and feels natural, and I’ve never had any issues with caking or creasing into fine lines.

MAC Lightscapade Mineralize Skinfish –

I remember reading about this before it was re-released and dreaming about it since I would have never spent the outrageous ebay prices for it, lol so once it was re-released I made sure to hit my Mac counter bright and early to snatch it up and for me it was definitely worth all the hype. I find this product to be simply wonderful and versatile as a highlighter for the cheeks, bridge of the nose, brow bone, and tear duct or just a light all over dusting for a glowy radiant look.

Sigma Round Kabuki F82 –

This brush has definitely become my favorite go to foundation applicator, it applies my foundation better than any other brush I’ve used and because of the denseness it buffs the foundation really well giving me a smooth even finish and because of the round edges it makes blending much easier. 

MAC 226 –

This is the newer 226 that was repromoted awhile ago in the Mac Me over Collection I believe and while there was a ton of drama over how tapered it was in comparison to the older 226, I found it to be perfectly tapered to my needs and it works great, the bristles are soft yet firm which allows for light and precise blending.

Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip Balm SPF 25 –

I picked this up on a whim one day since I had heard nothing but amazing reviews about it, and all I can say is I wish I would have pick it up sooner since it really works wonders. I love the packaging since it squeezes out lightly so you don’t end up wasting any, and it is the most moisturizing lip balm I’ve ever used. I especially like putting it on at night and when I wake up I can still feel it on working its magic, haha. I can only find the Mint one at my local Ulta so I ended up pick up the Balm Squad Lip Quad from Nordstrom so I could keep them stashed all over from my night stand, to my purse, car, etc. My favorite one out of the bunch would be the Lemon & Chamomile since the smell reminds me of Lemon pez :D