Hey Guys
Hope you’re all doing well. I can’t help but giggle because I read a tweet a fellow blogger retweeted the other day and couldn’t help but laugh. I was about to start this post off by mentioning that I can’t believe that it’s already August. Their tweet; “OK, please can you all just stop being shocked that it’s August. It’s what happens when July ends. We’ve had enough warning. Enough now. ”
So I’m not about to go down that lane. Although I do have to mention that the month of August is an extra special month because it’s the love of my life’s birthday month. #Justsaying
Anyways, so let’s get to this post. I received such great feedback from you guys with my previous mini-series where I reviewed my Urban Decay Naked palette collection. If you haven’t read them then please click here, here and here.  Thank you for your continuous love, support and regular feedback it really helps a lot.

So about 6 weeks ago a received a parcel from a friend that included 6 Lush goodies. If you follow me on Instagram then you would’ve seen the unboxing in my Instastories. I was so excited because I had only tried one of their products in the past which was the Mask Of Magnaminty (read my thoughts on it here) and I loved it so much that I knew I needed to try a few more. The products that were selected are specifically for oilier skin so this was perfect because I have a combination to oily skin.
I decided that I’ll do the Lush Series by reviewing 2 products each week so that my posts aren’t too long and I at least keep things a little different and exciting.

History of LUSH

” In May of 1995, Lush’s fresh products were officially launched, but the company’s history stretches back far beyond that time. The present creative team has been working together for over twenty years (but they prefer not to get too specific in case anyone thinks they might be getting a bit long in the tooth). Suffice to say that they started working together when they were all very young indeed, developing hair products with natural ingredients, making immensely successful products for the Body Shop, launching their own, ground-breaking, mail order business Cosmetics to Go in the UK then starting all over again.
The Lush name was the result of a competition which ran in the fledgeling company’s first handmade newsletter and catalogue. Mrs. Elizabeth Bennett of Edinburgh decided on Lush and curiously, quite independently and at the same time, so did the team. From their home in 29 High Street, Poole, Dorset at the seaside of the south of England, Lush grew into the international company we know and love – still managing to stay friendly and accessible, still hand-making fresh products but now in quite a few different factories around the world.
 
How do we do this? There are lots of reasons why Lush has grown but kept the feeling of being a small business which stays true to its original aims. We do business with people we like. The company’s directors still create all the products and do not compromise on quality. Mark Constantine and his son Simon create all the fragrances, using the loveliest ingredients in the known universe. We’re probably the only company which uses real jasmine absolute perfume (more expensive than gold) in affordable objects to throw in the bath! All Lush products are still handmade; when we expand we employ more people, not machines. We do stay true to our original aims and instead of feeling like one huge business, we’re more like lots of small ones which all work together.
 
Products may be different shapes in different countries because individuals mould them in their own style. They may be different colours; the oranges available in Italy are different from the ones used in Japan; Australia uses different grapes from the UK. Nevertheless, you will always recognise Lush by the quality of the ingredients, the freshness and the unmistakable scent of hundreds of essential oils.
Today we have over 900 shops in 51 countries across the globe! Because we stick to what we believe in, we hope that Lush will continue to grow but will always keep its heart and soul.”

When I reviewed my very first Lush product, I did quite a bit of research on the brand and was so amazed by how amazing this brand is and what they stand for. I found this little section on their packaging and thought it would be great to share
” 1. Naked: Thirty-five percent of our products are sold naked, with no packaging, so zero-waste washing is absolutely possible.
2. Post-consumer plastic: Our products in pots and bottles are sold in 100% post-consumer plastic. Our plastic bottles can be recycled through your city’s recycling program, but save and return your black pots to your local Lush store for…
3. Free face masks! Did you know you can return five clean black pots to any Lush store in exchange for a free fresh face mask? We chip them down and remould them into new black pots in a closed recycling loop.
4. Continuous improvements: In 2012, we made our clear bottles thinner by 10% to reduce our plastic usage. In 2016 alone, this saved almost 13,500 pounds of plastic!

5. Knot-wraps: In 2010, we phased out our gift-wrapping service and introduced knot-wraps. These square scarves are made of organic cotton or a silky fabric made from recycled plastic bottles, and are a great green alternative to wrapping paper. (They make really cute accessories, too!)
6. Recyclable or reusable: Lush gifts come in fabric knot-wraps, recyclable cardboard boxes or reusable metal tins: no matter which one you receive, its packaging is recyclable or reusable. Our mail order packages are also packed in 100% recycled (and recyclable) cardboard boxes.
7. Our packing peanuts: We use plant-based packing peanuts to protect the products in our gifts and mail order packages. Unlike Styrofoam, these are 100% biodegradable: to dispose of them, just toss them in your compost.
8. Nope, that’s not plastic: Naked products in our gifts and mail order packages come in bags that look like plastic, but are made of 100% biodegradable cellophane. You can toss these in your compost, too!
9. Ocean plastic: We’re partnering with the Ocean Legacy Foundation to use recovered plastic from the oceans as a material in our bottles and pots.

10. Our catalog: Even our catalog, which has information about all of our products and gifts, is printed on 100% recycled paper.”

Just reading the above really makes one feel good about supporting a brand that surpassed all expectations. Please visit their website to read other interesting articles on the brand, their products and their stance on controversial issues that many other beauty companies turn a blind eye to.
LUSH goes above and beyond and I can understand why so many people love the brand and can only imagine how amazing it must be to work for such a respected company.

LUSH – Ocean Salt facial and body scrub

I don’t usually use scrubs only because they can be quite abrasive so I’ve been sticking to exfoliators and face masks to treat my skin and get rid of any dry and dead skin. I now question why I’ve never tried to find the perfect one for my skin because damn, it’s amazing to see what it does for one’s skin almost immediately.
LUSH’s description:
“Cleansing lime, coconut and sea salt scrub. Ocean Salt is like taking your face on a trip to the seaside for an invigorating splash in the water, then cleansing and refreshing it with lemon, grapefruit and lime juices. Fresh avocado moisturises and softens the skin, while violet leaf absolute calms and nurtures. Use it on oily skin every day and use it to refresh dry skin once a week.”

My experience with Ocean Salt

Texture and scent 

Ocean Salt has a creamy whipped texture with both fine and coarse salt granules. There’s a slight bluish tint to the actual product and it has this amazing margarita with vodka and lime scent that gets me every time. I mean, so refreshing and yum.
Ingredients
It contains natural ingredients which are:
” Fine Sea Salt (Fine Sea Salt), Fresh Grapefruit Infusion (Citrus paradisi), Coarse Sea Salt (Coarse Sea Salt), Stearic Acid (Stearic Acid), Fresh Organic Lime Extracted in Vodka (Citrus aurantifolia), Sodium Cocoamphoacetate (Sodium Cocoamphoacetate),Glycol Cetearate (Glycol Cetearate), Triethanolamine (Triethanolamine), Avocado Butter (Persea gratissima), Extra Virgin Coconut Oil (Cocos nucifera), Lime Oil (Citrus aurantifolia), Seaweed Absolute (Fucus vesiculosus), Violet Leaf Absolute (Viola odorata), Glycerine (Glycerine), Lanolin (Lanolin), Cetearyl Alcohol (Cetearyl Alcohol), *Limonene (*Limonene), *Linalool (*Linalool), Perfume (Perfume), Colour 42090 (Colour 42090), Methylparaben, Propylparaben (Propylparaben)”
Below is a list of the ingredients that really stood out for me and why:

• Fine and coarse sea salt – did you know that sea salt is created from the evaporation of seawater, unlike table salt that is mined from salt deposits in the earth and is laboriously processed to produce “clean” salt. I use coarse salt once a week when I take a long warm relaxing bath because it’s a natural detoxifier as the salt absorbs the toxins from the skin. It also contains potassium that aids in the reduction of water retention which is amazing because I am one of those people that tend to retain water easily. So this mask can fix a puffy face instantaneously. Take it from me.
• Grapefruit – this fruit is, in my opinion, a “power-food” simply because it has so many great benefits. It contains high levels of vitamin A and C, minerals and antioxidants. This is an amazing ingredient that stimulates collagen production leaving the skin firmer, smoother and renewed.
• Lime – this is another ingredient that is packed with vitamin C and antioxidants. It’s a citrus fruit and it’s no secret that citrus fruits are amazing for treating dark spots, blemishes and acne scars. Lime is considered a natural peeling agent so it’s great to get rid of dry dead skin cells.
• Vodka – You might think, what? Vodka?? Are they nuts? Lol. I’m not gonna lie, this was my reaction when I read the ingredient list and I immediately felt nervous because I thought it might be too harsh for my skin. But you’re gonna be amazed by the benefits vodka has for one’s skin. Vodka is a clear natural astringent that mixes well with other ingredients so it’s a great addition to any homemade mask. It clarifies the skin and is especially great for minimising large pores, leaving the skin toned and tightened.

I only touched on 4 of the ingredients listed and already you can tell that this product will guarantee clean, clear, smoother and more refined skin.

How I use it:
I use about a heaped teaspoon of product and apply it all over my face. I do find some of the larger granules a little too hard so I very gently massage the product in circular motions all around my face, not forgetting my lips ( Oooh and every time I use it I feel tempted to lick my lips because well, I’m a savoury kinda girl. I probably should stay clear seeing as a retain water so easily…Urg). I wet my fingertips ever so slightly to spread the product easily and leave the product on for about 5-10 minutes. I do find that it sorts of tingles a little but it’s nothing serious or uncomfortable, it’s just good to know especially for those with very sensitive skin. I think it might be the Lime and grapefruit seeing as they are both citrusy fruits. When I’m ready to rinse I first wet my face and massage the product all over my face until almost all the salt granules have dissolved. I then rinse my face with cold water and continue with my normal routine.
I honestly can’t get enough of this product. It’s my go-to when I feel like my skin is looking a little dull and needs a little bit of a lift and depuff, it leaves my skin revitalised, super soft and supple.

LUSH – Enzymion Facial Moisturiser

I have certain products I use that I know works for my skin so it’s a little difficult to deviate from what you’re used to so I was a little sceptical to try another moisturiser because not all moisturiser that claims to be amazing for oily skin does what you need it to do. My worst fear is for it to completely strip my face of its natural oils where it’s forced to produce more oils to counteract the lack of moisture. When my friend told me that this moisturiser is non-greasy, soaks in so quickly, is great under makeup and a must-have for oily skin, I figured why not.
LUSH’s description:
” Brightening moisturiser to make oily skin matte and dull skin radiant. Enzymion is for oily skin. Does yours reflect light a couple of hours after cleansing? Enzymion goes straight for those oils and makes them disappear. Helen’s amazing formula of cleansing juiced papaya, blended with soothing aloe vera, absorbs oils naturally. We mix it with an infusion of brightening fresh lemons and sweet grapefruit and lime oils to refresh and tone your face. Then, we whisk in the organic butters to moisturise and soften your skin.”

My experience with the Enzymion moisturiser

Texture and scent

The colour of the product is white and texture is quite lightweight, this makes it a dream to apply because it spreads fast and absorbs quickly (a plus in my books), there’s nothing worse than a heavy cream on the face, especially during the day and on extremely hot days.
Ingredients
Fresh Organic Lemon Infusion (Citrus limonum), Fair Trade Organic Aloe Vera Gel (Aloe barbadensis), Cocoa Butter (Theobroma cacao), Stearic Acid (Stearic Acid),Freshly Juiced Papaya (Carica papaya), Organic Cold Pressed Avocado Oil (Persea gratissima), Glycerine (Glycerine), Triethanolamine (Triethanolamine), Freshly Juiced Organic Lemon (Citrus limonum), Organic Cold Pressed Evening Primrose Oil (Oenothera biennis), Organic Cold Pressed Wheatgerm Oil (Triticum vulgare),Tangerine Oil (Citrus reticulata), Lime Oil (Citrus aurantifolia), Cetearyl Alcohol (Cetearyl Alcohol), *Limonene (*Limonene), Perfume (Perfume), Propylparaben (Propylparaben)
I’ve chosen 4 ingredients from those listed above that stood out for me and I’ll explain why.

• Organic Aloe Vera Gel – this ingredient is one of those trusted ingredients that have been around for centuries and to this day, never disappoints.  It is rich in minerals (zinc, magnesium, and selenium), enzymes (catalase and superoxide dismutase), amino acids (cysteine, anthraquinones) and vitamins (B2, B6, E and C). All these ingredients are so complex and great as an anti-wrinkle cream.
• Papaya – this natural ingredient has skin whitening as a result of its exfoliating properties and direct skin lightening effect of enzyme papain. It also has repairing abilities because papain enzyme reduces wrinkles by balancing the collagen and elastic fibres in the dermis.
• Organic Cold Pressed Avocado Oil – as a moisturiser avocado oil is a great natural product for hydration. One of the amazing properties of avocado oil is its humectants, which prevents the skin from drying out which allows the skin to be on hydration mode for longer periods. This is amazing for oily skin types because your skin can be oily and dehydrated at the same time.
• Organic Cold Pressed Evening Primrose Oil – Evening primrose oil controls the functioning of the oil glands, this is essential for balancing the oil production in order for it to become normal. It also has high levels of beneficial, unsaturated fatty acids which help to regenerate cell membranes, as well as nourishing and revitalizing skin tissue.

How I use it: 
I apply this moisturiser in the mornings after I have cleansed and toned my face. I love that it’s a non-sticky, no greasy moisturiser that applies with ease, absorbs instantly and looks and feels amazing under makeup. I’ve been using these products for over 6 weeks now and I’ve been using the moisturiser daily. So does it work for oily skin? ABSOLUTELY YES! My skin has become well balanced and I find that it’s less susceptible to being extremely oily during the day.
I’ve been loving these two products and I would love to purchase another moisturiser for summer to see how well it works during very hot days.
I hope you guys have enjoyed this post. Have you tried any of the two mentioned above and if so, do you agree that they work well? I would love to hear from you guys!
Toodles Stunner! Xx
Ps. Please don’t forget to subscribe to my blog.