Lush haul!

This is actually a Lush haul from about a month ago. I’ve wanted to pick up a few things at Lush for a while but for one reason or another every time I went to the store they were either sold out, completely packed and all available associates were helping other shoppers, or oddly closed. Evidently fourth time is a charm because after going to the mall to return an item at a different store, I popped into Lush and thankfully the one item I initially went in for was in stock … and after talking to the sales associate I picked up a few other products, plus one I had heard rave reviews about on YouTube.

It’s understandable that Lush is on the pricier side. Their products are hand made, cruelty free, and are made from fresh ingredients and no harsh chemicals, additives, etc. Due to the price of things at Lush I don’t go in there often, but I do when my skin is in need of some extra TLC because I’ve found Lush products have come to my rescue on more than one occasion.

So what exactly did I pick up on this trip?

-          Mask of Magnaminty

-          Grease Lightning

-          Cosmetic Warrior Fresh Face Mask

-          Honey Trap Lip Balm

REVIEW: Lush ➡ Cupcake Fresh Face Mask

This is a review waiting to happen, but better late than never, right?  My last haul at Lush was kind of an unexpected one.  I went in to get some treatment for my hands and left with a slew of products – one of those products being the Lush Cupcake Fresh Face Mask.  This mask is packaged into containers, which are refrigerated, so this can only be purchased within a Lush store location.  This also has a limited shelf life (roughly 3-weeks ~ mine was already a week into expiry when I purchased it :/).  The tub does look smaller, but it’ll give you at least 3-4 masks which will last you a good 2-3 weeks since it’s not a use everyday type of product.

PACKAGING & PRICE

The product is packaged into the signature black sleek Lush screw top containers.  The tub contains 2.1 oz of product.  It retails for $6.95 each.  I admit it can be a little pricy but I feel it’s worth the splurge once in a while.  Also the one great thing about Lush is if you save your containers (any screw top lid container) you can bring 5 empties into the store and get a FREE Fresh Face Mask. So there is incentive there if you enjoy their products!

PRODUCT

Cupcake got its name because of its distinct smell of peppermint scented cake batter.  It smells so good you want to eat it – but you shouldn’t, it’s not made for that.  It is geared towards oily, problematic (blemished) skin.  From what the company states the creator whipped up a batch for his teenage daughters slumber party and it was a hit.  Cupcake includes sandalwood oil, rhassoul mud, glycerine, linseed infusion, talc, cocoa powder, cocoa butter, spearmint oil, peppermint oil, fresh mint, and vanilla absolute.

The description and directions for the product are on the top of the lid: "To calm breakouts, this Rhassoul mud cleans and soothes, while cocoa butter, linseed and cocoa powder softens the skin.  Balancing peppermint, spearmint and sandalwood oils complete the effective deep cleansing experience.  Smooth onto dry skin, avoiding the eye area.  Leave for five to ten minutes, then rinse away with warm water.  Keep chilled."  The website directions are as follows: “Cleanse your face and pat dry. Smooth a good dollop of Fresh Face Mask over your entire face, making sure to avoid the eyes and mouth. Leave the mask on for five to ten minutes.  Wash off with warm water.”

PURCHASING

As previously mentioned this can only be purchased within Lush store locations.  The item is showcased on the company website, but due to this having to be refrigerated; it’s only sold in-stores.

OVERALL

I enjoy this product but the only thing I dislike is the limited shelf life.  It’s expected because the ingredients are natural – but I think part of me is just bummed because I was sold a tub that was already a week into its expiration date, which meant I had to plow through using this a lot faster than I would have liked.  The end results from the mask are quite nice.  I do notice my skin is less oily after use and it’s not very oily in the morning either.  It’s not drying as most oil calming products are.

I will say, I’ve used this as directed, cleansing my face and drying, then applying the mask.  Since the mask is refrigerated it is cold when you apply it, but it warms to your skin tone.  As it sits you can feel the slight tingling from the mint.  After 10 minutes I do rinse this off.  Sometimes I find it easier to just jump into the shower to rinse it off or I’ll rinse my face over the sink.

RATING

B+

My First Lush Haul!

I’ve been into Lush a few times in the past but have never purchased anything from the store.  One time I went in there, tried out this hand cleansing/exfoliating system and when I told the girl I’d love to buy it and was informed the full set was $90 I quickly ran out of the store (well, not quickly, I told her no thank you and left).  So what got me back into Lush this time?  My hands.  We have hard water at work and I’m constantly washing my hands, which is drying them out beyond belief.  On top of that I deal with paperwork all day long which is also helping in drying them out. Regardless of how much lotion I’m using it’s not doing anything for them, particularly a few of my fingertips. I’ve been buying different lotions, etc., and they help for the time being but they haven’t truly been curing the underlying problem – just masking it for the time being.  Of course when I got into Lush I explained my hand scenario and we started off by testing out two different products on two different hands, followed by the lotion, etc.  Then while talking, I started babbling about my skin (face) and we dove into products for that.  Needless to say, before I knew it, I had a boatload of products to purchase and was asking to pick up a few extra that I had seen talked about in YouTube videos. I spent  a lot more than I anticipated, but so far I am really enjoying some of the stuff I’ve purchased – particularly my face mask, soap [both face and body], toner and hand lotion (minus the scent).  I do love the toner and I find it’s really helping with the oiliness of my face – and I’d like to test this against the Body Shops tea tree toner (since it is cheaper, just not in a neat spray bottle).  I realize Lush is really pricy in their stuff, but if you find something that’s working for you, there’s always a price that comes with beauty.

Here’s a break down of what I picked up:

-          Helping Hands hand cream

-          Cupcake face mask

-          Fresh Farmacy Face Soap

-          Honey I Washed the Kids soap

-          Putty For Your Hands

-          Tea Tree Toner Water

-          Toothy Tabs in Dirty (Spearmint flavor)

I also got some samples, for myself and for my boyfriend to try out (which he hasn’t because he says it’s “makeup” LOLOL!!):

-          Imperialis Facial Moisturizer

-          Ocean Salt face & body scrub (x 2)

-          Grease Lightening

-          Cosmetic Lad

I will be doing a review on the Cupcake face mask at some point.