My top 5 Lush shower gels

Hey y'all, Lucy here!

Ok so, to continue on our theme of Lush obsession, I am going to list my top 5 Lush shower gels of all time. I have been using Lush shower gels (and Lush shower gels ONLY - HELLO NO ANIMAL TESTING!) for about 2 years now, so I've dabbled in a fair few! I'm a bit of a Lush Kitchen noob, but I've tried and tested quite a few from there too. So, without further ado...


5. So White shower gel

Granny smith apple in a bottle, enough said.

Ok so this one comes out at Christmas, and it does just literally smell like a fresh green apple (it contains apple infusion, so that makes sense!) It's refreshing, moisturising, and the scent stays on your skin for a long time after you've used it. There is a bath bomb that has the same scent which comes out at Christmas (So White bath bomb), so pairing these is a winner. I got my bottle from the Lush Kitchen, who cook up exclusive batches of products, with new ones each week. The Japanese team came over the week that I bought this one, so I've got a funky bottle with Japanese writing on. I love this because it totally makes it feel more unique and exclusive, a bit like when I used to buy Japanese pokemon cards from the market when I was a kid ;) (don't pretend that you never also did this!)


4. Yuzu and Cocoa shower cream

Basically if you ate a Terry's chocolate orange and a Bounty bar at the same time - that taste, but a shower gel. Do not eat the shower gel.

This shower gel is just incredible. So very creamy (hence being called a cream rather than a gel, which has a thinner consistency), with an almost jaffa-cake like scent, thanks to the tonka, cocoa and fresh yuzu juice (I didn't know this before, but the yuzu fruit is a yellow citrus fruit that originates from East Asia). I always reach for this one when I need a really comforting bath. It has a very uplifting vibe about it, and the vibrant yellow colour is just really jolly. This shower gel was originally an Oxford Street exclusive, but clearly they very quickly realised how popular it was, and subsequently rolled it out into every Lush shop. Again, there's a matching bath product - the yuzu and coca bubbleroom, which looks like a macaroon :)


3. Snowcake shower gel

Marzipan and a weirdly slightly plastic smelling vibe that just reminds me of Christmas.

I feel like this shower gel is underrated. It really does smell like marzipan, and has a nuttiness to it due to the almond infusion. And a slight plasticness that I can't put my finger on but somehow love. To me, it smells like the feeling of lying on the sofa with a blanket, the fire and a massive box of chocolates at Christmas - cosy and yummy. This gel shares its scent with the Snowcake soap and Snow Angel bath melt, which both come out in stores at Christmas. Sadly the Snowcake shower gel has been confined to the Kitchen, but I really wouldn't be surprised if it made its way into stores this Christmas.

2. Comforter shower cream

You know when you got to a restaurant and order a raspberry cheesecake mainly because you want to eat the raspberry bit? It's that.

Ok so if anyone's tried the Comforter bubble bar before (which you probably have if you're a Lush fan as I believe it's their best selling product), it smells like that. I was SO excited when this shower cream came out at Oxford Street last year, because I am a huge fan of berry smells. It didn't disappoint. With it's blend of cassis absolute, bergamot infusion and creamy almond oil, it serves up blackberry realness.

1. Twilight shower gel

Lavender mixed with.....vanilla and a boiled blackcurrant sweet? It's complicated one.

Ok so this one is really hard to describe, because it's so different to anything else. It has a strong calming lavender fragrance, but hold up, I don't mean the old lady style lavender - this scent is like it's funky offspring. To me it smells like sweets mixed with lavender, and it has a really relaxing yet mystical, uplifting vibe about it. I think it will always be my favourite :) I use it when I'm sad and when I'm tired, and it just makes me feel a bit better. This one is exclusive to the Kitchen, though I really wouldn't be surprised if it ended up in the shops because it definitely a favourite of a lot of Lush fans :) I've got two bottles of the delicious matching perfume that the Kitchen brought out recently too. Lush - if you ever decide to make more candles, crack out a Twilight one and I will buy them all, because the Twilight scent is beautiful, complicated and weird - just like my favourite people :)


That's all for now! These are my current faves, Don't they look pretty with the Lush knot wrap underneath :)

Honorable mentions: Grass, Calacas, Sonic Death Monkey, Dirty Springwash!

Lucy :) x

Review of Validation Facial by LUSH Cosmetics and a big hello!

Sarah here bitches 

Why hello you nosy little apes. Haha no, I'm sorry, what I should...or meant to say is welcome! Welcome to a special project that you are invited to, with a free membership thrown in because yes, the Parkinson sisters WANT you to be here.

As Lucy has quite beautifully explained, this is a blog written by two people, one of which is me. Hi! The other of which is my lovely, older sister Lucy, who is a 25 year old genius. She won't tell you that because she's also incredibly modest. Her job involves writing, so the idea to do a joint blog presented itself with confetti and fireworks and banners that spelt out 'WHAT A FANTASTIC IDEA!'

                                            (Lucy on left, me on right) with Voldy!

Just for context, I'm 23, I work in a primary school and I am obsessed with many things that will no doubt surface themselves in the future of this blog. ANYWAY, let's dive deep with our snorkels on into one of my first and most intense obsessions...Lush Cosmetics!

No seriously... put your snorkels on.

Validation Facial

Lush Spa Kingston is a cute, medieval style building with a spa built into the top floor. The spa has an open 'living' area with a table and chairs to relax with a CUTE toilet and two therapy rooms. It's the perfect location for a big treat. It's the only Lush spa I have been to, Validation being my second and most recent treatment. The Comforter Treatment was my first and well, think of Willy Wonka mixed with candyfloss, bubbles and a warm chocolate scrub.

Validation is a discrete treatment. It's a facial so nudity is minimal (I only had to take my top off and pop my bra straps down). I mention nudity because I was originally quite reluctant to visit the spa as I'm phobic of being naked in front of random people. Now, my god, I'll strip for a free bath bomb or a lie down in one of the therapy beds!

                  (Adorable living area, sorry for using Lucy's pics, promise I'll take my own!)

What happened?

My spa therapist was a lovely lady called Georgie. We hit if off immediately. If any Lush big wigs are reading this, she needs a big bonus. Upon greeting me with a drink, we sat and talked. About Lush. About my skin type. About blogs. About our favourite shows! That's thing thing about Lush, they hire the right people. Well done Georgie, high five for being awesome at your job!

(Me POST-facial with the divine Georgie!)

When she told me we were going to be hand picking products from the shop floor, I was thrilled. I carried a little slate board and, with expert help, returned to the lovely spa room with a picnic full of dollops and scoops of facial products perfectly suited to my sensitive skin. We chose;

Ultrabland cleanser (RECOMMEND!)
Dream Steam toner tab
Mint Julips lip scrub
Full Of Grace serum bar
Cosmetic Warrior fresh face mask (RECOMMEND!)
Enchanted eye cream
Million Dollar moisturiser
Charity Pot hand and body lotion
Lovely Jubblies breast cream (discontinued Spa only)

See and buy some of these wonderful products here: https://uk.lush.com/ :-)

Snuggled into the little bed, I rang a bell and the treatment began. Sea inspired folk music began to play, with sounds of waves drifting in and out. Dreamy stuff. She gently removed my makeup and then worked through the products listed above.

It roughly went like this; cleanse, tone, serum, lip scrub, face mask with cucumber eyes (yay!), hand/ arm/ neck massage, warm towels removing face mask, eye cream and moisturiser. Heat and ice were used to remove products and to open pores throughout the treatment. It was....AMAZING! When the treatment was over, she calmly bent down and reassured me that I had as much time as I wanted to get ready and that she'd have a nice refreshing drink ready for me when I was ready.

                              (Taken in Lucy's treatment room but mine was very similar!)

Afterwards, my skin HONESTLY felt amazing. Soft. Shimmering. Refreshed. Awake. A little oily (not a criticism... think that was the moisturiser). Whether it was the products, her technique or just pure witchcraft, I felt confident enough to not re-apply my makeup. I walked around London after with next to nothing on my face...other than a massive GRIN. I whole-heartedly recommend this treatment AND the Lush Spa to anyone, whether ye be a self confessed lushie like me and Lucy (Lucy and I...me and Lucy, help me grammar gods!), or just someone who wants a bit of pampering. It's EASY and indulgent. The benefits of the Validation treatment over a mainstream facial are the products, the dedication and quality of the therapists and the emotional and physical effect of the treatment. Lush products are gorgeous, ethical, cruelty free and effective. Georgie treated me like a princess, not a customer. And I felt beautiful when I went home :)

The cherry on the cake!

Now, this is why I HAD to write this review for you guys. FOR REAL the facial was heavenly but the loveliest thing was what happened after. Following the treatment, I received a full sized tub of Ultrabland cleanser, the 'Relax' gift set and some other sample sized complementary products! This isn't typical and they were gifted to me as an Act Of Kindness from Georgie, who said I deserved them! THIS IS WHY I LOVE LUSH. The company wants to make you happy, and I'll be honest, they did it effortlessly.

The technical bits

Price: £75
Duration: 60 mins (inc consultation)
Nudeometer: Minimal
Enjoyment: 10/10
How to book: Buy treatments in-store in any Lush shop! Lush vouchers can also be redeemed on treatments.
Info: https://uk.lush.com/files/lush-spa-presents-validation-facial

THANK YOU SO MUCH for reading this and for visiting us both on this new venture. Where it will take us we aren't sure, and that suits us just fine! This is solely a passion project :-) Please drop us a comment if you have ANY questions or if you've had either A Hard Day's Night or Validation before! Or if you just want to say hello!

P.s. I have no face swap photos but here's a happy elephant I met at a Zoo last week!

Lots of love,

Sarah
x

My visit to the Lush Spa - A Hard Days Night Treatment

Aloha and welcome to our new sistery blog! 

I am here to talk about my recent visit to the Lush Spa in Kingston, London with my sister (and best bitch), Sarah. But first, let me give you a little bit of background info on how we came to visit this magical, serene location.

I used to work for Lush - firstly as a Christmas temp back in 2014, then they decided that they wanted to keep me on (yay!) and I ended up working there as a Supervisor until August 2015. I was there for a bit under a year, but trust me when I say that my time there was truly unforgettable. The friends that I made, the things that I learned (about myself, about people and about Lush) and the incredible products that I got to use and demo every day meant that it was a truly unique, fun and happy time. 

So, OBVIOUSLY when the time came for me to leave Lush (cry), I made the absolute most of the generous 50% discount that you get as an employee and not only completely raided my Northampton shop but also splurged on two spa treatments: the Hard Days Night for me, and the Validation facial for my sister (I know, I'm the best sister!)

So, here's what to expect from a Lush Spa treatment:

After making our way to the spa (which involved being sleepy on the train and then going crazy listening to Fuse ODG with one earphone each and silently lip-syncing all the words) we entered the shop, which is connected to the spa. We were greeted with a smile. I mentioned that we were here for a treatment, and the lady said "Oh, you must be Lucy and Sarah!" She wasn't even one of the spa therapists, but she knew we were coming, which as a really nice touch. We gave her our voucher and I was whizzed upstairs by my spa therapist, Lisa. Sarah stayed downstairs as hers was starting a little bit later than mine.

Lisa walked me upstairs into the spa. It's a bit like going through the wardrobe into Narnia, because you go from the busy, bustling, high-energy shop floor into a completely different atmosphere - you enter a tranquil little den of comfyness. Walking into the Kingston spa feels like walking into your best friends house: warm and homely. The main room that you first enter is about the size of a big living room, with two separate treatment rooms leading off of it. 

As you enter this room you are greeted by warm lights, lovely smells and a peaceful atmosphere. The spa is full of little cute touches that make it look like an antique shop. Lots of the pieces dotted around are related to the different treatments that the spa offers. I took some pics of the trinkets and thingamibobs that greeted me:

I love a good mint green kettle!

I think I would like to have all of these things.

I think that these bits and bobs are used in the Good Hour treatment - it's set to sea shanty music!

The brown block is a chocolate scrub, and the pink block is a beautiful rose body moisturiser - both are used in the fairytale-like The Comforter? treatment

Love the tea vibes! Lots of the books were related to nature and wildlife, which I feel perfectly captures what Lush are all about.

Cute flowers :)

Whilst I pottered around, Lisa took my coat and bag and put them in the treatment room. We sat down and I filled out a form, which asked about any health issues, whether I was pregnant, any problems with flexibility etc.

She then took the time to go through how the treatment came to be - it was first designed as a treatment at a hotel in Liverpool that was part of the Beatles tour! She was really knowledgeable and told me all about the musical style that accompanied the treatment - all the songs are Beatles song covers, which makes it perfect for a Beatles fan like myself. She described my treatment as a 'hidden gem' in the Lush spa. She asked me what I knew about Lush and talked me through what would happen in the treatment. She told me how it would start, what would happen and how it would end, and that I could take my time getting changed. She specifically told me not to rush, so I really didn't haha!

PRO TIP: If you want a super intensive treatment, then ask for one! I have a rubbish, sore back, so I asked Lisa to, and I quote "pummel my back please!" They are more than happy to change the intensity for you if you ask.

I then went into the treatment room, which is just the BEST:

So pink and cosy!

Lisa showed me in, explained what to do, and left the room. In my own time, I was asked to undress and put on a pair of cosy stripey pajamas. They were lying on the bed on top of a hot water bottle, and they smelled like lavender - not the type of lavender that reminds you of old ladies, but the LUSH type of lavender. It was somewhere between the smell of Twilight and Golden Slumbers (for the super lushies out there).

For this treatment, I undressed down to my knickers (bra off - woohoo!), then put the pjs on. I could keep my socks on if I wanted, but I took them off to make sure I got the full benefit of the treatment. I know some people will feel self conscious about going to a spa treatment and having to undress, but let me reassure you - it's totally fine! You are left completely on your own, and the pajamas are super big and comfy. You can take as much time as you want getting ready. I tied my hair up and put my jewellery in a little dish that they provide you with, then I had a little snoop around the room! 

Like the main room, the treatment room is full of bits and bobs that make it look like a quirky antique shop, but not in a pretentious way. There was a counter with all sorts of treatment-related things, and I came across some wildlife books and bottles with labels on that reminded me of Alice in Wonderland.

All the bottles had labels that were associated with emotions. Part of the Synasethsia treatment (the signature spa treatment) I think.

OBLIGATORY CRINGE PJ SELFIE!

When I was ready, I tucked myself into the bed, which was in the middle of the room, and laid on my front with my head through the massage table face hole thingy (what the heck are they called?!), and then I rang a really cute old-school style bell to let my therapist know I was ready. The music then started to change to Beatles music, and she began the treatment.

A Hard Days Night is 'a full body massage treatment, involving gentle, passive stretching and pressure point massage.' The treatment started with a foot massage, and then quickly evolved into a full on massage. Lisa put a lot of pressure on my 'trigger points' - the parts of my muscles that were really knotty. She moved my limbs into different pilates-style stretches, one by one. She asked me before the treatment to basically completely flop my body, as it works better if i'm not trying to 'help' her with the movements. So that's what I did. I've never had somebody stretch my body out before, but it felt amazing! And it was literally my entire body - at one point she even bent my ear around! 

The music was definitely eclectic - there were random voice clips interspersed with covers of Beatles music. I loved the songs that were chosen for the soundtrack; Here Comes the Sun and Blackbird were my two favourites.

Halfway through the treatment, I was asked to turn over. My head was tucked under a pillow, and the massage and stretches continued. At one point, Lisa brought out some silky bands (don't get any 50 shades ideas) and put them under my feet. She lifted my feet up and swung them in time to the music, the used them to stretch my legs! 

I really feel like this treatment helped to loosen up my whole body. It was great. Some of the pressure point massages really got to the problem areas - she really dug in! The stretches were just the right level of intensity that I felt a difference after but it didn't cause any pain. It was just right.

At the end, as part of the treatment (and I'm not gonna lie, this was slightly cringe but she'd told me about it beforehand), Lisa whispered 'Let It Be' three times and then left the room. I knew that was my cue to get dressed back into my clothes. I was so RELAXED though that I sort of just lay there like a floppy trout for a minute or two. There was a cockerel noise on the soundtrack, which helped me to wake up a bit.

Cute touch

I took about ten minutes to get dressed, then came out of the room, and was greeted by a tea (with soya milk and bourbon biscuits), and a special Golden Slumbers bath bomb in an exclusive bag, on a vinyl-style coaster.

The tea was nice, but the water was infused with fruit and tasted amazing.

Now, being Lush obsessed, I already knew that this bath bomb was an Oxford Street shop exclusive (if you haven't been - go because it's a magical wonderland full of joy and exclusive Lush products!). It's a beautiful gold colour, full of glitter (which is NOT made from plastic so is fine to go down the drain - no pollution!), and smells strongly of lavender and chamomile, both of which are super soothing, relaxing and healing. It was such a nice touch to end the treatment with. I was given some time to relax in the chair, and reflect on my treatment. Then she came over after about 10 minutes and we had a chat. She asked me if I enjoyed it, and even gave me tips on how to keep my back from getting tight and sore!

My sister was in the next room just finishing her treatment, so I had time to go to the loo, and then have a play with a bunch of the products in the toilet. 

Well hello there, Sun perfume, nice to see you.

Sarah came out, then we had the loveliest chat with her therapist (which I'm sure she will tell you all about!) She got her own special treats, then we had a chat with her therapist about Lush in general. Have a look at Sarah's blog for what happened next!

The Parkinson sisters loving life at the spa!

We signed the guest book, then headed off, two very happy customers! 

This treatment was so very unique, and I really feel like it helped my back muscles, and made my body feel really relaxed and stretched out! Maybe I'm slightly taller, ha. Some of the voice clips in the music were a little bit annoying, but they weren't too frequent and that is my only criticism! It was a fantastic, effective, relaxing treatment and I'd recommend it to any Beatles fan!

I think the added benefit of the Lush spa experience is that they really do care that you have a good time. They go out of their way to take care of you, make you feel comfortable and make sure that the treatment is tailored to your needs. It feels personalised. The only two people in the spa were our therapists, so you felt calm and safe and cosy. It's such a unique experience! 

I walked out of the spa feeling like a dainty, strong, slightly-taller-than-five-foot-five ballerina :) Thank you Lisa!

The treatment is an hour and a half long (75 minutes treatment and 15 minutes consultation), and costs £95. You can buy a voucher from any Lush store, and they are redeemable at any of the Spas in the UK. You can ring up to book your appointment or call the spa directly. They are more than happy to book you alongside someone else if you want to go together :)

ALSO - if you are a Northamptonian like myself, I HIGHLY recommend you pop into the Northampton Lush store. The staff are all super knowledgeable about the spa treatments, particularly Martyn, who is literally like a Lush thesaurus! Also, shout out to my friend Maddie, who is also a Lush spa therapist - you have the best job in the universe!

Has anybody else had this treatment, or another Lush spa treatment? What did you think? I have tried The Comforter? before (will do a blog at some point!) and would LOVE to try The Good Hour and The Planets!

If you would like to learn more about this treatment then visit the website here.

I hope you enjoyed reading this little brain snippet! It's a little experiment that i'm doing with my sister and it was really fun to write! :D

P.S. On the train back home we did a face swap, and honestly it's probably the best thing that's ever happened to me....

left: kill it with fire, right: demon witch from hell who I would not accept an apple from

Peace out!

Lucy x