Having Some Fun With Barbie™ In The Tub | Lush X Barbie™ Range

 Hey everyone! 

Welcome to a brand new blog post! 

I recently went to Lush to check out the new Lush X Barbie range and I thought that today I would talk to you all about it. 

Lush has partnered with Mattel to create a one of a kind collectible collaboration range. 

‘The Barbie™ X Lush Collection offers a complete range of self-care in Barbie™’s quintessential pink hue, meant to be used and loved by everyone looking to reclaim the color as a symbol of empowerment, daring and being fearless.‘ - Lush UK. 

“Partnering with an icon like Barbie™ is truly a dream come true for Lush. Barbie™ continues to push boundaries and doesn’t let anyone underestimate her abilities. We imagined what Barbie™’s self-care routine would look like and created this range, meant to be used and loved by all. The collection is for everyone who wants to embrace the power of the color pink!” explained Melody Morton, Creative Concepts Director at Lush Cosmetics. 

Like the Lush X Asteroid City collaboration range, Lush have set up a pop up store on Beak Street in London that features everything pink for everyone to check out including this collaboration range and free pink drinks! If you have checked out the pop up then please do let me know your thoughts as I am unable to check it out due to not living near London. 

When I heard that Lush were collaborating with Mattel to create a Barbie range, I was ecstatic. Barbie has been a staple throughout my life and represents a lot to me. I know that may sound silly to some but as a kid, Barbie was a way for me to explore gender in a range of ways. Whether it was breaking down gender norms or just simply creating a world where anything could be possible, Barbie always made me happy. At the time, I may have been mocked for playing with what was considered at the time as a toy only for girls, if it wasn’t for Barbie I’m not sure if I would feel as comfortable in my own skin as a queer non-binary person in the North of England as I do. 

Bath:

Barbie Bath Bath Bomb 

It’s time to make your tub into a Pink wonderland! This bomb contains Sicilian Lemon Oil, Tonka Absolute, Coconut Cream, Coconut Milk Powder, Fair Trade Organic Cocoa Butter and Ruby Cocoa Liquor. According to some, this bomb is meant to smell like the Strawberry Crumble Bubbleroon from Valentines Day but to me it does not. To me, it smells more of a mixture of Rose with a backnote of other floral notes with a touch of Strawberry to it. Inside the bomb, there is a heart shaped bath melt that contains a plethora of oils, cream and milk. I suffer from having dry skin so when I used this bomb and noticed that there was a surprise bath melt, I was amazed. The melt definitely nourished my skin! There is also a lot of glitter in this bomb which I adore but I do know that some don’t. I’d definitely grab this again and would love for the surprise melt to come back in another range! (I tried this in store and at home but the photos of the bath art featured in this post are from trying it as a demo at the Lush White Rose store). Priced at £6. 

Barbie Bubble Bubble Bar

Vroom, vroom! It’s time to drive some fun into the bath! This bubble bar contains Tonka Absolute, Almond Oil, Olibanum Resinoid, Champaca Absolute and Sweet Wild Orange Oil. Lush state that this has a new Sour Cherry scent but to me the scent of this bubble bar comes across more as creamy Cherry. I think due to the Tonka and Champaca, it creates more of a sweet creamy scent with a Cherry note. In the bath, the cherry does come out a lot more than sniffing it in store but it does remind me more of Cherry Sweets or Cherry Yoghurt more than Sour Cherry. I love the car shape of this bubble bar as it reminds me of my childhood! However, my main problem with this product is that it is so soft and crumbly that by the time I purchased it and brought it home, it had already snapped and crumbled in the bag which was a bit of a shame. If you know anyone who loves Barbie or acherry flavoured sweets such as the Cherry Maoam sweets that you purchase in the UK then I’d definitely suggest this product. Priced at £7.  

Soap: 

Barbie Boombox Soap 

Boom, boom, boom! It’s time to wash your hands! This soap contains Organic Soya Milk, Fair Trade Organic Cocoa Butter,  Brazilian Orange and Bergamot Oils. Who doesn’t love a boombox shaped soap? It just screams kitsch and cute to me! When I heard about this soap I was expecting it to smell of Honey I’ve Washed The Kids due to ingredients but it actually smells more like the Rhubarb & Custard Soap to me which threw me off a bit. It does make sense though as I can see Barbie enjoying a Rhubarb & Cusrsd sweet or two. This soap is very softening due to the Soy Milk and Cocoa Butter! I’d definitely recommend this for anyone who is trying to encourage their children into washing their hands properly as I think the soap would help them and remind them of Barbie doing the same! Priced at £6

Barbie Handbag Soap 

Out of all three of the shapes soaps, I love the Bag design the most. I don’t know  it just reminds me of my childhood and Barbie the most. As a child, Barbie helped to define my identity and looking back on it now, Barbie and her handbag brought me a sense of gender euphoria. This soap is scented in the same scent as the Boombox Soap.  Priced at £6. 

Barbie Heel Soap 

This heel soap was made for washing! I think that this heel shaped soap would look beautiful in a soap dish! I’m sure it would look like your bathroom has turned into its own little Barbie closet! This soap shares the same scent as the other two soaps. I do get the point of the different designs but personally I do wish that the soaps were different scents that could’ve been marketed maybe as secret scents a little bit like the Question Block Bath Bombs from the Lush X Super Mario range. Priced at £6. 

Body: 

Barbie Dream Sugar Scrub 

Who doesn’t dream of having beautiful skin just like Barbie? This scrub contains Caster Sugar, Fair Trade Organic Cocoa Butter, Organic Almond Oil, Extra Virgin Coconut Oil  Lemon Myrtle, Persian Lime & Ylang Ylang Oils and Ruby Cocoa Liquor. This scrub seems to have a new formula compared to other Scrubs that are sold at Lush. This scrub seems to be a bit more squishy than the other ones. This may be due to the addition of Cocoa Butter & Coconut Oil. To anyone who hasn’t tried this scrub but is familiar with other products from Lush. Imagine a scrub like Ocean Salt or Orange mixed with the texture of a FUN. The scent reminds me of a sort of a zesty sweet with a touch of Banana. I don’t know why this is but it may be due to the Ylang Ylang which to my nose can give off a sort of fresh Banana scent sometimes. I know that sounds weird but it kind of works nicely! I guess if you’ve smelt Out Of This World from Lush then imagine that but with a bit of a sugary backnote to it. It’s definitely a scent that evokes memories of sweet shops in tbe Summer to me. I can definitely imagine Barbie using it. If you like a scrub that scrubs well but wished that it was a bit more softening to the skin or wished that scrubs from Lush like Scrubse came in more varieties then I would definitely recommend trying this scrub out! Prices start at £9 for a 135g tub 

Barbie Body Balm 

Even in the summer, we need to make sure that our skin stays super soft! If you are unsure on what a body balm from Lush is then imagine a lighter  Massage Bar from Lush.  This body balm contains Fair Trade Organic Cocoa Butter, Organic Shea Butter, Organic Jojoba Oil, Extra Virgin Coconut Oil, Ruby Cocoa Liquor, Sicilian Lemon Oil and Tonka Absolute. This heart shaped beauty is meant to smell like the Strawberry Crumble Bubbleroon and it does due to the Tonka mainly for me but I also get a sort of sweet chocolate note which may be from the addition of Ruby Cocoa Liquor which I think has been added for colour and a touch of luxury to the scent. Due to the butters and oils in this product  it is super nourishing on the skin. The oil that ends up on your skin from this balm sinks into tbe skin quite quickly and doesn’t leave that greasy feeling on the skin like other body products sometimes do. My only caution to everyone that purchases this product is to keep it in a cool dark place. It has been quite warm recently and if left unattended and exposed somewhere, this balm will melt quickly! We don’t want Barbie to be screaming “I’m melting!”, do we? If you know anyone who loves Chocolate coated strawberries and loves beauty then I would definitely recommend this Body Balm to them! Priced £10

Face: 

Barbie Jelly Jelly Mask

Barbie wishes that she was ready for this jelly! This face mask might be a blast from the past for some including myself! This face mask once upon a time was more commonly known at Lush as FOMO Jelly Face Mask. This face mask contains Calamine Powdwr, Kaolin, Neroli Oil and Rose Absolute. To me this has a weird hints of cucumber to it but I don’t mind it. I used to love this for when my face flared up from spots and redness as it used to work a treat and I’m glad to say that it still does. A reason why I loved the Jaly Masks and this Barbie Jwlly Mask is that they are great for travelling with and don’t require to be chilled like the fresh masks from Lush. In regards to texture, it’s a sort of form jellt. I’d say even firmer than the shower jellies from Lush.  If you can still grab it I’d definitely recommend you doing so as I hope that Lush roll these back out soon! Priced £10. 

Hair: 

Barbie Pink Shampoo 

Blondes have fun but what about Pinks? It’s time to turn into a BarbiePink Babe! 

This shampoo contains Marshmallow Root , Fresh Strawberry Juice, Lemon Juice, Beetroot Juice, Persian Lime Oil, Camellia Oil and Synthetic Musk. Yes this is Snow Fairy scented so if you’ve been yearning for a Snow Fairy liquid Shampoo since forever then I’d recommend that you grab this whilst you can! To me though, the scent is more a snow Fairy mixed with Toffee which you’d expect to be super sweet but weirdly the toffee cuts through that SF sweetness a little bit which I quite like. If you have bleached hair then please do be careful with this product as the beetroot juice can stain the hair. For this reason also it can be left on the hair for 20+ minutes to create a  more lasting Barbie inspired tint to the hair. Definitely one for those who just want to be living in their own little pink Snow Fairy world! For me, my hair is on the very dry side so I have to be a little bit cautious with haircare. Priced at £9 for a 100g bottle. 

Fragrance 

Barbie X Lush Perfume 

Wonder what Barbie smells like? Well no more because you can finally smell like Barbie or what Barbie wishes she smelled like! This perfume contains Almond Essential Oil, Champaca Absolute, Tonka Absolute, Olibanum Resinoid and Sweet Wild Orange Oil. I sprayed this in store and sadly I was a bit disappointed. I heard that it was meant to be Sour Cherry but to me it is very much more Cherry sweets or Cherry Yoghurt. A creamy base with a flicker of fruitiness that includes cherries and other berries. The cherry aspect flashed off my skin as soon as the perfume dried down which was a shame. I think on some the cherry will come out more but for me sadly it just didn’t hit the spot. I’d definitely recommend trying it at a Lush store and letting me know your thoughts though! Priced at £35 for 30ml. 

Have you checked out the range? Let me know! 

Thanks to the wonderful staff at Lush White Rose for looking after us and helping us to check out the range. 

Thanks for readings! 

Jamie x

BARBIE™ and associated trademarks and trade dress are owned by, and used under license from, Mattel. ©2023 Mattel.

Having Some F.U.N At The Bottom Of My Tub | Lush X SpongeBob Range

Hey everyone! 

Welcome to a brand new blog post. I recently went to Lush to check out their new Lush X SpongeBob collaboration range and I thought that today I would talk to you all about it. 

‘In support of Paramount’s SpongeBob SquarePants: Operation Sea Change campaign, a global ocean conservation and sustainability initiative, which kicked off last year, Lush is thrilled to have been able to co-create a range of six new, fun and immersive products across bath, shower and skin care to ensure multiple steps of your body care routine are covered.’ - Lush UK. 

SpongeBob Bath Bomb 

Who lives in a Pineapple underneath the tub? SpongeBob does! 

This bath bomb is the epitome of cuteness via being designed around SpongeBob himself! This bath bomb contains Buchu,, Litsea Cubeba, Sweet Wild Orange, Pineapple Powder and Popping Candy. If you are a fan of Lush then you may recognise these ingredients as they make up the scent of Passion Fruit Delight Body Wash/Cyclops Bubble Bar. I love the smell of this bomb as honestly it makes me instantly think of drinks in the Summer when the nights are humid. I love anything Pineapple but I think as the Pineapple in this is via a powder it helps to add a backnote for the Passionfruit to jump off from more than anything and to create SpongeBob’s iconic colour in my opinion. I love this bath bomb in the water as the colour of the water just makes me smile. I also love that when I dropped this cute bomb into the water, SpongeBob started to crackle and pop. Once the popping had settled, I noticed that something was in the water… It was SpongeBob’s iconic pants! I’d definitely recommend this to anyone who loves fruity scents or for anyone like myself who loves SpongeBob! Priced at £4.50. 

SpongeBob Soap 

Who thought that in 2023, we’d be able to wash ourselves with SpongeBob. 

This soap contains Rapeseed Oil; Coconut Oil, Extra Virgin Coconut Oil, Fresh Pineapple Juice, Buchu, Sweet Wild Orange and Litsea Cubeba Oils. 

This soap shares the same scent as the SpongeBob Bath Bomb so I would definitely grab both for either a gift for someone or so that you can truly enjoy a fruity SpongeBob inspired Bath. I love Lush’s soaps as they contain oils that nourish my dry skin and always pack a punch when it comes to scents. I also love this scent and do think that it would be perfect in a Body Spray! It does feel F.U,N. to take a little SpongeBob into the bath/shower to wash yourself with. 

As this range is focused around helping to cut down on plastic especially around Plastic-Free July, Lush recommend to pair this soap that can replace the use of a shower gel that usually comes in plastic packaging, Not Sleepy Shower Bomb, Home Sweet Pineapple Body Balm and Jumping Juniper Shempoo Bar for the ultimate plastic-free shower routine. I would personally add The Golden Cap Conditioner Bar for those who may have quite dry hair or who would be looking for a plastic free hair conditioner that would go well with this Soap.

I absolutely love this cute soap and I would definitely recommend this as a gift for those who love to have fun, children or for a special person who could do with a little SpongeBob in the bathroom to brighten up their day. Priced at £5.50. 

Surprised Patrick Bath Bomb 

If you’ve been living under a rock then you definitely should grab this meme worthy bath bomb and drop him into the tub. This cute bath bomb contains Fir Balsam Resinoid, Vanilla Absolute, Coconut Milk Powder and Popping Candy. I quite adore the scent of this bomb as it mainly smells of Coconut with a sort of musky grassy note which I think is mainly coming from the Fir Balsam Resinoid that is in this product. I have had a fair few products in my time that are synthetically sweet Coconut orientated so I’m glad that Lush have released something that is more of a true Coconut scent to me. This bomb is amazing in the bath. Did it surprise me? Of course it did, I knew that there was Popping Candy in it but I wasn’t expecting it to be as softening as it was or for it to create such beautiful bath art in the tub. The softening feature of this bomb is mainly from the Coconut Milk Powder and like Toby’s Magic Cow that also contains this, it creates a really silky feeling to the bath. To me, this surprisingly superb bath bomb created a sort of peachy sunset vibe in the tub. Once I had finished my bath, just like SpongeBob, I noticed Patricks pants floating in the water that were in the middle of the bomb! I’ll definitely be getting this again before the range disappears. 

As this range is centralised around being plastic free. Lush have recommended pairing this bath bomb with Fresh Farmacy Cleaner, Full Off Grace Serum and King Of Skin. I would probably change Fresh Farmacy for Tea Totaler Solid Cleanser just as it works for my skin a little bit better than Fresh Farmacy. I would also personally use Coconut Rice Cake Shampoo Bar too as my hair loves it and its a great plastic-free Coconut scented Shampoo. 

I’d recommend this for anyone who loves Coconut or for someone who wants a bath bomb that will leave them shocked in multiple ways. This bomb also contains glitter! I’d definitely recommend pairing the two bombs together for maybe a treat for someone or for someone who’s about to go on holiday like my own Mother! Priced at £4.50. 

Squidward Bubble Bar 

A bath product made specifically for those who are a little impatient, cymbal and sarcastic? Sign me up! 

If you’ve ever related to Squidward which lets be honest is most of us especially in our adult years then you will definitely love this bubble bar. Not only does it look and smell amazing but you get to take out all of your anger out by crumbling good old Squidward into the tub. This bubble bar contains Persian Lime Oil, Seaweed Absolute, Violet Leaf Absolute and Blue Spirulina Extract. To me, this smells very similar to Ocean Salt from Lush and definitely reminds me of a cocktail on the beach. I guess if I had to say a specific cocktail then id say maybe a Caipirinha or a Margarita. To me, the Violet Leaf mainly is in this product to boost the scent of the Lime and Seaweed more than anything. When I read that this contained Violet I was expecting it to be Violet heavy but oh how I was wrong. The Spirulina is mainly there to provide colour to Squidward! When the crumbs of this product was mixing with the water in my bathtub, I could definitely smell it and oh did I love it. This bubble bar also contains glitter.

As this is a part of a Plastic-Free range, Lush recommends pairing it with Sea Vegetable Soap, Seanik Shempoo Bar and After Massage Bar. I think for me personally, I’ll be pairing this with Outback Mate Soap as I already have a chunk of it that I should use and maybe also Tingle Solid Body Conditioner especially if its still as warm as it has been in the UK lately when I use it. 

I’d definitely recommend this for people who are into fresh scents or for anyone who loves the seaside! I’d obviously recommend also buying it for yourself when one of those bad days happen or for anyone in your life that is similar to Squidward. I mean, let’s be honest, we all know a few… Priced at £5. 

Home Sweet Pineapple Body Balm 

Home is where the Pineapple is. Well, it is for SpongeBob! When I saw this product I knew that I had to have it. I mean, I love Pineapples, I love body care and I love products that will nourish my ever so dry skin!

This body balm contains Fair Trade Organic Cocoa Butter, Organic Shea Butter, Apricot Kernel Oil, Mango Butter, Fresh Pineapple Juice, Davana Oil, Tonka Absolute and Fir Balsam Resinoid. The Pineapple Juice, Davana and Tonka are the main stars when it comes to scent for me. I think like the other products in this range, the Fir Balsam helps to create a sort of smoky/musky banknote more than anything. The Pineapple, Davana and Tonka create a sort of Pineapple Cake scent. When I smelt this, the way I described it to Luke was sort of a Raspberry and Coconut cake but replace the Raspberry with Pineapple. Is it similar to a Pina Colada? Kind of but more robust and I guess smoky in a way whereas Pina Coladas tend to be more creamy and sweet than anything else. Definitely a scent profile that I hope to see in other formats in the future at Lush. A body spray or a bath bomb would be amazing I think. The texture of this body balm is quite interesting. It’s creamy just like massage bars from Lush and help to make skin feel nourished and soft just like massage bars from Lush do but this fruit shaped body balm has a sort of lighter texture than a massage bar does. I’d say that this releases a sort of light serum where as massage bars release more of a thick oil in my opinion. I’d definitely recmonned this to anyone who loves Pineapples or is looking for something that will keep their body from being dry this Summer but doesn’t get on with a Massage Bar sometimes. If you can get into a store, id definitely recommend asking a Lush staff member to try it out on you! Priced at £9 for an 80g bar. 

Krabby Bathy Gift Set 

You better grab this Krabby Bathy before Plankton tries to get his hands on it! 

Not only does this gift set look amazing through the on theme packaging and shape of the products resembling a Krabby Patty Burger but also smell amazing. This gift set contains two bath bombs that contain Bergamot Oil, Lime Oil and Violet Leaf Absolute which creates a deep sort of Blackcurrant scent to me. The Patty Bubble Bar contains Bergamot, Buchu and Sicilian Lemon Oils and Glitter. If you have smelt anything under the Carrots scent range at Lush then this shares the same scent. If not then the best way to imagine it is a sort of sunny citrus blend with a grassy undertone to it. A great summer scent really. The lettuce and tomato soaps contain Irish moss Infusion, Rapeseed Oil; Coconut Oil, Fresh Tomato, Fresh Lettuce, Bergamot and Rose Oils. Bergamot and Rose Oils apparently make up the scent of Watermelons which I wasn’t expecting. I’m not the biggest fan of Watermelon scents just as they’re a bit of a marmite situation for myself but I know people such as my friend Michelle who loves anything Watermelon scented. This is definitely a cute gift set and I’d definitely recommend this for anyone who loves anything cute really. Priced at £14. 

SpongeBob Character Face Cloths 

Who doesn’t want to wake up first thing in the morning and wash their face with a familiar character on the cloth? These face cloths are made from organic cotton muslin so they are super gentle on the face. I quite like that Lush have released cloths to go along with their face care. They’re quite soft and super cute. I do think personally I would prefer a sort of plastic free microfibre cloth but that’s just me. I do use reusable eco-pads when it comes to removing makeup and skincare so I will add them to the mix for when I’m feeling a bit bleh and want a cute character to help me first thing in the morning. Priced £12 for 3. 

Who is your favourite character from SpongeBob? Will you be buying any of the products from the Lush X SpongeBob range? Let me know! 

Thanks for reading! 

Jamie x  

The Skincare Product That’s Been Brightening UP My Life | Garnier Vitamin C Anti-Dark Spots & Brightening Serum Review

Hey everyone! 

Welcome to a brand new blog post! I thought that today I would talk to you about a skincare product that I have been loving lately. 

‘Our Vitamin C Anti-Dark Spot Serum is enriched with a potent mix of [3.5%] Vitamin C*, Niacinamide & Salicylic Acid, to reduce the appearance of dark spots and enhance glow, along with Lemon Extract, a powerful superfood well known for its brightening properties. The formula has been carefully blended to provide dark-spot action without being heavy or greasy on the skin.

All Garnier products globally are officially approved by Cruelty Free International under the Leaping Bunny Programme, the leading organisation working to end animal testing worldwide, and the recognised Cruelty Free Gold Standard.’ - Garnier UK. 

The texture of this product is quite interesting. It’s light yet not runny. It’s moisturising but not greasy. 

When I squeezes some of the product out from the pipette, I noticed that it didn’t run all over the place which I like as it means I don’t have to be super anxious that I’m going to slightly tilt my hand and have serum not only run all down myself but in essence waste product that my skin could be enjoying. With some serums that I have used in the past, they have promised to be light yet have took ages to sink into the skin which is a pain for me as I have a tendency to rush and multitask when it comes to skincare sometimes. This mainly has a tendency to happen in the morning more than anything. 

The scent of this product was a quite unusual one for me. Most Vitamin C products that I have used in the past normally come with quite a strong Orange heavy scent to them but this did not. Instead Garner chose to go with more of a floral scent for this product. As stated above, the scent confused me a bit but as soon as I used it I quite liked it. Soft, delicate and floral. When I applied this superb serum to my skin, the scent dissipated  into my skin quite well which I adored and when layering with other slightly scented skincare the scents blended well together.

After using this serum for a while, I did notice a difference. I suffer from dry, dull and stressed skin which can lead to acne breakouts sometimes. Whilst using this product I have noticed a reduction in the amount of breakouts that I have which is due to the Niacinamide and Salicylic Acid that is featured in this product. After using this serum for a few months, I have noticed that my skin does look more vibrant and is now glowing for the gods which I have been in need for a while. After University and a tough time, I noticed that my skin was lacking in vibrancy so to find something that is easy to find in drugstores in my local city and is affordable is pretty amazing to me. 

Would I buy this again? Oh definitely, I’ll definitely be buying this. I am close to finishing a bottle of this sublime serum so once I am done with it I’ll definitely be restocking! I mean, it does wonders for my skin, is reasonably priced compared to some of the other Vitamin C serums on the market in the UK and is easy for me to stock up on when I need it. 9/10. 

(At the time of writing this post which is the 26th of June 2023, Garnier Vitamin C Anti-Dark Spots & Brightening Serum is on offer at Boots. When you use your Advantage Card, you can grab this perfect product for £8.50.) 

What are your favourite skincare serums at the moment? What are your favourite Garner products`? What Vitamin C products are you using at the moment? Let me know down below. 

Thanks for reading! 

Jamie x 

Items mentioned in the post were gifted to me in exchange for a blog post. All views and ramblings are my own. 

Keeping My Face Protected From The Sun In 2023 | Garnier Ambre Solaire Anti-Dark Spots & Anti-Pollution Super UV Protection Fluid SPF 50 Review

Hey everyone! 

Welcome to a brand new blog post. I thought that today I would talk to you all about an SPF that I have been loving during the hot weather that we have been having at the moment. 

‘Garnier Ambre Solaire Anti-Dark Spots & Anti-Pollution Super UV SPF 50+ Protection Fluid is enriched with hyaluronic acid and vitamin E. Developed for the sensitive face area, the ultra-light formula is absorbed instantly and offers daily hydration without leaving a greasy finish.

Very high SPF protection to help prevent sun induced dark spots and protect against pollution induced oxidative stress. Formulated to protect all skin tones, is suitable for daily use. Tested under dermatological control, hypoallergenic and fragrance-free. Anti-eye stinging.The formula conforms 100% to European recommendations for protection against the harmful effects of UVA and UVB rays. This suncream offers advanced protection against immediate sun induced skin damage, caused by UVB rays, as well as protection from long-term damage and premature skin ageing caused by UVA rays.’ - Garnier UK. 

The texture off this SPF is creamy and moisturising but ever so light on the face.When squeezing out of the bottle, the fluid comes out in a slightly milky texture to me but does not run all over the place as soon as I tilt my hand. (I have a habit of doing multiple things when I’m applying skin care/SPF because well I like to multitask). With the heat, I sometimes suffer from sensory overload which can mean that I can’t stand thick textures on my face if I am suffering from overload and I have been using this when I have suffered with overload and it has been amazing. When it settles into the skin, to paraphrase Ned Flanders it feels like I have nothing at all on my face. 


I suffer from having dry and acne prone skin due to a miltitude of reasons. When I have applied this, I have noticed that even after applying moisturiser that my skin feels even more hydrated due to the hyaluronic acid that is in this SPF. I have also noticed that when I am having an acne flare up and am using this SPF that my skin doesn’t feel as angry as it normally does due to the Vitamin E that is in this product. Most of the time, about after fifteen minutes, I can feel the area where my acne normally is allocated start to feel less irritated which is also a good thing as it makes me feel less self conscious and makes me aware that I know that the active ingredients in this SPF are doing what they are meant to.

As mentioned above, when I am applying my skincare products, I have a big tendency of multitasking and honestly rushing. I know that I have just whacked products on when I have scheduled to meet a friend or do something specific at a certain time many times before. That’s kind of another reason why I love this product. Not only does it sink in quickly which I am always a big fan of for when I’m well rushing or just having one of those days. This SPF has a non-greasy texture to it which means I’m not feeling self conscious on the train that I’ve slapped products on or that I’m constantly touching my face thinking that I look like I’ve dipped my face into a cosmetics store and not blended them into my skin properly.. 

Would I buy this product again? Definitely. I already have done. I have been using this SPF for several months now and I absolutely love it. It has become my everyday SPF. I have started to dabble back into makeup recently and I am intrigued to try out Garner’s Over Makeup SPF Spray. Would anyone want me to review that? This SPF is definitely one to try if you’re looking for an everyday holy grail SPF 50  that will help you stay looking amazing and prevent dark-spots not only in the blazing weather that we are having at the moment but all year round. I’d definitely give this a 9.7/10. 

Priced at £12 but on offer at Boots at a price of £8 if you use a Boots Advantage Card when purchasing this superb SPF. (This offer is available at the time of writing which is the 25th June 2023). 

What SPF are you using at the moment? What are your staple Holiday Beauty products? Let me know down below! 

Thanks for reading! 

Jamie x

Items mentioned in the post were gifted to me in exchange for a blog post. All views and ramblings are my own. 

Letting The Asteroid Crash Into Ny Tub | Lush X Asteroid City Range

Hey everyone! 

Welcome to a brand new blog post. I recently went to Lush to check out their new Asteroid City collaboration range and I thought that today I would talk to you all about it.

Asteroid Bath Bomb 

This bath bomb is inspired by Asteroid Day that is celebrated in the Asteroid City film by Wes Anderson and the hypothetical planet from the film that is known as Magnavox-27, 

This bath bomb contains Grapefruit, Bergamot and Almond Oils which creates a summery scent that reminds me personally of sweet shops. If you have tried Space Girl or Raspberry Blower Bubble Bar from Lush then you may like the scent of this bomb as Asteroid shares the same scent as these. This bath bomb will turn your bath into an ethereal escapist oasis via turning it a mixture of silver, blue, red and purple. I love this scent as one of the first bombs that I had from Lush back in the day was Space Girl so when I smelt this bomb it instantly took me back to when Space Girl was available all year round in stores. I also think that the mixture of the oils in this product make a sort of tart summer drink which I absolutely adore. If you know anyone that loves all things Asteroids or Wes Anderson then this bath bomb will definitely be for them. I would also suggest getting this if you’re looking for a bomb to compliment the gorgeous weather that we are having in the UK at the moment. Priced at £6. 

Asteroid City Shower Gel 

This shares the same scent as the Asteroid Bath Bomb. This gel like the bomb contains Grapefruit, Bergamot and Almond Oils which creates a sort of blackcurrant mixed with walking into a sweet shop sort of scent to me. The colour of this gel is a pretty pastel blue which just evokes British blue skied Summers to me, I love this gel. My only qualm about this gel though is the texture. It is slightly on the runnier side which I don’t mind as I use intergalactic Gel from Lush quite a bit and that is extra runny but I do imagine that I may have to be careful with this gel if I was to travel with it. If you’re looking for a Shower Gel to perk you up this 2023 or for one to use before going on a date to see the new Asteroid City film then I would definitely recommend this. I also think that this gel would go well with other fruity scents such as The Comforter Body Spray or Hairdressers Husband Perfume from Lush. Priced at £15 for a 290g bottle. 

UFO Shower Jelly 

UFO? Don’t you mean Unidentifiable Object? This shower jelly will definitely create a lasting memory! This product contains Fair Trade Organic Aloe Vera Gel, Lime and Neroli Oils and Olibanium Resinoid. If you have ever smelt the Zesty products from Lush and wanted a Shower Jelly that smelt like Zesrty then you are in luck as this Shower Jelly shares the same scent as Zesty. I have to be in the right mood to enjoy Zesty but when I do oh it’s lovely. The Lime works beautifully with he Neroli and Olibanum in this product as the blend of ingredients reminds me of a mysterious creamy Lime drink. I’d definitely recommend this for those in your life who love programmes like X Files but id also recommend it for a treat yourself gift. Whack it in the freezer, let it firm up and you’ve got a product that you can use to treat yourself this Summer. Priced at £7. 

Doomsday Soap 

Let’s not leave soaps out of this unworldly mix of gorgeous products. This soap contains Sand, Bergamot and Cypress Oils and Blackcurrant Absolute. This creates a beautifully sweet Blackcurrant scent. To me, the scent of this soap reminds me of a Kir Royale cocktail. If you like all things The Comforter from Lush then you will love this soap as it shares the same scent. (Does anyone else remember Sweetie Pie Shower Jelly that shares the same scent too?) The sand in Doomsday creates a scrub that helps ro remove dead skin cells and ensure that skin is super smooth. Personally, I prefer a slightly grittier scrub like the old Salted Coconut Hand Scrub that used to be available at Lush once upon a time. However, this sand scrub enhanced soap does a good job at scrubbing the skin and is a great product for when you don’t have time for a full on exfoliation. According to a staff member, the disc that is on this soap can be used as a sort of stand for the Asteroid Bomb. Priced at £6. 

Asteroid City is out in cinemas on the 23rd June. 

Will you be watching Asteroid City? Do you love all things space? What’s your favourite Wes Anderson films and Lush products? Let me know down below! 

Thanks for reading! 

Jamie x

Having An Out Of This World Experience In The Tub | Lush Fathers Day 2023 Range

 Hey everyone! 

Welcome to a brand new blog post. I recently went to White Rose Shopping Centre with Luke to check out the new Lush Fathers Day 2023 range and I thought that today I would talk to you all about the products in this range. (I know that Father’s Day can be a difficult day for some so if you’re not a fan of Fathers Day then that’s absolutely fine and I hope that you come back to read the next blog post!) 

Bath Bombs: 

Out Of This World 

It’s time to make your bath tub somewhere that is out of this world! This bath bomb is a brand new one for 2023. As you can tell by the name, this bomb is thematically inspired by space and well all things out of this world. This bath bomb not only looks cute by being designed around a sparkly astronaut but smells amazing too. This bomb contains Lime and Sweet Wild Orange Oils and Olibanum Resinoid. To me, the Olibanum and Orange combine to create a very fragrant Banana scent which goes beautifully with the Lime to create a sort of fruity Summery scent. If you remember Never Mind The Ballistics and have smelt Out Of This World then you may notice that they share the same scent. This bomb also contains Green Tea Powder and Popping Candy which help to give off am out of this world sensorial bathing experience. I’d definitely recommend this to anyone who loves fruity scents or wants something spectacular this Fathers Day. Priced at £5. 

Shower: 

Candy Wash Showder 

Who doesn’t want to wash themselves with some sweet, sweet candy? This showder isn’t for the faint hearted. If you are unaware on what a showder is then let me educate you. A showder is a shower powder. Imagine a shower product that is the perfect product to take travelling or to festivals due to it being a powder. Just grab some, let the water saturate it, massage and rinse. 

This showder contains Granulate Sugar, Calamine Powder, Clove Bud and Ylang Ylang Oils and Vanilla Absolute. The Sugar and Calamine Powder help to give substance to the powder thus ensuring that your skin is super soft once you have rinsed off Candy Wash. To me, the main scent from this comes from the Ylang Ylang and Vanilla but smells slightly like Bubblegum mixed with Plastic to me. I know that sounds revolting but weirdly it’s not the worst scent in the world. I If you have used any of the oils Creamy Candy products from Lush then you may recognise the Candy Wash scent as they are both the same scent. Priced at £16 for 230g. 

Fresh As Shower Gel 

Time to feel fresh as this Fathers Day! 

Fresh As is a perfume from Lush that has been out a fair couple of years now. This year Lush decided to release the scent in a Shower Gel format. It was out last year under the Fathers Day range but under the name of ‘Rad Dad’. This shower gel contains Fresh Cucumber Infusion, Fine Sea Salt, Siberian Fir Needle, Orris and Tagetes Oils and Benzoin Resinoid and Fir Needle Absolute. To me, the most prominent scents in this gel are the Fir Needle and Cucumber. It creates a oh so fresh scent. The best way to describe the scent would be walking through a forest full of Pine on an early Spring morning. This gel is definitely a gel that would be great for those who are a bit overwhelmed when it comes to smelling Lush scents or for those who love a morning shower. Priced at £8 for a 125g bottle. 

Life’s A Beach Showder 

Sometimes, we just need a warm shower and a good scrub when life is being a beach. This scrubby showder was first released alongside Candy Wash, Lemon Sherbet and Washaccino Showders at the launch of the Oxford Street store several years ago. This showder contains Fine Sea Salt, Sand, Vanilla Absolute, Jasmine Absolute, Tonka Absolute and Sandalwood Oil. The main scents that comes out in this showder is the Vanilla and Jasmine. This combination of scents creates a mainly strong clean Vanilla scent with a floral undertone which isn’t too strong. If you have smelt the Vanillary perfume from Lush then you may like this showder as it shares the same scent. The sand definitely does scrub the skin so if you like a coarse scrub then you will like this. Definitely a product for anyone who loves a good holiday. Priced at £16 for 300g. 

Soap: 

Blue Moon Soap 

Blue Moon is coming into orbit and its time to celebrate with a good wash. 

This soap can glow in the dark! This soap contains Rapeseed Oil; Coconut Oil,Extra Virgin Coconut Oil, Bergamot, Grapefruit and Almond Essential Oils. I adore the scent of this product. Bright, zingy and citrusy. The grapefruit is the star of this product. It just shines so bright,. The bergamot adds a sort of sherbet note to the scent whilst the almond adds a sort of creaminess. This scent reminds me very much of a sweet shop store but in the best way possible. Not cloying but fresh. If you have smelt anything under the Space Girl scent at Lush (I Want A Hippo For Christmas, Very Very Frightening or some of the products from the upcoming Asteroid City collaboration) and liked it then you will like this soap as it shares the same scent. Definitely a gift worthy of anyone who loves citrus scents or wants a soap that can do anything and everything. Priced at £6. 

FUN: 

Big Bang (Create Your Own Universe) FUN 

It’s time to create a big bang in the tub! 

FUN can be used in a multitude of ways such as shampoo, soap and a bubble bar. You can even tear bits off and create whatever you want! This FUN contains Peppermint, Grapefruit, Cedarwood and Vetivert Oils. In my opinion, this creates a fresh but complex Mint scent. It’s layered and the fruit and Vetifvert really help to add some depth to the Mint. If you have smelt anything under the Intergalactic scent family at Lush and liked it then you will like this too as they share the same scent. I quite like this FUN but it does take me quite a long time to get through a bar of FUN. Definitely for those who can never decide on what they want or want something that will uplift them no matter what. Priced at £9.50 for a 200g packet of FUN. 

Have you tried any of these products? Let me know down below or on social media. 

Thanks for reading! 

Jamie x

Letting My Hair Drink Up All Of That Goodness | Garnier Banana Hair Drink & Delicate Oat Milk Hair Remedy Hair Mask Review

Hey everyone! 

Welcome to a brand new blog post! I thought that today I would talk to you all about some haircare products that I was kindly gifted by Garnier. 

Garnier Banana Hair Drink 

‘Thirsty Hair? Dig into Garnier Ultimate Blends Nourishing Banana Hair Drink, for dry hair! Our natural origin formula contains ultra thin lamellas that coat the hair fibre to polish and smooth your hair. Instantly, your hair is 10x smoother*, frizz-free, and reflects light for a mirror-like shine. Hair drink is specially formulated with 97% natural origin ingredients**, is 100% vegan*** & silicone free for a natural feel. Always store this product as room temperature, if crystallisation appears, please shake well and place in an ambient environment. Our bottle is made from recycled plastic and is 100% recyclable (except the cap and label).

FOR BEST RESULTS: After using our Banana Hair Food shampoo squeeze out excess water from hair and apply Hair Drink to lengths. For fine hair apply 1 dose, for medium to thick hair 2-3 doses and for long hair add +1 dose. Massage into lengths for 10 seconds and rinse.’ - Garnier UK. 

When I heard that Garner were coming out with this range, I was super intrigued. Intrigued by the consistency, the effects and the fact that you only have to leave it on for ten seconds. The week that I was planning on going out to grab one to try as I had just finished some conditioner that I had been using for a while, I heard a knock at the door and by some miracle it was a parcel from Garner containing a bottle of the Banana Hair Drink for me to try and test. 

The scent of this product was amazing, Honestly when I heard that beauty products are Banana scented I expect that sort of foam Banana scent that can be either delightful or vomit inducing due to experience but with this Hair Drink that wasn’t the case. The scent of this product was fresh yet light. It reminded me of when you walk past a shelf of bananas in a supermarket and get that sort light fruity but grassy sort of scent which I kind of adore but then again I love weird scents. Post washing this product out of the hair, the scent keeps calm and cool for a while and isn’t too overwhelming, 

The texture of this product was a new one for me. When I removed the lid and tipped the bottle into the palm of my hand, a light oily liquid pooled onto my hand which reminded me of some of the hair oils that I have used in the past but a touch bit lighter which I didn’t think was possible when I already think that some of the oil based styling products that I have used before are quite light but this was on another level. 

I have used this for more than a month hence the delay to publishing this post but with hair and beauty products I like to use them for a fair while so I can give them a fair and honest review. When I have massaged this product into my hair post shampoo, I have noticed a slight warming effect start to happen on my hair. Warming but not irritating. After ten seconds of massaging and the warming sensation, I wash it off and normally choose to dry my hair with a towel briefly before going in with a hair dryer and the effects are positively noticeable. My hair is quite dry so I instantly noticed a difference in regards to moisture. It was soft and supple and definitely had a shine. One of the times that I have used this product, I have gone out later in the day and have been complimented by friends and strangers on how good my hair looks. 

Do I think that this is a product that everyone should try at least once in their lifetime? Oh definitely! Will I be buying more once I have used this bottle up? Oh definitely but as there is different scents such as Papaya and Pineapple, I may go for a different scent just to see what they are like. Available to buy from Boots and Superdrug. 

Delicate Oat Milk Hair Remedy Hair Mask 

‘One scoop, one minute, one week of goodness! Steal a minute for yourself with Garnier Ultimate Blends Hair Remedy Masks. Our hypoallergenic mask for delicate scalp and hair, has a ECARF certified formula blended with Rice Cream & Organic Oat Milk into a creamy remedy to deliver a truly sensorial moment for you. Hair hydrated and healthier-looking with 3x more softness*. Vegan formula** without silicones for a natural feel. Jar is made from recycled plastic (except from cap, colourants and additives).
FOR BEST RESULTS: After using our soothing Delicate Oat Milk shampoo, apply our creamy remedy to lengths of wet hair, wait 1 minute & rinse.’

The scent of this mask is quite a light one. It is creamy with a touch of sweetness to it from the oat and reminds me of an Oat Milk Yoghurt that you would pair with fruit first thing in the morning. I’ve been using this more towards my nighttime routine and the delicate scent is perfect as its not too much and just perfect for when I want soothing scents to help me relax in the evening. 

The texture of this is also reminiscent of a thick Oat Milk Yoghurt. Thick and voluptuous. It spreads onto the hand quite well and doesn’t really thin out when massaged into the ends of the hair. To me, I quite enjoy this as I can tell that the thick texture is doing its trick to nourishing the hair. I did use this mask as directions state and honestly I loved that I only had to leave it in my hair for a minute and I could feel the benefits. I have used masks before that have requited me to leave it in for half an hour and my hair hasn’t felt as nourished as it does with this mask. 

Would I repurchase either of these products? I think that I would but I think that when I do finish using these products I would like to try the other versions just to see how my hair gets on with them. For me, these products fall under the mantra of a little goes a long way so it will take me a long while to finish them. I do think though that I will pick up another Hair Drink for travelling as a 10 second based product will be great for when I’m on the go in the country or abroad. 

Have you tried either of these products? Would you pick any of the products mentioned in this post up? What are your haircare favourites at the moment? Let me know down below or on social media. 

Thanks for reading! 

Jamie x 

The products mentioned in this post were gifted in return of a blog post. All views and opinions are my own.  

Come With Me To Make My Very Own Intergalactic Bath Bomb at Lush White Rose | World Bath Bomb Day 2023

Hey everyone! 

Welcome to a brand new blog post! I recently went to Lush White Rose with Luke on World Bath Bomb Day and was able to make my very own Intergalactic Bath Bomb for free so I thought that today I would talk to you all about it. 

As mentioned, to celebrate World Bath Bomb Day, Lush stores up and down the nation were able to invite anyone to come on the day and make their very own Intergalactic Bath Bomb. As Luke and I were popping into Leeds to grab some bits, we decided to pop into White Rose. 

We entered the store and had a quick chat with all of the wonderful staff whilst having a quick look at the new Ippuku mini gift sets that are now available (blog post on them will be coming very soon). 

As the bath bomb making workshops were once a hour, we looked around the store and sniffed some of the products that went well with the weather and Intergalactic such as Magic Crystals Body Scrub and Dirty Springwash Shower Gel until the time came to make my own bath bomb! 

Luke was sneezing throughout the day and didn’t think it would be wise to be let loose with bowls of bath powders so he decided to sit and check social media whilst I made my own Intergalactic Bath Bomb. 

After putting on gloves, the first thing that I did to create my bath bomb was to mix the blue powder that colours the majority of the bath bomb up with the bicarbonate of soda and citric acid mixture until they amalgamated into one concoction. 

The next step was to grab half of the bath bomb mould provided and put the blue mixture into the bottom of mould and then compress it into one layer. 

Step three was to grab some of pink powder and sprinkle that on the perimeter of the mould so that it would show when the bomb was created and then to repeat with the yellow powder. 

Once these were sprinkled, it was time to top with some more blue. 

Following this, it was time to make a hole in the middle of the bomb and then place in the popping candy which is an essential part of the Intergalactic bathing experience as when the popping candy interacts with the water, a symphony of sound happens in the bathtub. 

Now it was time for the other half which was a case of repeating the latter without the popping candy and then instead of creating a hole, it was time to create a mound. 

After the mound was created, it was time to take a big breath and smoosh the two bath bomb halves together, 

Et voila! That’s a Intergalactic Bath Bomb made by me, Jamie. All there was to do after that was for the bath bomb to be bagged up and left for at least 24 hours to set and then it would be ready to be used. 

If you want to see what a fresh handmade by Jamie Intergalactic Bath Bomb from Lush is like in the water then go over to my instagram (thejamiesowden). 

The wonderful staff at Lush White Rose allowed me to make another one for Luke to take home and use which was fantastic. 

Did you make an Intergalactic Bath Bomb? What’s your favourite bath bomb from Lush? Let me know down below. 

Thanks for reading! 

Jamie x

Garnier SkinActive Micellar Gentle Peeling Water & Micellar Reusable Make-Up Remover Eco Pads Review

Hey everyone! 

Welcome to a brand new blog post. I recently got sent some goodies from the wonderful PR team from Garner UK and I thought that today I would talk to you all about two of the products that I was sent. 

So if you are following me on my social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram then you may have noticed that I have been trying to get back into using makeup recently. (Would you want some makeup reviews? Let me know down below). I also travel from time to time and for both of these reasons I have been looking for a decent micellar water that I can use to remove makeup and that I can use on the go when it comes to travelling throughout the UK so when I received my parcel from Garner and noticed that they had included the stunning Gentle Peeling Water I was amazed as it was just what I was looking for. 

This Micellar Gentle Peeling Water contains 1% PHA and Glycolic Acid which is an AHA. These active skincare ingredients help to smooth uneven skin texture, boost radiance, minimise enlarged pores, removes makeup and gently exfoliates the skin due to AHA and PHA’s being a chemical exfoliant for the skin. 

I have been using this Micellar Water for a month now and I absolutely love it. I used to not be the biggest fan of Micellar Water as it sometimes felt a bit thick on my skin and took a while to dry on my skin but this Gentle Peeling Water is lightweight and sinks into my skin instantly. I have skin texture and can breakout easily due to being lactose intolerant and using this Peeling Water has definitely helped it alongside my usual skin routine. 

I love using this micellar water to remove makeup when I’ve had a long day. All I have to do is wipe this onto my skin and it removes it instantly. I don’t use many full coverage products though at the moment so I may have to use some and see how well this product removes them too. I have also put some into a mini bottle to take with me on the go and trust me it has been a godsend for me whilst I’ve been on the go or at a hotel. Sometimes when I do spend time at a hotel I sometimes forget some beauty products due to rushing when packing in the morning so if I’ve forgotten a cleanser I have used this product and it has worked beautifully as a replacement for my normal cleanser in my routine. 

The scent of this Micellar Water is light and citrus to me. It reminds me of Oranges and Mangoes which I know sounds weird but it really does. The scent isn’t too strong compared to some beauty products that I have used in the past which I love especially if I’m using this product late at night.

To accompany the Micellar Water, Garner kindly sent me their Eco Pads to try out. Now, I am picky when it comes to what I use to wash or wipe my face with because of my sensory issues. I know a lot of the time with Toners and Micellar Waters, Cotton Pads are recommended but honestly I have forever hated the feeling of them. When I saw these Eco Pads, I was ecstatic as it meant I could use something on my face on the go that honestly didn’t make me want to peel my own skin off. I also love that they are reusable and washable which makes them great for the environment. You can whack them in with the rest of your washing or just wash in the sink. I love this as it means I can just wash them and leave them overnight to dry in the hotel if I’m using them there or just in my bathroom. These Eco Pads feel amazingly soft on the skin which I adore. You also get three pairs of Eco Pads in one packet which means that you can use a pair whilst one is being washed. I would definitely pick up a couple of packets to give as gifts alongside the Micellar Water.

Would I buy again? Definitely. This product has definitely gotten me back into using both makeup and Micellar Water and I love it. The scent of the Micellar Water is refreshing and the product contains active ingredients to help your skin out. The Eco Pads are soft and wipe away all the grime from your face amazingly. What’s not to love? 

Have you tried these products? Would you try them? Let me know down below.

Thanks to Garner PR for sending these products. 

Thanks for reading! 

Jamie x

Products were sent in return for this blog post. All views and ramblings are my own.