After reviewing some of my favorite bath products from Lush a couple of weeks ago, the very nice folks at Lush sent me some more items to try.  As I mentioned in my first Lush review, after using their Bubble Bars and Bath Bombs for years, I had been anxious and curious to try some of their other offerings, such as shower gel, natural deodorant, and dusting powder.  What struck me most about all three products was their freshness.  Once again, I must emphasize one of the reasons I love this Lush company is their dedication to fresh, high quality ingredients.

Shower Gel

Lush sent me The Olive Branch Shower Gel.  The fragrance is the best part. The shower gel leaves a lasting, soft scent that lasts all day for me.  I would describe it as a rich, woodsy aroma, which I’m assuming comes from the bergamot.  The smell isn’t overwhelming, and it reminds me of a pleasant, understated cologne.  Although the container is small, I’m not concerned, because a little bit goes a long way.  Usually, I just squirt a small amount into a wash cloth and the gel lathers and suds surprisingly well.  Since the shower gel is mostly comprised of olive oil, it isn’t shocking that it definitely makes my skin soft.  I would like to remind folks that the shower gel is fresh, and made with natural ingredients, so it’s pricey.  Is it worth it?  Honestly, I’m not sure.  While it certainly has its benefits, I’m not convinced it’s far better than other shower gels I’ve tried.

Deodorant

Please let me preface this entire deodorant review by honestly stating that I am simply not meant to wear natural deodorant.  I’ve read all the reports about how the aluminum contained in the average, mainstream stick of antiperspirant/deodorant can be detrimental to our health.  However, I workout everyday at the gym, and overall try to stay active, and natural deodorant just doesn’t work for me.  I’ve tried a couple of different kinds, Lush included, and I basically offended myself.  Laughing at myself, I realized that I’ve been using regular deodorant for so long (since I was a teenager), that I didn’t even know I could smell that bad!  Plus, it’s summertime!

Lush sent me the T’eo Deodorant.  If you love lemony, citrus aromas, and if you don’t sweat a lot, and just require minimal coverage, this is the deodorant for you.  I was wholeheartedly impressed with the scent, which is bright and fruity.  Unfortunately, when I applied it, it irritated my skin, and did not leave me fruity fresh the rest of the day.  For now, the T’eo rests on a shelf in my bathroom. I will say, though, that my entire bathroom has a beautiful, fresh smell because of the deodorant stick.  It works for the room, and not for me, but that’s okay.  I still reap some benefit, and I was grateful to try it.

Dusting Powder

My grandmother always used dusting powder after bathing, which for some reason, I always thought was so elegant and feminine.  Since childhood, I have enjoyed dusting myself with some powder after bathing, yet when reports came out in recent years about the dangerous side effects of talc, I tried to find good alternatives.  Lush’s Silky Underwear Dusting Powder is by far the absolute best powder I’ve ever used, which is saying  a lot, considering all of the years I’ve used powder, and all of the different brands I’ve tried.

What sets this particular Lush powder apart is how it contains cocoa butter, leaving my skin so soft and silky I couldn’t believe it.  In addition, I am struck by the rich, luxurious, lasting aroma of the cocoa butter, coupled with jasmine and vetivert.  I adore the smell, and I notice its subtlety all day.  Since the powder is made from cornstarch and china clay, it is a safe, natural, preferable alternative to traditional powder.

In conclusion…

For me, only the Silky Underwear Dusting Powder was a sincere winner in this line-up.  As I thought about it all some more, I realized that Lush’s bath products, such as Bubble Bars and Bath Bombs are an occasional luxury for me, whereas shower gel, deodorant and powder are things I use everyday.  I am willing to splurge on the occasional luxury, but not necessarily for expensive, everyday items… unless it’s truly worth it.  The Silky Underwear Dusting Powder is definitely worth it to me.  While I appreciated and enjoyed the other items, I know what I’ll buy again.  In my opinion, the Lush bath products and dusting powder are very special, unique items, made with high quality, fresh, natural ingredients.  Purchase them at the Lush website, or also at Amazon.