Lush Christmas treats for your bath and shower

Go to www.lush.com.au for more info and products

Each year Lush releases its annual selection of Christmas products and without fail they run out the doors of Lush stores into the baths of their very happy and loyal customers of the cult favourite brand. Here are Beauté Gazette's top picks from the Christmas selection at Lush:

Shower Gels

The always popular Snow Fairy Shower Gel is as sweet as ever and a cult classic which doesn't stay on the shelves for long. My absolute fave shower gel Rose Jam which leaves your skin and bathroom smelling like a rose garden after a hot shower. 

$9.95 / 100g $16.95 / 250g $29.95 / 500g

Bath Bombs

I have dropped the Golden Wonder bath bomb into at least 10 baths over the past couple of Christmas's but every time it starts to fizz I still get excited. This is my go-to bomb for a luxurious bath pre Christmas party event. The scent is uplifting with notes of citrus and champagne and it leaves a slight shimmer to your skin, leaving you party ready.

$7.50 each

Bubble Bars

BATH PARTY! Yes that's a thing....it's when you are so excited about Christmas that even your bath is sparkling like tinsel from your Holly Golightly bubble bar. Bubble bars create mountains of bubbles which can be enjoyed by big and little kids.

$10.50each

Bath Melt

Calling time out and taking luxurious moisturising bath over the Christmas holidays is a must. Lush bath melts are filled with cocoa butters and essential oils which will leave your skin drenched in moisture. Snow Angel is the cutest bath melt of all time and it could totally double as a tree ornament, the delicate gold luster floats in the tub making your bath look fit for a queen.

$8.50each

Reusable Bubble Bars

Perfect for kids bubble bath, the wand is great for a little helpers to prepare their bath with. The Magic Wand is scented with Snow Fairy. Also perfect for stocking stuffers.

$9.95each

xx Nella

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Top 3 Lush Bath Products

All available from your closest Lush store or from www.lush.com.au

There is something rather special about Lush, whether it be that all of their ingredients are ethically sourced and products are locally made or that they support grassroots charities? But most of all that their products make you feel good when you used them. 

In store I sometimes get a bit of a sensory overload and don't know which of the amazing products to pick. So here are my TOP 3 Lush Bath Products to help you next time you are in a Lush store or shopping online.

Rose Queen Bath Bomb $4.95

Oh how I love the smell of this bath bomb, it doesn't get any better than Rose, Geranium and a hint of Amber filling up a steamy room. This is my favourite life de-stresser bath bomb, soaking in the tub my troubles melt away - well at least for 20mins or so whilst in the bath! The smell is completely overpowering in the best possible way, closing your eyes and taking deep breaths inhaling the perfume is so relaxing. Also I have found that when I have bad period cramping a bath with the Rose Queen helps alleviate any pressure and bloating, I have no idea how or why but it totally helps.

A French Kiss Bubble Bar $10.95

So I have been on a huge exercise kick lately with lots of weights at the gym and aqua aerobics, when my muscles are feeling the burn a bath with the lavenderific 'A French Kiss' is amazing! Bubble baths at any age are fun and very necessary on a regular basis.

Let the Good Times Roll Facial Cleanser/Scrub $42.38

This is a new edition to my 'Lush Loves', I tried it out in store when having a hand treatment and boy did I fall head over heels in love. The scrub is made up of maize flour which comes from corn so it is very fine but works amazingly well at getting rid of any lingering fake tan or dry patches. It is a very easily applied scrub, the oils help it stick to your skin do it doesn't run everywhere when you try and rub it in.

What are you favourite Lush loves? Let me know in the comments below.

xx Nella

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Sensory overload for Mother's Day at Lush....

Lush Bath Bomb in Secret Garden $5.95 available from www.lush.com.au

This Mother's Day I decided to treat my very spunky Mum to a sensory overload of colour, smell and relaxation at Lush with  an arm and hand soak, exfoliation and massage. It was the perfect Mother's day activity which was filled with discovering amazing new Lush products and an amazing treatment.

Like mother like daughter, she definitely passed down her love of very bright and colourful fashion, don't you think?

After Mum had almost bought one of everything in the shop, we sat down for our treatments with the lovely and super gorgeous Alicia (Hi Alicia if you are reading this!) who talked us through the treatment and asked our favourite scents to make a customised hand soak. We both said : Rose and Geranium - SNAP!

This is a full list of products that went into our crazy colourful and wonderfully colourful and scented hand soak:

-1 x Secret Garden Bath Bomb

-Honey I washed the kids Shower Gel

-Turkish delight shower smoothie

-Ro's argan body conditioner

-Let the good times roll scrub

Alicia was very detailed at explaining the ingredients of all the products she used whilst giving our arms a very relaxing arm massage at the same time. Did you know that over 20,000 rose petals go into every tub of Ro's Argan Body conditioner, no wonder it smells so beautifully rosey!

After arms were soaked and scrubbed it was time for a massage with Therapy massage bar, this felt incredible! I'd hadn't used the Lush Massage bars before but after that arm massage I am a 100% devoted fan, it was so buttery smooth and left our arms completely moisturised. So as we didn't walk around all day with very slippery arms Alicia powdered us with Vanilla Puff, another new Lush product which I fell in love with, it is a vanilla scented dusting powder which takes away stickiness of moisturisers. No more wrestling my freshly moisturised legs into tight skinny jeans ever again!

This was the perfect Mother's day treat for Mum and I to do together, it was informal fun and we totally zenned-out with our treatments. 

If you like the sound of our Mother-Daughter pamper fest then you totally need to know that Lush is available for parties, how cool is that! You and your friends can book a face mask party where you learn how to make your favourite  fresh face mask together, byo a bottle of bubbles and have a blast whipping up your own batch of Cupcake, Cosmetic Warrior, Love Lettuce or Oatifix. I would highly recommend the in store Lush treatment experience, it is a whole lotta fun.

For more information on Lush or to book a Lush party go to www.lush.com.au

xxx Nella

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Whats in my bag? Daily Essentials Edition

Benah for Karen Walker Juliet Clutch in Tan $230.00

'The Juliet' from the Benah for Karen Walker colab is clutch perfection! Although the tan colourway is sold out online, I would totally love the burgandy like a second child. It is the most practical of clutches with 3 compartments inside to organize your clutch clutter. The whole colab in general is totally lust worthy, I'm completely desperate for the Nancy Overnight and Andie Duffle styles too.

Available from www.thebenah.myshopify.com

Antipodes Divine Face Oil Mini & Vanilla Pod Hydrating Day Cream Mini's $19.95

It is officially now not Summer and as the weather starts to cool my skin starts to dry out, so carrying a mini sized oil or cream is the best way to combat scales forming on the go. Antipodes is such a hydrating and beautifully skin quenching brand, the mini hydrating sets are a perfect way to explore the brand for the unfamiliar.

Available from www.antipodesnature.com

Revlon Colour Burst Lip Butter in Pink Truffle and Raspberry Pie $21.95

My friend Ashley has this fun game where he digs into my handbag to count how many lip products I am carrying around with me, the most he has found was 9!!! Yes, 9!!! Having a clutch does restrict the number of balms, glosses and lipsticks I have on me at all times. The new streamline new me only needs 2 lip colours: Day Neutral 'Pink Truffle' - A brown based pink which gives just the right amount of colour to look polished. Bright for Night 'Raspberry Pie' - Pink is offically my new red. If you don't own a Revlon Lip Butter then go and get one girl!!!

Available from www.priceline.com

Asos Chain Pom Pom Earrings $15.60

Asos have fast been becoming my favourite spot to pick up a little bit of ear candy, there is always something new, dangly and very pretty. But most importantly they are mostly under $20! 

Available from www.asos.com

Pandora 14 Carat Pearl and Pink Sapphire Ring

A very special gift from a very special friend, I adore this ring and get comments on it all the time.

Available from www.pandora.net

Mania Mania Sahara Ring $152.00

A little scarab ring which looks great stacked or on its own, Mania Mania know how to make the most cosmically-cool jewelry ever.

Available from www.themaniamania.com

Lush Flowers Burrow Perfume $20.00

This perfume is perfectly sized to pack into your clutch. Flowers Burrow is a strong and herbal fragrance which sinks into your skin and makes you feel warm like you are wrapped in a cloak of dried musky flowers. It is a strong and powerful scent which I love but is not for everyone. 

Available from www.lush.com.au

xxx Nella

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BEAUTY YEAR BOOK : Best Beauty Products of 2013 : Skin Care, Body & Bath Round Up!

Face Wash:
Neutrogena Naturals Purifying Facial Cleanser and Makeup Remover $14.99
If you like a face wash which takes off all you makeup, makes your face feel clean but without feeling tight and dry, then you will love these cleansers from Neutrogena. Also Paraben, Sulfate, Petrolatum free and housed in recycled packing these were a bathroom constant all year.
Available from www.priceline.com.au

Day Moisturizer:
Dermalogica Skin Smoothing Cream $71.99
This non irritating face moisturiser has kept my skin at hydrated without stinging or breaking me out. When applying this moisturiser my skin doesn't change at all, it doesn't go red and blotchy because of fragrance, like most moisturisers I tried this year. I LOVE IT! The size is also great, it has lasted for over 3 months and  I am only just half way through the tube, which makes the $71.99 price tag completely worth it.
Available from www.dermalogica.com.au

Night Cream:
Jurlique Herbal Recovery Advanced Serum $75.00/30ml $165.00/100ml
The reason I haven't included this serum in the photo is because I have very very sadly finished my bottle. Holy Moly applying this serum is the most heavenly cooling and comforting night time ritual I have had all year. My skin was noticeably brighter and more radiant when using this serum and I am saving my pretty penny's to buy another bottle ASAP!
Available from www.jurlique.com.au

Eye Treatment:
The Body Shop Elderflower Cooling Eye Gel $17.95
Thick eye creams are not my thing, often they sting my eyes because of the potent ingredients. The Body Shop Elderflower Cooling Eye Gel tightens the eye area without stinging and is fragrance free, for the amazing price this is my all time favourite eye gel and has been for the past year and a half.
Available from www.thebodyshop.com.au

Serum and Oil:
Kosema Certified Organic Rose Hip Oil $24.95
Rose Hip Oils have been quite buzzy this year, Miranda Kerr claimed it gave her skin its signature glow. Rose Hip Oils have been popping up on the market by brands this year it is hard to pick one from another. My pick is Kosema it is certified organic, made in Australia with all the ingredients being ethically sourced - setting it apart from its competitors on the shelves.
Available from www.kosmea.com.au

Face Mask:
Alpha H Liquid Gold Smoothing and Perfecting Mask $56.70
Once a week I like to relax with a face mask whilst watching The Real Housewives of whatever city, it is a very guilty pleasure. Alpha H's liquid gold line is ah-maze-zing! The smoothing and perfecting mask draws out blemishes and leaved skin feeling super smooth when rinsed off. Available from www.ry.com.au

Exfoliator:
John Plunkett Glyco Peel $28.95
Not a traditional exfoilator but 2013 was all about the chemical exfoliator. John Plunketts Glyco Peel contains 25% Glycolic Acid which when applied tingles the skin gently removing any dead skin cells lingering around the surface. Chemical exfoliants are much more gentle on your skin rather  than granulated scrubs which can burst capillaries and drag skin loosening collagen stores underneath.
Available from www.plunketts.com.au

Toner:
Uriage Tolederm Soothing Cleansing Water $29.99
Traditional toners were tossed away this year, favouring cleansing waters which purify skin and remove any last traces of makeup. Uriage Tolederm Soothing Cleansing water is my french magic water of choice.
Available from www.priceline.com.au

BODY:

Body Moisturiser:
Molton Brown Ylang Ylang Body Lotion $45.00
Molton Brown is a very posh-totty British brand which I am in totally in lust with. The fragrances are too die for and the body lotions are heavenly, non sticky and super hydrating. The price tag is a little indulgent but I justified it by making a pact to myself that if I bought a $45.00 moisturiser that I couldn't be lazy and I had to use it everyday.
Available from www.moltonbrown.com.au

Body Oil:
Jurlique Rose Oil $50.00/100ml
Ohhhhhh baby! This multi tasker oil is so beautiful to use, as a massage oil (sexy!), a glowing body oil or a couple of drops in a bath it leaves skin so soft and smooth.
Available from www.jurlique.com.au

Self Tanner:
St Tropez Gradual Tan $20.50
After a skin cancer scare in December I have been all about a fake bake. St Tropez Gradual Tan is the best I have trialed, non ompa-lompa orange and leaves you without that signature biscuit scent. Applied on alternate days it will give you a natural - well as natural as you can from a bottle - tan.
Available from www.beautybay.com

Sunscreen:
Milk Dry Touch Sunscreen 30+ with Tea Tree and Aloe $12.95
I love this sunscreen, it is not greasy and smells of tea tree which is a lovely change from stinky spf's. You need to reapply before and after swimming and every couple of hours if you are out in the sun. It also doesn't clog the pores or break me out which most lower price point sunscreens do.
Available from www.milkandco.com.au

Body Exfoliator:
Lush Rub Rub Rub $12.95
To remove self tanners my favourite body scrub is Lush's Rub Rub Rub! It is filled with sea salt and feels extremely satisfying to use, scented with my favourite Lush soap 'Dirty' it ticks all the boxes.
Available from www.lush.com.au

Body Wash:
Dr Bronners liquid soap in Limited Edition Green Tea $8.95
I love this liquid soap, it isn't a traditional body wash but if you suffer from eczema or psoriasis like I do the you need to try the Dr Bronners range. Fun Fact: this also doubles as my favourite brush cleaner.
Available from www.lateralfood.com

Bath:
Lush Tisty Toasty Bath Ballistic $6.75
I rediscovered Lush's bath bombs this year after a 15 year hiatus I am addicted once again. Smelly, colourful baths have been so much fun this year. With the limited edition releases I have amassed quite the selection but Tisty Toasty is my fave.
Available from www.lush.com.au

Deoderant:
Nivea Pearl and Beauty Roll on $3.89
I am a loyal and faithful Capricorn and I do not stray from this deodorant! I cannot and will not use another deodorant. This is perfect.
Available from www.priceline.com.au

Fragrance:
Roses de Chloé EDT $140.00/75ml
If you haven't noticed already I have am having a lifelong love affair with roses and when Chloé released Roses de Chloé I went a little bit crazy! It was love at first smell and I have worn it everyday since.
Available from www.davidjones.com.au

xxx Nella

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LUSH Beauty Blogger Event

Just hanging out behind a table of soaps!

Last week Lush held a super amazing beauty blogger event at the Lush Sydney QVB store, there was lots of playing with products and we were overloaded with information but the one thing that I took away from the event was : Lush gives a shit, and I have fallen back in love with them for it.

In all area's it is a 'Full Circle' brand:

-All packaging is made from 90% recycled materials and all packaging can be recycled when you are finished with it.

-Lush sources ingredients from suppliers who are certified non animal testing companies and Lush does not test any of their products on animals.

-'Slush Fund' is an initiative Lush set up to support smaller suppliers to boost their businesses, to drive local business.

-All products are made from fresh organic fruit, vegetables, essential oils and safe synthetics.

- It is a transparent brand, the amount of money a consumer is paying for a product is for the product, not a marketing campaign or fancy packaging. It is for the high quality ethically sourced natural ingredients that Lush uses to create beautiful creams, lotions, bath bombs, massage bars and cleansers.

ANGELS ON BARE SKIN $16.95

Lush's #1 worldwide cleanser, containing ground almonds, clay and lavender. Mix paste with water and massage into the skin for a soft exfoliation to the face. 

RO'S ARGAN BODY CONDITIONER $32.50

Lush's #1 Australian selling product, contains 6 conditioning butters including Morrocan Argan Oil. Used like a hair conditioner but on your body, when rinsed off the soft rose scent lingers on your skin.

ULTRA BLAND FACIAL CLEANSER

An oil emulsion cleanser, fantastic at removing makeup. Massage into your face gently loosening makeup and then wipe off with a flannel cloth that has been soaked in warm water. Oils will remain penetrating the skin leaving it plump and softened.

BUBBLE GUM LIP SCRUB

For all you Snow Fairy Lovers, the Bubble Gum Lip Scrub has the same scent. The sugar scrub exfoliates flakey skin off your lips leaving them sweet and kissable.

DREAM CREAM

Another world wide best seller, Dream Cream containing Oat Milk, Chamomile, Rose, Tea Tree and Lavender is incredibly soothing and calming. A-OK for those of us who suffer from skin irritations like exhzma and dermatitis.

HONEY I WASHED THE KIDS SOAP

Topped with a layer of solid bees wax made by some incredibly happy bees, this iconic soap packed with creamy honey soothes dry skin.

Have you ever fallen back in love with a brand? 

What's your favourite Lush product, that I should try next? 

Let me know in the comments or on Twitter or on the Beauté Gazette Facebook page all links are down below.

xxx Nella

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Dry Shampoo: It's kind of like magic!

It's the depths of winter here in Sydney and drying my hair has been a dramatic process of shivering in my freezing bathroom trying to un-fog the mirror without opening a window, gone are the summer days of towel drying my hair and then letting the sun do the rest whilst walking to buy my morning coffee. Trying to avoid the freezing bathroom floor dance with my hair dryer I have only been washing my hair twice a week, to stop the greasy build up dry shampoo on non hair washing days has been a life saver (not a real life saver like Penicillin - just a hair saver.).
On another note regarding Dry Shampoo can someone please tell me some Dry Shampoo brands that are available in Japan? Last year I spent at least 72 hours pacing up and down the isles of various chemists (there are A LOT!) in Shibuya trying to find dry shampoo with my friend Holly (Holly is a Flower Enthusiast with an excellent blog The Flower Drum : read it - I dare you!) spraying anything in a can in our beyond static and humidity effected locks.

MY MOST FAVORITE:
1. TRESemmé Fresh Start Dry Shampoo $10.95
This is great, it really de-grease's and smells lovely. Only problem is its pretty ugly, I don't have this on my bathroom sink it is well and truly in a cupboard somewhere.
2. Klorane Shampooing sec extra-doux  $10.99
Oh so frenchy so chic, Klorane is a great brand for hair care in general. Their dry shampoo contains oats and some other natural type ingredients - but how natural can you get with an aerosol can really? It does cast very white and powdery on your roots so its a good idea to brush it out after spritzing especially if you have darker hair. Just a little heads up this is usually on offer at Priceline.
3. Batiste Dry Shampoo $3.99 small $8.99 large
The heavyweight champ on the Dry Shampoo circuit is Batiste, its the most readily available - the other night I picked up a mini can at a 7/11 on the way to a date. I'm only a fan of 3 out of the now 7 scents Blush, Original & Tropical, the others are sickly scented. Batiste works really well for that extra spruce going from day to night and it also gives quite a bit of volume. Only con with Batiste is that the product build up is quite extreme and gross, so you need to do a double clarifying shampoo when you do finally wash your hair.

NON- AEROSOL DRY SHAMPOO:

Lush No Drought Dry Shampoo $13.50

Aerosol cans are completely bogus for the environment, they give the ozone layer the finger. Lush has a powder alternative dry shampoo which is quite good, the end result is the same as the aerosol varieties   its just the application is a bit of a nightmare. This should only be applied whilst you are wearing a towel in the safety of your bathroom. Do not apply it at your desk whilst wearing head to toe black as I did or you will end up looking like you just got Punk'd.

LEAST LOVED:

1. Lee Stafford Dry Shampoo Original for Oily Roots $14.29 large $5.99 small
Thank goodness I only spent $5.99 on the small can because this was rubbish, it didn't get rid of any of the grease in my hair and it smells kind of toxic.
2. Toni & Guy Cleanse Dry Shampoo $11.99
This is a pretty average dry shampoo, it does take away excess oils from your scalp but it doesn't give any volume and it weighed down my hair with product.

If you are totally obsessed with Dry Shampoo then have I found the website for you:
http://www.dryshampoo.com/