Lush Halloween 2016: Monster's Ball Bath Bomb Review

Monster's Ball bath bomb immediately caught my eye as soon as I got a glance at the new Halloween range for 2016, mainly for the reason that he looks like a pink version of Mike Wazowski from Disney Pixar's Monsters Inc. This bath bomb carries the same scent as the Calacas family and although this exact product is new for 2016, a Calacas scented bath bomb already exists; The Enchanter bath bomb, as well as Skullduggery bath bomb. Although, saying this, this bath bomb differs completely by its look of a beautiful vibrant mix of blue and purple with a bath melt eye, centred with a vegan dark chocolate drop pupil.

This bath bomb is heavily scented with lime oil and neroli oil; the main ingredients of the Calacas family. Lime oil is great for cleansing the skin as well as stimulating blood flow which can improve the mood. The oil can be used as an antioxidant and an antibiotic due to it containing high amounts of vitamin C which can help protect the skin from UV rays and pollutants.

The lime oil offers a fresh and fruity scent to the bath bomb and is the most apparent smell within the mix of ingredients.

Neroli oil is used in many of Lush's products due to it being a great ingredient to help lift the mood by increasing serotonin production within the brain and has been scientifically improved to do so. It also softens the skin.

Although not the most obvious smell in the bath bomb, the neroli oil gives the bath bomb a very light 'green' smell.

As we as these scents, cocoa butter is within the mix of these ingredients. As Lush have recently started doing a lot more, they have put decorative bath melts on their bath bombs; this being one. The eye of the monster is a bath melt made out of cocoa butter which melts in the water and leave the water and ultimately the skin, very moisturised. 

As can be seen in the above photos, the bath bomb is beautiful in the water creating spirals on vibrant pink and blues and a sneaky little eye. This definitely for me, is one of the beautiful bath bombs that Lush have released this year that puts on a stunning show within the water.

Monster's Ball bath bomb produces a beautiful deep purple colour with no lustre. Although, I was expecting a brighter purple bath due to the bright colours and bright scents. Saying this, I am not disappointed by the colour of the water.

The smell of the bath bomb was strong both in and out of the bath, yet didn't stick to the skin after the bath. But stayed in the air of the bathroom for a couple of hours.

For those who are a fan of The Enchanter bath bomb or anything of the Calacas family, I would highly recommend this product to them. Especially if you're a fan of bath bombs that produce a show in the water. I personally think that this is a great addition to the Lush Halloween range.

Price: £4.25

Vegan

Ingredients: Sodium Bicarbonate, Citric Acid, Himalayan Rock Salt, Perfume, Lime Oil, Neroli Oil, Olibanum Oil, Cream of Tartar, Fair Trade Organic Cocoa Butter, Titanium Dioxide, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Lauryl Betaine, Propylene Glycol, PEG-6 Caprylic / Capric Glycerides & Colour 45410, Colour 17200

*Occurs naturally in essential oils

Lush Halloween 2016: Pumpkin Bath Bomb Review

It's finally got to that time of year when Lush have released their Halloween products and FINALLY have released a spherical jack-o-lantern bath bomb. 

Like the Sparkly Pumpkin bubble bar, I assumed that this would have a different scent, in this instance, perhaps a pumpkin spice kind of scent due to the popularity of Pumpkin Spice drinks. However, it smells to me like a sugary spicy mix of perfection. However, when I first smelt this beauty, I got a bit sherbet sweet scent, yet when I smelt it again, I could detect spicy and creamy notes within the mix. Overall, you could say that this bath bomb has a slight 'foody' scent to it.

One of the main ingredients within the mix of Pumpkin is pimento berries which are known as the 'clove pepper' and is said to smell like cinnamon, clove and nutmeg; like mixed spice you may say. It is an antioxidant and antiseptic which makes this bath bomb cleansing. Pimento berries gives the bomb a spicy kick along with the vanilla absolute. Vanilla takes away the edge of the spiciness whilst making sure the skin stays moisturised whilst adding a creamy side to the ballistic.

The bath bomb is a fast fizzer with orange and yellow colours and leaves the water with a beautiful orange coloured water. Although my bath bomb was fresh, it did sink and I have heard that other people's have done the same thing. So if you're looking for a bath bomb that puts a show on in the bath, this may not be the one for you. However, do not let this put you off as this ballistic is wonderful and leaves a very strong scent in the bath which stays with you for a few hours after the bath.

The water itself wasn't exactly softening and didn't leave the skin too soft and I did need to use a moisturiser afterwards. Saying this, my skin did feel very cleansed after this bath.

If you're looking for a bath bomb that is highly scented and stays with you, this is the one. However, if you're looking for something that shows itself off in the water from the Halloween range, I would suggest a bath bomb such as Lord of Misrule which puts a great show on. This product is a great one for Autumn and would be a great bath for perhaps getting ready on Halloween night for perhaps a party or even to just get in the spirit.

Price: £3.95

Vegan

Ingredients: Sodium Bicarbonate, Citric Acid, Pimento Berry Oil, Vanilla Absolute, Alpha Isomethyl Ionone, *Cinnamal, *Citral, Eugenol, *Genaniol, *Limonene, Perfume, Colour 15510, Colour 45350

*Occurs naturally in essential oils

Lush Halloween 2016: Lord of Misrule Bath Bomb Review

And for another year, another Halloween classic is back; the beautiful Lord of Misrule is back again for another year. Lush describes this bath bomb as "inspired by the ruler of the pagan Feast of Fools, Lord of Misrule has a deep green exterior that slowly froths away to reveal a rich, wine-coloured centre. Just like at the Feast of Fools, when the wine starts to flow, the popping candy crackles and the festivities begin..."

This beautiful bath bomb is a green colour on the outside with spots of pink and white and once fizzed away, reveals a pink inside with popping candy which ultimately turns the water a beautiful deep wine, red colour. Scented with patchouli, black pepper and and vanilla, this bath bomb is a spicy-sweet beauty to have in the bath.

As I'm personally not a huge fan of patchouli, I wasn't expecting much from this bath bomb, but I was pleasantly surprised that the scent of patchouli wasn't overpowering and was toned down by the vanilla absolute and a side note of spicy pepper. Even if I wasn't to be a fan of the scent, the show the ballistic puts on a wonderful show in the water.

Patchouli oil has an earthy and very familiar scent that is relaxing for the body and uplifting for the mind whilst black pepper is used as an anti-inflammatory as it is a warming ingredient making this bath bomb great for post-workout baths or when you have achy muscles. Vanilla absolute takes the edge off the spiciness of this bath bomb but also prevents moisture loss within the skin.

The scent is very strong out of the water and is very strong when placed into the water. After you have got out of the bath, the smell lingers on the skin and in the air of the bathroom. This smell can always be enhanced on the skin with the use of other products within the same scent family such as Rough With the Smooth scrub bar and Lord of Misrule shower cream.

I would highly recommend this product to anyone who likes sweet-spicy scents or even scents that are rather intriguing. If you don't know what to expect from this kind of scent, I highly suggest you get yourself down to the nearest Lush store and give it a sniff and pick yourself up a few.

Price: £3.95

Vegan

Ingredients: Sodium Bicarbonate, Citric Acid, Popping Candy, Cream of Tartar, Black Pepper Oil, Patchouli Oil, Vanilla Absolute, Lauryl Betaine, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Gardenia Extract, *Limonene, Perfume, Colour 17200, Colour 42090, Colour 19140

*Occurs naturally in essential oils

Lush Halloween 2016: Sparkly Pumpkin Bubble Bar Review

Of course, when the Halloween range came out with the new edition of the Pumpkin bath bomb, the first bath I had with this range had to be that with the Sparkly Pumpkin bubble bar. 

With a bright orange bar covered in lots of gold glitter, this bar turns the water a beautiful, deep orange shade with gold flecks of sparkle. The bar itself looks like a pumpkin with the stem made from a cinnamon stick and screams Autumn. The orange colour of the water is very warming and welcoming with mountains of soft bubbles.

The scent shares itself with an older seasonal product, Mr Punch soap, that can only now be purchased within the Lush Kitchen. From first impressions, I assumed that the product would have a somewhat earthy scent, being a pumpkin of course and perhaps a hint of cinnamon from the cinnamon stick decoration. However, I was pleasantly surprised that the product smelt fruity and fresh. Scented with juniper berry, lime oil and grapefruit oil, this bar is zesty yet not overpowering with the scent apparent through the bath yet not apparent on the skin after the bath.

Juniper berry is antiseptic making it a great addition to the bar and is good for oily and acne prone skin. It carries a woody and refreshing scent. Lime oil is also known as a good cleanser, removing dead skin cells as it contains vitamin C which can also be used as an antiseptic. It also stimulates blood flow which can help ease aches. Vitamin C can also help the skin protect itself again UV rays. As well as these, grapefruit oil is also used as an antiseptic for cleansing and brightening the skin. 

The bar is big enough to be generous enough for two or three very bubbly baths and although the bar features an awful lot of glitter, it is surprisingly easy to clean the bath after use. The scent of the bar doesn't stay with you throughout the day but does scent the bath for the entirety of the bath and after the water has drained away, the scent stays within the air for a little longer.

Overal, I believe that this would be perfect for those who enjoy the Autumn and like fresh, zesty scents. The bar is well worth its money and offers a brilliant scent that many would find difficult to turn down, especially the great presentation of a little pumpkin.

Price: £3.95 

Vegan

Ingredients: Sodium Bicarbonate, Cream of Tartar, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Lauryl Betaine, Cornflour, Perfume, Juniperberry Oil, Lime Oil, Grapefruit Oil, *Citral, *Geraniol, *Citronellol, *Limonene, *Linalool, Colour 15510, Colour 45380:3, Gold Gimmer Lustre, Cinnamon Stick
*Occurs naturally in essential oils