Smooth and soften lips with our scrumptious, cola-flavoured lip scrub. Castor sugar exfoliates away all the rough, dry bits while coconut oil moisturises for soft, supple kissers. You'll be smitten with the yummy cola flavour and the smattering of tiny, edible red hearts. Simply rub onto lips and lick off, then apply your favourite gloss, lipstick or our Santa Baby lip tint. Soft and tasty lips for the winter season - perfect!

Castor Sugar, Extract of Cherries and Dates in Jojoba oil (Prunus Cerasus; Phoenix Dactylifera; Simmondsia Chinensis), Coconut Milk Powder (Cocos nucifera), Extra Virgin Coconut Oil (Cocos nucifera), Persian Lime Oil (Citrus aurantifolia), Aniseed Oil (illicium Verum), Black Pepper Oil (Piper nigrum), Benzoin Resinoid (Styraz tonkinensis pierre), Glycerine, Poppy Red Lustre, Snowflake lustre (Mica, Titanium, Corn Starch, Zea Mays, Maltodrexin, Red 40, Potassium Sorbate). Red Hearts (Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Glycerine, Acacia Senegal Gum, Sodium CArboxymethyl Cellulose, Red 40)

I have always been a fan of Lush lip scrubs - right from the Bubble Gum to Minty Lips. They are usually the perfect treat your lips could ever want.

While strolling around Mirdiff City Centre, Dubai I recognised the familiar scent of Lush from a distance and decided to walk in to explore something new. The Holiday edition items were coming in stock and this particular lip scrub was a new addition.

Santa's Lip Scrub (or as Lush call's it Santa's Baby outside the Middle East) is a formula similar to the signature Lush lip scrubs - castor sugary. But Santa's is red in colour and an amazing holiday red. 

The scrub is packaged in a glass jar but is the perfect size to travel with.

As you unscrew the mini jar notes of sweet flavoured candy hit your senses. Lush describes this scent as cola-flavoured. I think I might agree - it does have hint of that flavour. 

The scrub on its own is very pretty. Decorated with red heart confetti which are edible, this scrub helps in rubbing off the dead cells and smoothening one's lips. Perfect for those winter days or for extremely chapped lips.

And since the Matte Lip fever is in these days, prepping your lips with this scrub would be ideal.

When rubbed against the lips with fingertips, the sugar granules provide the right amount of hydration without going overboard. Although the application can be a little messy as the sugar granules fall all around the place. Therefore the best place would be the wash basin.

Also the pretty heart confetti melt into the scrub and disappear after a few uses. What a disappointment.

Besides my pre make up application, using this scrub has become a part of my bed time routine. I follow it up with a lip balm and wake up to rosy soft lips the next morning. If I do forget to scrub the night before, I regret waking up with dry lifeless lips. 

The scrub has a long shelf life (around a year from the date of production) as compared to other Lush products.

In just over a month, the scrub hardens within the tub and extracting the content out becomes possible only by scooping it through a spoon or stick.

The tub feature might be a little unhygienic for some. 

I don't really like licking the dead skin off my lips, although the product does taste good. But it helps in reducing the dark pigmentation off your lips in the long run, giving you pretty pink lips.

As this would last me a while I will also purchase other scrubs from Lush to indulge in a mini lip spa.

Oh yes, I do.

If your hair is a little fluffy, frizzy, dry or out of control, Jasmine and Henna Fluff Ease is made for you. Our speciality hair treatment, it's packed with copious amounts of moisturising and nutrient-filled oils including jojoba, almond, Brazil nut and extra virgin coconut oil. It works brilliantly on curly hair as well, as all of the oils help define the curls and add loads of shine. And id that doesn't stop passerby's from stopping in their tracks, the jasmine fragrance will stick with you for days after using it, so you'll have irresistibly soft, shiny and sexy smelling locks.

Red Henna Infusion (Lawsonia inermis), Water (Aqua), Cetearyl Alcohol and Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Fragrance, Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Ylang Ylang Oil, Jasmine Absolute, Cold Pressed Wheatgerm Oil (Triticum vulgare), Cold pressed Organic Jojoba Oil (Simmondsia Chinensis), Almond Oil (Prunus dulcis), Brazil Nut oil (Bertholletia Excelsa), Extra Virgin Coconut Oil (Cocos nucifera), Organic Hemp Oil (Cannabis sativa), Soya Oil (Glycine Soja), Castor Oil (Ricinus communis), Benzyl Salicylate, Benzyl Benzoate, Farnesol, Eugenol, Limonene, Amyl Cinnamal, Geraniol, Linalool, Hydroxycitronellal, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Benzoyl Alcohol, Isoeugenol, Methylparaben, Propylparaben.

Use straight onto dry hair. Pile thick coating of product 20 minutes before shampooing. Rinse as normal.

You are by now probably aware of the dull, frizzy dry hair I have. It is indeed a tough game taming my mane down.

I have been for months busy hunting for the ultimate hair care hero that would once and for all rid my hair of all its miseries without weighing it down.

And as per habit, I walked into the ever welcoming Lush store at Muscat City Centre and decided to pick up some of their hair care products. 

Having convinced myself of the goodness in most of the Lush goodies I was very optimistic when I picked this one up.

I used this product around three times before hitting the end of the tub and I must say the quantity was not disappointing. For reference I have medium to long hair.

I kept this product refrigerated as the Sales Assistant had instructed me to do so to avoid spoiling the treatment.

As I unscrewed the cup I was immediately blown away by the strong scent of Jasmine and Henna oils. And I loved it because the two have a calming effect on my mind and soul.

The treatment is of a perfect creamy consistency that applies smoothly when spread out from root to tip. 

The application can however get very messy so it is best applied in the bathroom or when newspapers are spread around to avoid the mixture spoiling the dresser or floor.

As mentioned on the tub, I applied this product on my dry hair 20 minutes prior to shampooing, slathered the product from scalp to the very tip to get the maximum benefit out of it. 

I then washed the treatment and followed it with my regular shampoo.

While I towel dried my hair I could feel the faint and de-stressing smell of Jasmine in my hair. It was not overpowering but just present to relax you.

I did feel slight softness in my hair and the frizz had certainly calmed down. The effects lasted for at least four to five days and so did the smell. 

My nose tends to get bored when exposed often to a particular scent and so I decided not to pick this product for at least some time.

This treatment was not a mighty game changer but it served the basic purpose of its preparation - to calm down the frizz - at least for me.

And I did not feel any change in my hair colour albeit the presence of Henna in the treatment.

Yes. But there are certainly other alternatives available in the market.

What Lush says:

This deep-cleansing face and body mask is made with China clay and fresh peppermint to reach deep down and pull dirt from your pores, giving you that delightful tingly-clean sensation. We add loads of aduki beans to exfoliate flaky or dry skin, vanilla absolute to calm redness and honey to soothe. This formula has been expertly rebalanced, so there's no need for us to add synthetic preservatives - it's completely self-preserving!

Price: $26.95 for 315g

Ingredients:

Honey, Kaolin, Bentone Gel, Talc, Glycerine, Ground Aduki Beans (Phaseolus Angularis), Evening Primrose Seeds (Oenothera biennis), Peppermint Oil (Mentha Piperita), African marigold oil (Tagetes erecta), Vanilla Absolute (Vanilla Planifolia). Limonene. Fragrance, Chlorophyllin

My experience:

When it comes to my skin you should rest assured knowing that it ain't the easiest to convince.

From breakouts to occasional blackheads and uneven skin tone my skin needs a lot of pampering many a time during the week.

I did know about the wonders of mint but whipping out a mask pudding for my face seemed like a mammoth task. Therefore when beauty reviewers were raving about Lush's Mask of Magnaminty I

too decided to give it a go.

Although this is a self preserving mask I would often refrigerate it for that extra bit of coolness much needed by my tired face.

The mask is housed in the signature Lush tub (black & plastic with screw on cap) and can be used all over the body beside the face. But I kept the usage to my face and would apply it at least twice a week to calm down my face. I would leave the fresh peppermint scented mask on till it dried in 10 - 15 minutes before washing it off with warm water.

As expected this mask did wonders to my face. It helped to remove the stubborn blackheads off my nose, gave my face a healthy glow and my pores appeared smaller. I felt cleaner and this mask certainly hydrated my face without stripping off the essential oils.

After every use I felt as though I had treated myself to a mini instant facial at home.

Sometimes I would use it as part of my bedtime beauty ritual and wake up the next morning to awakened skin glaring back at me.

Another plus point is the longevity (shelf life) of this product as compared to other masks. And it does not even have to be refrigerated making it great for travels.

The mask has a normal to thick consistency but after refrigerating it often it turns harder to scoop out of the tub. 

Some might find it expensive for a mint mask and unhygienic too (due to the tub packaging). 

Overall, this mask has lived up to its promise of delivering what it could.

So, do I recommend it?

Oh yes, I certainly do.

My rating: 4/5

Stimulating and reviving minty shampoo bar

There's nothing exactly new about our stimulating cinnamon and clove shampoo bar, we call it that because it's made for people who want NEW hair! When stress or life goes to your head and your hair starts thinning, motivate those tired scalps with spice and mint oils. It's intense, (n the best possible way), but works wonders on irritated scalps or hair that's thinning. Rosemary and nettle herbs rejuvenate, and make your hairy shiny and soft as a feather. All of this, in one beautifully spicey bar; are you ready for a NEW! Shampoo?

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Nettle and Peppermint Infusion (Urtica Dioica, Mentha Piperita), Glycerine, Nettle Absolute (Urtica Urens), Rosemary Absolute (Rosmarinus Officinalis), Bay Oil (Pimenta racemosa), Clove Bud Oil (Eugenia caryophyllus), Cinnamon Leaf Oil (Cinnamomum zeylanicum), Cinnamal, Eugenol, Benzyl Benzoate, Liminene, Linalool, D&C Red 30, Cinnamon Sticks (Cinnamomum cassia).

Swipe the bar across your hair 2 - 3 times, work into a lather and rinse. 

A few months ago I was undergoing stress and my levels of vitamin deficiencies had shot up. It was at that time I began indulging in stress relief products that could calm me down and help control hair fall.

On my next visit to Muscat City Centre I asked the SA for a shampoo that could control hair fall and dandruff. She recommended this solid bar soap and said it is quite popular amongst users.

At first glance it was a pretty bright pink coloured bar with a cinnamon stick embedded into it. It had a very strong smell that reminded me of spices from my mom's kitchen - cloves and cinnamon in particular.

The SA also explained that this soap bar was good for rejuvenation and stimulation of one's roots.

I took the plunge and as it was my first time using a solid shampoo I was particularly excited about this product. I had also appeared to have spent more than I would for any other regular shampoo.

The shampoo lathers up well when run under water and rubbed against the roots simultaneously. Therefore a little product goes a long way. I believe one with a lone mane could easily use it for at least 30 washes making that a value for money. 

While lathering on I felt a tingling sensation on my scalp and the scent was intense. Yet it was a very pleasant and much needed head massage. It certainly felt good.

After I washed off the shampoo I released my already frizzy hair felt way drier - and dead. Although the smell lingered on the shampoo did not appear to do much good as promised.

A few uses later I realised that my hair was getting drier and my scalp flakier. My hair fall was consistent and nothing - absolutely nothing good appeared to happen. Now this certainly worried me quite a bit. I therefore had to discontinue using this immediately.

Storage is also an issue as one would have to purchase separate tin containers available at Lush to store this shampoo. But it his highly travel friendly once stowed away carefully. Also rinsing the soap bar under water for long periods of time or leaving the bar in contact with water could end in wastage of product.

Although I really wanted to like this shampoo and make it a permanent part of my bath and shower routine this product failed to satisfy me - especially for the cost I paid and worsened the condition of my already damaged hair.

No. Trying in store is just not enough.

But I have come across a few positive reviews on the Internet. 

Now in a self-preserving formula, this is a gorgeous body lotion that does a lot of good - and not just for your skin! With a new, delicately floral perfume of yiang ylang and rosewood oils in a hydrating cocoa butter base, moisturising with (Charity) Pot will leave your skin subtly perfumed and touchably soft. Made with sustainably sourced ingredients from our SLush Fund Projects.

Water (aqua), Fair Trade Olive Oil (Olea europaea), Glycerine, Organic Jojoba Oil (Simmondsia chinensis), Moringa Oil (Moringo Oleifera), Fair Trade Cocoa Butter (Theobroma cacao), Stearic Acid, Fair Trade Shea Butter (Butyrospermum parkil), Triethanolamine, Geranium Oil (Pelargonium graveolens), Vanilla Absolute (Vanilla Planifolla), Fresh Aloe Gel (Aloe Secundiflora), Cetearyl Alcohol

Although I have oily skin my body craves moisturising lotions especially after showers or warm baths. And by now you are obviously familiar with my dry hands screaming for a cream every now and then.

Lush Pot is an ideal hand and body cream for me. I'd rather term it a lotion as I can smoothly spread it over my body. It does not feel greasy at all. In fact it provides the right amount of moisture your hands and body need and locks it in to your skin for quite a few hours.

The cream comes in the signature portable black plastic tubs which are travel friendly as you can fit them in to any hand bag you carry or probably store them in your car dashboards for those harsh winter days. 

This item is self preserving and is loaded with the good oils as enlisted in the Ingredients list (Olive, Jojoba, Moringa, Geranium Oils) and has Cocoa and Shea Butter.

The consistency is neither too thick nor too running and the pleasant floral scent with a blend of revitalising oils is just perfect to leave my skin hydrated and smelling good - although the scent does faint away quickly.

I have purchased several pots for myself and dad, as he has extremely dry and flaky skin and he seems to love the product.

Another good thing about Lush products is the customer being able to swap five (5) empty tubs for a fresh face mask. Now this is an add on motivation besides the Vegan tag for folks like me - we like to burn a hole in our pockets in order to indulge in these deliciously inviting Lush delicacies.

One thing that surprises me is the fact that this item is known as Charity Pot around the world but in the Middle East it is merely labelled as Lush Pot. Did anyone else notice that bit?

I really wonder why.

Although a little heavy on the pocket as compared to drug store lotions this product is definitely something to pick up the next time you wander come across a Lush Store. 

As for me - I'm certainly waiting to restock this again before the holidays begin.

Yes, yes and yes.

The most astonishing hand cream ever? You decide!

Non-greasy hydrating hand cream with shea butter, macadamia oil & marshmallow.

Scented with our original pink fragrance.

Price: $10 for 125 ml

Aqua (Water/ Eau). Glycerin, Caprylic/ Capric, Triglyceride, Cetyl Alochol, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG - 100 Stearate, Dimenthicone, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract, Crithmum Maritimum Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Saccharide Isomerate, Triethanolamine, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/ Dicaprate, Carbomer, Methylparaben, Disodium EDTA, Fragrance, Propylene Glycol, Butylparaben, Ethylparaben, PEG-8, Propylparaben, Isobutylparaben, Tocopherol, Chlorhexidine Digluconate, Citric Acid, Ascorbyl Palmitate, BHT, Ascorbic Acid, Sorbic Acid, Dehydroacetic Acid, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Titanium Dioxide (C1  77891), Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Linalool, Benzyl Sallicylate, Geraniol

Apply as often as you want to soften, smooth and soothe-dry chapped or otherwise hampered hands.

I picked up this products from Boots at BurJuman Centre, Dubai this year. Soap & Glory products were on an attractive buy one get another free offer and I could not resist the temptation.

Soap & Glory's Hand Food has been quite a hit amongst many a beauty Gurus on the Internet. I decided to give it a try as my hands need moisture every few hours or at least post my innumerable and frequent hand washes. My hand creams are one of those essentials that are always perched by my bedside tables, tucked safely in to my hand bags and lying around on countertops at home. In simple terms, I am a Hand Cream fanatic.

Therefore when I noticed this much raved product I grinned with excitement. I finally had my hands on what the net claims to be the best of its kind.

The adorable pink packaging certainly reminds me of marshmallows and bubble gum. It has quite casual and quirky text on it making it even hard to resist. 

So is this really the most astonishing hand cream ever?

No. You have read it right - it ain't. The white coloured cream has a rather disturbing smell which is far from fabulous. I just cannot muster the courage to apply this in public. And I ain't kidding. 

It does keep your hands moisturised but not for long. Quite soon after application parts of my hands start feeling patchy in certain areas. 

The consistency also changes within a few weeks from a thick creamy one to a more uncontrollable running liquid which pushes its way out of the tube.

Intensively purifies to minimise the look of pores

This thoroughly cleansing masque may be used for normal to oily skin types to help eliminate debris and dead surface skin-cell accumulation that can clog pores and leave skin dull-looking. With ingredients sourced from the Marajo Island at the mouth of the Amazon River, this unique formula is rich in minerals and helps eliminate surface impurities from skin. Our deep cleansing masque helps to purufy skin, leaving the appearance of pores minimised and skin refined.

Price: $20 for 30ml

Ingredients:

Aqua/ water/ Eau, Kaolin, Bentonite, Propane-diol, Glycerin, CI 77891/ Titanium Dioxide, Caprylic/ Capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Alcohol, Zea Mays Starch/ Corn Starch, Phenoxyethanol, Ceteareth-20, Caprylyl Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopherol, Lecithin, Aloe barbadensis/ leaf juice avena sativa flour/ Oat kernel flour, Allantoin

Directions for use:

Apply a thin layer to damp clean skin, avoiding the immediate eye are and allow to dry approximately 10 minutes. When dry, gently remove using a warm wet towel and gently pat dry. Recommended for use once or twice a week.

My Experience:

I am a sucker for skin care products especially face masks. 

Over the past few months my oily yet highly sensitive skin has been overacting and I have tried different products from as many brands as I could get my hands on. This particular product has therefore been tried out of desperation to restore my skin to its original state.

The product comes packaged in a sturdy plastic packaging which is travel friendly. 

I picked up the travel size pack (30 ml) before going for the bigger one.

The white and grey packaging remind me of the pure earth which the mask claims to be made of. The texture is absolutely smooth and easy to apply and wash off with warm water.

After just one use the Amazonian clay mask did do wonders on my skin. The visible pores were now much smaller, my skin felt fresher and cleaner.

It certainly did what it claimed but unfortunately it did not stir up any further miracles on my skin as the mask was not able to do much about the blackheads pinned in to my nose. Deep cleansing is where it did not seem to work.

Also the effect was not long lasting as the freshness of my skin began fading away the very next morning.

Although my skin did feel lighter and pores did feel cleansed on my areas on my face.

I am aware this mask has been much hyped on social media sites but it performed just above average for the price I paid.

Nonetheless, it is good for instant cleansing before events.

And yeah, it smelt of clay. Which I absolutely love.

So, do I recommend it?

Sure, for those looking for an instant clean facial cleanup, this is worth a try.

Rating: 4/5