MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas!! I hope you all have a fabulous day and get to spend it with all the people you love. 

Also wanted to say a huge THANK YOU to all my readers, it still amazes me that people actually read all my blog posts - I seriously can't thank you enough. 

And to all the people I have collaborated with this past year, your ongoing support and encouragement just blows me away. Looking forward to working with you all again in 2014!

Have a very safe and Happy Christmas,
Christel oxo

Lush Christmas Blogger Event

Last Thursday, Camille and I were invited to attend the Lush Christmas Blogger Event at the beautiful Lush Queen Street store.

We are serious Lush addicts, so of course we jumped at the chance to go. And I have to say, it was a lot of fun! The Lush girls are always so friendly and best of all they actually know their products inside and out! I swear there is no question they can't answer!

Finding out what's inside our goodie bags!

You pretty much know it's gonna be a good night when you're handed a goodie bag and served a drink as soon as you step through the door. Soon after, they explained everything inside the goodie bags in detail - which made it quite exciting! Not gonna lie, resisting the urge to grab everything out and play with it, was pretty difficult. Hahaha

Lush ladies gloving up for the demo!

We were then split into two groups for the activities of the night! Our group first went over to the counter and watched a full demonstration of how Angels In Bare Skin cleanser is made. It was so cool! The Lush girls are so hilarious, they had us laughing pretty much the whole time. And ohmygoodness, it smelt divine! The coolest part is they actually made enough for us all to take some home - so awesome.

Mixing, rolling... and voila!

Next our group headed over to the other side of the room for a knot wrapping demonstration. Knot wraps are inspired by a traditional type of Japanese wrapping cloth called Furoshiki, where the wrapping of the gift becomes a part of the gift itself. It's the gift that keeps on giving!

Learning how to knot wrap like a pro!

As I'm sure you are all aware, Lush are an ethical company that thrives on reducing landfill. So naturally, these knot wraps are completely reusable. They are all either Greenspun (made from recycled plastic bottles), made by the re-wrap co-operative in India or are upcycled vintage wraps! Love it! They come in a huge range of designs including some very beautiful festive prints that are great for Christmas.

After the demonstration, we all of course had to give it a go ourselves - and we got to choose one to take home! It was so much fun, and now I obviously want to collect them all!

Inbetween all the Lush madness, we mingled with all the other amazing bloggers. Was so lovely to catch up with everyone again - can't wait til the next time!

All in all, it was a fabulous night and I can't thank Barbara and all the amazing Lush girls enough for putting on such a great event. Next time you're on Queen St here in Auckland, make sure you pop in and have a look - you're bound to find the perfect Christmas present for someone special (and maybe two or three for yourself haha!)

And just because, here's a few more snaps from the night:

Bath Ballistics demonstration

Soaps <3

Look at how adorable the snowmen are!

Camille's attempt at a knot wrap

Please may I have them all?

Honestly, this sign cracked me up so much

A quick peek at what's inside my goodie bag!

Thanks for viewing!
oxo

Review: Lush Christmas Goodies

Stuck on what to get your loved ones for Christmas? If like me, you have decided to leave Christmas shopping 'til the last minute (despite your good intentions!), then I hope this review on a few Lush Christmas goodies helps you out!

It seems like a lot of people don't have baths these days. Everyone just has shower cubicles (like me) so to me, receiving a really nice shower gel is fantastic! Christmas time brings out all sorts of limited edition products from Lush, and one of these is Ponche shower gel.

 

Spanish for punch, this shower gel is inspired by the Mexican fruit punch made from seasonal fruits such as plums, oranges, cinnamon and vanilla. All ingredients that can help warm and stimulate the senses. Wash your hair and body with this fruity, softening shower gel and lift your spirits and get into party mode - there's even a dash of tequila to give it a little kick and some festive cheer!

This is one of the best smelling shower gels I have ever used. It's not overpowering, or too sweet, which I really like. It foams up really nicely and leaves your skin feeling fresh and clean. I also think it's pretty cool how it contains a little bit of tequila - perfect addition for this time of year! Hahaha

If you're lucky enough to have a bath (my boyfriend does, and I use it whenever I can!), then it's important to know this: Lush takes the simple act of relaxing in a bath, to a whole other level.
Seriously. Have you checked out their bath products? Well, the Christmas range is even better.

The first one I tried was Bombardino, which is one of their Bath Ballistics.

Bombardino shares it's name with a drink enjoyed in the Italian Alps and smells of rich lemon cheesecake.We've added cocoa butter to soften the skin; whilst Sicilian lemon oil and Fair Trade vanilla absolute (the first Fair Trade absolute in the world!) give your bath a sweet and delicious fragrance.

This smells pretty good, and the lemon scent comes out even more once you add it to the bath. It also dissolves quite slowly - it took over 2 minutes, which I actually thought was pretty cool! It really does look awesome as it fizzes around and colours the water a bright yellow. This may be a little off-putting to some, but I found it to be pretty awesome. Also leaves your skin feeling beautifully soft and smooth when you hop out of the bath - yay!

Here's a quick clip of it in action:

The last thing I tried was the Magic Wand Bubble Bar.

Fairy princesses of all ages will love this great value re-usable bubble bar for up to ten bubble baths. Swish it around in the water for a skin softening, vanilla scented soak and a mound of candy bubbles. Then pop it on the side for use another time... just like magic!

This is definitely my favourite out of the bath products, it is so cool! I swished it around in the bath, and immediately you could start to see little bubbles forming. When I swirled my hand around after, it made more bubbles form. I wouldn't say it was really bubbly, but it was a nice amount considering I didn't use too much of it! I love how it's re-usable too, I feel like it makes it especially good value for money - not to mention it smells fantastic!

Here's a quick clip of it in action:

I hope this has given you a couple of Christmas gift ideas! Be sure to check out the whole Christmas range at your nearest Lush store, or check it out online. There is something for everyone!

Thanks for viewing!
oxo

LUSH Christmas Goodies!

Christmas is just around the corner. If you're anything like me, you're already stressing out over what to buy everyone.. well luckily Lush has you covered!

On October 10th (or online from October 1st!)  Lush will launch 30 brand new Limited Edition Christmas products and 35 new gifts. Yay!

Here's just a few of their exciting new products:

Santa Baby Lip Tint ($9.95)

A classic red, this tint is a colourful moisture boost for the lips.  Loaded with Fair Trade butters to soften and nourishing carrot oil to care for the lips; with extracts of cherries and dates to give a sweet hint of festive flavour; and extracts of cinnamon stick to plump up your pout.  Use after scrubbing lips to be mistletoe ready!  Vegan

 

Celebrate hand and body lotion ($28.95)

Celebrate the festive season with this beautiful unpreserved hand and body lotion.  Rich and wonderfully emollient, the cocoa butter and almond oil will replenish and moisturise your skin, while the intoxicating cocktail inspired fragrance uplifts your spirits.  Brazilian orange oil and lime oil tones the skin and lifts you out of the winter blues while cognac oil gets you into the party mood.  

Rose Jam shower gel (prices start at $9.95 for 100g)

Inspired by our love for roses and the benefits of nourishing argan oil, this shower gel is a decadent as it gets!  Skin brightening goji berry juice and Sicilian lemon give your skin a boost, while rose oil and rose absolute leave it soothed, softened and beautifully fragranced.  A luxurious way to start each day.

Christmas Kisses ($29.90): Get your pout mistletoe ready with this gift dedicated to kissing at Christmas. Perfect to have handy around New Years as well!

Contains … Santa Baby lip tint; Bubblegum lip scrub; Chou Chou Toothy Tabs sample pot; Honey Trap lip balm 

Christmas Bathtime Favourites ($59.95) : A traditional William Morris inspired hatbox containing customer favourites and limited edition bath ballistics to see you through Christmas, right into the New Year. 
Contains … Golden Wonder bath ballistic; So White bath ballistic; Father Christmas bath ballistic; Cinders bath ballistic; Shoot for the Stars bath ballistic; Avobath bath ballistic; Think Pink bath ballistic; Snowman bath ballistic; Luxury Lush Pud bath ballistic; Bombardino bath ballistic

Fab Christmas ($79.95): An absolutely fabulous hatbox fill with luxury products to condition, polish, moisturise and rub your body to a state of perfection.

Contains … Pink Fun (100g); Rose Jam shower gel (100g); Ro’s Argan Body Conditioner (45g); Sandy Santa body butter; Sikkim Girl hand and body lotion (45g); Turkish Delight shower smoothie (45g); Gold Fun (100g); Angels Delight soap (120g); Snowcake soap (120g); Snow Fairy shower gel (100g); Santa’s lip scrub; Chou Chou I Love You toothy tabs 

Now I don't know about you guys, but if I was buying these as a gift for someone, I would definitely be tempted to keep them all for myself! 

Make sure you check out the whole range which will be online from October 1st, and instore from October 10th.

Thanks for viewing!
oxo 

 

It's a wee bit late but...

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!
And Happy Boxing Day! Hahaha!
Hope you've all had an amazing one with your loved ones, I know I sure did. :)
Much love to you all!
oxo