LUSH Halloween 2013 : Creatures of the Baaaaaath! review + photos

          Fresh from their haunted perfumeries on the other side, LUSH presents Creatures of the Baaaaaath! The collection includes a number of spooky bath-time products that will bubble, pop, and fizzle, turning your ordinary bathtub into a burbling cauldron!

            Along with some returning favorites and regular line items, LUSH Halloween 2013 introduces two new unearthly inventions : Pumpkin Mumkin and Lord of Misrule. I've been enjoying my package of Halloween goodies, courtesy of LUSH, and have reviews to share with you today!

LUSH Pumpkin Mumkin bubble bar

           Pumpkin Mumkin bubble bar is my favorite of the bunch. (After all, I do have a penchant for the cute!) In addition to a cute countenance, Pumpkin Mumkin shares the same scent as LUSH Fig and Leaves soap.

LUSH Demon in the Dark soap

          Demon in the Dark soap is a forest green cleansing treat, hidden beneath a black wax peel. This mystically patterned soap may look like an arcane concoction born of dark magic, but its scent is pleasantly natural, featuring fresh mint, apple juice, and clove for a crisp and cleansing wash.

          Ceridwen's Cauldron is a delightful bath soak wrapped in muslin. Lavender, rose, and sandalwood soothe, while cocoa butter and oats calm and moisturize skin.

LUSH Ceridwen's Cauldron bath melt

           Lord of Misrule bath bomb was the most potent potion in the package. I could smell the black pepper and patchouli wafting through the house long after I opened the fragrant box! Inspired by the ruler of the Pagan Feast of Fools, Lord of Misrule sports a green exterior with a rich wine interior, complete with silver sparkles and popping candies.

          The Enchanter Bath Bomb (reviewed here) certainly lives up to its name! The big, bright bath bomb returns from last year to fill baths with streams of pink, yellow, and peach bubbles. The suffusion of lime and neroli offer a sweet, uplifting soak.

LUSH Enchanter bath bomb and LUSH Lord of Misrule bath bomb

          The 'Creatures of the Baaaaaath!' in LUSH Halloween 2013 are spook-tacular concoctions fit for chilly October nights. Considering my 'burbly' personality, LUSH Pumpkin Mumkin bubble bar is my favorite of the bunch. As for Mr. Lovey, I have a feeling that he's going to enjoy the mysteriously minty LUSH Demon in the Dark soap!

          Thanks for reading! Have you picked up anything from LUSH Halloween? What LUSH products have you been loving lately?

Love, Dovey.
Disclosure: This post contains product(s) sent to Cute and Mundane for consideration. The ideas and opinions in this post are genuine and my own.

LUSH Spring Tin review + photos (2013)

             Spring has sprung --- and with it, a whole new batch of fragrant goodies at LUSH Cosmetics! Today I'm sharing the LUSH Spring Tin, which I've been enjoying thanks to the folks at LUSH. If you've been following Cute and Mundane for some time, you might know that 1) I collect LUSH tins and 2) I love art! The LUSH Spring Tin is a wonderful amalgamation of those two things; the cover and sides are decorated with the artwork of German artist Roman Klonek. Klonek has a passion for woodcut printing and finds inspiration in old fashioned cartoons, especially Eastern European styles.

          Inside the LUSH Spring Tin, there's a collection of seven different items that channel the fresh cut grass and flowers of springtime. They include: The Brightside Bubble Bar, Sugar Scrub, Carrot Bubble Bar, Grass Shower Gel, Bohemian Soap, Avobath Bath Bomb, and Secret Garden Bath Bomb.

          LUSH The Brightside Bubble Bar is a big (7.0 oz!) and bright bubble bar that you can crumble under running water to create a heap of citrus scented bubbles. I think you could split this into at least 2 or 3 baths (but no-one's going to judge if you toss the whole thing in and go for a literal mountain of bubbles).

          LUSH Sugar Scrub is a classic LUSH item. It's a ginger and fennel scrub that's great for working away unwanted bumps and cellulite. LUSH Carrot Bubble Bar is LUSH's best smelling 'vegetable'. This reusable bubble bar isn't crumbled; if you hold it by the green tuft under running water, lemon and buchu scented bubbles will appear! One 'carrot' can be used for multiple baths.

          Grass Shower Gel is a fresh scented shower gel full of wheatgrass extract; it's almost like showering in a meadow! There's also a dash of uplifting neroli. LUSH shower gels get a lot of love in my household (even from the Mr.) so this gets a thumbs up. Bohemian Soap is a lemon-scented soap. It's full of real lemon oils to cleanse and tone the skin, as well as to stimulate the senses.

          Avobath Bath Bomb is one of my favorite bath bombs! It has a zesty lemongrass scent that's a perfect energizer after a long day. It's full of avocado and olive oils to moisturize. Secret Garden Bath Bomb is part of LUSH's limited edition spring collection and is also sold separately. It's full of rose absolute, sweet wild orange, and rosewood oil. You'll find that this bomb releases a number of real flower petals too, to decorate your bath (a secret garden indeed)!

          The LUSH Spring Tin ($56.95) is a fresh set, perfect for adding a sprinkle of spring to a shower or bath-time routine. Roman Klonek's artwork decorating the tin is awesome and and I like that most of the products can be used multiple times. Overall, two thumbs up --- a great gift for oneself or for moms on this Mother's day!

Thanks for reading! Have you ever tried LUSH tins? Which products from the LUSH Spring Tin stand out to you?

Love, Dovey.
Disclosure: This post contains product(s) sent to Cute and Mundane for consideration. The ideas and opinions in this post are genuine and my own. 

J.R. Watkins Coconut Milk & Honey review (Body Scrub + Body Oil Mist + Body Butter)

         In the midst of a busy week, one of my favorite ways to unwind is with a fragrant bodycare routine. Most recently, I've been delighting in the deliciously scented J.R. Watkins Coconut Milk & Honey line, courtesy of the folks at J.R. Watkins! J.R. Watkins is a brand I've enjoyed and written about in the past. I'm an unabashed fan of their natural and effective formulas, as well as their color-coordinated vintage apothecary packaging! The J.R. Watkins Coconut Milk & Honey products I have today are the  Sugar & Shea Body Scrub, Body Oil Mist, and Body Butter.

          The J.R. Watkins Coconut Milk & Honey Sugar and Shea Body Scrub is a moisturizing sugar scrub. The sugar granules are fairly large, but they melt away in hot water, creating a gentle scrub. For those who prefer a more vigorous scrub, I'd suggest turning down the faucet. The scrub does impart a nice layer of moisturization, as it contains a good amount of shea butter and other natural oils. The Body Oil Mist is a spray-on apricot kernel oil. I wasn't sure how I'd feel about this, but it turned out to be awesome! It's incredibly convenient. All it takes is a spritz and some light massaging, and the oil sinks in for a nice light to medium non-greasy finish on the skin.

          Finally, I've been loving the J.R. Watkins Coconut Milk & Honey Body Butter, which is new to the lineup. The body butter formula is wonderful; you can feel the contribution from real semisolid butters. (After all, shea butter is the second most abundant ingredient, the first being water). Overall, it's a rich, thick, and moisturizing body butter great for head to toe moisturization. The Coconut Milk & Honey fragrance is very sweet (like its namesake!) and long-lasting.

          With this trio of J.R. Watkins Coconut Milk & Honey products, I'm off to the land of milk and honey! The Body Butter ($11.99 for 6fl.oz.) is great for rich moisturization, while the Body Oil ($8.99 for 6fl.oz.) is quick and light. The Body Scrub ($12.99 for 8 oz.) is a good product for gentle moisturizing and exfoliation. Overall, these products have great formulas, fragrances, packaging, and prices --- indulge-worthy indeed. Thanks for reading! What J.R. Watkins products have you tried? Which of the three products appeals to you most?

Love, Dovey.
Disclosure: This post contains product(s) sent to Cute and Mundane for consideration. The ideas and opinions in this post are genuine and my own.
INGREDIENTS: J.R. Watkins Body Scrub : Sucrose, Shea Butter, Coconut Oil, Sunflower Seed Oil, Fragrance, Lecithin, Tocopherol. J. R. Watkins Body Oil : Apricot kernel oil, isopropyl Myristate, Fragrance, Tocopherol. J.R. Watkins Body Butter : Water, Shea Butter, Glyceryl Stearate, Stearic Acid, Cocoa Seed Butter, Cetearyl Alcohol, Macadamia ternifolia seed oil, Avocado oil, Fragrance/Parfum, Apricot Kernel Oil, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Orbignya Seed Oil, Coconut Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Behenoyl Lactylate, Beeswax, Allantoin, Glycerin, Honey extract, Safflower Seed Oil, Aloe barbadensis leaf extract, Calnedula officinalis flower extract, Matricaria flower extract, Tilia cordata flower extract, Centaurea cyanus flower extract, Anthemis nobilis flower extract, Hypericum perforatum extract, panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide.

LUSH 'Hoppy Easter' review + photos

            This Easter, the LUSH Hoppy Easter knot wrap is back again, filled with fragrant surprises! One of these bunnies hopped into my hands, thanks to the folks at LUSH, so I have a too cute review to share with you today!

         LUSH knot wraps are re-useable kerchiefs fold into cute shapes to store your LUSH goodies or other items. When you unwrap this particular bunny, you'll find a carrot and an egg within!

           LUSH Fluffy Egg bath bomb is a perennial favorite at LUSH. The bright pink bubblegum scented bath bomb will color your bath pink and has the same scent as their holiday Snow Fairy shower gel. (They're also sold as singles, so you can pick up a dozen extras if you need your Snow Fairy fix).

          LUSH Carrot bubble bar is a best 'smelling' Easter veggie! This generously sized lemon and buchu scented bubble bar is meant to be re-used up to seven times. (Carrot is also sold as a single item). My favorite way to use the more solid (i.e. non crumbly) bubble bars is to hold them under a stream of water as the tub fills --- bubbles are more readily made this way. The green tuft comes in handy for both holding Carrot under water, and as a way to hang-dry the bar when you're not using it.

          LUSH Hoppy Easter gift set ($17.95) is a very 'hoppy' gift indeed; it's sure to delight anyone who finds it in their basket come Easter Sunday. As for me, I'm looking forward to some very fragrant baths this coming weekend! Thanks for reading! Are you planning on picking up anything from the LUSH Easter collection? What are your favorite LUSH bath bombs or bubble bars?

Love, Dovey.

P.S. For more cute LUSH knot wraps, be sure to check out my reviews of Mr. Bumble and Mr. & Mrs. Frosty!
Disclosure: This post contains product(s) sent to Cute and Mundane for consideration by PR. The ideas and opinions in this post are genuine and my own.

MOR Sugar Rose Tiger Lily Salt and Sugar Body Scrub review + photos

          I've been collecting fragrant body care ever since I was old enough to have an allowance; years later, not much has changed. I still have fun finding new, great scents to add to my everyday routine! Today I'm sharing an offering from MOR, a niche bath, body, and lifestyle brand that I've come to enjoy. (I've been toting around MOR's Lip Macaron in Cassis Noir for some time now). MOR is an Australian brand that draws inspiration from new experiences and old traditions to craft their beautifully fragranced products. Today I'm sharing my thoughts on MOR Sugar Rose Tiger Lily Salt and Sugar Body Scrub!

       MOR Sugar Rose Tiger Lily Salt and Sugar Body Scrub is an invigorating scented scrub enriched with avocado and jojoba oils to nourish and protect the skin. The texture is very thick,  having an almost gel-like consistency. The formula hydrates without being oily, thanks to a generous helping of glycerin. The salt and sugar are present in high density small granules, and do not melt too quickly (which is often occurs with shower scrubs). The exfoliating capacity was definitely on the greater end, which I enjoyed. And last but not least, I loved the gorgeous rose and lily fragrance of the scrub! (You know I love my florals).

 
          MOR Sugar Rose Tiger Lily Salt and Sugar Body Scrub ($22 for 21.5oz) leaves my skin both polished and beautifully fragranced. I enjoy the soothing nature of the lasting non-oily scrub, as well as the perfume-like quality of the scent. (It layers nicely with my fine fragrances, of course!) The MOR Salt and Sugar Body Scrub comes in five different colors (each with its own color and gold foiled icon), including : Sugar Rose Tiger Lily, Black Currant Iris, Neroli Clementine, Basil & Grape, and Honey Nectar. If you're a fan of fragranced bath and body products, MOR is certainly worth a try. MOR products are available at Nordstrom and www.morcosmetics.com

        Thanks for reading! Have you tried MOR? Which of the five fragrances appeal to you? What are your current favorite body scrubs?

Love, Dovey.
Disclosure: This post contains product(s) sent to Cute and Mundane for consideration by PR. The ideas and opinions in this post are genuine and my own. The MOR link in this post is not an affiliate link; it is present for your convenience.

REN Moroccan Rose Otto Body Cream review

           I've been going through a rose renaissance lately --- I can't seem to get enough of this quintessential flower, whether it involves burying my nose in a bouquet of fresh blooms or spritzing on my favorite rose-based fragrances. (As I mentioned last Friday, I'm currently loving Balenciaga Florabotanica, a rose and mint combination). Recently, I had the chance to indulge in my favorite floral scent with a bottle of REN Moroccan Rose Otto Body Cream!

         REN is a skincare line that I've written about quite a few times now; their clean plant-based skincare line really seems to work for me. REN Moroccan Rose Otto Body Cream is my first foray into their bodycare line. It contains soothing rose oil from Damask rose petals and rose hip seed oil. It moisturizes with coconut oil, jojoba oil, and shea butter. The product is dispensed out of a small pump head (see below), which helps save product and reduce mess. The lotion itself has a silky feel and sinks in quickly. It hydrates without leaving an oily feel. I'd put the performance somewhere between a regular lotion and a butter. Of course, the best part is the beautiful rose scent; it's fresh, and light, with a seed-like contribution from the rose hip oil. I've been enjoying my bottle of REN Moroccan Rose Otto Body Cream post-shower, as well on my neck and décolletage in the mornings. Due to its simple, fragrant scent, the cream also complements a number of my perfumes, especially those featuring rose and other florals.

          REN Moroccan Rose Otto Body Cream ($44 for 6.8 oz.) is a beautifully scented, wishlist worthy body cream perfect for those who love rose. It's been an enjoyable part of my daily routine; I love the silky feel of the lotion and how it easily complements my fine fragrance collection. REN products can be purchased at Sephora and RENSkincare.com. Thanks for reading! Have you tried any REN Moroccan Rose Otto or other REN products? What bodycare do you usually layer under your favorite fragrances?

Love, Dovey.

P.S. For more REN and rose, be sure to check out my review of REN Rose O12 serum.
Disclosure: This post contains product(s) sent to Cute and Mundane for consideration by PR. The ideas and opinions in this post are genuine and my own.

LUSH Valentine's Day 2013 review + photos

LUSH Tender is the Night Massage bar

        I can always count on LUSH for charming seasonal collections, and their Valentine's day collection is no exception. There a number of gift sets and single items that are certain to strike your (or a special someone's) fancy. I've tried and tested four limited edition pick-me-ups from the LUSH Valentine's Day 2013 lineup below:

LUSH From Dusk Til Dawn massage bar

1. LUSH Tender is the Night Massage bar ($7.95) has a relaxing and alluring vanilla, jasmine, and ylang ylang scent. The bar is aerated, and therefore very soft and easy to melt. The heart shaped bar can be crushed to reveal a melted almond oil, glycerine, cupuacu butter, and agave syrup concoction at the core. 
2. LUSH From Dusk Til Dawn massage bar ($7.95) is a more uplifting massage bar. It has Sicilian lemon, sweet wild orange oil, ginseng, and ginko to stimulate the senses. The firm texture is more like LUSH's regular massage bar line; the firm gold-capped cone shape is perfect for working into knotted muscles.

3. LUSH The Kiss lip gloss ($8.95) is the brand's first vegan lip gloss. I was pretty excited about this because some beeswax balms don't agree with my lips. LUSH This Kiss uses shea and cupuacu butters to moisturize and protect lips. The whipped texture is soft and melts to the touch. The almond and mandarin flavors and subtle pink tint are pluses as well!
4. LUSH Willow Pattern soap ($7.95)is a Sicilian lemon and rosewood scented soap.  The beautiful blue imprint on the soap cakes (the in-store version only, not online) was inspired by a traditional Chinese tale of star-crossed lovers. I love the gorgeous scent of this soap; I hope it makes a return appearance next year!  

LUSH Willow Pattern soap (online version, no pattern)

         I'm enjoying all four of these products from the LUSH Valentine's Day 2013 collection; they're perfect for sharing on Valentine's day, and will also get good use in the days beyond. These sweet treats are only around for a short time, so be sure to get your soon! Thanks for reading! Have you picked up anything from LUSH Valentine's Day collection? Which of the products appeals to you most? What was the last thing you tried from LUSH?

Love, Dovey.
Disclosure: This post contains product(s) sent to Cute and Mundane for consideration by PR. The ideas and opinions in this post are genuine and my own.

J.R. Watkins Apricot and Pequi Oil Body Butter review

           I'm a big fan of affordable natural skincare products, especially when they come in beautiful packaging. J.R Watkins is one such brand that I've enjoyed over the years. Every time I pass by their display at Target, I get the urge to scoop up a bevy of their colorful bottles! Recently I had a chance to try J.R. Watkins Apricot and Pequi Oil Body Butter - a new addition to their line of moisturizers. It's full of shea and cocoa butter, along with nourishing apricot and pequi oils. (In case you're wondering, pequi is a fruit common in the Amazon; it's green and about the size of an orange).

        J.R. Watkins Apricot and Pequi Oil Body Butter has become my go-to post-shower moisturizer. The Apricot and Pequi Oil Body butter has a thick creamy texture; I'm guessing the semisolid feel may be due to an abundance of shea butter (the second most common ingredient) and other natural oils that are solid at room temperature. Warming it on the skin helps soften the butter for a smoother feel. It sinks in well for a velvety, non greasy, moisturizing finish. This differs from their hand salve formula, which I find to have a more oily texture. There is a light apricot fragrance that I really like as well.

         Overall, I give J.R. Watkins Apricot and Pequi Oil Body Butter ($9.99 for 6oz.) two thumbs up. It's heavy enough for winter, yet sinks in quickly. I'm hard pressed to say what I like most about it: the colorful apothecary inspired packaging, the natural ingredient list, or the pretty apricot fragrance... It's a winner, to be sure. Thanks for reading! What are your favorite J.R. Watkins products? Do you have any recommendations from the line?

Love, Dovey.
Disclosure: This post contains product(s) sent to Cute and Mundane for consideration by PR. The ideas and opinions in this post are genuine and my own.

Jurlique Rose Indulgence Essentials (Holiday 2012) review + photos

          This holiday, Jurlique has a number of golden gifts for the skincare lover on your list. I have the Jurlique Rose Indulgence Essentials set to share with you today! Rose essential oils are prized for their uplifting scent and skin balancing properties; this gift box has three full-sized rose infused and/or scented skincare treats tucked inside a beautifully patterned old gold box.

          The Jurlique Rose Hand Cream (4.3 oz.) is packaged in a metal squeeze tube. It contains safflower, almond, and macadamia nut oils to moisturize skin. The texture is rich like a cream, and it sinks in pretty quickly. There is a pretty rose fragrance that lingers as well. The Jurlique Rosewater Balancing Mist is a moisturizing facial spray that contains rose, marshmallow root, and aloe extracts to treat skin. There is an initial burst of rose fragrance upon spraying; the mist leaves a moisturizing residue on your face afterwards. I've tried and liked this mist before (see my full review here). The gift set contains the larger 3.3 fl.oz. spray, which is great!

            The Jurlique Rose Shower Gel (10.1 fl.oz.)  is packaged in convenient pump form. While the product does not contain rose, it has a beautiful rose fragrance that comes to life in hot water. I found the consistency of the shower gel to be sudsy and cleansing without drying my skin. (It lathers very nicely, as a matter of fact).

         The Jurlique Rose Indulgences Essentials set ($70 for $102 value) is an indulgent holiday treat that will appeal to a broad range of beauty lovers. I really like how the rose hand cream, facial mist, and shower gel are all practical products that can get good use during the year. Jurlique is a bit pricey, however the products I've tried thus far seem to be of good quality with beautiful botanical ingredient lists. For those interested in trying the brand, this and a number of other sets might be a cost-effective starting point. Thanks for reading! Have you tried Jurlique? What are your favorite rose products?

Love, Dovey.

P.S. I noticed a 30% off + free 2 day shipping discount on Jurlique.com !
Disclosure: This post contains product(s) sent to Cute and Mundane for consideration by PR. The ideas and opinions in this post are genuine and my own.

LUSH Rocket reuseable bubble bar (Holiday 2012) review + photos

          For Holiday 2012, LUSH has the perfect product for aspiring astronauts and anyone who's wanted to blast off in a bath full of bubbles! LUSH Rocket reusable bubble bar is a spicy clove bud, violet, fire-tree oil, and ginger fragranced bar that's the perfect antidote to a deep space chill (or a cold winter night). To use LUSH Rocket reusable bubble bar, grasp the 'flames' and swirl the blue spaceship around your tub. A trail of bubbles should follow in its wake. Rocket is different from LUSH's traditionally 'one-use' bubble bars that easily crumble under a stream of water. It's firmer and therefore takes significantly more effort to dissolve. Rocket colors water blue and adds its warm and comforting fragrance quickly; bubbles, on the other hand, require more effort to make, especially in still water. I'd suggest holding the bubble bar under a running tap to get more effective bubble production. LUSH Rocket bubble bar should last through a few uses depending on how much you use each time.

           LUSH Rocket reusable bubble bar ($9.95) is a fragrant and fun way to re-ignite your engines after a long day. It's really cute, and would be great for explorers, both big and small. Thanks for reading! Have you tried LUSH Rocket or any LUSH Bubble Bars? What fragrances do you typically like for your winter baths and showers?

Love, Dovey.
Disclosure: This post contains product(s) sent to Cute and Mundane for consideration by PR. The ideas and opinions in this post are genuine and my own.

Kiehl's Kenny Scharf Creme de Corps (Holiday 2012) review + photos

          
          Kiehl's has a very colorful collaboration for a cause this holiday season. The company has partnered with artist Kenny Scharf to create a vibrantly packaged bottle of the fan-favorite Creme de Corps body lotion. One hundred percent of net profits from the sale of Limited Edition Kenny Scharf Creme de Corps (up to $200,000) will benefit children's causes around the world. In the United States, proceeds will support RxArt, a non-profit organization that places contemporary art in pediatric hospitals to lift the spirits of young patients.

           Kenny Scharf is an American painter based in Brooklyn New York. He's known for his pop-surrealist paintings and installations and was a key figure in the East Village art scene of the 1980's. (Fun fact: Scharf was a friend and former roommate of Keith Haring!) The Limited Edition Kenny Scharf Creme de Corps bottle features Scharf's work Globo Mundo.

          Kiehl's Creme de Corps has been a Kiehl's fan favorite for over four decades. Creme de Corps is a rich, hydrating moisturizer. It has the consistency of a lotion and sinks in quickly, yet imparts the moisturizing capacity of a heavier cream. There is a 'lotion-like' scent that I assume is a result of the ingredients within (as opposed to an added fragrance).

          Limited Edition Kenny Scharf Creme de Corps ($48 for 16.9 oz.) is sure to please both art lovers and Kiehl's fans alike. Plus, the profits from sales of this body moisturizer will be headed towards good causes that benefit children. Art and beauty are two of my loves in life, so I'm happy to have this bottle on my counter-top this holiday season. Thanks for reading! Have you tried Kiehl's Creme de Corps? What do you think of the pop-art packaging? Are you more inclined to purchase products that support charitable causes?

Love, Dovey.

Creme de Corps Ingredients: Aqua/Water, Squalane, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, PEG-100 Stearate, Glyceryl Dimethicone, PPG-5 Pentaerythyl Ether, Sesamum Indicum / Sesame Seed Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Isopropyl Palmitate, Ookerite, Benzophenone-3 Butyrospermum Parkii Shea Butter, Methylparaben, MAgnesium Aluminum Silicate, Xanthan Gum, Glycine Soja / Soybean Sterols, Sodium PCA, Propylparaben, Allantoin, Olea Europaea / Olive Fruit Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil / Sweet Almond Oil, Prunus Ameniaca / Apricot Kernel Oil, Theobroma Cacao / Cocoa Seed Butter, Persea Gratissima / Avocado Oil, Tocopherol, BHT, Lecithin, Butylparaben, Zea MAys / Corn Oil, Aloe Barbadensis / Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Cl 75130/Beta-Carotene Fmla 685270/4 Code F.I.L. D27314/1.
Disclosure: This post contains product(s) sent to Cute and Mundane for consideration by PR. The ideas and opinions in this post are genuine and my own.

LUSH Mr. Frosty and Mrs. Frosty gift sets (Holiday 2012) review + photos

          For Holiday 2012, LUSH Mr. Frosty is back, as cheery as ever and filled with bath-time treats. Also as a special surprise LUSH Mrs. Frosty is making an appearance for the first time! (A whirlwind courtship and wedding took place at the North Pole during the holiday off-season). The Frostys each have three bath treats packaged in re-usable LUSH knot wraps.

           Mr. Frosty features a selection of warm and delicious bath-time treats. LUSH Cinders bath bomb is a sweet and spicy cinnamon scented bath bomb that evokes the warmth of a hearth. It's the perfect bath bomb to use after a chilly day. Pop rocks embedded in this bomb make crackling fireplace sounds as they dissolve in water. Almond oil moisturizes dry winter skin. LUSH Golden Wonder bath bomb is an enormous citrus and champagne scented bomb. As the bomb dissolves, you'll find a colorful surprise within! LUSH Butterball bath bomb creates a fragrant and hydrating bath. It has a wonderful vanilla and ylang ylang scent, accompanied by chunks of moisturizing cocoa butter.

Below, the embedded crystals in LUSH Cinders give it the look of warm embers!

           Mr. Frosty's better half, Mrs. Frosty, prefers sweet and fruity scents. LUSH So White bath bomb has a fresh and beautiful apple fragrance. The delicate fruity floral bath bomb also contains neroli, bergamot, and rose oils to induce relaxation. So White is a returning holiday favorite; however this year it's bigger and has a fizzy pink surprise at the center. LUSH The Comforter bubble bar is a sweet and fruity blackcurrant scented bar. It's named for its ability to envelop you in a soft and warm layer of bubbles, much like a downy comforter. Each bar can create two baths. Finally, you'll find a LUSH Butterball bath bomb; it's what Mr. and Mrs. Frosty have in common!

Below, LUSH 'The Comforter' bubble bar crumbles to reveal its soft white and pink interior.

And finally, here's a portrait of the happy couple!

          LUSH Mr. Frosty ($21.95) and LUSH Mrs. Frosty ($21.95) are an oh-so charming couple. They will surely bring smiles to a lot of faces this holiday season. Mr. Frosty contains yummy treats that could please anyone, while the sweeter contents in Mrs. Frosty would be better suited to female recipients. I'd have a hard time choosing between the two, so I'm glad I have both the Mr. and the Mrs! I'm planning on re-using and re-filling them for years to come. Thanks for reading! Which Frosty (Mr. or Mrs.) would you choose if you had to? Have you bought or explored LUSH Holiday 2012 products? What are your essential LUSH bath bombs or bubble bars?

Love, Dovey.

P.S. Check out my photos of LUSH Mr. Bumble, another super-cute knot wrap!
Disclosure: This post contains product(s) sent to Cute and Mundane for consideration by PR. The ideas and opinions in this post are genuine and my own.

LUSH FUN review + photos

        Something very 'FUN' made it into my hands this week: LUSH FUN! The inventors at LUSH are constantly pushing the boundaries of bath products with different textures including jellies, bombs, and smoothies. Their newest creation, LUSH FUN, is a multi-purpose moldable soap. I like to think of it as soap in play-doh form. LUSH Fun rolls come in five different colors: pink, red, blue, yellow, and green. Today I have green and yellow to share with you.

          LUSH FUN comes wrapped in candy-like rolls of biodegradeable cellophane. The label is written in Japanese almost in entirety. This calls attention to FUNd, a LUSH initiative supporting charities that will create safe places for children to play in areas affected by the 2011 Tsunami in Japan. Two and a half percent of the LUSH FUN purchase price goes towards FUNd. Each LUSH FUN bar has a scent that corresponds to its color: pink (vanilla and tonka), red (orange peel oil), blue (chamomile and lavender), green (lime), and yellow (vanilla ice cream and cookies). The scents are mild when you smell the rolls themselves, but are amplified when run under hot water. The bars can be used as soap, shampoo, or as bath bubbles. When using it on a loofa or as a bubble bath, it's best to crumble LUSH FUN first. The product is very effective in bubble production. I found that simply washing my hands of the residue left after molding FUN resulted in more than enough cleansing action.

          LUSH FUN looks like play-doh, but it has a drier consistency and requires a bit more power to mold into a shape (like clay). The dryness is good, as the product won't lose its moisture quickly. It does tend to crumble a bit, but that can be remedied by working in a touch of water. The easiest way to make shapes is to flatten LUSH FUN and cut it to shape using a cookie cutter or butter knife. Molding with fingers is also a good option, but it will give finger muscles more of a workout. Cracks on the surface can be smoothed over with a little water. The results are cute one-of-a-kind shapes that can be used in the bath, sink, and shower!

           LUSH FUN ($6.95 per roll) is sure to delight both kids and adults. It does take a little work to mold FUN, however the results are delightful creations that add extra cheer to bathtime. Thanks for reading! Have you tried LUSH FUN? What do you think of a moldable soap? What would be the first creature/object you would make from LUSH FUN?

Love, Dovey.

Disclosure: This post contains product(s) sent to Cute and Mundane for consideration by PR. The ideas and opinions in this post are genuine and my own.

LUSH Mr. Bumble gift review

           Today I've got the 'buzzz' on a darling new gift set at LUSH: Mr.  Bumble! LUSH Mr. Bumble is a LUSH knot-wrap filled with honey scented goodies. I love bees for their cheerful coloring, hardworking behavior, and the delightfully buoyant look they have during flight. You can imagine my delight at getting my hands on this charming honeybee themed gift from LUSH!

          LUSH Mr. Bumble is a knot-wrap. LUSH knot-wraps are patterned cotton kerchiefs that can be folded to create a small parcel (or gift wrap) for LUSH goodies. LUSH knot wraps are sold as a wrap alone or pre- packaged with products like Mr. Bumble. There are variety of patterns available from florals to stripes to rubber ducks.

          LUSH Mr. Bumble has the cutest bee face and wings. He's even got a stinger on his bee butt! The knot is convenient for picking him up. You can smell the sweet candied honey scent through the fabric of his body. It's absolutely gorgeous.

          Below you can see what LUSH Mr. Bumble looks like unfolded. Folding him into bee-shape is quite simple. Once the products are inside, fold the tail end in first, followed by the head end. To finish, make a double knot with the 'wings.'

           Inside Mr. Bumble, there is a full size LUSH Honey Bee Bath Bomb and a semicircular molded piece of LUSH Honey I Washed the Kids Soap.  LUSH Honey Bee Bath Bomb has a sweet honey toffee scent that smells wonderful straight from the bomb. In the water, it becomes a nice mellow scent. Inside the bath bomb there's uplifting orange oil and Moroccan Rhassoul Mud to soften skin. I've tried LUSH Honey Bee a couple times already and can't wait to put this one to good use. LUSH Honey I washed the Kids Soap has a delicious caramel honey scent. The creamy soap contains real Canadian Honey and orange oil to pamper the skin. It's one of LUSH's most loved soaps. The contents of Mr. Bumble are detailed on the product tag and on a little sheet so the gift-ee will know exactly what's inside.

          LUSH Mr. Bumble ($15.95) is a sweet as honey gift that is bee-yond cute. This has to 'bee' the cutest packaging I've ever seen, and the products inside are wonderful too. Eventually, I'll have to use contents of Mr. Bumble, however since the knot wrap is reusable, I'll be sure to fill him with another bath bomb so he can live on. Thanks for reading! Have you seen Mr. Bumble in stores? Have you tried LUSH Honey I washed the Kids soap, Honey Bee Bath Bomb, or any other LUSH knot-wraps? What are your current LUSH favorites?

Love, Dovey.

Disclosure: This post contains product(s) sent to Cute and Mundane for consideration by PR. The ideas and opinions in this post are genuine and my own.