My Honest LUSH Review Part Five

I don't know exactly what goes on in the LUSH labs, but it's probably safe to assume that it's full of experimentation. Tofu and ginger in your shampoo, sea salt in your toothpaste, lavender oil in your mouthwash--these sound like unusual ingredients, but LUSH manages to make it work, and every visit offers a new sensory experience.

Unfortunately, I can't give you free samples through a computer screen, but I can give you the next best thing: my honest, non-sponsored LUSH review. Not every experiment was successful, but with a lot of brands playing it safe, I'll give LUSH credit for trying. Let's ditch the chemical-heavy brands and explore the world of natural skincare together!

Shimmy Shimmy Mouthwash Tabs

Shimmy Shimmy Mouthwash Tabs contain natural ingredients, such as vanilla absolute, menthol crystals and lavender oil, that may freshen your breath when you're on the run. To use, you'll place a tab in your mouth, swish it around with water and spit it out.

The diamond-shaped tablets had a sharp, minty scent with vanilla notes, which matched my expectations. What I didn't expect was the minty, spicy taste with a lingering sweetness, like black pepper mixed with vanilla. My mouth did feel cleaner afterward, but I wasn't sure how to feel about this strange blend of flavors. The tablets also left behind a grainy texture, which required multiple rinses.

I can see the appeal for people who want a portable alternative to mouthwash, especially if you're traveling by plane, but I wouldn't use these on a daily basis. I just couldn't get past the oddly savory flavor, and the chewing and rinsing added steps to my routine. Good mouthwash should leave you with a cleansed, refreshed feeling, and these tabs just didn't deliver.

Refresher Toothpaste Tabs

Refresher Toothpaste Tabs aim to freshen your breath with lime, lemon and orange oils, while the menthol crystals and sea salt may scrub your teeth and produce a cooling sensation. For best results, you'll chew a tablet with water, brush your teeth, and spit and rinse.

These round tablets came in green, yellow and pink shades with a fresh, mildly fruity scent like hard candies. When I chewed up a tab, the hard texture quickly softened in my mouth, producing a taste that's hard to describe. It was oddly strong and savory, with an unusual aftertaste that was fruity and nutty.

My teeth felt clean afterward, but I would've preferred a traditional mint flavor. The unusual taste was fairly off-putting, and I switched back to regular toothpaste after I'd used up the samples. Still, if you travel a lot, I can see how these tablets would come in handy--if you don't mind the flavor.

Honey, Beeswax and Almond Oil Cleanser

Honey, Beeswax and Almond Oil Cleanser is loaded with luxurious ingredients, such as beeswax, rose water, honeycomb and almond oil, which may cleanse your skin and improve radiance. To use, you'll massage this cleanser into your skin and rinse it off.

With a white shade, creamy texture and honey-butter scent, applying this cleanser felt like spreading butter across my face. After I washed it off, I had buttery soft skin with a supple texture and a bright, healthy complexion. A sweet almond fragrance lingered like a finishing touch.

The next day, my face was still smooth and a little softer than usual, so this cleanser had lasting effects. It was refreshing and fun to use, and the almond oil came from a sustainable source. If you're looking for a new cleanser, this delectable product might be the perfect addition to your routine--and you can try a sample for free.

Ginger Shampoo

Ginger Shampoo contains organic yogurt, coarse sea salt, avocado oil, fair-trade honey and other ingredients that may exfoliate and moisturize your scalp. You'll massage this shampoo into your scalp, then rinse your hair to remove dandruff and dead skin.

The grainy texture, bright yellow hue and sharp, gingery smell immediately made a bold impression. When I washed my hair with this shampoo, the formula produced a thick lather while the hard granules scrubbed my scalp. Afterward, my hair had a smooth, slick texture that was almost plasticky.

In the morning, my hair was more tangled and matted than usual, but I've learned that this is part of the LUSH shampoo experience. Once I'd brushed out the tangles, my hair had a soft, feathery texture with a natural bounce and less visible damage. It was still frizzy, but it looked neater and cleaner than usual, and the color had brightened to reddish-brown.

I don't know how LUSH does it, but their hair products always deliver, and Ginger Shampoo gave my hair a full reset. If I could afford it, this would definitely become part of my regular routine. Luckily, you don't need to use it every day, so I might grab another sample next time I'm in the area.

Tofu Cream Shampoo

As the name suggests, Tofu Cream Shampoo is nearly 20% silken tofu. Other ingredients include rice vinegar, grape juice, agave syrup and witch hazel extract, which may cleanse and revitalize your hair. To use, you'll scrub it into your hair and rinse it out when you're done.

While everything about Ginger Shampoo screamed "heavy duty," Tofu Cream Shampoo had a perfumey fragrance and a luscious, silky texture that gave it a delicate vibe. The next day, my hair was a little matted, but it also had a softer texture with more shine and definition. After using this shampoo again, my hair was softer, springier and healthier without much effort on my part.

Overall, this formula doesn't offer an intensive cleansing, but it's good for daily use. I never thought tofu would make a great shampoo ingredient, but LUSH surprised me once again. Just make sure you use a conditioner with it, or you might have a lot of knots and tangles in the morning.

Braziliant Body Butter

With a blend of cocoa, murumuru and cupuaçu butters, plus avocado oil and Brazil nut oil, Braziliant Body Butter aims to soothe and moisturize your skin. To use, you'll massage this formula into dry areas after taking a shower.

"Body butter" was definitely the right term for this product. The pale yellow hue and creamy, melting texture made this formula look like a pad of butter, although the scent was more fresh and floral. After I massaged it into my hands, my skin had a slick surface and a wet, shiny appearance. The texture felt soft and hydrated, suggesting that the butters had settled into my skin.

Unfortunately, the effects didn't last long, so it's not a great long-term solution. Still, if you need some quick relief, Braziliant Body Butter can soothe your dry, cracked skin and nourish the surface. If I bought this product, I'd probably use it as an occasional pick-me-up.

Overall Verdict

Ginger Shampoo and Tofu Cream Shampoo were the stars of this review, exfoliating my scalp and giving my hair a healthy, revitalized appearance. Likewise, Honey, Beeswax and Almond Oil Cleanser offered essential ingredients that refreshed my skin and helped it lock in moisture. I didn't care for the mouthwash or toothpaste tabs, and Braziliant Body Butter was a little disappointing, but maybe they just weren't for me.

Are you a LUSH fan? If not, what does your self-care routine look like? Sound off in the comments.