Review: Lush’s Solid Perfumes.

I’ve never really paid much attention to Lush’s perfume/make up range. And now that I have? I’m kicking myself for not trying them sooner.

After sampling many of the solid perfumes (meaning, until I ran out of arm space) I accidentally stumbled across one of the loveliest scents I’ve ever experienced- ‘Lust’ and ‘Vanillary’.

Separately, neither really sold me. Mixed together? Heaven.
This was a complete fluke- I was trying the two scents, and happened to put them on next to one another. After a few hours of being on my skin they had matured to form this really beautiful scent; floral and sweet and so potent that when I woke up the next morning I could still detect it on my skin! (That was the moment I decided I’d be going back and purchasing both of them.)

 ‘Vanillary’ doesn’t really do it for my on it’s own. It’s a little too plain. I mean, it smells nice- vanilla, as the name suggests, but it’s just not quite powerful enough for my liking.
However, mixed with the jasmine scent-orgasm that is ‘Lust’, it turns into some sort of wonder-potion.

I do really like ‘Lust’ on it’s own- I’m a massive fan of jasmine scents, but something about that touch of vanilla just makes it pop and brings it to a whole other level.
The only downside to Lust is that it does leave colour payoff on your skin when you apply it- something that doesn’t really happen with Vanillary (except a few specs of vanilla pod).
This isn’t a massive issue for the wrists, as you can just rub them together to let the oils sink in- but it does pose a little bit of a pain when you’re applying it to your neck- there’s just no easy way to avoid having a slightly pink neck after use, without excessive rubbing in, leaving your hands heavily scented too, which for me at least isn’t really a desirable outcome.

However, I must say, that and that alone is the only downside to these solid perfumes. As they’re from Lush we all know they’re animal cruelty free, they’re free of any nasty chemicals and are all organic. They’re also really affordable- the solid perfumes start at about £5 each, which for Lush is really cheap, and for a perfume? Incredible.
They’re small which is excellent for travelling or for throwing in your handbag before going out- and thanks to the lack-of-glass packaging I don’t panic that they’re gonna smash all over everything if I take them out with me.

Plus I’ve had mine for over a month, have been using them everyday (sometimes several times a day) and I’ve barely made a dent in them. Yay!

 Overall, Lush’s solid perfumes have thoroughly impressed me, and I’m excited to try other scents. And maybe even some of their other products I have before overlooked in favour of colourful bath bombs….

*Note: All photographs are my own. Please do not repost or copy without my permission.*

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The Da Vinci Code

I’m pretty late to the party, but once I got there, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Though this book was released years ago now, as was the film adaptation that followed, I’ve only just read Dan Brown’s “The Da Vinci Code”, and only today finished it.

This book gripped me from the first chapter, and soon I found it very hard to put down. It’s a very engaging read, with believable characters and a writing style that feels as if you are reading fact rather than a work of fiction. The plot itself is of course based, at least loosely on fact, and the legends and myths around the conspiracy theories of Jesus Christ and the Church.

This book was incredibly well written- the research Brown put into the backgrounds of each of the topics he touches upon is evidently meticulous. I learnt an awful lot reading this book, which isn’t something I can claim about many fictions. A lot of things I took for granted in the world of superstition and symbolism was put in new light, and it really opened my eyes to a lot of things I already had some knowledge of, but not in its entirety.

Though before even laying eyes on the book, I was a non-believer in Christianity. A non-believer in pretty much all religions actually. I was brought up with Shaman roots, which means my beliefs have been mostly nature-based; what most would consider the “worship” of things such as the Earth, Sun and Moon, I took in a more “appreciation” for those things that give us life.
After reading this book, however, I have become fairly opinionated in my regard for religion and its origin. Especially that of the Christian Church. Though I didn’t care much for it before, this book has certainly changed my dismissal of it, for a feeling of great exasperation. I can say that this book has changed my opinion on quite a few things, and greatly influenced my new way of thinking- again, not something I can say for many books I have read.

I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in learning a great deal about art, history, religion and recognised individuals, or simply to anyone who wants to read a good thriller book. This one will keep you hooked.
I’d extend a word of caution to anyone who is heavily religious to read this though; the ideas and suggestions in it may offend some. I’d read it anyway though. You’ll certainly come out of it more informed, and wiser.

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