Calacas – Lush Upon A Time

Calacas Body Spray from Lush

Calacas Body Spray.png The Calacas scent happens to be one of my most favourite Lush scents of all time. My first experience with a Calacas scented product was when I ordered the shower gel of the same name. I fell hopelessly in love after just one use and just like that, my Lush-lifes mission became trying anything and every thing Calacas scented.

I have been putting in requests to Lush for a Calacas perfume for what feels like an eternity, it has been my most wanted product for well over 5 years now. On the 1st of December 2018 Lush finally came through. The Lush Kitchen made a Calacas Body Spray!

Although I had always wished for Calacas to be released in the perfume format, I was more than happy to see that it was only being made into body spray. I find that the body sprays last so much longer than the liquid perfumes, they also go further and are much better value for money.

The Calacas body spray scent is to die for and funnily enough is inspired by the Day of the Dead. The Day of the Dead is celebrated throughout Mexico during the last week of October and first few days of November (Halloween). It is a celebration in honour of family and friends who are no longer with them.

With its lime, frankincense and neroli ingredients the Calacas scent is a sharp and zesty mood boosting fragrance, some even joke it’s so zingy it could wake the dead!

The Calacas scent is hugely popular within the Lush community and it has been replicated into many different product formats. Sometimes even though 2 different products are from the same scent family, their scent can differ slightly because they are different formats. With the Calacas scent I don’t see (or should I say sniff) much difference between the product formats at all, last years Man in the Moon bubble bar has exactly the same Calacas scent as the Monsters’ Ball bath bomb.

I was therefore a little surprised when I smelt the Calacas body spray for the first time…

The difference in scent between the body spray and other Calacas scented products is very subtle and not so different that I dislike it. I am as a matter of fact loving the Calacas in a liquid format, it’s so much fresher and even more zingy than any other Calacas scented product I have tried before.

Most importantly though, the Calacas body spray isn’t super-duper strong, it’s just right. One spritz on my clothes leaves me smelling of sweet and zingy Calacas all day. I have also sprayed it on my dressing gown and 3 days later the beautiful Calacas scent is still detectable!

Another thing I like to do with it is spritz it once on the ends of my hair. Several people have asked me what shampoo I use as my hair smells so lovely. Overall I am over the moon with this body spray. It and my So White body sprays are now on my dresser pride of place.

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Agbogbloshie Bath Bomb from Lush

Agbogbloshie Bath Bomb

You may have noticed that this bath bombs name is a bit of a mouthful, it however isn’t a name created by Lush to annoy us, it is in fact the nickname of the largest electronic waste dump in the world. The Agbogbloshie Bath Bomb was yet another product showcased at the 2018 Lush Summit. I had actually watched a BBC documentary on Agbogbloshie prior to the Lush Summit so already knew a little bit on the cause and inspiration behind this product.

Situated in Ghana, Agbogbloshie is where most of the world’s electronic waste ends up. Burning the waste is a quick and easy way to strip anything from it that could be sold on for very small amounts of money. For so many people in Ghana this is their only source of income and how they survive.

The burning of this electronic waste puts toxic chemicals into the atmosphere affecting air, land and water. Exposure to these toxins are extremely hazardous and not just to humans but to the environment too. The toxins created from the burning of the electronic waste are said to inhibit the development of the reproductive system, the nervous system, and also the brain. Concerns about human health and the environment of Agbogbloshie continue to be raised and this bath bomb represents the issue. Despite of all of these frightening facts nothing in Agbogbloshie is yet to change.

The Agbogbloshie bath bomb is the same size and shape as an iPhone. In a world where we are obsessed with technology, (especially our phones) this bath bomb of course caught most people’s immediate attention. Apart from its shape, the first thing I noticed about the Agbogbloshie bath bomb was its royal-blue-colour. Colour Wise, it’s a shade of blue that is very similar to the blue in the Intergalactic bath bomb.

The best part of this bath bomb is however its scent. Luckily for us (the consumer), the Agbogbloshie bath bomb’s scent is far, far away from the toxic stench that the people of Agbogbloshie have to breathe in. It in fact, shares its scent with the Calacas shower gel (which happens to be one of my all time favourite Lush scents!) Calacas is a hugely popular Lush scent and has featured in several other bath bombs before now. The, The Enchanter, Monsters’ Ball and Skullduggery to name a few.

The Calacas scent is refreshing, uplifting and zingy. Lush have carefully combined oil of lime, neroli, cooling aloe vera and olibanum to make this gorgeous and energising bath time treat. Although the Agbogbloshie bath bomb was a super quick fizzer I managed to get a shot of it bubbling away.

Even after the Agbogbloshie bath bomb has fully dissolved its scent remains right up until the last drop goes down the plug hole. My skin was left delicately fragranced and well hydrated too. If you did want to spoil yourself, after using this bath bomb I’d recommend putting on some Calacas body lotion, that is if you have some hanging around!

My most favourite thing about Lush is being able to layer up certain scents with different product formats, the Calacas scent is just so incredibly moreish I don’t think I will ever get bored of it. Overall I think the Agbogbloshie bath bomb is a great new member of the Calacas scented product family. It was perfect in the bath and also taught me a great deal about Agbogbloshie and how things need to change.

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Calacas Body Lotion from Lush

Calacas Body Lotion

When it comes to Lush I know I throw the love word around a lot, I just can’t help myself, especially when a product is Calacas scented… The Calacas scent has been released in a wide variety of product formats, my favourite so far being the, The Enchanter bath bomb. In my personal opinion the Calacas scent is the most refreshing, uplifting and zingy scent Lush have yet to create. Ever since I very first experienced the Calacas scent through the shower gel, I have been hooked and have since promised to try every Calacas scented product that I can get my hands on.

For the Calacas Body Lotion Lush have carefully combined oil of lime, neroli, cooling aloe vera and olibanum to make one of the most gorgeous, hydrating and energising body lotions I have ever used. If your skin is in need of a hydration boost you need look no further.

As soon as you pop open the lid of the Calacas body lotion you’re greeted with its sharp and zesty mood boosting scent. People often describe the Calacas scent as just like fruit pastilles, I agree to some extent I however believe its scent is so much better than just fruit pastilles.

A little amount of the Calacas body lotion goes a very long way. Once applied the scent stays on your skin for the best part of the day. It also leaves you with soft, smooth and gloriously hydrated skin. I am devastated that Lush didn’t decide to bring this body lotion out as a part of this years (2017) Halloween range, with the Lush Kitchen being in limbo at the moment I really don’t know if I’ll even be able to get hold of a pot of it ever again.

As said above, a very small amount of the Calacas body lotion does go a very long way, this means I at least have enough of it left to get me through the next 4 to 6 months (if used daily.) Overall I am a huge fan of the Calacas body lotion, it smells great, hydrates and soothes my skin perfectly and goes on to your skin, soaking in effortlessly. I really hope that Lush find a way to release this body lotion again as it really is such a good body lotion.

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Man in the Moon Bubble Bar from Lush

Man on the Moon Bubble Bar2 The Man in the Moon Bubble Bar is the Lush product I have been wishing for ever since I took my very first sniff of the Calacas shower gel. I don’t think I have ever been as excited finding out the scent of a Lush product before. The Calacas scent is one of Lush’s most popular, so much so that it completely baffles me as to why Lush hadn’t brought a Calacas scented bubble bar out long before now.

Much like the new Plum Snow bubble bar, the Man in the Moon Bubble Bar is a lot bigger than I had anticipated, a bigger sized product always pleases me as I love getting more for your money, who doesn’t? Another thing that has impressed me in regards to the Man in the Moon bubble bar is how a little amount of it goes such a very long way.

As time has gone on, Lush seem to have perfected the skill of making their bubble bars go further and further, with most of the new bubble bars it is now possible to use them several times without any drop in its quality or performance.

Lush have thought very hard about the design of this bubble bar. Made to be a full moon with a face it has some rather distinguishing features such as its Victorian era moustache and monocle. The whole idea behind the bubble bar is said to be inspired by a creepy silent-film made in France back in 1902. If you take on board what happened in said the short film you’d know that the monocle is actually a rocket that has landed in the ‘man in the moons’ eye, eeek!!!

The Calacas scent is refreshing, uplifting and zingy. Lush have carefully combined oil of lime, neroli and olibanum to make the perfect pick-me-up bubble bar, bathing in a Man in the Moon bath will reinvigorate both your mind and body. Some people describe the Calacas scent as smelling just like fruit pastille sweets, I can see where they are coming from but its scent is so much better than just fruit pastilles. I adore its scent and it works beautifully in all formats that Lush have released so far. *prays for perfume*

I’ve heard a few people say that the Man in the Moon bubble bar smells identical to the discontinued Oxford Street exclusive, the Man in the Mushroom Mask. My nose however doesn’t pick it up at all. I personally think that the Man in the Mushroom Mask smells like almonds and caramel, which is far from the fruity lime that Man in the Moon’s scent offers. Regardless, scents can come across differently to different people so I am not saying I’m right and they’re wrong, both products scents are favourites of mine but for me the Man in the Moon bubble bar is Calacas scented through and through.

As mentioned above, the smallest amount of the Man in the Moon bubble bar goes a very long way. I can get 4 more than generously bubbled baths out of just the one bubble bar. I’d go as far as to say that spreading it over just 4 baths is in fact a little wasteful, that is unless you feel like overindulging in bubble bath heaven. Which is something I am more than happy to do with any Lush product that is Calacas scented.

Underneath the blanket of bubbles is lime green, silky smooth water. My skin always looks and feels it’s best after a long and relaxing soak in a Man in the Moon Bath. My most favourite thing about the Man in the Moon bubble bar is how its scent stays with you so long after using it. Paired with the Monsters’ Ball bath bomb (which also shares the Calacas scent) makes the most perfect bath. Just writing about the combination is making me want another Calacas themed bath right now… I am obviously head over heels in love with this bubble bar and it is one I will most definitely be stocking up on before winter is through.

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Calacas Shower Gel from Lush

Calacas Shower Gel.png

I believe that the Calacas Shower Gel was my very first shower gel purchased via the Lush Kitchen, why I have left it so long to review it is beyond me, as I LOVE the stuff, ~~maybe even more than I do my husband~~.

I know I throw the love word around a lot but Calacas is hands down one of my favourite Lush scents ever. If I hadn’t have ordered this shower gel back in the day I don’t think I’d have even got so into Lush. It’s divine. The Calacas scent is refreshing, uplifting and zingy. Lush have carefully combined oil of lime, neroli, cooling aloe vera and olibanum to make the most gorgeous and energising bath time treat in shower gel form.

Calacas 2

If you are in need of a boost, a quick shower with the Calacas shower gel will reinvigorate both your mind and body. It’s fruity but not like anything else you’ve tried before, some people describe it as smelling like fruit pastille sweets, I can see where they are coming from but it is so much better than that. I am hoping that they decide to release the Calacas shower gel as a store product this Halloween, it has only been available in the Lush Kitchen on occasion for the last few years and I just don’t understand why something so beautiful isn’t readily available in stores. I’d love to see it as full time stock but even if they release it just for the Halloween period, that would make me a very happy Lushie.

Another wonderful thing about the Calacas shower gel is how it looks, it has actually been available in the past as several different shades, red, green and a yellowish orange. For the purpose of this blog post I have included pictures of the orange version.

I have never seen a shower gel like it, depending on how the sun catches it, it can look so many shades of orange, sometimes I even get a glimpse of it and think it is glowing. Consistency wise the Calacas shower gel is quite thick, I’d compare it to the likes of the Plum Rain shower gel which happens to be another fruity shower gel that I cannot get enough of.

Calacas lathers up well, a little of it also goes a very long way which is great considering its consistency and even better when you take into account how rare it is. I was glad to see that for Halloween 2016 Lush decided to bring out a bath bomb with the Calacas scent called the Monsters’ Ball. I have my fingers crossed that this bath bomb returns again as the Calacas scent needs to be enjoyed by everyone! it is one of those scents that work brilliantly in any format.

My favourite thing about the Calacas shower gel is how long its scent stays with you after use. Much like the Yuzu and Cocoa shower cream I can still smell it on my skin hours and hours after using it in the shower. I also have very fine hair and can get away with using Calacas shower gel as a shampoo every now and again.

I am currently almost out of my latest batch of Calacas shower gel so if Lush aren’t bringing it out as a staple product for Halloween 2017 then I hope they bring it out in the Lush Kitchen again very, very soon. It’s a shower gel a Lushie should never be without!

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Monsters’ Ball Bath Bomb from Lush

Monsters' Ball Bath Bomb I couldn’t quite believe my eyes when I very first see the huge pile of Monsters’ Ball bath bombs at 2016’s Lush Creative Showcase. At the time I was so taken back by its quirky, one-eyed design that I completely missed the fact that it was Calacas scented.

To my delight the Monsters’ Ball bath bomb not only smells identical to one of my all time favourite Lush Kitchen bath bombs the, The Enchanter Bath Bomb but it also puts on quite the colourful-bath-time-show. Other Calacas scented bath bombs such as the Skullduggery bath bomb although very pleasant in the water, do not have the same wow factor as Monsters’ Ball when it comes down to bath art.

As soon as you place the Monsters’ Ball bath bomb into your bath water it starts to hiss, an explosion of purple-pink foam fizzes out of it as it bobs and rolls around the waters surface. The water instantly begins to feel silkier, as its inviting Calacas scent fills your bathroom you can’t help but lay back, relax and enjoy all of its beauty, it’s a treat for every single one of your senses.

Monsters’ Ball contains both lime and neroli oil. My first Lush memory of neroli oil is from the Frozen bath bomb. I wasn’t sure of it at first but I have grown to love its scent. Neroli is a really bitter-citrus-scent on its own, in Monsters’ ball the bitterness of the neroli is however completely washed out by the lime oil. The lime oil rounds off the neroli ingredient giving Monsters’ Ball a sweet, much lighter and somewhat warming citrus-scent.

Neroli oil has been scientifically proven to increase the levels of serotonin (the happy hormone) in your brain, therefore if you need a bath that will boost your spirits Monsters’ Ball is a good bath bomb to go for. Once the bath bomb has been in the water for a little while it begins to spin, creating even more beautiful purple foamy patterns with blue streaks too.

As the bath bomb dances around your bath, the water slowly turns a dark and sparkly purple colour. Its scent stays with you through out the bath and I can still smell it on my skin the next day. I can’t get enough of the Calacas scent, it’s so cheery and always lifts my mood.

Monsters’ Ball may look completely different from any bath bomb Lush have made before but it really is a fantastic bath bomb that I wish Lush had created and sold years and years ago. Not only does it smell fabulous but it also creates beautiful bath art that is sure to catch anyone’s attention. Just look at the photos!

The final thing I like about Monsters’ Ball is that its one eye is actual, vegan chocolate. I however wouldn’t recommend eating it, let your bath have the chocolate treat. Your skin will thank you for it I promise.

I will be stocking up on the Monsters’ Ball bath bombs before Halloween is over without question. It’s such an amazing addition to the Halloween product line and has made 2016’s line the best from Lush yet, if this bath bomb doesn’t return year in year out there will be trouble! 😉

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Skullduggery Bath Bomb from Lush

Skullduggery Bath Bomb.png

Every time the Skullduggery Bath Bomb has been available to buy through the Lush Kitchen over the last year or so I have missed it. My luck however changed this August and I managed to bag a few from the Kitchen’s most recent batch.

The Skullduggery bath bomb’s design is calavera inspired. Calavera is Spanish for the word skull. The most widely known calaveras are models of human skulls created with sugar cane for the Mexican holiday, the Day of the Dead. AKA Halloween.

The Day of the Dead is celebrated throughout Mexico during the last week of October and first few days of November. It is a celebration in honour of family and friends who are no longer with them. The whole idea around human skulls may be creepy to some however when you take the time to learn about the sugar skulls heritage you realise it’s not at all creepy and actually a lovely way to remember loved ones that have passed.

The Skullduggery bath bomb is a member of the Calacas scent family. The Calacas scent happens to be my all time favourite Lush scent, (so far anyway…) as you can imagine, seeing as it is my FAVOURITE Lush scent I was super excited to get my hands on a product that was completely new to me.

Although Skullduggery is not nearly as colourful as other bath bombs with the same scent such as The Enchanter, I think they’re the perfect product to include in a Lush bath-cocktail.

The Calacas scent is a zingy and refreshing, mood-boosting scent. The combination of its carefully selected ingredients; Oil of lime, neroli and olibanum makes for an energising bath time treat that ‘perks up the weariest of souls,’. The Skullduggery bath bomb works great on its own, although as I said above it isn’t as colourful as other bath bombs and to get the most out of it I like to use it in bath cocktails. I find a dash of Calacas shower gel helps the scent stay with you all day. Another great bath cocktail to try is a chunk of some Milky Bath bubble bar with the Skullduggery, it is like bathing in silk.

To some the Skullduggery’s scent may be quite strong. I wasn’t at all sure of it when I first experienced it, I have however grown to love it, once you have used a Calacas product the scent of it remains with you but it’s a lot more gentle once on your skin. It’s not at all overpowering and always leaves me craving more.

As soon as the Skullduggery bath bomb hits the water it starts to fizz away creating copious amounts of pure white foam. The Skullduggery’s heart shaped eyes once submerged leave a small stream of red bubbles. After about 30 seconds the red eyes are no longer visible and the rest of the bath bomb is white all through. The Skullduggery then continues to create soft white foam until the bath bomb completely dissolves.

Performance wise I’d compare the Skullduggery bath bomb to the May Day bath bomb, it isn’t very colourful but its scent makes a lasting impression. Skullduggery is also a very slow fizzer and in this aspect it reminds me of the So White bath bomb, a slow fizzer with a beautiful, delicate scent that stays with you even once the bath bomb is completely dissolved.

The bath water leaves your skin silky smooth and its delicate fruity scent stays with you all day.

Although I still prefer the The Enchanter bath bomb over the Skullduggery one, I would recommend Skullduggery over it if it is just the essential oils you are interested in. I know some people go for bath bombs based purely on their colours in the bathtub but for someone who wants something a little more gentle colour-wise, Skullduggery is a very good choice.

I am waiting very patiently for a Calacas perfume to come out. I have my fingers crossed that it does soon as it really is my favourite scent. In the meantime while I wait, I will just have to enjoy the Calacas scented products that I currently have. Although I am running a little low so am sending Lush Kitchen a virtual nudge for more! 😉

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