Lush Hot Java Bath Ballistic - Not so hot (Lush Hot Java Bath Ballistic)

Member Name: sweetpea01

Product:	Lush Hot Java Bath Ballistic
Date:	11/01/09 (29 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Lovely colour and is very warming

Disadvantages: Hardly any fragrance

Now I am not a fan of bath ballistics of any make, name or type! My mind has been swayed recently by a few Lush ballistics I have used but I'm certainly not convinced yet!

Over the Christmas period I had quite a few Lush items (which is the norm) and to my horror I had been given by my sister in law (now ex sister in law) a Lush retro hamper she had put together! Now she doesn't know I don't like ballistics but it was the thought that counts and I was extremely grateful!

As I opened the package I was immediately drawn to the intense reddish-pink ballistic which is Hot Java. Its such a rich and vibrant colour I had to know more about it and as I do with every Lush product I log onto their website and read about it! Oh and of course I use it!

Hot Java is supposed to be Lush's bath for relieving stiff, sore muscles and warming a chilled body through and through. And it has the potential to do just that: cinnamon and coriander have the ability to stimulate circulation and aid in the release of lactic acid from muscle tissues, ginger and juniperberry relieve the effects of dampness on the joints.

However, note that the first fragrant ingredient in Hot Java's recipe (after whole cinnamon sticks) is "perfume," meaning that a perfume containing synthetics is found in larger quantities than anything else. This "perfume" often adds a woodsy, manly, sports cologne-type scent that can be unnecessarily overpowering in light of all the wonderful natural spices a Hot Java Ballistic contains.

Yet once Hot Java hits the water, all aspects of its fragrance are quick to dissipate. At best, you'll merely catch a subtle, occasional whiff that is so nondescript it leads you to ask "did that come from my bath?" But chances are that by the time that question has been posed, the aromatic moment has already passed, the search party has been called off, and you'll likely never find your answer. This leaves the only true warming
benefits to be based on the temperature of the water, with this Ballistic's aromatherapeutic properties generally making little or no real impact on the body or mind.

The good news, however, is that Hot Java softens the water and turns it a radiant red-orange (and though some people complain that this Ballistic leaves a ring around the tub, note that this only occurs when the colour can attach itself to already present oils on your tub's surface). Two or three cinnamon sticks are released as well, adding to the appearance of fired warmth even as the barely there scent tends to leave you feeling lukewarm.

Now don't get me wrong a bath ballistic should'nt be all about the fragrance (but it certainly does help!) its about whether it does what it says on the tin and Hot Java promotes soothing and warming qualities. After a cold christmas break and having to do the horses in the freezing temperatures I needed something to warm me, Hot Java certainly warmed me up well but to me having a nice fragrance is all part of the experience.

Ingredients:-

Sodium Bicarbonate, Citric Acid, Cinnamon Sticks (Cinnamomum cassia), Perfume, Ginger Oil (Zingiber officinale), Cinnamon Powder (Cinnamomum cassia), Ginger Powder (Zingiber officinale), Coriander Oil (Coriandrum sativum), Ginger Absolute (Zingiber officinale), Ylang Ylang Oil (Cananga odorata), Juniperberry Oil (Juniperus communis), Gardenia Extract (Gardenia jasminoides), *Benzyl Salicylate, *Eugenol, *Geraniol, *Benzyl Benzoate, *Farnesol, *Limonene, *Linalool, Hydroxycitronellol, Colour 18050
* Occurs naturally in Essential Oils

It costs online £2.45 which in comparison to other similar Lush products I don't think is bad at all, its just a shame it not quite as impressive as it makes out.

Summary: Did I get a dud?