Spellbinding! (Lush Magic Bath Ballistic)

Member Name: calypte

Product:	Lush Magic Bath Ballistic
Date:	26/10/08 (200 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: A novel experience as well as an uplifting, head-clearing bath

Disadvantages: Price - it's definitely in the 'treat' category; parsley or lack thereof!

(The scene: It was a dark and stormy night. Calypte - unused to having a fully working computer again - decided to indulge in one of her other favourite hobbies: reading in the bath. Alas, she seems to have forgotten how to write book reviews, so here's (another!) one about the bath product!)

Lush have - yes, in October! - released their Christmas range for 2008. Usually I disapprove heartily of festivities starting so early, but heck - there's a lot to get through, so I'm grateful for the 3-month run up! Besides, the Magic ballistic isn't particularly festive (perhaps a little more Halloween-themed, perhaps?), which made me feel okay about giving it a go.

I have to say, this is perhaps the most innovative bath product those clever bods at Lush have come up with yet! This is as much an experience as a bath, and I totally loved the slight drama (I know, I know!) at the start of my bath :)

You see, on the outside, Magic is a bright turquoise quadrodecahedral (14 sides!). Drop it in the bath (preferably pre-run, and with you already in it for full effect) and it fizzes madly, turning the water that same brilliant turquoise and releasing a cloud of rose and marjoram scent. However, that's not all: inside the turquoise layer is a bright pink core. If you pluck this out of the water for a sniff, it's an unpleasantly strong mix of peppermint and basil - mixed with the rose, though, it blends well and takes away from the floweriness. Further, the pink (which you don't really see) mixes with the turquoise and the water starts to turn a glorious, deep inky indigo! :)

Whilst not a complicated idea, really, it did make the bath just feel - well, pretty magical! The change after a few minutes, and the mixing of aromas and colours, definitely adds something appealing.

As Lush's website says, the initial layer is scented to 'dissolve away your anxieties'. In aromatherapy, rose is used as an anti-depressant, as well as being seen as sensuous and self-nurturing. Likewise, marjoram is supposed to calm emotions and relieve stress. I confess I initially assumed the smell was geranium - it's got that Turkish Delight-esque sweetness. This remains the strongest scent in the bath, and it is wonderfully uplifting.

That said, the addition of the herbs and peppermint is a relief from everything being too floral. Basil is again used as both an anti-depressant and to clear the mind. Add the mint - also head-clearing and refreshing - and the whole thing comes together wonderfully: this bath should - and in my opinion does - leave you feeling de-stressed, uplifted, and mentally refreshed.

There are some definite physical effects, too: I suffer from blocked sinuses quite frequently, and had been feeling fairly headachy all day before using this. The mix of herbs and peppermint certainly did me a lot of good in that respect!

Also, there is definitely plenty of essential oils in here - not enough to be greasy, but you'll definitely be aware of skin-softening oil in the water. After the bath my skin continued to feel nicely moisturised, but not as if there was a layer left on my skin. The word for the post-bathing experience would have to be 'subtle', with both the oils and scent lingering only mildly: the latter slightly surprisingly, given the aromas whilst in the water are impossible to miss!

The final 'surprise' in this bath is a small spring of parsley in the middle. Yes, parsley! This is supposed to be a symbol of virility... in which case, I'm not really that disappointed that my ballistic didn't have one! I'm not really sure I'd desperately want a sprig of greenery floating in my bath (I had to make do with a bit of purple fluff from my new socks ;)), although I rather like the idea of bringing a little 'witchcraft' into modern life. In fact, the whole ballistic is "Lush's Yuletide spell... to wish you good luck for 2009, to help you banish bad things in the past and bring you a brighter future". Who would argue with those sentiments? :)


I would suggest that this really isn't a bath product intended for *just* before bed. I imagine the best time to use it would be after a long or difficult day, to revitalise yourself before heading out again, or picking up with another task - preferably a fun and relaxing one, of course! :)

Overall, I really loved this product - even at the rather premium price (£3.10 for one bath, and it'd be spoiling the point to try halving it!). It had added entertainment value, but also just a lovely, head-clearing smell and I thoroughly enjoyed lazing in the deepest of blue waters - even the lack of bubbles was good, as there was nothing obscuring that colour (nor did it stain the bath at all)! Obviously the novelty factor is there more for the first use, but I'm still looking forward to the experience the next time - because I *will* be stocking up before these disappear (in a puff of smoke, perhaps? ;)) after Christmas.


~Boring bits~

Price: a treat-worthy £3.10

Availability: in Lush stores, of which there are relatively few across the UK. Alternatively, you can order from the website (www.lush.co.uk), although expect to pay a fair bit for shipping. This is part of the festive range, so expect it to vanish in the New Year :(

Ingredients:
Sodium Bicarbonate, Citric Acid, Perfume, Marjoram oil (Thymus mastichina), Rose absolute (Rosa damascena), Basil oil (Ocimum basilicum), Peppermint Oil (Mentha piperita), *Eugenol, *Geraniol, *Benzyl Benzoate, *Citronellol, *Linalool, Colour 42045, Colour 18050, Fresh Parsley Sprig (Carum petroselinum)
* Occurs naturally in Essential Oils

Lush say:
"At Lush we think it's time to reclaim magic spells as something full of wonder and delight. We love to use traditional herbs and essential oils that make such a difference to our minds and bodies, people in ancient times thought that they must be the work of supernatural beings, good or evil. Really, they were the work of nature, which can be a great deal more powerful than we think.

In our Magic Ballistic, a two layer bath spell, we use marjoram and rose in the outer casing and peppermint and basil for the magical ball inside. Combined, they form a doubly effective spell to bring growth and prosperity, vitality and energy. A small sprig of parsley in the centre, which is rumoured to help virility. Another tradition says that if you dream of roses this brings you good luck and success. Marjoram in folklore is a symbol of great happiness and keeps fleas away; in ancient times these two things were probably closely related."

I say:
Keep those fleas at bay, bring yourself a bit of happiness, and most of all just enjoy the uplifting, head-clearing scent whilst surrounded by indigo-blue waters :)

Summary: An aromatherapy spell for feeling good :)