The Friday before last, I took a rather massive detour from my place of work in Bath, got lost in some windy country roads snaking through little villages, and somehow managed to end up at my destination – Lush at Cribbs Causeway! I love how Cribbs always seems equidistant from everywhere, a mecca of pure indulgence and blissful consumerism. Me and Tom used to pop to Cribbs just to have a wonder around (and inevitably come out with much lighter wallets!).

I had been invited along to a very special event that Lush were hosting, to showcase their new suncare range. It was a very lovely end to a rather crappy Friday; I very nearly didn’t go, but I am so glad I did.

After treating myself to dinner at Wagamama (yes, I am one of those weird people who has no problem with sitting by themselves in a restaurant… you can stare all you wish!) I hotfooted it over to the teeny little Lush store, and immediately bumped into fellow Bristolian blogging lovelies She and Hem.

We were ushered inside, and I was completely overwhelmed at how friendly and welcoming the staff were. I’ve always considered a career at Lush – every time I’ve been into one of their shops the staff seem genuinely pleased to be there, and are always cheerful and helpful. There was a member of staff positioned at various ‘stations’ around the event, talking us through some of the products.

After chatting to a lovely lady about haircare, I wandered over to where some fellow bloggers were getting stuck in making fresh face masks! This particular mixture was destined to be a pot of Catastrophe Cosmetic, packed with powerful antioxidant blueberries and calming to the skin. If you follow me on you will know that I could hardly wait to plaster it all over my mush when I got home, and it really did do my skin wonders.

Of course, the next half hour or so was spent wondering around pressing various brightly coloured things to my nose, and smelling absolutely EVERYTHING. I can get completely and utterly lost in Lush, and love how there are always new things to smell every time I go in there. I also spent a good deal of my time completely boring the pants off the poor chap who stopped to listen to me, detailing every single product I’ve bought, the things I’m sad they don’t sell any more (including Alkmaar, Tramp, and that weird banana soap they made in drainpipes), and how they should bring back Rose Jam.

Of course, the star of the show was their new suncare range – I was lucky enough to be a guinea pig for a sample of the African Paradise treatment, and can confirm that it both smells absolutely gorgeous, and left my skin beautifully smooth and moisturised. It has fresh mango to brighten the skin, as well as one of my favourite scents, moringa. We were also treated to a sample of Million Dollar Moisturiser (which left my hand baby-smooth), and the lovely Lush lady explained to me the benefits of their SLush fund, and how it is contributing directly to their products. As if we needed an excuse to love Lush any more?!

We were very lucky to receive a goody bag on the way out – as well as the samples of Sunblock, Yuzu & Cocoa, Happy Hippy and Shine So Bright, I also treated myself to a larger than usual bottle of my favourite conditioner, American Cream, and some Daddy-O shampoo to re-blondify my brassy locks.

I haven’t had a chance to test the Yuzu & Cocoa bubble bar, or the Sunblock, but I am intrigued to see if it really does have the SPF protection, if the sun ever makes a reappearance! The Happy Hippy shower gel is sure to be a favourite with everyone – I can’t see how anyone couldn’t love its cheery grapfruity smell. It also benefits from frankincense, which compliments it beautifully, and is gentle enough for all skin types, leaving mine lovely and soft.

My favourite product from this entire haul, however, is the Shine So Bright. This little tin is a balm for hair, something I had trouble grasping at first. The solid balm melts instantly onto your fingertips for easy application through the ends of your hair, leaving it feeling nourished and smelling absolutely amazing. I really can’t rate this highly enough – it tames my flyaway, over bleached locks without making my hair greasy, and the citrussy floral smell has a slightly spicy woody note to it, and lingers on my hair all day. Beautiful.

What’s your favourite Lush product?

Thank you so much again to everyone at Lush Cribbs Causeway for inviting me, for all the lovely treats, and for putting up with my crazy fangirl ramblings!