hiddenmuse | Oh Make Me Over ...

Since moving to San Francisco in March of this year, I have been able to further feed into my addiction to Lush Handmade Cosmetics.

It all started with Bare Naked Lady powder, purchased in Toronto, Canada about 2 years ago. (Yes, it was named for that group of Fully-Dressed Canadian Men - but smells rather lady-like.)

Then, on a visit to California, I bought some of the soaps: Karma, Red Rooster and a still-favorite, Honey I Washed The Kids.

Now, I live in California, where Lush is a short bus ride from home, or a brisk after-work walk from the office. I've tried a variety of the Bath Bombs and Bubble Bars - and have my share of favorites.

Recently, I've decided to expand my horizons, so to speak, and try their haircare and skincare products. Since I have color-treated (red ... hardest to get in, easiest to get out) and oily hair, I've had a hard time finding a decent shampoo that (a) doesn't strip out my color - I realize that the color coming out is an inevitability, but the longer I can keep the color, the better; and (b) can be used on a daily basis, if needed.

While Lush does make excellent bottled shampoos, I'm giving their solid shampoos a whirl. The Hard shampoo (for hard water) works pretty nicely, doesn't strip the color, and smells good. My only gripe is that its formulation makes it such that, while my current bar of shampoo could last 5 years, it takes me ten minutes short of eternity to lather up to my liking. :-/

I was able to get a sample of Hybrid, which is a shampoo and conditioner in one bar. I've used it once (so far), and actually like it better than the Hard shampoo. Okay, so that's because it lathers up more easily - and it does have the conditioner already in it. Besides, there's something inherently fun about using Tahini as a conditioner - it's not only delicious in hummus, but along with cocoa butter, it makes for some good conditioning.

Unfortunately, the Jungle solid conditioner did nothing for me - except leave me with some serious fly-away hair. Maybe I wasn't using it right, out of this fear that I would be over-conditioning my hair. I've got enough to give it one more try before writing it off entirely.

Also in the running is the Fuel solid conditioner. I haven't tried my sample of it yet, but I probably will as soon as I've used the Jungle one last time.

Since I was a kid, I've had problems with my skin. Mainly in the form of oily skin - and sporadic breakouts. I've tried products with Benzoyl Peroxide (only to have the "typical" reaction of redness and a bit of swelling), witch hazel, tea tree oil, face powders with corn starch, even prescription medications for adult acne that came around before I hit 30. Sure, they helped to temper the breakouts, but nothing seemed to control that oil slick on my face. I'd reached a point of resignation when it came to wearing foundation or powder of any kind - especially since it seemed like my skin would suck up the cosmetics in less than an hour, and I was left with the dermatological equivalent of the Exxon Valdez disaster on my face.

But, enough of my angsting. I've just started using the Coalface soap on my face in the daytime, with great results. My skin feels nice and smooth, and the oil factor has been reduced considerably. It may not be cut down 100%, but it's more manageable.

At night, I use the Ocean Salt, which, as the packaging says, "We take the lime and the coconut (and grapefruit and sea salt) and mix them up together in our stimulating, fruity, vodka-based face scrub." Personally, I liked the opinion of the BUST Magazine intern that reviewed this product a few years back and likened it to falling face-first into a pitcher of margaritas.

It smells yummy and ocean-y, and makes my skin feel good and tingly. Although, the tingly factor is what prompted me to restrict my use of Ocean Salt to nighttime only, out of concern that I'd wash up with it in the morning and go to work with a red face!

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