Lush vs. The Body Shop: Which Beauty Brand Wins?

My bathroom resembles a mini beauty store, overflowing with Lush and The Body Shop goodies from years of shopping sprees. Both brands promise great products, but which one is the real deal?

Let us compare these two brands, based on my experience and what is out there.

For bath time, the bath bombs of Lush are unbeatable. When I drop a Twilight bomb, it slowly fizzes away in the tub with its dusky pink exterior giving way to streams of purple that gently turn into a deep indigo hue with delicate shimmering stars. The scented escape spreads so widely that my flatmates downstairs smell it! They only cost about $7 each, but online reviews praise them for their natural oils. The Body Shop’s shower gels, though, last much longer. My Lush bottles empty in two weeks, even with careful use, while Body Shop gels keep going.

Body butters? The Body Shop’s mango butter is my hero, soothing my dry winter skin with a smooth but non-greasy feel. Online, customers attest to loving their long-lasting moisture, though some mention artificial scents. Lush’s Dream Cream is great for super-dry spots but feels too thick for daily use.

On sustainability, Lush is ahead. Their solid shampoo bars, which I’ve used for months, cut out plastic waste. Online, Lush’s packaging-free options get praise. The Body Shop offers refill stations, but they’re not everywhere, and plastic bottles are still common, which frustrates eco-conscious shoppers.

Price-wise, both can sting. The Body Shop’s 3-for-2 deals save me during holiday shopping, making it easier to stock up. Lush feels pricier for one-use items. Staff-wise, Lush’s chatty employees are fun if you want tips, but The Body Shop’s quieter vibe suits quick visits.

My take! Go with the Body Shop for daily must-haves and Lush for special treats. My bathroom is still loyal to both!

By Kiana

The Truth About Organic Skincare: Is It Worth It?

Nowadays organic skin care is gaining a lot of popularity; but is it something genuinely better for your skin? The short answer is “it depends”. The products labeled as organic are supposed to be not containing any synthetic chemicals, parabens, and any artificial ingredients for fragrance. This could be better for people with sensitive skin. The brands like Pai Skincare and Green People offer products made of clean plant-based ingredients and are quite often effective for people who are concerned about sensitive skin and allergies.

However, organic labeled products may not always be more effective. There are some non-organic skin care products that contain clinically tested ingredients like retinol or peptides that offer faster results. Being said that, organic skin care products might be many consumers who are eco conscious due to the sustainable sourcing and cruelty free policies followed by these organic brands.

Over the last three weeks, we tested several organic cleansers moisturisers, and face masks. Although, results seem to be subtle, skin appeared calmer and less irritated. If you are switching to organic products you may need to give your skin some time to adjust and always check the ingredient labels; because it is possible that some brands misuse the term “organic”.

So, what is the verdict here? If you are someone who value natural ingredients and sustainability, then organic skin care can be worth for you. But if you are after some properties of organic and scientific formulations might be the best option to go with.

By Kiana

Trying Out: Rimmel’s New Stay Matte Range

Last month, I purchased three of Rimmel’s new Stay Matte bits at Superdrug. Just thought I could post my honest review on whether they are worth your cash.

The foundation just costed £7.99, but the result was really surprising for me. Most of the matte bases I have used before were making my skin look like dried out paper, but this one didn’t cause any dry patches. This is really helpful to keep my forehead from getting shiny in the afternoons. The shade range needs serious work though. It has only 10 options which doesn’t sound great in 2025.

The powder costs £4.99; and is excellent for touch-ups. I keep it in my handbag so that I can have it handy when my nose gets shiny during the day I’ve layered it on three times during a long workday, but never looked cakey. I found the tiny mirror in the compact useless though; you can barely see one eye in it!

The £5.99 lipstick was a bit disappointing. While it didn’t dry my lips out like most matte lippies, it wore off after my morning coffee. I had to reapply it, which was bit messy.

All the three products have that typical Rimmel smell. It may remind you the old-fashioned makeup your grandma used to wear. Not terrible, but not great either, I would say.

For just under twenty quids total, the foundation and powder have earned a spot in my daily makeup bag. The lipstick? I’ll stick to my trusty Maybelline one instead.

If you’re after some decent makeup that will fit your budget, the Stay Matte stuff is worth picking up next time you’re passing Boots. Just skip the lipstick unless you don’t mind constant touch-ups.

By Kiana

5-Minute Face: Makeup Shortcuts for Hectic Mornings

I used to enjoy the luxury of a proper makeup routine, which then got disrupted when my train started leaving 30 minutes earlier. I had to race against the clock and often lose in it. However, this made me to work on the art of doing makeups in minutes, and I finally perfected it.

First, be brave enough to throw away those complicated products! The game-changer decision I made was switching to a tinted moisturiser with SPF. The one you can get from The Ordinary gives some good coverage without having separate foundation, moisturiser, and sunscreen. On a particularly hectic morning, I will just smear it just around my nose and under the eyes rather than applying it everywhere.

Cream products have some key role here. With just fingertips, they can be blended in seconds. I just swipe the same peachy cream stick on cheeks and lips as I wait for the kettle to boil or the microwave to finish.

Mascara is a must to have for me as my tired eyes need all the help they can get! A quick wiggle makes the lashes look fuller without needing three coats.

If those dark circles are making me concerned, I will tap some concealer just at the inner corners, rather than the whole under-eye. This was a trick I learned from a makeup artist I met at a store.

I remember my flatmate used to swear by filling in her eyebrows. I just started using a clear brow gel instead. Need just ten seconds, and they will look groomed enough.

I keep everything in a small makeup bag by the door; and no running around needed. Some morning I’ve even managed the whole routine while waiting for my Uber to arrive

Everything lives in a small makeup bag by the door—no rummaging required. Some mornings I manage the whole routine while waiting for my Uber to arrive.

Tell me your smart ways to manage a hectic morning without stressing over not having enough time for a satisfying makeup.

By Kiana

The Perfect Match: Finding Your Ideal Shampoo

As you walk down the shampoo aisle have you ever felt like entering a maze? With numerous bottles from several brands promising miracles, how do you make up your mind for one?

I just figured out the secret after years of bad hair days! Its simple- match the formula to your actual needs, rather than looking at the prettiest packaging and luring claims.

My roommate once changed to clarifying shampoos with tea tree oil, and it just transformed her oily hair, which was a great relief for her. And, when I started using products containing argan-infused formulas myself, my parched strands finally came back to life.

Always listen to your scalp too. My sister ignored the flakiness on her scalp for months before trying a Zinc Pyrithione shampoo; it was so effective which helped her to avoid the scratching during meetings 😊

If your hair is colour treated, it requires some special attention. My own experience taught me that sulphates are the worst enemy of hair colour. My expensive highlights lasts weeks longer once I switched to a gentler formula.

If you are adoring your curly folks, then don’t think those moisturising ingredients like coconut milk are just marketing fluff. My cousin’s spirals went from frizzy to defined curls when she found the right match.

Also, the frequency matters. It may work for some people to do some daily washing; but it may destroy some others’ already dry ends. Everyone is different.

And, don’t feel guilty to spend a bit more at times, though. Some of the premium ingredients can genuinely outperform those cheap versions. But, just be aware that price isn’t everything. I’ve found £6 gems which beat some £25 disappointments.

By Kiana