How to Use LUSH Bubble Bars - Video

How to Cut your LUSH Soaps - Video

Original text post can be found here

How to Cut Your LUSH Products

Cutting your LUSH products can save you lots of money, and help you get the most out of whatever products you are using. 

There are many different ways to cut LUSH products, and there is no wrong way to do it. I'm going to outline the way I prefer to cut my soaps, and bubble bars. 

In the next few days I will be posting a video version of this tutorial, and will link it below.

Cutting Soaps

1. Before you cut your soap, get something to cut them on. I usually cut soaps in my room the day I get them, so I just cut them on the LUSH bag.
2. Get a knife. Some people say you should use a sharp cutting knife, but I find I can get away with using a butter knife (or one you normally use to eat with, just make sure you wash the knives after cutting your soap) to cut with. 
3. If you're cutting a particularly thick, or hard soap, it may help you if you warm your knife under some hot water.
4. Figure out what kind of shape you want your soaps to have. I tend to cut them into generic rectangular pieces. Cut them into any shape you prefer, just make sure they are more manageable than the original piece.
5. Plan out your cuts. Before I cut anything, I make light marks in the soap with my knife in an attempt to make even pieces.
6. This is optional, but since I like to cut my soap into rectangles, I try to get the pattern/texture (if there is one) on my soap. I do this by standing the soap upright with the pattern facing upward, and slicing downward. If you want this as well, plan accordingly.
7. Once you've got everything figured out, start cutting. LUSH soap tends to be very soft, so you shouldn't have a lot of trouble slicing up soap.
8. As soon as everything's cut, I wrap up my soap in plastic wrap and put it in my drawer. You could also store your soaps in an air tight jar (they're available at Michael's) and store them in your bathroom. Just make sure that if they're in your bathroom, water can't get at them easily.

Complete video on cutting LUSH soaps can be found here

Cutting Bubble Bars

1. I do not cut up my bubble bars the day I buy them. Cutting them up and putting them into storage can be problematic. Sometimes my bubble bars sit for a while without being used, and they lose their moisture. So, I don't cut them up until the day I plan to use them.
2. Just like cutting soaps, get something to cut your bubble bars on. A cutting board will work.
3. Get your knife all ready. Once again, I still use a butter knife. Bubble bars are rarely hard to cut. 
4. Don't forget to plan out all of cuts. There is no need to use all of your bubble bar since many bath tubs are small. I like to cut my bubble bars in halves or quarters depending on the bubble bar and its size.
5. Start cutting. You will notice that bubble bars do crumble. That's fine. When you use a bubble bar, you crumble them up anyways. I like to save the crumbled pieces and use them up.
6. After you've cut everything, put your bubble bars into a bag (I use ziplock bags) and store them away from moisture and sunlight. Leaving them near moisture will melt them, and the sun will fade them.

Storing Your LUSH Products

With a large amount of LUSH products, sometimes it can become difficult figuring out how to store them all. You don't want your LUSH bath bombs breaking, or your soaps melting away. 

To prevent this, I will be describing how I store my LUSH products. I do not have a very extensive collection of LUSH, but I do have a fair amount of products.

Listed below I have a list of tips and ideas on storing different bath, and shower products from LUSH.

1. Don't leave soap in its original packaging.
        The oils from the soap will seep away into the brown packaging paper and ruin the quality of your soaps. Instead, wrap your soaps in plastic wrap.
2. Don't leave your soaps anywhere humid, especially the shower. 
        They will melt away and you'll have wasted all of your money for nothing.
3. Remember to cut up all of your soaps.
        Using a massive soap block isn't a good idea - it will waste your soap.
   

   A full tutorial on how to cut your LUSH soap products can be found here

4. Fresh face masks are supposed to be kept fresh.
        Keep them in the fridge. Although, make sure whoever you share the fridge with knows that this shouldn't be thrown away. I keep a sticky note on it saying, "DON'T THROW OUT!''
5. For your bubble bars and bath melts, cut them up too.
        Many bath tubs are too small to handle the amount of bubbles that are created. Your bath tub may even overflow. This saves you tons of money in the long run.
   

   An explanation on cutting your LUSH bath products can be found here

6. When you cut up your bubble bars, there will be crumbs - save them.
        Throw them in your bath. They will still make bubbles no problem.
7. After you've cut up all your bubble bars/melts, put them into plastics bags.
        This keeps them nice and fresh, and will prevent colour fading.
8. Before you cut any of your bath products, warm your knife under hot water.
        It will make cutting into the soap much easier.
9. Keep all of your LUSH products, especially bath bombs/melt/ect., in a dark, cool, dry place.
        Storing them in a dark, cool, dray place will prevent fading, and keep the products from melting.
10. Buy the aluminum tins for solid shampoos, massage bars, and body butters.
         Sure it may seem like a useless waste of money, but it will keep your products lasting, and fresh.
11. Be warned that LUSH products in packaging (shampoos, facial cleansers, ect.) can have the labels wear off in the shower.
         Leaving these types of products in the shower, under water can wear off the black label. This may, or may not bother you depending on your preference. 
12. Don't keep your LUSH products for too long.
         Since they are mainly natural products, they will only last so long. Use them in a timely manner to get the best results.
13. Don't overload yourself with soap. 
          Unlike bath bombs and bubbles bars that can only be used a couple times, LUSH soap lasts a very long time once you've cut it. You will become overwhelmed with soap if you buy too much, and waste your money.

Your First Time at LUSH

Your first time at LUSH can be very overwhelming, with all the different products, it's hard to know exactly where to start. 

Here I've compiled a list, from each of the cosmetic categories LUSH provides, that make a great starting point for your first time at LUSH.

After the list of cult favourites, I will also list some general tips about starting your collection.

All of these products work for all skin types, hair types, have top rated scents, and are perfect for everyday use. 

Please note that this list was complied from reviews, and videos about experiencing LUSH for the first time, and I personally have not tried all of the products listed.

I did not list any soaps, or body butters since scent is highly subjective from person to person. I also did not list any face masks seeing as they can only be purchased in store, and it is hard to know if you really enjoy it without trying it out in store first.

The Cult Classics...

1. Big Shampoo
        Big Shampoo is one of the top rated products at LUSH. It is a fresh smelling shampoo that gives volume and shine to your hair. It will make the texture of your hair so much smoother, and softer than it was originally. No matter what your hair type, Big will add volume and body to your hair.
2. American Cream Conditioner
        This vanilla scented conditioner is a thinner conditioner compared to most, so thicker haired girls take note, and may not show the best results if your hair is excessively dry. Despite that, American Cream will leave your hair with moisture and shine, coupled with a scent that lasts all day long. 
3. Ocean Salt Scrub
        Ocean Salt is the most popular scrub LUSH has created. It is useful for your face, and body, to remove excess dirt and dead skin cells from clogged pores. Even though it can be a bit too abrasive for some, this is an excellent exfoliator.
   A complete review here
   
4. Almond and Coconut Shower Smoothie
        This shower smoothie is a great body wash if you want something to moisturize your skin. This shower smoothie is also one of the many products at LUSH that can have multiple uses. If desired, you could use it as a shaving cream due to its moisturizing properties. Your skin will be left completely moisturized and with a subtle, sweet scent.
5. Flying Fox Shower Gel
        Another great shower gel by LUSH is the Flying Fox which will leave your skin feeling very crisp, and clean. It has also been promoted to help sooth, and calm you when stressed.
   A complete review here
6. Sympathy for the Skin Moisturizer
        This moisturizer will leave your skin greatly hydrated no matter what time of day you use it. The subtle scent of bananas won't linger for long, but your dry skin will be thanking you after using.

Starting out your Collection...

1. Don't buy everything in sight.
        Buy things that you like, not what others like. You don't want to go wasting your money on things you'll never use up.
2. Store your products properly. 
        Most people say that they don't like LUSH because it's overpriced and runs out quickly. It doesn't have to as long as you store your products correctly.
   
   A full description on cutting your LUSH products here
   A full description on storing all of your LUSH products here
3. Stock up on bath products over anything else.
        Don't waste your money on a pound of LUSH soap, or on a whole shipment of a moisturizer. LUSH products are designed to be long lasting. Besides bath products which have one, or two uses out of them, everything else will last your quite a while.
4. If you're not sure of where to start, ask someone who works in LUSH.
        All of the LUSH employees are very enthusiastic and knowledgable about the products. They will point you towards some great products, and even demonstrate some of them.
5. Don't underestimate samples.
        Samples are a great way to test out products. If you want to sample anything, simply ask someone who works there to cut you a sample size of a product.