I first tried Lush many years ago as I always struggled not to pack too many toiletries in my carry-on. I usually travel carry-on only and at the time I was wearing lenses so the liquids quickly added up.
Lush solid products are, well, solid, so they don’t count toward your carry-on liquid total. They were the perfect solution to my problem and I love packing my Lush conditioner bar, shampoo, toothy tabs, and deodorant alongside my facial cream, makeup remover, etc.
Read on for my Lush conditioner bar review and my experience with other solid Lush products.
Contents
The Lush conditioner bar
Lush conditioner bar review
I tried the conditioner bar called Big. When I first tried it, Big was more crumbly than the shampoo bars. It was a block and wouldn’t “run” but it would become a bit sticky at room temperature.
Luckily, they have improved their Big solid conditioner since then and it’s now more solid.
How to use Lush solid conditioner?
You rub it over your hair and then disperse it evenly. You can also rub the bar between your hands to warm the conditioner and apply it to your hair.
I do have to say the Lush Big conditioner bar feels less creamy than a regular conditioner which makes it hard to know if you’ve applied the right amount and if it’s really working. Trust me: it is.
You’ll see and feel the result when your hair is dry again. It’s just a matter of testing how many rubs of the conditioner you need the first time, depending on the kind of hair you have.
The Lush Big solid conditioner is easy to rinse out and once your hair is dry, there’s no way of telling you’ve used a hard conditioner instead of a regular one.
With a wide range of shampoo bars and conditioner bars for different hair types, you can easily find one suited to your hair. You buy them naked, without any packaging, or in a tin. I have a container to keep the bars clean and pack in my toiletry bag.
Some of the best Lush conditioner bars
– The American Cream shine-enhancing bar has numerous glowing reviews from people with varying hair types saying it smells amazing AND makes their hair smooth and not at all greasy.
– The Jungle Solid bar is made from cocoa butter and avocado. This LUsh hair conditioner helps with volume and taming frizz, not to mention, it smells great!
Find a Lush hair conditioner bar to suit your own hair type here.
Lush shampoo bars review
How to use Lush solid shampoo
To use the Lush shampoo bar, you make your hair wet like you would before using a normal shampoo. Then just take the shampoo bar and slide it over your hair about three times, depending on the length and thickness of your hair. I have long but really fine hair and three times was sufficient for me.
I was really surprised at how the Lush shampoo foamed nicely. Since it comes from a bar, I hadn’t expected that, but the shampoo has a nice texture and makes it feel like a regular shampoo once it’s in your hair.
There was no way of telling I had used a solid shampoo instead of a liquid one. My hair felt clean and the days after it didn’t become greasy again any quicker than it would with regular shampoo. I’ve been using the Lush shampoo and conditioner ever since this first test and am still a fan.
Find your ideal Lush shampoo bar here.
Lush deodorant bar review
Lush has several solid deodorants to choose from but I first tried the Aromaco block. It worked so well that I’ve stuck with it ever since and more so, it’s become Boyfriend’s favorite deodorant as well – and that’s saying something!
How to use the Lush deodorant bar?
First, wet your armpits then rub the deodorant bar against them. If you don’t moisten your armpits enough first, not much deodorant will come off the block.
To put the deodorant to the test I wore it for four straight hours of intense dance classes and you have to know: I get sweaty when I do any kind of exercise. The good thing with the Aromaco deodorant is that even though I sweat, my armpits don’t smell.
The only thing I didn’t like about Lush’s deodorant was that it sometimes left small pieces on my armpits when applying it. So make sure you check to see if you don’t have any white spots there.
Lush Toothy Tabs review
The Toothy Tabs are an alternative for liquid toothpaste. They’re shaped like small tablets, meaning you can easily take them with you in your carry-on and they’re not considered a liquid.
How to use Toothy Tabs?
Simply put a tablet in your mouth and crunch it with your teeth, it mingles with your saliva and starts to foam and feel a bit like normal toothpaste so you can brush your teeth. Wet your toothbrush enough as well though to make it easier.
There are several different flavors of Toothy Tabs, I suggest you try some of them before deciding if you like them. I tried the “ultrablast” taste the first time and I wasn’t blown away by the flavor. You want them to taste good as you first need to chew on them before you can begin brushing.
Although brushing your teeth with toothpaste tablets does not feel like brushing with normal toothpaste, the result is pretty much the same: clean teeth and a fresh mouth.
So, do Lush products work?
Yes! As it’s been several years since I first started using Lush’s non-liquid toiletries and am still using them, you probably guessed that I’m a fan. I mostly use the solid shampoo and conditioner bars, and the solid deodorant as those last way longer than the toothpaste tabs.
Lush Cosmetics, the company
Founded in 1995 by six people in the UK, it focuses on using natural ingredients and is strictly against animal testing. All items are suitable for vegetarians and products suitable for vegans are clearly marked as such.
Adopting a “grocery store approach”, products are sold by weight and wrapped in packaging carrying a “use by” date. That packaging is often just a paper wrap as the bulk of its products are sold “naked” to battle over-packaging in the shopping industry.
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Bennett - The Further Adventures of Bennett says
Have been a huge fan of the shampoo bar for years – Squeaky Green all the way! I should give the conditioner a try although I’m worried as my hair can get pretty greasy pretty quickly :/
Sofie says
You’re the second person to recomment the Squeaky Green. I’ll just have to try that one out!
My hair gets greasy rather quickly as well, but it’s changed the last year also.
Before it would just get greasy, now it gets greasy by the roots while the end stay rather dry.
I didn’t find Big to make my hair greasy any sooner than an other conditioner though. I think the same goes as for any conditioner: don’t apply it to the roots, but more on the ends and the middle parts.
Happy testing!:)
Gemma says
I’ve tried the shampoo and toothy tabs but not the conditioner or deodorant (yet). I wasn’t too keen on the toothy tabs, but we only tried out a couple of the flavours. One tasted just like soap, so wasn’t too pleasant! I loved the ‘Squeaky Green’ shampoo that I tried (especially as it is kind to the environment), but unfortunately it made Jean Robert sneeze. I’m tempted to try some of the others, and will just hope that he won’t be as sensitive!
Sofie says
Seems like we share an opinion on the Toothy Tabs:)
I’ve yet to try out the Squeaky Green shampoo, but will but it on the list.
Did you also get it in a box?
Gemma says
Yes, I bought the little tin too, which I think is a great idea. I’m surprised they don’t have something similar for the solid conditioner.
Sofie says
I know.
I think it’s because of their policy not to create too many ‘wrapping’, thought it would be more logical to have a tin for Big than it is to have one for the solid shampoos.
Laura says
I love Lush for all their innovative products! Taking solid cosmetics on a trip sounds like a great idea!
Sofie says
I love there stores as well. The colors, the scents… and it always feels so comfi in there:)
Solid products are definitely the way to go for me. i’m really trying to downsize more and more on what I pack each trip.
Without looking like a total bum, of course:)
Becky Padmore says
I love Lush products because they don’t test on animals and they also have great products of course! :-)
Sofie says
Yups, they’re firmly against animal testing!
They’re a pretty ‘green’ company
Bex says
I love Lush! I have used their shampoos in a tin both as a shampoo and body wash when travelling worldwide. They’re so useful.
Now I live in Greece, I miss their products – but will be back in the UK for the holiday season. Thanks for reminding me of their great products…I’ll be sure to check them out again next time I’m home.
Sofie says
What a great idea to use them as a body wash as well. Hadn’t thought of that.
Can’t your order them in Greece? Too expensive shipping costs, maybe?:/
B says
I guess I could get some shipped – but you’re right, shipping costs a lot.
And when I’m in Greece, I like to try to support local producers of similar products (sorry LUSH!) They use a lot of olive oil based products here in Greece.
Sofie says
I think it’s a good think that you’re trying to support the local economy. It definitely needs all the help it can get.
Besides, it’s a bit crazy to have something like soap shipped from another country when there are enough other brands in the local stores.
We already travel so much by plane, it would be irresponsible to let our goods do the same.
Mary Jo Manzanares says
I’ve used Lush products for nearly 20 years and love them. The solid shampoo/conditioner were two of a very few numbers of products that I don’t love. I have long, curly, and thick hair, and I could never muster up enough product for a good lather.
I have some Toothy Tabs but haven’t given them a try yet. Also, I love their handcrafted soaps and pack my own (I love Rock Star and Karma).
Sofie says
Wow, 20 years, really?
Now that’s what they call a loyal customer:)
I guess the kind of hair you have may play a role in whether the solid shampoo and conditioner are for you or not.
I’ve cursed my thin straight hair many times already, but it does seem to be a good fit with Lush’s solid products:)
Will have to give the soaps a try. Haven’t used them yet.
Alison McKenna says
I am a great Lush fan. For a start, I will never use toothpaste again since discovering their Toothy Tabs ~ for convenience, when travelling, as well as for having a long-lasting fresh mouth. Boom! the charcoal one is what I always use before going bed (this is my favourite), and then I use one of the others (I’ve tried them all) after breakfast. Greeench, their deodorant powder is the other wonder product. I took it, untried, to Slovakia and Hungary last year. The weather was much hotter than I had expected it to be and my clothes were far too warm so in the morning, I covered my body in Greeench (which is has a lovely feel ~ it’s softer than talcum powder), and I also put it into my shoes. By the end of every single, long day, I was still as fresh as a daisy. I now give Greeench as a ‘Bon voyage’ gift to friends who are going on long airline journeys.
Sofie says
That’s such a cool gift to give! Very practical too. Thanks for sharing your experience with Lush, Alison.