Get Down With LUSH USA’s Dirty Springwash Shower Gel –You’ll Come Out Squeaky Clean!
Christina Aguilera may have been too “dirrty” to clean up her act, but that doesn’t mean you have to follow in her footsteps! Not that there’s anything wrong with a little missbehavin’ — especially when it’s as much fun as dirty, sweaty, body-on-body, lambada-style dancing or a spicy, risqué dirty talking session that would make Brett Michaels give an approving thumbs-up. But, when it comes to actual filth, dust, muck, and grime, dirty is rarely sexy. To wash the day away, try the Lush USA Dirty Springwash Shower Gel ($9.95 for 3.3 oz., $17.95 for 8.8 oz., and 27.95 for 16 oz. at LUSHusa.com), an invigorating cleanser that’s utterly refreshing.
Like all LUSH products, the Dirty Springwash Shower Gel features 100% natural ingredients and comes packaged in a bottle made of recyclable plastic (in keeping with the brand’s eco-conscious roots). Furthermore, all LUSH products are made by hand — in fact, each bottle, box, tube, tin, or jar bears a round sticker with the first name of the person who whipped up your particular product batch, along with a whimsical illustration of him/her, followed by the date when the product was packaged and an estimated expiration date. These stickers are part of what I love about LUSH since, after staring at these illustrations for long periods of time, you come to think of the personalities featured as friends of sorts. Perfect example: my Springwash Shower Gel bottle was made by Reggie, a chill-looking, peace sign-flashing, smiling African-American dude with twisted locks, an olive green military cap, and glasses who really reminds me of a graphic designer who worked with me during my Complex magazine days. Given that I’ve been using this shower gel non-stop since I received a sample to test out, I’ve come to think of Reggie as my homie. But I digress…
Originally created as part of a new range of shower gels for men, the Dirty Springwash Shower Gel quickly became a hit with both genders (yes, you may have to hide this one from your boyfriend, husband, or son!) thanks to the tingling, refreshing sensation it creates, the result of the spearmint oil and the menthol crystals in the formula, which keep the skin cool even as you stand beneath a stream of hot water. Sea salt, meanwhile, works to gently exfoliate the skin (without there being any crushed particles that could feel abrasive or irritating), increase circulation, and detoxifier; while glycerin softens and hydrates the skin. As for the tingling sensation? That’s the result of the sodium bicarbonate in the formula, which helps to balance pH levels and neutralize odors (think of how baking soda works in your refrigerator and then apply the concept to the beauty/hygiene realm).
Available in three sizes (from a travel-ready 3.3 fl. oz. bottle to a larger 16 oz. bottle), the Dirty Springwash Shower Gel is perfect for the humid, sticky days of summer — plus the cleanser has an azure blue color that will remind you of ocean expanses. But, of course, it’s also the type of cleanser you can use in the winter when the chilly weather makes you feel a bit sluggish and you need a quick aromatherapy boost.
Personally, I tend to detest shower gels and shampoos that smell like mint since I feel like that’s a scent that should be reserved for oral hygiene products (even Mojitos don’t do it for me), but I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the scent of the Dirty Springwash Shower Gel. Rather than peppermint which can oftentimes register as either too pungent or overly saccharine, the spearmint oil feels crisp and fresh, not too tart or too sweet. And, of course, the additional of sea salt lends the scent a slightly beachy quality.
With the Dirty Springwater, then, every shower can be a clean slate!
