Review: LUSH Life's A Beach

Hello Princesses!

Today I'm going to be talking about a new LUSH product called Life's A Beach! This product is just an Australian and New Zealand release, specifically fund-raising for two separate issues that we sadly both have. I will be touching on the New Zealand Seabed Mining below, and you can read about the Australian Grave Barrier Reef here. 100% of the proceeds of this scrub (minus GST) is donated to each cause.

"LUSH joins fight against seabed mining
Between April 7 to April 15 LUSH Cosmetics are joining Kiwis Against Seabed Mining (KASM) to save New Zealand’s natural coastlines. KASM and LUSH are aiming to put pressure on legislators to implement a moratorium on seabed mining operations, pending the commission and completion of thorough scientific research into the impacts and implications of such industrial activities. KASM has been already successful in blocking past seabed mining operations in the courts.

Some industry estimates claim as much as a third of future mineral production could come from beneath the oceans. It is therefore crucial that we learn to curtail destructive and environmentally irresponsible operations, which have the potential to eradicate marine life from huge stretches of seabed and cause massive habitat degradation.

Phil McCabe, founder of KASM, says ‘New Zealand is an Island Nation full of Coastal People. We love our marine environment and will not allow it to be damaged by an unproven industry called Seabed Mining. Our government has underestimated the destructive nature of seabed mining as well as the commitment of New Zealanders to protect our oceans for future generations. We’re stoked to have LUSH standing beside us as we call on our government to place a moratorium on seabed mining.’

The campaign aims to spread awareness and also to demonstrate public support for an immediate ban on seabed mining. Throughout the week-long campaign LUSH will be donating all proceeds (minus GST) from the sale of our exclusive, Limited Edition campaign product, Life’s a Beach body scrub (RRP $10.90) to KASM in support of their legal work against seabed mining." (1) 

 "Life's A Beach is an ocean inspired, brightening and uplifting body scrub. Full of fresh sea salt and sand, this limited edition body scrub has all the exfoliation power to smooth and rejuvenate all skin types. Scented with a fresh summery Melon fragrance, this fruity and light scent will perfume your skin and turn heads. Use sparingly after cleansing your skin to feel squeaky clean. Life's A Beach body scrub was created exclusively for Australia and New Zealand to support our campaign to Stop Seabed Mining. Whenever you buy a pot to scrub with, 100% of the proceeds (except for the GST) goes to Kiwi's Against Seabed Mining to help fund their campaign to Stop Seabed Mining!

Fine Sea Salt (Fine Sea Salt), Sand (Sand), Sodium Bicarbonate (Sodium Bicarbonate), Perfume (Perfume), *Limonene (*Limonene), Gardenia Extract (Gardenia jasminoides)" (2) 

Ok guys, lets get real here. This is a $10.90 pot of salt, sand, and smells. I struggled to get my head around the thought that I'm purchasing a tub of sand (my home town is a beach town, so sand is usually free for me) but it's just so convenient and smells so lovely!

The lovely LUSH ladies recommended mixing this Body Scrub Powder with a body wash so it forms a paste, and I think that it's a great idea! It works really well this way, because otherwise the sand tends to fall straight off instead of sticking to my body. You also get more product for your money by mixing it yourself! I prefer to mix this scrub with a more neutral smelling body wash (shea butter, coconut or vanilla) rather than a stronger or sweeter smells (I used LUSH's Snow Fairy in these photos) because the mix of strong smells is a little weird!

The scrub itself it so lovely! The Melon scent makes it smell quite summery and beachy, without smelling gross and salty. It's super easy to use, I mix mine before I get into the shower (I make the mix a littler drier because my hands will already be wet) but make sure to rinse the shower out after using it because it will be sandy!

The million dollar question is, does regular sand from the beach do just a good a job? Obviously self harvested sand from the beach is free, thus there is no money going towards stopping seabed mining, and it also doesn't smell nearly as nice. You might need to sift the sand to pull out any small or broken seashells/glass, and potentially boil it to get any nasties out of it, but in all honesty it works just as well!

What I Love

- Smells lovely, beachy and summery without being salty and gross

- The tub will last quite a while

- Inexpensive at $10.90 for 225g
- Works really well

What I Don't Love

- Regular sands works just as well, minus the lovely smell

Final Thoughts

I really like this scrub! It's more exfoliating than LUSH's other body scrubs or exfoliators, but it's not so harsh that I cringe while using it. It's easy to use, the scent is lovely, and you can mix it up with your own body wash to make it smell even nicer! It is $10.90 for a pot of sand, and in all honesty a jar of sand from your local beach will work just as well. If you would like a sand scrub that smells delicious and want to join the fight against Seabed Mining, then grab a pot of this gorgeous scrub! ^.^

Visiting Hobbiton

Hello Lovelies!

Today I wanted to share with you my visit to Hobbiton! I actually visited during the summer time in New Zealand (February to be more precise) and have just taken two months to find the best pictures! I think I took more than 400 pictures :3

This post is going to be super photo heavy with some half remembered facts from the tour. >< 

(This is the road where Frodo waits for Gandalf in The Fellowship of the Ring)

The set of Hobbiton is located in Matamata, which is a mere 30-40 minute drive away from Hamilton. My mother, younger sister and I decided to visit while we were driving from Gisborne to Hamilton before University started.

The tour takes you onto a very old school bus with a driving tour guide and your Hobbiton tour guide. The drive to Hobbiton is about 5minutes along a narrow dirt road on a steep incline with an impressive drop while the driver drives way too fast. I was impressed I hadn't vomited or pooped my pants by the time we got to Hobbiton. Seriously nerve testing stuff.

Hobbiton was originally built for the Lord of the rings trilogy and was to be demolished after the movie was completed. However they only got halfway through the demolitions when the owner of the farm it was built on stepped in to save the rest to turn it into guided tour's of Hobbiton! When The Hobbit film was being produced, they decided to rebuild Hobbiton as a permanent structure.

The 26-ton oak tree overlooking Bag End was cut down and brought in from near Matamata. Each branch was numbered and chopped, then transported, placed, and bolted back together according to Peter Jackson's whims. Artificial leaves were then imported from Taiwan and individually wired onto the dead tree to give it life.

 (Bilbo's House)

Most of the hobbit holes are actually really small and are all built to a certain scale. Sam and Rosie's hobbit hole is the only hobbit hole built to a 100% scale.

(Sam and Rosie's Hobbit Hole)

If you're over 5ft 2ins you are too tall to act as a male hobbit. If you are over 5ft you are too tall to act as a female hobbit.

At the end of the tour you come to the green dragon inn and get a free ginger beer! Super cute! ^^

I had so much fun at Hobbiton! I totally recommend this to anyone who lives here, or comes to New Zealand for a holiday.