Retro Lush Chai Shower Gel review

Chai was discontinued back in 2005 and it been available to purchase on the Retro range on the Lush website or a while now. After the success of Slammer I was keen to try Chai, though a little wary of the description: “It’s for times when you need the refreshing feeling of a cup of hot tea”. Hmmmm well I don’t like or drink tea but I am rather intrigued. There’s only one way to find out what this gel is like… where’s my bath towel?

The Shower Gel

Lush recommend this shower gel for toning purposes due to teas astringent properties. It also contains a lot of warming oils- ginger and cinnamon.

Chai is a beautiful pinkish red colour and comes in a clear bottle with a flip top lid and white Retro Lush label. On opening the bottle I am greeted by a smell not unlike cough syrup and I am a little concerned.

Product in action

In the shower I just used my hands to work up a decent lather and was pleased with a satisfying amount of lather, what was really interesting was how the spices worked to ease the aches of the day away. I felt warmer and didn’t dread leaving the hot shower like I often do. It seemed to revitalise me.

After the first shower my skin was left feeling quite smooth, though perhaps not as smooth as when I shower with The Olive Branch. I feel comforted by the smell of Chai as it was a little like being hugged by my Mum. The smell of ginger tea reminds me so much of my parents as they don’t start the day without it. It would be something I would use when feeling homesick. The scent didn’t really linger on my skin, and so using Chai is purely about the effect it has while in the shower.

Value for money

Chai costs £12.25 for a 500g bottle, and though I like how it makes me feel I would only use it in the colder months and therefore I would never purchase such a large bottle Regrettably Lush only sell it in the 500g bottles; it would be nice to see smaller bottles available for people who plan to use it as a winter shower gel. £12.25 plus postage is rather expensive though I am certain Chai has it’s die hard fans.

A small amount goes a long way with this gel as it lathers up so well. If you are in a big rush you can wash your hair with it, but I would not make a habit of it. This is more of a treat for your body than your hair, especially if your body gets a little creaky in the winter like mine. The scent is also unisex so the bottle could be a real money saver if you share it with your partner/ family.

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