Every winter Lush releases a small collection of limited edition products for Valentine's Day. These items tend towards the pink and sparkly and sweet, but sometimes one of them catches my interest and makes me wish it were a year-round item. Two years ago, I felt that way about The Kiss lip gloss (really a whipped balm, and now back as a re-release!); last year, I was enthusiastic about the Tender is the Night massage bar. This year, my pick is Prince Charming Shower Gel.
Prince Charming's ingredients include pomegranate juice, grapefruit oil, sandalwood oil and geranium oil, as well as natural "decoctions" of marshmallow (the plant, not the dessert item) and vanilla pod. Sniffed directly from the bottle, it's a tart, juicy blend of pomegranate and citrus. Used in a steamy shower, Prince Charming smells deeper and more complex. The fruit notes are perfectly balanced by the creamy vanilla, and although I can't identify the sandalwood as a separate note, there's definitely a warm and woodsy undercurrent that makes the overall fragrance more sophisticated than I expected.
I have friends and acquaintances who don't shop at Lush because they think the products are all too bright, too sweet-smelling and too juvenile for their tastes. That's a shame, because I could recommend plenty of other Lush products (skincare, hand creams, certain soaps) that they might enjoy. Prince Charming is definitely bubble-gum pink (see below), but it smells nothing like, for example, the bright pink and cloyingly sugary Snow Fairy Shower Gel. (For reference: I love Lush's shower gels Rose Jam, Grass and the dear departed Happy for SAD. Lush shower gels that are just too sweet or strong for me include Flying Fox and It's Raining Men.)
In addition to having a very appealing scent, Prince Charming is gentle on winter skin, thanks to its soothing marshmallow root and moisturizing almond oil. I've also been using it as a hand wash at the sink, and I may try it as a shampoo one morning. I'd like this product even more if Lush had tinted it a deeper shade of red and named it something like Forbidden Fruit or Persephone, but then it probably wouldn't sell as well, right? In any case, don't let the packaging put you off; Prince Charming may be more your type than you think.
Lush Prince Charming Shower Gel sells in 100g ($9.95), 250g ($19.95) and 500g ($29.95) bottles. For purchasing information, see the listing for Lush under Perfume Houses.
Note: top image shows detail of illustration of Sleeping Beauty by Walter Crane via Wikimedia Commons.
I really enjoy Rose Jam (the cologne) sometimes. I like Lust but didn’t buy it since I already have the ultimate jasmine, SL A la Nuit. I don’t use shower gels, but if this one also come as a cologne or solid, I will try to check it out.
I somehow never nabbed Rose Jam perfume when it was available! — but I do have a small stash of the shower gel to last me until next winter, when it will (I hope!) be re-released.
I discovered Rose Jam this year and I LOVE it. First Lush product I’ve tried. Best shower gel ever. Crushed it’s seasonal, but I stocked up with the BOGO sale. I dismissed Prince Charming thinking it would be over sweetened, but maybe I’ll give it a shot after valentines day if it goes on clearance!
Tempted to try Flying Fox now… I can’t imagine a shower gel being TOO strong.
“Strong” depends on the taste of the individual, of course! — I love Rose Jam, so it’s never “too much” for me, but jasmine sometimes smells too indolic to me and makes me feel a bit queasy, which is the case with Flying Fox.
Do give the Prince Charming a sniff if you see it — it’s still fruity-sweet, but nowhere near as sweet as I expected!
I will chime in since I do like Flying Fox…but it’s strong AND sweet jasmine, and while I always love Rose Jam, I have to be in the mood for Flying Fox. (another way to put it: the very smallest size of Flying Fox lasted for months on end in my shower, whereas I’m halfway through my 2nd large bottle of Rose Jam in no time)
After finishing the Flying Fox I did start to wonder if I’d like it better if I’d mixed it half & half with some sort of unscented shower gel.
I avoided Lush for years for several reasons: It seemed gimmicky, too many bubblegum oriented scents, and the overenthusiastic sales help.
I was really wrong about the products because many are very sophisticated and I love their use of more natural ingredients, which are more akin to European skin care products. It still can be hard to shop there. I tend to experience fragrance overload.
But I tried a few small bottles of shower gel and was hooked! I was surprised to find I liked Grass (initially I bought it for my husband), and while Flying Fox is very intense, it is absolutely gorgeous mixed with other shower gels. My favorite is Korres Fig (Euro version) + Weleda Sea Buckthorn Creamy Body Wash (tangerine) + a few drops of Lush FF: heavenly. I also like the Lush Olive Branch and Rose Jam, but I have the same reaction that others have to FF; for me,a little goes a long way, so I prefer to mix it. I am now addicted to blending in the shower: Grass + Korres Santorini Vine, Grass + Rose Jam, etc. It’s great aromatherapy and most of these shower treatments are moisturizing.
I think Flying Fox is even better than Rose Jam – love the blast of indolic jasmine!
I agree with Robin, more or less. I get through FF faster than she, but use it slowly and only in winter. While I love the shower gel, its companion fragrance Lust is just too sweet for me. The scent is great for a few minutes in the shower (and it lingers a little while), but not on skin for hours and hours …
Ditto on Lust! They need to make a Diet Lust for us sissies
I’m glad you ended up liking this one. Maybe I’ll go check it out after all. I’ve been meaning to try Grass for ages too but I always forget. Lush stores always send me into defensive mode and I forget what I’m there for.
Grass is my most often reached for gel in the summer. I even wash my hair with it.
It’s the perfect summer body product! I like Dirty shower gel on very hot days, too.
Grass is my favourite, and i find it far more versatile than Rose Jam or FF (or Snow Fairy), which I only use when ill be in rose, jasmine or ‘pink’ fragrance.
For the summer heat though- Whoosh shower jelly is brilliant! I never wouldve thought of it but it came in a gift pack. I keep it in the fridge.
My friends and acquaintances are missing out too! I love and use Lush soaps, shower gels, moisturizers and perfumes. I think there is a perception that the store smells too strongly but I think it smells heavenly and my store is hardly larger then a closet! I think most perfume counters at big department stores have a stronger reek, especially of industrial musks, which can ruin my day. I struggle with rosacea and Lush Imperialis facial moisturizer is really gentle and effective. I will never be without Breath of God and Lust, two of my favorite fragrances. We all have our preferences but Lush products smell to me like the EOs from whence they come, real, like things smell!
I had expected to find them too sweet or simple, and was very pleasantly surprised how interesting they are.
I can often smell a Lush store from several doors away, but it’s certain items that seem to dominate, like Karma soap and some of the sweeter bath bombs! I really respect many of the skincare items — Angels on Bare Skin, Ocean Salt, 9 to 5 cleander, and the “fresh” face masks are all great. I love all the hand creams and lip balms, and the moisturizers are worth trying as long as your skin can tolerate cocoa butter. I’ve also repurchased the mascara and the loose facial powder. I could go on and on!
And yes, Breath of God is a gorgeous sandalwood scent!
My end of day shower is now one of the highlights of my day all thanks to Rose Jam. I’ve never been a Lush fan, although I have tried a variety of their products.
Since Rose Jam I’ve kept my eye out for others I might like and Prince Charming sounds like another winner for me. Grass I did not like and Snow Fairy I use from time to time.
Thank you for the review!
Glad you enjoyed the review! I’m still hooked on Rose Jam…and I wish they’d bring back B Never Too Busy to Be Beautiful shower jam. That one was honey-scented… gorgeous. And Skinny Dip (cloves, cream, and violets).
You make me want to go sniff this one! You are right, the pink might’ve made me pass it by, untried.
Lush scents are either love or hate for me. Rose Jam is love, as are Grass and Flying Fox. If you like honey as a note, do try their Fair Trade Honey shampoo–it is amazing as a shampoo, and I have to confess, I’ve used it as body wash as well. This year’s So White gel that got such blog love had a synthetic overwhelming note that hit my nose as gasoline or kerosene atop the apples. Not pretty. Interesting, but not pretty. Prince Charming with vanilla and woods could be a nice addition to my collection. Thanks for the review!
Maybe I will try the Fair Trade Honey as a shower gel, since I miss the B Never shower gel so much!
I tried Prince Charming last year, and was underwhelmed. It seemed interesting in the store, but when I actually used it in the shower, all I got was an initial whiff of grapefruit, then something sweet, the nothing. The scent seemed to be gone before I even rinsed off. I do have perfume eating skin, so maybe that is a factor. Rose Jam, however, is wonderful and lingers on my skin for several hours after my shower, so go figure. I finally repurposed my Prince Charming as a liquid hand soap.
I do love many Lush products, however, and, at the risk of sounding like a commercial, their skin care has really transformed my skin. I have struggled with acne for decades, had tried just about everything, including prescription meds, and nothing had worked very well or for very long. I now have been using the Lush skin care for a little over a year, and my skin is vastly improved. I saw noticeable change withing a couple of weeks, and it has gotten progressively better since then. I haven’t had a new pimple crop up on my face in almost two months now. I wash with Fresh Farmacy and follow up with Tea Tree toner and moisturizer. I like Enzymion in the summer and Imperialis in the winter. I also pick up a fresh face mask when I make it into a Lush shop (the nearest one is about 50 miles away). My favorite is Brazened Honey, followed by Cupcake and Catastrophe Cosmetic.
I can totally believe that Lush skincare made a difference for you. Some of their products helped to turn my skin around, too — especially Ocean Salt or Angels on Bare Skin as a facial scrub (used 2x a week), 9 to 5 as a morning cleanser, and Imperialis moisturizer. I wish more people knew about the skincare. The staff can very helpful about making recommendations and giving out samples, if you ask nicely!
Wow. Prince Charming sounds so appealing. My New Year’s Resolution was to buy body products, face care and make-up for 6 out of 12 months. I’m happy to report that I made it through January without buying any of the aforementioned items (I know January is not yet over but I have no plans to go shopping tomorrow). I may use February as a fall-off-the-wagon month just to get this before it’s gone!
I’m impressed by your resolution! Maybe I’ll try something similar…
Speaking up to say that my one foray into Lush put me in the “too bright, too sweet-smelling, too juvenile” camp. Based on my limited experience, I really don’t get why this line is so popular amongst folks who have such sophisticated tastes! (Love ya’ all anyway, of course!) Honestly, I was so turned off by the whole vibe of the place–looks like a cupcake shop crashed into a Sanrio-esque beauty supply!
I am happy to accept that sniffing from a tester likely doesn’t do it justice, but it’s very hard to dole out $10+ each for a small bit of several new products just to try not to feel like such a snob! If they had little tester tubes for a buck, I could maybe be convinced, to give them a second go.
They’re very generous with samples MR
I understand your opinion, as it was mine for years! But then when I looked beyond the pink sparkly bath bombs I realised that I really had an affinity for their ethic, their use of natural ingredients and environmental awareness. Many of their products (moisturisers, cleansers, shampoos etc) are not even remotely in the pink n fluffy category, and it took me a bit of time in the store and a few samples to work this out. Some things really took me by surprise!
How does it work there? Is it like Sephora, where you ask for a few and they make them for you? I really would be willing to brave another visit, in the name of scientific exploration and data collection!
From my experience, you just have to ask. The difference is LUSH SA’s are peppier and perkier than Sephora’s.
Yes, do ask for a sample of a shower gel if you have access to a store! The SAs can be *very* perky and almost aggressive about suggesting products you haven’t tried yet… but you’ll still come away with a tiny bit of something you might end up loving.
I don’t know what it is with me and Lush products. I know NST readers are crazy about their products, but it doesn’t do it for me. This past Christmas, I purchased shower gels to see what all the fuss was about. I purchased “Rose Jam” and “So White”. I didn’t really like the “Rose Jam”, but then again, I am not a huge lover of rose scented fragrances. I do really like the “So White”. If “Prince Charming” is anything like “So White”, I wouldn’t have a problem trying it. But, honestly, I prefer “The Body Shop”. I like shower gels that linger a bit after I’ve used it. The Lush shower gels scent doesn’t last long. But, “The Body Shop” gels do.
It’s funny, I find Body Shop stores to be very strongly scented, too — although there are so few of them in NYN anymore — but they never get blamed for it the way Lush does!
Sounds worth a visit to check it out. My twelve year old daughter is a rose jam and snow angel addict and I keep meaning to try grass so maybe time to check them out. I do find my sense of smell gets overwhelmed in the store though!
It’s weird — I really do come back to the shower gels time after time. They were some of my first Lush purchases, and still some of my favorites.
I am a bit of a Lush fan so I think I need to at least give Prince Charming a sniff. From the name and the pink I probably would have just assumed it was like Snow Fairy, which I didn’t like at all. Flying Fox and Grass are big favorites of mine. I didn’t get any Rose Jam this past holiday season, opting to try Hot Toddy instead. I liked it, though I found it a little drying on my skin, which hasn’t been true with any of the others. I kind of wish I had just gotten the Rose Jam, but I have a tub of Ro’s Argan Body Conditioner, which has the same scent so it’s ok. It’s also the best moisturizer I’ve ever used.
Ro’s Argan Body Conditioner smells amazing. I had a teensy sample and loved it.
Come to think of it, I loved the Creamy Candy Bar bubble bar when it was released, around 2002-03… but my tasted have changed since then.
I really understand the resistance to Lush! I had to overcome mine, and is it a surprise that I did so by going there with my teen daughter who loves the bath bombs and all things pink + sweet? However I found a few products I love and they are truly wonderful. Many Lush products that are sophisticated and much better for your skin than mainstream (including The Body Shop).
My current loves are: Grass, Olive Branch, Flying Fox and Rose Jam Shower Gel, though the latter two I mostly mix in with less overwhelming scents. Happy Hippie is a straight up citrus (grapefruit) that could be boring, but hits the spot in hot weather (like Korres Lemon Basil) and Grass. Sexy Peel soap is great, too, and surprisingly creamy.
I look forward to trying Prince Charming. I too was put off by the color….!
The Body Shop used to be good in the 1990’s. It used to have lots of natural, fair trade products like Japanese Washing Grains (adzuki beans) and simpler, less packaged and chemical products. After Anita Roddick passed away it seemed to have got caught up in the plastic world of mass commercialism and has really gone downhill.
I remember the adzuki beans! You have to add water to the ground up beans to make a paste. In my opinion, another store that seemed to have lost its original mission is Aveda. Too many products using lower quality ingredients.
I remember those Japanese Washing Grains! I can picture the canister packaging exactly. And the banana hair conditioner smelled so good.
Oh, Olive Branch is a good one, too. Very cheerful!
I was a fan of Lush’s previous incarnation, Cosmetics To Go – wonderful products, excellent customer service & great value for money – my husband used their True Grit soap, I used their Botomancy skincare range & their Ginger fragrance, which people often commented on. Their bath bombs were a revelation, & I believe they were the first people to do them – a ‘go to’ gift back in the day when buying for fussy friends.
I’m so sorry I missed CtG! Well, I wouldn’t have been able to get it in the USA… but I could have admired from a distance. I think they were the founders of the bath bomb, too.