As a devoted fan of Lush, I eagerly accepted an invitation to explore the ethical brand's latest innovations. My memories of visiting the home of bath bombs date back to childhood, and I frequent my local branch so often that the staff recognise me instantly. I have long been loyal to the solid perfume Vanillary (£12) and the incredibly long-lasting body sprays.
Recently, I travelled to Poole for an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at how bath bombs are crafted, and I even met Mo Constantine, the co-founder and inventor of the bath bomb. During the tour, Ruby West, Lush Bathing Category Lead, shared insights into the brand's newest developments.
New Innovations: Cold Bath Bomb and Bath Bot
A fresh type of bath bomb is arriving soon, first seen with Cold (£5.50). This bath bomb contains aromas we naturally gravitate towards when fighting off a cold, along with a cocoa butter insert that can be massaged onto the chest to aid breathing. While it is not medication, I can imagine grabbing it the next time I feel congested.
Ruby also introduced me to the Bath Bot, a digital bath bomb described on the Lush website as 'your ultimate bathing companion'. Priced at £150, it sits at the pricier end of the self-care spectrum, but for those who find solace in a hot bath rather than behind an LED mask, the appeal is undeniable.
Hands-On with the Bath Bot
The Bath Bot delivers 'immersive colour and 180-degree sound for a super-powered sensory bathing experience'. Pairing it via the Lush app is straightforward, with plenty of options to browse. Several routines have been crafted to complement popular bath bombs, including Big Blue, Twilight, Intergalactic and Sex Bomb, while alternatives such as 'ASMR Day Dream' and 'The Orange Orb' offer creative freedom. There is also the ability to design bespoke light sequences for any bathing occasion.
The speaker is built to function in water, though Lush advises against using it in a hot tub or swimming pool. For anyone who has struggled with water-damaged phone speakers, a speaker engineered to operate in bathwater feels revolutionary. Bathing sessions typically last around 24 minutes on average, though I can happily spend over an hour soaking. There is also the facility to synchronise it with music, and I frequently listen to audiobooks while bathing, so I was keen to test this feature.
I typically favour sweet fragrances, but when browsing the 'Awake' selection I was presented with Big Blue, Bathe in Nature and Chelsea Morning. I am particularly fond of Chelsea Morning as a fragrance, though I did not have that bath bomb available. I keep all my Lush bath bombs in an old advent calendar box, where I located Big Blue.
Big Blue combines salt, seaweed, lemon and lavender. While I would ordinarily link lavender with evening fragrances, I felt prepared to tackle the day after this bath. Even without moisturiser, my skin felt remarkably soft, and I smelled fresh, as though I had been for a dip in the ocean. The experience brought to mind a spa treatment. While I enjoy listening to music while washing my hair, there is something profoundly calming about the soundtrack selected by Lush. The tracks perfectly complemented the fragrance and atmosphere, enhancing the entire experience. The Bath Bot has quickly become a must-have in my opinion; it completely transformed my bathing routine. I genuinely felt as though I had been whisked away to a spa, and I can see it easily becoming part of my everyday routine. It also encouraged me to try something new. Big Blue is not a bath bomb I would normally have reached for, but I can now picture myself purchasing it time and again.
Regarding charging, it took roughly 45 minutes to charge just 10%, suggesting it may be best left to charge overnight. However, using the Bath Bot for approximately 30 minutes only drained 16% of the battery, so if people have an hour to spare before their bath, there is a decent chance it will have enough charge.
Adam Goswell, EU Digital Lead at Lush, commented: 'In a world dominated by algorithms competing for our attention, Bath Bot offers an escapism to slow down. No feeds and notifications, just an immersive space to unwind. Bath Bot represents a new kind of an everyday spa moment combining creativity, wellbeing and technology to transform a simple bath into something deeply immersive and personal with sound, colours and scents to change into your desired mood.'
For those wanting to create the perfect atmosphere, Lush also offers a selection of candles. All I need now is a bath pillow (£12.99, Amazon) and it will be tough to get me out of the bathroom.
Lola's Aurora Borealis: A Young Fan's Dream Comes True
Of course, Lush have not stopped with a robot bath bomb and 'Cold'. A Liverpool schoolgirl named Lola submitted her idea for a 'Northern Lights bath bomb' through Lush's complimentary newspaper, the Lush Times, 'Design Your Own Bath Bomb' page. After working with the team at Lush, it is now a reality. It has been renamed to Lola's Aurora Borealis and has a scent made up of eucalyptus, pine and mint, which she calls 'a smell of fresh air'. In a letter to Lush, she described her dream bath bomb in detail: envisioning the scent of 'ozone and rain', and wishing for 'hidden bursts of purple, teal and striking yellow' as well as 'popping candy for crackling lightning sounds as it fizzes' in the water. She very politely added: 'I hope my bath bomb makes it into your shop, but if not, that's ok because I just wanted to have some fun!' It has only launched online, so shoppers can treat themselves to a slice of Northern Lights without leaving the house.
