LUSH fans please don't hate on this post (or me personally) because I'm about to make an opinionated and probably very unpopular statement. BUT before I do, please let me preface it by saying that I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE the LUSH Celesial Facial Moisturizer, and at this point in time it's tipping the scales toward Holy Grail status!!! If you don't wish to read a negative opinion, then skip to the video and pictures :-)

So back to it. I don't find LUSH as a brand particularly alluring. I find a majority of their products overwhelmingly scented, so much so that I often get a bit of a headache when browsing with friends - I can sniff and feign interest with the best of them, but I mainly do it to be nice. I think their bath and body products are too expensive for what they are, though I do think the skincare pricing is reasonable. I find the brand a little gimmicky and too cutesy. My disinterest might also be because everyone seems to love it and have it, which sometimes makes me less inclined to like something or want to try it out. I read reviews and the products always sound really good, but when it comes to actually making a purchase...well...I'd just rather not. 

Reluctantly over the past couple of years I've tried a couple of LUSH items. One was Snow Fairy because my friend Maggie gave it to me and she is a LUSH addict!! I didn't think it was any better as a body wash than my drugstore Neutrogena, but for some crazy reason I actually found the scent quite addicting. Kind of like gasoline...you shouldn't like it but you can't stop smelling it and it is GOOD!!! The other item I've tried is the soap. I purchased a few different ones that I could stand the smell of and cut them up to keep in tiny bowls around the house and in my lingerie drawers. That was nice, but nothing earth shattering. I don't think I'll do it again. Oh, I did get a shower gel for my Husband but he hasn't used it much so I'm not sure if he likes it??

My way long point is that I've been hearing and reading about LUSH Celestial Facial Moisturizer for a long time, but never bothered to try it because of my indifference to the brand. I kept reading glowing reviews and recommendations by people that had irritations and sensitivities to a boat load of other moisturizers, but found relief and comfort and love in Celestial. I finally broke down and gave it a shot because no moisturizer I had tried to date was ultimately what I was looking for. I was super frustrated!!! 

Oh, boy...I wish I had tried this sooner!!! The following video is how LUSH's Celestial Facial Moisturizer makes me feel...I just wanna dance!!!

Here it is!!! LUSH Celestial Facial Moisturizer, $24.95/1.5oz @ LUSH stores and LUSH online. 

Only thing I'm not crazy about - the container. I wish it was in a pump or tube :-)  But this container is very rigid, so you could wash it out and reuse it if you wanted to, or save it up to go to exchange for a mask!! It says on the top that you can exchange 5 clean LUSH pots (with the recycle logo) for a free mask!! 

Celestial smells amazing and I'd like to smother my whole body in it!!! It smells of fresh milk, almonds, faint vanilla...oh, my goodness...I really cannot get enough of it!! No lie, sometimes I'll just sniff the pot for a good bit before/after applying because it smells so, SO delicious!

The texture is a little thicker than a lotion, but is still lightweight in feel. Celestial is soothing and comforting. It spreads nicely, absorbs quickly and seems to always provide the perfect amount of moisture whether I wear it alone or layered over face oil. If I wear it alone I use what's left on my fingers from applying to the rest of my face, and apply that to my slightly oily chin and nose area. It doesn't decrease oil, but it also doesn't increase my oil production. The rest of my face and neck ranges from normal to super crazy dry and this keeps it all perfectly moisturized!! 

Most importantly this doesn't cause clogs, irritate my skin or does it cause any breakouts!!! Hooray!!! 

From the LUSH site regarding Celestial Facial Moisturizer:

Divine blend for sensitive skin. 

Redness. Stinging. Irritation. Sound familiar? Having sensitive skin can be incredibly frustrating (even painful!), which is why we invented our most gentle moisturizer, Celestial. With its creamy cocoa butter base, Celestial effectively moisturizes without irritating ingredients like citrus oils or alcohol. We blend vanilla water, to help the skin retain its moisture, with hydrating almond milk and fresh dove orchid extract to keep delicate skin in soft, glowing condition. Celestial also doubles as a fantastically softening night cream for all skin types.

Note: I might have to disagree with the for all skin types. Maggie tested this out and she has oily skin (very oily during the warmer months)...she didn't like it. So oily skinned people, proceed with caution. 

I am so grateful for this simple ingredient list. Check it out below...

It's been a very long road, but I think *maybe* I've finally found my Holy Grail moisturizer. I don't want to be caught without this stuff and am not looking for a new moisturizer to try anytime soon. 

Of course, I do have a few things in my stash to try but those were purchased before I started using Celestial (I picked it up late March and have been using since then). I'll try them eventually just for the sake of trying, but not because I'm actually on the hunt. I wouldn't even mind if those moisturizers suddenly disappeared from my stash because I love Celestial so much and am so delighted to find something that works for my spastic skin!!! :-)