After a long and stressful day, what’s better than coming home, running a hot bath, and tossing in a deliciously scented bath bomb?
Bath bombs have become more and more trendy in the beauty industry in past years and they’re surprisingly easy to make yourself.
They were invented in 1989 by Lush Cosmetics’ founder, Mo Constantine.
As the fizzling fun has taken hold of consumers, Lush has pushed boundaries with the creativity of their bath bombs. Different colours and bubbling effects have become competitive within the beauty industry, but some have forgotten the original health benefits of the bath bombs while aiming for visual appeal. Lush isn’t one of these companies.
But the cheapest way to indulge yourself is to start making them yourself. They’ll be more natural and far better for your skin without the addition of unnecessary colours.
You only need a few ingredients.
First, mix 1 cup baking soda, 1/2 cup citric acid, 1/2 cup corn starch and 1/2 cup epsom salts. You can find all these things at a local grocery store.
In a separate cup, mix 2 teaspoons of any essential oil, about a tablespoon of water, and food colouring if you want it.
Mix the wet ingredients into the dry slowly, whisking to avoid an early chemical reaction.
In the end, the mixture should be the consistency of wet sand and easy to press into any baking molds you might have in your kitchen. If they aren’t quite damp enough, spray them with a little more water.
Let them sit until dry, and then pop one out, and you’re ready to go relax in the tub.
If DIY isn’t your thing, good bath bombs are easy to find in Ottawa if you know where to go. Lush Cosmetics always has a wide selection. Try Purple Urchin here in Ottawa and Sweet Pea Soap Company in Toronto for more cool, Canadian stores with great products.
These are some of the most popular and the zaniest bath bombs that Lush sells.
1. The Dragon’s Egg Bomb
This is a citrus and bergamot bomb that will definitely help wake you up in the morning. The bomb swirls around in the tub, making different sounds and releasing colours until it ends with a sparkly surprise in the centre
2. The Sex Bomb
This is Lush’s best seller. It aims for a relaxing effect with jasmine and soy milk. The colour is extremely vivid and the design of the bomb is hard to take your eyes off of.
3. The Enchanter Bomb (discontinued)
Sadly, this bomb was discontinued early on, but the colours spun yellow and orange, nearly hypnotizing the user. The citrus smell left you ready for anything.
4. The Big Blue Bomb
It sounds like it is—big and blue. This bomb is filled with seaweed to soften and sooth the skin. It can bring you to the ocean without taking you from your bathtub.
5. The Phoenix Rising (discontinued)
Some say it smells like a hot, cinnamon apple pie. The bomb is pink with a gold shimmer, leaving a beautiful design in the bath water.
