Lush's Super Mario Galaxy Collection: A Sweet-Smelling Nostalgia Trip
When The Super Mario Bros Movie debuted in 2023, it sparked an unexpected collaboration with cosmetics chain Lush, known for its natural ingredients and social justice advocacy. This unlikely partnership led to a range of skincare and bathing products that defied expectations. Initially, I assumed my foray into beauty journalism would be brief, but the collection's success proved me wrong. Lush later released a Minecraft range, and now, with the new Super Mario Galaxy movie, I find myself as the Guardian's dedicated Lush correspondent, immersed in a cycle of video game-branded toiletries. It's a fate I've embraced, as there are certainly worse ones to endure.
Exploring the Cosmic Toiletry Range
As a committed professional, I tested most of the tie-in products, including body sprays, shower gels, and lip balms. The new movie features Mario, Luigi, Yoshi, and Peach venturing into space to aid cosmic guardian Rosalina against the villainous Bowser, inspiring many space-themed items. For instance, the Princess Rosalina lip scrub includes edible stars, the Protect the Galaxy shower gel boasts a sparkly lustre, and the shower jelly contains suspended Lumas, mimicking zero gravity. I started with the jelly, which has a gloopy texture reminiscent of scented ectoplasm but emits a strong sweet aroma that evokes childhood memories of Woolworths pick 'n' mix counters, a reference likely lost on younger audiences.
Similarly, the Princess Rosalina body spray, marketed as blueberry-scented, brought to mind Parma Violets and 1980s fruity bubble gum bars, infusing the experience with unexpected nostalgia. My wife appreciated the Princess Peach lip jelly for its subtle pink hue and non-sticky texture, unlike many other balms. However, the Princess Rosalina lip scrub puzzled us with its wet sherbet-like consistency, leading us to simply eat it. The family favorite was the Luma bubble bath star, which produced abundant bubbles despite our hard water and featured tiny stars, though it tinted the water a disconcerting yellow. The Mario and Luigi shower gels, with cola and apple scents respectively, remain unchanged from the 2023 collection, a welcome consistency for fans like me who have used them up.
The Viral Yoshi Egg and Future Hopes
One product we haven't tried yet is the massive Yoshi Egg bath bomb, which contains a shower gummy in one of four colors. This item has gone viral unintentionally due to the red gummy leaking a bloody trail in the bath, terrifying some children. Lush might consider this for Halloween or a potential tie-in with another video game movie, such as the upcoming Return to Silent Hill. Overall, this collection matches the quality of the original set. While newcomers might struggle with esoteric items like the blueberry-scented balm bar, which requires warming and massaging, the shower and bath products are user-friendly. They offer delightful sweet, fruity fragrances with playful nods to the Super Mario Galaxy universe.
I now await my next Lush assignment with anticipation, secretly hoping for a Sonic the Hedgehog 4 or Elden Ring collaboration. Imagine a Starscourge Radahn shower gel—the possibilities are endless in this whimsical world of video game toiletries.
