I don’t usually write reviews on things that require a reader to spend money, but I’m going to make an exception and tell you about one of my new favorite websites and my absolute favorite new products. Because I like to help spread good in the world.

First, let me tell you about persuasive rhetoric. Advertisers are fantastic at what they do. They know what words to use, what trigger very specific responses in our thought process based on our culture and experience. They know which colors work best to push their products. Did you know that red and orange are hunger inducers? Watch to see how many food advertisements and commercials use these two colors. Ads that work best are the ones that work but make you think that you are purchasing something because you really want to. You’re being manipulated daily.

I’ve taken a lot of classes that work with these ideas. I’m fascinated by the manipulation of the human population. It works. You can’t fight it. I know how it works and that it exists and even how to do it, and I can’t fight it. Images are the most powerful for of persuasion ever.

So what works on me? Luxury bath products. It really doesn’t matter if a bath product is luxury or not, if it’s ad makes it seem like a luxury, I’m in. There’s something about turning my bathroom into a spa, with lotions, glitter, powder, pampering, and sparkly clean bath water that makes me go “aaaaaaah, I’ll take it!” It’s not a surprise that one of the biggest reasons I wanted the house we ended up buying was because it had a whirlpool tub in the bathroom. I want to feel pretty, pampered, and romanced.

I’m especially sold on organic, hand-made items. The idea that someone is slaving away somewhere in a studio to put together lip balm and bath additives to make me feel buttery smooth makes me weak in the knees. So when a friend of mine said “You’ve got to check this out” about a website that centers on luxurious pampering items, it wasn’t long before I was putting in my first order.

Lush is not a lovely secret, it just took me a long time to hear about it. Many large cities even have stores, but not mine. I have to shell out the money for shipping, but it’s so worth it. Their bath items are divine. Last night I dropped half a Butterball into my bath water and ooh-la-la. Even sick, the scent made me relax and the heat of the water helped make my congestion open up. The Butterball made my skin silk smooth and yummy. No lotion needed, one bath with the Butterball and a season of ashy skin is gone.

My other favorite item is Honey Trap, a lip balm that at first I didn’t think I’d like. The scent was super strong and the balm was too cold to use because it had been sitting on my frozen stoop all day. Once it warmed and I slipped it on, I was in love. It made my lips smooth and the harsh dryness that has been following them all winter disappeared.

Many of their bath bombs have hidden surprises, like making your bath water glittery, luxuriously pink or filled with rose petals. How delicious is that? I’m currently trying out their deodorant that they sent as a sample and so far? No stinky. We’ll see how long it lasts.

I love feeling girly and luxurious and Lushdoes it for me. I’ll end up sinking large portions of my pay check into their online shop, and you should too.