Lush - Organic Bath Products

Fresh, scented, natural products for your body that are also fun.

May 23, 2006

Lush, with its hand-made organic bath products, is gaining a loyal following. The wide variety of scented soaps and bubble baths are only part of the reason why.

Lush, a company founded 30 years ago in the UK, is really beginning to catch on in North America. Lush produces fresh, scented hand-made bath and body products, and has over 100 shops world-wide. After getting its start by working with The Body Shop (also a U.K.-based business), Lush ended the relationship and relaunched in 1994. Its loyal customers and passionate advocates make it clear that Lush is here to stay!

The company uses organic, natural products as much as possible, and is committed to animal-free testing. So much so, in fact, that one skin-care item this company has yet to introduce is sunblock, simply because Lush has not been able to find any that have been developed without testing on animals. "...Ahh, no animal testing." Okay, that may not be exactly what you think as you relax in a bath accented by a Lush product, but it's nice to know regardless.

There are so many wonderful items in every Lush store; it's easy to spend time lingering over the scented soaps, buttercreams, and shampoos. Most fun, however, is probably the shop design. To reduce waste, many soaps are arranged in large blocks, as in a cheese shop. The staff cuts off a chunk of your requested soap, bags and ties it in clear cellophane, and puts your purchase in a sturdy recyclable paper bag. Also like in a cheese shop, the staff is happy to cut a free slice of whatever soap you wish to sample. Lush employees are generous with free samples, and this is fortunate: Some of the more strongly scented soaps and jellies really need to be experienced before being judged. For example, when I sniffed the Karma bar in the store, the spicy patchouli-and-orange scent turned me off. But the smiling Lush employee suggested I try using the Karma bar in my shower at home, and cut off a generous wedge. Now I cannot imagine a more perfect morning wake-up shower than one involving the stimulating Karma soap bar! Try it: The scent is not subtle, but once your skin is dry post-shower, you will appreciate the complex, not overpowering citrus scent that lingers on your skin.

The last time I was in my local Lush shop, a table was set up offering free hand massages with the customers' choice of massage body butters. The set-up was comfortable, relaxed, and rather spa-like. I've heard of another Lush store which sponsored a "prom night," so I can only assume that Lush stores worldwide host fun events such as these.

Along with the melt-in-your-hands massage body butters, Lush offers a wide and varied selection of buttercreams, shower jellies, shower gels, bath ballistics and bath melts. Customers are welcome to sample temple balms, hand and body lotions, moisturisers, and gentle face cleansers. Skin toners and shaving creams are the more masculine of all selections, and they are also as organic and natural as possible. The shampoo bars are a great items to pack while traveling, and you can buy shampoo bar tins as well. Feel free to sample the perfumes. The fragrances offered by Lush often complement the scents of the top-selling Lush soaps and bath products.

Lush has an active mail-order business, which is especially useful for finding discontinued favorites. However, the convivial, relaxed atmosphere fostered by its staff makes a visit to an actual Lush store a real pleasure, and in today's often rushed world, a luxury as well.

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The copyright of the article Lush - Organic Bath Products in Luxury Travel is owned by Jennifer W. Miner. Permission to republish Lush - Organic Bath Products in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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May 22, 2006 9:32 PM

Jennifer W. Miner :

I don't get the time to relax in a bath nearly as often as I'd like to. When I get the chance, I love to make the water piping hot and add in scented bath products. My favorite Lush scents are predominantly floral, like the lavender-infused "Waving Not Drowning" bath bomb, or citrus-scented like the Karma Bubble Bath Bar. What are some of your favorite bath add-ins?

May 22, 2006 11:01 PM

Jill Florio :

I'm addicted to Lush. Honestly. My fave products are as follows...

Hair - The Strokes hair moisturizer, followed by Cynthia Sylvia Stout Shampoo and American Dream conditioner.

Face - Gorgeous moisturizer (though I can't afford it)

Cleanser - Angels on Bare Skin (this stuff is amazing)

Cuticle Cream- <a href="http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art42166.asp">Lemon Flutter</a> (links to my review of this product at my Living Simply website).

Body Butter - Heavenly Bodies (the chocolate one), Skinny Dip, Lemslip

Massage Bar - Mange Too, Therapy, Wiccy Magic, and Soft Coeur

...there's more but I'll stop now. I also enjoy the Body Shop and Origins. I am a little worried about the Body Shop being bought by L'Oreal..I'd hate to see their stand Against Animal Testing be compromised.

Anyway, I enjoyed your article! :)

May 29, 2006 5:42 PM

Daniel Workman :

I happened to be out jogging on Queen Street here in Toronto, and as I ran past a Lush store I noticed the beautiful artistic chunks through the windows. There was a sign in the window stating that if there is any scent that is no longer available, let the store know and they will re-create it just for you. Now that's a customer-focused business!

My choice is for a lilac-scented pumice scrub.

Enjoyed your article. In fact, I couldn't help feeling that I was having a luxurious bath with Lush's aromatic products as I read.

May 29, 2006 5:54 PM

Jill Florio :

Lush is the ONLY body-oriented company I have ever seen men get into. Normally men run from that stuff, but there are always guys shopping for themselves in there. I think because it's not foofy stuff. And even my husband likes Lush. He's slowly converting over from drugstore stuff to Lush things. He already uses their deodorant (Aramaco), lip balm (T-Tree Simplex), Emperor of Ice Cream Body Bar, and wants to find a solid shampoo and facial moisturizer (he has a sample of Cosmetic Lad and Ultra-Light).

he still uses drugstore lotion and liquid hand soap but I'm working on it. :)

May 31, 2006 7:14 PM

Kelby Carr :

My husband still sneered at it when we went to the Ottawa Lush... but I do think it's appealing because they have such cool, funky names for their products.

I just love Lush products! I wish they had a Lush here. Are there Lush stores in the States?

Jun 1, 2006 12:04 PM

Jennifer W. Miner :

Oh, yes, Kelby, there are Lush stores all over! I just got back from Florence, Italy, where I saw a Lush. It's an international sensation! :) There is not yet one in North Carolina, but Lush has a very active <a href="http://usa.lush.com">mail-order business</a> (especially good for getting your hands on discontinued products).

Jun 5, 2006 9:34 PM

Lori Henry :

Love Lush products! They seem to be such a committed company- to their customers, to their products and to their staff. Usually I walk out of a store that has scented products and I'm sneezing, but I really enjoy the smells at Lush. The seem more natural.

Here's to long baths and relaxed smiles!

Jun 6, 2006 10:05 AM

Jennifer W. Miner :

I know just what you mean, Lori! I can't stand the smell of incense burning, but I looove the scents in a Lush store. I've found that Lush is very generous with free samples, by the way -- useful, since often bath bombs' and bath melts' true potency or subtlety can't be judged until they are dissolved in water.
http://luxuryresorttravel.suite101.com

Jun 6, 2006 10:09 AM

Jill Florio :

Lori and Jen, that is so true. :) I can't tell you how many Lush scents I honestly didn't like in the store, but was given free samples, then used at home, and found I LOVED the scent. The weirdest thing.

I think it's because they are using natural, real ingredients, and our noses are now used to synthetic smells. We have to re-learn to appreciate the real thing.

Lush is super brave for not trying to appeal to the lowest common denominator, for using real and complex scents and giving us the opportunity to use and enjoy something of quality (ie - good sized samples) for free. I am so hooked. Dan and I have had to add Lush to our budget - sheesh!

Jun 8, 2006 2:09 PM

Dan Florio :

Lush isn't fluffy. Now I use <a href="http://businesstravel.suite101.com/blog.cfm/happy_hippy_lush_soa p">Happy Hippy for soap and shampoo</a> (link goes to my review of it) but it turns out I don't like the lip balm. I'll stick to my Blistex. But I do use the aforementioned gel, plus the <a href="http://businesstravel.suite101.com/blog.cfm/aromaco_deodorant_f or_travel">deodorant</a> (another review).

Plus the Party On Temple Balm that I take to work. It has caffeine in it. I still have to review that one.

Dan Florio
<a href="http://businesstravel.suite101.com/">Business Travel</a>

Jun 9, 2006 4:06 PM

Jennifer W. Miner :

I think there's a problem brewing in my house! My daughters so love Lush baths that they try to weasel one or two out of me every week now. True, it's supposed to be a luxury...but at least they're <b>clean</b>. This weekend they're going to try a "Floating Island," which they picked because it looks like a cupcake. I'll tell ya how it went!
Jen

Jun 12, 2006 1:27 PM

Jennifer W. Miner :

Well, last night they had the "Floating Island" bath. We only needed to use half the "cupcake," because it is large enough for two great baths. They loved the smell, but (because they're kids) they wished it came with bubbles! :)

Jun 12, 2006 2:19 PM

Jill Florio :

I've really been wanting to try that one. Did it do anything? Float, color the water, make a film....bob around....or just smell nice and make silky water?

Jun 13, 2006 10:06 AM

Jennifer W. Miner :

Well, the Floating Island is a bath melt, not a bubble bar. Bath melts dissolve slowly, without the fireworks of a Lush bath bomb. The scent is predominantly sandlewood, a nice unisex scent, and there is plenty of cocoa butter in the Floating Island; enough to soften your skin, but not enough to leave a film on top of the water (remember, we used 1/2 of one). The scent isn't overwhelming, but it is long-lasting. I could still smell it in the bathroom the next day. :)

Jun 13, 2006 10:49 AM

Jill Florio :

I wonder if one isn't supposed to cut it up...the Lush forum says the thing is supposed to bob up and down for 45 minutes and make a creamy film on top. but since I haven't tried it that could just be wrong. I want to try the pink one, the Melting Marshmellow Moment...mmmm....

Jun 14, 2006 8:00 PM

Jill Florio :

How is it working out with your kids' bath crisis? LOL.

Jun 15, 2006 8:34 AM

Jennifer W. Miner :

Things are getting dire around here! They really love the bath bombs more than any other Lush product, and you know those things can be close to 5 bucks a pop. My younger daughter recently picked a Happy Pill Bath Bomb, for this weekend's lux bath. I think she could be great PR for the whole Lush organization!
Jen

Jun 21, 2006 1:24 PM

Jill Florio :

how did the Happy Pill work for you? I heard it makes a lovely foam.

BTW, I have run into other lushies who say their kids are running up expensive bath tabs. This might be an epidemic. As it is, when my husband and i have our weekly bath, I am cognizant that a ballistic cost around $6 plus tax...not counting the soaps and shampoos we pick to complement the bomb. It's a really good thing we get so many lovely free samples at the store or we'd be taking 10-20 dollar baths...jeez...

Jun 28, 2006 12:49 PM

Jennifer W. Miner :

My older kid just had a playdate over, and I caught them poking through my Lush stash! Like I'd waste a perfectly awesome Karma bath bomb on them: Those are getting discontinued. Gotta stock up! :)

Jun 29, 2006 9:07 AM

Jill Florio :

Yeah, no doubt. I have noticed that I am already stocking up on things announced to be disconned. So I keep buying Karma, Hot Java and Bollywood. (Softy can just quielty go away - ick, yuckly little limp water moths). There are so many I have yet to try but Lush seems to just suddenly take away certain things, and it's just when I go in to buy them. Like the day I wanted to try the Ginger Bomb. Gone, poof. Do you still have Ginger bombs in your shop? I have nticed you can still get them online but I don't know if I want it that badly for just trying out.

Jul 27, 2006 1:12 PM

Jill Florio :

Ginger Bomb? Question above?

Jul 27, 2006 3:57 PM

Jennifer W. Miner :

Sorry, Jill, I was holding off because I was trying to get my hands on a Ginger Bath Bomb, or two (so I could send one your way!), but the Lush store near me gave -- yes, GAVE -- away all their Gingers when I wasn't around. Isn't that mailing list good for anything?!
In any case, i did want to be able to give you a positive response, and I apologize for the delay.
Jen

Jul 28, 2006 11:12 AM

Jill Florio :

Wow, thanks for looking and thinking of me! I almost bought one one day - it was in my hands and I even bagged it...and then bought a Bollywood instead. I wanted a spicy bath. it turned out that Bollywood wasn't spicy (no more than Tang is spicy). And when I went back in a few days later to try Ginger...gone!

I won't make a mail order just to try it, since it's a smaller bomb with no treats or anything in it (as far as I know). But would like to have at least tried it.

What a bummer about your shop. They are usually very generous with stuff but I'd be totally bummed that I missed that last chance to get a Ginger (and for FREE!). [sob]

Jul 28, 2006 6:25 PM

Ginger Groves :

While my 14 year old granddaughter was visiting, I got out my entire supply of lushie stuff. We spent about two hours giving each other facials. We didn't go to bed till 4am that night:) slumber parties between grandma and granddaughter is a real bonding experience. Not to mention good for your skin:)

Jul 30, 2006 10:13 PM

Jennifer W. Miner :

Funny, all <b>my</b>grandmother ever did with me was make sure I ate my vegetables. :) Fortunately for my daughters, they have really fun grandmas! Just like your 14-year old granddaughter does.

Sep 5, 2006 1:51 PM

Jill Florio :

i managed to get a chunk of the discontinued Gentle Lentil shampoo. it's a truckle, not a puck and is sort of a semi-solid.

Here is my mini-review:

I tried this shampoo three times becuase I wanted to like it so much. it smells wonderful (vanilla and soft spices) and is creamy, squidgy and a dream to use. Unfortunately this is horrible for my hair - makes it too soft - it won't lie flat after using it, not matter what conditioner, leave in products, serums or flattening irons I use afterwards.

three different times I tried, as I said, since I wanted so much to like it. so if you want loads of volumne, this is a great shampoo. for me it's like horror city. I want my hair to behave and not poof out.

I will use the rest of my piece as a body soap. it still smells divine.

Sep 6, 2006 4:24 PM

Jennifer W. Miner :

What a great review - thanks! :)
Personally, I think it's too bad the Gentle Lentil was discontnued. My hair could use all the fluffiness it can get! Oh well...If you have any left, I'll trade you some for 1/2 a Marathon bubble bar. Sound good?
Jen

Sep 8, 2006 11:19 AM

Jill Florio :

You don't want my walnut-sized sodden blob. I'll use it for shower soap though - waste no Lush! I love the smell and the texture as a body wash. :)

For hair fluffiness with a bit more control, you should try Lush's Big and Trichomania. I love Big. My tub will last me two years, since it's not my daily use shampoo, it's my special use one. It's nice to have the head massage with the salt and then it turns to gentle lather.

I also save my chunk of Trich with my chunk of Jungle for traveling. they are a nice combo.

Side note on lush shampoos: I prefer the truckles to the Pucks, mainly b/c the pucks are full of sodium laurel sulfate, which is an irritant. The truckles have sodium laureth sulfate, which is not an irritant (althoug the names look the same). Not that I have big irritant problems, but I recently heard research indicating that long term low level irritation decreases immunity and makes you age a bit faster (since your body is fretting about irritants more than conserving energey like it should).

Anyway, blah blah blah. The pucks are still cute and all. I just prefer the truckles.

Sep 13, 2006 9:01 PM

Jennifer W. Miner :

Too bad about the Gentle Lentil. But you know, it's funny that you mention SLS (sodium laurel sulfate). My spouse is allergic to it! He used to always get canker sores in his mouth, and when he switched to an SLS-free toothpaste, they cleared up. What a relief - they were painful (he can still use any old shampoo; it's ingestion that's a problem).
I understand about your truckle preference. I can't help but prefer the pucks justbecause of what you said; they're so darned cute. :)

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