Crazy About: Lush

When I was recently at Sephora and discussing my uneasiness about the chemicals such as parabens in make up, the salesgirl agreeing with me, she mentioned that the things we should really be looking at is our skin care routine. I think she is totally right, which is why I want to share my appreciation for Lush. Not only are the products vegetarian/vegan and against animal testing, they are actually natural, unlike similar companies that are filled with chemicals but still against animal testing *cough The Body Shop cough*. I used to use the brands First Aid Beauty or Origins that were available at Sephora (gotta get those points am I right?), but I’m so very happy I made the switch over the Lush. In the past I would be overwhelmed going into Lush because of the strong smells and confusion about the short shelf lives of some products, but now those are things that pull me into the store if I’m passing by on the street. Weirdly enough, I haven’t tried any bath bombs or face masks that Lush is known for (personal mental note: get on it). The following are products that I currently use (my skincare routine has been exclusively Lush for the past year, so products do rotate in and out), have used in the past, and love!

Ocean Salt – A coconut cream and sea salt scrub. This is ~$20 for 120 grams, which is pricey, but if you’re only using it once a week to exfoliate, it really does last a long time and it’s worth the price. Finding the right exfoliant was hard for me because the microbeads in most commercial exfoliants are detrimental to the environment and the product really absorbs into your body, but this scrub uses actual salt. It also has grapefruit and avocado butter, so it is gentle enough to exfoliate the face. Like I said, I only use this once a week as a full body exfoliant, and it’s super relaxing- I love it!

Imperialis- This moisturizer was recommended to me by a Lush employee. It’s made with lavender and orange blossom water, and this is also vegan. $23 gets you 45 grams, but in my opinion, moisturizer is one of the biggest products to be adamant about being natural, because you’re leaving it on your face to absorb in for more than 8 hours in most cases. Besides it being a no-worry product in the chemical regard (like most, if not all products from Lush!), it’s actually amazing. I have sensitive/combination skin that gets drier in the winter/fall and oilier in the summer, and this has been holding up for both seasons to really balance out my skin. A+!

Angels on Bare Skin– This is a ‘balancing lavender cleanser’. I thought this was weird at first because it’s a ‘face roll’ and I was used to cream or liquid cleaners. I’m obsessed with lavender, and this had actual lavender flower petals in it! Truly amazing. You scoop a little out, add some water, and it turns into a gentle scrub. I only use this once a day at night after I take off all my make up because I feel like it really cleans my face off. $15 gets you 100 grams, and I’ve had this for two months and have only used about 1/4 of it. Note: do not bring this in the shower! It is meant to stay dry to extend it’s use.

Kalamazoo- This face wash is an MVP, my true ride or die. It’s only $10 for 100 grams, and it lasts forever. I purchased it in February or March of this year and only last week I had to buy a new one. I was using this twice a day as well as in the shower. This came with me to Costa Rica and back and I just love it so much. This contains fresh pineapple juice, almond oil, jojoba oil, cupaucu butter and more; it really balances out my skin, makes me feel squeaky clean without drying me out, and is a perfect year-round every day face wash. Kalamazoo is also vegan and men can use this too as a beard wash! I really don’t think I will ever switch this product out.

Rehab shampoo- This shampoo features fresh pineapple juice, and I really liked using this once or twice a week if I had used products or heat on my hair and I felt like it needed some TLC. Although it wasn’t a deep cleaning treatment or anything, it really did make my hair feel rejuvenated between haircuts. It’s $27 for a 250 mL bottle, which is pricey, so I wouldn’t recommend purchasing this if you’re intending to use it for every day because not only is it expensive but it would run out very fast.

 

Cynthia Sylvia Stout Shampoo- This features – you guessed it- stout! Irish stout to be exact, sourced from local breweries. This is meant for dry hair, which I do get periodically. Lush explains the shampoo contains protein to give your hair weight, smoothness and gloss, and it’s for hair that gets frizzy in damp or humid environments. I only used this once or twice, and I did really enjoy it. $20 gets you a 250 mL bottle, so if you’re on a budget, I would opt to use this seasonally or once a week when your hair needs a pick-me-up. If you’re wondering if this is worth it, I would say yes if dry hair is your main concern; if you have overall damaged hair, I would opt for rehab.

No Drought Dry Shampoo- I bought this two years ago (the 130 gram bottle is $15) and I’m only half finished this product. It smells like and features grapefruit, and it really does get the job done. I alternate between this and a sample of Bumble and Bumble ‘pret-a-powder’  I received, and I would say they are around the same. The only thing I like about the Bumble and Bumble dry shampoo more if that the packaging allows you to apply the product right to your scalp because it has a cap that disperses it, whereas No Drought only has an open/close tab. Therefore, to make sure you don’t look like you’re suffering from extreme dandruff, just tap the product into your hand first and then apply it. Overall, I am really happy with how long this product lasts and it’s effectiveness.

American Cream Conditioner- This is made with strawberries and it actually smells like a strawberry vanilla milkshake. It’s a medium conditioner made for normal hair to give some extra softness and shine. This worked for me in the summer when my hair wasn’t needing as much moisture care. $20 gets you 250 mL; in the long run, because my hair is so long and I use up a lot of conditioner (does anyone actually use the recommended coin size? I feel like that is unrealistic), I go for Burt’s Bees conditioners  because they are much more affordable (stay tuned for a post about that). If you have shorter normal hair, I would grab this because it does smell so good and makes your hair soft and shiny!

T for Toes Foot Powder- I’m not ashamed to admit that in certain shoes, my feet smell SO BAD. So. Bad. Especially toms, converse and some pairs of flats. T for toes is actually the best foot powder I have ever used (I’m not sponsored I swear. Lush, if you’re reading this, I would accept the offer of sponsorship. HMU). The feature ingredient is tea tree oil, and it just really gets the job done.

Various Soaps- Have you ever felt really stupid for spending $10 on a chunk of soap but at the same time deep down don’t regret it because you love your hands smelling amazing hours after you’ve washed them? Me too. When I order Lush online (there is no Lush in my hometown) and they send me the miniature sample sized soaps, they last me around a week, and the ~$10 sizes last around a month. I’m not even going to lie, this is just me having an obsession and shopping problem. I would be (and am) totally fine with drug store soap, where I can buy 8 soaps for $10, but these soaps are just amazing. I splurge and treat myself every so often on a Lush soap, because they are just that great. My hands smell so good for literally hours after I use these soaps and I can’t get over that haha.

Charity Pot- For $8, you get 50 grams of a super hydrating and dense hand and body lotion. I would actually break out with excema in my university town, and this was both non-irritating and extremely hydrating. But that is besides the point, because the main reason I repurchase a charity pot is to support grassroot companies that help people, animals and the environment. “Since launching our Charity Pot program in 2007, we’ve donated more than $10,000,000 to over 850 grassroots charities in 42countries.” – Lush. I am so passionate about helping other people in need, the animal rights movement AND the environment, so literally whatever charity pot is available I grab because I can’t say no to supporting this cause. Of course, we always have to be sceptical with things like these but I’ve done some research looking into it, and Lush has checked out more than fine.

 

What are your favourite Lush products? I’d love to know, leave a comment below! xx