I have always wanted to try the Lush range of products but sadly it wasn't available in South Africa. I can not describe the joy when I learnt that the brand is being brought to us!
What is the big deal? Lush is the creme de la creme of Cruelty Free beauty products. Why?
- Their range of products is 100% Vegetarian. Many of their products are Vegan, a very rare thing in the cosmetics and beauty industry.
- Lush practices ethical buying. They strive to assist local communities when they source ingredients. (Not yet local as in South Africa local, but hopefully that will change as soon as the brand becomes more popular in South Africa.)
- All Lush products are cruelty free. All their bags are branded with their Fighting Animal Testing logo.
- Their products are fresh and hand made!
- 70% of their products are sold naked. This means without packaging. You can sniff it, touch it, see it.
From shower gels to eyeliner, you can find almost anything in their shops. Can't get to a branch? Not to worry, they have an online store as well!
We visited their first Gauteng store, Dainfern Square. Now you see, usually this is a dreaded exercise for me. I have social anxiety and agoraphobia. I also have severe allergies. My entire year working at Truworths (Surprisingly, a really awesome company to work for!) was spent wheezing and sneezing as the main counter was too close to the perfume area. I hate shopping, especially in cosmetics and beauty shops. I'm used to rude employees that don't even understand the different products they sell.
I was blown away. We were met by a bright and open shop. The display window was filled with fresh products. Bath Ballistics, Soap, Shampoo bars, Bubble Bars, you name it! I walked in, expecting the usual puffy eyes and wheezing that usually accompanies any establishment selling fragrant products. My olfactory senses realized that they have died and gone to heaven. Not even a sneeze! Just a shop that smelled like a field of fresh spring flowers. If there is a heaven it had better smell like the Lush store!
We were a bit overwhelmed with the amount of products. I had a set idea of what I wanted, but the amount of amazing products far surpassed what I imagined. The sales ladies were spectacular. I told them which products I was looking for, and that I wished to review them for the blog. They were honest, well educated regarding their products, and friendly. So incredibly friendly! This is South Africa, a shopping spree is usually ended by a grumpy cashier who would rather be sipping Martinis somewhere than looking in your direction.
Upon hearing that I have a blog the young lady assisting suggested adding some samples to my purchase.
With the naked products you are prompted to take a paper bag and put your products in the bags. Each product is rung up at the till, and paper bags are weighed. (Most of their naked products are sold per weight.) I was petrified that I would go over my R300.00 budget. I was so far below my budget I managed to add another product that I really wanted.
With my shopping spree I bought the following:
1 x bar Bohemian soap.
1 x Sakura Bath Ballistic
1 x Dragon's Egg Bath Ballistic
1 x Woosh Shower Jelly
1 x box Chou Chou - I love You Toothy Tabs
For samples I received the following:
1 x sample It's Raining Men Shower Gel
1 x sample Sympathy for the Skin Hand and Body Lotion
1 x sample Vanishing Cream
1 x sample Veganese Hair Conditioner.
I will be reviewing each product separately in the future blogs.
My opinion of the brand, store and products? Simply amazing. I was sceptical as some of the products tend to be pricey, but I was pleasantly surprised.
The only cons I could find is that Lush still uses parabens, sulphates and artificial colours in some of their products. Because of the sulphates I am unable to use their Shampoos on my hair. (Never ever use shampoos and conditioners containing sulphates on your hair if you have funky coloured hair. It will discolour and fade it.)
Overall one of the most pleasant shopping experiences I have ever had. A big thumbs up to the ladies at Dainfern Square. Keep up the good work!
Buy the products online, or go visit a store. You won't be disappointed.
Ooh, Lush is lovely! I use their shampoo (Fairly Traded Honey; Sam thought it was FAIRY traded honey, and was disappointed that no magical creatures were involved :)); It's Raining Men body wash and Hovis facial soap. We've also tried some other soaps and body washes, but we like the It's Raining Men best. All the products smell great, work well and my conscience is clean too, yay!
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