To think Lush isn't actually lush at all...

[Brain73]

I really cannot see what the fascination with this shop is. DD age 12 begged to go there today to spend some of her birthday money. The place made me itch as soon as I stepped inside with the sickly overpowering scent.

DD wanted some bath bombs, some of which were over £6! Each! I tried explaining that they were probably no good for her skin with all that artificial colouring and scent added but she really wanted them and as it was her money she bought two.

My shopping bag and her bedroom now reeks of the smell of these things. What are they made of and are the products really as natural as they are made out to be? I was astounded at the price of most of the products and equally astounded that the shop was full with the tills ringing a brisk trade the whole time we were in there. Are the products any good?

I think the products smell delicious as far as I can remember and can see the attraction.
However. When I was about 16 Lush opened in my area. I bought a facepack and had a massive rash-type reaction to it!! The whole point of Lush was the natural ingredients, I thought, so I was a bit confused. I haven't been back since.

Natural ingredients can irritate skin the same way as manmade ones. Often even more.

As far as I know, the products are 100% vegetarian and not tested on animals. I use Lush products most of the time.

The only thng "lush" is the profit margin. Bath bombs not much more than some perfume, dried flower petals maybe, and mainly bicarbonate of soda to make it fizz.

When I was 12 it was Bodyshop. Now it seems to be Lush. I agree with you, OP - I can feel the allergic reaction from the door, and it reeks to high heaven.

But I think that you need to allow teens and pre-teens their own money, and the chance to make their own mistakes.

I can't stand the smell, even from outside. I don't know how anyone works there without having a permanent headache. It can't be healthy!

I can't think of anything natural that smells as strongly as these things!

I made a purchase for the first time a few weeks ago. Not a great idea. I had an issue with the product & emailed to complain. They confirmed they do add dyes & stuff.

They couldn't apologise enough & insisted they send me other goods to try. They sent £15 worth of products, all of which I hated. I think it's the in shop for teenage girls as my niece (12) lives in the place. I am not a convert, the place stinks from 200 yards away & gives me a headache.

I know what you mean but what I love about them is their approach to packaging i.e. minimal. I find it shocking how much plastic packaging that we use, and buy solid shampoo blocks from Lush which I keep in a purpose-made tin. So - no more throwing away plastic bottles. Why other companies can't do this beats me.

I did like some of their products until I had a massive reaction from their block anti-perspirant. I asked what it contained and was sent a £7 voucher and the newspaper thing they used to have in the shop to explain the ingredients.

Yes, that's what I found TOysRLuv. Found out the hard way!

Their products are all natural, vegan, and not tested on animals. And the bathbombs make my skin soo soft! Lush has got to be one of my favourite shops (though, yes, they are expensive!)

You can still have a bad reaction to natural ingredients found in plants though...

I love Lush. Any bath bomb that's £6 is designed to be broken and used multiple times. I buy from them regularly and see the stuff as a treat to myself. I love how most of it smells and feels and like how enthusiastic the staff are about the products

YABU - The moisturisers, hair masks and soaps are all lovely and actually work. I used to look like a big oily fish face with spots everywhere, there products completely cleared my face up and I wouldn't buy anything else except simple.

I love a bath bomb as a treat they are pricey though

Think it's over hyped and don't get it myself but yep kids seem to love it!!!

Love their vanilla perfume and a moisturising cream that completely soothes my very itchy skin. But the smell of the shops is very overpowering. Staff are fab though and their ethos is good.

Love the smell as you walk past the shop but have never bought anything from there

See Lush shop, take deep breath, hold and walk pask briskly.... rancid nasty overpowering yuck.

I agree. Just looking at the product, their bath bombs are just balls of baking soda and citric acid mixed with essential oils and probably food colouring. It must be a huge markup!

How does it do a roaring trade? They sell soap which I can get in Sainsbury's for 15p and bath salts. But then why do people buy designer glasses/labels/cars? Possibly for the same reason they buy Lush bath bombs.

I thought the products were nicer years ago, I can't remember what the company was called then though...

Cosmetics to Go, I think it was, or something like it

B Never Too Busy to B Beautiful or Cosmetics to Go.

I think the 'all natural ingredients' thing is a clever marketing ploy but there's no doubt in my mind that natural doesn't always mean good for your skin. I mean, nettles are natural but I wouldn't go rubbing them all over me. I too had an allergic reaction to a Lush deodorant. But then, I've had reactions to loads of non Lush deodorants.

Having said all that, I actually quite like some of the products and I like the smell of the shops. What I don't like is the price. It's extortionate.