I've had it with Lush

[badgermushroom]

Sick of their virtue signalling. I've always admired their eco efforts and animal welfare stuff as there was an obvious connection but over the years they've got increasing more irritating and seem to be jumping on any topic which seems trendy.

I want to buy soap. Not subscribe to their politics. This for me was the last straw.

People have always avoided buying from companies who support political aims, campaigns and so on that they disagree with. Why should this be different?

Presumably you're ok with all the other issues about Lush raised on this thread? Why should that stop anyone from buying their products, right?

Lush vouchers are my lazy go-to for tweens. But this time the virtue signalling has gone too far.

And what madness that How to be a Trans Ally thing is on the website. Suggesting ‘Hello Ladies and Gentlemen’ is exclusionary. It is a fucking welcome!

assassinated I mean, they're a bit of a crap company, but I like their products and some of their stuff is the only thing that works for me (notably their lip balms) so I'm not going to cut off my nose to spite my face and stop buying something just because a few people have been treated badly by managers.

I worked in Tesco and had a total witch for a manager, and wasn't supported at all during work even though I have a disability. I still do my shop in tesco though, because I like their products.

And once again, it doesn't have to be different, but where do you draw the line? Will you become a hermit if society moves forward and more companies support trans inclusive policies/donate to trans charities?

If the uk govt pushes through self id and does nothing to safeguard women's rights that doesn't mean that most companies will suddenly start to donate to trans activist groups. It will be a legal position not a sudden mass political conversion.

Trans inclusive policies are fine btw. Obviously all companies should not discriminate against anyone. That's not the same as actively promoting and funding political activists.

I think the behaviour of Lush around the kissing campaign and the naked campaign is more than just a few bad managers, but I guess you don't agree with that.

To their credit though, when I went to the spa once they asked (on the phone when I was booking) if I preferred a female therapist or if I was fine with a make therapist, and were very clear that if I wanted a female then a female I would get (I did want).

Interesting insight into the lush corporate culture.

They are doing it for the same cynical reasons as the Labour Party. Marketing to the youth money. It could backfire though as the tween market is very much bankrolled by parents like me.

This. My nearly 11yo DD loves Lush products. Like me, she has overly dry, sensitive skin and their bath bombs, lips balms and body lotions have been wonderful for us. But I won't be spending another penny on their products. The Trans-pushing is bad enough, but to learn of the kissing and naked campaign stunts - fucking horrific! Especially in light of the fact most of their employees fall into the 'young, easily pressured female' category Shame on you, Lush!

I will be looking into alternatives pronto.

I'm not surprised at all.

I went into Lush at Christmas, first time in about 2 years. I couldn't find the men's shaving cream so I asked a member of staff and specifically said "I can't find the men's shaving cream, would you be able to point me in the right direction". She launched into a full on rant about how they don't have a men's section anymore and started a big schpeel about gender and trans in the most patronising of voices as if I was being a bigot. I cut her off (I never do this) and said "I didn't ask you about gender or transsexuals, I asked you where the men's shaving cream was, but if Lush are going to be peddling the stuff that is trying to remove women's rights then I will shop elsewhere". I walked out absolutely fuming and it took me quite a while to calm down.

Lush have lost the plot.

To their credit though, when I went to the spa once they asked (on the phone when I was booking) if I preferred a female therapist or if I was fine with a make therapist, and were very clear that if I wanted a female then a female I would get

OK, so what would have happened if they had had a TIM on their therapy staff? Either they would have treated him as a male in this situation - in which case, they are total hypocrites (given the campaign) - or they would have foisted him on you, ignored your preferences and made you feel like a bigot if you complained.

Maverick

What enrages me most about the Lush campaign is the assumption that it's OK to tell female customers (women must be >90% of their customers) what to do - and that they will meekly comply. It clearly hasn't crossed the mind of anyone in Lush that women might not like being ordered around. I find it impossible to imagine a retailer aimed at men behaving in the same way.

The Lush rep on Twitter has just kindly explained the meaning of cis.

In awesome homage to Maverick

I wish I was as clear thinking and articulate as you in situations like this.

I usually go home, fume for hours and come up with a beautiful riposte 48 hours later.

Sigh.

Does anyone know a good alternative for bath bombs and massage bars? We buy loads of those for christmas/bday presents. Would like to shop elsewhere now...

@Pepvixen Etsy? Bonus is you are supporting small business.

You know what though I didn't feel anything like that. I felt flustered and rude and quite panicky after. I was so wound up and kept going on about it to the person I was with and just couldn't relax.

Just makes me wonder how we're all going to feel as this stuff gets worse.

Maverick - hop on over to the Lush website. Look up 'shaving'. There are three products. One is pink and strawberry scented. The video shows a woman shaving her legs with it. The others are white and one is called 'dirty' and the other 'prince' and the video shows men using them!

Pep have you ever tried Bomb Cosmetics? Their bath bombs are cheaper than Lush, and from what I've read this morning, BC don't test on animals and have a wide vegan friendly range of products. I've never used them before, as I'm always wary about sensitive skin issues. Anyone got any feedback on BC?

I bought a load of Bomb Cosmetics smelly stuff a few years back as Xmas presents when they did some bargain Black Friday deals.

They were lovely and beautifully gift wrapped.

sorry meant to say I didn't use them personally so can't comment on skin issues.

Pep another vote for Etsy. Or google plus name of your county/town. Loads of small businesses do bath bombs and the like.

Usually without SLS, better packaging, no bloody glitter and better thoughts about ethics.

Turns out there was an amazing maker of soap just down the road from me - no palm oil, lovely solid shampoo, no plastic packaging, everything I'd been going to Lush for but in a small business.

There are loads of them out there.

Maverick - that's insane! Ask for men's shaving products - get a lecture on gender politics? I'm not even sure how I would've reacted to that - I'd have been flustered too, because I just wouldn't have been expecting it. You did well, I think.

Was that in the UK?

I usually go home, fume for hours and come up with a beautiful riposte 48 hours later

Me too. As in the fab French phrase, l'esprit d'escalier - the spirit/courage of the staircase - you think of what you should have said, and work up the nerve to say it, after you leave

Lush was my “go to” for Christmas and Easter presents. I also recently bought a few products and was unhappy with how much packaging they used when I had said that I was buying the bar soaps, shampoo and deodorant to avoid packaging (something I hadn’t previously prioritized).

I don’t think I could shop there again now I have seen this thread. I wonder if they’ll see any loss in sales?

Wow bomb looks awesome. Will also check for local options. Thanks all!