LUSH Fresh Handmade Cosmetics don’t fit into my traditional scope of writings on Art, Architecture, Interior Design or Window Display… unless you think of their yummy products as art. And in that case, they certainly qualify.
I recently discovered LUSH while visiting San Francisco. Sure they’re here in LA, but I didn’t know that until a few minutes ago when I sat down to write this post. This year I’d decided to take a holiday from the holidays, and spend my Christmas driving the streets of San Fran looking for fun things to photograph. I decided to start with Union Square since I was vaguely familiar with the area. I parked my car, and started walking the streets in search of great buildings. As I was walking up Powell Street I smelled something wonderful that stopped me in my tracks. I backed up… should I go in? It’s not art or architecture, but what the heck. This was a day dedicated to getting lost in the city and being open to whatever gifts were put in front of me.
Typically I’m the kind of guy who can’t tolerate fragrances as they trigger my allergies. But this place was divine. One of the sales associates spent a fair amount of time showing me products and educating me on their ingredients. Products with names like: Luxurious Creamy Fig Soap, Fabulous Fruity Mango-Mandarin, Meditative Patchouli Soap, Carmel and Honey Soap, Lime and Lavender Seaweed and Sea Salt Scrubber, Mushroom Jasmine and Ylang Ylang Soap… you get the picture.
I could’ve easily spent several hundred dollars in this store because so many of their items spoke to me… and my nose. Even though I didn’t spend a dime this time, I walked away feeling refreshed, invigorated, and intrigued. Having done some research on the company, I understand why I felt the way I did. They use whole, fresh ingredients from fresh fruits and vegetables, to essential oils and herb infusions… and yes, the occasional safe synthetics. They could go cheaper and use synthetic alternatives as opposed to fresh ingredients, but you wouldn’t have the same kind of product that affects you in such a positive way on a cellular level. That’s why my nose drew me into their store, it knew the difference. There’s an old adage, you get what you pay for. And with this company it’s a reduced carbon footprint, pure fresh ingredients, ethical buying from suppliers, reduced packaging and no animal testing. It’s truly the way of the future. I hope you’ll find a store near you and see if it’s right for you. I for one can’t wait to go back!