Lushy Lush: Brand Overview
Not many people know: I have a lot to say about Lush. After all, I was literally obsessed with it for a whole year. I breathed that bath bomb dust day in, day out. I bought every single item they sold (yes, 100s and 100s of products that still occupy my storage room although I have “moved on”). Yes, my apartment still smells like Lush.
Lush is like a drug: beautiful, fun but extremely addictive. After a year of being submerged into the Lush culture, I saw reason. That journey probably cost me more than USD10,000. Yes, obsession, addiction, cult. I am quite glad that I managed to experience it though. I know so much about the brand now – quite a lot of insider stories too (from “interviewing” quite a lot of Lush staff over that time).
You can say that Lush, by and large, is overpriced pretty garbage. And quite honestly, you wouldn´t be wrong. The cost of making bath bombs (together with labour, distribution) is extremely minimal (I will not be telling you of the actual costs, but I do know them), and yet, they sell for like USD 6-10. This is ridiculous. But it is fun, and pretty, and you are given a “show” the moment you step into a Lush store (if you can bare the smell, that is).
It is creative, cheerful, inviting. It is like a party. But after a year, I started seeing the pattern in their products. While innovative, many products are extremely impractical. I mean, have you tried to hold a wobbly jelly in your shower without it falling down? Yeah, good luck with that, you will be the first who succeeds.
Lush products are actually not that good either. Shampoos are stripping as hell (yes, I have just checked their pH level – far too high for a shampoo, and not good for your scalp). Hair conditioners are terrible. Face masks are okay-ish, but honestly, you will probably be able to find cheaper and better. All bath products extremely overpriced. Moisturisers – you will be better off buying from brands that can actually formulate them properly.
Lush is not a science-based brand (they don´t really claim that either, though, in their defence). Lush is a fun-based brand. But yes, half of the products do smell of citrus, because the founders do have a pretty good contract with citrus producers in Italy.