Lush
- Price Range: $$$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Garage
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
23 Reviews for Lush
Lush is one of those things I love in principle but have trouble with in practice - especially when you're cramming all the goodies into a store this small.
Fresh, hippy-dippy personal care products that smell yummy and fill me with the hollow semi-satifaction of making me feel like less of an SUV-driving Mother-Nature-snubbing asshat who occasionally puts paper in the garbage can? Sure, just show me where to sign... what, you're going to deduct $2.50 from my bank account and cover me in glittery froo-froo if I touch that pen ? Oh, darn.
However, 3 stars for the occasional truly awesome products that keep me from looking like Don King with static electricity issues.
Relatively high rating with a caveat: it's expensive. Perhaps I just don't shower as often as other people, though, or use as much soap when I do... 'cause for me, an expensive bar or bottle of soap will still last a long time. My skin is very dry and sensitive, so I can't use a lot of 'normal' soaps without irritating it.
Things I like about Lush:
- 75% of products are vegan-friendly (no animal products) and the other 25% don't contain any products which required killing an animal (but use honey, etc.) They don't buy products from companies that do animal testing either.
- Most products are entirely fresh, nonsynthetic ingredients (though this also means they have a relatively short expiration date)
- The smell of the store may be overwhelming, but the products individually smell really, really good
- The UK headquarters donates money to various activist groups that support things like alternative transportation
I don't find their bath bombs to be a good deal despite their lovely smell... I'm not gonna pay $5-10 for a bath unless it's a gift or something. But the soaps, face wash, shower gels, etc. all last me a reasonable length of time, so I can justify the cost for those.
Every time I walk into Lush I break out laughing. The prices aren't just wrong, they aren't just insulting, they're actually hilarious. If the products were actually soap, made from expensive ingredients that spoil, the prices would be nutty -- but most of them use the same petrochemical bullshit ingredients as anything you'd buy anywhere else, so the prices are just fucked. IIn the ear.
And everything's SO heavily scented. It makes my delicate bear ass break out in hives.
As a plus, the staff are always really sweet and many of them are quite nice to look at, and they usually cheerfully respond to my open derision of their prices and product. Hence the second star.
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Individually, the products are 4-worthy, but the stores themselves are Too Much. All those smells packed together, and even the little shakers of coffee beans can't clear my nose enough to smell what I'm getting.
Lush stores give me headaches sometimes, but the bath melts were so nice to my skin and it was all so COOL and SPARKLY and FUN that I became addicted despite the issues. But their prices have gone up in recent months and I find Bliss much more moderate: in smell, attitude and price.
Not that I'd throw a nice Butterball bath melt in your face if you handed it to me.
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Holy guacamole! Is this the most deliciously evil store ever?
Walking into Lush results in instant, blissful sensory overload. The soaps, bubble bath bars, bath bombs, etc. look so good, you could almost eat them. Lush is out to provide an ultra sensual experience, both when shopping and when using their products. And boy, do they succeed.
I think a visit to Lush chemically alters the brain, much like a drug. When you go in the store, you want it all and you want it all NOW, despite the price you might pay.
Lush is spendy, so routine visits are completely out of the question. But, if you're looking for a great gift for a great friend, spouse, whatever, get over to Lush. I promise--you can NOT go wrong!
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I'm a lush for Lush
Sex Bomb fizzles in my tub
Certified hottie
Buttery soft skin
Loves Skins Shangrila la la
Pores sing songs of joy
Items for men too
Cosmetic Lad supple-ize
Preserves his sexy
Fresh yummy products
Not tested on animals
Worth your dime at Lush
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Oh how I love LUSH maybe because deep down inside I really am one but who knows. I was over joyed when I heard we were getting one but also sadden because there will be no need for trips to London, Victoria or Whistler just for an excuse to buy LUSH products.
Their products are AMAZING and worth their weight in gold, ok maybe not gold but something precious. The one product of theirs I can't live without is the Ocean Salt, is reminds me of a quick trip to a spa and leaves my skin feeling so soft and smooth. I also love their dusting powder, Candy Fluff, like their website says "Lush Dusting Powders are to talc what caviar is to fish paste --- but they smell better."
One downside is the store is super small and if you attend one for their in store parties it can be a bit crazy but you know what it's ok because you're at LUSH after all.
The sales clerks have always been very helpful and friendly answering all my questions and helping me find the product that would work best for me. Go check them out, play with the products in the store but check out their website first so you won't go into shock at the sticker price like I've seen some ladies do.
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Couldn't love this store more if I wanted to. Got addicted in Whistler, BC years ago and shed a tear of delight when it opened here. The products are AWESOME.... and seriously the bars of soap last forever!!! The staff knows lots, and will always help you out. One bad thing is how small this one is... but who cares. I love this DAMN store. :)
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I'm a big Lush fan from way back. But this particular location is so small and overwhelming I can't even coax my children past the threshold. If you know what you want, suck in your gut and shimmy sideways quickly inside and grab it. There's no room for browsing at this location. Staff is eager to the point of being irritating and there's no room to get away from them!
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I think I actually like the idea of LUSH much more than I actually like LUSH. First - the store is a teeny tiny postcard stamp of a store. Tiny. Everything is stuffed in this store that it is almost impossible to turn around without knocking something or someone over.
You really want to be able to smell everything - but it is so overwhelming that it is hard to really focus. I don't like the way that things are displayed - its hard to figure out what is what and how much it costs.
The products themselves are great. There are bath bombs, soaps, lip balm, and a zillion other delicious items - but I think I'll be better off ordering from the catalog.
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Frankly, Lush scared me.
Yeah, it smelled great, and it wooed me in Wonka-like fashion but the tiniest container I've ever seen cost an outrageous sum of money. Yet I loved being in there - touching sparkly gelatinous things that may be soap or shampoo...I've never used hard shampoo or gelatinous body wash....what kind of sick cult is this?
They were signing people up for Happy Hour - wa wa wa what? I get froofy loo-loo bath products AND a happy hour? It was all too much. I ran out for some air.
The sad truth is our bathroom needs to be remodeled. It is not worthy of such precious bath items. One trip to Lush will actually cost $20,000.
Once we remodel, I'll be back. And by that time, the Westlake store should be open to cast its spell upon more unsuspecting Seattleites.
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My Lush addiction began on a trip to Victoria, BC. I ran across this store on a dreary winter day and it was just what I needed to lift my spirits. The entire shop is full of handmade soaps, bath bombs, lotions, lip balms and other goodies, in all different kinds of scents.
They've recently opened a shop in Bellevue Square, and while it is a little smaller, they still have a full inventory and helpful staff. Seriously, you will find something you love here, even if you don't take baths. I just stocked up on Bath Bombs and Bubble Bars for the winter and bought a couple new soaps. I have really sensitive skin, and this stuff never irritates it. The Fresh Farmacy soap keeps my complexion clear; Smitten makes my hands soft and smells like almonds; when I want to snuggle I use Honey I Washed the Kids because it makes people want to be close to me; and the Avobath Bath Bomb melts my stress away.
Yeah, their products are pricey, but the quality is top of the line and each item is handmade with LOVE.
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The first time I ventured into the tiny Bellevue store, my head about exploded -- and not in a good way. TOO! MANY! SMELLS! The store was tiny and packed and smelled so overwhelmingly strong that I simply turned around and fled. It was sort of awful.
I went back a second time with a Lush enthusiast friend and she gave me more of a guided tour, telling me about each product and pointing out the ones she thought I might like. I was sort of stunned by the prices, and only bought a couple bathbombs.
But I was sent home with a catalog, and THAT was when I was actually able to see what Lush actually does. Far away from the overwhelming stench and packed tiny boutique and, well, BELLEVUE, I was able to see what I wanted to try out.
My third trip back was much more productive, and now I'm hooked. The prices are spendy, but the company does good stuff -- low packaging, no animal testing, amazing smells, and quality products. I can't wait 'til the Westlake store opens. *evil cackle*
UPDATE: Lush USA upped their prices significantly (10-15% on most products) for 2007, and this makes a big difference to me. The stuff was already incredibly spendy, but now it's bordering on ridiculous. Should taking a bath really cost almost $10? If you're getting a big batch of stuff, it's cheaper to just order it from LUSH UK. Even with shipping, it ends up costing less than the bloated USA prices. Seriously.
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Lush yummy. Seriously addicted to many products from this store---especially the Ocean Salt. I would give it 5 stars if not for Bell Sq location and the fact that they discontinued my favorite body wash.
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Okay, I hate Bellevue with a burning passion and avoid it like the plague, but this store will make me hit the Bell Square mall the day before Christmas if necessary.
What can you say about Lush? It is the most amazing store ever, they originally started up in the UK, they make everything themselves (soap, shampoo, conditioner, bath bombs, masks, etc.) and one trip there will make you go back again and again and again. If you love a good bath (or even if you're just so-so on the bath-liking front) try a Bath Bomb - there are many, many to choose from, ranging from light and fruity to glittery and floral. Or a bubble bar if you like a good bubble bath. My personal favorites are the Coal Face soap (all soaps are bulk so you decide how much you want), the massage bars, Veganese Conditioner, The Blonde shampoo bar (yes, shampoo BAR!), any of the amazing soaps, cup cake mask (chocolate face mask that needs to be refrigerated - soooo good!), and any of the bubble bars or bath bombs.
There is talk of one opening in Seattle, and when that day finally comes, I guess I can kiss my paycheck goodbye!
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Ok, I may appear generous with my stars but what can I say - we are talking about Lush, aren't we! I love this store and only found out just now that they have one here in WA. When I lived in Sydney, Australia I would hit this store for cool products all the time. I sort of became addicted and have shopped in Lush all over the place - Dublin, Sydney & Melbourne(Australia), Boston, New York and recently in San Fran. The prices are low and the products are amazing, AND they do not inflict any cruelty on animals in the process, which is refreshing. The only negative I have to say about the shop is that the overwhelming aroma can be just that - overwhelming - and I often have to get in, get the goods, and get out, but even the smell is well worth the product satisfaction.
* I remember in Sydeny they used to have a cool exfoliating soap called 'Buffy the backside slayer' - so cool!
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I give them all stars! I love this place. I only came to know of them, by my friend who visited the UK last year and brought me a GC for them. LOVE LOVE LOVE the massage bars! They aren't messy and smell D-Lish! Frolick, no RUN to Lush and try some!
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Best damn shampoo ever! And I've cringed every time I've walked through the door into this establishment. It goes against my grain yet sucks me in once I've gotten past my own miss givings. This is coming from a guy that wears miss matched socks on a routine basis.Most women will freak out once they discover the allures of the bath bomb...
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It's smaller than either the Whistler flagship store or the San Francisco store... and there just something wrong with it being in a mall. Lush seems too boutique-y to live in a mall. That said, the staff was nice, when they weren't chatting with each other. Always tons of yummy bath treats abound. They don't come cheap, but neither does good champagne and both are equally good for a special bath.
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i still love you, bellevue lush.
it's a pain to go to you, because you are in the middle of a choked, overcrowded mall that never has a quiet night.
the one in seattle is a lot closer to me.
but i still love you, and even though mall management hates you and wants to keep your lovely smells out of the mall (while sephora down the way positively REEKS...whee), you are awesome. you put product aside for me when i call and say i can't be there for two days. you treat me like an old friend when i haven't been there for two months. you might have lost some good folks to the Seattle store, but you found new good folks, and you rule.
what is the big deal about this place?
(+)
cute soap
friendly workers
(-)
price
this store is cute, the soap(s) are all packaged cute, etc. i've been in here quite a few times and i like it everytime -- no complaints really. i just really don't understand what the hype is all about. the soaps are overly expensive. maybe i'm just not the pay $10 for a bar of soap type. but if you ARE one of those, which if i must say is SOOO "bellevue," this is the place to go. =D
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I'm with Krissi - there are few reasons to go to Bellevue. One is LUSH. The other is ... erm.... you know, okay, there's just LUSH. But I will happily do it to replenish my supply of Butterball and Waving Not Drowning! I actually begin to panic when I am running low.
I remember my first introduction to LUSH.... I was up at Whistler about 8 years ago and had just come down off the mountain while all my girlfriends were still skiing. I was sore and windburned and thinking about a soak in the tub. I clomped through the village in my ski boots on the way home and spotted a store that looked like it might have bubble bath (uncharacteristically, I had forgotten mine at home). It was LUSH. The shop girl found me a Butterball and a mask which they don't make anymore and whose name escapes me. I also picked up a little wine n cheese at the grocery store. But that LUSH bath was either the beginning of a beautiful relationship... or the beginning of my financial troubles. The moral of the story is, once you try LUSH, you and your body will be happy, but you will be a junkie and possibly broke. It isn't that their products are singularly expensive, it is just that everything is wonderful and you will want to try one of each and obtain multiples of the ones you already know!
Their shops are great - you can smell, touch, and try out everything. Their packaging is minimal and they encourage recycling and container bring backs. Often they will send you off with bits of soap to try or other samples. When you find one you like, stock up for the love of pete, because sometimes things get phased out (I still heart you and miss you, Ibiza Party Shampoo!!) and you will be heartbroken. But nothing that a little shopping trip to Bellevue can't cure.
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You Snap the Whip Body Butter bars.
Alkamar soap.
Soak and Float solid shampoo.
Sea Vegetable Soap.
and...BIGGER Aqua Mirabilis. Ahhhhhh...taking a bath has never been more indulgent or relaxing. The worst part is that it all goes away so fast that you have to keep going back for more and these treats don't come cheap!
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