The Wonder of Lush Oxford Street
It's not my local Lush, but I usually go to the Waterloo Station branch as I pass through there a lot, and that's when I think to stock up on the bath bomb goodness that only Lush can deliver. I don't know why I go in that particular one, because it's the size of walk-in wardrobe, and ends up infuriating me as no one can move round it (though I always cheer up when I leave, bag of bath goodies in hand). I'm sorry, Waterloo Station branch, but now I've encountered the sheer wonderment and majesty of the new Oxford Street store, I don't think I will ever be back. I saw that one of the Waterloo staff members has also jumped ship to work at this magical shop, so I'm not alone in seeing this as the best possible way forward. If you love Lush, and you're in London, you must pay this store a visit. It's three floors of gorgeous design, beautiful displays, and even a spa. Other Lush stores have a tin bowl to do bath bomb demos, at this one they have a giant sink (below). Behold!
There's also a huge array of products that are exclusive to the Oxford Street store, or released there several weeks before other branches. Just walking round was like being a kid in a sweet shop because there were just so many things I've never seen before. Though, this could be because the Waterloo branch was the size of a garden shed, so they might not have had everything.
The Halloween and Christmas ranges were in full swing, and I picked up a few bits that I will haul for you tomorrow. Everyone's favourite (okay, mine) the sparkly pumpkin is back, getting orange glitter everywhere but serving spooky season realness.
If supermarkets only sold Lush bath bombs, they'd look like this. Endless shelves, boxes and crates of colourful and fresh-smelling pods to make your bath a heavenly and Instagramable experience.
There's also dedicated sections to bubble bars and massage bars (below), and a perfume gallery you can walk through for an exhibition to delight the senses. A lot of people find the smell of Lush shops too strong, but because this store is so huge and has high ceilings, the smell is much less overpowering, and really quite pleasant.
There's some really great spaces in the store, including the Fun Table (below) where you can play with the fun bars and make things. It feels like everywhere you walk a lot of thought has been put into the design to make this a really chilled and friendly place to shop and get to know the brand.
I love Lush, and I am so excited about this new branch. It's going to be my favourite, not least for the exclusives, but I know I'll enjoy chatting to staff and taking my time shopping. It's not just a store, it's an experience, and I have totally got to get in that spa for some treatments too. Lush Oxford Street is open Mon-Sat 9.30am-9pm (10pm on Thursday) and Sunday 12pm-6pm.
Have you been yet? Does it look like your kind of place?