Lush Opens Largest Store in North America

Last weekend, Lush Fresh Handmade Cosmetics held the grand opening for its largest store in North America on the second floor at Tysons Corner Center, 1961 Chain Bridge Road, McLean, Va.

Lush Fresh Handmade Cosmetics opened its largest store in North America in Tysons Corner Center.
(Photo: Mark Heckathorn/DC on Heels)

I was lucky enough to get to check it out before it opened, and getting a tour of the entire 2,800 squre-foot store had me wanting to try every single product. Not only does Lush have great, unique products, but all of their products are handmade in Canada and fresh, meaning they are stamped with a sticker of the name of the person who made the product along with the date of when it was made and its use-by date. The company does not test its products on animals, and uses little or no preservative packaging. Lush is committed to environmental and social stewardship, and that is made clear to you as soon as you step inside.

Different lids showcase different charities that the proceeds will go to. (Photo: Emma Blancovich)

Not only does using the products make you feel great and au naturel, but you are also helping to make a positive impact in the world by purchasing these products that are safe for the environment and also help support local communities where support is most needed. Lush only buys their ingredients from small-scale producers around the world, which is what allows them to make connections with the communities where the ingredients are harvested. This helps make a positive change in the lives of all who are in involved in the making of the ingredients Lush uses.

This body lotion lasts all day through the night on your skin. (Photo: Emma Blancovich)

Lush’s charitable givings can be seen with their Charity Pot Body Lotion. It has a very sweet scent that smells like a bakery, which just got flowers delivered filling the entire space. It is sweet-meets-floral and is all handmade using natural ingredients at factories in Toronto and Vancouver. One hundred percent of the proceeds from Charity Pot, minus the tax, goes to supporting grassroots charities. You can even look at the lid of the container and choose which charity you would like to support. There are a couple different charieites you can choose from. To see more of the charities Charity Pot supports you can visit the website.

These Toothy Tabs taste just like candy. (Photo: Emma Blancovich)

One of Lush’s unique products that I was eager to try was its Oral Pleasure Toothy Tabs. They are small tablet-sized, passion fruit-flavored toothpaste. All you have to do it bite down on the tablet, let it foam and start brushing with your toothbrush. It has a candy-like taste, and taking these to work is ideal for after lunch. It is more discreet and can be done very quickly. It would also be great for travel as you won’t be taking up your liquid requirements for your tooth brushing necessities.

This oil-fighting gel goes on light and makes your skin soft. (Photo: Emma Blancovich)

Another product that I have been using on my face to keep oil at bay is its Grease Lightning tea tree and aloe gel. It smells of tea tree and thyme, but the smell goes away once you blend it into your face leaving a faint smell of cleanliness. It is very light and leaves your skin incredibly soft. It also does not leave your face shiny, but instead gives you a matte finish. This product is great for controlling breakouts before they happen or for putting on stubborn zits that will not go away.

Lush soaps come in a variety of shapes and scents that are cut to order in the sise you want. (Photo: Mark Heckathorn/DC on Heels)

I also had to buy some of Lush’s handmade soap because it looks like blocks of cheese and is cut for you in the amount you desire. They have many different soaps for different skin types, but I decided to go with their best selling Honey I Washed The Kids. This soap uses real Canadian honey and beeswax to soothe skin, so it is especially great for sensitive skin.

Lush’s Avocado Co-Wash is a solid shampoo. (Photo: Mark Heckathorn/DC on Heels)

There are other wonderful products to try such as the first Shampoo Bar ever created to eliminate the use of plastic bottles and remarkably effective face masks, which are made weekly with such fresh ingredients that they need to be refrigerated so that they do not lose their potency.