This week I met up with my girl Nae from www.tastetocook.com to do check out Lush Cosmetics in Herald Square.
Known worldwide for their "fresh handmade cosmetics" (their handmade soaps come in blocks like cheese and they slice and wrap for you deli style) Lush creates ethically sourced, vegan soaps and body condiments and fragrances that social and environmentally conscious consumers can feel good about, according to the website. The products are not tested on animals and are paraben free.
I worked with Melissa, who was very knowledgeable about the products, and their benefits. I gave her the run down on my issues with sensitive skin, eczema, etc. And she walked me through the product line. I know that you may be thinking, "Vegan, organic soaps and body products? That's a little too granola crunch, dirty back pack for me." Personally, I was wondering if the products could actually make a person feel clean, which is my main concern. Melissa explained that while the products are organic some of the body soaps and cleansers do contain Sulfates-chemicals that create lather and bubbles in shampoos, body washes, soap and toothpaste.
Sidebar: Sulfates like Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, are known for lather and emulsifying qualities and can also strip the skin and hair of natural oils and can be toxic.
Needless to say, I am not fully convinced of that the "vegan" tag the company boasts about can honestly be applied to the entire product line. On the other hand,I do feel good about my purchase. i honestly believe that consumer power is true power and that we as concumers can send strong, clear messages to companies, and the society at large about what matters to us by simply making conscious decisions about where to spend our dollars. While I am definitely not the driver, or even in the first car on the 'eco-conscious, vegan, go green' train, but the more I learn, the more I understand the importance of things like: what I put into and onto my body; the values of the companies whose products I buy, and the energy I chose to surround myself with.
100 bucks later, I'm glad I got a chance to learn about Lush! Did I mention their soaps and cleansers smell phenomenal?! So far I am happy with my purchases. No skin irratation thus far, and honestly my skin seems to have a little glow!
Your turn! What's your feeling on organic products? Do you think all brands are made the same and the 'organic' is just a label companies use to raise prices? Have you done your own research on ingredients and decided to eliminate certain ingredients from your product purchases based on research and experience?
