If you’ve sadly run out of bath bombs, then here’s some good news. Lush Cosmetics is reopening stores across the U.S and Canada but these store reopenings come with new rules and safety guidelines.

Some Lush stores in Ontario, Alberta, Newfoundland, and Manitoba have started to reopen and according to Narcity, the retailer hopes to have all stores reopened by early July.

“We’ve missed our community more than you can know and want to take a moment to thank all of our fans for sticking with us through this. While things continue to evolve, we’re doing everything we can to bring fresh products back into the hands of our Lushies—whether that be carefully welcoming folks into a store or safely passing parcels of handmade goodies on. Needless to say, the road back to normality is bound to be a little uncertain as the world changes around us, but we’re committed to safely and consciously starting afresh together”, says Elisa Torres, Retail Director in an email.

The safety of Lush’s customers and staff is always top priority and that’s why major changes have been made to the shopping experience that folks have come to know and love.

Below are some changes you’ll notice when you stop in to shop:

• Reduced capacity. 
• 6 feet social distance guide markers. 
• Access to clean sinks and soap for requested handwashing upon entry (no purchase required). 
• Contactless payment only. 
• Sanitized cash desk and debit terminal after each customer. 
• Regular sanitization of surfaces throughout the shop. 
• Compulsory hand washing before staff assists different customers. 
• New products available if customers are not comfortable purchasing package-free or display products on shelves. 
• Masks for Lush team members and a request that customers wear them, too. 
• At this stage, demos will also be paused to maintain hygiene levels. 

For anyone who is in need of their Lush essentials but is uncomfortable with shopping in-store, contactless pickup is available at select locations.

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Now that the summer has passed, retailers are working hard on getting out all things new for fall and winter. The upcoming seasons are jam-packed with holidays and events, and Halloween is just around the corner.

One retailer that always has something creative up its sleeve for the spooky month is LUSH Cosmetics.

And we were itching to see what the fresh beauty retailer had in store for October.

For those who don’t know, LUSH Cosmetics is a fresh beauty company that makes cosmetics, bath, and skin care completely by hand. You’ve probably seen or shopped them in your favourite mall, and recently, we had the opportunity to visit the Toronto facility to get a behind-the-scenes look at how one of its new Halloween bath products is made.

Located in Etobicoke, you can smell LUSH Cosmetics from a mile away.

In this facility is where all of the products for Toronto and surrounding cities’ stores are made — and it’s all done completely by hand. From the creation and packaging and even the marketing, all things LUSH happen under this roof.

We went into LUSH Cosmetics’ Beauty Kitchen to see how Boo Shower Slime is made. Watch below!

With Halloween just around the corner, LUSH Cosmetics has a variety of products to look out for.

In addition to the Boo Shower Slime, shoppers can expect to find fun bath and beauty — think bath bombs, glow in the dark soap, and sparkly bubble bars — with cheeky names like Little Box of Horrors, Monsters’ Ball, and Mercury Retrograde.

Start shopping for the spooky season and check out what LUSH Cosmetics has available for Halloween at lush.ca.

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One fateful day sometime last year, I took a look at my bathroom shelves and realized (to my horror) that they were lined with single-use plastic bottles containing my hygienic “essentials.” For the fine humans in the back — I had over 50 sample, travel, and full-size products all enclosed in plastic packaging. At that moment, I suddenly realized that this was not okay — for me at least — so I decided I had to try a low-waste skincare routine.

Earlier last year, I ditched plastic shopping bags and began using reusable totes instead. I also made an effort to ask waiters for no straws and avoided single-use coffee cups like they were the plague (because they’re just as gross).

Fun fact: we can’t recycle our way to a better planet. Face wipes take about 100 years to biodegrade and only 9% of plastic is actually recycled. I decided to make some changes. 

Instagram/@lushcosmetics

Here is my current 4-step low-waste skincare routine for the busy, young professional (with dry and acne-prone skin) that I am.

I want to preface my routine by saying that although some brands have been or have begun packaging products in plastic-free containers, these brands aren’t necessarily perfect but are better than products packaged in 100% plastic containers. 

Step 1: Makeup Remover

Instagram/@norinovreness

Coconut oil cures all, right? Well, I’m not so sure about that, but it is the perfect first step to take off all the dirt and makeup from your day. Right now I’m using a jar of organic coconut oil from the grocery store that comes packaged in glass (just don’t use the one you cook with), but if you’re feeling fancy, the RMS Beauty Raw Coconut Cream will do the trick.

To take off the oil, I wet reusable cotton rounds in warm to hot water and make small circular motions around my face until all of the oil is removed.

Step 2: Cleanser

Instagram/@sajewellness

Others rave about honey as a natural, low-waste cleanser, but I’ve tried it and it’s just not for me. Instead, I use solid facial cleansing bars. Right now, my go-to bar is the Zap Tea Tree Oil Face Bar from Saje which comes packaged in cardboard. To use, I run the bar under warm water and then lather it between my hands. This creates a milky cleanser that I use to remove any remaining oil, makeup, or dirt on my face. 

Also, Lush has recently come out with a naked skincare line with tons of different cleansers that I have been dying to try! There are a ton of mainstream and accessible, or locally-made options out there!

Step 3: Exfoliation

Instagram/@cocokindskincare

When I mentioned earlier that I have dry skin, I meant that I have very very dry skin, which requires semi-frequent exfoliation. I am currently using cocokind’s Sea Moss Exfoliator, which is a very gentle mechanical exfoliator that does the job right. It’s packaged in cardboard and glass, but has a plastic lid — hey, you can’t win them all.

Step 4: Moisturizer

Instagram/@deciem

Last but certainly not least, my favourite part of my skincare routine: oils! While I have experimented with different oils in the past, I’m currently using The Ordinary’s 100% Cold-Pressed Virgin Marula Oil which is packaged in cardboard and glass with a plastic dropper. It’s super hydrating and leaves my face glowing!

In terms of the minimal plastic packaging that some of the products I use do contain, I will be recycling through L’Occitane en Provence’s TerraCycle program to recycle my hard-to-recycle plastics.

I hope I’ve inspired you to try your own version of a low-waste skincare routine because you and the planet deserve it!

Featured Image: Instagram/@emma_sugi

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Back to nature!

We’re a few months into the year, and our clean and green beauty resolutions have not wavered. We’re definitely huge fans of products that get the job done, but sometimes that comes at a cost. Let’s all do our best to steer clear of brands that test on animals or source ingredients in harmful ways.

So, in order to help you on your cruelty-free product quest, we’ve sourced five brands that can address your natural skin concerns. Check these five stores located inside the Eaton Centre.

1. Aveda Experience Centre:

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bf8jxeWgMRJ/?taken-by=avedacanada

Aveda has been a friend to the environment since 1978, and continues to push the boundaries for natural beauty products. From their hair care products to luxe makeup skincare buys, they stock our vanities with some of the best planet-friendly finds around town. If you’re hoping to snag a few of their smooth frizzing potions or sun care products before your holiday in the sun, be sure to stop by their experience store right here in Toronto.

2. Lush Fresh Handmade Cosmetics:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BedZye6gUQn/?taken-by=lushcosmetics

Lush seriously brings the fun to the natural beauty industry! Not only do they buy ethically, but they proactively fight against animal testing. Their products are handmade and vegetarian, and to top it all off, their packaging is recycled. Stop by their Eaton’s Centre store for their latest and greatest including a slew of colourful bath bombs, lotions and the like.

3. Saje Natural Wellness:

https://www.instagram.com/p/Be1aSpbn4TE/?taken-by=sajewellness

The come up story for Saje Natural Wellness has been exciting to watch. If you’ve ever stopped by one of their locations, you will notice a fragrant aroma that allows you to feel centred no matter the situation. Saje is also a proudly Canadian brand that uses 100% natural ingredients derived from true sources. All ingredients are listed very clearly on the label and boast no artificial fragrances, parabens, silicones or SLS.

4. Compagnie de Provence:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BeaM0WbhqGx/?taken-by=compagniedeprovence

These vegetable oil derived products come straight from Marseilles, France, and are free of colouring or artificial additives. Their natural line has also expanded from soaps to fragrances, face care and home products which will clean up your life, and leave it smelling like a sumptuous lavender field in Provence.

5. The Body Shop:

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bf1Xh9EHPxL/?taken-by=thebodyshop

It’s no secret that The Body Shop cares about animals and the environment! From their affordable pricing to their cruelty-free mantra and ethically sourced ingredients, you can feel good while shopping here. They have also partnered with Cruelty-Free International, an organization aimed at fighting against animal cruelty. Make a difference and sign the petition today: https://www.thebodyshop.com/en-ca/againstanimaltesting

Featured image: Instagram/ @lushcosmetics

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If beauty is your calling and you just so happen to be on the job hunt, you’ll be happy to hear that Lush Cosmetics, known for ethically handmade and 100% vegetarian bath and beauty products, is hosting a massive job fair this month with 1000 positions up for grabs.

The role call is for seasonal, full-time production assistants that will help create the very products you see in stores. New employees are being offered a starting wage of $12.50/hour and returning employees are being offered $13.50/hour. If you’re able to work afternoon or evening shifts, you’ll get an extra $1-2 an hour. And of course, there are store perks – all staff get 50% off!

Lush Cosmetics is holding hiring fairs over four days this month: Wednesday, July 19th and July 26th (register by 9am), and Thursday, July 20th and July 27th (register by 2pm). If you’re unable to make those dates, don’t fret! Hiring will carry on through August, every Wednesday (register by 9am) and Thursday (register by 2pm) of the month.

If this sounds like something you’re interested in, head to 35 Jutland Road in Etobicoke to take advantage of the opportunity!

Featured Image: Instagram/@LushCosmetics 

Get full details about the Lush Cosmetics job fair here.

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