The allure of Lush makes its presence known by first tackling your sense of smell; It's the most fragrant of all the stores on the High Street, its aroma unmistakable, writes Sammy Jones.
The branch at intu Milton Keynes is small and perfectly formed, its shelves brimming with colour, texture and fresh thinking products.
And when Total MK visits, the aisles of the petite branch are all a-bustle with seasonal shoppers, mingling with regular clientele and first-time visitors.
Our host Giorgia Zedda (below) is walking us through the very many products on the shop floor, and it quickly become clear that Lush staff don't just know the products they sell, they are passionate about them.
There is a whole lot more to Lush than just bath bombs for bathing, and its Gorilla perfume range, 'fragrances for him and her inspired by art, music and poetry,' prove the point perfectly.
“How it reacts with you, won't be the same for everyone,” Giorgia explains, tempting me with citrussy blends, and it turns out the fruity side suits me perfectly.
Fresh face masks – housed in ice to preserve – are packed with fruits, vegetables, essentials oils and clays, and we plump for Oatifix.
It sounds good enough to eat, but this thick blend of oatmeal and bananas is for putting on the skin and not in the mouth, a treat to hydrate and exfoliate.
Others that take the eye include Love Lettuce, Catastrophe Cosmetic and Ayesha.
Skin care still dominating, I am taken through plenty more tubs of treats for face, body, and for hand and feet.
Testing and smelling and learning as I go, there is no question that Giorgia can't answer.
As we said, the staff here are passionate about the items they sell, and Giorgia regales with tales of her trip to see the products made.
“When you have visited and seen how and where the products are made, it gives you a much better understanding of the items you are selling,” Giorgia says.
“I have seen them being created, and when I share information with the customer, I know exactly where that product has come from.”
And share she does, sharing tales of creation, of personal favourites, anecdotal moments and of the detail behind the product.
And of course, as we gradually move around the store, I get to trial – from a sniff of the Yog Nog bath bomb, to a scrub with a Wiccy Magic Muscles massage bar, with its aduki beans for texture, and cinnamon and peppermint oils to ease away those pesky aches.
I am smitten by the Snow Fairy Shower Gel, which puts me in line with the vast majority; Snow Fairy is only available at Christmas, the candy-scented sweetness is a perennial favourite, and always sells-out, and meet the acquaintance of the wibbly-wobbly Shower Jelly range, including jiggly movers like 93,000 Miles and the lemon leading Refresher.
And just like the edible sort, you can use straight from the fridge too, and although not essential, freezing is recommended.
Famously, Lush is 100% vegetarian, and against animal testing, so you can buy with confidence.
But Lush's ethics run deeper, and they wear their beliefs on their products – I am directed to the various charity pots which benefit charitable organisations, again supporting animal welfare, alongside environmental conservation, and human rights.
The introduction of a compulsory 5p charge for a carrier bag in England last year was great news for the environment, but again Lush are ahead of the pack; and have been championing their own Knot-Wraps for some time now.
'The versatile alternative to wrapping paper,' they say. Made with vintage scarves, with organic cotton by a woman's cooperative in India, and transformed from recycled plastic bottles.
And, when you aren't gathering your shopping in one, you can wear it as a fashion accessory.
You can't do that with a supermarket bag, can you?
Toothy Tabs offer an alternative to your usual toothpaste, and are just as capable of keeping your teeth bright and white, and your mouth fragrant.
We whizz through the bath bombs (I've tried the majority) and stop fast before the soaps.
There's a whole lot of humour to be had in Lush's name-checking too; Take Cream of Tomato, for example, listed as the Soap of the Day.
But Movis has caught our attention – a soap for the face, it brings together wheat and wholemeal and looks just like a slice of bread.
Hair gets more than a look-in too, with shampoos, shampoo bars, solid shampoo and conditioners, and a trio of hair oil treatments helping keep you best-tressed. Choose from Tangled, Kinky or Damaged.
Or maybe you would rather a gel, balm or spray? They've got that covered too, of course...there's even a custard, and a range of Henna dyes.
“Try the lip scrubs,” beckons Giorgia, as we sweeten ourselves with a rub of bubblegum brilliance, “They are wonderful!”
What you put on your body is every bit as important as what you put inside it, and truly, do you know what has gone into the products jostling for space in your bathroom cabinet?
A couple of weeks before our Lush visit, we received a moisturising cream for review from another company, promising that it could kick fine lines to the kerb.
Whether or not it does, we can't tell you, because the ingredients included squalene, derived from shark liver oil, not the plant based alternative. There's nothing beauty-enhancing about that.
And that's where Lush really comes into its own.
It's transparency is as important as the items on its shelves, and for all of those fun, quirky names and features that Lush brings to the beauty table, it brings responsibility, and a very real confidence.
In Lush you can trust.
Our Top picks:
Snow Fairy.
If there is a more sweet-smelling shower-gel than this sparkly candy-floss fragranced delight, we have yet to discover it...
Lemony Flutter Cuticle Butter
It's a citrus-zing thing, and goes to battle against dryness with winning results time after time. And Lemony Flutter isn't just for the cuticles, it's for all those moisture challenged bits
Ro's Argan Body Conditioners
A floral bounty of absolute and rose oil that is hydrating.
Use while showering and skip the post-bathing moisturising routine.
With Ro's richness at work, there is no need to moisturise a second time
Softy Foot Lotion
Always on the go, feet are all too often overlooked.
Give them a little TLC (tootsie loving care) with this blend of soothing chamomile, marshmallow root and French lavender
Check in yourself: Unit 24, Midsummer Place, MK9 3GB or visit uk.lush.com
@sammyjonespress
