Lush

Lush are the most ethical brand on the high street. Against animal testing and 100% vegetarian. They are a limited company not owned by a monster like l’Oriel. Great array of products. Try the bath, shower, hair, skin, or perfumes. You will find something you love. Then get a little something like Charity Pot body lotion which gives all the money to grassroots human rights, animal rights or environmental charities.

Lush is always an amusing place to find yourself at, purely for the fact it can be smelt about half a mile off (ok maybe a slight exaggeration). I do find lush can be a bit overwhelming on the senses when you walk in but once your nose has had a minute to adjust you can get down to business.
Baths, showers, soaps or other beauty products (Shaving, lip balms, scrubs etc…) are all available here, A classic place to start looking for gifts when you are struggling but then unexpectedly they have a good range catering for men aswell, (caffeine, beer, mint and licorice being a few fragrences that have been offered) and with names like tramp and sonic death monkey you cant help but take a sniff…
Numerous water bowls around the store come manned with helpful staff so that you can sample a number of wares to try and help isolate the ideal product for you. You may have the image of an orange face and pushy attitude from somewhere like the fast show beauty therapist but I have always found the staff to be polite and happy to leave you be if you let them know you are just browsing, yet ready to lend a hand where needed.
Yes produce can be a bit pricey but it does last well so is not bad value for money.
One piece of advice though, dont let your friends near the glitter bombs when out gift shopping unless they wash their hands afterwards or you may end up chasing them out of the store bemoaning your now sparkling face ;)

I’m not someone who treats myself to «Stuff» very regularly… Beer and food, yes. Beauty products? Not so much. However… once a month on that beautiful day we all know as Payday, I make my pilgrimage to Lush. I don’t buy a lot — but always get my two favorite items; Blue Skies bubble bar and a Brazened Honey face mask.
I agree with Lydia, sometimes there are too many staff which can feel like you’re being bothered. However, on the flip side; if you’re not sure what you’re looking for they are there to help. If you are looking for a gift for a bathaholic — you can’t really go wrong with the natural products available at Lush.
I collect my black face mask pots too, so when I have reached 5 empties I get a new one for free! Bargainous! I have attended free events here too, which have always been fun and informative.
The products aren’t cheap (my bubble bar is around £6), but you don’t have to use much of each item to get the desired effect. My face masks last me a good 6 weeks and I can get about 5 or 6 really bubbly baths out of a bar. Their make up range is really vibrant and good for your skin too; especially handy if you suffer from breakouts.
They do a good range of gifts which are around £5, so if you’re looking for a secret santa present — they do a special range which are pre-​wrapped, really pretty and have a good sample of a few products to try.

I usually love lush stores, but this particular store I don’t rate highly when compared with others. There were simply too many staff on hand willing to help, for the small space which meant every time I looked at something I was asked whether I needed help about ten times. Overkill for me! Although of course it’s nice to be asked.
If you are looking for a gift but you are not sure what to buy, these guys know exactly what to suggest by asking all the right questions.
Service at the till was pleasant and friendly.
I won’t be returning to this branch in a hurry though, as it simply gets too busy at weekends which means you can’t have a pleasant mooch around.

I love Lush; beautiful smelly things. Such an array of beautiful smelly things! One day I bought a glittery bar of gold — it melted into my bathwater, and suddenly my bath water was metallic gold. How lovely! Lush also got me into face masks (and I’m not usually into that sort of thing.) Lush has single handedly turned me into a proper girl.