* If you have a question about our products, would like advice on what to use or help choosing gifts, please email us.

Natural No-Tox SPF 15 The things people will do, the risks they will take to hang on to their youth can be a bit frightening but there is really no need to go to extremes. How good can peeling and toxic injections be for you, really? Of course we want to believe everything we're told about magical mystery cures, to the extent that we will ignore the consequences. Paradise Regained is an anti-ageing moisturiser which only has beautiful ingredients in it, plus sunscreens to stop the UVA and UVB damaging your skin. It has green tea for its antioxidant properties (defence from free radicals) and its natural fruit acids come from pineapples and grapes. we've got sandalwood, and geranium, rose and olibanum in essential oils, used to thousands of years to keep the skin lovely. For softness and flexibility, we give you almond oil with its natural vitamin E, jojoba oil and cocoa butter. Nothing mysterious, completely uncomplicated and uncompromisingly good. Wear it when you go out.

Anti-ageing Skin-Protection is the natural way to protect your skin from wrinkles. Lots of hype gets written about skincare. We can't be bothered with all that; we stick to the facts. If you are going out in the sun and want to look after your skin, you've got to choose a moisturiser with some protection. In Skin Nanny we've made a rich, effective cream which you've got to have if you're the latter side of 30. It's got the AHAs that exist naturally in fruit. We use freshly squeezed apple juice, not synthetics. It's all part of our tradition is herbalists, the holistic approach to keeping your skin bright by using the whole fruit. Starflower oil moisturises and hydrates your skin; it has omega 6 oils and nutritious fatty acids (a lot nicer than they sound). Skin Nanny's vitamins C and E come naturally with almond and hibiscus oils to penetrate your skin and smoothe wrinkles (for a while). We give it an emollient jojoba, camellia and candalilia wax complex to revive your skin immediately. All in all, we are delighted to have Skin Nanny taking care of our faces. The older you are the more you will appreciate it and the sooner you start, the happier you'll be in future.

Helen Ambrosen Lush Product Creator and Co Founder - "Our approach to skincare has always been to help people achieve the maximum benefit for their skin. This involves making the very best of whathever skin you have, wheter it be dark or light in colour, dry or oily in texture, young or old. Delivering fresh, whole natural ingredients in freshly made product allows us to enhance the condition of the skin by balancing and encouraging its health. It's important for women, as they age, that we don't sell them dreams. We want to create reality. Our skills are based on the art of creating products that are so fresh, you can actually feel them buzzing on the skin. We use fresh natural ingredients that everyone can understand. And the products are fresh too. When they are used on the skin no one is surprised when the effects are so good."

Q: How shall I introduce a Lush virgin to the range of products?

A: That would depend on the outlook of your friend. If they are afraid of new things get them soap, a Soap Wall would be a wonderful introduction to Lush; nine different soaps, all of which are just a little bit different from the norm but are nevertheless familiar territory. After all, almost everyone knows what to do with soap and you wouldn't want to hang around with anyone who didn't. If they are they type to absolutely adore new things then hit them with the Bubble Bar Slices, the Massage Bars or a selection of Bath Ballistics. Good luck and thank you for your work on our behalf.

Q: What can I buy for my boyfriend?

A: What does he deserve? We offer a full range of products to choose from. Lush isn't just for the women - it's for the men too. We've got great shaving creams, moisturizers, and soaps. But, hey, they have got to really deserve it….

Q: I want to take some Lush products on holiday. What are the ones that have the most uses, take up the least amount of space and travel well?

A: It would depend where you're going really. Antiphilitron is really useful because it not only gets your hair really clean, especially if you're going swimming, walking in dusty places, cycling or doing anything else sweaty, you can also wash your body and your clothes with it. Cosmetic Lad is a good moisturizer to take because you can also use it as an after sun and a hair cream. Pied de Pepper's spicy essential oils are good for keeping insects away as well as relieving your tired, aching feet after a long hard day of walking around. Karma is excellent if you're hoping to impress your fellow tourists with your good taste and sensuous smell.

Q: Why doesn't Lush offer sun products?

A: At the moment, we can't find any sunscreen products that are made by companies that don't carry out animal testing. We won't buy from companies, which test on animals so we can't make sunscreen products. Sorry. When they change their policy and their practice we'll change our buying habits and we'll make some. In the meantime, if you go out in the sun, wear long clothes and a big hat.

Q: What can I do to get my cellulite to disappear?

A: You can stop smoking and drinking and give up coffee. You can take up yoga and running marathons. You can also buy a Lush Into Thin Air Massage Bar and rub it all over your lumpy bits every morning. The essential oils in it may jolly well make a difference. You can buy Lush Bio Fresh Strawberry Boat and scrub away all your dead skin cells. Or you can stop caring.

Q: How can I get my kids to enjoy bath times?

A: Buy all our Bath Ballistics and don't drop them into the bath until your children are already waiting in there. Bribery can be a very positive influence. Let them pick their own shampoo by choosing their favorite smell; try minty Washday Green, coco nutty Trichomania, lemony Antiphilitron. Better yet, make them buy their own then they'll really value the privilege of having their hair washed. Or possibly wait for the invention of the waterproof PlayStation. On the other hand you could buy a selection of brightly colored Bubble Bar Slices and fill the bath with bubbles. That usually works.

Q: What can I buy my mother?

A: Everything and anything. Nothing is too good for your Mom. I think they'll go ballistic over our ballistics and everything else we have in the store.

Q: What can I buy my children?

A: Children like Bath Ballistics too. If you want to send them to sleep, get them Ickle Baby Baffs. If you want to wake them up, get them Slammers. If you want them to turn into deeply wise, philosophical types, get them Big Blues.

Q: How do I know what kind of hair type I have?

A: Most people make the mistake of misdiagnosing their hair type and scalp type. Genes usually determine hair type and texture but external factors often play an influential role on the state of your hair (i.e. medication, stress, diet, weather, basically your overall well being). To find out try this test, pluck a strand of hair and try to break it.

• If it snaps easily then your hair is fine.
• If it requires a bit of effort to break, then most likely your hair is medium in texture.
• If it is almost impossible to break, then your hair is coarse.

Q: I have very dry and damaged hair, what do you suggest I use?

A: Remember, your hair care routine should be adapted to the climate or season you live in as this takes into consideration the moisture content of your hair. Cold months cause your hair to be left dry and withered thus, moisturizing shampoos and conditioners should be applied. In this case, Trichomania block shampoo, and follow this up with either the Coolaulin or Okra conditioners.

Q: My hair is very fine and dull, help me!

A: For fine or flyaway hair, try using our Washday Greens liquid shampoo and follow this up with our Forever in Bloom liquid conditioner. If you're feeling a little more adventurous, try our shampoo bars, Featherweight Fruit Bar of the Ultimate Shine (which actually uses an essential oil from our very own Pili tree in the Philippines!).

Q: I have a problem scalp and suffer from eczema, I'd really like to hear your recommendations.

A: To banish the dandruff and ceasing the itching, the Soak and Float Shampoo bar is your best bet. Let me warn you though, this doesn't smell very pleasant. For best results, please use the Snake Oil scalp massage bar for an overall dose of essential oil treatment. Trust us, just bear with the smell and in no time, you will be wearing black without worrying if there is a snowstorm on your shoulders.

Q: How do I know what kind skin type I have?

A: A greater part of population believes that their skin is sensitive when in fact it isn't. Skin type is usually determined by your skin's needs. However, you need take into consideration your lifestyle and the climate in which you live in. These all play a vital role in determining the type of skin you have. Try this test, when you wake up, press a tissue onto your skin texture:

• If there are no oil blots on the tissue, then you most likely have dry skin.
• If there is some oil on the tissue, than you have normal skin.
• If oil appears on the tissue when pressed on your forehead, nose, and chin, you have oily skin.
• If there are uneven areas of oil in different areas of your complexion, you have combination skin.

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