AIL Meets... Claire Constantine from Lush

Since opening its first shop on Poole High Street in 1995, natural cosmetics company Lush has grown into one of the nation’s best-recognised – and best-scented – brands. Earlier this year they opened their biggest store in the world, an Oxford Street emporium with over 200 products and a Lush Spa on site. Now celebrating its 20th anniversary, we caught up with Claire Constantine, daughter of founders Mo and Mark and Manager of the Oxford Street branch, to find out more about what’s in store…

As the daughter of the founders of Lush, was your career path always set in stone or did you ever want to rebel against the family business and do something totally different?

Lush has become a family business very organically, with no pressure from my parents for myself or my brothers to join it. I have always had a keen interest in politics, and wanted to become prime minister for a long time. But after a year exploring my options, working in charities, the houses of parliament and various departments of Lush, I realised where my heart lay. We are very lucky that Lush is such a varied business, and I am able to fulfil my aspirations to make a difference in the world through working here.


We’re guessing that at Lush HQ no two days are ever the same? What do you love most about your job and what do you dislike?

You guessed right! Every day has different challenges and incredible moments. The best thing about my job is that I get to work with a fantastic team, and I love the days I get to put everything aside and just work on the shop floor serving our incredible customers.

There really isn't anything I don't like about my job. Occasionally I have to do something that is very detailed and makes my brain hurt, but it's still stimulating.


You’ve recently opened a new flagship store on Oxford Street – was it a long time in the planning? It’s a huge move for the brand it must have been a very exciting time?

It took a very busy year from when we started planning to the shop opening its doors. We had to consider every detail, from the layout, to the recruitment and training of staff. It has been a big move for us and we are still setting up systems and structures to match the scale of this store. It has been, and continues to be, a really exciting time, full of experiments and dreams.


London’s obviously a different kettle of fish to Lush’s beginnings in Poole – what do you love most about being in the Big Smoke?

London is a vibrant metropolis of culture and colour. I love to be around people and always having something to do, and what better place in the world is there for that. I'm addicted to the adrenalin of the city.


What one piece of advice would you give to a tourist in London?

Walk everywhere! That is how you can see the real London. Part of its beauty is how everywhere is connected, and getting lost wins every time over popping up from a tube station.


Is there one particular career highlight, campaign or achievement that you’re most proud of?

One of my favourite achievements occurred when Lush was running a campaign with a human rights charity called Reprieve six years ago. I didn't actually work for the business yet, instead I was volunteering in Reprieve for a month, working in their Guantanamo Bay team, who work diligently on freeing the illegally imprisoned inmates. Two of the inmates that I had come to know through typing up documents about them, and through the campaign Lush had run, were released a few months later. Although I only had the tiniest part in this, it feels like one of the biggest successes of my life so far.


Do you have a favourite product or is it too hard to just pick one? If we had to only buy one product from Lush, what would you recommend?

ULTRABLAND cleanser! As somebody with very uncomfortable sensitive skin, this facial cleanser helps to calm my skin down on a daily basis. I even use it as a moisturiser in the winter when my skin gets too dry. it's a wonderful cocktail of rose oil, almond oil and honey keeps my face soft (and lets it move!)


We hear the new spa is something special (in fact I was told this week by someone that it was ‘the best massage she’d ever had!’) – tell us a little bit more about it.

The Lush spa is such an experiential place to visit. Any time you need to escape from life, you can find treatments to transform your attitude, your skin, your body and your spirit. The multi sensory nature of the treatments, with their original composed music and consideration of every minute detail, means that they are far more than a massage. I couldn't agree more with your friend.


Do you have a favourite Lush spa treatment?

My personal favourite spa treatment is The Sound Bath, which uses a combination of ear candles, cold and hot stones and head massage to completely clear your mind. It puts me in a meditative state, and connects me with my true energy. Even if you aren't as much of a hippy as me, I promise you will love it.


Have you ever come up with a bestselling product?

When I was around 11 I demanded (as only 11 year old girls can) that we made a pink, glittery shower gel that smelt of one of my favourite perfumes. That product became called 'Snow Fairy' and is now our best selling Christmas products year after year.


Tell us your top three London hangouts.

St James Park- I walk through here every morning to work, and love to see nature in amongst the hustle and bustle of the city.

Mildred's in Soho is the best vegetarian restaurant in town, their vegetarian burgers are to die for!

Waterloo bridge has the best views of London, I could stare at them all day.


If you could change one thing about the city forever, what would it be?

People would stop ignoring each other. I find it confusing that telling somebody you like their dress, or saying 'bless you', is offensive here. Where is the sense of community.


What’s next in the pipeline for Lush?

Hopefully more big shops! We are till working out how Lush Oxford Street is going, but we would love to be able to open similar shops across the world.


Finally – your Christmas gifts always go down a treat across the board. What are you predicting we need to snap up this year that’s going to be our 2016 beauty essential?

You literally need to snap up our Human Cannonball gift, which is full of confetti and explodes as you open it! It's also full of fantastic bath bombs to add that excitement to your bath as well.