LUSH

Amid the usual gloomy grey of Cork City lies a little spot of sunshine, tucked away on a corner of Oliver Plunkett Street. One out of a world-​wide chain of stores, the Lush Cosmetics «Cork Branch» is my personal getaway, a quick-​spa paradise. Although I have only visited the tiny store a few times, I cannot help but dub it as one of my absolute favorite spots in Cork; after my first stop in, I was hooked!
I had known the name «Lush» from passing one of its U.S. stores in Georgetown (Washington, DC), a few times, but had never gone in. I honestly didn’t even know what they sold — any time I passed, all I saw were rows of colorful balls, which I assumed to be some sort of edible something-​or-​others (in my defense, Georgetown has too many cupcake places to count/​some items actually are edible!).
A few months later, I was running a few errands in Cork when Lush caught my eye. By this time I had finally noticed the word «Cosmetics» in the title (Georgetown walking traffic never really allowed me much time for window browsing), and I was in need of some new mascara — so what the heck! I walked into the wide-​open doors on the corner of Cook and Oliver Plunkett St.
Little did I know that I had walked in on International Women’s Day. According to Lush, this holiday calls for women to be pampered, and pamper me they did! Although I was finally informed that Lush does not sell makeup, but only all-​natural, handmade cosmetics, I was completely taken by their kind and welcoming service: after chatting a bit with the ladies who worked there, I was offered tea and a piece of cake, as well as a hand massage! My wrong turn granted me fifteen minutes of fun company and a bit of relaxing, and upon leaving, I wasn’t pressured to buy anything at all!
Since then, I have basically stalked the Lush «Cork Branch» Facebook page, and I even signed up for a little event they had going on: for a few weeks, the store offered a skin consultation, face massage and masking, hand massage, and take-​home samples for 10 euro; moreover, the money paid was a voucher for any item in the store. I had my half hour-​long appointment yesterday, and came away feeling refreshed and content! Not to mention, 8 free samples-​happier!
Word of advice: visit Lush on a day where you do not have much going on, or at the end of a busy schedule — your mindset will be «Personal ME Day» from then on out!