Lush is a super recognizable brand —its bold black-and-white packaging, that unmistakable musky patchouli scent, and the feel-good shopping experience. But there’s one exciting project it’s been keeping under wraps, popping up in just two North American locations.
Hidden inside Lush’s bustling Robson Street shop in downtown Vancouver, a one-of-a-kind spa experience awaits. Designed to engage the senses, it brings Lush’s core values to life. But it’s more than just beauty. With a focus on clean, ethical self-care, Lush keeps its impact light—on the planet, animals, and us. To foster that feeling even further, Lush is now offering immersive and holistic spa treatments that go beyond a mere massage.
Lush Spa: A Journey Within
No stone is left unturned when developing each of its spa treatments. There are no mani/pedi stations here! Instead, the spa is a standalone invitation to withdraw from your daily routine. Phones away, smartwatch off. This is “me time” at its finest.
Vancouver is a perfect location for this concept. Lush opened its original location in BC back in 1996. Several UK locations are set to offer this robust spa menu, a nod to its British roots and origin story as a formulator for The Body Shop.
Lush Sets the Stage for the Senses
The treatments are a deliberate invitation to engage the senses. Kyle, a therapist at Lush on Robson, calls it a ‘sensory oasis spa’, and that definition is very accurate. Invited to try The Sound Bath Spa Treatment, I felt like I was transported out of my body, for a full 60 minutes. Setting the intention to achieve this feeling, your odyssey begins in the spa lounge.
A box containing dry ice ushers in a mysterious allure. I won’t give away what’s in the box, but its contents are a playful invitation to be present. As the dry ice dissipates, your journey begins. The deliberate and steady approach to evoke relaxation continues into each of the spa’s various themed rooms.
Colour, an obvious and immediate sense is nuanced in each room. For my sound bath treatment, the room was awash in waves of indigo. Indigo is linked to the third eye chakra associated with intuition, perception, and inner wisdom. This deep, rich colour can enhance mental clarity, insight, and spiritual awareness.
Adjacent rooms boast a similar aesthetic and vibe, especially the dedicated bath suite (yes, you can book a bath here, guided and meditative, naturally). Prudent, careful and tender, your spa experience is much more weighted here than external gains.
Sound Bath Downtime – Party of One
While Vancouver has a dedicated space for dual treatments (Rewilding Facials anyone?), it was a blissful cocoon of the sea of just me, and Kyle of course, in my Sound Bath space. No detail is too small to achieve this out-of-body experience.
A heated water bottle tucked into a pair of oversized pyjamas sets the mood, you’re in good hands here. The mood is further vibe-checked by the swirling sounds and rhythms that await. The commitment by Lush to go that extra mile is proven with the audio cues. Music is made by a professional orchestra, Lush Fresh Handmade Sound, and all the treatments are choreographed to the music.
The effect is an effort to induce synesthesia. This overlap is felt when one sense automatically triggers another. Imagine Chromesthesia – Hearing sounds or music and seeing colours. This is the foundation of the Sound Bath.
Tucked in tight, awash in indigo, a bell sits bedside, like a reverse doorbell, notifying your caregiver that you’re ready to begin. I love that touch, no wasted minutes so your treatment time is maximized.
Meditative & Immersive – A Spa for the Senses
Under a cacophony of sounds, colours and smells, touch comes into play. Inspired by reflexology, Kyle guided me through a series of vibrational healing, massage and lymphatic drainage. While ear candling is banned in Canada, this treatment mimics the benefits of gently massaging the ear canal. The effect is immediate. Clearing out your sinuses helps alleviate any pressure in your inner ear canals. Hot and cold stones add heft and depth to the experience.
Shutting out the excess noise provides a sense of clarity and peace. The world felt like it stopped spinning, or maybe I finally felt a reprieve from my anxiety. To further amplify the feeling, Kyle places tuning forks around the ears and sternum. This adds a boosting effect to your immune system.
Touch is central to healing and of course, is at the heart of this session. Hot and cold stones enhance the facial massage and ear massage. Kyle tenderly manages a scalp massage, and I may have nodded off for a minute or two.
Lush knows that connection is a huge component of this holistic programming. Trust the process and embrace the energy!
If you’re ready to take your spa game to cosmic levels, this is it. Meditative and immersive treatments in a super relaxing setting provide a perfect backdrop to escape the everyday. The effect is lasting, deeply nourishing and soul-grounding. Realign your priorities and open yourself to new experiences. The Lush Spa awaits.
Visit the Lush Spa at 1020 Robson St, Vancouver.
All images by Libby Roach.
Thank you to Lush Spa for hosting this spa treatment.