B is for Beautiful (B Never Too Busy To Be Beautiful)

Member Name: jasminesarah

Product:	B Never Too Busy To Be Beautiful
Date:	07/09/08 (605 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Affordable decadence!

Disadvantages: Limited stores, cosmetics online is a bit of a gamble!

B Never Too Busy To Be Beautiful (B Cosmetics) is Lush's answer to cosmetics. However, whilst the unique scent of Lush bath and body products wafts provocatively on the breeze of most UK towns, B Cosmetics items are harder to get hold of, with only 3 stores (in Covent Garden, Carnaby Street, and their birth place of Poole in Dorset) and a fourth "Flagship Store" in Oxford street due to be opened any minute. Mail and internet order is available - but it has to be said that it is incredibly difficult to buy make up and perfume without seeing, smelling, touching it.

That said, I had purchased several items online before making my pilgrimage to the Covent Garden store last month. Whilst Lush goes for wholesome, natural ingredients, to instigate feeling virtuous about yourself with some degree of luxury, B Never Too Busy cranks up the luxury by 5000%. Here you'll find eye shadows in teeny bejeweled metal pots, body glitter in intricate carved wooden containers, glittery make up brushes and ornate perfume bottles. B Never Too Busy even has a selection of one off antique perfume bottles that can be purchased full of your favourite scent - how decadent is that?!

The store itself is nestled next to Lush in Covent Garden, and on entering I was initially disappointed with how small it is - however, that is only until I discovered the Aladdin's Cave downstairs! Here there are assistants on hand to give advice and to give make overs, and lots of testers to play with, the atmosphere infused with the heady scents of B's several perfumes. The shop is so glamourous that it reaches a knowing state of kitsch. According to the website, co-founder Rowena Bird was inspired by playing at her Aunty's dressing table as a child, and "wanted to recreate that playfulness and fun". Think of a mix of Parisienne chic, with 60s London hippish glamour (the logo, as above, gives more than a nod to Carnaby Street stalwart Biba).

So, what of the products? No good all that glam packaging if the make up is rubbish! Well, of course it isn't. I think price wise and also quality wise the brands most comparable would be Urban Decay or Ruby and Millie. An eye shadow in gorgeous pot is £8, with most individual products at a similar price - cream eye shadow is £11. Perfume is more pricey - with my favourite, Cocktail, costing about £50 for 45g in an ornate retro french style bottle. Nestling amongst all this girlie-ness there is also a range of toiletries for men - including 'Dear John" shaving cream, and the Vivienne Westwood inspired scent, "Lady Boy". I suspect that most of these prioducts will be bought for, rather than by, men, although the ideal customer for this latter product is described on the website as "a beautiful boy who's comfortable and at ease with his feminine side. It will appeal to him for being very new, and of the moment." Hmme, that's no-one I know......

I've so far tried the aforementioned perfume, lip brush, several eye shadows, and lip tint, and have found all of these to be of great quality. Please look out for more product reviews - coming soon!

As for the non-financial cost, don't worry - Lush haven't given up their eco friendly values for their cosmetics range. All the make up is Vegan, not tested on animals, does not use animal products (even the make up brushes) and B won PETA's 2008 Best Cruelty Free Cosmetics Award. Although the gorgeous packaging is OTT, most products are available in refill form, so you needn't feel guilty about that either!

Summary: Get some if you can!