Gorilla Perfumes at LUSH: The Smell of Weather Turning and Tuca Tuca

I am woefully behind the pack when it comes to Gorilla Perfumes at LUSH, and with a tidy reputation for innovation and wearability that doesn't break the bank, I'm glad I got the opportunity to test a few. The scents below are my two favorites, but there are plenty of good ones left to review another day.

The Smell of Weather Turning
This is quite a remarkable fragrance that I have become rather addicted to. It is the kind of scent that would turn my head if I caught someone else's sillage whooshing on by. Initially, the camphorous blast of mint (and I think there is likely eucalyptus here as well) almost feels like too much, and then the other notes start creeping in to join the fray. The subtle sweetness of beeswax and hay (two extremely weak spots of mine) that lies just beneath the surface at every stage of wear is my favorite part. Because of the camphor effect, the oakwood comes across as a different type of wood- like cedar or hinoki- something with bite. Does it smell like weather turning? I don't know. Not where I live, anyway. Does is smell damn good? Yup. And at only 20 bucks a pop for a 10ml slim atomizer, it's a bona-fide steal. If you're looking for a new perfume that is literal and earthy and surreal and strange all at once, The Smell of Weather Turning is your man.

Notes: Oakwood, hay, beeswax, nettle, English peppermint, mint and Roman Chamomile

Final verdict: At $19.95 a pop for a slim 10ml atomizer, it's worth buying just to experience its oddness, but soon enough, you'll be spraying and sniffing with your most incredulous expression plastered across your face. Better and heaps more interesting than many perfumes that cost 5 times as much. A must-try.

Tuca Tuca
Apparently this fragrance is named after a song and a dance craze, but since I'm not familiar with it at all, I'll spare you any pithy references. I thought this would be very sweet and feminine on me, but it's got some impressive weirdness going on, and as I see it, weirdness in perfume can't be feminine or masculine, weird is just weird. There is a touch of fruity tartness (strawberry?) that is not listed in the notes list, but it's there. This is a pretty versatile, utterly wearable scent that would make a great "don't think, just spray" perfume to use just before you head out the door. The violet leaf accord lends a nice, chewy fixative for the base, and that spicy sweetness underneath is very persistent and long-lasting. So, we have chewy, spicy, sweet and weird-- what does that sound like? Cardamom cake from Ann Sathers? I'll go with that.

Notes: vanilla, sandalwood, vetiver, violet leaf, ylang ylang


Final verdict: Fun, interesting, rather joyful. Once again, the price is even-right-er at $10.95 for a 10ml slim atomizer.

[samples were sent to me by the company for my consideration]