Co-written by Shriya and Nadya
LUSH, our favorite cruelty-free soapmaker, recently launched a new line of perfumes called Gorilla Perfumes for both men and women. The range includes rich rosy scents, thick sandalwood combined with orange, and other more unplaceable smells that bring India firmly to mind. Apparently all the perfumes featured are inspired by decay and movement from life to death. So it’s obviously perfect for a Desi bride, right?
Actually, sort of yeah. Shriya and I happened upon the Gorilla Perfume store in Camden Passage, Islington when we were out for some morning poke around at the antique market. The dark little shop was settled among the quirky hipster stores that sold things like cheese-wheel wedding cakes and mismatched dishsets, and was so inviting with it’s cosy darkness.
Here we got to ask the staff about each scent, the feelings behind them, and their recommendations. After combing the whole store with its sultry scents, Shriya and I picked out three gorgeous fragrances that would suit the whole range of unique brides we feature here. The best thing about Gorilla, by far, is that you can choose between liquid perfume ($20-32) or a small tin of perfume paste ($10), just rub and dab. The tinned perfume, while it tends to fade after just a few hours, is very totable and easy to apply, making it the perfect ittar.
Karma – Nadya’s favorite
I adored Karma because it smelled like all my favorite bits of India. It’s a deep sandalwood-y smell with layers of orange and citrus. According to the LUSH website, it has a patchouli oil base with pine and lemongrass on top. Possibly because it smells so earthy, it makes me feel like I smell clean. I love it and the tin lives at the bottom of my purse for a quick refresh whenever I want.
Lust – Shriya’s favorite
Lust smells strongly of florals, mainly jasmine. As we know, jasmines are commonly used as hair accessories in Indian weddings – so this perfume could make a handy bridesmaids’ gift or bridal kit. Florals are sweet, but not too strong. Lust is a safe, everyday scent to use when you need to freshen up without a bold, overpowering effect.
Sikkim Girls – LUSH favorite
According to the ridiculously hip guys that work at the Gorilla Perfume store, Sikkim Girls is a sell-out favorite that suits both men and women. It’s a majorly floral scent with an top layer of jasmine and under-layers of tuberose and frangipani absolute. I find the scent maybe a bit too rough for a bride, but it’s a lovely day musk.
Overall, the Gorilla Perfume line is a welcome new addition to Lush’s amazing set of cruelty-free cosmetics. The tinned perfumes might not last long, but the more concentrated forms can be used as daily scents. Gorilla Perfumes tend to focus on just one scent instead of an overwhelming mix of too many. The result is fun, fresh, and oddly perfect for an earthy, natural fragrance reminiscent of India.