As inscribed on the front of the bottle, Furze is a European shrub that is also known as Gorse. They live on hillsides and supposedly possess protective properties that were once used to heal ailments and the like. Predominantly smelling of coconut and vanilla, this plant sets itself up for being a prime ingredient for a perfume - one of the reasons why Lush have named one of their fragrances after it.
First released in 2013 as part of the Volume 2 range, Furze is an interesting and rather unique perfume - one that smells different from any of the floral fragrances I have come across from Lush before. I think it's one of those slow-growing smells - one that you may initially dislike but grow to love over time.
In all fairness, I don't know what to make of this one. Initially I disliked it quite a lot as it was rather soapy and I didn't enjoy the scent at all. However, over time I have come to appreciate how different it is from anything else I have experienced, and it continues to grow on me even now.
Inspired by the bush in Simon Constantine's garden, this perfume is supposed to 'evoke happiness' with its sweet and floral aroma. The mimosa is definitely one of the strongest notes here - giving a very heady but light floral smell. The inclusion of neroli gives Furze quite a soapy smell, which is probably the element that I dislike about the perfume. The fragrance also has elements of both vanilla and coconut thanks to the inclusion of the plant, which gives this perfume a sweet, buttery and rather warming aroma.
It's a strange concoction - one that shouldn't work but does in a weird way. It's definitely a bright and airy perfume, one that projects its aroma without being too overpowering. Once it has time to mature on the skin, the floral element fades a little and gives way to more of a buttery, milky citrus and vanilla smell.
In its favour, the perfume lasts for hours on the skin - I found that I could still detect it after an eight hour shift which is impressive. However, I'm still undecided on how I feel about this perfume so I will leave it up to you to decide. There's something rather special about Furze and I really enjoy how it matures over time. However, it's not one I usually gravitate towards when I'm looking for a scent to use which tells me it's not a favourite.
Quantitative Ingredients: DRF Alcohol , Fragrance , Neroli Oil (Citrus Aurantium amara) , Mimosa Absolute (Acacia decurrens) , Hydroxycitronellal , Geranol , Farnesol , Limonene , Linalool.
Vegan?: Yes.
2015 Price: £10 for 10ml, £20 for 30ml.
Year Of Original Release: 2012.
Scent Family:
Furze Bath OilFurze Body Lotion
Furze Body Spray
Furze Liquid Perfume
psssst - it's actually Furze! ;)
ReplyDeleteOh man - I must have been half-asleep when I wrote this review then! Thanks for letting me know :)
DeleteIt was interesting to read what you think of Fyrze. It's one of my favorites. I used to go to school near the Talbot heath and common land in Poole and us kids were forever pushing each other down the slope and into the golden gorse bushes at the edge of our huge school field. You knew that you were one of the gang when you could emerge slightly miffed but tearless, covered in those signature gorse scratches and you and everyone else would just carry on the games as if nothing had happened. I'm unconvinced that the scent of Fyrze could even be called a tribute to the gorse. It does however oddly remind me of the shrubby cliffs down at Bournemouth. Perhaps Fyrze is more of a friend that I can indulge in my nostalgia with if anything!
ReplyDeleteI hope Lush could publicize the plight of our heathlands soon. They are beautiful, fragile and precious and they need protecting from so many things- including the sadly common deliberate starting of fires that devastate them every year.
That's a really lovely memory you have - thank you for sharing! I do like the fact that Lush perfumes remind people of experiences and have little stories evolved around how and why they were made.
DeleteI agree with you on the heathlands though - I've read about some terrible fires that have destroyed so much local land.