Blackcurrant Angel Liquid Angel

For those who have been following my blog for a while, you'll know that blackcurrant is one of my favourite scents from Lush. Like a lot of people, I fell in love with The Comforter Bubble Bar at the very beginning of my Lush journey, and the experience was so incredible that it solidified my faith in the company. Too many times I have come across, what I would term loosely, 'berry-scented' cosmetics, only to find that they're synthetic and far-removed from the natural fruity fragrance that they should be. When it comes to Lush, they know how to do it well. 

Blackcurrant Angel is one of the latest creations from the company - a limited edition from the Volume 4 range that is strangely not part of the general release, and has so far only been made available at specific Gorilla Perfume events across the globe. With it being so exquisite and unique, I do hope that it becomes commercially available at some point in the future: it's one that needs to be experienced. 

As with all of the Volume 4 perfumes, this one is based on the life and workings of Hal Samples - an eccentric and very interesting artist that Lush have chosen to pair up with, to bring you an eclectic and very unique range of fragrances. This particular perfume is inspired by the people that Hal met when he was exploring the streets of Dallas a number of years ago. 

During his exploration, he came across a homeless man who made a big impression on his perception of those souls living on the streets. As the conversation transpired, Hal asked the man what superpower he would opt to have, if he was given a choice. His response was: “I just want the power of visibility. People walk past me all the time and they don’t see me.”

The effect this had on Hal inspired him to begin documenting other homeless people - particularly focusing on their thoughts, dreams and fears. When Lush and Hal began working together, this was one of the stories that had the biggest impressions, and they set about creating a scent that represented what they termed as the 'Blackcurrant Angels'. Thus this perfume was created.

If there is one thing that I should make clear, it's that this scent has no connection to The Comforter, or any product that features in that scent family. This is a completely new fragrance, and there might even be people who appreciate this, even if they're not a fan of the aforementioned staple.

Containing guiacwood oil as the key ingredient, with both osmanthus and blackcurrant absolute supporting underneath, this limited edition is a calm, woody fruity fragrance, with just a subtle hint of spice to give it a beautiful, well-rounded edge. It is light and refreshing, while also offering a grounded base that stays on the skin for a good 4-5 hours.

Initial sprays showcase a sweet, fruity blackcurrant that you could almost describe as being a little like The Comforter. However, almost immediately afterwards you get a resinous hit from the osmanthus, which adds a grassy, floral element and removes some of that fruitiness. On the skin, the guiacwood develops with the heat of the body, and adds a warming, woody note to seal the deal. 

If anything, I think the blackcurrant component takes a back seat slightly, and the other notes are what makes this perfume so special. While there is a fruity element to the fragrance, I would describe this as being more of a sweet, floral aroma - with gentle hints of both wood and green alongside this.

What I do love about Blackcurrant Angels is that it develops and changes over time, and you will notice different notes throughout the day. I found that I only had to spray this twice - once in the morning, and then again about five hours later, and the warming fragrance offered me bursts of beautiful scent all day.

Overall, I would definitely recommend this fragrance, and I just wish that Lush would make it more commercially available. While I don't quite know whether or not this would work in other formats, I would definitely be intrigued if the company did decide to bring other products out in this scent. 

Quantitative Ingredients: DRF Alcohol, Perfume, Water, Glycerine, Guiacwood Oil, Benzyl Benzoate, Benzyl Alcohol, Osmanthus Absolute, Blackcurrant Absolute, Citral, Geraniol, Isoeugenol, Limonene, Linalool.

Vegan?: Yes.

2017 Price: £35 for 30ml.

Year Of Original Release: 2017.