Yuzu and Cocoa Liquid Perfume

For a company so compassionate, Lush can sometimes be rather cruel. I say this in jest because they're obviously not actually that bad, but at times it sure feels that way. When I think about this perfume, I imagine a situation where I am stranded in the middle of a desert, desperately thirsty and moments from passing out. My only companion, Lush, offers me a single drop of ice cold water to quench my thirst - only to neck the rest of the bottle in front of me before riding off. 

Yuzu And Cocoa Perfume was released as a forum special in 2011 - the first and last time the product has ever made an appearance online. For those lucky enough to grab a bottle at the time, or clever enough to hunt down and source a few bottles on eBay, you'll hopefully understand why I describe the sale of this as cruel. To make such a fleeting visit, do it's damage and then leave, is heartless.

Okay, enough of the over-dramatic descriptions. Quite simply put, this perfume is perfection. A stunningly beautiful portrayal of one of Lush's most underrated bath products, the Yuzu and Cocoa Bubbleroon. Yet, if it's even possible to top the wonderful experience of the bubble bar, this perfume takes the fragrance that one step further and produces a perfume that perhaps outshines any other perfume I have ever had the privilege of using. 

From the bottle, Yuzu offers a refreshingly zesty orange aroma; something that is very much present in the bubbleroon but not to the extent that it features here. It's a natural smelling orange but without any of the tartness you would expect from the fresh fruit. It's quite a heavy layer within the perfume and would be very two-dimensional if it wasn't for the other elements that shine through.

Working alongside the orange is a light and uplifting layer of coconut, which not only compliments the citrus element but also expands upon the overall scent. In the bubbleroon, this layer comes from the addition of coconut oil in the ingredients list, although there is nothing in the perfume that suggests how it comes about in this form. All I know is that this note adds a nutty, musky smell to the perfume, making it rather sophisticated and warming.

With the addition of grapefruit and bergamot oil, as well as tonka absolute, these ingredients build upon the thread of orange and coconut and add different elements that make this perfume so wonderfully complex. Sniffing this perfume on my skin, I can pick out so many different notes, depending on my mood that day. Sometimes the perfume has elements of fresh pineapple to it, other times it reminds me of papaya yoghurt. On hot days, Yuzu is the perfect tropical companion; on milder days, it's the chocolately-orange element that makes it comforting and sexy. 

Yuzu and Cocoa is one of those perfumes that really needs to be experienced to be understood and appreciated. Although it's wonderful in the bottle, I love the fact that this perfume lingers on your skin all day - I can still detect strong threads of it's fragrance some eleven hours after I have initially applied it to my skin.

It continues to evolve throughout the day - giving off different layers at different times. You could be walking down the road and you'll suddenly get a strong whiff of coconut to boost your spirits; ten minutes later, a sweet and gentle thread of orange will engulf your senses and make you smile. 

In all fairness, I could go on and on about this perfume - gushing and falling over myself as I go. However, this could prove rather embarrassing and not something I want to subject you guys to. All I will say is that Lush need to bring this out again, and soon - not only so that other Lush fans can experience the beauty of the perfume, but also so that I can buy up enough bottles to last me for at least fifty years. It's up there amongst my top 10 favourite products ever, and may well be my all-time favourite perfume.

Quantitative Ingredients: DRF Alcohol, Perfume, Tonka Absolute (Dipteryx odorata), Grapefruit Oil (Citrus paradisi), Bergamot Oil (Citrus Aurantium bergamia), Citral, Eugenol, Geraniol, Farnesol, Limonene, Linalool.

Vegan?: Yes.

2016 Price: £28 for 30ml.

Scent Family:
Yuzu & Cocoa Bubbleroon
Yuzu & Cocoa Liquid Perfume
Yuzu And Cocoa Shower Cream
Yuzu & Cocoa Solid Perfume