Secret Garden

So, disclaimer- I was lucky enough to have worked with someone who bought this scent a loooong time ago and was enough of a stand-up guy to let me test it out. Simply put, I've never smelled anything like this before and apparently neither has anyone I know. It smells "green" right out of the bottle (literally like a garden) but that scent lasts for maybe an hour. As the wear time goes on, you definitely start getting that apricot scent, which, after a bit of research, is actually the osmanthus. The more you know! By the time its finally wearing off, I've had multiple people say it smells like maple syrup or brown sugar. The entry point, while forgiveable for the ingredients needed to make this, is still undeniably steep and I would find it hard for anyone to purchase such a large amount of this without being able to test it in store or something. All of that being said, this is easily my new favorite scent, and I couldn't be happier i took the plunge.

When Lush announced that The Perfume Library was coming to the US, I audibly, OUT LOUD screamed with joy. I poured over the list and the second I saw Secret Garden I knew that this was the one. Described as "soft, green, and serene" this was a lovely mix of myrrh, immortelle, and osmanthus. All ingredients found in some of my other faves such as 1,000 Kisses Deep. Upon smelling it on the bottle, the first notes are beautifully rich, deep, and fruity. It reminds me of syrupy spiced apricots, very pleasant and robust. Despite having the name Secret Garden, it actually has very few floral notes when worn on my skin. Upon first spritz the top has a fine powdery floral scent, which turns into a more rich scent like when I first smelled it on the bottle. That spiced apricot scent comes back in the heart with a bit more emphasis on the spice. As time goes on, the base brings on a softer and grassier vibe. It reminds me of being a kid and exploring abandoned barns with my cousins, crisp dry hay and a slight rainy scent. Its depth adds a lot to the longevity of this scent, so it'll be lasting quite a while. Overall, Secret Garden was a KILLER investment and I love it! It's definitely more rich and deep compared to most of Lush's perfumes. It almost has a bit of humidity to it? If I had to pick ones that it's most similar to, they would be Sappho, The Smell of Weather Turning, and Flowers Barrow. Please bear in mind, everyones skin is different and you may get different notes than I do while wearing it!

I am a huge lush perfume junkie and bought one of these when Jen from allthingslushuk was unloading. It definitely smells like a garden, but to me, it's too green and that makes any of the beautiful florals almost smell like they've rotted. Overall not my favorite perfume and am definitely disappointed to have bought it blind. Ask for a sample with another purchase to see if it is for you!