The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
Emma Vincent created Junk in 2019 with a name that doubles as a dare. The old saying goes: one person's junk is another's treasure. The fragrance itself is herbal and citrus in character, built around lemon, rosemary, sage, and blackcurrant. That last note arrives unexpectedly, some people associate it with cough sweets while others find it comforting. The combination of fresh herbs and confectionery fruit sits outside what most fragrance houses would attempt, and the result is something that provokes a response, whether you love it or wrinkle your nose at it. The scent opens with a bright citrus burst, Sicilian lemon and green mandarin arriving clean and tart, immediately followed by rosemary and sage bringing aromatic freshness with a slightly medicinal quality.
The five notes, blackcurrant, rosemary, sage, green mandarin, and Sicilian lemon, form the backbone of Junk. The citrus and herbs create an initial burst of brightness, while the blackcurrant adds depth and a sticky-sweet quality that shifts the overall character of the fragrance. As the scent settles on skin, the relationship between these notes changes. The herbs remain present throughout, grounding the composition, while the citrus softens and the blackcurrant begins to assert itself more boldly.
The evolution
The opening arrives with Sicilian lemon and green mandarin creating an immediate tart, clean impression. Rosemary and sage follow closely, their aromatic freshness bringing a slightly medicinal quality that feels almost clinical at first. There's a brightness here that cuts through, the kind that makes you lean in and pay attention. The citrus-herbal combination creates something crisp and invigorating, with the herbs adding an almost camphoraceous edge that keeps the sweetness in check. As the fragrance develops on skin, the relationship between these notes shifts. The herbs remain present throughout, grounding the composition with their persistent aromatic character, while the citrus begins to soften and the blackcurrant stops hiding. The blackcurrant doesn't simply appear, it emerges gradually, becoming more insistent, more present, reshaping everything around it.
Cultural impact
Lush fragrances smell like Lush products, for better and sometimes bewildering. Junk continues that tradition, appealing to people who want a scent that announces itself without shouting. The herbal-citrus-fruit combination stands out in a crowded market, drawing wearers who appreciate unconventional pairings. The name ensures no one forgets it, this is a fragrance that invites conversation, that makes people lean in and ask what they're smelling. It's the kind of scent that works best when you don't care whether everyone around you likes it.
