Name: The Smell of Freedom
Brand: Lush
SKU: ef40e7cb-201f-4776-b06b-23d2e7412368
Rating: 3.5 (22 reviews)

Question 1

How long does The Smell of Freedom last on skin?

Accepted Answer

The Smell of Freedom holds a 6-8 hour arc on most skin types. The opening reads bright and sharp for the first 15 minutes as lemongrass and ginger establish themselves, then settles into a warm oud-sandalwood heart that carries the next 3-4 hours. The drydown belongs to orris and lingering sandalwood, staying close and intimate for hours after.

Question 2

What year was The Smell of Freedom launched?

Accepted Answer

The Smell of Freedom launched in 2010 as part of Lush's first Gorilla Perfume collection. Created by perfumer Simon Constantine, the fragrance was designed for rebel hearts and freedom fighters, a bold positioning that set it apart from the brand's bath and body products. It's still in production today.

Question 3

What are the main notes in The Smell of Freedom?

Accepted Answer

The Smell of Freedom features oud and sandalwood at its warm, woody heart, with lemongrass and ginger providing the bright, spicy opening. Jasmine and neroli add floral complexity, while orris root delivers the powdery drydown. The 2010 composition balances earthy resin with fresh citrus-green elements for a fragrance that shifts across registers.

Question 4

Who is the perfumer behind The Smell of Freedom?

Accepted Answer

Simon Constantine is the perfumer behind The Smell of Freedom, launched in 2010. As part of Lush's Gorilla Perfume debut, Simon crafted a fragrance built on oud, sandalwood, and lemongrass, materials chosen to evoke resilience and emancipation. He is one of the contributors to Lush's in-house fragrance program alongside co-founder Mark Constantine OBE and perfumers Emma Vincent and Alina Gliwinska.

Question 5

What is the sillage and projection like?

Accepted Answer

Community ratings place sillage at moderate to strong, it announces itself in the opening but settles close to the skin within an hour. Projection is significant in the first 15 minutes as lemongrass and ginger cut through, then moderates. The 6-8 hour longevity means you won't need to reapply, though the fragrance becomes more intimate as hours pass.

Question 6

Is The Smell of Freedom safe for a blind buy?

Accepted Answer

Yes, The Smell of Freedom works as a blind buy for those who appreciate oud-sandalwood warmth with a citrus-green opening. The 2010 Gorilla Perfume launch fragrance holds a 7.4 rating for value on enthusiasts, and longevity of 6-8 hours means you'll get a full workday from one application. Those who enjoy neroli and orris in the drydown tend to become repeat wearers.

Question 7

Should I wear The Smell of Freedom to the office?

Accepted Answer

Yes, The Smell of Freedom suits professional settings where presence without announcement matters. The 2010 fragrance projects strongly for the first hour but settles into an intimate, close-to-skin warmth that colleagues will notice only in conversation. The oud-sandalwood base reads as confident and composed, not performative.

Question 8

Is The Smell of Freedom similar to any other fragrances?

Accepted Answer

Yes, The Smell of Freedom shares its oud-sandalwood warmth with other 2010-era niche releases, though Lush's ethical positioning and lemongrass opening set it apart. Wearers who enjoy the Gorilla Perfume line's bold character, Lord of Misrule or Karma, tend to appreciate this one. The neroli drydown offers a softer close than many oud-heavy compositions of that era.

Question 9

Which seasons does The Smell of Freedom wear best in?

Accepted Answer

The Smell of Freedom performs across fall, winter, spring, and summer according to community votes, though the oud-sandalwood base makes it particularly suited to cooler months. The 2010 launch date means it was designed with transitional wear in mind, the lemongrass opening cuts fresh in autumn air, while the warm woody drydown holds through winter.

Question 10

What occasions suit The Smell of Freedom?

Accepted Answer

The Smell of Freedom suits day and evening occasions equally, with a slight lean toward evening given the oud depth. Community data shows 72% day wear and 50% night wear ratings. The 2010 fragrance works for professional settings, evening events, and anywhere a confident, warm-spicy presence is welcome, the longevity of 6-8 hours means it holds through dinner without reapplication.

	This fragranceThe Smell of FreedomLush	KarmaLushFull comparison	Breath Of GodLushFull comparison
Concentration	Parfum	—	Eau de Parfum
Top Notes	Lemongrass, Ginger, Black Pepper	Orange, Lemongrass, Lavender	—
Longevity	6-10 hours	4-6 hours	6-10 hours
Sillage	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate
Best Season	Fall	Fall	—
Rating	3.92/5	4.08/5	3.45/5

The Smell of Freedom

The Scent Journey

The Composition

What the community says.

Why it exists.

The Free Spirit

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