The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
The name drops a wink, Uptown Funk, released in 2015 as a body spray at Lush's flagship Oxford Street store in London. Not a perfume, but the brand's perfumers treated it like one: generous neroli, bergamot, and Sicilian lemon oil in quantities that break the body spray mold entirely. The naming is pure Lush playfulness, channeling the energy of its era without being a tie-in. The perfumers were building something that refused to stay in its lane. What emerges is a fragrance that defies expectations, weaving vibrant citrus with a lush floral heart that feels more like a proper perfume than a body spray. The neroli takes center stage with its distinctive orange blossom character, offering a warmth and depth that elevates the entire composition beyond what the category typically delivers.
Neroli is the star here, and at this concentration, it becomes something more than a bright top note. The orange blossom character carries warmth and a natural sweetness that feels warm and inviting. Ylang-ylang adds its own complexity, bringing a sweet quality that feels tropical and grounded at once. The combination creates a white floral that's distinctive, especially for a product category that typically prioritizes lightness over depth. The garden clove note adds the spiced counterpoint that makes this more interesting than a standard white floral, giving the florals an unexpected edge.
The evolution
The opening hits sharp and immediate, bergamot and Sicilian lemon cutting through with crisp, sunny brightness. Neroli doesn't wait long to join, arriving within minutes and softening the citrus edges into something rounder, warmer. As the fragrance develops, ylang-ylang enters the picture with its tropical richness, pushing the composition into fully floral territory. Here's where it gets interesting. The clove warmth that was barely perceptible at the start has risen through the composition, giving the white florals a spiced, almost dirty undertone. Not unpleasant, just more complex than the fresh opening suggested. The drydown is where neroli and ylang-ylang settle close to the skin, losing the citrus sparkle entirely. On fabric, the drydown lasts even longer, that creamy white floral lingers like a scent memory.
Cultural impact
Body sprays occupy a particular space in the fragrance world, often dismissed as lighter alternatives to proper perfumes. Lush has taken a different approach, releasing a body spray that pushes against these assumptions. The generous sillage means you'll be noticed, which is either the appeal or the problem, depending on who you ask.
