I first sniffed the Dirty product line at the New York launch of Gorilla Perfume at Lush last year, and I've been looking forward to its release in the United States. Dirty has finally reached our shores, in all its iterations, and it feels just right for summer. According to Gorilla Perfume's promotional materials, "Dirty is an invigorating, cathartic breath of fresh air that stirs up something primal." Its notes include spearmint, thyme, tarragon, lavender, sandalwood, and oakmoss (but no dirt!).
Dirty is available in as a traditional liquid perfume and as a solid fragrance stick; it's a fresh fragrance that leans slightly towards the masculine end of the spectrum, but it will probably find quite a few female fans who enjoy wearing grassy, minty, or leafy scents. For the first hour or so, Dirty reminds me of an herb garden giving off the aromas of an assortment of plants: the thyme and the tarragon are there, and the mint is especially noticeable. Dirty gradually evolves into a salty sea breeze and an airy musk base with a very sheer sandalwood note. It has good staying power for a "fresh" fragrance, particularly one that includes so many natural ingredients.
The complete Dirty line takes a new approach to "layering": each product is scented with a different element of the Dirty composition, so that they can be worn together to recreate the total fragrance. The Spring Wash Shower Gel, for example, emphasizes Dirty's minty aspect with an infusion of real spearmint oil and sea salt. There's also a hint of lemon, unless my nose deceives me. (If you're serious Lush addict, you could think of this fragrance blend as the offspring of Sea Vegetable and Ice Blue soaps.) And if the scent isn't enough to evoke the ocean in your imagination, this shower gel's tropical teal-blue color should do the trick.
Dirty Shaving Cream is a nicely moisturizing potion fragranced with lavender, sandalwood, and just a little benzoin; it smells as comforting and smooth as it feels. The Hair Gel, which looks more like a cream, is spiked with essences of neroli, sandalwood, and oakmoss. A neroli-scented hair product?! Yes, please! (Dirty Hair Gel works best for me as a finishing product, but your results may vary, depending on hair type.) There's also a Dirty Body Spray packaged in a black plastic bottle with a trigger spray attachment, for a humorously functional feel. It's meant to serve as a deodorizing spray as well as a fragrance, so it includes an extra dose of antibacterial thyme absolute. The Body Spray's scent feels more linear and matte than the original Dirty fragrance, which has more layers and a bit more sparkle.
I'm not completely convinced by the layering strategy; the scents of the Spring Wash Shower Gel, Shaving Cream, Hair Gel don't really persist on the skin and hair long enough to assemble into any composition. However, they do share a common fragrance-mood, since they're all generally bright and clean, and I enjoyed all of them. The last item in the Dirty line is a box of Toothy Tabs, minty pellets of solid toothpaste to be used on the go. It's a clever idea that fits the practical-yet-fun personality of the Dirty family.
Gorilla Perfume at Lush Dirty is available in 10 ($12.95) and 30 ($29.95) ml liquid, or as a 12 g solid perfume ($9.95). Dirty Spring Wash Shower Gel is $9.95-$26.95 (depending on size), Hair Styling Cream is $12.95 (3.5 oz), Shave Cream is $12.95 (3.5 oz), and Body Spray is $19.95 (6 oz). For purchasing information, see the listing for Lush under Perfume Houses.
Oh, good! I’ve been enjoying the Gorilla perfumes I have. I really want to sniff the Smell of Weather Turning, though.
I have a vague memory of liking that one when I sniffed it at the preview last year. I wish all the Gorilla scents were available in the US — I need more B Scent!
I bought the body spray for the gym, but I have gradually kept using it more and more during daytime. It’s very refreshing as you said Jessika, like having a mint chewing gum, uncomplicated and unisex; with very good lasting power, and only for 12 pounds (200 ml). I have recently bought the shower gel, and although the smell doesn’t last on my skin, I really enjoy it!
Lexy, I thought the Body Spray smelled too strong when I sniffed the bottle, but it’s actually very easy to wear on the skin, as you said!
The Dirty fragrance sounds appealing, as does the hair gel. I’m slowly discovering Lush products and now use three of them. Thank you for the review!
This is lovely, like a spearmint cologne, very fresh and totally unisex.
I’ve tried all of this line and they are all without exception bloody awful. No redeeming qualities whatsoever.
I tried the body spray, and on me it was all mint, all the time. A bit warmer and more herbal as it dried down, and then…gone. Shame, since the Windex-esque spray bottle is a total hoot. I should try the liquid perfume.