| This fragrance line was discontinued in 2000. |
(Discontinued in 2000) – Flower markets generally carry the overhwhelmingly glorious colour and scent of almost every flower under
the sun. Lush's Flower Market Fragrance (a larger photo of which can be found HERE), however, primarily consists of carnation. In
fact, its scent is so heavily centred on carnation that rather than calling it "Flower Market", I've personally renamed it "New York Deli", as
it can often remind you of the cheap, plastic wrapped two dollar bouquets of flowers displayed outside of New York City's delis. (For
those who don't live in New York City, think of the bouquets you can get at gas stations. You know the ones: your man has forgotten
your birthday or anniversary, and at the last minute, picks up a quick fix while filling his tank on the way home from work.) Alongside
carnation, you're also hit with the damp, musky woodland fragrance of Middle Eastern galbanum oil combined with an initially potent
whiff of nose-tingling alcohol. (And with alcohol being found in higher doses than any other ingredient in Flower Market's recipe, those
with sensitive skin are warned that this perfume can sometimes leave you to suffer quite a painful burning sensation once contact is
made.) Over time, sweeter florals such as anti-depressant ylang ylang and sedative violet leaf come through, teamed with the spiced
citrus of carefree tropical elemi oil. And yet, even as these notes gradually reveal themselves, Flower Market remains decidedly
unsophisticated. Though it aromatherapeutically succeeds in calming and clearing the mind, as a whole, it takes such a simplistic
approach to what can be a most alluringly romantic aromatic genre that it generally fails to authentically capture the true spirit of its own
inspiration: London's Covent Garden flower market, where Audrey Hepburn's Eliza Doolittle spent her days peddling violets. As Eliza
herself says in My Fair Lady, "The difference between a lady and a flower girl isn’t how she behaves but how she is treated." Lush
chose to treat Flower Market as the latter, and depending on what you're looking for in a fragrance, this could indeed be seen as a
slight on her character.
the sun. Lush's Flower Market Fragrance (a larger photo of which can be found HERE), however, primarily consists of carnation. In
fact, its scent is so heavily centred on carnation that rather than calling it "Flower Market", I've personally renamed it "New York Deli", as
it can often remind you of the cheap, plastic wrapped two dollar bouquets of flowers displayed outside of New York City's delis. (For
those who don't live in New York City, think of the bouquets you can get at gas stations. You know the ones: your man has forgotten
your birthday or anniversary, and at the last minute, picks up a quick fix while filling his tank on the way home from work.) Alongside
carnation, you're also hit with the damp, musky woodland fragrance of Middle Eastern galbanum oil combined with an initially potent
whiff of nose-tingling alcohol. (And with alcohol being found in higher doses than any other ingredient in Flower Market's recipe, those
with sensitive skin are warned that this perfume can sometimes leave you to suffer quite a painful burning sensation once contact is
made.) Over time, sweeter florals such as anti-depressant ylang ylang and sedative violet leaf come through, teamed with the spiced
citrus of carefree tropical elemi oil. And yet, even as these notes gradually reveal themselves, Flower Market remains decidedly
unsophisticated. Though it aromatherapeutically succeeds in calming and clearing the mind, as a whole, it takes such a simplistic
approach to what can be a most alluringly romantic aromatic genre that it generally fails to authentically capture the true spirit of its own
inspiration: London's Covent Garden flower market, where Audrey Hepburn's Eliza Doolittle spent her days peddling violets. As Eliza
herself says in My Fair Lady, "The difference between a lady and a flower girl isn’t how she behaves but how she is treated." Lush
chose to treat Flower Market as the latter, and depending on what you're looking for in a fragrance, this could indeed be seen as a
slight on her character.
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