First Impressions
What Would Love Do opens with a question—and answers it immediately with a burst of pure sunshine. The first spray delivers tangerine in its most radiant form, not the sticky-sweet candy version but something closer to peeling a fresh fruit on a warm afternoon, essential oils misting the air. This is Lush at its most optimistic, a citrus accord that registers at 100% intensity and refuses to apologize for its brightness. But there's complexity lurking beneath that cheerful exterior: an amber warmth (94%) rises almost instantly, suggesting that love, according to this fragrance, isn't just light—it's also grounding, comforting, and surprisingly substantial.
The name itself invites contemplation, and the scent delivers on that philosophical promise. This isn't a frivolous question posed in fragrance form; it's a meditation bottled in 2016 and, sadly, discontinued soon after—a fact that has transformed this perfume from a pleasant discovery into something of a cult treasure.
The Scent Profile
The tangerine top note doesn't simply flash and fade. It lingers, evolving into a more nuanced citrus expression that maintains its dominance throughout the wear. As it settles, lavender emerges—not the sharp, medicinal lavender of cleaning products, but a softer, more aromatic interpretation that reads at 87% prominence. This is where What Would Love Do reveals its unexpected sophistication. The pairing of bright citrus with herbal lavender could have veered into air freshener territory, but Lush balances these elements with remarkable finesse.
The lavender heart brings an aromatic quality (35%) and introduces the warm spicy accord (47%) that becomes increasingly apparent as the fragrance develops. There's a gentle heat here, nothing aggressive or overwhelming, but enough to add dimension and prevent the composition from feeling one-note or simplistic.
The base is where love reveals its true nature: benzoin. This resinous note provides the amber accord's foundation, creating a sweet (34%), balsamic drydown that feels both comforting and slightly mysterious. The benzoin doesn't announce itself loudly; instead, it wraps the earlier brightness in a warm embrace, transforming the sunny citrus opening into something more introspective and intimate. According to community feedback, this musky base provides decent longevity, allowing the fragrance to evolve gracefully over hours rather than minutes.
Character & Occasion
The data tells a compelling story about versatility. What Would Love Do performs best in fall (93%), making it an ideal transition fragrance when the weather cools but warmth is still appreciated. Spring (77%) is equally suitable, with the citrus brightness complementing blooming gardens and longer days. Winter and summer both clock in at 66%—respectable across-the-board wearability that speaks to the fragrance's balanced composition.
This is decisively a daytime fragrance (100%), and the reasons are clear: that tangerine opening and lavender heart feel most at home in natural light, on warm sunny days when citrus reads as uplifting rather than jarring. Evening wear is possible (46% night suitability), particularly during casual occasions, but this isn't a fragrance that demands attention in dimly lit rooms. It's too personal, too contemplative for that.
Community members specifically recommend it for casual wear and personal enjoyment—this isn't office-appropriate in the corporate sense, but rather a fragrance for weekends, creative workspaces, or moments when you're dressing for yourself rather than others. The layering potential is notable, with fans pairing it successfully with Dad's Garden Lemon Tree to amplify the citrus dimension.
Community Verdict
The r/fragrance community's sentiment is decidedly mixed (6.5/10), but this score requires context. The fragrance itself garners appreciation for its warm, spicy, and citrusy character—described as personal and distinctive with pleasant longevity and a satisfying drydown. Those who love it, truly love it, as evidenced by the broader 4.15/5 rating from 488 votes.
The mixed sentiment stems almost entirely from availability, not quality. What Would Love Do has been discontinued, and this single fact dominates community discussion. Resale prices range from $75 to $190, creating frustration among potential new fans. The scent is polarizing—it doesn't appeal to everyone—but for those seeking its specific warm spicy-citrusy profile, there are few adequate alternatives. This combination of devoted appreciation and accessibility frustration defines the current community experience.
Collectors who own bottles emphasize its wearability and quality, while those still searching express genuine disappointment. The discontinuation has transformed what might have been a pleasant niche offering into an object of active longing.
How It Compares
Lush's own fragrance line provides the closest comparisons: Twilight Body Spray, Rentless, and Karma all share similar DNA. The connection to Twilight is particularly strong, suggesting overlapping lavender and amber elements. More surprisingly, the data connects What Would Love Do to Shalimar Eau de Parfum by Guerlain and Kenzo Jungle L'Elephant—both significantly more expensive, established fragrances. These comparisons suggest that What Would Love Do was punching above its weight class, offering a citrus-amber-lavender composition that held its own against luxury competitors.
In the broader citrus-amber category, this fragrance distinguished itself through the lavender bridge between brightness and warmth, creating a progression that felt both logical and unexpected.
The Bottom Line
With a 4.15/5 rating from nearly 500 votes, What Would Love Do clearly resonated with those who tried it. The question now is whether you can find it—and whether you're willing to pay secondary market prices for the privilege.
If you connect with warm, spicy citrus fragrances and appreciate lavender's herbaceous character, this is worth seeking out, particularly for fall and spring wear. The longevity is respectable, the layering potential is excellent, and the composition itself is more sophisticated than the cheerful opening might suggest.
However, at $75-190 on the resale market, you're paying not just for the fragrance but for its scarcity. Consider exploring the similar fragrances first—particularly other Lush offerings or even sampling Shalimar if you're curious about the amber-citrus connection. But if you find a bottle at a reasonable price and you're drawn to distinctive, personal fragrances that ask philosophical questions while smelling like sunshine and warmth, don't hesitate. Love, apparently, would do exactly that.
AI-generated editorial review
