Juliette Has A Gun Not A Shower Gel Review: Fragrance That Stays With You
Juliette Has A Gun Not A Shower Gel takes the fragrance-led approach of the French perfume house and brings it into a body cleanser scented around its signature Not A Perfume fragrance. It sits above everyday shower gels, with much of its appeal resting on scent rather than elaborate presentation. It was used over multiple showers, with particular attention paid to cleansing performance, skin feel, fragrance behaviour and whether the overall experience felt appropriately premium.
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Type: |
Shower Gel |
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Size: |
250mL |
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RRP: |
~$42AUD |
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Made In: |
France |
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Scent Profile: |
Cetalox |
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Packaging: |
Clear plastic bottle with pop-top closure |
Formula & Skin Feel
The clear gel produces a medium lather, with around 2 to 3ml enough each time. Cleansing is thorough without feeling aggressive, and the skin feels neutral after rinsing rather than noticeably softened or moisturised.
We weren’t entirely sure what to expect from a body wash made by a perfume house. The concern was that scent might take priority over the formula, particularly if that left the skin feeling dry or tight. Instead, it has been comfortable in regular use, without creating an immediate need for moisturiser.
Scent Profile
In the Bottle
Straight from the bottle, the fragrance is distinctive, broadly unisex with a slightly masculine lean. It is built around Cetalox, a synthetic fragrance ingredient commonly associated with a clean, musky and amber-like character. Here, it comes across as clean and polished without falling into the familiar fresh or overtly sweet territory of many fragranced body washes.
On Wet Skin
Water and warmth don’t dramatically transform it. The character experienced from the bottle carries consistently through use, with its strength becoming more apparent after rinsing.
After Rinse
It also has considerably more staying power than a typical body cleanser, remaining detectable on the skin for several hours. That persistence can be a strength or a limitation depending on when and how it’s used. When showering before bed, I occasionally found it a little too noticeable for my own preference.
Design & Shelf Presence
The presentation is more unconventional than luxurious. The clear plastic bottle feels solid enough in the hand, although its 250ml proportions look slightly small. Dispensing is handled by a simple pop-top rather than a pump.
Visually, there is something almost utilitarian about it. The clear bottle and straightforward shape aren’t far removed from the proportions of a dishwashing-liquid bottle, but the restrained label and minimal presentation make the similarity feel deliberate rather than accidental.
It looks clean and distinctive on a bathroom shelf, but the presentation remains deliberately simple. There also appears to be no refill option.
Longevity & Value
Not A Shower Gel holds up well over repeated use. The concentrated formula means the relatively small bottle lasts better than its size might suggest, while the unusually persistent scent adds something genuinely distinctive to the experience.
There is enough substance behind the perfume-house positioning to make the wider range interesting, particularly to see how a different scent might change the overall impression.
Who It’s For
Not A Shower Gel makes the most sense for someone who considers fragrance an important part of bathing rather than an incidental extra. Its persistence gives it a stronger identity than a conventional premium cleanser, while the formula remains comfortable enough for everyday use.
It also has good gifting potential for someone interested in fragrance, although its distinctive character makes it a more personal choice than a neutral luxury body wash. Those who prefer a body wash to leave only a faint trace after rinsing may find this too persistent. For scent-led buyers, that persistence is likely to be much of the appeal.
ATC Verdict: Is It Worth the Splurge?
Yes, particularly if fragrance is an important part of the experience.
Not A Shower Gel proves more capable as a cleanser than its perfume-house origins might suggest. The simple packaging offers little in the way of conventional luxury, but the product itself performs well and feels more considered than a fragrance extension with a familiar name attached.
Its persistence is also what makes the decision less straightforward. It can occasionally feel like too much, particularly before bed, so another bottle isn’t an immediate repurchase. There is, however, enough here to make another scent from the range worth exploring.
More convincing as a body wash than expected, with a scent that isn’t quick to leave.
Editor’s Note
This review is based on repeated use over multiple showers. Skin feel, scent strength and longevity were assessed during normal use, including at different times of day.
Adrian, Editor at All That Is Cool
Body care note:
All body care reviews on All That Is Cool reflect our personal use and experience. Skin response can vary, especially with fragrance or active ingredients, so check the product label and patch test first if you have sensitive skin, known allergies, or irritation concerns.
