Elisa explains how coconut is used in perfumes and offers 21 examples with 5 different themes. Summer fun begins here.
In case you hadn’t noticed, we’re in the middle of a cultural coconut renaissance. First came coconut water, touted to be a low-sugar super-hydrator, like nature’s Gatorade. (I think it’s gross; with the high potassium content, it feels like I’m drinking soup.) Then, widespread reports of the virtual all-purposeness of coconut oil: Clean your house! Remove your eye makeup! Moisturize your body! (Again, I haven’t succumbed. But if you don’t mind glistening all over and smelling like a Mounds bar at all times, more power to you.)
If I’m skeptical of the head-to-tail approach to coconuts, I am a longtime lover of coconut scents and of coconut flesh and milk in food. It’s one of those magical ingredients, like lime or cilantro, that can completely make a dish. I love it in desserts – I still think about a bite of exceptionally moist coconut cake I had when I was 17, and Caramel Delites were always my favorite Girl Scout Cookie – but I think I love it even more in savory applications, for the unctuousness it adds to dishes like Thai curry.
In perfume, coconut is usually represented by one or more lactones – from the Latin root lact- meaning milk, lactones give a fruity, fatty creaminess to compositions. Coconut lactones can range from fresh and milky to peachy to waxy to toasted and nutty (with an almondy coumarin facet) to downright buttery, like coconut oil with butter flavoring.
Coconut and Jasmine
Because of the coconut’s association with palm trees and beaches, and the fact that suntan lotions are frequently scented with coconut, coconut notes are commonly found in tropical and beachy florals. Estée Lauder Bronze Goddess is iconic in this category, a simple but perfect combination of coconut, citrus, and fizzy jasmine. (I especially like the oil version.) From the same house, Sensuous Nude is similar, but with more of the musky-wood base of the original Sensuous. Smell Bent’s budget-friendly St. Tropez Dispenser fits right in with them but is warmer and more buttery. One of the most elegant beach scents I’ve tried, Guerlain’s recent summer release Terracotta Le Parfum ups the ante with a raspier, more authentic jasmine note. Serge Lutens Datura Noir, on the other hand, is a niche beach scent that approaches vulgarity, but I love it anyway: here the white florals are almost syrupy, and set against a coconut accord with tons of sweet tonka bean.
Coconut and Tuberose
Coconut is a natural aspect of tuberose, and many soliflores play it up to enhance the tropical feel. Calice Becker’s Beyond Love for By Kilian is a beautifully realistic and radiant rendition of tuberose that captures the flower’s contradictory green coolness and fatty richness. Frédéric Malle Carnal Flower, perhaps the queen of tuberose, is huge and luxuriant; a musky, earthy vibe keeps notes of coconut and melon from coming off sweet. Montale Intense Tiare is a sweet, buttery tuberose with a distinct note of banana popsicle. Guerlain Mayotte is a weird one, where an interesting toasted coconut note is dragged down by a lifeless and bitter tuberose accord. It has its fans, but it’s no match for the beauty of Beyond Love and Carnal Flower. (But nor would I call it a scrubber, as Lush Furze was for me – it’s a coconut scent so buttery I felt I was drowning in stale movie popcorn.)
Coconut and Fig
Coconut also plays a part in many fig accords, most famously in Olivia Giacobetti’s Premier Figuier for L’Artisan and the later, very similar Philosykos for Diptyque. The latter is an ideal, if short-lived, fig: green, woody, sappy, and cooling. (Why can’t coconut water taste like this?) Also worth a try: Fragrance Republic 01/06, a very pretty, clean fig with coconut and lime notes. Naturally, coconut pairs well with lime – see also the dreamy Fils de Dieu from Etat Libre d’Orange, which smells like basmati rice cooked in coconut milk with lime zest, and blooms gorgeously in the heat; and Bahiana from Maitre Parfumeur et Gantier, a bright cologne with a coconut accent.
Coconut and Wood
A fourth category that plays nicely with coconut: the woody scents. Cadjmere by Parfumerie Generale is a simple but delicious comfort scent of coconut, woods, and amber. I’ll also give a nod to the more complex Un Bois Vanille from Serge Lutens, though you’ll find just a hint of coconut alongside vanilla, burnt sugar, tonka, licorice, guaiac, and smoke. I’m wary of too much vanilla mixed in with my coconut, but if you’re looking for an all-out gourmand, Tokyo Milk’s Let Them Eat Cake smells just like a coconut cupcake.
Coconut Fruit Salad
And then there are the extra-fruity coconut wild cards, like By Kilian Liaisons Dangereuses, a rosy fruit salad of shaved coconut, peaches, plums, and blackcurrant. In L’Artisan’s Ananas Fizz, coconut is married to a somewhat sweaty pineapple note – a piña colada for the after party. And Kerosene Unforsaken is a coconut creamsicle with vanilla, almond, and tangerine.
Do you have a favorite perfume or body product based on coconut? Please let me know in the comments!
Photography by Hafiz Issadeen, via Flickr, some rights reserved.
104 Comments
Hannah: Why would you ask if we have a favorite coconut body product when you just said people who use them smell like Mounds bars at all times? June 4, 2015 at 8:08am
Elisa: I was referring to coconut oil specifically, which some people use as their everyday moisturizer. I prefer something unscented for every day so I don’t always have to smell like coconut. But some days (clearly) I want to smell like coconut. June 4, 2015 at 10:02am
Kandice: Just a comment – you can buy unscented coconut oil if you want the moisturizing benefits for your skin without the scent 🙂 June 7, 2015 at 8:55am
Elisa: Oh really? I didn’t know they could get the coconut out! June 9, 2015 at 8:59pm
Michaela: Only the scent 🙂
I use a lot of unscented coconut oil to make soap. As saponification is a harsh process, the scent would not keep in the final product. The soap comes out exactly the same, so I chose the cheaper option.
Unlike you, I fell for coconut oil 🙂 I’m sure it cannot make you perfectly healthy or younger. But I like it sometimes as an unscented body lotion, to make calendula ointment. And coconut oil soap is by far my favorite.
Thank you for the review, I like it very much, especially you organized it so well! 🙂 June 10, 2015 at 8:37am
Elisa: I always have coconut oil in the house, but I confess I use it mostly for cooking!
Thanks for reading, Michaela! June 10, 2015 at 9:24am
Danaki: I like mine with Tiare, please…
Shame Furze was a scrubber for you. I liked it, but not enough to buy even a small bottle. Instead went for Sikkim Girls – that’s where my tropical fantasy ends.
But going back to coconut, I recently bought Pacifica Tahitian Gardenia solid perfume. It is a bit more coconut-ty than the spray, or maybe I’m imagining that.
This summer, it seems that I’m yet again going to miss out on Guerlain’s Terracotta edp [shakes fists at a hologram of ‘limited summer editions’]. But I’m relieved, bank balance happy. June 4, 2015 at 8:23am
Elisa: There are plenty of other beachy perfumes to be had, at least! June 4, 2015 at 10:01am
Danaki: True…probably Bronze Goddess. I’m trying to avoid calone heavy perfumes. Tried Parfumerie Generale Collection Croisier. Long Courier is a nice suntan lotion scent. Beachy but no calone. Not cheap though…so carefully applying from my sample vial. June 4, 2015 at 10:23am
Elisa: You could also layer Bronze Goddess with a more natural jasmine if you wanted to up the florals and get a similar effect to Terracotta. June 4, 2015 at 10:26am
bregje: what great idea!
My favorite is Bronze Goddess oil.But i’ve never tried layering it with jasmine.
I’ll try it tomorrow. June 4, 2015 at 9:01pm
Iodine: Nice list! I would add the savoury gourmand encounter between coconut and cilantro in I love Coco by Honoré des Près, fresh and juicy. June 4, 2015 at 8:29am
Elisa: That is on my list of coconut perfumes to try but I haven’t gotten to it yet. Love the idea of a cilantro note in perfume. June 4, 2015 at 10:02am
Cornelia Blimber: You inspired me to wear Mahora/Mayotte today! Yes, it’s a favourite.
I also smell something like coconut in Secrete Datura (Maitre Parfumeur). June 4, 2015 at 8:39am
Elisa: I wonder if datura has a coconut element in nature — I’ve never smelled it in real life. June 4, 2015 at 10:04am
Karen: Addicted to Carnal Flower – yum yum and gorgeous! June 4, 2015 at 8:44am
Margie: I am also addicted to Carnal Flower June 4, 2015 at 9:09am
limegreen: Me three! Though CF is more tuberose for me, don’t think about it being coconut. Thanks for teh post, just the opposite of you, Elisa, I love coconut to eat and coconut water, but don’t like a strong coconut scent in my body products or perfume. Reminds me of suntan lotion in not a good way. 🙂 June 4, 2015 at 10:03am
Elisa: It’s a tuberose perfume for sure, but many white florals have a coconut facet.
For those who DO like coconut body products, Trader Joe’s has a very nice coconut body butter for under $10. June 4, 2015 at 10:06am
limegreen: 🙂 To clarify, what I meant was that if CF had a stronger coconut scent, as opposed to a facet to the tuberose, I think I would have trouble wearing CF. June 4, 2015 at 1:34pm
Elisa: Beyond Love is the more coconutty of the two, i think June 4, 2015 at 1:37pm
Elisa: It’s a beautiful perfume! June 4, 2015 at 10:04am
Austenfan: Interesting post on a note I like. My most worn Coconut perfume has to be Cococabana (discontinued) from PdN. It seems to have few fans, and it is possibly rather too unctuous but I love it anyway. The opening is really interesting. And I would add a vote for Love Coco, which I liked least of the three but was possibly the most original.
And to throw the cat among the pigeons: I still think Fracas is the Queen of all Tuberoses 😉 June 4, 2015 at 9:01am
Elisa: I tried to order a sample of Cococabana but couldn’t find one! Monyette Paris is also supposed to be coconut/tuberose. June 4, 2015 at 10:07am
Austenfan: It’s been discontinued for a while. I could send you a sample, should you want one. June 4, 2015 at 10:52am
Elisa: I’d love one! Could I send you something else in return? My email is my full name at gmail June 4, 2015 at 10:54am
Austenfan: I’ll mail you once I get home. Can’t open gmail here at work. June 4, 2015 at 12:34pm
Maria B: Oh, yes, Fracas is the Queen of All Tuberoses. June 4, 2015 at 11:49am
Cornelia Blimber: Sure it is! June 4, 2015 at 12:40pm
Karen: Yes to Fracas! It’s stunning and intoxicating! June 4, 2015 at 5:24pm
WJ: I am not usually a big coconut fan, but something got me to buy this blind: ‘Vanille et Coco’ by Coudray. Luckily, I really like it. The coconut is just enough, but not too sweet or artificial. The whole fragrance is warm and sweet, just right for warm summer nights. June 4, 2015 at 9:10am
Elisa: People never mention Coudray, but I really love their rose/hyacinth scent. June 4, 2015 at 10:08am
claire: Hi !
Elle l’aime Lolita Lempicka Eau de parfum. Coconut as a flower ! A jewel. June 4, 2015 at 9:13am
Elisa: Another one I’ve been wanting to try! June 4, 2015 at 10:08am
Loric: One of my favorites! June 4, 2015 at 3:01pm
Caroline: Fantastic compilation! Love Carnal Flower, Beyond Love & Terracotta (have had a falling out with Bronze Goddess for some reason). As I recall, Lys 41 also has a coconut note. Now I’m very curious to try Fils de Dieu. June 4, 2015 at 9:15am
Elisa: Yes, Lys 41 — definitely on the beachy white floral side. Fils de Dieu is great, I hope you can get your hands on some. June 4, 2015 at 10:09am
Karina: Lys 41 is sunshine in a bottle for me! 🙂 June 5, 2015 at 10:01am
Elisa: Another good one for “sunshine in a bottle” is California Reverie. June 9, 2015 at 11:17am
Phyllis Iervello: I love Yesterday Haze by Imaginary Authors which is fig and coconut. I also like Heeley’s Cocobello, a very beach scent June 4, 2015 at 9:23am
Elisa: Cocobello reminds me of an upscale version of that old Bath & Body Works scent, Coconut Lime Verbena! (not in a bad way) June 4, 2015 at 10:09am
Sandra: My husband uses coconut body lotion from the Body Shop-he smells fantastic all the time.
I love Terracotta for the summer
You mention of Dangerous Liaisons By Killian made me want to go spray myself!! One of my favs! June 4, 2015 at 10:00am
Elisa: The Body Shop’s coconut body butter is pretty awesome. June 4, 2015 at 10:10am
hotlanta linda: Please chuckle – Pacifica`s Indian Coconut perfume spray is in my currently shipping Vitacost order 🙂 Coconut, vanilla, and vetyver at the base….simple and good w/ out being price-y – save money for high end scents! 🙂 June 4, 2015 at 10:05am
Elisa: Good thinking! June 4, 2015 at 10:11am
Bonnie: For a rich deep coconut fragrance, Kiss My Face’s Tropical Coconut deep moisturizing lotion is gorgeous. I have it at work beside my desk but as we are a no-scent workplace I’m going to take it home. I had no idea how lush and fragrant this moisturizer was when I bought it. Prefer to savour it after a shower than in my cubicle. The fragrance certainly does fill up a space with beachy goodness. June 4, 2015 at 10:24am
Elisa: Yum! Thanks for the rec! June 4, 2015 at 10:25am
rickyrebarco: My favorite coconut is Heeley’s Cocobello. June 4, 2015 at 10:33am
Elisa: You should try Bahiana if you like coconut with citrus notes. June 4, 2015 at 10:58am
Nicole: Me too, Ricky! I love this scent for summer. June 27, 2015 at 5:17pm
Patricia: I love coconut, especially the sweet beachy fragrances. My favorites are the Body Creme of Bronze Goddess (much better than the perfume, IMO), and Terracotta (I have a decant). June 4, 2015 at 10:54am
Elisa: I also have a decant of Terracotta which will sadly be gone soon, probably before it’s officially summer! June 4, 2015 at 10:57am
Patricia: Not to enable or anything…but Bergdorf’s has Terracotta le Parfum available now. I’ve been scouting for awhile and they must have just gotten a new shipment in. I’ve been good about buying perfume lately, so I bought one. Shipping is free. 🙂 June 4, 2015 at 12:37pm
Elisa: Thanks for the tip! June 4, 2015 at 12:38pm
Patricia: Should have said good about not buying perfume lately! June 4, 2015 at 12:48pm
Annie: Crystal Noir Versace has also a strong coconut note combined with Gardenia. If you like this particular fruity floral (I don’t), could be a good choice. June 4, 2015 at 10:54am
Reg: My favourite perfume with coconut (oil) is 10 Roam by Odin NY – a peppery coconut with coffee flower, wood and frankincense. There is something tickling and euphoric about the fragrance which is hard for me to describe, perhaps it’s the contrast of a bright coconut and the darker ingredients. June 4, 2015 at 11:29am
Reg: I just read that there is also Ginger in it, could be that. June 4, 2015 at 11:30am
Elisa: Yum! That sounds great June 4, 2015 at 11:55am
Hamamelis: I am a big fan of Weleda Baby lotion for moisturizing, and currently use the new ‘sensitive’ one, which is unscented but based on coconutoil. I like the properties of coconutoil, but not always the smell. My husband uses coconut oil pure as a moisturizer, and he doesn’t smell too much of Bounty (which I think is the equivalent of Mond) 😉
I seem to associate the smell of tiare with coconut, so Songes to my nose has a faint coconut note. Also the Yves Rocher monoi’s have a coconut beachy scent, as well as the real monoi oil, but I need warmer weather to wear that.
Great post, thank you Elisa. June 4, 2015 at 11:34am
Elisa: Thank you! I have been meaning to try Songes layered with Bronze Goddess — think it could be a great combo June 4, 2015 at 11:55am
Hamamelis: I have never layered before, but this might be the first combination I will try! June 4, 2015 at 12:12pm
rainboweyes: Do you mean the baby lotion “Weiße Malve”? I love it too! And I often use pure coconut oil for dry skin patches. I find the smell quite subtle, though, not like Bounty.
I’m not a fan of coconut in scents, though, Ananas Fizz is the only one from your list that’s in my scent wardrobe. I don’t think of it as a coconut scent, though. To me it’s rather pineapple and rum-centered. June 6, 2015 at 4:31pm
Hamamelis: That is the one, in Dutch: witte malva! In winter I use the calendula one, with (neutrally scented) sesame oil. I sometimes solve some real coconut oil in a bath when my skin is really dry, combined with 4711. June 7, 2015 at 4:10am
rainboweyes: I used the calendula line (baby bath and massage oil) for my boys when they were babies but then I somehow forgot about it. Somebody has recommended the shower cream & shampoo just recently in an organic beauty blog I regularly read and I’m using it now. Have you tested the new, almond-scented Sensitive line? It’s lovely too (if you like almonds :))
By the way, was it you who offered to send me samples of Mon Parfum Cheri Par Camille? I’ve tried to find them at our local perfumery that carries AG but this particular scent isn’t available, so I’d be happy to take you up on that offer if you don’t mind… Of course I can send you some samples from my iris collection in return 🙂 June 7, 2015 at 7:22am
Hamamelis: I am happy to send a sample to you, can you forward your addres via Victoria, or mention your email address here? I will send you both Edt and EdP. I love it more and more, though it maybe more of a cold weather perfume.
Which blog is it, I use organic beauty when I can (or is it not in English)? June 9, 2015 at 8:53am
rainboweyes: I’ll ask Victoria to pass my email address to you. That particular blog I mentioned is in German but I also sometimes read English blogs – e.g. genuineglow.com or nomoredirtylooks.com June 9, 2015 at 9:44am
Vishishta: Just back from Tahiti, I used Monoi Tahiti Coconut Vanilla on the beach and after bath and I found it so wonderful–it is better than any perfume and feels wonderful on the body! June 4, 2015 at 11:56am
Elisa: This thread is starting to make me hungry! June 4, 2015 at 11:59am
Keren: I like Terracotta so much that I’m contemplating buying a backup (though the bottle is pretty large). Right strength for summer. Not overpowering. Have Datura Noir also. Stronger so a little goes a long long way. After showering put on Key West Aloe Vanilla Cream Body Lotion before fragrance.
Want to try Kiss my Face Tropical Coconut and some of the others mentioned above. June 4, 2015 at 11:58am
Elisa: I wouldn’t mind having a bottle of Terracotta myself, but I wonder if it’s already sold out? June 4, 2015 at 12:00pm
Patricia: See my comment above about Berdorf 🙂 June 4, 2015 at 12:40pm
Patricia: I also bought some drugstore coconut-scented shampoo and conditioner but I need to finish up my big bottle of Pantene before I start in on them. June 4, 2015 at 12:46pm
Elisa: Was it the organix brand, by any chance? their shampoo for blondes has a fantastic lemon + coconut scent. June 4, 2015 at 12:49pm
Patricia: I’ll have to check when I get home from work. June 4, 2015 at 1:42pm
Patricia: Mine is the CVS brand which says it’s comparable to OGX Nourishing Coconut Milk Shampoo. Sure smells good! June 4, 2015 at 5:39pm
Aurora: 21 coconut scents, that’s pretty comprehensive, thank you for your research! It is also very timely as we get closer to summertime. I’ve always found Hypnotic Poison had a great almond/coconut accent, it’s one of the few gourmands I really enjoy. Monoi is also a staple but only at the height of summer, every year in Provence I use it on my hair and face as well as body (Andy had a great post about monoi last year I think). June 4, 2015 at 1:23pm
Elisa: thanks! I forgot to mention Hypnotic Poison, but yes — almond and coconut play nice together. June 4, 2015 at 1:37pm
Brooke: My favorite coconut perfume is Sage Mechado’s Onyx! June 4, 2015 at 2:59pm
Elisa: Ooh, coconut and tobacco! Never smelled that combination. June 4, 2015 at 3:01pm
Figuier: Great post Elisa, thank you! Coconut is a gorgeous smell and flavour, although I must admit I often find perfumes with it veer towards too sweet on me. For years I had a bottle of the original Tom Ford Azuree (aka Bronze Goddess) body oil; I’d spray it on about twice a year, wear it for half a day, then decide it was too much and wash it off.
Instead my favourite coconuts are the lighter ones, especially the faintly sweet green-ish fig-coconuts, Philosykos and Premier Figuier. I’ve never tried Cocobello but would like to if it’s a citrusy coconut (hard to imagine, but sounds good!) June 4, 2015 at 4:08pm
Elisa: Do try the Six Scents one above — it’s a really nice coconutty fig with citrus! I personally like coconut best when it’s not mixed with vanilla — I think that’s when it tends to get too sweet. June 4, 2015 at 4:10pm
Annikky: I love, love coconut in food. Thai flavours are genius and recently, I learned from Thug Kitchen to make caramel sauce with coconut milk instead of the regular one.
And I think I like all the fragrances you mention (the ones I’ve tried, that is) including Mahora/Moyette. But as with fig (another thing I love to eat), I often prefer coconuts in body products. June 4, 2015 at 4:21pm
Elisa: Here in Denver (maybe nationally? not sure) you can find these caramels called Cocomels made with coconut milk, and they are awesome. June 4, 2015 at 4:22pm
Iliana: I’ve been wanting a post about coconut scents, because it’s my favorite note 😀
In addition to the ones you already named, Comptoir Sud Pacifique has some coconut fragrances, like Vanille Coco, Coco Figue and Coco Extreme. Coco Extreme has a cheap version in one of Yves Rocher’s fragrances, Noix de Coco, I have both and I love to use them for layering, they fit sooo perfect with fruity scents, but here’s the thing: Yves Rocher’s smells less synthetic.
I also have Elle L’aime by Lolita Lempicka. I just simply love it. Someone gave me a sample and I just fall in love with it. I use it alone or layering too, with Coco Extreme/Noix de Coco to punch de coconut note or I found it fits really nice with In Love Again by YSL, the mixture is a bomb of tropic! 😛 June 4, 2015 at 7:57pm
Elisa: Yay, fellow coconut lovers! I really, really want to try Ell L’aime. They didn’t have it at Surrender to Chance but I’m going to scare up a sample somehow. June 4, 2015 at 8:01pm
claire: One summer back in the day when I loved that summery coconut vibe, a friend and I discovered Skin Trip Coconut Moisturizer by Mountain Ocean. We went through bottles of it. I’m not sure how it smells today, but it was surprisingly refreshing for a coconut scent and the texture was just right, too, fast absorbing and cooling. As I recall it was not too sweet, heavy or cloying, but just the same, all coconut! I was going to introduce it to my daughter the other day and saw it was sold out, so it appears to still have it’s fans. I am curious to revisit it, and probably prefer coconut in a lotion form. Still, the coconut- basmati-lime of Fils de Dieu sounds wonderful, and I’m still hoping to try Carnal Flower some day. Funny, the coconut aspect is what has made me reluctant to try at that price point, but if it’s done right…. June 4, 2015 at 8:48pm
Elisa: I have heard great things about Skin Trip and need to try it sometime. I think they carry it at Whole Foods now.
The coconut in Carnal Flower is quite subtle and natural, very green. June 4, 2015 at 8:50pm
Claire: I would probably love that! I’ll really must try it eventually. June 5, 2015 at 11:32am
Katy: Coconut and jasmine are great together! I have a jasmine and coconut moisturizer I layer with Esprit d’Oscar and Lust. I also like the Yves Rocher coconut perfume and Harajuku G both inexpensive and natural smelling coconut thrills! June 4, 2015 at 9:24pm
Elisa: I’m a huge fan of Lust! June 4, 2015 at 9:48pm
Floragal: I just love coconut in food but the scent of it really depends. It’s nausea inducing when too strong but when not over done I do enjoy it, specially for summertime.
Juste un rêve by PdN is one I like very much for summer, and I’m also a fan of Carnal Flower and Philosykes.
Thank you for the post, Elise. Such a great resource. June 4, 2015 at 11:12pm
Elisa: I agree on Juste un Reve, it’s lovely! I’m a big PdN fan. June 4, 2015 at 11:13pm
hajusuuri: I generally don’t like coconut smells in perfume although with the right treatment, it can be wonderful. Slumber house Pear + Olive is pretty much mostly coconut after the initial blast of fizzy pear. June 5, 2015 at 12:48am
Elisa: I think you’re right. I couldn’t really find the olive note. June 5, 2015 at 8:45am
meganinstmaxime: Elisa I love this post and adore coconut but often think it’s one of those guilty secret smells for some reason. I actually spray Yves Rocher’s coconut perfume in the car. And this has reminded me I need to order another bottle. Love Fils de Dieu and I have a sample of Liaison Dangereuses so I’m going to find it now and try it again. Teracotta Le Parfum is also divine. Thanks for so many new ideas. Also I’m going to hunt out the Lolita Lempicka as well. June 5, 2015 at 1:18am
Elisa: Thank you! I don’t think you need to feel guilty about it, ha ha! I may wear Liaisons myself, today… June 5, 2015 at 8:46am
Cherry: Hello! I’ve just discovered your wonderful blog. I wonder if you can help me? I recently went on a Duty-Free Perfume Spraying Frenzy ™ and once I found the perfume I wanted, I couldn’t remember which one it was. It started off too ‘loud’ and floral for me, probably more amber than I wanted, but then mellowed to a soft coconut base with a delicious woody floral… and I must have it. I was dousing myself with the Bvlgari Omni range and the Herme ‘le gardin sur…’ range. Are you familiar with these ranges? Sorry for such a ridiculous query, but if anyone can help it seems you can… middle-class problems indeed. Thank you. June 13, 2015 at 6:13am
Cherry: *Hermes. June 13, 2015 at 6:14am
claire: Hi Cherry (lovely name !). I’m French.
About the range “Un Jardin…” By Hermes, :
– Un jardin en Mediterranee (the first one) with fig notes
– un jardin sur le nil (looks like “Jour Absolu d’Hermes, with green mango fruit, not apricot.)
– un jardin après la mousson (monsoon)
– un jardin sur le toit (home roof garden)
– Le jardin de Monsieur LI (new)
Probably Omnia range, not Hermes. June 13, 2015 at 7:09am
Cherry: Hello, Claire,
Thank you for your helpful reply. I think you’re correct that it must be from the Omnia range, as the Hermes range you described are all quite sheer and fresh (and lovely). I fell in love with Un jardin en Mediterranee and Un jardin après la mousson so thank you for reminding me about them. I’m sorry I completely butchered every single spelling possible in my original post. :-O June 13, 2015 at 10:37am
Iliana: It could be Omnia Coral, it’s woody and some people smell coconut on it too 🙂 June 17, 2015 at 10:36pm
Cherry: Thank you, Iliana! I definitely sprayed Omnia Coral, and I think you’re right. 🙂 I’m about to order a small bottle to find out. June 21, 2015 at 12:16pm
Cherry: Ooops, I’m so sorry, I’ve just reread my initial post and it comes across wrong. I meant *my* ‘problem’ was middle-class, not that your blog has anything to do with middle-class problems. My juxtaposition came across all wrong, I was just being silly, please forgive me. June 13, 2015 at 6:17am