Pavillon des Fleurs is the debut fragrance from Septimanie Perfumes. The ad copy calls it a "luminous and refined fragrance" and a "sonata of white flowers", but Angela described it more bluntly in an email as "a good wallop of jasmine". Who doesn't love a good wallop of jasmine? (If you're thinking: uh, me, then move on to the next post, there's nothing else to see here today.)
Pavillon des Fleurs starts out, actually, with a little slap of jasmine, lightened by orange blossom and a touch of citrus, and only slowly builds up to the goodly wallop stage, although do bear in mind that I'm trying it from a vial. Sprayed from the bottle, it might get to the wallop stage somewhat faster. The jasmine is strong, but it stays bright and spring-like all the way though, and it's just a wee tad indolic, about the way I like my jasmine. The base is pale and velvety, and the "English leather" (the notes: jasmine, ylang ylang, orange blossom, English leather, iris and lily of the valley) is that sort of suede-at-40-paces that isn't likely to scare anybody.
Nor should the jasmine scare you off: this doesn't pack the same punch as say, Norma Kamali Jazmin or Bruno Acampora Jasmin, nor does it scream BIG WHITE FLORAL like Diptyque's (lovely) Olène. Pavillon des Fleurs is lush and romantic but not overwhelming, and while I wouldn't call it it hugely unusual, it is very much worth a try if you're after a new white floral for spring.
Septimanie Perfumes Pavillon des Fleurs is $110 for 50 ml Eau de Parfum; for buying information, see the listing for Septimanie Perfumes under Perfume Houses.
For an even bigger wallop of jasmine, try Lush's Jasmine & Henna Fluff Ease. This is a pre-treatment for hair, and is supposed to smooth hair and add shine. You apply it to dry hair, leave it on for 20 minutes, then shampoo and condition as usual. They aren't kidding about the jasmine: this stuff is STRONGLY scented, and if you don't really like jasmine, you might find those 20 minutes well nigh unbearable.
The first time I used it, I followed with two other Lush products: Rehab shampoo, an aromatic blend of rosemary and mint, then American Cream conditioner, which Lush describes as "sweet strawberry milkshake". I thought for sure that those two would knock the jasmine dead, but no, when I started to blow-dry my hair, all I could smell is jasmine. I could still smell the jasmine the next morning, and I could still smell it, faintly, after washing and conditioning my hair again the next day.
As much as I like the Oscar Blandi jasmine products for hair, the Lush puts them to shame in terms of lasting power. For my second trial, I used the Lush first then followed with the Oscar Blandi shampoo and conditioner. It made for a nice little jasmine fest, and annoyed everyone else in my household.
The Jasmine & Henna Fluff Ease is $20.95 for a 7.7 oz tub, and Lush suggests that you use a quarter of a pot for short hair; about half a pot for longer hair. My hair is shoulder length, and I used about half of a generous sample — I'm quite sure I would not need more than 1/8th of the tub to treat my hair. As for the smoothing and shining, well, who knows. I have what is known as "bad" hair, very dry and prone to frizz, and wasn't expecting a whole lot of smoothing and shining. It did make my hair much softer, and it made it smell like jasmine for a couple days. That's good enough for me.
One of these days you'll inspire me to try one of these smoothing products, as I am convinced we have the same hair. Having said that, I will tell you that I recently bought one of those new fangled straightening irons, and it has changed my life. Really. This is the hair I always wanted. Have you tried one?
the lush jasmine things actually smell of jasmine, not air freshener… i'm a huge lush lush, and this is what i like to do to maximize the jasmine-ness:
pretreat with jasmine fluff eaze –> wash with godiva shampoo bar, condition with jungle –> wash body with flying fox (cult favorite) –> moisturize with body shop scent me unscented lotion mixed with a melted pot of flying fox temple balm (sadly discontinued where i am) –> dust with silky underwear powder –> apply flying fox temple balm to pulse points = MAXIMUM JASMINE-AGE. whee!
if you can't get a hold of the flying fox temple balm, i like to spritz on some annick goutal le jasmin or serge lutens jasmin a la nuit!
Half a pot of that for long hair!!?? That seems like a lot of product! (I have long hair that is prone to frizz.)
I recently bought Sephora's body butter in Tropical Jasmine. It's laced with vanilla and coconut (heavy on the “Tropical”) but I find it very comforting.
I guess it takes a lot of product since you're starting w/ dry hair so there's no “slip”. I just put on a very thin coating and combed it through…I supposed glopping on half the tub would be easier.
I have not, but I will now. And so far, I have not damaged my hair with my new toy (had it for about a month now). I use it every other day. It is a lot better than blow drying in that it is faster and seems to damage less. Blow drying is really toxic to my hair and I don't do it at all. I would say buy a cheap one (I spent $30 on a Remington model at Ulta) and see if you like it. I would be curious as to how it works out for you.
If you tire of the lush (or it begins not working for you), do try Carol's Daughter Healthy Hair Butter (or any of the CD products). They are incredible and really work to smooth and condition dry, frizz-prone hair. I steer away from her coconut products but that's just because I hate the smell of coconut. She has a hair oil that s very light and light-reflecting and just a little dab'll do ya. It smooths the cuticle right down
Sigh. I guess I ought to try one. At this point, making any effort for my hair other than keeping it clean seems pointless, you know? I love my scrunchies.
Yes, but think what a sleek ponytail you will have! Just kidding. If you're in a low maintenance mode, then why bother? I work in a rather appearance obsessed place, and only seem to be getting more vain with age, but possibly you're more comfortable with yourself (and your hair) than I am.
Please post many more Jasmine ideas. I can't wear it, and can't stand the dead-cat smell I get from it, so I'm not tempted. . .and right now, I need not to be temped. I'm weak!
This will make no sense to anyone but me, perhaps, but I'm as vain as ever but can't be bothered to do anything about it anymore…in other words, the laziness trumps the vanity.
LOL! We can't post about jasmine EVERY day…
For a change I can say something POSITIVE! I have used Lush Henna Fluff Ease for a few months and it has changed my life! Well, at least my hair. This stuff is so effective and the jasmine wafts! It's worth using the amount recommended — and it's even better if you wrap saran wrap around your soaked with Lush head, put on your rastafarian knit cap to keep the whole thing together and sleep on it. Now I've also provided you a scary image of one of my beauty rituals. But, seriously, great product. xoxo
Mireille,
I'm with you on the saran wrap/conditioner thing, though I can't sleep in it (my own little tic). I usually do it on days when I don't have to go out of the house and nobody's home. I use the Carol's Daughter (smells like rosemary) or the cheap-but-great Queen Helene…and the minute I get it settled on my head the phone rings and a client DESPERATELY needs to see me!
The perfume's name “Pavillon des Fleurs” reminds me another spring perfume — “La chasse aux papillons”, and even their notes look quite similar ~
Mireille, have added rastafarian knit cap to my shopping list. How often do you use the Jasmine? Was wondering if henna was one of those things that built up on the hair…
PdF is far more jasmine than LCaP, and also stronger, lusher. But they're the same general idea, of course: white floral.
Robin how is the Rehab shampoo? Is is gentle enough for coloured hair?
I only like jasmine at a moderate dose so I will skip the Jasmine & Henna Fluff Ease!
My hair is very wavy but with the 3-essential oil conditioner by L'Occitane I don't need to use my straightening iron anymore. Sometimes I even skip the conditioner for I still want some life in my hair.
Good point about the buildup. I use the jasmine about once a month and I think the henna does stick around through shampoos, probably a good thing if you want volume. I don't need any more volume, so one shampoo before I use the jasmine, I use a clarifying shampoo (Hair Detoxifier) from Aveda to get the residue out — then next shampoo, use the jasmine. Glad you've joined the club re the rastafarian knit hat. That's just how we roll. xoxo
I didn't find Rehab that gentle, and I've misplaced the darn catalog but I think it has sulfates, do depends on your definition of color-safe.
I hear ya on the laziness!!!! Once I hit my 40's, I started to hate excessive grooming! Takes so darned long for the whole ritual – shower, shave, moisturize, blow dry hair, makeup. It's so darned time consuming. And it seems the older we get, the more we have to do to keep ourselves looking good, including exercise. I know some women just give up…and they end up looking like it. I realized, though, that the way to get motivated was to get some great smelling soaps, shower gels, perfumes, and some fun makeup. Though I don't actually look forward to showering (it's such a pain), I can enjoy it a bit more with an awesome smelling shower gel and the reward of putting on a great perfume afterwards. My hair is a disaster if I don't blow dry or use products. It's fine and frizzy. I have a Babyliss tourmaline ionic dryer. My hair's dry as well, but these types of dryers don't dry hair out as much as regular ones, and they work wonders on frizzy hair. And I'm not one of those who can go without makeup. I've used Bobbi Brown for years, and also recommend Everyday Minerals for amazingly natural coverage…and it's amazingly cheap (though the powder containers can get kind of messy). Beauty rituals are a pain, but great products can make them so much less so!!!! Perfumes especially.
See, I have great respect for the women who give up…I mean, there are far better things to do with your time, IMHO, than spend it trying to look attractive. Haven't managed to rid myself of all vanity yet though…and of course, perfume is another matter
That's fine then, I use a clarifying shampoo once a week or two weeks or something.
Ack, I'm so old I don't even know where I'd buy a rastafarian knit cap! You'll have to tell me.
Hi Robin! OK, not to belabor this, but taking care of oneself doesn't necessarily imply “vanity” in a negative way, does it? Perhaps it's a fine line, but respecting our bodies can go hand in hand with taking care of our appearance. I can definitely go out the door without makeup on or without blow drying my hair. Yet, if I let my body deteriorate by overeating and sitting around doing nothing, keep my hair unkempt and don't take showers, well, that's neglect. I think a certain amount of “pride” in our bodies and appearance is a good thing. That pride can definitely turn negative, though, when we become obsessive about our appearance. Yes, I have a certain amount of respect for women who have the “I don't care” attitude, but once it turns into neglect, to me, that's irresponsible and ultimately, “unattractive”!
Entirely agree, and of course taking care of your body & health and worrying excessively about your appearance are 2 separate things. And hey…I'm not yet wandering around unwashed in a muumuu, LOL — at least, not yet. I just think our culture is overly obsessed with youth. Someone started a thread on MUA the other day about “why does Jamie Lee Curtis looks so OLD” — c'mon, she's 50! She's got gray hair. Otherwise, she looks fantastic.
Did you experience any change in color from the henna in the fluff ease? I'm interested in trying it but am blonde.
Yes, totally agree!!!!! There's such an obsession with plastic surgery and trying to live up to some sort of ideal clone image. It's easy to get brainwashed into it, too! We're all unique and all BEAUTIFUL as we are!!!!!
With a little makeup and hair product of course. Ha ha.
No…they sell that kind of henna at Lush too, but this one is color-free or whatever you call it.
I was just totally brought up short by that last bit. Dear Lord! Curtis looks better than me, fer sure, and I'm twenty years younger. I'm thinking what an odd person to pick, she's always seemed to me like she takes really good care of herself.
Lovely. This is full of Jasmine, very, very similar to Jean Patou ‘Joy’. It’s lovely but fades within a hour – totally gone. I had the sample files, would have bought a bottle but it fades to fast. It’s a shame because it’s a lovely fragrance.
Oh too bad — it lasts much longer than that on me.