We have snow in the forecast as I'm writing this post, so it doesn't feel like spring; yet here we are. Looking back at my lists of favorite spring fragrances from 2008 and 2013, I've decided to do something different this time. I'll never stop loving Après l'Ondée or L'Eau d'Hiver, but I gave myself a new assignment for this round: I sampled lots of new releases and chose ten that I'd want to continue wearing in the coming months. I've been feeling for a long time that I just can't keep up with the tide of new launches, but this is my deliberate small effort at feeling more current (even just for one season)!
Spring is the season when I enjoy white florals the most, and Dawn Spencer Hurwitz Je Suis La Lune (I Am the Moon) is a jasmine fragrance that smells more like a creamy, slightly salty lily to me. I also love the name, since I'm a Cancer moon-child, astrologically speaking.
Along the same lines, I'm still enjoying the Miu Miu Eau Rosée that I reviewed a while back. After its tart black currant top note, it's "a clean, peppery lily-of-the-valley. . . trailed by a sheer layer of aldehydic white musk," as I described it. Plus, that cute bottle!!
Scents with art references can go any which way for me. Fort & Manle Impressions de Giverny doesn't remind me much of Monet's waterlily series or the Japanese bridge in his garden, but it's a very pretty, non-diva tuberose fragrance with crisp green and fruit notes that suits the season.
If your idea of gardens involves more hands-on contact, St. Clair First Cut may appeal to you. It smells like a blend of fresh and dried grasses, white petals and beeswax. I'll be wearing it on the first warm, coat-free day of spring.
In dressier moods, though, I'm reaching for Neela Vermeire Créations Niral, a classical yet chic blend of iris, tea and spice inspired by cross-cultural influences on the Indian silk industry. There's never a wrong season for an elegant yet wearable floral scent, in my book.
On the other hand, there's always room for fun, too. Tocca Maya is basically a Lolita Lempicka clone, with lots of violet leaf and dark berries on a somewhat flimsier patchouli-musk base than the original. I've been wearing the real Lolita Lempicka for years and years, but I'm still enjoying my sample of Maya.
In the same vein of "new, yet strangely familiar," when I breezed through the Jo Malone English Fields testers at a local department store, I paused at Oat & Cornflowers. A toasty nut note, soft musk, lots of powdery, flour-y sandalwood; what did it remind me of? Ah yes...it feels like a younger sibling to L'Artisan Bois Farine.
Since I still like light gourmands for spring and beyond, I was also happy to encounter 4160 Tuesdays Rhubarb & Custard 1:29, a blend of tart rhubarb and sweet vanilla. It's described as the "perfect autumn/winter scent" but I think it's just the right weight for spring rather than cold weather!
A dose of quirkiness is something else I can embrace year-round, and when I finally got around to trying some Zoologist fragrances, I was intrigued most by Dragonfly. Its distinct steamed-rice note is complemented by watery (yet bitter) green florals and a pale musk. It's oddly appealing (not the "aquatic" sneeze you might expect, and definitely unisex) and I kept wanting to try it again.
Lastly, I spent a drizzly day basking in Kerosene Walk the Sea, a long-lasting scent that gives the effect of dried-out driftwood and salty beach air. It made me look forward to our annual May trip to the seaside, and to the warmer temperatures that might, just might, arrive by then.
Please feel free to share your own current spring favorites, new or old, and don't forget to visit the spring list at Grain de Musc! And coming up on Monday, look for another list at Bois de Jasmin.
Note: top image is Not the best Spring Weather [cropped] by Susanne Nilsson at flickr; some rights reserved.
I am loving that First Cut is on your list 🙂
It is definitely on my list as well!
Will have to give Maya a sniff next time I am in a Sephora.
I’m really enjoying this one!
Maya made me laugh, it’s so similar to Lolita Lempicka…but now that LL is 20 years old (!!!), many shoppers might not even catch the “reference”!
I tried it at Sephora yesterday and you are spot on!!! I snagged me a sample 🙂
We see what you did there, Tocca. 😉
This looks like a fun list! Like you, I’m perpetually behind on new releases since there are so many. From your list the only one I’ve tried was Zoologist Dragonfly. I’ll work on seeking out some of the others, especially the DSH and St. Clair. I did sign up for a spilt of Niral, so I know I’ll try that eventually.
Okay, I was cheating a little there…Dragonfly isn’t the newest Zoologist fragrance, but it’s only about a year old and this was the first time I tried it. 🙂
I keep hoping Neela Vermeire will do one that really works for me, so I appreciate your review of Niral. Will definitely give it a try!
Arielle Shoshana organized a Skype call with Sarah McCartney last weekend that was delightful! I enjoyed so much hearing about how she creates her perfumes and the virtual tour of her studio and shop. Really enjoying the samples, too, and planning to order more. Coincidentally, I’m wearing her What I Did On My Holiday this evening and finding it works the odd spring-winter-spring weather we’ve been having.
I love Ms. McCartney! I was a big fan of the LUSH TIMES when she was writing and editing it, and when she included one of my LUSH Forum comments about Snowcake soap, I was *so* proud! I’m so happy that she’s mistress of her own business now. I do love Tart’s Knicker Drawer and quite a few of the others…
Love the love for Niral, which I love! I don’t love the ombre bottle with the little necklace on it, although I am a fan of the other NVC bottles. I usually am a modern clean lines kind of aesthetic person, but I love the heft and shape of these bottles and don’t get the hate they inspire in some people. Ah well, to each his or her or their own!
Other spring favorites for me would be Rahele and Bombay Bling, so not so new NVC. And I can’t wait to get my Bracken Woman out, which I wore all last spring. Not sure of anything new new that goes on the favorite list though alongside of Niral.
Oh, when did La Cri de la Lumiere came out? Although that almost shouts summer more than spring!
See, I’m still not up to date—I haven’t tried that one!! Will add to the list!
Ooh, I love Bracken!
What?! I need to try it now!
Thank you for your list — there are several here I haven’t tried, so you have inspired me to do so! I am happily enjoying some of my many floral fragrances — they are my first love, especially green florals, although I’ve been expanding my horizons. This month, I’ve been wearing my beloved Ostara, Chanel No. 22, Berdoues Vanira Moorea, Lili Bermuda Lily. I think it’s time for me to do another “May Muguet Marathon”, so I’ll be collecting ideas and suggestions! I haven’t yet tried the latest Miu Miu, or reviewed the others, so thank you for that idea. https://scentsandsensibilities.co/2016/04/30/fragrance-friday-may-muguet-marathon/.
Ostara was such a good one! What a shame it was d/c-ed. Green florals are already lovely for spring…you’ve just reminded me to rotate my Chamade to the front of the perfume cupboard! and yes, do try the new Miu Miu for your muguet month!
I bought a bottle of Niral and am loving it. I do enjoy all of Neela Vermiere’s perfumes and especially love the iris note in this one.
I’m so tempted…it really is beautiful, isn’t it?!
Thank you for spotlighting these recent releases and gently nudging me out of my fragrance rut, Jessica! I am particularly intrigued by the descriptions of Je Suis La Lune, First Cut, and Oat & Cornflowers (I’m happy to make the acquaintance of any relative of Bois Farine).
I think you would appreciate these three, esp First Cut! The Oat & Cornflowers lasted for DAYS on paper, not quite as long on my skin, but I did enjoy it!
May I offer one (VERY BIG) thumbs-up for 4160 Tuesdays Rhubarb and Custard? It works well for autumn/winter – but it’s also bright, right, and zingy for spring, too.
The opening rhubarb top note is hyper-realistic, but quickly – on skin — reduces to a more general fruity smell, underpinned by a warm vanillic and creamy custard. Spraying on clothing extends the rhubarb note and I’ve found it works best if applied to both skin and clothing at the same time.
It really does make your mouth water.