Last month, Kiehl’s launched a new family of products called Aromatic Blends, “Pure Scents from Around the World.” I was initially uninterested in trying them, since I have bad memories of Molton Brown’s similarly travel-themed “Navigations Through Scent” line (harsh compositions, ugly bottles and prices even more ridiculous than their names). However, I do enjoy visiting the Kiehl’s counter once in a while, and once I’d sniffed the Aromatic Blends, I was ready to adjust my original reaction.

The four “blends” in this line are Nashi Blossom & Pink Grapefruit, Orange Flower & Lychee, Fig Leaf & Sage and Vanilla & Cedarwood. I’m not really sure how “naturally derived” or “sustainably sourced” they are, but I do think their simple, landscape-inspired arrangements suit the overall Kiehl’s aesthetic. They’re nicely made (with one possible exception), they’re simply and attractively packaged, and they’re reasonably priced — in other words, they do what they set out to do. Here are a few quick thoughts on each fragrance, from lightest to richest.

Nashi Blossom & Pink Grapefruit: Let’s get this one out of the way first…

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