Lilac Path

This perfume couldn’t be named any better! It smells exactly like a lilac bush. I can’t understand how lilac is not listed in the notes pyramid. Projection is moderate and staying power could range from 4-6 hours depending on the wearer and how much of it has been sprayed. On my skin this is a pure floral. If I had to imagine a color for it, it would be purple peppered with dark green dots. Google “Watermelon Tourmaline” and look at the pictures. In my mind, this smells exactly how that beautiful stone looks! Compared to a pastel floral such as Yves Rocher Pur Desir de Lilas, this is a bit deeper, spicier, and more complex. If you were to compare this to a more perfume-y lilac composition such as Fleurs d`Ombre Jasmin Lilas, I’d say this is a less musky and a more natural interpretation of it. I know that there are a lot of perfumistas amongst us who are mourning the discontinuation of Jasmin Lilas. I was lucky enough to snag a very expensive but small bottle of it a few years ago. I’ve been using it sparingly because I was afraid to run out of it. It’s virtually impossible to find it anywhere anymore. Folks, the good news is: This is a very decent replacement for it!! The composition opens with a very prominent lilac note. The first few minutes are nothing but fresh lilacs. Unlike Jasmin Lilas, there are no overripe fruits present. For me this is an improvement to the composition. The heart phase, much like the Jasmin Lilas, is dominated by a spicy jasmine note with lilac following as the secondary presence. I cannot detect any orange flower or angelica as the notes suggest. I think a touch of galbanum is what gives it that spicy edge and, when combined with a hint of green notes, imitates that smell of “bush” as you walk down the lilac path. The drydown is a light floral that is subtle, feminine, pleasant, and wearable in all seasons. I’ve been reading through the reviews for Aerin Lauder perfumes in general. I cannot understand the disdain generated towards them. I already own 4 of their beauties so it’s safe to say that Aerin is quickly becoming one of my favorite perfumes houses. I think, for the price, they are well composed with quality ingredients. Aerin Rose de Grasse is one of my favorite roses of all times and I’d be surprised if people wouldn’t plunk down a bunch of money if these were bottled under the Guerlain or Tauer or even Tom Ford brands. Give the Aerin perfumes a fair chance. They’re an understated house that deserves more credit. :)

Tested this one out yesterday, and right away I loved it, I almost bought it. They did not offer a sample only tester at the store. I doused my skin and jacket woth it and smelled a beautiful southern sidewalk lined with lilac bushes all the way home. But this morning, my jacket smells mostly of amber and powder, only a faint linger of lilac or flowers. This warm amber smell really gives me a headache so I won’t be buying. But wow those first 5 hours were fabulous!! I wish Diptyque would make a lilac EDT , I know it would be perfect, they do the florals right and true, slightly green the way I like. This smells more similar to Do Son than it does to En Passant, regardless of the notes >> to me. Edit: I found a lilac i like a lot , En Passant and bought it right away, nothing powdery about it! I wish the wheat note in it was less, but still had to have it because it’s made by my favorite perfumer! Now I’m reconsidering trying lilac path again... I’ll give it another spray on my skin when I have the chance. Update: I bought lilac path body cream because I couldn’t get Lilac Path off my mind, and it is gorgeous! Now I’m reconsidering buying the perfume also! It’s so round and smooth, slightly sweet. I tried a few other lilacs that don’t do it for me: sample 2ml of A lilac A Day by Vilhelm-way too green like cut grass, and now today my small 10ml bottle of Jacques fath Lila’s exquis arrived and it’s also too sharp green for me, but not nearly as much as the Vilhelm. I’m keeping Lila’s Ex. the bottle is gorgeous. I also tried Lilac Love 2ml sample, and although it’s a beautiful fragrance, it has a grandpa-style powder scent that is not for me. So far En Passant and Lilac Path are the best 2 lilacs I’ve tried. I have Ineke After my own heart on its way, and some day I want to try the Rochester lilac, but then I probably need to give up 😜 (Ineke arrived and it’s a really nice fresh clothes or fresh linen lilac scent, really creamy and round but not so lilac to me. In my collection it’s grouped with Ofresia, as a fresh clothes florals , not with my true florals ).

This fragrence is completely divine! Lilac is my favourite flower and this honours it! I tried it at Sephora on the weekend and could not stop bringing my hand to my nose... For the entire rest of the day!! Like a bloodhound or a crazy woman. I can still smell it on my scarf 4 days later!!! (She says with said scarf wrapped unnecessarily around her) I remember sampling it a year ago and being disappointed that it wasn't an EXACT replica of the scent of a lilac. I was clearly too fussy and demanding of it... I wanted a lilac but this perfume offers an entire lilac garden complete with multiple varieties of lilacs, giving much more complexity and depth than one would get from a solitary flower. We also have a number of other (lesser) green and white-flowery notes that enhance the lilacs and complete this little lilac path we find ourselves wandering. The lilac is real but not quite real. Like a friend in a dream who seems to be wearing someone else's face yet is perfectly recognizable as your dear friend. It's lilac but not quite as I've ever experienced before. Still, I'm in love. I cannot get enough of this scent, I'm shocked it isn't as loved as it should be... I can only imagine that too many people just wanted an exact lilac replica as I did at first. Give it another try!!! It's magical. Ps I also have the Pacifica lilac perfume but its super synthetic compared to Aerins version. Nice, but not wonderful by any means. I've had it for years and basically never pick it up. :(

White florals are back in fashion with a lot of new releases prominently featuring tuberose, gardenia, even magnolia. Out of the Aerin line, this is very strong, so good value for money. It's also part of their basic range, compared to the higher prices of say, for example, Rose de Grasse or Tuberose le Jour. Then they have an even more expensive gold bottle range. I love the smell very much. It's very versatile, inoffensive and can be layered with many other perfumes or notes. I think you can layer with coconut, ( think LFDG Coco du Yemen), greens ( think CH Virgin Mint or Miller Harris Found at Dusk) or coffee. ( Kerosene follow). When I sprayed it, it smelled like a straight forward lilies smell. The second time, I got about 50% lilies, and 50% jasmine and orange. However, it's still very strongly lilies/ lilac. The other notes are included just to take the edge off. If I compare with ScentAustraliahome Starlight Lily, ( that's a very very strong pure lily note)- this is not it. So this is lilies with some softness and dimension and complexity. It's really very beautifully done, a masterpiece. The galbanum or angelica elevate this perfume to superluxe. I don't really know what they are supposed to smell like, but it's herby like a bougie toothpaste or Aesop products. Sort of minty with a bit of aniseed. I see someone wearing a white dress with a big white hat, or alternatively, a very expensive LBD with diamonds. Completely addictive!

My favourite scent has forever been and forever will be lilacs. My favourite time of year is when the lilacs bloom and I enjoy it most on warm evenings. I’ve been in search of a perfect lilac fragrance but I didn’t want one that was a one note lilac as I imagined it would be too soapy and not interesting enough. I gave Gucci Guilty a try but to me the lilac was only present and fresh in opening and dried down to a sad, strange thing. I was recommended this one and I have to say that I absolutely love it, but it’s not quite there. I love this because it’s lilac, but it’s not a powdery, soapy lilac. It’s a bright, sweeter, juicier lilac that is just pleasant to experience. I love that the other notes play a supporting role to its main attraction and lift it up to be a very wearable, younger, brighter fragrance. The one thing I am missing though is an earthy quality. I feel that an ozone, maybe wood, maybe solar addition would really add depth and pull everything together into a realistic, yet interesting fragrance that could hold its own amoungst it’s peers. I could be way off, but until I find something like that, I will enjoy this little treasure and dream of spring.