Magnolia Alba

In a word: purity. Everything about it evokes cleanliness, morning spring sunshine, optimistic freshness and the joy of being alive. Radiant aura of citrus at first, which dissipates to reveal a creamy but light - and impeccably natural-esque - magnolia note which still seems pearled with drops of dew at dawn in a perfect, angelic garden. Gets to somewhere near white-flower paradise and stays there; utterly linear and simple - this offers no opportunities to play spot-the-note or to wait out new chapters of development. But who cares? Now all that may sound twee, drippy, girly. It's a world away from the dark, complex, smoky spice bombs I gravitate to most of the time. Yet there's something about it that makes my default grimy-cynic setting just melt away. The spell of those immaculate, perfect ivory petals is impossible to resist. Love from the first sniff, and despite its completely sheer and almost-transparent texture, scary sticker price and average-to-weak longevity, I just can't do anything else but love it. Whisper it: I went retail (at duty free prices though) - and that is vanishingly rare. 98% of scents, even the ones I adore, I can wait for until they show up at discount. Not here though. Its innocent charm just can't be denied - and opened my wallet despite the financial pain. Pure (yeah, that word again) magnolia magnificence.

While I have never smelled the flowers of Magnolia x alba, also known as white champaca, I own some of its beautiful oil, and I am fairly confident it is used here by Givaudan perfumer Louise Turner. The oil smells like crisp, apple-like and pear-like, with sensations reminiscent of sparkling wine and even green tea. With the radiance of lemon and other citrus facets, what this evokes is the aroma of the magnolias that bloom here in New England in April, including that of Star Magnolia (Magnolia stellata) and Yulan Magnolia (Magnolia denudata). It's what I hoped that Carlos Benaim's Eau de Magnolia would be; while that one is breezy and beautiful, its aquatic, almost detergent-like core felt short of the realism that I desired. Magnolia Alba, on the other hand, captures the ethereal nature of magnolia blooms. Lemon-zest tart, soapy, with a watery-green floral character, it is sustained by a clean white musk dry down that is a seamless transition from the top and heart notes. Nothing is quite like smelling a tree full of magnolia blooms in the breeze, wafting their dewy, airy aroma, but Chloé Michelia Alba comes quite close.

Your search of a perfect magnolia scent is over - this is it. Imagine sunny, warm, spring day and you're stepping into a garden or a flower store. You take a breath of fresh air and you can smell beautiful magnolias. It smells natural, light, floral, fresh, slightly citrusy, watery and green. A very realistic scent. A little bit soapy. Feminine, uplifting, happy. Great for office or for 'pretty summer dress' type of occasions. I can't imagine anyone disliking it. I wasn't convinced if I wanted a full bottle initially, but the more I smelled it, the more I appreciated the fragrance and the more addictive it became. All fragrances from this exclusive Chloe line are very good, but this one is my favorite (Verbena that I own, is my 2nd favorite). I wish it came in travel size or smaller bottles because 50ml is too much for me. The bottle is gorgeous and classy, especially the cap. I am happy to own a full bottle.

Beautiful, fresh, sweet magnolia on tester strip. Still light and beautiful on skin, but then turns ever so slightly narcotic and ham-like. A of florals run this risk on my skin, unfortunately. Stinky and sour after settling. Veers back into airy clean girl aesthetic after an hour or so. It’s very nice when it’s in the fresh floral phases. Would be so popular in North Eastern Asia. Longevity is lacking, although it’s also not super warm currently. I want more of that opening, but I wish it would stick. I couldn’t stop thinking about this one and had to get a full bottle. No bad narcotic sourness this time, thankfully. I truly see flowers with this one, it’s like walking into a flower shop.

Tried a sample because I love the smell of magnolias and had wanted a magnolia scent. This is lovely, not cloying, really smells like the flowers. It has that quality where you keep wanting to sniff your own wrists (which indicates one downside—the sillage and longevity aren’t crazy, I felt like I had to keep sniffing to keep it with me, and wanted to reapply after only a few hours). I watched a certain film wearing Magnolia Alba, and now it will always make me think of spotlights and bejeweled eye makeup, and certainly of Nashville Tennessee—for better or for worse.

a VERY PRETTY scent as the whole Atelier de fluers does very spring like pretty floral~ suits every occasion I cannot see anyone hating on this perfume~ I thought it would be a very light one when I cant smell anymore on myself the people around do get a whiff from time to time!! what a surprise it dry down to a very musky-floral scent I like it!! rumor has it that they are going to release an intense version for this and the Jasmine one ! Not sure is it 100% confirmed but I can't wait!

Magnolia × alba aka white champaca. Not sure about the concentration but it is listed as an ingredient and to me this is a wonderfully realistic simulation of the tree in full bloom (an event that occurs multiple times a year). This flower is well known in east and southeast asian horticulture. My grandma grew it and loved to pick the blooms and set them in little dishes as a home scent. She passed 2 years ago now.

Every time I wear this I want to belt my heart out to "I Feel Pretty" from West Side Story... ♪I feel charming, ♪Oh, so charming, ♪It's alarming how charming I feel! ♪And so pretty ♪That I hardly can believe I'm real! That's exactly how this perfume makes me feel. ♪I feel stunning ♪And entrancing, ♪Feel like running ♪And dancing ♪For joy, ♪For I'm wearing a pretty wonderful scent! It's that PRETTY!

Photorealistic Magnolia. It gots the dirt of the soil, the green lush of young leaves. I didn't found anything else. People will believe if I said I grind my own magnolia flowers and put it on my skin. I will always overspray because it's not an offensive and clingy scent. Some people may say it's old and too feminine but this is the magnolia garden in a bottle.

A great spring and summer fragrance. Uplifting and fresh. The right balance of citrus, floral, grassy, clean, and soft creamy lotion scent. It’s not loud or cloying. Fades to a skin scent so you’ll have to reapply throughout the day. Which I find is ok..the bottle will last throughout the summer and early fall. So I’ll buy another bottle for next year.

Absolutely gorgeous watery floral - smells like a beautiful and kind woman. To me the tester sprays on my wrist from 30 mins ago are already fading so I’m doubtful of lasting power and strength, which is a shame considering the price. Scent is something I’d love to add to my collection, but cant justify the price of the performance isn't there

Simple yet beautiful, pure magnolia. It takes me back to my childhood days spent playing under a blooming magnolia tree with friends. While it's not the most long-lasting scent and is somewhat pricey, I couldn't resist treating myself to a 150ml bottle. I absolutely love it.

Beautiful fragrance. Doesn't last long at all but it's great for layering. My favorite layering combo so far has been Magnolia Alba with Santal 33. The floral part really clings to the leather in Santal 33. I can't wait to try Magnolia Alba is spring.

I've never described a floral scent as juicy but here we are. It is delicious, light, flowery, and fresh. Almost a fruity-like juiciness to it. So far it is my second favourite floral scent. Definitely a very easy scent to wear for any occasion.

Another contender for my garden fairy collection. Super pretty, fresh and rejuvenating. It is just nuanced enough with the slightly citrusy opening to make the magnolia pop. However, for the price the performance leaves a lot to be desired.

Most beautiful female perfume in existence - absolutely love this one. Very high quality scent from opening till end. Simple, but infinitely versatile. Something one will never get tired of

A soft, luminous floral that feels like a gentle breeze on a spring morning. Creamy magnolia with a subtle fruity sparkle, elegant, airy and effortlessly pleasant. – Bhavna Darira Chesan

Stunning, photorealistic flowers, the best floral perfume I've ever tried. Even has the realistic, animalic "dirtiness" of flowers at the beginning.

After Irina Bvlgari, magnolia is a note that, like champaca, feels fresh and bright. Cultivated, fresh florals in sun - warmed tropical pools.

This smells so beautiful, but the longevity is terrible on me. I can only smell it for 10 mins and then it’s gone, even if I overspray.