Chlorophyll Gardenia

The truth of the gardenia is paid homage here. Gardenias aren't necessarily always the voluptuous, over the top attention whores that are often their depiction. The gardenia flower can have its headiness, especially when at the precipice of decay, but when it first unfurls it is greener, more metallic, it gives me a feeling of silvery synesthesia. I can mention aromachems such as Syvertal, produced by IFF, with its damply verdant, earthy, metallic, fruity chrysanthemum-like and radish-like scent profile. I can also consider styrallyl acetate, also known as Gardenol, green, leafy, sharp, musty, almost mushroom-y. Both may or may not have been used here, but I am willing to guess. These aspects of a gardenia accord are my favorite, with the lactones kept at mid-levels, more green cream than coconut suntan lotion. Oh, then the Chlorophyll—yes, cut grass, crushed leaves, feeling somewhat like spearmint sans menthol, all l-Carvone, has this dovetailing interplay with the gardenia. I love how it reminds me of being in the hothouse of a botanical garden, perusing the various exotic plants and making a turn to encounter a colossal gardenia shrub, their aroma mingling with the perspiring vegetation surrounding it. The experience is winsome, friendly, yet it does nibble a bit with that signature CdG synthy character, like a quartet for cello, flute, Moog, and Arp 2600, . It's playful, and smells grand on this humid late June day, blooming from my skin as I hear lawnmowers outside and see a menacing cloudy sky.

Commendably loyal to a gardenia's soft, inoffensive but entirely memorable sweetness. I have a gardenia bush growing in my yard and I've seen how the center of the blossoms gradient towards a pale yellow. And when cut from the bush how quickly the petals soften like a warn baseball glove...I smell that all here, creme fraiche from the refrigerator sucked off the tip of your index finger, something buttery that keeps it tame though I'd say this sways significantly feminine. My only complaint with this wonderful fragrance is the green note. It's in the top and exits swiftly, nothing sharp or distinctly botanic, it mellows into a gentle spearmint and sinks like a burnished emerald into the gardenia's pillowing cream.

Of the three, this one was the one I was least interested in. I’m not a gardenia perfume fan. But I was surprised by it. It’s a cute, well edited gardenia with a modern green “rhubarb” note in the opening. The gardenia smells like its’ supposed to without elaboration, not turning into tuberose or coconut or banana candy like many gardenia compositions. It’s an easy gardenia, Gardenia for Dummies (like me). 4 out of 5.

Clash...crash! Like POW in my nose at first sniff...I almost recoiled...something is WRONG here. But then like a guilty addict, knowing it's bad for me, I sneak another sniff... Ahh chemical heaven. Others reviewers don't seem to notice, but I detect a disconcertingly strong synthetic element having its nasty way with the innocent green. Gardenia and grass...encased in melting plastic. I can't get enough of it.

Green monster opening, still green but creamier gardenia dry down. You need to enjoy green scent. I do, so this is a love. Bold take on gardenia, not disappointed. Somewhat long lasting, the gardenia skin scent stays for hours, the green opening about 2-3, not more. The 30ml bottle is quite handy and practical to bring in vacations :)