Fleurs d'Oranger

Bright and happy are two adjectives I associate with Orange flowers, and Fleurs d'Oranger is aptly described by both. The first sniff makes me smile broadly. It takes no effort to enjoy, whisking me from New England in winter to a brilliantly sunny, warm orange grove in blossom, bees buzzing in the air. I can't imagine it wouldn't be universally appealing or appropriate for anyone to wear on any occasion, though it probably suits warmer weather best. So naturally and warmly honey-sweet I can't resist it, even though I normally can't tolerate much sweetness in perfumes. The bright, honey-sweet flowers are anchored by warm, lightly honey-accented beeswax along with a little vetiver. The slightly woody, very slightly animalic base has just enough heft to keep the fragrance from turning soapy, to my relief. My only criticism is that it's not long-lasting. It's such a joy over its short life that this won't keep me from a purchase, however.

Interesting orange blossom scent. It goes on almost savory, reminiscent of dishes cooked with orange blossom water. It sweetens up a bit as it melds with the skin, the mild honey comes out, while still remaining primarily floral. Longevity is a few hours at best, but I guess that's to be expected being primarily natural. Enjoyable to wear yet interesting; I can't see Fleurs d'Oranger bothering anyone.

I am so disappointed with this fragrance. I tested first from a 1ml vial and was thrilled with what smelled to me very much like LUSH's gorgeous discontinued Orange Blossom. Having only worn it once, I jumped the gun and ordered the 10ml for $63, thinking I had found my summertime orange blossom. The description on DSH's website claims it is "a heady orange blossom soliflore with honey and animalic nuances in the drydown". It was exactly that in my sample, and not at all that in the 10ml. Beeswax, ambergris and a very tame "sweet orange" are all I get. Heady? No. Animalic? Hardly, which is curious because I can certainly pick up the ambergris, but it does not read animalic here. Vetiver is completely undetectable. It smells of an old orange peel washed by the ocean (courtesy of ambergris) and preserved in beeswax. It isn't awful and not unpleasant, but it sure ain't orange blossom. Longevity is virtually non-existent. One hour max if you strain your sniffer really hard after dousing your skin heavily. And to add insult to injury, the sprayer is stuck in the cap.