Magnolia

Criminally cute box and bottle with delightful juice inside. And at this price! Slightly alcoholic opening was fast gone fallowed by perfectly recognisable waxy, lemony magnolia. The aromatic green touch is present until the end comes from calamus, whatever that is. It pictures vivid impression of lustrious dark green leaves around magnolia flowers. Luscious frangipani and tuberose join in effortlessly and are barely perceptible, they are there to make the bloom even more glorious and opulent. Artfully done. It smells simple but I don't think it is. Unpretentious and sunny. I can't stop smiling. I'm still waiting for vanilla/amber and sandalwood and in meanwhile it's already so much better than I hoped. First but certainly not my last Fragonard.

I love this one! I’m a big fan of Fragonard and I think this is their best new scent since Fleur d’Oranger Intense. Like that one, this is an expert combination of floral and citrus accords, in this case with a hint of sugar or vanilla as well. I tend not to like powdery fragrances but in this case it’s subtle enough to be quite an attractive touch. The staying power is impressive for such a reasonably priced ($28 USD) perfume and better than many other Fragonards (I love them but some of their florals are quite fleeting). I just purchased a bottle and a diffuser.

Received a sample of this the other day from Fragonard. I've purchase from them before and they are very generous with their samples, which they send out several times a year once you are on their mailing list. I was really looking forward to this because I love Magnolia focused scents. This didn't disappoint in that arena. A bright citrus and lightly spicy (from the calamus) opening leads to a honeyed Magnolia, a creamy coconut like frangi, and a slightly spicy, though very light, rose scent. A clean musk and amber with a light, barely detectable sandalwood round out the composition. I love the dry down the most as it gets musky, very creamy, and a little sweet. Though the scent starts out crisp it is a little too rich to be considered a fresh, bright floral. Overall, I found the composition very soft and natural, though I think it is too lightweight for any time other than the warmer months of the year. Silage is on the softer side, which seems to be trend with Fragonard florals, and longevity average. I like it, but don't love it simply because I like my florals to have more presence.

This one was a clear miss for me. I can detect none of the sweet lemon floral that denotes the fragrance of actual magnolia flowers. Instead on me this presents as a harsh spicy plasticy scent. Major disappointment, my search for a true magnolia scent continues...