Marjolaine

The aegis of being regarded as a "tastemaker" is that one may be forgiven for calling attention to artifacts otherwise assumed to be inconsequential. One may motivate others to see, or rather, smell something in a way they may not have if left to their own devices. The power of suggestion is strong, so I preface this review by noting that I make no guarantee that this fragrance will make anywhere near the impact as it has for me. Be that as it may, let me tell you about my curious experience with Marjolaine. I purchased it out of complete impulse because A) it is from Jean Couturier and Coriandre is a big love for me, and B) something about it made me think that it would hit some ineffable spot in my mind. It's not that I believe I have extra-sensory perception, but there was a pang in my gut. So, I discovered that it smelled peaceful to me. Yes, peaceful, like the negative ions of running water, the ambient sounds of nature in a remote place, the tone of tingsha bells at the start of prayer. I am reminded of when I was canoeing where lotuses were in bloom and I was able to reach over and inhale their aroma. I think of marjoram leaves and their distinct floral and sweet, pine-like character, but I also sense what is reminiscent of a certain kind of wisteria that smells like concord grape and herbal shampoo. Does the power of suggestion strike again? Marjoram (it is named Marjolaine, after all), lotus, and wisteria (at least on Fragrantica) all appear in the notes breakdown. Yet, here I am convinced that I feel the sensation of all three. I am left with a quandary: would I have smelled these had I not looked at the breakdown in advance? I suppose it really isn't too important, so I lean into it and let it escort me elsewhere. It really can be that simple. Not bad for a fragrance other reviewers call a budget-friendly Estée Lauder Pleasures.

I just acquired this one as a blind buy. I chose it mainly out of curiosity as I have never tried a Jean Couturier fragrance, I liked the notes, I liked the look of the bottle in the picture above (how superficial!), I'm looking for a green floral to replace my beloved Remember Me by Dior AND I saw this one as a super special on my favourite online perfume site. That's a long way to say I had no idea what it would be like but I had my fingers crossed. I am very pleased to say that I am quite impressed with this little beauty. It starts out as an ever-so-slightly sharp greenish-woody generic floral, but smooths out very quickly and releases oodles of soapy notes interspersed with wafts of lush spring-bulb florals, a little like a bride's bouquet (at least, a little like mine was all those years ago). I think I detect hyacinth but it's not listed in the notes. I have been wearing it for 2 hours so far and it's still sitting well and releasing little bursts of dewy freshness as I move around. It makes me feel pretty. This little cheapy could be one of those magic little treasures that people just stumble upon. My bottle does not look quite like the pretty picture above - mine is clear (bottle and stopper) but the shape is quite similar, probably just new packaging. I might stock up on this while it's still cheap. It's a thumbs up from me.

I have insomnia and this perfume helps me fall asleep.

Like imoore, I, too, am amoured by Coriandre ( 30+ years and never a cross word ) AND on perpetual mission to find a new summer scent and give my O de Lancome a day off ( I have enough Autumn & Winter frags to wear a different one each day but just 2 or 3 summer ones - me & sunshine just don't mix, I guess !) So, delighted was I when a stumbled across Marjolaine, the lesser known Courtier sibling ( & at less than a tenner to boot !) A spritz, then.... It early on a Summer's morn, the forest floor wet with dew, green & lush, yesterday's heat still lingers promising more of the same... You breathe in the earthy aromas , stepping lightly* to avoid trappling the life beneath your feet. Your chocolate Lab** has no such qualms, he bounds joyfully ahead, stopping atop a fallen bough, sniffing the air excitedly. You join him, balancing carefully as the log is slippy with moss. You, too, breathe deeply, getting a lung full off...the wee of the many small, furry, incontinent creatures that have passed this way !!!! Gentlefolk,I give you Marjolaine...urine, moss & damp dog ! Addendum: Autumn - Reached for my beloved Coriander today and decided to give this another go - Upside: the wee smell has all but disappeared ( note to self: always spray a few times to clear the nozzle even if the seller claims it's brand new ! ) Downside: it's now pleasant but VERY light. A vague watery, herbal note - I've recently read a lot of ( mainly bad ?! ) reviews for the newly-released Gucci Memoire d' Odeur and, if you replace Camomile with Marjoram, they sound awfully apt ! I think I'll put it away til next summer ( though, after a few months "investigation" I DO have some new summer frags 😁 ) when it may shine more in the heat and, you know what they say: three's a charm !

On a quest again to find a summer perfume???? Surely I am, since very bored of my go for dkny energizing fragrance as well as Davidoff Cool Water for ladies.. I have this perfume just because I jumped onto the Coriandre wagon years ago, and loved it, and it looked like a good idea to have something affordable from the same house as Coriandre is part of. It was waiting to be played with again. Today, I am testing my Aire Loewe, and this perfume, and putting this one back in the closet! Very white sharp not pleasing, still not very much impressed. But Aire is back in the liked section, and maybe very maybe it will be loved this summer if it behaves well in the heat of a city of Budapest. As in, does not turn into a hay stag smell for rabbits in a pine forest. One can hope!!!! Any thougts on the mentioned?