Magnolia Rosae

I found new wrapped bottles for under $40 USD on one of the major fragrance discount sites. I'm a fan of the Maison Lancome line, so I thought it would be worth a try and Magnolia Rosae did not disappoint. I tested it alongside Delina and Delina Exclusif and it is something in between the two to my nose. For me, I like DEx for the first few minutes, then it turns to my nose. Delina is nice, but disappears. This is like Delina, but ever so slightly gourmand in the background (like an ambery nectar) and also doesn't disappear though it seems like it should have, which seems true for the Maison line in general. This is great, but not unique enough for me to have spent the full price. The discounted price though is an absolute steal and is better than Delina to my nose. This is more feminine scent that would be great for a special occasion spring lunch. No regrets here. Update: I had some moments where this wasn't interesting enough for me, but have since come to revisit it, a full year later, and the ambrosia like quality really sings even more, while the flowers are toned down a bit. Definitely won't be releasing this one.

Magnolia Rosae sat untouched (for a few months) in my collection which, now that I finally got around to trying it, seems most unfair to this gorgeous fragrance. This is beautifully blended, so my nose was really put to the test trying to pick out the notes especially since I got more than the three notes listed here. I get black currant and saffron almost immediately, followed by a lemony magnolia along with a sweet sparkling rose and a very subtle soft suede note, all of which are enveloped in a cloud of airy musk. The combination of notes in this fragrance reminds me of one of my favorite fragrances, Saffron lazuli which is darker, denser and heavier. Magnolia Rosae is an airier, more day time appropriate iteration to my nose that is enchantingly feminine. I didn't expect to love this one because somehow I had gotten into my head that this was a dud from an otherwise impressive line but I am not surprised I love it now that I've smelled it because it belongs to a fragrance family that I gravitate towards greatly. Another stellar offering from Lancome's more exclusive line of fragrances that I would recommend,

Very beautiful fragrance. Wonderfully floral! I get saffron, rose, magnolia and musk. I also get the blackcurrant note that was listed on the Lancome website, which at first seemed quite citrusy. There is suede in the dry down, but if you like Jo Malone Peony & blush suede, you should be fine with the one here! It's creamy and slightly sweet as well. Really well done! update: I received a lengthy compliment today in late August. She even went on to ask the name so she could get it for herself. I must say this was a slow burn. This fragrance is beautiful, and so very sophisticated. Longevity is 8 Hours. Test it on the skin because that suede note does not do it any justice when smelled from the nozzle, or on a strip. 2nd update: I bought a backup. I was initially influenced by Charlene Ford who was gushing over this, but I thought it was a blind buy fail. I really had to spray this on someone else to understand what they were smelling on me. Wow, wow, wow! Absolute hidden gem!

Extended note breakdown: Top Notes: Blackcurrant Accord, Freesia Accord, Saffron Accord Middle Notes: Magnolia, Turkish Rose Absolute, Geranium Bourbon Bottom Notes: Suede Accord, Ambrette Absolute, Musks This is such a pretty ultra-feminine floral. I still can't figure out how magnolia smells, but the rose is readily detectible, sweet and slightly jammy. I tested this today and immediately smelled the gorgeous soft suede. It is claimed as one of the bottom notes, but to me it is present throughout, and it pulls the fragrance to another level - from one of the many generic pink florals into something a bit more complex and challenging. I also smell something very lightly boozy and perhaps a bit smoky. This fragrance was such a nice surprise from the box of random samples I received from another perfume enthusiast, and unexpected "love" and "I want it".

This is very lovely composition. I don't get much of magnolia here, but the rose note is very prominent. It has the sweetness of parfait de roses, except much calmed and fresh. It's quite feminine on me, and the musk isn't overbearing or heavy. I think this beautifully blended and the bottles of this collection are out of this world. I wore this on a cool rainy summer afternoon and it was just ideal. It wasn't heavy, nor was it light, it was just giving me that fresh afternoon rose whiff. I blind bought it and not disappointed.