Lysandra

Lysandra is a true "opera d'arte". It's a blind buy, because based on the descriptions, I knew I would like it. And I do! I agree with the reviewer who wrote " it opened very nicely floral, something that reminds me of Chanel No5 but lighter and fresher." Totally accurate! It reminds me a lof of how Cabotine de Gres opens up, but without the heavy headache. (I've tested Cabotine 20 times, wanting to buy it, and I always fall in love with the flowery notes, I hate Cabotine midway as it becomes plasticky, and love it again in the final dry-down). Cabotine always gives me a headache, whereas Lysandra doesn't, it has all the notes that I love in Cabotine but lighter and more natural. It's like walking into a flower shop in April in the Italian Riviera. Something in the opening reminds me of how Dior Addict made me feel in the 2000s, but only the flowery part, without any vanilla and much less sweet notes. Lysandra is not a fragrance that makes me go crazy (like Porto Bello does) but it's still Jean Claude Ellena's elegance in a bottle, it's a masterpiece. Another reviewer wrote that he's doing it on purpose with the Singuliere collection, staying on the opening and middle notes, without a heavy base. I'm going crazy for Heliaca for example (ginger and oud) and will buy Nubica or Hattai next. But Lysandra is closer to what my blonde sister would wear, with her transparent skin chemistry, she can pull off this kind of spring fragrance, as it reminds me of the long-gone Azzaro 9 that she used to wear (discontinued ages ago, but unforgettable). I'm red-headed and with more olive skin, I look like my Italian mum a lot more. If you are like me and still love florals, I suggest Aqua Sacrae. (I'm wearing both right now). The thing with Le Couvent des Minimes at this point is that they are so natural, that I feel I could blind buy the whole line and enjoy each single one for different reasons.

I just get the feeling that Ellena is intentionally going for a certain route, not necessarily a new one, but one where lightness of touch and quality of ingredients comes first. Nobody in their right mind would say that he doesn't know how to do a heavy base (i.e. longer lasting), but I think he has chosen not to. Both with this line, and also the Aqua line again from this brand, he puts emphasis on what we would normally call top and heart notes. I think the idea is to re-apply during the day, or use a different one. I know this will put people off, but it's really changed the way I experience perfume in general. (By the way, this one lasts quite a long time on clothing) From an olfactory point of view, the jasmine is mesmerizing and it blends with the tangerine (not mandarin like the notes say above) in such a way to create something almost child-like. It's all about the garden and a feeling of freshness.

Adding another review after 10 months. Someone wrote it’s “similar” to Palmarola... hummm, I sampled palmarola and doesn’t make me like it nor hate it... no reaction, so I gave it away. But I simply love Lysandra. They are not similar to me. Give it a try!

A slight pleasant breeze of jasmine from the garden.Gentle and soft. Caring and almost cute but not too sweet. A little darling.

The website lists vetiver and lavender notes as well, which I smell in the background, very light and watery. I also smell the anise quality mentioned below, but to me it is very fresh and green, more like a sprig of fresh fennel. I have a white Iris in my yard, that smells just like this, more of a magnolia with hint of fennel, rather than the musty earthy carroty of most “Iris” fragrances. I do sense some sweet mandarin, and very smooth non-indolic jasmine. I think this fragrance is beautiful, natural, and unique.