Jardin Blanc

(A review originally posted on MakeupAlley in 2005, I wanted to re-post it here now because I do not use MakeupAlley anymore [but have many fond memories of using it] and I am trying to get back into writing reviews, using old 'work' as inspiration...): I think I have found my first holy grail....in the most unexpected way and the most unexpected of fragrance categories: white flowers, jasmine and tuberose to be more precise. Nestled away in the corner of Amsterdam's Shu Uemura, trusty SA Carien has done it once again, saw me sniffing the pure Jasmin from MPG and produced the only product I had not yet smelled: Jardin Blanc. The name would not draw me, the fragrance family would not draw me, nothing about this fragrance had me written all over it. But it is the strangest fragrance experience I have ever had. My nose has been developing over the past year's quest into fragrance, and the one thing I thought I could not wear was white florals. Too intense, heady, headache inducing on me. But this one is a stunner. A perfect fragrance blending jasmine, honeysuckle (finally discovered honeysuckle in a perfume!), tuberose and lilac, with a vetiver and tolu base, adding spicy sweetness and earthy grounding...the stems leaves and roots of the plants...The reason I am writing this review is that I thought it was the worst fragrance decision purchase I have ever made, but now realized that I had simply just stepped outside of myself and discovered something so close to me that I was ignoring it--Mandy Aftel describes how jasmine is an antidepressant and aphrodisiac, and I think she must be right. No matter how much I spray it on it just blends right in with my chemistry and being, it FEELS like me. Notes in composition from Aedes.com: The enchantment of jasmine, honeysuckle and tubereuse. Flowery. Top Note: Mandarin, myrtle, leafy green; Middle Note: Ylang-ylang, clove, jasmine; Base Note: Sandalwood, tolu, vetiver. It is a beautiful and ethereal composition, the highest chakra, and for someone who shies away from white clothes and tight high end fitting garments I think I've finally found something I would have never thought to add to my collection, something that has taken me by surprise, it doesn't scream or shout, it simply says "me".

Jasmine and tuberose, but greened up and freshened with a watery, dewy aspect. A beauty and I’m a bit smitten. There are so many perfumes in the fresh white floral category. This one has a cool dewiness along with the counterpoint from syringa and green notes (is that blackcurrant bud too in the slightly off-key opening?) that give the perfume breadth and room rather than being just a tsunami of white flowers, differentiating it from Diptyque’s Olene for example. It’s more of a garden with jasmine and tuberose dominant and that dewiness setting it apart over a transparent base. And It’s more powerful than it first seems: one spray is all that's needed. Jardin Blanc shares the long-lasting, watery blackcurrant bud-syringa-hedione aspect (I’m guessing) of other Maître Parfumeur et Gantier florals, which also dates it a little though that doesn’t bother me. I love it and I think it's rather overlooked in their line-up.

Jardin Blanc is like a walk amidst waves of warmth and freshness brought by flowers. While wearing it I imagine myself in a forest lighted by sunrise, in the middle of treading a brook barefooted. The tidal movement is caused by the single notes in this beautiful scent: the coldness of jasmin paired with the warmth of tuberose; a fresh wave of green notes supported by the warmth of the spices; the warm embrace of ylang-ylang coupled by the fresh breeze of citrus. Woods all beneath supporting each and everyone. I wish this scent were more famous, it would be a joy smelling it in the people around us. I am happy I discovered it years ago and have started using it again now that autumn has come and intense scents are more appropriate for day wearing. Sillage is great, lasting power is excellent, very complex development. What do you ask for more?

Beautiful fragrance. So white, transparent, strong and sensual all at the same time. It's like a good girl trying to be a courtesan. Subtle yet powerful.

beautiful sweet white floral that is tuberose intense, ylang and some jasmine; that's mostly it