Florentyna

More than twelve years ago, on my wedding day, my mother-in-law gifted me the Florentyna talcum powder as part of my wedding gift (we Assamese have this ritual where a bride gets not just clothes but make-up, jewellery, toiletries - the whole deal) I remember thinking it was a pretty bottle with the frosted rose cap but I didn’t remember it making much of an impression from the cute little dab on my nose. Cut to last year, when I smelled a perfume (not this one) that reminded me of that same talcum powder, and I was suddenly spiraling down memory lane, trying to recapture that heady newly wed feeling I had come to associate with that scent. I hadn’t even known about the existence of this perfume until then! I was so thrilled that I got the entire set - the shower gel, the body lotion and this pretty bottle. See now this goes to show how subjective perfume is. Had this not been part of a very core memory of mine, maybe I wouldn’t be so impressed with this scent. It’s a heady floral, and it has the tendency to be sharp, but I love that this is clean - almost squeaky clean. It reminds me of an old style vanity table with bottles of lotion and powder puffs and other bits and bobs and a little girl sitting on the stool playing around with her mom’s stuff while mom’s away. She dabs a little bit of this and a little bit of that and giggles away. This scent truly smells of innocence and white frilly socks and tulle dresses and white satin ribbons and pink ballet shoes. And to me, of a bride decked in white silk and glittery gold. Sigh, good times.

My best friend at university wore this perfume, some 25 years ago now. I loved it on her - she always smelled so feminine, clean and just goooood. I came across it today shopping in M&S and bought 30mls on a whim. I’ve been wearing it all day and it’s just how I remembered it - absolutely gorgeous! It is VERY strong. I’m usually a 4-6 sprays kind of gal, but one spray of this is enough. The initial white floral blast dries down quite quickly to a beautiful, floral musk. I smell lily of the valley and candied violets most prominently. Ridiculously good quality for the price. It could be an Annick Goutal fragrance - it’s that type of classy, unapologetically feminine explosion of flowers vibe.

This was the very first fragrance I got when I was 7 years old (my auntie gave it to me) I star buying it when I got pocket money at 11. All the notes are very well blended together. I don't smell any of the notes listed and nor does anyone that complimented me for smelling like fresh roses, it is quite potent for what it's worth and people can even smell you during heavy London rain. The only 'rude' feedback I got was that I smell "like nanny" (but that girl's grandmother probably had more class than she) and that I smell "very middle class" (but as some who was working class this does not bother me)

its strong. its overpowering. so always handle carefully. i am sure many of the reviewres who disliked this perfume cuz they sprayed alot, else why would marks and Spenser still produce this perfume line for years and years. i am sure it has a solid base of buyers . i have a hate love relationship with this perfume actually. i think it doesnt suit hot weather. so i wear this sometimes in winter after a hot bath. i spray on air and step forward cuz i dont want it to overwhelm me. it smells wonderful that way.

I may almost be addicted to this although my sister thinks it smells like toilet cleaner! It reminds me of sunshine after the rain in a sunny woodland glade,surrounded by the wild flowers exuding their perfume into the warm wind. It is very long lasting with clean sparkling sillage just as if a Wood Nymph has passed your way. Delightfully fresh for warm days - I just feel fabulous when I wear it.