Sampaquita

The open on this fragrance is a bit rough, almost antiseptic in smell. I put this on and thought, "OH NO, what have I done?!?!?" and then about 30 minutes later something started to happen... all of these soft and elegant floral notes started wafting up from my skin and with time they only got better. The dry down on this perfume might possible be my favorite smell in the entire world, and as someone who is constantly looking for a new fragrance, I could honestly say that I might consider this as a signature scent tossing away all other perfumes in it's wake, it is just that good... I find most of the Ormonde Jayne fragrances I have tried play that way though, startling opening followed by a magical dance to something wonderous and beautiful, like a perfect burlesqe strip tease.

I love this scent from the first sniff, it's about Jasmine, but very unusual jasmine, I haven't smell such creamy strange jasmine before. It's very exotic, watery fresh, clean, I smell lychee at the very beginning, so juicy exotic touch and magnolia. It's creamy, very radiant and sometimes oily (in big amounts it can cause a headache, but not in this perfume). Then I smell white flowers, so pure white and romantic. I feel freesia in it, and jasmine at least! I smell it purely only about 20 minutes after applying the perfume. For me it's a sophisticated portrait not of the jasmine itself, but of its symbols, meanings and dreams.

I really like this fragrance. I reminds me of happy summer days, floating flower petals by fresh summer breeze. I can't imagine how people don't like this. Very enjoyable to wear at spring and summer days.

Sampaguita is another name for this type of jasmine, derived from the Tagalog phrase sumpa kita, meaning “I promise you.” It is the national flower of the Philippines. The first time I encountered this flower was during a trip to Manila. At the entrance of a tourist site, elderly women were selling small bracelets made from these jasmine blossoms. The scent was strikingly strong. That memory is probably why, when Ormonde Jayne released this fragrance, I decided to buy it immediately. The opening shows a refined and airy citrus accord, touched with lychee, green leaves, and white petals. The impression is similar to a glass of lemonade on a hot summer day—fresh, bright, and instantly invigorating. In the heart, the floral composition develops. The jasmine is full and expressive, yet there is an additional nuance that resembles water lily. At the same time, freesia contributes a sense of brightness that keeps the floral body from becoming heavy. The drydown settles into a light woody musk. It performs well in hot weather and fits naturally into summer use.

A very fresh opening of peppery freesia and lotus but as the alcohol vanishes the lychee sweetness become much to the fore. Im not surprised lychee has been used as it is naturally such a perfumey smelling fruit. I love the smell of freshly peeled lychee. Lychee and jasmine are clearly very complimentary notes together as is evident here. The grass also adds a very fresh verdant note whilst the musk smooths and rounds the rest of the notes. I think I can just make out the rose which adds a touch of sweetness along with the magnolia which goes well with jasmine. A pretty fragrance that would be lovely to wear in a warm environment. Its lush and very feminine. Perfect to wear at an evening beach party in the Bahamas!