Tsarina

What can I say about this enchanting scent that hasn't been said already ? This is my 3rd occassion of sampling and on the previous occassions I wore it in the daytime during the summer and it seemed nice enough but didn't seem to last that long, so it didn't make too much of an impact on me. However, tonight it's a different story. I'm home alone and it's in the autumn and it's nightime and there's no one here but me and the cat at to experience this. Tsarina-has revealed herself to be a beauty that will take your breath away. She is so well blended that I cannot fully identify a single note. As she is a closely guarded secret in a full, sweeping, gold embroided baroque dress and curled hair. I see emeralds and sapphires in her eyes, bosoms and auburn red hair. She is ravishing and exquisite and these notes caress her warm skin into a floriental treasure. And I am captivated by her beauty. So I must search her out in order to adorn myself with this mandarin, bergamot, coriander, cassis. Heart: hedione, freesia, jasmine sambac, iris, suede. Base: sandalwood, cedarwood, vanilla bean base, labdanum, musk pleasure !

I almost wrote about Tsarina years ago when I first received an Ormonde Jayne travel-size set, but I could never quite figure out how to describe it, so the thought remained unfinished. Revisiting it today, I finally understand what kept drawing me back. There is a faint connection to Qi , though mostly in the delicate tea-like nuance. At the same time, it also carries traces of the familiar Ormonde Jayne feminine base, especially that soft green-balsamic accord found in Ormonde Woman . What defines Tsarina to my nose, however, is a distinct green plum tea impression. It reminds me uncannily of a Chinese soft drink called green plum green tea by Daliyuan (达利园), which makes the fragrance unexpectedly nostalgic. Imagine a lightly sweetened plum-infused green tea layered over Ormonde Jayne’s familiar feminine base, with a thin veil of soft suede added on top. That suede note never dominates; it simply sits in the background, adding texture in exactly the right amount. Quietly unusual, and much more memorable than I expected. Rating: 7.5-8/10

Wow, I can't believe I have the privilege of writing the first review of Tsarina on Fragrantica. This really is a regal fragrance, as the description indicates. To my nose, the woods are distinct without rendering the fragrance too masculine, thanks to the jasmine and soft labdanum and iris notes. I don't often like powdery fragrances, but sometimes I want something a little more chic than a fruity floral or the fruitchoulis popular at the mall, and Tsarina fits the bill pretty nicely. I'm not sure I love it enough for a full bottle, since Ormonde Jayne is so expensive, but I've really enjoyed wearing my sample, and I've gotten compliments on it, too. Overall, I'd say this is a sophisticated and versatile niche fragrance that's really special without being too off the wall. I don't get a distinctly "Russian" vibe from Tsarina, but it is quite appropriate for cold weather, and I do feel a little superior when I wear it, like a princess draped in fur and icy diamonds.

Relaxed luxury. Luca Turin described luxury as comfortable and conformist. As opposed to chic, which has intellect and humor and is essentially non-conformist. Most of my perfume tastes lean towards the dramatic, thought-provoking, and down right weird. But I love having this sparkling, powdery, suede thing I can throw on and feel relaxed. Tsarina leaves a lovely scent trail which is always appropriate and smells decidedly expensive. Note: like all Ormonde Jayne perfumes, Tsarina is high in iso e super. This is a large molecule that cause temporary nose blindness. My experience with the aromachemical is similar to Chanel aldehydes. Over time my nose has adjusted to them and come to appreciate what they offer to a composition.

Lush, complex, larger than life. I love Ormonde Jayne because her perfumes do not play to the fads of the day. It is almost indescribable--the formal beauty of a Chanel, with the modern sensibility of an Amouage, the spice and bergamot, nearly camphorous opening of a vintage Guerlain, this beauty has the best of all worlds. I rarely splurge on a full bottle of anything (preferring decants so I can experience as much variety as possible), I actually ordered a whole bottle so I could savor Tsarina for a long time to come.