Solaris

I don’t understand how anyone could dislike this fragrance! These words are going to sound super generic but I don’t know how else to describe it- it is sheer, sunny, happy, clean, sweet, citrusy, lightly floral, but not cloying or synthetic, as I’d expect of a scent with these notes or that banal description. Who would wear this? I would say it smells like the cologne or after-bath-splash of a prepubescent nymph or some other fantasy being. But it works for someone in their 40s as well. I do not see this as unisex or masculine; it is a bit too sweet and one dimensional for that—there is zero musk, no darkness or other complexity, which is one of the things I like best about it to be honest. I think I recall that Eddie Bulliqi’s review indicated this felt like an “unfinished” scent. I would agree to some extent; and if you see this as more of a cologne versus a full fragrance, it makes sense. A very expensive femme cologne, in both fact and in perception, as this is indeed pricey, and smells like something for the polished and elite. Kind of what I thought soleil blanc would be, but isn’t. It performs well. It works for daily and casual wear, fresh out of the shower, and it is truly extraordinary in the heat. I’m getting at least 4-5 hours of wear. I wore it all last summer and will be doing so again this spring/summer. I purchased both the large bottle and the 30 ml so I can top up when I am out. I do not have anything this bright and versatile in my collection and I absolutely love it. I would warn neroli haters to proceed with caution, but encourage them to still give it a try. It is not indolic or Neroli-forward. The way it is blended with the other notes the Nerolie is truly transformed, but still detectable.

I absolutely love this fragrance and I find it a breath of fresh air, considering it is a reasonably new release and it is not a super fruity and/or gourmand fragrance or a super woody/ambery fragrance compared to the other more recent releases. It is in my white and yellow floral wheel house and like the name "Solaris," it is bright, juicy, happy and reminds me of the sun and summertime. This opens with the sweet and zesty fruitiness of the lemon and the black currant, but it doesn't screech at you and doesn't smell like a bottle of Fairy liquid, thankfully. I don't get any of the neroli though, unfortunately. The star of the fragrance tiaré then blooms, enveloping you with its creamy, indolic and slightly fruity tropical character, followed by a banana ripe sweetness from the ylang ylang and a sweet headiness from the jasmine. Finally, I get the soft woods in the drydown but I don't really smell the vanilla, but I am not good at deciphering vanilla if there are citrusy notes in a fragrance as well. I could imagine this working for a day at the beach, a fun time with friends at the mall or going to lunch or a brunch wearing this. It cam be dressed up or down, but has a light and breezy attitude that is almost casual and makes me think of summer vacations in the tropics. It is very bubbly and feminine, making me especially think of someone like Elle Woods from Legally Blonde wearing it. It has medium projection and it lasted just over 5 hours on my skin. If I were to give this fragrance a score out of 10, it would be an 8.3/10. If I were to compare it to some fragrances, I'd say it is like if Terracotta by Guerlain and Soleil Blanc by Tom Ford had a baby. It is really pretty

I agree 100% with the review below mine. I don't think I "need" this type of fragrance in my collection but I want it and will probably buy it. I need a Penhaligon in my collection. Why not start with one with the same name as one of my favorite science fiction novels. Is it a "beach" fragrance yes and no. It is much more sophisticated than just that, it has effortless style. Going on my want shelf. I should upgrade to a love. Just did. I'm also glad it doesn't smell like Chanel Gabrielle like one of the reviewers here said. It's not like Gabrielle. I can see why Alex thinks of Gabrielle but for me it is what I wanted Chanel Gabrielle to be. It is Prettier for sure, softer, the lemon blends in seamlessly instead of shouting at you like it does in Gabrielle. This is blended in the same way Chanel original Allure EDT is blended but more of a summer fragrance instead of a year round fragrance like Allure. I'm not the biggest fan of the Gabrielle line and actually expected more. For me this is also better than the Gabrielle Essence but still in that same style. Nowhere near as sharp and generic as Gabrielle and very approachable. I would call it approachable summer chic. Edit 2 days later..... Wearing it today even though it is autumn. I want to be sure about before I buy a FB. My collection is so large now that I am cutting way down of FB purchases. I decided I want this for sure. It is everything I wanted Chanel Gabrielle line to be as I stated above.

I got a sample of this in a bulk order a few months ago from Penhaligon’s. I ignored it at first – too bright, much too bright for me. Then today, on an overcast and grey day in early March, when I was feeling a little depressed, I thought I’d have another go at it. After reading the notes of vanilla and sandalwood, two of my favourites, and it smelt beautiful. I applied more and closed my eyes and felt transported to an old country house, surrounded by fields of bright yellow flowers, looking through French doors with billowing white curtains and happy children in white linen clothes running in and out. Wicker baskets filled with fresh produce. A garden filled with wildflowers and baby ducks. A kitchen window with a freshly baked tarte au citron cooling. La Bohème by Charles Aznavour playing softly on a vintage record player. Apologies for the soliloquy; but I had to demonstrate just how taken I was with this scent on secondary inspection. All the ingredients sing to create a joyful, warm, sweet, and familiar bouquet. A symphony that smells like my romanticised idea of motherhood. It’s seriously beautiful. It would be perfect with some more sillage.

The opening is fresh and pretty and tropical with a hint of zesty lemon and fruity blackcurrant. The dry down is creamy woods and a little vanilla with the florals still there, along with a whisper of lemon. Coconut isn’t listed in the notes but I’m definitely getting it somehow (maybe from the tiare?). This is a lovely sunny summer fragrance with really good longevity on me. I feel like I’m sitting on the terrace on balmy summer evening after a long day at the beach, drinking a limoncello spritz, hair freshly washed but skin still smelling vaguely of coconut sunscreen and the beach. Solaris has a similar vibe to Tom Ford’s Soleil Blanc and Replica Beach Walk (both of which I have), although I prefer Solaris to Soleil Blanc as it has more prominent florals, particularly in the dry down, making it a little sweeter and more feminine.