Infusion d'Ylang

Just when I thought I bought all the outstanding ylang ylang scents available on market with the acquisition of Capeline by YSL, turns out I didn’t knew about Infusion d’Ylang by Prada! I never hear anyone talking about this line from Prada, it’s all about Paradoxe nowadays... But, after trying it on a whim, in a airport, I have to say that it is absolutely beautiful. Bright, airy and sunny like what I want my perfumes to be during warm, sunny, summer days. It’s a slightly spicy, powdery, citrusy, but dominantly sweet ylang ylang perfume that has a very smooth, creamy, woody base consisting of sandalwood. Masterfully balanced so no note feels overpowering. Just the right amount of everything... I had no idea that cardamom goes so well, hand in hand with such a tropical flower like ylang ylang but the result is incredibly delicious. This is a sweet, banana like ylang ylang scent, exactly how I want my scents to be. And unsurprisingly, it goes straight to my to buy list... Performance on this line doesn’t seem to be impressive, they’re mostly on the moderate side of longevity with a intimate sillage, but the way the perfumes smell for as long as it lasts is just breathtakingly beautiful! Edit July 2024: I found a good sale and got myself a bottle. I am so happy to get it right on time for summer. Edit June 2025: Wearing this for a couple of days in a row made me realise that it’s not as subtle as I initially thought, because when sprayed on clothing, I could smell it even next day. So, it’s definitely long lasting, without being heavy, but doesn’t project massively!

Another Infusion from Daniela Andrier for Prada. I really like what this lady does, so it was not a surprise that she had nothing to do with Paradoxe, the moneymaker. This Infusion is faithful to the classic and distinguished spirit of the Infusions even if it's tropical and maybe even beachy. Ylang is cool, creamy, unripe banana yellow and green, delicately spiced with persistent and addictive drydown. It shares similar impression of effervescent cleanness on my skin and clothes with Infusion d'Iris Cèdre, that I love and use with abandon. It is equaly comfortable and elegant but with sunny exotic twist. I find it joy to wear all year. Update... I feel its unobtrusive presence all day long, so I'm glad I really enjoy wearing it. It's November and just the beginning of everything damp, gray and depressing. I find its presence very comforting. Most of the beachy perfumes feel out of place, unappropriate. This Ylang always feels right, maybe because of its simplicity or because its exotic caracter is not that explicit or first degree. It's just so artfully done.

I was once under a ylang-ylang tree with its plentiful blooms while visiting my father in Florida a number of years ago. What a gladdening experience, so sunny, luscious, egg-custard sweet, meringue textured to the nose, creamy and muggy bliss. The essential oil expressed from the flowers of Cananga odorata is one of the closest approximations to its flower that any plant produces, but the actual flowers transcend it. I am surprised to find that Infusion d'Ylang comes closest to the experience—not overly ornamented and gussied up with vanilla and coconut and so forth. It's just lifted with a bit of citrus, shaded with a bit of cardamom, and moored with sandalwood. It is light in feel yet full-on carries the body of the flowers. True, it may evoke summer holiday beachside languor for some, but it can surely take an imaginative wearer to whatever vibrant, sunlit place they choose.

This is a friends signature scent and she offered for me to wear some when I was out of my usual perfume. It's so funny wearing a perfume that you so strongly associate with another person, it doesn't feel like me and it feels wrong. But I deeply enjoy this scent on her and suits her so much. I agree with the other comments about a beach vibe- I would say imagine you have arrived at a really luxurious beach resort somewhere tropical, it's still early in the morning but the sun is beating down and you are waiting with your suitcases in the lobby to check in. That is precisely the feeling it gives me. It's clean, it's gentle, it's sunny bright and uplifting, but still put together and self assured.

The opening notes are: Mediterranean, citrus, lively, refreshing, bergamot in its maximum expression, combined with the lively and spicy notes of oriental cardamom, which magically blend with the exotic and bright notes of ylang ylang, creating a blend radiant that celebrates the beautiful season. This sweet, exotic floral symphony rests on an enveloping and reassuring, woody base created by the seductive and magical sandalwood. This fragrance reminds me a lot of Femme di Rochas created in 1960 by Guy Robert, it will be the presence of Ylang Ylang, bergamot and sandalwood. Persistent fragrance for Ylang Ylang lovers.