Lavande 44

Rania J. Lavande 44 is a fresh and spicy lavender mix featuring bergamot, petitgrain, cedar, and vetiver, with hints of tonka and labdanum to sweeten the mix. Patchouli is a further listed note but I do not particularly detect it. It leans fresh/spicy/woody but there is a faint sweetness to counterbalance those ideas, but even with tonka, specifically, the mix is not remotely as sweet or powdery as Tom Ford Lavender Extreme or Molinard Lavande, to give some perspective. Lavande 44 is centered around the floral note of lavender but well-blended like a barbershop/cologne vibe, albeit with some more weight, really a year-round “signature scent” type of fragrance, but certainly unisex and artistically interesting, divergent from the standard formula. It’s not as spicy as men’s wintery fougere types (i.e. YSL Jazz, Chanel Pour Monsieur EDP) but not as fresh as more summery options (Chanel Pour Monsieur EDT, Dior Eau Sauvage, YSL Rive Gauche). I’m impressed by the composition, which, like Ambre Loup and Oud Assam, is refined and clearly shows some care. It’s not the most daring scent but balances idiosyncrasy with a winning formula. I imagine the lavender-averse might find it off-putting but it really strikes me as a tasteful and restrained, albeit fulfilling use of lavender, which can sometimes come off a little too sharp and screechy (ala verbena) if used excessively. The fragrance seems to perform quite well, as well, though maybe not much so as Oud Assam or Ambre Loup. The pricing of Lavande 44 and the rest of the Rania J brand is $149 for 50ml, at EDP concentration. The only US boutique that sells Rania J. fragrances is Luckyscent, from which I obtained my sample, but I’ve learned that another grey market site sells the brand, as well. 8 out of 10

Lavande 44 by Rania J- Absolutely Stunning! Moonsparrow you got me again. Thank you, thank you, thank you for this one. I read the note pyramid on this before trying it and after reading it, I knew I was in for something special and something I was sure to love. First I am a fan of Oud and Labdanum, Then seeing Oud paired with Lavender, Labdanum, Patchouli and Musk, I knew I was in for a passionate experience. It did not disappoint, it was love at first whiff! The instant I put this on, I was captured, whisked away and held for ransom and I pleaded with my family to withhold payment and leave the money in the bank. I don't want to be returned. Damn! This smells good! The way Oud and Labdanum blend in this is amazing, I love it. Then how Lavender orbits around them like a moon casting it's luminous rays of tranquilizing fragrance upon them makes you want to relax and melt into the lilting aromatic medley. Musk, and this musk is the right kind of musk, adds a warm, sultry, sexuality to this beautifully crafted and brilliantly blended fragrance. Patchouli gives this a hippie, bohemian, free spirit flare. For me the scent sparks images of making love to a beautiful woman in a bohemian setting inside her lusciously, decorative Gypsy Wagon and Lavande 44 filling the air with it's bewitching, seductive, highly sexual and transcending energy. Ok, with that description, you all know I love this fragrance. What's more to love about it? Well, thank heaven's it's got ample, 12 plus hours of longevity and a medium to heavy sillage. The season for this is ALWAYS and FOREVER! Rania J Lavande 44. Love it, Love it, Love it! Thank you Moonsparrow for introducing me to this masterpiece. Millions of Lavande 44 hugs and kisses to you.

Here we have a full-fledged lavender fragrance managing to evoke equally classical and modern graces through an atypical fougère accord, one that develops into a fine politesse fitting cozily within today’s barbershop niche. 44 opens typically with a sour upper lip of petitgrain and bergamot, taking its traditional crispy clean to a sharp medicinal mouth of lavender absolute that screams minty fresh before rearing its girth into a woody triad of agarwood, labdanum resin and cedarwood; one that is zealously muted by a fixative action of patchouli, vetiver, tonka bean and musk, leaving a bare leathery dust trail from the muzzle. Merely, the oud is seamlessly blended as a savoury decoration within the delicately sweetened green. In the end, the punchy lavender heart overwhelms and beats its supporting bits into shape as a mature, spicy, knockout fern... 44 offers a slightly interesting nouvelle due to an oriental caress that is felt in an exquisite dry-down, one that evolves throughout the course of its wear with flair. Far from being neophyte yet accessible and a lovely accentuated twist on the modern fougère, this is a scent that remains pungently familiar yet unique and is a safe ‘dare’ on the conservative theme of clean, as well as lavender... A thumbs up indeed!

Very, very middle eastern fragrance. So this is completely me. I love everything with this kind of vibration, warm, melancholic, balsamic, full of incenses. Oud in L44 is very prominent but also civilized, nothing dirty or kicking into your face. Perfectly balanced by the Mediterranean spices (aura probably created by vetiver) and sweetness of tonka or vanilla. Really it can be a heaven for balsamic fragrance lovers. Also it is very different than mass market offers (seriously I'm not stupid braggart who criticize everything common) but here you have gem that you never find in Sephora, Douglas and other big fragrance stores. In my opinion lavender is the only provocation/name created by author while oud, labdanum and patchouli are main heroes here. They dance together in the rustic house where people dry lavender attached to the ceiling. Perfect to change your mood if you feel bad, pushed or depressed. Go ahead and try, you won't be disappointed. Spillage is moderate but longevity is really good. It lasts for hours, from the morning to the evening even on dry skin I have.

Just received this bottle yesterday; a blind buy mostly because I enjoy my other scents by Rania J. I should also mention, that of all the "flowery" scents, lavender has always been my favorite. I have owned Agua Lavanda Puig, Czech & Speake Oxford & Cambridge, as well as some simpler lavenders like Yardley English Lavender. So, how does Lavande 44 compare? With the first spray, I got an almost exact dupe of Art of Shaving Green Lavender, which is a nice "barbershop" scent, but I wanted---and expected something much more daring from the Rania J. The Lavender 44 starts out as a "minty" lavender that will neither offend nor intrigue the olfactory senses. Safe for office wear and probably best suited for warmer weather. It's in the dry down that this juice starts to strut its stuff. A dry leather accord come to the forefront and there is a definite oud lurking in the background. Nice and it is no longer a clone/dupe of the Art of Shaving, but rather an intriguing and unique take on lavender. Thumbs up.