Le Roy Soleil

This is truly magical! I can see, however, that Le Roy Soleil could be a bit divisive, but for my nose, this is what you write home about. Yes, it is a product of its generation, as am I, so the orchestration is familiar and provocative. This is all the spice that Jungle promised, and then heartlessly obliterated with that haunting, buttery center of ylang ylang and heliotrope. This is the embolden sister to Coco; slightly more spice forward, but just as beautiful, and just as much of a power-house performer. I just hate discovering something so preciously delicious that's been discontinued. Price inflation is exorbitant, and bottles seem to be being sold in dark corners and strange alley ways. But man, or ma'am, is it something worth the risk; and a much needed respite from the homogeneous zones current trends are confined within, (that one day will also be considered dated as well). Funny how fashion flows. There is nothing new under the sun, just spirals of the present. But enough philosophy for now. Instead, let's just sit back and marvel at this list of ingredients, that somehow remain distinct in character while playing in harmony for the maestro. That is a truly amazing feat of perfumery. As a whole, it is a spell binding concoction of spicy, woody, sweetness - a stroll through a spice market in South America - earthy and rich, with every pleasure tangible, ripe, low bearing fruit and meandering dirt roads, that all lead back to the center heart of the city. It is as perfect a pleasure as those humble origins, with the regal flare of resinous woods, and the confidence of fresh cut flowers. And along the casual menagerie, there are moments of pause at each element. The slice of pineapple dripping warm down your hand, the papaya drink that lingers satiny sweetness on your palate; and then its back to the journey, surrounded by fragrantly benevolent choices along the way.

It was 1997 and I was in London with my future (now ex) husband. I was 20 years old, and a college student back in the united states. He dragged me into Selfridges, saying that his mum would sample perfumes and cosmetics there when she was my age. I saw the bottle, the Dali signature, smelled the most divine scent I had ever experienced, and charged an unthinkable sum onto my credit card for a bottle of perfume. Although I associate this fragrance with a very specific time of my life, the fragrance and it's own story looms larger for me. When I tracked down a second bottle in San Francisco in the mid 00s at a fancy french perfumerie here in San Francisco, I had no idea that it would be discontinued the next time I came around to needing one. Truthfully, my 1.7 oz EDP still has a way to go, but now that I know it is so rare I am in a panic to get more. This fragrance will haunt me for my entire life. It is so complex, so changeable, adult, sexy, glamorous and beautiful. I'd be happy if this was the only fragrance I could ever wear (and had an unlimited supply). I am currently seeking my next signature fragrance, and thanks to Fragrantica I am now researching notes and classic fragrances that are similar to this one. I know it is very unique, however, and I will always have my own love story to go along with the tales inside of the bottle. Edit: I managed to score a 1.7 oz slightly used LRS Parfum de toilet (which is very concentrated, like the one I already own) on eBay for $32 including shipping, so it's not impossible to get more of this. Just keep your eyes peeled. Also in my recent explorations I think that oddly, Bob Mackie Mackie has a similar drydown to our beloved LRS. It's certainly not identical and Mackie does not smell as dreamy or refined, but it does have a similar shape to it. Also, it's dirt cheap, so give it a try.

Here comes the sun! I placed my order the week of Winter Solstice, an Xmas gift to myself. On this bleak, post New Year’s day, I was so excited when my miniature Le Roy Soleil arrived in a small envelope post-marked from Portugal. Under the return address was a sticker showing three trees topped with stars, the shapes reminiscent of the sun-crowned bottle within. When I cut open the envelope. it released a waft of citrus, carnation, and spice. My cat even investigated the contents, and for a minute, was purring and leaping as if it were catnip! The tiny bottle is an exact replica of the larger flacon, which in turn is a 1990’s adaptation of the Schiaparelli classic, also designed by Dali. The earlier version was launched to celebrate French victory after WWII. Its name invokes the most glorious reign in French history, that of Louis the XIV. He was a flamboyant eccentric who fancied himself an incarnation of Apollo the Sun God, yet he lived up to the title as evidenced by the prosperity and power under his rule. Dali’s image of the sun wears an expression of weariness, as it rises over the sea, yet it wears a ribbon of honor about its neck In the shape of a ‘V’ for Victory. In the same way, my little treasure sports hapless, pouting features formed by a flock of starlings. In spite of winter, the sun will return. The smell of warmth and sunshine prevails even as the spice and sandalwood remind us of the season. It is like the scent of clementine oranges on a cold winter day, a promise of spring.

This perfume is a masterpiece. It evokes feelings of happiness, rays of light, sun shining and fresh clean linen drying whist someone is on the Pineapple plantation gathering pineapples by the arms width! I agree its blended so well that the notes are barely distinguished. They are all sunny, produce growing, abundant, fields of scents! Sparkling is a word Id use. Like the fizz of Möet Champagne olfactorized in a gorgeous happy Sun Dial Bottle. I have taken my time to review this. I really believe on the 3rd time wearing it that I've captured something incredibly special. I will save it for special occasions but indulge in it as often as I deem special. An olfactory face lift, a mind expanding fresh and cleanness without being soap white fresh, sparkling new joy, ecstatic, anointed type rejuvenation. The best brightest fruit sparkling bellini you will ever drink up! The notes of pore opening clove and warm cinnamon and amber came in about 20 minutes after spraying on myself, then they drift in and out with all the top notes and sparkling fruit. They may return again but I'm heading to bed to have the sweetest dream. I acquired about 75 to 80ml in a 100ml flanker with original box, 100ml Parfum De Toilette! Probably paid close to £1 per ml yet its worth it.

Somebody described this is as Sunny D on a wood bench or something like that, and I think that's right on. This is such a happy, gracious, orange-y fragrance. It's no light tropical breeze at all; there's a balsamic/wood/vanilla base to this that upon drydown immediately rises right up to join the orange juice accord. First mist is just a wicker basket of ripeness basically, with fresh fruit of all kinds. I can't trace a single one very well, but I think I can definitely gather citruses and apple. There's a fizzy, warm-spiciness from the cinnamon and maybe the carnation that comes up as well, though it's gone pretty quickly on my skin. I wouldn't buy this looking for florals; the most they really do is sew together the fruit and the wood so the composition doesn't feel clumsy. If you get a chance to pick up a mini or a sample of this, don't miss the opportunity. It's like a 1990's commercial for a vacation in Jamaica. It's nostalgic and lovely, and I don't even remember most of the nineties. All ages, genders, and occasions could suit this gorgeously.