Smile & Shine

One of the eternal problems in perfumery, a perpetual motion machine-level challenge, is how to make the vital, crackling sensation of fresh citrus last for more than a few minutes. A century's worth of workarounds have been developed, some smart and commendable (citrus and vetiver), others acceptable only to rubes and naifs (citrus and dyhidromercenol). So when something comes along with a genuinely new approach to this challenge, it's worth paying attention to. So why does no one seem to be paying attention to Smile and Shine? Put it down to the vicissitudes of social media or, yes, maybe even the silliness of the name. But all meta-concerns aside, the simple truth is that this is one of the best extended-citrus perfumes I've ever smelled. It accomplishes this by front-loading massive doses of the real thing (essential oils of lemon, lime, grapefruit, and orange), for which there is no substitute. It then backs these up with a handful of "orange"-smelling naturals: marigold, tolu, turmeric, daffodil. It's so intuitive and intelligent that it can only be the product of genuine talent.

Clearly some great citrus, some of the most " lively " I know. In the first few minutes, I had the impression of being in my kitchen "filleting" grapefruit and lime. An atmosphere of "punch preparation" while waiting for guests. A tall glass of homemade lemonade in a garden in the sun. That small, zesty bowl of grapefruit in the morning. Really, really a success of photorealism. The evolution is towards something softer, spicy balmy with a touch of powdery, a little more green/vegetal, a little something of what Hermes does very well in the genre. A few sniffs of sweetness and happiness, so hats off.

What a novel, happy, beautiful citrus fragrance! I am not typically a citrus fragrance kind of guy because I like more depth than the average citrus scent can offer. However, this perfume is something different as it starts with an unusual burst of fresh realistic citrus oils at the top that lasts and lasts and then develops into a wonderful mid and dry down that includes tolu balsam and turmeric. I also love that you have to refrigerate it to keep it fresh. Mr. Laudamiel always thinks outside of the box with his fragrances, and I am endlessly excited to go wherever he takes me!

یه روز افتابی وسط یه شهر شلوغ میری یه آب میوه فروشی خوب و اب مرکبات همراه با پالپ سفارش میدی 😁 انسان شهر نشین! لبخند میزنه و به طبیعت وصل میشه

One of the most natural smelling citrus scents I’ve ever smelled. Great stuff!

It is not often that citrus cologne styles are executed in a genuinely unique and attention-grabbing manner, but Laudamiel has succeeded here. The citrus melange in the opening has the usual connotations of freshness and brightness, much like the naming of the scent. But wait - there is also a voluminous, packed pillowy texture that makes it feel "rich" - a quality seldom associated with top notes. Intriguing and pleasant. And the development, wow, what a journey! If one sniffs very closely, there's a light touch of candied texture from the blood orange, similar to Kurkdjian's work for Baccarat. Past the initial hour or so, an intriguing light smokiness becomes evident, like a glimpse at Hermes' Citron Noir, before fading away like a magic show to unveil the turmeric. Sweet, fibrous, rooty, earthy heat like ginger tea. As the sun sets and the shine of the citrus notes burn away, the warmth of the turmeric remains radiant.

ZESTY lime & other citruses with hidden balminess— a pleasure to wear!