Lavender Palm

What a wonderful fragrance! Having own a few of Tom Ford's fragrance, this one is indeed different. And unexpected. Very refreshing, summery, sensual & upholds a sense of class. The silver bottle does reflects how the fragrance conveys itself, less so with the brown bottle. It is less complex than most of the Private Blend, and in my opinion, a winner in its own right. Initial encounter on the wrist, the first impression was 'wow'. The floral scent of lavender wraps itself elegantly stimulating my olfactory senses reminiscing of my childhood days. Very charismatic, innocent yet mature. Sensual, rather than sexy. I have caught myself time & time again subconsciously taking a whiff from my wrist, closing my eyes, experiencing a sense of calmness & serenity. The stronger Lavender note eventually creeps in almost like a double-fold of satin enveloping slowly on the contours of the skin, irresistibly whispers to your senses announcing its presence. I remember my first encounter with Tuscan Leather, also my first time trying on Tom Ford's private blends. The fragrance was so irresistible that it literally haunted me for weeks before I gave myself in to a 100ml bottle. But it wasn't enough, I just have to have the larger decanter. My weakness failed me as the ownership quenched my long awaited desire. Lavender Palm, now, is exerting its similar hypnotising effect on me. I must be insane or possessed. My mortal mind cannot differentiate anymore under this spell. Nor I care to. I readily admit I am a willing victim and I gladly surrender myself to the palms of Tom Ford's blend of Lavender... 250mls, here I come.

Wow... I haven't had such a difference between two bottles of the same fragrance before! I originally bought a genuine brand new sealed bottle and wasn't overly impressed. I found the fragrance to be a 'dirty' lavender which became increasingly oily as the notes progressed. The bright opening I had expected from the bergamot and lemon notes was nowhere to be seen. I persevered with the fragrance, but it just didn't sit right with me so I sold it on. The other day I was offered an excellent bargain on another bottle. I was hesitant at first, but decided to give Lavender Palm another chance as it was that good of a deal. As soon as I sprayed I was hit with a wonderful bright citrus which overlapped a smooth lavender. The lavender becomes stronger as the notes develop, but this is a fantastic natural lavender rather than the dirty lavender I had previously experienced. After more time, the pink pepper joins the party and brings a slight spiciness as its plus-one. I now also notice a slight 'sunscreen' vibe which I find incredibly relaxing. Moving forward, I detect the clary sage and a sweeter lavender. This is how the fragrance remains as it dries down to a calming yet long lasting skin scent. I am so glad I gave this fragrance another chance as my original bottle must have been from another batch. I can assure you that this bottle will be a permanent fixture in my rotation. A truly delightful fragrance <",))>< ...

Lavender Palm is such a unique lavender fragrance. It has none of the acerbic qualities lavender can sometimes have, nor does it feel masculine and fougère like. It’s a cozy soft blanket of fuzzy lavender buds, knitted with Tonka and studded occasionally with little pops of sage. Under all that there’s a bit of citrus and a bit of salt, to further reinforce the light as air feeling and the total lack of sugar it has. Despite no added sugar its fleecy cloud-like texture gives Lavender Palm an almost sweet, innocent, cushy feel. It’s totally unisex and it’s lovely. It lasts 4-5 hours on skin and doesn’t project much. I wouldn’t call it a skin scent but the bubble is likely only a foot from the body. I know people roll their eyes sometimes at Tom Ford fragrances, because of the over the top advertising and outrageous and ridiculous naming, the prices, the boring of late offerings. I think he made some genius fragrances though, and this is one of them. What really bothers me is how they cycle through them and discontinue all the good ones.

LAVENDER PALM smells just like a man who has received a straight razor shave at a barber shop. This perfume is warm, like the hot towels used to wrap the facial whiskers; lavendery, like a barber's own fragrant, herbal special blend of shaving cream; leathery, like the straight razor that's been sharpened on an animal hide; cool, like the cold towels to close the pores; and lemony, like a citrus aftershave applied. This frag smells sexy, edgy, exciting.. I love LAVENDER PALM! And, even though I clearly think this smells more masculine than feminine, I, being a woman, will always wear it. I don't care! In my opinion, some of the sexiest perfumes on women are masculine--we don't always need to smell flowery or like a bowl of fruit and candy! Sometimes, it's sexy for a woman to smell like fresh cut lavender and clary sage, vetiver and oak moss. I will be pulling this perfume out a lot this summer because it has great longevity, 8+ hours, and sillage. . . but mostly so I can wear it with my mini skirts and tank tops!

I just discovered this fragrance through a decant and when I went shopping I found it's been discontinued! Catastrophe! I must stock up through other venues. Someone else noted this smells like California in a bottle and I agree. The lavender balances with the citrus and the underlying moss and vetiver to give it a non-traditional summer feel. It's difficult to describe; even though it doesn't have the notes it smells like the ocean, palm trees, and sun. It's like a clean breeze but not at all harsh. It makes me think of wandering the Santa Monica board walk on a warm day. It's a scent that actually takes me somewhere and I adore it.

The opening of lavender and lemon for me is quite rough and dry. After a short while, my skin soaks up the frag and what I get is a clean, summer waterfresh skinscent... The herby lavender turns all creamy and smooth, thank goodness. I love how the lemon is conjured in because it gives you this fresh, out of the shower feeling. This is a well blended lavender - citrus scent that is sensual yet simply beautiful on its own. Rate: 8.5/10

LP is a very smooth floral with lavendar being the obvious dominating note. It's very linear on me. It evokes exactly what the title says it evokes. It's a bit strong at first, but settles very nicely. This is the first TF fragrance I have tried, and I guess I can say that there's a definite reason this scent is as costly as it is. The notes are just very exquisite.

it's by Yann Vasnier for me, besides Dior Eau Noire and Encens & Lavande by Lutens, one of the lavenders worth having. crisp, lemony, very herbal though creamy, salty, moist (almost sea-side without being an "aquatic"). the vetiver and oakmoss give it an interesting and elegant back-bone. a bit like wearing only sea-salty skin and a bikini under a tuxedo. I like:-)

The lavender palm is quite unique : it has a weird combination of aromatic, sweet , fresh and creamy. It is still lavender but twisted in a very different way ; it is a warm creamy lavender, not the usual metallic lavender which i associate with masculine barbershop aroma. I am so sad that this beauty is discontinued... The sillage and longevity are amazing

Smelt this in an airport in the middle east. I smelt the lavender at first and then it faded into an old school aqua. I really loved it as I can seeing myself wearing this on a hot day. Other reviewers said this didn't have longevity but I have to disagree. It stayed with me for hours and really developed over that time. Highly recommend.

A lovely, sunny, happy and elegant interpretation of lavender in my opinion; this is a fresh spicy yet smooth and creamy fragrance with lavender in the middle of a bouquet of soft flowers and subtle citruses on a velvety musky base that ensures good lasting power.

I love this scent but once I breathed in too early after spraying it and I tasted a fraction of what soilders breathed in in the trecnches of the second world war. But the smell is great and people will take off their gas masks to get a whiff of it.

Oh Lavender Palm! I love it! It's such a lovely smell! One of the loveliest smells I've ever smelled. So feminine and soft; creamy lavender, beautiful. Just beautiful!!! And I loooove the precious bottle - so lovely and such a glorious colour!

One of my all time favorites! Wish it wasn’t d/c’d because it’s gorgeous!!! I get compliments every time I wear it

After looking at the reminds me of section, I can totally see this as Vodka on the Rocks meets Lavender Extreme.

Shame it was discontinued...creamy, delicious and feminine...

I had to sample this at some point, because I'm a big fan of the Private Blends line. This one smells really nice. Unisex but leaning toward feminine I'd say. It smells, to me, like luxurious sunscreen. It has a sunscreen vibe to it--but not in a cheesy typical manner. But in that, at least to me, it has a white-floral-lotion vibe with lavender as its main focus. Not full bottle worthy in my personal opinion, but isn't it a unicorn now anyway? --dodged that bullet, i suppose. Still, a great performing scent that lasts a good 6+ hours for me. Glad I tried it, look forward to trying more Private Blends. I'll give this 6/10 because it is certainly unique, and it performs well.

As someone pointed out, the lavender is just a supporting smell for the beautiful florals and citruses that are right underneath it. Don't let yourself confused by the sharp lavender opening that makes it smell like wardrobe moth repellant, because it settles down after 5 minutes. It smells slightly feminine, so the occasion to wear it needs to be chosen carefully. As a gentleman you'd only want to wear this with a linen shirt, at an elegant garden event in high heat.

Top and heart notes are nothing but intense lavender. Honestly speaking, I think that it is perfect scent... for a man. I mean it is not feminine at all. Maybe bossy women like directors, CEOs or even rulers of the house, could wear it. That was a little joke! I mean - if you feel powerful, this type of scent is definitely for you, no matter what you do. Base notes are quite gentle and lovely, I really could wear this scent if it was like that all the time.

This is a sweetened spicy lavender. It certainly catches your attention but oh, how I wish they had used fresh smelling, better quality lavender!! Don't be tricked by the amazingly fresh lavender that bursts out immediately you spray this because it turns cheap and artificial in a minute. I'm heartbroken because this would have been FBW for me if the lavender was not so cheap aftershave cologne-like. This had serious potential. I'm so sad.

I think I was expecting a little too much from this fragrance, what with the expense and heritage. First spray was medicinal lavender, drying down to lemon then to a gathering of herbals. Oh, and it does not last. My quest for the perfect lavender continues. Not helped by the fact I have over 50 lavender bushes in my garden and nothing in a bottle has come close to the real thing. I'm a fragrance newbie, but I sure know my lavender.

Oh the differences in chemistry. Its all lavender on me with a touch of the vetiver (now 8 hours later on the skin). Its all palm on my husband, less spicy but just as wet like Penhaligons's Cornubia. I got it for a steal so given its not my favorite, its worth it for the high quality ingredients. It was definitely more interesting on him then me. Reminds me of Dorian Gray.

Such a lovely unisex fragrance. At first spray I knew it reminded my of another fragrance, and I figured it out what it was-a hint of Chanel Allure-perhaps because they both have the notes of bergamot and vetiver. On my skin lavender disappears quite quickly and bergamot, vetiver and lemon blossom (I think) stand out the most. Smells quite feminine imo.

starts off interesting and intriguing; then, within about 5 - 10 minutes it becomes quite boring and bland. Very linear, reminiscent of cool water. kinda expected more... EDIT 23 feb 2014 : Tried this once again, it's more interesting than I remembered...lavender juxtaposed with heavy citrus. works well...definitely worth a sniff/trial. I'm liking it...

very nice for daily use .. very fresh and nice in the morning

Smells like sunscreen, not a bad smell just not worth 200$

Definitely unisex...husband likes it too. Pleasant and subtle. I live in So. Cal and I am not sure what they mean by California scent....other than it reminds me of Calvin Klein CK in the early to mid 90's when you could smell the CK waft out of doorways. This one is far less overpowering.

The simplest way I can put this: It's like sunscreen with lavender.

I assure you that the minty herbal lavender opening is both one of the best openings and the best lavenders in the business. The problem is that after 10 minutes, that opening is gone and you're stuck with a dull run-of-the-mill mildly sweet floral vetiver base. It just doesn't project well after the first hour either. An amazing opening doesn't matter if the rest of the fragrance is totally generic. It's the worst you can get without being a complete trainwreck. And for $200-300, absolutely not. 2/5

Top notes of lavender, Amalfi lemon, clary sage and bergamot. Heart notes of pink nerium oleander, palm leaf, and lime blossom. Base notes of tree moss, vetiver, and olibanum. Well... no. This is just a sweaty lavender fragrance with a very short lifespan. It's trying very hard to be a challenging lavender fragrance, but it just ends up being the oddball at the party you immediately decide you don't want to be near, and that ends up being completely forgettable as well.

Lavender Palm opens with a burst of lavender which unfortunately fades so quickly that you even forget that this is supposed to be a lavender based fragrance. It has a salty vibe that just bothers me after a while. A simple citrus scent with some herbs for dressing at the drydown. For that price range I would stick to cheaper and realistic lavender fragraces see Penhaligon's Lavandula or even Yardley English Lavender.Mediocre.

Was not sure if the opening was medicinal or detergent like.. Now at a dry down it smells like a toilette duck cleaning solution. Fresh one, citrusy. Masculine, definitely a male duck. Not convinced by this fragrance for a second. And it does not wash off........

today, I got three bottle of Private Blend collection. Tuscan leather, Azure Lime, and this one. It starts with a very straige opening..Hardly say what it is...after 6 hours to now..it smells soft and sweet..very nice and strong lasting power..

I have a sample of this and reading the reviews here I do wonder if my sample has 'turned'. On me this smelled very masculine and had a strange curry smell to it that I found very unappealing - it was definitely a scrubber.

This just smells like a cheap motel room to me. A clean one, though. Cheap cleaning solutions and scratchy sheets, not a dingy-and-reeking-of-cigerette-smoke room.

It smells amazing for the first 15 minutes and then it dies down. For that price, meh.

not for me :P have sample, not last long and not gives a good projection

Lavender Palm combines freshness and sweetness with masculine refinement. It has become your timeless go-to scent from Tom Ford's Private Blend collection, surpassing others in its sheer elegance and lasting power on your skin. This aromatic delight, opens with a burst of Lavender, Amalfi Lemon, Clary Sage, and Bergamot, creating a bright and invigorating introduction. The heart reveals the intricate dance of Pink Nerium Oleander, Palm Leaf, Aldehydes, Lime Blossom, and Pink Pepper, contributing to the fragrance's complexity. As it gracefully settles, the base notes of Oakmoss, Vetiver, Olibanum, Tonka Bean, Cedar, and Benzoin come into play, creating a sophisticated and enduring trail. What sets Lavender Palm apart is its ability to exude a masculine aura while maintaining a refreshing and innocent quality. Its remarkable longevity ensures it lingers for hours, making it a staple in your fragrance collection. The interplay of lavender, citrus, and subtle spices creates a unique and non-traditional summer feel, reflecting your sense of class and edgy sophistication. Upon revisiting this fragrance, you discovered the incredible difference between two bottles—an unexpected journey from a 'dirty' lavender to a bright and invigorating citrus-lavender symphony. The initial disappointment transformed into a delightful surprise, emphasizing the dynamic nature of this fragrance. Lavender Palm now stands as a warm and refreshing essence, embodying the essence of natural lavender with a touch of spiciness from pink pepper. The subtle 'sunscreen' vibe adds a relaxing dimension, making it a perfect choice for various occasions. This fragrance, with its fantastic natural lavender and long-lasting skin scent, has earned its place as a permanent and beloved addition to your fragrance rotation. LP is a journey of rediscovery, evolving from initial impressions to a fragrance that resonates with your refined taste and enduring style.

A couple of months ago I posted on the boards here a request for spicy lavender fragrances that might be close the scent of my treasured Dream Cream by LUSH. I received a lot of nice suggestions and ordered several samples but they did not put forth the sweet, aromatic and spicy lavender I sought. I gave up until I discovered TF's Lavender Palm. Now, Tom Ford and I don't always get along. There is really only one other fragrance of his I like, and I actually LOVE it with a passion: Champaca Absolute. So I was a bit reticent about a blind buy from ebay of this discontinued fragrance. I am so very glad I threw caution to the wind and bought it! I wasn't sure of it at first application; I thought I detected that dreaded sour quality that so many fragrances containing citrus notes have. It is there, yes, but only for the first 10 minutes. Then it settles into the delightful lavender that I have been on quest for for so long. It is a little spicy and really not all that sweet; aromatic and refreshing. For me it is not the least bit salty and I am not reminded of California by it; I wonder if those who are reminded of California are influenced by Mr. Ford's assertion that it is a fragrance meant to evoke a sense of that golden state? I live in the southeast, and this reminds me much of herb gardens tended by the environmentally conscious denizens of North Carolina's Smoky Mountains. It is very hot and humid here now, and this is so soothing a scent for the dog days of summer. I would love a bigger bottle of it; perhaps this is one that will be brought back when Tom Ford allegedly reissues some beloved discontinued ones from the past (I heard a rumor)... The lavender here lasts throughout the entire wearing on my skin and the citrus notes fade into the background. This is what I wanted!

California Lavender... So with this creation Tom Ford meant to evoke California (and specifically L.A.) in bottle. As someone who hasn't been to California, I'll have to take his word for it here. The smell... To me this is a wonderfully authentic Lavender which is surrounded by herbs and fresh citrus. There are actually two types of Lavender being used here by the perfumer, Yann Vasnier (Lavanillin & Lavender Absolute), which are supported by clary sage, bergamot, oakmoss, and both lemon and lemon blossom. At the bottom of this herbal base is vetiver and olibanum... and the overall feel is that of a dry, salty, yet fresh, herbal lavender. Personally I am someone who loves the smell of lavender, and although lavender is sometimes seen as a masculine note, I think this could work on male or female. The composition is fresh in the beginning, turning to dry and herbal in the base. It's almost like a "salty" lavender... as if the lavender bushes are growing by the sea coast, with the salt in the air and the dry herbal aroma coming from the bush being baked in the sun. It's a wonderful feeling, but the problem is (as with most Tom Ford Private Blends ), is that the price can be a little high. Lavender Palm is a wonderful, authentic lavender fragrance, but it's just as good as any other really good lavenders I have smelled, if you have the money for this (and want to smell like California luxury), go for it. But you can also check out a classic like Caron 's Pour Un Homme which will also give an authentic lavender. But for a herbal, dry, citrus lavender, this is probably one of the best out there (if you have the money for it).

This is Los Angeles in a fragrance. Not the grimy, run-down part of the city, or the part where all the hip, instagram-loving, wanna-be model/actor/musician/artists dwell, but the sparkling clean, wealthy part of the land. You know - THOSE people. Their hair is thick and shiny, their gold-rimmed aviators would never be seen smudged or scratched, and their pearly, chrome-y vehicles are beyond pristine - they'd never leave an empty latte cup in that vehicle, no sir. They're not like the rest of us. Lavender Palm is for people who can make white linen pants and a tight tank top (over a dark, toned body) look like art. It's for people who always have perfectly pedicured feet. It's for people who have no children and insist on white couches and carpets in their massive homes. It's for THOSE people...or people who want to imagine what it feels like to be those people as they smash their noses against their wrists and inhale while they sit on their saggy couch while watching Harry Potter movies. (Yes, I just described myself). Yay, Lavender Palm!

Just received my samples of Lavender Palm. After feeling the need to add a good 'cozy' lavender perfume to my collection, I had to try this being another HUGE Tom Ford fan (I have tried every single private blend now) and I also tried Aberdeen lavender by Creed Well this a more a male focused unisex scent in my opinion and I must admit the Creed wins hands down both in longevity, performance and personal preference. (I'm female) The AL is softened with leather and I love it because I knew that straight lavender wasn't what I wanted but had no idea what it would blend well with. Vanilla? No. Tonka bean? No Leather? YES, YES, YES, the combination is stunning and I'm fully addicted to it. :)))) In saying all that, I do think that this would be divine on a 'mature' man but can't see younger guys wanting to use this but I could be mistaken! Sadly, it's not on my 'want' list but very glad I did get to try it. I also rate this at 6 out of 10 as do several reviewers below. Not bad Mr Ford! Keep them coming!!!!!!

This is Tom Ford demonstrating his dexterity, particularly the nifty use of his middle finger to those expecting a conventional lavender fragrance. Here in Lavender Palm which was Tom Ford's nod to LA, lavender opens in tandem with a muted, fuzzy lime and comes across as dry, warm & herbal, which is totally unlike his later creation Lavender Extreme where lavender came across as crystalline, cool, floral & astringent. LP is also highly unlike Beau de Jour, which is an honest and exquisite effort to satiate those looking for a more traditional lavender experience. Lavender Palm true to its name has leafy, green, mossy nuances, and this characteristic is largely due to the presence of clary sage, oakmoss & vetiver which play a big role in this unexpected olfactory circus. Though not my preferred expression of lavender, this is a cleverly done fresh, dry, creamy, herbal and mossy lavender fragrance that's unique, hits differently, and makes for a good change of pace whenever the fancy strikes.

Some people associate the smell of lavender with old ladies or cheap fragrances from decades ago. Tom Ford expertly dispels these dated notions with his modern take on Lavender. There are many different strains of Lavender, each with subtle differences in aroma, some sweet, some medicinal, some very floral, etc, so it can be used in a variety of ways in perfumery. Tom has used a bright, refreshing rather masculine strain which is blended so perfectly with the other floral and citrus notes that I can’t separate the lavender, which is a safe move for those who don’t like this particular flower. I do love lavender, so would have preferred a stronger, more evident note. It’s a very pleasant floral ensemble, projection is moderate, longevity is quite long for a floral, but in the end I feel it’s too safe. I’m glad that there is nothing dated about this fragrance, but I was hoping for something more innovative and daring that would propel lavender to new horizons. 7/10

I love black coffee, but I’d rather not drink coffee at all than to drink it with sugar. My preference has led me to have my own category of coffee, which is defined by a lack of sweetener. Lavender Palm is the sweetened coffee of lavender to my nose. It’s a creamy, sweet lavender, nothing like the resinous, woody, incense lavender of my favorite lavender, Parfums de Nicolai pour Homme. But as with coffee, who the fuck cares what I think? Lavender Palm is distinct, coherent and inventive. The shape of the perfume holds green herbal facets, sweet creaminess, and the nutty-woody notes without becoming unbalanced or falling to pieces. The composition holds the lavender in the center, but keeps it from overpowering the other notes, something a sharp lavender often does. If you can get past paying hundreds of dollars for a lavender fragrance, Lavender Palm is one of the better options. from scenthurdle.com

Tom Ford's Lavender Palm, one of the many discontinued Private Blends, actually smells very much like its name---a mixture of lavender and the palm leaf (though I'm not in a part of the US where palm trees grow, their smell is nonetheless familiar from Palm Sunday). In that respect, it's fresh, unisex, and oddly creamy. It's versatile enough to work in cold weather, but I imagine it shines mostly in warm weather, where its potency is best expressed. I don't get much citrus at the opening but I do get some other flowers in the middle, in addition to lavender. Longevity and projection are decent, even with the Private Blend cost and status in mind. A pleasant warm weather-friendly member of the Private Blend family, Lavender Palm is not one I'll be reaching for much, nor would I spring for a rare bottle, but it's an interesting facet of the collection. 6 out of 10

To my nose, the lavender is not the star here. It's playing a supporting role, providing a background for the florals, the citrus, the green aspects to shine against. The immediate opening is bright florals and citrus layered over the lavender and other aromatics. This softens and a very green note steps forward. It makes me think of cactus flesh or maybe watermelon rind? Something green but juicy, very mildly sweet. I don’t know what Palm leaves smell like but this isn’t what I would guess. Overall it's a very smooth, soft scent. Powdery clean and dry. This scent is very comforting. I don't really enjoy wearing it, but it is soft and relaxing.

have heard of this, got a sample and it is a very nice scent especially for summer, i would love to have this one, hopefully i can find something that is similar at some less coin.. but very pleasant and beautiful opening..right away brings a smile to a fragrance lovers face..now lets see how long it will last. but at first sniff i am thinking an ultimate warm weather fragrance, many positive comments.. wow.. nice stuff... becoming one of my most complimented , especially in the office.. I really cannot think of a better fragrance for summer.. if you have a signature in the summer , this would be mine.( if I could afford to wear it everyday)

Like putting on lavender absolute straight up. It has the same rough edges as the natural essence and smells herbal more than anything else. It is so unpolished it feels almost indecent but what is really indecent about it is the price TF charges for it. Even though I like it, I wouldn't buy it even if I could afford it. I just feel that paying much more than the actual worth of something is a sign of lack of taste. I can dab some lavender absolute (which I buy online for 0.1% of this) and essentially get the same effect, all natural and with same projection and longevity. Aromatherapy benefits are a welcome extra...

I agree with the reviewer below that this is indeed sunscreen with lavender. But oooh, the lavender is soooo fresh and tart - it's almost like a lemon tart sprinkled with tons of lavender. There's also a breeziness - something very cooling and green - like a palm leaf, if that's the intentions. It's also very creamy, like a soft bed of lemon cream. Does it somehow reminds me of California? YES. I can see the sunshine and the palm tree already. Funny how only now that this is discontinued and replaced by an entirely different form of lavender in Lavender Extreme that this is getting more notice. Lovely fragrance.