First Love

First Love was a blind buy for me, and a bit unexpected. I thought osmanthus was sweet and powdery, but after spraying First Love the first time, I had to look up all of the notes to figure out what the heck i was smelling! Apparently osmanthus can be sweet, in an apricotty vein, but here the osmanthus in cooler weather takes on a plummy, suedey, leathery note. In warm weather it is almost chocolatey, just wonderful. This jus opens dark and tart, with a salty tone, like the taste of wine poured over skin. The color of the bottle is quite appropriate- I've drunk wines that tasted like this. The osmanthus and orchid are present from the first blush, but the sweetness of ylang ylang doesn't show up until the scent evolves. While the name of this perfume is clearly a play on VC&A First, the scent itself unfolds like a new love, from the initial tart exchange, to the engaging heart that feels safe and familiar, and eventually introduces a breath of sweetness via the vanilla notes that show up deep and soft as the scent evolves on your skin. A first kiss is here, the first time you taste another's sweat, but ultimately this is about romantic love, and although it is deep and soft, with the exploratory sensuality of making out in dark corners, it lacks a carnal note. Almost touchably soft, First Love isn't a soft-focus-rose-petal romance. It also is not a this-girl-is-gonna-sweep-you-off-your-feet kind of scent. It holds that edge of adventure and exploration...but ultimately retains a certain innocence. Light to moderate sillage, and long lasting enough for a date, but not a day at work, this one is worth a sniff. There are plenty of scents to wear when you want to be ravished. This is one to wear when you want to be romanced, to embark on a new adventure.

If I had a signature scent it would be this, because it suits me incredibly well. Also, it is the only perfume I saw, smelled, and instantly bought. I was neither particularly attracted by the bottle nor the name, which I don't really find very suitable, as judging from the name I'd expect a girly fragrance, inviting and sweet, cute.. This however is very un-girly, neither bubbly nor flirty, sparkly or particularly feminine - but complex, powdery and grown-up, and it has a certain melancholy to me, which I find truly amazing and beautiful. Being sweet and vanillary but not at all yummy, powdery and somewhat heavy it's very vintage without being old-fashioned in the slightest, and I'd say I'm quick to call a fragrance 'old'. I associate this scent instantly with standing behind the window of an old gothic castle, wearing a glaucous blue victorian dress, looking at the gusty landscape with a few rays of sunshine. After two years of using it pretty much through all seasons I'm not one single bit less in love.

Mmmmm, how marvellous and feminine, how soft and tender, yet very distinctive and different. I love other Van Cleefs, yet this one has own place in my heart, its romantic and sensual, there is something from baby powder, old-fashioned lipstick ,yet with after-shower creams and body warmth. Its not extremely sweet or powdery though, its just right from all angles. When you are cuddled in warm bed on the morning, stretching yourself and see little flower bundle at your side of the bed. Nice feeling, lovely fragrance.

I had this, until it was discontinued... Loved it, and received compliments on it. Extremely good sillage and longevity. Rosey and musky, and personally i could detect a hint of star anise. Gorgeous! Note - For fans of deeper and sweeter frags only. Very 'rich' fragrance, so if you enjoy scents like Cool Water by Davidoff or Clinique happy, maybe give this a skip.

This perfume is just gorgeous!! One of my favorites from the Van Cleef & Arpels line for sure! It is the combination of Osmanthus, Peony and Orchid which I truly adore. Beautiful flowers, ladylike, sensual even with a warm base, vanilla, Ylang Ylang, Amber. It has everything a warm elegant sensual classy perfume should contain. GREAT choice!! A keeper for sure!