Illuminare

Citrus, Suede & Osmanthus... Opens with a burst of fruity citrus, but already the osmanthus, suede & aromachemicals are swelling through. The aromachemicals here (a blend including Iso-E-Super) may remind some of Light Blue Dolce&Gabbana, but this is more animalic from osmanthus & suede. As it transitions to the heart, the floral tones expand with osmanthus as the star of the show, which is more forward than the notes would suggest. The base notes - especially suede - are there to support the osmanthus for well beyond average performance, and I catch reminders of the base of scents like Casablanca Swiss Arabian (although this is much less sweet). There's a nice and bright citrus component in the opening, but for me this is predominantly an osmanthus & suede scent. Performance is suitable for year round wear, and fans of suede & osmanthus scents might like this. For what it is, it's nicely done. Enjoy! Update 03/04/24: I came back to this one as I was craving it for some reason. I did not expect that, but I'm really enjoying this, much more than I've enjoyed other osmanthus-suede scents. It's become a love. Update 08/22/24: This has gotten more mellow with the suede-osmanthus - almost creamy, with plum-blossom supported by the apricot facet of osmanthus on top. Also today the cedar is coming a little more forward for me. Every time I wear this I love it more.

Yes, Illuminare is the scent of Chinese plum blossom. Led along the silk road by the scent of Chinese plum blossom was the slow bewitching of Marco Polo when its vapours reached the Italian peninsula. A harbinger of spring, the scent of plum blossom illuminates even the coldest winter air. Arriving at the court of Kublai Khan, Marco discovers the origin of the enchantment is an imprint of plum blossom in the forehead of the Princess Shouyang. So illuminated was her beauty by the petal prints, that it inspired the cultivation of thousands of ornamental plum blossom trees from the Yangtze River (as well as imitation by the ladies of court in the form of "plum blossom makeup").

The best way to describe it would be what a grapefruit flavored champagne, prosecco, or mimosa would taste like. The floral notes pair harmoniously with the citrus. The citrus and floral notes are perfectly balanced, neither canceling each other. The cedar and seude seem to be the prominent base notes. The cedar gives this fragrance a nice freshness. I'm not getting a lot of Tonka or Musk, I find that to be a good thing. Too much of these would have drown out the delicate and juicy top and mids. I would wear this to a brunch for sure.

the plum is heavenlyyy. i usually am not a fan of florals but it smells soft and light compared to something like daisy from marc jacobs. such a kind scent, it's like candy. it smells better the longer you hold onto the perfume because when i first sprayed it, it was weirdly sharp and citrusy. but i really like it. such a nice daily summery perfume!!!

Fresh cut plum and cedar is what I get with this one. I agree, very pretty scent but the longevity and projection are awful. After about an hour it's a skin scent and after that it totally disappears. Not edp strength at all, more like a body spray. Not worth a high quality price tag.