Reflecting Celebrations

This was a huge surprise, it's dark and androgynus, full of patchouli and greenery but it is mellowed and lightened by some vague spice, grapefruit and orange. A peculiar niche character is given to it by beeswax, a sort of rugged up honey, a touch of palo santo and even some balsam, which makes it lightly powdery and smoky. I even suspect there is a bit of iris and galbanum in it. I have fallen in love so hard for this one that I bought two bottles. It is on sale for 7,95€ at the moment. Its only con is the lasting power. Had I gone with the crowd I wouldn't even have smelled it since I don't care for another Angel by Mugler dupe, I already wore the original and the more masculine Cielo by Byblos during my youth. But this is not an Angel dupe, it's a mix between Angel, Patchouli by Van Cleef & Arpels and Slowdive by Hiram Green. I know the last two too because I used some 2ml samples, it even has a vague ressmblence to Thyndra by Profvmvm Roma (which I have recently smelled), and as many people said it even recalls a more quite version of Bois Soleil For Him by Zara, less earthy and more powdery. This time I think the suggested fragrances in the remaind me of section were spot on, but it's not a dupe of Angel (that should be Zara Cashmere Rose). This is dark and alluring, unisex and androgynous, classy but mysterious. It opens with a grapefruit tinged patchouli, for a moment it leaves you confused, almost smelling a soapy patchouli, but the raw honey comes to support the accord and a strange liquer de patchouli is created, as if the watery parts of grapefruit and the honey mix in a syrupy concoction. The honey smells raw and almost dirty, then it verges on beeswax, the patchouli is earthy and strong, and has some hay and tabacco-y quality about it, which comes out even more with the help of the honey. The mid is a little spicy, I can not say if it is cloves or nutmeg or something else and the orange to me smells more like a blood orange, they enrich the already present patchouli and honey. The heart notes blend very seamlessy in to a powdery base, that it's also a bit smoked and a bit balsamic, but so powdery that I am almost sure some type of iris is here blended in the balsam. Now we finally get to the palo santo, smoked and woody. It is light but present, and it mixes well with this type of amber/fresh balsam, it adds complexity. The patchouli is always in the background, at time more spicy, at time more earthy, and the honey left a vague sweetness on to it. In the closing there are some notes of underwoods that add complexity to the blend, in particular I smell something vaguely similar to galbanum, not bitter but powdery. A musty undertone comes and go, reminiscent of Ebony Wood by Zara x Jo Malone. Wow. This is simply stunning. I really don't know why they marketed this way.. avoiding mentioning the most present notes and the complexity that it has. This is nothing like Angel, patchuli, spice and honey may remember its core notes but they act so different in here...the honey is not sweet but almost dirty, the patchuli starts soapy, then syrupy, at the end it gets even slightly mentholated all the while being earthy and deep green in color; now, Angel has some of the best patchouli essence ever in my opinion and this two types are very different, if you are courious about this one I would say go for it, it is not a dupe. About Reflecting Celebrations, this is the quote Jo Malone gave: "This is a sparkling, night club vibe. Coupes, cocktails and glitter balls, dazzling light reflecting and treasuring celebrations". I would say that it is dark and clubby for sure, there is an autumnal or wintery holiday vibe in it, and it is sparkling and almost a little boozy. I find it so strange that this was not hyped up....then again this collection disappeared quickly and only recently resurfaced. I think this time is gonna be gone for good, so if you are intrested act quickly. The Captivating Memory collection was a little strange, it doesn't smell so Jo Malone to me, some of them are intriguing, I avoided Unexpected Joy and Vibrancy Adventure because they smelled too boring and designer to me, but Energy Vibes, and specially Warm Freedom and this one, Reflecting Celebrations, are intriguing. For instance, Warm Freedom is a play of texture, between earthy coffee and a powder so chalky it may embarrasse Valentina Poudree by Valentino or Moncler Femme, but then it also has some boyish vibes! Very peculiar. Energy Vibes was an aggressive cooling mint verging on green tea, and Jo herself said she wanted it to have an abrasive and aggressive character. She experimented for sure. At the moment they are all on sale for about 8,00€. Performance are not great, moderate projection and lasting power, but I don't care that much in this instance.

I'm quite shocked to read this note table LOL. This perfume has always given me a smokey, woody hit. Deffo patchouli as well! I love wearing this when I'm going for a darker look. It reminded me of Victoria Secret's Bombshell Oud, which was the main reason why I decided to pick this up. Copped it on sale too, which was another buying factor. Unfortunately, in a true Jo Malone fashion, this doesn't last all that long either.

Patchouli, patchouli and something vaguely woody. This reminds me of the discontinued Bois Soleil For Him, except more muted and linear. I have a few 90's / early 00's men's patchouli & spice forward oriental fragrances that are similar to this. I actually liked the smell from the sprayer a bit more. P.S. did they just discontinue the entire collection after less than a month in stores??

Despite the note table, this is dominated by patchouli.

Both grapefruit and orange are really subtle. The only I can smell is a type of woody note. Not a safe blind buy.