New from Lancôme is Ô de l’Orangerie, the flanker fragrance to Ô de Lancôme (1969) and Ô d’Azur (2010).
Co-created by perfumers Dominique Ropion and Anne Flipo, this summery scent finds its soul in orange blossom absolute and orange flower essence. A tribute to the orange blossom, the perfumers sought to bring out its many nuances with varied notes.
According to the brand, the fragrance is composed of:
✿ Effervescent bergamot and orange zest in the top notes
✿ A crystalline aquatic chord, rounded off by soft jasmine petals, in the heart notes
✿ Vibrant cedar and smooth benzoin in the bottom notes
I was able to try a press sample of this perfume recently. At first spritz, the bitter-fresh edge of orange blossom seems dominant but there lingers a soft sweetness. Its initial bitter citrus burst is warm and almost familiar but as it settles, the pleasant sugary floral notes become increasingly clear, giving the fragrance more distinction.
Its sillage is subtle; the gentle sweetness hangs in the air like the delicate taste of nectar (I tasted nectar straight from a bloom once and though it was merely faintly sweet, the experience remains etched in my memory). Quite apt, really, considering that this fragrance aims to evoke a dreamy stroll through shaded garden paths lined with orange trees and their overhanging white blossoms.
I’m not exceptionally fond of the warm and woody tones but I do like the sweetness that is laced within…and the concept, which makes me visualise myself exploring the fragrance and finally meeting the sugary note which I enjoy. Now that my baby is a bit older, I’m a little less leery of using fragrances, although I tend to just spray them onto my hair and sometimes, behind my ears. This one isn’t too overpowering, which is great for us.
Launched in Singapore ahead of other Asia Pacific travel retail stores, this eau de toilette (S$80/75 ml, S$95/125 ml) is available exclusively at Nuance Watson Perfumes & Cosmetics stores at Changi Airport.
Image source: Nuance Watson Singapore
