Reviews of L (2006)
by Lolita Lempicka

A little spicey sugary and sweet and fruity. Suprising. I thought this would be some sort of Pink-Sugar-Like candy fest but this reminds me so much more of Nag Champa incense. If you burned Nag Champa incense inside of Victorias Secret it would smell exactly like this. I like it. Time will tell if it will eat away at my wallet but I'm kinda doubting it. hmmmm...

Odd. I loved the sound of orange, cinnamon, and vanilla, but I don't smell any of those on me. Almost no top notes at all. Goes on immediately as a salty/smoky/leather accord and stays that way. Silage is very modest -- stays close to the skin throughout. I have to really sniff myself to smell it. The smokey/salty note reminds me strongly of cigarettes a sweat -- the way my clothes used to smell in the morning when I'd been out dancing all night the night before.

Not unpleasant. Just nothing like what I was expecting. Wearing it underneath something lighter and sweeter -- I tried Coco Mademoiselle -- might lend that scent an interesting bottom. A little bit of bad girl underneath all those flowers.

This has been a staple in my collection since it's release in '06. I adore it and can't help thinking that this is what Shalimar should have smelled like (IMHO). I usually don't even judge a fragrance in the first 10-15 minutes until it settles on my skin and some of the top notes dissipate. I'm usually a fan of citrus-y top notes that precede vanilla and woods (like LaVanila's Vanilla Grapefruit - why is that not in the fragrance directory?!) and this one delivers with a very prominent, very dry, and very sweet orange (think orange rind instead of orange fruit). I actually love its first moments on my skin more than the dry-down, which, though still lovely, gets to smelling like vanilla incense, and woods, and loses almost all complexity and citrus-y goodness).

The intense orange, cinnamon and vanilla accords last for at least an hour on my skin, more on my clothes. I become addicted and can't stop smelling my wrists. It is beautifully blended and the notes come together very, very well. There is also a salty accord which is by no means marine, but which must be a throwback to the mermaid-myth themed bottle (which is hands-down the most creative thing I've ever seen to house a juice). That saltiness keeps the scent from smelling like something I'd love to eat, though just barely. Having grown up near the ocean and woken up to fog nearly every morning, I can't help but adore its inclusion of what REAL marine notes should smell like: salt. This has to be the first blue bottle of perfume (except for Angel, of course) which pleasantly surprised me with a gourmand treat instead of soapy, "masculine," clean, artificial, "marine," smells-like-your-shampoo, trash.

I happened to smell L'Occitane's Honey & Lemon recently and couldn't help noticing the similarities. If you're out for a citrusy-gourmand, perhaps a tad lighter in intensity but not in depth than L, and if don't mind missing out on the adorable bottle, or purchasing a scent which was obviously copied from Roucel's masterpiece, opt for that one, instead. It's cheaper.

I cannot agree with the reviewers who compare this one to Pink Sugar, which I also own and wear from time to time. I detect a lot of licorice and strawberry candy in Pink Sugar, of which there is none in this scent. I could more easily compare Lolita Lempicka's first scent to Pink Sugar, because this one lacks any anise. It's great!

Very strong vanilla scent with a little cinnamon and orange scent.
It is a heavy and very sweet perfume.
It is a Oriental - Vanilla type of perfume.

When I tried it in the shop it was sweet and a little spicy. Unfortunately after I bought it I started feeling nauseous and sick by its overwhelmingly sweet scent. I could not stand it no matter how much I tried.

Not recommended for those who dislike sugary smelling perfumes.
The bottle design might indicate that is a light and cool watery scent, where it is not. However, it is a brilliant bottle design.

I was pretty excited to try this one, so I procured a sample. The first thing I noticed was that it smelled a lot like Pink Sugar, which is a fragrance I already own. I would smell my skin periodically throughout the day, to see how the scent would change on me. In the end, though, I found it to be basically Pink Sugar, with a hint of orange. My husband liked it, and when I remarked on how similar it is to Pink Sugar, he said "that must be why, then. I do love Pink Sugar on you."

I'm giving it a thumbs up because it's a really good scent. In fact, if I didn't already own Pink Sugar, I'd probably buy it, because I like that extra hint of orange. But, as it is, it's way too similar to Pink Sugar for me to bother. I'm sure I'll use up that sample, though!

An rather heady fragrance that started off with vanilla, orange and cinnamon, and ended with vanilla and spice. Although I love vanilla, it was used to much.. I felt a bit ill after having this fragrance on for a couple hours and had to scrub it off. I wish I could have like this, it sounded so good on paper.

Woody orange vanilla with cinnamon. Hell, I'd wear this! Just a tad too sweet but that's how Lempicka's fragrances ar. It's a good kind of sweet, though. Very smooth.

I'm am incredibly picky when it comes to perfumes, and I'm easily sickened by overly floral, stinging-ly sweet fragrances. After I found DKNY cashmere mist, (which smells incredibly close to fresh clean laundry with very warm undertones when it fades,) I thought I would never find another perfume I liked, until I found this. L de Lolita Lempicka is fresh with spicey, floral scents, without overkill. Within the next two minutes of wearing, it has already transformed into a warm mixture of oriental spice and vanilla, and after 15 to 20 minutes, it fades to a soft powdery scent. It does fall on the sweeter side of perfumes, very warm, but beachy. At first I thought I would only wear this in the summer, but the warmth of the bass notes is complimentary to winter season perfumes. The scent lasts all day long, and with two sprays, I cannot smell it on me (because I am used to it) but the scent follows me, and is very well recieved. It is never overbearing. All of my guy-friends have asked me what it is, telling me they are drawn to the scent, one even called it "delicious." Do not be fooled, the "vanilla" undertone is very true to the bean itself, there is nothing artificial about the vanilla scent itself in this perfume, which sets it apart from other vanilla based perfumes, which I believe tend to stink with imitation tendencies. It's as though the extract itself was added. If you like the regular Lolita Lempicka, you may not like this, as I find the regular one way too sweet, and overloaded with vanilla. I'm am generally a fan of musks, and my mom's Jovan ambergris oil, and this perfume reminds me of that kind of warmth, with woody undertones to calm the vanilla.

I get a warm vanilla with a slight touch of sweet cinnamon from this one....love it!!!!

The bottle is gorgeous - as with all the Lolita Lempicka bottles, a beautiful heart shaped pebble with jewels dangling from it, very girly.

MMMmmmmmm

Well would i buy one if it was in a ordinary bottle? Probably not. Bottle is very charming.
It is well balanced gourmet scent which does not make you smell like a patisserie kitchen. I do not get any floral from it, not orange but they must be there because the woods would not calm cinamon and vanilla so well alone.

Whimsical bottle and scent. If you're looking for serious, you won't find it here.
The top note: I have just walked into the candy shop in the old part of town that makes their own fudge and candied fruits and nuts, but also sells Nerds and Skittles. I assume it will continue to have childlike behavior...
...but am I wrong? dries out to a plate of sweets put out at the gentlemans club. Musks and woods put those insolent gourmande notes in their place, and round this stuff out nicely.
Very rich.

Wow, am I ever in the minority here! I find L to be completely unremarkeable. On me it is a light, sheer vanilla scent with just the slightest hint of something else--floral?--lurking underneath. I find it flat and boring and can think of at least five vanilla based scents that I prefer over this. Don't buy this without testing first if you like the original Lolita Lempicka fragrance--they are nothing alike.

L smells cinammon and vanilla on me, just like a delicious candy! Although it is not my favorite it is pleasant and I would wear it occassionally.

Because I quite enjoyed Lolita Lempicka, this sounded on paper like it would be just as lovely, but as much as I've tried to like it, it isn't working. I've resorted to spraying it in my clothing & underwear drawers in an attempt to use it up, rather than having to wear it.

On me it smells like being in a sweet (candy) making factory .. just too much sickly vanilla for my liking. Although I've noticed that when sprayed on material, it dies down to a subtle & not unpleasant incense smell, so it hasn't been a total waste.

L de Lolita Lempicka is a good choice if you're looking for a unique fragrance but not one that's completely, expensively niche. I found it at my local department store easily. I say unique because it really doesn't smell like half the stuff out there. I find that many fragrances, whether they're for women my age (I'm 19) or other age brackets, focus on the floral-fruit-sugar! accord and leave me wanting something, I don't know, a little different. Not TOO different- if I wanted the kind of unique that is analogous to the punk-rock-artist-day-job-physicist-part-time-kitemaker, I'd go niche. But different enough not to be Aquolina Pink Sugar, do you know what I mean? I feel like L de Lolita Lempicka is a orange-yellow-white fragrance, if you can describe smells in colours, while most fragrances are light pink-peach-pale green.

I adore vanilla, so the vanilla drydown of this didn't put me off at all. But the best part of L is the top and heart notes- at first, on my skin I get this burst of citrus-orange-florals and burnt cinnamon that makes me feel like I'm sitting under an orange tree that is shedding its blossoms all around me. Then the bright notes fade off and I get this bright, intense sunlight sensation- like lying on a sunsoaked rock on a Mediterranean beach in full summer. Maybe that's the immortal flower note. This all fades, though, and in the end I end up with a vanilla-slightly-musky sweetness, all white and warm, that leaves me feeling like I'm lying in white sand at the perfect temperature. With cookies.

On me, this fragrance dried down like a desert; no sweetness of fruit or flower, just an off-putting, overpowering woodsy/oriental sweet. Perhaps it was the synthetic-smelling caramel that ruined it for me. It reminded me of that strange chemical that disneyland pumps into the air in the park to get you to purchase sweets. On my friend, however, this frag was bliss. She brought out all of the florals and powdery musk.
The bottle is a work of art. Hands down, one of the best I've seen.

This perfume is quite woody and heavy. I smell lots of patchouli in it. Definitely not for me.

I find it interesting..at first. Loved the cinnamon and spiciness I had off the bat. And then within a few minutes I just got vanilla, vanilla, vanilla which persisted and persisted (at least it is long lasting!) - and I did apply it with a delicate tough!

Great if you really adore vanilla as it is a wonderful vanilla smell in itself, but not for me - just reminds me of when I was a teenager and wore the vanilla Body Shop oil so it feels too young for me.

I was disappointed as I LOVE the original Lolita Lempicka and the complexity of it and wear it frequently; but for sweet/gourmand I prefer Angel over this due to the more complex spicy-chocolate-caramel-vanilla.

I would of felt different I think if I got more of the musk or other notes to add more complexity.

This is an unusual scent--super sweet, yet not quite saccharine. Not unpleasant, just confounding...like a piece of buttercream cake with a slightly citrus air, underscored with a sea-salty note. As the packaging evokes something that would be on a mermaid's boudoir, I'm surprised that the only marine-like quality of "L" is that which is reminiscent of saltwater taffy. This is more the fragrance of an animated mermaid than someone from the yachting set. Despite this, there is something delightfully hypnotic about "L" and I'd consider this a more sophisticated interpretation of the popular squeaky-fresh-gourmand genre.

First of all I completely understand that for some people this can get a bit too sweet.Actually my first impression of it,from the bottle was just that.Incredably sugary.Because of this it took me a while to try the scent on my skin.On me it is a bit similar to Addict,but I find Addict more "sticky".L is a bit more spicy.The most pronounced note on me is vanilla,but there's a touch of cinnamon and something slightly woody too.I'm glad I finally tried L beacuse some days I really seem to crave it.But if you don't like vanilla,not for you.

A very nice smell.....Very different. Angel, Wish, Sonia Rykiel, and Pink Sugar.....they come to mind, but not totally a like....really not a like, but has the sugary smell, but TOTALLY FEMININE and very sexy. I am a sucker for gourmand...KEEP EM COMING!

I can imagine that this fragrance puts off a lot of people: it is VERY sweet and sugary indeed, and can be highly disturbing when sprayed on too much. This kind of fragrances are generally not my cup of tea at all, I even hate the original Lolita Lempicka, but attracted by the beautiful bottle I decided to give it a (tiny little shy) try last week... And I have to admit: it suits my skin very well!! I didn't feel nautious (which I often experience with sweet scents), I loved the fresh start notes, it lasted for a whole day and most of all it smelt really "gourmand" and sensual on me. I might even buy it! But will give it one more try first ;-) Definitely a fragrance to wear in "small doses", but delicious if it matches your skin.

Oh how I love L. I'm wearing it right now! It starts so deliciously spicy and warm. As the day wears on, the woods come out. Right now I get rosewood loud and clear. Very lovely, very complex, and not for everyone. I do get many compliments when I wear it so I know it's the scent for me. To play it safe, I would give Miss Dior Cherie as a gift and keep this one for myself.

Evan after all the bad reviews I adore L, but it smells fabulous on me ( at least that is what I am told every time I wear it). To me L smells like a lemony vanilla ( I know there is not lemon listed in the notes). It is not a syrupy vanilla on me but warm and dry. I have not tried wearing L in the warm weather for fear it may be overpowering but I may try it yet. The bottle is amazingly beautiful!

A cheap cake. Vanilla + caramel. For 4-6 years old girls only.

At first, the bottle does NOT AT ALL match the fragrance, I expected a watery, fresh fragrance instead of a cheap smelling odeur. I want to get rid of it as fast as possible when I try this. I will give it one more chance... . Too much vanilla gives it a plastic, dry scent, or a scent like they use in those things some people use in their cars (which gives me an instant headache).

Way too much vanilla...after about 30 minutes of wear - I was trying my best to get it off...i was sick! Too bad - because I really thought i'd like it!

Sometimes I like the cuddly caramel of L and sometimes the immortelle/candy notes are just way too cloying. This is one sugary scent that I have to be in the right mood for, in other words, looking for a sugar fix!

This is really quite lovely! I thought it would somewhat resemble the original Lolita Lempicka, but the notes aren't anything alike. I really enjoyed the citrus notes combined with the caramely-vanilla bases. Anytime I see cinnamon in the notes, I'm practically guaranteed to love it. It adds the perfect hint of spice....Dolce Vita comes to mind. It finishes sweet and delicious and one of my new favorites and definitely bottle worthy!

Reminds me of Musc Ravaguer by Maurice Roucel for Editions de Perfums Frederick Malle. Smells like a mink coat: lush and elegant. I would wear this as a winter fragrance, not for summer . . . but ask me again in July.

Disgusting, vanilla - vanilla- all over... cheap and awful to me. Lovely bottle, though.

Love the bottle ! At first I liked the fruity orange scent, but within 1/2 hour and for the rest of the day all I could smell was Vanilla.

Yummy, not girly at all but youthful, unserious and chic, the candy-bright orange plus delicate-spicy cinnamon opening it's a hooker! The musky-creamy vanilla drydown with a touch of inmortelle flower lasts days in your skin. I'm a man, but I don't mind smell so wonderful!!

This scent is simply great. Brings back so many memories. When I first smelled it, I remembered a traditional Christmas cookie that my grandma used to bake. This perfume is very comforting and brings the wearer into a cosy state of mind. It smells like lemon peel, caramel and vanilla. U could just eat the person wearing it. L lasts a very long time and is destined to become a classic. The bottle is fancy too. Thumbs waaaaayyy up!!!

I know this is a fragrance for women, but I happened to receive a sample and liked it so much, I bought a flask for myself. It is a strong mysterious scent, I can't detect all the ingrediences, but it's a nice balance between fruty, flowery and dark, musky, amber. And indeed apply sparcely, so you do a long time with a flask.

I'm in total agreement with cedriceccentric - a definite top choice for 2006! L's bitter orange and cinnamon opening is spectacular. The orange is sweet, the cinnamon subtle...lovely! I'm not quite familiar with 'solar notes' but I believe they give an enticing vapor-like quality in a non-ozone way! (If that makes sense) I'm absolutely enthralled with this creation. The bottle ~ WOW! Gorgeous! Due to my age, the "L" is reminiscent of the everpresent monogram Penny Marshall wore on the Lavergne & Shirley sitcom...but since L & S was one of my faves, I can look beyond that particular association! My own personal feeling is "L" could be the Obsession of 2006. Absolutely a winner!

Someone recently sent me a sample and I've just tested it once --- but I think *L* is lovely. I don't detect all the notes listed, just the vanilla and musk and a general gourmand yumminess. I didn't apply much so I didn't find it overpowering or too much of a sugary cliche, just mellow, sweet and soft on my skin, and long lasting. Nice! :-)

This was sold to me as a real summer scent, it's not. It's very sweet and warm and reminds me of caramelized popcorn for some reason. Not at all unpleasant but if you are looking for a fruit and sweet smell look elsewhere, it's not fruity or fresh but sweet and sensual. I still smell my wrist all day long and think of warm summer nights and caramel.

After more sampling, on the skin this time, I somewhat have to change my first impression. There is much more deepth than I thought.
Like Maurice Roucel's famous creation for Frederic Malle: Musc Ravageur, "L" is very ambery and vanilla-ish. "L" has a brighter opening made of oranges, I would say it's more of a very sugary preserved orange note. I smell more the spiciness of the cinnamon than that of the everlasting flower. The everlasting flower is much spicy in AG's Sables and in IUNX's Eau Ivre N°3. I get also somesort of mocha/coffee bean effect. Except for the very early stages after spraying, the fragrance is rather linear, which suits this type of gourmand well.

Quite a few non-perfume addicts talked to me about this perfume, so think it must be selling very well. Ofcourse having such a gorgeous eye catching packaging (love the orange box) helps, people are attracted to it like magnets.

This is for sure one of the highlights of 2006.

The bottle is incredible.

The scent is very interesting. You can detect the vanilla note very clearly, although it somehow doesn't smell like a scented candle. Overall, it works well but only when applied sparingly. Overapplied, it just overpowers.