Eugénie (2006)
by Rancé 1795

Eugénie’s opening is all about mandarin, in a crisp, sweet-tart, and remarkably realistic rendering. It’s by no means innovative, but it is extremely well-executed. The mandarin is soon joined - then overwhelmed - by a sweet but bland arrangement of melon, blended white flowers, and milky lactones. The floral accord smells rather flat, and the melon smacks of artificial soft drink flavoring, so that I’m left thinking that the whole mid-section would have benefitted had that bright and naturalistic mandarin persisted.

As it is, the composition settles on to a powdery-sweet woody vanilla and white musk drydown that's even more insipid than what came before. The idea of Empress Eugénie wearing this synthetic melon fruity floral in the court of Napoleon III is hilarious. She must have saved it to go with her leopard print Converse high tops, lime green skinny jeans, and Justin Bieber T-shirt.

23rd January, 2011. (Last Edited: 24th March, 2011.)

First impression was nice but not special. Then I kept smelling something lovely and realised it was it. Had to go back and get it as soon as possible.

14th December, 2008.