I tested Serge Lutens Fleurs d'Oranger from a sample today, and I gotta say I have mixed feelings about it.
When I first sprayed it, once to the chest and once to the wrist, it smelled divine out of the air. Definitely deep and rich as people had mentioned before. I could really smell the jasmine, too, and it added beautifully to the orange flower. Jasmine's one of those flowers that's like a perfume in and of itself, with a distinct evolution from top, middle, to base. It's starts off with an almost sharp, exotic and intoxicating note that did wonders to bring depth and complexity to the beautiful and pure, but almost too pure scent of orange flower. Gaaah, I was in love. The rose, too was there, albeit lightly but more smoothly.
Then, I sniffed my wrist.
I don't think I've ever seen anyone mention this before, nor is it listed anywhere in the notes, but I smelled a strong and distinct note of peach. Not overpowering, but very very present, strong, sweet, and...fruity
. The orange flower is still there, but the rose and jasmine while still existent were barely detectable to my nose. What I smell seems to have simplified itself to 40% peach, and 60% orange flower, with just a smattering of *other* that I can't even distinguish completely anymore. And I know, to the untrained nose, ie most people, I will smell pretty much just peachy. They'll smell the orange flower, but won't be able to put a name to it, and so they'll just think peachy. *Sigh*
After an hour, the peach faded as top notes are wont to do. However, the jasmine as well is completely gone. The rose is faintly there, if you pay close attention. What's left is simply orange flower, straight, pure, and light. Too light. A beautiful smell, but it lacks complexity and, by itself, is simply not me. Nor does it justify a Serge Lutens price. I feel that I'm better off just taking my orange flower absolute, cutting it with carrier oil, and wearing it as a single note perfume. And I had such high hopes for this one, since the only complaints I'd read were that it was too heavy or deep or powerful.
I'll give it a few more spins before I reach my final verdict, but outlook is sadly disappointing.
I'd love to know what everyone else thinks about it, as well. Please?
~Silk and Steel
When I first sprayed it, once to the chest and once to the wrist, it smelled divine out of the air. Definitely deep and rich as people had mentioned before. I could really smell the jasmine, too, and it added beautifully to the orange flower. Jasmine's one of those flowers that's like a perfume in and of itself, with a distinct evolution from top, middle, to base. It's starts off with an almost sharp, exotic and intoxicating note that did wonders to bring depth and complexity to the beautiful and pure, but almost too pure scent of orange flower. Gaaah, I was in love. The rose, too was there, albeit lightly but more smoothly.
Then, I sniffed my wrist.
I don't think I've ever seen anyone mention this before, nor is it listed anywhere in the notes, but I smelled a strong and distinct note of peach. Not overpowering, but very very present, strong, sweet, and...fruity
. The orange flower is still there, but the rose and jasmine while still existent were barely detectable to my nose. What I smell seems to have simplified itself to 40% peach, and 60% orange flower, with just a smattering of *other* that I can't even distinguish completely anymore. And I know, to the untrained nose, ie most people, I will smell pretty much just peachy. They'll smell the orange flower, but won't be able to put a name to it, and so they'll just think peachy. *Sigh*After an hour, the peach faded as top notes are wont to do. However, the jasmine as well is completely gone. The rose is faintly there, if you pay close attention. What's left is simply orange flower, straight, pure, and light. Too light. A beautiful smell, but it lacks complexity and, by itself, is simply not me. Nor does it justify a Serge Lutens price. I feel that I'm better off just taking my orange flower absolute, cutting it with carrier oil, and wearing it as a single note perfume. And I had such high hopes for this one, since the only complaints I'd read were that it was too heavy or deep or powerful.
I'll give it a few more spins before I reach my final verdict, but outlook is sadly disappointing.
I'd love to know what everyone else thinks about it, as well. Please?
~Silk and Steel
