WHAT I SMELL: Fleur Japonais opens with a soft milky magnolia that is quickly greeted by lilting cherry blossoms that are seemingly caressed by a light breeze. The perfume is intoxicating in that it’s full of body, yet light in presence. But there’s also a hidden strength in the blossoms in that their beauty is full of passion and power with the promise of rebirth. As the perfume develops, the soft and beautiful florals even out in consistency creating for a blanket that’s silky smooth. And along with that beautiful blanket is just the right amount of light incense that dreamily floats above the blossoms. Here, Fleur Japonais feels as if it is creating a passage to an ancient Japanese temple. In the end, a light powder with the incense and a soft sandalwood residing underneath, makes you feel as if you’re walking along a quiet path laden with freshly fallen pedals; pink above and pink below. Beyond gorgeous.
From Shalini Parfum:
Fleur Japonais is inspired by the revered Cherry blossoms of Japan. The “Sakura” season is a celebration of life as the pink flowers embrace the temples of Kyoto.
The parfum is a heavenly composition of ephemeral Cherry blossoms, intoxicating Magnolia flowers, Frankincense, Labdanum and Sandalwood.
Fleur Japonais reaches for the heavens as the pink flowers merge with the ethereal smoke from the woods and resins.
In Japanese culture there is an association between the Sakura and the Samurai – the flower and the man. They are both admired for their fleeting beautiful lives. It is believed that the soul of the Samurai lives in the Sakura.
Clouds of pink caressing your face. The delicate fragrance of Cherry blossoms scents the air. The temple bells chime softly as the soft scent of the fragrance floats like pink petals caressing the earth.
WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME: Dreaming in a sea of pink.
THREE WORDS THAT DESCRIBE FLEUR JAPONAIS: soft, serene, spiritual
WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT FLEUR JAPONAIS: Colognoisseur, The Plum Girl
BOTTOM LINE: Simply put, Fleur Japonais isn’t a perfume that is mean to shock, surprise or jolt you with twists and turns. Instead, it’s quiet beauty just takes you in without force and leads you softly to the most sacred of place within your soul.
- Bone Rating: 5 out of possible 5 bones
- Scent: Floral
- Nose: Maurice Roucel
- Classification: Unisex
- Expense: Cubique glass bottle with the glass stopper $500 for 50 ml, Cubique glass bottle with black bulb atomizer $500 for 50 ml, Small spray bottle $150 for 7.5 ml. Byzantine glass flacon $1,100 for 100 ml. White Lacquer and Gold Plated Travel Spray, $415 for 12.5 ml. All parfum extrait.
WHAT I SMELL: Snowy Owl opens with bright reflective aldehydic snow and the smell of freshly turned earth. Quickly, it begins to move to the cool and fresh along with a cottony finish that feels light and fluffy. There’s a wonderfully light herbal hint of mint, but its portrayal is much more attuned to the smell of warmed faux fur that lines the inside of worn leather gloves. As the perfume continues to develop, light and soft florals seem to pop out from the snow and once again the smell of moist earth begins to emerge as if the frozen ground has melted to reveal some hints of spring. The perfume at this point is soft and inviting and quite powdery and it feels as if it has been lightly applied to the skin with the softest makeup brush. As Snowy Owl continues to develop, it begins to strengthen just a bit and the light florals make way for a radiating amber tinged woodiness. In the end, the perfume feels as if it is full of contained energy that’s held secure within a cocooned wrap of musk.
WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME: I can’t argue with the fact that this perfume captures the spirit of the snowy owl and it’s winter environment. But what I can add is that it’s a very well dressed snowy owl at that.
WHAT I SMELL: Cavatina opens with a lovely green barber shop bergamot that’s herbal, fresh and warmly inviting. It’s not too bright, nor too earthy, but it has a wonderfully familiar and comforting persona, and from first spritz the perfume sings with happiness and joy. As the perfume develops, a green floral starts to emerge along with a light clean and fresh soapiness and in short time a fresh and dewy muguet takes center stage. At this point, the perfume is neither loud nor quiet. Instead, it’s perfectly balanced in its freshness as it begins to grow and project along with just a hint of creaminess. As this happens, Cavatina begins to move to the more “bathtastic” with a finish that feels as if you just emerged from an exquisitely fragrant bubble bath. Continuing on, the perfume begins to center itself around a green jasmine accord which is soft and pretty as it’s wrapped up in a cottony musk finish. It’s all just so glorious; when you wear Cavatina, you can’t help but smile.
WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME: I can’t argue with perfumer Pissara Umavijani’s inspiration; Cavatina is “music for the soul.”
The Scented Hound 