In fact, I do not want to eat a grapefruit. I think they are evil. A twisted joke on the tastebuds.
Why on earth would anyone want to smell like a grapefruit?
Not me.
When I went back to Sephora to purchase my Figue-Iris, I wanted to sample the other Guerlain Aqua Allegoria offerings on the shelf. I got Pamplelune (and a few others). Pamplelune is grapefruit.
What? She said it was the best seller in the group. (I'm easy)
When you look at the fragrance pyramid, you'll see that Pamplelune is grapefruit A LOT:
Sure, but does it have any grapefruit?
I don't want to smell like a grapefruit.
When I spritzed, I winced in some kind of protective reflex. You know what, though? It wasn't so bad. In fact, I kind of liked it.
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The next day, I tried again: a nice wide spritz on one forearm, which I gently brushed against the other arm.
Not bad! In fact, kinda awesome. I can see where this would be a refreshing scent on a hot summer morning.
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Like Figue-Iris, this perfume is light (though more intense than the fig). It opens brightly, then softens and pulls in closer to the body. There it stays.
The drydown on this seems shorter than Figue-Iris. I feel like there's some vetiver there, along with the vanilla and patchouli and "delicious grapefruit". The drydown leans slightly masculine, kind of cologne-y, but I don't think women should hesitate to wear it if they're into grapefruit.
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It's got a lot of grapefruit.
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Acidulous Grapefruit + Delicious Grapefruit = Body Odor.[1]
I don't want to smell like body odor. Especially on a hot Summer day!
That said, I really like this perfume! (Sick, right?) I'm going to play with my sample a bit more as the weather warms up, but I've gotta say I can see myself wearing this - but only one spritz and no reapplication! As I've said before, that's no big deal to me, because I like to change my perfume during the day. Besides, I bet this would layer well with orange and lemon scents... unless they make more BO. I'm not good at math.
Fragrance: Aqua Allegoria PamplelunePerfumer: Mathilde Laurent
Notes: Acidulous grapefruit, flowers from Provenence, grapefruit, delicious grapefruit, patchouli, vanilla
Released: 1999
Sample: requested at Sephora.
Final Word: I want to smell like grapefruit!
So... do you want to smell like grapefruit? Do you prefer Oreos or pamplelunes?
Other reviews of Aqua Allegoria Pamplelune (Guerlain):
Legerdenez: Guerlain Aqua Allegoria Pamplelune Pere De Pierre: Pamplelune (Guerlain)
The Scented Salamander: Perfume Review & Musings: Pamplelune by Guerlain (1998)
On Basenotes
On Fragrantica
On Makeup Alley
[1] Apparently some people also pick up the charming scent of "cat pee" from Pamplelune. Awesome.
I like eating grapefruits - as is and as an ingredient in more or less elaborate salads. As to the perfumes, this is a very rare note in my collection, but I like those scents: Jo Malone's Grapefruit, Assam & Grapefruit and Lotus Blossom & Water Lily (though I do not smell a grapefruit there); Hermès' Un Jardin sur le Nil and Terre d'Hermès.
ReplyDeleteI haven't tried any of Aqua Allegoria series yet. Maybe it's time?
Undina, I have tried a few and I think I'm not a Jo Malone fan (sorry!), but with Hermes - now you're talking my language! ;). Thanks for the reccs.
ReplyDeleteThe Guerlains are lovely, but light and fairly uncomplicated. They're like a "gateway drug" for the line. I can see where they might not appeal because they seem to be pretty short-lived in the skin. Again, sometimes that's what I like!
xoxo
*jen, it's interesting because for me most Jo Malone's colognes are " lovely, but light and fairly uncomplicated". I have a couple of favorite creations from this line but the rest are just that "lovely, but..." Summer wear.
ReplyDeleteYesterday I brew one of the new teas I recently bought from Lupicia and I remembered this post. If you have a chance, you should try (or at least smell) Greapfruit Green tea: http://www.lupiciausa.com/product_p/12408223.htm (my thought yesterday was that I wouldn't mind wearing it as a perfume)