Memo Paris Tamarindo (Alienor Massenet) 2018 ~New Perfume Review + La Pura Vida Draw

Creative Director Clara Molloy (R) and Perfumer Alienor Massenet (photo Clara Molloy)

Just in time to help combat the dreary days of February, Creative Director Clara Molloy of Memo Paris and in-house perfumer Alienor Massenet take us to Costa Rica with the newest addition to the “Graines Vagabondes”  collection. Third in the travel inspired collection after Kedu (Indonesia) and Ilha Do Mel (Brazil), Memo Paris Tamarindo is an olfactive journey to an unforgettable beach in a beautiful part of the world.

Playa Tamarindo Postcard Robert H.

The Costa Rican earth, seeds, foliage, and the air itself is a scented memoir of a jungle and sand daydream. Stand on Tamarindo beach in the Pacific coast Costa Rican province of Guanacaste, and you will know why life in this tropical paradise is referred to as “La pura vida” (The pure life). Tamarindo is the latest entry in the “summer-in-a-bottle” category. If you love Tom Ford’s seminal work for Estee Lauder Azurée Soleil or Bond No.9’s Fire Island, then Memo Paris Tamarindo will hit you with all the feels and land you smack dab on a tropical beach. Whenever I’ve been fortunate enough to travel to some far-flung beach destination, the very first thing I’ve noticed upon de-planing and stepping onto the tarmac is always the scent of the air. Mixed with warm tar and gasoline laden breeze, is always the fullness of the air-sweetness; an immediacy of being back in a place where life moves at a slower pace, and one doesn’t need to stop and smell the flowers, their fragrance will find you whether you’re moving or not.

Julie Newmar in a 1968 Coppertone ad

Presented in a luminous off-white porcelain-like bottle, and labeled with a raised copper background tile etched with swaying palms, Tamarindo is a gentle reminder that the cold days don’t last forever, and that soon enough we will put away our heavy socks in favor of bare feet in sandals. Like throwing open windows and doors to the moist and humid air, Memo Paris Tamarindo opens with the bright and pithy zing of citrus and green notes, wasting no time in its effort to pull you into a sandy beach mood.

Léa Seydoux in Vogue Japan 2015 (photo Paolo Roversi)©

A cabana-boy warming sun-kissed skin scent arrives on a breath of pineapple and coconut, redolent of Coppertone© and a fancy tropical fruit drink. Although not listed in the notes, I feel the light nudging of plumeria, likely the jasmine sweetened by the fruit and vanilla, and it is quite a pleasant feeling. The benzoin warms and the patchouli adds its jungle feverish wood vibe but never shrill as patchouli can be on occasion; the vanilla edges in with a sweetness that de-claws the fierceness resulting in a drydown that is long lasting and most pleasing. Memo Paris Tamarindo is a perfume that is an easy wearing fragrance, and makes me both happy and nostalgic and looking forward to warmer days ahead. Notes: Bergamot, green notes, jasmine, pineapple, cardamom, vanilla, benzoin, patchouli

Disclosure: Thank you SO much to Europerfumes (the US distributor for Memo Paris) for supplying my bottle. The  opinions are my own.

-Robert Herrmann, Senior Editor

-Art Direction: Michelyn Camen, Editor-in-Chief

Memo Paris Tamarindo via Memo Paris (cropped)

Thanks to Europerfumes, we have one 75 ml bottle of Memo Paris Tamarindo for one registered reader In the USA,  so be sure to register if you have not done so. To be eligible please let us know what appeals to you about Robert’s review of Tamarindo, if you have a favorite Memo Paris Fragrance and the most beautiful beach you have visited, Draw closes on 2/19/2018

We announce the winners only on our website and on our Facebook page, so like Cafleurebon and use our  Blog feed…or your dream prize will be just spilled perfume.

 

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35 comments

  • Love to read about tropical fragrances, and I enjoyed reading about the air as you step off a plane. Yes, there is diesel fuel but that’s not enough to cover up the floral-perfumed air. The most beautiful beach I have been to is St. Thomas, Coki Point Beach. A tiny strip of sand with greenery behind you, huge rocks jutting out of the ocean, fish everywhere, and warm turquoise water. Take me back!

  • The name of the fragrance led me to believe it must have a tamarind note yet the actual perfume could not have been more different. Looks like there is growing focus on perfumes that smell like being on the beach. my favorite from Memo is African Leather. I am in US.

  • Leah Burgdorf says:

    Hello and thank you for the generous drawing! Marfa is my favorite Memo Paris Perfume. I live in USA. I too, love Robert’s description of getting off the plane and being instantly transported by the fragrant air. So true and takes me back to that experience! The most beautiful beach is a difficult question, because aren’t they all? But I’d have to say Maui because of the fragrance of the air, the alien (to me) landscape and the thrill of seeling the whales. Thank you, always enjoy Robert’s reviews!

  • A perfume that reminds you of warmer days and the smell of flowers in the air is a must. I love the tropics and semi-tropics. I am another one who loves Maui and the beaches there. I have not tried any Memo Paris fragrances. This one sounds great. In the US.

  • I’m a sucker for beachy scents. As always Roberts writing is evocative, but I will say the photo of Julie Newmar was my favorite part. Probably because i just watched “To Wong Foo, Thanks for everything, Julie Newmar” lol

  • I imagined my bare feet in sandals immediately; currently covered in wool socks. My favorite beach is Sanibel Island…….soooo many shells! I’m in the USA. Good luck to all!

  • Tamarindo was one of our honeymoon stops. I love how the review remind s me of our perfect time there, with open doors, sand everywhere, howler monkeys, caipirinhas, iguanas, and la pura vida…

    I’ve only tried Lalibela! It’s lovely. My favorite beach is Paleokastritsa, in Kerkyra, Greece.

  • .Roberts review has me daydreaming of summer days , I like pineapple in fragrences., my favorite beach has to be a lonely solitary Beach on the big island in Hawaii the name eludes me at this time. Thank you for the entry in your draw

  • Loved this review and it was just what I needed to read because it’s really cold here. I like tropical fragrances and I never heard of tamarindo in Costa Rico. I own French Leather and it’s beautiful. Love the Julie Newmar in copper tone ad. My favorite part along with pineapple which I like in fragrances is Robert’s description of the drydown. My favorite beach is elbow beach in Bermuda where I went on my honeymoon.

  • I am absolutely addicted to the scent of tanning lotion and so look forward to trying this one! This article reminded me of Waikiki beach when me and my wife were on our honeymoon and the scent that lingered in the air everywhere we went. It was pure paradise!!! I can’t wait to begin wearing the summer/more fresh scents. Currently my favorite Memo Fragrance would be Irish Oud. My favorite beach would be Waikiki Beach. Thank you Robert and Europerfumes. I am in Niagara Falls New York

  • Mmm pineapple and cardamom. I recently tried Frapin 1270 which has a great pineapple note – I’m interested in trying more. My favorite Memo fragrance at the moment is Moon Fever when my boyfriend wears it. It’s a simple yet lovely smelling tonka/orange scent. As far as beaches go…St. Thomas!

    Thanks for the giveaway and info! I’m in the US.

  • Thank for this great review. Picture the sun and nice sand places
    Fragrance sounds good. Haven’t tried Memo Paris yet and only seen beautiful beaches on tv.lol like to try this out. Thanks
    California

  • This sounds amazing! I love Robert’s description. When he says the part about the Cabana boy with sun kissed soon scent with a pineapple and coconut and Coppeetone dry down… It really have me a vivid description and idea of what this scent is going to smell like. It wasn’t list in me either that Robert uses the term ” THE FEELS” in this review either! Classic! I have only had the opportunity to try Memo African leather and I really enjoy the quality of that scent. The most beautiful beach to me, as corny as this may sound… Is the Jersey shore. Growing up in NY and later NJ the Jersey shore was always a close vacation that my parents would take us to. I would later, as a teenager, party under the boardwalk during those formative summers. It may not be beautiful to everyone else but there beauty in that for me.
    I now live in the US

  • Malka Gittel bas Reuven says:

    Did someone say Azuree (in any form)? Eyes get big. Nostrils flare for scent. I must smell this now. Preferably on Julie Newmarket, even with the smell of Coppertone under it.

    I haven’t smelt any other Memo Paris but now I must smell this one and all of them.

    My favorite beach is St Maarten. Boating’s better on the French side in St Martin but the Dutch side beaches are gorgeous and only the shortest taxi ride from in town. I need to go back so badly… perhaps wearing this.

  • Aaah, throwing away my socks for sandals. Man, that sounds nice! I’m ready for it, and the only opportunity I’ve had in months to experience that is with perfume. My favorite Memo fragrance is African Leather. My favorite beach for it’s pure natural beauty is Pirates Cove, Oregon. For the true tropical experience, it would be Barbados.

  • Robert’s reviews are always so special because he paints such beautiful pictures. I have no experience with Memo fragrances, but this sounds like a beauty for summer. Edisto beach in South Carolina is beautiful both summer and winter. The rocky shores of Maine are also beautiful in a very different way. Thanks for the draw. I’m in the USA

  • Robert’s review brings back memories of visiting my mother’s native land over in Southeast Asia where Winter isn’t exactly in their vocabulary. I don’t know about sweetness, but when I think of tropical beaches I think of saltiness in the air. I haven’t tried Memo Paris yet but Russian and African Leather are both on my radar. My favorite beach is probably in Maui. Cheers from CT, and thanks for hosting another giveaway.

  • What appeals to me most about Robert’s review of Tamarindo was his description of it being “a perfume that is an easy wearing fragrance, and makes me both happy and nostalgic and looking forward to warmer days ahead”. Who wouldn’t want to live in that beautiful teleporting fragrance? I haven’t had the opportunity to try any Memo Paris Fragrance, but I’d love to know which one would be my favorite if given the chance! The most beautiful beach I have ever visited was in Australia! They have the most beautiful beaches there! Take me back, please! xx

  • Lucky for me we don’t have much of a winter and Robert’s review of Coppertone is what I smell like for much of the year since I live on a island. Now I’ve since moved on to BullFrog but Coppertone is still in the beach bag for the kids. I don’t live on Hilo,Maui or Kauai but if you have a chance to come here any beach on the neighbor islands are great. Any black sand beach on Hilo is a must see! Thanks from the US

  • Tom Schroeder says:

    I like the beach vibe of Robert’s review, especially Costa Rica. Such a beautiful place, and a great way to describe the inspiration behind Tamarindo. I am dying to try the fragrance. My favorite Memo Paris fragrance is African Leather, and it is one of my favorite leather fragrances period. The most beautiful beach overall I have visited is Ka’anapali Beach on Maui, and there are so many others that I love in the Hawaiian islands. Napili beach on Maui is great for snorkeling and hanging out with sea turtles. — San Jose, California, USA

  • I got sold when Robert said ‘summer in a bottle’! French Leather is my favorite Memo. It is one of those at the top of my to buy list. Boracay is the best Beach I have been to and it could possibly well be the best in the world. Thanks!

  • I enjoyed Robert’s review!!!
    Mostly I liked that part that Robert said the start of this perfume is green, clear and fresh as you just small pure, fresh morning ear when you just open window!
    My favorite Memo parfume is Italian Leather.
    US

  • Thanks for this nice review.
    So beautiful descriptions of notes: “The benzoin warms and the patchouli adds its jungle feverish wood vibe…”, or “..the vanilla edges in with a sweetness that de-claws the fierceness resulting..”.
    I like Irish Leather and Kedo from Memo Paris.
    Thank you Cafleurebon and Europerfumes for this great draw!!

  • I’m an absolute sucker for tropical/suntan styled fragrances, and this sounds right up my alley. Haven’t visited any beaches outside the US, but my favorite would be the Emerald Coast of the Florida panhandle (as well as the “Forgotten Coast” further on down the gulf side).

  • This review was quite a treat, I was transported to a warm beach with an intoxicating breeze. The notes of this perfume sound just heavenly. I haven’t had the chance to try anything from Memo Paris yet, sadly; the most beautiful beach I’ve visited was in Greece quite a few years ago, but my favorite in the US is Panama City Beach (the quieter west end). Thank you for the amazing draw and the brief mental vacation!

  • I loved Robert’s description of the Coppertone skin scent and tropical fruit drink pineapple coconut notes. I’ve been a fan of Memo Paris for some time now and my favorites are Ilha do Mel and French Leather. My favorite beach that I’ve been to is the one I go to every fall with my boyfriend in Port Aransas, Texas. Thanks for the draw!

  • I liked Robert’s description of how this will pull you into summer – outof the winter, throwing open the windows… The most beautiful beach? We went snorkeling in the Virgin Islands, I don’t remember the name of the beach but there were 8 tourists and 4 guides, so only 12 of us on this huge beach. It was awesome… my favorite beach? Have to say, I live on a lake and my favorite beach is out in front of my house.
    Thanks for the draw! I’m in the US.

  • I adore summer and beach scents for the simple fact that they are a vacation in a bottle. I think Robert sums it up perfectly by saying the fragrance brings up feelings of happiness and nostalgia. That’s exactly the mini-escape I’m looking for in today’s world, and I would be honored to receive this fragrance. I’ve not tried any perfumes by Memo Paris, I’m hoping Tamarindo will be my first. Favorite beach would have to be by The Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island. It was gorgeous! I do live in the US and I’m so grateful for this opportunity!

  • I do like a beach/marine scent. The pineapple has me thinking this could be something special. Not tried anything by the Memo Paris house as of yet. USA

  • I have always liked Fire Island by Bond No 9, so I am sure I would love Tamarindo. I wore Fire Island when I visited Paraty in Brazil and it was just so right, morning, noon, evening. One of the most beautiful beaches I have ever seen is the coastline along the Noto Peninsula on the Sea of Japan. I live in the USA.

  • Ooh, this sounds like a great tropical fragrance! I grew up in NJ near the shore, so I love all the beaches there. But the most beautiful one I’ve ever been to was when I was in Cannes, France.

    I live in the U.S.

  • It’s cold outside and it’s raining , but reading Robert’s review i wish i was on some lonely beach eating sllices of pineaple and drinking coconut water . Just like Robert i’m looking forward to warmer days.I do own full bottle of African Leather and 20 ml decant of Granada.I don’t have a problem wearing it beenig a man-to me it’s unisex.Virginia USA

  • The weather is disgusting in Winston so Robert’s review transported me to some deserted island with my husband and baby girl just playing on the beach bare footed,drinking some nice tropical cocktails and enjoying ourselves … sweet dreams .My husband owns French Leather and i’m using it from time to time,so you could say i own it.I’ve never smelled anything else from Memo.Winston VA

  • We had nice weather and then winter returned with a vengeance……darn!! Snow today and chance of the white stuff all week long. Fortunately I leave for Kauai for spring break, so some sun is in my future. I love the palms on the bottle. The pineapple note with the vanilla and patchouli is very interesting. My favorite fragrance of this line is Sawi. My local Perfume House (In Portland OR) recently started to carry this line, so great to get my nose on this line. My favorite beach is Huntington Beach, maybe because I grew up there and have good memories. I also like Tybee Island in Georgia. The most beautiful beaches are in Kauai, I forget the names of the specific beaches. Thanks for the draw and goodbye winter!!!! US

  • Pineapple AND cardamom?! This sounds muy tummy! I have never been to an ocean beach but would love to visit Hawaii someday. I have sampled several Memo fragrances and none have spoken to me yet, but this one has lots of potential, I think. I live in the US and thank you for this chance.