New Fragrance Review: Parfums Mercedes Jus d’Amour -Precious and Romantic-The Essence of Love + Smell of Love Draw

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Every February we all inevitably begin to think of love, as Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. Many perfumes have “love” or “amor/amour” in their names and attempt to capture the feeling of love. Many, I am sad to say, miss the mark. A relative newcomer to the perfume world (not perfume itself) is Mercedes Ganon and her first release Jus d’Amour does its name justice. Mercedes has been in love with perfume since around the age of two. Periodically, while growing up, her aunt Mimi (who lived in Paris) would come to visit with a huge Cartier case full of perfumes, samples and minis. Little Mercedes would sniff everything and go into the kitchen where she would combine what she smelled. Her passion for perfumes began before she could even read the labels on the bottles!

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The sample I received came in an envelope with press materials and (what is this?) a full-length music CD. My heart fell a bit as I was expecting yet another “celebrity scent” some singer had slapped their name on, hoping for a fast buck with little care to what it smelled like or how well it was crafted. Upon rolling the thick viscous juice on my arms and neck, let me tell you this: NOTHING could be further from the truth! One thing Mercedes has in common with celebrities is she has vocal talent and yet her music defies a genre. It comes from her heart brightly and rather eloquently…as do her perfumes. Make no mistake here, Ms Ganon IS a “nose” and created this scent herself (and the other two soon to be released) from blending pure essence oils. They are almost entirely natural, having only a tiny percentage of synthetics in the carrier base.

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More often than naught, anything with love in the title is dripping with either roses, cherry blossoms or a ton of fruity notes. Jus d’Amour is a simple yet elegant combination of six notes that speak volumes. Immediately I get a subtle sweetness wrapped in a leafy green (this contains coconut palm leaves and a specially created “aqualeaf” accord to keep it fresh). As it begins to develop and expand more, a beautiful not too powdery not too “juicy green” violet appears. Strangely innocent and wise all at once, it smiles sweetly and bats its eyelashes at you. I am not sure if it is the violet itself or the way it is combined with night blooming jasmine…but this is most excellent. Floral without becoming too “girly girl” and creating a blend of classic violets with a hint of jasmine’s creamy sensuality, this scent is a real charmer.

titania sleeps

Titania Sleeps by Frank Cadogen Cowper (1928)

So far, this reads very feminine, but, in reality it is a beautiful blend of both traditionally feminine components (jasmine, violet, etc.) along with some rather masculine notes (sandalwood, leaves and aqueous plants). Love knows no boundaries save those we impose on ourselves; the same goes for scents. With a name like this (the juice of love) one might construe that this perfume was a bit risqué, yet there is nothing vulgar or overtly sexual about it. It goes on softly and smoothly. Its sillage is wonderful, at times you can smell it plainly and other times it “hides” until movement or a breath of fresh air reminds you how lovely you smell. Without any direct application, this perfume (actually a perfume oil absolute) transfers to one’s clothing, coat and bedclothes and lingers like a dream.

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One of the most predominant notes in this entire scent is, of course, vanilla. And here there are two kinds of vanilla: Madagascar and Tahitian. Together they are wonderful having a rather soft floral feeling (reminiscent of the orchid from which it grew) and another side that’s more dark and slightly smoky. The golden glow of the vanilla here really does make one think of that same cozy sweet aura of warmth you get when you are close to someone you really care about. I would hesitate to call this a gourmand (or a true “oriental” for that matter), and flat out refuse to call it a floral. This presents as a quasi-oriental perfume without the usual heaviness and something floral and fresh with an entirely amazing aroma that is both modern and timeless.

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If you go to her website, you will see many “famous” people who have already tried and love her perfumes. Her company also makes soy candles scented with her fragrances. Her perfumes were featured in Cannes, at the Emmys and in Monte Carlo and are available at Frederick Fekkai’s and Scent Bar/LuckyScent. Without any of the trappings of the usual “love” perfumes, Ms. Ganon has captured the precious scent of romance in a bottle while remaining true to her own artistic vision and her muse. It was not what I personally expected it to be…but after sniffing and wearing it I can say it lives up to its PR. I can also report that men ranging from 22 to 54 loved it on me (with no girly vibe) as did my mom (who is 66) and my neighbor (41) and her daughters (16, 9 and 7). It is not too often such a varied group of people at different ages can agree; but they all do about Jus d’Amour.  Sillage: slightly above average. Longevity: very good.

Disclosure: Review is based on a mini rollerball of perfume absolute oil sent to me by Parfums Mercedes.

Parfums Mercedes is overflowing with love as they are offering three different giveaways; a full bottle of Jus D’Amour or a soy candle of Jus D’Amour or a full bottle of her masculine fragrance Legend. To be eligible leave comment on what you think the smell of love is and which giveaway you would prefer. The draw will end February 9, 2013.

We announce the winners only on site and on our Facebook page, so Like Cafleurebon and use our RSS option…or your dream prize will be just spilled perfume.

John Reasinger, Editor

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54 comments

  • The smell of love is my girlfriends freshly shampooed hair as I bury my nose
    Very interesting fragrances
    It must be good if Luckyscent carries it
    I will go for jus d amour and if I win give it as a gift

  • To me the smell of love is the hint of aftershave as my husband kisses me before he heads off to work, and the smell of strawberries as my little girl wraps her arms around my neck, and even the musky smell of my dog hopping into bed for a cuddle. I would love to win a bottle of Jus D’Amour. Thanks!

  • Love smells like my little girl after she’s been playing outside. I would choose a bottle of Jus d’Amour. Thank you!

  • The smell of love is the scent of the coffee my husband makes for me every morning and delivers with a smile. I’d love to win a bottle of Jus D’Amour, thanks so much!

  • The smell as soon as I enter the door after coming home from work.

    I think I’d really enjoy Jus D’Amour.

  • Love smells like coffee, early morning breeze, white fresh linen and the promise of a sunny day! (and some civet on the bottom just to spice things up a little bit) I’d love to win that Jus d’Amour in a bottle or the candle.

  • marcopietro says:

    Love smells of clean lintriguing notes: a bit of vanilla, a pinch of pepper and a drop of musk. I’d like to win Mercedes masculine fragrance, Legend.
    Thanks for the draw!

  • Love smells like jasmine blooming on a hot summer night, filling the air with its strong and potent scent.

    Would like to win Jus D’Amour in a bottle.

    Thank you

  • Fazal Cheema says:

    to me, the love of smell on a woman will always be jammy rose. my preference is her masculine fragrance Legend

  • For me the smell of love is the fragrances I most associate with my three children- Chinatown, A*Men and a citrus/orange blossom/bourbon vanilla blend I made for my daughter.
    Thank you for this wonderful draw! I wuld love to win the bottle of Jus D”amour

  • To me love smells of roses, vanilla and whipped cream 🙂

    I prefer a bottle of Jus d’Armour

  • The smell of love is my girlfriend cuddling up to me after a shower, just as it is when we wake up in the morning.

    I would love to win a bottle of jus d’amour

  • Love is when my S.O. makes the effort to wear fragrance just because he knows I love it.
    I would like to try Jus D’Amour.

  • To me, love smells like honey & lemon, roses, and
    baby powder. I would like Jus d’Amour.
    Thanks for the draw!

  • The smell of love is my husband right after he has shaved, love that. Or the smell of love is the outdoors when with the one you love.

    I’d love that soy candle! Thanks!

  • Agree; one scent of love is the smell of a perfectly made cup of coffee brought to me in bed! I’d love to win the candle.

  • love: cuddly warm morning-(after-)skin, a lot musky, a little spicy and sandalwoody, milky-vanilla-saffron creamy sweetness, fire, woodsy fresh air…

    I would choose Jus d’Amour in either liquid or candle, it sounds so so gooood!

  • The smell of love is chocolate with a hint of dark rose and a drop of vanilla liquor.
    I think I would love that bottle of Jus d’amour.

  • Jus d’ Amour sounds wonderful and it would be my choice. I’m old fashioned, I guess, because for me love would smell like a rose garden.

  • I really want to try Jus d’Amour — what a lovely review!

    Unfortunately, I “officially” first fell in love while the smell of wet wool was permeating the air, so that’s what immediately came to mind with this question.

    But upon thinking about it a moment, I would have to go with the deep heady smell of a traditional rose to represent love.

    Thanks for the draw, this line sounds really exciting. 🙂

  • I think love smells like fresh spring air with narcissus. My choice would be Jus d´Amour.

    Thank you

  • For me the smell of love is diesel, that vague smell of old WD-40 and 3 in 1 oil, sawdust, cordite, and fresh cut juniper. Smells that evoke a weekend in the country working with my husband. Wow, that doesn’t sound romantic at all- smelling like an old shed 😉 I would love to try Jus d’Amour.

  • Many have already mentioned what I’ve been thinking–my husband as he kisses me goodbye in the morning, freshly showered and shaved, and the coffee I smell that he has made for me as I come downstairs. Also love to smell my dog, unless she has rolled in something gross! I would be thrilled to have Jus d’Amour.

  • just breathe says:

    The smell of love is the scent of my mom whenever she hugs me….always wearing something (perfume,lotion,essential oils) that make her smell good 🙂 !!!
    Would love to win the candle for her..thanks for the draw!

  • I would say that the smell of love is something with jasmin and rose…but in fact, I find it difficult to associate a scent to a feeling,it’s much easier for me to match a colour with a scent. Well, if I win.I would love a bottle of Jus d’amour…

  • The smell of love for me is the smell of my husband, coffee and tuberose! If I win I would love a bottle of Jus d’amour!!!

  • The smell of love… our natural pheromones, his unique scent that lingers on my bed-sheets after he’s gone, dark chocolate, an ocean breeze and vanilla scented candles.

    I would love to win a full bottle of Mercedes’ Jus d’Amour.

    Thanks for the draw!

  • The smell of Love has to be Vanilla, either wafting from the oven, spiraling into the air on a warmly scented candle or in the form of a combination with massage oil being rubbed into my back on a remote Tahitian island….How the hell can I get back to work now!!
    I would be thrilled to have Jus d’Amour.:)

  • Love is my nose snuggled into sun-warmed belly fur of my cat, slightly musky and wearing a bare hint of whatever perfume I last sprayed on my wrists.

    Damn I love that cat.

    Thank you for the generous draw opportunity, of which I would prefer the Jus d’Amour perfume.

  • The smell of love is bleached cotton sheets. None of your business why 🙂 I’d love to win Jus d”Amour, thanks!

  • I would love to win the Jus d’Amour perfume. My first scent memory of love was the aroma of my Mom making breakfast.

  • holly mahler says:

    My dog Bb smells like love. I love to smell her paws. My sons hair smells wonderful. My kitchen smells like love. I remember the smell of Joe’s neck; it has been 25 years ago but I can still remember his smell of love very clearly….
    I would love a bottle of Jus d’Amour.

  • For the time being, the smell of lilies as well as cigarettes and coffee, remind me of love. I would love to try Jus D’Amour. Thank you!

  • I can’t relegate the smell of love to just one small bit of the fragrance rainbow. There are so many scent memories to recall and new ones yet to experience! The smell of love can be anything that allows me to relax into expanded possibilities. It is multidimensional, sparks creativity, feels good. I could wax poetic on the smell of love for some time. Suffice it to say that I would be very happy to try the Jus d’Amour and see what magic may ensue…

  • The smell of love is a newborn babies head, a garden if roses, and my dog after being groomed! I would like the Jus d’ Amour and thanks for the draw! 🙂

  • For me the smell of love is simple red roses. And I’m talking about beautiful Taif Rose!

    I would love to get my hands on the Legend
    Thanks

  • Wow! What a wonderful review! Sounds like a beautiful fragrance. The smell of love – makes me think of the love of God expressed through creation – forest, ocean, desert, beauty, light, life.

    I’d love to win a bottle of Jus d’Amour. Thank you for the draw!

  • I think soft cuddly musk is the smell of love, and I would love to win the bottle of Jus D’Amour. Thanks for the lovely review & the draw!

  • To me love is smells like Opium Pour Homme after a long day,sweat,smell of fabric softener and outdoor breeze on my husband’s beard:)I’d like to chose a bottle of Jus d’Amour.Thanks for the draw!

  • The smell of love is the bare skin of the one you love, the trace he/she leaves on the pillow and bed when he/she’s gone.

    The smell of love is the scent in the kitchen when your mom is cooking some of your favorite meals and she’s doing it just because you love it.

    I’d like to win Jus d’Amour, Thank you!

  • Love. Of course it smells just like the body of the person you love, it smells so good you want to eat it… and also smells like myself, because my smell seems to be magically connected to my lover’s…

    And then every day another note is added to the perfume of love: the food you eat, the hot chocolate you drink, the park you took a walk in, the garage where you did something very cheeky in a dark corner… and on and on and on, and when you’re lucky, some day you may even to add the intoxicating note of a newborn’s smell to the composition…

    Or you’re not so lucky… and suddenly every single note turns into another perfume of heartbreak 🙁

    Or, maybe love just smells like Kouros+Fracas poured over vanilla ice-cream?

    … and in the unlikely event I win, I would prefer the Jus D’Amour parfum, but I can use a nice masculine just fine 😉

  • I think the scent of love would have to emulate the perfect contentment and quiet joy of snuggling up under the covers with a loved one on a cool, rainy morning: the clean, calm, yet electric rain-tinged breeze seeping through a slightly opened window, fluffy clean comforters, and a hot cup of honeyed tea on the nightstand.

    I would love to win the bottle of Jus d’Amour! Thanks for a great giveaway : )

  • smell of love is a morning cup of coffee with my partner outside on the patio with birds chirping and wind flowing carrying aroma around us.
    I would like to spray Jus D’Amour (full bottle).
    Thanks

  • For me the smell of love is the natural scent of sun warmed human skin after a swim at the see. Can’t think of a better smell. I would love to win Legend

  • The smell of love, for me, lives in the heart of familiarity. It´s entirely personal and composed of memories and associations. One of my strongest scent “triggers” is the smell of neroli, which reminds me of my late mother, and floods me with warm memories. Thanks for the draw.

  • The scents of love are ever-growing–the scent of orange flowers in Florida when I would visit my grandparents every summer, the scent of bad coffee and bonding with high school best friends over the elicit-feeling adult beverage at the local Big Boy restaurant, my late mother’s favorite vanilla musk scent, the Old Spice cologne my father would splash on while I watched him shave as a kid, and the English Leather cologne my husband wore when we first met. Wonderful scent memories all.

    I would love a bottle of Jus D’Amour. Thank you for the draw!

  • Smells of love:A smell of the meadow that I can find in the late spring,a reminiscence of the milky smell of my breastfed son and,certainly, Mohur. I’d love to try Legend. Thank you for this great draw.

  • lynne miller says:

    Oh the scent of love is from luscious memories of the past. I grew up in a home full of beautful. glorious scents from the fresh picked flowers my mother grew in our yard. For Memorial Day evry year we would prepare the most beautiful bouquets to decorate the grave sites of loved ones. Besides the amazing roses of every color and scent, and the peonis as big as grapefruit, two scents I miss so very much from the midest are the smell of the long stalks of iris and the scent of lilacs. Interestingly enough, these scents are seldom found in any perfumes. I understand they are very difficult to duplicte. I love the white flowers…jasmine, gardenia, tuberose.
    Because I grew up in a scent filled world, I can honestly say I am addicted to scent. My nose is very accute. I am very excited to experience Jus D Amour. I wish I could smell it right now because I think I will truly love it. Then I can share the smell of love with my family and friends. Thank you for your kind consideration.