New Fragrance Review: Shay & Blue London Dandelion Fig (Dom De Vetta/Julie Massé) 2017 + A Gardener’s Draw

Pine Trees and Dandelions in the Garden of Saint-Paul Hospital of Vincent Van Gogh

Spring will be here before we know it!  Yes really!  The first sunny 60F day (or two) will find many Pacific Northwest lawns and gardens dotted with golden yellow blossoms topping that most persistent of weeds, the dandelion.  You may know this plant as lion's tooth (for the dentate oblong leaves), earth nail (for the tenacious roots), fairy clock or puffball! Many of us spare no amount of work or expense in vain efforts to eradicate dandelions from the garden.  But perhaps we should look a little closer at this "wildflower".  Not only is every part of an organically grown dandelion an edible super food replete with vitamins and minerals, but also the distinctly different odors of the roots, leaves and flowers are refreshing alternatives to the scents of culinary herbs often used in perfumes and colognes.

Dandelions from May 2015

Taraxacum officinale and T. erythrospermum, the plants we know as dandelions, originated in Eurasia and have spread and now thrive all over the world, from the foothills of the Himalayas to the South American pampas. In the unlikely event that you have never seen a dandelion they are quite easy to recognize. The plant presents a basal rosette of oblong, dentate leaves over a single taproot.  The blossom is a composite flower head of bright yellow to golden orange florets. It wasn't until the 20th century that dandelions were actually considered to be weeds. 

Dom Devetta and Julie Masse of Shay and Blue

In early 2017, Shay & Blue London introduced a new dandelion fragrance – Dandelion Fig – that captures not only the essence of the flower but the scent of the roots and leaves as well.  Shay & Blue has a unique and wonderful way with mixed floral and garden fragrances. Dom de Vetta and in-house perfumer Julie Massé somehow manage to capture the fresh, lively quality of the English garden in fragrances that are not only eclectic and evocative but also a joy to wear every day.

 photo: Country Living

Dandelion Fig opens green and sheer, a transparent floral touched with lemongrass, the cool tonic fizz of juniper and a suggestion of bitter dandelion leaf.  This refreshment lasts for about twenty minutes.  As Dandelion Fig dries it warms to the scent of dandelion root, the roasted root, to be precise.  The aroma is sweet, earthy, woody and slightly sharp with undertones of bitter unsweetened chocolate and something like chicory. That being said, Dandelion Fig is not gourmand fragrance by any stretch of the imagination, but rather a richly invigorating bouquet of roots, leaves and flowers.   After about an hour the scent of roasted root evaporates into a summer mélange of tomato vine and dandelion leaf that remains on my skin and clothing for approximately six more hours.  The fragrance eventually fades to a sweet, translucent breath of leafy fig coupled with the ethereal scent of the weedy golden blooms.  The sillage is slight to moderate, creating an aura of fresh air, green life and sunshine.   

Urban Magazine May 2012 via trendhunter.com (apped)

Dandelion Fig, like many other fragrances in the Shay & Blue line, is delightfully evocative of green, growing things. With Dandelion Fig I am transported to long hot days and cool, clear summer evenings on the lawn. The fragrance is totally unisex and perfect to wear with lightweight cottons and crisp linens.  This scent is also compatible with heavier woolens, bringing the effervescent, bright tonic relief of dandelion and the promise of spring and summer to our dark, cold winter days.

Notes:   Dandelion leaf, lemon grass, tomato vine, juniper and fig.

Many thanks to Shay & Blue London for the lovely bottle of Dandelion Fig.  My opinions are my own.

Gail Gross, Sr. Contributor

Photo courtesy of @shayandbluelondon instagram

Thanks to the generosity of Shay & Blue London we have one 30 ml bottle of Dandelion Fig available to one registered reader  in the USA, EU or Canada (be sure to register or your comment will not count). To be eligible for the draw please let us know where you live and what appeals to you about Dandelion Fig and what you found interesting about Gail's review and if you have a favorite Shay and Blue Fragrance. Draw closes 2/16/2017

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

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

40 − = 35

37 comments

  • I had no idea that an entire dandelion is edible – and a super food at that! Dandelions, to me, represent summer itself, and the sight of them makes me think of warm days in the sticky heat of the southern US. Would love to try this scent as the weather is starting to warm a bit. Here in New Orleans, we love chicory in our coffee, and I’m interested to see it listed here as an accord or impression. I’ve only tried one Shay and Blue, and that was Salt Caramel, a very interesting and different gourmand. I live in the USA. Thanks very much!

  • Unfortunately, I have never had a chance to try any of Shay and Blue Fragrance fragrances, but I have already read a lot of nice things from this brand. Natural perfumes are the best in my opinion. Dandelion Fig sounds wonderfully. I would be very glad If I would win. Thank you for the chance. I live in Europe. Thank you for the draw.

  • OMG!!I love love Gail’s description, especially this part : “The aroma is sweet, earthy, woody and slightly sharp with undertones of bitter unsweetened chocolate and something like chicory.” Amazing combination!

    I haven’t tried any perfumes from Shay & Blue.

    Thanks for the draw! I live in the USA

  • My first time I am hearing about this brand and I would like to try some of their perfumes more on green, earthy, and woody side. Very sweet and short review. Have they used unsweetened chocolate note to balance the sweetness? Living in Texas, US.

  • I am in the USA, and I love fig fragrances so of course I am intrigued by Dandelion Fig, also because I have never smelled dandelion in fragrance before so I am naturally curious. I like how there are hints of “gourmand” with chocolate and tomato vine (which I love) but how the fragrance is still earthy. Sounds wonderful. I have never tried Shay and Blue Fragrances, so unfortunately, I don’t have a favorite.

  • This fragment sounds super interesting and artsy! Dandelion and Fig is right up my ally! Sounds pretty gourmand to me and I love gourmands! I live in New York City! 🙂

  • I love the taste of both dandelions and figs. They smell so fresh and juicy. The perfume must be beautiful.
    I haven’t tried Shay and Blue fragrances yet.
    Thank you for the chance. I live in the EU.

  • The only note that doesn’t absolutely appeal to me in a big way is juniper, every other note has me going yes, YES, YESSS! I could use more “green, growing things” in my life right now.

    I’m in the USA, thanks for the opportunity to douse myself in this new fig fragrance.

  • I love the way Gail described Dandelion Fig. “An aura of fresh air, green life and sunshine” sounds fantastic. I would love to smell the spring as soon as possible. I live in Europe. Thank you so much for the draw.

  • I am such a fan of Shay and Blue blueberry musk and. salt caramel and this sounds fantastic
    Gail really captures the essence of dandelions green and astringent but popping up for spring
    I live in Seattle where it’s been cold icy and depressing

  • This does indeed sound perfect for summer! As as gardener myself this would be perfect as I do fight dandelions all spring, summer, and seemingly into the fall as well! I can see how it would be “compatible with heavier woolens.” I’m reminded of a line from my favorite dandelion poem… “Little soldier with the golden helmet, O What are you guarding on my lawn?” (Hilda Conkling) Thank you for the lovely review, and draw! I’m in the USA.

  • I live in Montana, US. This fragrance appeals to me because I do love cheery dandelions and figs, what a delightful clever combo! We are SO ready for this winter to be over where I live. I have not yet tried any fragrance from this house, would love if this would be the first. This review had me longing for spring in the worst way, I could visualize the new buds and grass emerging. Thanks for this chance!

  • Hikmat Sher Afridi says:

    Wonderful review! Dandelion still considering as weed in many places is edible with health benefits like relief from liver disorders, diabetes, urinary disorders, acne, jaundice, cancer and anemia. It also helps in maintaining bone health, skin care and is a benefit to weight loss programs. As per review Dandelion Fig is fresh, sweet, earthy, woody, green, somewhat gourmand, and bouquet of roots, leaves & flowers with average longevity is tempting. Never tried any of the Shay and Blue Fragrances but Blacks Club Leather is on my want list .
    Thanks to the generosity of Shay & Blue London and Cafleurebon for the opportunity to participate in the draw by letting my relative address in US.

  • I am so done with winter. This fragrance sounds like the ticket to spring!!! Spring in a bottle that is what I need. I will look at my “weeds” in my yard differently after reading this, I never realized that they didn’t use to be a weed. I do have fond memories of making chains with them, my parents didn’t mind if I picked them. I have never had the opportunity to smell anything from this line.I live in the U.S. Thanks for the draw.

  • It sounds like lying on your back looking up at the sky on a Spring day. I love how that came from the review. Thanks for the draw. I live in the uSA

  • I am interested because Dandelion Fig doesn’t only incorporate dandelion flowers essence but also of roots and leaves. Moreover, it has the brand’s trademark green signature. It is mild and fresh, making it quite a safe wear for all occasions. My favorite from Shay and Blue is Oud Alif. I am in the US.

  • What I liked best about the review is the ease with which the wearability of the perfume was portrait. It does seem like a all season scent.

    I am in US.

  • Oh my goodness this sounds amazing! Just the name had me intrigued, but then it also has notes of lemongrass AND TOMATO VINE?? Be still, my heart. Garden fragrances are just the best. It makes me so sad that dandelions are considered a weed though. I let them grow in my yard whenever they pop up. They’re hardy little flowers, and often the only thing thriving when the summer is at its worst. Thanks for the draw! In the US

  • I liked the fact that from the description I can imagine myself smelling a fig tree from the roots to the leaves and flowers and also what’s close to it in the garden.
    I haven’t smelled any of Shay and Blue, but my favorite fig fragrance is Annick Goutal Ninfeo Mio. I live in Europe.

  • I didn’t know all the different names for dandelion, I think I’ll call them fairy clock from now on. I don’t try to eradicate them from my lawn, I love them, they are so cheerful. Favorite memories of helping my grandmother harvest the first leaves in the spring, dusting our faces yellow with the flowers and making chains with the stems makes me eager to try Dandelion Fig as it uses all parts of the lovely dandelion. It sounds like a breath of spring. Thanks for the review and opportunity, I’m in the US.

  • I’m in Canada. The review and the description makes me want to smell the perfume.

    Thanks for the chance.

  • Thanks for a nice review! There was lots of dandelions where I grew, so I’ curious whether the perfume will do the magic to evoke early memories

    Never tried anything by Shay and Blue Fragrance, thus no favourite.

    Greetings from Switzerland!

  • “With Dandelion Fig I am transported to long hot days and cool, clear summer evenings on the lawn”. This sounds so wonderful I can almost smell the fresh morning meadow <3 I'd love to win a bottle of this beauty! EU.

  • Oh I love dandelions and I didn’t know they have any smell at all. I want to try Dandelion Fig because anything combined with fig must smell pretty.
    Thanks Gail for the review. I live in the EU.

  • At this stage of the game, I’m all about country lawns with dandelions and crabgrass. And I heard that honeybees need dandelions, so don’t pull them up. This perfume appeals to me because I am usually found with skanky dark leathers; this year I want sunshine and linen for a change.
    I haven’t tried anything from this line, but I’ve hears raves about their blueberry fragrance.
    I live in the USA.

  • This is the first time I’ve heard about Shay & Blue, but I find it so interesting that they specialize in green perfumes. Dandelion Fig sounds so fresh! Like spring in a bottle. I never would have thought of using dandelion in perfume, so i found it fascinating to find out it’s used often. I’m especially curious about the combination of juniper and lemongrass. I live in Canada, thanks.

  • Iuno Feronia says:

    Funny! the perfume house Shay&Blue is on my ist since a few days – I really want to try 3 or 4 perfumes of them which Sound quite intersting. Dandelion Fig is one of These. It sounds fresh, but in an uncommon way, the tomato vine atrracts me. I will definitly give it a try.

    Thanks for the draw, I Live in the EU.

  • Dandelions were the most important flowers of my childhood. I was making countless bouquets and wreaths of dandelions and no matter how many I had used the day before, next day there were always plenty of new flowers to play with. I would be so happy to have a fragrance with the main note inspired by dandelions. Thank you so much for the draw, I live in Europe.

  • I haven’t tried anything from Shay and Blue. their fragrances sound so airy, fresh and romantic and I believe they really carry “the promise of spring and summer to our dark, cold winter days”. Thanks for the draw!

    (EU)

  • cinnamon tree says:

    I am so tired of winter ans waiting for spring so impatiently. Green notes of fig and tomato vines will certainly help 🙂
    Thank you for your generosity. I am in the EU.

  • My first association with dandelions is a yummy salad my mom makes 🙂 I hope thie perfume smells as good. “Green growing things” always have pleasant smell and I am pretty sure I will like Dandelion Fig. I live in the EU, thanks!

  • Shay & Blue is one of the brands I want to try for quite some time. I bet Dandelion Fig will be one of my favorite along with Watermelon and Almond Cucumber. I love raw earthy freshness in perfumes! Now, during winter, when there are no green leaves and plants around, I often wear juicy green fragrances to remind myself that spring will eventually come.

    Thank you for the draw, I live in EU and I would be very happy if I win.

  • I’ve recently tried Blueberry Musk and I love it. Hope I would also like Dandelion Fig – the probability is high (I’m a fig lover!).

  • I haven’t tried any fragrances from this house, but I’ve heard a lot! I absolutely love fig so definitely interested in this one. I’m in Canada and thanks for the draw.

  • I think just the notes mentioned in its name sound like a great combination and perfect for the upcoming seasons:) I didn’t know it was only in the 20th century that the dandelion was considered a weed. I have not tried any of the Shay and blue fragrances yet but this sounds like it would be an amazing introduction to the house. I live in the USA. Thanks for the opportunity:)