New Natural Perfume Review: Thorn & Bloom Citrine (Jennifer Botto) 2016 +Because I Am Happy Draw

Jennifer Botto of Thorn & Bloom

“I love witnessing the revitalization of all things craft and artisan in recent American history. It’s so exciting to be a part of a movement that values innovation, craftsmanship, slow-work and local production. For me, it represents a deep longing for historical and cultural connection for which many Americans yearn and a backlash against the current climate of instant gratification, rampant consumerism and frenetic growth” – Jennifer Botto, Perfumer and Owner Thorn & Bloom Perfume, Cafleurebon Profiles In Perfumery.

Best of Indie Beauty Award Fragrance Thorn & Bloom 2016 (Maggie Mahboubian and Michelyn Camen covered the Indie Beauty Expo last summer)

Jennifer launched Thorn & Bloom in 2015. What a busy two years filled with accolades for her start-up botanical fragrance collection Thorn & Bloom Perfume.  In the same manner that the Slow Food Movement came from Italy to introduce Farm-to-Table gastronomy to the USA, so has Jennifer’s beautiful perfumes done for the world of natural perfumes. In this rush-rush world of NOW, pausing and taking time to create products with intention often results in ample awards. For Jennifer, this has delightfully and deservedly manifested as Best of Indie Beauty-Fragrance 2016, finalist for the Art & Olfaction Award/Artisan Category 2016 for her Bird Of Paradise Perfume,  13 bronze, silver and gold awards at the Artisan Fragrance Awards in 2015, for Bird Of Paradise, Wild Rose, and Stranger In The Cherry Grove  as well as ÇaFleureBon's Best of Scent Award for Thorn & Blooms’ Savage Garden as one of the top fragrances of 2015, and  Limestone in 2016 

Citrine & diamond ring photo by Mowte Jewelry of San Francisco

Jennifer debuted Citrine, an absolutely glorious citrus-centric perfume in the late summer of 2016, and it’s an absolute “pip”! (Citrus pun intended). It is described as "sunshine in a bottle", and honestly this might just be one of the happiest perfumes I've ever tried. It made me grin like crazy. Named for the jewel, the many shades of yellow-end-of-the-spectrum gemstone member of the quartz family, this perfume sparkles, glimmers, and refracts light as sumptuously as a perfectly cut beautiful faceted citrine stone surrounded by diamonds.

Luzena Adam for Beautiful Savage Magazine

Citrine opens with a huge blast of juicy citrus, the effect is one of peeling a sweet honeybell orange; the smell of the juice on your fingers as you remove the rind, the slight bitter-ish hint of pith, then that moment when you pop a slice into your mouth, and your taste buds explode with sweet honeyed goodness and you think, "This is what summer tastes like…"

Pharell Williams Happy

"It might seem crazy what I am about to say

Sunshine she's here, you can take a break"-Pharell Williams

This is a perfect winter pick-me-up perfume, luscious and velvety with a hit of warmth from the sandalwood, frankincense, balsam. I could wear it all year long, especially during the colder months whenever I need a pick me up. I love wearing Frederic Malle's Cologne Indélèbile in the summer, it's just so refreshing, bubbly and bright. Citrine is the winter version of that to me, less bracing and sweeter. Fantastic! I only have 2 regrets about Citrine, A.) I blew through my generous sample in one day and B.) It is available only in 7.5 ml and 4 ml rolller ball travel size. I suspect I’ll end up purchasing a few.

Notes: Clementine, Mandarin, Lemon, Honey, Neroli, Champaca, Rose, Frankincense, Sandalwood, and Copaiba Balsam

–Robert Herrmann, Contributor

Disclosure: Many thanks to Jennifer Botto for supplying the sample, and the opinions are my own.

Art Direction and contributions: Michelyn Camen, Editor-In -Chief

Would you like to try Citrine? Thanks to Jennifer Botto we have a 7.5  ml of Citrine and your choice of five samples for a registered reader anywhere in the world. To be eligible, please leave a comment with what you enjoyed about Robert’s review,  does citrus scents make you happy, where you live and the five  Thorn & Bloom samples you choose (you must name them or you will be ineligible). Draw closes 2/11/2017

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

 

 

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40 comments

  • Miss Almond says:

    Anytime I hear or read that a perfume is being compared to “sunshine in the bottle”, I get so excited. Honey and lemon combined with sandalwood and frankincense… Yummy! I believe it could make me happy even on most boring and cold days.
    I’d be happy to win a rollerball along with the samples of Savage Garden, Bird of Paradise, Wild Rose, Evergreen and Orange Blossom. Thank you so much! I live in Europe.

  • Rox says:

    As I sit in my warm cozy house on a stormy day, I loved reading about citrus and sunny things!!! I think that gorgeous citrine ring warmed me up a few degrees and lifted my spirits. Obviously Jennifer doesn’t rush things with all the accolades she has received. I hadn’t thought about fragrance compared to the slow food movement. Everything that takes more times seems to be better! I am not familiar with this line so I would love to win the sample pack. I live in the US. Thanks much!

  • JustRosy says:

    The review filled me with happy thoughts, I mean “Sunshine in a bottle” and lyrics to Pharrel’s “Happy” peppered with citrus and honey descriptions of the perfume gives me a craving to try this Citrine! I’d love to try samples of Indigo,Savage Garden,Wild Rose,Stranger in the Cherry Grove and Orange Blossom. I live in the U.S.

  • Toblerone says:

    “The smell of the juice on your fingers as you remove the rind, the slight bitter-ish hint of pith, then that moment when you pop a slice into your mouth, and your taste buds explode with sweet honeyed goodness”. I love warm citrus fragrance and I’d love to test Citrine. My choice of samples would be the following:
    Stranger in the Cherry Grove
    Wild Rose
    Indigo
    Savage Garden
    Limestone.

    Many thanks for the draw. I live in the EU.

  • Cristina Quaresma says:

    Well I found out about Citrine through Robert. I’ve read several of his reviews, and as always I want to smell like he describes in his reviews. While reading we can dream of your scent. All the ingredients in Citrine tell me I’ll love it. I live in Madeira Island, so your scent would smell wonderful with the flowers and sea around me. I’d love to win and besides Citrine, I’d love Bird of Paradise, Savage Garden, Stranger in the Cherry Grove, Indigo and Orange Blossom. Congratulations on your Award. 🙂

  • aire says:

    I hope this perfume is as optimistic as Pharell Williams’ song. I like many citrus fragrances – they give me energy.
    I would like to try Citrine and: Wild Rose, Indigo, Savage Garden, Evergreen, and Orange Blossom. I am in the EU.

  • GrandmaGaga says:

    Fantastic; a citrus for winter! I would love the chance to try this artisanal perfume company’s scents…Citrine and additionally Savage Garden, Stranger in the Cherry Grove, Wild Rose, Bird of Paradise and Indigo. Thank you for the chance. I am in the US.

  • Julie Lacroix says:

    Thanks for the draw! My favorite part of the review is This is what summer tastes like…”. I enjoy and wear citrus perfumes, always joyful! I live in Canada. Orange blossom, Stranger in the cherry grove, Wild Rose, Bird of Paradise and Indigo

  • Maya says:

    With a Nor’easter heading this way, a “winter pick-me-up perfume” sounds like it will be a necessity. Robert says that this is “one of the happiest perfumes I’ve ever tried.” I like happy! I think I would enjoy Citrine and would love to sample Savage Garden, Wild Rose, Orange Blossom, Stranger in the Cherry Grove, and Limestone. Am in the US.

  • Ellen M says:

    So it sounds so joyous from the review. If its one of Robert’s happy perfumes, that makes me want to try it. I do like Citrus fragrances, and additionally I would like to try Savage Garden, Limestone, Bird of Paradise, and Evergreen. Thanks for the draw. I’m in the USA.

  • BethMongold says:

    I would love to try Citrine! It is my very favorite stone to wear. I have recently started to appreciate citrus scents more, perhaps because winter has felt long and there is more to go. I like the comparison of Jennifer’s scents to the Slow Food ethos. I am in the US. If I win the draw, I would really like to try the following samples:
    Savage Garden
    Bird of Paradise
    Orange Blossom
    Limestone
    Indigo

  • nsquared says:

    Right about now is when I start thinking about what scents I might want to wear for spring and summer. I have never heard of Thorn & Bloom (great name) and so this article sparked an interest. I enjoyed reading Robert’s description of eating an orange as a way to describe this scent. That is definitely a scent I associate with the weather warming up. Citrus scents make me happy when the weather is warming… another citrus scent I enjoy is Clinique Happy. It really does make me happy…
    If I win I’d pick these samples:
    – Bird of Paradise
    – Stranger in the Cherry Grove
    – Orange Blossom
    – Savage Garden
    – Evergreen

    I live in the USA. Thanks!

  • ntabassum92 says:

    Thanks to Jennifer Botto we have a 7.5 ml of Citrine and your choice of five samples for a registered reader anywhere in the world. To be eligible, please leave a comment with what you enjoyed about Robert’s review, does citrus scents make you happy, where you live and the five Thorn & Bloom samples you choose (you must name them or you will be ineligible).

    I love the picture of Pharell and the reference to his song, that song fills me with so much joy, and certain perfumes can have the same effect on me. Love the idea of a joyous winter perfume, because that’s when I need one the most, am I right? Citrus scents do make me happy, because they make me feel light and carefree. I would choose:

    1. Savage Garden
    2. Orange Blossom
    3. Limestone
    4. Stranger in the Cherry Grove
    5. Wild Rose

  • acquiredtaste says:

    I like that it is described as a sunshine in a bottle which makes him grin like crazy. Citrus scents make me feel happy and fresh. I live in Malaysia. The 5 samples I choose are: Savage Garden, Limestone, Stranger in the Cherry Grove, Wild Rose, and Bird of Paradise. Thanks.

  • fazalcheema says:

    I have said this before that citrus, when done well, is one of my favorite notes and I have the same relationship with iris, too. I am intrigued by this because it doesn’t only seem like a good citrus but also a citrus appropriate for cold weather. Thanks a lot for the generous draw. For samples, my choice will be:

    Savage Garden
    Limestone
    Stranger in the Cherry Glove
    Evergreen
    Wild Rose

  • hollyjae says:

    I had a giggle reading of Robert’s regrets regarding the scent, that he used the sample in just one day….sounds like something I would do, LOL! Great piece Robert, much enjoyed!

    Citrus scents do make me happy, they envoke visions of citrus orchards and blue skies. Bright colours and zesty scents. Beautiful.

    I’m in Western Australia, and were I lucky enough to win I’d chose these samples!:

    Wild Rose (this one sounds utterly amazing!)
    Indigo (love Osmanthus!)
    Orange Blossom (orange blossom absolute would have to be one of my favourite essences)
    Stranger in the Cherry Grove (so very intriguing!)
    Bird of Paradise (another summer scent)

    Many thanks for this generous draw!

  • Su says:

    This is the 1st time I heared a review that says citrus for winter.
    I am a person who likes to wear what I want to that day irrespective of season.
    My other picks would be:
    BIRD OF PARADISE
    SAVAGE GARDEN
    STRANGER IN THE CHERRY GROVE
    WILD ROSE
    EVERGREEN

  • sarka says:

    Thank you for the review and the draw. With the time I grew to be less fond of citrusy scents, but would be happy to rediscover it again. So, yes, this citrus scent would make me happy. 😉

    Five samples to choose would be:
    – Bird of paradise
    – Stranger in the cherry grove
    – Orange blossom
    – Limestone
    – Evergreen

    Greetings from Switzerland.

  • echinacea says:

    There are citrus scents I love and citrus scents I dislike. But if there is honey in it, this must be love. Hony and lemon in perfumes give me optimism and energy. I would love to try Citrine and: Evergreen, Stranger in the Cherry Groove, Bird of Paradise, Savage Garden, Wild Rose. Thank you for the chance, I am in the EU.

  • openmind says:

    Citrine sounds like a perfect early spring fragrance. It sounds so joyful.
    If I could pick 5 samples, I would be happy to try Savage Garden, Evergreen, Stranger in the Cherry Groove, Wild Rose and Indigo. Thank you for the draw. I live in EU.

  • doveskylark says:

    I loved the pun about the word “pip.” Reminded me of “All in the Family” when Archie would say to Edith, “You’re a real pip, you know that? A real pip.” Edith always made me smile. Citrus fragrances do that too. I love Alvarez Gomes Áuga de Colonia Concentrado all year round. It keeps me fresh.
    I’d like to sample:
    Stranger in the Cherry Grove, Indigo, Bird of Paradise, Savage Garden, and Wild Rose.
    I live in the USA.

  • psebi101 says:

    He got me at “that moment when you pop a slice into your mouth, and your taste buds explode with sweet honeyed goodness and you think, “This is what summer tastes like…””. I love citrus fragrances and they do make me happy, especially the ones based on lemon and would like to try Citrine along with:
    Savage Garden
    Orange Blossom
    Evergreen
    Stranger in the Cherry Grove
    Bird of Paradise
    I live in EU.

  • marcopietro says:

    Robert’s review exudes joy and light from each word. I do not know nothing else that the name of Jennifer Botto creations, but Thorn+Bloom site and fragrances appear light and smart as their creator. Some of them sound great to me and I will try to prove soon the highest number of those gems.
    My samples choice would be:
    Savage Garden
    Limestone
    Bird of Paradise
    Evergreen
    Indigo
    I live in EU
    Thanks!

  • OTA Mom says:

    I loved the review because where I live, it is endless snow and cold weather which will continue for months, and his words remind me of sunshine and warmth. I need some sun rays in my life and wear citrus fragrances throughout the winter to brighten up my attitude, it can be depressing when you are trapped indoors for so long. I would love to try Bird of Paradise, Citrine, Indigo, Orange Blossom, and Stranger in the Cherry Grove. Thank you for this opportunity! I live in the US.

  • cardinalmind says:

    I’d pick these samples based on what I’ve read:
    1 Bird of Paradise
    2 Orange Blossom
    3 Stranger in the Cherry Grove
    4 Evergreen
    5 Savage Garden
    Citrus, while often times can smell bad on me due to the high heat in my country, makes me feel happy because they can be refreshing if properly applied. Robert’s review is always fun to read and enjoy! I live in the US

  • Amber says:

    I love citrus scents, they always make me feel happy! A great pick-me-up when you are feeling the winter blues as Robert points out. I’m in the US and would love to try these five samples from Thorn & Bloom:

    1.Savage Garden
    2.Indigo
    3.Limestone
    4.Wild Rose
    5.Stranger in the Cherry Grove

    Thank you for this generous draw!

  • cinnamon tree says:

    I am a fan of sparlking colognes full of citrus notes. A definite must-try for me! In addition to Citrine I would love to test Wild Rose, Indigo, Savage Garden, Stranger in the Cherry Groove and Bird of Paradise. I live in Europe. Thank you for the draw!

  • sea says:

    There are so many scents of summer and I love all of them (well, almost). Fresh juicy citrus fragrances with their sweet and sour notes are something I can’t live without. Of course I would be happy to try Citrine! And, if you are so generous, I would also like samples of Indigo, Limescale, Evergreen, Bird of Paradise, and Stranger in the Cherry Groove. Thank you! I live in the EU.

  • Elizabeth T. says:

    I love citrus!!! You can never, ever go wrong with a good citrus perfume or cologne, whether you are male or female, or whether it is January or July. One just always fits, and very nearly every occasion. Perfect pictures for the review, and it sums up Citrine perfectly! I would adore trying it. Also a honeybell orange, which I don’t believe I’ve tried… I’d also really love to try Indigo, Limestone, Evergreen, Bird of Paradise, and Savage Garden. After perusing the website, it’s a shame I haven’t sought out these samples before! Will have to remedy. Thank you for the review and generous draw!
    USA.

  • rodelinda says:

    Citrus fragrances are easy for me to love — they’re rarely complex, but sometimes you just want something refreshing that smells nice. Like Robert, I enjoy wearing citrus in the winter when it’s cold and grey and I need a pick-me-up. Yesterday, I wore Jo Malone Orange Bitters for exactly that reason. I’m in the US and would also sample Bird of Paradise, Indigo, Limestone, Orange Blossom, and Stranger in the Cherry Grove. Thanks!

  • Iphigenia says:

    I love citrus and the part in Robert’s review where it mentions:
    “Citrine opens with a huge blast of juicy citrus, the effect is one of peeling a sweet honeybell orange; the smell of the juice on your fingers as you remove the rind, the slight bitter-ish hint of pith, then that moment when you pop a slice into your mouth, and your taste buds explode with sweet honeyed goodness and you think, “This is what summer tastes like…”
    For me citrus perfumes are the perfect winter pick-me-up smell, especially during colder days when I need a pick me up fragrance.
    In case I win my five sample choices are:
    1. Wild Rose
    2. Orange Blossom
    3. Bird of Paradise
    4. Stranger in the Cherry Grove
    5. Indigo
    I am a registered reader living in EU. Thank you for the lovely review and draw!

  • teresa310 says:

    Citrine sounds lovely: warm and fresh. There are days when I want to wear only citrus perfumes, all other types of fragrances smell too heavy.

    Thank you for the draw. I have never tried anything by Thorn&Bloom and I would gladly try Bird of Paradise, Indigo, Limescale, Stranger in the Cherry Grove and Savage Garden.

    (EU)

  • hvit says:

    I like this Pharell Williams’ song – it makes me happy and relaxed. This plus a generous load of different citrus notes in Citrine should make even the worst time better and brighter. I don’t categorize my perfumes into “summer” or “winter” fragrances and I am sure Citrine is suitable for any season.

    If I win I’d like the samples of:
    – Bird of Paradise
    – Evergreen
    – Stranger in the Cherry Grove
    – Indigo
    – Savage Garden

    Thank you for the draw and greetings from Norway!

  • Hikmat Sher Afridi says:

    Thanks for the review………..What a bubbly opening of CITRINE and deadly warmth in the dry down. This is amazing. I do agree with your two regrets about Citrine. Of course would like to try Citrine.
    Thanks to the generosity of Jennifer Botto and Cafleurebon for the opportunity to participate in the draw.
    I’d pick these five Thorn & Bloom samples:
    1 Bird of Paradise
    2 Savage Garden
    3 Stranger in the Cherry Grove
    4 Evergreen
    5 Indigo
    Peshawar, Pakistan

  • jenbat says:

    Hm, I would love to add such a happy perfume to my wardrobe, I feel like a lot of what I end up with leans more towards ‘moody’. To read that she has had so much success in so short a time is inspiring and a real testament to the quality of her products, and I always love reading about these small business owners whose enterprise is art! I would love to try Citrine, and then for five samples it would be Bird of Paradise, Limestone, Indigo, Savage Garden, and Stranger in the Cherry Grove. Such great concepts! I live in Canada, thanks!

  • Mujo says:

    Citrine sounds like a wonderful “sun in winter” fragrance.
    My 5 samples picks would be: Orange Blossom, Wild Rose, Evergreen, Bird of Paradise and Indigo. Thank you for the draw. I live in EU.

  • mozaik says:

    I desperately need some happiness right now, so I am in. Citrus equals summer and summer is the happiest time of the year.
    I would like to try Indigo, Savage Garden, Wild Rose, Evergreen and Bird of Paradise. Thanks for the chance. EU.

  • Pine says:

    “Luscious and velvety with a hit of warmth from the sandalwood, frankincense, balsam”… Wow, this must smell great, mouth-watering and energetic. I love optimistic perfumes.
    I am interested in trying the samples of:
    Savage Garden
    Orange Blossom
    Stranger in the Cherry Glove
    Evergreen
    Wild Rose

    Thank you for your generosity. I live in Poland, EU.

  • Hootlia says:

    I’ve been curious about Thorn & Bloom since first reading about the house on Cafleurebon a while back. I’d love to win the sample set! I do love citrus fragrances. They are my go-to “I don’t know what to wear” scents. I find them refreshing and mood-elevating. Citrine sounds particularly wonderful, with its frankincense and balsam base. I live in Canada and I would love to win a set of:

    Wild Rose
    Orange Blossom
    Indigo
    Bird of Paradise
    Savage Garden