Patricia de Nicolai is one of those perfumers that produces a line that many perfumistas feel is not appreciated enough. Ms. Nicolai quietly releases a perfume every now and then, sneaking it in under the radar. Suddenly we are all talking about it, longing for it, and seeking it out. Her fragrances are mostly found online, and it’s not always easy to get to try them. I have the great fortune of receiving a sample of the newest release from Parfums de Nicolai, Eau sOleil.
Anne-Marie de la Tremoille by Nicolas Largilliere
Orange blossom and neroli perfumes always make me sit up and take notice. Eau sOleil is a tribute to Anne-Marie de la Tremoille, who started the use of bitter orange oil as a personal scent while she was the princess of Nerola, Italy. That essence came to be known as neroli.
Spring Blossom by Delilah Smith
I have been searching for a long time for a certain kind of orange blossom fragrance; one that is cool and green, yet still wildly floral, that will bloom like mad in the heat and take me to a place beneath the shady boughs of orange trees blooming in the sun. This is really close. At first blush, it is a bit more stemmy than I want, a little too green, but it is lovely just the same. The waft is where the flowers really sing; close to my skin is where the stems and leaves reign. There is room in my heart for an assortment of orange blossoms and nerolis, and I could feel Eau sOleil squeezing herself in.
Gardening by Victor Gabriel Gilbert
The sun came out while I was wearing this perfume, and I took the opportunity to do some gardening. As I worked, and as the perfume warmed, the greenery became subdued, and the flowers bloomed more brightly before softening into a whisper of aroma. The air around my body felt like it was sweeter because of the sun shining on it, rather than because I was wearing a dab of scent. This lovely fragrance makes me feel like a part of the natural world. What could be better?
Notes: lemon, mandarin, bergamot, petitgrain, thyme, wormwood, jasmine, ylang-ylang, neroli, patchouli, and soft musk. (per Parfum1)
Orange Tree by Barbara Gerodimou
We have a fabulous draw for a full 100 ml bottle of Eau sOleil to any reader in the US, courtesy of Parfum1.com. Leave a comment about your favorite Parfums de Nicolai or one you would like to try. Remember to tell us you reside in the US. Draw ends on August 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.
–Tama Blough, Senior Editor