Patricia de Nicolaï of Nicolaï Parfumeur – Créateur
One of the few niche perfume brands who as eschewed the “let’s sell it for more” price increase craze is Nicolaï Parfumeur – Créateur, (Parfums de Nicolaï) composed by Master Perfumer Patricia de Nicolai who has offers a range of perfumes with something for everyone at very reasonable prices. For over 25 years, they have been available in 30ml/1oz flacons as well as 100ml sizes, which gives fragrance lovers wonderfully crafted scents that don't break the bank.
Amber Waves Tori Amos
The new release, Ambre Cashmere Intense, feels emblematic of Mme de Nicolaï’s brand; it includes a touch of the well-known, and her love of amber accords. It is great quality, easy-going and the name on the bottle describes it perfectly. Nicolaï’s perfumes are instantly pleasing, delightfully wearable and Ambre Cashmere Intense fits right into the brand’s range.
Collage created by Jasia for Ambre Cashmere Intense (champagne, iris, black cat, firelight, cognac, Marilyn Monroe)
The opening is lightly peppery with enough citrus notes, that for a moment I wonder how this can become ambery or even intense. It’s light and pleasant, almost like a fresh breath of autumn air. The sweet creaminess from the iris butter with the base notes of tonka bean and vanilla already peeping through makes for an incredibly cozy development. I wouldn’t call it powdery, but it has a fluffiness to it, which differentiates it from most herbal ambers. The spices too, are kept at a minimum; it’s the light-handed pepper from the opening and a bit of clove to bridge the pepper into the heart of the perfume, without actually sticking out. Although by no means linear, there’s a comforting predictability in the development, a seamlessness which weaves an intricate cashmere pattern of top to heart notes and from heart to base, and every little in between too. Ambre Cashmere Intense has no sharp corners and no unpleasant surprises on its journey which ends on amber-coloured cashmere cushions of labdanum, benzoin and vanilla.
The ‘Amber’ in Ambre Cashmere Intense translates to cozy and elegant, like slouching in a silk pajama with a bowl of homemade fudge in front of a fireplace, rather than herbal resins, embers and campfire, or even souks and oriental fling. Ambre Cashmere Intense is one of the most feminine ambers I’ve come across, and with its generous amounts of orris butter and vanilla and tonka. Ambre Cashmere Intense is a must-try for those who enjoyed perfumes in the style of Prada Infusion d’Iris Absolue, Nicolaï Parfumeur – Créateur Vanille Tonka, Francois Coty L’Origan, Stephane Humbert Lucas Khol de Bahrein, Teo Cabanal Alahine, or for anyone looking to add new comfy favourite to their autumn and winter collection.
–Jasia Julia Nielson, Contributor and Editor of The Sounds of Scents
Editor’s Note: We are thrilled that Jasia has returned to ÇaFleureBon as a Contributor after a three year hiatus. One of my favorite articles in our five plus years is Jasia's Passing of Winter, Schubert Wineterreise and the 100th Birthday of Guerlain's Heure Bleu (a wonderful synchronicity, Patricia de Nicolaï is the great-granddaughter of Pierre Guerlain and niece of Jean–Paul Guerlain the last family member to run the House of Guerlain). Jasia is an Opera Singer and a music lover so after reading her review I immediately thought of including Tori Amos Amber Waves. Be sure to read Jasia's beautiful blog, where her reviews are adorned with her own hand illustrations and collage artwork.
30 ml Amber Cashmere Intense Photo Michelyn
Thanks to the generosity of Madame de NICOLAÏ and Axel de NICOLAÏ we have a 30 ml bottle of NICOLAÏ Ambre Cashmere Intense for any registered reader worldwide. To be eligible, please leave a comment with why you want to win, Ambre Cashmere Intense, Bienvenue (welcome back) to Jasia, your favorite de NICOLAÏ fragrance and where you live. Draw closes October 17, 2015
We announce the winners on our site and on our Facebook page, so Like Cafleurebon and use our RSS option…or your dream prize will be just spilled perfume