December 7, 2012
Niche Perfume Review: Memoire Liquide Reserve Edition Soleil Liquide + Winter Solstice Draw
Winter Solstice by Wayne Devon
As the Winter Solstice, the longest night of the year draws near, and the hum of the holiday season is growing louder, I was relieved to find a fragrance that distracted me for a moment (for more than a moment) and got me daydreaming about the dog days of Summer, and a vacation I took long ago where timelessness and beauty prevailed.
Bitter Orange Trees, Seville
Soleil Liquide is a dramatic citrus; its initial rush brings with it a flurry of ideas and sheer happiness. Top notes of grapefruit, blood orange, and tangerine build a bright opening that is full and sunny and somehow lured me back to Spain, to Andalusia. It took me specifically to the streets of Seville, where the luxurious feeling of sitting in an open-air courtyard under orange trees while inhaling the warm fragrant air took hold of me. Soleil changes slowly on the skin. There is a floralcy to the fragrance that is centered on neroli, which is the blossom from the bitter orange tree. The neroli gently reins in the citrus notes, and its honeyed and jasmine-like qualities transform the EdP into an intimate fragrance.
Alhambra from the Generalife by MA Sullivan
As I traveled further south into Andalusia, I arrived in Granada, where time and atmosphere seemed even slower and heavier. I learned quickly about the blazing Andalusian sun and how it likes to play tricks on one who is traveling alone. I spent several days going to the Alhambra, each morning I would climb the steep hill pass the gypsy women who would place fresh rosemary in my palm and hold my hand as they told me my future. Instead of taking siesta, I would rest in the shady arms of the Generalife, the Alhambra’s intricate garden. There I was settled and tucked-in by the warmth, ghosts, and flowers that surrounded me. Soleil is comforting in the same way. Its base notes of sandalwood and white musk brings an overall creamy transparency to this fragrance.
Alhambra by Henry Beer
Today’s gray skies turned sunny while wearing Soleil Liquide. When I emerged street level, I arrived at a different kind of open-air courtyard, namely Rockefeller Plaza. I was confronted by ice skaters and more tourists than usual, and yes, the infamous Christmas tree, which stands 80-feet tall this year, and I was able to experience the scene with renewed eyes thanks to my daydream and Soleil.
Soleil Liquide is a classic citrus that is easily worn and shared by men and women, and is a no-brainer for gift giving. The Memoire Liquide line is based on the precise intersection between scent and memory, and there are two ways to get there. One can create a signature scent via their Bespoke Perfumery, or one can discover five ready-to-wear scents from their Reserve Edition.
Thanks to Memoire Liquide we have a full bottle of Soleil Liquide available at www.Parfum1.com to giveaway to one reader. To be eligible leave comment sharing a place you have traveled or would like to travel to bring some light to your long nights of winter. The draw will close on December 11, 2012.
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.
-Valerie Vitale of Soliflore Notes, Contributor
I would travel to Alhambra too, I really love this place, I think that it was one of my most memorable trips ever, Alhambra is so special, so magical..
I would love to go to the carribean, Santo Domingo, or Puerto Rico.
I would love to escape to the white beaches of Sicily and and bathe in the warm sea.Thanks for the draw!
Isla Mujeres, off Cancun. Calm and lovely.
I spent some time on the island of Crete several summers ago, its the place my mind goes when the winters start to feel endless.
I have fond memories of Cabo San Lucas
I’d like most to travel home to Ohio, which would bring more metaphorical light to my holidays. (Not to be this year, sadly.) Insofar as a place with less figurative light and warmth, I’d love to tango in Argentina or relax in New Zealand.
My winter, should it be in the North or the South will benefit by a little altitude. My dream is a summer in Ladakh. Roaming with the tribes, catching glimpses of snow Leopards and cuddling baby goats from the cool nights. The Yak tea is a little daunting but I’d sacrifice it as part of the experience.
I would like to summer in the south of France, and winter in Aruba. But seriously, I get excited about travelling to new parts of my own city – I love to experience new things.
I’d love to go to New Zealand for it’s summer there. I’m not a winter-lover
I would love to go to the Shetland Islands for Up Helly Aa sometime, even though it’s probably very cold.
Absolutely love Memoire Liquide and am a huge fan of Encens Liquide and No.314 Cuir.
With that said, right now the winter weather is pretty awesome in Phoenix, Arizona, but if I wanted to experience a vacation of nice winter weather than I would probably travel to one of the world’s best beaches in the Maldives. However, I have always wanted to visit an “old world” city for the Christmas season and Vienna would be at the top of my list followed by Paris.
I have been to Oaxaca, and long to return!
I was in Cannes France for work one time and took a day trip to San Tropez with a friend. I would love to return to the south of France someday.
Bottled Andalusia sounds really winterfriendly! I would love to go to catch some well deserved sun to Singapore and Thailand.
Alhambra is a place I visit whenever I get the chance and can never get enough of. A heavenly garden on earth. No matter how beautiful it is though to visit in the summer it is not literally magical, meaning it will still be winter there now. In the winter days when my skin is dry from the cold and dull and pale I dream of escaping to the southern hemisphere and get my fix of summer. My dream destination would be an island in the pacific, haven’t decided which one yet. All I know is that my daily routine would be sunbathing with tiarre oil on AND occasional massage AND glorous sea food AND tropical fruits… when I daydream I go all out!
I would love to be on the tropical beaches of New Zealand scuba diving right now!
Yes, New Zealand could be the right place to spend the solstice.
I would like to visit Monaco again, it was such a lovely place to be at.
I would love to travel to new Zealand as I heard that the weather is great
South Africa is my current destination to visit, mightbe Jan – Feb. Thx!
I have traveled to Alhambra and really it is close to perfect as scenery! I also thin that the best way to beat the winter solstice is to travel to a country where the summer just begins like Australia!!
Australia sounds great to escape the Winter scenes…..
The description of Soleil Liquide reminds me of the Amalfi Coast where we holidayed recently. There really is a citrus aura in the sunshine there, it is a truly breathtaking place.
I would like to go to New Zeeland as well. NZ is perfect!
I would like to go to Carnary Island ! Yes, the flight time is long and I have troubles to sit hours doing nothing but maybe it’s worth it because after that you are in a paradise !
I’ve been to Sevilla and Granada and have really great memories. If the description of liquid soleil is accurate maybe i get to go back.. also I get to travel to Rockefeller Center, which I’ve never been to.
Olfactive Travels are the best!
Scotland.
I know that people usually prefer summer and the warmer countries, but the beautiful, gloomy, rainy Scotland is where I wanna go!
Yes, with the weather they’re having right now and everything.
I’d love to take a winter break on the Isle of Capri…
San Fran baby!
Not exotic or even that warm, but I always have the best memories after a trip there.
Lovely review I have wanted to try this brand for awhile
On a gloomy cold winter night that starts at 4:15 pm these days I would love to go to Maui
sounds perfect right now
There is plenty of soleil and further inland near the mountains the multitude of scents in the rainforest are breathtaking
Going to Punta Cana, Dominica Republic in 1 week….
Xilitla Mex. for my favorite getaway. The full moon at the Posada el Castillo or a thunderstorm staying in Las Posas are among the most magical things I have ever experienced. Too bad the evil drug wars are keeping my family away.
I’d like to be in the south of the world…maybe Australia!
Considering I’m stuck in the snow belt (and thankfully it hasn’t snowed that much since I’ve been back east), I could use some extra light. Where would I travel to find it? Hmmmm… Tuscany. Rolling hills… valleys… sunshine. Fruits. Herbs. Spices.
Would love to spend the winter in Tenerife.
I now live in Florida, so I no longer have long cold
winter nights. I love the “sunny” citrus!
Thanks for the draw!
No doubt Maldives. Perfect at this time of the year.
This dramatic citrus sounds great. I am sure I would love it.
Thank you for the draw.
I love long nights of winter! Norway, Finland, Iceland…my dream is buy a house in the Highlands, what a place…
Thank you for the draw!
I love snow!!!!! But I would not mind spending a few weeks during the cold winter months in Casablanca Morocco…I find the unique Mauresque and Art Deco architecture of the city center quite interesting. I would also love to visit the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca, it is one of the most striking landmarks of post-independence Morocco. It is the third largest mosque in the world and boasts the highest-minaret. I am fascinated by the architecture. Just beautiful. Thank you for the fab draw.
I would love to travel to the Caribbeans.
Probably Kenya or anywhere a safari can become true.
I’d like to go further North, even though I don’t really like being cold, because I’d like to see the Northern Lights in Winter in person one day. They’d make the cold and dark worthwhile.
I would love to take a trip to France. I have a friend there,who sends pictures of the alpine vistas she enjoys.
ah, i’d love to go back to the garden’s of sintra, portugal.
even today — about 30 years (!!) later and 1000s of miles away
i still recognize the smell of humid earth and eucalyptus trees i first smelled there.
hm.
i think i should plan for a trip there.
I haven’t been to Andalusia, but after this review I am hankering to go!
The last winter trip I took was to Exuma in the Bahamas. It was everything I wanted from a winter escape: hot and bright. The colours of the landscape were beautiful, and the scent of the ocean and the beach was both refreshing and relaxing. I think I need to book a trip soon… Andalusia or Exuma would fit the bill!
Would love to return to Venice…a place I visited twenty years ago!
thanks for the draw!
Someplace exotic like Bali or the Canary Islands (where my great uncle resides as a painter).
After reading Valerie Vitale’s review, I know Soleil Liquide will be a special Christmas present for that special person in my life! I will return to the “Cliff” that boarders the shoreline in Newport, Rhode Island. I will stand behind Doris Duke’s “Roughpoint” that has a breathtaking view and a scent that is so so sweet………