Lanvin Arpege: Vintage or Simply outdated?

I became interested in Lanvin Arpege last year when I was doing research on classic perfumes. I figured if I was going to start writing about my hobby, I might as well learn some history. Nearly every blog post I read on classic perfumes mentioned Chanel No5 and Lanvin Arpege, so I decided to try Arpege. I bought a miniature version on Ebay (miniature perfumes are so cute and you can put them in your bag to touch up during midday plus I figured if I didn’t like it at least I won't be too upset that I'd wasted money on a full sized version). The first time I tried it, I disliked it immediately. It was sharp and had a chemical "perfumey" smell that I later found out to be a result of the aldehydes in it. If the descriptions sound familiar to you, that's probably because it is in the floral aldehyde fragrance group and smells like the perfumes my mum and several other women in her generation used such as Chanel No5, Elizabeth Arden White Diamonds and Avon Rare Gold (my mom used rare gold for years). A few minutes later when I got to the middle note, the initial sharpness of the scent coupled with the spiciness I smelt had put me off so much that I didn’t really give it any chance. I simply stored it away in my beauty bag only to dab it on whenever I forgot to wear any perfume in the morning.

Fast-forward to 2015, I was finally settled in Nigeria and decided to revive this blog after a "forced" work related hiatus (so much for last year's blogging resolution *le sigh*). I was looking through perfumes I currently had which never got reviewed. As soon as I tried on Lanvin Arpege, I immediately recognised the sharp chemical smell only this time I waited. Patiently. With open mindedness. And five minutes later the sharpness of the floral aldehyde gave way to reveal a warm, creamy balanced fragrance with a hint of spice. It was such a pleasant revelation. I kept sniffing myself because I enjoyed the fragrance so much. An hour later, the depth associated with base notes began to come through as I perceive a more powdery, woody scent which somehow managed to retain its warmth throughout.

Lanvin Arpege is part of the perfume world's old guard; fragrances that were created when perfumers were given creative license to come up with scents as they were inspired to create. The shift in modern fragrances from the old lady perfumes to fruity-florals and floral gourmands which are quite fashionable, have definitely affected the way we buy perfumes and I believe, our expectations as consumers when we go to the perfume counter (or in my case, EBay)  Nowadays, it seems most fragrances are a result of strategic marketing and consumer surveys but I digress.

Lanvin Arpege is definitely a scent that grows on you. I keep wondering what changed between winter 2013 when I brought it and recently when I tried it on again. Maybe my experiences with fragrances in between had enabled me to develop an appreciation for the complexity of fragrances or perhaps the Lagos weather had changed my perception of the fragrance (is that too far-fetched? LOL). Either way, I'm glad I gave this fragrance a chance. It might not smell like a flashy vanilla laced concoction (ironically, vanilla is one of its ingredients) neither is it my new favourite fragrance (it certainly doesn’t smell like a day-time, everyday scent) but it’s a classic perfume I think anyone can enjoy regardless of your age. So if you have the Arpege currently in your wardrobe, and have discarded it as an old-lady scent, why not try it again? You might be in for a pleasant surprise.

You can get Lanvin Arpege here (konga) and here (fragrancex).

Guerlain's La Petite Robe Noire: The perfect dress in a bottle

I'm sooo excited! After several weeks of going on a "perfume fast"(which I was forced to do because I couldn't couldn't find a perfume I liked and I didn't want to buy another bottle of my D&G's The One), I finally got a new scent. I bought La Petite Robe Noire a few days ago after smelling it on a colleague. I loved the sweet softness I perceived on her and after confirming the name of the perfume, I proceeded to stalk it in stores and online. Unfortunately(or should I say fortunately), I couldn't get the EDP formulation at the perfume stores close to me, some didn't even have it in stock at all. I had to check online for the perfume which turned out to be cheaper online than in some stores.

Fresh out of packaging.

When I finally got the perfume, I knew I had made the right choice. The perfume bottle is much more beautiful in person, I don't think the pictures do it justice. I also got a whiff of some nutty sweetness on the box(sealed new box)which I assumed came from the Almonds in the fragrance.

What does it smell like?
On first sniff/application, It has a beautiful fruity sweet smell like Ribena and vanilla( that's what comes to mind! :-). I don't find the sweetness sickening which is a bit surprising because it contains Liquorice. I don't like Liquorice as a sweet, I find its sharp smell to be really irritating(It is about 50 times sweeter than sugar) so when I find out that a perfume contains liquorice, the chances of me buying a full bottle of the perfume are slim. However the sweetness of the liquorice was balanced by the fruitiness of the red berries and the bergamot which has a certain sourness. I think anyone who likes a fruit sweet smell (which includes most women I know) would be convinced to buy it on first sniff, its definitely pleasant enough.
Thirty minutes later, the initial fruitiness gives way to some herbal spiciness. I'm not sure whether its the tea or the rose in the middle notes but I like how the perfume gradually reveals itself and gives way to the spiciness of its heart. You don't sniff yourself thirty minutes later and experience a drastic shock.
A few hours into the day, it finally reveals that nuttiness I first got a whiff of on the pack. It is glorious and warm. I think half way through at the middle note, the initial warm effect one feels is slightly reduced by the spiciness but on dry down, Its back to its warmth. Or maybe after some hours, one becomes used to that level of warmth? Either way, its sufficiently balmy and sweet throughout. And make no mistake, this is a vanilla fragrance. You will smell the vanilla from the first sniff to the dry down several hours later however I don't think its that annoying generic vanilla scent in most perfumes rather its a complex vanilla, a vanilla with a story to tell.

In terms of longevity, La Petite Robe Noire is good enough and lasts most of the entire day. For the sillage however, I don't think it has a strong sillage; I mean, no one has asked about or really noticed the fragrance on me. I did smell it on my colleague though so it probably reacts differently on my skin(not that I mind anyway). Would I wear it every day? Definitely! Then again, it depends on your fragrance personality. While some people might find it a bit too chic for day wear, some(like me) would like to be more glamorous with their day scents than their day clothes. I like La Petite Robe noire, its a pleasant fruity floral; a modern offering by a historic perfume house. I won't call it girly, rather I would say its youthful and fresh. Like Guillaume Henry (Former Carven designer) once said, "[Freshness] is not question of age, its a question of identity" and I think this is a fragrance that a lot of women would identify with.

My top five travel scents and the places that inspire them

I love travel, and even when I’m not travelling, I find ways to get away (physically or mentally) from the stress of day to day living. Fragrances can evoke feelings of nostalgia and take you through an amazing olfactory journey. Mostly importantly (at least for this post anywayJ) they are a great way to put you in vacation mode! So since I won’t be going on vacation anytime soon, (I’m about that 9-5 life!)I decided to come up with five perfumes that smell really great and I chose them based on five fabulous travel destinations.

Dakar, Senegal –Boss Woman by Hugo Boss

Dakar (according to my aunt who goes there often) is a beautiful city with the dual influences of their colonial French culture and their traditional Senegalese culture. With the famous Dakar rally, the beautiful Radisson blu hotel overlooking the Atlantic, great French and Senegalese cuisine, and a critically acclaimed film industry (Faat Kine is still one of my favorite movies EVER), Dakar is an African metropolitan city with LOTS to offer. Another cool thing is that it’s about 20 minutes away from Ile de Goree (Goree Island), so if you’re tired of Dakar you can pop over there and enjoy the famous “House of Slaves” museum, the interesting colonial architecture of the houses and the beautiful beach.

This beautiful mix of urbanism and traditional cultural sensibilities is also apparent in the lifestyles of the indigenes. A lot of Senegalese women are highly educated and/or successful business women. But despite their high levels of financial independence, they manage to fulfill their roles as mothers and wives. It is said that Senegalese women have mastered the art of seduction called “Mokkeu Pojje” which literally means “Soft Thigh”, the art of responding to the Man’s need in the bedroom. And one important part of the “seduction” is the burning of Thiouraye, a secret mixture of oils, perfumes, seeds and fragrant woods used in weddings, funerals, and especially known for its aphrodisiac qualities. Other things like the oils of lavender, peppermint or orange blossom are used in sensual massages. As you can probably tell, when it comes to their men, these women don’t play.

Boss woman is the perfect fruity floral fragrance ideal for day wear with opening notes of Mango (a predominantly exported fruit in Senegal), tangerine and kumquat(a citrusy fruit). It’s really floral at the middle with freesia, orris and passiflore. At the base, which I like to call the “koko”, you have the really woody notes of sandal and cedarwood. According to voters on Fragrantica though, freesia and mango were the two predominant notes they smelt throughout. I think the sandalwood and cedarwood at the base give the fragrance depth and longevity; they are also reminiscent of the fragrant woods found in Thiouraye. The fruity notes also pay homage to Senegal's fruit economy especially with Mangoes and give you that tropical vibe you can only get when vacationing somewhere warm and summery all year round.

  Boss Woman Hugo Boss 30ml travel size from ₦7,300 at Konga.

Paris, France – Chloe eau de parfum by Chloe

Ah Paris! The city of macarons, berets and Chanel! I kid, Paris is the city of Love and dare I say the cultural centre of Western Europe. Its allure can be seen in movies like From Paris with love and its influences can be seen in clothing and food amongst other things.  Wherever there is love, there are flowers and Paris is home to a large number of floral shops with different varieties of flowers like peonies, irises, lilies, carnations, roses, making it an ideal place to buy fresh flowers.

Now you’ve gotten the flowers from Mr Right, it’s time to head out to a nice place to eat. In terms of food, Paris really offers an amazing gastronomical experience; you can head out to any of the cafes and restaurants around. I personally think it’s always a good idea to get a recommendation from the locales in any place you visit. If you’re a sweet tooth and would like to try something like freshly baked French macarons, then you should probably try the famous Fauchon store in Paris with their different flavored fillings such as vanilla, lemon, pistachio, rose, raspberry, coffee, caramel etc. You can also try their chocolates, biscuits, sweets, Madeleine cookies and even coffee and tea (in yummy fruity flavors of course!).  

Paris has so many sites such as the Eiffel tower, Notre dame de Paris, Opera Garnier and several museums like the Louvre, Musee Picasso, Musee Rodin and Musee du Montparnasse.

For the fragrance, Chloe EDP by Chloe is an immensely floral fragrance with top notes of peony, freesia and litchi. The heart is a floral delight of rose, lily of the valley and Magnolia. The base notes are Virginia cedar and Amber. This perfume really captures what a young Parisian woman is like or strives to be everyday; fresh, cultured, free spirited, feminine but not in the traditional sense. One of the ingredients in it, lily of the valley, also happens to be the official flower of France. If that doesn’t say chosen, I don’t know what does!
Side-note: For an inside look at visiting Paris, check out Shannon Able's the simply luxurious life. She was recently in Paris on vacation and shared her Paris adventures on the blog.

Marrakech, Morocco – Jasmin Noir by Bulgari

Marrakech (originating from the words mur (n) akush, which means "Land of God") is an historical city and the third largest city in Morocco. It’s a city that has been able to reconcile its historical past with its modern vibrance. The city is divided into Medina (the historical part) and Gueliz (the cosmopolitan part) so there are loads of things to see and explore. You can visit the souks (street markets) and buy some spices, local fabrics and pashminas.  Speaking of spices, Moroccan food is well renowned and spices are a huge part of Moroccan cuisine. Popular Moroccan dishes include couscous, cooked lamb, chicken bastilla and morrocan cuisine usually has soups, side dishes and salads served along with the main course. Morocco is a mediterranean country and fresh fruit is the traditional ending to a Moroccan meal, so you can get fresh fruits like Mandarin, Pomegranate, and Pear from local fruit sellers.

Marrakech is home to the world renowned Jardin Majorelle, a 12 acre botanical and landscape garden owned by the late French designer Yves Saint-Laurent and his partner Pierre Berge. It is known for its extensive range of plants and flowers from all over the world as well as birds (It is home to more than 15 bird species that are endemic to North Africa). Another notable thing is the garden building's special shade of Cobalt Blue aptly named "Bleu Majorelle". The garden has been open to the public since 1947 so you can go and visit the place, its a huge tourist attraction in Morocco.

Marrakech is such an oriental paradise, so it is only fitting that the fragrance suited for this beautiful city would be an oriental fragrance. Bvlgari's Jasmin Noir is a sensual and sophisticated fragrance with top notes of green sap and gardenia (so it opens up really crisp and sharp, like plants but not too floral). At the heart you have oriental notes of Jasmine and Sateen Almond while the base introduces dark notes of precious wood, liquorice absolute and Tonka bean. With a sexy black bottle and Rachel Weisz as the face of the fragrance, its no surprise that that perfume is a bestseller, its definitely worth a purchase.
Sidenote: Check out this beautiful couple's destination wedding in Marrakech on Bella Naija. I just love the simplicity of the bride's gown!

Bvlgari Jasmin Noir 100ml from ₦ 14,245 at Jumia.

Mauritius –Magnifique by Lancome 

 Mauritius, a sparkling crystal in the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean, (at least that's how tourism Mauritius describes it) is fast becoming a favorite tourist destination especially for people from Asia but the really great thing about it is that Nigerians can travel to Mauritius without a visa, you're granted a two weeks visa on arrival! If you've ever had to queue in front of an embassy to get a visa, you'd know what I mean(especially for the "popular" countries like US, UK etc). Anyway back to the serene splendor of Mauritius, it is known for its beautiful white beaches, coral reefs and luxurious hotels. It is also home to a unique and diverse blend of many cultures mainly Chinese, Indian and French. As a result of this multicultural ethnicity, it is also home to three major religions, Hinduism, Christianity and Islam. Despite its diverse nature, all the different ethnic and religious groups live together peacefully and racism is practically non existent here.

If you're wondering how this Island came to be so multicultural, its probably as a result of the Island's history. It was first discovered by Portugese explorers in the 16th century but was later taken over by Dutch settlers for a short period. French explorer took control of the island and were eventually displaced by the British. Each of these nations has influenced Mauritius and left a mark of the Island's cultural landscape. A sizable number of the population are also descendants of immigrants (mostly Chinese and Indian) who came to settle there after slavery was abolished in 1835.
Food in Mauritius is a blend of Creole, Chinese, French and Indian influences. Mauritius has had strong ties with French culture throughout its history and it is evident with the popularity of French dishes like tuna salad, daube, and different Bouillon recipes.Other Chinese and Indian influenced dishes can also be found there like Rice, spring rolls, curry dishes etc.

Saffron, one of  the world's most expensive spices is used in many dishes in Mauritius, it is also used in fabric dyeing and in fragrances. It is with this in mind that I chose Lancome's Magnifique EDP as the fragrance that represent Mauritius the most in my mind. It opens up with a top note of spicy saffron, while at the middle you have floral notes like Mai de Grasse rose absolute, Bulgarian rose essence and Sambac jasmine. Finally, the base is filled with woody notes like Nagarmota essence, vetiver and sandalwood essence.

Lancome Magnifique 50ml edp from 13,250 at Konga.

Cape town, South Africa – Manifesto by Yves Saint Laurent  

Cape town is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world and is known for its beautiful coast line and for such landmarks as Table mountain and Cape point. There are so many places to see such as Bo-Kaap, the castle of good hope, South African Parliament (Cape town is the legislative capital of South Africa). The parliament compound also houses National Assembly, the National Council of Provinces and the old apartheid-era assembly which is now only used for caucus and committee meetings.

Another popular tourist site is the Victoria and Albert (V&A) Waterfront. It is a very popular shopping district close to the Harbour and it also house an aquarium which is open to the public. As you can see, there are lots of places to visit and things to do in Cape town.

The fragrance for Cape town is the new fragrance, Manifesto by Yves Saint Laurent, an Oriental Floral fragrance which is very warm and sweet with lots of Vanilla and Tonka bean. The opening notes are Bergamot, Green notes and Black currant. The middle notes are Jasmine and Lily of the valley. The base notes are Tonka bean, Vanilla, Sandal wood and Cedar. 
Manifesto by Yves Saint Laurent edp from 12,500 at Essenza Surulere.

So there you have it, my top five travel scents and the amazing travel destinations that inspire the scents. If you have any fabulous fragrances which you want to pair with a cool destination you've been to or wish to go, do let me know. Sharing is caring!