On summer days, after the fog lifts, I enjoy visiting one special family in the olfactive group of fragrances, Citrus Aromatics. How I enjoy the warm days of summer allowing a Citrus Aromatic scent to develop and dance around you. 

Anyone who has visited San Francisco in the summer knows it is not warm and the fog stays for the day and as the fog lingers you may feel like wearing a heavier scent to warm you up or to give you comfort.  

A side note: The famous quote best associated with summers in San Francisco is “The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco.” While this quote is attributed to Mark Twain, the actual source is unknown and there is no evidence that Mark Twain ever said this, but it still has a note of truth.

Recently I won the travel sizes of Keiko Mecheri’s four newest Citrus Aromatics (Mulholland, Taormine, Les Nuits d’Izu and Tarifa) and I was excited to try them out. I have been looking at this fragrance house for some time since my introduction with Sanguine, a citrus aromatic made with blood orange notes.

Keiko Mecheri’s latest additions, La Collection Hesperids are an homage to the classic Eau de Cologne genre. Each one beautifully fresh, soft and modern. During the past weeks, San Francisco was having record breaking low temperatures, between the mid 50’s to low 60’s (Fahrenheit) not a true summer weather to allow these scents to develop and dance around me.  As I wore these scents, I kept saying, I can’t wait for September or October, our best fog free months.

Mulholland, Taormine, Les Nuits d’Izu and Tarifa are summer citrus fragrances each illustrating a journey with Keiko’s personal touch.

Mulholland

Being a Californian, I kept returning to this scent. The combination of the citrus, patchouli, sandalwood and amber gave it a dreaminess and sensuality that was fitting to the weather.  I felt like I was in a David Lynch film, not knowing if the fog would envelop me, leading me in the wrong direction; or lift, letting me know it was all a dream.

Taormine

A Sicilian summer journey with petitgrain, bergamot, Italian citron, bitter almond, floral heart and leather chord.  My search for a scent with almond is over. Most of those I have tested ended up with a heavy sweetness. Taormine’s opening has a fennel/anise scent (although not in the notes) and ends up with a great balance of citrus, a hint of floral and leather finish. This is the one I will be buying once my travel size ends.

Les Nuits d’Izu

This scent is a journey to Izu, the Riviera of Japan. This fragrance is like a beautiful Ikebana (Japanese discipline art of combining nature and humanity) arrangement. Its soft floral and musk warm down will have you in touch with your feminine persona.

 

Tarifa

A scent allowing the wearer to take a trip along Mediterranean Coast. It is a vibrant scent of orange blossom with a hint of spices.  A scent to be worn when celebrating life with friends.

 

La Collection Hesperids is a unisex collection which takes the wearer on a trip to each location.  I look forward to warmer months to revisit these locales that Keiko Mecheri captures in these bottles. 

 

–Mario T. Gomez, Special Contributor

EDITOR’S NOTE: While we don’t usually put our giveaway winners to work but the opportunity which presented itself upon Mario winning the Keiko Meicheri travel set was too serendipitous for us to pass up. Mario T. Gomez has written reviews for Fragrantica.com and luckyscent.com. Since one of his earliest jobs behind the department store fragrance counter he has wanted to return to his passion. I think his profile on Fragrantica captures his passion, it says: “The art of perfumery is my hobby. Fragrances are the ultimate accessories. One can never have enough. You can individualize them into a unique experience or blend them together to create your own experience. Travel with your senses.”

M.B.