Maison Lancôme Grand Cru Fragrances photo via Lancôme

I'll be candid, dear readers: I have significant issues with telling anyone what they should or shouldn't do. It's a complex Talmudic/ Buddhist issue that surely borders on the excessive – so I'd rather suggest that you might enjoy these. Maison Lancôme has jumped upon the exclusivity bandwagon with their own line of Grand Cru fragrances created by well-known and beloved perfumers. I confess to blind-buying them – not always a prudent practice, but it worked out in this case.

Kirsty Mitchell from Wonderland Series©

Each of these perfumes skews towards the gourmand in the loveliest manner possible – by utilizing premium quality components in the capable hands of perfumers with proven expertise. They are also a brilliant example of an “Ida Meisterism”: “those which do well dabbed, not sprayed” – unless one approves of Murder By Sillage, which I do not. When in doubt…DECANT. Nevertheless, they are presented in gorgeous, opulent heavy vaporisateur flacons: each one boasts a hefty 3.4 oz: clearly perfect for sharing, since each bottle will last an eternity.

Lancome Grand Cru JASMINS MARZIPANE photo Lancôme 

Jasmins Marzipane (Dominique Ropion): The master knows his subject, and M. Ropion has taken fruity, luscious jasmin sambac and combined it with one of my growling animalic favorites – jasmine grandiflorum. Harnessed to a melodious woody base kissed by musk and the faintest breath of almond, Jasmins Marzipane is one of the softest, most lyrical and undemanding perfumes I have experienced in a while.

The Lullaby of May from the Wonderland series by Kirsty Mitchell©

 Its tenderness possesses excellent longevity underscored by a light-hearted delicacy which feels welcome in every setting. Its winsome charm is irresistible, fairly impossible NOT to enjoy. Wear it for yourself, your colleagues, intimate détentes; it glows in all seasons. This perfume recalls a saying from my childhood: “So the bride is too beautiful. Some fault!” Of the three perfumes, this one can be sprayed with a measure of impunity, just don't understimate it. Notes: jasmin sambac, jasmine grandiflorum, almond wood, vanille Bourbon, sandalwood, musk, cashmere wood

Lavandes Trianon via Lancôme©

Lavandes Trianon (Olivier Gillotin and Shyamala Maisondieu): This is a marvelous comfort scent, but it's sophisticated: imagine two fine lavenders showcasing diverse aspects of their visages woven into a burnt caramel crème brûlée.

The Lavender Princess | by Kirsty Mitchell  ©

Ooooooh is the operative word here; I've yet to hear a disparaging word while wearing Lavandes Trianon. Its versatility is its greatest asset: another surefire perfume which is enchanting and never cloys. That can be a very tall order indeed for a floral gourmand, but due to the herbal aspect of lavender one needn't fret about it becoming too sweet. Lovers, co-workers, neighbors, perfect strangers – all take note of its allure. It's one fabulous blind buy. I've sent a lot of decants around to people with wildly differing tastes; they all loved it. This is clearly one to try, again working in all four seasons. One spritz or dab, and you're in Provence; it's that easy. Notes: lavande fine essence and lavande absolue from La Drôme region of Provence, vanille cristallisée, milk, Madagascar vanilla

photo via Lancôme

Parfait de Rôses (Nathalie Lorson): You HAVE to venerate roses – it's a Revelry in Rose. If not, then walk away now…

Kirsty Mitchell Self Portrait ©

That said, WHAT a rose! Centifolia and more centifolia enraptured with pink pepper. Its initial sparkle is deepened by mouthwatering rose liqueur. Labdanum-vanillic basenotes anchor these ecstatic roses; Tolu balsam simply ups the ante. Parfait de Rôses is a decant-only: I spritzed it at first, and it staunchly refused to slink into the background. It was too much of a beloved creature clinging rapturously – if ardently – around the newlywed's neck: when I decanted it, it was absolutely divine. One must beware of being nibbled, however…or sipped. Too delectable for words. Notes: rosa centifolia distillate, rosa centifolia infusion, pink pepper, rose liqueur, ciste labdanum,vanilla absolute, tolu balsam

Disclaimer: I blind-purchased these perfumes. My nose is not for sale 😉

– Ida Meister, Senior Editor

Art Direction: Michelyn Camen, Editor-in-Chief. I chose the photography of Kirsty Mitchell from her Wonderland series; she is one of my favorite photographers. You can read about Wonderland here. These images are not associated with Lancôme.

Thanks to the  amazing generosity of Ida, there is a reader’s choice of a 4ml  decant poured with love, from her collection of  the three Maison Lancôme Grand Cru Fragrances: Lavandes Trianon, Jasmins Marzipane or Parfait de Rôses for one registered reader in the USA only. You must be Registered so click here To be eligible please leave a comment with what you liked about Ida’s reviews, which one you would choose. Draw closes 8/9/2017

You can learn more about Maison Lancôme Grand Cru Fragrances on their site here

There is no Spilled Perfume

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