April Aromatics Wild Summer Crush via April Aromatics©
Was it fate that my sample of April Aromatics Wild Summer Crush arrived at my door on the first day this season where temperatures dipped below the freezing point? I had just about resigned myself to the fact that the chilled air and grey skies could only be signs of the impending New England winter season, however, it took just one spritz of April Aromatics Wild Summer Crush to lift my spirits and transport me to a land where sun and warmth are eternal.
Tanja Bochnig of April Aromatics©
Tanja Bochnig, award winning founder and perfumer, explains that while she typically wants to project a deeper story and message with her creations, with this one, she wanted to keep things a little lighter for a change. April Aromatics Wild Summer Crush is just that, an ode to the memory of an encounter she had on a hot, sultry summer night in the fruit orchards of southern Italy.
“We escaped the crowded party and found refuge amongst the citrus trees and rose bushes that grew in luxurious abundance.…how can I forget…my summer crush, take me back…I am longing for you…” – Tanja Bochnig
I hope we all have fond memories of a joyful summer crush that we can look back on and smile, no matter how long ago it was or where life has taken us. For me, it was the summer I graduated from high school before heading off to college that my boyfriend, Valentino (yes, that is his real name), and I travelled to his home country of Jamaica to visit his extended family in the lush green mountains of this tropical paradise.
stock photo cropped by Michelyn
Despite being over two decades ago, I still remember being able to indulge in fresh fruits purchased from roadside stands outside the farms where they were grown. The notes of grapefruit, mandarin, yuzu and fruit peels in April Aromatics Wild Summer Crush are as realistic as taking a bite out of the freshly plucked fruit itself. This is not a passing light citrus that leaves you longing for more, this is a dense, lush mix of citrus fruits including the juice, flesh and skins. If, like me, you love citrus in perfume but not how fleeting the notes typically are, this is a scent you must try. This masterful blend defies the common misconception that natural perfumes are fleeting and unnuanced. It is like magic that these citrus fruits remain for hours on your skin and, for me, are such a lovely reminder of my Caribbean escape.
photo collage by Rachel circa 1994
My trip was not a postcard tropical getaway, it took me to parts of the country not typically seen by tourists. I remember being followed around by curious children who had never met anyone from outside their mountain village let alone a pale-skinned girl from the US with a funny accent. We stayed with my boyfriend’s brother, sister-in-law and nephew, who graciously gave up their space to accommodate us. Despite the lack of indoor plumbing, the warmth and welcoming nature of the entire community made this a week of my life I will never forget. It was also my first realization that life, even in a tropical paradise, is not always as rosy as the travel brochures want you believe.
Which brings me to another part of April Aromatics Wild Summer Crush that caught my attention, the Uhuru Rose Otto from Africa. I had not run across this rose before so, I reached out to Tanja to shed some light on what the difference is from the more traditional rose oils and why she had chosen it: “Actually, this rose is a very special rose, it comes from a place in Kenya and is a rare, one of a kind certified organic rosa damascena, which not only has the benefits of smelling divine, its existence is helping and supporting the local people who live in the area. Although it is only a small part of my creation and not the main player, it blends beautifully into the other ingredients and gives the perfume a “heart”.
My summer crush faded after we returned to the US and I went off to college while he finished his senior year of high school. Twenty-some years later, who would have thought that a perfume called Wild Summer Crush would dust off my cherished memories of that trip and how it impacted my life?
Notes: Pink Grapefruit, Red Mandarin (Italy), Green Tea Blend, Fruit Peels, Uhuru Rose Otto (Africa), Neroli (Morocco), Yuzu (Japan), Coconut, Silky Woods, Tobacco.
Disclaimer: I would like to thank Tanja Bochnig of April Aromatics for the sample of Wild Summer Crush My opinions are my own.
Rachel Watson, Contributor
April Aromatics Wild Summer Crush via April Aromatics©
Thanks to the amazing generosity of Tanja Bochnig, owner & perfumer of April Aromatics, we have a 15ml bottle of Wild Summer Crush for one registered reader in the US & EU. You must register or your entry will not count. To be eligible, please leave a comment saying what sparks your interest about Wild Summer Child from Rachel’s review and where you live. What are your memories of your first summer crush?Draw closes 11/22/2021
Available now on April Aromatics’ website and from select retailers worldwide.
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