MEMO Paris Flam Review (2021) + a nordic draw

MEMO Paris Flam review

 MEMO Paris Flam by Olya Bar©

 Imagine a little wooden house nestled on the road that crosses the majestic glacial valleys, where the lingering memories of Viking ships gliding through its waters remain as vivid as it were yesterday. MEMO Paris Flam is a fragrance that brings the magnetic energy of the northern lights in the coziness of a warm home with a whiff of upcoming spring.

Flam is a small port village located in Flamsdalen, Norway. Surrounded by steep mountainsides and roaring waterfalls hidden in deep valleys, Flam is a paradise for anyone looking to be one with nature. Translated into a fragrance, it offers just that in a bottle. The perfect blend of zesty bergamot, bitter orange, aromatic clary sage, and fresh sambac jasmine creates a rush of cold fresh air. The composition is akin to a shamanic dance around cedarwood as the comforting scent of a warm wooden home emerges.

Photo of Iceland by Olya Bar©

MEMO Paris Flam brings back vivid memories of my trip to Iceland a few years ago. One of the most memorable travels began with the freshest gulp of cold air as soon as we exited the airport. Iceland is truly a one-of-a-kind place. Unlike anything else, it captures you with its raw nature, simple beauty, and the feeling of total freedom. MEMO Paris Flam felt like stepping into the hot baths of the Blue Lagoon, a world-famous destination close to Reykjavik. The experience of the hot springs is quite an unforgettable one, and you dedicate the entire day to this ritual. It begins with the arrival at the facilities, and the minute you step out of the car, you can smell the soft mineral scent of the baths all around you. It has almost a floral freshness to it mixed with the soil’s minerality. Once you undress in the spa locker room, you are welcome to use the range of the skincare made with algae and silica, and there is a particular soapiness wafting through the air as the door to the lagoon lets the freezing cold air into the spa and mingles with the warmth of the steam.

Blue Lagoon in Iceland

The Blue Lagoon by Olya Bar©

The best part is finally coming out into the open air, throwing off the robe of your shoulders, and stepping into the steaming geothermal seawater. That’s what Flam makes me think of. That initial feeling of cold air and warmth contrasting against your skin as it touches your skin is truly unforgettable. The warmth of vanilla and tonka bean paired with comforting mineral amber and sweet white musk set against the cool freshness of jasmine and clary sage is Flam’s true beauty. The steam rising from the water set against the cold air is a beautiful contrast of senses. A perfect escape to the Nordic environment, traced by the fjords. Cedar essence. Steeped in, the hypnotic charm of scenery turned blue by wintertime. Clary sage. Once the fair weather returns, revealing a lush valley in endless hues, with the waterfalls singing in the background. Bergamot and sambac jasmine. The landscape becomes all the more intense upon entering the depths of the fjord, where the sea meets freshwater.

Notes: Bergamot, Bitter Orange, Petal Accord, Clary Sage, Chinese Imperial Sambac jasmine, Indian Sambac Jasmine Absolute, Cedarwood Essence, Vanilla Absolute, Tonka Bean Absolute, Cashmeran, Ambrofix, Ambrettolide.

The bottle of MEMO Paris Flam was kindly gifted to me but opinions are always my own. I am a digital marketing strategist at Europerfumes

Olya Bar, Senior Contributor

 

MEMO Paris Flam

Thanks to the generosity of Europerfumes, the US Distributor, we are offering 75ml of MEMO Paris Flam tester to one registered reader in the U.S.  You must register here for your comment to count. To be eligible, please leave a comment saying what interested you about Olya’s review of MEMO Paris Flam. Draw closes 01/20/2022.

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46 comments

  • Olya made me travel to Iceland with this review. It was amazing how she blended the sensations of being in the geothermal seawater to this fragrance. All the notes listed and how they become in such an unique fragrance is wonderful. Would love to try it.
    I live in the U.S.

  • Olya, your memories of Iceland are of special interest since that is slated for our next trip after a couple years of staying home. The notes in Memo Flam are some of my favorites and reading how they evoke places and sense memories is lovely. Thank you for the prose and the draw! USA

  • ScentedKnits says:

    I have always thought that experiencing Iceland’s thermal baths would be so amazing. Flam sounds like the perfect companion for the upcoming cold months as we patiently (or not) wait out the end of winter in the Northeast. I live in Vermont.

  • Olya Bar’s review of MEMO Paris Flam took me on a virtual, olfactory trip to Norway and Iceland. The association of the effects of MEMO Paris Flam with the experience of stepping into a hot spring, surrounded by cold air, was quite telling and descriptive of this perfume. I like Memo Paris and have tried Memo Paris African Leather, which is unique and lovely. MEMO Paris Flam seems to be another beautiful perfume from this brand. Thanks for the review and draw. From USA.

  • This is one of the best reviews I have read in a long time. Olya is so good at painting a picture with words. I can almost smell and feel the experience of dipping into a hot spring. Flam has been on my list of perfumes to try for a while. Olya’s piece really piqued my curiosity and I hope to get it soon. Or even better, maybe I’ll win a bottle 🙂 I live in Indiana.

  • My favorite Memo is Russian Leather because of the cool crisp air feel it imparts at the top. This fragrance sounds it has it has that same feel in the opening from Olya’s review. I also enjoyed her recounting her experience in the Blue Lagoon spa to the fragrance. Thanks for the draw. In VA, USA.

  • Memo Flam is a continuation of Memo’s fragrances that have been inspired by places around the world. Flam has a floral freshness that is accompanies by soil mineral and there is also a soapy quality to the composition. I am in US.

  • I love when a fragrance has the ability to transport you to a certain place, allowing you to connect with what the perfumer felt when composing. Olya’s review allowed me to see Iceland through her eyes, which makes the experience of this fragrance a hit. Excellent review.

  • Olya!!! ❤️❤️❤️ What a Beautiful review!!! I can feel myself in the “steaming goethermal seawater” (a friend trip sadly ruined by Covid back in 2020). There is a Viking festival my friends and I were going to attend (followed by a camping trip around the island), alas! Maybe one day we will have the pleasure. In the meantime, MEMO Paris Flam is calling to me! This scent indeed seems to capture the odd (yet entirely necessary) contradiction of living in frigid climes – the colder you go in environment, the more luxurious is the experience of man-made warmth (it must be so). The hottest environments I’ve experienced were actually rather stuffy smoky mountain lodges and yurts (at the time overly insulated and with too many fires; surely needed at night and in storms). I am curious about Chinese Imperial Jasmine – what is its scent profile, etc.? I’ve been meaning to research this! Thank you for another reminder! Thank you for the link to ZGO perfumery, love to support small business! They have some great brands that I’ve been paying stupid-level shipping fees to get from the EU, so glad to find a US distributor! Olya, you are AMAZING!!! Can’t wait to sample Flam and thank you for the opportunity to win a full bottle! ❤️ USA

  • Thanks to Olya, I can envision the interplay between the ice cold, crisp air and the steamy, mineral spring. Iceland is definitely on my list of my places to visit. I imagine the extremes of temperature heighten the olfactory senses. The warmth is vanilla and tonka contrasted with cool of jasmine and clary sage set in a Nordic forest sounds bracing and lovely. I love the bottle! MD, USA.

  • Thanks for another awesome review. A mineral scent sounds perfect for the winter months. I need a trip to Iceland myself. Mich USA

  • Olya’s review of MEMO Paris Flam transport me to Iceland. The notes are beautiful perfect for the cold month. I would love to try this Fragrance house. USA

  • Now I want to go to Iceland, my son and wife went and the pictures were awesome. Flam is a paradise for anyone looking to be one with nature sounds perfect for me!! After getting through the holidays and a second bout of Covid, I’d love to feel that cold air on my face even if it is created with scent. I’d love to win this and I would wear it to my favorite Nordic restaurant in Portland OR and pretend I was overseas. My favorite from Memo is Italian Leather and Sintra. Thanks for the chance. USA.

  • I very much enjoyed Olya’s description of the memories Flam brought back of her trip to Iceland. The hot baths of the Blue Lagoon sound wonderful, and the way she described the fragrance using the memories of this was beautiful. She made Flam sound really interesting and unique. I like the idea of the contrast of the fresher and floral notes with the woody, sweet, and musky notes. Thanks for the generous draw, from CT USA.

  • Unfortunately I’ve never been to the Blue Lagoon in Iceland, but Olya’s review elicits strong memories of whenever my wife and I go to spas or bath houses here in the states. It is one of our favorite things to do as a married couple and we always look forward to the bliss and relaxation. In truth, we’ve spoken about going to places similar to the Blue Lagoon, and one day we will. The only offering from Memo that I have tried is African Leather and my was it stunning. Likewise, I have heard that many of Memo’s offerings are incredible and Flam sounds no different. I would love to try it and take a journey just like Olya has. Thanks so much for the opportunity and cheers from Illinois!

  • Always wanted to visit Iceland so the opening was a good read. This sounds like a unique cold weather offering. US

  • Bitter orange, sage, and jasmine in a fragrance? Oh I need to try this one. Also Olya’s review definitely made me realize that I need to visit this part of the world at some point in my life before it’s over because that’s sounds absolutely lovely!

  • snowflake15 says:

    I love winter and snow- the cozy house by the sea really appeals to me. And the blue lagoon in Iceland is on my list of destinations. There is nothing better than being in water too hot with your head nice and cool. Love it! Usa

  • What a great reviews I felt like I was in Iceland and experienced it’s hot springs and beauty.
    The photos are also incredible

  • I was thrown off by the name. But once Olya explained, I became very interested. The comparison to the hot springs really grabbed me.

  • I like the way she describes the perfume. It is like a story or painting. The chosen photos help definitely. With the biking boat depicted on the bottle, I hope Memo used some local oil elements or created the environment by mixing miracles. Live in the USA.
    Thanks for sharing new perfumes!

  • Memo Paris is def on my list of houses to try. This exciting scent seems up my alley with a warm base and invigorating opening. Sounds stunning. In maryland.

  • Olya Bar’s revelatory description of “Flam” is poetically dreamy and comforting, transporting me to a scenic land of waterfalls and majestic landscapes. The olfactive description wants me to submerge myself into a new and other worldly reality. Memo’s “Flam” would be my perfect getaway.

  • Olya Bar’s revelatory description of “Flam” is poetically dreamy and comforting, transporting me to a scenic land of waterfalls and majestic landscapes. The olfactive description wants me to submerge myself into a new and other worldly reality. Memo’s “Flam” would be my perfect getaway.

  • The notes sound like such a contradiction of each other – both warm and cold. I don’t know that I’ve ever experienced smelling a fragrance like this one. It sounds incredibly unique. I loved your description of it – “MEMO Paris Flam felt like stepping into the hot baths of the Blue Lagoon”.
    I’ve never owned a MEMO Paris fragrance so it would be quite special if this was my first.
    I live in the U.S.

  • Olya’s review of this fragrance made it seem like it is enjoyable and invigorating. According to the list of notes, I think that I would like this fragrance. I still haven’t tried anything yet from Memo Paris, but I’d like to try their collected works. I live in the U.S.A. Thanks for the giveaway draw.

  • This may be the closest I get to traveling to Iceland for now. The bracing cold, along the beautiful color and warmth of the blue lagoon, alongside the rugged landscape. I am so excited to try this scent. USA

  • I enjoyed her painting a beautiful and very descriptive picture of Iceland and its very many beauties and relating this scenarios to Memo Paris Flam. That was very well done. Thank you, Olya!
    Greetings from Maryland.

  • I enjoyed how Olya tied each note to elements of a specific Nordic scene. She took us on a wonderful day’s journey of dripping into the hot baths of the Blue Lagoon. I would love to try this fragrance.

  • Olya review is spot on, I’m on the same page with her about Flam .
    “The perfect blend of zesty bergamot, bitter orange, aromatic clary sage, and fresh sambac jasmine creates a rush of cold fresh air.”
    +
    “The warmth of vanilla and tonka bean paired with comforting mineral amber and sweet white musk set against the cool freshness of jasmine and clary sage is Flam’s true beauty.”
    Olya took the words out of my mouth. The only thing I’d like to add is that my skin amplifies the sweetness quite a lot, and in the base the fragrance is way sweeter than the opening, almost dipping into gourmand territory, but not quite. At this moment Flam is more of a Caribbean island to me , rather than Norway or Iceland .
    Memo do know how to make Inviting fragrances, and with Flam they did well.
    I do own Granada , and i’m on my second African Leather bottle , both Alienor Massenet creations , I do believe she’s also the perfumer behind Flam.
    All profiles I already follow, plus @alienormassenetperfumer
    Thanks a lot
    USA

  • Olya’s review is much appreciated. Bitter orange fragrances have always caught my smell and it sounds like this fragrance would be a good match. I think it is interesting how Olya relates it to a “ magnetic energy of the northern lights in the coziness of a warm home with a whiff of upcoming spring.” Thanks so much for sharing!

  • This is so fitting since I’ve been watching The Last Kingdom series this month. I’m really intrigued by the warm meets cold dynamic mentioned in this fragrance. I have also been wanting to try some herbal or mineral type vanillas. I live in New England

  • redwheelbarrow says:

    What a beautifully picturesque review. I hope one day to make it to Iceland. I love your description of the cold air before the thermal plunge compared to the tonka against the mineral amber. This fragrance sounds lovely. Thanks for the draw. From the US.

  • Dubaiscents says:

    What a beautiful image, stepping into a hot spring in Iceland! I can imagine the smells and the feelings thanks to Olya’s review. I love the illustration on the bottle as well thanks for the draw. US

  • Flam draws me in , freshness meets soil’s minerality , enjoyable vanilla and tonka bean, but also there’s other surprises, like musk and cedar. Sating the senses semi Nordic, semi Mediterranean elegant fragrance i’d gladly wear with a suit.
    Tamarindo, Argentina and Sintra are my 3 favorites from Memo Paris
    Beautiful giveaway, thanks to Olya and Europerfumes
    USA

  • sephrenia300 says:

    Great review Olya! What interested me about Olya’s review of MEMO Paris Flam is how she describes it as the first moment you step into the famous Blue Lagoon of Iceland, when your skin first touches the geothermal spa water, with the warm soapy minerality infusing the water and rising into the air with herbal and floral aromas. With Olya’s description, I can perfectly picture that moment. I have such a beautiful memory of going there for the first time with my mother for my birthday – it was a wonderful vacation that we took together on our own and I will always treasure that trip. I would love to have a perfume like MEMO Paris Flam that would transport me back there! I live in the US.

  • wallygator88 says:

    Thanks for the review Olya!

    Absolutely fascinating elements in this fragrance. I love the dichotomy in this scent with the open, cold freshness of the northern air, with the sweet, minerality of the warm hot spring.

    Cheers from WI, USA

  • I made 4 Bitter Orange and Chia Cake in my bakery today, and Olya take on Flam instantly reminded me of the whole thing. I imagined eating it, while sitting on a beach somewhere in Iceland .
    As a Pastry Chef, who also is a small business owner , I own my bakery, I’m glad Clara and John Molloy decision to always use high quality ingredients in Memo Paris fragrances, that’s essential to me.
    I had the pleasure of smelling a few Memo Paris fragrances when I was at Osswald boutique a few years back. I have not smelled Flam , but I’m happy to own Memo Tiger’s Nest , my favorite Memo Paris…Perfume.
    Appreciate the review, and the giveaway campaign
    USA

  • Flam is cozy natural smelling fragrance with fresh citrus opening, woody-floral elements heart , and warm base, all of highest quality.
    Flam also well represents the character of all people with Scandinavian heritage. Some wrongly believe they are all cold , that’s only partially true, because, they can be laid-back, gentle , and also overly passionate people.
    African Leather, cozy date time scent I’m well aware of, I had to buy it because of smelling good , its high compliment factor , and versatility. Same thing I’m expecting from Flam
    Exciting giveaway, USA
    Regards

  • Thank you Olya. Visiting the arctic is on my bucket list and from your review Iceland sounds like it would be a not-so-hostile equivalent 🙂 I’d love to experience that virtual mix of cold and warmth brought about by MEMO Paris Flam. I’m in USA

  • I love the landscape Olya paints with such beautiful descriptive comparisons of the notes. Taking us on a journey to Iceland and to the hot baths of the Blue Lagoon. How the blend of the zesty bergamot, bitter orange, aromatic clary sage and fresh sambac jasmine creates a rush of cold fresh air. Thank you for the review and draw. USA

  • Memo Paris Flam sounds divine. Each note is one of my favorites and Olya’s correlation to a Nordic experience captivated my interest in this fragrance. Thank you for hosting the giveaway. US

  • Allison Smith says:

    My mothers side of the family is from Norway and while I’ve never had the pleasure of visiting, Olya’s writing has me convinced this perfume can take me there. I feel homesick for a place I’ve never been. I would love to win bottle! Great article Olya <3
    USA

  • I’ve been to Norway twice, but never visited Iceland before. About the Blue Lagoon , i never knew such unique place even existed.
    Flam , the fragrance is sophisticated floral
    , with slightly sweet and inviting drydown.
    Olya is liking it a lot , I have a feeling I’ll enjoy it too.
    Don’t have Memo bottle yet, but bunch of samples , Tiger’s Nest and African Leather i like the most.
    Thanks for the draw
    USA

  • Michael Prince says:

    What interested me about Olya’s review of MEMO Paris Flam is learning about Flam which is a small port village located in Flamsdalen, Norway. The scenery is absolutely stunning. I loved how she compared the hot springs with mineral accents and hot that same feeling is incorporated into the fragrance. I would love the opportunity to try this fragrance. I am from the USA.

  • Sweet and fresh bergamot, bitter orange and sage , and later on delicate, ambery-vanilla jasmine scent , all of highest quality. Impressive fragrance, Nordic Flam is a must try now . I also enjoyed reading about Olya trip to Iceland , and the geothermal Blue Lagoon resort. I’d love to visit the place, and win Flam…
    I should finally catch up with Memo catalog of fragrances , i do like Alienor Massenet , but African Leather is the only one Memo I’ve smelled.
    Thank you for the opportunity
    USA