Memo Paris Sherwood by Olya Bar

Who doesn’t love a good story about love and adventure? Especially when the stories are the legends of Robin Hood, one of my favorite characters growing up. The obsession intensified when the Robin Hood movie aired in 1991, starring Kevin Costner opposite Alan Rickman, aka the perfect villain. You can imagine the level of my curiosity when I found out the latest Memo Paris Sherwood release drew its inspiration from the Sherwood forest that is well known as the home of Robin Hood, the outlaw of medieval legend, a rebel and a hero. The stories always portray him and his companions robbing and killing representatives of authority and giving the gains to the poor. A fictional character, The Robin Hood ballads were the poetic expression of popular aspirations in north England during a turbulent era of baronial rebellions and agrarian discontent, which eventually culminated in the Peasants’ Revolt of 1381. The popular theme of the free but persecuted outlaw practicing the forbidden hunting of the forest and outwitting or killing the forces of law and order naturally appealed to the common people. The stories were retold generations after. Sherwood Forest, a botanical palace in which each root hides a tender shoot, and each variety of tree surprises with its skin-like bark, formerly occupied almost all of western Nottinghamshire and extended into Derbyshire; today, however, only a few parts of Sherwood forest remain preserved.

 Kevin Costner in Robin Hood Prince of Thieves  via IMDb

Robin Hood or not, this may be among my favorite releases by Memo Paris so far, a creamy, comforting sandalwood that sets softly but surely, enveloping you like a fog. It has captivated me since I first laid my nose on it. The initial spray of Memo Paris Sherwood opens up with a strong and spicy carrot accord mingling with an aromatic pink pepper, but it quickly switches moods, heading into the bright and luminous black currant accord, which adds a jammy facet to the rose. The orange blossom has a honey-like sweetness and brings a perfect dose of golden light, as if you are catching a ray of sun on the skin cutting through the dark greenery of the ancient forest.

Unsplash foggy woods

The base is smoothed out by the milkiness of sandalwood reigning supreme here. There is something incredibly calming and meditative about this composition, a peaceful feeling you may experience as you enter the forest and immerse in the beauty of nature. It’s sensual, dynamic, transportive, and incredibly grounding.

The perfumer’s words: “I crafted a spicy and captivating sandalwood cream. The deep and mellow woody signature of sandalwood is enhanced by the richness of sensual cashmeran and the precious oakwood.” – Juliette Karagueuzoglou.

Oak trees via Unsplash.

I want to draw special attention to the sandalwood and oak accords here, as both deserve their spotlight. Rich and buttery, slightly balsamic, sandalwood is set against the ancient oak trees, and both kinds of wood play off perfectly. Oak trees have played an essential role in the history and folklore of humankind. During the classical era, the leaves of oak trees were used for laurel wreaths to crown champions of events and heroes returning from lengthy journeys and campaigns. In contrast, the oak tree represented different gods and states of life for ancient Celt cultures. Its aroma and composition is truly unlike anything else, and lends its delicious flavors to the wine and various types of liquors many of us enjoy, it also brings its earthy and slightly bitter-sweet aroma balancing out the copious sandalwood.

Memo Paris Sherwood by Olya©

This fragrance holds many secrets, like the ancient trees in the forest, whispering sweet tales to each other in a language hidden from the human ear. Where is the coveted treasure hidden? Suddenly an arrow flies down the middle of a path lined with blackcurrant buds. It skims past the birch and leaves a pervading trail of sandalwood oil that slips between the leaves, hugs the trunks, and takes advantage of every ounce of quivering air to make its presence known. It points to the destination, leading the way to a fragrance as generously discreet and as gloriously alive as the forest host.

Notes: Carrot Seeds, Black Currant, Pink Pepper; Orange Blossom, Damask Rose, Sandalwood, Oak, Cashmeran. 

–Olya Bar, Editor

The bottle was kindly gifted to me by Twisted Lily but opinions are always my own.

Disclosure: Olya is the Digital Strategy & Communications Manager for Twisted Lily

Read Ida’s review of Memo Paris Madurai here.

Read Olya’s review of Memo Paris Argentina here. Memo Paris Flam Review 

Please take a moment to read Clara Molloy, co-founder and Creative Director of Memo Paris ÇaFleureBon Creative Director in Perfumery article here

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