It may be March but for many of us, this certainly has been a winter that just won’t quit and refuses to exit gracefully. I will remember the Winter of 2014 as the winter of our discontent. I am sick of the heavy incense and dark fragrances that are traditionally worn during this season, but light florals and crisp citruses don't feel right just yet. Perfumer Evelyne Boulanger, working for French cosmetics and perfume house Yves Rocher, had a different vision of winter than many perfumes created for this time of year. A true work of perfume alchemy, L’esprit Dans les Etoiles en Hiver, released as a limited edition as part of the Folies de Saisons collection in 1999, combines seemingly incongruous notes and spins them into a unique and interesting fragrance. This perfume encapsulates what we often forget, while shoveling our driveways and scraping our cars out from inches of ice yet again: winter can also be fun and beautiful.
"Winter Stillness" by Bob Ross
L’esprit Dans les Etoiles en Hiver begins comfortably with a subtle green lurking beneath its shimmering coolness. I am reminded of waking up in a warm bed and looking out the window to see inches of new thick snow covering tall pines. Unfurling like a frigid polar wind, this swirls sugar-glazed flakes blown on the chilly wind, reflecting the intense brightness of the winter sun, but none of its heat. Candied orange peel retains its zest as it combines with a succulent melon note. Neither aquatic nor exceptionally fruity, this adds texture to the fragrance, more like the firm yet ripe flesh of the fruit than any sticky juice. Almonds add a bitter edge, much like the temperatures that hover around zero on the thermometer, and are balanced by dry sweet vanilla and ambergris that add the comfort of thick scarves and down-filled jackets. Jasmine, the only listed floral, adds a more restrained sweetness here, rather than her usual creamy and sensual aspects. Her playfulness comes through, as does the youthful exuberance that reminds me of how exciting it was to wake up to school being cancelled and a day spent sled-riding and ice skating.
"The Sled Ride" by Norman Rockwell
The name of this perfume translates roughly to “The Spirit Dance of the Stars in Winter”, and it made me look at winter in a way I have not since I was a youth. I osmagined sharp crisply cold twinkling stars and luminous Northern Lights dancing in the sky reflected in icicles. Sillage: average. Longevity: slightly above normal.
Notes: ambergris, jasmine, melon, almond, candied orange peel, sweet notes & vanilla.
Disclosure: Review based on a vintage unopened bottle gifted by a friend.
Due to the fact this scent is discontinued and was limited edition, it is not the easiest thing to acquire. Because someone was kind enough to seek this out and gift it to me, I would like to “pay it forward” and offer a filled 5 ml Travallo travel sprayer to one lucky US reader. To be eligible leave a comment with what fragrances you turn to get through the longest winter I can remember or your favorite Yves Rocher perfume Draw will end March 5, 2014.
We announce the winners only on site and on our Facebook page, so Like Cafleurebon and use our RSS option…or your dream prize will be just spilled perfume.