Providence Perfume Co Lemon Liada (Charna Ethier) ~New Fragrance Review + Lemon Liar Draw

Charna Ethier of Providence Perfume Co.

Independent Perfumer Charna Ethier introduces a limited edition summer fragrance each year, and we enjoy experiencing them all. This summer is no exception. Providence Perfume Co Lemon Liada is a welcome respite from the dog days of summer which have been bedeviling much of the globe this season. I essentially begged for a sample last week, being a staunch believer that lemon makes everything better: one Mrs. Meister Maxim states, “I’d eat ___ if you put lemon on it!”. I stand by those words. I love lemon like I love cheese. 

Display of Lemon Liada at the Providence Perfume Co. boutique (13 S Angell St, Providence, RI 02906)

Lemon Liada may be interpreted as ‘lemon liar’ or ‘befuddled lemon’ (crazy for that ‘befuddled’). Either way, Providence Perfume Co Lemon Liada the eau de cologne delivers a deliciously tonic sensation without any lemon whatsoever. It’s a zingy, zesty fling in a flacon – whisper-light, intended to spritz with abandon, since eau de cologne is the lightest concentration of fragrance and the most fleeting.

Gustav Klimt details from his painting Water Serpents 1(1904) ©

Citruses possess a low molecular weight, making them prone to disappear first – one reason why they’re often employed as top notes which introduce and/or pave the way for other fragrant components. One way to imply lemon is via litsea cubeba (as Mona Di Orio did in composing Lux), otherwise known as may chang – herbal, lemony, intense. Verbena is another tried-and-true much-loved botanical which manages both citrus and herbal facets with a lovely floralcy thrown in for good measure. Charna has chosen verbena and mouthwatering cedrat (the citron – known during the harvest observance of Sukkot as etrog, as in Ayala Moriel’s Etrog Oy de Cologne) combined with petitgrain, its bittersweet green leafy freshness imparting floral woodiness derived from processing leaves and/or twigs of any of the following citruses: bitter orange, mandarin, bergamot, or clementine. Mimosa is pure sunshine – honeyed fuzzy blossoms with a feral furry underbelly like lazy felines stretched out in full repose. It’s a brilliant addition and an intuitive one.The delicacy of (pink?) lotus counters bitterness with its lily-like charm and aroma, somewhat fruity (as in tropical fruit). Orris butter, precious substance that it is – furnishes tenacious fixative qualities as it insinuates powdery violet and wood. A great deal of thoughtfulness has gone into Providence Perfume Co Lemon Liada, so much more than just a simple eau de cologne. I love how it treads the tightrope, melding bitter/sweet/juicy/ powdery elements in a seamless fashion.

Gustav Klimt Lady with a Fan© 1917-1918

As you may imagine, Providence Perfume Co Lemon Liada is an ephemeral entity. One can’t expect eau de cologne to linger indefinitely (you can, but that won’t change a thing). Overheated skin will likely prolong its projection somewhat if you, like myself – find that heat and humidity tend to suspend fragrance in the ether a bit longer. While it is here, it is a glory. Victorian dandies and well-bred ladies would gladly douse their fine linen handkerchiefs with it to camouflage those nasty miasmas, don’t you think? Better than smelling salts for the faint of heart or those wilting ‘snowflakes’… Notes: cedrat, verbena, lotus, petitgrainorris buttermimosa.

Samples generously provided by Charna and Sarah of Providence Perfume Co – thank you so very much! My nose is my own…

Ida Meister, Senior Editor and Natural Perfumery Editor

~ Art Direction: Michelyn Camen, Editor-in-Chief (photos sent by Sarah and my choice was Gustav Klimt for Ida’s review)

Thanks to the generosity of Charna Ethier of Providence Perfume Co we are offering a  5ml roller ball bottle of this limited edition cologne to one registered reader anywhere in the world (be sure to register or your comment will not be counted and one IP for comments). To be eligible tell us what appeals to you about Providence Perfume Co Lemon Liada based on Ida’s review and where you live, and if you have a favorite Providence Perfume Co fragrance. Do you enjoy natural perfumes?

We announce the winners only on our site and on our Facebook page, so Like ÇaFleureBon and use our RSS blog feed…or your dream prize will be just spilled perfume.

 

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26 comments

  • Because…. LEMON!! Even if not lemon lol. And I love these bottles! And the color of the juice! And I am a fan of naturals and have heard wonderful things about this brand Thanks for the chance!

  • I’m in the USA and I love the idea of mimosa in a lemon fragrance. Also, a favorite Providence product is the Orange Blossom body oil; also Mousseline Pêche fragrance. I enjoy natural perfumes sometimes — it depends on the perfume. Thanks for the draw opportunity.

  • I liked the mention of a stretched-out feline. I do enjoy natural perfumes and would love to try this lemon scented fragrance. USA

  • Lemon is so wonderful in the summer. I’m fascinated with the choice of citron and verbena together. I have several natural perfumes and enjoy them. I don’t have a favorite Providence perfume however. Thanks for the draw. I’m in the USA

  • I adore lemon- I love the line I love lemon like I love cheese. That is definitely me. Thanks for the lovely opportunity. I am in the US.

  • Danu Seith-Fyr says:

    Ah the spectrum of citrus, how I adore it, a devourable delight.. Even here in the southern hemisphere as you mostly wilt in highest temperatures whilst I freeze, I long for the elevated charms of this illumined note. Lux is one of my absolute favorites.. This review asks me to retire to the Limonaria, spirits me to the lands I love, iridescent Cote d’Azur seas and Villas resplendent with blooms of fruits that caress the air and infuse my flesh with a rejuvenation. Thank you for the draw and the gorgeous review, Ida.

  • I live in the US. With all of the heat we have been having, a Lemon fragrance would be wonderful. My favorite from Providence is Rose Boheme. Thank you for your generosity!

  • Goodness! I am soooo waiting on summer here. I have been thinking about all things light and fresh but still the cold hangs on. Winning this might just bring in summer! Please and thank you 😉

    I am in Melbourne Australia

  • Scented Hound says:

    Ida, your wonderful review just makes me crave a fragrance like this! I really love lemon scents, especially ones that are wrapped up in Mimosa fuzzies! I grew up with Mimosa, and every February I would pick a small branch of fuzzy new blooms to inhale the sweet honey scent. They didn’t last, but it meant that Spring was ready to pop newness everywhere, a happy time. I really like fragrance that does not use animal products in them, and I am grateful that Charna does not. Thanks to Charna of Providence Perfume Co. for this roller ball draw. Waving from California!

  • chris.sidhe says:

    I totally agree with you, and decision to use fresh citrusy cologne notes to repel the heat is a best known cure as far as I can see. But the idea of making the citrus shine by combining almost all known varieties of natural ingredients with different citrusy notes is like a super-OMG-type-of-cologne, and review really shows it nicely. Looking forward to hearing more about Providence Perfume Co fragrance, since that’s the first time I hear about such hidden gem.
    And yes, natural perfumery is something I secretly worship, since the art of making masterpieces out of live and vibrant material is something really close to magic in my opinion )

    I live in Ukraine

  • “a deliciously tonic sensation without any lemon whatsoever”?! Gotta try that.
    I love solely natural perfumes, haven’t yet tried any providence perfumes. live in Israel

  • I am a big cat lover so I loved this quote! “honeyed fuzzy blossoms with a feral furry underbelly like lazy felines stretched out in full repose”. Ha!

    Sounds like a lovely fragrance!

    I live in the USA.

  • First of all, I love the fact that you guys put the perfumers faces in these posts – it’s awesome to see the faces behind the scent. Also, I love love love the Klimt pictures used here 🙂 The scent sounds perfect for summer; I’m really interested to see how the mimosa/cedrat/orris combo smells. I’ve tried some sort of Chai scented lotion from PPco, but haven’t had a chance to try their EDPs yet (I’ve been eyeing Hindu Honeysuckle and Ventiane though). Starting to get into natural perfumes more.

    I’m in the US, please enter me for the rollerball. Thanks for the draw.

  • VerbenaLuvvr says:

    Lemon and Verbena together are my all-time favorite note duo. I do not mind about cologne concentration, the joy of the impression is worth the lack of longevity–it just means one has to apply regularly then gets to experience the fresh happiness all over again. I have only a few natural perfumes in my collection and they are all citrus based. Although I have tried several fragrances from this house, I have not yet found one that speaks to me personally but Lemon Liada holds much promise. I live in the US and thank you for this chance.

  • I haven’t tried any of providence perfumes yet, waiting to order a sample of one that has an orange blossom note, so trying this lemon and verbena scent would be great, always looking for light fresh summer scents. Thank you for the draw I’m in the US.

  • Any Leonhardt says:

    All the notes sound perfect, and I like the idea of using the scents as a “smelling salt” for those days that are so hot you are wilting.

  • doveskylark says:

    I am also a staunch believer that lemon makes everything better, especially on sweltering hot summer days. I love the use of citron in this fragrance.
    I haven’t tried anything from Providence Perfume Company yet.
    I am more and more turning to natural perfumes. I am also trying to support independent and smaller perfume houses, and many of these independent perfumers produce natural fragrances.
    I live in the USA.

  • I have almost all of Charna’s original scents, introduced years ago, but none of her newest offerings. I love lemon and I’m sure her take on it is as marvelous as her other scents. Adore these Klimt painting/photos! USA

  • I adore colognes and natural perfumes. Colognes like 4711 and Eau de Fleurs de Cedrat are my constant choices in warm weather. I like them because they are ephemeral, their fleeting nature makes them all the more refreshing. Thank you for the delicious review and for the beautiful artwork. I especially like the lady with the fan, a perfect image for this warm evening. I have not tried anything from Providence Perfume Co. Must remedy that soon. I am in the US and thank you from the bottom of my heart for the lovely review plus generous drawing.

  • It interests me since I like classic smelling fresh eau de colognes, which this sounds like from the description.
    I live in IL, USA.
    I havent tried anything from this house.
    I do like natural fragrances. I actually wear essential oils every now and then.

  • I am in love with lemon as a flavor and as a scent and deeply respect and admire Charna Ethier and her works of art. My favorite scent of hers is Cocoa Tuberose and Rose Boheme a close second. I am in the U.S Thanks for the draw!

  • I have not heard of Providence but I would so love to try this. I too love anything lemon and this does sound amazing.
    I’m in the US. Thank!

  • I love love love her Provanilla which with its melon note is perfect for summer. To me it’s cantaloupe with vanilla yet somehow light and sophisticated, different. I love lemon and herbal notes in the summer to cool off, and these notes sound lovely, very refreshing.