I wasn’t expecting to like the L’Occitane Violette & Rose De Mai fragrance as much as I do, since neither rose or violet grab me as singular notes, but this vibrant, sharp and sophisticated scent is actually a lot more enticing than I anticipated, so don’t be put off if you’re not a fan of rose or violet as the notes in this blend work so well alongside the two lead notes – yes, of course, they’re prominent, but they work together to create a fragrance that’s very moreish and a great option if you’re a fan of floral scents but would like something a little bit different and little bit grown-up.
The top notes are fresh, fruity and citric thanks to bergamot, mandarin, orange, rhubarb and cassis, with the result being a bright burst of zingy fruit that’s quickly joined by the violet and geranium which sit at the heart alongside rose. The sharp fruit stop the floral notes from heading into the pot pourri territory, although there is definitely a powdery finish that rises even more on the dry down when the base notes of musk and sandalwood arrive, but this stays relatively creamy and stays just short of soapy. Interestingly, the result is a truly old-school style finish thanks to the fairly traditional floral notes, but the particularly sharp citric top notes keep this fragrance lively and upbeat, so there’s no risk of smelling like your gran. As I said, I like this a lot more than I thought I would – rose dominant fragrances rarely do it for me, other than maybe Roses by Chloe – so I highly recommend heading to your nearest L’Occitane counter and having a good ol’ sniff (or having a spray and letting it settle, ideally) before passing judgement as this is a very nice, pretty scent that has far exceeded my expectations. The L’Occitane Violette & Rose De Mai is £52 for a 75ml of the EDT.
*PR Sample
