From light, fresh violet to rich ripe fig, perfume notes are on the purple side this spring …
Taking a lead from Tom Ford’s Figue Erotique, here are three lush scents tempting us to wear purple right now, with one coming soon …
Le Labo Violette 30
Here’s a first look at the new scent just landed from Le Labo. Once a niche perfume line, Le Labo is now widely known and worn (by those with deep-enough pockets at least – prices have soared in recent years). This new eau de parfum plays on white violet and light green floral notes along with white tea, cedarwood and a touch of guaiacwood. As always with Le Labo, this is a surprising and modern take on violet – one of Le Labo’s guiding principles is that a scent should “create a shock – the shock of the new” and be irreverent. For me, this one opens with an icy breeze of orris (iris root), cool, slightly earthy, ethereal. This is a subtle, sophisticated scent that doesn’t shout – I admire its quiet elegance.
Le Labo’s take on things is pretty singular – no celeb faces or flashy ad campaigns. And the many celebrity fans have to pay for their perfume, rather than get it for free. Apparently Beyonce has Le Labo Santal on her rider, and who can blame her. From €90 for (travel-size) 15ml; €209 for 50ml; €298 for 100ml, at Brown Thomas.
Essential Parfums Fig Infusion by Natalie Lorson
This quiet perfume line is the place to find the work of top perfumers for a little less – if there was a designer label on these bottles, you’d be paying three times as much. This refillable eau de parfum is a fruity, juicy fig with sunny citrus, freesia and orange blossom notes, with a trail of Sri Lankan black tea. From €22 for travel size; €88 for 100ml.
Monreale Velvet Plums
Imagine plum and Bulgarian rose oil, and a violet top note, on a gourmand base of vanilla, praline and musk: this is a deliciously fruity and woody eau de parfum. €200, 100ml. At Republic of Oud, Cork.
Trudon Figuerie
Available from March 16, Trudon’s Figuerie home fragrance collection is inspired by the lush fig in sunshine, with green and woody notes and earthy patchouli. There are various sizes of candles plus diffusers and refills, and a room spray, all in elegant green celadon glass.
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