It has taken me a long time to get a review of these up, because I've been completely stuck about how I feel about them both. I have worn each for longer than 7 days and know their facets - at least on me - pretty well. Even now, it feels like I'm going to write an 'on the fence' kind of review. Except that I anticipate having full bottles of both of these in my collection. How can both things be true?
It stems from them being about the most 'easy reach' fragrances, particularly for warm weather, imaginable. But I do like one more than the other (spoiler: it's Nude Veritas) so I'll start with Blanc Polychrome so I can leave the best 'til last.
The Results in short
Source: Bloom 10ml decant
How much I like it for daily wear: 7.5
How much I like it for occasional wear: 8
Composition rating: 7.5
Lasting power:10
Did my view change as the week went on? Yes, and it's still changing now.
Did I get bored of it? No
Any Compliments? No
In three words: Lemon fresh bomb
Cost and value for money: Debatable
Will I buy it? Yes, possibly-probably-maybe
This beautiful image above is taken directly from Atelier des Ors: their copyright
So, I wore Blanc Polychrome for more than 7 days and I'm wearing it now as I write. I've been reaching for it off and on for a couple of months, in fact. But it's really hard to imagine anyone going gaga for this scent in the way I and everyone else *except* for my husband is gaga for the astonishing, delectable Lune Feline by the same brand and perfumer, Marie Salamagne. That one stopped me in my tracks and was instant love. To be honest, Blanc Polychrome smells just a bit basic. But maybe I'm not attune to the nuances of this one.
And the perplexing thing is that it has it's very own special line (Eaux) and gold cap! From the marketing copy, it seems like this launch is meant to herald something new and polychromatic: the blurb talks about kaleidoscopic jewels of colour as well as the properties of pure white. I suppose I was expecting a modern musk, with layers of shimmery softness and dimension. Instead what we have here is an incredible powerhouse (in its capacity to last) fizzy lemon (mainly) and lavender (a little), with a pinch of soil from the moss and ambroxan. It's a gin and tonic by the pool and maybe - ugh, I'm so sorry but I'm going to have to admit it - a little of the cleaning product in there too. The bit I like the best is the odd earthiness, though I did also wonder if that's the fragrance disagreeing with my skin chemistry.
I admit, I know nothing about the struggle of perfumers to make citrus last, but lately it seems at least three of my very favourites including Marie Salamagne (who I have massive respect for) have concerned themselves with the extension of the life of citrus notes: the ever so amazing Aurelien Guichard with Cologne Cedrat (who talks about using tea and I assume some clever molecules to give the impression of the citrus lasting), and the perfume God himself, Francis Kurkdjian, who not only made Aqua Universalis which surely lasts for the length of time it takes to traverse the universe, but then must have felt he could improve on the theme and just launched the really quite similar 724 (which may or may not be a reworking of his limited edition, 754).
I enjoy each of these perfumes very much. 724, with its comforting dryer-sheet aspect has a nostalgia to it that reminds one of the hot tumble driers of the 90s (we never had one, but other people's washing smelled like this sometimes). Cologne Cedrat is kind of a different beast altogether because it's also aromatic, sexy and complex, so not necessarily of the same ilk, but nevertheless is a long-lasting citrus.
So there's definitely a thing I reckon perfumers are trying to outdo each other on. Who can make citrus last? I'm being facetious of course. I'm sure there is not really a contest for the longest lasting citrus, but if there was, Blanc Polychrome would be a contender for the crown.
That's almost all I have to say on the matter. It's lemon. It's fresh. It lasts. Lemon makes people feel good, and is refreshing on a hot day.
Nuda Veritas
The Results in short
Source: several samples including from Bloom and Perfume Playground
How much I like it for daily wear: 8.5
How much I like it for occasional wear: 8.5
Composition rating: 8.5
Lasting power:10
Did my view change as the week went on? Not really
Did I get bored of it? No
Any Compliments? No
In three words: Marine, feminine, soft
Cost and value for money: Fair
Will I buy it? Yes, possibly-probably-maybe (same as above, but more likely)
Nuda Veritas is one of those 'just right' pefumes (so long as you like jasmine and calone). It's an oceanic, ozonic fresh white floral, which is warmed slightly by osmanthus and musk, bringing it into the territory of being an all-seasons floral. I really, really like it. It's casual enough to be worn every day, whilst having an elevated, 'special occasion' prettiness. It's not boring, or flashy. It's complex, but not fussy. It's light but long-lasting.
I am a white floral fan, though my favourite white florals tend to be amber florals. This is an aquatic floral, with a hint of the tropical thanks to a very light tiare flower, but really just a hint. There is certainly a dappled light kind of smell here: it's recently rained, the sun rays are shining through leaves and warming waxy white petals. You're a few miles from the sea: but from the sea comes salt on the wind. The name of this perfume demands poetic language but I'm failing here. It smells nice.
The only thing left to say about it is something I'm sure nobody who reads this will care much about. Long ago there was a flanker of Miss Dior Cherie (among the hundreds of them) called Miss Dior Cherie L'eau. I think they smell similar, though this has the calone element.
Dior Cherie L'eau x Chanel Chance Eau Fraiche x Another 13 x Heeley Sel Marin = this perfume.
Both fragrances are £195 from Fortum & Mason, Bloom, Javoy or Perfume Playground.
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