Hi there Posse. INeKE is a brand I really fell hard for earlier this decade. There seemed to be a lot more buzz about the brand then than now, everything seemed to go a bit quiet after many peoples favourite release, the gardenia heavy Hothouse Flower in 2012. In 2017 there was a new release Idyllwild, but I never did get my sniff on it. During this time I bought nearly every bottle released and loved them. Over the years my collection has slimmed down, through gifting, wearing and rehoming, to my three favourites: Chemical Bonding, Evening Edged In Gold and todays story, Gilded Lily.
Gilded Lily by INeKE 2010
Ineke Rühland
Parfumo gives these featured accords:
Top: Pineapple, Elemi resin, Grapefruit, Rhubarb
Heart: Lilium auratum
Base: Oakmoss, Labdanum, Patchouli
Before we even start on the fragrance can we take a moment to admire the beauty of the bottle. Red glass with black and gold artwork. Hefty bottle without being heavy and it’s a really good size for use.
How does Gilded Lily smell? Well the opening is like a fruity vodka cocktail with a hint of greenery cutting the sweetness. Bubblingly aldehydic and full of fun. The fragrance starts and ends with golden references and it’s the cool touch of gold metal in the evening that springs to mind at the opening.
The heart maintains the sweetness of a ripe, uncut pineapple and adds a soft lily scent. Not the funereal weight of a Casablanca lily but a lighter, less cloying, more peony like lily. Cool, dewy and refreshing. This heart slowly warms through. The base is filled with the warmth of resins and a clean, waxy patchouli with nods to the cushiony softness and scratch of oakmoss, all drizzled with lovely fluffy musks. A base that resembles the golden warmth of being cosily indoors on chilly autumn afternoons and evenings with the golden light streaming outside as a beacon to friends and family.
Excellent late summer fragrance, cool yet warming. Gilded Lily has a wonderful scent story that moves through very pretty phases. Not overpowering but you will be fully fragrant for a few hours and humming away in the background a couple more.
Don you have a favourite INeKE perfume?
Portia xx
Portia also writes for Australian Perfume Junkies
Howdy, dear! Love this one and Balmy Days and Sundays the best. Just wish they were easier to find. I think STC only carries Chemical Bonding now. Thanks!
Hey Ann,
So nice to see you.
Yes, I could imagine you wearing them both beautifully.
Portia xx
FYI Gilded Lily is discontinued. Jump on it if you want it!
I love Ineke and have Gilded Lily, Field Notes, Idyllwild, Sweet William, Scarlet Larkspur and Hothouse Flower. Like Evening Edged In Gold, too. Haven’t sniffed Chemical Bonding yet.
O M G! That is bad news. I wonder if there is much out there left? NOW I’m thinking a back up might be in order MissGoldsmith!
You are a fangirl too! Chemical Bonding is fun.
Portia xx
Hi! I have Guilded Lily & Field Notes – and a sample of Idlewild i need to try that American Perfumery sent me. You’re right I need to wear this beauty today!
Hey Leah,
Are you loving American Perfumer? What a fabulous concept, eh?
Idlewild is a fabulous name for scent. I bet it smells wondrous.
Portia xx
I have tried every single one and have thunked full bottles of Derring Do, Field Notes and Evening Etched in Gold. Middle Marzipan has her own bottle now of Field Notes as does my dad. Hold on to your Gilded Lily because it’s being discontinued ???
Hey Brigitte,
WOO HOO! Nice to see we snap on INeKE too. That’s a serious amount of thunking!
Good to know that it’s being DCd, What a shame.
Portia xx
I tried three? samples of Ineke a long time ago. To me they were in that sad category of *forgettable*. I have been having an unbelievable great year of sampling though with the two most recent loves being Frassaï A Fuego Lento and Papillon Bengale Rouge, so I’m happy.
Hey Maya,
Not everything works for everyone. It would be pretty boring if we all loved exactly the same things.
Glad you’re finding things that make your heart sing.
Portia xx
The bottle certainly is gorgeous. I don’t think I’ve sniffed any INeKE.
Hey Matty,
Oh yeah, I’m glad you like the bottle too.
Not sure where you can sniff Gilded Lily, sorry.
Portia x
As you know, my garden (and house) is awash in lily – but other than Cartier’s Baiser Vole (Lys Rose) I find lily in perfume to be supremely challenging – I think I might’ve tried Gilded Lily but now I don’t remember – it’s a bit difficult to come by in Chicago (Anthropologie carried it, then they didn’t – then they moved and fell off my radar altogether). Your review makes me want to try (or re-try) this one. xoxoxox
Lilies in the garden Musette! How lucky you are. I bet wandering through is like being in a perfumed world.
Yeah, not sure how many doors INeKE is still in.
Portia xx
at 6p, on a hot July evening, you can smell them a block away (seriously). It’s pretty…overwhelming! 😉 xoxoxo
HA HA HA! I bet. One day I’m going to come hang out in your garden and drink it all in Musette.
Vodka, Champagne and Peach Nectar all afternoon.
Portia xx
The bottle is gorgeous! I have sampled Field Notes, After my Own Heart, and Evening Edged in Gold in the past with positive review; however, not enough love to purchase FB. Your description of Gilded Lily sounds like the one I should have sampled! We are in late summer and this sounds lovely for now.
Hey Kathleen,
Yeah, spring, late summer and even sunny days in winter and autumn are perfect Gilded Lily days. I think sun is the key,
Portia xx
Field Notes from Paris is the one I have and use often. A great pick-me-up on somber winter days.
I remember when Field Notes From Paris came out and the scentbloggosphere went crazy for it. That may have been when I decided to try the whole line that was available at that time.
Portia xx
I have not been a fan of this house. There are about three that I like but don’t love and the rest are just meh/okay to me. Idyllwild is mainly grapefruit, tea and herbs. These are the ones that I have sniffed:
Field Notes from Paris
Idyllwild
Balmy Days and Sundays
Chemical Bonding
After my own Heart
Derring-Do
Evening Edged in Gold
WOW Gina,
At least you were thorough in your sampling.
Portia xx