Following Portia

Since I have had some success on these pages following my co-conspirators in reviewing things (don’t you love getting second opinions?), this time around it’s a drop d’issey, which Portia reviewed two week ago.

I grew up with lilacs and it’s one of the scents I miss most about New England. They can grow in parts of California but don’t thrive like they do back east. The don’t seem to smell as strong either.

Is this the lilac that I remember? Not really. But then it’s been a very, very long time since I have smelled real lilacs, so I don’t think I am the best judge. Portia describes this as weird, but approachable. And it is. The opening is rose but the lilac comes in pretty soon behind, sort of bobbing and weaving: is it sweet? Is it animalic? Is it demure white flowers? Yes to all three. Add in the discernible milky almond and a touch of Farnesiana’s mimosa (unlisted) and you have something that’s both wearable and enjoyably weird. It does the hide-and-seek thing that actual lilacs (if I remember them correctly) do. After an hour or so it becomes a skin scent on me, just slightly floral and milky. I like.

It’s also I think about $25 a bottle at the etailers, which these days is practically free.

Have you tried this one? Has Portia’s prose cause you to purchase (it did me)? Let us know in the comments.

Photos: my iPhone and Pexels.