Sanguine by Keiko Mecheri 2000

Hiya Perfume Posse,

Rarely do I go looking for a new citrus fragrance. There are three I really love here in my collection already: Escale a Portofino by DIOR, Estratto di Colonia by Pineider and Liberte by Cacharel. There are others but these three are my most reached for my a mile. Recently though Surrender To Chance was doing their Fabulous Friday and I grabbed a few 5ml decants of things I would usually not try because they were so reasonable priced and I thought why not, I do like the Keiko Mecheri aesthetic. So here is one that I quickly fell for….

Sanguine by Keiko Mecheri 2000

Sanguine Keiko Mecheri FragranticaPhoto Stolen Fragrantica

Fragrantica gives these featured accords in one line:
Musk, Amalfi lemon, blood orange, petitgrain, orange

Sanguine: 1. Adj. optimistic or positive, especially in an apparently bad or difficult situation.
                   2. N. a blood-red colour

What a great word, featuring both a positive, optimistic state of mind and the colour of blood red. Sanguine is exactly as it is named. Sweet, fresh and joyously citrus that is almost exactly a blood red orange. A literal impression that is even more wonderful because it lasts so well for me, keeping the fun citrus bounce right through its life, merely hitting pithy (the musks) as a later stage but never losing sight of its beautiful late summer fizz.

Sanguine Keiko Mecheri Blood_Orange DoctorTonyStarkWho DeviantArtPhoto Stolen DeviantArt

After the opening fireworks peter out a little Sanguine gets a lovely tart bite to it that may be the Amalfi lemon but is probably the petitgrain. Here is where my mouth waters, yes in real and factual reporting my mouth did water and suddenly all I wanted was some citrus in my day. Fortunately there was some bought in the bottle fresh squeezed orange juice which slaked my need. The scent is so real that I was smiling broadly like a fool as I grabbed the juice. I love this green tangy bite that evolves through the heart, it keeps me interested. Then the furry, pithy musks stroll in and while maintaining lovely citrus fruit and leaves brings Sanguine to a close, surprisingly long scent life though softer in the last couple of hours.

Sanguine Keiko Mecheri blood-orange-beet-and-fennel-salad BonAppetit(blood-orange-beet-and-fennel-salad) Photo Stolen Bon Appetit

Here is an excellent fragrance that I find quite intoxicating. Sanguine is not a universally loved fragrance, the few reviews I could find were only very mildly enthusiastic to outright mean. Not as in your face as FM Bigarade Concentree, nor as effortlessly pretty as Escale a Portofino by Dior but somewhere else. Here the story seems 100% citrus, fun, light and frivolous. I could easily imagine it as a go-to day spritz or a great after workout shower frag that would reflect the happy jump in my step from doing something good for myself compounded by the endorphins. Excellent work choice, fragrant but not perfumey. You will smell wonderful and fresh all day at work.

Sanguine Keiko Mecheri California Orange groves Don Graham FlickrPhoto Stolen Flickr

Further reading: Sweet Diva and Perfumes: The Guide
LuckyScent has $115/75ml
Surrender To Chance has samples starting at $3/ml

If you thought this was fun, come on over to Australian Perfume Junkies and join in the conversation over there too. We love visitors, say G’Day while you’re there.

Portia xx

  • Laurels says:

    I was eyeing this one at the StC sale, but went with Thirdman Eau Nomade instead. Live and learn.

  • donnakitt says:

    Hi Portia! After reading your review of Escale, I ran to spray on Orange Sanguine. Ahhhh, a big pick-me-up as the daylight diminishes here in the northeast. I plan to treat myself to a few samples from STC and Escale is now on my list (also, that beet salad looks mighty tasty!). On another note, I heard the news about ISIL and their mad practices in Australia and that several suspects have been detained. Stay safe.

    • Portia says:

      Hi there DonnaKitt,
      After you try the Escale could you report back on the Orange Sanguine comparison please?
      Yes, we have had some excitement around here over the week. Last night a whole slew of people were arrested on plotting to incite terror charges. Some were even in the next suburb to mine. A very middle class area that I would never have expected it in. Tell you what though, they would have needed quite a crew to haul me in, I would be a very hefty target.
      Portia xx

      • Musette says:

        Well you certainly are no terrorist. A terrierest, perhaps. A terrapinist, possibly. A pterodactyl-lovin’ Tamale of ‘Tude…? Yeppers!

        …erm, you do like pterodactyls, don’t you? I mean, who doesn’t?!

        xoxoxoA

  • Ann says:

    Howdy, dear Portia! So glad to see another big fan of Escale a Portofino, and you’ve definitely piqued my interest in this one, as I do love a good citrus. There are some nice scents in this line but for some reason, it seems to fall off my radar until a lovely review like yours pops it back on. Thanks!

    • Portia says:

      Heya Ann,
      YAY! Yes Escale a Portofino is so easy, and I got mine at the discounters making it also affordable.
      Keiko Mecheri is a funny brand, they are everywhere but until I am looking at them they slip my mind too. Weird because I often like the fragrances and would put the whole line in my OK or better lists.
      Portia xx

  • solanace says:

    This sounds super delicious. How does it compare to Atelier Cologne Orange Sanguine?

    • Portia says:

      I am embarrassed top say Solanace that I have not spent any major skin time with Orange Sanguine and have no memory of it on me.
      Does anybody else know?
      Portia xx

      • Musette says:

        hey, babycakes! I leapt upon the Orange Sanguine when it first came out, figuring Queen of Citrus here would love it! Alas, no. It’s very pretty – in the bottle. VERY pretty. On my skin, however, it smells like I spilled a carton of Minute Maid all over myself (and it’s pooling in my shoes). Sad. Because Queen of Citrus here.

        Damn shame. I’m still kinda bummed about that one…. 🙁

        xoxoxoxoA