Notes: top notes of bergamot, passionfruit, and pink bays; middle notes are angelica seed, coffee flower, iris, and violet leaves; base notes are orchid, white sandalwood, vanilla, capuccino note and cashmere wood.
Pros: Excellent iris note that becomes more prominent as the scent develops, probably good for either gender and any climate.
Cons: The inital burst is a bit fruity, beware...the opening reminds me of Escada's Tropical Punch. Wish the bottle was a bit more "unisex".
Bottleworthy? Absolutely! This will be great in the warmer weather when I want something that is going to last on my skin!
Where can I buy it? 50ml EDT spray, $21.99 ImaginationPerfumery.com
The bottom line: A sparkling and unusual (passionfruit) fruity oriental with some surprising wood and iris notes as the scent progresses. Though coffee tree flower and a capuccino note are employed, this is definitely NOT Balstarbucks. Not the typical fruity floral of the last 5 years, imagine a lighter, fruitier version of Cacharel's Gloria.
Rating (out of 10): 7
Can you name some other scents that use passionfruit as a note?
8 comments:
Balmya sounds very appealing.
As for scents with passion flower, here goes:
Lancome Hypnose, Yves Saint Laurent In Love Again Fleur de la Passion, Calvin Klein Eternity Love and Eternity Moment, Hugo Boss Boss for Woman, Escada Ibiza Hippie, Estee Lauder Dazzling Silver, Giorgio Beverly Hills Wings, Bob Mackie Masquerade, Crabtree & Evelyn Passion Flower...
There! (did research for the review on Hypnose, that's how I know LOL)
Hi there!
The blogosphere can certainly use a man's point of sniff :>)
I'm delighted to see this review - I'm awaiting a bottle of Balmya right now, and have never sampled it. I was a little afraid it might be too sweet, but I feel encouraged now.
As for other passionfruit scents - Guerlain Nahema!
Hi Marlen! Nice to see a blog from you.
Maitre Parfumeur et Gantier Fraiche Passiflore has passionfruit in the middle notes. This scent smells like juicy fruit gum.
IrisLA
Hey, Marlen, I read you at Basenotes and NST, I have bookmarked this new venture, I am looking forward to it!
This sounds lovely, and for a change, something cheap AND accessible!
A question for the Master: do you know of any frags with yuzu predominant? There is a cheap yuzu essential oil at the Gap, part of a whole line they designed for layering (jasmine, musk, verbena, etc.) I am not interested in their cheesy, oily version but if that's what yuzu smells like, it's wonderful -- grapefruity, but sharper. It's big in Japan, I thought you might know of a scent. Thanks.
How delightful to have another man in the fragrance blogosphere! Welcome, and I can already see that I will be visiting frequently to partake of your witty commentary. I also appreciate that you are reviewing some really off-the-wall fragrances that are not necessarily new. I will not rest until I have tried ALL the perfumes, mmbwahaha!
As far as passionfruit fragrances, the most "photorealistic" one I know is Calyx by Presriptives - I don't know if it even is still made, but it is a huge burst of astringent passionfruit, and also has guava and citrus in it; if the passionfruit did not bowl you over, they surely will. A fragrance you can wear in the hottest weather.
I remember Calyx, and saw it recently and thought "I should re-visit this." I often get Calyx and Wrappings confused but I remember a friend in college who wore Calyx and I remember it as being somewhat astringent and harsh smelling, almost camphorous, whereas Balmya is a lovely fresh fruit scent. Am I confused again?
Re: Calyx and Balmya - nothing like, IMO! Calyx is one of the worst headache-inducing, piercing citrus-y florals ever. I rec'd the Balmya I was waiting for yesterday, and it is delightful! Very light, I can't imagine it offending anyone. And amber-woody base that is completely missing from Calyx.
Red-queen, trying to email you, but can't find an email addy...I linked to your blog from my other blog http://thethrillofitallblog.blogspot.com, hope that's ok!?!?!
Glad you liked the Balmya, I think it's quite under-rated personally and was very pleased with the lasting power and development. And that iris note is the perfect compliment to an otherwise already well-crafted composition!
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