L Fleur de Corail Lolita Lempicka 2008

Soft, powdery soapy citrus. Definitely unique, and not at all like L. It doesn't strike me as an aquatic scent but yet it seems nautical and does have a beachy feel to it. It's fresh and clean, but yet alluring at the same time. It does have a slight soapy scent to it. But if so, it's the most wonderful, softest creamiest soap that could be purchased. And if I were to make up the notes myself they would be driftwood, sea water, sand, soap, lemon, creamy vanilla, musk.

Initially I thought that Coral Flower was a less salty, more powdery vanilla than L de Lolita Lempicka. However, the more I smell this fragrance, the less convinced am I that it's vanilla that I'm smelling. Occasionally it smells like coconut milk and frangipani blooms.

It's quite tropical and beachy, possibly the most Summer appropriate scent from the house of Lolita Lempicka. The opening is lovely, a deliciously exotic blend of sugary lemon, vanilla orchid and frangipani.

In the heart the tropical aspect becomes stronger and more apparent, perhaps a little too synthetic at times as it did make me cringe. But give it some time, and eventually it smooths out into a powdery and delicate vanilla and coconut blend.

It has a somewhat calamine lotion type smell, which reminds me of Guerlain's Shalimar. This is further highlighted by the rich ambery-ness in the base.

Coral Flower is very likable. Even my mother who detests sweet scents often loved by the younger consumers, adored this. It's a nice change from those fruity florals and citrus aromatics which are often suggested for Summer.

Coral Flower is definitely a different way of recreating the image of a tropical beach. This is not a salty, aquatic or citrus fresh fragrance but rather hot, dry and sunny. The combination of an amber, driftwood and spices reminds me of sinking into hot white sand with the warm sunshine on my skin while listening to the waves. I love the touch and smell of hot, sun bleached sand and I am impressed that this fragrance was able to recreate this experience for me.

There is much more in the opening then just straight up grapefruit and bergamot. There is something hot and spicy, perhaps a pinch of cinnamon and other spices. It is hot and sunny, bright and fun. The tropical theme continues with the lovely frangipani layered on the spices in the heart notes. The amber and driftwood are also with a touch of spices and sizzling hot in the dry down. The fragrance has an impressive sillage and longevity. It is lasted for 10 hours on me.

This scent is unique and fun to wear. I like it a lot but I would suggest testing before buying.

This perfume fascinates me in a way few others do - sometimes I love it & sometimes it leaves me cold. When I love it, it is lemon-cornmeal cookies at the beach - sweet/citrus/coarse salty. When it leaves me cold, it seems like an expensive imported laundry detergent. Either way, it lasts for hours and hours. I'd been dithering over buying some for ages, but found it at TJ Maxx for $16 for 30 ml, which had to be a sign from the Perfume Gods.(060710)

In general I adore heavier 'character' smells. Something that leaves an impact & is recognizable without that it acts as a 'force-field' of odour. Softer smells are welcome if they have a charm that lingers and are wonderful for breezy summer days, days at home, office hours or just for the times you want something 'light'.
After hearing & reading so much about it, I must confess; Lolita Lempicka's "Coral Flower" is a disappointment to me. It is a soft, powder smell with a faint floral whiff and a hint of sea air, but to my nose it lacks character.
The staying power is also disappointing and I can hardly smell it after twenty minutes or so. If you like a hint of flowers wrapped in sea-salt and don't mind refreshing it a couple of times, this one might do the trick. But why spent so much?
Oh, and one can't talk about this scent without mentioning the bottle! It's a very organic rock shape with little charms. It's a bottle you just don't ever want to throw out due to its decorative look. It fits wonderfully in the palm of your hand, it took me however some time to figure out how to spray it (it's a bit hidden). I only wish they had given as much thought to the potion inside as they -obviously- did to the design of the bottle, because I really wanted to love this one. And I still hope to find a Lempicka that will suit me.