Lolita Lempicka Lolita Lempicka 2012 Eau de Parfum

I was really interested in trying this fragrance to see what all the fuss was about. Prior to testing I assumed Lolita Lempicka would be a sweet, sugary gourmand, something similar to Fantasy by Britney Spears and Pink Sugar by Aquolina, I must admit that I was wrong.

Lolita Lempicka isn't terribly sweet, in fact it's quite deep, strong, spicy and woodsy.

This fragrance opens with a bang! My nose was assaulted with licorice, mahogany and anise. At first this combination didn't appeal to me because it wasn't what I expected, however since testing this scent again, I'll admit that this perfume grows on you.

In a strange kind of way, Lolita Lempicka is creamy and warm. The muskiness that this fragrance creates actually reminds me of the scent of a dense and damp forest, especially during Winter when the musky/woody smell is the strongest.

The drydown was also a surprise for me because I somehow expected a soft vanilla blend, however the vetiver and tobacco gave this drydown a more earthy and masculine finish.

Overall, I must be honest and admit that Lolita Lempicka isn't really my cup of tea. However, with that being said, on the right person this could smell amazing. I somehow picture this fragrance being worn by someone with a unique personality and style. Perhaps a woman who loves to dress in bohemian or hippy clothes and dances to her own tune. But that's just my opinion.

If it suits you and you love it, why shouldn't you wear it?

There is something bitter and medicinal about this. I figured with it being such a cult favorite, and being around so long, that this would be a really beautiful fragrance - but I was let down by it.

I mostly smell a combo of:
- a hint of cherry (the medicinal kind) + a strong dose of star anise
- ivy + powdery orris root + vetiver

Definitely greener and more earthy than I anticipated, and not my cup of tea.

I'm testing a little spray sample of this, which I bought due to curiosity! The first blast is highly licorice, as everyone has noted. My husband liked it, but he likes licorice; I don't. However, I find it intriguing because it is so different. I like different! It doesn't smell like everything else out there. That being said, the licorice goes away (on me) within about 30 minutes, becoming a sweet, baby-powder scent, with a Dr. Pepper vibe. It's not too cloying, but I'm not really sure how I feel about it?! It's not a love, and maybe not even a like, but I cannot rightly say that I *dislike* it!!! I like that it is unusual, but I don't like that I don't know how I feel about it! It's also not all that powerful in the drydown, as I thought it would be; it is sitting very close to my skin. I generally like gourmands, and I think this classifies as one. Maybe I will test it again and edit this review. I must clear my muddled head!
EDIT: The longevity just isn't there. I could barely smell it three hours in, and the sillage is worse than normal, too, meaning it is underwhelming. I do think I like it, even though after about 2 hours it begins giving off a Play-Doh smell. It's very faint, but I don't like that note--not sure what it is. Better news: my L de Lolita Lempicka arrived today, and I like that one MUCH better than this one! The drydowns on both are somewhat similar in that they are both slightly sweet and powdery with vanilla, but the L de Lolita has some cinnamon yumminess rather than the licorice. I prefer cinnamon!
Bottom line: Lolita Lempicka is okay, but I prefer other options. I'm glad I do not have the full bottle as yet. I may change my mind in the future but I might not!

It opens with green violet and green ivy. It's not a powdery violet. The anise and licorice are strongly in the background offering a fun bite and keeping the violets from becoming candied.

The heart gets creamy with vanilla and Tonka bean. The Ivy is still very green keeping everything from getting too sweet (vanilla) or too biting (anise and licorice). The Violet isn't as strong but is still there when you look for it.

The drydown looses the greenness and bite. It instead becomes a very gourmand chocolate, vanilla, and tonka bean. There is still a hint of the Licorice and a bit of an almost musty violet, I'm guessing that's the Orris root.

I Adore the uniqueness of the opening and the heart. The drydown gets a bit too sweet for me and I want more Violet in it. Overall, it's a good buy. It's an interesting violet to have in your rotation. The projection is personal but not a skin scent. The longevity is about 6 hours.

May
20
2014

That's what it literally is!
The perfume of a nymph in a white airy dress, wandering through blossoming flowers.
Floral-fruity in a mysterious way.
It is one of my favorite perfumes for a long long time. I love the old style bottle and that's why I (unsuccessfully) skimp on quantity, to avoid buying the new one.
It lasts a long and it is a compliment magnet but that is something low in my criteria list!

Dreamy!!