Amande Persane Roger & Gallet 2010

I also love almonds: marzipan, almond pastries, amaretto - and even pure, they are a delight! Therefore, I must try almond fragrances whenever I can get my hands on them. After "Mandorli di Sicilia" turned out to be disappointingly sweet boredom and "Mandorla" was indeed a pleasure, but not necessarily wearable for me, it was time for "Amande Persane."

This is an affordable (23€/30ml) yet very dense and long-lasting fragrance - it remains very noticeable on the skin for at least 10 hours, often even longer. This is quite unusual for a pharmacy scent that is marketed as "Eau Fraîche."

My perception of the fragrance changes significantly over the duration of wearing it. At first, "Amande Persane" seems to be the perfect companion for a business meeting. It smells fresh and clear, slightly bitter with a mild undertone, like fresh almonds. Together with the light citrus freshness and a hint of iris, it radiates self-confidence. It also has a very pleasant sillage. It is not sweet or powdery at all.

Unfortunately, this lovely scent impression fades after a while, leaving behind - bitter almond. I really like this smell when I flavor a cake batter. However, when I smell like this myself - and for hours on end - it feels exhausting and heavy. I almost risk developing a headache. There isn’t much left of the fragrance of the wonderful Persian garden that is touted as the inspiration, along with the associated relaxation. I am truly sorry about that. Again, no almond for me.