Triggered by 'maritime notes' and 'Mediterranean maquis', the clear, simple appearance of the beautiful bottle with the water-blue label and the wavy script representing the playful waves of the sea (oh! *o*), the lovely box that seems to be delicately crafted in the softest light blue against white as if by spray technique with a sieve and toothbrush, all of which wonderfully symbolizes the maritime flair for me, I had already clicked ViMD onto my watchlist some time ago.
From time to time, I browsed the website of Cosmesi Siciliana and thought disappointedly, unreachable!
No one on Parfumo has it (or any of the others), I didn't want to order it blindly, nor did I want to buy the whole bottle right away
(50 ml costs 33 euros, shipping from Italy costs a proud nearly 13 euros), samples are not offered.
Then recently, I suddenly had the idea and simply typed the fragrance into Google, and lo and behold, there is a store in Brüggen, Marisco Naturkosmetik, with an online shop that offers the Cosmesi Siciliana line among other things, and even samples of the fragrances!
2 ml for 3 euros. The shipping costs are generally stated as 3.50 €, since I definitely wanted to test the fragrance, I accepted that and was surprised when Marisco suddenly refunded me part of the cost because it was just a letter.
I find such fairness extremely pleasant, which is why I mention it here.
The offered items from the Cosmesi Siciliana line are minimally more expensive than on the Italian site.
On the homepage, it reads:
Ventu ‘i Mari is a cosmetics line that draws inspiration, strength, and power from Sicilian nature. It carries the warmth of the sun and the scent of this wind that caresses and invigorates, blowing from the sea onto the land in coastal areas and softening the summer heat: a life-giving breeze that unites the scent of iodized sea air with that of Mediterranean coastal flora.
Ventu 'i Mari Donna is a vibrant fragrance full of emotions.
A refreshing breeze that brings body and mind back into harmony.
Simply, like a regenerating walk by the sea.
All products of this fragrance are ECO-Bio and AIAB certified.
Cosmesi Siciliana is a story of love and enthusiasm: love for Sicily and love for cosmetics.
The magic of Sicily, with its strong contrasts, bright colors, and the highest biodiversity in the Mediterranean - captured in a cosmetics line.
This was the mission of various professionals.
Cosmetics for the body and soul, with a heart that beats for nature.
This all sounds wonderful, and I can already feel the air and the scent of this land while reading. I would have loved to find all of this in the fragrance itself. Although it is not bad, the headline is not meant negatively. Early in the morning, or late in the evening, when the sun is not yet, or no longer brooding on the pavement, the sky wears watercolor colors and the air is very soft and mild, a gentle breeze indeed, then I find that in the fragrance. When one enjoys their first cappuccino on the breakfast terrace in the morning, or in the evening, freshly showered, still enjoying an ice cream at the beach bar... a soft, velvety breeze blows and plays with the hair at the nape of the neck, caresses the skin on the face and arms, then ViMD fits perfectly.
White flowers (a hint of indole), slightly citrusy, slightly soapy, airy shower gel freshness with a creamy touch, a well-groomed scent.
However, what I miss the most is the Mediterranean maquis. The macchie (Italian: macchia, French: maquis, meaning thicket or shrub) is an evergreen, hard-leaved shrub formation, 1 to 3 meters high shrubs and tree shrubs that form a dense thicket. Typical species of this plant community include, for example, kermes oak, tree heather, western strawberry tree, cistus, broom, tufted lavender, rosemary, myrtle, mastic, oleander, thyme, blackthorn, laurel, and juniper. During the flowering period of many constitutive plants from March to May, a particularly aromatic scent is released. Since the ground flora is mostly absent, the sun bakes stones. If you have ever walked in this landscape, you know the typical herbaceous, aromatic, partly ethereal scent of the plants, mixed with the nectar of the flowers and that of the hot, parched soil. I had hoped, yes, expected to find all of this in combination; otherwise, I wouldn't have bothered, my curiosity was so great, but it remains a perfectly normal floral shower gel scent, a gentle breeze.
Anyone looking for something straightforwardly fresh, regenerating, will get their money's worth. Unfortunately, it was disappointing for me.
I miss that certain something, the edge that turns a gentle breeze into a mistral.
Thank you! Very insightful, dear Hasi. Especially what you say about the maquis, whose characteristic scent always flavored the air on the "Ile de Beauté" (Corsica), as I experienced repeatedly over many vacation years. If a perfume comes out that can capture that... I'll let you know! ...please do the same! By the way: at one point, I was lucky enough to get a regional honey with a unique aroma, called "maquis de printemps," one of seven aromatic varieties. During my vacation weeks, I enthusiastically finished that jar and... I did get another jar to take home, but I never found THAT honey again, not in nine years of searching in different places! Back then, I learned that the scent of the maquis can be captured in honey (at least for bees) and that I'm not the only one who loves it.
Oh, I just saw your nice reply. I guess I'm not getting any info on this. Hmm.
It's a shame about the honey. I know the disappointment when you're really into something and then can't get it anymore. Have you tried searching for it on Google?
Yes, I'm in love with the scent of Macchia; it changes something in me. I had a fragrance from Fragonard, "Eau de Garrique," which was later awkwardly renamed to "Figuer Fleur" (and yes, it had some green fig leaf and juice, and maybe even blossom in it), and it was amazing. Woody and aromatic with a few flowers in between. If I could wish for a fragrance from F., it would be that one. Great comment, especially the knowledgeable listing of the plants is helpful.
Sounds like summer joy instead of vacation frustration :-) You've piqued my interest with your words... I already feel lightly dressed near the coast... just without the bushes ;-) ...
Oh, I know exactly what you mean in your fragrance review of the Mediterranean maquis, and I share the pleasure of those maritime day-to-night transitions. For me, this inner lightness is most connected to the Corniche, but also to the Adriatic and Ligurian coasts of Italy. Croatia has a different, more autumn-fresh aura.
Thanks for the insightful comment. The rich inner life that such scents and scent expectations evoke in us is beautiful.
You've transported me to Sicily... Thank you for introducing me to this brand I wasn't aware of until now. It's a shame the scent didn't quite meet your expectations.
With the beautiful images you had in mind, I can imagine the disappointment was significant. But despite that, you described the scent very nicely and fairly. **Lüftchen-Pokal!**
That would have been a real lottery win if that simple yet beautiful bottle, for such a low price, had also contained a top-notch fragrance. The next perfume with Mediterranean maquis will definitely have some, if not more, maquis in it. :)
Advertising fluff can trick you into imagining imaginary scent paradises in your olfactory center, a kind of scent mirage. But even (fragrance) maritime notes wouldn't have fooled me. It turned out well; you were able to test it.
I really enjoyed having cappuccino with you on the terrace. Mmmh, what a lovely vacation day! It's just a shame that the scent doesn't live up to expectations. It really needs some greenery.
That's certainly disappointing when you're waiting for something promised that doesn't come.
But we won't let that ruin our curiosity.
Really well described by you!
Ah, I know that feeling too well. Endless curiosity. The bottle has already enchanted you. You just want to try the scent so badly, and then it turns out to be nothing special. But luckily, you didn't have to invest in a bottle. The company sounds really nice.
By the way: at one point, I was lucky enough to get a regional honey with a unique aroma, called "maquis de printemps," one of seven aromatic varieties. During my vacation weeks, I enthusiastically finished that jar and... I did get another jar to take home, but I never found THAT honey again, not in nine years of searching in different places! Back then, I learned that the scent of the maquis can be captured in honey (at least for bees) and that I'm not the only one who loves it.
It's a shame about the honey. I know the disappointment when you're really into something and then can't get it anymore. Have you tried searching for it on Google?
Thanks for the insightful comment. The rich inner life that such scents and scent expectations evoke in us is beautiful.
But we won't let that ruin our curiosity.
Really well described by you!
We don't need a mild breeze; there's already enough of that in everyday life!
At least you can put this topic to rest.