Les Impératrices Japonaises

The Great Empresses of Japan

Roméa d'Améor 2009

Due to a "sample backlog," I decided to take all the samples with me on my vacation and test those whose "first test" hadn't been sufficient for me to form a final opinion about each fragrance.

And so, a considerably filled little pouch made its way into my suitcase. I was somewhat skeptical whether the scents would behave and develop differently in the Mediterranean climate than they do here at home, but I wanted to give it a try.

And I must say, this was a very good idea!

Testing fragrances is definitely much easier when you can dedicate yourself to them more or less undistracted.

My journey took me to Ibiza (and before anyone gets the wrong idea - no, it wasn't a party vacation), where there are wonderful and absolutely quiet coves where you can truly indulge in your thoughts without interruption.

One late afternoon, we passed by a nearly forgotten cove (Cap de Falco), from where you can watch a wonderful sunset. Unlike the famous "Café del Mar," it is not overcrowded and loud here.

There is a small eatery, subtle music, and bed-sized white loungers invite you to linger and enjoy.

Still in the car, I had sprayed "Les Impératrices Japonaises" on my wrist.

After we found our spot and made ourselves comfortable, a wonderfully beautiful iris scent suddenly wafted up to me. Wow, I wasn't sure, but iris in the top note? I could remember that. I knew that many flowers and blossoms were listed in the fragrance pyramid, but I could hardly perceive any of them, maybe just a bit of rose and a hint of ylang-ylang.

Slowly, the sun sank like a glowing ball into the sea. Heavenly! The harmony that was now spreading was almost tangible. This natural spectacle touches me deeply every time, makes me feel "small" (in a positive way) and grounds me in a certain way.

And the darker it became around us, the more radiant LIJ seemed to become. Carried by the woods and a subtle sweetness of vanilla, this iris outshone even the darkness.
Bright, clear, pure, and powdery in perfection. The "metallic effect" present in other iris fragrances is completely absent here. I have rarely, if ever, smelled such an iris in other fragrances.

From the nearby tavern, the song "Hero" by Family of the Year drifted to my ears. Although it is a brand new title, it has an "old-fashioned" charm that completely enchants me.

And so I found myself unexpectedly in the perfect moments of this day, where everything was right and I was completely at peace with myself: the sun nearly set, a great song, and a fragrance that makes me smile blissfully (shine!) and envelops me gently.

***

After we were back home, I naturally had to order it. Initially, I had some quiet doubts whether the memories of the scent and the special moments might have distorted my perception, but today I can only say: No, "Les Impératrices Japonaises" works just as well at home - and how!

Because my happy smile returns here and now with every wear :-)