Ancaan

The best way to describe what this perfume feels like to me, is to picture yourself in front of an indoor fireplace, in your softest pajamas, with a wool blanket wrapped around you and drinking a cup of hot cocoa milk. Outside is snowing peacefully and not a single sound is made. Everything is quiet, only the burning logs animate the surroundings . Absolute stillness. You feel warm, loved and tranquil. If coziness was a scent, Alba would be its name.
I've always struggled with vanilla. Not my favorite ingredient in perfumes, not even in pastry. Too much will make my stomach feel ill. But there is something in Alba that is similar to vanilla. Maybe it's the almonds mixed with sandalwood that give me such an impression. Alba is to me what vanilla is to others.
The scent is simple and linear, it doesn't project like a bomb, but you can smell it from half an arm away and it lingers on your skin for a long time. It's sweet and nutty, but not childish. More of a grown up gourmand kind of sweet. It is creamy but powdery the same time. It's also woody and I know the hazelnuts are responsible for this beautiful effect. The hazelnuts are not Nutella style and not even roasted. They are raw and fresh. To sum it up, the scent is reminiscent of a hazelnut cappuccino, with more milk than coffee.
As for the name, this doesn't smell white (Alba) to me. More like beige or cream. But I know that white is associated with innocence, so yes, the name fits its character. My favorite perfume for winter!

I've never understood why this perfume doesn't get much love. I think it's gorgeous! Yes, it isn't extremely creative, quite simplistic I may say, but it smells divine. It really doesn't evolve, it is linear, but I've never considered this a bad thing in any perfume. I enjoy the same scent from spraying until last breath, instead of unpleasant surprises during wearing.
The name is a bit misleading in my opinion and I guess this is one of the reasons people are disappointed with this perfume. It renders a tomato leaf in a demure manner, instead of exploring the botanical profile of the plant. Tomato leaves are one of my favorite smells in the world. This being said, I've never felt underwhelmed with this perfume.
Like I've already said, it doesn't evolve, you get the same smell from start to finish and basically Tomato Leaf smells like sweet osmanthus and freesias, juicy ripe orange, tiny drop of musk and a green dry-ish accord that wraps all notes together. There is something in the base that smells similar to violets or violet leaves. Must be the carrot seeds. They are not earthy and raw, but more like starchy and sweet. And the thing that I find intriguing is the fact that, to me, this perfumes comes off almost like an aquatic.
It isn't grand dame or exuberant, but more of a Tres Chic! young lady who doesn't need artificial tricks to be considered beautiful. Her smile is her greatest asset.
It has good staying power and sillage, even in hot summer weather. It's very refreshing, pastel light yellowish-green in color.
Tomato Leaf is one of my most beloved perfumes and I treasure it like gold.