Blogdorf Goodman is a mishmash of beauty product reviews, musings on fashion and swooning over fragrances.

Monday, March 21, 2011

40 Days and 40 Nights of Fragrance Notes: Almond


Almond Joy
By Jessica M

I love the taste of almonds, whenever and wherever they show up---a handful or raw or salted almonds is a perfect snack, and I’m also a big fan of almond butter on toast, chewy almond confections like marzipan, nougat, or macarons, or just a sip of amaretto after a special dinner.

Without even realizing that I was doing it, I’ve also gathered and used many body products and home fragrance products scented with almond, and now I’m noticing that this note has become a stealth favorite in my perfume collection, too.

The almond tree, with its delicate pink or white blossoms, is native to the Mediterranean and the Middle East; in the United States, almonds are grown in California. The almond nut is, technically speaking, the seed of the almond fruit. I find its flavor difficult to describe. It’s smooth and a tiny bit sweet, but also dry and almost floury.

In fragrance, almond is a less dessert-like alternative to vanilla: it can make a perfume “gourmand,” without pouring on the sugar and syrup. Of course, it can also be intensified with the addition of other notes, so that it turns buttery or creamy. Perfumes often combine almond with vanilla, with musk, or with cherry---occasionally, with all three!

Here are some almond-inspired fragrances to try, ranging from light to rich:

L'Artisan Parfumeur Jour de Fête
Acorelle Amande de Blé
Carol's Daughter Almond Cookie
Lush Snowcake (limited edition)
Ava-Luxe Amande
Crazylibellule & the Poppies Vanilla Macarons
Serge Lutens Louve
Calypso St. Barth Léa
Acqua di Parma Mandorlo di Sicilia
Dior Hypnotic Poison

Do you have a favorite almond scent? Feel free to share in the comments!

Disclosure: The perfumes mentioned in this post were purchased (or sampled in stores) by the reviewer.
Reviewer: Jessica M
Photo Credits: The Almond Harvest (California), via Art.com. Almonds, via Wikimedia Commons.
Graphic Credit: Melanie Parker

Labels: 40 days and 40 Nights of Fragrance Notes, Jessica's Reviews

posted by Annieytown @ 4:23 AM   8 Inspired Comments

8 Inspired Comments:

At 11:05 AM, Blogger Annieytown said...

Thanks for the review Miss J!
I want to say one of the Bonds has a great almond note. Is it Lexington?
I have learned to love and appreciate the fragrance note.

I also snack on unsalted almonds every morning. I throw it in my yogurt.

 
At 1:00 AM, Anonymous Valentine said...

Because I'm a huge vanilla lover (as in I greatly love vanilla, not I love HUGE vanilla scents), I tend to also love the soft, sweet comfort of almond. So far my pick is Farmacia SS Anunziata's (don't quote me on that spelling) Cara, although I've always wanted to try Lea and Etro Heliotrope.

 
At 7:17 AM, Blogger Joopah said...

I love Almond scents, and for now only get it from L'Occitance Amande range. Thak you so much for this review. I can now check out "real" almond scents.

 
At 11:56 AM, Blogger Patti said...

I love when almond goes into an amaretto note or the maraschino-cherry note.
And happy to see Mandorlo Di Sicilia in your list!

 
At 6:33 PM, Anonymous Jessica M said...

Annie, I'm trying to remember which Bond that could be... Bleecker Street?
Valentine, I need to try that Cara!
Zulfa, the L'Occitane Amande range is so nice, isn't it? I'm surprised they don't carry an Amande eau de toilette or eau de parfum.
Patti, remember our Serge Lutens Rahat Loukhoum phases?!

 
At 6:18 PM, Anonymous Nancy said...

Love your blog! Can anyone please tell me where I can buy Lea? It sounds like my dream scent and I can't find it anywhere online.

 
At 8:03 PM, Anonymous Jessica M said...

Nancy, Luckyscent.com usually carries Lea, but they seem to be out of stock right now... I really hope it hasn't been discontinued. You could probably find a "dupe" on sites such as Bathed & Infused... I bet the bath & body board on Makeupalley.com would have a few idea for that. Good luck, and sorry I didn't realize it was so "endangered"!

 
At 2:54 AM, Anonymous Lenita said...

L'Erbolario's 'Mandorla' is my fave, sniffed it at a small shop in Sydney, but did not buy it. Was to lazy to go back to the store. Thank goodness for the internet!

 

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