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