40 Days and 40 Nights of Fragrance Notes: Grapefruit

Grapefruit Review by Patti F

When it comes to fruity notes in fragrances, I like stone fruits like plum and peach. I've never been a fan of big citrus notes, especially lemon-peel types. Maybe the proliferation of lemon notes in household products is what causes me to dislike most citrus scents. I especially dislike lime notes in scents, although I love the taste of fresh lime and I use it often in cooking and just floating slices in a glass of water.

But as always with perfumes, there is an exception, and for me it's a big one. I absolutely love a good grapefruit note in a scent. I reach for these when Spring arrives and sometimes in the dead of Winter too, when it's just been too long since we had a warm sunny day, and my spirits need a lift. Lift is what grapefruit does best. Juicy, fizzy, happy, optimistic, the grapefruit note sparkles on the top of some of my most beloved scents. Here today I will do a little Show And Tell for you about my favorite grapefruit fragrances.

My first encounter with a real grapefruit-based scent was Yves Saint Laurent's In Love Again. I was attracted to the cute harlequin design on the cap, because I'm a visually-oriented person, and packaging is important to me. It is the first part of a perfume encounter, we're attracted by our eyes before the scent gets out of the bottle. I had never owned such a happy scent! In Love Again blends the grapefruit with apple, rose, and white florals on a light musk base. It is just as optimistic as its name, hinting forward, not looking back. And believe me, I surely do not want to look back at the past Winter! In Love Again is the nicest companion to greeting Spring. I am sad that the harlequin cap is no longer available on this scent. The other In Love Again that I own is Fleur De La Passion, beautiful with the addition of star anise, peony, and sandalwood with other fruits and a touch of vanilla. And the bottle shape, a heart which only appears when viewed from above, seems to reinforce the love theme. It's love from above! YSL has a way with bottles, as seen in the toy spinning-top Baby Doll, another grapefruit based scent. It's a playful presentation for a youthful and playful scent.

It's no secret to Blogdorf readers that I love Lancome fragrances. Although Miracle does not list grapefruit as one of its notes, I know it's in there! This is my third bottle of Miracle. It's a staple in the Summertime. Spiced up a bit with pepper and ginger, it's lush and zingy and I never get tired of it.
Juicy Couture's Couture Couture (can anyone please explain the name? the name?) is a grapefruit-white floral scent with a gorgeous base of sandalwood. I have to admit that I like all of the Juicy scents, although I am sure that as a 60 year old Grandma, I'm not quite their target audience!

Two of my grapefruit loves came from Bergdorf Goodman many years ago. Friends of mine may remember a presentation of Quelques Fleurs Royale one morning in the Bergdorf Cafe. We had heard of the launch by Houbigant and so many of us were eager to try it. Right during the presentation I stuck out my wrist to the company representative who was holding the bottle and talking about the rich history of Houbigant perfumes. I was too eager to try it to be embarrassed about my bold move. I bought it that day, and I'm on my third bottle of this exquisite, sophisticated floral blend. On another visit to the perfume counters at Bergdorf, I spotted the adorable round pink Lulu Guinness Pink Pearls tester, and I tried it. Love! Lush with pink grapefruit and apricot nectar, a heart of pink tulip and orange flower, and a base of tonka bean, amber and sandalwood, Pink Pearls is sweet and foody without being the least bit heavy or cloying. My Bergdorf fragrance SA told me they were sold out. He'd call me when the perfume was back in stock. I did not wait for the call. I ordered two bottles from a Canadian ebay seller. My Bergdorf buddy never did call.

Bond No. 9 is one of my favorite fragrance brands. The Scent Of Peace is as beautiful on the inside as it is on the outside, a grown-up grapefruit with a light lily-of-the-valley note, and blackcurrant, cedarwood, and musk. It is worn by both men and women, but I'm not sharing what's left of my bottle with my man. He has his own Bonds, including the iconic subway token bottle of Eau De New York. It reminds me of many happy rides through Manhattan in the similarly-clad Bondmobile! My husband has come a long way in his taste in fragrances. When we met, he wore only one scent, Jovan Musk For Men. I'm happy to report that he never wears that one any more. And most days, he reaches for a Bond.

The husband and I both have new Chanels to love, both of which have grapefruit notes. His is Bleu De Chanel, which I gave him for his last birthday which coincided with the launch of Bleu at our local counter. Peppery and rich with vetiver, incense, ginger and sandalwood, I wear this one too. I know you're thinking it's not fair of me to wear his and not let him wear mine. Just a little tidbit of info, the cap is magnetized so that the CC's always line up side to side with the shape of the bottle. Go see for yourself at the men's fragrance bar of your local store!

A few weeks ago, I was talking to my lovely Chanel SA, Chris, at her counter. We were discussing the impending launch of a new group of lipsticks, but I was distracted. What WAS she wearing! Her fragrance was something I'd never smelled before. She told me it was Chance Eau Tendre. How did this scent escape me? I thought I knew all of the Chanel scents and all of their nuances between concentrations, but I did not know Eau Tendre. I sprayed, I sniffed, I bought. With the fizz of grapefruit on the top, a heart of the jasmine that is so important to most of Chanel's scents, iris and hyacinth as if to bring Spring a little closer, and base notes of musk, amber and cedar, Chance Eau Tendre is my newest Chanel love. It made me forget all about the new lipsticks.
I can't stop wearing it and I know it won't be long before I have to purchase the larger size.

Do you love a grapefruit note in your fragrances? Do you have a favorite? Tell us all about them!

Disclaimer: The fragrances in the photos and in this review were all purchased by the reviewer, with the exception of two items that were gifts.

Reviewer: Patti F aka Cavewoman

Graphic Credit: Melanie Parker