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Monday, April 04, 2011

40 Days and 40 Nights of Fragrance Notes: Mimosa

Mellow Yellow
by Jessica M

It took me a long time to realize that I like the scent of mimosa. Actually, I’ve always been a little confused about mimosa, because the tree that we call “mimosa” in the northeastern United States, with its pink powder-puff flowers, is not the mimosa that shows up in perfume. The mimosas used in perfumery are the trees of the acacia genus, a different type altogether, with feathery leaves and clusters of yellow flowers that look like little pom-poms.
Mimosa is a friendly flower. It’s not seductive, or mysterious, or dramatic. It doesn’t have the magic of rose or the coyness of violet. It’s simple and cheerful. It smells like whipped butter, freshly laundered cotton sheets, and a few drops of honey. My favorite mimosa-scented item is Diptyque’s Mimosa candle: it feels like a pure rendition of mimosa. In many mimosa perfumes, however, this floral note is combined with green or woody notes. The effect can be lovely, even if it isn’t straight-up mimosa.
I’ve read that the mimosa blossom is celebrated as a sign of early spring in Southern France; in Italy and Russia, it’s exchanged as a gift on International Women’s Day (March 8th). And none of this has anything to do with the mimosa cocktail, of course; that’s another story for another blog!

Here are a few fragrances that feature mimosa:

Annick Goutal Mimosa
L’Artisan Parfumeur Mimosa Pour Moi
Amouage Library Collection Opus III
Ayala Moriel Les Nuages de Joie Jaune
Calypso by Christianne Celle Mimosa
Caron Farnesiana
Kenzo Summer
L’Occitane Mimosa (discontinued?)

Disclosure: The perfumes mentioned in this post were purchased (or sampled in stores) by the reviewer.
Reviewer: Jessica M
Photo Credits: Vintage mimosa soap label, via Art.com. Acacia dealbata, via Wikimedia Commons.
Graphic Credit: Melanie Parker
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9 comments:

  1. Patti9:13 AM

    Lovely review, Jessica! I have to say that mimosa and I do not play well together. I wanted to love Guerlain's Champs-Elysees and C-E Too Much, but ultimately I sent them both on to more appreciative owners.

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  2. tussah12:00 PM

    Loved the review! I have to say for a non-floral girl...mimosa and I do get along for the most part. Farnesiana is particularly lovely.

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  3. Melanie12:01 PM

    Great post! I love the L'Occitane Mimosa scent that I sniffed a few weeks ago and was thinking of the drink with orange juice and champagne--even though it did not smell like that. LOL! I went witht he Plum Blossom scent. Now that I know what it really is, I think I will go back and purchase it. :)

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  4. Christy1:04 PM

    Now I want to try Kenzo Summer. I love light, airy notes & it sounds like Mimosa fits the bill :D

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  5. Anonymous4:10 PM

    Thank you so much! To me mimosa is pure happiness. It sparkles in perfume. Growing up in Russia it really did symbolize the beginning of spring and Women's day. I would be a fan for that reason alone. The mimosa blast from Champs Elysees cheers me up every time I wear it, being a perfect antidote to more than occasional grayness of Vancouver skies.

    - cherryglass

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  6. Jessica M4:19 PM

    Thanks, ladies! I couldn't wear Guerlain's Champs-Elysees, either... but I do love Farnesiana.
    And, coincidentally, Angela posted a review of Patricia Nicolai's Mimosaique on Now Smell This today, so there's another recommendation!

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  7. Elizabeth8:43 PM

    Tonight, I tried layering Mimosa pour Moi with Lush Creme Anglaise body cream. The effect: Sheer heaven!

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  8. tigrushka6:42 AM

    I usually have a hard time with mimosa note but it doesn't bother me in Caron Farnesiana and Annick Goutal Eau de Charlotte.

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  9. Annieytown12:37 PM

    Mimosa and I get along...only when it is muddled under many notes.
    Your description was so lovely...it makes me want to give it a second chance!!!

    Thanks J!

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