Lost in SCENT-sation

Delicate and feminine, yet seductive, lilac has been my all-time favorite color. On the surface, it appears soft as a baby's bottom, but if you look closer, it also has some deep, mature touch to it, like a girl just ripening into womanhood. I can't remember exactly what about Eclat d’Arpège it was that made me fall in love with it, but it certainly had something to do with the gorgeous lilac juice in the crystal clear round-shaped bottle suggestive of a plump peach. Just like the beautiful bottle suggests, the scent itself is simply enchanting. Whoever designed the bottle is an undeniable genius, not only because of its gorgeous looks, but because it couldn't do a better job in translating the soft, airy scent of lilac into an exquisite piece of art.

Lanvin describes Éclat d'Arpège as "a modern creation on the theme of love, which appeals strongly to the emotions." I found myself nodding my head in strong agreement. If love had a scent, it would smell exactly like Éclat d'Arpège. The mixture of two key notes, the warm green lilac and sweet peach blossom, celebrates the first magical moment of falling in love, conjuring up the image of a boy and girl on a first date one spring day. The red peony adds a rather sensual touch to it, accentuated by the breezy green tea leaves that smell like a passionate kiss in the rain, like the one in 'The Notebook'. However, just like many cases of young love, the fruity-floral sensation fades away rather quickly. The bottom notes are almost undetectable except the slight hint of musk, making it lack depth like a choir without bass singers. 

Éclat d'Arpège was my first fragrance, and I used to wear it every day during my teenage years. It is a great scent for first-timers just like many other fruity-florals that smell pleasant and not overpowering. This tiny lilac bottle used to be my favorite among everything I owned as a 16-year-old, and I still love it, except now I use it more often as an air freshener rather than a perfume. It is an absolutely beautiful and light summer fragrance and the mix of the sweet fruity scent and airy florals is amazing, but I have to say it somewhat lacks character, largely because of the lack of the base. If you are the kind of person who likes to stand out among the crowd, this isn't the product for you. However, I would definitely recommend it to those looking for a less-intense, pleasant and fresh summer fragrance.