Almond
Which fragrances help to relax and unwind?
A dear friend of my mine is dealing with stress issues in her life. One way or another many of us do, these days. This got me to think about fragrances which can help to relax and unwind. Fragrances which help me personally are A Lab on Fire What We Do In Paris Is Secret and Carner Tardes. I find Tardes to be especially relaxing. Both fragrances have an almondy gourmand scent (probably due to the heliotrope in both fragrances) which I love. I do not find them too sweet but have read some do.
While doing research on the internet and in aromatherapy books I found lavender (true lavender) to work soothing and comforting and clear the head (this will not come as a surprise) and neroli to help with anxiety and stress related conditions. A lavender fragrance which is easily available online is Caron Pour Un Homme and one more exclusively Chanel Jersey.
Some of my favorite neroli fragrances are Atelier Cologne Neroli, Penhaligon’s Castile, Roja Dove Neroli and Chloe Eau de Fleurs Neroli. I used to spray Chloe Eau de Fleurs Neroli before going to bed. Hermes will introduce Eau de Néroli Doré in its cologne collection this month. This is a release I really look forward to. Yves Rocher has a neroli fragrance in its Secrets d’Essences line with matching body products which one could use before going to bed.
All these fragrances could help you to unwind and relax, but this is always personal. So it is worth to try different fragrances and experience what works for you.
Which fragrances are relaxing for you and do you use to unwind?
Hilde Soliani Conaffetto Candied Orange Blossom
Conaffetto is a fragrance made by the Italian Perfumer Hilde Soliani. It is part of her Profumo e questa in liberta series. This line is based on the Italian Haute Cuisine which is a great love of Hilde Soliani. Some of her perfumes (including Conaffetto) are almost edible. Conaffetto means with affection in Italian. Hilde Soliani made this perfume for a dear friend who was getting married. Its ingredients are almonds, sugar and orange blossom, very appropriate for a wedding.
Orange blossom is used in wedding bouquets in certain countries and sugar coated almonds (Jordan Almonds) are given at weddings. Almonds sweetened with honey were first used in ancient Rome in weddings. The hard candy coating started in the 15th century. These candies are called Jordan Almonds in the US but confetti in Italy. The bitter almonds symbolize the bitterness of life and the sweet coating the sweetness of love.
I really like the idea of a perfume made for a very special occasion in one’s life. Luce (see my previous review) was for a child’s birth of a friend of Hilde Soliani and Conaffetto for a wedding. Luce could be used to scent birth cards and Conafetto could be used to scent wedding invitations.
What does it smell like ?
The scent starts with a bitter almond note in the top. Then it evolves into orange blossom with a slightly bitter edge. After this the orange blossom becomes sweeter, reminding me of candied violets. Not their scent but the violet candies themselves. If orange blossoms could be candied they would scent like this. It is almost as if you can eat this orange blossom. The orange blossom, almonds and sugar are very well blended. Some mention on the Fragantica website they scent bitter almonds I get bitter almonds quite clearly in the beginning and a bitter note at the middle but to me it could be a bit of bitter orange mixed with bitter almonds. The orange blossom is a not indolic at all, but much more tamed, not yet fully blooming, like a woman in her early/mid twenties there is still some innocence about her. The drydown is like an orange blossom water almond cookie with all the ingredients very well blended together.
What does it do ?
Conaffetto brings a feeling of softness, ease and affection. Like getting a hug from a very dear loving friend. Light and soft with a touch a innocence.
I really like this fragrance, together with Luce made by Hilde Soliani as well, they are my favorites. It is a different and original take on an orange blossom perfume. But I do not love it enough to buy a large 100 ml bottle. If smaller 15 or 30 ml bottles were sold, I would seriously consider buying a bottle.
Sillage: ***
Longevity: ***/****
Notes according to Luckyscent: orange blossom, sugar, almonds
Origin of sample: pr
February 3, 2014
Pictures:
Picture 1: Rébé 1963 Harry Meerson Wedding Dress www.hprints.com
Picture 2: Rene Ruau for Marcella Alix www.hpprints.com,
Picture 3: Bas Balenciaga www.hpprints.com