With the majority of travel on hold for the time being, it can be difficult to get your fix if you are a wanderluster like me. I’ve done the virtual tours and made several margaritas, but the smells and general feeling of exploring a new country are really lacking for me at the moment. I was kindly invited to a Zoom call with Linda Pilkington, who is the owner of perfume house Ormonde Jayne (you may remember me creating my own bespoke scent last year) and the newly created series of scents, inspired by the route de la soie.
I know the shops are back open following lockdown 2.0, but I also know some people are still nervous about being out and about. The beauty of choosing a scent with Ormonde Jayne is that you can order a full collection in sample form. This is the full collection of route de la soie in perfect miniature form. There is enough in each bottle for you to try it a few times; in the air, on your hair and on your skin. It is so important to trial a scent in different settings as each scent will smell totally different and, when making such an important investment, you need to make sure you make the right choice.
The collection contains seven scents, each focusing on the scent and flora of different areas of the silk road. With my love of Thailand, and having spent time at Jim Thompson’s house whilst in Bangkok, I know the intoxicating scents that encapsulate the silk road and the trade specifically, so this collection was extra personal for me.
Let me take you on a tour.
LEVANT
With head notes of bergamot, mandarin, tangelo and rose petals. Heart notes of lily of the valley, peony, orange blossom and jasmine. Soul notes of cedar wood, amber and musk. Levant is a young and flirty scent that evokes youth and is beautifully easy wearing. The fruity notes remind me of the scents I used to wear when I was in my 20s but, with a lot more class and flair.
INDUS
With head notes of blackcurrant buds, lychee and nutmeg. Heart notes of Persian rose and soul notes of musk, Chinese patchouli, incense and Armenian plum. When choosing a scent, I applied Indus several times and was really torn between this and the scent I chose. It is on the sweeter side but wears to a beautiful floral sweetness that suits my scent profile perfectly.
BYZANCE
With head notes of blackcurrant buds, milky accord and pink berries. Heart notes of white wood, wood of cashmere and orris butter. Soul notes of moss, suede, Madagascar vanilla and balsamic accord. Byzance is soft and sultry with a beautifully smooth note from the vanilla, which is present yet not overwhelming. A magic scent and perfect for a night out.
XI’AN
With head notes of black pepper and nutmeg, heart notes of cedar wood and rhubarb, then soul notes of musk and Indian sandalwood. Xi’an is a soft and thought provoking scent that evokes calm and inner serenity.
TANGER
With head notes of ylang ylang, Italian mandarin and Italian bergamot. Heart notes of rose petals, wood of cashmere and neroli. Soul notes of moss, dry amber, Madagascar vanilla and balsamic accord. Tanger is a light and fun scent, the way Levant is, yet with neroli being a front runner in terms of scent, it is a little more sophisticated yet still joyful.
XANDRIA
With head notes of rum, rosewood and apple. Heart notes of Ceylon cinnamon and tonka bean, and soul notes of dry amber, musk, guajacwood and earthy accord. I got a real smoky note from Xandria which is totally sensual and a unique scent for those who want to stand out from the crowd.
DAMASK
With head notes of blackcurrant, Italian lemon and pear. Heart notes of rose, jasmine and pink berries. Soul notes of mineral, amber, musk and vetiver. The moment I sprayed this scent, I knew it was for me. The rose is prevalent but not in a sweet and powdery way. It is sophisticated and intriguing when combined with the other elements of the scent. A truly unique scent that I always get complimented on when wearing. It is ‘me’.
Once you have chosen your scent from the sample library, you can order your favourite and it arrives beautifully packaged in the Ormonde Jayne signature orange and white colours.
Everything about the experience screams elegance and it is the perfect gift for the scent lover in your life, without worrying that you have chosen the wrong fragrance. Let them try the scent library for themselves before providing a voucher for the bottle of their choosing. The traveller in your life can revel in the silk road, journeying through Asia, Eastern Africa and Southern Europe without leaving their living room.
Ormonde Jayne have also released some beautiful candles for the festive season so, if you are short on ideas as to what to buy me this year, they are top of my list.
You can buy la route de la soie scent library for £42. A 50ml bottle from the collection retails at £135. You can order from the Ormonde Jayne website.
Contains PR Samples.
No Comments