Lilacs are my #1 favorite flower. Well, they're really a bush or shrub, but that's not the point. The bloom...the scent: my absolute favorite! Sadly, I'm really, really allergic to them. Seriously, if a lilac bloom is on the other side of the house, I will still feel like someone shoved and itchy mohair sweater up my nose and my eyes will water 'til they can't anymore, and then water again!
A few years ago, I picked up Lilac, one of the Elizabeth W Signature Scents (and Woods, too, which they no longer make). Here's a review of the Lilac and a bit about the company. Yummmm....
First of all, how weird is this? I had a question about the Elizabeth W line, and found out that the lady who answered the phone has the same name as me. Funny to talk to another Jen Meade! What a small world!
Let me briefly introduce you to the Elizabeth W company. The scents and products they make are hand-blended in-house and are based on scents that resonate with the founder (based on memories of his grandmother, Elizabeth). I love handcrafted products, don't you? These are produced right in San Francisco and the company says the ingredients are sustainable. Bonus! Products are not tested on animals, nor are their ingredients animal-tested. Their handpoured candles are 100% soy wax (!) and many of the products are paraben-free (the preservatives used are non-toxic).Scents are Citrus Vervain, Lavender, Leaves, Lilac, Magnolia, Neroli Chamomile, Rose, Sweet Tea, Tuberose, Vetiver.
Products include Perfumes (bottles and purse-size), Bath & Body (Body creams, lotions, gels, fizz tablets, bath oils, soaps, salts, "bath pouches", and lip balms), Hand Care (lotions, hand washes, and sets), Home Scents (candles, diffusers, sprays, tissue covers, tissue bags), "Sweet Dreams" comfort items"Closet Solutions" (sachets, drawer liners, hanger covers, lingerie bags, shoe inserts, and sweater cases), stunning cosmetic bags in their Bon Voyage section, and even a super-fun apron!
Lilac
As for the scent, Lilac is exactly as advertised. I can't think of another way to say it other than it smells like sticking your face in a handful of lilac blooms and inhaling. What? I so do that. Don't judge!
Romantic, fresh, intensely floral.
A single note from boughs of
springtime lilacs
brightened with subtle hints of jasmine,
neroli, and
freesia.
I've mentioned before that my other favorite flower is freesia. Lucky me, to have picked this up. But honestly, I pick up LILAC. Not "lilac w/ hints of..." here. Sure, if I push my nose, I can ascertain the other scents, but they're subtle indeed and the overwhelming scent story is that of the lilac. And jasmine-phobes can rest assured - it's not going to take over. I rev-up jasmine in almost everything, and not in a good way; but not here.
It's a very linear scent, by the way, that goes on strong when wet but settles to a non-offensive floral quickly. Length of wear is a little shorter than I'd like (after about 3 hours I no longer smell it), with sillage being minimal.
Now I have my beloved lilacs whenever I want, not just during that one week of bloom-time each Spring. And without the antihistamines!
I really recommend trying out Elizabeth W fragrances, especially this one if you're a lilac lover like me.
PS: $35 for a 2 fl oz bottle ain't bad, eh?
