A Hidden Gem

I'd hoped to be back with a new post sooner, but unfortunately, allergies got in the way. I had difficulty breathing through my nose, and of course, that doesn't lend itself particularly well to describing fragrances!

In any case, I've wanted to write about one of my favorite perfumes, Hanae Mori's Magical Moon, for a while now. I am fortunate enough to own the Parfum version, which I will base my review on. For a perfume still in production, the Parfum is difficult to track down, but I assure you it's worth the effort. (As far as I can tell, it is only available on the Hanae Mori website. I also had the Eau de Toilette, which is far easier to find online, as is the Eau de Parfum, with dozens of listings on eBay, but it isn't quite in the same league as the Parfum to me. The EdT was weak and reminiscent of bug spray, so I gave it away.)

Magical Moon has been a part of my collection for years now and I've worn it quite often, but I've never deigned to review it before. On paper, it seems like an odd assortment of notes (coconut, various tropical fruits, lots of patchouli, strong incense, etc.). This scared me at first, but upon reading some of the reviews, I couldn't help feeling intrigued. I had to know why this unusal concoction was getting so much love. Not to mention the fact that I'm a sucker for its marketing - one of the ads depicts the bottle sitting atop a flower floating in the sea, against the backdrop of a star speckled sky and a large full moon. So dreamy and mysterious, right?

Magical Moon is indeed ethereal and uniquely beautiful, although it's (fortunately) tamer than I imagined. It doesn't hit you in the face with its notes, as incense-heavy or patchouli-laden fumes often do. Instead, this well-blended beauty gently seduces you. Coconut milk and vanilla lend a dreamy, silky smoothness to MM, whilst incense creates a level of depth and adds mystique without being overpowering. To my nose, the floral part of this perfume comes from night-blooming jasmine, although that isn't listed among the notes or mentioned in the reviews I've read; perhaps, the impression of jasmine is created by the blend of some of the other notes. Notes of sugarcane and tropical fruits make MM irresistibly sweet.

I thought this would be too unusual for my boyfriend to appreciate, as he usually likes more mainstream and conventionally feminine fragrances on me. To my surprise, he really likes this and compliments me almost every time I wear it. It is definitely a bonus knowing he appreciates it. I think that Magical Moon will be a pleasant surprise to others as well, although it may take some effort and luck to acquire this rare gem.

What I've Been Wearing Lately / "Spring Fragrances"

As a rule of thumb, I don't rotate my fragrances seasonally (hence the quotation marks in the title), but I did want to mention a couple of perfumes I've been wearing lately that are perfect for this spring. When I think of spring, pastels, flowers, and green grass all come to mind. Some may prefer lighter perfumes as summer approaches. Luckily for me since I prefer heavier 'fumes, the weather in my area is still fairly cool, having drizzled the night before.

Perfect for my beloved Private Collection Tuberose Gardenia by Estee Lauder. This is also an ideal scent for mild sunny spring weather. It is a creamy floral in which gardenia takes center stage, supported by tuberose and jasmine, with light citruses in the background. Not for the fainthearted, and definitely for lovers of big bold white flowers; it is, however, not indolic. It has been one of my most reached for perfumes since the year began (not an easy feat given the size of my wardrobe). I find EL's Tuberose Gardenia a very joyous and uplifting perfume, and wearing it has certainly made this year's rough days easier to get through.

The next perfume is actually something I reach for year-round, but it definitely makes me think of Spring, and that is Elie Saab Le Parfum. It has sparkling citruses and honeyed rose, and is blended to perfection so that your attention is directed less towards individual notes and more towards the scent as a whole- which is breathtaking. There is just enough patchouli that it adds some oomph and character without overpowering, thankfully. Mother's Day isn't too far away, and this is a perfect gift for a special mother.

I have some other perfumes from the same or similar olfactory groups as these that are also ideal for spring, but I thought I would share my top two picks with you for now.