Blog post by Gwen

Eau de Magnolia – creamy and lush and elegant

Photo: perfumeniche

For a long time, I couldn’t walk by the Editions de Parfums Frédéric Malle counter at Holt Renfrew without stopping to pick up the Jurassic Flower candle that’s on display and sniff deeply many, many times. I love the transparency of the magnolia in the candle – it makes me happy.

Every once in a while, a sales assistant would give me the cut eye, and I didn’t blame them, but it didn’t deter me. I suppose you’re wondering why I just didn’t buy the candle. Because, for me, one fragrance addiction is enough.

Finally, one day, I was at the counter, sniffing Jurassic Flower, when a bottle of Eau de Magnolia and a note were discreetly placed by my elbow. The note said that Carlos Benaïm, the perfumer who created Jurassic Flower also signed Eau de Magnolia. I put the candle down, spritzed the tester and found a new love. 

I love the intense, lush, creamy aspects of magnolia in fragrances, but what I love about Eau de Magnolia is how Benaïm has highlighted the other aspects of it—the lemony, fresh, floral aspects - in a beautifully balanced perfume.

Eau de Magnolia opens with citrusy, sour bergamot. Its aromatic elegance is the calling card of an eau de cologne, as the name suggests. As it blooms, the magnolia – green, light and lemony - comes forward. It’s not the creamy, voluptuous magnolia I’m more used to in fragrance. The magnolia here is light, airy and transparent while still being lush and floral. The magnolia is the star with vetiver and patchouli, breaking through here and there to smooth out the freshness so it never gets sharp and gives it a gentle earthiness. At the base, cedarwood gives it a sensuous woodiness, while amber softly sweetens it.

Eau de Magnolia is fairly linear, with the magnolia present right to the elegant lighthearted drydown. But don’t be misled by all this talk of the ‘lightness.’ It is an EDP, so it’s deep and lush and has considerable staying power.

This might not be the magnolia you know and love, but it might just be the next magnolia you fall in love with.

As of this writing, I still haven’t bought the candle. I love it, but I can’t wear it. Nuff said.

Check out Eau de Magnolia in our Shop.