Launched in 2014 by Nicolaï, Parfumeur-Créateur Musc Monoï was inspired by Ambre Solaire, the 75-year-old French suntan oil produced by L’Oreal and worn  the French in the 60’s and 70’s.

I can’t honestly say what Ambre Solaire smelled like years ago, but I can tell you that Musc Monoï evokes memories of summer for everyone who smells it.

It opens bright and sunny with notes of citrusy, floral neroli, juicy lemon, and a green note from petitgrain. As these fade, the Monoï comes forward. Monoï is a fragrant Polynesian oil made from soaking Tiaré flowers (Tahitian gardenias) in coconut oil. Monoi oil is rich in methyl salicylate, a skin-soothing agent that penetrates the skin rehydrates it and protects it against sun and wind damage. It’s a key ingredient in suntan oils like Ambre Solaire.

Musc Monoï isn’t about replicating the scent of Ambre Solaire, it’s about being inspired by it, so instead of gardenia, de Nicolaï uses rich, creamy, ylang-ylang combined with indolic, animalic jasmine to create the impression of sun-kissed skin. Ylang-ylang and jasmine are sensuous and erotic, but they can also be sweet, so lush, lemony-faceted magnolia is there to balance the sweetness and bolster the sensuality. Ylang-ylang has a banana aspect that ushers a note of lush, tropical coconut oil, creating a gorgeous tribute to Monoï. Calone adds an aquatic, marine note to Musc Monoï that calls the mind the seaside. At the base, the sensuous mood is enhanced by creamy sandalwood and warm, animalic musk.

The drydown is refined, sensual and sophisticated. It smells like warm, sun-kissed shoulders, arms and legs - tanned and sea-sprayed after a lazy, languorous spent lying on warm sand.

Notes: Neroli, lemon, petitgrain, ylang-ylang, jasmine, magnolia, coconut oil, calone, ylang-ylang, sandalwood, musk.