Madison Avenue: Machine-like Level of Perfection

Madison Avenue Bond No 9
Chypre Floral

New York has always inspired numerous movies, songs, and even perfumes. Bond No. 9 advertising is as bold and uncompromising as the city itself. They catch in scents the monuments, sounds, and nonstop energy of Manhattan. From skyscrapers to subways to the secret hideaways only born Newyourkers know about. It is about living your life to the fullest. About courage and gutsiness. About multicolours and savvy assurance. The place to call yours truly and forever.

I have a little experience with Bond No. 9 perfumes. I have tried – Chinatown: masterpiece, and The Scent of Peace: enjoyed wearing. When I saw Madison Avenue (the posh shopping district) pop up on sale, I could not resist. I am happy to have at least one 100ml Bond No. 9 in my collection. The colour of the bottle is phenomenal, and the star shape makes it easy to hold and spray. It is highly concentrated but pricey.

The initial spray of Madison Avenue is fruity. You get a whiff of juicy green apple, but it is not a splash of zesty fruitiness. The apple note is subdued and calm. The fruitiness comes and goes. What stays are florals – rose, magnolia and jasmine; and they are grounded nicely by patchouli, praline and ambroxan. The fragrance is well-balanced, neither too floral, sweet or earthy. It is an inviting sugared floral with depth. It is not a girl in a white T-shirt and jeans but a stylish lady who is young in heart and energetic.

An elevated floral fruity with every note in the correct dose. It smells like the bottle – cute yet umphy. I am astounded. If I was left with this perfume till the end of this year and could not wear anything else, I would do just fine.

Soleil Vibrant: Dark Orange Chocolate Under the Sun

Soleil Vibrant by Lalique
Amber Floral
Alexandra Monet and Nathalie Lorson

Soleil Vibrant smells like a bar of chocolate, the one with orange pieces in it, and it is all touched by the sun. The original Soleil is gourmand, Vibrant is more energetic, uplifting and citrusy.

It is gorgeous. The more it sits, the sweeter and juicier it becomes. It is definitely true that some fragrances need to sit before they become good. So, do not rush your declutters. I think it is always better to give perfume a chance because it may grow on you later.

Fruity vanilla but florals are there too. Orange blossom is particularly lovely in this mixture. Not many places sell this fragrance but if you spot it, pick it up. Not many people will wear Vibrant this summer, so you are going to smell unlike everybody else on your holiday. It is also fairly affordable and I reckon many people sleep on Lalique fragrances, I have no idea why. I need to try more of them.