I’m not usually enthusiastic about the fragrance samples in my monthly Sephora Play bag. I am really picky when it comes to fragrances. I often like scents that are gender-neutral and/or unusual rather than mainstream. Orientals tend to be my jam.
But somehow, the sample of Catherine Malandrino Romance de Provence eau de parfum, even though quite different from my usual scent choices, caught my attention. I used up the little sample, and I bought a bottle of eau de parfum on fragrance.net, I think it was, nicely discounted with their 30% off coupon and free shipping. It’s a huge spray bottle (3.4 fl. oz. I think), and I paid about $36 for it.
Romance de Provence is a floral, fruity, gourmand scent for women that launched in 2016. With three descriptors, the main accords are:
- fruity
- sweet
- caramel
- vanilla
- white floral
- powdery.
It has about a million notes in it. The top notes are fruity: mandarin orange, apple blossom, black currant, pear. The middle notes are floral: jasmine, orange blossom, rose, violet, lily, and green tea. The base notes are gourmand: vanilla, patchouli, tonka bean, amber, and caramel. The reason this scent initially appealed to me was because of the base notes; I’m a fan of scents with vanilla, patchouli, tonka bean, and amber.
This is one big scent! It’s strong, very girly, and long lasting. In fact, when asked to describe the scent, the majority of users on Fragrantica (a small sample size) describe it as “enormous”! So I imagine it’s not for everyone. But I like it. Although it’s not my absolute favorite (that honor still goes to Frederic Malle’s Musc Ravageur), I like having an intensely feminine, gourmand scent in my arsenal. The caramel in this fragrance really stands out.
Some users think it is reminiscent of Lance’s La Vie Est Belle, but I don’t know that scent so I can’t say.
It’s interesting to read all the ratings of this scent on Fragrantica. It can be polarizing, but twice as many raters love or like it than dislike it. Again, the raters say it’s good for every season but not so much for summer. It’s a heavy scent, so I’m not surprised that it’s not a scent you might reach for on a hot summer day. Night time wear has a slight edge over daytime, but I wear it day or night.
The bottle is rather simple, curved sides with ombre blue. I was a little surprised at the blue bottle since it’s such a feminine scent. It comes in several sizes including a small purse spray. There are also body products to further enhance the scent.
Have you smelled Catherine Malandrino Romance de Provence? Does it sound like a scent you would like?
I haven’t smelled it and I’m not sure it’s something I would want to wear although I would like to sniff it! The bottle is pretty and the price is better than anything I currently love!
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Since I bought this off of a small sample and it’s so different from what I usually wear, I was glad that I got such a good deal on Romance de Provence.
I didn’t comment on this earlier but I do think falling in love/enjoying a sample so much you buy the full size is great. Even if there was a discount the $100+ perfume I fell for from a Sephora order sample would still be out of my price range. A girl can dream about having it one day, though, right?! 🙂
Judy recently posted…Today was a “Fairytale”
If Romance de Provence had been in the $100+ range, I wouldn’t have gone for it either, Judy. I lucked out that I was able to find a really good deal on it. But my favorite fragrance was a real splurge. My hair colorist was wearing it, and I absolutely adored it. I got a little sample from an SA at Barney’s and they don’t usually give you samples, and I went for it. I’m on my third bottle! But that’s rare, thank goodness.
I have not ever smelled this, but based upon your description it does sound like the type of scent that I would like.
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Although it has several notes that I am drawn to, this scent is quite different for me. It’s a complex scent with lots of main accords. It’s worth a sniff at Sephora!
This sounds like something I would like as La Vie Est Belle is an all time favorite of mine. I like scents that don’t fade away quickly.
You might definitely like this one. It is verrrrrrry long lasting. It’s a nice mix of several accords but vanilla and caramel are key notes.
How great that a sample really works for you. I give all of mine away but if I get this one in a set I’ll send it your way.
Thank you, Marcia. I was happy to get a perfume sample that I actually liked. Mostly I think the scent sample in the Sephora Play bag is a waste, and I’m sure you feel that way! I was glad to find this biiiiig bottle at a very affordable price. I like it but it’s a second tier scent for me.
It sounds like a nice perfume, however, it’s probably not for me because I prefer light scents.
You’re right, Leelo. This one is a big, long lasting scent
I think the bottle is really pretty. Sometimes I think I’d love to collect perfume bottles.
Collecting perfume bottles would definitely be fun! But think of all the dusting 😉
I love La Vie Est Belle – unfortunately, my sis stole my newly-purchased full-sized bottle and left me with a measly mini!
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Oh, your sister owes you big time 😉 But you’re lucky to have a sister. Wish I did, I think
I’ve told myself no more perfumes, but this sounds so perfect! I need to find a sample of this asap.
I know what you mean, Bailey! I’m at the no more perfumes stage as well. Sephora Play is definitely an enabler!
The bottle is gorgeous, and the notes are generally ones I love! I’ll have to check this out
It’s so affordable as well as a pretty scent. Worth sniffing at the store!