When spring arrives, so does my fondness for lightness, reawakening, and transparency. I love those first shiny days as I take in the brisk air with its mix of floral, leafy, and soil-filled aromas.
If I reflect on fragrances that embody these qualities, my mind goes to mimosa and linden blossom, two notes that are evocative, joyous, and filled with light. They aren’t always easy to capture in a bottle, but the creations that feature them often do so well.
Mimosa’s intensely fragrant blossoms symbolize the first glimpses of spring during the late days of winter into early March. Their fuzzy beauty is fleeting, but hard to forget both from visual and olfactory standpoints.
These beautiful blossoms radiate a narcotic aroma with green and pollen-like facets. In perfumery, the mimosa olessence extract smells very much like the fluffy yellow flowers, but is perhaps more delicate and translucent. The scent profile of the mimosa absolute is richer and denser with hints of almonds and honey.
I love the multifaceted character of mimosa that incorporates a comforting elegance, a glowing energy, and a powdery softness. Also, I appreciate the varied olfactory interpretations of mimosa in perfumery, from soliflores to more complex compositions.
Perris Monte Carlo Mimosa Tanneron might be my favorite mimosa creation. Realistically soft and lucent, the fragrance evokes the act of sniffing a freshly picked, fluffy, bright yellow bunch of mimosas; I smell almonds, honey, and pollen. Considered to be a fleeting fragrance by many, Mimosa Tanneron is appealing to me because of its elegant evanescence.
In Guerlain Champs Élysées, a cheerful mimosa note lends tender and luminous touches to a dew-dappled bouquet of lilacs and lilies of the valley. The honeydew accents subtly blend with the florals, but never turn this into a fruity fragrance. This vernal composition evokes a stroll in a garden on a day after the rain.
In Exaltatum Mimosa Gold, mimosa’s fuzzy floralcy immediately shines. Almond blossoms confer a pearlescent vibe. Over time, the almond note sweetens, vaguely suggesting almond macarons. As the fragrance evolves, the floral character also becomes richer with notes of golden ylang and powdery heliotrope and orris.
Caron Montaigne isn’t as transparent and ephemeral as other mimosa fragrances and smells more like the flowers’ aroma in the later blooming stages. The mimosa is framed with bitter citrus, narcissus flowers, and sandalwood. On my skin, Montaigne is soapy and sharp to start with, but becomes excessively sweet as it evolves. Regardless, this is still worth trying and appreciating as a classic and more structured mimosa interpretation.
Linden blossoms bloom at the end of spring and in the early summer. Their memory-evoking power is deeply haunting for me as I think of their unmistakable aroma that radiated from the tall linden trees by my grandparent’s house.
Their scent is green, airy, and slightly reminiscent of lily of the valley with a heady and honeyed edge. The linden blossom absolute I’ve tried is aromatic and penetrating with herbal tea nuances that sweeten over time.
I am not familiar with many linden blossom creations in perfumery, but the ones I have discovered have transported me back in time or inspired the sensations of warmer seasons.
DSH French Linden Blossom is the first composition that truly reminded me of the aroma of natural linden blossoms. Brightened by refreshing notes of lime zest, honeydew, and cucumber, this fragrance creates a beautiful glow on the skin that remains quiet and discreet.
Astier Villatte Grand Chalet is a gust of air carrying the sweet scent of linden blossoms from the thick foliage I remember so well. If you take a closer sniff, you’ll recognize mimosa’s graceful presence, which on me becomes more noticeable in warmer temperatures. Notes of sandalwood and musk add warmth to the fragrance’s structure.
Dedè Arte Profumata Tiglio Chypre has a luminosity that inundates you at first spray and interweaves with warmer and earthier notes exceptionally well. The fragrance blends sparkling citrus in the opening, radiant linden in the heart (both blossom and plant components were included), and dark mossy notes in the base to create a vibrant chiaroscuro effect. It is luscious and incredibly long lasting on my skin.
This list is by no means comprehensive, but my selections either star or interpret these two notes in ways I find intriguing and original. I look forward to discovering more.
Let me know your favorite fragrances starring mimosa and linden blossom!
All bottles are from my personal collection and were purchased by me.
Photo is my own.
