We are in the throes of the intense summer heat now and therefore I long for refreshing and cooling citrus scents. There are a few in my arsenal, but I am always open for variety.
My sample of Le Labo Bergamote 22 that has been patiently awaiting its turn in my sample box, was just what I was looking for.
Notes include bergamot, petitgrain, grapefruit, nutmeg, orange blossom, aspic, cedar, amber, musk and vetiver, the perfume was created by Daphne Bugey.
I love the top notes of Bergamote 22, a freshly squeezed cocktail of bergamot and grapefruit jolts you out of the heat slump. The citrus notes are joined by a spicy aspect and then slowly soften into the warmer feel of orange blossom with a green undercurrent. The drydown is soft. Vetiver and cedar join in, smelling like pale green velvet and lasting for a few hours.
Bergamote 22 is gorgeous in the first five minutes, lovely in the first hour and okay during the rest of the wear time. A fact that necessitates frequent reapplication to experience the invigorating and intensely refreshing spicy citrus top. Not a very economical way of wearing perfume, but that is the fate of citrus notes, their beauty is fleeting and evanescent.
Even perfumes that last longer like Anya’s Garden Light or the Atelier Colognes, cannot keep up the first sparkling spritz of citrus that I am addicted to when it is hot.
Le Labo Bergamote 22 is certainly a good, unisex fragrance, but I would not spend the money on a bottle. But this review has woken the hunter in me again, my mission: to find a perfect – if shortlived, that is part of the equation – citrus scent for less money. A lot less money.
Watch this space!
Olfactoria's Travels 
Let me know if you do find that elusive, long lasting/reasonably well priced citrus scent!
Le Labo have only been on my radar recently, I received a bottle of Rose 31 in a trade and was quite impressed. I do find that I have to reapply throughout the day though, not because it’s not long lasting, I just hate the dry down 😛
Bergamote 22 sounds pleasant and it’s safe to say that you have added to my curiosity of the rest of the line.
I will certainly do that! Maison Martin Margiela L’Eau is coming close…
I got a whole bunch of Le Labo samples, and I must say they are quite nice, although nothing is totally wowing me yet.
I’m always pretty happy with Grapefruit and/or Lime, Basil & Mandarine, both from Jo Malone – and I really appreciate her 30ml/1 oz bottles, so I can buy few small bottles of different fragrances and not just one big 100ml jar I’ll have to like until the end of my life… (rant finished!)
The 30ml bottles are really a good idea. I did not have so much success with Jo Malone though, they always turn very plasticky on my skin… on my friend they smell great though.
Did you see that the Cologne Intense collection is available in Vienna now?
Oh yesss, I had some leisure time today – and I spent it with parfume sniffing… The new Jo Malones don’t work on me – I liked the old ones though.
Good for you! I love a good sniffing trip, we should plan for one together some time. I did not find the new Malones to be must-haves either, but I like the dark bottles. 🙂
I look forward to your findings. Dior Eau Sauvage is the one I reach for when I want an uplifting citrus fragrance. It is also short-lived, but at least I don’t have to spend niche money on it.
That is a perfect choice of course. I’ll keep you updated on the citrus quest. 🙂
This was lovely to read on a grey and very rainy day in London! It’s hard to justify spending a lot of money on short-lived citurs scents, no matter how nice they are. I have posted some Diorella to you today ( though it’s not purely citrus) we’ll see what you think of that in the Austrian heatwave – lucky you!
I am ready for grey and rainy, the heat is making me cranky, along with the post office and the hyperactive little devils. 😉 Thank you for sending Diorella, my (probably last) package (at least for a while) is on its way tomorrow.
A long lasting citrus is truly an elusive thing… I hope you find one to love!! 🙂
Probably not a lasting one, but maybe the most beautiful one…
hello how are you,well i want to ask you a question , where can i get a good sized sample of bergamote22 cologne , i can’t samples anywhere, i look at several videos,they say they want to sell splits,and they say PM me really i don’t know what thaty means. Could you tell me where i could get me some samples of this cologne, or tell me or tell me what they mean by PM me ,i know it means leave a message but how do i do that.
Hi James,
you can order samples of all the Le Labo fragrances directly from their website (www.lelabo.com).
Also, perfume sites like luckyscent.com have a sample program.
You refer to Youtube videos I guess, and I’m not sure, but I guess there is a contact address of the reviewer somewhere (an email address) where you can send message and inquire after a decant.
Hope that helps,
B