Photo: Victor Jeffreys
This week in Top Notes, we road-tested La Tulipe, a new-ish fragrance from Swedish perfume house, Byredo. While tulips aren't known for being super fragrant, this scent takes on a little more. Ben Gorham, the man behind Byredo, wanted to capture the flower's "shy characteristic" and work that alongside other floral essences. The result is a mash-up of different parts of the tulip as well as hints of freesia, rhubarb and vetiver. Our editors wore La Tulipe for a week -- here's what they really thought:
Brie Diyas, DIYLife editor
What were you initial thoughts of the fragrance?
I tried La Tulipe on one of the hottest weekends of the year. The first spritz smells a bit strongly of lilac, even though it's supposed to be tulip. I was a bit worried that it would be too flowery/sweet for such hot weather.
How did the scent evolve throughout the day?
Shortly after putting it on, something very unexpected happened: The fragrance went from lilacs to the scent of a tulip stem. You know how, when you cut into a tulip stem, you smell that great "green", fresh scent? Like aloe vera, but more intense. There were also hints of line-dried laundry. Crisp and warm with the faintest trace of lilac. It was very nice.
After wearing it for a few days, how do you feel about the fragrance now?
It grew on me. Even though I found the immediate lilac notes a bit too intensely floral for my liking, I really loved how it smelled when the other notes (that tulip stem and line-dried laundry scent) developed.
Did it remind you of anything--person, place, memory?
La Tulipe reminded me of the month of May: Lilacs, sun-warmed cotton and new leaves.
What did others think of the way you smelled?
It's funny: The reaction was divided amongst my girl and guy friends. (And, my parents.) All girls loved it, one even calling it a "sundress in a bottle." They really responded to that lilac note (and thought it was a lilac perfume). But guys thought it smelled like detergent or "something medicinal". And my friend Joe said that I smelled like his mother.
Would you consider this scent unique and different from others you've worn in the past?
Definitely. Even though Fracas is one of my favorite scents, I shy away from floral scents. Especially if it's on the sweet side. But the definite unique quality to La Tulipe is that scent transformation from floral to fresh. I've never had a scent transform like that.
--
Brooke Bobb, fashion assistant
What were you initial thoughts of the fragrance?
I thought it was a light, fresh, summery scent that wasn't heavy at all -- just delicate and floral.
How did it compare to other scents you've worn?
I normally wear Balenciaga's fragrance everyday and this felt a little less spicy and was maybe even more appropriate to wear during the day.
Is this a scent that would work for both day and night?
I do, but it's best during the day, for night I'd like something a bit stronger and less sweet.
How did the scent evolve throughout the day?
The scent seemed to stay pretty consistent throughout the day. I did notice -- because it's pretty light -- that it faded just a bit towards the evening.
After wearing it for a few days, how do you feel about the fragrance now?
I really liked it a lot, and as a person who just sticks to one fragrance a season, I think this is the perfect balance of light, floral notes for summer. It's something to wear all day and even into the night.
Did it remind you of anything--person, place, memory?
The smell of my Mom's bathroom and hints of one of the flower shops near my apartment in Chelsea's flower district.
What did others think of the way you smelled?
Everyone seemed to really like it. Several said it was a "pretty" smell and one that was very clean, fresh and light. One friend sprayed some on herself just a tiny bit and she needed to put a bit more on to actually get the full notes of the scent. She also then guessed that it was a Chloe perfume.
Would you consider this scent unique and different from others you've worn in the past?
Yes, because when I've worn floral based scents in the past they've tended to be very sweet and this had a great balance to it. It was just enough for the everyday but still sophisticated enough for night time.