It’s Friday and I wanted to do a quick post on one of my favourite perfumes for this time of year.  It’s Ninfeo Mio EDT from Annick Goutal, created by Isabelle Doyen and inspired by the beautiful Garden of Ninfa near Rome.

This woody fig never fails to perk me up and is a great scent as the weather picks up.  In summer heat it feels like a life saver as it cools and soothes frayed tempers.  The lemony citrus dials up the freshness at the start and there is a refreshing lightness that appeals. An aromatic herbal heart centres Ninfeo Mio and apparently there is lavender in here too mixed up with the fig but I wouldn’t have known if I hadn’t looked at the notes list. There’s a decidedly green aspect to Ninfeo Mio, but it’s not pushing me around, it’s at just the right level of green for me.  I  find  galbanum heavy perfumes can feel like a headache is approaching with that relentless thud. Luckily with this perfume there’s none of that. The woody, musky base with a decidedly lactonic quality makes this scent last well too.

I’ve discovered that I do happen to like a fig perfume.  In fact pretty much every one I’ve tried.  The first fig perfume, Premier Figuier was designed by Olivia Giacobetti for L’Artisan Parfumeur and I happen to adore the creamy quality this scent has in the dry down.   The lushly fragrant composition of Ashoka from Neela Vermeire Creations is simply stunning.  And of course probably the most well known is Philosykos from Diptyque, another Olivia Giacobetti creation that is a fresh green affair. Let’s not forget Womanity from Thierry Mugler, that unusual combination of sweet and salty – fig and caviar. This one seems to be loved or loathed as only Mugler can inspire, but I really like Womanity  – it’s probably the most approachable from the line.

Have you tried any fig perfumes?  Any favourites?

Notes : Main photo : Mine : Garden of Ninfa : garden visit.com