One of my favorite things I did while studying abroad (and definitely could have done more of) was scouting all kinds of unique beauty products I couldn’t find in the states. I researched Penhaligon’s before I even left California, and knew I had to go there when I visited London, which wasn’t until November! Penhaligon’s is a British fragrance house with a rich history: they even have 2 royal warrants. The founder of Penhaligon’s, William Penhaligon, was the appointed barber and perfumer of the royal court after Queen Victoria’s reign. They’re also well known for their Bluebell fragrance, a perfume that Princess Diana used to wear. I went into their Covent Garden store, smelled a little bit of everything, and fell in love with the Orange Blossom Eau De Toilette, but the price tag left me with sticker shock & I had only brought a backpack to travel with.
I posted a photo of my visit to my Instagram, and my mom made a mental note of it and magically got it for me for Christmas last year! Honestly one of the best presents I’ve received. As you guys know, orange blossom is my ultimate favorite scent!
The Penhaligon’s perfumes are packaged beautifully in black boxes. Each bottle looks the same, aside from the label and a different ribbon tied around the cap. They also create men’s fragrances, bath and body products, and even candles! I’m obviously lusting after the Neroli Tea Candle and the bath oils.
The eau de toilette has a lot of different accords that combine to the most magically delicate & bright orange blossom scent that is sweet and not grassy at all (I hate the grassy ones!)
Head Notes: Neroli, Violet Leaf, Bergamot, Lemon-Cedrat, Cardamom Absolute, Pink Berries
Heart Notes: Orange Absolute, Egyptian Jasmine Absolute, Tuberose Absolute, Rose Absolute, Peach Flower, Orchid
Base Notes: Sandalwood, Virginian Cedar, White Musk, Vanilla
The fragrance is beautifully composed, and is the perfect balance of all of the notes while still highlighting the orange blossom. Although Eau De Toilettes have less perfume oil than Eau De Parfum, I find that because these are high quality scents they still last a long time on me. When I visited the store, I sprayed my wrist once and could still smell it 7 hours later!
In the almost 9 months I’ve had it, it’s become my signature scent. I haven’t stuck to a scent for as long as this one. And although I love trying new scents, I think I’m going to stick with unique perfumers instead of designer or celebrity fragrances that everyone has. Next on my list is Au Pays de la Fleur d’Oranger Neroli Blanc Intense from Beautyhabit that I sampled at Cosmoprof.
This perfume is a bit pricy, at $150 on their website. But, I found a seller on Amazon that will save you a little bit of money, if you think it’s up your alley!