Le Parfum, Lalique’s 2005 release, was created by Dominique Ropion, and is a surprisingly soft, understated scent with a beautiful, gently-spicy top accord, candied floral heart and a velvety vanillic drydown.

Is it amazingly original? Not really. The almost-gourmand sweetness of the top notes reminded me of my beloved Flowerbomb Extreme. The heliotrope-cumin-vanilla combo of the middle stage is slightly reminiscent of Sira des Indes, without the animalic quality of the latter. Jasmine mixed with vanilla and sparkled with some pink pepper is quite frankly a bit of a cliché. Still, Le Parfum is undeniably pretty. The bergamot-bay-leaf- pepper top accord is joyful, vivacious. The slightly powdery, floral heart is elegant and soft. The drydown of vanilla, tonka, sandalwood and musk is enveloping and pleasantly fluffy. The truth is that a perfume does not always have to be strikingly unique to be beautiful and satisfying.