Rania J say:
The aromatic intensity and elegance of lavender wrap around the woody notes of oud, vetiver and cedar wood. The Tonka bean and the patchouli give to the accord a dimension of warm and sweet, powerful and delicate
Lavande 44 fragrance notes
Head
- Bergamot, Petitgrain
Heart
- Lavender
Base
- Oud, vetiver, cedarwood, tonka bean, patchouli
Where to buy
Latest Reviews of Lavande 44


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Lavande 44 is lavender on steroids, bolstered with a creamy barbershop accord, that the lavender smacks down, within the first two hours of wear. I don't usually like power lavenders, Lancôme's Lavande Trianon is just impossible for me to wear, but this one is surprisingly friendly. It is so strong, that one spray made the dog jump to attention, and two sprays brought my boyfriend in from halfway across the house, to ask how much perfume I was wearing, something he never says, even when I wear room-owning divas like Insolence and Angel.
Its lavender has a warm, caramelized quality, with herbal undertones. As it settles, I also find an ambery base with some resinous animalic implications. But, it is basically lavender, lavender, and, then ... more lavender. Somehow, the perfume achieves its nuclear-grade sillage without any metallic woody ambers, that I can detect.
If you are looking for a Wall of Lavender, give this a try. It has massive projection, and lasts for more than 24 hours on skin. I like it, but it doesn't do enough to justify its price. I prefer a more nuanced lavender, give me Jicky any day, but I don't dislike Lavande 44. I don't have anything clever to say about it, and I don't think it is trying to do more than stick to its script and be a Big Bad. I will enjoy the rest of my house sample. Three stars, for quality, wearability, and not doing any more, or less than I expected. I can't not recommend it for being what it is, so I suppose, that means a basic and no-frills thumbs up.

Lavande 44 is centered around the floral note of lavender but well-blended like a barbershop/cologne vibe, albeit with some more weight, really a year-round signature scent type of fragrance, but certainly unisex and artistically interesting, divergent from the standard formula. It's not as spicy as men's wintery fougere types (i.e. YSL Jazz, Chanel Pour Monsieur EDP) but not as fresh as more summery options (Chanel Pour Monsieur EDT, Dior Eau Sauvage, YSL Rive Gauche).
I'm impressed by the composition, which, like Ambre Loup and Oud Assam, is refined and clearly shows some care. It's not the most daring scent but balances idiosyncrasy with a winning formula. I imagine the lavender-averse might find it off-putting but it really strikes me as a tasteful and restrained, albeit fulfilling use of lavender, which can sometimes come off a little too sharp and screechy (ala verbena) if used excessively. The fragrance seems to perform quite well, as well, though maybe not much so as Oud Assam or Ambre Loup.
The pricing of Lavande 44 and the rest of the Rania J brand is $149 for 50ml, at EDP concentration. The only US boutique that sells Rania J. fragrances is Luckyscent, from which I obtained my sample, but I've learned that another grey market site sells the brand, as well.
8 out of 10

Lavande 44 opens with a blast of freshness aided from the bergamot and petit grain up top. I cant distinctly smell either of them but they help in making the lavender smell fresher in the opening.
As the fragrance develops the vetiver, tonka and cedarwood help in softening the lavender to the point that its almost powdery. This is the part of the fragrance that some might find dated or old school. But to me this is where it truly shines as one of the best barbershop fragrances ever made.
Thankfully i cant detect the oud and patchouli cause that would have definately turned me off. A perfect scent for all seasons, day or night, casuals or formals. This very well might be the end of my search for the perfect lavender fragrance.

Completely unisex I would say. And quite long lasting.