Lily of the Valley
Penhaligon's (1976)

Lovely lily of the valley! In this one you really don't need to look for the main note, it is there and stays there. Soft, calming in an optimistic way, non screaming combinations of flowers where Lilly of the valley having it's major part in. It scents like a glade in a forest, in a sunny day during late springtime, but it keeps strangely remains of winter. A cold breeze. The darkness and cold are all around and behind you, but you only feel the smell of the shy white flowers and wet grass, staring at the sky.

Innocent lily of the valley & the butterfly-kissed jasmine. The clarity of this scent is breathtaking zingy & fresh without having to resort to the sugary sherbet fizz upon which some more modern spring scents rely. A lasting tonal green escorts the fragrance though from a brief citrus opening to a floral heart that contains the signature note supported by geranium, rose and aromatic rosemary. The base note of sandalwood simply helps soften and extend the bright floral bouquet. It is non-invasive. In this regard, Lily of the Valley is a traditional floral: no heavy base notes to get in the way of the fresh, pure floral experience. The dry down is soft and sweet without being powdery.

The perfumer made much effort connecting the soft, tender, breathy qualities of the flower to the same qualities in skin. The end result is something between a perfect illusion of the flower and the classic eroticism of a soft, pale exposed breast. On a scale of innocence on a par with Anais Anais and about as exciting as Estee Lauder Pleasures.

I love Lily of the Valley, and it is done here as a lovely soliflore. I get mostly the one floral note, with the sandalwood coming in at the dry down. The sandalwood grounds it and gives it more lasting power than Diorissimo on my skin. This is a classic for a reason. It's perfect in spring.

Of course it smells like Lilly of the valley, but the geranium and the rose make it feel synthetic. The Lilly disappears nearly completely after 10 minutes for some itchy acid smell.

Longevity and sillage are average.

I only smell one note in this perfume, Lily-of-the-Valley, pure and simple. Beautiful Lily-of-the-Valley, my second favorite flower. It lasts a long time on my skin. Pure perfection.

A beautiful white flower scent. It does smell like an old perfume, but this is no bad thing- why mess with a classic? I love the clean, summery smell. It is strong without being cloying or overpowering, which is a fault I have found with some of Penhaligon's other floral scents.

One of my sample pack that I' trying out. It's a lovely scent, but just not for me. Light and springy, okay for a break from a fave, but I like a perfume with more oomph. Fleurine describes it very well.