Everybody knows there are eighty-nine days in January. January is gloomy enough even without the grey skies and lack of colour in the garden, so that’s when I reach for the florals. I was recently sent a bottle of Florist 101 by Jay Patel, founder of Shloksha. You may recall my earlier reviews of this small, but beautifully formed perfume house. With delightful names such as Godfather’s Pudding and Nicotine Factory, the brand has simple packaging, and original fragrances that are a pleasure to wear. So, what does Florist 101 smell like?
Firstly, it smells temptingly of the open air; the bliss of an open window after a stuffy indoor winter. The next thing that makes an impact is the greenery. It’s lush, green foliage, stems, sap and all, but it avoids any bitterness and reminds me of that moment when you enter a florist and the greenery wafts becomingly before you even smell any petals.
The floral notes are extravagant and plentiful; a bouquet bought by a lovesick suitor to impress his crush. Roses bloom unapologetically, loud and long. The honeyed nuance of a daffodil trumpet pipes out an olfactory tune pretty enough to attract bees, and trusty ylang ylang adds its delicate Not Quite Banana Blossom accord. There’s a nuance of sweetness from figs and honey, but with a light touch, not a sticky one, and you have a welcome breeze carrying the long awaited message that Spring is Indeed Coming. You don’t need to be from Narnia to appreciate that.
Perfume notes:
Opening notes – wet swamp, intoxicating daffodils
Heart notes – rose, figs, honey, ylang
Base notes – amber notes
The brand website description of the perfume notes is whimsical, although I wouldn’t say the green is swampy, more rain kissed leaves with sparkly cobwebs on. Whichever way you imagine spring, the scent of Florist 101 will bring you one step closer. It smells of flowers. It smells of sky. It smells of leaves. Most of all, though, it smells of optimism, and we all need some of that right now.
Where to buy it
You can buy Shloksha Florist 101 from the Shloksha website. Florist 101 comes a 15ml or a 30ml bottle and prices start at £34.95. Check out the Discovery Set while you’re there.
Disclosure
I was sent my bottle of Florist 101 by the brand, for which many thanks. My opinion of it, and my decision to review it, are both my own.
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