I try my best to keep an "out with the old, in with the new" attitude when it comes to discontinued beauty products and only throw tantrums (followed by weeks of eBay activity) when beloved perfumes disappear. But Fig Leaf & Cassis from The Thymes has been my favorite bath and body line for nearly ten years, and I kept hoping they will bring back the environmental oil in this scent, not to mention expand the range of products. Instead, it's being discontinued.
The leftover products are now in the "Last Chance" section (together with the Gardener and Green Tea lines). The body lotion is already gone, but everything else is still there.
I'm terribly disappointed. I didn't like any of the scents The Thymes have released in recent years. They're too thin, too flowery or horribly fruity. Something from the Red Cherie line that arrived here as a PR freebie, ended up being used in feline waste management, and I gave thumbs down to each and every of the scents I've tested in their focus groups. I guess we'll have to move on to Jo Malone's Fig Leaf & Cassis, but I'm going to dearly miss The Thymes. The scent was the perfect combination of lush and crisp, green with only a hint of honeyed fruit. It layered well with my favorite fig perfumes (Heeley and L'Artisan), and never failed to satisfy. If you have suggestions for other fig products, please comment. I'm sure I'm not the only FL&C fan who will need them.
The leftover products are now in the "Last Chance" section (together with the Gardener and Green Tea lines). The body lotion is already gone, but everything else is still there.
I'm terribly disappointed. I didn't like any of the scents The Thymes have released in recent years. They're too thin, too flowery or horribly fruity. Something from the Red Cherie line that arrived here as a PR freebie, ended up being used in feline waste management, and I gave thumbs down to each and every of the scents I've tested in their focus groups. I guess we'll have to move on to Jo Malone's Fig Leaf & Cassis, but I'm going to dearly miss The Thymes. The scent was the perfect combination of lush and crisp, green with only a hint of honeyed fruit. It layered well with my favorite fig perfumes (Heeley and L'Artisan), and never failed to satisfy. If you have suggestions for other fig products, please comment. I'm sure I'm not the only FL&C fan who will need them.
I'm so pleased to see another fan. Fig Leaf and Cassis was one of my first perfumes, post-twenties but pre-obsession. I remember I felt very daring wearing it. I don't think I could try it again--I know it would smell very different to me--but I regret its disappearance on your behalf.
ReplyDeleteDITTO DITTO DITTO!
ReplyDeleteI can't believe after all the fragrance > soap > even candles - all in Fig Leaf & Cassis, and they hafta get rid of it,; oh excuse me -- retire it. I e-mailed them and I got an ad back...
"Thank you for your e-mail. Unfortunately, Fig Leaf & Cassis is retiring this year and we no longer have inventory of the bar soap. It is always hard to retire a fragrance when you know there are still happy users out there making it part of their day. We have learned over the years that every fragrance has a life span and some longer then others. Sorry for the bad news.
The Thymes does have over a dozen other collections to offer, all of which are available from our website, www.thymes.com. I would be happy to send you samples or you can use our Store Locator to find Thymes products in your area. If you are interested, please forward your mailing address and I will be more than happy to add you to our samples list. Unfortunately, we are unable to send out free samples to any foreign country, including Canada due to mailing regulations and high shipping fees.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact us and hope to hear from you soon!
Sincerely,
Amanda Meadows Hoag
Thymes
800.366.4071
www.thymes.com
P.S. Try our new head-to-toe collection – Thymes Essentials – formulated with the highest quality ingredients that are naturally compatible with your skin
So, have we found a cache of body lotion and cologne somewhere? My wife is despondent. I am willing to buy a container load, if necessary!
ReplyDeleteTom, your best bet is to start calling stores that sell Thymes products (in your area and elsewhere) and see if any of them still have some in stock.
ReplyDeleteI've been wearing this for 9 years, and it is always the scent I bring to France with me - so now the scent reminds me of France, too, which of course makes it all the more pleasant. It lifts my mood. The only other scent to do that is Coty's Green Tea.
ReplyDeleteI am so late to the game on discovering this disappointing news! I had Fig leaf products as the first item to buy with Christmas money, and it's not available! I have been wearing the cologne through my 30s and into my 40s--I am ridiculously sad to see it go.
ReplyDeleteI'm another individual saddened by this news. The fragrance was light, androgynous, and blended very pleasantly with my chemistry.
ReplyDeleteIf anyone comes across a hidden stash anywhere, please do not hesitate to let the rest of us know. I only have half a bottle that I have to make last the rest of my life. :(
As an aside, has anyone used the Jo Malone? Is it similar at all?
I too am a long-time fan of Fig & Cassis lotion. I can't wear perfumes so this was the only thing I could wear without getting a headache. I have several friends who also use it and I've read other users on multiple blogs complain that it's retiring. I am dismayed that the company would discontinue it when it seems so popular - why kind of nuts are running their marketing strategy?
ReplyDeleteI'm so, so sad about this! This is my favorite fragrance and my husband loves it on me too.
ReplyDeleteI'm down to the last little bit in my bottle and searching frantically on line for more!
Have you come across any other perfumes that resemble Thymes fig leaf and cassis?
The company wasn't warm and fuzzy folks
ReplyDeleteI was soooo peeved to find out about Thymes new and "improved" line of products. I am personally a fan of their filigree scent and have been wearing it as my "signature scent" for almsot a decade. By chance, I happened upon a small quantity which I readily purchased. I too wrote Thymes warning them of their betrayal of long time customers in hopes of gaining new patronage from those that prefer sickeningly sweet products. Good grief. Does this company know nothing about that generation? Thymes is not a major brand sold in malls. They cannot possibly see themselves launching into this teen market successfully. Alas, they have abandoned those of us that regularly purchased long time favorites to chase this impossible dream. Love the scent...but think all the years of being intoxicated with real perfume has damaged their brain cells. Ugh!
ReplyDeleteI know I'm late to the party, but I'm just running out of Thymes Fig Leaf & Cassis products! I totally stocked up last year and bought everything I could lay my hands on, but it's almost all gone. It is my hands down favorite scent. I've bought lots of others trying to replace it, but nothing measures up. I do hope Thymes brings it back. Does anyone know how we can influence them?
ReplyDeleteHave been v v sad that this fragrance was discontinued. It made me smile each time I used it. Am willing to try the Malone fragrance on your suggestion that it may pass.
ReplyDeleteAlas, I tried the Jo Malone. I so wanted to love it. It was nothing like my beloved Thymes Fig Leaf and Casis. So upset.
ReplyDeleteHow could this happen-it was first on my list of items to buy with Christmas money this year! I've been wearing this for years-I love love love it! What are they thinking-please please please bring it back!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteThey just brought back Fig Leaf and Cassis!!
ReplyDeleteThey did not bring back the original Fig Leaf and Cassis with all the ORIGINAL ingredients!!
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