The way I like my lilac is firmly planted in my back yard and far away from perfume and grooming products I use. Seriously, I can't even wear En Passant, despite my great admiration. Lilac doesn't work for me and I've come to accept it. But this week I've been craving all things spring and my hand found itself consistently reaching for the mostly neglected sample of Ineke After My Own Heart. All of a sudden the magic has happened and I didn't make the poor floral thing stink to high heaven.
After My Own Heart is romance in a bottle. The lilac is soft, the heliotrope is slightly sweet and the musk is smooth and warm. It makes me think of a sunny May afternoon in the NJ Botanical Gardens at Skylands Manor. There's a section of the garden that's full of lilacs in every size, color and form. When the trees are in bloom you can smell them from afar and it's one of the most romantic places I know. You can bring a blanket and just lounge there in the sun until it all goes up to your head. I've been having a good skin chemistry week, so this perfume, Ineke's first, has been giving me all of its nuances. Slightly powdery, feminine and embracing- After My Own Heart is full of emotion. It's as floral and lilacy as it gets, even if the opening is somewhat green with a hint of orange blossom- soon you're transferred into a room full of lace, French antiques and vases full of freshly cut blooms.
It's utterly not my thing- decidedly floral perfumes, pink and lavender colors and that style of home decor. But I can appreciate it and occasionally even enjoy wearing such a perfume, especially since Ineke has composed After My Own Heart with care, warmth and originality. The musky dry-down is somewhat typical to the line and I like it a lot. I know some take issue with Ineke's base, so I'd advice everyone, including devotees of lilac perfumes to sample first. Thankfully, it's easy to do as Ineke sells full sample sets of all seven of her perfumes both on her own site and through Beauty Habit.
After My Own Heart ($88, 75ml) by Ineke can be found on ineke.com and beautyhabit.com
Art: The Lilac Fairy by Cicely Mary Barker (dated from the 1930s or 40s)
When a perfumer can make you appreciate something that you normally stay away from, that's a true compliment. I recently discovered beauty of Ineke's fragrances and I'm so glad I did. Awesome review.
ReplyDeleteI am going to have to check this out. I've been eyeing the Ineke's for a bit, anyway. I don't do lavender and pink or doilies, but I'm a lilac ho!
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I think I'm going to adore it! Need now! Thanks for covering a floral, my faves.
ReplyDeleteLilac is hard to capture in a bottle. I will order a sample!
I think the Ineke perfumes are great and I know what you mean about lilac, such a lovely smell but very hard to re create- I'm going to have to re try this
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