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The imminent launch of all-round sexpot Tom Ford’s Champaca Absolute, from €140, dinged a dong in my head. I was pretty sure this note had cropped up in my beauty perusing more than once recently, and yep, indeed it has. So it seems there’s a little bit of a buzz happening around champaca, which caused me to look into it some more.
Firstly – what is it? The champaca flower is part of the Magnoliceae family (think magnolia) and is native to India, Java and the Phillipines. It’s also related to Star Anise, so as a scent it’s denser, spicier, warmer and creamier than magnolia, which is quite a light spritz. You can file this one under floral oriental, but it is not nearly as overpowering and headache-inducing as some florientals can be.
The ones to try? The aforementioned Tom Ford Private Blend offering is on-counter in March, Space NK has a version too, for €60, as do London perfumers Ormonde Jayne. Theirs is £112 and is tempered with fragrant rice and green tea notes. Yum!
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I hadn’t heard of Champaca before the Tom Ford fragrance, but it’s nice to come across a scent that is so different-smelling (and creamy too!), if quite pricey.
yeah it’s quite a niche note, nice though!
[...] Beaut Nuevo perfume de Champaca [...]
Commes des Garcons do a Champaca fragrance as well in Blue Eriu and it’s quite nice but the price tag isn’t – think it’s around €180!!!! I’ve got the Ormonde Jayne (as part of the sample set i won) and it is delicious too
Kellbell – heh I knew you’d comment on this post! Check out Tom Ford when you’re next in BT, it’s very rich and creamy.
I must do that Kirstie – i’ve been waiting to check this one out!
So i tried Tom Ford’s Champaca today and it’s really lovely. Actually i like it the best of the Champaca fragrances i’ve tried – ie – Commes des Garcons, Ormonde Jayne and Space.NK. Need to get a either a decant or to shell out for the full bottle.
oh good – glad you like it! €140 is a lot though, I know
Glad to see Space NK and Tom Ford are taking a ‘leaf’ out of Ormonde Jayne’s book and creating their own Champaca. Linda at OJ created this a few years ago and, for my money, beats these new one hands down.