This is another in a series of bargain fragrance reviews, scents that may be found online or at discount stores for US $25 or less. Leave a comment below for your chance to receive a sample, shipped anywhere in the world, free!
Summary: From the ever-expanding Acqua Colonia line, Lavender & Thyme is a soapy, straightforward herbal lavender with impressive longevity and a tender and relaxing vibe. Different enough from other lavender aromas, and now retired from the range, Lavender & Thyme is worth the search for it at deep discounts across the web.
Perfumer: Cecile Hua is listed as perfumer for the current Acqua Colonia range and as such, I *think* she might be the nose behind Lavender & Thyme.
Try this if you like: Floral, soapy lavender without its sometimes earthier, meaty edge; herbal aspects of lavender; thyme as a fragrance note; neroli and bergamot; the original 4711.
Pros & Cons: I love how the thyme isn’t really “in your face with cooking spices.” There’s just enough lavender here to allow the note to take center stage in the composition, but the more traditional bergamot and neroli tones of a traditional cologne shine through adding some extra body to the composition. A lavender for those who often stay away from lavender scents?
Not much complexity and as such easy to dismiss; some may find it too traditionally soapy overall. There is a somewhat bothersome chalky tone that temporarily appears towards the end of the first hour of development. It’s something I often encounter in fragrances but that doesn’t stick around long enough to truly keep me from loving this.
Notes: Lavender and thyme (but it feels like this accord is set against a base of the original 4711 cologne, so there are likely numerous other notes not listed.)
Reminds me of: Hmmm, this is tough as I can’t say it actually reminds me of any other lavender scent I’ve tried. I’d say it isn’t as pretty or stripped down as Donna Karan Essence Lavender or my previously-reviewed Voluspa Atelier Provence Lavande. Likewise, it contains none of the more animalic tones of lavender found in more traditional scents such as Czech and Speake or Penhaligon’s. It isn’t as thoroughly blended as Fergie’s Viva or Thymes Lavender. And it isn’t quite as straightforward or traditional as Yardley English Lavender or Woods of Windsor Lavender.
Designer’s Description: “This calming fragrance captures the warmth and beauty of the countryside of Provence in France and is reminiscent of violet-coloured fields of lavender under brilliant sunrays. The Mediterranean composition of relaxing lavender and spicy, warming thyme softly calms the frenzied senses …. ACQUA COLONIA from the House of 4711 is a range of exceptional fragrance compositions to inspire body, emotions and senses. The range uses selected natural ingredients that have a positive, mood-enhancing effect and combines these in innovative, breathtaking fragrance creations. ACQUA COLONIA was awarded the Prix de Beauté in 2010 for the best marketing strategy of the year in the Luxury category, followed in 2012 by the GALA SPA AWARD for the matching Body Care line …. ACQUA COLONIA is a fascinating series of unique Eaux de Colognes and luxurious body care products based on a careful combination of contrasting ingredients that appeal to all the senses, are a pleasure to smell, and which stimulate and spark moments of intense well-being …. Inspired by Nature: Ingredients renowned for their positive effects on the emotions and mood are combined in a contrast-rich blend to create a fascinating tension that makes people curious about surprising fragrance experiences.”—4711.com
Number of times tested: 10+ over the last two weeks.
Number of sprays applied for this review: Two sprays to the back of hand from a bottle I purchased.
Fragrance strength: Eau de Cologne
Development: (Linear / Average / Complex) Stays clean and soapy and thoroughly one-dimensional.
Longevity: (Short / Average / Long-lasting) Unlike a couple of the other Acqua Colonias, Lavender & Thyme sticks around on my skin for a good 8-10 hours, albeit quietly.
Sillage: (A Little / Average / A Lot) Soft and close to the skin; perfect for office wear.
Note about the packaging: “A sophisticated retro design: the traditional Molanus bottle and its high-quality relief decoration underscores the elegance of the fragrances. The naturalistic, delicate packaging effectively accentuates the stylish botanical illustrations of the individual ingredients. A true highlight: A spray pump is included, providing the option of applying the fragrances either in liquid or in Natural Spray format.”—4711.com
Where can I buy it? Found online for as little as $25 USD for a 5.7 oz EDC tester.
The Bottom Line: I recently discovered that after 25 years of avoidance, I no longer hate lavender; this discovery has led me to explore way more lavender themed fragrances than my wallet typically allows. I’ve tried everything from vintage Atkinsons English Lavender to essential oils, and I still find that there are a few that have made their mark strongly enough such that I’m hooked and need a bottle on my shelf. And the best part of this scent is the fact that the aroma actually stays present on the skin without having to resort to blending the lavender with ambers, vanillas or musks (not that I would mind that so much). To help, the only other lavenders I wear on a routine basis are Caron’s pour un Homme, Voluspa’s French Cade Lavender and also their Atelier Provence Lavande, Czech and Speake’s Oxford and Cambridge, Guerlain’s Lavande Velours, Gandini’s Lavender and Gold Amber, and Creed’s Royal Scottish Lavender. I’ve found other lavenders to be just too sweet, too much like a rack of lamb, or just too bitter or short-lived.
Truly, there isn’t much more to say about this 4711 cologne. For anyone who loves a typical eau de cologne but wished for a stronger lavender presence alongside the classic notes, this is your scent. For anyone who wants to smell like a bar of traditional lavender soap, this is your scent. And for anyone who ever wondered what thyme might be like in a fragrance, this is your scent. And best of all, keep your eyes open for an even less expensive tester version!
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