It's ugly outside: dark, with steady rain, and chilly. While it's good for the groundwater levels, it's not good for the spirit. That's why I reached for Hilde Soliani's Il Tuo Tulipano Eau de Parfum ($150 - $210). One spray, and I was transported to a fruit orchard, brimming with luscious, juicy fragrance.Somehow inspired by a walk through a field of red and yellow tulips (I don't pick up tulips in the notes), Il Tuo Tulipano is a fragrance bursting with the joy of life and dazzling in its bright beauty. Seemingly simple at first, it quickly draws you into its brilliant depth, unfolding layer after a layer of notes and revealing that a scent that seems simple at first is, in fact, a masterfully orchestrated harmony of many voices, each singing a joyful song.
The top notes of citruses, peaches, and kiwi have a delicate, juicy fruitiness that complements the fresh and sweet floral heart notes of freesia, lily of the valley, and jasmine. The green quality plays a key part in the composition, keeping the exuberance of fruits and flowers in check and adding an unexpectedly unisex aspect to this outwardly feminine blend. The base of vetiver, sandalwood, and musk is rich, sensual, and long-lasting. Simultaneously classic and quirky, feminine and androgynous, sweet and bitter, ripe and green, Il Tuo Tulipano is a fascinating and delightful floral fragrance.
According to LuckyScent, where I purchased mine, the notes are bergamot, blackberry, lime, peach, kiwi, and passion fruit, freesia, lily of the valley, jasmine, vetiver, sandal, oak moss, and white musk. I selected Il Tuo Tulipano "sight unsmelled" for two reasons: 1) the notes sounded divine, and 2) I wanted to try my first fragrance by Hilde Soliani. I have purchased others since I bought this one. I'm impressed with their beautiful bounty; I want every scent she's created.
Il Tuo Tulipano has it all for gardeners and foodies: fruits, white flowers, and a dry-down that's pretty. It's cheerful and chic - just what I needed today. Beware if you live with a fragrance-loving guy, though. He may sneak spritzes of Il Tuo Tulipano when you aren't looking.
Karen Dubin at Sniffapalooza interviewed the Italian niche perfumer, who is known for light, fruity florals, and taped the interview. You can see it on YouTube. The interesting thing is that Soliani said she creates fragrances for herself, not for "the customer," eschewing commercial trends and following her nose. I could get used to following Soliani's nose.
Hilde Soliani's fragrances are available at LuckyScent and New London Pharmacy. If you need a break from dreary weather, they are a great pick-me-up.
Photos courtesy of LuckyScent, flowerpics.tk, and ifood.tv
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