Monday, March 09, 2009

Tom Ford Champaca Absolute


My inaugural review following the birth of my daughter needed to feature a fragrance I consider unique, posh and enjoyable. I am pleased to feature a Tom Ford creation for his Personal Blends Collection - a hearty floral with an edge - Champaca Absolute.

I must admit from its description I did not expect to like this fragrance. The notes appeared good enough in writing, but held little promise of captivating my newly evolved nose. (Pregnancy had a profound effect on my appreciation of spicier, heartier scents. I was mostly a floral girl prior to carrying a child.) By description, Champaca Absolute appeared a very heady and sweet floral. What I found instead after testing is a heady floral indeed, white in color, with a pinch of golden warmth, making it likeable and interesting enough to consider a purchase.

Its beginning reminds me of sweet fruit, although it is described by its creator as Tokajii wine and cognac. I experience this layer as succulent rather than intoxicating. However, the fragrance does offer an intoxicating effect which develops much later. Following the initial burst of sweetness, the exotic flowers bloom into being with Champaca leading the way and jasmine following closely behind. Heady, powdery and slightly tea-like, this ultra feminine stage of the fragrance turns heads and noses. A creamy undertone lurks as well, making it completely and utterly likeable, like the soft and enveloping petals of exotic white flowers. Finally, the base holds the golden warmth and intoxication I spoke of earlier, with vanilla bean, amber and marron glace (candied chestnuts) offering the flowers a bewitching quality. Altogether femine, warm and sweet, Champaca Absolute is a winner in my book and one that I envision adding to my collection. It asks to be worn on a cooler day, due to its sweetness, and is probably more appropriate for women than men. I am certain many men will enjoy its charms though!

Tom Ford Private Blend Collection Champaca Absolute is available at Nieman Marcus, $180.00-$450.00 for 50ml-250ml of Eau de Parfum.

20 comments:

Unknown said...
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Anonymous said...

Congratulations on the birth of your daughter! I've been wanting to try CA for a while...you've inspired me to try harder!

Anonymous said...

You are back! I kept checking in to see when you would return. I would love to hear all about your wonderful new addition! And as far as Champaca Absolute goes - sweet florals sound great to me - I will have to try it. Also, I can totally relate to your nose changing due to pregnancy - my last pregnancy left me more sensitive to scent also.
Congratulations on your new baby - I bet she is a beauty!

ForTheLoveOfPerfume said...

Kirubig,

Thank you for your comment regarding Tom Ford scents. My blog is not an avenue for advertising or soliciting. Please don't use it as such. Thanks.

ForTheLoveOfPerfume said...

Elizabeth,

Thank you so much! You'll have to let me know when you get a chance to try it. It's most definitely worth a test!

ForTheLoveOfPerfume said...

Pattyaz,

Hi there! Yes, I'm back at least on a limited basis! I'd love to try to do three reviews/week again but not sure I'll have the time. We'll see!

Let me know your e-mail address and I'll send updates/photos. :-) Nice to see you!

violetnoir said...

I was wondering when you would return, T. Welcome back! I hope that you and your family are well. Thank you for the lovely review.

Hugs!

waftbyCarol said...

Congratulations New Mom !
I sniffed a " puff pak " sample of this at Fall Ball but never put on skin , didn't want to love the pricey thing !! Your description makes it go far beyond the sample . A must try for me at Spring Fling , on skin .
Thank you for the lovely review , and welcome back !

tmp00 said...

A (late) welcome back and congratulations!

Flora said...

Welcome back, and what an enticing review! I may have to get off my high horse and try some of this, as much as I hate to admit I might love a Tom Ford after his awful ad campaigns, but I have not seen anything too dreadful from him in that regard recently, and this sounds just dreamy.

ForTheLoveOfPerfume said...

R.,

So nice to see you! I was wondering when I would return, too. Things were pretty hectic for a few months! We're hitting our stride now though. I hope all is well with you and your family too!

Hugs,
T

ForTheLoveOfPerfume said...

WaftbyCarol,

So nice of you to stop by. Thank you! Yes, I am often underwhelmed by puff packs - must test on my skin!! Wouldn't life be grand if the only scents we loved were less than $100? Let me know what you think at the Spring Fling! Enjoy!

ForTheLoveOfPerfume said...

Tom! Thanks! Hope all is well with you. :-)

ForTheLoveOfPerfume said...

Flora,

I admit I wasn't a fan of his ad campaigns either. But the Private Blend Collection is worth investigating and I believe this one is the best of the bunch, subjectively speaking of course. :-)

Handmade pottery online shop said...
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Anonymous said...

Keep on sniffing, you are so talented and I love your reviews!

Nước hoa said...
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ForTheLoveOfPerfume said...

Thank you so much handmade pottery, anonymous and nu'o'c hoa. Your comments and compliments are so kind.

Anonymous said...
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Joop! Go said...
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