HFC
CHIC BLOSSOM

2017

PERFUMER
Vincent Ricord

Jasmine
lemon
mandarin

Jasmine Sambac
Amber

Musk
Benzoin
Tobacco

As jasmine has become one of my favorite notes I knew I was going to like this and I sure do, especially in the opening.

It’s a fresh, citrussy jasmine. However, the supporting notes bring the freshness, the jasmine itself doesn’t shy away from a hint of skank, which I think is adding a sexy, daring edge in a chic way. Smelling the skin up close it’s actually quite dirty for a jasmine, but in the air the citrus is more noticeable.

I was surprised to also find benzoin and tobacco in the base here. While it’s definitely not a heavy fragrance in that sense and 100% a white floral scent and not a tobacco one, you do feel that there is some depth to this composition. Once the citrus fades away a bit, it turns powdery earthy and rooty or vegetal in the way an iris can do.

My favorite element is probably the mandarin; the lemon adds a pretty random acidity, but the mandarin really comes across very recognizable and natural in some wafts. In that first hour where it’s noticeable is where Chic Blossom shines for me. After that it’s still a very nice fragrance and potentially my favorite from the 5 HFC that I’ve tried at this point.