Created by : Jeffrey Dame

Date : 2015

Genre : Gardenia soliflore

Concentration : eau de toilette

I believe that I have a lazy streak and I think that’s probably why I love legible perfumes… I like to wear perfumes that are easy and recognizable.  And so when I tried Dame Perfumery’s Lime, Gardenia and Benzoin, I got it immediately! It’s a simple lapel gardenia or as the French would say, “une boutonnière”.

I’ve always loved gardenias. When I left home, a gardenia was the first plant I owned. The small white flowers were so fragrant and beautiful, I immediately fell in love. Unfortunately, that plant never flowered again after I took it home from the florist shop and so I think from that moment on, I’ve always been searching for that distinctive gardenia fragrance.  I thought I had found it when I read about Arquiste Boutonnière No. 7, but no.  The Arquiste version is not so much a gardenia as a woody scent and Victoria from Bois de Jasmin hit the nail on the head when she described Boutonnière No. 7 as more of a vetiver than a gardenia.

I’m not surprised that the owner behind Dame Perfumery and the creator of Lime, Gardenia and Benzoin has been in the perfume marketing business since 1980.  Jeffrey Dame knows a lot about perfume.  I liked most of his fragrances when I tested them on scent strips but the one that stood out for me was this perfectly-executed gardenia soliflore.

People who read me know that I don’t write many perfume reviews because there are so many excellent bloggers out there who write perfect reviews but when a perfume moves me, well I can’t help myself.  And this one is worth writing about.  Lime, Gardenia and Benzoin is, without a doubt, in my top 10.  I started wearing it 2 weeks ago and I haven’t stopped since.  It’s like wearing a gardenia in a lapel… close to the wearer… a private pleasure… and it seemed to disappear when I was busy but distracted me occasionally when my mind was in neutral.  Like all perfumes that I love, words are scarce but suffice it to say that this one is definitely worth a try. And at this price, I paid less than $100 Cdn., it immediately goes to the top of my go-to list.

Lime, Gardenia and Benzoin is an eau de toilette but it behaves more like an eau de parfum. It’s got great longevity, on me it lasts the complete day, but not a lot of throw. It’s perfect for the office because it definitely won’t bother the people around you.  However, anyone getting close to you is going to enjoy it.  I have no doubt.

I’ll tell you that this review was written last week and I stalled on publishing it because I just couldn’t think of an appropriate image but sadly, the image came too easily to me this week. I could easily imagine Omar Sharif (1932-2015) wearing this simple, sophisticated yet discreet fragrance… and especially with that ruffled shirt!  This image says it all.  Enjoy!

Omar Sharif as Nicky Arnstein in Funny Girl