Now the house has come out with a trio of love potions sure to set hearts aflutter come Valentine’s Day.
Escada Sentiment debuts as a "couple"–a scent for her and a scent for him, meant to complement one another. Sentiment for Her is a sweet, powdery fragrance, perfect for dining al fresco on a warm, sunny day, clad in a sundress while sipping cocktails.
Composed by Nathalie Gracia-Cetto of Givaudan Roure, one of the younger perfumers in the industry, flowers comprise the heart of this pink elixir. Powdery iris reigns supreme, flanked by wild May Rose and heady tuberose. It opens with a burst of sparkling green mandarin, magnolia blossom, and juicy red currants. Then, once the florals have made their appearance and it melts into your skin, Sentiment for Her dries down into a soothing vanilla, sandalwood and amber finish that lasts and lasts.
The bottle for this romantic fragrance is shaped like–what could be more logical?– a heart. Based on an idea by Brian Rennie, director of Escada’s Creative Studios, it was then sculpted in glass by artist Serge Mansau.
That this potion is tinted pink is a no-brainer: pink, of course, has traditionally symbolized everlasting love, trust and tenderness.
The eau de toilette comes in three sizes: 30, 50 and 75 ml. To make the scent last longer, layer it with the matching range of moisturizing body lotion, bath and shower gel, and deodorant roll-on that is alcohol-free for sensitive skin.
Escada Sentiment for Men complements its feminine counterpart beautifully with exotic notes not commonly used in men’s perfumery. The first hit includes surprising whiffs of jackfruit and lime, accompanied by the green tang of juniper berries. Unusual, spicy middle notes include lombok, pink pepper and mace (the aromatic bark of nutmeg), all overlaid on a woody base of atlas cedar, mysore sandalwood and vetiver.
That Sentiment for Men is so unique is no surprise, considering it’s the work of esteemed noses Dominique Ropion and Laurent Bruyere, perfumers at International Flavors and Fragrances, Inc., who deployed cutting-edge techniques in its creation.
Artist Serge Mansau, who also designed the Sentiment for Her flacon, sculpted the heavy glass bottle out of a block of lacquered magenta glass, crowned with a cabochon.
Sentiment for Him comes in a wide range of 50 ml and 100 ml. eau de toilette sprays, 100 ml. aftershave, 200 ml. body and hair shower gel, and 150 ml. spray deodorant.
Escada further expands its men’s collection with Magnetism for Men, a woody, spicy, ambery confection that is also atypical in men’s fragrance.
According to the company, it’s for men who want to stand out–the ultimate fragrance for power players. "Magnetism is for the man who knows how to take charge. He exudes confidence without arrogance. He has sex appeal without ego. He is a force to be reckoned with," declares the company copy, but while the scent is resolutely masculine, its subtlety and softness might very well appeal to women as well (and isn’t that the point in the first place?).
Top notes include schinus (the Brazilian pepper tree) and saffron, sensual middle notes of cedarwood, sandalwood and leather, rounded off with a warm base of amber, tolu balsam and musk.
Created by Michel Almairac of Robertet, Paris, Magnetism for Men is one of those fragrances that straddle the line between masculine and feminine–it’s not really unisex but is soft enough for a woman, yet made for a man.
Magnetism for Men comes in 50 ml. and 100 ml. eau de toilette natural sprays, 75 ml. aftershave, 200 ml. Shower Breeze and 75 g. deodorant stick.
Escada perfumes are available at all Rustan’s stores.