Have you ever wondered what potions the ladies from the Naughty Nineties – that’s the 1890s – used to entice their Victorian swains? Have you ever regretted the era of full-bodied, bodice-ripping fragrances laden with rich, natural essences? Problem solved, thanks to Amanda and Simon Brooke, who revived the venerable English house of Grossmith with the help of the “professeur de parfums” Roja Dove. Shem-el-Nessim means “smelling the breeze”: it is the name of the Egyptian spring festival and has been celebrated for over 4000 years. Its namesake fragrance only goes back to 1906, which still makes it one of the oldest perfume formulas on the market. But springtime is indeed what Shem-el-Nessim conjures, with soft heliotrope, lilac, iris and green hyacinth notes (the two latter not on the official list) making up an Easter bouquet worthy of the Mauve Decade. The scent is perhaps more reminiscent of an Edwardian belle just about to drop her S-bend corset in favor of Poiret’s Directoire dresses than of Scheherazade or Nefertiti, but what does it matter? A spritz on your wrist and you’ll be back in the gardens of the Belle Époque. Rich and luxurious. Shem-el-Nessim Notes Bergamot, neroli, geranium, jasmine, rose, ylang ylang, orris, musk, patchouli, cedar, sandalwood, heliotrope and vanilla
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