Champaca by Ormonde Jayne - Fragrance Review

Champaca by Ormonde Jayne

Notes:

Top: Neroli, Pink Pepper, Bamboo

Heart: Champaca Absolute, Freesia Absolute, Basmati Notes

Base: Myrrh, Green Tea, Musk

Strength: Eau De Parfum

Gender label: Ladies

Perfumer: Geza Schoen

Ormonde Jayne is a perfume house that I was introduced to very recently, and I'm still digging deep into their varied collection of fragrances. I first became aware of them during a trip to London last summer. The concept of the house got me hooked, they create fragrances (using mostly natural ingredients) that are centered around a note rarely used in perfumery. I'm always on the look out for something exciting and unfamiliar in a fragrance, so I knew I had to delve into this house. 

This past Christmas, a friend of mine gifted me with a discovery set containing samples of each fragrance in the Ormonde Jayne mainline. Champaca is one that really stood out to me, simply because it is one of the most beautiful perfumes I have ever come across. 

Champaca is a note that has interested me for a long time, because it is so rarely used in perfumery. This, frankly, baffles me, because each fragrance I have come across (so far) that contains the note is absolutely gorgeous. However, Ormonde Jayne's take on Champaca definitely wins the trophy in a competition for which Champaca fragrance on the market right now is the most graceful.

Champaca, a pale-yellow flower that is typically found in India. It's scent is most commonly described as "heady", "creamy" and "tea-like". It's closely related to the Magnolia flower. 

Champaca flower

Ormonde Jayne's Champaca opens with a very clean blast of florals, particularly the sweet aroma of Orange Blossom and the freshness of Neroli. Very quickly, the notes of Champaca and Freesia are added to the mix, creating a soft, sweet floral scent that is absolutely divine. 

Champaca is very much a gentle perfume, but that's part of it's charm. The wearer of this kind of scent is not the type of person that needs to demand the attention of the entire room. This perfume is an understated beauty. And, much like the wearer, this perfume exudes a divinity, confidence and elegance that does not seek the approval of others. 

There's something slightly bohemian about this scent, which I attribute to the slightly bitter undertone that is most likely coming from the note of myrrh in the base. This scent, for me, conjures images of a young Joni Mitchell, perhaps during the time she composed Ladies Of The Canyon or Blue . A lady with intelligence and a free-spirited outlook on life, much like Joni, is the character I think of whenever I smell this perfume.

Joni Mitchell

Wear Details

• Best Time To Use: Anytime, but more suited to formal
• Best Season(s): Spring, Summer
• Sprays I wear: 4
• Longevity: 8+ hours
• Projection: Soft, but noticeable to those within a close proximity 
• Purchase Details: I don't own a full bottle of this unfortunately, but my friend purchased the discovery kit from OrmondeJayne.com  

Thank you for reading this review :-)

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