A forgotten secret garden (Lalique: Nilang, Eau de Toilette)

Member Name: lillamarta

Product:	Lalique: Nilang, Eau de Toilette
Date:	14/10/08 (152 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Unique composition, collectible bottle

Disadvantages: Discontinued, only available online, may smell aged

Launched: 1995
Group: aquatic floral oriental

~ Introduction ~

I've come across Nilang unknowingly when I became interested in vintage perfume and bought a small collection of perfume bottles from a lady in the US whose mother had died and left a great collection of rare and collectible - mostly full - perfume bottles to her which she was selling on Ebay. Into my possession came a full, 100ml size Nilang Eau de Toilette which I bought because it was housed in a bottle made by Lalique and because it was exceptionally well priced at $19.99.

I never intended to wear the perfume because vintage bottles are more valuable when unopened, but one day, just out of curiosity, I dabbed a dot on my wrist and forgot about it. I met up with my friend that day in the evening and she said: there's a very nice sweet smell about you, what is it? I said to her: Oh it's this vintage Lalique perfume called Nilang. Do you like it? Since then my friend and Nilang became inseparable and I have to admit I love it to, though not using it very often, obviously sparing it.

~ The glassmaker ~

Born in 1860 in Ay, France, Rene Jules Lalique was a renowned jeweller and glass-maker at the turn of the century. His works were exhibited at numerous Universal Exhibitions and Art Salons throught Europe. From the 1910s he collaborated with Francois Coty on the design of Coty's boutique and perfume bottles. In 1935 Lalique opened his own boutique Rue Royale, Paris, that still functions as a Lalique showroom today of luxurious glassware. He died in 1945, aged 85.

~ The bottle ~

Lalique's line of perfumes are showcases of Lalique's dictintive artistic and decorative design. The Nilang bottles, both Nilang and Claire Nilang (2003) Eau de Toilettes are representations of a flower. The bottle itself is an elongated, curved and slightly twisted and ribbed meaty glass stem adorned by a semi-open lotus blossom top, made from plastic. The colour of the lid can vary slightly, mine is light green, the 30ml edition has a pink lotus, the mini 7.5ml a yellow one.

The perfume itself is yellow in colour, not to be confused with the light green version, Claire Nilang Eau de Toilette. The bottle is of course plain, devoid of any label, the Lalique signature is only added to the bottom where it meets the base.

~ The fragrance ~

Top notes: jasmine water, lotus blossom

Immediately after application I'm met with a slightly sharp aroma of amber, then a few seconds later, a much sweeter one which is still slightly off. This is most probably due to the age of the perfume so don't let that put you off, Nilang will change into its true, unique self shortly. After about five minutes the real top notes start emerging which are floral and gently aquatic in character. The aquatic undertone is not the green, fresh air type of aroma as in most aquatic fragrances like Light Blue but rather a sweet and floral one. The top notes are sweet with a subtle freshness to them and, to my surprise, also gourmand which may be due to the early presence of the base notes as I mentioned earlier.

Middle notes: freesia, daffodil, wild bilberry

In half an hour Nilang has changed its character and is now getting fresher, greener though still keeping its flowery-aquatic side. I can distinctly smell a cranberry-smelling, bittersweet aroma that mingles with sweet floral notes and just like in the top notes, there's a gourmand note here as well, that is ever so slightly smokey like roasted nuts. As my boyfriend remarked when we travelled in a car and I was wearing Nilang, I smelled of biscuits. Of course, this may be the sillage from the base, the note that hasn't blended in with the skin yet.

The overall impression of the middle phase of the fragrance is one of fresh, slightly bittery florals with a sweet, praline edge that lasts for quite a while depending on temperature and skin type. I have normal skin and I've been wearing Nilang for at least 3 hours now and the heart notes are still very distinct with no signs of the base notes.

Base notes: amber, vanilla, praline, sandalwood

The base notes start appearing after about four hours with a distinct and warm side that's getting creamier and powdery with time. I can feel vanilla and sensual, warm sandal notes that remind me of crushed nuts and are so long-lasting that I could smell them on my arm the morning after. The amber is no longer detectable now as it has been lost in the top notes. The impression is a balanced, gourmand, sexy and sweet base which is not typically oriental but a warm, homely blend with a rich, sexy kick to it.

~ Conclusion ~

I dare say Nilang has been one of my most interesting discoveries as I have not yet found a fragrance that is even remotely similar to it. An eau de toilette with a strength and staying power of an eau de parfum, amongst connaisseurs it is still very popular and there are times when it's practically unavailable online.

Nilang is extremely innovative in terms of blending seemingly clashing ingredients together normally used in different olfactory groups and managing to make it unique, beautiful and irresistable. Either to add to your collection or to wear it, Nilang is a rare gem, that should never be forgotten.

~ Price / where to buy ~

Nilang has been discontinued however it is still available online from Amazon US $54 / 2 x 30ml Eau de Toilette and perfume sites such as http://www.perfumeportal.co.uk where it's currently £13 / 100ml Eau de Toilette instead of £40 / 100ml.

Thanks for reading.

©powered by lillybee also posted on Ciao

Summary: A unique aquatic floral oriental scent with a sensual and gourmand edge.