Marshmallows are the most disappointing dessert. When international friends visit, they always want to try this exotic fluffy cube of sugar¹. As a good friend, it’s my job to tell them that they’ll be disappointed. Then I remember that life is full of disappointments. If they have made it this far, they can handle being disappointed by a boring sweet. I go find them marshmallows, they eat them and always go “That’s it? That’s not even good”. I nod my head in agreement and always a shoot a look that says, “I told you so”.

Years ago, I remember when our society was between post-cupcake and an emerging fro-yo scene, people kept telling me that marshmallows would be the next “big thing”. These people included those working in marketing and foodies in the Seattle area. “No, that’s impossible because marshmallows are a disappointing dessert”, I said. I even ate all their artisanal marshmallows – orange blossom, rose, even vetiver! And I was always disappointed because marshmallows aren’t a good dessert. They’re an accompaniment, always the runner up². Anyway, this never really took off. Which is fine because I can live in a world without fancy marshmallow cafes.

Marshmallows are not my dessert of choice. But, I don’t mind smelling like a marshmallow. I like the idea of a “fluffy”, cloud-like gourmand. Most of the time in perfumery, marshmallow just registers as “fluffy vanilla”. By Kilian Love (Don’t Be Shy), is the marshmallow my foodie friends tried to convince me would be the next “big thing”.

Love is basically an orange blossom marshmallow. It opens with tart orange blossom water and a cool, metallic coriander. The “metallic radiance” of this opening reminds me of a high-class Mugler Alien. It’s like neroli and vanilla on hot, bare skin. For most of the wear, it’s a sweet, vanilla marshmallow. I suspect there’s some heliotrope in this, because I occasionally pick up on something that is like cherry/almond. The dry-down is like burnt sugar (caramel) with a little bit of amber incense smoke. This base isn’t as sweet as it sounds. It’s handled in a sort of Guerlain gourmand sort of way. But, if you’re wondering if Love is sweet – yes, it’s sweet.

For a marshmallow perfume, it’s good. The amber and orange blossom keep it from smelling like a novelty body lotion. It’s not a perfume I see myself wearing except during one of those rare moods when I want to smell like elevated blood sugar.

Notes listed include bergamot, Tunisian neroli, pink pepper, coriander seed, honeysuckle, orange flower, orange water, Egyptian jasmine, Bulgarian rose, iris butter, civet, caramelized sugar, vanilla, labdanum, and white musk. Launched in 2007. PERFUMER – Calice Becker

Give Love a try if you like gourmands or like the thought of smelling like a marshmallow. Or if you like perfumes like Guerlain Le Plus Beau Jour de Ma Vie, Guerlain Mon Precieux Nectar, Boucheron Trouble, Mugler Alien and/or Maison Margiela Replica Funfair Evening.

Projection is average. Longevity is above average.

The 1.7 oz bottle retails for $260 at Saks. A travel set/refill is also available for purchase.

Victoria’s Final EauPINION – Orange blossom marshmallow. It’s one of those niche gourmands that doesn’t really “wow” me but it’s not bad. With my infrequent marshmallow moods, there’s no way in heck I could justify spending $260 on artisanal marshmallows.

¹What international media source is sharing the lie that Americans eat marshmallows all the time? It’s LIES.

²If marshmallow isn’t served with caramel and covered in chocolate AKA a Goo Goo Cluster (the candy bar of my people), don’t bother me.

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Olfactoria’s Travels

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The Non-Blonde

The Muse in Wooden Shoes

Perfume Posse 

*Sample obtained by me. Product pic from Fragrantica. Candy Darling pic from fanpix.net. Post contains an affiliate link. Thanks.