It’s spring! FINALLY. I had the flu for over a week and by the time I felt like going outside, there were pink blossoms everywhere. It was like coming out of hibernation. My senses are still rather dull but I have a craving for pretty pink perfumes.

Since I still can’t really smell anything, I thought it would be a good time to launch a feature that I’ve been wanting to write. Instead of writing an extensive guide to perfumes with a predominate note (like this Lilac Guide), I wanted to compare/contrast a small group of perfumes that share a similar theme or characteristics. I wanted this to be an approachable guide to introduce some of my favorite perfumes in a given genre.

This is a playoff¹ between perfumes inspired by cherry blossoms. Most cherry blossoms that are in bloom right now lack a fragrance. But, some do (and you know it if you’ve smelled it!). In perfumery, it’s usually a soft, powdery floral note with a citrus, fruity tang. These perfumes try to give the impression of springtime.

CHEAPIE PLAYOFFS:

Yves Rocher Cerisier en Fleurs EDT (originally reviewed April 18, 2016)

I know that this one doesn’t have many fans because it’s so fleeting. But, it’s dirt cheap and the perfumer is Francis Kurkdjian. I can’t complain! This is one of those unapologetic “pretty” perfumes. It’s like a sheer, breezy floral with green almonds. It’s actually more of a heliotrope floral than it is cherry blossom. However, the perfume does give the impression of countless pink petals that make a romantic canopy against a perfect blue sky.

Recommended for:  Anyone that wants a sweet, light floral that conjures trees full of pink spring blossoms.

The Body Shop Japanese Cherry Blossom EDT

If I thought this was representative of all cherry blossom perfumes, I’d probably never try another cherry blossom perfume. That may sound harsh but I promise that I don’t think it’s bad at all. It’s actually really pretty…so pretty that it could be considering boring by many. It’s a soft, abstract powdery floral with hints of violet and apple slices. I guess it smells delicate, spring-like, dainty…it’s sort of kawaii. I think of it as a “starter perfume” in that it is soft, light and inoffensive (and almost impossible to over-use).

Best for: Anyone that wants a pretty, powdery floral that is a step up from a body spray (and doesn’t smell like fake cherries. *cough* *cough* *side-eyeing Bath & Body Works…*).

The added bonus of both of these are that you can get matching bath/body products in these scents. You can literally bath in a cloud of pink fluff.

EauMG’s Finals – Personally, I’m cheering for Yves Rocher‘s over The Body Shop‘s. I think Yves Rocher’s is slightly more complex. Plus, when you buy from that brand, they always give you tons of random free stuff that you can re-gift to mother-in-laws…

Announcer note: L’Occitane Fleur de Cerisier/Cherry Blossom was supposed to play, but tripped over a big, juicy cherry ruined their ankle and couldn’t compete.

NICHE PLAYOFFS

Olympic Orchids Sakura EDP (originally reviewed April 28, 2016)

If you aren’t interested in cherry blossom perfumes because you think they smell like powdery piles of pink petal mush, then let me introduce you to Sakura. I think Sakura is the best cherry blossom perfume for those that don’t like cherry blossom perfumes. So many on the market are like “pretty pretty princess”. Sakura is bittersweet with black licorice, green almond and dirt. It’s like the entire tree – bark, leaves, earth and blossoms – covered in a thick, heavy, grey fog. Because of this, I think it’s the most “accurate” cherry blossom perfume that I’ve ever tried. The world doesn’t actually smell as pretty as all this stuff in pink bottles!

Best for: Anyone that likes the idea of wearing a cherry blossom perfume but have been disappointed by what they’ve tried. This is like a pretty floral with enough ugliness to make it enjoyable to those of us that are weird like this.

4160 Tuesdays Tokyo Spring Blossom EDP

This one doesn’t really market itself as a cherry blossom perfume so I probably shouldn’t have included it. BUT, it reminds me of cherry blossoms in bloom. Like so many 4160 Tuesdays perfumes, this one opens with a giggly effervescence. This one reminds me of orange soda pop and powdery French makeup. But, for most of the wear it’s like fizzy Fentimans Rose Lemonade until it eventually dries down to musk. It’s powdery, tangy and floral. This is why it reminds me of spring cherry blossoms…or at least a picnic at a cherry blossom festival.

Best for: Anyone that likes fun, flirty perfumes but wears something like YSL Paris and thinks “Wow, I wish this had more bubbles and cherry blossoms”, well, here ya go.

EauMG’s Finals: This was a really close game. I like both of these. They have different strengths so it’s not really fair to compare them. I’m going to say for the novelty, I prefer Olympic Orchids Sakura because I can’t think of another cherry blossom perfume like it. But, if I’m going to be sitting outside under cherry trees, I’d rather smell like Tokyo Spring Blossom.Can I tie based on situation?

Do you like cherry blossom in perfumes? If so, which ones do you think should make it to finals? Which ones are your favorite?

Player stats: 

The 3.4 oz bottle of the Yves Rocher is $28 (and often on sale). 

The 1.7 oz bottle of The Body Shop one is $28 (and can be found on sale sometimes).

The 1 oz bottle of Olympic Orchids Sakura retails for $55.

The 1.7 oz bottle of 4160 Tuesdays retails for $90.

I’m pretty sure that travel sizes are available in all of these scents.

¹It’s a really unfair playoff because I’m the only referee and for some reason I’m choosing the winner. So, feel free to call this league corrupt.

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*Image from FreeImages. Product pics from the brands except for 4160 Tuesdays (Luckyscent). Yves Rocher contains an affiliate link. Thanks!