Penhaligon's 1976 EDP

F ££££ Statement

Lily of the Valley

by Michael Pickthall

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Penhaligon's Lily of the Valley is an Eau de Parfum launched in 1976, created by Michael Pickthall. Lily of the Valley opens with Bergamot, Lemon, and Geranium, settles into a heart of Rose, Jasmine, Ylang-Ylang, and Lily of the Valley, and dries down to a base of Sandalwood and Oakmoss. Penhaligon's's Lily of the Valley carries a Statement verdict, a green-led wear.

This lily of the valley scent is incredibly divisive. Some adore its photorealistic, green floral charm, finding it clean and elegant. Others? They're running for the hills, citing an 'old lady' vibe or a surprisingly strong, even 'murky' drydown. Try before you buy, unless you fancy smelling like a floral bomb.
What our verdicts mean →
  • Classic
  • Clean
  • Elegant
  • Fresh
  • Romantic
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Lily of the Valley Eau de Parfum bottle

Scent Profile

Composition

Timeline

Showing: Overall Blend

Top, heart and base are the brand's own listing, not a timing claim - the industry classifies a note by its character as much as by how fast it fades. Each curve here is modelled from that material's own volatility, so groups can overlap when a house lists long-lasting materials in its heart.

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Performance & Mood

Performance

Longevity
Moderate (4-6h)
Projection
Moderate
Intensity
Moderate

Mood

Mood Energising
Calming
Character Playful
Serious
Sentiment Uplifting
Brooding

When To Wear

Best Seasons

Best For:
Spring
Also Works:
Summer

A warm-weather pick - at its best in spring and summer.

Best Occasions

Also Works:
Casual Formal

Its potent floral and green accords, combined with reports of strong sillage, make it less suitable for a discreet office setting but perfectly acceptable for daytime casual wear. The classic, elegant character also lends itself well to formal events, though perhaps too traditional for some dating scenarios.

Declarable allergens

We derive these from the materials behind this fragrance's notes, not from the bottle. Each one is likely, not confirmed. The list is partial - the box can name others.

In standard patch-test panels

  • Citral Geranial from Lemon
  • Geraniol from Rose
  • Oakmoss Evernia prunastri extract from Oakmoss

Other declarable allergens

  • Bergamot Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Peel Oil from Bergamot
  • Rose geranium Pelargonium Graveolens Oil from Geranium
  • Sandalwood Santalol from Sandalwood
  • Ylang-ylang Cananga Odorata Flower Extract from Ylang-Ylang

The large name is the everyday one. The small name is the INCI form on the box, so you can compare the two. Reactions differ between people. A patch-test panel is not a ranking of risk. How we derive this

About

Opens with a zesty burst of bergamot and lemon, sharpened by green geranium. The heart blossoms into a rich bouquet of lily of the valley, creamy ylang-ylang, indolic jasmine, and a whisper of rose. It dries down to a subtle, mossy base of sandalwood and oakmoss, adding an earthy depth to the pristine florals.

Similar

Compare & Pair

Layer

Wear two at once. See what layers well with Lily of the Valley Eau de Parfum - the blends worth trying, and how each one scores.

Complement

Round out the rotation. See what complements Lily of the Valley Eau de Parfum - fragrances that pair with it, worn side by side.

Where to buy

Prices for the United Kingdom ·

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Drawn from community reviews and editor-reviewed before publishing on . See our methodology and disclosure policy.