Cécile

Cécile was the first fragrance from To The Fairest, a small British house that takes the idea of woman as muse from the golden apple of the Hesperides. The brand calls it a seductive, multi-layered interpretation of modern sensuality, and it launched in the summer of 2020 as an eau de parfum and a candle. The opening is sparkling bergamot and mandarin, and wearers agree that it is citrus-dominated. Rose absolute sits in the heart, though many wearers say they cannot find it and report something creamier and softer instead. The base is a very powdery amber with a little clove, which gives the dry-down its gentle, cocooning warmth and a soapy, clean feel. Performance is moderate. Votes split between moderate and long-lasting wear, and projection is mostly moderate, so it sits close to the wearer. It is at its best in spring and summer and is easy to wear every day, with about half of wearers also choosing it for evenings. Winter is the weakest season. Opinion is mostly warm: wearers call it beautiful, classy and sophisticated, like fine lace, while a few find the citrus chemical. It is sold in 50 ml at 85 pounds, so a sample is a good first step.