Soleil Blanc

Notes & Nuances

Soleil Blanc by Maison Alhambra attempts a sun-drenched escape, but stumbles on the landing. The opening blast is a jarring pistachio, less creamy nut and more artificial green dye, battling a thin bergamot that evaporates in seconds. A whisper of cardamom tries to soften the synthetic edge, but the effect is fleeting. The tuberose-ylang heart emerges, sweeter than expected; think bubblegum tuberose with a gasoline edge. This differs greatly from Tom Ford's solar floral accord, which is more sophisticated and less candied. The drydown is where the trouble truly begins. A plasticky coconut shell note dominates, clashing horribly with a dusty, almost medicinal amber. The tonka bean offers little respite, adding a sickly vanilla sweetness. It lacks the luxurious creaminess of the original.

Conclusion

This fragrance is for the individual who fancies themselves a bohemian spirit, eternally chasing summer, but whose reality is more suburban cul-de-sac than St. Barts. They frequent tanning salons, decorate their homes with seashells purchased online, and dream of an escape that never quite materializes. They might enjoy the initial sweetness, but ultimately, the plasticky drydown will leave them feeling like they've been wearing cheap suntan lotion all day.

Projection Power

This fragrance lasts a surprisingly long time, clinging to skin for about 6 hours. However, the projection is minimal, staying close to the body after the initial 30 minutes. I wore it during a humid summer day at an outdoor cafe; the heat amplified the synthetic coconut note to an almost unbearable degree.