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05/21/2012
Apicius
222 Reviews
Apicius
Helpful Review
3
Cool, not cold
Social Creatures is a small but highly interesting niche brand from London, apparently family run business. They offer only three fragrances, since years, and they make no attempt to flood the marked with a complete new series of quickly developed perfumes every year. I like such abstinence, it might indicate that they appreciate their art higher that quick money. And I like their professional looking website. You can see how Russell Newell manufactures the artistic and handmade caps of their really beautiful flacons.
Utopian is a light and very discreet gent's perfume. It stands in the tradition of the Old-English lavender waters, yet there is much more to that. It is not too herbal, the lavender is quite tame, and with tonka bean and cognac, there is a very slight oriental touch in it. Unlike the simple lavender waters Utopian is a complex fragrance, although there might not be too much development. The fragrance is so extremely discreet that one is hardly able to overapply it. Nevertheless, it is an Eau de Parfum and will accompany you through the day. Due to this attribute, it is a perfect choice on any morning when you feel a bit undecided and do not want to go for something distinct or even extreme, and of course for any occasion when discreetness is advisable.
There are not too many lavender perfumes around, and those that are more widely known often do not match my taste. The problem with gent's lavender perfumes is that the once successful Pour un Homme de Caron still is the acknowledged role model. I do not like the combination of lavender with vanilla in there, it simply doesn't fit in. But still, almost every new lavender perfume contains this note. I generally understand the need to balance the sometimes very herbaceous or fougère character of lavender with something oriental – but the solution that Russell Newell found in Utopian is much more pleasing and elegant. The result of this combination of lavender is indeed urban and modern, also, there is some warmth to it that many traditional lavenders are missing. It is cool but not cold!
Utopian has been my favorite lavender perfume for years, and I wear it in turns with the more herbaceous Oxford & Cambridge by Czech & Speake. It is a true gem and should get a wider audience.
The pricing is worth mentioning: whereas many niche brands only sell 100 ml flacons Social Creatures offer their perfumes in lots of different sizes, starting with 10 ml for 18 £! I have the 30 ml square flacon, it is the cutest!
Utopian is a light and very discreet gent's perfume. It stands in the tradition of the Old-English lavender waters, yet there is much more to that. It is not too herbal, the lavender is quite tame, and with tonka bean and cognac, there is a very slight oriental touch in it. Unlike the simple lavender waters Utopian is a complex fragrance, although there might not be too much development. The fragrance is so extremely discreet that one is hardly able to overapply it. Nevertheless, it is an Eau de Parfum and will accompany you through the day. Due to this attribute, it is a perfect choice on any morning when you feel a bit undecided and do not want to go for something distinct or even extreme, and of course for any occasion when discreetness is advisable.
There are not too many lavender perfumes around, and those that are more widely known often do not match my taste. The problem with gent's lavender perfumes is that the once successful Pour un Homme de Caron still is the acknowledged role model. I do not like the combination of lavender with vanilla in there, it simply doesn't fit in. But still, almost every new lavender perfume contains this note. I generally understand the need to balance the sometimes very herbaceous or fougère character of lavender with something oriental – but the solution that Russell Newell found in Utopian is much more pleasing and elegant. The result of this combination of lavender is indeed urban and modern, also, there is some warmth to it that many traditional lavenders are missing. It is cool but not cold!
Utopian has been my favorite lavender perfume for years, and I wear it in turns with the more herbaceous Oxford & Cambridge by Czech & Speake. It is a true gem and should get a wider audience.
The pricing is worth mentioning: whereas many niche brands only sell 100 ml flacons Social Creatures offer their perfumes in lots of different sizes, starting with 10 ml for 18 £! I have the 30 ml square flacon, it is the cutest!
