Aromascope

Venerable Angel Substitutes

July 8th, 2007

I don’t know what has possessed me in the heat of summer to even think of Angel but I have, and today’s post is about venerable Angel substitutes. Why venerable? Because in this day and age we live amongst numerous Angel clones, and most of them in my humble (but educated) opinion are rather pathetic. No matter how you feel about Angel, it is undoubtedly a modern day classic, and as is the case with classic perfumes, they’re bound to be replicated. Personally, I see no wrong in replicas as long as they have a certain twist of their own, are able to make a statement, and have a general healthy olfactory self-esteem. Below is the list of such smell-alikes of Angel. I’d also like to add I call them “Angel substitutes” for a reason - they can be easily liked and worn if Angel is just too much for you or if you like only certain aspects of it.

Jailia by Profumi di Pantelleria

Probably my favorite Angel substitute, this Italian-made scent features the notes of bitter orange, bergamot, pineapple, peach, red fruits, honey, patchouli, vanilla, chocolate, ambergris. You get the same chocolate/caramel/patchouli blend but with added honeyed fruity depth (which in this case is a positive thing). Smooth and polished.

Ciel, Mon Jardin! by Le Prince Jardinier

A playful take on Angel, with notes of bergamot, rhubarb, melon, rose, jasmine, hyacinth, patchouli, vetiver, cedar, caramel, vanilla. The emphasis here is on the green, freshly picked rhubarb that’s made into a luscious dessert on your skin. I’d call this the best summer version of Angel. Very gourmand but extremely wearable.

Nuits de Noho by Bond No 9

Nuits de Noho is a sophisticated, glamorous take on Angel. Built around the notes of musk, vanilla, bergamot, rosewood, jasmine, and patchouli, it’s unbelievably urban and chic. The scent is pleasantly free of Angel’s caramel, gourmand theme, with emphasis on floral notes underlined by soft patchouli. Guaranteed to warrant compliments.

Nirmala by Molinard

Created in 1955, Nirmala can easily be called Angel’s Grandma. Based on mango, passion fruit, grapefruit, mandarine, jasmine, tonka bean, sandalwood, vanilla, and cedarwood, this sensual blend showcases tropical fruits on the creamy, woody base. Not a hint of patchouli, hence a great Angel substitute if patchouli is what bothers you.

Borneo 1834 by Serge Lutens

If Nirmala is Angel’s Grandma, then Borneo (although created only a couple of years ago) could easily take Angel’s Grandpa’s place, the kind that loves his patch like tobacco, drinks his bourbon like there’s no tomorrow, and occasionally treats himself to coffee liquor filled dark chocolates. A smoky, hay-like, dry version of Angel. Patchouli, camphor, cistus, cardamom, galbanum, cocoa.

The above fragrances are available at Luckyscent, Beautyhabit, Saks Fifth Avenue, Aedes, and Salons Shiseido in Paris.

Image source: luckyscent.com, beautyhabit.com, salons-shiseido.com, saksfifthavenue.com, parfumdepub.net

Entry Filed under: Perfume Reviews, Smell-alikes