It’s almost impossible to believe that the first day of Spring has already arrived. Looking out of the window one is greeted by flurries of beautiful but ultimately inconvenient (and more than a little bit annoying) snow. To put it in to context, at this time last year it was a rather more palatable 21 °C and today it’s… – let’s not depress ourselves shall we?

Whilst this blogger may not be ready for spring his favourite perfume brand – Thierry Mugler – certainly is. This month sees the release of their annual ‘Aqua Chic’ editions of pillar fragrances Angel, Alien and Womanity. All three of which are reinterpreted as fresher, livelier and more aqueous perfumes.

For the Aqua Chic editions both Angel and Alien have been redressed in floral waters – rose and orange blossom respectively – to create summer-infused perfumes that are more than welcome to turn our SAD minds to think of warmer, happier and decidedly less blizzardy days.

The Notes

Rose Blossom, Raspberry Blossom, Green Apple Granita, Patchouli and Vanilla

How Does it Smell?

For Angel Aqua Chic the original – an olfactory drag queen – has been considerably lightened by the addition of rose water. This rose water in particular has a berry-like and sugar syrup-esque quality that smells like the vivid pink sauce of a liquidated cyber rose. In short, it’s not the delicate blush pink rose essence one is used to.

The rest of Angel Aqua Chic’s development very much falls in line with the DNA of the original Eau de Parfum but the whole thing is unsurprisingly much lighter and effervescent. Chocolate and patchouli take a back seat to the floral candy floss effect, which in itself is relatively muted and not at all like the tour de force vibe found in Angel.

Angel and rose have been together before in the wonderful La Rose Angel and in comparison the Aqua Chic edition doesn’t come close. That said, this version is not meant to be a mind-blowing remix of the original and it succeeds at being exactly what it set out to be – a sparkling, watery but not aquatic (an important distinction) and rose-tinted summer version of a modern classic.

The Notes

Orange Blossom, Lemon Blossom, Pink Grapefruit, Wood and Amber

How Does it Smell?

Alien and orange blossom were born to be together it’s a simple fact. The bitter citrus of the orange and hay notes of orange blossom blend exceptionally with the fizzy white jasmine to create a juicy, mouthwatering Alien that feels reassuringly in touch with nature in the heat of summer.

The golden light of cashmeran that cemented the hyper-jasmine of the original is, as with the florals, approached with a softer touch here and most of Alien Aqua Chic’s ‘boost’ is courtesy of airy and silky musks that provide a lot of lift whilst adding a touch of powder in the base.

Alien Aqua Chic is very pretty, the addition of orange blossom is inspired but it iss all perhaps a little bit too fizzy and light for my tastes and one can’t help but wish there was a little bit more of the original’s oomph to liven things up. One can only imagine just how good a non-summer Alien and orange blossom combo would be – now that I would like to see!

Availability

Both Angel (50ml) and Alien (60ml) Aqua Chic are available in Eau de Toilette concentration for £40.

Disclaimer
Sample and images via Thierry Mugler. Notes via Escentual.com.