Bonbon is the third fragrance from left of the middle design house Viktor & Rolf. It follows FlowerBomb (fem) and Spice Bomb (masc) and is their second parfum for women. While it’s not a new fragrance, launched in 2014, there are some lovely new gift sets for Christmas and so a review seems timely.
Here’s how Viktor & Rolf see Bonbon
BONBON, a timeless sensation inviting a pure and absolute pursuit of pleasure. She who wears Bonbon, dresses herself in perfume whilst creating her own story. She is empowered, beautiful and complete.
Caramel characterizes the scent’s evolution. From inception to completion, the caramel notes mature from a sharp, edible top note to softer and milkier in the middle then darkening to add depth to the base note. A pure delight, a haute confection.
Olfactory notes
Top Notes: Mandarin, Orange, Peach
Heart Notes: Caramel, Jasmine, Orange blossom
Base Notes: Cedarwood, Guaiac wood, Sandalwood, Amber
The bottle is a stylish mix of cute (the bow) and edgy (the magenta colour) and is a gorgeous centre-piece for any dressing table.
I’m not keen on sweet perfumes, so the name Bonbon was something of a distraction and perhaps even a misnomer. When it comes to perfume, I like mine deep, musky with hints of amber and sandalwood. One look at the olfactory notes for Bonbon and, well, you had me at the base notes.
The overwhelming tones are the deep base notes, particularly the cedarwood, sandalwood and amber. I also get hints of Jasmine and Orange but very little of the other tones. The main notes I’ve described meld together beautifully but I can’t help feeling that there is a bit too much going on and a few of the top notes are lost on my less-refined senses.
Overall the fragrance is a beautiful sensuous oud-like scent that lingers long into the night. I say night as it is very much an evening fragrance and Ii just wouldn’t feel right wearing such a deep and luscious parfum by day. I’m not one for believing the marketing hype but this really does feel like the parfum for empowered, strong women with a sensual nature.
It is a real gem and I’m hoping that I might be gifted one of the gorgeous Christmas gift sets… any takers? Well, yes I know that I don’t celebrate Christmas but that doesn’t mean I can’t get a few presents for myself!
Available from Boots nationwide as well as all leading department stores priced at £50 for 30ml, £70.50 for 50ml, and £99 for 90ml. You can find the Christmas gift sets here.