Eclix is one of my all time favorite comfort scents. It was launched by the high-end lingerie design house La Perla in 2000, and the fragrance features notes of bergamot, blackcurrant leaves, osmanthus, waterlily, may rose, almond blossom, exotic woods, cocoa and white musk.

Eclix starts very fresh and citrusy with a hint of green; in addition to the bergamot, there is a something that smells very much like lemon or lime. The early dry down is creamy and lightly sweet, and reminiscent of key lime pie (or maybe lemon meringue pie) with a light dusting of cocoa powder. The floral notes are sheer and indistinct; the osmanthus weaves in and out but I can't say that I notice any other flowers. As it continues to calm, there is the slightest tinge of almond, and a nice woody-musky base that tempers the sweetness.

I call Eclix a comfort scent, but it doesn't fall neatly into any of the obvious comfort scent categories. Despite the gourmand ingredients, the overall effect isn't really foody, nor is it very sweet. It is not likely to satisfy anyone looking for a high calorie, "feed me something rich" sort of fragrance. Nor is it an introspective, calming kind of scent: for that, I turn to Luctor et Emergo by The People of the Labyrinths. It is more of a "wrap me in a soft cloud of something delicious" sort of thing, perfect for someone like me that can't take the heavy powder of the more obvious entrants in that category like Talco Delicato by i Profumi di Firenze.

I have always found the alien-eye bottle design vaguely disturbing. I am not sure if it bothers me because it is ugly, or only because it is so completely at odds with the personality of the fragrance itself. Ah well.

La Perla Eclix is an Eau de Parfum, and the lasting power is good. It is easily found at the online discounters for less than $35 for a 50 ml bottle, and is also available in body lotion, body cream, and shower gel.

Tomorrow: Serge Lutens Rahät Loukoum

Note: image via Images de Parfums.