Rimbaud eau de parfum by celine

It's a very refreshing scent; the lavender is more herbal (almost basil-like) than floral (soap). One of the standouts in this solid collection :)

I know nothing about Rimbaud the man, but I like to think I know a little about fragrance, (although that's debatable) this is a very fine lavender. How ever that is conjured, maintained, sustained, created or circumstances leading to the curation of fine lavender material, whatever is going on here the lavender note itself is superior.
I would say I don't like a lavender centric perfume and yet it's the basis of fougere's and other predominantly masuline fragrances which I love. Also two which spring to mind, and I find to be clever lavender's are Eau noire and Frederic Malle's Music for a while, two perfumes you wouldn't imagine a non lavender lover would hold in such high regard, but the instant I smelled Rimbaud I left the lavender possessed a certain inimitable quality.
Then the softening of the top notes, a fresh bergamot or something? and the pominent lavender dying back into a creamy, white floral wax. It's no where near as cologne, neroli/petitgrain or perhaps big jasmine as you might think, Rimbaud mainly leans on the lovely materials of Nightclubbing namely Orris butter and musk. Now if this was some indy sticking orris in everything as some sort of opulent, signature, calling card, I might cry...'Cheat!' that's cheating everyone loves orris butter, a quick way to phone in luxury, appeal and general thickness. However, here in Celine it appears to be done with great skill and subtlety, masking itself from view and having real development, I haven't checked but I'm assuming they all contain this lovely, creamy thread? Not a bad signature and reminiscent of the arts and materials line from Guerlain and the perpetual custard vanilla.
Rimbaud is not quite on par with the lightness of Chanel's Boy or the creativity of Music for a while, however it's more interesting than the reference in this genre, Caron Homme, which is a really lovely vibe between vanilla and lavender.
It's nice.
I mean is nice good enough at this price? That's upto you, but if you crave those uncluttered aesthetics, and a bit of luxury without the bells and whistles, gold shit and baubles then Celine is a good option for you.

Much lovelier than I expected or first experienced even at the initial spray. It opened as a pleasant, slightly sweet combination of Bois D'Argent and Eau Noire. The lavender note is the same herbal, green, slightly candied note found in Eau Noire (totally minus the immortelle, coffee, etc.). This rests upon the orris root, Iso E Super/Ambroxan/Dry woods accord of Bois D'Argent. This is all undergirded by a dry, sweet vanilla. The whole is greater than the sum of its parts, though, and the final drydown is an addictive mix of vanilla, lavender, amber, orris, woods that wafts a beautiful sillage that is delicious but never too sweet. I get the comparison to the "ur-vanilla-lavender fragrance" that is Caron PUH, but this is woodier, more ambery, and smoother and not quite as powdery and opaque. Going through my travel spray quickly.

Edited to add: I've been wearing this almost exclusively for a week or so now and I find it a really beautiful, accessible, and still interesting "easy reach." The far drydown that lingers on shirts is a crisp, sweet lavender tonka that is just beautiful.

Basically, it opens up with citruses, to reveal a slightly salty, powdery vanilla-ish lavender. Really gorgeous, subdued fragrance, it doesn't scream at all. This is by all means a beautiful creation, but i can see how it can be "boring" to some people. Still, there is a really quiet beauty about this. I would not mind getting a 50 or 75ml bottle, if Celine would think about making those sizes. This is easily unisex btw, any man can wear this, it has a gentle side to it, but very comforting.

Straightforwardly enjoyable, wholesome, naturalistic lavender. Like a big sheaf of dried lavender hanging in a French farmhouse. Not even remotely metallic as lavender can often be in perfume, just soft and centre-ing. The softness is down to a perfectly-blended orris root in the Celine house style — buttery, fine powder, slightly woody — and with the tiniest smidgen of vanilla that never oversteps the focus on lavender. There's nothing here like the back-and-forth between lavender and vanilla of Jicky, for example. Almost purely aromatic-floral, a celebration of traditional lavender, with a subtle white floral twist buoyed by smoky neroli in the opening and that super-soft base. For some Rimbaud may struggle to escape natural lavender's dried flower/pot pourri association (or laundry day for French people) but I think it's close to perfection.