Mimosa

Mimosa in perfumery is the silver wattle (Acacia dealbata), a tree with fluffy balls of bright-yellow flowers that blooms at the end of winter. Native to Australia, it has long been at home on the Côte d'Azur, where its flowering has become a symbol of spring's arrival.

How it smells: soft, powdery and honeyed: fluffy flowers, the light green of the twigs, a faintly almond and violet shade. Mimosa sounds tender, sunny and a little nostalgic, like the first warm day after winter.

Mimosa absolute is obtained from the flowers together with the thin twigs, so a fresh green facet can be felt next to the honeyed powder. The flower itself is quiet, so perfumers often reinforce it with powdery and honeyed notes.

What it pairs with: with violet and iris — powdery compositions, with honey — a “sunny” mimosa, with heliotrope and almond — soft sweetish fragrances, with green notes — spring freshness, with musk — tender skin scents.

Good to know: every February the town of Mandelieu-la-Napoule on the Côte d'Azur holds a mimosa festival, and along the “Mimosa Route” visitors travel from the sea all the way to Grasse.