Le Couvent des Minimes L'Eau Aimable ~ Botanical Cologne of Love (2012) {New Perfume}

Le Couvent des Minimes have released a new perfume in the tradition of prophylactic waters called L'Eau Aimable (lit. Pleasant Water), subtitled in English "Botanical Cologne of Love," following on the launch last year of L'Eau des Missions which listed a number of ingredients meant to be curative and wellness-enhancing...

The type of love that is alluded to here seems to be at first the innocent love of childhood, but since one such primordial experience cannot be dissociated from love in adult life, we can only assume that it's about love in general.

Orange blossom on which the cologne centers offers itself traditional ambivalent value, as both a calming scent and an aphrodisiacal one. 

L'Eau Aimable thus stages orange blossom, a note which readily conjures up childhood associations in French olfactive culture. The brand indeed underlines the wellness aspect of pleasant memories, saying that the scent "...reminds you of the joys of childhood, the dolce far niente of vacations and the freshness of hesperidic fruits." 

5 beneficial plants have been associated with orange blossom to promote a sensation of "well-being and serenity." Orange blossom is for a sensation of softness; mandarin and bergamot are sources of serenity; dog-rose is for hydration; nasturtium is for radiance; petitgrain is for balance. 

The list of ingredients hints at the beautifying virtues of this eau de cologne which seems to emulate formulae such as Eau Dynamisante by Clarins, which also contains skin care ingredients, and more recently Eau des Bienfaits by Roger et Gallet. 

Olfactory pyramid: Top: bergamot, orange, manadarin, orange, petitgrain. Heart: orange blossom, neroli, jasmine. Base: soft woods, vanilla, musk. 

Prices: from 25€ for 100 ml to 49€ for 500 ml (pictured) & 4,90€ for a soap. Available at Marionnaud.fr