Today’s review is dedicated to La Tentation de Nina by Nina Ricci, a 2014 limited edition of the original Nina fragrance from 2006. This enduring popularity, spanning over 18 years, reflects the fragrance’s timeless appeal.
One interesting aspect is that La Tentation de Nina by Nina is a perfume inspired by a special macaron made by Ladurée. It is indeed a Floral Fruity Gourmand fragrance for women. So, if you are into macarons, have any emotional connection to them, or just want to be playful and tempt people around you, then definitely read on.
In this review, I’ll guide you through my personal experience with this unique scent. But first, let’s journey back in time to discover when and by whom it was created and who is Nina Ricci.
History of La Tentation de Nina by Nina
Nina Ricci is the pseudonym and namesake fashion house of an Italian-born French fashion designer, Maria Adélaïde Nielli. Alongside her son Robert Ricci, she co-founded the fashion house in Paris in 1932. Today, Nina Ricci is owned by the Spanish fashion and fragrance group Puig.
The fragrance “Nina” by Nina Ricci was launched in 2006.Over the years, Nina has become a staple in Nina Ricci’s fragrance line, with different variations and limited editions released to complement the original scent.
La Tentation de Nina by Nina was launched in 2014. Created by Olivier Cresp and Vincent Lemains, the master chef of the famous Parisian patisserie Ladurée, the two men had collaborated for an extended period to develop a fragrance inspired by the world’s most trendy meringue-based confection. It was a fragrance that not only tantalized the senses but also made you crave it. Alongside the fragrance, the new line of Ladurée macarons named Nina was also introduced.
Aicha’s Experience of La Tentation De Nina
La Tentation De Nina by Nina Ricci EDT SPRAY (LIMITED EDITION)
First Impression: A Burst of sweet Delight
La Tentation De Nina comes in a pink-colored box – a beautiful, vibrant hot pink shade adorned with the golden inscription “La Tentation De Nina.”
And now, for the bottle reveal – lo and behold! The bottle, a visual feast in itself. It is undeniably one of the most beautiful perfume bottles I have ever seen, and coupled with my favorite colors, hot pink and gold, the combination makes it even more stunning. It resembles an apple, maintaining the apple-shaped motif that Nina Ricci is known for.
| M. Micallef Secrets Of Love Gourmet by Parfums M Micallef EAU DE PARFUM SPRAY 2.5 OZ for UNISEX |
Upon unboxing La Tentation De Nina and experiencing my initial spray, I encountered a very sweet fragrance. This sweetness is due to the top notes of raspberry jam, with subtle hints of lemon and bergamot. To be honest, it felt incredibly sweet, and if you have a penchant for sweet jams, you would undoubtedly love it.
However, personally, I was not impressed with the initial spray. Nevertheless, selecting perfumes requires patience, and if you wear this fragrance for some time, the true essence will gradually reveal itself.
The Heart: A Macarons Embrace
As La Tentation De Nina settled on my skin, the heart notes began to unfurl, revealing the fragrance’s floral core. This scent is built upon the foundations: Macarons, Raspberry, Lemon, Almond and Bulgarian Rose.
This is when I truly began to fall in love with the perfume, especially because of the unique combination of Bulgarian Rose and macaron’s scent which is something that makes it so comforting.
La Tentation De Nina takes about 10 minutes to reach this stage on my skin, so patience is key here 🙂
I really appreciate how the sweet notes combine with lemon and macaroons, gracefully intertwining with the zesty top notes, creating a harmonious blend that is both inviting and captivating.
At this stage, the real beauty of the scent emerges, making it indeed a gourmet fragrance. As I write this, I have worn the scent, and I feel like sniffing my hand forever
Tip: If you want to tempt someone special, wear it at least 15 minutes before, and see how it goes.
As I don’t have someone special in my life, I tempt myself with this fragrance. I wear it 15 minutes before I feel like eating a macaroon, when I can’t have one 🙁
But jokes apart, it is definitely one of the few scents that you could wear to relax yourself from the stresses of your life if you like bakery fragrances,—the sweet, chocolatey, baked fragrances intertwined with roses.
The Subtle Depth of the Base Notes
Finally, the base notes make their appearance, typically around one hour after application. This is the stage where it becomes romantic and sweet, much like my cat “Lava” who becomes exceptionally sweet after she eats a big bowl of chicken with soup and purrs.
The base notes of this fragrance contains the usual White Musk and Sandalwood, along with the surprising scent of Bourbon Vanilla. I told you it is a gourmet fragrance.
Again, the combination is very unique, as Sandalwood and musk have a distinct Arabic/South Asian fragrance that I have smelled since I literally opened my eyes. But its amalgamation with Bourbon Vanilla is something very interesting and hits those hidden olfactory senses that bring in childhood memories of coziness and happiness, like the last day of school before the start of winter holidays. Now you know what I mean 🙂
Sillage :
OK!
So when it comes to sillage, which refers to how a perfume feels when you first spray it and how it lingers in the air, La Tentation De Nina exhibits moderate sillage that stays the same, gradually fading in the end, of course. The main presence is rosy and sweet.
Longevity
One of the factors I frequently consider when evaluating a perfume is it’s longevity. In the case of La Tentation De Nina, it typically lasts for around 3-4 hours at most, which is something I was expecting.
Now, it happens that I have had this perfume for a very long time, around four years (I’m a collector), but the longevity is still the same, and it has not corroded even a little, making it a very good investment. Especially if you have fallen in love with its gorgeous, breathtaking bottle and want to keep the scent in it as long as possible.
Affordability:
The prices of La Tentation De Nina vary in different parts of the world, primarily because it was a limited edition perfume (but there is enough demand that they are still producing it) and, of course, due to import duties. But overall, it is a moderately priced fragrance, given the fact that it lasts so long.
Versatility and Occasion
When it comes to versatility, it’s evident that La Tentation De Nina is a fun-filled, cute yet romantic fragrance. Especially if you have a chill, fun-filled personality, you can pull it off anytime during the day. However, if you are more serious, it might not be as pleasing during a boring corporate dinner in the evening!
By “fun-filled,” I don’t mean Zach Galifianakis in The Hangover!
More like Lorelai Gilmore – you know!
Aicha’s recommendation: La Tentation De Nina Ricci
La Tentation De Nina is a soft, romantic, sweet, fun-filled fragrance. It is one of a kind, and that’s why it is a limited edition. Personally, I felt a surge of confidence whenever I wore this perfume. It was as though the scent itself whispered encouraging words in my ear, boosting my self-assuredness.
I believe that Nina Ricci has taken a great risk by creating La Tentation De Nina, infusing the fragrance of macaroons. Gourmet fragrances are not for everyone and are not very common, but if they hit the right spot, they bring back all the nostalgic memories of sweet, good times.
In summary, it’s perfect for women who adore roses, lemon, macaroons, sandalwood, musk, and bergamot – you just need to picture it, and I guess you can definitely feel the citrusy, sweet, floral gourmet fragrance. However, if you detest macaroons, roses, being cute, or are simply boring, then I believe this is not for you.
In my opinion, Nina has taken a big risk that has definitely paid off.
PS: I wish someone would create an authentic “Biryani” fragrance for once. Then it would be a real test of Gourmet Fragrances! I hope you are listening, Olivier Cresp!