Laurence Dumont 'Tendre Madeleine' - Fragrance Review

Laurence Dumont's Les Senteurs Gourmandes line is a gourmand lover's gem that not many people are familiar with. This fragrance collection is not very easy to find, but it is what they call a cheap thrill: a nice line of yummy scents that are very affordable.

Tendre Madeleine, one of the fragrances in the line, is inspired by the Madeleine, a traditional French dessert, and it includes notes of bergamot, cinnamon, almond, vanilla, white musk and precious wood. A couple of years ago I sampled another scent in the line which was Vanille Chocolat and I remember liking it. Naturally, I was curious about the rest of them and Tendre Madeleine caught my eye. If you are into soft gourmand scents, vanilla-based, delicious compositions, this is worth trying.

The opening is reminiscent of candied orange and spice (cinnamon and maybe a hint of nutmeg) over the 'baked goods' note, but it is not overly sweet. It is actually very pleasant and warm. The almond starts to kick in and the base is made of vanilla and a light touch of woods and musk, just enough to keep it soft and it never crosses into the extreme candy/sugary territory. I have heard many comparisons to L de Lolita Lempicka, and it definitely bears a resemblance, but Tendre Madeleine is gentler and softer. It is a warm, cuddly scent: a well blended, comfort fragrance that wears light and close to skin. It is very enjoyable - especially if you crave a sweet scent - and perfect for this time of the year. I always find myself craving gourmand scents once the Holiday season sets in and this one reminds me of childhood and simple pleasures...like a great dessert.

Tendre Madeleine is available in 50 ml and 100 ml bottles, Eau de Parfum, and 200 ml body lotion. Just like the other fragrances in the line, it has a very nice, affordable price point. This review is based on a sample that was sent to me by Essenza Nobile, a great fragrance shop from Germany (worldwide delivery available). I am not affiliated with them, but I shopped there many times and I always had a lovely experience. It is one of my favorite places to shop, because not only do they stock great and rare, hard-to-find fragrances, but they also have a sample program, which allows you to order samples and try them out before ordering a full bottle. The samples are a good size, they come in a spray vial and contain enough juice for you to test the scent plenty of times and decide how you feel about it. You can find more details on their website.