Review of Virtessa by Yaroslavna Lasytsya

Mandarin and blackcurrant create a juicy, sparkling opening with a lightly tart edge—youthful, radiant and immediately engaging. The scent feels bright from the outset, yet never simplistic; beneath the exuberance lies a composition that gradually reveals a more sensual, textural floral heart. Ylang-ylang enters first with the creamy suggestion of not-quite-ripe banana flesh, lending a softly exotic, pale-yellow nuance to the fruit. As the perfume warms on the skin, gardenia begins to bloom: smooth, creamy and flowing in languid waves. Its fleshy white petals are warmed and subtly tinted by the expanding ylang-ylang, which adds a gentle tropicality without pushing the fragrance into obvious or overly sweet territory. There is also a lingering impression of golden orchid suspended in the fragrant haze above the skin—a luminous, slightly humid floral glow that gives the composition breadth and refinement. This is an impressively well-blended fruity floral with a lightly exotic character, yet never becoming too narrowly defined by any single note or accord. Sandalwood dissolves beautifully into this sensual composition, preserving its satin-silk fluidity and a curious coolness to the touch. Musk and amber function more as free-flowing brushstrokes than a hard base: they shape the perfume without framing or restricting it. Amber, in particular, maintains the fragrance’s golden luminosity, adding depth, warmth and a softly shimmering finish. This is a most luscious and luxurious rendering of gardenia—feminine, sensual and elegant, with a glimmer of tropical paradise woven between its petals. It is versatile provided the application is measured as its richness requires a considered hand. Surprisingly tactile, photorealistic and almost edible, it is a flormand in the very best sense: creamy, golden and addictive, yet composed with real poise. An undeniably captivating and enchanting scent.