Launched in 2015 by English fragrance house, Penhaligon’s Ostara is a fragrance inspired by daffodils. Ostara is an Old English name for the goddess who reawakens life from the death of winter. Her festival celebrates rebirth and renewal and takes place at the spring equinox, so she is the namesake of Easter. Ostara opens with a burst of spring green from juniper, violet leaf and spearmint tempered by sweet, succulent clementine, tart red berries, aromatic blackcurrant bud and aldehydes. As it blooms, narcotic, sweet narcissus appears and lingers before leading to a bouquet of spring blooms: deep, luscious, hyacinth, sweet hawthorn, spicy, lilac-smelling wisteria and fresh, green-nuanced cyclamen. Beeswax absolute gives the delicate flowers a warm, honeyed depth. Ylang-Ylang, sweet and narcotic, echoes the narcissus, while it's banana and jasmine nuances hint at the summer to come. The base is resinous, dark and deep from styrax and benzoin, beautifully sweetened by vanilla and amber, balanced with a beautiful woody note and smoothed by musk. The drydown is bright and soft yet surprisingly deep and complex at the same time. It smells the way I want spring to feel. Notes: Clementine, bergamot, red berries CO2, juniper, spearmint, blackcurrant bud CO2, violet leaf, leafy effects, aldehydes, hyacinth, narcissus, beeswax, cyclamen, Ylang-Ylang, hawthorn, wisteria, styrax resin, vanilla, benzoin, musk, amber and white wood effects.
