The ingenue grows up…
Notes: Cassis, Lavender Essence, Bergamot, Lemon, Caramel, Lavender Absolute, Geranium, Ambergris, Opoponax, Patchouli and Musk
Independent perfumers generally seem to me to make fragrances that feel a lot more personal. This is probably because they have the freedom to put so much of their own vision into them. Their creations often have strong characters that evoke a person, place or emotion. Vero Profumo’s Onda Voile d’Extrait triggered so many feelings in me, as did Rozy.
Another gem from Vero Kern that has my vivid imagination racing, is the fabulous Kiki Extrait de Parfum.
Only the alchemy performed by Vero could make the impossible possible: She created a lavender-centred perfume that even people who think they can’t abide lavender, fall in love with.
In Kiki, Vero turns the traditional use of lavender on its head. Instead of being cold, herbal and masculine-leaning she makes it warm, feminine and even flirty. Who would have thought it?
I was already won over by the sprayable Kiki Voile d’Extrait as you can read here, but Kiki Extrait de Parfum takes me to new heights.
Its inviting from the very first encounter, welcoming me by rolling out a plush purple carpet. There’s no sharp lavender opening, just a sense of complete ease and abandon. The inspired use of caramel brings out that self-same facet found in Lavender Absolute and this is what transmutes the material from medicinal to sensual.
If Kiki Voile d’Extrait is an ingenue, then Kiki Extrait is the same woman a couple of years on; more polished and knowing but with the same joie de vivre.
Kiki is steeped in Paris.
The city is her playground as she spends the day free-wheeling with artists and intellectuals and the evening trysting with her amour. The couple whisper sweet nothings in a dimly illuminated corner booth…
During a busy day at work I suddenly thought “Something smells really good, what did I put on today?”. The answer was Kiki Extrait. Even though it’s pure parfum which is designed to be dabbed rather than sprayed, it has enough throw for you to enjoy it as you concentrate on other things. It’s a multi-faceted jewel radiating soft amethyst light.
Perhaps its the tension between the cool tones of lavender and the warmth of caramel that makes it so addictive – the usually frigid Lavender softens and melts in Caramel’s heated embrace. Perhaps it’s the blackcurrant pulp which adds that surprising touch of nonchalance. Or maybe it’s simply her womanly yet playful nature that captures your heart.
Whatever it is, wearing Kiki is pure Parisian pleasure.
Do you know Kiki? Have you found a lavender to love?
A Bottled Rose 
Oh, I loved reading this Tara. The plush purple carpet, the soft amethyst light. This reminds me of Val, and her enthusiasm for Vero perfume!
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I know! It’s hard not to associate Vero’s perfumes with Val. She has impeccable taste.
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I love Kiki. Before Val introduced me to this, I wasn’t too keen on lavender in perfume. As you aptly put it, it’s warm and feminine, totally different to the other lavender perfumes I smelled before. It is actually on my Buy List. 😉
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Val spreads the love far and wide 🙂
How lovely that Kiki has now gone onto your To Buy list. I hope you don’t have to wait too long before you get it.
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Nail-on-the-head review as always. I am on my third lot of the Kiki Extrait. Being both sensual and warm clearly distinguishes it from other shock horror lavenders. I can only encourage those who say they don´t like lavender to give this or the Voile a try. And if you want to add a dash of erotica to it, then go for the EdP. Me? I have all three? 😉
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Good to hear you think I’ve captured it, Val. There are a lot of shock horror lavenders out there, ha ha.
Oh Lord, now I need to try the edp…
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Loved it Tara,
I quite like lavender and colognes with it in, Brin de Reglisse, Reglisse Noir and a couple of others I can’t think of, Jicky.
Heaps.
Portia xx
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Yes, I’ve noticed you’re not adverse to lavender frags Portia, unlike a lot of us.
Thanks for sharing your faves.
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Not a big lavender fan, but this one is my favorite too. The sweetness makes it more feminine and wearable. I just treated myself to a bottle of the extrait for my birthday in fact. 🙂
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Oh congratulations and Happy Birthday, Tara C!
Enjoy your bottle of Kiki Extrait. Great choice.
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You make me want to try this Tara. Always a bit wary of Lavender, due to it’s ‘Granmotherly’ associations, but this sounds young and sexy. Love how you liken it to Paris.
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It can really turn around those who have negative associations with lavender, Annette. I hope it works for you if you try it.
Nothing grandmotherly about Kiki 🙂
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Wonderful Tara! I adore Kiki Voile and Extrait and I wear them often and sometimes together. Lavender has always been relaxing for me. What makes the Kiki Extrait stand out so prominently for me is Vero’s use of ambergris – it makes the extrait bloom especially on a warm day. xo
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Hey Sandra!
I love the thought of you sometimes wearing both the Voile and the Extrait. Fabulous!
Now the weather’s getting warmer I shall look out for the ambergris.
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Another person who has historically suffered thanks to shock horror lavenders, hehe. Chanel Jersey I once likened to poking a sprig of the stuff aggressively up one nostril. I go through phases with Kiki sometimes it is the warm, caramel, low level lavender beauty of your review and other timese I can’t get past the lavender with the best will in the world. I am minded to try it again to see where I am at along the lavender reconciliation spectrum. If Kiki isn’t the one to do the biz, I am probably a lost cause!
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I will never forget that description of Jersey, V! It’s a classic – exactly the lavender “sensation” we’re trying to avoid.
I wonder if the warmer weather will bring out the caramel in Kiki more? Worth a try when your hayfever is under control.
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“Kiki is steeped in Paris” how beautiful, then it should be for me 😉 I haven’t tried the extrait, and even if the other versions are nice, they are not my favourite Vero, that honour would definitely go to Onda, although I havn’t smelled the extrait there either.
Beautiful images and description.
Just out of interest, is this one a bottle for you?
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Yes, it should be for you!
Kiki Extrait is my preferred formulation. I can’t recall exactly what I made of the edp but I know it didn’t win me over the same way.
I’m lucky that a friend gifted me a partial bottle of the Extrait so I’ll have to see how I cope when that runs out 🙂
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Gorgeous review. The extraits look dangerous.
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Ha! They are that, Megan.
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Wonderful review, Tara. I have yet to try the Extrait, but I’m sure it’ll be just as you described.
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I hope you find that when you get to try it, Sabine.
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I am a lavender fan, so it’s no surprise that I liked Kiki. I think, I like Extrait de Parfum the most but the other two versions were very nice as well. Had my heart not been taken by Lieber Gustav, I would have bought Kiki yesterday 😉 but for now I’ll finish my small decant first and then think about it.
I’m glad though that you’ve done such a great review for this perfume: it truly deserves it, and I hope that people who look for the information about it will come across your review and decide to try Kiki.
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That’s a lovely thing to say, Undina. I really appreciate it.
How funny you might have bought Kiki yesterday had it not been for Lieber Gustav. It definitely makes sense to finish your decant first.
Have a restful weekend.
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I was hesitating between the Extrait and the Voile – and bought the Voile. I think the resson was the passion fruit 😀
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You really can’t go wrong with either, LJG. I love how passion fruit is a kind of motif of Vero’s. Hope you’re having a lovely relaxing Sunday.
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Hmm, I’m not a big lavender fan, but you do make this sound lovely. Another lavender that has recently piqued my interest is the Eric Buterbaugh (sp?). Have you tried that one yet? I’d be interested to know if you like that one as well!
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Sun Mi, do give it a try if you come across it because it really is unique and able to convert lavender-phobes 🙂
I’m afraid I haven’t heard of the one you mention. Sorry!
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