Ylang-Ylang: The Flower Of Flowers

Referred to as the eccentric sister to jasmine, Ylang Ylang is a perfume heaven in its purest form. It is the most sought after fragrance and is well-known for its healing nature

WHEN YOU walk past a perfume lounge, have you ever felt the urge to go back and try that one note that triggers your senses? The one that takes you back in time and reminds you of a moment you simply can’t forget?

As a woman, you would have the tendency to pick any fragrance from the category of white flowers because of its sweet and sensational floral notes. The one that tops the list is Ylang Ylang. The lush tropical essence is highly appreciated in perfumery and aromatherapy.

Sit back and relax as we transport you to the stunning world of this big white floral note, taking you on a journey you would want to traverse regularly.

History of the perfume tree
Like the warm wind off a tropical island with a tinge of spice and verdant richness, Ylang-Ylang has an exotic history. It’s long and narrow yellow-green, six-petal blossom arranged in beautiful swirls with its intensely floral and earthy sweetness and creamy scent is often associated with feminine beauty.

Ylang Ylang, pronounced as ‘ilang ilang’ meaning ‘wilderness’, also commonly known as the flower of flowers, is derived from Tagalog. It belongs to the family of Cananga species of trees and is indigenous to the rainforests of Burma, Malaysia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and Pacific Islands, and the Philippines. It is now naturalised and cultivated in other tropical countries such as Africa, other parts of Asia, the Caribbean and the Americas.

The extraction of the oil, which is carried out through steam distillation, is done at different levels to get four grades: extra, first, second and third.

The extra grade is extensively used to prepare high-quality fragrances. In perfumery, Ylang-Ylang is a great standalone fragrance for its complexity and appeal but is also blended with others to produce beautiful tropical and earthy notes, especially for women’s perfumes. It is also used in men’s perfumes to tone down the sharper notes.

You can’t be confused when you want to pick a fresh Ylang Ylang fragrance. Let’s give you a quick list of what we adore.

Bold and sensual
For those days and nights where you want to stand out in the crowd, where you know there is no comparison to who you are, try out these exotic fragrances.

Topping the list is the all-time favourite Chanel No.5, for now and forever. The perfume’s top notes include aldehydes, lemon and Ylang Ylang, with middle notes of jasmine, rose, lily and base notes of sandalwood, amber, vanilla and patchouli.

If you are having a special night out, you have to try the Absolue Pour le Soir by Maison Francis Kurkdjian for men and women. It is wild, intense and is the complete opposite of gentle. It has an explosive blend of rose, honey, incense and benzoin with Ylang Ylang, cumin, Atlas cedar and sandalwood.

An equally captivating alternative, to make a grand statement or leave a potent memory, is Exotic Ylang Ylang 40 Notes Perfume for women, which is sensual, sexy, feminine, and seductive. Its top note is Ylang Ylang and is enhanced with white gardenia, animalic musks and a hint of indole.

Divinely poetic and soft
For a more summery, gentle and alluring feel, do not miss trying
out one of these fragrances. Gold M. Micallef for women is all about Ylang. The name is descriptive of its characteristic: when you apply this perfume it leaves a pearly golden hue on your skin. This summery fragrance has a balanced floral bouquet warmed by sunny tropical notes of Ylang Ylang, sandalwood, coconut and vanilla.

Continuing its expeditions on the Ylang Ylang trail is the house of Givenchy. Amarige Ylang Ylang by Givenchy for women has a fairy-tale feel to it. The notes are classy and has accentuated the sunny Ylang Ylang with exotic aromas that are like the scent of flambeed banana.

If you like the oriental floral fragrance, then Deux Amours by Jean Patou for women is apt for you. Its top notes are bergamot and neroli, middle notes are rose, jasmine, tuberose and Ylang Ylang and base notes are sandalwood and styrax. Wear this when you have a silent and cosy brunch with your beau.

Love and all that
Poet Kahlil Gibran rightly describes the connection between love and fragrances. He said, “Life without love is like a tree without blossoms and fruit.”

When you talk about love, it has to be everything that is sweet, dreamy and full of surprises. Topping this list is Passion Annick Goutal for women, specifically devoted to passionate love. This soft, warm and velvety floral bouquet has united the notes of tuberose and jasmine with a blend of Ylang Ylang and vanilla. The surprise element is fragrant tomato leaves, which brings in a green freshness into the composition, followed by base notes of patchouli and oakmoss.