Eau Fraîche
Monsillage

Eau Fraiche by Monsillage is a very conventional citrus fragrance dominated by lemon-verbena, and on a vetiver base with a hint of sheer musk. There is only a bare hint of herbs that renders only the slightest abstraction. I detect absolutely zero lavender in this. In the first minute there is a disconcerting synthetic element that soon settles down and brings to fore the citrus. Thereafter it is nice but unremarkable, and fades away in about four to five hours (which is fair for a citrus). Sillage is initially lively, but soon close to skin.

While Eau Fraiche is nothing bad, it is too simplistic, too bare-bone and lacks the balance and abstraction of other traditional citrus such as Eau Sauvage, Blenheim Bouquet or Concentre d'Orange Verte. Too trivial and too forgettable. The negative rating is influenced by the initial jarring element, especially considering the price and the market segment it is aimed at.

2/5

Verbena, lavender and vetiver - can it be more traditional in a summertime way? And yet, added layers of lemon and the judicious addition of herbal undertones - lavender joins in a bit later on - is done is a way that the overall result is not without interest; somehow it is blended in a way that is a touch unusual, very contemporaneous and not without intrigue. Well done!

Otherwise there is limited development in the sense that the verbena and vetiver gradually recede, but essentially no dramatic sea-change occurs in the base.

I get moderate sillage, good projection and six hours of longevity on my skin.

Summer pleasure, refreshing, and composed of good-quality ingredients - 3.25/5.

Oh my, what a stunning summer fragrance. Recently bought this in store after originally intending to purchase Xerjoff Nio. Also compares favourably against other citrus darlings like Bergamott 22 and L'Humaniste. If you are into citrus fragrances do not hesitate, this is a hidden gem.

Eau Fraiche is one of those very calming fragrances. At first spray I smell lots of lavender rounded out with soft citrus. In the dry down the lilac with rosemary come into play. The lavender never fades away and in my opinion, it pairs up with the lilac at the end. Very nice if you like lavender and lilac like I do.