Written by Kristina Kybartaite-Damule

Since the first release of B683 in 2016, Marc-Antoine Barrois has consistently launched perfumes that instantly become hits. The new fragrance, Tilia, appears to be no exception.

Until now, Marc-Antoine Barrois' fragrances have been named with references to planets: B683 – a planet of The Little Prince, Ganymede - satellite of Jupiter, Encelade - the moon of Saturn. With the introduction of Tilia, the brand embarks on a new chapter of floral perfumes. A slight difference is evident in the design of the bottle as well - a modest red detail adorns the signature transparent glass flacon with a golden label.

"Simple. Solar. Smiling. It's the scent of a summer that lasts forever," notes the brand. And indeed, the scent is bright and positive - a little something that we all can use with everything that's going on in the world.

Tilia opens with a sweet, realistic, honeyed linden blossom. It transports instantly to the heat of midsummer, when everything blooms, and the air is filled with the sweetest aromas. I imagine an afternoon in the city, when the scent of blossoms conceals the smell of heated asphalt and dust. People are walking without any rush, in their fresh and light clothes; here and there in the city center, you can see people celebrating - mostly weddings. Everyone is looking for refreshments - water, ice cream, or a glass of Spritz. When hugging a friend or a lover, you can feel the scent of heated skin. There is something about midsummer in a big city.

After a bright opening, a powdery heliotrope emerges. Heliotropism is a scientific term for a plant's tendency to turn towards the sun, and heliotrope belongs to this category of plants. I don't know if this fact had anything to do with choosing the heliotrope note for this solar composition, but it fits well here with its almondy, hazy aroma.

The composition is enriched with an almost fruity touch of broom and a woody accord in the base. Everything is unified by ambroxan, and this synthetic touch is what indicates that Tilia is still a perfume from Marc-Antoine Barrois.

Despite being the first floral fragrance from the brand, it unmistakably carries its DNA. The scent is radiant, airy, well-projecting, and long-lasting. I tried this fragrance for the first time in a boutique. I sprayed it only once on my wrist and could still smell hints of it the next morning - even though I had taken a shower before going to sleep.

The lingering scent on my skin reminded me of late and lazy summer mornings, when it's already hot outside, sparking a joyous feeling, realizing that summer, my favorite season, is just around the corner. And then I knew, this is the fragrance I am going to wear a lot in the upcoming months.

[Bottle purchased by myself]