Saffron Mandarin by Liquides Imaginaires: Sunlight, Spice, and Subtle Power

Written by Ally Santos

There are citrus perfumes, and then there’s Saffron Mandarin. At first spritz, it greets you like a bright Mediterranean morning, all juicy mandarin, lemon, and blood orange glistening with freshness. But don’t mistake it for another fleeting burst of citrus.

Photos by Ally Santos

Right away, there’s a sly flicker of pepper—pink and black—adding a crisp edge, the kind of sharpness that makes you lean in for another breath. It’s sunny but not simple, sparkling with a sense of precision.

The magic happens as it shifts. The saffron enters, rich and golden, never loud but quietly commanding. In perfumery, saffron is often treated like the red gold it is; precious, elusive, capable of turning the mundane into the memorable. Here, perfumer Wesley Perumal uses it as a bridge between the bright zest of citrus and the deeper florals in the heart. Jasmine and ylang-ylang appear like silk draped over glowing embers, softening the edges while adding just the right amount of sensuality. It’s radiant without becoming syrupy, warm without feeling heavy.

As it settles on the skin, the fragrance reveals its grounding soul. The base is quietly complex: upcycled oak for an earthy whisper, creamy Venezuelan tonka, sweet resinous benzoin, and a shadow of labdanum. Together, they create a smooth, suede-like texture that lingers in a way that feels effortless. It’s the olfactive equivalent of a slow exhale after a well-structured conversation, a soft, confident ending that stays with you long after the words are gone.

What’s clever about Saffron Mandarin is its duality. It feels bright and optimistic, yet it has depth and composure. It’s unisex in the truest sense; not cloyingly sweet, not aggressively sharp, simply balanced. It wears beautifully in daylight, where the mandarin sparkles, but equally well in the evening, where the saffron glows against the wood and tonka. It’s approachable yet slightly enigmatic, like someone who’s warm enough to talk to but still has secrets you’ll never fully know.

This duality feels perfectly at home in Liquides Imaginaires, a house built on storytelling and symbolism. Their fragrances are experiences rooted in mythology, memory, and ritual. Saffron Mandarin continues that tradition by embodying a moment of transformation, the fleeting brightness of citrus evolving into the lasting warmth of saffron and wood. It fits seamlessly into their universe of imagined liquids, a chapter that speaks of light, spice, and quiet confidence.

Perumal’s creation captures a moment suspended between opposites: light and shadow, freshness and depth, energy and stillness. It’s not the kind of perfume that screams for validation; it quietly earns admiration. And in a world full of noisy citrus scents, this one feels like the smartest, most composed voice in the room.