Air of Aquarius by Sana Jardin – The Candy Perfume Boy

There’s something to be said about beauty in simplicity and the latest launch from eco- and ethically-conscious fragrance brand Sana Jardin is a perfect example. It arrived on my doorstep after a long day working, followed by a long commute home. I spritzed some on after I’d got in, changed (sweats and slippers, if you must know), and had dinner. One sniff and I felt my whole body relax: there was nothing fussy, gimmicky or overly complicated, just a really beautiful scent to enjoy.

Air of Aquarius was inspired by cosmic alignment, specifically the “celestial symphony of Pluto’s return to Aquarius in January 2024” and the composition centres on the essence of lemon, which is described by the brand as being “a flower renowned for its spiritually cleansing properties and ability to enhance mental focus.” It’s a clean, crisp, citrus-soaked floral that certainly brings a sense of calm which, after a long day of doing whatever it is I do for a living (most days I’m unsure), is much needed.

Let’s sniff!

The Notes

Top: Lemon Oil Spain LMR*, Tangerine Heart LMR, Petitgrain Bidge Oil Tunisa LMR
Heart: Lavender Oil France LMR, Rosemary Oil North Africa LMR, Neroli Oil Tunisia LMR, Jasmine, Muguet
Base: Musks, Ambroxan

The Perfumer

Carlos Benaïm (IFF)

How Does it Smell?

Opening up with a brilliant, shimmering lemon note, Air of Aquarius comes across as misty, delicate and sweet in a juicy-citrus manner. An air of pristine, soapy petitgrain links the citrus notes to a soft floral character that is bright and buoyant, glittering with a dewy, fresh quality as well as a hint of hot spices. I honestly can’t remember a time when I last sniffed a fragrance and felt such an overwhelming sense of calm. I’m not being hyperbolic, the opening of Air of Aquarius is just so damn pleasant. It’s like a deep breath in and out.

The heart is a transparent bouquet of flowers, mostly a crystalline jasmine-muguet blend. At this point the soapiness becomes more prominent and please know that I mean that as a compliment. This isn’t laundry detergent or shower gel, it’s a gorgeously buoyant floral with a soapy facet that makes it feel impeccably clean. I don’t get much, if any, of the promised lavender but there is a subtle, caramelised facet that feels like honey, perhaps with the golden saturation pulled right down.

I’d describe Air of Aquarius as a fairly linear fragrance. The base is not something that it transitions to, it’s more of the foundation that gives all of those flowers and fruits a sense of spaciousness. It feels powered by clear, cottony white musks blowing up from the base, which gives a lovely, billowing feel that adds to the overall breezy vibe. The beauty here really is in the simplicity.

Air of Aquarius is not a fragrance that pushes the boundaries of perfumery. You will, I’m sure, have smelled something similar before. Instead it is an example of a familiar theme played very well. The execution is absolutely pristine and there is just something so undeniably present about the floaty, airy nature of sparkling, refreshing citrus against the wispy floral backdrop that makes Air of Aquarius a hit for me. My number one criteria for whether a fragrance is good or not is “does it smell good?” and the answer here is yes, yes, yes. In fact, it smells bloody lovely.

* What does “LMR” mean? LMR (Laboratoire Monique Rémy) refers to materials supplied by LMR Naturals, which is owned by International Flavours and Fragrances (IFF).

Mood Board

Availability

Air of Aquarius is available in 50ml (£115) and 100ml (£180) Eau de Parfum.

Disclaimer

Sample provided by Sana Jardin. Photos are my own. I was not paid for this review.