Aqua Vitae

Aqua Vitae means “water of life,” and Maison Francis Kurkdjian’s version is a sunny citrus with a warm, woody finish.

Lemon and mandarin open it, bright and zesty. Hedione, a material that smells airy and jasmine-like, adds a sense of space around the fruit. Then guaiac wood, vanilla and tonka bean take over with a smooth, rounded warmth.

That’s the fun of it. It starts crisp and ends cozy, so it works for a walk in the afternoon and still feels right at dinner.

The lemon here sits in a softer context than a plain citrus splash, which makes it easy to wear from lunch well into the evening.

Eau de Toilette, 2.4 oz.

For more bright, happy citrus, try Clinique Happy or Dolce & Gabbana’s Light Blue. Explore Maison Francis Kurkdjian.