Let’s have a kiki, Vero Profumo Kiki

What’s a kiki? A song will do as an introduction to the scent today. Sing, dance, listen if you wish.

A kiki is a party, for calming all your nerves
We’re spilling tea, and dishing just desserts one may deserve
And though the sun is rising, few may choose to leave
So shade that lid and we’ll all bid adieu to your ennui *

Now seriously. Kiki is a scent created by perfumer Vero Kern who stands behind niche perfume brand Vero Profumo. It was not inspired by the song but by Kiki de Montparnasse, muse of Man Ray. Scent itself is a homage to the city of Paris. Kiki was first introduced in extrait de parfum in 2007. Later in 2010 its lighter eau de parfum version was introduced. I will try to cover both now.

Kiki Eau de Parfum starts off as an aromatic lavender scent that quickly reveals its floral side. It’s very happy, uplifting and rather, let’s call it, fresh. Kiki’s lavender is really lovely and unlike many other lavender fragrances it’s not herbal at all. Hope no one gets angry at me when I say that it reminds me of a high quality soap with lavender flowers in it. It’s like a scent of Provence. There’s also a light spicy quality to lavender of Kiki. After some time lavender turns lighter and at that time Vero Profumo Kiki Eau de Parfum reveals its sweet, gourmand side of caramel. It possesses some delicious and edible aroma. Who wants some toffee? In the drydown this perfume is mostly a citrus scent. We have a little bit of watery passionfruit here, bergamot and citron – all paired with accord of light musk. Vero Kern also found some space for crispy geranium and a little bit of patchouli (really?)

What can I say about Kiki Parfum? It’s was a mother scent for Kiki EdP. It’s opening is also created from aromatic lavender but its different than in EdP. Lavender in Kiki Parfum is more spicy and definitely less soapy in my opinion. Might be just my personal notice but I think it’s a little bit more floral. Extrait version of Kiki definitely has less caramel. It’s not as sweet as EdP. There are other ingredients that make it edible. Black currant makes it slightly fruity. Notes of citron, bergamot, musk, geranium and patchouli are present of course. There’s a slight difference in both since Kiki Parfum has some opoponax and amber that give more sensuality and sweet warmth in late drydown. It’s beautiful and charming, kind of frivolous. I’ve never been to Paris (though it’s relatively close from Poland) but if Kiki really is a homage to Paris then I want to go there now. (I wish I could, but I can’t right now).

When I first tried Kiki it kind of didn’t work for me, it smelled a little bit old-lady-like on my skin. But I tried to stay neutral and few more sampling changed my mind. Now I find both Kiki Parfum and Kiki Eau de Parfum charming and amazing fragrances, made with lots of love and care for the details. I personally liked Eau de Parfum more because of it’s more soapy lavender and caramel. Vero Kern created a beauty for woman and man who are not afraid to wear something that gears towards feminine side of the perfume counter. May I be honest with you? I think I don’t need a bottle of Kiki in my collection. At least not now. But I’m curious about other Vero Profumo fragrances.

Kiki Eau de Parfum is available in 50ml bottle while Kiki Parfum can be spotted in 7,5ml and 15ml flacons. Did you try Kiki or other Vero Kern scents? Did you like them?

* – lyrics of Let’s Have A Kiki by Scissor Sisters