Violet

The violet, also called pansy, is a small flower with 5 petals, stems shaped like stolons, oval petiolate leaves, fragrant blooms, and a heart-shaped base. It flowers in spring or autumn depending on the variety. Sweet violet or viola odorata was used as an aphrodisiac in the Middle Ages. It was mixed with lavender and placed inside pillows to encourage love, thanks to the sensuality of its aroma. Nowadays, it is used as a medicine. Its root can cause vomiting and is used in cases of poisoning for digestive cleansing. In lozenge form, it can also treat respiratory illnesses through its expectorant and emollient properties. The fragrant varieties are intended for perfume making.

Characteristics of the violet flower

The violet belongs to the Violaceae family of perennial plants. Sweet violet is one of the rare fragrant varieties. It is a plant measuring 5 to 15 cm with a thick rootstock bearing an elongated stolon. The violet has oval stipules edged with fringes and leaves shaped like rounded teeth near the root. Most violets are dark purple in color, though in rare cases they are white. The violet flowers in spring. It grows in woods, meadows, and hedgerows.
When one smells the violet, its scent is pleasant but fades quickly. The scent of the violet dulls the olfactory nerves. In perfumery, it is not the flowers of the violet that are distilled but the leaves. This yields a synthetic raw material, an absolute with a powdery, green, waxy, and earthy scent. The famous “violet flower” note, softer in character, is made from a synthetic molecule. Perfume creators build a composition with other materials such as ionones to achieve the “violet flower” note. The result is a sweet, sugary, gentle, floral, warm scent reminiscent of violet candies. As a soliflore, violet proves very feminine, fruity, and powdery. A ton of flowers is needed to extract 30 g of violet flower.

Perfumes based on violet

In the language of flowers, the violet represents simplicity and modesty. The powdery scent of violet reveals a sense of discretion alongside a passionate declaration.
The fragrance Paris by Yves Saint Laurent is a classic that perfectly represents violet in its composition, with a woody and floral note paired with sandalwood, iris, may rose, and bergamot. Violet lends the fragrance freshness and delicacy. This fragrance built around violet flower symbolizes cheerfulness, elegance, glamour, and romance.
Also worth noting is Les Caprices de Lolita by Lolita Lempicka among the perfumes containing violet flower. Belonging to the oriental olfactory family, this perfume has a fruity top note, an almond heart note, a base note of white musks, and a powdery violet note.
As for Insolence by Guerlain, the notes of iris, rose, violet, and orange blossom make a strong impression, but violet asserts its own distinct character. It is at once sensual, chic, and opulent. Violet is omnipresent and explosive.