I have never sampled anything from Floraïku. The brand comes to us from the creators of Memo Paris. They’ve been around since 2017 and have many perfumes to their credit – a whopping 39 according to Parfumo, not counting the hair mists. Their perfumes are inspired by poetry (haiku) and Asian culture. I’ve heard good things. I should learn to stop listening. Buckle up, everyone: tray tables and seats in their upright and locked positions. We’re flying south with Floraïku, and it’s going to be a bumpy and turbulent trip. There won’t be any happy days for me wearing this.
Flying South (2026) is their latest release, and I received a sample with an online purchase (not related to perfume). It’s a horrid fruity mess in the style of Erba Pura from Xerjoff. The sort of thing where it’s impossible to determine whether you’re smelling pineapple, passionfruit, or papaya. Ultimately, it’s closer to shampoo than anything harvested in nature. The melon accord suggests they’ve added some Calone into the mix for added effect. And as for the hibiscus accord, it’s evocative of an amorphous neon-pink blob; it goes completely wrong, indeed south, turning way too sweet, and has me reaching for the oxygen mask and the ejector seat.
If I were you, I’d fly well south to avoid this scent. Based on its sillage, you might have to trek all the way to the South Pole and hibernate there until it dissipates. The price is 295 euros for 50ml, and it includes a 10ml travel spray. However, considering that this fragrance makes La Vie Est Belle seem like the pinnacle of natural perfumery, I find that a bit steep. It won’t deter me, though. Floraïku has so many perfumes, I feel like there must be at least one or two worth sampling. One Umbrella for Two and Between Two Trees seem to be the most popular. Have you sampled the brand?
Here are the notes for Flying South:
Top: lemon essence, mandarin essence, coconut accord
Heart: melon accord, hibiscus accord, georgywood
Base: amber, musks
Note: Bottle image from the brand. All the other photos are my own.
Flying South inspired me to write a haiku:
Shouldn’t giggle but I did.
I read a post on IG the other day asking if, when reviewing fragrance, we should do negative reviews. The idea being that a single negative review that goes viral can ruin a small indie or niche business. Difficult to know what niche means now.
Thank you for this honest review. I now know to give this a swerve in my hunt for a tropical scent
Thanks, Alityke. I’m glad it gave you a chuckle. I totally understand the negative review thing, but I’ve always been a proponent of keeping things balanced and honest. I was thinking the other day, that if I only reviewed new releases, and new releases I enjoyed, I’d probably only post 4 or 5 times a year. Indeed, it’s difficult to work out what niche means now. Brands such as Creed, Parfums de Marly and indeed Memo are every bit a part of the mainstream as Versace and YSL it seems. I am interested in seeking out some more perfumes from Floraiku. Balance the ledger, perhaps.
That’s too bad, and it seems like a deviation for Floraïku. I tried their discovery set years ago and didn’t find any overpowering. Between Two Trees was probably my favorite, as well as The Moon and I (which I felt didn’t last long at all).
Between Two Trees and The Moon and I sound a bit more palatable. I’ll have to try them sometime.
Thanks for the revealing review, Daniel. I found most of Florïku’s offerings to be unremarkable and unappealing, and I wouldn’t consider revisiting them. However, it seems that Sand and Skin, Levitating, Gong, and Wind In My Hand are some of the brand’s most popular fragrances among customers. The fragrance that appears to be the most popular for the brand is I Am Not A Flower. I haven’t had the chance to sample that one yet, and I don’t expect it to change my mind.
Interesting, Flaconneur. I don’t think they’re ever going to be my favourite house. But, I’ll give them another chance should I come across their other offerings.
Despite my general cynical approach to perfumery, for some reason Floraiku has never rubbed me the wrong way. And I really do enjoy those two mentioned – Between Two Trees and One Umbrella For Two. I also appreciate the presentations and the little haikus imprinted. Having said that, this one sounds truly horrific, I mean Erba Pura is one of the worst things I’ve ever smelt, so I’ll be avoiding this for sure!
Yes, I like the idea of the house. The execution leaves a lot to be desired on Flying South, though. Hopefully, I’ll get a chance to sample some of the others.
That sounds bad. Tks for sharing! I didnt like any scent from this house when I sampled them ages ago. So i guess it’s definitely not for me.
Yes, it’s pretty bad. And if you didn’t like any of the others, I’m certain this one won’t be for you, Tetê.