With a name like Hope, one might assume this new fragrance from Tallulah Jane to be softly floral and maybe a little familiar. I know I did. But it’s not. It’s completely unique and while there are floral touches, they are sewn into Hope with sharp green threads and golden strands.
Like most of Tallulah Jane’s fragrances, Hope starts off green and citrusy. Galbanum is not listed in the notes, but its sharp-leafy likeness feels present to me. Green merges with mandarin and neroli which serve up a healthy dose of juicy orange and possibly some lemon zest found its way into the mix as well. While all of this sounds quite culinary, it quickly transforms into something more perfumey and really interesting.
Some high pitched floral notes weave their way into Hope’s evolution, mimosa being the most prominent, augmented by neroli’s lingering sweetness. It’s right about now, in the heart of Hope, as the blossoms emerge, that something really interesting happens. I believe it to be the presence of white champa leaf which I have never smelled on its own, but I’m certain that it is what I’m experiencing.
According to Eleanor Jane, the creator of Hope, white champa leaf is fruity and herbaceous and because of its tenacity, it behaves as a bridge throughout the progression of the perfume. It reminds me of boronia’s earthy-fruity-floral quality, but less tannic and more sweet. White champa leaf, also known as magnolia leaf oil, wraps itself around the greenness, the herbaceousness, the sweet blossoms, and even the sparkling citrus to merge them as a whole, yet singular experience.
The Tallulah Jane description of Hope states that it has a powdery, amber base. I would agree, but only within the context of wearing this perfume from start to finish. If you were to only smell the drydown of Hope, you might not think it particularly soft or powdery, but in comparison to the vibrancy of the opening and the heart, the drydown feels like a cuddly pillow full of vanilla and benzoin. And it’s lovely. If you’d like to smell Hope for yourself, leave a comment and I’ll send one lucky reader a sample! Drawing now closed.
If natural perfumes and animal friendliness mean a lot to you, then you’ll be pleased to know that not only are Tallulah Jane’s perfumes 100% natural, their products are also Leaping Bunny certified to be cruelty free and vegan. Additionally, 50% of all proceeds will be donated directly to the American Cancer Society.
Hope is available at TallulahJaneNYC.com and is $48 for 1oz bottle of EDP.
Illustration by Cecilia Carlstedt
Disclosure: A sample of Hope was provided by Tallulah Jane. Opinions in this review are my own. I was not financially compensated for this review or any other.
thefloraesthetic.com 
Lovely description! Would love to smell it in person
Thanks so much Jordan! Good luck 🙂
This could be very green. Nice! 🙂 Thanks for the draw
Very, very green! 😀
I’d would enjoy trying Hope. The mix of green, citrus, mimosa and white champa sounds intriguing. I love that they are donating 50% of their proceeds to the American Cancer Society. Thanks.
I too love that TJ is giving a very generous 50% of the proceeds to the ACS. Good mojo for them and the wearer!
Oh, this sounds lovely, and a beautiful review, as always! Thanks!
Thanks M! Best of luck. XO
Wow it sounds divine!! As usual you do an amazing job in your reviews. I enjoy reading them. Thank you.
Thanks for the kind words Yovanna, it means a lot.
Good luck! XO
The whole development of this perfume sounds beautiful! I’ve never tried Tallulah Jane before, please enter me in the drawing.
I also love the fact that TJ is donating 50% of their proceeds to the American Cancer Society. Hope is an appropriate name in this case. This hits a soft spot as my mother is battling stage IV lung cancer (she never smoked) and November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month which unfortunately not many people are aware about.
Maddy, thank you for your comment. I agree that lung cancer needs much more awareness, as most cancers in general. I think the large scale “pink” campaign is great, but maybe at the expense of cancers other than breast. I was so happy to see the proceeds going to the ACS as a whole.
Best of luck in the draw and I hope your mom is is getting the care she needs and deserves. XO ~T
I love green scents with citrus notes. This one sounds like it’s aptly name, bright green fragrances always feel optimistic to me and remind me of spring and for me, spring is the season of hope.
Yes, it is an uplifting fragrance and I too think of spring given the notes and the name. But, it is well suited for the fall crispness as well.
Good luck!
Oooo that sounds lovely! I love Tallulah Jane perfumes, I have 2 others – and sounds like this one may get added to my collection! Thanks for the beautiful description, as always :o)
Cori, since you are already a TJ fan, you have to try this one. It’s both reminiscent of their other fragrances, but with a unique and interesting spin.
XO 🙂
Great review, and I have been wanting to try some from Tallulah Jane. Thanks for the giveaway!
Thank you and you are welcome! 🙂
I’d love to try Hope. Thanks for the draw! 🙂
Anytime Claudia!
Thanks for reviewing Hope so others will try it. Bought a FB unsniffed because of the American Cancer Society contribution–turned out to be a winning purchase all the way around. Hard to find many independent perfumers turning out high-quality scents like Hope at such a reasonable price point; Laurie Erickson at Sonoma Scent Studio is another favorite. Ordered samples of her other perfumes; am looking forward to trying them. (Don’t need to be entered in the draw.)
Sharon, thanks for chiming in with your recommendation of Hope. I am so glad you FB/unsniffed purchase turned out to be a good one! And I am in full agreement that the price point is very reasonable for an all natural perfume with such lovely ingredients.
XO
T
This sounds intriguing! Please enter me in the draw.
Will do Sara!
sounds like a lovely way to move through winter… with spring-like Hope! thanks for the draw!
I’m in full agreement. Best of luck!
oh I love this description of a magical perfume. So important to keep putting these natural perfumes out there. I HOPE more and more people discover the infinitely greater beauty and mystery that natural perfumes create. Thank you.
Jeannie, I too love the way natural perfumes move on the skin, they are my preference for sure!
I would love to try this. Thanks!
You’re welcome and good luck!
Wow, awesome description. I especially appreciated the info on White Champa Leaf, that is a new one for me!
Thanks so much!
It was new for me too Michael! Now I really want to smell it on its own.
Best of luck,
Trish
Thanks for reviewing this perfume. I’d seen another (brief) review of it on a blog I don’t know, so I wasn’t sure what to think…but you’ve made Hope sound wonderful. I own several TJ fragrances and especially love Leotie and Misae–and it sounds as tho Hope bridges them (the floral/amber from Leotie, the green from Misae), at least to a degree. So please enter me in the drawing–I’d love to try it. And thanks for the detailed and thoughtful review!
If you love Leotie and Misae, this one has your name all over it!
Good luck 🙂
T
would love a chance to sample, thank you for offering a sample draw.
You are welcome! XO
beautiful description! & the price is totally affordable, I love that! xx
I know, the price point is terrific!
getting perfume samples in the mail always makes my day and this one sounds really lovely! [;
Fingers crossed!
Good luck,
T
I would love to give this a try. The description had me at ” the drydown feels like a cuddly pillow full of vanilla and benzoin.” Not gonna lie – I had to look up Benzoin.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tincture_of_benzoin
Benzoin is so worth knowing about! It’s heaven.
Best of luck!
Trish
I would love to try this. Thanks for entering me.
Will do!