Perfume... It's a largely misunderstood category of beauty, with most believing an aroma must be overpowering to be "quality" and many dismissing natural alternatives as they expect 24-hour wear and are disappointed to find that just isn't the case. Sure, natural perfume is often more delicate than its artificial cousins on the high street, but that doesn't make it any less stunning. In fact, in most ways this makes it superior in my opinion. But more on that later. For now, I want to introduce one of my favourite clean brands when it comes to perfume: Walden!
"Made from only the finest natural absolutes, resins and essential oils Walden Perfumes are named after Henry David Thoreau’s seminal work Walden. The book - part meditation, part handbook for simple living in natural surroundings - has inspired countless readers and Walden Natural Perfumes are proud to walk in his footsteps."
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About Walden Perfume:
There are currently eight signature scents available from Walden, all taking inspiration from Thoreau's work. Each natural fragrance captures elements of living humbly, meditative states, minimalist attitudes, and the beauty of nature, and all offer lovely aromas that can be enjoyed all year round.
Better yet, there is so much choice when it comes to size and application method! You can opt for a moisturizing oil within a rollerball that can be dotted along pressure points or on the collar of your shirt or accessories (I often choose this method as I find it doesn't stain and it makes the scent last far longer), or you can select a traditional spray bottle in two sizes -- 15ml or 50ml. The 50ml has the added luxury of a wooden top which makes this feel even more special and brings further beauty to your shelf. There are also fab try me sets in 5ml vials or 2ml roller bottles which are great for sampling the range or for travel!
I love both methods to be honest, as both bring their own unique benefits. The oil glides across the skin and is super gentle. The consistency is a medium weight, not feeling heavy or slick, and it absorbs fully so you are not left with any greasy residue. Plus, I love that it doesn't congest my skin at all - I don't have to worry about any pesky spots arising! I find the rollerballs are a great choice for days when I'll be out and about for a long time and I don't want to worry about 'touching up' my perfume. The oil helps contain and extend the aroma, especially when applied to clothing, and I often find myself catching a gorgeous whiff when I adjust my scarf.
As for the sprays, while these are a bit more delicate, I adore how refined they are. Light, airy, and elegant, each of the Walden natural perfumes are stunning and highlight the exceptional absolutes, resins and essential oils that are blended within. The product comes out in an even spray, and requires just a few spritzes to create a potent scent that lingers in the air, on your skin, and on your clothing should you choose to apply to them (which I highly suggest as this helps the fragrance have more lasting power). While these are not intended as 24-hour wear, they do provide an element of grace for quite some time. Like with all perfume, the wear-time is dependent on a variety of factors, including your body chemistry. For me, they tend to slowly fade over time until they are a subtle hint of the original scent -- but I actually prefer this!
Overpowering perfumes are kind of the bane of my existence. I hate how they take over everything, permeate the air, and choke my lungs. They irritate my breathing, cause sneeze attacks, and make me feel itchy. Synthetic fragrances, often containing between 100 and 350 unlisted ingredients, are increasingly being considered worse than secondhand smoke, and research is beginning to show the environmental and health impacts of such man-made creations. Artificial fragrance can trigger asthma, migraines, and COPD, cause nausea, prompt dizzy spells, and more, and have been shown to be on par with vehicle emissions. Not something you exactly want to be breathing in all day long!
And that's why I prefer natural perfumes, despite their shorter lasting power.
As for which Walden perfumes are my favourite? Let's take a look at the whole range, and I will give you my thoughts on each!
“If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them.”
Blended with citrus oils like bergamot, lemon, and tangerine, alongside sensually sweet flowers such as ylang ylang, magnolia, and iris, plus soothing notes of lavender and rosemary, Castles in the Air is a perfume that offers a fresh, intoxicating aroma perfect for those looking for a light feminine creation. If you need a dose of uplifting sunshine that also brings a soft touch of warmth and calm, this is the perfect perfume for you! It almost has a vanilla tang to it, and it's both bright and deep making it such an interesting profile to enjoy. Walden's blend brings to mind new beginnings, flights of fancy, hopeful first pangs of love, ballrooms, and windswept salt kissed skin. What a delight!
“Talk of mysteries! Think of our life in nature, - daily to be shown matter, to come in contact with it, - rocks, trees, wind on our cheeks! The solid earth! The actual world! The common sense! Contact! Contact! Who are we? Where are we?”
In total contrast with Castles in the Air, The Solid Earth offers something much more grounded in its mix of petitgrain, patchouli, vetivert, tangerine, black pepper, and amyris. Rather than a bright and sweet profile, this perfume provides a spicier take that will suit those looking for a more exotic option to wear. The Solid Earth is bracing at first, with undercurrents of a smoother, creaminess below the surface. This is thoughtful, focused, and inspired, and makes me think of crisp autumn leaves, drizzly mornings, a stream of incense, warm baths on cold days, family dinners, and turning worn yellowing pages of favourite books in a cozy corner. It's definitely one to bring comfort and clarity!
“I did not wish to take a cabin passage, but rather to go before the mast and on the deck of the world, for there I could best see the moonlight amid the mountains.”
See the Moonlight, oh what a dreamy aroma it brings! This perfume is intoxicating, with top notes of bergamot and jasmine, heart notes of rose and patchouli, and base notes of sandalwood and sweet iris. A mix of eleven oils and extracts, this is a scent that creates a mysterious, loving bouquet that surrounds the wearer with peaceful vibes and whimsical energy. This is such a beautiful fragrance, and it envelops you with its heady blend of florals and brings an escape from hectic reality. Slowness, midsummer nights, rich cream and gooey honey, fantastical daydreams, starry skies sat by a campfire, seductive garden mazes, midnight walks... This perfume brings it all, and it is truly something special.
"I learned this, at least, by my experiment; that if one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours."
The newest addition to the Walden family, Live the Life is sultry and sweet with a herbal freshness that cuts through the profile to bring added lightness. It is refreshing, bright, and beguiling, and I love how different it is from other aromas I have experienced. This blend contains eleven essential oils and extracts, including energizing citruses, vivid florals, and exotic plants that combine in an effervescent concoction. I find the rosewood, China jasmine, sandalwood, bergamot, tuberose, iris, rose de mai, sweet violet, bitter orange, muskmallow, and oakmoss offer a fusion that is so like a wildflower field it is wonderful to encounter.
“In the midst of a gentle rain while these thoughts prevailed, I was suddenly sensible of such sweet and beneficent society in Nature, in the very pattering of the drops, and in every sound and sight around my house, an infinite and unaccountable friendliness all at once like an atmosphere sustaining me.”
One of the most unique of the Walden perfumes, A Gentle Rain is much more "masculine" than the others in the range, with notes of clary sage, lavender, oak moss, labdanum, bergamot, orris, rose de mai, sandalwood, vetivert, violet, and patchouli. It's bold, clear, herbaceous, and timeless, and it really does bring to mind a gentle rain -- particularly warm pavement after a light storm has swept over and cooled the day. You can imagine damp forests and first dates, and it makes for a memorable perfume that can quickly become a signature scent.
“If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away.”
Still bold like A Gentle Rain, but with warmer notes that are silky and smooth, A Different Drummer is full of rich spice and soft resins. This is seductive, adventurous, and blends cedarwood, vanilla, tonka bean, patchouli, black pepper, bergamot, tobacco, and amyris in such a way that you can't help but feel more spirited. I find A Different Drummer complex, as it develops even as you breathe in. You begin to fall within the fragrance, and it becomes rounder and more expressive as it grows. I love the opposition of peppery notes, sweetness, and herbals, and find it a great perfume to wear when I want to feel daring and confident.
“The true harvest of my daily life is somewhat as intangible and indescribable as the tints of morning or evening. It is a little star-dust caught, a segment of the rainbow which I have clutched.”
Delectable and dreamy, that's just what A Little Star Dust is! I find this fragrance the perfect combination of creamy and sweet, with a depth that offers just a hint of spice within the blend. This fabulous mix is due to the fusion of beautiful ylang ylang, amyris, fennel, orris, coffee, labdanum, jasmine, and vanilla. This is an aphrodisiac of plant based goodness, and I find it intoxicating! A fast favourite, A Little Star Dust brings thoughts of storybook magic, midnight waltzes, secret meetings between lovers, wishful thinking, summer heat, and exploring uncharted lands. It's a gorgeous creation, and one of my favourites from Walden!
“In any weather, at any hour of the day or night, I have been anxious to improve the nick of time, and notch it on my stick too; to stand on the meeting of two eternities, the past and future, which is precisely the present moment; to toe that line.”
Another favourite is Two Eternities, a combination of mix of floral and citrus that uplifts and inspires. This is energizing, loving, and positively perfect. With top notes of bergamot, sweet orange, and mandarin, heart notes of jasmine and rose de mai made all the more complex and satisfying by base notes of iris, this perfume from Walden is like the essence of summer. It offers a delicate balance, and is so utterly divine that I get swept up in the blossoms and juicy fruits. This fragrance is ideal for days you want to feel extraordinary and need a sunny boost to bring joy!
And those are all the Walden perfumes!
I have to say, I have a particular fondness for See the Moonlight, Castles in the Air, Live the Life, A Little Stardust, and Two Eternities. Actually, Two Eternities is the perfume I was wearing when Tim and I got engaged, so that will always hold a special place in my heart! But all of them are something to be experienced, as they each are so lovely.
The only one I am not as keen on for myself is A Gentle Rain as I find the smell doesn't suit me. However, I *love* this on Tim! It's perfect as a cologne, and I think it's growing on him despite his hesitance about natural alternatives.
Overall, I find the Walden range a brilliant selection of natural perfumes, and they offer a little something for everyone, whether you prefer fruity and sweet scents, spicy and exotic fragrances, or creamy and rich tones. I am so happy I stumbled across this range, and give thanks to Love Lula for offering such beautiful (and safe!) alternatives to wear.
Have you tried any of these for yourself yet?? Which is your favourite?
I would love to hear about your experience with Walden, and if you have any other recommendations for natural perfumes I should try! I'm always on the lookout for a stunning aroma that will bring a breath of (nontoxic) fresh air xx
Better yet, there is so much choice when it comes to size and application method! You can opt for a moisturizing oil within a rollerball that can be dotted along pressure points or on the collar of your shirt or accessories (I often choose this method as I find it doesn't stain and it makes the scent last far longer), or you can select a traditional spray bottle in two sizes -- 15ml or 50ml. The 50ml has the added luxury of a wooden top which makes this feel even more special and brings further beauty to your shelf. There are also fab try me sets in 5ml vials or 2ml roller bottles which are great for sampling the range or for travel!
I love both methods to be honest, as both bring their own unique benefits. The oil glides across the skin and is super gentle. The consistency is a medium weight, not feeling heavy or slick, and it absorbs fully so you are not left with any greasy residue. Plus, I love that it doesn't congest my skin at all - I don't have to worry about any pesky spots arising! I find the rollerballs are a great choice for days when I'll be out and about for a long time and I don't want to worry about 'touching up' my perfume. The oil helps contain and extend the aroma, especially when applied to clothing, and I often find myself catching a gorgeous whiff when I adjust my scarf.
As for the sprays, while these are a bit more delicate, I adore how refined they are. Light, airy, and elegant, each of the Walden natural perfumes are stunning and highlight the exceptional absolutes, resins and essential oils that are blended within. The product comes out in an even spray, and requires just a few spritzes to create a potent scent that lingers in the air, on your skin, and on your clothing should you choose to apply to them (which I highly suggest as this helps the fragrance have more lasting power). While these are not intended as 24-hour wear, they do provide an element of grace for quite some time. Like with all perfume, the wear-time is dependent on a variety of factors, including your body chemistry. For me, they tend to slowly fade over time until they are a subtle hint of the original scent -- but I actually prefer this!
Overpowering perfumes are kind of the bane of my existence. I hate how they take over everything, permeate the air, and choke my lungs. They irritate my breathing, cause sneeze attacks, and make me feel itchy. Synthetic fragrances, often containing between 100 and 350 unlisted ingredients, are increasingly being considered worse than secondhand smoke, and research is beginning to show the environmental and health impacts of such man-made creations. Artificial fragrance can trigger asthma, migraines, and COPD, cause nausea, prompt dizzy spells, and more, and have been shown to be on par with vehicle emissions. Not something you exactly want to be breathing in all day long!
And that's why I prefer natural perfumes, despite their shorter lasting power.
As for which Walden perfumes are my favourite? Let's take a look at the whole range, and I will give you my thoughts on each!
Castles in the Air:
“If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them.”
Blended with citrus oils like bergamot, lemon, and tangerine, alongside sensually sweet flowers such as ylang ylang, magnolia, and iris, plus soothing notes of lavender and rosemary, Castles in the Air is a perfume that offers a fresh, intoxicating aroma perfect for those looking for a light feminine creation. If you need a dose of uplifting sunshine that also brings a soft touch of warmth and calm, this is the perfect perfume for you! It almost has a vanilla tang to it, and it's both bright and deep making it such an interesting profile to enjoy. Walden's blend brings to mind new beginnings, flights of fancy, hopeful first pangs of love, ballrooms, and windswept salt kissed skin. What a delight!
The Solid Earth:
“Talk of mysteries! Think of our life in nature, - daily to be shown matter, to come in contact with it, - rocks, trees, wind on our cheeks! The solid earth! The actual world! The common sense! Contact! Contact! Who are we? Where are we?”
In total contrast with Castles in the Air, The Solid Earth offers something much more grounded in its mix of petitgrain, patchouli, vetivert, tangerine, black pepper, and amyris. Rather than a bright and sweet profile, this perfume provides a spicier take that will suit those looking for a more exotic option to wear. The Solid Earth is bracing at first, with undercurrents of a smoother, creaminess below the surface. This is thoughtful, focused, and inspired, and makes me think of crisp autumn leaves, drizzly mornings, a stream of incense, warm baths on cold days, family dinners, and turning worn yellowing pages of favourite books in a cozy corner. It's definitely one to bring comfort and clarity!
See the Moonlight:
“I did not wish to take a cabin passage, but rather to go before the mast and on the deck of the world, for there I could best see the moonlight amid the mountains.”
See the Moonlight, oh what a dreamy aroma it brings! This perfume is intoxicating, with top notes of bergamot and jasmine, heart notes of rose and patchouli, and base notes of sandalwood and sweet iris. A mix of eleven oils and extracts, this is a scent that creates a mysterious, loving bouquet that surrounds the wearer with peaceful vibes and whimsical energy. This is such a beautiful fragrance, and it envelops you with its heady blend of florals and brings an escape from hectic reality. Slowness, midsummer nights, rich cream and gooey honey, fantastical daydreams, starry skies sat by a campfire, seductive garden mazes, midnight walks... This perfume brings it all, and it is truly something special.
Live the Life:
"I learned this, at least, by my experiment; that if one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours."
The newest addition to the Walden family, Live the Life is sultry and sweet with a herbal freshness that cuts through the profile to bring added lightness. It is refreshing, bright, and beguiling, and I love how different it is from other aromas I have experienced. This blend contains eleven essential oils and extracts, including energizing citruses, vivid florals, and exotic plants that combine in an effervescent concoction. I find the rosewood, China jasmine, sandalwood, bergamot, tuberose, iris, rose de mai, sweet violet, bitter orange, muskmallow, and oakmoss offer a fusion that is so like a wildflower field it is wonderful to encounter.
A Gentle Rain:
“In the midst of a gentle rain while these thoughts prevailed, I was suddenly sensible of such sweet and beneficent society in Nature, in the very pattering of the drops, and in every sound and sight around my house, an infinite and unaccountable friendliness all at once like an atmosphere sustaining me.”
One of the most unique of the Walden perfumes, A Gentle Rain is much more "masculine" than the others in the range, with notes of clary sage, lavender, oak moss, labdanum, bergamot, orris, rose de mai, sandalwood, vetivert, violet, and patchouli. It's bold, clear, herbaceous, and timeless, and it really does bring to mind a gentle rain -- particularly warm pavement after a light storm has swept over and cooled the day. You can imagine damp forests and first dates, and it makes for a memorable perfume that can quickly become a signature scent.
A Different Drummer:
“If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away.”
Still bold like A Gentle Rain, but with warmer notes that are silky and smooth, A Different Drummer is full of rich spice and soft resins. This is seductive, adventurous, and blends cedarwood, vanilla, tonka bean, patchouli, black pepper, bergamot, tobacco, and amyris in such a way that you can't help but feel more spirited. I find A Different Drummer complex, as it develops even as you breathe in. You begin to fall within the fragrance, and it becomes rounder and more expressive as it grows. I love the opposition of peppery notes, sweetness, and herbals, and find it a great perfume to wear when I want to feel daring and confident.
A Little Star Dust:
“The true harvest of my daily life is somewhat as intangible and indescribable as the tints of morning or evening. It is a little star-dust caught, a segment of the rainbow which I have clutched.”
Delectable and dreamy, that's just what A Little Star Dust is! I find this fragrance the perfect combination of creamy and sweet, with a depth that offers just a hint of spice within the blend. This fabulous mix is due to the fusion of beautiful ylang ylang, amyris, fennel, orris, coffee, labdanum, jasmine, and vanilla. This is an aphrodisiac of plant based goodness, and I find it intoxicating! A fast favourite, A Little Star Dust brings thoughts of storybook magic, midnight waltzes, secret meetings between lovers, wishful thinking, summer heat, and exploring uncharted lands. It's a gorgeous creation, and one of my favourites from Walden!
Two Eternities:
“In any weather, at any hour of the day or night, I have been anxious to improve the nick of time, and notch it on my stick too; to stand on the meeting of two eternities, the past and future, which is precisely the present moment; to toe that line.”
Another favourite is Two Eternities, a combination of mix of floral and citrus that uplifts and inspires. This is energizing, loving, and positively perfect. With top notes of bergamot, sweet orange, and mandarin, heart notes of jasmine and rose de mai made all the more complex and satisfying by base notes of iris, this perfume from Walden is like the essence of summer. It offers a delicate balance, and is so utterly divine that I get swept up in the blossoms and juicy fruits. This fragrance is ideal for days you want to feel extraordinary and need a sunny boost to bring joy!
And those are all the Walden perfumes!
I have to say, I have a particular fondness for See the Moonlight, Castles in the Air, Live the Life, A Little Stardust, and Two Eternities. Actually, Two Eternities is the perfume I was wearing when Tim and I got engaged, so that will always hold a special place in my heart! But all of them are something to be experienced, as they each are so lovely.
The only one I am not as keen on for myself is A Gentle Rain as I find the smell doesn't suit me. However, I *love* this on Tim! It's perfect as a cologne, and I think it's growing on him despite his hesitance about natural alternatives.
Overall, I find the Walden range a brilliant selection of natural perfumes, and they offer a little something for everyone, whether you prefer fruity and sweet scents, spicy and exotic fragrances, or creamy and rich tones. I am so happy I stumbled across this range, and give thanks to Love Lula for offering such beautiful (and safe!) alternatives to wear.
Have you tried any of these for yourself yet?? Which is your favourite?
I would love to hear about your experience with Walden, and if you have any other recommendations for natural perfumes I should try! I'm always on the lookout for a stunning aroma that will bring a breath of (nontoxic) fresh air xx
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