MAURITIUS (2): WHAT I WORE + A QUICK GUIDE TO FRAGRANCE SHOPPING ON THE ISLAND

Nuxe Prodigieux Le Parfum EDP

As I hadn’t travelled abroad for quite some time, I’m blaming my notoriously bad packing (too much stuff, most of which I never wear) on that reality. Next time, I’m trying my cousin’s strategy of five of each items which, apart from simplifying my life, would have given me more suitcase space for Mauritius fragrance shopping. T-shirts, shorts, shirts, sarongs, flip-flops (and even swimming trunks, I’ll spare you those pics) became my best clothing friends. If you missed my first Ile Maurice post (island life in an impressionistic style), here’s the link.

I was far more disciplined when it came to packing my fragrance and skincare products, all of which I used regularly.

La Roche-Posay Anthelios UV Mune 400 Invisible Fluid SPF 50+

HERMÈS UN JARDIN À CYTHÈRE EDT (CHRISTINE NAGEL)

The Parfums-Jardins Collection (“jardin” = garden in French) has impressed me with its quality and refinement since its launch in 2003 with Hermès Un Jardin en Méditerranée EDT.

Hermès Un Jardin a Cythère EDT

This 2023 addition maintains the standard I’ve come to expect from the range that takes its inspiration from secret gardens (this time, the Greek island of Cythera, also known as Kythira).

Hermès Un Jardin à Cythère EDT

It gets going with the freshness of citrus and woodiness of olive trees.
Coumarin is known for its grassy and nutty attributes, and there’s just enough of that here to contribute to the sunny ambience. Slightly salty and warm, the pistachio (increasingly popular in perfumery and cuisine) completes the escapist mood.

Where previous Jardins were characterised by degrees of lushness and greenery, in-house perfumer Christine Nagel wanted Un Jardin à Cythère to be neither green nor floral (I’ve taken creative licence here to include greenery and florals in my pics because it looks good). She realises that with deceptive ease.

Mauritius Flowers

The French luxury goods brand (FYI: Its value passed the €200 billion market value earlier this year for the first time, making it the world’s second-most valuable luxury brand after LVMH) does things differently in a subtle way. This EDT is a perfect example of that approach and will always remind me of my time away.

Hermès Un Jardin A Cythère EDT
NUXE PRODIGIEUX LE PARFUM EDP (SERGE MAJOULLIER)

The French pharmacy brand doesn’t only offer quality skincare products. Its fragrance selection is impressive too. Whether you’re on holiday or not, this 2012 Serge Majoullier creation (inspired by the smell of the company’s cult Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse) is fabulous stuff.

Nuxe Prodigieux Le Parfum EDP

The opening is fresh with the citrus of orange and bergamot, but not for long. There’s a lush white floral extravaganza via orange blossom and magnolia. Creamy vanilla and sandalwood, bordering on coconut, are given beach sandiness with skilful use of mineral effects. If that doesn’t sound like vacay vibes, sorry, your visa has been declined.

Nuxe Prodigieux Le Parfum EDP

LA ROCHE-POSAY ANTHELIOS UVMUNE 400 SPF50+ INVISIBLE FLUID PROTECTION

What’s a goth to do when there’s sun, sun, sun? Apart from hide under a hat and avoid the rays (kind of difficult on a tropical island), time to slather on one of the best SPFs I’ve tried in a long time.

Me Cap

My sister gave this to me before I departed for Mauritius. So glad she did. It’s non-greasy, non-sticky, easily absorbed formula is made with La Roche-Posay thermal spring water.

La Roche-Posay Anthelios UV Mune 400 Invisible Fluid SPF 50+

NUXE BIO

My mood wasn’t the only prickly thing before my break. My skin was showing the effects of stress and not looking after myself properly.

Started using Reviving Eye Care Anti-Puffiness, Anti-Dark Circles; Glow Rich Moisturising Cream 24h (neroli scented!); Essential Antioxidant Serum; and Radiance Detox Mask from the French pharmacy brand’s Bio range shortly after I arrived and have continued to use it since getting back to South Africa.

Prickly

Apart from their organic credentials (*see below), thumbs up to these products for smoother, more moisturised skin.

*FYI (from the brand website): Certified organic by Ecocert, the formulas contain an average of 99% natural-origin ingredients and an average of 63% cosmetic ingredients from organic farming, in comparison with the required minimum of 20% certified organic ingredients out of the total required ingredients depending on the product category and COSMOS charter.

Nuxe Bio Range

BERDOUES VERVEINE YUZU EDC

I instinctively knew I was going to need something refreshing and rejuvenating and with temperatures of 25°C+, I was chuffed with myself for bringing this 2016 release from the family-owned French brand. I chucked it in my everyday bag and it went everywhere with me when I needed a cooling spritz. Which was often and around the clock. See goth problems above.

Berdoues Verveine Yuzu EDC

It’s simplicity itself with notes of verbena (lemony-clean), yuzu (tart and green) and musk (for a bit of longevity, but not too much, it’s an EDC, after all, but so reasonably priced, just spray some more.)

My only complaint: I wish the company would share the name of the perfumer who created this gem, as it does with the releases from its Collection Grands Crus.

Berdoues Verveine Yuzu EDC

BERDOUES FREESIA & COTON EDT

When I was in the mood for something warmer and more sensual, this 2019 release did the trick rather nicely.

It starts out all citrus-y with notes of bergamot and orange. The florals of freesia and jasmine add to the freshness. The cotton effect from the scent’s name is achieved through some clever lab work and accentuated with the enveloping woodiness of the synthetic Cashmeran and white musk.

Berdoues Freesia & Coton EDT

CITRONELLA

If you asked me to sum up the smells of the island, it would include words like salty, marine, curry, floral, spicy, piment (the green chilli paste), Phoenix beer (especially when offered so early in the day and as I was on vacay, merci beaucoup). And citronella.

Phoenix Beer

I doused myself in one of the local mosquito repellents but alas, the critters still wouldn’t leave me alone.

MAURITIUS FRAGRANCE SHOPPING

If South Africa is a blip on the global fragrance market, Mauritius is but a speck of sand. When I got home I realised all the island’s fragrance retail outlets would still be outnumbered by those in my local shopping mall. Obvious conclusion: You don’t go to Mauritius for fragrance shopping but don’t let that stop you from indulging in this essential activity.

Mauritius fragrance shopping - Labell EDC

SUPERMARKETS

In convenience stores (increasingly common), such as Intermart, London Way and Winners, you’ll discover eaux de cologne from brands such as Bien-être, Berdoues, Labell and L.T. Piver, all brilliantly priced. At the time of writing this, you’d be able to get your hands on 250ml of Bien-être L’Original Lavande de Provence EDC for roughly R130 / $7 / £5 / €6.

Mauritius fragrance shopping - Bien-etre EDC

You’ll also find cheapies from brands such as Ulric de Varens. Don’t be put off by the lack of glamour and style in the way these are presented in-store. Apart from their value for money, EDCs are perfect for the island’s climate and lifestyle: splash and go.

Mauritius fragrance shopping - Various Brands

PHARMACIES

Depending which one, you’ll find brands such as L’Occitane en Provence, Roger & Gallet and Yves Rocher.

Mauritius fragrance shopping - L'Occitane en Provence Lavande EDC

MADO

The chain Mado offers a more conventional retail environment for fragrance and skincare shopping, with a wide selection of the usual designer brands (Dior, Chanel, YSL, Calvin Klein, etc). Twenty years ago, a shop like this would have been unthinkable and unviable. Mauritius has come a long way.

Mauritius fragrance shopping - Mado

IMAGE: Mado.

PHYDRA

Spotted this shop at the rather upmarket shopping centre down the road from where my aunt lives. The small international selection (Lalique and others) expensive, but the brand’s own fragrances cheap ’n cheerful. EMNT (explore more next time).

Mauritius fragrance shopping - Phydra The Mauritius Collection

GALIMARD

Never heard of this French company before, but apparently originally founded in 1747 in Grasse. Tried a selection of their fragrances (including the Collection Privée) and intrigued enough to want to know more about what they do (for example, fragrance workshops). DEMNT (definitely explore more next time).

Mauritius fragrance shopping - Galimard

DUTY-FREE (FOR-ALL), SIR SEEWOOSAGUR RAMGOOLAM INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT 

So this is more like it. Spotted loads of bargains and stuff I wouldn’t normally be able to find easily in South Africa (for example, the Guerlain Aqua Allegoria Collection). Well priced too, even with charges in euros.

However, with their low prices on booze (whisky, etc), my carefully cultivated holiday mood was under threat from the hordes loading up on Johnnie Walker and I made a quick exit. Next time, I’ll know what to expect.

The pic below says so much…

Me Departure

Me waiting for the flight to be called. Thinking, relieved to be away from Duty-Free, need to see my barber pronto, had a great time but this pigmentation needs serious attention. Will I get home in time before the scheduled power failure?

BEST SHOPPING ADVICE

I was waiting outside the So’flo shopping mall, admiring the vegetation, when an employee of the Mauritius Tourism Authority and I started chatting. He recommended the following four essentials to buy while in Mauritius: vanilla, rum, masala, tea.

Mauritius fragrance shopping - So'flo Vegetation

I agree, especially the locally produced rum, with two brands standing out for me: Chamarel and Bougainville (yes, my cousin’s wife’s family owns the company that produces it, but I’d still praise the deliciousness of this spirit, which up till now I’d only really appreciated as a perfume note).

14 Replies to “MAURITIUS (2): WHAT I WORE + A QUICK GUIDE TO FRAGRANCE SHOPPING ON THE ISLAND”

  1. Wonderful roundup, Rich. Great advice too, especially the use of sunscreen SPF50+. That “5 of each” strategy from your cousin is something to take on board. Love the shots, and that you’re enjoying the new Hermes.

  2. Great photos! Your more chipper tone post vacay made me smile. Like Daniel, I appreciate your sunscreen reco. I’ve been using Neutrogena Clear Face SPF50 but am open to even more non-sticky options. On my most recent vacay to hot and humid Puerto Rico, I wore a lot of leather and vetiver fragrances rather than coconut, so I am appealing the denial of my perfumist visa! Today, back in the Northeast in just as high temperatures, FM French Lover is perfect in its extreme crispness.

    1. Many thanks! Hanging on to that post-vacay tone as much as I can. Neutrogena is a great brand too. As you said vetiver, I’ll make a visa exception for you! And you can even go to the front of the queue with that FM French Lover mention. Ha! Ha!

  3. Love reading your posts little cuz 😘. And you expose me to so many different products to try one day. Your knowledge is incredible

  4. Travels with my perfume …0r how perfume and travel are inter related is a an interesting angle

  5. I love the way you have brought together, perfumes and the island of Mauritius in this super interesting post Richard.

  6. Thank you for sharing your vacay in Mauritius. It has been a very long time since I was there myself, and it seems that as much as it has changed, it has also remained much the same.
    It was wonderful to experience the island through your eyes.
    Your two Mauritian posts let me escape there with you, even if only for a fleeting moment. I swear, I could almost smell the island in all its glory and I always look forward to your colourful descriptions of the wonderful scents that you try – I love that so much about your posts.

    1. Hello, dear Penny. The pleasure is mine. And thank you for such wonderful feedback. Indeed, the island is a mix of change and consistency. All the scents I mention will remind me of the special time I spent there.

  7. Richard, wouldn’t have minded being held captive in your luggage with those fragrances… Andre

I look forward to your comments.