Description
The scent of Safari, just like many other Ralph Lauren fragrances is inspired with American life style. Safari symbolizes another American myth, the call of the wild planes, the spirit of freedom and adventure, the joy of discovery. For all that Safari has enjoyed a great success in the States, just like the Polo and the game of Polo as those are topics that are dear. Safari for women is a floral aroma with light breeze scented by grasses, freedom and romance of open vast space. The top notes are galbanum, mandarin and hyacinth. Aldehydes cheer up the composition. The heart brings a gorgeous bouquet of rose, lily of the valley, narcissus and iris. The base is composed of vetiver, moss, Tonka bean and styrax. Safari was created in 1990 by Dominique Ropion.
woxab – :
A stunning green floral chypre! Sharp but refined galbanum, honeyed marigold, and sweetish narcissus over a dry, woody-amber base. A must try for chypre lovers. Beautiful fragrance, beautiful bottle. It’s the whole package!
Sidney111 – :
I purchased this fragrance when it first arrived. I still love it do this day! I evokes wonderful memories. It is soft, yet makes a statement. Safari is unique and distinctive. The sillage is outstanding. It makes a statement. I still wear this gorgeous fragrance to this day. When I want to feel 90’s fabulous, I opt for Safari.
vfkmn – :
It was the lure of another Dominique Ripion masterpiece which brought me to finally smell Ralph Lauren’s ‘Safari’ after somehow bypassing it in the 90’s until now.
I love his work, but Safari encapsulates that 90’s vintage vibe (albeit in a pleasant way, it’s certainly not a screamingly scary powerhouse). But it doesn’t quite transcend modern olfactory persuasions. It’s a bit like how Jon Bon Jovi was once a handsome rocker heartthrob in the 80’s, was still dreamy in the 90’s, but now he doesn’t quite have that same appeal and looks like an eyebrowless Stretch Armstrong. Some things from the past, lose its charm in the present.
It’s certainly Dominique Ripion’s magical 90’s juice. If you love a floral vintage, then this is so much better than the likes of Arpege and Diva. The elegant cut-glass bottle is stunning and looks like it houses the elixir of youth.
yalishev – :
Ralph usually makes quality creations – reliably . They are usually classy and well conceived and packaged artfully . He is my idea of the face of American design ( how about Melania Trump’s blue inauguration dress, gloves, and pumps ? ) He is a class act and SAFARI is has the preppy Lauren vibe .
These days there are not that many perfumes that are distinctive or long lasting . Safari is both and it sporty and preppy and one of the best fragrance values I see today . It smells quite sophisticated and stands out among the perfume counter which is smelling more like the candy store for children at the mall . ( I am dead serious . )
This is perfect for a white blouse and khaki pants ( or jeans) and loafers , or a Lauren wool navy blazer . It has oomph !
If you like this , you also might enjoy another long lasting green and spicy scent ( very affordable too ) Aliage, buy Estée Lauder . It was the rage in the 70s on college campuses, and reminds me of Safari .
gogamel74 – :
Where has this one been hiding? Oh. My. Soul. So beautiful! Green,floral Chypre…just soooo good! Dry down is gorgeous and powdery. It’s not a powder bomb tho,,just right!❤️
Ok,, this is weird,,but the drydown of this reminds me of Paul Sebastian Design!? Hmmm…wow.
Scratch that..this is MUCH more spicy that Design! My batch is 2014,and it’s potent! The bottle is gorgeous…prettiest one I’ve seen in awhile!❤️
oao600JeomiWogkig – :
The opening: strange, edgy, somewhat difficult but still smart, interesting and captivating
The heart: a beautiful mix of wild, bitter and still sweet herbs and flowers that sing so beautifully together
The drydown: the finest breeze bringing aromas from heaven’s garden
This scent is a perfect song: starts loud and impressing, it steels your heart with the perfectly orchestrated middle part and it conquers your soul with a promise – that of untroubled peace
And so is the woman who wears it
I love it!
Ritisediangen – :
I got a bottle of this today. I really like it. It’s warm and spicy, with a moderate amount of sweetness. It reminds me of Lauren by the same make, only sweeter. I’m destined to get another for a spare as I believe its discontinued. Another love affair (and the bottle is gorgeous!).
FeEfenoblof – :
Quality essence, a beauty from wilderness in an elegant bottle.
It insipres me a feeling of complete freedom of choice with amazing adventures in an exotic far away land… reminding me of the great film “Out of Africa”
Somewhat in same vein with Mitsouko. Happy to have discovered it at last!
nitros71 – :
A classic beauty, still smells great, never outdated. Love.
GuitionnetS – :
I received a miniature bottle of this way back in 1993. The bottle was sculpted (like in the image) and was so beautiful. It was the most luxurious, unusual scent I had ever smelled. I was a poor student at the time, and each time I wore it, I felt beautiful, sophisticated, glamorous and unique — no-one I knew had this fragrance! I was just about to graduate and I had a new job in Arabia and it made me want to look like the model in the advert — tanned, feminine, sensuous and unique. In fact, I used to wear it while wearing a crisp blouse and suede waistcoat.
I can hardly remember the scent now, but I remember it being very unique, green, feminine and wondrous. What a gem this was!
AnaBosni – :
One of the BEST PERFUMES EVER!!!! I could drown in a Sea of Safari, that’s how much I LOVE THIS STUFF!!!! Unlike ANYTHING in the world. A stand alone scent.❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
SMex – :
Beautiful, dry and clean.
Green grass, floral without being ‘flowery’, masculine on one side but flips to sheer, angular femininity with ease.
The bottles, especially the tear-drop shaped one, are some of the most beautiful I have seen. The tiny 4ml ones are little treasures!
Angelina_fromAC – :
I picked up a bottle of this in The Perfume Shop yesterday and asked if it was discontinued, they said it wasn’t, but that ralph Lauren were selling it exclusively through them.
dim-5402 – :
Safari one of my favorite Dominique Ropion fragrances and it aligns with the phenomenal work he was doing in the 1990’s (Gucci Accenti, Givenchy Ysatis and Amariage, Krazy Krizia).
Safari is gorgeous. There are the dry green notes, balanced with a light breeze of honey florals (tagetes and narcissus) and powdery iris. The bottom notes are warm amber and dry sandalwood. Safari is as dry as a savanna in the Kalahari. There’s no candy or artificial sweetness.
Alas, I think it’s discontinued in favor newer, more boring offerings from Ralph Lauren. If you run across Safari, and like Ropion’s work, it’s worth your attention.
Magat – :
I was given a well looked after 4ml EDP Bottle of Safari. The bottle is at least 8years old, or more. However, I loved it so much that I purchased a 75ml EDP. When I first dabbed the 4ml, it transformed instantly into this beautiful floral on my skin. When I sprayed the 75ml, it was initially very alcoholic, then morphed into the same family floral as the mini. The mini smells different, more depth to it than the spray, perhaps it’s due to its age! But I love this scent. It’s a ‘mature’ floral, not old ladyish like some out there.
Marieka – :
I just checked out the Official Ralph Lauren Website, and didn’t see Safari there. There were alot of newer perfumes, all in the same types of bottle, all of different shades of perfume inside them, and I wondered if any of those were anything close to the old Safari. Does anybody know about that? Thanks in advance!
bck068Negeltzex – :
Why, Oh Why, did Ralph Lauren discontinue this perfume? Yes, the bottle was beautiful (to say the least), but the perfume was a perfect match to the bottle, and a complete WINNER!
I must say, however, that the reformulation that happened right before the discontinue, was not very nice (EXTREMELY POWDERY).
Opossum111 – :
I have had this perfume for years and always keep an unopened spare bottle in case it’s discontinued. I am one of those people that, due to body chemistry, use different perfumes for different seasons. And this is summer. Literally the hottest days of the year. Safari stays linear on me, and that is fine because I love it as it is, no development necessary. Earthy and green and warm without sweetness, it opens up beautifully in hot weather. It is so unfortunate because I’d love to use this beauty all year round yet it remains silent on me in cooler/cold temperatures. Silage and longevity both moderate, have to respray throughout the day. Definitely not a blind buy material and would say not suitable as gift if you don’t know the person’s taste.
Beperarefax – :
I just got my big bottle of this in the mail (ordered it from ralphlauren.com so i know it’s legit). I love it. The 80s was a time of fragrances for me – Lauren, Poison, Magie Noire, Paloma, Obsession, etc, but this one never passed through my radar. My first impression of Safari is that it’s spicy. And yet it is clean. I think it’s a natural sort of clean smell, like the way they used spices in the middle ages to get rid of bad smells. It’s not obviously a “clean” scent like Issy Miyake or CK One, which are nice but can be so refreshing that they seem cold. It doesn’t go overboard to be “clean” and yet it is. I can live with it all day at the office and it never feels cloying or too musky. And that is what I love about it. It’s spicy and warm, yet it opens the window to allow a breath of fresh air. Nice going Ralph Lauren!
ninikinini80 – :
I wore this when it was first released. I loved it. When it was discontinued from sale I was gutted. I found a seller.
Then It was replaced by other fragrances. Recently I re-visited my bottle and didn’t like it at all. For my nose what you smell is what you get, whether its in the bottle, a few seconds in, or three hours later. There’s no nuance, no fluctuating subtle changes, no disappearance with a remarkable come back 20 minutes late. Tomorrow I’m going to give it a go, 2 bursts on my neck and I’ll see if I can fall in love with it again…..
крякер – :
I bought this scent more than 20 years ago because I was mesmerised by the TV commercial and because I loved, really really loved the chiseled bottle. I bought the refillable purse spray, the leaf shaped one that came with a little silver funnel, but didn’t like the scent. On me it was obnoxious and I had to wash it off after a while. I also didn’t smell it on many other women, only on one friend and it smelled like plastic. I guess that I couldn’t handle galbanum. I couldn’t understand why this was supposed to be the scent of the Africa dream, but I didn’t care, I just wanted the bottle.
When I moved from the country I used to live and gave away many fragrances I wasn’t using, I kept this one, alone for the bottle. The plan was to throw away the juice inside and fill the bottle with one of my favourite fragrances, but somehow I didn’t dare.
Short time ago I toke it out of the beautiful croco printed box, just to admire the bottle again and out of curiosity have tried the scent and surprise surprise, now I like it a lot, now I can envision the Savannah, the infinite sky, the dryness, the tent, the wood, the leather and the whisky in a chiseled crystal glass.
It is a summer scent the same way Dune, Eau the Merveilles, Un Jardin en Mediterranee and Un Jardin apres la Mousson are, something that transports you into a time and a place. There are scents that I can wear all over the year and I love because they are the essence of me and inspire me joy or calm or elegance or sexiness, and then others, like this, that are like airplanes or time machines.
Safari is the perfect name for this scent and the bottle is his temple.
Geftthearkiff – :
I found a vintage cut crystal purse flask of Safari. It’s beautiful to look at and hold, like some kind of amulet or maybe a potion from a storybook.
The fragrance itself quickly became a favorite. So much galbanum, which is great because I really love the smell of galbanum. This is the only note that my nose can truly pull from it, everything else is a supporting hammock for the galbanum. I do feel wild, free and sassy when I don Safari. I’m going to be bummed when my bottle is finished. It definitely conjures up an image of standing in tall dried grass and an herbal breeze is blowing around you. And yet I wouldn’t call it a casual scent really. This would fit right in at a formal event.
RemoBoAle – :
I decided to try a sample of Safari today. It was quite a hot summer day so I thought it would be a good choice. As the main note is galbanum I really liked it, but then I did some housework and didn´t really think of it anymore. Suddenly the sky got dark and the storm started. I must say I really like summer storms with thunder and lightning so I went out to watch the rain, because I was quite hot and I wanted to cool down. Then I realized that I could smell something really beautiful. It was Safari on my wrist. The rain helped it to develop a wonderful scent. So for me this will be the scent which will remind me summer storms and rainy weather. Try it with summer rain because it is a kind of magic.
speckadr – :
Smells awesome! Great smells
Gusarqpshx – :
Smells awesome! Great smells
pvs186elipseskism – :
When I was in my early teens I received my mom and my aunt’s perfume hand-me-downs. My opinions of those scents were of no consequence; love it or hate it, I wore it. Of course, it was always better when I loved the second-hand perfume. I hated Oscar de la Renta’s eponymous perfume but I wore it daily for three months when I was sixteen because my mom gave it to me. That was as good a reason as any to wear a scent, even a despised scent. But RL Safari was a solid love affair. Nothing could ever replace my beloved scent. Nothing.
I’m trying to get back into my fifteen-year-old self’s headspace to understand what it was that made Safari so irresistible. My fifteen-year-old friends were wearing Liz Claibourn, Tresor, or Sunflowers. I was a wallflower whose perfume made her stick out like a clichéd sore thumb. I carried my cut glass trophy of a scent everywhere I went, and boy, was that bottle heavy. I refreshed my scent often, which was absolutely not necessary. Often, I smelled of Safari even after showers. Our love was solid. But why?
It was the last of the big-boned broads from the late 1980s/early 1990s. Safari was not as obtrusive as its contemporaries (I’m looking at you, Red Door) but it was not demure, per se. Safari was bold but it was also tempered with green elements, like oakmoss and vetiver. It did not feature prominent roses or jasmine; they are present but lurking in—not dominating—the scent. Instead, new and unorthodox flowers were presented to star in this show. In a word, Safari smelled new. To smell it now, it smells kind of dated.
I never answered why. I loved its quirky personality and its greenness. I loved its status as a perfume outcast, for I was an awkward outcast, too. It was light years away from what every girl in high school was wearing. It was smart and sophisticated, or at least what I imagined smart and sophisticated women wore while reading Kafka for pleasure’s sake. Safari represented the woman I aspired to become. Safari still smells like that to me.
I’m spending a little time with Safari because many loves have come between us. It feels an awful lot like seeing a high school boyfriend some twenty-five years later while you’re shopping for tomatoes with your current beau. It is awkward and confusing but you might remember what it was that caused you butterflies some twenty-five years ago. Or you might scratch your head and wonder what all the fuss was about. I’m recalling the butterflies and the love letters of years past. However, I’ve moved on. I’m happier snuggling up to my Guerlains and my Tauers. But Safari taught me how to love and appreciate what’s beautiful and unique in the (perfume) world. For that reason we’ll continue to catch up every so often for a platonic date. We will then part ways until next time.
2728504535 – :
a tad fruity in the top with lush yellow floral that are a bit sharp and crisp. Seems like some oakmoss and aldehydes in here. Leave it to the vetiver. This is a bit spicy and sharp but definitely a floral/floriental but not in the spice category like an Opium. Top-heavy florals but not a light scent. Deep and complex.
Mesbo150Negeltzex – :
What an interesting fragrance! This is like layering 2 different fragrances that they have too strong personalities to blend. I had the impression of smelling 2 very distinct precise layers. One was sweet and warm and ambery, reminding me a lot of Boucheron. The other layer is herbaceous, bitter and green, a very realistic taget(My grandmother had tagets in her garden, this is exactly their smell if you rub their petals in your hand). They never blended on my skin and actually I don’t know which part is smelled by others – the warm one or the herbal one. It’s an outdoorsy, completely non-urban fragrance, earthy,mossy green, raw, and ambery warm. Indeed, Out of Africa , Meryl Streep , her white natural fiber shirts, straw fedoras and kaki or sand colored pants – that’s the image I associate with Safari.
I put this in the same league with Cartier La Panthere.
Moberrotstifs – :
Safari was my signature scent when it was released in 1990, it was the most beautiful scent I had ever worn and it wore like a second skin on me. For me it was the quintessential chypre, but unfortunately the reformulation of this Regal beauty has diminished it to a sad shell of it’s original self. I do have the new formulation which I keep for the vintage cut glass bottle, but every time I see it on my dressing table I am both reminded of her beauty & demise all in the same instance. It’s a perfumista conundrum!
Update: It’s getting into late summer here in the southwest and the early mornings are starting to whisper the cooler dryer winds of the promise of autumn, which is the quintessential season to wear Safari & I have actually started reaching for this in the last 2 weeks. I just have to apply it sparingly to the back of my neck and down my spine & no more than 2 good sprays, as the reformulation has lost it’s smooth rounded quality and keeps its sharper green notes well into the life of the wear. I’m training myself to enjoy Safari once again and it seems as though this classic style chypre & I have come to an understanding and are willing to enjoy each other once again.
marymary – :
Most sophisticated American perfume ever! – I tested ‘Safari’ for the first time, when it came on the market in the early 90’s. From the beautiful bottle design and packaging my European nose expected an oriental-ambery fragrance, slightly animalic. Instead I was surprised by the initial yellow-floral opening and overall brightness of this fragrance. Only in the background are mingling some herbal notes (vetiver, rosemary) that live up to its adventurous name ‘Safari’. This is an American perfume in the line of ‘Giorgio’ by Beverly Hills or ‘Bijan’. Though everyone says this is an 80’s powerhouse, the sillage is only moderate on my skin. Anyway I am so glad to have this treasure now in my collection.
Viper – :
I always feel badly when I have to say anything negative in a review but I think it’s important if it’s not just one line with no information. First I will start by saying I blind bought this perfume. I had never smelled it. I felt jinxed because everywhere I would go noone had a tester for the female version. In hindsight I could of bought a mini online. So I unwrapped and sprayed and immediately was hit with a smell I have smelt before and thought that it is very retro but not in a bad way. It fits the chyrpe category which unfortunately screams ‘older person’ to many (I am not saying this) but you know what I mean. It reminds me of Magie Noir etc. It does smell a bit dated but I still didn’t mind it. Now here is the problem. So I had sprayed two sprays and came into work and was hit with comments ‘something reeks omg thats disgusting what is that? that is awful is that a perfume?” I knew they knew it was me and I felt tears almost well in my eyes and so I put my headphones on for a while and ignored it. Then I went to the bathroom and washed my arms and neck. So that’s what happened when I wore it. I don’t always care what others think of my perfume but I have not had a reaction like that before. I think if you love it – just wear it and wear it confidently. I still wear perfumes others hate on me. The reason I added these comments is because I was fifty fifty on if I liked this perfume on me and now I am not sure it works on me. So perhaps try before you buy. If you like vintage chyrpes you will probably love this. Also, I will add it does have a bit of a floral note which prevents that bitterness which I love about it.
Vasiliy87 – :
I am currently in South Africa at Ant’s Nest doing a fabulous horseback riding safari. I’ve worn this every day and it is perfect. The spicy floral, the green, the woody oakmoss. It is so perfect for winter in Africa that it totally melded with the scent of the bush until I can’t tell where one ends and other begins. Perfect, and will forever smell like Africa to me.
Kuzyshyn – :
Last year a half full bottle of safari was offered to me in a swap,I checked it’s notes and when I saw that it’s a floral-green I decided that I don’t want it so I swapped with another perfume but my swap partner also sent me a 2mil decant of safari which I totally forgot about until recently
When I first sprayed it I could smell familiar green scent of galbanum,narcissus,hibiscus and a hint of citruses.something that is more or less present in most perfumes of this genre:chanel 19,hermes amazone,Issey miyake a scent &… Which is nice and springy but not my type
But it develops to a heavenly scent which makes me dying with regret of not adding it to my collection when I had such a good opportunity
I don’t know how tagets smell like.I can still smell floral-green notes of the opening(galbanum,narcissus,hibiscus) but now they warmed and rounded by Woody notes and amber.I can also smell something like a honeyed orange flower which is what makes it so gorgeous to my nose .it’s not what I usually like and go for.it’s unique,mature and strong but also pleasant.a memorable perfume with a beautiful scent,strong longevity and sillage and a beautiful bottle
I can see how it can be signature for ladies with different tastes,for me it would be something I rarely crave,still I’d love to have it in my collection for that rare occasions
jpq618elipseskism – :
I was looking for something new and mature. Read a lot about Safari and ordered it blind. Got my order today and I’m surprised about everything. It smell gorgeous like heaven. I’m so glad I got it. I will never say it is something to do with safari. I’m from Africa and went on safaris from the day I can remember. The Buffalo’s will chase you the elephant will lift their ears (and you know what happen then),the flying insects will not leave you and all the bucks will run away. This is a fancy expensive heaven smell for smart dinners, functions, meetings or just going out. It’s strong longlasting and for sophisticated women. If you search for a perfume wearing on a safari you can go with obsession CK. The animals will love you specially the lions.
sez1988 – :
Oh this is gorgeous.
This isn’t roughing it safari, this is an old style film star safari. It’s “Out of Africa.” On me it’s warm and dry with sweet hay, and beautiful florals. The oak moss and the geranium mix to make a note that’s almost cinnamon.
Warm, elegant, floral, spicy. Truly gorgeous and really wearable I think. If you remember the great perfumes of yore with fondness you’ll enjoy this.
artaal – :
There is nothing to add after reading all those informative truthful reviews. Just one comment, if Chakras have a suitable perfume for each, then Safari is a Root Chakra kind of perfume.. earthing, rooting scent, I felt safe and relaxed when tested it on my skin.
The bottle is one of the best bottles…just art
Wouttunuthfit – :
Just recieved my vintage 125ml bottle wow just how i remember it strong and long lasting my first memory of this was bk in the 90s my first serious bf at the time had this on i said to him show me the bottle and there it was a ladies one not the mans one and right there and then he gave me a 50 ml bottle as he thought it was the mens one i treasured that for ages one of the best smells iv ever smelt the funny thing about it it actually smelt gourgeous on him bought a bottle around a year ago nothing how i remember it looked in to it and found it had been reformulated so i searched on ebay and got a great deal on a 125 ml bottle wow all those memorys came flooding back
kanomalanga – :
I finaly got this ,And wow this is so different then what i was expecting . I was expecting somthing truly green crisp and fresh in line with Chanel no19 ,Balmain and such .
What im getting from this is a warmer fruity, floral slightly green scent .I cant find much of galbanum and crispness in this at all. Maybe my skin amps up different notes then i thought .
This lingers sweet and almost amber like on my skin , Yes there is Tagetes and sweetnes from it , somhow i thought the greennes would stand out much more . I like it but this was not the kind of scent i initialy was looking for .
Nead to wear again with the cravings for Green scents layed on a different shelf . This is not it thats for shure .
Slejelfanyday – :
I was thinking about Geranium pour Monsieur that I love so much and then I started smelling Safari in my head. I had to check online and to my surprise they are both by Ropion. This used to be the smell from the fashion magazines when I was a kid. The smell of richness and luxury. Beautiful.
rwrsd – :
Ralph Lauren’s muse…I can see that gorgeous 80’s woman in khaki cargo pants and a white silk button-down blouse. Terribly sexy with that strong sandalwood base that is not for the faint of heart.
wydok71 – :
Smells like after shave a bad buy on my part ..Not everyone can love this and I do not with a passion
Витюшкин – :
This is the best fragrance I have, it belonged to my mother. I remember using it just for special occasions, when she would let me use some drops of it. The bottle is gorgeous. This is a very special scent, it has many layers so you can’t have a total impression just by sniffing it quickly in a shop. This is what I wear on special parties and events, I have an original bottle from the nineties, which is not a spray but with delicate cap. And oh yes the male version is just as good as the female. Have both, love both.
ajb867intitytek – :
It took me a minute to warm up to this. My first impression was, “Wow… This is really retro… Interesting but such a throw back…” Yet and still I kept coming back to it.
Safari is definitely one of those fragrances you have to let settle on your skin. It opens harshly but once it calms down it’s really lovely. And the name “Safari” suits it. It is a safari, but a romanticized old-Hollywood version of one, starring Elizabeth Taylor. (If you want to smell an actual safari, may I suggest Chanel No. 5, which smells like lions mating and peeing on each other on a bed of lily of the valley petals… That or a living room after your house cat sprayed all over the furniture and your futile attempt to cover up the stench with Febreeze).
So I love it. But I do recommend trying a sample first and getting to know it before committing to a full-sized bottle.
FatInjennyFap – :
I somehow missed it in the 90s, so my impressions are fresh and recent (got it as a part of a box with miniatures along with “Paloma”, “Tresor” and “Noa”).
2 words that come to my mind: bitter and borderline male perfume. I don’t feel anything “green”, however lots and lots of wood, sun-drenched bitter herbs and some citrus. Then patchouli kicks in.
Definitely not a “candy shop”, “powdery”, “flowery” or anything like this. Not even oriental.
Very interesting, expensive, striking, but too strong if you have a “girly girl” image.
wadyNissiskd – :
It’s amazing how this perfume has touched the lives of so many. I love reading the stories – here is mine.
I was introduced to Safari through one of my mom’s best friends. She’s a fashionable lady with the money that allowed her to indulge in all the top shelf makeup and perfumes. She’s also a generous lady who passed on the stuff she didn’t like or grew bored of to my mother and I. Hence how I wound up with two nearly full bottles of the vintage perfumed Safari creams in 1997.
I was 14 and somewhat of a tom boy, as well as a huge geek, but I was still becoming a young woman and so I was drawn to some of that lifestyle, despite the fact that I barely wore make up and had not yet taken a set of tweezers to my eyebrows. I had a vanity made of clear glass and cheap brass metal set up in my room contrasting with my Xena, Sailor Moon and dragon posters. Those crystalline jars graced the glass top, more for aesthetics than any appreciation of the scent they contained, next to GAP’s Grass, Vanilla Fields, Adidas for Women and CK One.
When I was 15 I met a shy boy at high school. My first real crush. I asked him to accompany me to our highschool’s Winterfest dance and to my delight he said yes. I picked out a deep blue dress made of crushed velvet, and my mother lent me her white velvet, faux fur collared Winkleman’s jacket that she used to wear to attend church as a little girl in the early 1960’s. She curled my long auburn hair into loose ringlets. I looked like Kate Winslet from Titanic. I looked, first the first time in my life, like a lady.
But what kind of perfume does a lady wear on her first date, with her first crush, at her first school dance? The elegant, romantic bottles of Ralph Lauren’s ‘Safari’ caught my eye on my glass vanity. I went to the dance wearing that deep scented vintage concoction and felt as rich and classy and as beautiful and rebelliously wild as Rose DeWitt Bukater that night. As I slow danced with my date, he leaned in and whispered in my ear, “You smell incredible”. My first perfume compliment from a boy.
And the boy would soon become my first; my first boyfriend, my first love. And Safari became my first scent as a woman. A rich, creamy scent of grasses and powder and wildflowers. An elegance not afraid to explore. A perfume I wore while sitting in a field near my house in cargo shorts and hiking boots wearing brown eyeline, weaving flower crowns of rushes and dandelion and thistle.
The years began to pass, and I slowly used up all the beautiful, richly perfumed lotion in those elegant bottles. And my life went from a young girl’s fairy tale to a horror story, with different instances of abuse and trauma and developing PTSD. All the scents that had come to grace that glass vanity over the years tarnished much as the brass that lined the glass did; J’Adore, CK One, all tossed in the trash can because they became connected with abusive, terrible memories of a life I desperately fought to escape and leave behind.
All except the empty bottles of Ralph Lauren Safari. As I unscrewed the cap of that crystalline bottle a sense of peace, beauty and innocence washed over me. I was taken back to a time when I believed in love, people and the world. A time when I felt beautiful. A time when I felt loved. A time when I had hope.
The empty bottle moved with me to many states in the country. It accompanied me through many experiences. Through many achievements and many losses. When I felt down, or depressed, I unscrewed the silver and brown elegant cap on the empty bottle and sniffed, and was instantly transported to a time of innocent childhood. As I got older I meant to either re-purpose the jar or throw it out. Yet somehow, it just managed to tag along.
Three years ago I found the jar again. After many years of forgetting about it and it’s magic, I unscrewed the elegant top… and the scent still lingered, still hit my olfactory memories like a wave crashing against the cliffs here on the Pacific Northwest coast. I decided it was finally time to purchase the perfume. To my dismay, I saw it had been discontinued, some vintage bottles of the juice for sale on Ebay for an exorbitant amount of money. Sadly, I accepted it was just to remain what it was, along with all the emotions tied to it – a beautiful memory.
Last year, I ended up hooking up again with that first boyfriend. And yesterday, I bought my first bottle of Ralph Laruen’s Safari. I will wear it on our next date, and I will never say a thing about it.
goptar – :
I really love this, it is a wonderful and underrated perfume. It is a less haughty cousin to Estee Lauder’s Private Collection, and also a good substitute if you can’t get hold of vintage Ivoire de Balmain.
Safari is complex, has many notes of a gorgeous bouquet of flowers plus the very green ga