Launched in 1933, Reflexions by Ciro carries a name that invites thought, introspection, and an engagement with both the external world and one’s inner self. The word "Reflexions" is derived from the Latin reflexio, meaning "bending back" or "turning back on itself." It is the French spelling of the English "Reflections," pronounced reh-FLEK-see-ohn in its native tongue. It evokes imagery of mirrored surfaces, dappled light on water, flickering thoughts, and the quiet introspection that comes with deep contemplation. There is a duality in the name—it suggests both the literal reflection of light and a more philosophical self-examination, making it a fitting title for a fragrance that is both natural and cerebral.
The year 1933 was a time of transition and contrast. The world was still reeling from the effects of the Great Depression, and while economic hardship had reshaped daily life, there was also a hunger for escapism, refinement, and quiet luxury. The early 1930s marked the tail end of Art Deco’s bold geometry and opulence, shifting toward softer, more streamlined silhouettes in fashion. Bias-cut gowns in silk and satin draped elegantly over the body, while feminine, nature-inspired prints and accessories replaced the rigid embellishments of the 1920s. Perfume, too, reflected this shift—moving away from the heady, extravagant florals of the Roaring Twenties and embracing more natural, atmospheric compositions.
For a woman in 1933, Reflexions would have felt modern yet timeless, a fragrance that spoke to both her desire for connection with nature and her innate sophistication. It was a time when women were increasingly asserting their independence—whether through careers, travel, or personal style—and Reflexions catered to this evolving identity. Its slightly aldehydic, aromatic fougère composition was bold, fresh, and outdoorsy, a departure from overly powdery or overtly sweet perfumes. The name itself suggested an elegance of the mind, appealing to the intellectual, artistic woman who sought a scent that mirrored her complexity and refinement.
To interpret "Reflexions" in scent is to capture the feeling of standing in a quiet forest, where light filters through the trees and the air carries the green crispness of ferns, moss, and earth. The fragrance opens with a subtle aldehydic sparkle, like the first rays of morning light breaking through mist. This aldehydic lift enhances the herbaceous, slightly camphoraceous quality of the fougère accord, immediately evoking a sense of natural freshness.
The heart of Reflexions is deeply fern-like and mossy, conjuring the image of a dew-laden forest floor. Oakmoss lends its characteristic damp, earthy richness, grounding the fragrance in a deep green embrace. The woody nuances of sandalwood, rosewood, and cedarwood add depth, each bringing a different facet—sandalwood’s creamy warmth, rosewood’s spicy brightness, and cedar’s crisp, resinous bite. These elements weave together to create an outdoorsy yet refined composition, reminiscent of sun-dappled clearings and the quiet solitude of ancient woods.
Hints of aromatic herbs and balsams thread through the scent, reinforcing its connection to nature. Perhaps there is a whisper of lavender, adding a cool, herbal elegance, or a touch of balsam lending a resinous smoothness. Unlike more floral or gourmand compositions of the era, Reflexions does not aim to seduce in an overtly sensual way; rather, it envelops the wearer in an aura of serene confidence, as if she is carrying a piece of the natural world with her.
In the context of 1930s perfumery, Reflexions was both in step with trends and quietly ahead of its time. While aldehydic florals still dominated, there was a growing appreciation for green, woodsy, and herbaceous compositions, especially those that evoked the outdoors, fresh air, and natural landscapes. Perfumes like Fougère Royale had already established the aromatic fougère category, but a feminine interpretation of such a verdant, forest-inspired fragrance was still somewhat novel.
For the women who wore Reflexions, it was likely a statement of poise, individuality, and an appreciation for understated elegance. It was not a fragrance that demanded attention with sweetness or opulence; rather, it was one that invited others closer, drawing them into a world of quiet beauty and sophistication. In this way, Reflexions was not just a perfume—it was a personal sanctuary, a reminder that even in times of change, there is always grace in nature, depth in thought, and beauty in reflection.
Fragrance Composition:
So what does it smell like? Reflexions by Ciro is classified as a slightly aldehydic aromatic fougere fragrance for women, very fernlike and mossy.
- Top notes: aldehydes, Calabrian bergamot, spices, Provencal lavender
- Middle notes: Florentine iris, Bourbon geranium, French carnation, fern, Italian orris, Somali opoponax, Grasse jasmine, Grasse rose
- Base notes: Virginian cedar, Venezuelan tonka bean, Seychelles patchouli, Mysore sandalwood, coumarin, Haitian vetiver, Siamese benzoin, ambergris, Yugoslavian oakmoss, Brazilian rosewood, balsam
"Reflections by Ciro: This fragrance is perhaps the one Phidylé breathes when she rests near the undergrowth whose 'grass is soft to sleep under the cool poplars on the slopes of the mossy springs which in the flowering meadows, sprouting through a thousand outlets, get lost under the black thickets...'."
Scent Profile:
This citrusy opening is immediately deepened by a veil of spices, their warmth curling through the air like the first golden shafts of sunlight piercing through trees. A touch of Provencal lavender, cultivated in the rolling purple fields of southern France, lends its cool, herbaceous clarity, wrapping the opening in a crisp, aromatic freshness. This is not a sweet or powdery lavender; instead, it carries the raw elegance of wild-growing lavender, wind-swept and sun-baked, with hints of pine and camphor lingering on its silvery-green stems.
As the fragrance unfolds, the verdant heart of the fougère composition comes into focus. A complex, almost symphonic blend of green, floral, and resinous notes creates a scent that feels alive—like standing in the heart of a thriving forest, where each plant contributes its own breath to the atmosphere. Florentine iris, one of the most exquisite and sought-after varieties, emerges with its cool, buttery softness, lending a subtle, suede-like texture to the composition. Unlike the sweeter, more powdery irises found elsewhere, this Italian orris carries an almost carroty earthiness, grounding the fragrance in nature.
The Bourbon geranium, grown on the volcanic soils of Réunion Island, brings a sharp, rosy-green brightness, its peppery, mint-tinged facets heightening the interplay between floral and herbal elements. French carnation, spicier and more robust than the delicate carnations of warmer climates, introduces a clove-like piquancy, its fiery undertones adding depth to the bouquet.
As the fragrance unfolds, the verdant heart of the fougère composition comes into focus. A complex, almost symphonic blend of green, floral, and resinous notes creates a scent that feels alive—like standing in the heart of a thriving forest, where each plant contributes its own breath to the atmosphere. Florentine iris, one of the most exquisite and sought-after varieties, emerges with its cool, buttery softness, lending a subtle, suede-like texture to the composition. Unlike the sweeter, more powdery irises found elsewhere, this Italian orris carries an almost carroty earthiness, grounding the fragrance in nature.
The Bourbon geranium, grown on the volcanic soils of Réunion Island, brings a sharp, rosy-green brightness, its peppery, mint-tinged facets heightening the interplay between floral and herbal elements. French carnation, spicier and more robust than the delicate carnations of warmer climates, introduces a clove-like piquancy, its fiery undertones adding depth to the bouquet.
Grasse jasmine and Grasse rose, both cultivated in the perfume capital of the world, unfurl with effortless luxury. The jasmine is creamy yet green, a perfect counterbalance to the more velvety, honeyed rose, while a whisper of fern lends an almost primeval lushness, an olfactory echo of damp moss and deep forest shade. The Somali opoponax, a warm, resinous note often compared to sweet myrrh, weaves through the composition with an ambered, balsamic glow, softening the sharper greens and blending them into something almost dreamlike.
The base is a dense, woody embrace, where each note seems to meld into the next, creating an impression of warmth, depth, and quiet strength. Virginian cedar lends its dry, pencil-shaving sharpness, a clean contrast to the dark, loamy Yugoslavian oakmoss, which brings a slightly leathery, forest-floor richness. Seychelles patchouli, sun-drenched and humid, introduces an earthy, slightly chocolatey facet, richer and less camphoraceous than its Indonesian counterpart. It melds seamlessly with the golden, creamy warmth of Mysore sandalwood, a variety revered for its almost milky, incense-like softness, far smoother and more rounded than modern cultivated sandalwoods.
A fine dusting of Venezuelan tonka bean and coumarin adds a dry, almond-like sweetness, accentuated by the deep, smoky balsamic character of Siamese benzoin. Ambergris, rare and elusive, contributes a sense of natural fluidity, its saline, almost animalic sensuality making the fragrance feel alive on the skin. The base is further deepened by Haitian vetiver, whose smoky-green dryness adds texture, and the dark, polished gleam of Brazilian rosewood, known for its resinous smoothness and subtle spiciness. A final whisper of balsam lingers like the last trace of warmth after the sun has set, leaving behind an impression of something timeless, enigmatic, and deeply rooted in nature.
In Reflexions, each note is a brushstroke in a landscape—one of emerald ferns, sunlit clearings, and shadowed woods, where florals bloom among ancient mosses, and the air is rich with the scent of wood, resin, and earth. It is a fragrance that evokes thoughtfulness and self-possession, a reflection not just in the mirror, but in the soul.
The parfum was housed in a diamond shaped, cut faceted crystal bottle manufactured by Baccarat (model number# 746, however, most bottles are unsigned). The stopper was cut into a faceted point. The bottle has enameled serigraphy and a transparent label which is easily worn off. If your bottle is missing its label and you need to know the size, please use the handy guide below:
The base is a dense, woody embrace, where each note seems to meld into the next, creating an impression of warmth, depth, and quiet strength. Virginian cedar lends its dry, pencil-shaving sharpness, a clean contrast to the dark, loamy Yugoslavian oakmoss, which brings a slightly leathery, forest-floor richness. Seychelles patchouli, sun-drenched and humid, introduces an earthy, slightly chocolatey facet, richer and less camphoraceous than its Indonesian counterpart. It melds seamlessly with the golden, creamy warmth of Mysore sandalwood, a variety revered for its almost milky, incense-like softness, far smoother and more rounded than modern cultivated sandalwoods.
A fine dusting of Venezuelan tonka bean and coumarin adds a dry, almond-like sweetness, accentuated by the deep, smoky balsamic character of Siamese benzoin. Ambergris, rare and elusive, contributes a sense of natural fluidity, its saline, almost animalic sensuality making the fragrance feel alive on the skin. The base is further deepened by Haitian vetiver, whose smoky-green dryness adds texture, and the dark, polished gleam of Brazilian rosewood, known for its resinous smoothness and subtle spiciness. A final whisper of balsam lingers like the last trace of warmth after the sun has set, leaving behind an impression of something timeless, enigmatic, and deeply rooted in nature.
In Reflexions, each note is a brushstroke in a landscape—one of emerald ferns, sunlit clearings, and shadowed woods, where florals bloom among ancient mosses, and the air is rich with the scent of wood, resin, and earth. It is a fragrance that evokes thoughtfulness and self-possession, a reflection not just in the mirror, but in the soul.
Bottles:
- 1/3 oz (9.8ml) stands 2.8" (3") tall.
- 3/8 oz (11ml) stands 2.75" tall.
- 0.81 oz (24ml) stands 3.75" tall.
- 1 1/3 oz (40ml) bottle stands 4" tall.
- 3 oz (90ml) stands 5" tall.
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