Lost in a Dream by Navitus: A Fragrantica Adventure
Picture this: you’re strolling through a bakery, nose twitching at the scent of warm croissants, only to realize you’re not holding a pastry—you’re spritzing perfume. Welcome to Lost in a Dream by Navitus Parfums, a fragrance that’s got the perfume crowd on Fragrantica buzzing like bees around a honeycomb. Launched in 2023, this scent promises a decadent, dreamy ride. But does it deliver, or is it just a puff of hot air? Let’s dig into the notes, the chatter, and the quirks with a clear head and a smirk.
The Basics: What’s This Stuff Smell Like?
Lost in a Dream comes from the clever hands of Bertrand Duchaufour, a perfumer who’s basically the rockstar of niche scents. Navitus teamed up with Paulina Schar for creative direction, aiming for something lush and edible. The fragrance kicks off with milk, cinnamon, bergamot, and orange—think breakfast vibes with a citrus twist. Then it slides into a heart of marshmallow, croissant, amberwood, almond, orchid, coffee, fig nectar, and jasmine. Quite the party, right? Finally, it settles into a base of Madagascar vanilla, musk, sandalwood, oak, tonka bean, and tolu balsam. Sounds like a dessert menu got lost in a forest.
Fragrantica users describe it as sweet and creamy, with a cozy gourmand feel. Some catch a whiff of pastries, others swear it’s a dead ringer for Commodity Milk’s lovechild. The sillage? Soft as a whisper. Longevity? Around four hours, give or take. Not exactly a marathon runner, but it’s no sprinter either.
The Fragrantica Frenzy: Love It or Leave It
Hop onto Fragrantica, and you’ll find a mixed bag of opinions. One user gushes that it’s “gourmand but not cloying,” praising the balance of citrus and vanilla. Another sniffs and shrugs, “It’s Commodity Milk with a croissant hat.” A third grumbles about missing the promised marshmallow and fig, calling it a “milky almond snooze.” The consensus? It’s a crowd-pleaser for some, a déjà vu for others.
What’s funny is how folks argue over the croissant note. One reviewer swears they smell fresh-baked goodness, while another quips, “If this is a croissant, it’s been sitting in the discount bin since yesterday.” Humor aside, the variety of takes shows how personal scent can be. Your nose might dance; your buddy’s might nap.
A Chuckle-Worthy Sniff Test
I got my hands on a sample—don’t judge, I’m not splashing $200 on a blind buy. First spray: cinnamon hits like a spice grenade, followed by a milky hug. Nice, but I’m not swooning yet. Ten minutes in, the croissant peeks out, shy as a kid at a school play. The vanilla and tonka bean waltz in later, smooth and sweet, but the coffee? Missing in action. Maybe it overslept.
Here’s the kicker: I wore it to the grocery store, and a cashier leaned in, asking, “Are you baking something?” I grinned and said, “Nope, just smelling like it.” Mission accomplished, Navitus. Still, four hours later, it was a faint memory. I’d hoped for a longer dream.
The Navitus Niche: Who’s Behind This?
Navitus Parfums isn’t your average fragrance house. Latin for “energy” and “passion,” the brand loves big, bold ideas. They’ve got a knack for collabing with influencers—Paulina’s one of them—turning YouTube stars into scent creators. Some call it genius; others mutter “clone house” under their breath. Either way, Lost in a Dream fits their vibe: luxurious, a little quirky, and definitely chat-worthy.
Bertrand Duchaufour’s involvement adds cred. This guy’s crafted hits for Creed and L’Artisan Parfumeur, so he knows his stuff. Pair him with Paulina’s gourmand vision, and you’ve got a recipe that’s either brilliant or a bit bonkers. Fragrantica folks lean both ways.
The Good, the Bad, and the Snaccident
Let’s break it down. The good? It’s a warm, inviting scent that feels like a hug from your favorite baker. The citrus zing keeps it from drowning in sweetness. The bad? If you own Commodity Milk or Blanche Bête, you might yawn—this isn’t breaking new ground. The snaccident? That fleeting lifespan. Blink, and it’s gone.
Funny thing: one Fragrantica user dubbed it “a snack you can’t eat.” Spot on. It teases your senses, then leaves you sniffing your wrist like a confused puppy. Still, for a cozy Sunday vibe, it’s a solid pick. Just don’t expect it to linger past brunch.
Price Tag Puns and Practicality
A 100ml bottle runs about $185-$200, depending on where you shop. Not cheap, but niche perfumes rarely are. Is it worth it? If you’re a gourmand junkie who doesn’t mind reapplying, sure. If you hoard scents like a dragon with gold, maybe snag a decant first. Fragrantica’s reviews hint at buyer’s remorse for some—especially those who expected a fig-croissant explosion and got a milky whisper instead.
Pro tip: test before you invest. Your wallet will thank you, and you won’t end up with a fancy bottle collecting dust.
Table: Scent Snapshot
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Top Notes | Milk, Cinnamon, Bergamot, Orange |
| Heart Notes | Marshmallow, Croissant, Almond, etc. |
| Base Notes | Vanilla, Musk, Sandalwood, Tonka |
| Longevity | ~4 hours |
| Sillage | Light, close to skin |
| Price | $185-$200 (100ml) |
| Vibe | Cozy, gourmand, dreamy |
FAQs: Your Nose Wants to Know
Q: Does it really smell like a croissant?
A: Sort of. It’s more like a croissant’s distant cousin who visited a bakery once. Subtle, not slathered in butter.
Q: How’s it compare to Commodity Milk?
A: Close enough that Fragrantica users call them siblings. Lost in a Dream adds a spicy twist, but the DNA’s familiar.
Q: Will it last all day?
A: Nope. Plan a midday spritz if you want to stay dreamy past lunch.
Q: Is it unisex?
A: Yep. Sweet enough for anyone who likes a dessert vibe, no gender gatekeeping here.
Q: Why’s everyone on Fragrantica so split?
A: Noses are picky. Some crave originality; others just want a comfy scent. This one’s a bit of both—and neither.
The Verdict: Dreamy or Drifty?
Lost in a Dream isn’t a groundbreaking masterpiece, but it’s not a flop either. It’s a pleasant detour into gourmand land—think of it as a warm pastry you enjoy until it crumbs away. Fragrantica’s debates prove it’s got character, even if it’s not rewriting the perfume playbook. For a lazy day or a quirky date night, it’s a fun spritz. Just don’t expect it to stick around for the afterparty.
So, should you dive in? Sniff it first. Let your nose decide if this dream’s worth chasing—or if it’s better left on the shelf, whispering sweet nothings to someone else. Either way, it’s a fragrance that’ll keep you chuckling at the thought of wearing breakfast. And honestly, who doesn’t want to smell like a snack?
