Desirade

I found a 100mL bottle for a steal, and after doing a quick read of reviews here, I purchased. My first thought when deboxing was that the cap had cracked, but it was just the cap design. The whole bottle is unsightly to me. It's so tall and top heavy. It towers over my other perfumes and for some reason looks like Dorothy from Golden Girls to me-- taller than everybody else, broad imposing shoulders, stately and rigid. I like Golden Girls, but not in this context. I immediately ordered a vintage style glass atomizer so I can decant it out. I sprayed on a card and wasn't impressed. On the card it was very musky, and a bit floral, but nothing too exciting. I finally sprayed it on skin. It is just so beautiful! I couldn't place the primary note (I'm still new at this fragrance-ing) and after some research decided it must be the osmanthus. It is just as described, apricoty and leathery, and just plain gorgeous. I went in search of an osmanthus absolute so I could get to understand it better, and it turns out it is about $20 a mL and a very precious ingredient. I agree with everyone else that it is worth a try. It is wildly affordable and so sensual and yummy. It is sweet, but a powdery sweet, so not syrupy. The musk is light enough to recommend to musk haters as a introduction to the genre. The ylangylang keeps it fun all the way through the dry down. But it's the osmanthus that shines. Moderate sillage, and lasted about 5 hours on my skin before becoming a ylang, patchouli, sandalwood, vanilla skin scent.

A gorgeous, 80's style floriental which does indeed share some notes with Boucheron. But on my skin, the long and LOVELY drydown smells similar to a Sweeter, more cloying Ysatis. I should also add that it lasts considerably longer, with killer sillage. And in this case, I mean 'cloying' in the nicest way possible, as tribute to the very richest and most dense ylang ylang and floriental goodness! As if anything could smell precisely like Ysatis... But. Considering that nearly all of the classics have been reformulated to thinness recently, I highly suggest Ysatis lovers get their hands on a bottle of this budget beauty. It's got that same dirty-honey accord that makes Ysatis so devastating. Yes, dated. But can you imagine being lucky enough to come upon a current creation so decadent?! If so, I would buy it at once, without thought of era or age category. Gorgeousness does NOT require apology. Update - I am impressed by Kvan's assurances that Desirade smells quite similar to Revlon's Scoundrel, as advertized by that marvelous 80's icon, Joan Collins. This would indeed be suitable for her character of Alexi, but perhaps also Joan in real life.... Hard not to be impressed by a fragrance with such personality. Scoundrels this appealing narrow down the competition considerably! Summary - Lush and Heady Stupendous sillage Excellent longevity Seduction in a bottle!

This is an exceptionally good buy! Beautiful, sweet slightly incensy vintage fragrance. This is the kind of fragrance, for me, that you must wear for awhile to thoroughly enjoy and appreciate. It's all in the dry down. When this fragrance heats up with your skin it is marvelous. It is not a loud powerhouse fragrance bomb for me, it sits close to my skin but I can smell it and that's the way I like my fragrances. My family has positively commented on this fragrance as well. Nice bottle but the cheap plastic cap is just awful, a minor thing when you consider how wonderfully this fragrance performs....it's really good! February 2021 The more that I wear Desirade the more that I LOVE it! Really one of the most beautiful, best performing fragrances in my ever growing collection. A true sleeper in the fragrance community in my humble opinion. Inexpensive and well worth a blind buy if you like vintage type fragrances!

Another blind buy to bulk up an order. Holy moly what a stunner! I don't have anything that smells similar, on me this is a gorgeous woody oriental with a bit of powder which is my favourite part, I assume that's the Sandalwood. The Ylang-Ylang and raspberry are also quite noticeable in the background. Longevity is great at around 8 hours and sillage is quite heavy. This is a real winner for me. I can't believe I've had more enjoyment from these inexpensive labels than I have from the designer frags. This is really a superb power house, a true performer and I am in love with Desirade.

One day I went bananas at Ross going through their multitude of celebrity and less expensive fragrances (LITERALLY over a hundred different bottles!). I rushed to the car with my haul and spritzed this one on first and fell head over heels! Seems like the majority of my fragrances are floral or oriental floral. Anywho, I went back in to get ANOTHER bottle of this because a 100ml bottle was $8 *blink* I got 4 compliments making that run. For an very inexpensive fragrance, this is one of my favorites!

Beautiful - so glad I tried this. 100 ml bottles are going for a song right now on Amazon, so after reading the reviews here I decided to give it a try - it is absolutely gorgeous, with a classic perfume ambiance from the aldehyde you'd expect to find in a scent formulated 60+ years ago, yet the fruity/spicy/floral softens it and makes it feel more modern. I'm so pleased with this and recommend giving this a try if you like classic, sexy. grown-up scents.

I love this. It smells almost exactly like Revlon Scoundrel, and possibly even stronger, if that's possible. It's a very very warm spicy, musky pineapple/osmanthus, tuberose and ylang ylang. It's a spritz and walk-through scent, for sure, but then of course it will be all over your carpet and you'll smell it there forever too! I find this very special, very loud and tropical, and very 1980's.

I see a bunch of reviews comparing this to Elizabeth Taylor's White Diamonds. I see to extent what you mean but I don't get an old lady vibe from it. I get more of an incense, fruity, woody, vanilla, earthy, potpourri vibe from it. Besides its more sophisticated, and has a much better bottle. I see this as a clone of boucheron smell wise.

reminds me of Rumba Passion; lots of ylang but a little herbal bitter in the top from osmanthus, aldehydes, tuberose, sandalwood, some violet powder and coriander but the ylang is the star; best blind buy in ages and a cheap powerhouse knockout; 15.5 hours later, my hand still smells like ylang oil with only one or two squirts. Amazing.

Ohh, I have emptyed a lot of bottles of Desirade in the 90ths, and was so sad when it left the shops, but now I'm the lucky owner of a new 100ml, thanks =))

I'm not really a fan of the opening. But the dry down is addicting to me. It's bright, fresh, sweet, lovely, and very long lasting.

This is in the same vein as Vicky Tiel Siren and Regine’s. It’s like powdery root beer.

I just received a Bottle of DAHLIA NOIR by Givenchy and I find it incredibly similar.

Desirade is quite a strange case. While it's clearly an oriental, it's like it comes from an orient entirely of its own, for it's very unusual and it doesn't remind me of anything else. Not of a perfume at least. What it actually reminds me of, is Nag Champa incense sticks. It has a wetness which is so intense that's almost tactile. It's overly sweet, cloying even, but instead of running away from it, I found myself going closer. I guess this is what "hypnotic" means in olfactory terms. Not being able to run away from something seemingly undesired. And this is Desirade's secret power in the form of an enthralling spell. I don't know whether it has anything to do with the French overseas island of La Desirade in the Lesser Antilles, unless it was named after it to evoke a sence of exoticness. If this was the case behind its christening, then congratulations Aubusson, you've absolutely nailed it! This is exactly how I imagine the lush, strange flowers of the Caribbees would smell like. Never mind that it has the most impractical cap ever, cause that aside, the bottle is very beautiful; like a bubble of gas slowly escaping the ocean floor, or a spearhed driven into the ground, if the direction is reversed. Actually, it's an accident waiting to happen, as it scores a perfect ten in knockoverability [sic], but I really wouldn't mind my house smelling that captivating for a couple of months. And since it can be purchased for a song, the only adjective I'd use for this kind of an accident would be "happy".

I only have the body mist of Desirade and have not tried the edp, so I have no idea if the mist is a weaker version or if the formula is different. Anyway, performance is excellent for a body spray and the scent is very nice indeed. I LOVE the opening, but had some funny assosciations once it dries down. Desirade heart smells exactly like bar soaps that were popular here in Norway when I was growing up (namely Dr. Grevens & Lano). To me this is the cleanest smelling scent ever. I do imagine it could come across as very dated to many though, so I think you'd have to be into vintage scents to enjoy it. Such a nostalgic fun experience to wear this. Squiky clean 90s nostalgia!

Just sprayed it on, and it's lovely! Definitely one of those hidden, forgotten gems from the early-90's, floriental genre. It reminds me of Emeraude in the base with its slight prominence of benzoin (not listed as a note above), but it's far "creamier" in effect... a little like White Diamonds in sections (but not as complex), a little like Oscar de la Renta, and Boucheron with the creamy, lactonic note bonded with the sweetly-soft musks. If you like creamy-sweet white florientals for the cooler months, you deserve to check it out... bottles are really plentiful and reasonable (right now). Strong like... 4/5.

Osmanthus, ylang, and opoponax are the main attraction in this scent. The aldehydes, tuberose, and pineapple are present, but they're comfortably in the background, lending a very gentle floral and sweet scent. There's a warmth to this scent that's very nostalgic and familiar, I could imagine my grandmother wearing this and it lingering comfortably on my nose. It's thick and syrupy in a decadent, lush, 'perfumey' way. It does not get sickeningly cloying. I am surprised that there's no peach in this, I get a distinctly velvety peach effect. I recommend, it's very affordable, so give it a go.

This was another T.J.Maxx $7 find--and what I have is the "My Desire" Desirade in the red box as well. I am pretty sure that this is a reformulation-the box says packaged in Palm Beach FLA--but I don't really hate it. It is not magical, by any means, but it strikes me as a lighter version of Tresor, fruity floral oriental and if the osmanthus note is suppossed to be noticable, you could have fooled me. I get roses, peaches and light powder. Inoffensive, but no big deal. Oh well!

This is a very pretty scent, but it is so strong it verges on cloying. It's either a mist and walk through, or a one spray number. If I ever wore this fragrance again it would be on only one wrist or maybe do the trick of spraying it behind my knees. I really think it is so pretty, but I just wish they had lightened up the formula.a bit. I'm not a fan of huge fragrances like this anyway, so this is going to have to be a pass. As it is I'm happy I didn't spend much on it.

Desirade is a very sensual and intoxicating gem. It's a soapy, woody, and balsamic floral with aldehydes, rich sandalwood, sweet opoponax, tuberose, and exotic ylang ylang. It reminds me a lot of Joop Femme and is also similar to Boucheron and Ysatis as others have said. If you like any of these fragrances, you'll surely like Desirade too. It's quite inexpensive and so worth a try. Splendid!

Soapy floral, best for winter wear. At first there's a lot of pineapple and I get a bug spray-like vibe, but once settled it improves and develops more of a makeup character. I don't have anything else quite like it, which is good as that makes it unique. Strong for an EDT.

I like this..and this comes from me, who does not care much for heady florals. I'm OK with them mostly but they just don't usually make my heart beat faster. Have no fear, this one does not either :) but I still want to spray it on myself. Strange but true.

For me it's ok. Not ground breaking just meh. It's not strong or a power house at least not on my skin but mine is eating parfum and especially the ones with amber. It's musk and a little bit sweet but on my skin it's also manly. A bit old house aftershave but maybe that's my chemistry. But all the praising here i just don't get it at all. It's weak, soft and barely their.

Desirade may or may not resemble quite a few orientals, but this floriental is still entirely unique and amazing. Interestingly the notes tell us very little about this scent. The florals are mostly indefinable but Ylang ylang predominates, sweetly melding everything together. The ambered resins, musk and patchouli make this heady, yet comforting. Fruit lends to the sweetness with an almost golden peachiness or light plum. The spice is more like nutmeg than coriander, barely there and yet binding the whole into something extra special. Someone noticed "dirty honey" which helps explain the difficulty in describing this lovely perfume, because it it has such an irresistable animalic richness in the base. I believe this to be a chameleon of scents, changing for skin and weather. It can be normal and somewhat puzzling, or it can be dazzling. On the person who wears it well, it has a kind of seduction that is hard to beat, impossible to recreate or resist. At first I was only drawn to this, and then with time it wrapped around me, lingering in a fond but sensuous manner. I desire to be near this whenever I am all-confident, when I have a moment to be completely woman, and when I am most content. Excellent sillage and very good but soft longevity. Clouds of other orientals may overpower, but the tone of Desirade embraces. I prefer this fragrance in summer to bring out the warm base notes, but it also brings to mind the most elegant of holidays.

Where I have been all those years, how did I miss you, my desirable in Aubusson house?..Because it is A-ma-zing. From that beloved extra-potent breed of orientals or fruity-chypres that makes your heart pound, once you spray... Strong, convincing, grounded with those fluffs of white and yellow florals in your hair, something sweet and something bitter, all well balanced and delivered. To me it is in same tune/vibe as Rumba, Talisman, Rykeil's Le Parfum, Regine's. It is BIG fragrance, bold and very 90-s. Yet - it is so much easier to pull off, than all those, named above. Desirade is fruitier, melts on skin better, less "mature", as I, for example, still can't wear Rumba, after so many attempts,- it puts too much weight on me. As for Desirade - it is sweet disco baby, where Colin Vearncombe/Black is still singing his Wonderful Life. Highly recommend and can't wait to try other Aubussons

In every whiff, I get these in the following order: Osmanthus, pineapple, sweetness of srawberry, ylang-ylang. hint of coriander at the very end. It is not listed, but I also detect leather. As time passes, it becomes more woodsy but retains the sweet fruit. I find the juxtaposition of leather/patchouli and sweet fruit interesting. Current offerings are fruity florals. For this reason, woodsy or incense-y scents are also available for non-conformists. An attempt seem to have been made to incorporate both in this perfume. I would imagine someone who is self-assured but not eager to nauseate with benzoin or aldehydes wearing Desirade -- if they can find it. I was lucky enough to see this miniature parfum in an antique store in Cannon Beach along Oregon Coast for $6. One dab on me, Sillage: close to skin Longevity: 2-3 hours Rating: 2/5

Hmmm. Desirade smells like the offspring of Vicky Tiel’s Sirene and Elizabeth Taylor’s Black Pearls. The opoponax smoky note in Desirade resembles the one in BP, which I recognize as ashes in a cold fireplace. That’s not a bad thing, just a very specific note. I really like Black Pearls and even have a backup bottle - it’s a lovely, very well-balanced and well blended perfume that is different, creamy, and elegant. On the other hand, Sirene on me is not a happy experience - I just get very synthetic chemical odors that are usually dispensed from various aerosol cans. Unfortunately, Desirade has too much in common with Sirene for me to enjoy or use it. I wish it was a love for me like it is for so many! I had high hopes for this blind buy. And yes, I agree it’s an awful bottle with a bizarrely awful cap.

I was disappointed with this fragrance. Like a previous reviewer, I purchased a miniature of this fragrance based on the notes, which described oriental osmanthus. Boy, was I surprised when the scent was actually an overwhelming, sucker-punch to the nose that is reminiscent of senior citizen ladies' bathrooms. It is simply ylang ylang and osmanthus. I do not get any of the other notes mentioned above, not even after several hours of wear. There is nothing unique about this fragrance, other than it makes me feel like I should be sitting pool-side at a country club, ordering an ensure shake. It is a "classic" fragrance, indeed, not meant for ladies in their 20s through their 50s.

Attention: This review is for Desirade My Desire NOT Desirade! Oh, how I wish Ross would have had this for 9.99 instead of the Desirade My Desire (red bottle)! My Desire is not cataloged in Fragrantica so I'm doing a service by adding my review: MY DESIRE Desirade in the RED BOTTLE is an atrocious attempt at Champs Elysees or Miracle, a rotten rose petals soaked in vinegar cologne smell. I replaced the awful cap with a beautiful Shalimar cap, turned the bottle around and am using it as a decoration. Maybe I'll use it for a trashcan spray. I'm not a snob, I even like some 99cent knockoffs. But this is truly the worst fragrance. Update: May be a sloppy dupe for Amour Amour.

Lovely and sweet. If you like Joop femme, Design or Ciara you will like this one. It has a little more sweetness than Joop femme in the dry down. Joop Femme changes and falls a little short on my skin, but Aubusson keeps that sweetness all the way through. There’s the vintage makeup smell when first sprayed that turns into a 1980s cat meow, black cropped wig, sultry sweetness. I enjoy these types of librarian by day, mistress by night fragrances. I love the quirky bottle lid and for the price it’s a steal. I love amber type scents, and I can definitely smell the Sweet myrrh in this.

O.K. I finally found this for a steal and couldn't resist. This has a vintage 50's feel that smells a little like Oscar de la Renta and Tabu. Your grandmother,(someone in their 70's or 80's would love you if you gifted this to them.) This is for at home wear only. My boyfriend said this smells like something Elizabeth Taylor would have made. I replaced the awkward plastic cap with a vintage one. Pretty bottle now and one to wear to bed. Update: Inhale deeply and you can really smell Shalimar. Update: Smells like a mix of White Diamonds Lustre with Bal a Versailles.

I found Desirade at the Tacoma Airport. I fell in love with it. Apparently it mixes extremely well with my genes. I have had so many compliments on the fragrance, such as "nice," "welcoming," "warm," and "senuous." When I ask if the fragrance is too strong, the answer has been "No, it is very pleasant." I even had comments from the ladies at the cleaners -- they love the smell of my clothes. I am very happy to read it is not a fragrance for women in their 20's as most young people (males included) seem to think they should take a bath in their cologne!

I am not sure what to think about this one. This was a blind buy based on reviews and the notes in the perfume. It "should" be a perfume that I like according to the notes but for some reason I just can't get past the unpleasant opening. Maybe I am not patient enough to wait for the drydown but the opening just does not smell good to me. There is a funky animalistic smell that is just off putting to my nose. I am wondering if maybe this works better in cold weather so I am going to wait and try again in the fall/winter.

The opening is not ideal, but it passes quickly and the drydown is very pretty . This is extremely feminine, soft, and long lasting . It is definitely an old school style , my idea of a classic French perfume from the 60s or 70’s - definitely a retro vibe, which I LOVE . I love the femininity and the lasting power and the subtle spices. How nice to wear a perfume that lasts ! I am thankful for the reviews posted here that led me to acquire it .

Based on the notes, I bought Desirade. It should have been everything I love in an oriental scent and the osmanthus should have made it a dream for me. Instead, I'm afraid that Desirade is rather a generic affair all vanilla and Ylang Ylang and too much coriander. I was really truly diappointed with this one, thinking I had found an unknown gem. Desirade is not a well known scent and for good reason. Mediocre

I'm absolutely new to the world of scents so I'm not an expert. I cannot really detect any distinct smell in this, just an overwhelming old lady smell. It's only for the 65+ crowd. I put it in the restroom as an air freshener but even there I cannot stand this. SO if anybody wants it, it's up for grab. Huge bottle.

There's a resemblance to Ysatis because of the Ylang-Ylang, but Desirade doesn't have the longevity nor the sillage, and dare I say it, class of the big Y. It's a decent scent with a big opening and a powdery dry down. D. is a feminine perfume, and very affordable. I suppose it'll make a decent body spray.

To me this is equal parts Joop Femme, Ysatis, Ciara, Poison and JPG Classique poured into a bottle and I just love it! Osmanthus, smoky iris incense and a fruity 80s yellow floral blended into one, what's not to love? Easily niche quality at a rock bottom price.

I absolutely adore this fragrance. It has the most beautiful, feminine vibes and is different from 'the norm'. Superb lasting power and sillage - I get tonnes of compliments when I wear it, and love the fact that I can catch a sniff of it on myself!

Cant compare it to anything as I dont have much that features osmanthus so much. It is beautiful balanced by Coriander and sweet Pineapple. Very incensey like a heady mist. Highly recommended for vintage lovers. This one is worth stocking up on.

Opoponax, woody plums Fruitti blend with dark woody elements as i mainly get opoponax, plums, pineapples, cassia, bergamot, patchouli, sandalwood, osmanthus, & orange blossoms. Nice fragrance for those who enjoys the 90s sweet blends. Nice.

This is one of those perfumes that makes me wish I liked musk. It’s beautifully blended, not expensive and truly lovely, but I find the musk relentless and unbearable. But I just don’t like musk! If you do, you should seek this one out.

A fruity floral and a beautiful bottle. A classic throwback to a time when loading up on sweet white florals was a perfume wearers anthem. And so affordable! Put on your high waisted, cut off graphic tees and Reebok freestyles.