Ivoire

I've wanted to write a review of Ivoire for months, but it's so hard to put into words. I love it so much, but I can't really explain why. I found it rather by accident; someone who loved it mentioned the name, so when I bought another perfume I got a sample of this, without having looked up notes or anything. At first I didn't feel strongly about it either way, it just reminded me of Dove soap a lot, but the more I wore it the more I fell in love. It makes me question my knowledge of my own taste, because based on the notes I never would have marked this as interesting; all those flowers? patchouli?! I guess I'm going to have to widen my field of vision...Although maybe it helps that this is so well blended; I really can't make out any individual note. It just smells whole, perfect. The opening phase is wonderfully clean and cool; green and floral, quite soapy and powdery, but in an interesting way, very luxurious. I like to put it on after a shower, it makes me feel more sophisticated instantly. As it dries it becomes sweeter and even more powdery; it's really wonderful througout. I would never have expected it, but it looks like this has become something of a signature scent for me; I love it enough to wear it all the time, and it works for all occasions. It's crowdpleasing enough for work and interesting enough for an evening out. On top of that, it works in all seasons; all day in spring and fall, at night in summer and in the morning in winter.

I was rather blown away by this perfume as it's smells so damn good!! I never got a chance to smell the original, and maybe that's a good thing as I have nothing to compare it with, but this little beauty is very vintage, classic and timeless. The initial spritz is a little peppery and woody before the violet makes an appearance. This perfume is all about the violet, as she plays centre stage even when the Jasmine and yang-ylang try to sneak in. I can barely smell the patch which is extremely well behaved in this composition so I would say that if you're not much of a patch lover, you may still love this perfume. I get a vague undercurrent of a soft vanilla but violet dominates. The whole composition is wrapped around a sprinkling of soft powder. This perfume is simply glorious! It disappears for a few minutes and then it reappears with the most delicious scent just reminding you that it's still there. Ivorie is the epitome of French chic in all it's glory. If I had to sum up this fragrance in one word, it would be 'elegant'. The longevity is amazing because just when you thought this had settled down it reappears and wafts heavenly aromas under your nose. I give this 11/10, I simply love it!

This opens as very green for me, and takes a while to dry down to a soft, powdery and woody scent on my skin with a bit of sweetness. Low projection but I don’t mind that. I had to hunt this one down over time, as a blind buy. I had hoped it would match some of the soapy fragrances I love - based on reviews and comments - but I wouldn’t describe it as soapy or perfectly clean (though it is a clean fragrance). There are better examples to me of freshly soapy skin or laundered clothes if that’s what you’re after. I think the patchouli stops it achieving that for me. I think i’d love this more minus the patchouli. It is more of a vintage cosmetics smell on my skin. A very nice, sweetly clean, musky skin scent, but not yet a love - I have been known to change my mind though. Edit: Ok, it is now a love! Everything above is still true but I’ve become more in tune with it for what it is, rather than expecting it to be something based on other people’s perceptions. Yes, Love.

Today is my luckyday!! I sniffed this perfume yesterday, came home and wondered where that special smell came from, and it was this little beauty! Back in 1983 I bought Armani Giorgio for Her at the airplane on the way to my new job as an au-pair-girl in England. -I loved my new perfume, and bought another bottle later on. Much later, it was no where to be found in Norway, and I have been hunting high and low to fill the gap my Armani left behind.. The perfumeshopowner gave me a great discount today, only 25 euro for 30 ml, and this little gem fits perfect in my tiny hand :)) And, I have detected what it is that is so spelling for me with these two perfumes: -It's the GALBANUM effect that makes it! They are both very powdery and soapy, just what I like, they are both woody, green and balsamic, and I can smell the cedar, the rose and the sjasmin in the background. I am so very greatful, and happy, so yes, this is defently my lucky day :D

Beautiful Ivoire. This fragrance is such a delightful chameleon on my skin. Sometimes the iris and violet leaf are prominent, making it that soft, super soapy, lightly green delight that enticed me in the first place (let’s call this Ivoire Version A). This version tends to play up on my skin in cooler weather. At other times I get a more of the woodsy notes and galbunum, and the effect is sterner, more retro and like a shadowy, paired down version of the vintage Ivoire (Version B). I like version B. But I LOVE version A. I have an almost full 30mls of this which I use sparingly, as since finding out this has been discontinued (for the love of God, why?!) I live in fear of ever finishing this. There is nothing else like it. NB: Eau d’Ivoire is nothing like it, btw. Osmanthus and a thin red berry note which I’m virtually anosmic to ( but even if I wasn’t, the notes aren’t for me).