Prelude to Love

I have to acknowledge that I am a white floral enthusiast. The richness of its shades and luminous flashes have always dazzled me and leave me as hypnotized, it transports me mainly to my childhood: from my little mother (the typical Mediterranean lady) after the daily bath ritual with pampering, games and Laughter, I put on a classic Spanish eau de toilette, all natural and without artifice: citrus opening of bitter orange with orange blossom accompanied by notes of rosemary and lavender, heart notes of rich neroli and drying of Atlas cedar with oak moss, All a portrait that you are engraved in the olfactory memory like the imprint left by a female mammal to her baby when she is born. Calice Becker with a very creative attitude is able to recreate from another point of view the classic Mediterranean eau de toilette from a modern perspective and very personal. The opening is citrus and fleeting with the notes of orange blossom to the head and the spicy notes contrasting this bold mixture where the pink pepper is noticed in my skin immediately giving a spicy note to the orange blossom, when the spices are tempered and Soften the best of this fragrance, the neroli. These floral hues, fresh, lively and cheerful, enhance the citrus part of the beginning as a rainbow that leaves, disappears and resurfaces. The neroli evolves towards drying with the iris (which I feel in the background), an iris with shades of violet that radiates placidness like a warm summer breeze and accompanying the neroli prolonging its nuances until well into the end of drying, highlighting And looking more than interesting the spin that gives the fragrance from that beginning soliflore to the heart transforming into a camouflaged floral bouquet as a central note towards the drying. I was surprised and delighted because it seems that this mix would never fit, and no, these antagonistic flowers combine great. Musk and a note of soft suede is more than convincing to finish the drying of this excellent work. To be a white floral, the duration and the wake are above average. As for the qualities nothing to object to: excellent. By Kilian it is expensive but it offers generally good jobs. Prelude to love transports me to that stage of my childhood and manages to remember that process so familiar and intimate that I keep as a treasure in the depths of my memories. Excellent work!! Rating: 9.3

I like how this perfume has different faces, also that it smells very natural and smooth with clear notes jumping out of the mix, like a menuet with different instruments dominating at different moments. I love the bergamot and citrus flowers. The leathery base (is that caused by iris mixed with something???) is warm, smooth and classy surrounded by delicate flower scent. It wears very different in warm weather compared to cooler. I have found that the citrussy/neroli aspects dominate in a bit cooler weather while the leathery aspect dominates in hot weather, the leather definitely being the sexy (but refined), perhaps a bit masculine, scent and for me a bit overpowering for daytime use. The citrus flowers and bergamot give the perfume a more feminine and fresh face which I enjoy more. Therefore I would suggest leather loving men to try this in warm weather and women to try it spring days or summer evenings! All in all a delightful, versatile and high quality perfume.

กลิ่นนี้เกือบจะใกล้เคียงกันกับการขึ้นสูตรน้ําหอมในขนบโคโลญจน์ เพราะโน้ตมาครบเกือบหมดขาดเพียงกลุ่มสไปซี่ในช่วงเปิดเท่านั้น ตรงกับโจทย์ที่ให้มาเพราะกลิ่นนี้บรรจุทั้งเนโรลิหรือน้ํามันแรกจากการสกัดดอกส้มซึ่งจะออกขมเขียวกว่า และ Orange blossom กลิ่นเหมือนเจือความเป็นน้ําผึ้ง ใกล้เคียงกับมะลิ เราชอบกลิ่นนี้แต่แรกดม จําได้ว่าตอนนั้นคิลเลี่ยนมาเปิดที่ไทยใหม่ๆเลยไปเยี่ยมชมกับคุณป๋อมแล้วซื้อเลยในครั้งแรกและไม่เคยเสียใจหรือเสียดายกระทั่งตอนนี้ กลิ่นพิสุทธิ์สว่างเหมือนแสงอุษา กลมกล่อม นวลนุ่มสะอาด ไม่สื่อไปในเชิงเย้ายวนใจฝ่ายต่ําในเนื้อกลิ่นเลย มีแต่ความใสซื่อจริงใจ เป็นเนื้อผ้าสาลูสีขาวที่ใช้ห่อหุ้มเด็กอ่อน เป็นสัมผัสปลอบโยน เป็นฤดูใบไม้ผลิ เนโรลินั้นที่แท้เป็นพระนามลําลองของเจ้าหญิง Anne Marie Orsini, duchess of Bracciano and princess of Nerola ประเทศอิทาลี พระองค์ทรงโปรดกลิ่นน้ํามันดอกส้มมาก จนทรงใช้เป็นกลิ่นประจําพระองค์

Pleasant soapy neroli with some citrus and a little cardamom, but there is nothing distinctive about it. Van Cleef & Arpels California Reverie is the same type of fragrance and is 100% better than Prelude to Love, and much cheaper as well.

Bitter orange, I'm sweet on you- and this fragrance is all about bitter orange- Fresh green notes add to the sparkling effervescence of this lovely scent- (thanks, MG!)

I immediately picked up on the Iris, bergamont and neroli in this very citrus-y fragrance. It definitely reminds me of Prada's Infusion d'Iris as well as Dolce & Gabbana's Light Blue-certainly more so on the initial application, the dry down notes gear more towards the neroli and iris. Has a very soapy smell (like Prada Infusion d'Iris, which is what I liked about that one) although that is not for everyone. I can see how it would wear well on a man, although the iris might come too stong on some. I am surprised though how similar it is smelling like Light Blue right now-almost exatly the same.

My first foray into Kilian fragrances... Starting with Prelude that as a male I'm still not sure is as masculine as I usually like but the soapy orange blossom seems to last forever and it is quite pleasant. It fades nicely into a subtle powdery smell never losing the initial orange blossom. Definitely like this, but don't love it yet...

Green florals and a lot of very fresh citrus, a little sharp at first with the bergamot but it soon calms down into a lovely orange blossom. Lasts well for a citrus.

Nothing special... Nice fragrance, with a little bit of very strange jasmin in the middle, but nothing special. I used a sample and dont want more.

I love the initial blast of ginger, black pepper, with a hint of neroli. But if you blink, you might miss it. From there, like others have pointed out, it becomes the luxery European soaps my husband brings home from his business trips. Certainly pleasant, but not something I'd spend gobs of money on.

Very plain laundry-clean neroli fragrance. Smells fuller than a soap or lotion, but this is that kind of perfume. Neroli can be way too piercing and flat when it is overdosed without some other note or accord that balances it, or softens its nature. Pass.

Ugh horrid. Bug spray mixed with flowers. Weak too. Which is a good thing. If it smelled any stronger it’d be a disaster

By Kilian PRELUDE TO LOVE is a very straightforward citrus-floral cologne. It reminds me very much of two other fragrances familiar to me (and probably lots of others in existence...): Bond no 9 EAU DE NEW YORK and Banana Republic W. I am sure that the latter comparison will be viewed as heresy by some, but before you balk, I defy you to try these three creations in a side-by-side trial and *then* try to deny that they are olfactory neighbors! PRELUDE TO LOVE is less green and sharp than Bond no 9 EAU DE NEW YORK, and for that reason some may prefer the By Kilian composition, as it is definitely less bracing. In other summer, I love EAU DE NEW YORK; in the winter, not so much. At the other end of the price spectrum, Banana Republic W compares favorably to PRELUDE TO LOVE, as well. W is less floral, and less declarative. To some people, that would make it more desirable as it is entirely inoffensive. However, I should say that from reading other reviews, it appears that some wearers' skin does not mix well with W, so those people probably would do better with the By Kilian. For those who are compatible with W, it's a fantastic bargain compared to either of these niche analogues of the same type. Do I like PRELUDE TO LOVE? Yes, of course. But I do not need a bottle, as I already own bottles of both EAU DE NEW YORK and W. A third bottle of such a similar composition would be more than redundant, and I do not believe that this creation is original. I'm not saying that Calice Becker copied anyone, but this is a good idea which others have had before--and have executed very well.

After an already olfactory exhausted nose one afternoon I stumble upon the Saks 5th Kilian section. I wanted to love Straight to Heaven, but after running through the gauntlet of fragrances...Taste of Heaven had me at first sniff. I sniffed right passed Prelude, until a second trip and a clear nose found its way back to Kilians doorstep. I began with love, and next moved over to Prelude. Which this time had me by the nostrils and did exactly what its name said. I couldn't stop smelling myself and for the first time I knew this really was just the invitation. -What I get from the fragrance is a not too floral, but more sweet orange blossom and neroli blend. It also gives a slightly waxy Iris similar to a makeup bag aroma and soft leather. If leather Oud by Dior is considered a shoe, this would be a lambskin jacket. -The versatility factor of Prelude is outstanding. Very signature scent worthy and although very unisex, might do just a tad better on a man due to the leathery vibe evolving through in the base. -Proj/Long/Sillage is also very good. I have gotten noticed after 8 hours, but note it sits much closer to the skin by around the 6 hour mark. -Prelude reminds me of a cross between Heeley's Iris de Nuit II and Dior Homme. This is a masterpiece IMO, and for the cost of the refill bottle or travel packs... it's well worth the money. If you do not want to spend the extra $100 on the incredibly sexy and sleek bottle, then don't. But don't let that deter you from one Prelude you don't want to miss.

I received a sample of this perfume when I purchased another fragrance. Since yesterday was Valentine, I decided to wear this perfume. The title itself lends to the holiday and the venue we were going to, a jazz club. Prelude to Love: opens up with beautiful blend of delicate sweetness. Possibly from the Calabrian Bergamot or the Freesia Accord. As it warmed down (hours later) the Cordamon and Iris notes developed. At times this reminded me of Infusion d'Iris, more like Infusion d'Iris dressed up heading to a masquerade party. You kinda know who is behind the beautiful costuming but you second guess yourself. Hours and hours later the soft musk notes came to play. Prelude to Love, is like a fine glass of cognac. It is an acquired taste and eventually you learn to appreciate the fine taste. By Kilian uses the purest of perfume notes and sometime very expensive ones other fragrance houses may not use them for mass commercial usage. The marketing is "with the protection of the environment in mind, each product has been created with the intention to never be thrown away." The bottles are refillable...Enjoy this product for life." By the way, I woke up the next morning still smelling this lovely scent. When you decide to purchase a perfume from this line take your time in choosing the right one for you. You won't be disappointed. update: Added to collection 5/06/10

The opening greets me with the loveliest scent of freshly cut grass. It is so exactly like freshly cut grass that I was confused as to how on earth that had been achieved. I never really get the orange notes here, nor any citrus for that matter. What happens instead is that gradually, the freshly cut grass smell opens slightly to allow wafts of lavender and iris through. It never fully becomes a floral on me though, the grass smell sticks around from opening to dry down, with the other scents simply announcing themselves quietly in between. The mid notes come with a powdery vibe, which passes away in the dry down. This is a perfect spring/summer scent for daytime, although I personally don't find it suitable for evenings, which at this price means I won't be buying full size as it's not versatile enough (although if money was no object, I wouldn't hesitate). This is the kind of scent that won't disturb your nose even on the hottest, clammiest of days. It stays completely fresh and airy, light as a feather. Longevity and sillage are both modest-moderate on me. This is a truly unisex fragrance, neither masculine or feminine on my skin, just simple nature.

This must be one of the most underrated beautiful scents out there (props to Frunkinator for giving this some well deserved hype). I first sampled this magnificent fragrance at Saks in NYC & immediately "fell in love", no pun intended. The opening is reminiscent of Neroli Portofino at first spray with the blast of bergamot & neroli... but UNLIKE Neroli Portofino which has zero longevity or complexity... the citrus accords settle down as a creamy smooth iris takes over. The bergamot & neroli are still present in the background, then begin to come through again as time passes with the fragrance sitting closer to the skin. But this fragrance is just blended so well, plus you can really tell Kilian is using top quality ingredients here. In my opinion, this is what a "perfume" for a woman is all about (even though this is unisex). Fresh & clean with some soft florals - You can't beat that. Longevity, projection & sillage are all pretty good. To compare, think of Prada Infusion for women (less powdery) but a high quality niche version... much smoother & balanced (you're getting what you're paying for, but not a knock on Prada). The best Kilian in my opinion.

Very pleasant, clean, fresh, lightly sweet neroli fragrance. After a terrific, bright citrus opening, Prelude to Love is mostly a creamy neroli scent. Completely unisex, and perfect for people who want to smell clean, competent, and approachable. Unobtrusive too, since this is probably the closest to a skin scent that I've found in the whole house of By Kilian. This smells great, but it's discontinued and probably not worth seeking out, as there about a million other fragrances that do something similar. An easy comparison would be Petite Matin by MFK (though Prelude to Love is creamier and a little more nuanced/interesting IMHO).

I actually pursued this fragrance due to my interaction with Frunkinator (the reviewer previous to mine). I will have to come back for a more thourough review. But I will tell you this. Find the nearest Saks and smell this one out. If you are at all intrigued by Frunk's description, then you really should try it. I think his description is perfect. Citrus with some leather and added sweetness. I would agree that this would stand head and shoulders above many in the crowd. I will wear this a couple of times over the next week or so and come back more descriptive. But for now, don't let the Kilian hype detour you from trying this.

I received a sample of this several months ago and remember strongly disliking it, but I am going through some of my samples and decided to give it another shot. When I first put this on it had a really unpleasant medicinal smell... almost like Desitin (for diaper rash). This was one of the things that deterred me from wearing it when I first got it. After a few minutes the medicinal smell fades and it becomes more delicate and floral. Several hours later the musk comes out. I no longer strongly dislike this scent... I guess my taste is starting to evolve. While it is interesting to smell it is not something I would purchase.