La Pausa Eau de Parfum

I own both La Pausas. The EDP is totally different from the EDT. For one thing it lasts more than twice as long, and it projects a wee bit better, but not by much. With the EDT, I get the powdery and starchy orris quality right up-front, with a hint of leather as the fragrance develops on the skin. And that's pretty much it. To those for whom this version was perfection, yes, it is dead. The La Pausa EDP has a protracted deveopment. I don't get the intense, starchy orris root powder. It's more subdued, and a lot of musk has been added. The heart features vetiver, which is very distinct, tangy, and was not present whatsoever in the old version. I hate this phase because vetiver and me don't work. It's very sour on my skin. I try to endure the hours that it lasts, and the payoff is good because I love the drydown. The drydown smells like that perfect old powder compact scent. I swear that I smell rose in it. There was no rose scent in the EDT. It's in the base where I smell all of the orris root, combined with something slightly sweet-balsamic; whereas with the EDT you get orris root immediately and throughout it's entire lifespan. La Pausa EDP is like a counterpart to Misia (I have not tried the new Misia EDP though). They both smell like makeup. Misia is sweeter and has that fruitiness about it, and it is more of a lipstick and powder scent, more flirty in a way. La Pausa is like pure powder compact, no sweetness whatsoever, more of a cold, distant vibe. La Pausa EDT conjures words like depression, oppression, coldness, soul-less, sadness, Victorian times, austerity. But I absolutely loved it! With the EDP, none of those words come to mind. Instead I think of words like chic, modern, sexy, feminine, soft, mysterious. Yes, 28 La Pausa is dead, but I love the new La Pausa equally. She lost her number, but she gained a soul. For those who really love the scent of orris root, I feel that a similar, stronger (and IMHO better) orris root perfume is Le Labo's Iris 39.

When Sycomore becomes Encre Noire a L'Extreme in the EDP recomposition, La Pausa EDP is incredibly transformed into a Sycomore EDT flanker. Maybe I should call it La Pausa pour Homme or Sycomore pour Femme ? It seems that the tube that put in Sycomore draft (right before toning up the Iso-E super) was knocked over and a fraction of the liquid was splattered into La Pausa, just so conveniently Oliver Polge sent this to the market department for the finalized decision. Here we are! Guys, La Pausa EDP is far from the bone structure of its EDT version, or more generally speaking wherein the transparent leathery and greenish accord shared in both La Pausa EDT and Bel Respiro EDT/EDP was prominent in the play, however, it becomes a hybrid of Sycomore EDT and La Pausa EDT, leaning more to Sycomore though. If you are not familiar with either one, just imagine that two drops of Encre Noire blends with one drop of Prada Infusion Homme and one drop of Chanel No 19 Poudre, or 2-3 drops of Serge Lutens Iris Silver Mist with 1-2 drops of Bel Respiro EDT/EDP and Sycomore EDT. No need to judge which version is better, because the two La Pausas are equally good scents in virtually different genres. If you are looking for the scent of EDT but can hardly find another bottle, you may need Bel Respiro EDP for substitution which is the closest yet compromised match within the products of Chanel. Some reviews mentioned Misia, I dont get much significant comparison with that, no matter EDT or EDP. In fact, Misia EDP is still in the same flavor despite of amplified smoky vibe and newly introduced roasted sweet potato nuance, which for the same reason makes it farther from Frederic Malle Lipstick Rose than ever. Rating: 7.5-8/10 for both versions

La Pausa took me by surprise - I absolutely love it and it rocketed up to being one of my favourite irises of all time (and even one of my favourite Chanels quite possibly THE favourite!). If you imagine locking Iris Silver Mist out of her steel blade armoury and forcing her to adopt wood instead of metal you'd get something close to La Pausa. This is a bit of an embarrassing admission though as La Pausa smells strongly of pure irones (the only fragrant molecules in iris butter) with some vetiver for support - one of the simplest irises I have smelled. Rather than smelling like lipstick per se, this is the very texture of a human lip transformed into perfume form - the smoothness and plushness of some comforting angel made from intertwined tree roots and paradise soil, listening patiently to your worries from far below the earth. It's Gaia-like, caressing, powdery and pure. It is still very much of the temperate-graveyard-on-a-foggy-spring-day persuasion, but perhaps a wedding occurred on these grounds a couple of weeks ago. I mean to say the austerity and severity is here but the outlook is less bleak, less hopeless. This is luxury, buttery-smooth calligraphic melancholy. It's the dove grey dessert with no sugar at all, the wet cobblestone, the library. I suppose my only critique (if I can even call it that) is that La Pausa EDP to me smells less like a careful or deft composition and more like a mere presentation of one of the world's most beautiful fragrant materials in unadorned, naked splendour. I think it goes without saying that if you like iris (indeed, actual iris i.e. irones) - you will like this.

This is for the EDP. The batch code dates it from June 2017. On my skin this perfume performs in two movements. The initial spray brings out a rather sharpish vegetal aspect. I'm assuming this is the famous high quality iris that Chanel uses in their exclusifs line. My first impression was of tomato leaf, celery, and carrot rising in the scent of warm, powdery earth. It wasn't what I'd expected but I was immediately hooked because the deeper I'd breathe it in, the more I could detect the varying tones playing in my nose. It reminded me of hearing Stravinsky for the first time - unexpected, a bit jarring but still on the edge of my seat anticipating the next movement. On second hearing my musical sense had evolved and I heard the symphonics that brought me joy! It's hard to keep my nose away from my wrist after I've applied it now. The second movement - oh, that lovely dry down! How wonderful it was to awaken after spraying it on before going to bed, uncovering and being met with what now my senses registered as a rare, noble and beautiful iris, resplendent in it's powdery realm, attended by a touch of violet - a rarified violet that whispered but still reminded me that even an untrained nose like mine knows quality when I encounter it. I felt centered and serene. This dry down was as sublime as a Beethoven sonata - and just as beautiful! I'll be enjoying La Pausa during this springtime Easter/Passover week as the blossoms come forth and add their visual harmonies. Thank you, Mr. Polges, for this marvelous creation!

I just realized that after all these years, I’ve never written a proper review for La Pausa. I’ve mentioned it briefly when discussing Sycomore EdP/EdT, but it deserves its own space. Interestingly, the EdP and EdT of La Pausa feel very different—so much so that I often think of the EdP as a sort of counterpart to Sycomore (or, if you like, Sycomore pour femme). Compared to the earlier EdT, the EdP subtly shifts its character: the leather note is softened, while vetiver is boosted, giving the fragrance a stronger woody backbone. These adjustments make La Pausa EdP feel more unisex and distinctly different from its once-close cousin Bel Respiro . Longevity is also markedly improved—the EdP lasts much longer on the skin. What’s even more fascinating is a little experiment I stumbled upon today: about five years ago, I decanted 5ml from a 200ml EdP bottle. Recently, I noticed that this small decant now smells noticeably different from the original bottle. My guess is that it’s a result of aging. Over time, La Pausa EdP develops an almost Guerlain Vetiver (vintage version) –like quality, with a herbal, earthy nuance that adds depth and complexity to its structure. In short, La Pausa EdP is not just a refined woody-floral; it’s a fragrance that evolves beautifully over time, revealing layers you might never expect. Rating: 7.5-8/10 (for both EdP and EdT)

This is a unisex iris masterpiece. The opening is smooth, beautiful iris in the vein of pure orris absolute and is reminiscent of the Iris note in Cuir de Russie EdP. The heart reveals additional facets of the iris and adds some powdery notes and a touch of cedar that smells almost fruity in this context. The base is green and sharp underneath still more iris. I get a distinct vetiver note in this green accord. The dry down is bright and uplifting with a hint of white florals, no powder, some bitterness and an overall cool vibe. I get fairly good longevity from La Pausa in most conditions--as long as 8 hours on my skin. Projection is moderate. This scent is subtle, refined, elegant and reveals every conceivable aspect of the complex note of iris during its progression. There is a depth to La Pausa EdP that is not obvious on paper or if sniffed quickly on skin. This fragrance rewards patience and, like a lot of Les Exclusifs de Chanel, has grown on me each time I wear it. As with all of Les Exclusifs, the presentation is luxury minimalism and the atomizer is among the best. Avoid lifting the bottle by its magnetized cap. It can drop when the bottle is full and this stuff is too expensive to shatter the bottle on the floor. I love this fragrance. Try it. Iris lovers, just go ahead and buy it if it fits in your budget. This is magnificent stuff!!!

I swear to God, I completely forgot that I owned this! If I hadn't been going over my old orders and saw that I purchased it, I would have never known. I'm being swallowed by my perfume collection and desperately need to get it into some type of order, and take inventory. That said, I seem to be experiencing some sort of anosmia right now for certain fragrances. La Pausa is delicate to begin with, but it barely registers on my skin. I'm only guessing, but I can't help but wonder if there is a bunch of undisclosed musk in here because I am notoriously anosmic to white musk. I have found that many of the lighter perfumes in the Les Exclusifs line need to sit for a long time, up to 2 years, in a cool, dark space in order for them to reach their full potential. It might just be the power of suggestion, but I have witnessed firsthand how the longer some perfumes sit and and "stew", the more they take on the qualities of the notes and accords as described by the nose. I believe this was meant to be a skin scents to begin with, but I think I am going to pack it away in my large perfume drawer for another year before trying it again. I just hope I don't forget about it again! 😂

Beautiful Iris. Iris + vetiver. A light green vetiver. Not too powdery iris, not too dry. There is a hint of the 'Chanelade'= aldehydic musky accord I find in Chanels, but hardly noticeable, just a hint to keep the fragrance from being too dry. And there is a freshness in the opening, a hesperidic trace. I'll compare La pausa with Iris siver mist: the opening here is a unique earthy iris but then becomes quite spicy for an iris... with Infusion d'iris, Prada: versatile iris with orange blossom and vetiver, orange blossom wins over iris. Iris shot: too gourmand. Bois d'iris: green, spicy, dry. Apres l'onde: beautiful, unique and yes, you can feel the iris, but much more than an iris fragrance. La pausa suits more than any other fragrance to the sensation of iris is in my head! The best iris! Not a special fragrance, not unique, doesn't last long, but it still is the perfect iris for me. 9/10

update: I splurged on a 200ml bottle as my wimpy partial has been depleted. What I’m learning on my fragrance journey: “less is more” “take your time” “life is short” & I love a good CHANEL perfume. La Pausa is restrained elegance & beauty. Simple & uncomplicated smell-good feels. I have a huge bottle & can spray with abandon... La Pausa is Chanel’s stripped down & bare bones take on the Iris flower. It is the “accord” of the flower which is used so superfluously in most Chanel perfumes. The quality of the material is present taking in metallic & lavender tones. An icy bite warmed by sandalwood & sweetened by violets. Austere & pretty. I will most likely use up my partial bottle pairing it with other Chanel’s like 31 Rue Cambon or No 19.

My husband said he likes the current powdery edp version better than the original 28 La Pausa edt. I feel the current version smells more like a 'Chanel DNA' scent. I like both, but I think it depends on 'what' aspect of iris you like. The original version is a more natural iris, closer to earth and grass. The current version also has a hint of earth and grass, but it is closer to cosmetic powder. There are similarities with the Chanel No. 19 series, but it is difficult to say which one it resembles because the vintage and current versions of the 19 series are quite different.

Ultra delicate iris and vetiver, very refined and complicated. One of the best iris scent I've ever had the honour to own - orris at its best, surrounded by the most appropriate and well matched companions, that make it shine through its various facets. Feels warm, elegant and even intelligent (if an "intelligent scent" makes sense to you). Main down point is that it is a very light eau de parfum, with a very mild longevity and silage (better results if sprayed on clothes), and also you can get a bit anosmic to some of its notes upon prolonged sniffing...

It's iris. Chalky powdery, it's also grassy with a feeling of fresh cut stems, and woody or root-like - which is what you expect. It's not similar to your common popular scents, but it's absolutely perfume-y, like a "normal" fragrance, while not stuffy or grandmother-y. I also love it for not being sweet: food gourmand direction clashes with my understanding of perfumes, they all feel girly AND cheap to me no matter how I try to love any of them. To me it's fresh, gently invigorating. Slightly mysterious in a pleasant way, like, maybe, and elf is.

This perfume is the one that takes me the most time to understand; to understand how to wear it, the occasion to wear it, etc. Finally, this is a confort scent to wear for myself! I consider it like my “spa” perfume. The name La Pausa gives it all! It a powder iris with dense wood notes, that is not sweet at all but the powder note in it does it all! The notes are simple, but it develops a lot on the skin. If you want a perfume to smell like money this is not for you, but if you like perfume art you absolutely have to give it a try!

... thanks to Germany's post, I decided to give La Pausa EDP another try despite my initial scathing review. And I must say, the new La Pausa has warmed my heart! I have been wearing her for the past 3 days and she is less cold and has a warmer, deeper side. She doesn't last on my skin as long as the EDT ... but, somehow she is better formulated. So, sometimes first impressions are deceiving ... i have not however, changed my mind about the new Jersey... the edp not the state (lol)

its a bit hot out today and im in d mood to play around trying out perfumes. so i wear this one earlier today (4hrs ago) and sprayed eau de cologne on top of it. edc brings out the powderiness in this even more and la pausa adds depth to edc. this excites me and i might get a bottle of this soon! but on its own, it lacks character not to mention performance, really on the weak side of things. happy experimenting guys!

La Pausa smells gloriously of Orris, reminds me so much of vintage Chanel No 19 Pure Parfum with its delicate vein of vetiver gently streaming throughout. It’s earthy, green and naturalistic, cold and melancholic with shadows of purple Iris cast throughout the whole composition. I find this totally unisex, totally heart wrenching and it’s my favorite of the Exclusiffs ❤️ EDP 2016

I have the edt but this is a different animal. I love them both. This is a softer Iris make up powder fragrance a lot less green than the edt. If I buy the edp it will be a day wear thing. With the edt, with the leather note, I wear at night sometimes. The edp lasts about six hours and is a medium sillage perfume. I recommend this especially if you love no 19 Poudre or the like.

La Pausa is gentle, delicate, fragile. In life, tangible items with such qualities often evoke a sense of unease or anxiety—"I must be careful not to break it!" But no, La Pausa isn't like that at all. Instead, it forces you to marvel at the beauty contained within such fragility. A masterpiece tribute to iris.

After several wearings across a few years, I finally see what La Pausa (EDP circa Aug 2016, first batch of the EDPs) for what it is. It is a younger sister of No.19 and a distant cousin of No.18. The impressions drawn from the two other fragrances are so obvious that I'd rename La Pausa 'No. 18.5'.

Chanel La Pausa (2007) - classic chanel flap - nothing smells like a vintage #chanelclassicflap like this #jacquespolge ‘s creation. Iris in its powdery and mushroomy context combined with pebbled caviar Leather and the classic Chanel florals in the foreground. Masterpiece.

The edp has a stronger violet note than the edt, and I usually hate violet... but then the Chanel magic kicks in. There’s a whiff of Eau Premiere.... This perfume doesn’t stick around for long, but I don’t care. La Pausa has bewitched me.

So fucking good. I like it more than misia stay away if you dont like Iris and woodsy notes Only chanel could get away with selling a jo malone esque fragrance at that price

I have to agree with the last post ... La Pausa has lost its magic. I recently tried the Jersey EDP and it too is flat and uni-dimensional.. unlike the EDT version.

Cold, starchy, earthy, purple. Love it.

I am reviewing a sample of La Pausa (EDP, c.2016). It is a truly intriguing piece of work. LP has a unique, attention-grabbing opening - unlike anything I've smelled before. But it is a smarter scent than one that simply relies on a bold opening. It is complex and addictive, with unexpected twists and turns as it develops on the skin. Like 1932, it is an acquired taste, and must be contemplated over time in order to best be appreciated. It is also a much better scent than 1932. LP opens with a blast of iris and perhaps orris root with something akin to ambrette. It is very strong and powdery, almost repellent on initial sniff. There is a hint of bitter citrus in there, maybe bergamot, complemented by lovely green notes. The iris is austere - inky, dark and dry, and becomes richer as the scent develops, taking centre stage. This in itself is a lovely homage to the fragrance history of the house of Chanel, as iris plays such a central role in many of their classics. There are ghosts of No. 19, No. 19 Poudre, No. 5 and Cristalle in La Pausa. The iris mellows as the scent develops, but remains dominant. It becomes earthier and warmer thanks to the orris root, and a soft violet note emerges. There is a soft smokiness in the base, which adds more depth and darkness, enhancing the iris even more. There is also a clean musk in the base, which complements the powdery florals beautifully. A soft woody note emerges as it dries down, and it becomes a musky skin scent as it fades. There is a juxtaposition between the old and new in La Pausa. The powdery florals feel traditional and ladylike, old-fashioned and elegant, while the stark opening and the green and woody notes add a modern, masculine twist. It is quite a melancholic fragrance, best appreciated on rainy days in my opinion. It is surprisingly warm (increasingly so as it develops), and the sillage and longevity are both moderate, lasting for several hours (EDP). A high-quality day scent, LP is niche and certainly not a crowdpleaser. Intriguing and captivating however. 4/5. EDIT: I sprayed La Pausa (fairly liberally) from a tester bottle in a department store (Feb 2023), and the performance is really lacking in contrast to my miniature. I have noticed this with other Chanel scents lately, notably No. 19 and Bois des Iles. Very disappointing.

I feel as though this fragrance is an amalgamation of several other Chanel fragrances, from both the Les Exclusifs line and their signature line. Whilst the orris root is front and centre, I get a big dose of greenness from this fragrance that reminds me of No 19 - I think many get this similarity. However, I feel as though I detect some musk in this fragrance which reminds me slightly of the musk used in 1957. It could be the powdery notes and overall powderiness of the fragrance giving that impression, but it does hint slightly at it for me. Then, interestingly, in the very dry down of the fragrance the woody notes appear, and I get a vague resemblance of Sycamore! I get medium longevity and it stays very close to the skin. I’m not mad, though. I ended up swapping a bottle of No 19 for a 200ml bottle of La Pausa, as I am looking to get most of the Les Exclusifs in a 200ml for my collection.

As a fan of iris, I HAD to try this. The first spray is a classic, soft, powdery iris. The first hour or so has about moderate projection, but then turns soft and skin-scenty after the second hour. Lasts about 2-3 hours on my skin. The iris here, as it dries down, turns weirdly "hot" and "toasted" - like the smell when an iron's really hot. Bizarre. I got this both in the store (sprayed from the tester bottle) and again from the decant. I love iris, but unfortunately, I think this one isn't one I'll be purchasing. Scent: 6.5/10 Projection: Soft Longevity: Poor

Why is this so weak?! I wanted to love this so much and I was so excited when I won this in my perfume Facebook group page. The scent itself is ok. But a tad too earthy and green for my taste. Wish the iris stood out more. It’s a clean scent but omg, I can’t smell it after 30 minutes. I much prefer Misia over this. That one is more lipsticky and pretty, whereas this is green and earthy. Will try layering to see if I can get it to perform better. But seems like a waste to layer another scent with Chanel when it should be able to be a standalone fragrance. 2/5.

A true sequel to No.19 - Rubbery, green earthy woody Iris. What more can i say? this is how Iris is done. And i love how melancholic this is. Its like smelling Orris root on a rainy spring day. You can get lost in this. At the same time, this reminds me of getting into a cold house in the middle of summer. It has this beautiful chilly effect. I could never wear this cause i see an austere woman wearing this, it would fit someone with that cold personality perfect.

La Pausa’s opening is very synthetic, but in the most pleasant way. The smell is reminiscent of Barbie dolls, plasticky, powdery florals. It’s nostalgic. Dried down it turns into a lipstick scent with powdered cosmetics of the 1980’s. The way your mom smelled when she hugged you goodbye before leaving for work. This scent is similar to Dries Van Noten’s Fleur Du Mal, but without the peach. It’s quite beautiful and very nostalgic.

Oh, dream! What a gorgeous fragrance for an Iris lover like me. Sadly it faded to nothing in a half hour's time. Another review describes LP as minimalist scent; I concur. As much as I love it, I can't justify the price tag for the fleeting wear. Iris Poudre gives me hours of wear, along with a fuller, more nuanced story, if you are looking for something similar.

Rather beautiful iris soliflore, with its violet and wood facets slightly accentuated. Green and starchy drydown reminiscent of Chanel No. 19’s iris note. Not sure it offers much that is too different from the Poudré flanker of No. 19 in fact, and there are many better perfumes from this house and in this range.

Initial phases of dry iris+ powder+ vetiver Yes, but in the end unfolds into a dewy rose. I love to wear it when I am forced to do something/be somewhere but as a result, I’m ultimately rewarded by my own productivity and gifted with a respite from chaos.

I used to really hate iris, it's amazing how the nose and smell preferences change so much! This is a fascinating fragrance. Green and powdery. Smells refined, classic/timeless, and gender neutral. 7.5/10

La Pausa is a woody iris. Unisex. Very well done but didn't move me.

I am an iris fanatic, this is my favorite note, so, naturally, I had to try it. I do like it, but ultimately, I am not impressed. It is a very classy, very clean iris fragrance with hints of wood. Very simple, and very green. Projection... there is none. Even minutes after spraying I can not smell this more than an inch away from the spot I applied it too. Yes, it is so refined, it smells like class and pure elegance, but it's just too weak and simple. For daily wear I much prefer something like Iris Bleu by Armani or Iris Torrefie by Guerlain.

It is a very pretty green iris with wood. That’s it. I don’t mind a simple scent if it is beautiful but this one is just not unique. And has 0 silage. If you want an intimate scent to wear at home this will do the trick.

Somehow, even though I love iris, this doesn't inspire me. There is something bitter in this I don't find pleasant. And I agree that it is very faint. -

starchy iris butter and fibrous wood, dry and powdery. this scent is what ‘unscented’ things smell like

smells like old lipstick powder and paper. eugh

Uninspired Bland Weak Soapy Redundant Another iris by Chanel I think Chanel had an iris complex for a long time I believe they’ve been trying to create one of the greatest iris based scents but they never succeeded A disaster of a scent that hides under the cloak of soft scents although it’s not something even remotely close to its price point

The guy who suggested this smells like a cigarette that’s been put out in a bowl of tomato soup wasn’t lying! I love iris, and it’s quite easy for an iris fragrance to please me, so the fact I don’t like this speaks volumes. Like many fragrances from Chanel, this has a soapy, powdery make-up vibe going on which I can’t say turns me on. 2/10

La Pausa offers a beautiful powdery iris-wood composition with a meditative quality, setting it apart from other Les Exclusifs. However, it feels too soft. Considering the high price, there are similar options with better performance at a lower cost.

So many great reviews here, highlighting why La Pausa EdP is such a wonderful perfume. Phantostmia Bella gets it absolutely right describing it as an intelligent fragrance. And I agree with AveParfum, it is a perfect old compact powder scent. I have been looking for the perfect make up scent for ages, and this is it. Highmaintenance compares La Pausa to Misia, minus the sweet fruity notes, and that explains to me why I am not in love with Misia, or many of the fragrances that are described as make up scents. Fruity is just not my thing. La Pausa is warm and dry, not sweet, very soft, and very powdery. It is an elegant iris, earthy, soft like fur, and very glamorous. To illustrate La Pausa’s transformative power, let me tell you a little story: It is a late October afternoon, grey, drizzling rain and cold. Clad in a comfy old pair of jeans and a plaid flannel shirt I go in to town to meet a friend for coffee. We sit for hours in a cosy, candle lit room and don’t leave till dark. On my way home, I am freezing on the platform waiting for the train, when my husband calls from work: will I come join him at an upscale cocktail party? Looking down at my jeans and flannell shirt I realise I am in no way dressed for the occasion, but that I am really, really in the mood for a fancy cocktail. I race to a department store where a lovely SA helps me find a lacy top at a discount, and then (flannel shirt stuffed into my bag) I run to the Chanel boutique to buy a lipstick. As an afterthought I douse myself with La Pausa, and suddenly, as I leave the store in a cloud of iris, I feel like a new person. Elegant and glamorous. That feeling carries me into the party, where I have an absolutely lovely time. Everybody is suited up, but I am dressed in La Pausa. Needless to say, La Pausa was at the top of my Christmas wish list. So how about the EdP compared to the EdT? They are different animals, not the same fragrance at all. Somebody described the EdT as love, longing and the feeling of loss, and I get that. There is a sense of almost desolation in the old version. The EdP in contrast is love, comfort and warmth.

Today I'm wearing Chanel's Les Exclusif offering from 2016, the Jacques Polge signed La Pausa, which is the name of Coco Chanel's villa in the village of Roque Brune in France. For those already familiar with the Dior Homme line, this iris forward woody floral will be instantly recognisable. The difference here is the iris is more natural and less lipsticky as DH and DHI are. Another way to describe it is that it's like DHP without the masculine leather but with a tinge of the sandalwood. A more feminine and tamed version of DHP. As with all of the latest Les Exclusif line which now comes in only EDP concentration, performance is more than adequate. I wore this with five sprays at 8 this morning and now at close to 2.30, it's still a very prominent skin scent with lingering projection peeking in here and there. Projection is great in the first two to three hours where you will get whiffs of it as you move about with very prominent shifts as you transition between varying settings of ambient and skin temperature. All in all, a great offering that is woody, flowery and green with commendable versatility in both wearability and weather conditions. Try it. You'll love it.

There's Elvis. There's Madonna. And then there's the karaoke version of Elvis and Madonna. That's how I feel about two legendary iris perfumes: Geurlain's Apres L'Ondee. And Chanel's La Pausa. Both stunning. Both unmatched. Then there are the very well done back-ups: Guerlain's Iris Pallida Extrait, Luten's Iris Silver Mist and L'Artisan's Iris de Gris. Everything else is karaoke. But back to La Pausa. It's everything you want from a classic iris scent: chalky, rooty, slightly woody with that Chanel aldehyde DNA charging through it. No carrots, but a soft green note (vetiver) that acts more like a spine in its beautiful structure. The heart is iris, iris, iris. And yes it''s the lipstick powdery kind. Nostalgic and elegant. All wrapped in a blanket of wooly musks and maybe a touch of Ambroxan that gives it a purple salty aura. Or if we're sticking with the Elvis reference: blue suede shoes. 4 hours in, I still get decent sillage but mostly it stays close to the skin, creating an iris bubble of pure perfection.

I've compared the EDT and EDP of Cuir de Russie, Coromandel and now La Pausa, and La Pausa is the worst of the bunch in reformulation. It's not even the same scent. It's like an aquatic freshie flanker to 28 La Pausa. How odd! Never once did I think "freshie" when wearing 28 La Pausa. There also a noticeable violet-y note which is not very elegant. It reminds me of Balenciaga Paris because of the violet-y notes and greeness, but I have to say the Balenciaga is more refined and elegant. It’s like Balenciage Paris combined with Prada Infusion d’Iris. Whereas 28 La Pausa had an immense air of quiet elegance, La Pausa is like an iris Les Eaux. Maybe 28 La Pausa is indoors and La Pausa is the outdoor area. As time goes on the aquatic aspect goes away but it doesn't change much. All in all, the EDT and EDP are so different. Also, scent bubble of the EDP seemed absurdly less so than that of EDT. I don't understand this...

La Pausa Chanel in eau de parfum is a simple and quite minimalist perfume. Precisely this minimalism can add points to its beauty, as it is never an overwhelming or too complicated perfume and can be used normally and feel well scented. Basically its beginning is a smell very similar to Chanel N 19 Poudré and little by little a violet smell resurfaces that is very reminiscent of Misia. But really in less than 20 minutes this fresh crisp iris smell goes away and becomes so woody it could be a softened Chanel Sycomore. It really has very differentiated and quite stable phases. It is comfortable, somewhat feminine and with a final dose of very elegant and interesting masculinity. But it is a too soft perfume, it is difficult to notice its smell and I always recommend trying before buying because it can be very scarce, in proportion to the price it has...

28 La Pausa the EDT was like cat-nip to us orris root obsessives. Earthy, powdery, austere, aloof, un-reachable and heart achingly beautiful. I would gladly make a little velvet padded box, strewn with dried roses, in which to lay the bottle and worship it. Alas, that beauty is no more. Had I known I would have bought 2 200ml flagons of the EDT and put them under lock and key. The EDP is by no means a bad perfume but as the reviewer below notes, it appears to have married Misia and taken on some of her warmer, more palatable ways. Gone is the cool, earthy aloof other-worldliness. Like Mr Darcy said to Bridget; "I like you just the way you are". La Pausa, I liked you just the way you were, please divorce Misia and come back to me *sob*.

This is a beauty . A powder makeup dust ,slightly vintagey in that manner Soft green poudery sweetnes , Makes me think of a dewy morning ,drops on sweet flowers ,slight rosyviolety or almost grape hyasinth .soft sweetnes lingers amongs the green leaves. nothing intrusiv or overpowering,just a breath of fresh air thrue a perfect start of the day . Smile and feel at ease in yourself . body mind and soul . A perfect Iris scent ,slight touch of Chanel no19 ,infact this is how the poudre version should have smelled like in my mind . beautiful ,crisp. A bit maturnal almost, for the lady who loves to take care of others and herself this would be a perfect match . But in a slight distent fresh kind of way. Lovely indeed