Eau de Biarritz

When i saw all the notes listed I was intrigued but hesitant. I loved all the notes listed except marine notes and seaweed. But i was actually pleasantly surprised that even though i do get a moderate amount of salt water notes its all softened by magnolia and ylang ylang, as well as the bezoin and vanilla. It makes this perfume very unique. Ive smelled hundreds and hundreds of perfumes over my life and I've never smelled anything similar to this. So its definitely unique. This perfume is great for spring or summer. Works well in the heat. Not cloying even with the sweet notes. It still maintains a freshness to it. Id describe it as a fresh creamy floral with a slight aquatic edge. Really nice. However, I'd say that because of the aquatic note (that im personally just not a fan of) this is a like not a love. But definitely worth trying for thise who do like these notes.

Opening is very floral and screechy. Drydown is generic hand soap.

Destroyed, and I mean utterly destroyed, by reformulation. This was my signature scent for a couple years in the 1990s and the original was a spectacularly gorgeous, feminine work of fine art. If you're interested in the original Biarritz, purchase a bottle of Aqua Motu (which still hasn't been reformulated, I believe). The two were quite similar in many respects, and you'll find more of the original Biarritz in Aqua Motu than you will in the new, ghastly Biarritz formulation.

It opens with a weird and strong iodine note, then the smell of seaweed joins in. The pair of them does conjure up the seaside, but Biarritz? I'm not sure. To me it smells a bit synthetic, Biarritz deserves something better. The ylang-ylang and the magnolia lend a soft sweetness, but the best part for me was the drydown with the sandalwood and the benzoin - and the hope it would all be over soon. Also, it may suit men better.