Costes 2

I'm usually not a fan of clean smelling scents, nor of most fragrances with a prominent rose note. For reference one of the few roses I like is Stella. I can see why someone might perceive Costes II as clean smelling, but what a lovely soft, slightly sweet and deliciously spicy rose soap it is. The soapiness and foodiness is perfectly balanced IMO, not pure soap and not pure gourmand, but somewhere in the middle. A tad more leaning to gourmand, if I would have to choose. The simplicity and sheerness of this scent is also exactly what appeals to me, I wouldn't want it any less airy. On me it doesn't last long, but I don't mind reapplying this one at all. Don't expect obvious topnotes, middle and basenotes, this seems almost basenotes only (which I love) This doesn't remind me of White Musk for Men by The Bodyshop, and it is less potpourri/roomspray-like than the original Costes in the red bottle (I take it they call that Costes 1 now?) To me it gives a feeling of comfort and contentment, almost like a chill pill in a bottle.

Costes 2 is the most comfortable-to-wear powdery soft perfume I've tried so far. It starts really soft, and somehow reminds me a lot of L'Artisian's many light, barely-there scent, especially Verte Violette. Even thought violet is not listed in the notes, but I can smell a lot of sunny meadowy grassy kinda violet with slight sweet powderness. Soon it getes sweeter in a vanilla and musky way, which is really foody and lovely. Somehow it's like a much much less sweet and watered-down version of L'Artisian Havana Vanille. After the short-lived (less than halp an hour)vanilla sweet phase, Costes2 goes linear, smells soft, powdery, with a little bit violet. Costes 2 doesn't have big sillage, it seems to be a 'quite' powdery floral perfume, however, it actually lasts and lasts, it has been on me for 12+ hours and still smells as it was when just 2,3 hours after applying. If L'Artisian's Verte Violette doesn't work for you, Harajuku Lover's Baby is too full-on and a little bit too on-you-face, Kenzo's Flowder just doesn't like your body chemistry, and after all when you thinking about softer powdery fragrance, you are looking for something less lound, and wraps around your body more like a sheer veil, try Costes 2!

Cinnamon + orange blossoms on my skin makes really soapy scent which reminds a lot unscented soap. I'm not saying that this is unpleasant and that I dislike it, I'm saying that I wouldn't wear it, I prefer taking a showe to feel "clean" and "smell like soap". This could be a very nice scent for those ladies who try to find a clean, cosy scenz which is not going to disturb anyone around. Costes 2 would be perfectly suited for really hot summer days when something heavier would disturb self and others. For me - a no. But not because I hate it. Just because I don't feel comfortable with too soapy scents.

Costes 2 is a nice, soft, soapy rose scent. I detect a little bit of orange blossom and cinnamon in the opening. Base of benzoin adds a little warmth. Sits really close and doesn't last long on my skin. A pleasing, unisex fragrance.

The second Costes fragrance is less challenging than the first one, but also less original. To me it is all about benzoin and cinnamon. It reminds me of Chanel Coco, but it’s much flatter than the good old Coco, and its performance leaves a lot to be desired.