Say Less

This is probably one of the more underrated fragrances from Day Three and I think maybe it's a bit misunderstood. First impressions might have you writing this off this as an overpowering powdery, floral bomb but after spending some time with it, it’s one of the most BEAUTIFUL iris/violet fragrances I have come across. Michael Paul is a master perfumer in my eyes and although I do not love all (but most) of Day Three's lineup, you can readily detect the expertise of his nose in blending raw materials and turning them into something magical. The olfactive symphonies he creates much like music can transport you to a certain time, place, or even flood you with the memory of a loved one (as it does for me; perhaps I am a little biased towards this one for that reason). But beyond the sensory aspect of Say Less, I have to go back to Paul's mastery at not just knowing every nuance of each note, but how they connect to one another in a divine harmony... ...ok I am being a bit effusive BUT I say all that because what he does with a trio of citruses in the opening completely changed my opinion on citrus notes. The top is bold and punchy but stops short of being all acidity no brakes due to cedrat and bergamot rounding out this opening act with the former's elements of woodiness and the latter's herbaceous tones and subtle spice. It has a masculinity to it, but balanced perfectly so to transition seamlessly into the ultra floral, feminine middle notes. Yes, the heart of Say Less is full on powder. But not baby or chalky; rather soft and intoxicating. I have never got the earthy/root/carrot vibe from iris until smelling this, and I can't quite put into words the sensation of catching the sweetness of a carrot and fresh dirt together just like nature intended. I only catch a glimpse of it, and I want more. Elongating that sweetness is a candied violet note. There is of course the powder accord here commonly associated with violets but its elegant and refined. Lychee amps up the sweetness as well yet its fruity nature balances it out. When I described the middle notes as being intoxicating, it's due to the narcissus being sneaky behind it all with a gentle caress of honey to pull you into a heady state before setting up the base notes as they transition from floating in powder accords to being grounded back on earth. I read an interview with MP where he talked about being a magician before starting Day Three and when you smell that rain accord, it makes perfect sense. It is pure magic how cedar and rain combine to smell like dampened earth in the woods after a daytime storm in the spring. Once the dry down emerged I was transported to that time and space. Laying on the ground underneath the forest cover surrounded by flowers while my earthen bed had been softened by rain. And that rain...gah! It's cool, crisp, fresh and captures just the right amount of moisture mixed with woods and spice from amber also in the base that makes the earthiness in this more rich soil than dirt. I find myself most drawn to the finale, taking my time and breathing it in, as I fall into an almost meditative state. I also really love perfumes where I can smell every note and the transition from top to mid to bottom; Say Less accomplishes this effortlessly. TL;DR - sophisticated and superbly blended somewhat sweet floral freshie. Citrus dominates the top notes, sweet floral and powder stand out in the mid, and finally the base dries down to a clean, fresh aquatic accord. 9/10 because it's being discontinued and I am not a fan of that happening.

Sampling Day Three Fragrances Say Less, a fresh iris / citrus blend, primarily, that’s really well put together from the outset, not being too sharp from the start, even with a heart of iris and violet are fairly immediately on display, eventually giving way to a woody musky dry down. Most of the blend remains the same from the very opening into the dry down, though it’s undeniably a bit sharper in the opening. While I’m usually weary of too much iris or violet for fear of their potential to be very sharp and heady, they smell really nice when paired with the opening trio of lemon, cedrat, and bergamot. It comes off as sophisticated, well-blended, and frankly pretty versatile since it has most of the makings of a warm weather fragrance but is strong enough to be worn year around. Say Less is EDP concentration and is priced at $225/130/35 for 100/50/10ml, sold exclusively through the house website, as far as I can tell. I continue to love the offerings from this house and the price point is reasonable in the current market. 8 out of 10

This opens with a slightly sweet citrus medley. It’s fresh, it’s bright, and slightly watery. It’s followed by a gorgeously powdery blend of creamy iris, and softly candied violets with hints of narcissus in the background. The heart maintains that freshness from the opening but its softer now, fluffy even. The dry down has an interesting rain accord that smells like the cool musky air after it’s rained outside. It’s slightly damp, airy, and very musky. You also get some warmth coming from the amber and remnants of those fluffy purple florals from before. A very playful and fun scent profile.

A very comforting scent! On me it begins with the lipstick iris note which I am not a big fan of but quickly evolves to a very pleasing scent that is just clean. Slightly soapy, slightly citrus a beautiful undertone of flower that doesn’t lean feminine if you’re a guy who is turned by the florals don’t worry about blind buying this. It’s not a scent that will get you noticed but does give off a calming presence to those around you.

Just discover this line. I order samples set. I was excited to try all of them. But this one caught my attention. Beautifully well done. Soft iris slightly sweet with a touch of citrus. This can be worn all season day and night suit or casual. Longevity and performance are amazing. Yes i know this similar to bal da frique. But this is better. All the notes are well balanced. This can be a signature scent for sure.

Maaannnnnn oh Maaaannnnn😍 This is stunning for all of the right reasons. Cold, sweet and powdery. A tad bitter and ohhhh sooooo comforting. Even my "unfriendly" front desk lady at my apartment complimented on how good I smelled when I came to pick up some of my packages. I'll say the projection is perfect...not too obnoxious...but 100% noticeable. Day Three is quickly becoming one of my favorite houses.

This fragrance is absolutely stunning. I find it to be predominately a powdery iris - and I assure you it is the best one out there. The powderiness comes off more smooth and fluffy than sharp and starchy. Though not individually distinguishable, to my nose, the violet and fruits give this a very sweet touch and keep the scent from becoming dark and heavy. Michael Paul has created a masterpiece.

Doesnt smell like Byredo Bal d'afrique butnits in that fresh floral vein. Perfectly unisex. Im a man and I wear my daughter's at times. We both have Bal d'afrique so it works. Fresh with some iris and citruses. Performs quite wel.

Try layering this with the new Frost fragrance. It is a “cold” layering base and extender and a clean, stand alone scent. It makes Say Less a little more ethereal, extends the cold factor, and increases the longevity.

Sayless by Daythree is the most beautiful iris powdery scent in my collection—so sophisticated, soft, and elegant. It feels like a luxe cashmere wrap, smooth and timeless.

Yo what! love this. great performance and complex scent. Beautiful perfumery, probably my favorite in the line along with tacita cafe. 4.5/5

Incredible. Wow. A fresh citrusy powdery Iris, very unique. I do not get any Litchi in this whatsoever though.

This is the only iris scent I have ever loved and now it’s being discontinued. Of course.

Eating a bright medley of citrus on your old wooden back porch as you listen to the cooling spring morning shower. The rain pushing off the smell of the flowers in the garden as they begin to bloom. Say less opens with a bright sucker punch mixture of citron, lemon, and bergamot, the citron probably being the most noticeable to my nose off the strip. Near immediately after spraying the powdery and floral iris and violet combo becomes noticeable as lychee, a citrus/floral note backs it up. I don’t know if it’s me being a sucker for marketing or not, but there is a very particular soft rain-like note in this fragrance which is really what’s drawing me back in. The only comparison I could make is “2030 Park Ave” by Pearfat Parfums, which also has that soft, slightly petrichor, slightly aquatic like rain note to it (this does it better imo). On the strip I definitely get a nice woody and very musky backbone to keep it grounded and not totally floral, more nondescript wood than anything particular. I was hesitant about say less when I ordered the sample pack as based off reviews here many thought it was very floral and feminine, and that’s typically not my style of fragrance. But while this may be a very floral fragrance, it has facets that are familiar and likeable enough that anyone could wear this. I can feel this being a future love but I want to get it on skin first. 8/10

More tolerable Dior homme intense scent profile. Just enough Iris powder that I could actually wear this. Im not a fan of Iris or powdery fragrances. If this was offered for a cheaper price Id grab a bottle. I might get a 10ml and sit with it for a while. First impression, sample worthy for sure. If you're not a fan of Iris I would still recommend. *Edit: This and Bani stayed on my clothes until the next day. Faintly picked it up on my skin the next morning as well. Upon application moderate projection for one to two hours then soft to intimate projection for like 10 hours. Good stuff.

Very pretty, slightly sweet, iris perfume. The mix of narcissus and gentle ambroxan give it a nice touch that keep it from pulling too feminine. It reminds me of a a lighter, airier version of Iris Shot; like an edt summer flanker of Iris Shot.

Powdery citrus scent with a touch of florals. Highly inoffensive but a bit on the boring side. Unisex as this would be a solid choice year round but $225 for 100ml or $130 for 50ml is just downright insane IMHO. More established indie/artisanal American houses that have been around 10 years or so are not this expensive such as Imaginary Authors and Kerosene.

Very soapy and powdery, reminds me a little of bal'dafrique. Its not a bad scent by any means but I dont really like it for myself. To me this smells perfectly unisex like most of the day Three fragrances. I probably won't finish the sample, but given the popularity of similar scents I feel most people would enjoy this.

So close to being really gorgeous but the candied aspect of the violet makes it too sweet and ruins it for me. Feels like a kids perfume.

This perfume has a rather unfortunate name as far as I am concerned, as it actually does seem to say less than others of its ilk that came before it. Coming from a so-called "niche" house, Say Less smells fundamentally the opposite of "niche"—it does smell upscale, for sure, but it also is makes zero demands. Built around a cosmetic ionone lipstick-iris accord that has been the hallmark of trendy unisex scents for over fifteen years now. There is absolutely nothing new here, which makes its price tag even more egregious. And one more thing: get off of my lawn!