Joy by Dior

Joy....yes, JOY! I've always low key been fascinated by this scent, from the advertising I'd have thought of a watery, fruity floral (watery, dewy fruits, not aquatic per se) and when I first smelt it on a strip wayyy back in 2018 I actually was repulsed! it smelt like baby wipes, overly powdery and in an obnoxious way, I couldn't wait to scrub it off. In 2019 on a trip to York I saw Joy advertised and thought I'd take a punt at that when I was in town as a holiday treat, I wanted to try it out again and maybe purchase it, but I couldnt find a tester, so I ended up buying Viktor&Rolf Flowerbomb instead (and L'ombre Dans L'eau by Diptyque was a naughty extra treat). Fast forward to January 2021, I had this nagging feeling about Joy again, my birthday is next month and I decided that I'd consult the reviews here since in Wales we've been on lockdown since the week before Christmas and I can't go and sample this again, I saw conflicting reviews, some said it smells like Allure, others say it smells like shampoo and others say it smells boring, the curiosity got the better of me and I bought a 50ml bottle that was on offer as an early birthday present for myself, at the worst it could smell like Allure EdP (which I already own) and in which case I'd use it up and move on * added to basket * It arrived, I tore into the box, sprized on 4 sprays and....peach, fleshy, fuzzy, realistic peach, thats when I realised the associations with Allure, its a similar peachy opening, drying down, however, Joy has its own personality. The drydown is airy, light "pink" white florals with some musky undertones and some mild fruitiness from the peach, its more shower fresh/shampoo clean smelling, its light, I'd also say its playful, further into the dry down the woodsy notes come out to play and it starts reminding me slightly of Calvin Klein Contraditction, its like a mixture of 2 perfumes I love! The silage is soft/moderate and longevity is about 6-ish hours long, its an easy to throw on and enjoy scent, I see that people find this boring, personally, sometimes you need something thats universal and simplistic, you're not always going to want to be wearing something complex and heady, Joy is one of my favourite grab and go scents, dumb reach worthy and so far, I'd say repurchase worthy!

When I first smelled Joy I was surprised and, because of a 40% discount, bought it on the spot. When I checked the reviews I started doubting, had I been too optimistic? Joy instantly reminded me of both D&G Light Blue as well as Dior Pure Poison (which I both love) just not quite as citrussy as Light blue and not quite as flowery as Pure Poison both in opening and in dry down to the respective scents. Later when I compared notes this is not surprising. Joy could be a well done mix of these two scents, with common base notes and a few shared middle and top notes of each. And that's exactly what it smells like. I do in fact smell the citrusses, the rose, the white flowers. Each gets a turn on my skin on a bed of wood, musk and resins in that order. The dry down is in fact identical to Pure Poison in the end. Joy is not as in your face, energetic or exciting as light blue and it's not as present and romantic as Pure Poison, but does that make it bad? No, after 8 hours it still left a fresh, clean scent, which is more than I can say for Light Blue, and it's far fresher than Pure Poison. Everytime I get a whiff of Joy it's like putting on your favorite cardigan at the end of a warm spring day, where rosy streaks fill the sky at twilight and the temperature cools and you're coming home. It's not out there, it's not exciting, it is safe and maybe it's generic, but it's comfort and happiness. I don't regret my purchase, Joy makes me feel happy and stressless.

I haven’t smelled Joy yet but after reading a review below I feel the need to have an intervention before there is a Jonestown situation in the fragrance community. A user below said that “by law in France perfumes have to be drinkable”. This is absolutely 1000% false as I’m sure most people reading the comment would know...but just to be on the safe side before people start chugging their Dior Homme, I wanted to clarify that it is absolutely not safe to drink no matter where it is made, including France, as it’s full of denatured ethanol and not safe for ingestion. You can safely spray it but you absolutely can not drink your perfume safely no matter what sort of fake news may be being passed around on the internet. Dior isn’t making a French version of Joy for cocktail hour and an Arsenic and Old Lace one for the Americans. They are making it the same for everyone. So, don’t pour your Miss Dior on the rocks with a little umbrella and have it as an after dinner treat just yet. Your breath may smell lovely but your internal organs may not fare as well Edit: Since Genny17 continues to claim that French perfume is drinkable, risking the health of Fragrantica members, here is the specific European regulations that say the ethanol/alcohol used in perfume must be DENATURED. That means it has an additive which makes it unsafe for human consumption. Visit: ec dot europa dot eu and see Article 27, (1) (b).

I spritzed this in Macy's while I was shopping. I liked it, it smelled "nice." It did smell unremarkable, quite similar to countless other fragrances who've actually done it better (yes, this is a really weak Chanel Allure). Everybody asks what's going on with the perfume companies these days and I think I'm on to them. They are treating their fragrance lines like they do their makeup lines. They've got their lower price point fare that they make as inoffensive and universally appealing as possible, use fewer (or lower grade, who knows) ingredients to make it cheaper for them to manufacture, because they're just trying to please masses and sell the max number of units. Then for the clientele who are considered more "discerning," they bring out their exclusive lines that they make more avant garde and charge a corresponding price for the smaller number of sales (because the average consumer isn't going to spend $250+ on one fragrance). It wasn't always this way, but this seems to be the sales model now. That's why we keep getting the same thing over and over. And it's also why we keep getting the same movies made over and over. Sell to the masses. Make a huge profit. Rinse repeat. Sigh.

Nostalgic sigh. The Hollywood glamour of the 1970s deconstructed beautifully to reflect contemporary me. When I scooted past the Dior counter at my local department store recently, I commented on something beautiful I could smell on the Dior sales lady. When she handed me the Joy tester, I rolled my eyes (to myself) but sprayed it on my arm to be polite. Wow! The citrus fruit & bergamot opening of the original Diorella from my youth smacked me in the face .... with delight! I've never smelled it in any other perfume (and I'd worn Diorella all through the 80s so I knew it well). It's more fragile and ethereal in Joy but the Diorella bones are definitely there. I sprayed the tester liberally all over my person and sometime later I was detecting a light, airy and dry scent which was soulful and elegant. The exquisite citrus & bergamot still present, a lovely light floral and dry musk rounding it out to what I thought was total disappearance on my skin by that point, until two different people in two different places asked me what I was wearing later that day. Now that's Dior delivering on great sillage.

I somehow enjoy this very much. I had a sample in 2021 and I remember hating it at first sniff, but not I found a bottle for very cheap and I got it and I love it now!!! I remember that I thought it was very “zesty” and sour, but now I smell a lot of sweetness and even a gourmand note. I don’t like jasmin usually and I think the grasse rose made a great job concealing the jasmine’s heaviness. At first smell the citrusness reminded me of D&G Q, but then it resembles Givenchy Irresistable due to the musk and rose and vanilla. It is generic, and I agree that there is a lack of Dior DNA. But there is definitelya luxury segment DNA, maybe a kinship with Givenchy? I’m also pleased with the sillage. It’s strong. It’s not unforgettable but it’s very attractive. I have about 100 different perfumes but I am sure I will wear this every now and then—also imo its genericness makes it more suitable for everyday wear because I am usually so afraid to run out of my unique ones so I end up rarely using them lol...

This is a funny perfume! I went to smell it several times before I bought it. First I thought it was absolutely awful. Too strong and too floral! Then next time I sprayed it on me and yep, totally still hated the floral smell it has. Later that same day I suddenly smelled something really good and wondered where does that nice smell come from?! It was the drydown of this perfume on my skin that got me hooked on this. So I went and boldly bought it. What's funny is that I still have times when it's just too much "in your face" kind of perfume. Too strong, too floral..but then again, some days it's like a beautiful vail over me. I guess I need to wear this only few times per week and only a tiny spray so i do not get bored of it. But I still think it was a great purchase, the drydown keeps me hooked.Not sure will I ever buy another bottle though. I am trying to find another perfume like the drydown scent. Does anyone come up with a similar like the dry down?? Help!

I love Dior Joy as an every day clean classy mature scent. It’s not your average sweet boring cheap scent out there but it’s also not fascinating. It makes a great signature scent and always gets me compliments without smelling like a perfume bomb ! When I wear perfume it seems to rub off on my dog because I hug her so much and when ever I wear Joy my son asks me if Molly got a bath . So I guess Joy smells somewhat like a shower gel ? Clean bath or shampoo like ? Very pleasant to say the least. I prefer it to the Intense version as it has better lasting power and is fresher and more classy . Intense is sweeter and has a vanilla note that makes this scent somewhat almondy or more average . I think Joy is a great perfume , one of my favourites . Classy , pretty , clean and pleasant. I haven’t yet met a person who dislikes it. I wonder what flanker they come out with this August. Can’t wait ! Dior is definitely one of my favourite houses !

Update: This has no lasting power at all. After testing it some more, I’ve gone back to Light Blue for summer. I don’t understand all of the negative reviews for this fragrance. I think some people just don’t like florals in general, or maybe some just aren’t giving it a fair chance. I admit that I was ambivalent when I first tried it, but the beautiful drydown kept me wanting to try it again, and now I’m finding it a must-have. I think this may be the most perfectly balanced fragrance ever. The patchouli, just detectable, keeps it interesting. It has a similar rose-patchouli vibe to Very Irresistible Sensual, but I find the patchouli in Joy to be more balanced, and the jasmine presence also makes it more interesting. On my skin, the musk is barely detectable, making Joy wearable during the hot and humid summers where I live. I’m going to be springing for a full-size bottle.

The amount of dislikes on this is misleading, at least in my opinion. This is not a stinky, bad perfume. I think this is a great everyday scent, inoffensive, unassuming. It's not a head turner, not blowing my socks off, not a beast in projection or longevity. What it is, is a middle-of-the-road scent that makes me feel clean, ready for the day, non offensive office scent. Develops in a nice skin scent after a short while, which I don't mind if I am working close to colleagues who are sensitive to scent. I have over 200 bottles of fragrance, and so many are so out there I can't wear them on an everyday basis. This one is a no-brainer if I can't think of what to wear. I think this fragrance would be good for someone who doesn't desire a large collection,doesn't want to challenge themselves or others with interesting scents, who just wants to smell good every day.

One of the things I like best about not being a great perfume connaisseur is that I can only judge scents by my one simple nose. I may know nothing (or close to nothing) about perfume history, complex molecular interactions (which I find fascinating, yet have no clue about)or the wonders of natural ingredients, but I know what I like. This is a simple, pleasant, clean and very nice scent, and I liked it enough to buy a full bottle. It's safe, harmless, fun, gentle and crystal-clear. I like the musk, the flowers, the slight citrusy notes. I love the drydown even though it's really mild. I don't care about the name, the bottle, the launch, the colour. I just enjoy the fact it smells lovely on me and is a very easy and pleasant go-to scent. Call me an ignorant. I know I am. Still, I like it.

A pleasant, pleasant and fresh aroma that I bought with a full bottle. Safe, gentle, carefree and harmless. Musky, floral and light citrus notes. Enjoy the subtle transformation. I don't care about the name and packaging, I just enjoy the fragrance on me. I like it even if my knowledge is limited. Instant mesmerizing effect. A lively start with aldehyde and ylang-ylang. A hint of Chanel and old Dior. Floral, sweet, creamy and powdery. At first rose is predominant, then jasmine becomes more prominent. It changes in different ways on the skin. It has a floral-sweet character, with a creamy and spicy touch. Rose, jasmine, musk, sandalwood and patchouli. A classic fragrance revitalized with a modern interpretation. Impressive impact and longevity. Elegant, feminine and absolutely endearing.

The citrus in the opening is light, not sharp. Just a light pretty citrus. Then the rose comes through. A light pretty rose, with a light citrus. Everything about this fragrance is light and delicate. When it settles, the rose is dominate, with a little jasmine. The florals are almost clean smelling, but not soapy. The hint of citrus makes it fresh. I get a little sweetness from the peach, and a hint of cassis. I can appreciate the beauty of this fragrance, and for someone who likes a beautiful skin scent, you should definitely give this a try. If I was married, I would spray this all over myself before bedtime. It has that pretty feminine scent, that I WISH was my natural scent. I may purchase a bottle, if I can find it at a good price.

I've never smelled Allure but I do have this and intense. This smells very lemony fresh with a creamy jasmine and it envelops my entire being and glows on me. I love it! Dior is a house that just works so well with my chemistry. The intense version is NOT an intense version of this scent! No it's a different fragrance, it's lovely but it's not lemon smelling or creamy jasmine at all. I had intense first and I was expecting something totally different from this original and was thrown off by this at first. Now that I'm experiencing it from a new perspective without any expectations, I really enjoy it for the scent it is. It's pure, clean, demure, but loud and out there at the same time. I love Joy 💗

I prefer this one to the Intense version, I tested both on my hands and Joy is fresher and younger smelling, also more optimistic - as the name suggest it should be joyfull not melancholic like the intense version. Intense version reminded me more of Chanel Allure (it was not so obvious, but there are similarities) very melancholic fragrance for me, and Joy should be optimistic, which this version is! I do not see lillac there and I had a feeling there is a bit of lillac in it. Performance is rather weak, maybe on clothes would last longer. Bottle is fine for me, rather simple and classy than showy and trashy.

I love this perfume. I loved the 2012 miss Dior and was gutted when they dc miss Dior AGAIN to bring out the sickeningly sweet, uninspired 2017 miss Dior. Joy opens up on my skin with vanilla and jasmine. I love jasmine, especially how Dior does jasmine. But the dry down is why this is full bottle worthy to me, because I swear I smell 2012 miss Dior. It’s more subdued, but the patch, jasmine, rose, musk, peach, vanilla dry down is all miss Dior. I love this perfume. It smells homey and cozy and clean. It’s not groundbreaking, but I don’t think Dior is known for that so I don’t understand the hate.

@julia_vernon My mind runs to Calèche eau Delicate, Hérmes. However, I should own it or have owned it to be sure. If you love research or are more involved than me in this world, maybe it will be easy for you to come across it. And find out if this is just my memory, distorted by time, or really the two perfumes are similar in something there in basis, they look alike in drydown. Let us know, ok?

A firm favourite. Literally what it says on the bottle. This is total Joy. A beautiful scent, powdery and clean. A 'just got out of the bath smelling sensuous, soapy and clean scent' I can wear it even when I have a migraine it's that comforting. The dry down is heavenly. I just wish it lasted longer as the Intense version has a totally different profile.

As soon as I sprayed this on my wrist and smelled it, I actually exclaimed, "Oh, yeah!!!" This is simply beautiful. Everything I wanted in a perfume! However... It's been ten minutes and I can feel the beginnings of a headache creeping on. Truly, sincerely, honestly - I hope it's not the perfume, because I think I found my signature scent.

This gets a good 4-6 hours on me. I notice the 6 or more comes when I use lotion on my skin - and if it's colder weather. This does AWFUL in the heat. Smells good - but it is not strong at all in hot weather. I love how the peach shines through in the open - but fades over time. A sweetness is nice along the floral and musky soapy feel.