Velvet Violet

I'm not sure why this is being compared to Insolence EDP by Guerlain (and btw Insolence is not discontinued) as Velvet Violet is much deeper and rounder. I love Guerlain but this is not their DNA by any means. It is fuller, deeper and has a layer of what comes off as nutty and musky to my nose. I love that. However, I think what is actually coming through is the starchiness of the Barley and Sesame. This is a very nice surprise and makes the fragrance warm and comforting. Think Autumn... However, I would likely wear this in every season except Summer. V.V. is a true purple flower fragrance and the violet is sweet, soft and powdery. It does sit pretty close to the skin but after a time there is still a strength to this fragrance which may be the vetiver in the base. It lingers much in the same way a "masculine cologne" of the past would and still wafts in the air gloriously as it sticks around. A special violet fragrance.

I have appreciated DVN scents. Let me not get started on the Frederic Malle DVN exclusive that is no longer and literally was THE BEST creamy powdery vanilla sandalwood on the market (my plea to bring it back!). But alas, onto Velvet Violet. It’s sexy, sensual, modern, and clean in the rawest/starchiest and most addictive way. For me this ventures beyond the safe while being totally appealing. Smooth, powdered, deep/dark violet, and iris (I feel you and smell you but don’t see it in the notes). Sesame--I don’t know. But it’s really hard for me to get that sesame note in many perfumes. Regardless, bottle is superb and scent is a welcome addition.

Got a decanted sample from Aromadeus.com if anyone’s looking for some too. Wow! Definitely in my top 3 fragrances from DVN. This is almost identical to the good old (now discontinued Insolence EDP by Guerlain) except it smells more refined, niche and less suffocating but definitely the same dna.

Got to try a sample. Fall in love - sweet, powdery and comfort perfume. Can't wait to get a full bottle.

Spicy opening, almost like hay. (Oh wait... it's the barley. They didn't lie in the notes 😄) Sophisticated and unique. There's something velvety in the background. It feels like I'm rolling through a sunny field. As I twist around, I smell the dry grass. Then, when I finally open my eyes... the sky has turned dark violet and I'm suddenly in a dark forest. Woody drydown. At one point I even asked my boyfriend if he had just sprayed Bois Impériale by Essential Parfums... Nope. It was still Velvet Violet. ✨ S. Is it special, or do I already have something similar? I don't have anything quite like it. Although, out of all the recent fragrances I've tested, I feel like Velvet Violet and Contre Jour by Frédéric Malle would be BFFs. They have a similar vibe. 💞 E. Does it spark an emotion? Does it tell a story? Does it bring back a memory? For me... yes. The dry fields... then waking up in the dark forest. 👑 W. Can I see a time when I'd wear it in my life? No... It doesn't feel like *me* in a bottle. Or like someone I'd want to become. My Verdict: S ✅ E ✅ W ❌ It feels like something is missing. It's not full-bottle worthy for me. At least... not for now.