Elie Saab Le Parfum Eau de Toilette

There are some perfume brands which make me fall in love and I just must get them all, doesn't matter, if I already have one version of the scent. And Elie Saab is one of those brands (along with TM Alien, Feeries by Van Cleef & Arpels etc.). First I bought Elie Saab Le parfum EdP, then Couture, then Intense, but I still kept dreaming of EdT (just tried to convince myself not to buy, because of all the Saabs I already have). But I couldn't resist anymore... And I'm happy! Of course, the perfume keeps the original vibe, all that sweet honey and aromatic flower melody, but the EdT has its own personality (let's say so) too. It opens with a fresh, even citrus hug. I was ready to swear there was a bit of a juicy orange present (and then I red about the mandarin blossom). And this mandarin blossom is gorgeous! It makes the scent more summer friendly, fresher, more transparent, slightly bitter too. A bit of juiciness to all that delicious, thick honey composition. I think this perfume is also milder, maybe even more feminine than EdP, if that's possible (there's no patchouli, no cedar in it, but more flower notes). It reminds me a warm, calm summer evening after a really hot and sunny day. The flowers are smelling more intense, the wind is waking up, the last sun rays are caressing my skin and the night is coming and releasing all my desires...

Two things stand out in my mind when I wear this: 1- when you really love something, it's hard to describe it. The notes, the feeling, the admiration. I can't describe this too well beyond that I love it. 2- some perfumes smell like clean, out of the package toilet paper. I read this somewhere here as a review of I forget which fragrance. So weird, right? But I get a hint of that in this, my summer signature. Clean, uplifting and soft (but not mushy!). When I had samples of this and the EDP, I sprayed one on each arm and had my darling sister and my loving husband smell and tell me which one they liked best, if at all. My sister gasped and said "that is your signature!" when she smelled the EDT. My husband agreed it was the better of the two. I was hoping for the EDP, in theory, because it has the stronger honey note, at least in the description and votes here. But it is true that this dries down to an even more complex scent than the EDP which remains quite linear on me. And a surprise to me is that I think the Rose is more pronounced in this EDT form. I crave it. Even if I use a different scent for the day, I always spray this in the evenings, just for me. It makes me happy, and it relaxes me. I never want to be without it. (I doubt if I'll even say that whole toilet paper bit to anyone else, but hope it's understood here, lol!).

For better or worse, this is the one that started my perfume obsession. Before I found this perfume, I had a couple of bottles that I used occasionally, but knew next to nothing about perfume - notes, composition etc. I was wandering around duty-free in the airport and the sales assistant sprayed this on my wrist, and it was love at first sniff, it was the most beautiful scent I had ever come across and I wanted to buy it right away. The only problem was that my flight was a domestic one that landed in the international terminal, so they wouldn't sell me anything in the duty-free shop. I was devastated, but it prompted me to start searching for online perfume shops, which in turn led me here to Fragrantica(good for my perfume education, terrible for my bank balance). I have since added dozens of perfumes to my collection, but I have a special fondness for this one, my signature. The orange blossom takes centre stage on my skin, well balanced with the honey note. I get zero rose from this one fortunately, I find rose can be very hit-or-miss. The projection is moderate but can fade fairly quickly. I have to resist the temptation to overspray, as too much can be overpowering and it loses some of its subtlety. It is perfect to wear outside in the sun on a warm spring day - in a pretty dress, glass of champagne in hand.

I believe this is my 2nd review. Mmmmmmmmmmmm-This is PURE sophistication in a bottle! Thanks to fragrantica, I found another love! The sweetest, strongest, longest wearing, and heaviest in sillage fragrance in my wardrobe. I tend to fall in-love with only floral/fruity/fresh/woody fragrances, and this has been the ONLY sweet exception since Incanto Charms in 2010 & Escada's Rockin' Rio in 2004. I gravitate towards this one in autumn, winter, and spring. I like to wear it when I'm all dressed up. One shouldn't be allowed to wear this in a t-shirt and jeans...it DESERVES more respect than that. If you REALLY feel like you have to wear jeans when you choose to wear this, then wear them snug fitting, and throw on some stiletto boots or some pretty strappy sandals, some jewelry (mentioned especially for those that aren't used to wearing any) and you will KILL it! I take a whiff from the bottle when I miss it. It gave me a headache while riding in a cab for 25 minutes on 2 different occasions, but that hasn't stopped me from wearing it! I LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE THIS AND I REFUUUUUSE TO LET A MILD HEADACHE TURN ME AWAY FROM THIS BEAUTY AND HEAVEN OF A SCENT-MY GOODNESSSSSSS!!!!!! It will always remain in my top 5!!!!! It is just THAT good, guys!

At second test I was taken by this scent. The EdP is way too heavy, round and ladylike for me. It screams: "I'm a rich lady and everyone please look at me!!" The first orange blossom notes are so good, but the honey note afterwards makes it hard to breath the air around. A little bit like in L'Occitane Neroli. The here comes the EdT... a lot more breathable with a pleasant frizzy effect in the opening, still lovely orange blossom taken to an octave higher like windchimes, the honey again but not that thick honey that turns into stale on my skin and clench my trought with nausea. Very feminine, young at heart, yet classy and elegant, it smells like a young lady walking in beautifully cared gardens wearing white silks. There is far echo of Givenchy Organza but only in the vibe. There is an even farer echo of Coco Mademoiselle, which I loathe and cannot stand, without its arrogance. On my skin it becomes sweeter but not sticky. I had it sprayed on a card and my bag is now beuatifully perfumed! I suggest trying before buying because it gives me a feeling that it could change considerely on different chemistries.