Vraie Blonde

Etat Libre D'Orange is a house which fascinates me yet none of their perfumes fascinates me enough to actually wear something created by them. Vraie Blonde opened simply delightful to my nose. It's a bit hard to understand what exactly I am feeling note wise, but I should say - it's good. It's shy, innocent, but still sexy and seductive. Like a playful kitty with sharp claws. The most noticable notes though on my skin at the opening are sweet champagne and peach combo soon followed by smooth suede. The heart part goes on being a fantastic expierence to my nose. I still feel loads of peach and suede, weirdly aldehydes are nowhere to be seen and pepper on my skin doesn't appear either. At this point there are tiny bits of rose, but it's almost unnoticable. It's weird. The drydown is powdery suede with sweet bits of fruity goodness. First ELdO I can wear. Wonderful. Vraie Blonde is everything I expected SL Daim Blond to be and even more. On my wishlist it goes.

I was surprised to find that Vraie Blonde is crisp and tasteful, and not at all loud, sweet, animalic, discordant, or any of the other things that I had feared. It starts out with a bubbly, tingly caress of sharp citrusy aldehydes and enough pepper to actually smell, then gradually softens into a fluffy, soft blanket of minimal sweetness created mostly by the basic fabric of myrrh and white musk, but shot through with occasional accents of fruit and patchouli. As it settles down into a buttery suede sweetened by the patchouli and a little bit of vanilla, it retains its light touch, tiptoeing over the skin rather than digging its claws in. Sillage is moderate at all times. By the time 12 hours have passed, it has dried down to an ambrette-like musk. Never harsh or overbearing, VB is tasteful, comfortable, and amazingly easy to wear. I’m glad I have a large sample because I’m sure I’ll pull it out and wear it from time to time.

I am in love with Vraie Blonde, and have been wearing it non-stop! When I first put it on, I smelled an "old lady-ish" smell, which I don't mind. It smelled very much like an old Chanel fragrance - maybe 22, or like an old Guerlain, or like a perfume introduced in the 20s. I like those, so I was ok with it. But it has dried down to smell, with my chemistry, similar to Prada (original) - amber-y. It's very sexy, but softly demure. This is warm and fuzzy, yet effervescent. It brings to mind an outfit of cream-colored cashmere and suede. An overcast cool day, a bit of champagne before dinner. There is a hint of ripe fruit, maybe cognac. Gorgeous and feminine, yet when rubbed off on my man, just right also... LOVE!!

This is one of my favourites, but has little in common with the wood and iris I usually gravitate toward. I find this an unabashedly sexy perfume, but without being too overt (it is not loud). Not "wild night out" but perfect for that mythic 3rd date... It evokes a combination of overripe fruit (early morning fruit market in a hot, humid climate, lots of sweaty bodies - Tahiti perhaps?) and a yeasty, fresh baked bread accord (French baguette - yes, definitely French Polynesia or perhaps Martinique). It stays close to my skin, but lasts for hours. Tragically, I'm running out and can't get it anywhere; perhaps cause for a trip to Paris?

Wow! I ordered some samples and they arrived today and this was by far the standout. Due to the so-so reviews I nearly didnt order it well thank goodness i did at the last minute!!!! This is absolutely stunning! I have absolutely no idea what some people who say things like it smells like sweat are smelling?! I couldnt wait to review this. They say it was made with Marilyn Monroe in mind and this is exactly what you would imagine her wearing. It is classy, feminine and sexy. Dry down is a bit fizzy, but so beautiful and amazing staying power. I cannot believe the negative reviews, please give it a try girls you'll love it!