Inisfree

So bent on a walk was I, and given a gloomy day of acclimate weather, decided to stretch my legs regardless. Pushed indoors for practical reasons, I ended up aimlessly strolling through an antique mall, when a booth, like a beacon, came into sight. Glass encased a lot of ten perfumes, or so, but my eyes fixed on Innisfree. Immediately recognizing the symphonic structure of the name from a town portrayed in a wonderful film entitled: The Quiet Man. For those of you who have been lucky enough to have watched John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara fight and frolic on screen, through the green expanses of Ireland, would too, be entranced. Further examination revealed a price tag of $4, and with the liquid appearing integrous, the transaction occurred quickly, lest they change their minds on the charitable pricing. (I will also boast a purchase of Estee Lauder's Beautiful 100mls for $12 in the same booth. Yeah I know; it was hard to maintain composure!) Since I couldn't test a perfume sold antiquitously, I had to trust my instincts and sink the sale. The following words you will read will try to capture that experience for you, since the internet is woefully ignorant of this scent, and product information is dodgy at best. Even this site, which is my number one tool for perfumery knowledge and know how, couldn't be bothered to even spell the name right, include a release year or perfumer, and missed 2 ingredients listed on the box insert. We should just be grateful we are here at all, given these failings. The opening is a bright and luminous lily of the valley and iris chord, that lifts the curtain to a land across an ocean, where sun begins to shine after a morning of rain. The iris, as sharp as the sun hitting lazy pupils, alarming and invigorating, we start to see the bright colors of other powdery florals around. With the addition of bergamot and lavender, and this sudden green infusion, one fills uplifted, as if they were casually sipping Earl Grey, poised on the embankment of some ancient Gaelic fishing hole. A secret garden springs to life within a nook, amidst the trees. The movie plays along in my head, as I sit tranquilly contemplating further notes and structure. As we reach the heart, apricot, and to a lesser degree peach, begin to round the pungent launch, and lily of the valley does what it does best, exuding this lovely soapiness. Saponaceously bemused tones like a familiar brook, gently babbling beyond one's sight, yet still so presently palpable. Musky and stout cedar stand with creamy, smooth sandalwood, just as the main characters do within the tale, and naughty jasmine swoons and sways peach, in rhythm with the beat of rose carried through in bass. Black currant and lemon become as ubiquitous as the sky. So very lovely this moment, as dry down blurs crisp edges, and softens hearts. So, tender reflection flatters, and lavender wizens to the grandeur of subtlety.

May I first add my voice to those bemoaning the mis-spelling: it's "Innisfree* .I admit the Gælic for Isle is "Inis" so it might be a misunderstanding but the brand name is spelled double n as in the W.B.Yeats poem, "The Lake Isle of Innisfree". I wonder if it's to avoid confusion with the Korea brand if the same name. Not sure which came first 🤔 That out of the way I agree with the other reviewer, Flashwitt: it's definitely a floral GREEN chypre. There's some bright floral notes but it's green through and through. I'm astonished galbanum isn't listed. It's actually a dead ringer for Lanvin Clair De Jour ( hard to find now ). Even has echoes of Ivoire d'Balmain ( the original ) and Molinard de Molinard just maybe softer, lighter and more floral ( like a modern version of these might typically be ). It's one of those deceptively simple, inexpensive scents that really grows on you. Perfect for spring and all Chypre fans.

First of all I completely feel the same as you kirussell about the spelling by Fragrantica. You would think they would check that they've spelt the NAME of the perfume correctly, if nothing else! Drives me mad too. Anyway, I too love this lovely perfume. I love the flowers in it, especially the lily-of-the-valley and rose, which I can smell easily, and keep smelling most of the time, right to the end, which is quite a while. I love that it's quite sharp and almost bitter at the start, with a very citrusy lavender edge, then moves into more of a sweet rich fruity combination. But then the beautiful flowers come, and so does the wood and musk, and it's a lovely garden of sweet, fresh, flowers and other luscious natural smells. It's a lovely combination of fruit, flowers and wood, and feels very feminine and fresh. I love it. I also adore the packaging - it's so pretty and fresh, like the perfume.

Inisfree is one of the best discoveries I've come across in a long time.....and I bought it as a blind purchase, based on reviews. It is a morning walk in the most peaceful garden after a little rain, the sun warming the stones of the garden path. Not one flower, but a whole fresh bouquet....subtle and just a little bit earthy (musk?). Yes, this is similar to "Ecume de Rose", however the lavender dominates over the rose, without being too masculine. If you like a spritz of lavender like I do this could be your ticket.

It's driving me nuts that the name of this perfume is spelled incorrectly in the database. Innisfree has 2 N's - just look at the picture of the bottle! Every time I go to search for it, nothing turns up when I spell it correctly. It's so frustrating. Anyway... I love this fragrance. It's light and airy - like a fresh breeze across a field of flowers on a sunny day. Just magical.