Rencontre

This is my 4-5th outing with Recontre and is now certainly a must have. It's unisex. I don't know how it works on a man. I have not yet tried it on mine but am realising that Galimard compositions do seem to evolve so differently on male or female. I've accidentally sprayed the male specific fragrances on me before and we've been astonished at how different but gorgeous they are on either sex. Back to Recontre: No matter what is going on with my personal hormone, stress, up mood ,sensitive state of being all of which affect the play of a fragrance on the skin this wonderfully constructed fragrance comes up trumps every time. The top notes uplift and never blast in harsh or astringent. Obviously there are bridging notes but it's perfectly achieved and the transitions so subtle that each time I wear it I forget to analyse and find myself sticking my nose in throughout the day just for the way this makes me feel. It's a long lasting delicious journey from initial slightly spiced citrus to mid notes of soft wafting floral with the Tonka there but thankfully not overdone. Just enough to give it a hint of richness. Although I love Tonka when used sparingly as some of the early 70s/80s did so well I hate the sledgehammer use of the note which so many fragrances now seem to ladle in until the whole is overpowered. If I want to smell like toffee I can buy a bag for far less. The much missed and lamented Fendi had precisely the same light touch of Tonka for example. Although I'll stress this is not a Fendi sniffalike but very much it's own. It lasts a good 12 hours at least from just a couple of sprays but is never loud. The notes carry through true. Now after 13 hours the Musk and Cedar is there with a tinge of Tonka and the gentle dreamy waft of the Iris and Jasmine. Perhaps this is the ultimate example of less is more. Rather than a mass of notes slung together this is a masterpiece exquisitely blended which will take you effectively right through the day: The top notes to lift your mood, wake and tantalise in the morning. The mid notes which just smell divine and enable you to sail through alleviating stress and bringing loveliness to you and anyone lucky enough to catch a whisper. Finally drifting down to hint of subtle but elusive erotica, dreams and promise. The final base note does encourage the wish to bury your nose in it but at no point is it ever intrusive. It's no old lady scent either. At no stage of the evolution is it powdery or over sweet. It's not full on hot and sexy but certainly sensual and wonderful to drift away to sleep except of course if you have a bed sharer who won't get their nose off you! The next morning there is still a faint hint too. Fabulous to wake up to. I doubt something as special as this won't be snapped up. That's the problem with Galimard. Designers etc grab the basic composition and then the Galimard own house fragrance suddenly vanishes from their repertoire. I'm going to buy some of this up and lay it down like a good wine.

I agree too, it's a stronger Infusion d'Iris. With more citrus peel note and suede to freshen it up a bit.

This is gorgeous. A stronger, lusher, richer, smother take on the four Prada Iris Infusions: EdP, EdT, d'Homme, and Absolue. And essay in the principle and style of 'less is more.' Available very reasonably priced in EdP and Extrait Spray. I feel clean, refreshed, refined, and suave when wearing this, and few frangrances really have that effect on me. Excellent.

Very pretty! A stronger take on Prada's Infusion d'Iris. If you're looking for more staying power, and a less ethereal version of Infusion d'Iris, maybe you should give Rencontre a try.