Armani Code for Women

I'd like to preface my review by saying that I genuinely get baffled when I read horror stories about fragrances that have been reformulated. Well, people say they have been reformulated at least. And while I do believe that it happens and has destroyed some lovely creations, I think people often just either want to have something negative to say, or are comparing what they're smelling to a memory of that fragrance. So take my opinion on it with a grain of salt. Maybe my nose is just very poor at noticing, maybe I'm insane, who knows. But what I do know is that I consistently disagree with the reformulation reviews on most of the fragrances I've known since I started my fragrance journey at 12, which was a looong time ago. So here's that. Anyway. Here is my review on Armani Code for women. A brand new bottle, bought a week ago. Back in 2006 I was living in Reykjavík with my sister. The country girl had moved to the city to try new things and landed a job at a higher end boutique that required us to dress up and look the part. I had been a hopeless perfume addict for years by then, but with working at that particular store, my fragrance collection grew even bigger because now I could justify buying a new bottle because "of work". lol. One day I was strolling through a department store on my lunch break, hunting for a new juice. There wasn't a lot on the shelves I hadn't tried but there was one bottle that caught my eye as I didn't remembered seeing it before and because it reminded me of dusk of a night that would turn into a wild one. Also, the pretty black flower details, which they removed some years later (why? Why would you do that?) were so beautiful. Just by looking at the bottle I wanted to love the juice inside. I sprayed it on, liked it, bought it and left. I want to say that I loved it as much as I loved the bottle and the feeling it gave me, but that didn't happen at all. I genuinely think I bought it because it reminded me of some great nights in spring when partying in Reykjavík, at a time when the nights were getting longer but it was not daylight 24/7, people were full of life again after resting in winter. The excitement, the joy and wildness lay in the air, and it was all surrounded by the exact same beautiful deep blue color as on the bottle of Armani Code for women. But, at that time, I liked the fragrance, but didn't love it. Far from it. I used it up though, so I was very familiar with it. And regarding all the reformulation reviews. Well, it hasn't changed. If it has, the changes are minuscule. Smelling it again, and using it a ton for the past 10 days or so, only reminded me of the bottle I had in 2006. There were no surprises there at all. When I read that it had been ruined, and it's nothing like it use to be, I was just "huh?" and promptly decided that me and everyone who thinks this has been changed beyond recognition simply do not agree in the slightest. And reformulation in terms of strength? That actually made me laugh as this was weak back then as well. People, people, people. This hasn't been reformulated and gotten weak. It has always been weak. Back in 2006 I really didn't think of my fragrances in terms of strength (except after owning Euphoria by CK which knocked people out if I wasn't careful with the sprays) but I distinctly remember thinking to myself that it really didn't last. I even remember what I was wearing when realising this; I dusk blue coloured dress, much like the bottle, and a black sweater over it as I was quite cold that day. I sniffed my dress and sweater and felt a bit annoyed that there was almost nothing left of Code on there at all. And it only has been a couple of hours since I put it on. After that I carried the bottle in my purse to top it up during the day. And I am a light sprayer, so I can imagine that people who prefer a heavier cloud would not have liked this. So, if you think it's weak now, that's because it always has been. Those were my thoughts on reformulations. And now on to why I bought it again all these years later when I only liked it back in the day. I just randomly decided to try it again a couple of months ago and still liked it. I ended up trying it again and again every time I walked past it and one day it just hit me how much I loved it. It was weird, I just one day woke up and I was craving it and went out and got it. I have been wearing it non stop for a week now and I want to eat myself when I smell it on me. It starts out citrusy, but it's a calm orangey citrus and not bright and sparkly like lemon or lime. The orange blossom tames the citrus part. I can smell honey and jasmine as well, and the jasmine has a slight spiciness to it which keeps it from being cute. It's not a complex fragrance and it's not groundbreaking, but on the right person it is utterly beautiful and alluring. It is not a very popular fragrance in Iceland, or at least I hardly every smell it. But then again, Icelanders are very discreet fragrance wearers so I might possibly be missing it. You usually have to come pretty close to a person here to smell what they are wearing, which doesn't happen unless you know the person, because in true form of Scandinavians, we do not like having people standing too close to us. Having to stand far away from the next person during covid? Not. A. Problem. lol. Which is great because I can feel like I'm the only one wearing Code even though I'm not. And nowadays I overspray this one. That means 3+ sprays. Which is a lot for me. People may actually be able to smell me from a little distance in the first hour. And if sprayed on clothes, I get whiffs of it for a big portion of the day. So, weak it may be, but not weak enough where overspraying won't help it. I'm not exactly sure why I love Code so much now and didn't in 2006, but I'm inclined to believe that it's just an age matter. The more grown up version of me now delights in creamy and warm and sensual scents, whereas my younger self was more into louder and colorful and didn't appreciate the calmer once as much. I still love those now, but I grew to love the quieter ones too. I feel sexy when I wear this. Not because anyone has told me that it's sexy on me. I just think it makes me feel sexy independently of anyone else's opinion. Which I think is the ultimate key to being sexy - not letting other people's opinions dictate how you feel. You unapologetically love what you love and are who you are. I feel like a grown woman wearing this, who has her own back, doesn't apologise for her opinions and knows what she wants. But with an upbeat twist. There is playfulness in the citrus. Which works well for me because at the same time I love being a woman, I also love playing like a kid. Which is the best of both worlds. Oh how I adore Code 💕

My perfume journey with this scent is a funny one. When I first moved to London I had just turned 18. I was Christmas shopping in Piccadilly Circus (or perhaps it was Oxford Street) after my part-time job at the time doing promotion finished. There was a small perfume shop inside the Trocadero, a shopping and entertainment complex on Coventry street (it WAS in Picadilly after all, just checked.) There was a man shouting about a special promotion, and a bunch of curious onlookers (including me) stood by while he gave his sales pitch. It was basically for 4 perfumes from the shop, for £20. Even as a struggling student, this was a great deal! Only £5 a perfume, and though they were all knock-offs on closer examination (being not that into perfumes at the time I wasn't initially sure) they were full sized, sealed and retailed for a lot more in store. And I really needed to buy Christmas presents and was on a budget, so it sounded perfect. I gave the man £20, got the 4 perfumes in a big shiny gift bag, and continued on my way. At home, I gave my purchases a closer look. One was a 3.4 oz called Lovely, which I know now was obviously a rip-off of SJP's scent, although with a completely different bottle, packaging, etc. One was a Miss Dior dupe, the third a Paris Hilton Heiress dupe, and a fourth was entitled Secret Code in a mysterious tall shapely purple bottle with flowers which I later found out was a dupe of this scent, Armani code. (See? I got to the point eventually! :P) I gave the big bottle of Lovely to my Mother in Florida for Christmas along with another gift and a card. (this was back in the days when you could mail perfume legally from the UK to the US, don't know why that changed recently >.<) I thought the Miss Dior dupe, with its gorgeous girlie bottle with the silver bow and name would be a perfect gift for my close friend Marie. The only perfume I didn't much like the look of was the fake Heiress, and cant remember its fate! And as for the Secret code? I kept that one for myself. It smelled AMAZING....jasmine and liliac and orange blossom and honey. It was so silky and classy yet also drop-dead sensual and sexy! I used it primarily during the evenings or whenever I just wanted to smell gorgeous. That one bottle lasted me over a year and a half....I still had about a third of the bottle left when I had to return to Florida for 6 months, although now sadly all I have is the empty bottle back in FL. So what happened next? My mother loved her bottle, though being my mother and ever the eternal bargain hunter (me and my dad had a hard time convincing her to stop wearing very bad EDT's she would get at the dollar store) I don't think she would run out to get the official SJP version! But that is ok....she is happy to wear the perfume my dad and I buy her for her birthday and mother's day, and we no longer had to smell the bad $1 toilet waters! Fast forward 4 years. My friend Marie I mentioned is now my best friend, and last time we met up to go see Lady Gaga free VIP through her business partner who couldn't sell his extra tickets, we hugged and I noticed she smelled amazing! What was she wearing? Miss Dior! Although she has always had amazing taste in perfumes! I would definitely consider her a major influence in my later interest with fragrances. As for me, I always remember those four £5 dupes fondly. They helped bring excitement and the glamour of a luxury EDP into the hands of a struggling student just looking to make Christmas a bit more magical. I am sorry for this long review, which is not really a real review of Armani Code at all! But if it is anything like that bottle of Secret Code I just know I will adore it. I guess the real point of this review is how one Christmas offer in the Trocadero (sadly closed down now, with the shop along with it) totally helped save my Christmas, and more importantly introduced me into the magical world of perfume. Since then, up until now it has been very hard for me to start a collection of anything. Moving so often, having to constantly uproot your life because of bureaucracy...life is not easy. Which is what makes the things that make you happy, the little luxurious like the scent of something truly fabulous that brings a smile to your face, all the more valuable. Since moving back to London I was determined to settle down, and I slowly started building a small but precious perfume collection back up again. Will I miss the scents of my past? The Dolce and Gabanna Lace the One left in NYC, Enchantment in Florida I can't have shipped? (among others). Of course, same as I miss the close friends I have lost, or those who are moving away in the next couple of weeks. But with life, all you can do is try and rebuild, have strength, keep going. And look for things that bring you happiness along the way. One of those things for me was that tall purple bottle, and although I way overspent this month (I had an opportunity to purchase a 1.7 oz tester of Miss Dior Cherie pre reformulation (vetted through awesome members of this site) from an international seller and I pounced.) I WILL experience code again. I will save up for it and hope it is as good as my memories. And it will make my update on this review with a more proper one that much more special for all those years of waiting. Edit: just recieved my code and its glorious. As wonderful as my memories, if not even more so as its the original. The wait was truly worth it ^_^ 10/10

They had me at "orange blossom - honey"... No wonder this perfume has been such a popular commercial success. Don't prejudge this one based on the first spray - and the first hour or so of wear - It really doesn't start to open up and blossom, until you have worn this awhile. This is the type of perfume which goes on very strong and potent upon first spray. It behaves more like the EDP version of Versace Noir Tease in this way (very different from the EDT version which begins to open up and blossom within the first 20 minutes of wear). [It does NOT smell like Versace Noir Tease in any way, but the chemical response is similar to how the EDP of VNT opens up later than the EDT]. If you prejudge this perfume based on the first hour or so of wear, you may mistake this perfume for being a bit cold and aloof. However, the magic with this perfume happens when the notes begin to have more of an interplay with the skin -- and this is further into the unfoldment of the perfume. When this reaches the dry down phase: The notes of this perfume blend very well with my chemistry. This is a nice chord composition where the notes form a sweet classic type chord. The notes are not fighting for attention, the chord is harmonious and elegant. This perfume is signature worthy, it is so classic and elegant that this could be worn day/night - and any season as long as it is not too overly cloying on the hottest days in the summer. This is a classic. The notes blend beautifully into my skin. This is harmonious, it is not shouting so loudly that the notes seem "off putting". I can definitely see why this has been so popular. This is signature worthy. A perfume that fragrance collectors will want in their collection. ------------ Some of the reviews mention that this is super popular and that a lot of people are wearing this. Because the chord of this is fairly linear - this would be a great perfume to use in layering - with notes that could make this more "your own". Don't let other's opinions of this determine whether or not you will wear this. However, I would just make sure that you don't wear this to events where a number of people could be possibly wearing the same perfume... without doing something to shift the layering and make this more your own. (This is similar to the popularity of perfumes like Delina De Marly, Delina Exclusif, Baccarat Rouge 540 - there are so many people that wear this that it is a perfume that you may want to steer away from at a crowded public event). ------------- If you have worn this for years and want a slight twist on this with different notes - I would try Carolina Herrera's Good Girl Legere'. Both Armani Code and Legere' share similar base notes in the chord. Armani Code stays fairly elegant and basic - and Legere' moves more into the range of coconut/almond - more tropical (these notes are not listed, but this is what this perfume smells like with my chemistry). ----------- Why didn't I try this perfume earlier? Where have I been this whole time this perfume has been on the market? I was loyal to my signature perfume for years - and really didn't start seeking another signature until recently. Also, what I had heard about this perfume were things that I felt like were not going to allow this to be anything other than a "date night" perfume. However, after wearing this awhile - I really feel that this is not such a heavy hitter that it couldn't be worn during the day - and during every season (except maybe in extremely hot climates in the middle of the summer heat). This perfume will be too heavy on those that don't feel that they can handle a strong perfume. This starts extremely STRONG. -------------- Verdict: This starts extremely strong and in a focused, aloof way where the notes of the perfume are tightly structured where they really don't open up at all, until the dry down of the perfume. The dry down has gorgeous silage, but there is over and hour and a half -two hours where this is aloof. I want a perfume that opens up faster than this and I never want to be perceived as being aloof - during the first hour or 2 hours of wear. This isn't a perfume for me, although there are a lot of people who this would be perfect for. There are things like this that make me appreciate my long standing signature perfume more and more. Beautiful by Estee Lauder is hard to beat.

disclaimer: my Armani Code's batch code says it's made in 2015. I know nothing about more recent formulations. I even don't know if it's really reformulated or not. I'm into white floral-vanillas so no wonder I really like Armani Code. it opens with a sparkly orangey, gingery blast rounded by honey sweetness which I find delightful eventhough I usually don't like citrusy or spicy scents.after it settles down, I can pickup clean jasmine, orange flower in a creamy vanilla, sandalwood base. white flowers can have some dirty vibe but I can't detect any of that dirty, sexy thing here. jasmine and orange flower are there but they're somehow tamed(I thing I would prefer it if they were stronger). fortunately there's still some spicy, orangey honey thing present to keep it interesting. I used to LOVE Armani Code a few years ago. this one and Yves Saint Laurent Cinema were my orangey vanilla floral heavens. I still like both of them a lot but I have tones of other perfumes in this genre(JPG Classique Essence, JPG Classique Intense, JPG Scandal, Elie Saab Le Parfum,Elie Saab Le Parfum Intense, Love by Kilian Don't be Shy and this list goes on and on) which makes the Armani Code to feel not as special as it used to be but I still find it very pleasant, feminine,sensual but also easy to wear and I can't tolerate not having it in my collection. I believe it doesn't show it's true beauty in hot or super cold weather so I prefer it for autumn and cool spring nights.longevity is 6-7 hours max on my skin and sillage is an arm length or a little more when first sprayed. even this 2015 Armani Code isn't a room filler and I used to have two bottle a lot older than that and the performance was always like this. it's not strong but it's strong enough to make you noticable for people around you without killing them. if you like the notes go for it because all of the notes are detectable (well, maybe except bitter orange, I don't feel any bitter orange here. it's a sweet orange with absolutely no bitterness). but they're all detectable in a well blended way and none of them overpowers the rest. BTW I also have Armani Code Satin(Armani Code+cacao and chocolate) and Armani Code Cashmere(Armani Code+nutty,powdery notes) and I like them even more. if you like Armani Code but want to have it with a more gourmand or more powdery twist, try those ones too. آرمانی کد با رایحه دلپذیر پرتقال و زنجبیل و یه شیرینی عسلی شروع میشه و در ادامه ضمن اینکه اون رایحه عسلی، زنجبیلی، پرتقالی رو تا حدودی حفظ میکنه، شکوفه پرتقال و یاس که توسط یه بستر خامه ای وانیلی، صندلی احاطه شدن هم بهش اضافه میشن. تمام نتها رو میشه حس کرد اما خیلی خوب میکس شدن و هیچ نتی خیلی قویتر از نتهای دیگه نیست. یاس و شکوفه پرتقال هم بنظر من اینجا تمیز هستن و توسط نتهای دیگه تا حدودی کنترل میشن. بنظر من عطر فمینین و خیلی دلپذیر و جذابیه و اگه این سبک روایح رو دوست داشته باشید واقعا حیفه که آرمانی کد رو امتحان نکنید. بنظر من برای آب و هوای گرم یا خیلی سرد مناسب نیست. برای آب و هوای خنک مناسبه مثلا پاییز یا شبهای بهاری. من ورژن ۲٠۱۵ رو دارم که موندگاری و پخش بوی متوسط یا بهتره بگم کمی بهتر از متوسط داره که همین باعث میشه عطر خیلی پرکاربردی باشه و عملا همه جا از محل کار گرفته تا سر قرار قابل استفادست. اگه آرمانی کد رو دوست دارید و دنبال ورژنی هستید که گورمندتر و خوشمزه تر شده باشه آرمانی کد ساتین رو تست کنید(کاکائو و شکلات بهش اضافه شده)، یا اگه دوست دارید روایح پودری، بادومی، زنبقی حتی یه ذره چرمی بهش اضافه شن آرمانی کد کشمیر رو تست کنید.

I remember I was always smelling Armani Code in perfume shops but never bought it because I found the orange blossom in there too indolic to be paired with honey. It was like a bad mix in my opinion, even if I LOVE indolic white florals. But, some days ago I sprayed it on because I didn’t remember it well and I was surprised to still see a tester around. I didn’t consciously notice the change in the bottle and haven’t thought about a reformulation. I tested it directly on skin, again, I don’t know why since I usually spray on the card before. I think this was not a case: in the last weeks I was searching for a new white floral based fragrance, something sweet yet mysterious, not too obvious, who could create a unique and seductive scent bubble all around me, without bothering my stomach. Most importantly, I was searching for a timeless scent, since I always wear vintage smelling fragrances and I realized that as much as I love them, for my everyday life I just want something that smells more “modern”. At first I wasn’t impressed so much, but I immediately noticed it was different than how I remembered. I also tested more hyped perfumes with similar scent profiles, like l’Interdit by Givenchy and The Only One by Dolce and Gabbana which I had much higher hopes on.. but, the evolution of this was incredible, it was the best. This new one has a more prominent Jasmine note which is better suited for the honey, orange blossom is still noticeable but less loud. Then, there is this LOVELY ginger note that makes a big difference, because it gives more character and kind of “dries” the indolic aspect of the florals. You can also smell a light sandalwood touch in the dry down, giving a light powderiness to the scent trail. This is what I wanted Dior Pure Poison to be, which is too linear for my taste. Smells so captivating, mysterious but also pure like an ethereal femme fatale. I washed my hand multiple times, where I had this, and I was also so impressed by the longevity of the scent. Yes, this reformulation is very good and so much more interesting compared to new releases of the last years. It’s sensual, alluring, feminine; soft but also dark, calm and classy. This is for a true confident woman. A kind of woman who doesn’t have to prove herself, doesn’t have to scream, she just is quietly proud of herself and you can feel it. It kind of reminds me of Guerlain L’Instant but a lot better, like if l’Instant is the princess and Code is the Queen. Also could be compared with Bulgari Jasmin Noir but this one is more feminine and less woody. The old formula could remind you about Mugler Alien (not my vibe at all), but not this one fortunately. Yes, maybe it shares something with Dior Addict, but this is brighter and more pleasant. Besides all these comparisons, Armani Code stands out, it’s la crème de la crème of the modern take on white florals and it smells unique, most importantly. This could be easily my new signature.. we will see! So, I highly recommend the reformulation, if you have the ability to see it as a new thing in this new world, and still, it feels like a classic.

Yes, another millennial here to say that Code has been my signature since it came out in 2006. I was 17 when I acquired my first bottle and wore it like a madwoman. Absolutely doused myself in it. (I have one with the lace motif from a wonderful swap, and I have a reformulated one I bought years ago in the plain bottle. I'll get back to that later.) The first compliment on Code was from a guy friend who hugged me on my way to class. He exclaimed "WHAT is that?! NEVER stop wearing that!". He would be happy to know I never stopped wearing that, lol. All throughout the years, this one garnered the most compliments from men and women. I've even had a couple instances where guys asked me what it was so they could buy it for their wives. I call many perfumes generic, but this one simply is not, even if it was popular. No, it may not be niche, but it is a masterpiece. Certainly not your average safe fruity floral. On the right chemistry it is a mysterious, sultry poison that wafts across your body like moonlit ocean waves caress the midnight shore. Sweet citrus-infused honey jasmine glory, swirling together to entrance you with its smooth, calm vanilla energy. I'm shameless and will wear it in summer, but it's really better during winter. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- When I bought a reformulated version, I foolishly didn't consider it was reformulated (nor did I notice the lack of black motif!) when I sprayed it on and said "oh no, my chemistry must have changed". I damn near wanted to cry, and I blamed myself when I should have blamed Armani, haha. The reformulation smells similar, but not the same. The impact was not as alluring. It is anemic... just lacking. The depth that makes it radiate and last, simply isn't there anymore. The dry down between the two is ... depressing. The old version holds its chest out for hours, smooth and deep, while the reformulation fades into sheer, bland ginger-sandalwood nothingness. Perhaps I understand the accusers shouting "generic" if they have tried the reformulation only. Armani somehow managed to make Code into a soulless clone of its former self. I will finish out my reformulation bottle, and will be clinging madly to my black lace bottle.

This is like a smoother, gentler Addict in its vibe. Less depth, more feminine and powdery in the drydown, while Addict smells deeper, sharper and more unisex to me. I love it! I was very late in discovering it, and never had the desire to try it in the past because it was just too darn popular 10 years ago, plus I was in my celeb scent phase and too young and broke for designer stuff. Now that every other woman around me and their moms are doused in the likes of LVEB, Si, Miss Dior and all their smell-alikes and flankers, I can finally make Code mine! It’s not too sweet for summer nights which is a bonus for me, I can wear this all year round. It is not a distinctive/unique ‘statement’ scent (I already have a gorgeous ‘statement’ honey frag in JPG’s Scandal, LOVE that one), but Code is sensual enough for evenings and smells just beautiful. You see, I tend to struggle with ‘dark’ evening scents (eg. Addict, Alien, Hypnotic Poison edp, Crystal Noir, Velvet Orchid, etc). I love how they smell, but they clash with my light-hearted demeanor and overall ‘subdued’ appearance/style, it’s like I’m trying to be something I’m not and they drag me down and end up wearing me instead, so the result is abit jarring and disharmonious, I never got compliments wearing those type of scents...but this one has that mysterious ‘night-time’ vibe without being dark or edgy or complicated. Just a lovely lady enjoying a lovely night out. Ah, I so love the combination of sweet honey and orange blossoms! Addictive. Other ‘night-time’ scents I can and have successfully pulled off are Lolita Lempicka (OG formulation, hard to come by these days) and Ange Ou Demon (will be ordering soon), both of which dry down into dreamy powdery-spicy vanilla-florals (violet for LL and lily for AoD) and they are not heavy, those two have a more ethereal ‘dark fairy’ vibe than ‘bold femme fatale’, LL being more playful and AoD being more elegant. With AoD, I need to be in a certain mood to wear it, Code is a lot easier to wear.

Damn... why am I so unlucky... I really like this fragrance. It has very similar vibe to discontinued Ysl Cinema which I mourned for a long time. And guess what - today I’ve learnt that Armani has discontinued the entire Women line of Code. So I was happy for a while when I recalled Code, tested it and noticed that I still love it, but now I’m sad again. Ehh... Old Cinema is way too expensive now, so I will have to stock Code and I advise you doing the same if you like it as well... :( As for the scent itself - gorgeous mix of fresh orange, sweet vanilla and flowers. According to notes it’s mostly jasmine, but I feel like floral aspect is really deep and complex. It blends so perfectly with the warm and cozy vanilla and honey. Sweetness is just as I like - not synthetic, not gourmand-ish but more floral and delicate, but noticeable. Drydown feels like a warm hug. It’s so lovely! It’s sexy yet elegant scent - its projection is strong, but it’s not intrusive. Longevity is great. I agree that it shines the best during evenings/nights out/colder seasons but it’s not limited to. If not oversprayed, it can be worn in summer as well, it’s not cloying (and I’m sensitive to sweet scents when there is hot outside). What I also love about this scent is its aura - it’s feminine and alluring but also mysterious - like a princess going on a rock concert incognito :D it’s not vulgar or loud - it’s perfectly balanced, elegant and simply irresistible!

"Hey let's water down Code and still charge the same price for it" "Yeah good idea, man, and then we'll release a flanker with the original formulation in a gold bottle and call it Absolu" "Makes total sense. And then we'll discontinue it altogether" "Hell yeah, man" - the clowns at the Armani Round Table, probably. I left a review below, but I bought Armani Code flanker Absolu Femme, which is available for cheap on Fragrancenet currently, snag it while you can (ebay prices are already going up for it). It's legit the old school Armani Code, just keep in mind it is a bit different in that there is Neroli at the top, and extra ginger. First spray might put you off (it's harsh and strong), but wait 10 minutes and you'll be smelling OG Code + Neroli. I almost like it more than my original black lace bottle. It's a thousand times better than the reformulation, I can tell you that much. I've been wearing Absolu for a week straight since I bought it blind. To my OG Code adorers, I highly recommend this - if you can't find a second-hand black lace bottle, go for Absolu Gold. The more I wear it, the more it's like I've rekindled an old romance. I just bought a back up bottle of it. Look, the reformulation was so bad that discontinuing Code is the most dignified thing to do, tbh. They already killed it when they reformulated it. Just my two cents.

I don't purchase perfumes over and over because as a fragrance addict I want to try everything. But when it comes to Armani, they have made the perfect fragrance for me. Armani Code for Women is my holy grail. I always have a bottle of this mysterious perfume. For one minute you can smell the crisp scent of citrus and then it quickly mellows into a mysterious scent I cannot even describe and I've been wearing this since 2006. The longer you wear it the deeper and more complex the scent gets. It is a deep, dark, sensual perfume that makes you feel all woman. When I wear Armani Code for Women I feel like I have the power to make a man notice me. It gives me confidence, even though I don't lack in that department, to take on anything and do it with a lady-like flare. The scent lasts about 8 to 10 hours, yet the base notes still linger all night into the next morning. It is appropriate for work, yet will draw the interest of the person you want to notice you when you go out with friends. If you like dark, sensual scents you need to try Armani Code for Women. While it may have been around awhile, it is obvious why it still is here. Nothing compares to Armani Code for Women.

A fragrance that will never go outdated. You can't help but love it, not polarizing, not heady, not dominant, and yet it's always there, you can't go unnoticed with it. A big compliment getter. I fell in love with this perfume when I was 16, when I was still a young student in high school. It was the signature scent of my favorite teacher (of French), and maybe that's why I love this perfume so much: "Nostalgia". This perfume is also perfectly measured, fresh and sweet at the same time, no note is overdone. Yet it is not generic and has its own signature, its own character. It's not an olfactory salad, as some perfumes are: you know exactly that it's The Armani Code that you smell in the air. "Armani Code" is the father of all citrus-white floral modern perfumes. Perfumers just keep updating its DNA. "La Vie est Belle, l'Eclat" reminds me of it a lot. Personally, I find the Armani Code lineage the most successful of Giorgio Armani and there are flankers for all tastes, while maintaining the same DNA of the original Armani Code. Even though it has been reformulated, it is still a must-have. It's not my favorite perfume though, and I rate this perfume: 8/10.

Oh how I love this! It has a bit of a warm spicy hit from the ginger that almost fizzes in the opening and then you get to the heart notes of jasmine and most importantly orange blossom, which is the star of the show in this fragrance. It's lovely, feminine and white floral for sure, but it has a zing to it and a it has a bit of a citrusy and clean quality to it. I definitely get some vanilla and a slight hint of honey in the dry down, but I don't really smell the sandalwood. It think it's just there to increase the longevity of this beautiful fragrance. The sillage is moderate and this perfume lasts quite long on the skin. It stays on my skin for about close to 8 hours, before it dissipates completely. For a reasonably inexpensive designer and non-niche perfume, that's amazing! I am sad I never got to buy it in its lace accented bottle back in 2006, but this perfume is still lovely. I never smelt the original formulation, but this definitely still smells really good. I could imagine a wide range of ages wearing this and it doesn't smell stuffy or old-fashioned at all. It's super sexy!

R.I.P. Giorgio Armani. Gorgeous vanilla citrusy white floral. The honey and sandalwood warm it up while the jasmine and vanilla keep it fresh. The juicy, zesty orange notes fade away and reveal a gorgeous pure warm drydown. I wouldn't call the composition unique but I still consider it beautifully done. I have used up 2 thirds of my 30 ml bottle which is amazing considering my vast collection and the longevity of the fragrance. The scent is light but concentrated enough to give you at least 6 hours performance without the need to refresh. It is also strong enough to radiate from the skin and leave a nice trail. Great for winter and early spring which is when I used it the most. The scent is the exact opposite of the bottle. I expected a much darker fragrance based on the colour. This contrast was a nice surprise. While I love the black to purple ombre, I prefer the original floral print. The shape is simple but elegant and easy to use.

This is one of my most favorite fragrances of all time! The only perfume that I used the entire bottle. I still have my empty bottle from 2006 and the juice has been long gone, probably for about 15 years haha. As I understand, the formula has changed and the bottle no longer has the black, embossed flowers, but I scored an OG bottle recently and I will cherish it and the memories that I relive when I wear it. For me, it smells deep, sophisticated, sexy and clean. I never knew what the notes were before now, but I loved it in my early twenties. I hate white florals and jasmine overkill, but I absolutely love this! I'm 38 now and I plan to wear it to a folk concert tomorrow night (Gregory Alan Isakov🥰). The first time I've worn it in over a decade. I used to wear it very often when I preformed folk/indie/ambient music myself, so I'll forever associate it with playing music on the scene. Definitely my very first perfume love❤

Probably my favorite. I'm not sure if I have the OG or the new. I bought a couple bottles that have lasted me a while. It's just that right mix for me - not extremely powdery, floral, or food-like. It's nice, sexy, has good projection without being obnoxious. I'm so bummed they are discontinuing it. I like the bottle. It's easy to travel with. It can be a date night fragrance or professional. It's a good mix of feminine with a touch of masculine. It is no way a unisex perfume I wouldn't think. I've heard people say that Alien might be a substitute if it gets to where you can't find Code anymore. It's alot darker, and you'd have to mix it with something like a vanilla or a citrus to soften it or make it seem less earthy. It's something I will play with until I find something closer, or they decide to rebrand Code as something else maybe. Fingers crossed. La Vie Est Belle (OG) supposed to have a similar overall effect.

If honeyed florals are your thing then this here is definitely one to look at. After ignoring the Armani Code line for years I recently got really into them. I started with Satin, my favorite, then Cashmere and now the pillar fragrance from this line which incidentally is the same order I rank them in. Code to me smells like oranges in the opening with light spicy kick from the ginger and white floral. To me the most discernible is orange blossom, clean light airy with maybe a touch of soapiness. The honey is present, sweetening the whole composition but not in an obnoxious way. Vanilla and sandalwood I struggle to pick out. I don't find this predominantly white floral scent heady or overly sweet, especially with the addition honey, rather, it smells quite light and airy to me. Performance is average and I can see this being an easy reach for many. Code was a pleasant surprise for me and one I would recommend.

Heaven in a bottle. If I could drink this, I would! Creamy white florals with zesty citrus and warm sensual vanilla. Deep and sexy, and yet innocent and slightly aloof. Ethereal and magnetic. Suitable for all occasions. Cannot fault the scent itself as it really is stunning, and I cannot stop smelling my wrists when I am wearing it! Downside - it doesn't last as long as I would like and is expensive considering its lack of longevity. If you want to smell like this all day, definitely take the bottle with you. All in all, I will definitely repurchase this as the scent is absolutely beautiful, and I have not, as of yet, found anything that smells quite so perfect to me. It's a shame that the longevity is poor. I hope one day that this will be resolved as it detracts from an otherwise stunning perfume. Despite this, it's my signature scent and my go to when I want to look and feel my best. Gorgeous!

Armani Code is a really beautiful orange blossom and honey perfume. Very sweet, it reminds me of Osiris by Sylvanne Delacorte and it is a lot better value. This is my first time smelling this iconic perfume and I had no idea what was in it but as soon as I tested it I knew that is a really, really good orange blossom perfume. The jasmine is clean and powdery here, the oranges are sweet, the orange blossoms are in full bloom and heavenly. The ginger is just enough to give it a nice slight spice w/out overpowering the composition. The honey is very strong, but I don't mind that, I am a sucker for honey in perfumes. It has a much more interesting sweetness than sugar notes in fragrance. Damn I'm a little pissed at myself for not sampling this sooner. I need this one in my life. Really fab orange blossom. Sweet w/out being gourmand. Sexy sultry summer nights is how I would describe Code.

My cool elementary school teacher that drove a Range Rover and only wore and carried designer wore this or Angel. I remember thinking, I want to be just like her when I'm older and I will have those perfumes, and also the Dooney and Bourke purse she used to throw her grade books in. We have a family friend, who had an older daughter who was an attorney for a big law firm, and also taught English at her local state college on the weekends. She used Charlotte Tilbury and only wore Armani Code. I vividly remember, because she would always let me go through her vanity since she was 7+ years older than me and I was the little "cousin" who was so interested in being cool and grown like her. The smell has stuck with me forever. I finally got my hands on this, and it is just nostalgia in a bottle.

I bought the original when it first came out and absolutely love it. I went through several bottles, and I am down to my last little bit left in the formulation that had the flowers/lace on the bottle. I am so bummed they reformulated this one!! It is an intoxicating and delicious scent. I typically wear this in the colder months. It is definitely a sweet vanilla type fragrance, but has a unique smell to it. It almost smells like Alien in a way. Great longevity (well I'm not sure if the new formula has great longevity, but the old version does). It turns heads and people always ask what I am wearing when I have it on. I love it so much I am tempted to try the new formulation, but the mixed reviews have me hesitating! For now, I am savoring the last bit I have left.