Bouquet D’Orient

It's hard to believe Bouquet d'Orient has been around for nearly a century; according to Fragrantica all the Girard fragrances were launched in 1920, for which reason I am surprised this appears to be such an unknown and underrated little gem of a perfume. I bought a new 30ml bottle for a laughably small sum from an eBay seller, having read the reviews here. I've worn it before today and liked it, but it's been bloody cold here this week (even with the heating on full blast) and tonight my "like" has become a love. Girard's Bouquet d'Orient opens with a sharp citrus top note, which - on me at least - dissipates quickly. There's a persistent, powdery sensation - almost creamy - which I think must be coming from a combination of vanilla, iris and orris root. I know that cassis reputedly smells "pissy" to some people (although I don't experience it like this), but Bd'O doesn't smell "green" to me at all, nor can I smell any flowers (rose, mimosa, or ylang). Patchouli is playing a very minor supporting role too, and isn't dirty or earthy in the slightest. Bouquet d'Orient is rich, slightly sweet and quietly spicy; it makes me think of Christmas, as the citrus, vanilla, tonka, myrrh and benzoin combine to make it almost gourmand to my nose. Highly recommended to lovers of oriental perfumes; I agree the comparison to Shalimar, but Bd'O doesn't have that leathery/rubbery undertone - if anything, to me it resembles a FAR more polite and refined Obsession. Sillage and longevity are both moderate; I'd also describe Bouquet d'Orient as unisex (although I don't believe in gender assignation in perfumery - wear whatever makes you happy!).

Bouquet D'Orient was an unsniffed purchase - hello, its really, REALLY affordable! - and I couldn't be happier or agree more with the positive reviews on Fragrantica. I admit that I adore this style of perfume, although I don't quite get the references made here to old-fashionedness or "Classic" perfumes, unless the woody oriental style is considered a vintage genre, a fact that would probably be belied by the popularity of Estee Lauder's Sensuous Noir and such-like offerings. To my senses it doesn't resemble Shalimar or Loulou, as mentioned in previous reviews, neither does it smell *exactly* like any of my other woody orientals. However, it does have a certain similarity to them all encrypted in the vanilla/tonka/benzoin/myrrh/patchouli base. Its really a lovely, exotic, sexy perfume that would easily fetch a lot more than it does if someone slapped a high end, exclusive label on it. Its also perfect for autumn and winter - a potent, smooth, warm little oriental that will appeal to anyone who loves the spicy/woody oriental style a la Geurlain's Samsara, Lanvin's My Sin or even the relatively new Haram by Brecourt. It lasts forever and a day, drying down to something very pleasantly warm, sweet and resinous, and has good, 2-3 foot sillage with just a couple of sprays. Definitely an all around 8.5 out of 10, and if you love woody/resinous/sweetish orientals, its more than amply worth the laughable price of admission.

I'll start this review by saying that Bouquet d'Orient is for grown ups only. As there is nothing girly or fruitchouli about this little powder bomb.. It is a deliciously, well blended, rich, resinous, sweet and spicy oriental fragrance, that has the usual citrus, vanilla, tonka, myrrh and benzoin notes. I tend to think of it, as a nod towards Shalimar, like a Shalimar flanker of sorts and of Lubins Kismet, which I adore. I don't get any chemical over or undertones with this beauty. Just pure love.. Its so lovely on my skin and its performance is average but for me, where it excels, is that it is Christmas in a bottle, old school Christmas. And it deserves more recognition then it currently has. Id love to try it in a flanker form with raisins, cinnamon and nutmeg as it equally would smell as delicious as the original.

Bouquet D'Orient is a very sweet, super smooth spicy woody oriental. It smells like strong black tea filled with lots of peppery spices, just a touch of cream, and rich sweet dry florals. It's very warm, soft, intoxicating, and so deliciously alive with continuously active dancing spices. It is "similar to classic perfumes" in that it is very strong, unique, and has incredible sillage and longevity. If compared to Kenzo's Jungle L'Elephant, for example, Bouquet D'Orient is much softer, much quieter, sweeter, but still just as strong, intense and lasting. It's rich, very smooth, well blended, and totally exotic. I love Bouquet D'Orient !

Girard est une marque au nom français mais dont les parfums sont accessibles à tout petit prix en Grande Bretagne. Bouquet d'orient est un oriental très agréable, plutôt doux et sensuel, riche et enveloppant, avec la petite note cire d'abeille que l'on trouve dans les grands Guerlain, il a des allures de Shalimar ou de bal à Versailles, en plus sage. La tenue est bonne et c'est un plaisir de s'en parer en hiver, et ce qui ne gâche rien, la bouteille est charmante.

Beautiful old-fashioned ( some might say) fragrance. At first it reminded me of Joy or even 1000 . It wasn't long before I could smell the myrrh which I love. I am sure it is as decadent as pre-war Shanghai and as colourful.

My curiousity took over after all and I did grab it at Marshalls. Surprise-surprise: it doesn't smell like either Habanita or Shalimar even remotely. But....just like I had suspected it developed beautifully on my skin. Actually it's a very warm, sweet and creamy oriental floral....decadent would be the best word for it. Looks like it's a 2008 remake of an old classic, but to my nose it still has a lot of characteristics of a powerhouse fragrance from back in the days era. It's a very smooth composition, so even though it is pretty powerfull, it's not screaming or shrill. Considering my pretty big collection, I still find it unique. The dominant myrhh note is definitely new to me. This house probably stays afloat thanks to this perfume and maybe the other old-school one, because whatever they come up with now is a total joke. I am truly enjoying it....a great perfume to keep you warm and cozy in winter. Another little note...apply with a light hand, if overdone, it changes beyond recognition and turns really digusting on the skin. But 2 sprays smell wonderful!

I was attracted by the adorable pink box and an elegant bottle at Marshalls, so I could not resist getting a sniff. Once it hit my skin I could bet it was labeled as stinky by many and got a lot of negative reviews. It had that deep powdery note like in Habanita but sweeter. I think the more experienced you get with different fragrances, the more you are able to see through the initial so called "stink". I must admit i was extremely intrigued by the scent and was sure if you really apply it it would develop beautifully on the skin. I didn't buy it for the purposes of restraining my impulsive perfume purchases, but this perfume is on my mind and my wish list and i am looking for a deal on a full bottle online. I can still smell this one spray on my hand 2 hours later.....very complex, rich and exquisite in a classic way. I bet this little bottle will sit on the store shelf forever together with Womanity because the majority don't have the knowledge and the guts to experience something bold, beautiful and unique.

Bouquet d' Orient is chalk-y, powdery and sweet, one part vanilla and one part resins & amber. I don't detect flowers, but perhaps the iris adds to the powdery illusion. It is a relatively simple blend, however, it is likeable. Now with regards to similarities to Shalimar; the only thing in common to me is one aspect, that is powdery balsamic vanilla? So it is a rather weak argument, as Bouquet d' Orient is completely lacking the animalic, spicy, leather-y and citrus aspects that create the bone and meat of Shalimar.

very harsh and synthetic, caughing at the beginning. then slowly it starts to get plesant more and more and one smells the notes and it transforms into something warm, even soft & strong.i'm wearing it, and i m very demanding - i dont collect perfumes, i wear them. was a blind date. Well i like it.a strong one, at every next date we have, at the beginning we fight a big time. would i buy it again? i donno ...

This is like a very dusty and synthetic Lou Lou by Cacharel

Based on the fragrance notes I should love this, but no such luck. It had an incredibly sharp lemon and bergamot opening. The rose smelled musty to me and then there was dusky myrhh and a far too earthy patchouli. Girard produce better fragrances than this one to me.

I'm afraid this smells exactly like a cheap knock off Shalimar. There is an unpleasant note which reminds me of washing up liquid. It definately lingers and if you love it, you will be very pleased with the longevity and sillage, but for me it was a scrubber.

I bumped into this by accident, literally. A 100 ml bottle fell of my wardrobe top shelf and missed by inches( death can occur by many things but death by Agent Provocateur would be a first..). This is a great scent, rich, deep and totally resinous. At first there is a strong Tonka, vanilla and benzoin with myrrh adding a bitter streak at this phase. It is like a cloud of sultry, vanillic resin that lasts a very long time. The second phase sees Tonka getting a back sit and the floral aspects get a bit more prominent. Mimosa, neroli, ylang. The third and best is a beautiful play of myrrh and benzoin, a bittersweet affair that is smooth, intoxicating and truly oriental. This is very underrated, there is a resemblance to Shalimar but much less animalic. I think this is best for colder weather. I love my new bottle!

This has a weird opening. Once that opening and alcohol evaporates, it becomes an amber-patchouli. Five minutes later, the ylang ylang shyly emerges. It's a soft, almost plasticy ylang ylang, caused by the blend with mimosa, violet and iris. This fragrance is soft, it hugs close to the skin after the miasmic opening. Does this smell like pre-1940s Shanghai? Probably. Even today, the city smells of rotting garbage (ylang ylang), hot bodies, talcum powder and soap. Edit: The drydown is very similar to Bal a Versailles. And it lasts pretty long too. I can still smell it on my skin 12 hrs later. Worth checking out if you like Bal a Versailles or Shalimar.

I bought this because of the notes - which told me I should love this! MEEHHHH ack, ack!!!! NO. Sorry, smells cheap car boot sale knock off fragrance! I've never heard of Girard before now - and it seems they have a W1 postcode as well which when googled turns out to be Boots in Oxford Street - the mind boggles! There is nothing about this that I like - from the opening to the end - just smells way to much like a toilet freshener - actually, apologies to my toilet freshener cos that smells better! This is a no for me! Nice packaging - cheap fragrance!

Oh wow - this is lovely. I found three unopened 100ml bottles, still in their cellophane, in the Charity shop over the road at a silly price. I dashed back home to check it out on Fragrantica and having decided it sounded wonderful based on the notes - I adore myrrh in a perfume - I went back to the shop and bought one. Having found out just how good it is, I am off now to secure the other two befoire someone beats me to it... What a find - I am delighted.

Its interesting ( at first it was a bit shocking) but I sense a beautiful warm musky note now and Im sure it will become a powdery floral later. Im enjoying the journey and although its very different to my usual YSL Yvresse ( champagne ) I detect a powdery floral note trying to push through. Just hope my husband approves, although if he doesn't I will probably keep the perfume and change the husband !! ( Its delicious )

I don't think this smells like shalimar, but it does have similar qualities to it, sweet oriental with a strong tart orris. I think a much higher quality balsamic composition than the price suggests, the drydown is powdery vanilla. The first blast is very much neroli dominated. Overall great quality for price. Longevity is a bit lacking though, few hours.

I can not fully enjoy the opening - it's so bitter. But dry down is wonderful. As if it came from completely different fragrance. So cosy and creamy vanilla. I think solution here for me is to spray the clothes and wear them few hours later - fortunately staying power is very good.

Perfect myrrh fragrance.It's woody and resinous. Nothing floral or sweet.Good longevity. Oriental dream.I like it and wear.