Eau de Givenchy

Reviewing an old bottle with the blue plastic cap, estimate early 80s, but unable to verify. EdG opens quite medicinally. For the first few minutes it's difficult to tell that this is perfume, as it smells more like rubbing alcohol with a touch of mint. Then the heart opens, and a fresh, realistic LoV note takes center stage, supported by lemon, cyclamen, and just a touch of nicely oily narcissus. White musk is also present at this point, although it remains in the background. During the dry down jasmine appears. I pretty much get jasmine, jasmine, and more jasmine for about 20 minutes. This scent isn't strong so much as it is pervasive. Eventually the jasmine lets up a little, and the rose, very faintly, makes an appearance, and there is just the slightest touch of sweetness, which swells into a true honeysuckle scent. Lemon remains a strong under note throughout. Distinctly fresh, not too strong, *quite* clean. If your surgeon walked in wearing this, you would feel comfortable. I had been searching for a clean fresh floral for work wear, but this crystal clarity is almost too much for me. I say "almost" because I have hope that I can grow into this scent. I admire EdG greatly. I enjoy smelling it. I am not certain that it's a good fit for me. Something about the sparkling transparency of this scent makes me feel uncomfortable. I'm not sure if it is a little too astringent, or if ultimately EdG just feels harsh to me. On my skin, this scent presents in such a way that I think it would be better on a man. I'm not getting any oak moss, or orris, both of which would provide some helpful muddying of the water. The ylang ylang is also not making an appearance, and I would appreciate the sweet spice as a reprieve from the glare of this scent. When the honeysuckle moves to the front I quite enjoy it but that note proves elusive. I remain undecided. Test before buying. EDIT: Several months later, EdG is one of the most beautiful scents I own. Possibly *the* most beautiful. I wish that it were more readily available, as I would make this a signature if I weren't so afraid of running out. Give yourself some time with this scent. It'll grow on you. I still find EdG crustal clear, but now I find it warm and colorful, relaxing, like watching sunshine sparkling through cut glass, refracting rainbows around a room.

The first Fate spoke. "She shall live on sunlight and she shall dazzle with it and with beauty. She shall laugh and birds shall be singing. Her clear blue eyes shall never know of tears." The second Fate spoke. "She shall drown young in a thunderous river..." The third Fate left for its bank... She was laughing and running barefoot that autumn evening, holding her cedar sandals in her hand. Night came and she did not return home to water her honeysuckles and jasmines. At the crack of dawn everyone went looking for her. To no avail... Later, some of them said they had seen an unknown strange woman standing on the river bank. As if she was waiting for something... The rivers are water. And all those tears that she never tasted, but were shed galore from the eyes of everyone who had loved her, are water too. Like the soul of the wild flowers that he throws in the river every sundown when he remembers of her the most, for her body was never found. And after dragging his weary feet back home every time he smells the perfume she has left behind and a wistful smile appears on his lips. For he craves to believe that she went into the river for just a heartbeat so as to wash the dirt of her feet. And the water nymphs, bewitched by her beauty, dragged her forever in their world. And now, every evening, they array her with silken garments and sit her down on a sapphire throne, where they comb her hair whilst lulling her with their canorous aquatic song. Watery...Ethereal...Velvety... Like her laughter. Like her short years. Like her coming, her journey and her end...

I've had a sample of this little beauty tucked away unsniffed for way too long and just started a commitment to review all my unsniffed vials before purchasing any more samples, and I've come across some long lost surprises. This is one of them. Occasionally, white florals can remind me very much of cheap bathroom spray with their metallic screechiness. Usually I am wary when I see a lily of the valley note. But Eau de Givenchy is executed quite finely. The narcissus and LOTV notes are most apparent to my nose and are joined by delicately sweet, fresh honeysuckle and gauzy tuberose. No powerhouse of white florals as they remain well mannered and modest in the background allowing LOTV and narcissus to take the spotlight. Jasmine is just an accent in its floral presence, but its indole is vegetal and gives the perfume some soft organic body. Ylang ylang is gently understated in its fullness, soft and yellow, almost with a tropical melon nuance also a little vegetal -- you know that green dandelion smell. Oakmoss, orris and delicate musk in combination create a dry, earthy and slightly powdery base for the freshness. A little woody, yet bright and cheerfully elegant. A fantastic fragrance for spring and summer. In fact, an elegantly joyful floral year round. Similar to Chanel Cristalle EDP in structure, however I think I would choose Eau de Givenchy with more beauty and charisma.

This has a special place in my heart! Oh This was my go to! My “Joie de Vivre’ way back in the eighties! This was a time in my life of many new beginnings! Like bright nodding heads of narcissuses on a crisp spring morning! It’s about fresh, new beggings and life. I was at Uni, in a new town, many new friends and experiences! I was also studying, partying, working, dating! Life was so full, fun, exciting and always a tad scary! This perfume was my favourite summer fragrance back then! I remember periodically spraying my homemade satin cushion with this! It had an antique tea stained lace covering that layered out all around in a kind of frill, that was always placed on my pillow on my freshly made bed. So it doubled up as a very special linen freshener! I refreshed It again when the scent weakened. My room always smelled divine! ! I still remember the scent clearly in my mind! It was very refreshing and energising to me and very beautiful,chic, and clean, reminded me of summer and water! This pepped my step and was the early zest for those busy days! I miss this! It was a mixture of floral, fresh, and also marine! The colours of white, blue and green! So unique so lovely, I would love to get my hands of a bottle of the eighties version! A classic in my opinion, love this!~<3

Honeysuckle, ylang-ylang, lily of the valley, a dash of oakmoss, a hint of woods ~ most noticeably sandalwood and cedar. Super-clean soapy powdery heaven. The most ethereal composition of delicate flowers I have ever experienced. This does not refer to the modern Les Mythiques version (which I have not tried) nor the original perfume (in the vintage blue box, which I liked well enough but did not love). The one I am referring to is the middle version in the standard Givenchy spray bottle, presented in a white box with dark blue borders. It was a blind purchase for me; I was anticipating a similar scent to the one I remembered from the 80s. However the formula must have been significantly altered, and very much for the better ~ little did I expect the gorgeousness which followed! It reminds me very much of Annick Goutal Le Chèvrefeuille and Eau de Camille, to some extent also Chant d'Arômes de Guerlain ~ all three having in common a distinct, very beautiful honeysuckle leitmotif. Still, this one is different from any of the above and stands in a class all its own. I would describe it as light, airy, refreshing, not a winter scent but certainly an ideal choice for summer. A BEAUTY.