L’Interdit Le Parfum

Testing L’Interdit Le Parfum from a 1 ml Givenchy sample. L’Interdit line is one of my all time favourite designers line! As a huge lover of all shapes and forms of tuberose dominant perfumes, I have amassed through the years about seven different versions of L’Interdit. So when I’ve heard about a perfume edition, having added in the blend mimosa flower, another of my favourites, I was sold immediately. Today, my sample has arrived and I am wearing it. It’s exactly what I was anticipating it to be. A very fruity, sweet, juicy opening blend of pear and crisp green apple, balanced with a big bouquet of tuberose, mimosa and jasmine on a very warm, resinous, amber, vanilla base. All masterfully mixed with a pinch of vetiver and patchouli... It it significantly different from the previous editions to worth purchasing a bottle for FRP?? No, it’s quite similar to the EDP and EDT to be honest. More intense, warmer, a bit powdery, nutty and more ambery. More of a spring and fall L’Interdit, but very much in the line with the rest of them. A truly intoxicating white floral perfume! Do I want to add it to my collection in the foreseeable future? Absolutely yes, but once the novelty wears off and the retailers start selling it discounted. I have enough versions to wear if I am craving this gorgeous floral, fruity DNA already... Would I recommend this version to anyone who loves tuberose and doesn’t have already an extensive collection of tuberose perfumes?? Absolutely yes, it’s beautifully made!! Side note, I prefer the tuberose from Givenchy over the tuberose from Armani. I feel like these two perfumes lines, L’Interdit and My Way, have quite a bit of similarities in the way that tuberose is done, but Givenchy launched it first. And Givenchy made several flankers with distinguishing nuances and contrasting notes.

On my first try, in cold weather, I noted down a bubblegum opening going into powder vanilla drydown. Maybe I used too much, or maybe it just wasn't the right time. The second try was in warmer weather, and I was able to distinguish a mix of the top and middle notes dancing on my skin, evolving constantly, so it's hard to define what it actually smells like. One minute it's the jasmine-pear, the next it's tuberose-apple. It gives the impression of a sensual fragrance, warm, spicy but in a good way, worn by a gorgeous, elegant middle-aged woman. Confident, self-sufficient, but appreciating good company and excellent sex. It pairs nicely with stilettos and the scratch of a stubble across the collarbone.

It's mysterious, warm and rich and a bit "serious" compared to what I usually wear. I don't quite understand the opening, but I really like the dry down! I see what they mean with "resinous notes" and I think it's to die for in colder months. If someone asked me for a fragrance with a "dark academia" vibe, I would suggest this one. I can picture someone wearing this in an old library where everything is made of wood and the windows haven't been opened in some time. It's freezing cold outside and it's getting dark, but you're cozy in your warm uniform. I'm really enjoying this! I honestly think that some guys could pull this off magnificently, so I clocked this as unisex.

This one is absolutely gorgeous! it opens with fresh apple and pear, carried by creamy white florals and playful mimosa. when it dries down, sadly the apple disappears, but if you let it settle for a while the resins will fade in with an every so subtle smokeyness from the vetiver, making this a very elegant, very grounded scent. mimosa, almond and creamy, almost rice milk-like tuberose remain prominent throughout. there is also something slightly powdery and vanillic in there, but I can't identify what it is. If only my beloved apple stayed for a bit longer!

I sprayed this by chance at a perfumery and was instantly spellbound. On my skin, it opens very fruity with pear and mimosa, but it never becomes sickly sweet. I’m not sure why, but the opening has a vintage feel to me; perhaps the combination of tuberose and mimosa brings to mind something more classic (dated, but by no means out of style). As it develops during the drydown, the fragrance grows increasingly deep, warm, and resinous, with myrrh and opoponax taking center stage. It is an absolute joy to wear, especially in milder weather.