Lesedi La Rona I

I got a decant from a fragrance friend of mine in Japan. It is very powdery and graceful. However, I think it is overpriced considering the price tag (actually it is currently sold at GBP210 in Japan, whereas it is at GBP330 in the UK, which is ridiculous). Thus, I adore how it smells graceful and feminine, however, I would not buy it at its retail price. I layered this with Emilie by Fragonard, which is also powdery floral (iris, violet, lily-of-the-valley, and rose), and it was absolutely gorgeous. I did not like the sharpness in Emilie due to the lily-of-the-valley, and I did not enjoy the overpowering powderiness in this fragrance. However, when I layered these together, both compensated each flaw and made a fabulous scent. Also, I layered this with Putain des Palaces by Etat Libre d'Oranges and was also marvelous! I want this fragrance someday...

I expected to fall in love with this scent based on the listed notes, but I couldn't. The opening smelled surprisingly sharp and alcoholic (maybe the pink pepper/ylang-ylang combo?). It got smoother with wear and then was quite pleasant, but not earth-shattering and definitely not worth it for this price point!

Orris butter... I get the iris, and orris butter at max with a touch of woods. It has musk, jasmine, vetiver, patchouli, bergamot, sandalwood, & cedar. It's quite a pretty blend, and it reminds me of "Legend" by Boadicea The Victorious with that violet orris touches. Pretty but WAY overprices.

This is a stunning fragrance with too hefty a price tag... I think it’s mostly the price that turns people away! It opens up hinting at a mixture of Gris Dior with a tiny tiny bit of the same rose in Midnight Poison! I know! Beautiful. But then those facets move away giving the stage to a beautiful buttery orris/iris combined with some citruses and a smooth almost suede like leather. Labdanum is not credited but, I do pick up hints of it. Perhaps it’s the combination of oakmoss, leather and vetiver that I am sensing as labdanum, but whatever it is... I really like it. It does smell a little like an amped up and more intriguing Coco Mademoiselle. Back when it had some serious patchouli and opopanax. It does smell a bit like Opus V but, with a more subdued presence and durability. I like it very much! Had the price been a little fairer, perhaps around the Tiffany & Co range, I may have picked up a bottle or even two from this range !

Quite "Oriental-Like" spices and rose, and orris. heavy balsamic nuance. Don't expect "Iris-violet-powdery" here.