État de Grace

So, i stumbled across this perfume randomly. Upon finding about this and the rave reviews I decided to buy it! It is very affordable and people were saying amazing things about it. It arrived today. First things first, it doesn't travel well, so if you buy it, get a small atomizer for travelling purposes because this big bottle slowly leaks if laid down. Because it had leaked a bit in the package, as soon as I unwrapped I get a big whiff of amber and patchouli. It scared me for a moment there, I was hoping for an ambery cinnamon, like the reviews had said. Imediatelly, I went for a spritz. Okay, NOW I get it. Caramelised cinnamon, it smells rich, expensive, sweet, decadent. It's a very mature scent, if you are into more youthfull perfumes, this is not for you. État de Grace is a very vintage composition in a way, but somehow modern too. Very "rich lady-esque" but I can imagine a very sexy man wearing it as well (I might have to spray some on my partner). When I really get my nose on my wrist I get the rosemary and violet, but overall it's a cloud of amber and cinnamon. I'll have to see how it wears over the course of the day. I have a feeling the patchouli will show its claws, just like it did in the box. For now, this is worth all the rave reviews. What a beautiful perfume. Past, present and future all captured in a little affordable gem. Just, don't store it laid down or travel with it!

Etat de Grace is my favourite in the Les Signés de Gres-trio. It's one of the best woodsy ambers I smelled in recent years and it easily competes with many of the more expensive ambers on the market, whether we are talking mainstream or niche. It's a fairly light amber, but with warmth in abundance. It starts off with an intriguing mix of rosemary and cinnamon that makes it aromatic and spicy at the same time. I don't get much rose from this, but more occasional wafts of violet paired with the cinnamon with the violets being both sweet and powdery without being cloying. Dry down is balmy, super-cosy and huggable and it has some tobacco facets from the labdanum but not like the smoky or overtly sweet ones. it's more like smelling actual pipe tobacco straight from the jar or tin, where it's kept. Etat de Grace is extremely versatile and equally suitable for cosying up with your significant other, shopping with your friends or long walks in nature. It's the sort of scent you live in, more than just wear. Once again the price/quality-ratio is excellent and considering how long it lasts, it's an amazing budget buy for the colder seasons.

my first ever perfume ! my favourite scent is rosemary so i wanted a scent that had that but was a little more sophisticated than just wearing essential oil. for someone who's never bought perfume before, the price of this was really attractive. so heres what it smells like: i get warmth from the cinnamon but not too spicy, combined with the rose and violet its really nice and smooth rather than sharp. the rosemary definitely stands out on top its so lovely, but its got a lovely warm base to keep it grounded. definitely aromatic, like a warm rustic kitchen that uses woodfire stoves. it really smells like when u put lightly charred rosemary in a cocktail, probably something with a spiced whisky. the smell makes me feel super grounded, like laying on the grass taking a nap in the sun. love it. edit: over time the rosemary fades to the backgroumd and the rose really comes out. they kinda swap places. its quite pretty

A balanced, aromatic cinnamon-amber fragrance that isn't syrupy or overly sweet. Opens light with rosemary and cinnamon in a slightly cologne-like burst. The suggestion of rosemary adds a bit of a mentholated effect, evoking the energy of an overcast morning spent in an evergreen forest. During the drydown, it sweetens and becomes a primarily cinnamon-amber fragrance. A pleasant powdery violet note emerges occasionally. Although I wish the notes were slightly deeper and more intense, particularly in the opening, the drydown is addictive and long-lasting. It lingered on my skin for well over ten hours. This would have been phenomenal with some incense or smoke for extra depth, but it is a lovely fragrance as it is with a slightly thick, powdery vintage style to it.

Fab blind buy! Have been on a bit of a Maison Grès haul since buy a bottle of Cabotine for nostalgias sake. (Amazing floral BTW!) This is a great fragrance that smells waaay more expensive than it is! Wonderful spicy, pepper notes. The rosemary and bergamot cut through and gives it a niche, expensive feel. I don't get much rose, which is good because I'm not a huge rose fan (so don't let that put you off if you're not keen on that note.) Totally unisex. Just a well balanced, great fragrance.