Flora by Gucci Eau de Parfum

When this fragnance came out my mother bought it to me as a birthday gift. Why? She knows I love perfumes and own bunch of old bottles and testers and that I bought to her few also. I attached her to few fragnance actually. So she choose this because it was "just out" and saw in my room open magazine left on the page where it was commercial for the perfume. Thinking I probably like it. Rest she didn't know. She didn't study composition or anything else. So there you go. We can call it blind buy. Was I happy? Did gods spoke to my mother? Probably. Because I did accept it, not because it was birthday gift, but because I find sense in this simple composition. Yes, that's how I am. Do we must start with complaining? Yes. Because they discounted this scent and invented something "new", endless rows of variations, like trying to throw something at us to stick. What sticks to sell it stays. Frauds! Shameless frauds! How long will people put up with their madness? I have to stop here, before I get way too honest, or angry... Reason I boycott Gucci is in facts that they behave reckless and opportunistic, like others. Despucable and disgusting. Suitable to the world order we live in. The collapse of the civilisation. Where greed grabs and runs... I have first addition bottles. Yes, still one from mom and 2 others. Which of course I don't use much. Reason is obvious. One almost empty is from mom. Flora is by now a legendary pattern from Gucci archives. used on their scarf, designed for Grace Kelly, year 1966. The similar elegant design followed decoration of the very very nice bottle. Black and white. That black cord ribbon. I just love it so much. Made to to give attention to the contrast inside the composition of this wonderful perfume. Oh yes, the contrast. That's why this perfume is good. It celebrates the contrast, that exist in every female. It's part of our nature. There you go. If I can find our feminine born nature in the composition of the fragnance and I mean in the way notes are chosen I can respect that. Even if I don't like it. Because I understand some other female will like it and wear it with pride. Perfume must reach level of being parfumery art. This one does. In every aspect. Did you ever pay the attention to Sandro Botticelli's 'Primavera' painting? You will see Flora there. That's exactly what this fragnance is. It's a happy perfume even tho it is in its spirit contrast. It's like "I have ovulation, my skin is more dry today... But I love to be a woman." That's Flora. BTW. The "Flora" on the painting is pregnant. Bringing life. Bringing future. A miracle of living. Did Frida Giannini though of all this, that I wrote, or any, I don't know. I can and do hope she did. The blending of this perfume is perfect. The layering is perfect. The penetrative power, one note into other is perfect. The silage is perfect. The lasting is perfect. The dry-down is perfect. The radiance of color is perfect (deep amber color). The decency of the composition is perfect (not sexy, not vulgaire). Big mayority of so called modern perfumes you can't layer during the day. This one you could. And NO. Flora doesn't have dupe or similar scent to replace it. Forget that. It's unique fragnance. Top notes are Peony, Citruses and Mandarin Orange, calm aldehydes... I want to write about Peony. If you have garden. I do. Then you know how hard is to grow them. How different they all smell. I dare to write, that inside Flora it's not pink peony, most known color. I think, because I have them in the garden and I can smell them, inside Flora it's yellow ones. They smell slightly of vanilla/honey. But why would fragnance open with Peony splashed with adorable skin of Mandarine, Orange and some other citruses, the pretty sure Bergamote and Kumquat. I smell bitter Orange also and a bit of neroli. Beautiful. Ohh sooo beautiful. Such a magnificent opening. That itself could be simple nice Cologne. Or soap. There you go Gucci! Make the soap. Then I will change my mind and support you by buying it. Just imagine taking shower with this opening soap. Ohh yes. The opening last around half an hour. Sinking into skin. Acting with your skin. Then it becomes even more beautiful. Peony floating. Did you ever think why Peony? The ancient Greeks believed that it was an emanation of the Moon that glowed at night to drive away evil spirits, giving protection horses wherever it grows, safeguarding shepherds and their flocks, keeping the harvest from injury and preventing storms. However, much like the mandrake, its collection was surrounded by taboos and danger. Pliny said, “that of necessity it must be gathered in the night for if any man shall pluck the fruit in the daytime being seen of the woodpecker he be in danger of to lose his eyes“. Oh yes. Plants are magical creatures. Ancestors knew that. We forgot that. In the mediaeval period, the peony was used to ward off evil in its various guises. Culpeper said it was an antidote to any sickness caused by demonic possession, such as epilepsy. Gerard said it healed those who had been bewitched. The seeds steeped in hot wine were believed to prevent nightmares or strung onto a necklace to protect children from convulsions, ward off evil spirits and madness. Pennsylvanian Germans also used it to prevent fits, washing with a rag that had been tied to a peony. The plants were often grown near the door of cottages as they were considered to be able to drive away witches and storms, fairies and goblins. Peonies were widely believed to prevent nightmares, advocated as such by Pliny, and even Francis Bacon who said that it protected against “the incubus we call the mare”. I grow one infront of our house entrance. White blossoms. Peonies have been used medicinally since ancient times. In Chinese traditional herbalism, peony root (Bai Shao) is still used in the treatment of a variety of conditions, including gout, menstrual cramps, migraine. (klinheartwitch) Do you understand now WHY the Top note is magnificent witch Peony? Let's continue... After citruses calm down completely and settle themselves to stay till the end and they do, particularly Orange, we sink into middle notes. Osmanthus and Rose with aquatic additions and green notes (I assume fresh grass). Not much some would say BUT if made good and with sense and quality, it's enough. I adore Osmanthus. Again. Do you wonder why Osmanthus is Middle main note of Flora? In traditional Chinese medicine, Osmanthus tea has been used as an herbal tea for the treatment of irregular menstruation. Still believe parfumery is just a business? This Oleachea plant (gods plants) is telling us the story of "Breaking the osmanthus twig and mounting the dragon" another euphemism, in this case, for sex. Osmanthus is beautiful. Alluring. Confident. Slowly intruding... Captivating everyone around, leaving them wondering "what is that?" Together with Rose of which we know no name I can definitely say It's not Bulgarian rose. Typical for the so called floral fragnance otherwise. It's more calm Rose. I have a lot of Roses in my garden. I raise them as hobby and collect rare ones, yet I can't smell out from Flora which one they used to compose it with Osmanthus. Definitely it doesn't overshadow Osmanthus, which is fantastic, because Flora is, let's be honest, BEST modern Osmanthus fragnance. Lying peacefully on the base notes of Sandalwood, Pink Pepper and Patchouli... Is there some vetiver? Possibly. A hint. This base is so nice. It's so fitting. It's so wonderful...I am in sorrow for this fragrance. Gucci shame on you for the eternity. Because this fragnance could be a perfect gift to a woman after giving a child to her husband. Let me finish with... Osmanthus. Fragrant plant symbolized True Love and Faithfulness and the fruit tree - Fertility and Peace, and the custom had the meaning of "giving birth to noble children" and "many children and many grandchildren". That's what Flora is.

I absolutely love this perfume, I am really impressed by all Gucci fragrances (I honestly can't say I dislike any of the ones that I have smelled). Their creations are so well balanced and this is so rare nowadays, I don't like perfumes where I can pin-point one scent or the other, or the ones that have a messy multi-smell that ends up smelling like "the Mall", but Gucci does the exact opposite. I don't know how they manage to create such perfect accords. I got Flora in a set of minis and it was the one I used last (I tend to conserve the things I like so this was the hint that I love it). Besides the extremely pretty bottle, I think this scent is to die for. It is indeed floral but not heavy on the roses (which I do smell, but the top notes of fresh yellow or white roses, no the deep smell of red ones), the flowery parts (must be the peony, although I can also sense some fresh violets) blend well with the citruses which are not lemony at all, but rather more prominent as the delicate fresh-sweet smell of mandarin peels. The sandalwood is there to support everything, while the osmanthus creates a savory middle you almost want to eat. All these smells are somehow equal, with neither battling for dominance, again a rare find at least on most perfumes I've tried. I am thinking of buying a full bottle but an EDT not EDP, as I feel this perfume works better will less sillage, the EDP I have would fill the room and choke me if I spray it (I currently just dab the mini-bottle on my wrist and neck and it's enough). The dry down is not instant, I love how I can still smell the top and middle notes for hours which usually does not happen with a lot of perfumes. The scent follows me all day and I can't get enough of it. It's such a complex perfume, I love how I can find in it a bit of everything: a daytime perfume which can also go well on a summer evening date. It's so versatile that it can make you jump for joy and works well as a pick-me-up, but it also gives a boost of confidence and femininity to make you feel sexy and ready for anything. Definitely recommend, even as a blind buy. Unless you are somebody who likes strictly oriental perfumes, you would love this. It's also perfect for a gift, you really can't go wrong and I can't imagine somebody not liking it. Later edit: I found a dupe (based on reading a thread here), it's La rive - Madame in love. They are very similar, unfortunately the dupe had a bit of stickiness when I sprayed it on my hand, typical of drug store cheaper perfumes. The scent is not identical of course, the dupe is heavier (especially the flowery scents) while the original is more open, clean and more fresh (citruses prevail), most likely due to the quality of the ingredients. But considering it's 10% of the price, it's worth it. I have to say the dry down, after several hours, is identical: a sweet, fresh violet scent.

This. Is. A. Masterpiece. Being the miserable geezer that I am, I submitted a review of "Flora EDT" many months ago where I think I stated that it was too weak, and I couldn't smell much of anything. In the name of transparency, I did have a tiny sample, and suspect there are some minor differences between that and this here EDP. "Flora EDP" is, however, the most beautiful, feminine, elegant, kinda-sexy scent. Yes, Perfumites. I actually find this a little bit sexy. Is it weird to say: If I was a guy, I'd love smelling this on a girl? The opening of citruses and mandarin orange is - no joke - possibly my favourite citrus opening. It's probably tied with "Coco Mademoiselle" is that respect, actually. But - by Jove - it is heavenly. It's beautiful, soft, vibrant, and glamourous.. And warm! Did I mention warm?! That orange is warm and enveloping with zero sharpness! How is peony such a perfect floral note? Gentle, sweet without being cloying, and ever-elegant! The added osmanthus does have that gentle slight apricot smell that is a little syrupy and bloody divine! The rose is very subtle. For those terrified of choking, heavy rose - FEAR NOT! "Flora" cradles you in her soft, sweet, gentle hands. The patchouli really helps this last! As gentle as the scent itself is; it actually hangs around. Rest assured, you never get that dirty patchouli scent here; all the patchouli does is help this last, and GOD BLESS IT FOR THAT! The sandalwood and pink pepper are present, but don't overwhelm. I honestly think the pink pepper stops this from devolving into something boring. When you sniff yourself a few hours into wearing this, you get a nice, gently-invigorating kick from it. The sillage and projection aren't monsters, though...but, in this perfume ...I feel if it invaded your nostrils, it would ruin the gentle nature of "Flora". The bottle is perfect: Heavy glass, unique hexagonal shape, delicate cap, and adorably pretty black bow. I also completely acknowledge this is a PERFECT spring scent, but it's so damn comforting and warming that I'll wear this year-round. One of my absolute favourite floral scents: A gift of warm orange with fresh peony. A modern classic - and deserves to be recognised as such. Stunning! Stunning! Stunning! *** Kitty rating: 10/10 (Darn tootin'). ~Compliment Counter~: 1 compliment 😁 "Ooooh, you smell nice! Can I have a spritz?!"

I don't know why I've been avoiding Gucci perfumes all this time. Recalling in my memory there was this episode 4-5 years ago in the perfume store. Gucci Flora line had just reached the market and everyone was so excited about them, so they were way too popular at the time and mainstream. That's something I dislike because people want the same product and we end up smelling all the same which is boring. Long story short, I sniffed all of them and found them very alcoholic, but I admit it was my fault because I was sniffing them all at once without leaving the right amount of time to my nose to relax. During all this time Gucci Flora meant nothing to me and I was not even interested in them. But one day my female cousin told me she had smelled Flora on her friend and loved the perfume. That's when I started to gain interest in it. As soon as I found my self at the shop I went spaying it on my arm and paper strips and guess what? I loved it even better. This is so feminine and elegant and classy. It is a fruity floral to me. I love the peach note and peonia. But this frag wouldn't have been so special if it didn't feature the pink pepper note. You see there is this sort of continuum between Gucci Flora, Guilty, and Première and the element that acommunates them is the Pink pepper that confers the sour, tart feeling. It it wasn't for this note they would be floral or oriental scents like so many others in the market. I've smelled both the edp and edt of flora but the edp is way better and with more character and more longlasting. The edt lacks something, it's not that deep and the peach note that I love so much is not prominent. Flora edp is perfect for any occasion and season. Whether you're wearing a casual and chic style, a dress, a tailleur this perfume will always go perfect. Definitely a great frag to have.

This might be the best form of Osmanthus I’ve smelled in a perfume, usually I get a very leathery smell from osmanthus that’s what made me hesitate about getting this one but at the end I decided to take the risk and I got it! First of all I’m not a citrusy scent lover, but here the citruses blends with the peony and gives it just the right softness without getting that sharp headache feeling Then osmanthus and rose is where you get the sweet fruity feeling combined with the fresh rose scent, I have no idea how they did it but everything blinds perfectly that you can’t get one note more than the other! At the base you get that sandalwood, but the patchouli is not strong though nearly not there. And I figured out my hesitation was nonsense because this isn’t a dark or overpowering or headaching fragrance, it’s soooo feminine and joyful. I saw it first at a 2008 Turkish tv show called “aşk-ı memnu” which translates for forbidden love, the main character “bihter” had it on her vanity while her lover got in the room secretly and smelled it from the cap, very sensual moment that fits both the perfume and the show. Unfortunately it doesn’t last long on my skin maximum for 3 hours