Iris Bloom

Iris Bloom is one of those fragrances that is a wonderful olfactory game around one of the great stars of perfumery : the Iris. An iris in its most traditional acception, slightly dusty and dry surrounded by the juiciness of citrus notes that are particularly sweet and balanced by the bitter aroma of orange blossom. In this grandeur emphasized by resins and a very ripe but slightly hinted jasmine, it brings me back to the aromas that I would ideally smell in a Thousand and One Nights atmosphere, in short, to an Arabian night full of the scent of rich flowers surrounded by local aromas, making it all sensual and elegant. Sweet, juicy and seductive, I can see it wonderfully worn on the hottest summer nights. "Outside The Harem" painted by Clairin.

I ordered a discovery set from Habibi. Iris is one of my favorite notes so I started with this one. Im.so glad I did. Tje mandarin, Iris and orange blossom melt together to a sweet musky powdery goodness.

This is a great clean Iris scent. This last all day, 12+ hours. This is a good work, gym and everyday scent. Great price point. This fragrances beats out some of the higher end designers.

Habibi does a great job with packaging their fragrances. I own several of their fragrances and recently blind-bought Iris Bloom (IB) based on reviews. I'm impressed. Those who liken the smell of IB to La Vie est Belle are not wrong. I detect the similarities between both fragrances (especially on the dry-down) but they're NOT exactly alike. Longevity and sillage are moderate (but this depends on how many sprays you use and where). After a shower and moisturizing my skin, I started by spritzing one of my favorite body mists with similar notes. I allowed the body mist to settle before spraying IB on my pulse points. I sprayed it on my wrists, neck, decolletage, near my belly button, the small of my back, and the back of my knees (just one spray with each). Within an hour or two, IB had already settled to a pleasant, floral skin scent. So, I pumped about two sprays on my top (near my chest so I could smell its transformation throughout the day). The fragrance transforms much better on clothing and has better longevity. It's a floral, fruity, and lightly oud scent. I'm surprised that Iris and Jasmine are not the top notes in this fragrance as the Iris seems prominent to me (even over the oud). I'm not familiar with the Elemi note, but the other top notes were detectable in the opening. Orange Blossom is a mid-note, yet it's prominent and carried so well by the Black Currant, Jasmine, and Iris. I'm a fan of Sandalwood and can detect it, but it's overshadowed by the other more fruity/floral notes. You'll get Sandalwood much later on when the fragrance becomes a proper skin scent. I wouldn't re-spray IB especially on my skin (unlike Rose Amore). Based on body chemistry transforming throughout the day, a re-spray may lead to something screechy/cloying/annoying given the fruity-floral combination. I'm happy with my blind-buy. However, I doubt I'll use this much in the Fall/Winter weather as I have other frags I'd prefer for the cold season. I'd like to see how IB performs during the Spring.

By pure coincidence, I had been wearing a sample of La Vie Est Belle the days prior to pulling out this sample, so I can confirm that the resemblance between the two scents is striking. I wish I had kept a little of the Lancome to do a direct comparison. I think Iris Bloom opens a little less brash, like the patchouli is less in your face and overall the fragrance is smoother. I smell more sweet orange blossom in this than I do iris. There are no gourmand notes listed in this perfume, but it does dry down similar to La Vie Est Belle, perhaps less of a literal gourmand and more just sweet and softened florals - but the resemblance is undeniable. You could try this one if you like fruitchoulis but want something where the patchouli is less overpowering. Very strong and long-lasting.