24 Faubourg Extrait de Parfum

VINTAGE PARFUM EXTRAIT - Dear God this is beautiful. Sumptuous, Rich, Creamy, Heady White Floral Grandeur of astonishing depth. Clean, yet without being detergent like. Absolutely nothing cheap in here. Radiates old aristocratic wealth, dignity, splendor, power, security... exquisitely tasteful, and blended to silken smoothness. Tremendously feminine and ladylike without being stuffy or stiff. No overdone saccharine sweets to destroy the elegance. No harsh biting bitterness or sourness to mar the perfect silken sheen of elegance. Hyacinth adds a lovely vegetal green complexity and together with bergamot restrain the peach/ylang and prevent it from becoming syrupy and cloying. The orange adds further freshness without veering into a sour pucker. This is Louis XIV’s Versailles orangerie orange blossom heaven in full bloom with non-indolic jasmine, herbal berry black elder, and a regal touch of iris woven throughout. Opulent amber and sandalwood cradle everything comfortably in a plush sensual scaffolding supported by a tastefully understated patchouli and vanilla that never overwhelm the seamless floral embroidery. It’s a stunning garden with plenty of headspace for the flowers to bloom fully, not a hint of decay, but we are not in a flowershop, we are at opening night at the opera or the ballet, center row in the Queen's box, dripping in jewels and fur, wrapped in haute couture silks and velvets, perfectly coifed, relaxing comfortably just waiting for the curtain to rise. We wonder if the prima donna will be on her game tonight. We are smiling at our friends in another box. We are already thinking about tomorrow's spa day to be spent in utter decadence and relaxation. Life is beautiful indeed. I could drown in this.

If this achingly beautiful fragrance was a piece of music, it would be J.S. Bach's exquisite 'Air' from Suite #2 in D major. 24 Faubourg extrait makes me feel supremely sophisticated, with no trace of bitchiness or snobbishness. Slightly aloof, yet intimate at the same time. Rich, without flaunting or flashiness. Pure, restrained elegance. My nose is still quite untrained, and I just can't pick out all these nuanced notes (yet)... but from 24 Faubourg I get a beautiful floral that dries down to a wonderful woody scent. Sillage is appropriately moderate, and lasts for hours. I am so in love with this scent.

How are there only four reviews for this strength of the perfume? It's a masterpiece. I have two lock bottles, and while they are listed on Mercari, if they don't sell, it won't break my heart either... Ladylike without effort. Beautiful, big florals that are the perfect pick me up for January blues. Wear it in a sauna and transport yourself to another place.

This was sent to me in error and I fell in love with it. The iris and woods are so harmonious and elegant. I like many versions of 24 Faubourg, but this one is my absolute favorite. The fragrance is floral, but not at all sharp or sweet. It's clean in a green way, but not soapy or bitter. Perhaps one of the most refined, elegant fragrances I own. It reminds me of Balmain Ivoire (2012), not because they smell similar, but because they are so effortlessly refined.

If I could only wear one fragrance, this would be it. It is soft, creamy, and beautiful. It quickly dries down to a sweet orange blossom mixed with florals and a touch of cream. Breathtaking. I don't get any woody scent on my skin. This is true perfume.