Universe

Universe is divine. In the true sense of the word. If I should associate this perfume to one of the five Elements, it would be Earth. Yes, this fragrance is an ode to all that concerned with the Earth: woods, roots, powder, resins... it could be the scent that emanates from a sacred ritual of a priestess dedicated to a Goddess of Fertility; sensual, warm, cozy and secret, like the mystery of Universal Womb. The opening woodsy notes are very intensive: I seem to smell the fragrance of trees, moss and ground (it could be galbanum blended with orris root and patchouli), I feel as I was walking across an ancient luss forest. This phase is a little bit unisex, but in a different way from The Iceberg Fragrance: the opening of TIF is citrus and fresh, whereas Universe is warm and musky all the time. Then powdery and amber notes become to emerge, changing the orientation in a very feminine, velvety way. Lily and vanilla give womanly roundness to it, while benzoin, sandalwood and amber donate deepness and sensuality to all the fragrance. The dry-down is an idyll to my nose. Even if Universe is an EDT, the sillage is great, and the lasting power is quite good on my skin. I get so many compliments when I wear this wonderful perfume. Transported in today's context, Universe suits perfectly to an elegant, fascinating woman with magnetic eyes: if I should choose an actress to interpret this perfume, I see Lauren Bacall, with her timeless charm. Universe has been discontinued some years ago, and I regretted this loss... Fortunately I looked for it online, and today it has just arrived from Greece, by Hellenic Post: I like to think it's a gift from an ancient goddess... so at last I regained my lost love!

Iceberg's Universe is the only perfume of my favourite five that I no longer own. Action said "it is pure art" and I fully agree. The fragrance's name was chosen well because it smells like... universe with its gazillion stars - at least this is what I imagine the sky at night time to smell like. The notes are that brilliantly composed that I cannot single out a single note. Iceberg Universe was one of my winter fragrances as it was perfect for the starlit skies, the fresh air and the cool purity of the coldest of all four seasons. Actually I think that Iceberg Universe is an occasion fragrance; it is not a heavy evening fragrance at all but it oozes modern sophistication, charm, elegance and true style. The perfume lasted for hours on my skin and I was surrounded by a fragrant cloud that people near me could smell all day long. If I had known that this fragrance would ever be discontinued, I would have bought ten bottles. My advice: If you can find it somewhere, then just buy it.

Surprised not to find incense in the notes as I can smell it. It smells dry and woody but at the same time and specially on the dry down warm and a bit sweeter. Its very subtle' not cloying, lovely. I felt VERY elegant wearing it. I got it in a swap after reading reviews here and tschiepchien's advice, and I am very glad I did! Edit: The staying power is a bit disapointing, about 2-3 hours. But I find that is the case on me, with all the drier scents I have tried, like Courreges Empreinte. But someone said that it was long lasting on them, so Universe must be one of those perfumes that behave very differently in each person.

I obtained a mini since I was very curious to sniff Universe, and indeed, smells goooooooooood. And guess what, it resembles my recent find in an islamic book store: Malikat al Sabah by Al Rehab! Universe is less sweet and Malikat al Sabah is perhaps more flowery, but I do recommend Universe lovers to try this one.

Another word on Universe: i seem to perceive also a note of leather, between the middle and base notes. Maybe it's only a subjective perception, but Universe has definitely an animalic accord. Maybe it's the presence of musk, don't know... But I smell leather too, in it!

Goes well with coffee and cigarettes. The notes are nothing to do with Summer by Kenzo and they were not even made in the same lab, but the feeling given by both of them are the same, which is in my case warm enveloping like a furcoat in winter!

For you ladies missing this perfume with all your heart.. I can really recommend Marella Ferrera Ambre Ze! It is not the same exactly but it is absolutely THE same quality. I love them both very very much!

Ladies ladies, still not discovered this masterpiece...? You don't know what you are missing!!!! It is like a sophisticated Casmir. It is extremely well done. It is pure art.

On faded paper an image of me rests, slowly petiquing over many years, despite its protective album. I was two years old carefully placing my mother's nursing hat on my head, and saying I wanted to be like Mommy. I knew even then that my mother was something worth emulating. Roughly calibrated in my approach to ironic foreshadowing, I too, became a RN and received my own white cap. For all of forty years, my mom toiled caring for others. So many hours spent in that endeavor, the smells of the hospital soaking into her pores, became a scent profile that was endlessly comforting to me. That is what this perfume achieves. Powdery soft and soapy, with heavy top notes of benzoin and galbanum, almost medicinal on paper and clothing. But the true beauty is captured in the dry down, when amber notes become warm and resinous, and a bashful peachy vanilla finds its voice. With the connection to medicine firmly established through experience, I find it a bit mysterious how Sophie Labbe must have been briefed prior to conception.

This is a nice little winter fragrance. I say *little* as it doesn't radiate much from dabbing my sample vial. It needs some serious spritzing from a bottle to develope more I think. Who would have known that benzoine, amber and galbanium would be such a hit when they came together? Or maybe it's the flowers that are humming in the background that are doing the actual work? In the drydown the floral notes becomes more pronounced with vanilla. I like it and I think Iceberg Universe is well worth trying if you are looking for a office friendly cozy winter fragrance with benzoine, amber, vanilla and soft floral notes. Since I already have enough winter fragrances for the time beeing I'll pass, but I wouldn't mind getting it as a gift ;).

A somewhat "medicinal" soapy-clean amber, with subtle green, sweet honeysuckle notes, a lipstick-like orris heart, and a peachy, resinous, vanilla-laden drydown, that on paper probably doesn't sound all that appealing, but that is in fact "IRL" quite hauntingly beautiful, strangely comforting, and very much one of a kind... Wonderful!

This fragrance is good while it is cold and raining weather. You are inside, with warm cup of coffee, under a blanket :) For me, provides same feeling as " No Regrets"

Woody and spicy with a subtle touch of vanilla. Not my style so I’ll be gifting it.

I acquired my bottle a good few months ago, in the middle of winter, encouraged by the reviews here referring to it as a warm and cosy enveloping scent. Upon my first attempt I was somewhat unsure, as the output was very sheer thin floral, no warmth maybe just a touch of powderiness. I did revisit it several times later and got the same result- I even started wondering if my bottle, despite arriving fully sealed had gone off. I got no oriental vibe, no incense, just simple flowers, soap and powder. Universe got shelved and I moved on with other perfumes. Just today as I got about to do my periodical perfume cabinet clean, I unearthed it again. Thinking I will have to relegate it to storage as shelf space is precious, I gave it a last chance sniff. And my god, some alchemy must have taken place while resting in the cupboard. This time round I am getting everything other reviewers have written about- lush flowers, sweetness and rich oriental feel. Finally! It gets upgraded to the front row with my honest intention to use it at get to know it. Still it is a sheer close distance scent, but at least I know what potential is lurking in there. For me it seems it is warm weather scent as it makes it fully blossom.

Wow !This Is very special ! I recently got it through a swap and I sensed the unique smell already when I removed it from the box - this is genuine, something new to me ! When spraying it on me for the first time this morning, I immidiatly got a vibe from Calvin Klein Truth, which also is special. This is strong bold, and have that special smell, like no other, it is hard to pick the notes. For example,I can not smell the initial peach. It stays strong on me during the heartnote but settles then to a nearly wonderful base ,hard to describe. I mostly sense amber, sandalwood, vetiver, benzoin, musk and vanilla. Have got something like a mens cologne would have so I guess this is kind of unisex... It is really something special, making a true statement of uniqeness... When the basenotes has arrived it has finally merged with my body chemistry and this fase ,I love !

Iceberg Universe for Women is a pleasant, soft, powdery surprise. When I first wore it, I thought, "This is so... Cavalli!" Reminds me of a discontinued Cavalli fragrance called Oro. That featured cinnamon, and the bottle was a work of art. Universe is brilliant, ambery, spicy, woodsy-wonderful. If you are into the following, you might enjoy it: Dior Dolce Vita, Ungaro Desnuda, Roberto Cavalli Oro. Good staying power. That honeysuckle distinguishes Universe from all of the above. Adore!

i totally agree with the ladies below. this is the one of the most sophisticated scents i've ever encountered.they don't make them like this anymore, do they? very warm but not overpowering, sweet but not in a gourmand way. its many layers are fenomenal. an exciting fragrance, to say the least.

This has great longevity and sillage on me. Close to ciara but with flowers and more dense. no too bad.