L'Eau D'Issey Absolue

A perfume not appreciated enough. It is on par with iconic perfumes and is not afraid to compete with them. Not a typical chypre, but I get chypre. Absolue flaker is free of the watery-floritst's refrigerator feeling and lacks the fruit too. It is oily, a wrist cracker, packed with flowers; it's basically flowers and flowers throughout and throughout. The blend is excellent, i won't bother explaining the notes; the most intense note at least on my skin is tuberose, the same as in Orchid Soleil Tom Ford. Honey is prominent for the first hour of wear, it softens later. Don't be afraid of the wood, it is just enough to prolong the wear of the perfume. Also vanilla is barely there, adds some warmth, and that's it. It is sour, not sweet at all. I feel luxurious drenched with the scent. I'm of course mad at myself a little, for not paying enough attention to the Issey Miyake counter, for discovering the Absolue version so late. Of course I love the original, it's perfect by itself and layered. This is a perfect older brother for the original, thicker, just enough heavier and more glamorous. Perfect for all ages. Ideal for all year round, although it might seem cold and distant for winter. Long lasting but seems that it stays close to the skin; not unnoticeable though; as i entered home it left enough trail for family members to ask. Their comments: "oh it's like summer" , "very lady-like" and...."a little old"(that from a younger 22year old relative of mine whose perception of perfume is distorted by tacky concoctions)

Issey Miyake is my 2nd favourite fragrance (well, it could be the 1st just as well but Eternity is my signature fragrance) and, to my great surprise, I have fallen in love with every single special edition of this perfume. They are all GORGEOUS! The first and most important thing about the new editions of Issey Miyake is that the original base was preserved in all of them- you are really wearing your favourite perfume, be it the original, floral, lotus or absolute version only each time, it's a new feeling. I could almost wear them depending on how I feel. The 2nd great thing about them is that the fragrance really echoes the name in each case. ABsolute is, indeed, the richer, more mysterious and more serious version of the original. When I say "serious", I mean it in the most positive way. It's a grown up Issey Miyake that can still be worn by a very young woman. And, when they say- honey, they mean honey! It really is Issey Miyake with honey (no lemon :D ). A similar scent can be found in Sunflowers by E.Arden. It's not too sweet 'tho which, IMHO, is really important because an average fan of the original would hardly appreciate a very sweet perfume. I don't think I can detect vanilla either but it is certainly somewhere in there, well blended into this orgasmic bouquet of flowers, honey and fresh water. All in all a real jewel and, most importantly, still an Issey Miyake. Worth the price. Worth sparing money.

Oh, I could be draped in this. Olivier Cresp has made another masterpiece! This is beautiful and perfectly balanced. It has honey and vanilla in it, but is the quintessential white floral. Immediately I noticed similarities with J'Adore, but Absolue is more delicate. And when I brought it home, to my disappointment it smelt just like something else in my collection: Marc Jacobs signature. However, I have decided not to take it back because it is sufficiently different, in the sense that Marc Jacobs is more "watery". Absolue is also watery (due to the lotus) but not as much as Marc Jacobs. Absolue is really pure, and because of the purity it smells a lot like gardenia. The note is actually tuberose - but I often mistake tuberose for gardenia (or vice versa). It also reminds me of daphne (does anyone else know this flower? I don't think it has ever been represented in perfumery). What is so exceptional about this fragrance is that it really smells like a flower. Like a REAL freshly picked one - not the essential oil version. IMO, nothing smells as beautiful as a real flower, as the scent is unmatchable, but this comes pretty close. Overall, I would describe it as soft, pure, silky and golden. Definitely for floral lovers. But I think it will most appeal to white floral lovers.

Oh my! I have been a huge fan of the original L'eau D'issey for as long as I can remember, and I never once thought to purchase a flanker. Why would I, when perfection in a bottle had already been encapsulated? I am now so glad I took the plunge and blind-bought a bottle of this. I would say this is the original's fun, younger sister; still beautifully feminine but warmer and less serious. The signature lotus and freesia combination that is so prominent in the original is still very much there, but it mingles with the honey to create a positively radiant honeysuckle scent. It reminds me how the air smells in Italy after dark, after the scented night flowers catch in the evening breeze and make the air smell like a sunset. I will reserve the original for cooler months, and switch this to my summer signature scent. Smelling this on myself makes me physically smile. The only TINY gripe I have is that it just doesn't seem to last as long on me as the original. That said, If you like L'eau D'Issey, you simply have to buy this (and keep buying it after it runs out). Pop a decant in your pocket if you're going out for a few hours or more.

I am fond of the Issey Miyaki aquatics I have several flankers but this one is my favourite. It still gives a subtle nod to the original with a slight aquatic undertone from the lotus but this one is softer more gentle. It has a powdery quality more floral and of course the obvious honey note.I also love white florals but live in a very hot climate so find my usual suspects to heavy . This is the perfect blend for me . The lotus manages to lift it to a slightly fresher plane so I am able to continue to wear this in the warmer weather it never becomes cloying or overwhelming but it has some depth and warmth to it so it is a change from the normal clean bright fresh citruses and aquatics normally worn in the heat of summer. It is easy to wear has good longevity and enough projection that I can continue to smell wafts of fragrance throughout the day. I find this to be a great all round scent . You can wear it to work or you can wear it out I have even worn it to the beach . If you like aquatics and you like white florals I highly recommend giving it a try .