Kenzo

[725] Kenzo is a remarkable perfume, complex yet classic; bold and of its era, yet timeless. At face value, it is a bright floral scent, but Kenzo is multifaceted, populated with rich spices, sweet fruits, woody notes and a classic chypre base. It resembles a luxury bar of soap at times, but is so much more than that - full-bodied and dense, yet radiantly bright. I have a vintage miniature, and the odd bottle design doesn't reflect the beauty within - it reminds me of a Glade air freshener - but I would love a full bottle regardless. Kenzo opens with bright citrus notes alongside a light, soapy orange blossom note that is less cloying here than in almost any other similar scent. It is lightweight and clean, given sweetness as it progresses by some juicy peach. As it develops, a creamy white floral bouquet emerges. Muted, clean tuberose is evident, bolstered by light, creamy gardenia. I get green lily-of-the-valley initially too. Ylang ylang adds some sweetness while remaining light and airy. A beautiful sandalwood note provides a nice counterpoint to the florals, forming that classic woody-floral accord in a muted but high-quality way without relying on aldehydes. Soft spices add a warm edge as it develops further. The florals become powdery, with a nice rose note emerging, complemented to perfection by peppery spice. The fruity notes remain, creating an interesting dialogue between the elegant florals and sweet youthfulness of the fruits. I get plum here, reminiscent of the likes of LouLou but smoother and more subtle. The drydown is mossy and earthy, with a beautiful chypre accord developing on my skin. It is the perfect progression from the woody florals, with the sandalwood bridging the gap beautifully. Patchouli becomes quite prominent, and is used to perfection here, enhancing the earthiness in the manner of a modern chypre, but bolstered by vintage-style oakmoss. It becomes musky as it fades, with creamy, tropical ylang ylang remaining until final fade. Sillage is strong and longevity is long-lasting. Transeasonal and feminine, it is wearable despite being creative and unusual. Bold feminine elegance in a (questionable!) bottle, this original Kenzo scent paved the way for the consistently excellent Kenzo scents to follow (hello, Ça Sent Beau, Jungle et al.). High-quality and timeless, Kenzo is a beauty that deserved more success. An underrated gem. 4.5/5.

I wish they would still make this. Ca Sent Beau is NOT the same; I’m so sad. This was the most beautiful fragrance I have ever had. CSB is lovely to, but a bit sharp I think, unfortunately, and the soft caramel note in this is missing in that new variant, which can never be more than a sad substitute for me. I still have Ca Sent Beau - because it is better than nothing. But I wish they would start making this one again. I was wearing it when I got married the second time to the same man. Sweet dreams are made of THIS. Only one perfume is equally good to me so far: Lou Lou by Cacharel, and maybe Anais Anais. And a couple of Chanel perfumes, but I have never been the happy owner of these, yet. I am a hopeless romantic. (Or hopeful? 🤗 ) k Edit: Unbelievable, but true: if I layer Ca Sent Beau with a small amount of Britney Spears Fantasy, or Fantasy Intimate, the result is very close to the original Kenzo Kenzo! Don’t know if it will work for everyone, but I am happy with the result!! Worth a try? 😃

This perfume is simply gorgeous but so hard to find. I was lucky to find a 4ml mini, boxed and in the dusky pink tissue paper. Opening it I was so excited and the scent did not disappoint! It's so rich, full florals with warmth - amazing sillage. If I could describe it I would say it's a big, decadent, indulgent, very boozy trifle but instead of chocolate flakes on top you get a big wallop of rain drenched summer flowers! I wish I could find a big bottle of this. I bought Eden today as people have said it's similar. I can see the similarities but Eden is sharper, more peppery, less sweet. I'm thinking Kenzo is Eden with Balenciagia Rumba in it! I'm going to try layering Eden with Rumba - that should be an interesting experiment! In the meantime Ca sent Beau is on order! Please let me find a big bottle of Kenzo Kenzo!

Finally, it seems like Fragrantica got the notes right: proving that Ca Sent Beau is NOT the same as the wonderful old Kenzo Kenzo. I have Ca Sent Beau; when I bought it I was so happy and thought they had brought my old favourite back, with the lovely soft flowers and subtle notion of caramel somewhere... and I try it sometimes, but I always get disappointed. That newer version is alike at the very first moments, but then it reeks of the worst kind of patchouli (like the one in Cacharel Eden), and it is just too strong and annoying. I can never stand a full wear of it - I almost always wash it off. And remembering how I loved the old Kenzo, and comparing with that one, just makes me so sad. I don't understand how they could make the decision to change it like that. Please, please, Kenzo, take it back!!!

I love this juice, I have my eyes on 2 vintage bottles, I hope so I will win them. I really want a stash of this- at least for my taste- eighties powerbomb, love...adore it. I don't know what I have with the eighties, early nineties perfumes but my favourites come out of that period, poison, kenzo, amarige,Boucheron, angel...for me the new ones ( there are exceptions that I also love) are so quickly not noticeable anymore. And yes I have to admit it is pleasant to look for vintage, I love the search and than the tense bidding...the last seconds..did I win it...hope I will win one of the 2... Updat I have won them both and weanwhile i have also 3 mini's i am soooo pleased, i am wearing it right now, i enjoy THE smell so much