Violette Kew

Mmmmmmmviolet! (This is totally unisex for those who worry about such things, it even leans slightly more to the "masc" side) Opens with brief lemon and slightly spiced woody notes, including a violet that feels deep blue and full bodied rather than pale purple, ephemeral, dainty and powdery. It's not lipstick like, or berry like. Nor is it soapy or old fashioned. The violet grows stronger. Woody, deep indigo and at the same time fresh. Soon the twisted contrasting note of this perfume's concept appears, a warm cumin that sizzles on my skin as if my body was a hot iron skillet. It's addictive and honestly quite sexy (a word i don't like to throw around a lot...) The violet stays linear underneath the smoking hot cumin bomb, coming back to the fore as the cumin eventually fades out. Meanwhile, a gentle sweetness developes, never cloying or bothersome. It reminds me a bit of the cute old fashioned pastilles Anis de Flavigný, where a green aniseseed is tumbled in a sugar solution flavoured with, for instance, violets, to produce a hard drageé old fashioned candy. Now I crave a limited edition where the anis is swapped for a cumin seed! Mmm Not even the sweetness makes this violet powdery. It feels as the drydown goes into a simple syrup flavoured with sandalwood and violet impression. No vanillin destroying the scent here. This perfume is honestly amazing. A unique and interesting take on violet! Also, skillfully measured and balanced, scoring a perfect medium within strength, projection and longevity, never too much of anything. The house of Le Jardin Retrouvé is so worth checking out. All their scents are of top quality. They have a common airy but substantial feel which is rare to smell today. They are not pushing trends and rushed unfinished projects. And, big bonus, the owners are the friendliest people ever. Can't wait for their Immortelle that is coming later this year, which I actually got to smell as I bought Violette Kew.

There is so much doubt when it comes to modern fragrance, and I am the first to admit that I can often add to it, when there is just so much released today that fails to inspire. The cynicism cuts through the spirit like a dull knife. A lot of niche has caved in to the norm, with trite concepts led by a flattened culture dictated by algorithms and research methods. Others often flail for relevance, with inflated narratives that simply embellish indistinct smoky ennui and poorly applied accords. There are perfumers and houses that still do surprise me, though, Maxence Moutte and his contributions for Le Jardin Retrouve have struck a chord with me. Violette Kew in particular is a daring ode to the humble violet, not exactly the most fashionable modern perfume accord but one I hold dear to my heart. Here, it feels so wide-eyed and full of hope, even as it is shaded in with cumin and cardamom, giving it some grizzled wisdom. This violet is somewhere between the watery-green and powdery parma, as stimulating to my nose as a sun shower is to my soul. The foundation is that of a modern, yet tempered sandalwood and some cedar that recalls that of SL Bois de Violette, and while beautiful and painterly as that creation is, Violette Kew surpasses it in its intelligibility. It has clean lines and pure contour, kissed with a peachy facet, and cool in temperature. It certainly enough to wash away the cynicism and assure that there are modern noses that can arouse with their craft.

The first time I smelled this, I was was VERY taken aback -- and not in a good way! As someone new to the Violet game, my nose just was not really prepared for this very eccentric, vintage-leaning, powdery ride! So honestly, first wearing? I hated it; couldn't wait to wash it off. Surprise twist??? I could't stop thinking about this peculiar, powdery, purply, slightly candied yet dirty scent. It was SO unlike any perfume I'd ever tried, I knew I had to try it again (it had also received SO many accolades, so I knew this deserved more consideration!). Second wearing - still strange, but now that my nose was better prepared for what was coming, I began enjoying this weird and quirky treasure. The cumin is a genius addition to the violet (and likely what originally threw me off) as it gives Violette Kew a slightly dirty, pungent edge which makes this super compelling and fascinating to sniff!! This scent has become truly addictive to me! It has not only gone from a dislike to a like to a LOVE but has joined my must buy list --- I need this!! This house has gorgeous bottles as well. I think Maxence Moutte is definitely a perfumer to watch!

Another treasure from this house. My new favorite perfume. Something a fairy would wear. enchanted and magical. Don’t let the cumin and cardamom scare you. They give a little spice at the opening but it’s not overpowering and it dissipates into the background quickly, playing only a supportive (but still very interesting) role. The violet is the star and shines all the way through. YAY! a beautiful and sweet candied violet. Very fluffy and playful. To my nose there are notes not listed here. Definitely vanilla. Something that adds a soothing, sweet and fluffy quality. This perfume is so unique. It does remind me of lush V although they are not identical. I also am reminded of Lolita lempicka although they also are definitely not the same. I feel like they are the same family, and rightfully so with the violet in all three. I am delighted by this fragrance. I almost want to give it a bad review to greedily gatekeep it. I feel like this could be worn in any season, day or night. The different temperatures will bring out different qualities, but I think it would be lovely on a hot or cold day.

I adore this. Well worth the wait. Essentially this is a beautiful slightly powdery violet, quite airy but it has some staying power. More nuanced facets may emerge in time but on first wear this settles into a lovely floral with quite a surprising but subtley fitting cumin there in the base. It’s Violette Cu (min) 😄 I checked the notes as it seems unexpected as a destination but it works oh so well. This is going to be treasured for sunny days or super rainy days. It’s a tiny bit green, mainly floral, powdery and a tiny bit earthy. It’s the violet I’ve been searching for.

So the legend is true, this is one of the most beautiful violet scent out there. It's unlike your typical "makeup lipstick" violet. More green, a little bit spicy. Woody without being too masculine. I cannot really smell the skank of the cumin to be honest so don't be scared by the note ... It really stands in the crowd of ultra powdery violet fragrances. It's also quite long lasting even if it becomes a soft skin scent. Definitely FB worthy. Possibly signature fragrance worthy as well. I'm really impressed.

Absolute beauty! I've tried quite a few of these spicy violets and I think this is my favorite. It's warm and powdery whilst the cumin remains largely unintrusive; a lot of the spiced violets seem to default to ginger and I find it tends to be be too bracing. I also think cardamom works really well here! At the same time, the violet remains slightly sweet and candied without falling into soap. Overall, this smells of a seductive violet tinted smoke from floral cigarettes. Remarkable.

I’ve been ignoring this fragrance for six months now I’ve been seeing it in my local niche store and I never thought I would like a violet fragrance unfortunately it seemed that I have been missing out this fragrance is amazing not on first spray though it’s the dry down that highlights this scent powdery and has a peek of cumin and cardamom ugh now its my #1 on my to buy list

I haven't smelled a violet like this before. A few people have already mentioned that it’s reminiscent of vintage violet candy. This perfume has a bit of everything, it also has that slight waxy violet facet, but the spices give it a strong texture, depth and slight tension. It's strangely attractive, even addictive and androgynous. I like it!

This is lovely. Beautiful balance between uplifting violet floral with a grounded spicy cumin touch. Never too heavy handed & a perfect unisex scent. Get your loved one between the sheets & spend the weekend spraying each other

Yooooo! This is fire! This is ultra violet, very candy like, powdery, and perfectly green. I'm a male and love this. Definitely unisex imo. I want to wear this and buy this for the right woman to wear at the same time as me!

Vert realistic candied violet petals, feels sweet, smooth, but also crunchy. Sweaty and skanky because of the cumin, with a nice creamy woodsy base. It will feel like BO, but in a verrrry sexy way.

I don't get the cumin note at all, which is a shame, but I love this. It's all clear green violets. Blackbirds in the spring, etc :)

Violette Kew is a perfectly blended, balanced and groomed fragrance. It’s a unisex type of violet. Other than violet, none of the notes jump out at you, they’re all part of the very appealing whole. The violet in Violette Kew feels like a garden violet that has just had it’s edges lightly dipped in candy. There is only a tinge of that pastille effect. Wood surrounds the violet, a gentle easy going wood that is always in the picture. Cardamom presents as a little spice in the nose when you smell this, a slight feeling of bubbly energy that’s different from the more typically morose violet fragrances. And finally Cumin, which can be problematic, is used minimally here, to give depth and just the right amount of sour/savoriness, so that the perfume doesn’t stray into candy land like some violets do. I see people compare this to Misia and I get that but I think this cardamom gives Violette Kew a lot more energy. Misia is its depressed, low energy relation who likes to play with makeup. I have to admit to liking the depressing Misia a little more than this perfectly put together cousin. However Violette Kew is one beautiful and well put together violet perfume.

The first breath of this absolutely gives "Bois de Violette" vibes--some cool, camphoraceous cardamom, slightly candied violet, the bite of cumin, the transparent woody body of iso e super or its ilk. This definitely veers heavier on the cumin in the drydown and it becomes more of a "naughty powder" scent in the vein of Putain des Palaces. It's absolutely nice, but I have plenty of Bois de Violette and, therefore, don't need this redux of it. It's not exactly the same, but I think I actually like BdV more as well...there is something a bit more green about it. I will absolutely enjoy my sample. Also, it's amazing that this brand has cute 15ml bottles in relatively affordable prices...which is the style of perfume commerce I wish there was more of! If you loved the SL but find it unobtainable or too expensive, this could be a great alternative.

Le Jardin Retrouvé is like stepping into a magical world of personal, artisanal scents! Founded by the legendary Yuri Gutsatz in 1975, this family-run perfume house really knows how to make you feel special—just wait until you receive their lovely samples and handwritten letters. Talk about a fun, thoughtful touch! About Violet Kew. Created by Maxence Moutte in 2024, it’s a mysterious Eau de Parfum that starts all sweet and innocent, but then, oh wow—get ready for it to reveal its sexy, milky, almost pheromonal vibe! It’s waxy, woody, green, and leathery all at once, with a softness that lingers in the air. Plus, this calm, unisex charm feels absolutely perfect for anyone. They have these adorable little 15ml bottles at reasonable prices. Honestly, it’s the kind of perfume shopping we all need more of!

When looking for violet scents, I'm usually drawn to the more melancholic, dreamy facets of violet. Violette Kew, however, is not that. These are spicy, warm, full-bodied violets. Cardamom and cumin bring an intriguing dark piquancy, slightly salty, while the violets remain luminous and lively. There's also a noticeable creamy, milky nuance that makes this fragrance feel almost animalic. Rather than the wistful, otherworldly violet that I usually gravitate toward, this one feels deeply sensuous and embodied. At first, that put me off a little; I thought the fragrance was interesting, but not for me... Later on, however, I found myself craving it. There is something addictive about it, perhaps precisely this spicy, warm, animalic facet, which feels so enveloping and nurturing.

First spray impressions: At first spray the cardamom and violet seem quite strong, but within minutes, they both settle down. As the fragrance dries down, the cumin and sandalwood come to the dance as loving partners to the cardamom and violet. Sometimes it seems the violet and cumin are flowing together, and at other times it is the cardamom and sandalwood, and yet at other times they all change and the violet and sandalwood grace each other's movements perfectly. I am really enjoying this fragrance. It may be bottle worthy, but I need to wear another day.

Violette Kew seems to be rather polarizing based on these reviews, but I really don’t understand the hate that it gets. To me, it doesn’t have any kind of “funk.” Sure, the cumin base note is obscure. However, I think it manages to blend harmoniously with the rest of the composition. I think it kinda gives the fragrance a pleasant, earthy feel. Violette Kew is a gorgeous and multifaceted fragrance that is somehow bold and soft at the same time. My only gripe with it is that the green notes are a bit headache inducing for me.

It’s a soft green violet (modern one!) that starts with a radiant cumin note. On my skin cumin is the most dominant note for a couple of hours, but then it develops more into colder cardamom scent supported by a tender violet. Longevity is really good taking into consideration that it’s quite a lightweighted fragrance.

Probably the most unique violet scent I've ever encountered. Sweet, sweaty, spicy and sharp. Never have I ever sniffed a violet so incredibly piercing and chilling. Dazzling!

This is definitely going to divide people. I would say this isn't your powdery makeup violet, but a daring violet, a bit spicy, a bit carnal, sexy, perfectly unisex.

A pared-down, modern cousin to Caron’s Aimez -Moi. At first I struggled with the cuminy dry-down, but now I like it.

I get a pretty straight forward sweet violets scent. It’s pretty. A spicy cardamom violet would have been nice.

Really good vintage violet candy smell

Whenever I smell cumin, it always leans intimate — almost a little naughty. In this perfume, the cardamom isn’t super spicy; instead, it adds a soft creaminess. My boyfriend said it smells like a concentrated Spirit Halloween — a little attic-like, lived-in, and mysterious.

Violet and a lot of cardamom. Not a demure, sweet powdery princess. This Violet has been around the block.

She's giving cumin fabuloso cleaner

As a fan of Le Jardin Retrouvé fragrances, I had high hopes for this violet-focused perfume, especially given how much I’ve enjoyed their other creations. Unfortunately, I found this one disappointing. The initial violet note was subtle and pleasant, but it quickly disappeared, leaving behind a strong scent of cardamom and cumin. Instead of blending well, these spices grew more intense over time, creating an unpleasant smell reminiscent of body odor. I tried layering it with other fragrances, but the spices overpowered everything, leading to an unappealing mix that felt like a failed attempt to mask body odor. I’m not sure if my bottle is defective or if this is the intended scent, but both my boyfriend and I tested it on different skin types and agreed—the fragrance was dominated by spicy notes rather than the sweet violet mentioned in some reviews. Sadly, this wasn’t the unique violet perfume I’d hoped for, and it left me very disappointed, given my love for this perfume house.

I love violets, so purchased a sample of this to try, and I’m so glad I did-this is not a blind buy a full size bottle kind of fragrance. All I can say is woof, that’s a lot of cumin. Upon the opening it’s a punch in the face dose of sweetened cumin, and it’s borderline repulsive. It reminds me of people that wear perfume to cover up their body odour, like when you get stuck sitting next to someone who absolutely reeks on the bus. I found myself constantly sniffing because I couldn’t tell if this scent was good or bad, it’s just SO strong. Now that it’s dried down it’s slight less offensive, but I will never be able to overcome the body odour aspect of the cumin to wear this . Adventurous and daring ? Absolutely, but I’m not paying to smell like BO, so it’s a pass

I really don’t get a lot of cumin here. What I do get is a lot of unlisted coumarin and lavender which is cleverly paired with the violet to give it a more substantial and rounded presence without overpowering it. As a violet soliflore, this has impressive performance and puts on quite a good show for lovers of the purple perfumes. If I hadn’t discovered Violet Flame by House of Matriarch (superb, sweeter, more sophisticated and luxurious) I’d be all over this one. 4 out of 5.

I came to Violette Kew by Le Jardin Retrouvé expecting a new take on violet, but to my nose, it almost smells like a cumin solinote. The violet is there, but it’s overshadowed by a strong, spicy cumin presence that dominates the composition. It gives the fragrance a warm, earthy tone that feels unexpected for something labeled as a violet scent. Lovers of cumin might find this worth trying.

Ok, I have worn this a few times now and unfortunately I just can’t get behind it. It definitely has a BO quality to it. You can tell it’s well blended and a quality fragrance, it’s just a bit funky. Wanted to love it but unfortunately it’s a miss for me.

I dont think me and cumin are ment to be because I only got cumin with a soft violet in the background. It was very overwhelming.

i feel violated. violette kew opens like the most delectable violet candy, the ones that come in a tin. my mom carries them in her purse and will offer them to me from time to time. they taste slightly soapy, which i love. on paper, violette kew is just that, for approximately 5 minutes. i took the plunge and sprayed this on my wrist and neck. "ah, there's that delicious violet candy. well, actually... i think it smells... bad? no, it definitely smells bad." the scent changed so rapidly. immediate days-old body odor. i've never had a perfume mutate so drastically over a couple of seconds. i washed it off and wore something else, but the smell was clinging to my room like its life depended on it. this is one of those 'please try on skin before you buy' because the paper strip smelled inoffensive, but the skin test nearly took me out. it's an interesting take on violet and some might find it wearable, but not i.

Vile-ette Ewww. Wow. I actually recoiled in disgust after smelling this one and actually started gagging and felt sick for like an hour afterward. I always thought people were exagerrating when they said this happened to them but now it's happened to me. I can't even leave a helpful review because I can barely get my nose on it. I tried another violet fragrance afterward and I think violet might be tainted for me for the forseeable future. Sad thing is, this was the one I was most excited to try out of my order of samples. Oh well.

I dont know what everyones talking about...all i can smell is the cumin, from opening to dry down. extremely overpowering i can barely smell the violet or cardamom. once it fully dries down it becomes the slightest bit powdery if you can distract yourself from the cumin. super one dimensional and quite boring to me. Disappointed, i really wanted to like this one.

I feel a little out of my depth when trying to describe this scent. I wanted to sample a violet fragrance to familiarize myself with that particular note, and what I'm met with in Violette Kew is a somewhat heady, powdery, candied floral paired with a distinctly funky cumin aroma. It's definitely unique but I want it gone from my wrist ASAP.

What it smells like on me: violet, peach lactones (noticeable on skin), milky sandalwood, vanilla and a hint of spice (cumin but discreet). There's a Féminité du Bois vibe with sandalwood facets that evoke more contemporary fragrances.

Gorgeous candied violet balanced with a substantial dose of cumin. WOW! Waxy and woody, green, bright while also being sultry and refined, very unusual. Perfection.

The cumin gives this an interesting spin on a classic profile and I respect it for the funk it offers but it’s just a bit too strong for me

I like cumin but not in this composition. For me it's unbalanced and takes away from the violet and cardamom

"Vintage Candy smell"...? With cumin?