Poudre D’Orient

I was initially taken aback somewhat by Le Labo POUDRE D'ORIENT, which must have dashed my expectations--though I must say that it's entirely unclear why I should have had any in the first place... In any case, my first reaction was that this composition was similar in some ways to Prada INFUSION D'IRIS--which also surprised me a lot the first time I wore it. In the case of POUDRE D'ORIENT, I felt as though I was perceiving a dominant super-finely powdered cedar supporting the composition. Yet cedar is not listed among the notes. Whatever accounts for the fine powdery quality of POUDRE D'ORIENT, I have to say that I am becoming addicted to it. Now that I know what's in the bottle, I find myself reaching for it more and more... The violet and vanilla mingle with the pseudo-cedar powder to produce a very pleasing texture which is not too sweet and does not actually smell like vanilla (good news for those who dislike vanilla frags...). The patchouli, too, is very low key--if detectable at all. Of course, that's in part a result of the preponderance of über-patchouli perfumes on the market today, many of which simultaneously offer super-saturated vanilla solutions. This creation is nothing like those, you may rest assured. I really like POUDRE D'ORIENT and recommend it to those who appreciate gently woody violet perfumes.

Oooohh yes!!!! This is REALLY lovely! Beautiful violet, and a gorgeous soft suede type of smell, that is very comforting and cozy. The patchouli is so rich and gentle and florally, sweet and herby - just gorgeous! And it's a beautiful musky/suede dry-down, with every other note staying right through to the end, which is a long time coming - 18 hours or even 24, because I can still smell it in the morning. It's really a fascinating perfume! The vanilla is rich and not too sweet, and fulsome, really gentle and pretty, and mixed with the patchouli and violet, it's quite a dream. A rich, warm, enveloping, exotic and beguiling dream!!! It is quite powdery, but in a real creamy way, and I LOVE it!!! I love it more and more all the time.....really I'm bewitched by it!!! Bewitched and besotted!!! Poudre D'Orient is so feminine, exotic, sensual, elegant, luxurious, divine and luscious!! I adore it!!! And it's a gorgeous bottle!!! Very exotic!!!

After spending over a decade trying to find a dupe, here you go (btw, this requires 2 discontinued fragrances, but much more recently discontinued... I know.) Penhaligon's Constantinople with 1 spray on the base (the vanilla and patchouli hits EXACTLY the same on the dry down) and Jo Malone's Mallow on the Moor with 2 sprays over top. The former is still easy to get. The later not as much. Insolence works, though the end result will be a bit sweeter than the original. Mallow on the Moor is closer despite being violet leaf. Lipstick On also works on top (though its harder to get than mallow on the moor and much more expensive if you find it) I've kept a solid disc of this stuff on me at all times for 15 years, forcing god knows how many perfume counter humans to smell it and help me find a dupe. If this was anyone else's white whale... there you have it.

Poudre d'Orient smells just like the name implies--powder with an oriental twist. It's hard to describe what's Oriental about it, but it definitely smells exotic. It reminds me of vanilla tobacco. First there is lots of green yet powdery violet leaf, and as the perfume dries down, the vanilla creeps in. This is not just any old vanilla though--no, no, no! Le Labo is never so mundane. It is a sticky, resinous vanilla that has more of a benzoin feel to it. At first when I smelled Poudre d'Orient, I was certain it would not grow on me because I usually can't wear violet well. But leave it to Le Labo to create a violet perfume that turns into something stunning, even on me.

I just got my sample of this a few days ago, and I'm already thinking that Poudre D'Orient will be one of my favorite scents. It's everything I've been looking for this winter: warm, woodsy and powdery, but still feminine thanks to the violet. I'm wearing in the office today and although it's noticeable, it's not about to knock anybody out. Good moderate sillage with good longevity on my skin. Really loving this right now.