Eau d'Iparie

I couldn't resist buying this after reading many reviews, and find it (like the reviews) contradictory. Initially it struck me as repellent, sharp, medicinal, with something annoyingly familiar about it. As truffles' review identifies, it's reminiscent of cherry lips sweets, but also, to me, of the "Friar's Balsam" used as an inhalant by my grandmother- according to Wikipedia, this contains tincture of benzoin with cape aloes and storax (liquid amber resin). From Wiki again: "Another, more remote use, is for beautifying skin. The following excerpt is taken from the book "Personal Beauty" printed in 1870: "Gum Benzoin is a fragrant resin which comes to us from the sunny meadows of Sumatra, and is redolent with odors of the Spice Islands, and the mysterious virtues of tropical balms." So yes, definitely a journey in a bottle- thankfully it dries down very quickly to reveal a warm, sweet, exotic and yes, unusual scent, and, surprisingly...I think I love it! I think this would suit someone who is strong, maybe powerful, but not obvious- it's too mysterious for that!

My signature fragrance for years now. I looooove it. n my opinion this is probably the best and most interesting L'Occitane fragrance so far. Love this review, btw, because my mom keeps repeating I smell oddly of church and funeral all the time, and am mostly polite, but dark person: "Eau d'Iparie is mysterious, spiritual and profound. The myrrh and incense confer a vaguely sacred aura that reminds of religion, churches, saints and the meaning of the divine adoration and yet, this perfume has a markedly dark character, a solemnity that may hide secrets and perhaps occult knowledge. At the borderline between grace and obscurity, this scent gives me quite a spiritual trip. I think Eau d'Iparie is best suited for cold winter days, late autumn trips to old villages in France, Catholic sermons and why not, funerals. It's thoroughly well done and can really put you in a mystical mood, if you know how to wear it. Longevity is great and sillage medium."

This is a beautiful enigma of a perfume - intense yet not overwhelming, incense-y and resinous yet not "dirty". I first saw this perfume in the L'Occitane boutique in Canterbury, England, which I briefly visited in June. I did not buy it then as I found the opening was a bit too "punchy"... but it blossomed into an utterly lovely scent and I could not stop thinking about it afterwards! It is a classy, distinctive scent, very different from L'Occitane's recent crop of cheerful but forgettable offerings. Eau d'Iparie smells like something that I imagine could be worn by ancient Druid high priestesses =) Unfortunately it had been discontinued worldwide but my brother managed to find it in Doha, Qatar. If anyone wants to stock up, I believe the L'Occitane boutiques in the Middle East (UAE, Qatar, Israel, etc) still carry this perfume.

Two dear friends are getting married tonight, Halloween, and it's thankfully not a costumed party. I therefore began mulling over the spirit of their love and and the only adequate descriptor is "bohemian" - not bohemian in the constructed boho-chic-ism that prevails, but in the true avant grade and free spirited sense. My thoughts drifted to the colors and scents of that, and I kept returning to the palette of Van Gogh's "Starry Night": rich gradients of indigo, accents of gold and shimmering white flecks. Eau d'Iparie is the scent that would permeate the garrett apartment in 1890s Paris, with cedar chests, smoky incense, sweet pipe tobacco, exotic spices.

Breathtaking scent especially when I use it in the morning, never fails to impress me every time, I got a second bottle and this was the only perfume so far where I have bought another bottle. There is a tinge of quiet and subtle sadness that wafts gently throughout the day...cool and warm at the same time; I like fragrances that invoke conflicting feelings. Hopefully they will never discontinue this one.

Very, very, very French. Old fashioned, silk undies, cigarettes and coffee in a small cafe, smoldering looks that linger. Sexy, warm, layer upon layer of sweet warmth, but not sickly. The kind of scent that makes me smile when I come accross it again, emanating gently from a favourite scarf. Lasts well on me and I would definatley purchase it again.

One of the best fragrances I've ever had. Dark, mistic and very unique. I agree, it is so special that you can hate or love it. It has some masculine note, so maybe this is a note I adore :)) ? Edit: Recently I've given it to my husband and he loves it! It's definatelly an unisex one! 2. edit: I took it back, I love it; i wear it in a cold weather.

I have had two perfumes in my life that I felt captured what I would be if I were a scent, and this is the second one. The first was a hand-made pomade from a Renaissance Faire. Both have been discontinued, much to my displeasure. Somebody once told me it smells like freshly scrubbed naked ladies! Bring it back!!!

I wanted to try it so bad and was afraid that the negative reviews are right.. well i've tried it and i have to say that this perfume is perfect!! very intresting perfume, to me it smells like jasmine- woody scent, a little bit dark, a little bit sexy and very elegant and expensive smell.. very very good!!

I love this perfume... I was looking for it for a long time and finally got it !! I'm a huge fan of perfumes with strong incense note and this one is the most delicate I have, but it's so sensual, warm... for me it's perfect :)

This starts off quite bright and woody then quickly dries down to a subtle but sensual incense. Unfortunately, on my skin it fades almost immediately which is really disappointing because I adore the incense notes :(

this smells like a warm but dry incense. i really love this scent, but i don't wear it often, because it seems to fit a certain mood. as others have said, it smells ancient. one of the best l'occitane ever did.

parfum étonnant,inhabituel ,une odeur d'église chauffée à blanc,sensualité et méditation,vous ne passez pas inaperçue avec cette odeur là...

A complex blend of myrrh, patchouli, resin and mist. Long Lasting. Reasonable Sillage. A unique scent

This one resembles Midnight Poison very much. I have them both and love them both! Action

Amazing and really exotic. One of L'Occitane best perfumes.

Fascinating, sophisticated, yet not everyone's cup of tea

this started me being obsessed with myrrh.

Realy woooooooow try it for man

I rarely regret not buying stuff, mainly because 1) if I want it I buy it, or 2) I'm not the regretting type. But this one has been taunting me. I got a whiff of it on a sale counter in Spain last week, it was right up my alley on a paper strip but on my skin it reminded me of some harsh chemical astringent-ish type of smell. At that point I wandered out of the store and thought "Good thing I tried it on my skin, I saved myself a good 25 euros". Stupid. Stupid stupid stupid. After 15 minutes had passed, the chemical notes had completly disappeared and were replaced with a deep, warm and truly mysterious air of all the things that I love; honey, amber, incense, something strange and peppery that appears from nowhere and bites you. Not sickly sweet, soft or predictable at all, just a warm embrace of badassery. Leaves you a bit provoked and curious for more. GODDAMNIT! I should have bought it! I understand it's being discontinued. If you have any idea of where I can get a hold of this, PLEASE inbox me! I will award you plentifully with eternal glory in the earthly life and thereafter. ***UPDATE june 2014*** Thanks to all of you beautiful ones who helped me find this perfume again. <3