Maxim's de Paris

I just ordered an unopened vintage edt of this for $10.00 on ebay. I used to have a 1 oz. parfum of this in the 80s and finished the bottle. For about a year this was my signature going out evening fragrance. I remember this as a rich, opulent, beautifully blended fragrance and one I thoroughly enjoyed. For some reason I cannot remember now, I never replaced the bottle once empty, and seem to have forgotten all about it. I am happy to be reminded of this scent thanks to Fragrantica. I scouted ebay looking for another bottle of parfum only to find the prices are higher for the vintage than when I originally purchased my bottle years ago. I opted instead for the edt rather than make a big investment, not knowing whether the memory of the fragrance was as beautiful as I remembered or if I was just equating wonderful times with this scent. At the very least I hope the edt has enough of the essence of the fragrance to make me love it as much as I used to years ago. I’m keeping my fingers crossed for a happy result. Update – I received my vintage edt today and it is as lovely as I remembered. The parfum is stronger of course, and a little more refined, while the edt is softer, though nonetheless just as beautiful. This fragrance feels like golden rays of warm sunshine on a balmy spring day. The jonquils and spicy carnation are taking center stage and the amber is giving it that golden aura. The rose is so beautiful here - a deep red spicy rose. The oakmoss gives a little woodsy earthiness and grounds the fragrance. It was this fragrance that contributed to my appreciation for oak moss and why I love it today. This perfume has so many notes that should sound discordant (mint, melon?) but somehow it all works beautifully together into an elegant and chic scent. Update: Whoopie!!! I scored two mini parfums. Oh, they smell just as beautiful as I remember!

This was a cheapie blind buy on eBay, used, about half-full, the EDT spray. I don't drill sellers about freshness when it's less than $10 including shipping, since I take my chances with sellers who don't specialize in perfumes. So when it arrived I wasn't too surprised that the top notes had soured. But I wrinkled my nose and braved a few sprays and, lo and behold, and a little shyly, those heart notes came through. What a perfectly lovely scent! Mind you, not knowing what a fresh bottle smells like, I can only go by what I smell now. I don't care for unisex or masculine scents, but I'm not taken aback from (on me) the rather intensive spicy, dark-green patchouli heart, because sweet ribbons of red geranium and--I swear it's there--purple lilac blossoms entwine all around it. It smells to me a little like Diva: Not nearly as rosy, and no honey at all, but it has that golden quality to it. There is something shared by these two scents that evoke a color like bronzed red. I'm so addicted to strong fragrance that I don't trust myself to recommend where or when this would be appropriate to wear. I'm also no judge of sillage or endurance, since I'm a scent eater, but I get a fair run of about two hours out of it. I would love to get a fresh bottle and see how they compare.

A lovely Fragrantica friend send me a mini of Maxim to try and I'm glad she did. I love this kind of green floral. It reminds me of and has elements of fragrances in my collection like Jean Patou 1000, Joy, and Caline. This is classic, bitter, fresh spicy, green, floral, mossy, boozy. This is a deep red rose, spicy, tart fruity blending with a very mossy and patchouli base. If you like fragrances like EL Knowing as well you will like Maxim. There is no sugar in this beauty. It is like a fine wine, very bold, deep, rich bouquet but very dry. The colors I see in my minds eye when I smell this are deep green and deep wine or burgundy. Would be beautiful for a night out on the town or for strolling in the woods or meadow ( the dryers green weed smells like meadow) Classically beautiful.

I found a vintage miniature bottle of this at an estate sale today. IIt only had a few drops in it but I had to have it. For a mere fifty cents it was mine! Using the bottle description I had to search online to find out what it was. Why haven't I ever heard of this before? Such a gorgeous, rich, opulent scent! I would expect it to have a following. I admit it is out of step with modern trends. It is very 80's, but elegantly so. Like a black wool power suit worn by Joan Collins (Knowing)as opposed to a gold lame mermaid dress worn by Linda Evans (Giorgio) I would love to buy a full sized bottle of this. I just hope it hasn' been reformulated from what I am inhaling now. Mmmmm!

I think that this is now my going out perfume. I scored a vintage bottle. This is somewhat similar to Paloma Picasso by Paloma Picasso with no civet thrown in which makes it more wearable (less raunchy). I love the non-synthetic rose note, and I do detect the melon, oakmoss and sandalwood. This is the epitome of an 80's fragrance to me, and one that is still wearable today. Not bug spray-ish at all. It's fun and daring. I know that it wasn't as popular back in the day as say Dior Poision was which is a shame.