Montana 80

What a tongue in cheek creation by Antoine Lie! Imagine, if you will, a perfume created by a perfumer, that smells so wonderfully similar to a designer scent he released 6 years before. Different notes, different company, different price tags, but still that same great scent. Still, you haven't hit the punch line yet. You can't appreciate the full scope of the thing. Not until you smell the cheap, off brand, back-corner contender, completely out preform, in every way. I'll tell you, this kind of thing just makes my heart happy! Already disillusioned by Versace's lack-luster Crystal line, but still yearning for what Crystal Noir promised, I was joyous when I read this site's reviews of Montana 80. At an approachable price, I soon tested the hypothesis in my own home. Remarkable! Absolutely remarkable! There are so many things I love about this experience, let me settle myself and remain focused - linear. I've already said in the past that I get tremendous joy when an underdog outscores a pretentiously flaunted, superpower, designer fragrance. As if over inflated prices somehow enhance a dismal scent. The powers of dupe are strong with this one! That, however, will be the last comparison I'll make with this review. Because all Versace aside, this fragrance is truly special, and deserves to stand on its own, and be considered. The bottle is frankly an adorable nod to mid-century modern design which seemed in the eighties, to achieve brief popularity, before being replaced with harsh angular triangles and extreme lines. The bottle fits comfortably, with slight heft, and a mimicked '80' graphic. Its simple, which proclaims its virtue. The opening is surprisingly bright and herbal, with additions of bay and mandarin, making clean a canvas for other components. The heart lends to a new luminescence of white and creamy florals. Again, the idea of a clean soapy nature emerges without the use of harsh synthetics and aldehydes. Spicy Brazilian rosewood reawakens curiosity, as it should, because a magical thing begins to develop. Lactonic notes of milk mingle with sandalwood, and become this delicate, coconut note. Cedar and amber hum along, softened gently by Iris' song. It is heavenly, and serene, like pillowy clouds, casting shade in the mountain snow. Although it smells perfect for winter's twilight hours, or morning streaks of sun, it really yearns for warmth. Like the natural heat of skin under a cable knit sweater or exposed areas of flesh in front of a crackling fire. In those conditions, the sillage blooms silently, into a sweet, incensed trail. The final dry down is so pleasantly soft - whispers of all the notes become fuzzy chords of deep relaxation only true intimacy provides.

This one has indeed a Crystal noir vibe, and it actually resembles it a lot, but let me let you in a little secret: it is the gorgeous original version of the crystal noir edt -like very original formulation that it resembles,and it goes even a step further: it is gorgeous, ethereal, smokey-dusty delicious powderiness, that projects in swirling whiffs, that fills gently a room, that is enthralling and perfect and magical. And when I say 'powderiness' I do not mean the silly sickly baby powder kind of powderiness, but a classy, enchanting, gorgeous flower/makeup kind of powder... .It is very balanced, not too sweet, just barely enough, just as much as it is needed in combination with the white florals and the sandalwood to become an amazing conctortion, a potion that dazzles the senses and uplifts. It is a sophisticated soft white floral partly lotiony (first notes) perfume,but mostly powdery (middle and final notes -that last most and these parts are to die for!). This is what the gorgeous belle epoque ffrench ragrances and face powders smelled like... This lasts loooong, projects a lot but softly and elegantly, it makes its presence known, but not in the -in your face- way of most perfumes. It is airy, it is like a fragrant cloud around you, like a perfumed aura. So gorgeous, so pure, so intoxicating, it makes you close your eyes in bliss, smell deeper, makes you feel as if you are flying in the clouds... so uplifting and energising in a peaceful bliss kind of way. This one, is so well made, such a gem that has even surpassed the beloved by people crystal noir edp (current version) and the edt,that so many people rave about.It stands its own,and surpassed the famous Versace brand.There. I said it. I was so lucky to have managed to find a 4pcs set of this amazing inexpensive gem (the one with the 100ml perfume, 50ml perfumed body lotion +2 perfumed bracelets)...my only regret is that I didn't back up with at least another set.

This fragrance is not so much a pyramid of notes as it is a choreography. There are some notes that seem to dance in and out of the various phases of the dry-down process, while others make appearances only at certain times. To start, I get mandarin, rosewood and a blast of tuberose. As the heart emerges, I feel even more pronounced mandarin, along with iris, orange flower, and a tiny bit of petit grain, which gives the fragrance a zesty feeling. In this phase, the tuberose stays very subdued. The milk note begins to emerge at the very beginning of the base, and the tuberose makes a re-appearance as while sandalwood very quietly steps in. I also feel petit grain again at this point. The cedar and amber are not easily detectable, but I am guessing they are balancing the composition in the background. The base is undulating and delightful, with various notes re-emerging and then fading again. What a lively perfume!! It is right up my alley, and I definitely have some hippie in me! It feels cheerful and bright, yet earthy, and also a bit unpredictable. Similar in style to this fuzzy, hippie scent is Queen of Hearts by Queen Latifah, but that one is dominated by patchouli, whereas Montana 80 is not.

Marvellous perfume. I am suprised that a perfume which does not evem sell in perfume shops and never did, at least where I live, is this good. I do not see anything oriental about it. I would consider it floral woody. It smells very much of wood, which, considering the composition, is exactly what one would expect. And although I do not usually like woody scents, I love this one. It does smell of tuberose a lot after a while, which I love, reminding me of Oscar and Classique. Projection and lasting power are very very good, and the scent is heavenly. It also reminds me of Crystal Noir and of Nina (original, 1987). But from my viewpoint it is much better than Crystal Noir, better balanced and structured, as for the scent, and in the same league as original Nina. I think that Montana perfumes these days are produced and marketed by different companies and for that reason it is quite surprising the common hight quality they carry on showing. I consider parfum de peau, even the current reformulation, Montana Blu, Montana Homme, Montana parfum d'homme and this one amongst the best of the best.

Wearing this today for the third time from I bought this absolute stunning beauty, & it's a very warm & muggy type of day outside, & Wow is this perfume the perfect choice & this gorgeous perfume really shines!! I honestly absolutely adore this fragrance & keep getting the most beautiful wafts of it on myself as I move. This perfume is deffo all about pure milkyness & gentle creamyness as so many other's here have said, & I absolutely love Tuberose,Coconut,& Pure White Florals point blank!! This Perfume oozes 100% pure class & wears on my skin a good 14hrs!! I have also received SOoooooo many lovely compliments when I'm Wearing this,even my GP today said my Perfume was extremely nice as he was checking my blood Pressure!! I love the hyper chic heavy glass bottle it comes in, & the retro top which indeed makes the bottle look like the number 8 & the box the 0 making the number 80 when there placed together!! This is a sure winner for me & Deffo will be a repeat purchase!! I also want to try/Purchase VCN as I think I would also enjoy wearing it & having it in my large perfume collection!!