Secret Joly

How is it that I love all the fragrances from a single house? This is my third favourite Oriza fragrance, and I'm placing it on my favourites shelf. The most miraculous jasmine fragrance I’ve ever come across- potent yet soft, fresh, with the classic Oriza “clean” DNA. I would say that, next to jasmine, there’s quite a noticeable tuberose note in the opening. Somehow, if you close your eyes and keep smelling, all of the base notes are clearly there and distinguishable, yet seamlessly merged into a unified support system for the ethereal white florals to shine. I think the honey note is what gives it its twist, making it stand out even more from other jasmine-forward fragrances, becoming more and more pronounced in the dry-down. The post-dry-down mysteriously turns into something incense-churchy, mixed with honeyed warmth. It smells like a bar of white soap, like a warm spring day, like a woman with the brightest smile, the softest hands, and the kindest of hearts. When I wear it, it makes me feel so feminine- almost giving a sense of responsibility to embody and radiate all feminine virtues from within. Perfect for warm days in spring and summer- I would love to be peacefully wrapped in this all day, every day throughout these seasons. P.S. Somebody should show this to all Alien indulgers... I’d love to smell more (Secret) Joly on the streets. P.P.S. They changed the notes here and on the official website. An old description still remains: "Built around a heart of Jasmine Sambac, Secret Joly unfolds suave and animalic notes that meld together their honeyed and spicy accents."

I really love this scent, and have gotten several compliments for it (smelling cosy being one among them)! However, after a couple months of wearing it daily I've come to realise that the florals are a bit too clean and sharp smelling for me. Still good florals, but I prefer something more creamy and soft (hyacinth might just not be for me). The base notes however are amazing, a bit musky but in a very balanced way, and after a couple of hours the skin scent is very honey-like (even though it's not included in the official notes). So highly recommended if you like a musky, balanced, almost sweet and animalic base with clean-smelling white florals that open quite powdery (even though I don't mind it, I can see the comparison to cleaning supplies in the opening florals, so keep that in mind) On to the hunt for a new everyday scent! :))

Hyacinth - Jasmin heaven. Starts off with honeyed Jasmin, and settles down to chypre-ish hyacinth, very realistic. Like other Oriza L Legrand fragrances Secret Joly carries this charming retro vibe, which I find really fascinating and sort of like a time-travel to another era with its lavish statement. Late dry down is really clean soapy-musky florals. If you like their Jardins d'Armide it is very likely you will enjoy this one as well.

Bright and joyfull, this is one of the lighter and wearable, in nowdays, fragrances of this great house. Always bringing compliments because of the optimism it sends out. Classy and radiant can be compared with a sunny jasmin garden sattered with honey. Quality excellent.

If I was to unmarry this scent from its art deco styling, I would instead think of a witch's apothecary. Some hand-picked late spring blooms in a honeyed jar, on a dusty wooden shelf. Nearby, bunches of flowers are drying in a powdery haze. The atmosphere is black, green, violet but the gold shines through. It is a healing blend, but not without its bitter edge.