Byzance

This is literally the embodiment of a cream colored cashmere sweater and a walk through white woods. It’s not heavy woods... not a wooden chest, but a light birch forest (and not birch for the smell of the actual perfume note, but birch for the imagery). Fresh suede boots right out of the box. This is quality fabric in a natural, outdoor setting. I admittedly attempted this fragrance last year and returned it because it was just a little off to me, but my nose has since changed and I feel that I understand it well now. It’s inoffensive, buttery, and a very easy reach. I agree that it has the Ormonde Jayne signature opening that’s a bit of a metallic pink pepper, but I find that this dies quickly and the fragrance goes through quite the transformation. The dry down is my favorite part. I get sheets that have come straight from the dryer... so warm and cozy! The fruit note others are picking up (some say cherry) comes out as a very juicy black currant to my nose, but fades gorgeously into the background as the fragrance wears. This is my autumn purchase. Update: killed 3/4 of the bottle in like a week and a half. HEAVY compliments.

This is a gentle, powdery and milky gourmand. It's *just* about a gourmand, though probably fits in the comforting skin-scent category better. I don't find it overly sweet - more like semi-sweet. Perhaps a pre-dessert rather than a dessert. For me, the cassis smells more like cherries, which is very pleasing. This is a sweet and gentle fragrance. I find the white woods and vanilla the most obvious. I get that it's creamy, but I don't find it particularly lactic, like some milk-note fragrances are (i.e. Matin Calin, Musc Maori). This was almost a blind buy for me, but in the end I got a sample first. I think it could be a safe blind buy, though, as it's a very easy-going fragrance. I actually can't think of a fragrance like this. Somewhat close in type might be Kenzo Amour - a slightly woody, cozy vanilla skin-scent, with an impression of cherries. I can see this as a unisex fragrance, mainly because of the woody undertones which are somewhat spicy if you're really looking for it. Also, iris is of course beautiful on everyone.

It opens with the brand's signature pink pepper (which leaves a short metallic taste on your palate). Then I discovered that milk, grapes, resins, iris and suet are clearly felt, which I find quite original. Perhaps my most beautiful blind buy🧡 As I use it, I realized that iris and suet are felt as distinctly as milk and grapes. It does quite last but I guess the projection isn't good, as much as lasting. But still, I can smell it on me, there is no problem people around me cannot smell it 😊✌🏻 In short, my milky grape sugar 🍇 🥛 🪵

Watched a youtube influencer saying this reminded him of Fleur du Mal, a scent I have tested and l really liked but became noseblind to shortly after applying to skin. I found Byzance at a bargain price and blind bought it, crossing my fingers this one would work better for me. And it did. It is lovely. Very light, a little tart but still round and warm. I bought this with layering in mind, as I have some beauties that I hope to use more with the right layering combo.

I really think this one should be more popular, such a delightful sweet- shop fragrance! I get straight powdery vimto/ jelly baby (probably the cassis) in the beginning, which is wonderful and nostalgic but somehow not childish, and a lovely woodiness in the drydown. I just wish the performance was slightly better for the price, despite enjoying it I am hesitant to invest in a full bottle because of that.