Notorious

Searching for a peony perfume in the database, I came across Notorious. Curiosity lead me to order a sample to try. Notorious opens with a fresh citrus-nuanced rose-like blossom and a delicate veil of blackcurrant. Pepper is not sharp in this composition, but softy lifts the opening. White chocolate is very delicate--no gourmand feel to this fragrance at all, but it does lend an elegant vein of sweet cream that would make the skin a little bit edible if it were not for the carnation. I think this flower beautifully adds a certain cool, self-assured aloofness to the heart of this perfume. A blue-green azure that's evocative of spicy carnation stems. The patchouli is soft and along with the uplifting pepper and bergamot, I can see the parallels with Chanel Coco Mademoiselle that some have mentioned. However, Notorious is quiet and understated, yet still bears a distinctive quality. Someone else had mentioned Sarah Jessica Parker Covet (which I also love), and yes, the unconventional chocolate/floral/green vibe is there, but this is accomplished with different notes and a softer hand. Covet is anchored with a firm, luminous amber base, whereas Notorious is nestled in a dreamy haze of patchouli and musk. Notorious truly is beautiful. I'd be happy with a full bottle please! The name however creates the expectation of something much more commanding, which this fragrance is not. It's versatile, feminine, confident, extremely wearable, comforting, happy... yes, all of those lovely things packaged inside a beautiful bottle.

I have a small bottle of this, and while I love the scent, I rally can't describe it. It is definitely a patchouli and spicy scent. My six year old can smell flowers and chocolate, so he loves it when I wear this. I can smell something like leather, and I love it, but it smells totally different to me than to him. It was a blind buy, as I loved the description and thought it would make a good cool weather scent. I can't get enough of it...but I wish I could smell it the way people around me smell it, but then I wouldn't stop smelling my arm, so I guess it works out all right. It's a little masculine, which may be how I smell the orris root, it's sweet, has a spicy touch, and the pink pepper gives that weird stimulating tickle. There is a hint of fruitiness, and then a patchouli. there is a warm leather-jacket quality to it...like when you walk into the leather store at the mall. Notorious is subtle, and has a very soft, alluring feel to it. I love the scent of really good leather and this has that kind of feel.

notorious is addicting,seductive, sexy perfume, i see where the ad came from it absolutely capture old Hollywood glamor when i first smelled and has this sparkle halo around when u wear it .i was captivated by the first note and i wasn't sure what it would turn into since it started so good usually thats doesn't end well but notorious did not let me down i can smell peony and little carnation although the pink pepper is detectable then vanilla and musk appear stronger than begining...its beautiful oriental journey if u want to stand out this is the fragrance for you and i was actually surprised when i read many negative reviews about it ,its divine ,compliments guaranteed... and long lasting too.

It's all about chic, glamour & seduction. Not as many many fragrances in the perfumeries, this one is formulated strictly to give you that kind of world - yeah, well, cinema world you admire on the screen. Without knowing who was inspiration during creating Notorious, I was like, yeas, that what I name `blast of neverending glamour`. I see in it Hitchocock`s blond actress, cold and always keeping distance but so irresistant, monumental beauty of woman's charm. Notorious has icy spikes of distance but at the same time soft velvety touch of dark chocolate. Flowers are elegant and almost unvisible, what I can pick is cool brisk of crystal & warm seductive sweetness. Well, yes. I quite love it.

I reviewed this before, but today after a few years I tested it again and I was enchanted in a whole new way. If Lancome La vie est belle and Armani Si would have a love child on a leather bed this would be it. Its one of what I call "dark sweet" perfumes with a hint of leather. If you want to get noticed and to have confidence this is it. This can talk the talk for you. And at this price, if you cant afford Coco by Chanel, get this. Perfume connaisseurs, not perfume snobs will appreciate it. Mr. Lauren, if you get this, bring this gem back!

This is great and I think it does represent it's name well - it is like a diet coke with a slice of champagne cake and a bite of chocolate on a silver fork - there is a cola, champagne, tiny metallic note and a little chocolatey whiff The pink pepper at the beginning goes away very quickly but it is nice and a bit fruity at the first whiff. It reminds me a little of Noa after the dry down but more exciting. I do think it would be appropriate to wear day or night as it seems to stay pretty close to skin

When i tried this at the Istanbul airport i didnt expect to love it and buy it! Smelled different from all the stuff i tried then; it's boozy, earthy, and slightly creamy from the white chocolate; just a tad, nothing silly or gourmand. the currant, patchouli and pepper give it mystery and the peonies with white chocolate twist is delish. Its a beautiful sheer oriental, which works in cold and hot weather! sparkly and unisex to a certain extent. Big like. scent: 8+/10 longevity: 6/10 sillage: 6/10

I agree when you first spray it -its a bit harsh and unisex. Its poignant, it says : I'm here and I'm making it count! The drydown of this is a musky chocolate vanilla, at least on me (has the same base as La vie est belle by Lancome). What really made me buy this,is that feeling of pure style ( somehow it makes me think of a woman from the 40s or 50s wearing something elegant but during the day not the night) this perfume exudes 15 minutes after you put it on -its like airborne!:)

I am with Action on this one. It is a lovely Floral Oriental and the only Ralph I own that smells sexy. I have Pure Turquois (day), Safari (my fave for day), Love (night romantic), and Notorious (night, sexy) It will not beat out CK Obsession for pure sex, but it is still enticing. Notorious has a rich creamy scent. The silage and longevity are both good. It is not a silage monster though. I am happy most people are not all that fond of this because that makes it more affordable.

Not a review as i already reviewed this wonderful perfume. More of a reminder that this is underrated!! the fact that it gets some hate-love reaction means it's more challenging than your average mainstreams scent! seriously i love the vibe it projects, it has a Chanel thing to it... the powdery soft spiciness, the white chocolate, soft white flowers and the beautiful retro black currant...

This is a deep scent Reminescent of Icy Ingrid Bergman to Notorious. Tough Streetwise Barbara Stanwyck to Double Indeminity. The distant fire of Rita Hayworth to Gilda. The Grand Dames Of Noir. they'll love you by day Kill you by night The Chocolate and woods will lure you to her Trap full of Sexual Intrigue Jealousy Revenge until your life will run out. and no ESCAPE!

Wow, this is such a unique scent! First smell was quite strange - a lot of pepper and bergamot - but I love the way it dries down! It's really sexy and classy and the lasting power is great! Of course, it's not for everyone as it is different from all of fruity-florals out there, but if you like spicy fragrances, you should try this one. I LOVE it and had to have it.

Notorious happened to be pretty distinctive perfume. At start I felt that I need to understand it as it's not so easy. Something in it smells like chamomile tea. I feel spiced up peony, but can't figure out if carnation here is flower or spice. I keep thinking spice. There's also a little saltiness present to it. Which made me remember Diabolo Rose. Worth a try.

Oh my gosh CAT PEE..... You must have one beautiful smelling cat. I love it. I wouldnt call this NOTORIOUS at all, its not a loud scent. Its classy with a little c, meaning you feel classy without all the diamonds. Its definetly floral with spice. For a second it smelt quite manly but that died away (Lucky). I love it. Bottle is pretty too.

I love love this. It smells like chocolate and vanilla and spice on me. I never get sick of it. A male could wear it. It does have a coldness to it I was very annoyed when Safari became really hard to get but this is just as good. I think this and pure turquoise have hit the spot very different but somehow you can't stop sniffing them.

For those of you who tried covet by sjp but found something went wrong on you then try this. This one has the smooth chocolate but the spice as well. It is not cupcake chocolate so Britney lovers need not apply. This one may help you replace covet as well because I think that has been discontinued.

I bought it as it somewhat reminded me a little bit of this and that. Namely, a little Gucci by Gucci, Coco Mademoiselle, etc. It seemed nice, but years proved - not my taste, as I rarely ever used it. Interesting fragrance with good lasting power.

Clean, classy, & warm, subtlety spicy & floral notes. The black current, Italian bergamot & peony notes are very much prevalent to me in this perfume. An empowering feminine scent you could wear to work or night out.

I bought a gift set at Marsall for 10 dollars without trying. And I just love it !! On me it is sweet & sour very wierd and very beautiful . I get lots of complements !! and it last 5+ hours or more Just love it.

I loved it when it had just released. But now it's just a lot of patchouli. My skin has a tendency to vamp up the patchouli i guess. Indian Member's - I'm open to swap a 75ml full Edp bottle :).

First present my bf bought me 12 yr ago. It makes me feel very expensive and classy. Its an unusual scent I think. Not as mature as maybe no5 but a more younger power boss scent. Love it.

I got this today after sampling it a few times and I asolutely love it.I smell chocolate in this and something else it smells so good and lasts a long time.I found my signature scent.

Simply Delicious and makes me feel extremely fine: that ́s what it counts. The secret is to wait a few minutes after you apply it to feel the sensation. Lovely!! ^_^

The impression I get from this fragrance is oriental, spicy seductiveness, with splashes of chocolate. It reminds me of Yves Saint Laurent, Opium. I love it.

The note of chocolate is missing here, but I think that might be an important fact for some members here! :-)

I do not understand why people do not like it, I love it, it is subtle but surely present! GREAT!

Chocolatey and smoky, dark yet effervescent. A stunner. Beautiful bottle too!

I Love this on girls. Its very nice fragrance.

Huh, interesting. All I smell for the first 30 minutes is sparkling Sprite, strong on the lime and not much else. Then a little of the pink pepper comes in, and Pink Pepper Sprite is a strange scent indeed, and I'm glad this only lasts a few minutes. Finally, I smell some vanilla and spicy floral which must be the carnation, but the sparkling lime Sprite scent remains. Strange as it sounds, I find I quite like it. It's a refreshing but slightly spicy citrus-floral that makes me look forward to spring. Based on the notes listed and the reviews I expected something quite different, but I am pleased enough with the results to it put on my wishlist for spring. Update: I saw a good deal on a bottle of Notorious while shopping for something else so bought a bottle and put in a drawer for Spring where I assumed this scent would go, or maybe Summer because of the very strong lime scent I experienced with my sample. Not winter, I was sure. But, I very soon realized I was mistaken, and also that some part of me knew it. Today, a warm morning in January, mid 40s, with low clouds, a light rain and a close humidity in the air, I heard Notorious calling to me from inside its box hidden away in my dresser drawer as I contemplated the two scents sitting on top I had deemed more appropriate for the season. I couldn't shake its persistent voice. So I took it out and putting it one, thinking, what the heck did I have to lose? And it might be fun to be a little off kilter. Meanwhile, I had visions of coworkers giving me strange looks and visions of myself walking around sighing in distracted irritation at a scent that just didn't quite fit. But, Notorious turned out to be the absolute perfect choice for the day! I didn't get the strong Sprite scent I had with the sample. The lime was still there, but it was a background scent, sparkling like crystal rain or a tiny stream in the sun. The spicy floral is stronger, and I get a woody green scent like wet evergreens, pine and cedar, but not too strong as to be medicinal or sharply bitter. Its really the absolutely perfect scent for a warm, rainy, dark morning, the soft, spicy scent of a still sleeping evergreen wood, with warm, sunlit rain, and the very light scent of citrus blossoms like a promise of Spring!

atiet97, I think I know what you mean! There is something of a softdrink in it (if spice-cola exists, this would be it!) and I find Notorious very american, too, although can't really name why! People seem to hate this one, but I really, really like it. I even get the glamour part, because the drydown is quite classy and very sexy, Gucci-like way. It is not a complicated scent but the very combination of notes makes it quite difficult. The opening is mint+bubblegum+yeah,maybe coca-cola+pepper, after that it gets incredibly sweet, with a spicy undertone that makes it somehow dirty. After a while a strange, a bit stale and detergent note emerges. Doesn't sound too attractive, but it all makes sense somehow! These 2 stages are quite difficult for me but not repulsive. Then, further it goes, more chocolate-with-pink-pepper it gets, very enjoyable this note. Patchouli is there all the time, but not separable from other notes, just to give edge to the composition. The drydown is musky and warm, with detectable orris root and vanilla. The base notes combine in a very special way and are definitely the most successful part of Notiorious. I love the ad, Laetitia is so beautiful here and I like the style. I think it fits the perfume well. But to be a classic and really hollywood-glamourous it should improve a lot both on lasting power and sillage, as it is quite delicate all the way.

My father presented me with a gift set for Christmas the year it was released. I fell in love upon first spray. Sadly, several months later my bottle mysteriously disappeared from the hotel room I stayed in on vacation. I resigned myself to the loss of my perfume, as I finished off the lotion and shower gel from the set. I recently scored a full 75 ml replacement bottle on ebay for a mere $20 bucks! The juice is just as magical as I remembered. Notorious opens with fizzy, pink pepper and blackcurrent overlayed with a sheer veil of citrus notes. Its quite effervescent at first. With the arrival of the mid notes comes spicy carnation anchored by a rich, creamy-but-unsweetened, white chocolate note. The spicy, chocolate dipped carnation stage lasts about 6 hours but gradually softens as it dries down. The dry down becomes a delicate veil of patchouli and musk that blends effortlessly with the last traces of the green-floral-chocolate notes. As with all Lauren perfumes this too can be a sillage powerhouse if oversprayed. The pepper and carnation notes can be sneeze inducing, so apply with a light hand. For me Notorious does indeed conjure images of the classic film era, while the beautiful art deco bottle looks elegant atop my dresser.

Notorious is the best perfume I've ever sampled from Ralph Lauren. It really surprised me. The concept is what interested me the most about the fragrance; however, it does not conjure up images of Old Hollywood film noir for me. Instead, it's quite chic and fashionable. I think that the opening is the best part. On my skin, I get fruity black currant and sweet vanilla/white chocolate, some spiciness from the peppercorns, warmth from the patchouli, a floral note from the carnation and a freshness from the peony. This perfume is not jarring at all, and as someone who often struggles with patchouli, I have no problems with it here. After the bold opening, it calms down into an earthy sweetness that's light, clean and warm. Notorious reminds me of a Chanel perfume. I think it's Chance, with it's fresh peppercorn and patchouli combination. I'm pretty sure that Chance is a little more dry with it's citrus accords; I found this perfume to be sweeter. Overall, Notorious really is a wonderful perfume and I'm surprised that it doesn't get more love! Sillage is soft; lasts for about 4-5 hours.

I like but don't love this. Given the reviews, I was hoping for something a little darker and a little naughtier, but on me it's a pleasant, not overwhelming amber floral. I don't get the femme fatale references on myself; it's nice, but not quite sexy. It would be a nice evening or date night scent. For me, it's nothing I'm really going to reach for, but I'm not mad I have a sample. Over time: Starts with a big hit of black currant, yum. Ten minutes in it's hard to distinguish notes, it's just a mélange of currant, flowers, and green. Forty minutes and it has settled into something mostly floral, but warm, more like amber than chocolate. At an hour and fifteen minutes, it's warm, pleasant florals, not too dry. At 2.5 hours, more of the same: it's mostly just amber and peonies. On me it eventually turns a bit musky, but vanilla never appears as a note in its own right, maybe just sweetening and smoothing things in the background.

This one has lasted about a minute on me. I have used up a 30ml bottle in a week!!! Those who know Coco M and So Elixir from Yves Rocher will most likely agree that Notorious is not so distant a relative to both. Corporate it is ( thanks to the masculine note ), also sparkly and light ( thanks to the citrus essence ), but it doesn't make it there into the rang of Chanel, and it is neither cheap nor cosy enough like So Elixir. If it had ANY staying power at all on me - I would have probably even considered wearing it to the office in autumn ( for me it seems to be best suited for those days ), but being a brunette, I am almost sure that it would suit a blonde much better, especially someone, whose skin does not absorb every scent's molecule at a remarkable speed!

Why on earth does it feel aquatic to my nose I am not sure as there are hardly any aquatic group notes listed here. I wish carnation was more 'visible', I also cannot detect pink pepper which I love, neither can I detect any vanilla? It is a very interesting fragrance, where notes do not stand out on their own. Very soft and aquatic, it is so soothing to me. I really love it. Well worth having in your collection as it is a little work of art in perfumery. Can be worn in any season and certainly will have that head turning factor on your work colleagues :-) No cloying, no headiness, no nausea, it smells special. Expensive. Well done, Ralph!

Starts off with a sweet/sour blast of black currant. Peppery patchouli top notes dry down into creamy white chocolate. Overall it's smooth and not too sweet. Sensual, but not overly feminine. I had no idea what to expect when I blind bought this but I figured either way it would be interesting. Whereas Fantasy comes at you like a wall of Symphony bars the white chocolate in Notorious is soft & subtle. It gives Notorious a gourmand quality without overbearing sweetness. It smells a bit old fashioned, but in a good way. It's almost reminiscent of a more modern version of Elizabeth Arden's 5th Avenue series.

NOTORIOUS is a gorgeous mix of tarte fruits and chocolaty patchouli. It is smooth, warm and sexy. The choco-chouli is infused with sweet spice and baby powder. NOTORIOUS is suggestive - it hints sweet flowers, mouth watering plummy notes, sour and spicy peppery chutney. On the skin, it reveals beautiful layers of fresh fruits and sensual floral all wrapped in a cashmere cloud. I happen to love this controversial perfume. If a perfume can be empowering, NOTORIOUS will be mine. I love wearing this when I feel daring and womanly. It's the equivalent of a push-up bra or red lipstick in fragrant liquid form.

This one was a present from a friend. I like ( don't love it). I do enjoy wear when I wearing Nautical style clothes ( for some reason). Have a nice vintage smell to it ( I do love vintage by the way). Not necessary my signature I don't think. Some of my friends seems to like when I wear it. Is not my favourite one unfortunately but I would don't mind to buy it once mine finishes ( if I can get cheap). I think I have a love/hate relationship about this one and for some reason I feel like I couldn't live without! Doesn't lasts much what is a shame and maybe that's why is not my favourite one .

I didn't see this coming. I sampled this because of white chocolate note and the opening took me by surprise as I got very strong vintage feel with carnations, bergamot and very sharp pink pepper. This is not my cup of tea at all but you know what? I couldn't stop sniffing my wrist. There was some sort of very masculine vibe... and quite an attractive one. The drydown got milder and I could detect vanilla and a little bit of white chocolate and musk. Think it's more fall/winter frag. Warmer and spicy, moderate sweetness. It's so different but somehow sensual.

Thank you to my swap partner. Notorious is a beautiful scent that seems to have a niche type vibe. Upon application you get a chocolate note. It's gourmand without being nauseating. LOVING this one and I must agree it smells very similar to Extraordinary. If your seeking a warm, chocolate note tasty fragrance that is not super gourmand or foody, something that has a niche quality this is your girl. If your seeking a traditional floral Ralph Lauren scent you might be quite disappointed with this as it is not a feminine soft spring floral.

Notorious is a great name for this scent profile. It's both unique and common at the same time. XD I recommend IF you find it at a steal. It's not a 1 sprayer, but it's not a body mist either. This is a one note nelly, but it's a really nice note. On me, it's a spicy-sweet carnation floral with a lightly musky dry down. I have Vivienne Westwood Boudour; a high quality carnation scent. Notorious definitely smells cheap by comparison. It's a great summer-fall scent, such an odd season span. It's distinctive, but approachable.

This is so insane - if I didn't know this came out in 2008 I would have sworn this is a early to mid-nineties kind of scent. It's got a feisty, peppery bite that very much screams "successful business woman in heels". It's what the Giorgio-wearing office gal would wear after climbing up the ladder and moving into her corner office with skyline view. A little too in-your-face to me, although I like its androgynous tendencies. A guy could definitely wear this; this scent has that much "balls", if you know what I mean.

Notorious enchanted me. I tested it today for the first time and it caught my attention immediately as a perfectly vintage perfume even though it's not:) It has a straight citrus and peony vibe with a strong cassis note spiced up by carnation but only slightly - just enough to give it this 1980's or even 70's feel. In time, all these notes settle leaving room mostly to peony which persist and is the reminiscent of Ralph Lauren Romance. Yet another one on my "WANT" list;-(

Love the overall theme, the design, the bottle, even the juice. However this reminds me too much of a Cola soft drink. That's why it instantly matched the images of stars and stripes, red, blue and white; the USA's flag! People dancing in a ballroom, in a 50's scene of summer prom night, dressed in young and classy fashion but trapped in time. So strange...does anybody get the same feeling, or it's just me and my imagination?

A nice, spicy peppery rose scent. Quite strong, walk through one little spritz and it lasts all day. I don't find it unisex at all, I think it's very womanly. Not a scent for your teenage daughter, this is a serious grown up woman scent. I only use it in the winter because it feels so warm to me. It's not for everyone, so if you're into "me too" scents this isn't for you. I find it to be unique and wonderful!

I sniffed this at a local discount store recently and i have to say the actual juice smells very different from the magazine ad, which had a distinctive licoracey-mintyness to it. On my skin, peony and vanilla dominated. It smelled sophisticated and slightly distinctive but safe - not "notorious" at all. A forties siren would never wear such an agreeable perfume.

The first time I smelled this is was on a strip in a magazine. It struck me as quite different than anything that was out at that time so I had to try it. It's extremely feminine & classy smelling. I love that it doesnt change on my skin all day and you can still smell it on your clothes the next day (without smelling stale) Its a cozy cool weather smell to me.

1st few dabs, I smell beer..?? Yes, beer. This only lasts a few seconds, then gives way to sweet spicy flowers. Ok, but nothing special. After that, the drydown is so close to the skin I can't tell I have anything on. Has no real presence. Update: I can't believe I'm seeing comments about this being a strong fragrance...are you kidding me??

Notorious starts off with notes of sweet,peppery,chocolate cola.The florals stay in the background and act as back-up singers to this overall chocolate-patchouli fragrance. It is a sexually suggestive scent and has excellent sillage. I like it because it's not a faceless ditz in the sea of commercial conformity.

i cant understand why so many people dislike it!?I think it is modern,fresh and sparkly with lil spice ,chik,elegant and classy frag.it reminds me a lil bit of Coco mademoissele on my skin.It is very long lasting and noticable.It smells expensive.I really wanna have it ,although it is not exactly my style ..