Brigitte

"Scrumptious" seems like a fitting word to describe this scent. I would classify Brigitte as a floral-gourmand. Tangy rhubard and zingy ginger are the first notes that become apparent, and then an unique interplay of notes emerge -- papaya adds a tropical nuance (Bardot loved the beach, after all), and saffron contributes a slightly sharp, spicy element. I have to work a bit to distinguish the rose, but it is definitely there, intermingling with the spices and sweets, adding a classic femininity to this fragrance. The dry-down has a sweet-powdery quality that can only come from the Iris. According to the Tocca website, there is a Panettone note in Brigitte, as well (think: milk, vanilla, butter, citrus, and candied fruits). I have been wearing this all day, and it smelled so delicious (and made me crave Panettone so badly) that I'm whipping up a batch in the breadmaker right now! I don't personally like to wear orientals or gourmands in the warmer months, so I save this scent for fall and winter -- though, unlike a heavier gourmand such as Angel, a spritz of Brigitte would still be bearable in the spring and summer if you were so inclined. Keep in mind, there is a lot going on here: spices, fruits, sugar, and florals, so if you are the type that tends toward fragrances that are simple and elegant, this might not be for you. Brigitte is also quite heady, so if you have sensitivities to sweet perfumes, look elsewhere. To this gourmand-lover's nose, Brigitte is luscious, sensual, and feminine (great words to describe Brigitte Bardot herself). If you love gourmands or vanilla-floral-orientals, this is worth a test -- though be warned: it might have you craving Panettone!

The smoldering Brigitte Bardot began studying ballet at the age of seven. She was a dedicated student, and was later accepted at the prestigious Conservatoire de Paris dance school. While there, she was given the nickname "Bichette" by her fellow ballerinas, which means "little doe." There is a wonderful photograph of her in full ballet regalia poised regally on a stool. Her sculpted form is a combination of grace and muscle. Her face is dewy; she must have just sat down for a break from dancing. Her expression is both resolute and dreamy. Those dark-rimmed doe eyes are gazing fixedly into the distance. In her left hand she holds a freshly lit cigarette. Brigitte is the only Tocca fragrance that when I sniffed thought- this is it! I have to buy this RIGHT NOW. I had never smelled anything like it. It was simultaneously soft and sharp. Sweet and tough. The little doe was carrying a switchblade under her pink tutu. Brigitte made me feel like an alluring tomboy. The soft aspect of the scent was wrapped around a delightful fizzy, prickly heart- the ginger. What a beautiful representation of ginger was Brigitte! On me, a whiff of maple syrup bloomed as well, tempered by the sandalwood. But that wonderful, glowing ginger was the star. It was a gorgeous scent. However, like a cigarette break, this delicious ginger elixir lasted only minutes. It surrounded me with a deep golden halo, then poof! Almost as soon as she arrived, little Bichette had vanished back into the forest. I doubt I will find her like again.

LOOOOOVE this scent! A spicy fruity floral, but not overpowering. Heather's got it right, I think it's classified wrong (not really an Oriental Floral.) Some fruity florals can smell like rotting fruit and flowers and clobber you over the head, but this one is nothing like that AT ALL, don't let the description scare you. Nice complexity, very well balanced and each transition throughout the day is just as nice as the last. You get sweet fruit first; then spicy floral; then a sweet but musky floral. Heaven. Sweet but still subtle. Later update: Okay, this really smells different in warm weather (I bought it last winter.) I get less fruit, more dry, flowery, muskiness, and the spicy ginger comes out much more. Now I can see how it's an "Oriental Floral." It hit me that it reminds me quite a bit of RL's Safari, which was a fave of mine for years (oh, for a fresh bottle...) It's sweeter and less sharp, with the added depth of rose. Brigitte has a few faces. For me, a very beautiful scent no matter what season.

This is quite lovely. I am usually affraid of perfumes classified as "Oriental Floral", but this is so much more. It's a little fruity to me at first, then warms up to ginger and rose. It's light and feminine. The rose is not too overwhelming. I think this is one of the better newer perfumes I've tried. It's a "must sniff"! Edit 3/18/10: After sniffing this at least once a day as it sits on a 'perfume shelf' in my bathroom, I have decided that this is actually one of the most perfect scents I own. I want to wear it everyday and bathe in it and wash my sheets in it (Tocca does make laundry detergent, but not in this scent - yet), I simply cannot live without it and out of my entire fragrance collection, this is in my top 3. A complete joy.

Oh how I my heart yearns for this one... I wore it religiously in the 11th grade which turned out to be right before it was discontinued. I’d spray it on in the mornings and the spicy notes made me feel so powerful. It was sweet and woody but with a bite. Everywhere I went people would ask me what I was wearing! But I wanted to expand my taste and I tried so many other perfumes. By the time I came back to this one it was discontinued! I’d love to smell this fragrance again, I’m sure it’d bring up so many memories for me! I’d anyone has a bottle that’s been well taken care of, I’d love to buy if from you!