Fleur Burlesque

I am wearing "don't mess with me" perfumes to work at the moment, which means they need to be strong and mature. Fragrances with sandalwood, oud and civet are my choice of notes when in my "don't mess with me" mood. When I first wore Fleur Burlesque in early summer, sandalwood and jasmine were the strongest notes; equally balanced with the jasmine, sandalwood played - almost - as a light oud. I don't remember even noticing amber. I loved it. Testing FB this cool January evening, it is unrecognisable to me as the perfume I last wore in summer. Gardenia is singing, too high and sweet, backed by jasmine. Sandalwood is playing a vague supporting role, WAY in the background (and I still can't smell amber - not in the way I like, anyway). I barely even like FB this evening. This really shows the difference temperature can make to my enjoyment of a perfume. Fleur Burlesque is going back into the cupboard until spring and I'm going with Pour une Femme de Caron instead.

This is gorgeous. It's understated and effortless, with realistic florals and a warm base. The gardenia and jasmine are so well blended that they smell like one note, and the amber really punches through and is almost honey-like. I only wish the sandalwood came through on me more...I love sandalwood. It reminds me of my grandmother in a good way. She would've been a teen in the late 20s and early 30s, and was a very fashionable lady who loved her perfumes, fascinator hats, kid gloves, and shoe collection. I know he was going for Moulin Rouge 1880s-1890s chic, but I think this is a harken back to all things vintage--well made, long-lasting, pure, and timeless. There's something kind of magical about this. It makes me want to put my hair up in pin curls, lounge around my apartment in a robe, and smoke a rolled cigarette through a window while drinking black coffee and writing that book I've been meaning to finish. 10/10

After a long and expensive quest to find a signature scent replacement for First by VC&A that I have been wearing since I discovered it in my late teens when it first came out, and can no longer appreciate because of multiple reformulations that have spoiled it, I have now found my new signature sent. FB is a heavenly, feminine scent and ironically, I dislike most scents with sandalwood. I obtained a small 1 ml sample, drenched myself in it and promptly purchased 100 ml. Its really cold now where I live and I find it just so alluring, exquisite and sublime. When your find your special scent you just know because it creates a magical bubble all around you! Can’t wait to test it out in spring/summer. I’m sure its a year round beauty. Mr Epinette you now have a place in my heart next to my favorite master perfumer of all times : Mr Jean Claude Ellena.

What an honor, to write the first review about such a beautiful fragrance!! Aah, this is beautiful indeed. It smells like what I expected Carnal Flower to be, but it wasn't. This smells like beautiful white flowers on a warm spring day. With just one spray on my neck it lasted 9 hours, and it kept getting more beautiful as time went by... It mellowed extremely nicely, contrary to many many perfumes which start smelling off after 3 hours on my skin. This perfume managed to comfort me through a difficult 9 hours, I must add! The only downside is the price, as it is well over 100 pounds for the 100ml bottle. I tested this in London at Liberty and they told me it was exclusive, although I do not remember any more details. I recommend this 100% if you have access to it and can afford it. Hopefully someday this beauty will be mine! <3

Looking at the notes, this fragrance doesn't sound like my cuppa tea. However, notes alone can be very deceiving and the composition of a fragrance can smell completely different to what one would imagine. This fragrance is vibrant, vivacious but not obnoxious, and expensive smelling. There is an elegance to it, perhaps even a little flirtiness. It is an easy reach and although perfect for the warmer months, still shines during the middle of winter. Fleur Burlesque could be worn to work, for a night out, or for a special occasion, it's very versatile. Longevity is pretty good as I could still faintly smell it the next morning, maybe 22 hours after applying it. It projected decently for about the first 8 hours and leaves a nice trail. If you like scents that are quite feminine and have personality, I recommend giving this a try.