Ode a la Vie

The YR "Ode" line to me are very rich and almost niche in how they are made and bottled and in how they smell. I was not planning on reviewing this today but the first review on here got me going... Of all the Odes by YR, my absolute fave is Ode au Reve-ode to a dream;(in the XDP-eliXir De Parfum-strength) but my second is Ode a la Vie-ode to life. This is a burst of the most natural green scent imaginable...bamboo leaves (lush, aquatic and verdant) with galbanum (heady green plant-based resin) makes me feel like I am in a lush forest near a pond with all sorts of aquatic plants growing about me, swishing in a soft spring breeze. The heart-florals are soft and demure (cyclamen, water lily & violet) and come smoothly together, tickling my nose and making me smile. The woods here are a nice cedar and an almost white sandalwood that add to the forest ambiance and finish on a translucent musk that reminds one of a clear sky above... I love Nature in all of it's glory and wonder and THIS is one of the most natural 'green' scents I have ever smelled. It is light, airy, green, slightly floral with just enough wood and musk to ground it and keep it earthy but not "dirty". Whoever decided to discontinue the Ode line should be strung up and lashed with a perfumed whip!!! Sillage: light but firm Longevity: good Overall: 4.5/5 I have the body wash, scent and sparkling parfum gel and bath crystals for this and let me tell you, even the body wash smells more natural than some perfumes...like washing yourself in a waterfall with fresh leaves. I also have many Avon scents and if you want to compare it to one of theirs it is more akin to Meadow Dew from the Simple Elements line than Haiku is...

One of the first aquatics with bamboo and water lily that I have loved. This is Green with a lot of bamboo, water lily and heavy orchid. It is fresh and floral. I have more than 1200 full bottles and don't find this "boring" at all as someone else mentioned. It is unlike anything else in my collection. Maybe because I don't wear mainstream stuff; so, I am new to this. It is lovely. I repeat, there is lots of orchid here and musk, as well. The top is the fresh aquatic green but it quickly settles into an orchid floral with musk. Still light and fresh but with a depth to it.

This was MY perfume for years. This is the perfume my friends and family compare all my other scents. "That doesn't smell like you at all" or "That smells just like you". I love this fresh and green fragrance. When I sprayed it on, I always thought I'd be standing in a lush green forest after rain, watching as rays of sunlight are filtered through leaves. I still have few drops left in my last bottle, but I'm afraid the precious liquid has mysteriously turned in to somekind of foul urine-like goo... *sob*

This, along with CK Truth, another bamboo fragrance, is my bed-time perfume. Fresh, clean, woody and green, it's so peaceful, perfect for a day on the sofa with a good book, or a restful night's sleep.

Gorgeous fresh and beautiful. Perfect bamboo; definitely the best one I've tried. It's a delightful scent. Does make one feel happy and carefree.