So Elixir

I only write reviews on Women's fragrances that my wife has that I simply adore (and the world must know about). This is one, and I write this review for the Eau de Parfum of So Elixir. A few years ago, when I first bought this for my wife from Yves Rocher, it was instant love (and a new release from the house). From looking at the scent pyramid, it could possibly be a man's scent - but 'how' the notes and composition come together is just incredible on my wife's olive skin. I wanted to think this magical "Elixir" - a truly apropos name, was a secret...one that I can share with my wife and no one else. It is one of her most heavily-complimented scents (hands-down!) among her entire collection. It is also one of the most incredibly sensual...heavenly! I like some of the reviews contributed here and wasn't going to write one, but the time has come. Hathor contributes a great review (my wife has a mix of Mediterranean heritage, ironically, and this is very exotic) - as does Aysu and rosembloom. However, to me, it is not like Flowerbomb though. One can compare similar notes, but the balmy warmth and amazing, rich patchouli in here (a note that I adore) is presented rather differently, mainly due to the incense extract and tonka bean (which is so deeply radiant and adds the vanillic sweetness) that is blended beautifully. The Damask rose is gorgeous in the heart and is incorporated perfectly (this is NOT overly floral or balmy - but a very sensual balance of both ). This is a liquid aphrodisiac in a bottle for me! Flowerbomb is, overall, sweeter - and has notes that take it to different places...the radiant Earl Grey tea and orchid interplay differently. The use of jasmine is different too - but a key note in both. I am not putting Flowerbomb down, but enough comparison. So Elixir is always (hopefully!) going to be in my wife's collection. When I notice her bottle is running low - she gets a surprise from Yves Rocher or I seek out a bottle online immediately. So Elixir is composed by three famous noses: Olivier Cresp, Marie Salamagne and Jacques Cavallier...I greatly admire their work as individuals, so I can say that they did something truly great here, working together. There is a skin chemistry question here that I want to address. I believe my wife's naturally oily, olive skin wears this scent perfectly well - it is a harmonious connection for her. I am not sure it would smell nearly the same on everyone else. That said, I feel that her and I still get something unique and special from this incredible juice...easily one of the most sexually-stimulating scents that could adorn my wife's body. Gorgeous. A subjective review as this seems to melt into my wife's beautiful skin and create an aura of sensuality...Merci, Yves Rocher. A love-making potion that smells incredible!

I’ve loved this perfume since I was a child. It’s the only women’s fragrance I’d truly want to wear. It never bothers me when I smell it—if anything, it always makes me want to experience it even more on myself. It doesn’t last very long on my skin, but on clothes it stays all day. Honestly, I would swim in this scent. I also have the shower gel from the same fragrance line, and it makes even washing feel enjoyable. For me, this scent gives off a kind of early 2000s or 2010s old “bathhouse” vibe—like some kind of gypsy-style villa or space filled with gold, decorative plants, and palm trees. The fragrance is light; it doesn’t suffocate. It simply exists with me. It’s not loud or overly cozy—it just stays by my side with its softness. I genuinely feel sad that it’s no longer available. I’ve tried to find similar scents and even tested Coco Mademoiselle Intense, which people often mention, but on my skin the mimosa and fruity notes turn unpleasantly bitter, almost like fermented grass. I already struggle to find fragrances that develop nicely on my skin. I think in the future, I’ll do everything I can to recreate an identical dupe of this scent myself.

I have a soft corner for Yves Rocher products as I have been using it since I was a little girl and I really like most of the products. Good quality and affordable. So I always try out their new fragrances. When So elixir came out, I immediately read all the reviews here and became very curious because of comparisons to Flowerbomb and Diesel Fuel for Life and even Coco Mademoiselle. When I smelled it on paper in a catalogue, i liked it and ordered it immediately. On my skin I even liked it more, and it indeed reminded me a bit of Coco Mademoiselle, its not exactly the same, just reminded me of it. I find it a very luxurious, expensive smelling scent. The bergamot gives its freshness to this scent, the incense and patchouli make it mysterious and the Jasmine and Rose give it a romantic touch. None of the notes are too strong, they are very well balanced. This is a beautiful fragrance, not sweet smelling on me but sophisticated and very feminine! Its lasting power is strong and it has a good sillage. An outstanding fragrance from Yves Rocher! A true sixer!!!!

I'm kind of obsessed with this scent at the moment...I actually first came across it in 2011, so it's not something new for me, but I only got my first bottle recently. It's a floral-patchoulli blend that's smooth, warm, sophisticated and versatile...sweet, but also quite sultry and sensual thanks to the lowkey incensey vibe. I think the incense + tonka is what makes this one special, otherwise it would just be another boring mainstream scent of the 2010s. So Elixir smells womanly, imagine a femme fatale on a regular day. I feel beautiful wearing it. Fantastic quality, and this scent lasts almost all day on me with decent sillage to boot (perfectly moderate on my skin). I could wear this all year round (perhaps not for hotter days), day or night. It does resemble Coco Mademoiselle, kind of, but I dislike CM, I find it too piercing and headache inducing. So Elixir is warmer, more relaxed and sensual in comparison. The only complaint I have about this perfume is that I wish it came in a 100ml bottle.

This is a very sensual, sophisticated scent. Warm, balmy beauty...a touch smoky (barely) with floral sweetness and a smooth patchouli base. Good for everyday. Quelques Notes D’Amour shares the same base, but that one is heavy on the rose and quite spicy/peppery. I personally love So Elixir more, So Elixir is woodier and more rounded, calmer, more sensuous and mature, I can see how people would compare this scent to Coco Mademoiselle, but I can’t wear that one. So Elixir is cozier and much smoother, more balanced, Coco M is sharper, it develops sour/acidic on me and can get abit screechy and headache inducing (might be all the citruses and orange blossom interacting with patchouli). So Elixir is perfect for fall, but I would wear it all year round, day to night, it’s not too sweet, not cloying, just balanced, cozy, sensuous and elegant. Moderate sillage and good longevity. Great quality. The little 1oz bottles are adorable and the perfect size for traveling or slipping into your handbag.