Violet Blonde Tom Ford 2011

If Balmain JOLIE MADAME were a person, then Tom Ford VIOLET BLONDE would be JOLIE MADAME dressed in a skin-tight, shiny vinyl Jetsons-type jumpsuit. The composition itself may be more similar to an abstract, bright Hollywood flashbulb version of Le Labo's limited edition POUDRE D'ORIENT, which I would recommend to those who are less than enthused by the plasticity/hair spray turn which VIOLET BLONDE takes toward the drydown.

I rather like this perfume, but I'm a certified violet 'ho' and should perhaps recuse myself from writing reviews of fragrances featuring the beloved leaves or petals of that sacred flower. (see what I mean... (-;) Anyway, VIOLET BLONDE has excellent longevity and also smells great on my cat--who happens to be "blonde"--which is an added bonus.

I had decided to give this review the title ‘Viole(n)t Blonde’, but apparently someone has thought of the same, so I had to come up with something different. This is a violent experience, though - or maybe just a very loud in-your-face kind of. The mandarine note combined with the violet note in the beginning always makes me reconsider spraying it. When wearing I am a bit concerned what other people might think, and that is a rare feeling to me. I am not even sure if I actually like the smell. There are whiffs too sweet and whiffs too cloying - but at other times it is quite nice.
Maybe the best word for me to describe the scent is ‘tricky’. I find it tricky to wear (too much/too little?). I find it tricky to work out the notes, since they all mix together in a loud expression. I find it tricky to decide whether I like it or not.
At least you can not say anything against longevity of this fragrance. If you like long lasting scents, you have found one.
And the bottle is a beauty.
199/365

After I got a sample of this and smelled it for the first time I fell in love with it immediately. I opened straight away the package of it - it was just waiting if I would love it or not.

Personally I love more Tom Ford’s perfumes in Signature line than in Private line. I don’t know why but they feels more special to me.

This is an amazing high quality scent, it’s very different than all other Iris / Violet scent’s which I have. It’s an elegance in the bottle. It’s a little bit vintage style but not in a soapy way and it’s not so “dry” powdery. it’s very cozy, soft and warm but in the same time it’s very unique and romantic. Benzoin makes it different from other warmer Iris scents and I love the way it does it warm without Vanilla like sweetness. Violet is there but the name is misleading imo since Iris and Orris are more dominant - together with Jasmine they make an irresistible core for this scent. Musk and Suede in the base make it not only so cozy but very very sensual as well. Concoction is somewhat full of contrasts. I don’t get any ozonic or aquatic which are included in accords here in Fragrantica.

This scent was released 2011 and was discontinued only 5 years later. I don’t know if it was too special or too old fashioned as a designer scent or if the reason was the name but so sad that this kind of creation is not produced anymore.

Top: Italian Mandarin, Baie Rose, pink pepper (?), Violet leaf
Heart: Tuscan Iris, Jasmine Sambac, Tuscan Orris butter
Base: Musk, Suede, Cedar, Vetiver, Benzoin

Thank you for reading, I hope you liked my review and it was helpful.

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Where's my violet? I love scents with violet leaves and cedar. This one though, is pretty much just cedar on me. It smells great, but I wanted violet leaf.

It remains pretty linear on my skin. It get's a little powdery (just a smidge) in the dry down and every so often I'll get a hint of Iris. The vetiver and orris give some depth to the cedar. But I wanted violet leaf too...

It's a lovely scent. Fantastic Longivity, wears close to the skin. It's a beautiful rich, and deep cedar scent. Very unisex.

Jan
05
2014

Guerlain Insolence’s Parma Violet candies layered with spices, incense, and soft hints of animalics.

The dry down of Violet Blonde on my skin was a very similar experience to Tom Ford’s Black Orchid. Both have a spicy, almost savory aroma without smelling like sweat or body odor. The best way to describe it is the smell of a dry goods store full of spices and seasoning and dried legumes.

Very similar feel to Shalimar or Salome, but softer and much more approachable.

Ideal for colder months.