Flynn92

In general, I find Violet to be one of the better niche houses of recent years. There are so many new brands popping up here and there, wanting over 200 euros for their perfumes right off the bat. Often, however, only mediocre quality is achieved.

Of course, one should like classic scents. Many are oriented towards the models that the brand itself released over half a century ago…

At 155 euros for 75ml Extrait de Parfum, the Violet fragrances are affordable, and travel sprays are now also offered.

Behind the scent and generally behind most of the fragrances is Nathalie Lorson, a perfumer who is actually known for creating good perfume on a modest budget (Bentley for Men Intense, Lalique Encre Noir). Here she proves that she can create true grand perfumes with a more generous budget and play in the big leagues. In my opinion, she would have also been an excellent choice for the position of chief perfumer at Dior. But it was not meant to be…

Now to the scent. Right off the bat, when applied generously, it is a strong perfume. Above-average sillage, with 14+ hours of longevity, you can smell the perfume all day or even the next morning.

The scent consists of three stages for me, top, heart, and base notes are quite well distinguishable.

The opening is fresh, clean, invigorating. Tuberose is noticeable from the very beginning. Accompanied by citrus notes and clean orange blossom. I would suspect a hint of pear, but it could also be the eucalyptus-violet leaf combo.

In the heart, the perfume transforms into a clean white floral on body lotion/shampoo musk. The latter is often meant in a derogatory way, but here I mean it positively. A very expensive body lotion. Everything feels very well-groomed. While I find the opening definitely wearable as a flower-loving man, the scent becomes distinctly feminine here (if one believes in such things). The heart lasts for several hours.

The base ultimately becomes a bit more sensual. So to speak, just in time when the workday is over. The scent never becomes "dirty," but the narcotic nature of the tuberose is clearly hinted at here. Supported by heliotrope and vanilla. A hint of coconut prevents the whole thing from becoming too powdery.

I will definitely keep an eye on Violet. And I will also get a travel spray to enjoy this scent from time to time.

My first fragrance love that started it all. Still my biggest love. Many say its the male version of Bois des Iles, but I think its a more slimmed down version of Coco (my second favorite). The far dry down of the Vintage smells a lot like Egoiste. Florals removed, sandalwood amped up. The rose note is actually made up of damascones, famously used in Shiseidos Nombre Noir and Coco. They have a smell of rose and dried fruits. Egoiste never smells fruity on me, but MyMickers (RIP) seemed to got it sometimes... I get 10 hours out of Egoiste, but even later when I have a hot shower after a long day it reactivates and fills the shower with its heavenly aroma. This is seriously the last thing I want to smell before I die.

Pleasantly fresh, creamy. Not your typical scent. Reminds me of Fico di Amalfi but less fruity. I find the fragrance has a somewhat lactonic/milky quality, even though Dior lists marine notes. Recommended, but for me, not "bottle worthy."

Perhaps some may wonder why a young man is writing a comment about such a fragrance, but I am certainly no stranger when it comes to classic "women's fragrances." Chanel is my "home" (along with Guerlain), and I enjoy wearing Egoiste and Antaeus just as much as No 22 or Misia.

Now to the scent. For me, No 22 is what one might have imagined "clean" to be in the 20s. Nowadays, it leans more citrusy for women and "shower gel-aquatic" for men. Back then, it was more powdery. The fragrance starts off aldehydic-buttery and then transitions to vanilla-powdery. The flowers are merely there to underscore the whole, I wouldn't classify No 22 as a floral fragrance. That would be its sister No 5, where you can distinctly smell jasmine and ylang-ylang. That's why I really only like No 5 as a soap. I have the privilege of owning a decant of the EdT and a vintage Eau de Cologne (from America). It is clear that the EdP has a higher concentration, and it is understandable that the fragrance was offered in lower concentrations for decades. The scent can certainly be too much and too dense for many, but fortunately, I can handle it. What I really find unfortunate is that No 22 has been robbed of its incense. The current version has lost complexity. Nevertheless, anyone who enjoys aldehydic fragrances should give No 22 a chance; it feels wonderful to feel clean in this special way!

P.S. If anyone has the perfume, I am really eager to test it, even just half a ml would be enough for me. Thank you! :)

Thank you Lancôme, thank you for proving with this fragrance that the modern art of perfumery is not completely lost. I smelled this scent on a lady in the airplane. I don't know how much she sprayed, but her scent cloud was noticeable at least 2 rows in front/behind her. At first, I thought it was Pure XS for her, as this Tonka/vanilla combination in the air smells similar to that popcorn accord. I find the fragrance extremely well-balanced. Sweet but not too sweet, elegant but not old-fashioned. Slightly synthetic but that doesn't bother me. I think the scent carries the signature of Cristophe Raynaud; I didn't perceive it as much in the air, but on my hand, I always smell this DNA of 1 Million / 1 Million Privé. Trésor resembles the latter the most.