Description
Balenciaga Paris is a new fragrance by the house of Balenciaga and it was launched as the first fragrance after starting partnership with Coty, in 2008. Designer of Balenciaga – Nicolas Ghesquiere worked on developing the new fragrance and was meticulous about every detail of Balenciaga Paris edition. Perfumer who created this composition is Olivier Polge of IFF.
Balenciaga Paris is not a romantic floral fragrance, but created with a dose of the urban and the traditional with nuances of metal effects. Its composition is characterized as a chypre floral with accentuated violet. The effect it leaves is not powdery as it usually does in other compositions, but violet leaves are put in the front plan so the fragrance receives light, fresh and natural nuances. Olivier Polge integrates redistilled wood such as cedar and patchouli. Floral essences are represented by carnation and violet.
Flacon is made of transparent glass body, shaped like beans and decorated with a stopper which reminds of old vases from the 18th century. The designer’s wish was to give character to these fragrance and flacon, so he believed that head, neck and stable body would make appropriate design. Fragrance Balenciaga Paris is available as 30, 50 and 75ml EDP, along with 200 ml perfumed bath and 200 ml body lotion.
Advertising face and muse of the creator is Charlotte Gainsbourg, known from other advertising billboards by the house of Balenciaga. Photographer of the campaign is Steven Meisel. Balenciaga Paris was launched in 2010.
Molnij2 – :
The nicest violet scent I have encountered in my long perfume journey. Not a sweet candy violet and not a powdery talc violet either, this is a realistic wet green woody violet and it’s exactly what I have been hoping for. It’s almost a violet soliflore but not quite, because there’s enough of the woodsy cedar and patchouli in there to make it modern and different than some old fashioned violet water like Penhaligon’s or something. This might have to go onto my wants list.
gvozd_genius – :
I wanted so badly to like this and based on the ingredients and reviews I was sure I would but unfortunately on me i felt it smelt sour but my daughter loved it and loved the way it smelt on my wrist so go figure??? We all smell things differently:)
BGnat – :
To me this is a daytime fall or spring scent through-and-through. Those are the only time of the year this really shines on my skin. If the temperature and the mood are not right, then it falls apart. But on the right day, this smells more beautiful than I could ever hope to describe (like the city it was named after). Yes, this is sophistication in a bottle – the true definition of je ne sais quoi.
sergey00708 – :
A touch of Elegance. Most preferred in the fall.
ka4ok1978 – :
Chic, cold, and ruthlessly modern. The flowers lean clean, fresh, and green. They smell true to life, as if fresh from a florist fridge. The violet is just barely sweet, while the carnation lends mild spice. I get a little powder, but this smells more aquatic on my skin. This perfume is a contradiction in the sense that I imagine metropolitan business types in sleek black dresses (think Anna Wintour) wearing this, but it also reminds me of Barbasol and teeters on masculine. Balenciaga Paris smells good and I like it a lot, but it doesnt suit my style.
Diemiapoige – :
A clean, simple, aromatic violet perfume. Doesn’t turn to candy or become powdery, with decent performance. I can understand the reviewer below picking up on a citrus note, but I think that’s the cedar and carnation notes coming through in the dry-down.
For me this is very natural with a bit of a resemblance to the forest aquatic scent of L’essence. I tend to wear that often because my husband likes it. Paris feels more appropriate for Summer/Fall, and l’Essence is a Spring into Summer scent. The distinction being that Paris is a little heavier with the addition of the carnation note.
A solid like from me.
Makec – :
This is a very citrusy perfume…to my surprise it lasted all day on me as i figure citrus perfume suits on a hot day….the sillage was enormous too..but guys dont overspray this as it can be offensive..my friend told me once tht he got headache sniffing me wearing this perfume…7/10
igo777speagoessenda – :
Nice elegant earthy, woody powdery modern chypre type of violet scent, but not a sweet fruitchouli type scent masquerading as a chypre just because there’s patch in the base, but it’s more in the vein of Bottega Veneta or Rue Cambon as oakmoss free chypres, although they don’t smell alike. It’s not sweet or cloying. Good for office or casual or evening. It doesn’t project like crazy so it is more discreet and won’t blow out those around you, and it’s got that confident elegant/sophisticated vibe that is workplace appropriate. Nicely done.
accilkacalley – :
Violet leaf, pepper, cedar, patchouli, vetyver is the notes according to Sephora.
Fragrantica does not list pepper or vetyver.
DeonisSky – :
After few years i came back to this scent i still have small bottle 15ml i recieved when i was buying big one
Therefore i want to update my review
On first spray and few minutes maybe half hour it is powdery beautiful violet but green not sweet and cloying
After maybe one hour it dries down to a woody more masculine scent
Very unique and elegant fragrance, after many years (9, I bought it when it came out) i can still say it is very nice scent and i am keeping it in my collection.
annadasha – :
This is simply gorgeous! This I feel is a beautifully blended fragrance that isn’t quite completely soapy- powdery but has that luxurious fresh element aswell. I love violets and patchouli in my perfumes and I can definitely detect them here. It’s modern, classic and leans more feminine than masculine. It’s such a beautiful fragrance!
ed-pro – :
I truly don’t understand the negative reviews for this lovely perfume. I’m no fragrance expert, but I would not consider myself a novice either. Balenciaga Paris is a powdery, ladylike fragrance with definite violet notes. Not many people wear it ( at least in south Louisiana) which is a plus in my book! I find it appropriate for day or evening wear, and somehow, it seems at home during any season of the year. I wear many scents depending on my mood, but when I really want to feel feminine and special I wear this! The longevity and spillage is really good in my opinion. I have to admit I use a lot when I wear it though. I love this scent so much I could literally bathe in it. I really don’t think you will be dissapointed with this one!
GlassBlover – :
The opening is very well constructed, for 5 minutes or more you can smell a true violet scent. Than the carnation and a little patch gets in the way and steal the show. The cedar finally gives all the foundation for the architecture of the perfume. It would be an amazing composition if there was at least a little natural ingredient in it, although very well executed, there’s not enough vibration to become a masterpiece.
3203277 – :
I agree with the users saying that this smells like shaving products. That’s all I get from it. I prefer more feminine scents, so this is not my cup of tea, but it is a distinctive perfume, nonetheless.
k2na – :
Finally I tried this scent after 2 years of having it. First, it’s green, so green, with patchouli and green leaves, cool vibe. Then about 3 hours later, it changes to sweet flowers, a little powdery sweet of vanilla. The silage is within arm-length, and it last 6-7 hours. Very pleasant scent.
Meayu259intitytek – :
I recently discovered this beauty and am really enjoying it! (although I did not enjoy the 1st spray – had to give it a while) The florals in it smell to my nose like walking through a nursery, rather than smelling a bouquet of cut flowers. There is an herbaceous quality that combined with the violet smells very “garden” to me. The dry-down is a pleasant musk with the violets hanging around. I agree with other reviewers who describe it as a cold fragrance – it is supremely ladylike, a touch aloof, and very beautiful.
kwq604speagoessenda – :
This lovely perfume (regardless of the official notes), to me, smells like: iris, orris root, violet, carnation, patchouli, some aldehydes and shaving cream. A great powdery, flowery, creamy barbershop scent for women.
Fragranticas description above states ozonic and aquatic qualities. Ozonic, earthy, green, flowery, woody, yes to all that. But the aquatic claim simply must be a mistake. As far from an aquatic as possibly can be.
olegan – :
This was my signature fragrance when I was about 25, I found it really different from the other fragrances on the market. I did not know much about perfumes and notes then, I just adored how clean and different it smelled. Unfortunately, it didn’t last long on my skin. Now I am planning to buy the L’Essence, which I found close enough, but not quite the same. I cannot find it anywhere though, maybe it was discontinued?
andrei197811 – :
For the life of me I cannot understand why people liken this to L’Essence. In my opinion it’s a flanker in name only. They are so completely different to me I really have to put in an effort to detect some very slight similarities in their bases. Other than that they are about as similar as a spoon and a fork.
People who have read reviews from me before probably know that I’m all about an experience, a fantasy not a perfume. Closing my eyes, the ingenious L’Essence transports me to a lush, dark forest after rainfall.
This one however has me standing amidst a garden of orange trees in Southern France (I’m surprised really that orange isn’t listed here, it seems obvious to me). It’s warm and sunny; a soft, fresh breeze making my light fabric summer dress dance to the music of the rustling leaves.
It’s a lovely scent of its own, far more conventionally feminine than the green forest fairy that is supposedly its sister, though it’s still unique enough to stand out.
All in all a nice fragrance, not too present, not offensive at all but definitely beating L’Essence in both sillage and longevity.
I unfortunately miss the coldness of L’Essence here. But for people who are looking for a light, warm, slightly sweet scent for summer this is perfect.
niobat – :
Clean, sophisticated, tasteful. Perfect for a job interview or to meet the in-laws !
Dizill32 – :
Very over the top florals to the point of a headache which rarely happens to me when I smell fragrances. It’s so strong that when you smell it you can taste it. Maybe I’m just too low class to appreciate the ridiculously strong intrusive florals.
Arianna_fromAC – :
This is such a middle-of-the-road fragrance to me. Floral, yes, but very crisp and somehow “professional.” The business casual of florals. Not sweet, not sexy. Modern, hard-edged. I own it but don’t reach for it. It’s polished in a way I am not. I’ll probably swap it away.
The cap reminds me of Ser Jorah Mormont’s forearm after he gets touched by the Stone Men.
icx526JeomiWogkig – :
Very crisp and clean, which I wasn’t expecting. Perfectly unisex, and turns slightly more masculine as it transforms.
Cedar is extremely prominent to me, with carnation and violet following closely. I was very surprised to see no vetiver in this one, it has a very earthy edgy vibe to it.
Overall, crisp and clean. Not bright, slightly powdery with a tiny pinch of mens sport antiperspirant in the ending. Extremely unisex and neutral. Good for every day, easy wear. Excellent sillage and longevity.
Ninainiplep – :
Slightly sweet violet laid over a ton of green violet leaf, slightly spicy carnation and a woodsy base of ceder and patchouli. I love it! The silage is pretty good and this smells very elegant yet has a unique edge. Nope there is no candy violet here, but if you want fresh green violet and woods this is IT. Beautiful!
wwwerttt – :
A perfect violet for springtime if you are not looking for a “sweet as candy” violet, a murky grassy violet or a girlish and youthful violet. This is the grown-up violet in a 90’s power suit (the carnation).
TirteroDY – :
it’s a fucking chameleon on my skin. sometimes soapy, sometimes earthy and like dried petals, grass and moss, and another time it’s peppery, leathery and “edgy”. one of my favourite. melancholy and sophisticated. clean and dirty at the same time.
zgf739JeomiWogkig – :
soft , clean and sophisticated very good.
mildly powdery i really like it
PTU466 – :
It’s a nice scent, but something rather cold stops me from loving it – violet maybe?..
Optivavap – :
The notes stick sharply in my nose and there’s something about it that’s headache induing. The violet and carnation are somewhat cold and alienating – I know that sounds odd, I’m just not sure how else to describe it. I get the same feeling with other fragrances that use those ingredients too so please don’t be too influenced by my review if you are typically drawn to this genre. It is fabulous quality, which is to be expected from Balenciaga.
Fidawel – :
Just started wearing this for late fall/winter due to the powderiness, despite having it for 5 months.
I really like/love this scent of powdery violets right after a bath, this is when this perfume is at it’s best.
My only concern is that it’s longevity and sillage are fairly poor. Since it wears close to the body , it would make a good office or fragrance sensitive area, perfume.
Overall a very beautiful scent, but could have more longevity and sillage for those who really like to WEAR their ‘fumes.
Moonwalker94 – :
This predominantly is way too powdery for me. This to me smells straight-up very much like a unisex fragrance. The initial spray is very sharp for me, almost headache-inducing painful, and the dry-down for me smells like a powdery deodorant. The notes in this just do not mix well at all for me and in looking at them, it does seem kind of odd to have them put all together. In theory for me, the combination of these notes looks to be either something that for some this will be unique and different or painful to the nose. For me, it is the latter of the two. But all in all it smells like a really powdery deodorant or a cheapie drugstore perfume that a grandmother would wear. A very old grandmother. Again, I think this is something people will either find as a very unique and different fragrance or might, as I did, find very painful to the nose fragrance. This just got up in my nose in a bad painful way and I kept hoping at some point to find something about this pleasant but I just did not.
nadea1 – :
I dont understand how these few notes can create such an intoxicating perfume!
I dont smell floral overload and i definitely don’t smell carnation, as i can’t stand it.
The is sparkling, powder, classic. Not too soapy, not too powdery..
Its so simply beautiful
dellerium – :
I dont know why I waited so long to try this beautiful perfume, but as I was on a no-buy for a while, I kept reading great reviews and promised myself I WILL buy this, even if its a blind buy….
That day came last month, and oh my! it’s beautiful. My favourite notes are Violet, Cedar and Patchouli… I have quite a few violet perfumes, and this one is BY FAR my favourite. I can smell the wonderful cedar, and there is the patchouli in small doses. Even someone who doesnt usually like Patchouli would surely love this perfume because the Patch is not strong. I wouldnt say this is particularly powdery, and its not the sweet violet candy smell that so many perfumes have, such as Insolence…( which by the way is a favourite of mine so it wasnt a negative to those perfumes that DO smell of violet candy) this feels like a reserved and beautiful and elegant violet woody combo. It lasts on my skin for approx 12 hours, and there are those changes throughout the day, each change more beautiful than the last. I have a 50ml bottle and will be buying a 75ml back up bottle soon, as I would never want to be without this beautiful fragrance in my collection.
Shivandaneemn – :
It’s a four note scent: carnation, patchouli, cedar and violet. Its clean and simple and nice. Although not overly complex, its a well made quality fragrance. Id list the notes as violet first, carnation second, cedar a strong third, and patchouli way last in forth but in the dry down it makes more of an appearance. The violet is sweet and has an old fashioned violet candy vibe making this very feminine and not unisex at all. Its old fashioned and familiar but clean and modern at the same time. Its more sweetly green than flowery or powdery. I like how evasive it is, and how it’s not an in your face flower bomb. It reminds me a little of vintage Alfred Sung from the late 80’s. Overall a classic, crisp fragrance. Thumbs up.
Romans – :
A sweet violet at first spray. The sweetness becomes powdery but creamy. No sour or sharp here. Violet is a flower, but this is deeper and I would consider it for warm evenings-Summer or Fall-because the heaviness of evening would bring out the creaminess. It also stays close to you. Endearing.
Sereban78 – :
I just bought the perfumed body cream of this fragrance. It’s a lovely sweet violet with a warm spicy tone in the background. Years ago I had a perfume called Trussardii Jeans and this is an awfully close duplicate. The Trussardi might have been a tad more synthetic, but if you like creamy woodsy Violets with a powdery note, you’ll love this one.
olenjka999 – :
Disquieting opening, rather sharp and unpleasant. That passes, but all that appears from my skin is a bitter floral. Eventually, there is a cedar/warm woody undertone in the dry-down, but it definitely does not work for me.
Meoza065Negeltzex – :
I received a sample of this with a purchase. The sample broke and saturated the paper box. I loved the way it smelled on the paper and this went on for several months before I decided to blind buy this scent (I kept the box around just for the smell 🙂 ). I do wish that I tested first because it’s much warmer on my skin (I fell in love with the crisp green smell). Also, it’s made by coty and there is something in the base of the fragrance that I can pick out as a “Coty” fragrance (I can usually do the same with fragrances by Elizabeth Arden). It’s not a bad thing, it simply reminds me of something from when I was younger. I do like it, although, the warmth keeps it from being a refreshing green violet scent that I was hoping for.
SHколя – :
Balenciaga Paris is sharp initially. Not sharp enough to do harm, or to be off putting in any way, but sharp enough to get your attention, and (thankfully)keep it.
It’s the beautiful violet leaves, I think. Greens can be natural and earthy, even free-spirited. Not so in Balenciaga Paris. Here they come with just a wee pierce. It merely opens the way for the remaining notes to have an unobstructed opportunity to win you over. In my case, it worked beautifully.
What I was free to learn about Balenciaga Paris was wrapped in elegance. She’s a very serious fragrance. Tailored. Well bred. Intelligent. The violet is feminine; the cedar strong. This is quite obviously a strong female. If not the CEO, certainly the real power behind the CEO. There’s just enough carnation to add a little spice…a little curiosity about her. The powder typically associated with violet is not nearly enough to lure you into comfort. It’s not a soothing composition. Wearing lounge wear is out of the question. The appeal is in the poise, the bearing.
You’ll get hours of wear, make sure you are up to the challenge. Keep your head up and back straight. You are in the presence of a lady 🙂
kesha – :
Fragrance Review For Paris Balenciaga
Notes: Violet Leaves Violet Carnation Patchouli Cedar
What a different animal than Yves Saint Laurent’s Paris which a radical flower bomb detonating every time you spray it. This is a soft floral whisper, a sweet and delicate scent of violet and woods. Even though they don’t smell anything alike it has that lightness almost aquatic feel as Waterford Lismore. The opening was a carnation. It’s more of a violet as the violet and it’s shrub leaves become more pronounced with a green and watery freshness. If there is patchouli here it’s asleep. This is a subdued patchouli and more of a cedar wood. One touch of wood. Very simple. Easy to wear, inoffensive, subtle, and enjoyable in spring and summer weather. It’s the kind of baby you can take with you anywhere because this baby doesn’t make a sound. It won’t cry. It won’t scream and it won’t throw out enormous sillage. It doesn’t really remind me of Paris which is very smelly in a good way but this is not bad either.
N1k_One – :
It is pretty, and it is floral, but is not just another pretty floral. Violet is a most interesting floral note to capture; naturally sweet with that metallic tang underscored by clean musk. That is what makes up Balenciaga Paris to me. No creaminess and no vanilla to winterize it; this is fresh for springtime.
I received it in a swap about a year ago and at that time considered it pretty bland but nice enough for warm weather. I wore it maybe 3 times then shelved it. I’ve just pulled it out today because I had a yen for violets and can now feel there is much more depth to it than I originally thought. It is beautiful, really. No powdery or make-up nuances to be found, it is deeply woody, musky and Violet all the way.
Normally I am not a fan of the crushed leaves effect in fragrances, but here, though sharp in the opening, it settles with the other notes and dries down to a whisper. One of the better blended fragrances I’ve ever tried, it is a new springtime favorite for me.
serkolcov – :
Balenciaga Paris and Balenciaga L’Essence are similar scents and I love them both, but I must say that my taste has changed and when I initially smelled both upon their release several years ago, I dismissed them too quickly. I can confidently say that I now will be repurchasing Paris for life.
I started off revisiting L’Essence because it was easier to wear and lighter to my nose than the original. I loved it in the Spring and Summer because in the warm humid air, the scent of green mossiness and violets in a woodland forest came alive on my skin. There is a trace of vetiver in both scents that I realize I love and is in a lot of the perfumes I love.
The remarkable truth lies in the way Balenciaga Paris makes me feel, emotionally, which is so special- there is this odd familiarity bringing me back to memories spent at our lakehouse as a child, amid the moss, ferns and clover plants that would grow in the shade near the water. I spent so much time outside, drinking in the Spring and Summer air of our cozy lakehouse in Northern Massachusetts.
The strong memory of violets/moss/greenness permeating the air of all those humid Summers of my youth, is a scent that I now find extremely comforting. I feel so “at home” and at peace while wearing Paris and L’essence because wearing this scent becomes an experience of living in the moment, not just a ‘subconscious scent for the day’. Not to mention the imagery present in the advertisements is so fitting and Charlotte Gainsbourg is so beautiful.
flexeril online – :
Tested and bought this today. Again, I state, that these type of scents…you need to let “evolve” on your skin,before final judgement. Spend a little “time” with it. Usually, with most chypres…this is needed..PATIENCE. I really am enjoying this classic…but modernized chypre. Thanks to Olivier Polge. I do get non-powdery violets….good….and just enough spiciness from the carnation and woody notes.
I find this can be unisex, but not in the typical masculine way. I am getting decent sillage/projection out of this scent so far.
EDIT: WOW !!! I am really loving this scent…..like I said….”patience”
Spend quality time with your scents !!! Get to know them, and let them get to know ….YOU !!!!
Love/Peace
EDIT: on the second wearing…..wore it all day/night. Sillage is great.
The unexpected thing to me is……the dry-down reminds me of the old classic men’s scent……GREY FLANNEL !!!! But..I will say not 100 %.
This one is a more “feminine” Grey Flannel smell….but the evidence is there.
AlisaSexirhm – :
Balenciaga is so masterful at scent-blending! This one is no different. It balances floral, chypre woody and almost powdery notes so subtlely that none rise too far above the other, yet all sing in perfect harmony to create one overwhelmingly unique “blended” scent. I should add that the bottle is a work of art too.
I do pick out a green violet and the cedar. To me, the scent is whimsical – more about fairies and elves than picking violets out of grandma’s cottage garden.
As the scent develops, the woody, almost mossy tones become stronger, yet retains a frail sweetness. Thankfully, not a whiff of patchouli on my skin (not a fan of that note!)
For comparison, I’m wearing “Balenciage Paris L’Essence” on my other wrist. The two are so very comparable in the opening, and while they retain similarities in the violet and woodiness throughout, Paris dries more woody, while L’Essssence dries down to a slightly more lemony scent with a hint of patchouli. Overall, L’Essence is slightly more powdery and subtle. I prefer the original. Longevity is better too, at around 8 hours, which is HUGE on me!
In summary, another subtle masterpiece that invited me to journey along (i.e. sniff often and deeply!!) to the end.
Edit… slightly warmer day today… can’t believe the mandarin I’m smelling today??! I love it even more today. Need to find a way to get a bottle of this marvellous creation!
Byhosymomnemn – :
This is the most floral perfume I own and it’s for the olfactive memory. The scent reminds me of going to Paris when I was 17. It’s comforting and warm, but clean.
Arhan – :
Wet violets and wood branches waiting to bloom, water vapors coming out of a green soil in a forest after rain is what I get. Not sweet, not bitter, patchouli is just a guess, no overwhelming freshness. Despite the low sillage and longevity it smells like real nature, classy, somehow mysterious and unique. I imagine the spring fee should be smelling like this. I love it!
stihi – :
This is my favorite perfume and I will always use it. It smells unlike anything else. This speaks confidence, sexy, and perfection. I just love it and it lasts all day.
farik902 – :
Lovely, lovely violet. A little cold, and a stand-offish sort of fresh. Neither the powder nor the sweetness overpowers, so I can’t imagine anyone being offended by it.
Heessodot – :
This was my blind buy 2 days ago after checking out the reviews on here & knowing I’m not a flower scent person lol. I have fallen head over heals for this scent! This violet that reminds me of thrills gum or parmaviolet candies from the UK – it’s odd and hard to describe but it is definitely a scent I will wear for me. It’s not harsh or in your face, it’s soft & creamy, daydream like – almost alluring. Such a good blind buy…I went back for another bottle.
Alex16x – :
I thought I didn’t like this perfume for a long time. I always preferred the L’Essence flanker which is greener and more unique. I find that I now like Paris. I still don’t think it’s worth owning both Paris and L’Essence at the same time because they are still very similar.
Paris is a woody violet. Soft, dry, slightly powdery. The violet is a little sweet, but it’s NOT a fruity violet like many on the market already. This perfume is very ladylike and feminine. I think it’s a classy beautiful perfume for daytime or romantic dates. Much more minimal than any of Guerlain’s famous and popular violet perfumes but not a girlish Victorian style soliflore either. It’s a modern take on violet.
voldemar_bes – :
I think this is a bit too generic to my taste. starts well but frankly this is a floral and nothing overtly special. I wanted to like it because I like the bottle. I may yet buy it because I think it makes a good perfume for work…overall the perfume is too forgettable. Well behaved and subtle. I would try on my skin first because on mine it lasted only four hours.
Ярик2011 – :
Typical example of what is called “olfative McGuffin”.
Just nothingness in a flacon.
Also, it is another conspicuous example of what is wrong today in all designer’s perfumes.
Take the name of a great designer, long time deceased. A beautiful flacon, reminiscent of the past. Beautiful, although somewhat gaunty-minimalistic- looking-modern publicity. And then, the juice. Oh, the juice, we haven’t thought about it.
A very, very mild and weak floral-woody scent. Too soft, too fleeting. Slightly violet, slightly carnation. A faint laundry musk. And that is all. A safe thing, anoter crowd pleaser, marketed to young, fashionable women. And it is exactly the same with all the other new Balenciaga perfumes. Not really such bad, but not woth of Balenciaga’s name (or the price tag).
And, in the meanwhile, what has happened with all the beautiful classic range of Balenciaga? Michelle? Le Dix? Ho Hang? Where are they now..?
Better, they should have spent efforts, money and time in relaunch all these wonders, instead of another boring, banal scent that nobody is going to remember in ten years.
al9618 – :
It’s a woody, non-sweet scent, I dare say it’s perfectly unisex. Probably because of the strong violet which reminds me of Fahrenheit quite a lot. And violet leaf with cedar. It’s fresh and woody at the same time, long-lasting, avant-guarde but not loud. As regards patchouli – yes, there is some really delicate patchouli note in it – if you have ever smelled the pure natural essential patchouli oil, you’ll know what I mean – this exotic woody scent. Nothing like the “patch” we think of in mainstream perfumes. That is nowhere near the natural. Here, in Balenciaga – IT IS!!! But you have to breathe this perfume in really closely and deeply in order to be able to smell it at all. If you dislike the real patchouli, don’t worry – here it shouldn’t be a problem really. It’s a very peaceful and mind-clearing scent.
I recommend this scent to anyone who wants go get away from the mainstream or from their everyday perfumes, even if just for a while. It’s a relaxing experience.
дистрибутив – :
Tried this one paper and actually initially reminded me of Bvlgari Mon Jasmin Noir except multiplied by 10. So I obviously got jasmine or what I thought was neroli or tuberose (similar to amarige). Shocked to see it’s supposed to be violet as I didn’t get that at all. Need to retest obviously. Perhaps it is a unique combination of carnation, violet and patchouli that does this. I usually associate patchouli with Angel or Chopard Wish so its difficult to see this association. Hmmm…
ShomoJatthova – :
This perfume is a very perfumey and gives me a headache. The patchouli in this is dominant.
eAndreyMak – :
Well behaved unisex violet. Cedar wood is very distinctive in the drydown. Modern, but vintage inspired. I have it, and wear it with pleasure when I’m in the mood for violets. Slightly melancholic and makes great fall perfume.
kdoza – :
To my knowledge, the full line of Balenciaga is being discontinued…at least in Canada. I don’t know about globally. Apparently it’s not doing so well.
relly – :
This is like someone I want to date because he looks good — sophisticated, kinda European, worldly, well-groomed, urbane — but know that we’ll never really click once we get past the small talk and get to know each other. I’ll longingly watch him from across the cafe table with his artistic scarf and tiny espresso cup and then longingly eye the “frites” on the menu. We just don’t get each other.
I’ll be honest: I really wanted to like this for stupid reasons, chief among them the packaging. I am absolutely in love with the composition of the bottle shape and stopper with its cracked-paint design.
I think it’s a sophisticated and high-class fragrance, as ngmama says, but it’s just not for me. It smells better on the sample card I spritzed than on my skin. It lies there on my bedside table, smelling elusively nice but distant. On my skin, there was something sickly-fresh for the first few hours, and now seven hours later I’m left with a straightforward spice I don’t much like (cedar or patchouli, I’m guessing).
That said, I’m not much of one for scents that prominently feature spice unless they have something lush (floral) and sweet like vanilla to warm them up (Dior Addict and Tom Ford Black Orchid, to a lesser extent), and I think I’m coming to the realization that chypre is nauseating to me. (Oak Moss … Charming in theory, kinda slimy and wet in execution. Something that literally doesn’t see the light of day. Yeah, bottle that sh*t up!) Sooo, down on spice and down on the chypre. I guess it’s not surprising that I’m not enamored. It’s not the perfume’s fault, poor thing. I just took a wrong turn.
On the plus side, if you do like it, is that longevity! I applied it before 6 pm and it’s now 1 am … I just had to scrub it off.
IT’S NOT YOUR FAULT, BALIENCIAGA PARIS. IT’S NOT YOUR FAULT.
sunny_laura – :
I should have reviewed this a long time ago but didn’t get round to it. I love violet perfumes. I loved this perfume. It hit all the right notes for me. Nicely balanced, little bit too much carnation for my liking but it wouldn’t have put me off. I never got the chance to find out how it would develop though. Within 15 minutes it had vanished in a wisp of smoke.
:((
Soo glad I got a decant because I would have been sorely tempted to blind buy this one. Saved by the non-existent longevity I suppose.
sidou1 – :
Very realistic lipstick fragrance. Ethereal, dreamy, light violet/fruity – pure summer pleasure.
The lipstick/make up smell is not very powdery,it is very lush and dewy.
Good longevity,moderate sillage.
titan77379 – :
This is a wonderful fragrance which I only recently discovered. I love that it’s delicate but strong and that the notes work just right for me. I particularly love the violet and patchouli. It’s quite different than most of my other perfumes. Oh and AngieGCarp,