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TULA_SIT – :
I remember absolutely LOVING this fragrance in the late 90’s. I repurchased a bottle for nostalgia and either they reformulated or my nose did a 180. It’s a strong, cloying, hot mess of a fragrance on me now.
Jainiuccade – :
Yowza! This is one absolutely stunning, narcotic fragrance. Heady narcissus envelops you along with syrupy fruits, spices, and vanilla. I pick up carnation and a bit of marigold too. So rich, warm, sweet, and potent. You will definitely be noticed when wearing this. Love, love, love this 90’s classic!
LoonEstitty – :
At this period 92, Karl Lagerfeld was artistic director of Chloé.
I notice similarity with Creation de Lapidus with bubblegumy note (frangipani and vanilla).
Stop your perpetual “very feminine” comments !
I see Isabelle Adjani in ‘l’ été meurtrier’ or Christian Bale as well in “American psycho’.(what a nevrotic reference!)
200485nim – :
Sweet and sharp at the same time, Narcisse isn’t shy about pronouncing its presence. I don’t get bubble gum, but I do get aldehydes. It reminds me of Ysatis, which has the same strength and longevity.
A little goes a long way, a lot might be over powering.
Narcisse is a well made fragrance that doesn’t take itself too seriously. It’s definitely feminine, even a little girly, but it’s not cheap or brash. I like it!
MALYSH – :
Flowers with balls! Gutsy floral which I’ve always loved. I typically only wear this when I’m not planning on being around anyone. Too many people are sensitive to perfume today and I think this one would definitely set someone off. But I love it!
Tenha-Heyat – :
Second time wearing it in a week. This smells AMAZING in cold weather❤️
osipenkost – :
*sniff sniff* “you smell good” *sniff sniff sniff* “you smell really good what is it?”
Are the exact things my partner said & did.
I had 5 sprays of Pink sugar (which happens to be his favourite, on my top) and 1 spritz of Chloe narcisse on the right side of my neck.
Yes I like to mix up my scents, not always though.
I giggled and said “it’s Pink sugar” he responded “nah it’s not” he then stuck his face into my neck and said “THIS ONE”!!!
5 sprays of Pink sugar & 1 single spritz of Narcisse… Guess which one got his attention? That’s right Chloe did.
To my surprise he liked it, a lot too.
I love this myself, guess I’ll be needing another bottle as it’s almost finished.
Gai1945 – :
When I first tried this, my brain immediately connected to the opening of Revlon Fire and Ice. But Narcisse is greener, fresher, and less sickly in its intense sweetness. I must also get a lot of marigold on my skin, as portions of the dry down are vaguely reminiscent of Vera Wang Embrace Marigold and Gardenia. The last stage of this perfume loses all floral quality and consists of rich, non-plastic vanilla with a tiny smidge of animalic warmth. I’m falling in love with this scent, so much so that I’m finding it difficult to wear anything else. If I’m going to be in an environment in which sillage would be frowned upon, I put one spray on a Q-tip and dab that on my pulse points. It dries down to mostly base notes within an hour, and then it doesn’t spread or offend.
8manus – :
Warm and romantic. Powerful and perfectly blended sweet, spicy and powdery notes. They just don’t make them like this anymore. This is a true classic that has stood the test of time, it’s still here while most get discontinued these days. A little bit is enough, because it keeps getting warmer and deeper. Even though it is strong, it doesn’t wear you – you wear it. It blends with you in such a way that it becomes your own scent – and yes, that makes it completely logical that people follow you around, you want to follow yourself around! 😉
From the 90s, but not dated – it’s old fashioned in a good way! I remember when it came out, it was highly promoted. It came out as Karl Lagerfeld Chloe Narcisse, because he designed for Chloe at the time. I wonder how involved he was in the perfume creation. I had a fragranced card in the shape of the flower on the box that I kept in my drawer and it smelled for months! I was very young and thought: I’ll wear this when I’m older and more mature. So now, 26 years later, it seems that day is here, and it suits me perfectly.
OVODSV – :
A bubblegum-y sweet bright floral, very early 90s.. I feel like Barbie would wear this.. when I close my eyes I see fuschia lipstick, hot pink leg warmers and platinum blond crimped hair. I love it!! Great nostalgia scent, still wearable because it’s just so fun and uplifting.
Вовенто – :
Spring often makes me crave green scents, but when this year’s long winter finally ended, it was decadent honeyed florals I found myself longing for. Narcisse is kind of hyped on Fragrantica, and it looked like it would be just the ticket, so when I discovered how cheaply it’s available, I decided to break my “no blind-buying” rule. And I’m happy to report that for once I didn’t regret it: this is all I was hoping for and more.
I really like Narcisse’s nineties vibe, from the colorful box and the neon green spraying mechanism to the sheer amount of notes listed in the pyramid, and of course the scent itself most of all. I grow daffodils every spring, and as far as I know they don’t have any particular scent, but I have no trouble imagining they could or indeed should smell like Narcisse: bright, rich, sweet and honeyed without tending towards sugary, heady, slightly intoxicating. Lovely, and it easily lasts all day as well!
All in all this must be my most successful blind buy to date – it certainly fulfilled all my spring cravings for a great price, and although I find myself reaching for it less now that the summer heat is here, I’m sure it’ll become a spring staple for me.
Sanek677 – :
I was in a bakery, this old lady was before me paying, and I said out loud, that’s a nice smell, what’s that?
I looked at her, and she responded once I’d asked, Chloe … in the red box..
me- Narcisse?
Her- Ah yes; I’ve worn it for 40 years.
You go girl!
Yep, it’s nice, the reviewer before me has it about right.
Different to today’s offerings I wish they make More like this, that LAST
Yes, I’m looking at you Dior!
matrix551 – :
Mmmmmmm yummy!! Blind buy at a fab price. So 90s. Love it!! Beautiful creamy floral a little spicy and extremely feminine could be a sexy date nite perfume. So happy with this purchase
ElCsandr – :
Chloe Narcisse smells like daffodil flower, its leaves and stalks, I detect also apricots, poppy flower, tulips and frangipani. It’s very sweet (cotton candy, honey), with almost aseptic undertones (a hospital – cresols are natural components of narcisse/daffodil essential oil) green, “rainy” fragrance, intoxicating, mesmerizing, narcotic, somnolent, sweet but poisonous, it smells “80-ties” but without being grannyish, very introvertic, with some dark depth, depressive, with an unbelievable lasting power.
tot006 – :
This is a bold, feminine, fun scent. Generous and full of amber-lit love and warmth, like sucking sweets on a warmer than usual spring day with a hand picked bouquet of spring daffodils and dirt on your knees, grass stains on your summer frock.
I chose this for my signiture after a bit of deliberation as a replacement scent for my beloved Sun Moon & Stars (which I thankfully have a 100ml bottle of still.)It’s in the same vein as SMS. If this isn’t a Grojsman creation I’ll be damned because the peach/apricot combo is exactly the same.
It smells like rubarb and custard hard boiled sweets we have here in the UK, but its not a gourmand by any means or a conventional sweet scent.
It opens beautifully, floral, sweet and spicy syrup and the dry down is a nice, slightly skanky skin scent thanks to the marigold and pepper. I tend to avoid sweet scents, but this won my heart from first spray.
GobGeraGoaxia – :
Apricot carnations bed underneath a single narcissus flower and a 1 peach!
Narcissus being the dominant note here! that’s false and i am sure it is voted that high cause narcissus is written on the bottle! It’s apricots carnations, and peaches with hints of gardenia, spices, balsam, roses, sandalwood, and orange blossoms. It isn’t gourmand cause i can’t detect any foody or vanilla style thing as much as a soft apricots to softens the sharp carnation roses blend, and lightens the narcissus. It settles into slightly sharp rosy with hints of apricots and peaches.
The colder it goes the charmer it gets.. it’s dry down is superbly alluring and gets balanced pretty good. Very good.
DimonZM – :
Longevity monster.
Sweet in narcisse way, meaning sweetness comes from flower.Non modern. Cant wear it.
gfjiyzzhqzn – :
Wow, apologies to those who love this but i just tried a vintage mini and ive never smelt anything quite so foul since Tresor. Had to scrub it off but unfortunately its pretty nuclear.
lel – :
This is so very, very lovely.
Intense yellow flowers and juicy fruits, sweet yet dry and unapologetically feminine.
I have a mini dab bottle which I think is vintage and I am eeking that baby out while I await the arrival of a full bottle. I am completely addicted to going to sleep wearing just a little dab of this on each wrist. It takes my mind to another place. Narcotic Narcisse. Out of this world.
Akatsu – :
Another blind buy, and this one blew me away. I’d never been tempted to try it, largely because of the name – I’ve never thought narcissus have a particularly nice smell. After seeing it recommended a lot I thought I’d give it a try. I absolutely love it! I get gorgeous apricot, peaches and carnation with just the perfect amount of spice, the other notes are there too but in a supporting role. I can see myself wearing this a lot and will be ordering a bigger bottle because I don’t think 30ml will last me long!
Philipasko43 – :
This smells very very “yellow” to me. It’s sweet and very dry. Don’t get me wrong:
I do like it! For $22.99 -the quality is great! Longevity is good.
For a “cheapie” of this seek out Gloria Vanderbilt – “Vanderbilt”.
Again; dry sweet YELLOW (not quite “white” floral)…and in a giddy way reminds me of opening a pack of Necco Candy Waffers ! (a little bit). LOL .
ziro4ka88 – :
I’ve been absolutely dying to test this baby out, little did I know my mum has a bottle of it and I’ve smelled it on her a million times over the years. I love it on her
I tend to get a little spray happy with perfumes but trust me when I say a little goes a VERY long way.
I’m not one to easily get woozy from a scent but this one can really pack a punch
After testing this out on my wrist and a sniff every few minutes to see how the perfume has changed and I’m starting to feel a little woozy lol
It’s beautiful though
It’s very spicy,very floral and with a hint of sweetness.
EDIT
After wearing this for the day I’ve gotta say this perfume isn’t for me
It’s nice and strong, but I won’t be buying this
artemsun – :
I’ve loved this scent for the longest time. I was given a tiny bottle of it as a child in the 90s and it was a great treasure for me, the bottle was so pretty and I thought the smell was really nice. I didn’t start actually wearing it until I rediscovered it in my 20s (it took a while to find out what it was called, all I could remember was the flower bottle!).
To me this is a very warm and heady, intoxicating floral fragrance. I wouldn’t necessarily call it sexy, although some might see it that way. To me it’s just a great fragrance to keep you warm when it’s freezing cold outside.
This is also the most potent fragrance I’ve ever encountered. Even a tiny dab of it often gives me a headache a few hours later, spraying it would be lunacy. It really is extremely cloying and must be used carefully. I used to spray it in the air and walk through it, but I suspect even that might have been too much, I know I could smell it around me all day. Now I’ve tracked down a vintage deodorant version of it and I spray that in the air and walk through it – much better. I also keep a miniature bottle and sometimes use one microscopic dab of that.
elagin82 – :
It’s funny, but I seem to be able to sense a Grojsman composition easily these days, and I would put money on this one being one of hers. There are some vague resemblances in Chloe Narcisse to ET Diamonds & Rubies as well as to Boucheron Jaipur, but Narcisse is deliciously sweet (not in a gourmand way, but in a mouthwatering sweet-floral with fruity aldehyde way). There is, like in Diamonds & Rubies but much-more subtle, a note of celery-seed that puts an interesting and unexpected “green” facet on the fragrance… and the drydown- oh, so lovely. I can’t think of much else to say that hasn’t been said, but Narcisse is strikingly gorgeous!
kazah kz – :
Ah, my beloved Narcisse. Contrary to popular opinion, this really isn’t particularly floral to my nose; in fact, I’d say it’s more of a fruity floriental.
Narcisse opens with bittersweet marigold, dewy green freshly-cut daffodil stems, a blast of tart pineapple and succulent peach. Once the brash opening dissipates and the fragrance blossoms, the pineapple vanishes, the peach becomes less prominent and the apricot takes center stage, joined by a velvety bouquet of carnations and soft spices that create a warm, decadently sweet & powdery aroma reminiscent of dried apricots and spiced fruit cocktails with a very photorealistic daffodil undertone that provides an intoxicating dewy sweetness that prevents Narcisse from being too dry.
Narcisse is a younger, wilder, exuberant and vibrant distant relative of Lancôme’s Tresor; she has auburn hair and an unsurpassed joie de vivre.
This fragrance carries such warm memories for me and brings me unprecedented joy. If I am ever without Narcisse, I will feel as though a part of me is missing. Simply sublime.
feelgoodproject – :
Like others, I bought this perfume on an impulse, it was a blind buy due to its low price and the good reputation of the Chloe house.
I’m not disappointed. I was expecting a more 90s sort of scent (I am a fan of 90s perfumes in general), but I would say this is not really the case. It is unique. Chloe has managed to create a floral-sweet fragrance that does NOT smell cheap. I think it may be the only one of this kind I have encountered so far. It is very feminine, very flattering. It takes a long time for it to completely dry down. As it does, the scent changes to a more refined, sophisticated one. Contrary to most reviews, I do not find it cloying or overpowering at all. Even the perfume’s description here on Fragrantica cautions as to the strength of this fragrance. I would say don’t worry about that.
This is a fragrance that seems to me to be perfect for younger women, in their twenties or early thirties. Not that it smells girlie, because that is not the case, but because it smells youthful, albeit refined. I would say this is THE fragrance for a sophisticated young woman who wants to avoid smelling like everyone else in her age group, but is not ready for heady orientals yet.
kyzua777 – :
Absolutely gorgeous!!! For a edt this really packs a punch!! I love it… Christmas in a bottle!!!!
German A – :
I just blind bought this perfume due to it’s cheap price and also because I can’t find any tester in my city to try it…I hope it wasn’t a mistake !!I will let you all know my fisrt impression as soon as it arrives !
Danilius – :
Spicy peaches and cloves good right from the opening and lasts and lasts! A classic for a reason.
88burik – :
I worn this nice perfume for 25 years ago, and now, finally, I got a new bottle, and I love it
rosha10 – :
This classic designer-gone-drugstore cheapie never appealed to me enough to try it, as I’m not much of a vintage lover in general and I think the old Chloé EDT smells dated and just not good. But I can appreciate a good 90s scent and like to try random cheap fragrances, so finally, I spontaneously sprayed Narcisse from a tester bottle. To my surprise I really like it! Also it feels familiar, I’m sure I smelled it on other people over the years.
It starts intensely fruity with lactonic apricot, peach and a punch of pineapple. I’m not even sure if pineapple really is an official note here, but I definitely smell it.
The fruity notes mix with lovely strong narcotic, hypnotic white and yellow floral notes, a hint of sweet vanilla and warm sandalwood. There is something old-school perfumey, slightly spicy in the background, could be carnation or marigold. It’s not too much though, it keeps the fragrance from getting too cloying and makes it stand out among today’s perfumes.
In the drydown Narcisse becomes softer and more vanillic, but still a bit floral and peachy.
This is such a sunny, happy perfume. A fruity floral that makes me think of sunshine and warmth. It’s not a light summer fragrance, way too intense for that, just a bright and sweet mood lifter.
John Ch. – :
Every time I wear this scent, I smell a floral spicy version of fruit cocktail. You know, the kind we ate as kids in the 70’s and early 80’s, that had peach, pear, cherries, and heavy syrup. It is sweet, spicy, and decadently floral. The original formula EDP is my absolute favorite and in my Top 5 fragrances. It lasts for over 24 hours in my hair. Simply beautiful.
kornewa777 – :
Narcisse is a very strong fragrance, one spray is sufficient. If your skin eats fragrance and perfume never lasts give Narcisse a try. If you find Narcisse too potent decant it into a perfume dab bottle. Applying it in small dabs the old-school way will reduce it’s potency. I really like the spices and the carnation in this perfume. This scent has something so nostalgic about it, I must have smelled it on many women when i was a child in the 90’s.
I just love how Narcisse and other very affordable perfumes have the most amazing lasting power and strength.
ahd278intitytek – :
3 generous spritz and it lasts all day and out did all the curry smells in the lunch room at work.
One that draws compliments.
Gorgeous and affordable, white flowers.
bsa43 – :
This is totally “old school”. I wore it back in the day… strong and very pretty. Unique and unmistakable for anything else. Totally “there” with one spray, so use cautiously!
Lexxx777 – :
Vintage:
The first note of Chloe Narcisse that I smell is carnation, then comes peach.
The narcissus joins in and lasts and lasts.
Chloe Narcisse smells like its my second skin – its part of me. Love it.
Next day, you don’t want any fragrance at all, and for days after that, just light fragrances. It takes at least a week or two to want to slip into that second skin again.
lakimen – :
Sadly folks this beauty has been destroyed by reformulation. If you can get hold of any vintage 90s Arden bottles grab them if you can, the new formulation is weak and lacklustre and is too cloying for me. I recently finished the last of my vintage bottles and have let this one rest in peace with my other reformulated faves Organza, Chloe, Hot Couture and Ysatis.
homothawl – :
I have loved this gorgeous, potent Narcissus BOMB for years! The notes (for me) blend into one accord of delicate complexity with the narcissus as the most prominent note throughout CN’s crazy-long life.
This perfume has a presence like no other, save perhaps Giorgio Beverly Hills’ Giorgio, though they smell nothing alike other than the fact that both are quite floral, but in different ways.
Narcisse is absolutely beautiful. If you love uber-feminine FLORAL perfumes, this is one you’d be remiss to not try.
Chloe Narcisse is not only beautiful, but very high-quality and well-crafted as well. Sophisticated, feminine, powerful, breath-takingly beautiful.
If you’re looking for a ‘skin-scent’, this is NOT the one; wear this and you WILL project supreme, unashamed femininity.
Hristi – :
I love Narcisse. It does not love my skin. I have to spray it on a paper towel and then dab it on my clothes. This scent is strong and it lasts forever. I dont think it is too strong, it is just not compatible with my skin. Smells absolutely amazing. Chloe if you read this dont reformulate. It is a perfect scent with spectacular longevity and sillage.
anikkom – :
I would call Narcisse a Fruity Floriental.
It’s sweet, rich, velvety, fruity, spicy, floral, woody, plush, feminine, intense.
beipiemia – :
I really like this perfume. It’s perfect to wear on a snowy, winter, afternoon, curled up on the sofa with a good book, cup of coffee, and a loyal pooch or kitty snuggled up along side of you. It’s a very heavy and loud scent with a lot of staying power, but oh so nice and warm. A dream of summer evenings on a winter’s day.
www.adi – :
This is a high quality perfume with a very affordable price. I don’t understand why people are complaining about the intensity. Yes, it is pretty strong, but if sprayed a little bit it is a lovely inviting scent. One of the most frequent complains in this site about perfumes is how they are not strong enough. Well, you can smell this one for sure. I love how it starts pretty strong but then it develops to a soft and complicated clean and creamy rosy, peachy smell.
Странник – :
Such an unusual blind buy for me, one I never expected to make. I walked out of the chemist with a 30mL bottle in my hand, my wrists out all ready to spray. I was wearing nothing, but when I sprayed it on I thought I’d accidentally sprayed it on top of Charlie Gold: the opening is so similar!
Once the fruity sweetness tones down a bit, it becomes a rather heady floral. Very suitable for, well, any time really. You can wear it in the house, out of the house, morning or night, Spring or Winter.
greendizer – :
I was shopping and a woman passed me wearing a very unique, lovely, spicy fragrance- it reminded me of Lutens/Shiseido Feminite du Bois which I own, love and paid a good chunk of change for. The cedar and peach were there in warm, almost bitter, prominence. I lingered in the scent trail for a second then had to ask what she was wearing- and it was this. I can’t speak to what it smells like up close, or how long lasting it is, but I can assure you that it will make total strangers ask what you are wearing 🙂 Looks like it’s very affordable too!
svs7 – :
Красивые духи
This perfume is so beautiful all my friend say to me. Sweet fruit and flowers. The fruit is peach apricot very juicy delicious. The flowers I smell in this parfum is narcissus rose and carnation. There is cinnamon. I smell spices and incense. When she is dry the perfume is smelling like sandalwood and vanilla. Love the vanilla. This perfume is Oriental but she is soft powdery feminine. I wear this in the summer and is like cocktail! I wish I could drink this parfum. This perfume is good for wearing in day time with dresses and sandals to the beach. Love this parfum.
ajb896Unlogrere – :
So UNIQUE! Lovely! But definetely a pure Floral- not an Oriental Floral.
LineKino-TV – :
Just got a sample of the eau de cologne version in the mail today… Now I am not a fragrance expert by any means, so I couldn’t detect any notes, but I really really like the scent! It’s really pleasant 🙂 It’s sweet but not in a sickly way. I can definitely say that I like it more than any other fragrance I’ve tried on thus far.
agiska – :
Gorgeous, sultry,spicy scent. This fragrance lends itself more during cooler temperatures; maybe it’s the tolu balsam that makes me feel this way. Overall Chloe Narcisse is a rich, unique fragrance that is not shy. Some have compared her to Elizabeth Taylor’s diamonds and rubies. I think diamonds and rubies is a bit more reserved. Chloe Narcisse is exotic and alluring and she knows it. I will definitely repurchase.
cool11 – :
I adore Chloe, it is sweet, heavy, long lasting and addictive, I cannot stop smelling it and it drapes around you like velvet. Reminds me of Amarige of Givenchy but this is more addictive.
AugmemWed – :
I love the smell of this, I had a bottle years ago and passed it on to my daughter.
myveres – :
Several previous reviewers have used the adjective “narcotic” to describe Chloe Narcisse and I must agree. It smells exactly like I remember but better. This is a thick, unabashedly rich floral with some fruit and spice creating moving waves of scent. This could be a Sophia Grojsman (sp) fragrance. Beautiful. I do not see this being dated, but if one wishes to keep with the “barely there” trend of modern perfumery, a light spray in the air and walk through is in order. I say nuts to that LOL I want to drench myself in this.
For those of us who remember the 90s version, this does not smell reformulated in the least. This is one of those unrecognized classics in modern perfume and an amazing price, to boot! A warm, golden, glorious fragrance. Highly recommended for everyone of all ages.
Still smells exactly like the narcissus edging the raised beds in my garden during the opening. Utterly divine.
nikityxa – :
CLOVES! And peaches. Cloves and peaches. The dry down is super intense floral and cloves.
If you like Elizabeth Taylors Diamonds and Rubies you might appreciate this. It smells like it could be a Grojsman creation with all that heavy duty peach.
Warning: DO NOT BLIND BUY (unless you seriously dig cloves and peaches).
EDIT: I’m probably going to offend someone here but I really like layering this WITH Diamonds and Rubies. Such a pretty combination.
concierge – :
This was one of my favorites! I love narcissus, grow them in my gardens now, and so I decided what the heck? I just ordered a 3.4 bottle. I hope its as wonderful as I remember.I will update when it gets here!
dimonn-v – :
I thought this was a discontinued perfume…?
InFiNiTiS – :
Oh yess this one is heaven. One of my favourite inexpensive perfumes it smells like Hermes absolu to me, lots of apricot and florals, but also warm and smooth and comforting. Beautiful, a keeper! And what value.
jpw673JeomiWogkig – :
This perfume got me more compliments than others….its got great sillage and so floral and warm….
fwi942Diobtetty – :
Wow, my my my! This is so exquisite and divine, very potent an just heavenly good, lady-like, floral, powdery sweet, feminine vintage vibe this gives. It has depth and range beyond just the powdery accords. It’s a classic scent for a classic lady! I don’t know what I’m smelling but all of it combined together is amazing! One I would always want to have in my collection for years to come! Long lasting, and a total love!.
Score:10/10
SO4 – :
I just received a bottle of Chloe Narcisse EDT. The juice is very strong, like a Perfume Oil, I think it may be a vintage bottle or a first run bottle because they don’t make ’em like this anymore. This is a unique and beautiful scent. It is so hard to describe but I will try; sarsaparilla root mixed with honey and a drop of vanilla. Hints florals somewhat similar to honeysuckle. Something definitely sugary sweet, but in a mature way, maybe too sweet for some people. A hint of powder and licorice. I know it probably sounds bizarre but its a beautiful blend. I think there is a flower named Narcisse, but I have never seen or smelled it. I highly recommend this Narcisse for a mature minded woman who enjoys candy sweet floral blends. It is not a personal favorite of mine, but I do like it a lot, and I will wear it when the mood strikes.
In order for my reviews to remain authentic and unbiased, I always review scents prior to reading about the fragrance, prior to reading reviews, and prior to reading the accords. I also try to avoid focusing on the name, bottle, and ad campaign.
roosetiedge – :
I was under the impression that I’d reviewed Chloe Narcisse in the not-so-distant past. But no. Perhaps because she’s ultimately a tad hard to describe? So I’ll give my little synopsis, in hopes of helping someone else.
Chloe Narcisse is not a bit like any other Chloe, the original Chloe included. That one begins with a hairspray/sharp soap vibe and dries down to floral-musk BLISS. It’s perfectly blended and distinctly old fashioned. Worth trying if you adore anything pre-1980 floral.
Narcisse, on the other hand, is all about NARCISSUS flowers! If you don’t care for them, then don’t bother with this particular Chloe, plain and simple. There is plentiful musk and – of course – other flowers and fruit as well. Not edible fruits, yet their honeyed essence adds an animalic punch to the flowers that could easily horrify those unfamiliar with heady florientals and older scents in general. Though this is the kind of heavy artillery the 80’s excelled at, to me Narcisse stands alone.
Something that most people mention is fabulous (or appallingly loud, take your pick!) sillage. DEFINITELY. Other than Arabian attars, I can’t think of a single fragrance that has more power. My initial bottle was a vintage parfum mini, considerably more potent than my current edt. Too much,too medicinal,too ‘pow’, said my wee nose, and I sent it away to a friend. The edt is still intensely strong, but less concentrated. One spray is the total amount required to last for hours… and hours. Suitable for people who are not afraid of heavy scent and favor heady classics. Perhaps not elegant, but potentially seductive in miniscule amounts.
Something I AM a little surprised by? How few people mention smelling cloves! Thanks to a Narcissus and Carnation heavy balance, it’s easy to conjure up the smell of a cloves – on steroids. Backed by an overwhelming garden of Narcissus and old fashioned Musk? Perhaps not the easiest scent to love, but addictive once the taste has been acquired. 😉
In short, not a safe blind buy, not for the perfume sensitive, and not boring! A gorgeous, distinctive bargain.
*Plus, your one bottle could last a lifetime.*
Value – 5 stars
Sillage and Longevity – 5 stars
Uniqueness – 5 stars
swat14 – :
Narcotic, mashed banana jam and wheat germ oil simmering in the sun, sweet orchids and waxy jonquil, a fatty, buttery coolness that bizarrely, emerges as something clean and fresh smelling. It is dewy and lush, chewy and smooth, sweet and spicy yet with a watery coolness.
The banana and cereal blend remind me a little of “Sira des Indes” by Jean Patou and that smooth, flower oil vibe reminds me of the liquid gold richness of Givenchy’s “Amirage”. But that’s where the rich warmth ends. There is a raw spareness in “Chloe Narcisse” that can only be found in tropical places; places that are steamy, humid but green, lush, teeming with life and sea spray. “Narcisse” captures that weird dichotomy of a tropical environment, so I understand why so many see this as a tropical “island” scent. It hits all the relevant qualities.
Is “Chloe Narcissus” powerful? Yes. But I sniff deeply at these loud, lush notes and prepare myself for some sort of screeching intensity and it never comes. These notes resolve themselves in such purifying dewiness, they come on strong yet every time, they finish as a crisp, soft, watery nectar. It’s quite astonishing to experience, actually. I feel like this is the kind of big scent that would torture people, yet it always whispers immediately after it blows the virtual conch shell of notes.
Does this mean it should be liberally applied? Absolutely not. The EDT wears like a parfum extrait. These are rich, floral notes that while beautiful can not be mistaken for the residue from body wash. I would still be very cautious wearing this in an enclosed, professional environment and it’s not appropriate for a healthcare environment. Let it be the first thing you apply before the dress and drive to wherever you’re going; a good hour’s worth of drying down after a single spray application MIGHT make it work ready.
Also, realize that if you have bad experiences in this scent, it will be burned into your psyche for eternity, since this is one very, memorable blend. Whether that means “happily memorable” will determine if you love or loathe this scent forever.
Verdict: You must love richly sweet, almost nectary, honeyed florals. You must be someone who wants to wear perfume that is noticed and smells like perfume. You should probably dream of spending time in a bug buzzing, tropical rainforest paradise. If all this sounds right up your alley, there is no more beautiful blend for you than “Chloe Narcisse”.
KirkM6 – :
This is a lovely floral perfume, strong and long lasting and quite a sillage, enough for a male c