artcoredj – 2022-06-09:

3 out of 5

Ohh, I have emptyed a lot of bottles of Desirade in the 90ths, and was so sad when it left the shops, but now I’m the lucky owner of a new 100ml, thanks =))

DSxxx – 2022-06-09:

4 out of 5

One day I went bananas at Ross going through their multitude of celebrity and less expensive fragrances (LITERALLY over a hundred different bottles!). I rushed to the car with my haul and spritzed this one on first and fell head over heels! Seems like the majority of my fragrances are floral or oriental floral. Anywho, I went back in to get ANOTHER bottle of this because a 100ml bottle was $8 *blink* I got 4 compliments making that run. For an very inexpensive fragrance, this is one of my favorites!

diabloone – 2022-06-09:

4 out of 5

I like this..and this comes from me, who does not care much for heady florals. I’m OK with them mostly but they just don’t usually make my heart beat faster. Have no fear, this one does not either 🙂 but I still want to spray it on myself. Strange but true.

omaman – 2022-06-09:

3 out of 5

Cant compare it to anything as I dont have much that features osmanthus so much. It is beautiful balanced by Coriander and sweet Pineapple. Very incensey like a heady mist. Highly recommended for vintage lovers. This one is worth stocking up on.

ak4487bi – 2022-06-09:

4 out of 5

Another blind buy to bulk up an order. Holy moly what a stunner!
I don’t have anything that smells similar, on me this is a gorgeous woody oriental with a bit of powder which is my favourite part, I assume that’s the Sandalwood. The Ylang-Ylang and raspberry are also quite noticeable in the background. Longevity is great at around 8 hours and sillage is quite heavy. This is a real winner for me. I can’t believe I’ve had more enjoyment from these inexpensive labels than I have from the designer frags. This is really a superb power house, a true performer and I am in love with Desirade.

xsk274elipseskism – 2022-06-09:

5 out of 5

Where I have been all those years, how did I miss you, my desirable in Aubusson house?..Because it is A-ma-zing. From that beloved extra-potent breed of orientals or fruity-chypres that makes your heart pound, once you spray…
Strong, convincing, grounded with those fluffs of white and yellow florals in your hair, something sweet and something bitter, all well balanced and delivered.
To me it is in same tune/vibe as Rumba, Talisman, Rykeil’s Le Parfum, Regine’s. It is BIG fragrance, bold and very 90-s. Yet – it is so much easier to pull off, than all those, named above. Desirade is fruitier, melts on skin better, less “mature”, as I, for example, still can’t wear Rumba, after so many attempts,- it puts too much weight on me. As for Desirade – it is sweet disco baby, where Colin Vearncombe/Black is still singing his Wonderful Life. Highly recommend and can’t wait to try other Aubussons

pavel2202 – 2022-06-09:

5 out of 5

Desirade is quite a strange case. While it’s clearly an oriental, it’s like it comes from an orient entirely of its own, for it’s very unusual and it doesn’t remind me of anything else. Not of a perfume at least. What it actually reminds me of, is Nag Champa incense sticks. It has a wetness which is so intense that’s almost tactile. It’s overly sweet, cloying even, but instead of running away from it, I found myself going closer. I guess this is what “hypnotic” means in olfactory terms. Not being able to run away from something seemingly undesired. And this is Desirade’s secret power in the form of an enthralling spell.
I don’t know whether it has anything to do with the French overseas island of La Desirade in the Lesser Antilles, unless it was named after it to evoke a sence of exoticness. If this was the case behind its christening, then congratulations Aubusson, you’ve absolutely nailed it! This is exactly how I imagine the lush, strange flowers of the Caribbees would smell like.
Never mind that it has the most impractical cap ever, cause that aside, the bottle is very beautiful; like a bubble of gas slowly escaping the ocean floor, or a spearhed driven into the ground, if the direction is reversed. Actually, it’s an accident waiting to happen, as it scores a perfect ten in knockoverability [sic], but I really wouldn’t mind my house smelling that captivating for a couple of months. And since it can be purchased for a song, the only adjective I’d use for this kind of an accident would be “happy”.

Serezgka163 – 2022-06-09:

4 out of 5

I love this. It smells almost exactly like Revlon Scoundrel, and possibly even stronger, if that’s possible. It’s a very very warm spicy, musky pineapple/osmanthus, tuberose and ylang ylang. It’s a spritz and walk-through scent, for sure, but then of course it will be all over your carpet and you’ll smell it there forever too!
I find this very special, very loud and tropical, and very 1980’s.

sanek.s – 2022-06-09:

5 out of 5

Desirade may or may not resemble quite a few orientals, but this floriental is still entirely unique and amazing.
Interestingly the notes tell us very little about this scent. The florals are mostly indefinable but Ylang ylang predominates, sweetly melding everything together. The ambered resins, musk and patchouli make this heady, yet comforting. Fruit lends to the sweetness with an almost golden peachiness or light plum. The spice is more like nutmeg than coriander, barely there and yet binding the whole into something extra special. Someone noticed “dirty honey” which helps explain the difficulty in describing this lovely perfume, because it it has such an irresistable animalic richness in the base.
I believe this to be a chameleon of scents, changing for skin and weather. It can be normal and somewhat puzzling, or it can be dazzling. On the person who wears it well, it has a kind of seduction that is hard to beat, impossible to recreate or resist. At first I was only drawn to this, and then with time it wrapped around me, lingering in a fond but sensuous manner. I desire to be near this whenever I am all-confident, when I have a moment to be completely woman, and when I am most content.
Excellent sillage and very good but soft longevity. Clouds of other orientals may overpower, but the tone of Desirade embraces. I prefer this fragrance in summer to bring out the warm base notes, but it also brings to mind the most elegant of holidays.

emilly – 2022-06-09:

5 out of 5

A gorgeous, 80’s style floriental which does indeed share some notes with Boucheron. But on my skin, the long and LOVELY drydown smells similar to a Sweeter, more cloying Ysatis. I should also add that it lasts considerably longer, with killer sillage. And in this case, I mean ‘cloying’ in the nicest way possible, as tribute to the very richest and most dense ylang ylang and floriental goodness!
As if anything could smell precisely like Ysatis… But. Considering that nearly all of the classics have been reformulated to thinness recently, I highly suggest Ysatis lovers get their hands on a bottle of this budget beauty. It’s got that same dirty-honey accord that makes Ysatis so devastating. Yes, dated. But can you imagine being lucky enough to come upon a current creation so decadent?! If so, I would buy it at once, without thought of era or age category. Gorgeousness does NOT require apology.
Update – I am impressed by Kvan’s assurances that Desirade smells quite similar to Revlon’s Scoundrel, as advertized by that marvelous 80’s icon, Joan Collins. This would indeed be suitable for her character of Alexi, but perhaps also Joan in real life…. Hard not to be impressed by a fragrance with such personality. Scoundrels this appealing narrow down the competition considerably!
Summary –
Lush and Heady
Stupendous sillage
Excellent longevity
Seduction in a bottle!

Western – 2022-06-09:

3 out of 5

I see a bunch of reviews comparing this to Elizabeth Taylor’s White Diamonds. I see to extent what you mean but I don’t get an old lady vibe from it. I get more of an incense, fruity, woody, vanilla, earthy, potpourri vibe from it. Besides its more sophisticated, and has a much better bottle. I see this as a clone of boucheron smell wise.

FREERUNNER – 2022-06-09:

4 out of 5

O.K. I finally found this for a steal and couldn’t resist. This has a vintage 50’s feel that smells a little like Oscar de la Renta and Tabu. Your grandmother,(someone in their 70’s or 80’s would love you if you gifted this to them.) This is for at home wear only. My boyfriend said this smells like something Elizabeth Taylor would have made. I replaced the awkward and very plastic cap with one from and old Paloma Picasso bottle. Pretty bottle now and one to wear to bed.
Update: Inhale deeply and you can really smell Shalimar.
Update: Smells like a mix of White Diamonds Lustre with Bal a Versailles.

bscpostal – 2022-06-09:

3 out of 5

This was another T.J.Maxx $7 find–and what I have is the “My Desire” Desirade in the red box as well. I am pretty sure that this is a reformulation-the box says packaged in Palm Beach FLA–but I don’t really hate it. It is not magical, by any means, but it strikes me as a lighter version of Tresor, fruity floral oriental and if the osmanthus note is suppossed to be noticable, you could have fooled me. I get roses, peaches and light powder. Inoffensive, but no big deal. Oh well!

li4nost22 – 2022-06-09:

3 out of 5

Attention: This review is for Desirade My Desire NOT Desirade!
Oh, how I wish Ross would have had this for 9.99 instead of the Desirade My Desire (red bottle)! My Desire is not cataloged in Fragrantica so I’m doing a service by adding my review: MY DESIRE Desirade in the RED BOTTLE is an atrocious attempt at Champs Elysees or Miracle, a rotten rose petals soaked in vinegar cologne smell. I replaced the awful cap with a beautiful Shalimar cap, turned the bottle around and am using it as a decoration. Maybe I’ll use it for a trashcan spray. I’m not a snob, I even like some 99cent knockoffs. But this is truly the worst fragrance.
Update: May be a sloppy dupe for Amour Amour.

Daemon9000 – 2022-06-09:

4 out of 5

In every whiff, I get these in the following order:
Osmanthus, pineapple, sweetness of srawberry, ylang-ylang. hint of coriander at the very end. It is not listed, but I also detect leather. As time passes, it becomes more woodsy but retains the sweet fruit. I find the juxtaposition of leather/patchouli and sweet fruit interesting. Current offerings are fruity florals. For this reason, woodsy or incense-y scents are also available for non-conformists. An attempt seem to have been made to incorporate both in this perfume. I would imagine someone who is self-assured but not eager to nauseate with benzoin or aldehydes wearing Desirade — if they can find it. I was lucky enough to see this miniature parfum in an antique store in Cannon Beach along Oregon Coast for $6.
One dab on me,
Sillage: close to skin
Longevity: 2-3 hours
Rating: 2/5

Zmeyonish – 2022-06-09:

5 out of 5

I found Desirade at the Tacoma Airport. I fell in love with it. Apparently it mixes extremely well with my genes. I have had so many compliments on the fragrance, such as “nice,” “welcoming,” “warm,” and “senuous.”
When I ask if the fragrance is too strong, the answer has been “No, it is very pleasant.” I even had comments from the ladies at the cleaners — they love the smell of my clothes.
I am very happy to read it is not a fragrance for women in their 20’s as most young people (males included) seem to think they should take a bath in their cologne!

emo_life – 2022-06-09:

4 out of 5

Based on the notes, I bought Desirade. It should have been everything I love in an oriental scent and the osmanthus should have made it a dream for me.
Instead, I’m afraid that Desirade is rather a generic affair all vanilla and Ylang Ylang and too much coriander. I was really truly diappointed with this one, thinking I had found an unknown gem. Desirade is not a well known scent and for good reason.
Mediocre