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pdx398InsuffBooni – :
@linoleum, Provocation is the same perfume, they had to change the name due to another perfume holding a patent.
Explosive is still on the market, sweeter, more floral and less dirty powerhouse. When it’s on discount it can be have for around 14€ / 100ml.
-real review will come another day, just wanted to clarify the name thing-
Metyp983Negeltzex – :
This is like, one of the first perfumes I ever owned I have no idea how it came to be mine….I opened the bottle and the heady scent mugged my poor nostrils and named my nose it’s biiitch from that day on….it smells Powerful and Sexy and Confident, like a 1980’s music video vixen styled by Tom Ford….WERK!
Serj46 – :
My late mom had it and I love it.
This is the smell that lingering in my mind for quite sometime, but due to not knowing the brand… I just kept it there along with the image of lovely black bottle.
And then I remember the logo and I scrawl in here. Found it. I may starts to hunt this thing, but I won’t let my hope too high.
……..
My bad. My sister and I check our late mom wooden box. Turns out it’s not explosive.
Same bottle differrent name, same brand. It’s called Provocation. Weird…
Segafon – :
This one found me! What a luck! I purchased it at 1/4 of it´s list price and it really surprised me! As others have said it has a strong personality and the sweetness is just the right amount if you dislike very sweet fragrances. I´ve been wearing Explosive a lot these days and I like it almost as much as Salvador Dali Pour Homme (almost). What a beautiful red, dark rose is in this perfume! <3
pavoldik – :
Explosive/Provocation is like a female (or rather a unisex) version of Azzaro Acteur; (or you could say Acteur is like a male version of Explosive/Provocation, since it followed this one by about three years.) Very prominent, dark rose with great depth through oakmoss. Performance is very good; great projection and longevity. Some may perceive this as a bit too aggressive and dated; so, it probably is not a safe blind buy, unless you buy your fragrances for your own enjoyment first and foremost.
Atmodetutmima – :
Great for a winter’s day.
I bought this on the strength of the above reviews and it is completely unisex, using a cliche, in an old school sort of way.
These are the type of fragrances I love for the cold weather and I am male.Definitely if you didn’t tell anyone they wouldn’t believe it was a female fragrance.
Oakmoss and fruity spices with lasting power of about 4 to 5 hours and not too pungent or nose tickling, even though someone compared it to Kouros, I don’t think so as it is much more warmer and comforting.don’t get many flowers!
Good value for money…cheap price, medium quality and for a fragrance in winter not sweet/sickly and better than the Aigner men’s offerings in my opinion.
genaalina2011 – :
This used to have another name, it was Provocation!! I have no idea if others know that.
Zyli – :
Finally I have found the right perfume for those days I want to bring out my yang energy. Nothing sweet about Explosive – I mostly get the fresh spicy vibe. I will not wear this often, as I prefer something oriental, sweet and balsamic, but this is something I needed in my wardrobe. I would say that I appreciate Explosive for not being mainstream and having a self-contained and expressive personality.
Update: Explosive becomes more beautiful and feminine on warm autumn days and also the rose comes out more.
Update II: In the end I gave my Explosive away, because I found it too sour and too intensive pachouli for my taste… It lacked some sweetnes for me to enjoy it.
If anyone likes it in general but is looking for something sweeter – I found out that Or des Scythes by Novaya Zarya (Russian brand which is better known in Russia and post USSR countries) smells quite the same but there is also a very pleasurable honey note (not listed, though) which makes it more balanced than Explosive.
katepoluxina – :
This slaps you in the face on first spray, then develops a piquant charm – spicy, lemony/rosy and somehow quite naughty.
It definitely reminds me of a lighter version of Palomma Picasso, and Kouros, which I happen to quite like, on men anyway. It has a similar dirty/clean feel (similar notes – coriander, oakmoss, aldehydes, patchouli). Kouros has more civet though, so Explosive feels a bit more polite and feminine.
It does smell 80s to me, I definitely get the references to Paloma Picasso and Coco Chanel in the spicy coriander and rose combination.
I don’t know where I’d wear this, as it makes me feel a bit dated – only because I wore Coco a lot in the 80s, also Kouros was everywhere, so the associations are strong. But, I do quite like this. It’s different.
Definitely one for an autumn or winter’s evening, those aldehydes really pack a punch!
maks2209 – :
This is how I like my chypres, to start with OAKMOSS in the opening, then detect any notes that survive surfacing here and there as fragrance continues to develop, the darker, the better, and OAKMOSS in the dry down until it fades six or more hours later. Longevity is super with my chemistry. Thanks to the generous Fragrantican that sent it because we had discussed chypres, which we both love.
mislivez – :
This perfume literally blew me away.
It was instant love and I immediately bought a FB. Impetuous I know but it’s ‘that good’.
Damask rose in the initial spritz is so lovely, so sweet and very fresh.
Sometimes rose can be bitter or a little powdery with a vintage Elizabethan vibe, but this is soft and gentle.
Bergamot freshens the fragrance without adding too much of a citrusy note and please don’t be put off by the aldehydes. They are calming and just enhance the beauty of this perfume.
This wonderful perfume shape shifts continuously but retains its beauty throughout. It doesn’t lose the sweetness of the rose, nor does it ever become herbal.
Silage is powerful and a little goes a long way, longevity was amazing as I wore this for 8 hours+ and I could smell it continuously wafting up at me.
I think this perfume will be even better in the heat of a summers day, it will become more intense, sweeter and more powerful.
Explosive is a perfume for ‘perfumistas’, it should be savoured like a great wine and should never be abused or worn to death. This is a subtle beauty which needs to be saved for special occasions!
Stunning but stunning!!
Maksim-VDV – :
Signature scent for non-trivial ladies, absolutely mind blowing fragrance for my perception.
To say I love it would be a serious underestimation.
It is dark, as you can see by the bottle, it very rich coriander-y night rose, soaked in prune wine, enveloped into earthy base from moss and patchouli, its Eva Green in-fragrance-ed.
Even among vintage fragrances that I have tried (so many) its very hard to find comparisons for Explosive, might be if Coriandre Couturier to mix together with some expensive niche rose fragrances, like Amouge style ones?..Something like that. Yet I guarantee that Explosive will give a hundred points ahead of any niche by longevity, depth and originality.
She walks in beauty, like the night
Of cloudless climes and starry skies;
And all that’s best of dark and bright
Meet in her aspect and her eyes;
Thus mellowed to that tender light
Which heaven to gaudy day denies.
Lord Byron
захаровна – :
I took a chance and blind bought this beauty.
It’s a lovely patchouly scent with charakter.
Very well done , balanced.
Thank you for the good reviews.They helped once again in taking the right decision.
I like layering it with Eaudemoiselle from Givenchy.The result is classy.
The heat of the summer was also helpful in developing the right chemistry with this darling.No idea how it works in cold weather.Will have to experiment.
zaNOZA – :
smells like fruit, a little mysterious, I missed this perfume. reminds me of the person who gave this to me
Jek1998 – :
Fortunately or unfortunately, there are no words to describe this horrorific scent. I love floral chypres, and am naturally drawn to them. However, this perfume has to be the most volitale, bitter skank I’ve ever smelled in a spray bottle! It is so bitter and intense – even in it’s dry down stage. I usually try to salvage perfumes I’m not crazy about by turning them in to air fresheners, however this perfume was so bitterly intense that it went in the trash. Never had an experience or reaction before to a perfume quite like this one in my whole life!!
forthnet – :
Oh this is the one that fits my chemistry. The uplifting scent of floral and patchooli is believable even 5 hours later. Heavenly.
FIN_VLG – :
A pleasant blind buy! I was half expecting some brassy ’80s nightmare’ a la Poison.
I got the ‘EDT natural spray’.
At first spray on the back of my hand, I thought this was very very weak – 🙁 – but nice, and wondered what the EDP would be like.
Have just had a proper wear on neck and wrists and what a difference! Must be the increased skin oils – now it is much stronger and longer lasting and the initial ‘fizziness’ turns to what I would almost call a ‘rubbered rose’. I’m wondering if this might be best applied fresh out of bath or shower, with extra clean skin?
It’s the fizzy bit I like the best but seeing that I gave away my Diva and Cabaret, and only have the sparkly AP now which I don’t wear too often, there was a hole in my wardrobe for a dusky rose frag that is now filled again.
I have and love La Perla and don’t find a similarity with this but Explosive does remind me of Ungaro Diva so if you like that you’d probably like this, just be aware of the possibility of a bit of added rubber tyre!
Update: I wore this out and about in the cold air today and I got a strong smell of violet leaf from it, although that is not listed (ahaaaaa! it’s the orris root apparently)?
I also think this is a very Christmassy scent!
UPDATE, 13.02.13 – I’m wearing this every day and falling more and more in love with it!
This perfume is a beautiful chameleon and a flower that just keeps unfolding its many coloured petals.
What a find – I got it real cheap on Ebay – makes up for many stinkers. 🙂
UPDATE, 26/03/13.
Still in love with this.
Applied it today and there was this animal/body/skin undertone smell that rose from it – so me and so comforting.
My husband sidled up to me tonight and said ‘mmm what’s that smell, it’s like jasmine incense or something’. He never usually notice or comments on perfume and anything incensey is even more of a winner for me!
imo, Explosive is a masterpiece, must stockup/backup soon.
vaag73 – :
Nope, this one doesn’t seem to agree with me at all. Too bad, because I really do like it’s unique smell. Maybe I should give it a third chance before giving it away, but after having tried it on all day yesterday where it just ended up turning slightly sour on my skin :o/ my guess is, that it just isn’t for me, even though I would have loved for it to be so
itus2009 – :
As a woman, this is a fun scent for me to wear. It starts out almost giddy, feel-good, sweet-tart, green and refreshing, like cold 7-Up on a hot day.
As juicy citrus notes bubble over the scent really does evoke an expansive rush. Boosted by aldehydes, the coriander and lily of the valley lend a cool, and delicately spicy vibe. At first everything seems to be playing nicely, the musk and rose smooth and round the frag out nicely- and here it might end, … But underneath- there is an undercurrent of tension – the easy going green ride gives way to an inner heart of tension- iris, cool, green/earthy against geranium- aromatic, with hints of pepper and mint. Add to that the moss, patchouli and vetiver and we’re suddenly deep into the forest. Luckily we’re not alone- the scent becomes more masculine as it wears! A strange one, compelling – it reminds me a little of the old version of Calyx, crossed with a CDG fragrance.
mtf – :
Thanks to your reviews I bought this without testing, as it is not awailable in Norway. This is just my cup of tea, not sweet but quite spicy. Just love it and so does my husband.
Thanks to you all!!!!
Saget13 – :
“Explosive” mystifies me. Just got it. Am not quite sure what I think of it, but I suspect I could learn to love it because of it’s apparent dark, seductive uniqueness. Definately not a hot summers day perfume. I think it might be able to help you keep warm and feeling seductive at the same time on a cold winthers eve…
Unurgytut – :
what a magnificant dark masterpiece.
I found online at a stupidly good price and blind bought from reviews.
total success.
this fragrance is a mysterious concotion that reminds me of Femme Rochas but this is somewhat sweeter and the rose is prominant.
the smell of the rose makes me think of a deep red one on a cool morning.
the herbs are exotic and confronting. I believe this could be unisex.
sillage is good. its strange… close to skin then the sillage.. different scent.
very pleased!
escoldloopy – :
This is an beautiful old perfume to me. Great sillage! I can smell from 3 metres and stay so long long time… I don’t find anything similar with this. I was in elementary scholl and I still remember how good this one is. This is has for men also, named PROVOCATIVE. Same bottle and same scent just more masculine and sharp. I was a little girl, so I don’t know what smell is..I mean fruits…flowers…woody. lol
If you require attention to an event and you are pretty confident, powerful stance as well then you deserve to wear this perfume. The people will cast their eyes, watch what you say.
If you’re feeling weak and need to feel stronger… then you also need this perfume. That’s how I have felt about it.
TREGE – :
Today we went out together for the first time. Weather cooled down to autumn-like.
On my skin it was divine.
Juisy mouth-watering prunes, close to skin. Sealage was impressive-all day, and after it has settled and tamed, no more harsh notes appeared. Instead, regal, confident, sweet, powdery and statement base settled to reward for the patience. I can stll smell refined, grown-up rose, elevated and the one that knows it’s own worth.
It’s a keeper. So happy I have tamed this darling monster.
edit> sealage is really scary-i can clearly smell it on my tshirt after washing it in front-loader. it’s wonderful-as most of marketed perfumes vapour in several hours. Very happy.
wadik200 – :
This is something absolutely different from any other perfume I have experienced.
It has revealed it’s dangerous character when i unpacked it-even the box smelled of something dark, a bit strangely sweet. It was a very familiar note, but i could not bring the association to my memory. Reminded of the sweetness of blood that i like to lick off when I happen to have a small scratch/cut-the way animals lick it to make it heal better.
Somehow i thought something in my father’s draw in the old wooden table smelled like this. It’s a disturbing smell-sweet in a non-sweet way. Gun powder they used for tatoos when my father served on a submarine?
Gothic and dark, I think meditative winter, woolen and cashmere fabrics will bring out the best of this small treasure. I would spray some drops on my winter fur coat, or woolen sweater, or even tweed skirt.
Its is creaature that likes to expand-I would take it for a walk winter twilight time, snow around, ot autumn day, chrysanthemum’s bitter aroma and smoke of burning autumn leaves in the air, with the cool wift of winter approaching air.
And then we would settle on the leather chair, evening looking at my window, thick wicked smokey prunes with crystallized sugar and a walnut inside, and delicious thin coat of chocolate on the outside, to hold this indulgence together…guilty pleasure of these eastern european Prune-in-Chocolate dessert.
A liquer in the dark small bottle is beside me-I am going to pour a glass of thick, deep burgundy liquid for myself-only I know what strange concoction I will drink in a moment…
************************************************
I don’t know how this will wear-it’s hot and humid here at the moment, with plus 35 and high humidity after 2 weeks of plus 40(can’t wait to get to my beloved grey and cold weather, and sickly sweet note is nauseating. But I am sure I will reach for my bottle later on, in the right mood.
Another name for this perfume for Saudi Arabia market is Provocation-not difficult to guess why.
fristayl – :
Whoa!!! This hits you right in the face when you have your first whiff.Mostly the smell of pure alcohol. Then it calms down into an interesting flowery but not sweet scent. I was wondering whether this was a fragrance for men and discovered here that it’s for women. Could easily be unisex though. I think its for the more tough kind of woman. I’m not sure it’s my thing exactly, but I’m intrigued.
Storm80 – :
hi gesch,
yup, i got somewhat idea now!
I’ll go for it then :)cheers!
cktpsfyutkf123 – :
hi there adrienn,
i’ve tested this fragrance about 1 year ago. but I remember this as a very potent, strong fume with murder sillage.
nothing for the faint nor shy of heart. think “le baiser du dragon” -Cartier, or “aigner black” aigner “aromatics elixir” – Clinique , and the like.
I wouldn’t have classified this a chypre floral, but for the florals I’ve to say they are strong, too, except they don’t are too flowery (think the geranium/orris root).
It’s a grown up one, and the moss was quite recognizable, too.You really should like power-fumes with a very strong identity that scream confidence and with an almost unisex edge – this parfum doesn’t care about gender but about personality.
Hope I could help.