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nick-called – :
When Gaius Julius Caesar crossed the rubicon in 49BCE he was sporting a new hairdo, clean-shaved and his S.O.T.D was none other than M.D.C.I’s Invasion Barbare! I’ve heard some fellow frag reviewers rank this in the top 2 or 3 in the citrus DNA type and I couldn’t agree more!!! Monsieur Claude Marchal has quite the dynamic little shoppe here: Simple, Classic, elegant French perfumery. Back to the basics in “Perfumery 101”! MDCI’s I.B is a dominant, barbershop-style Fragrance, something really strong & masculine, while at the same time being very elegant & sensual- something an iconic man like Caesar would be sporting.
For me, it’s more of an Orientale Fougère counterpointed with that beautiful lavender note in the mid. The Grapefruit and bergamot off the top is not in the way of a burst or that freshly squeezed blast, but it’s more in the way of the actual fruit being peeled back and allowed to dry after about 30 minutes. The white thyme thereafter is a very nice complement & balance as it gives it that herbaceous, hot & penetrating vibe, almost aroma therapeutical….. I do get a powdery vibe as well and I’m tempted to say this is the result of the violet note…. The base consists of a warm vanilla with facets of leather…. In doing my research, I’ve learned that Vanilla is a note Monsieur Marchal truly loves and I am very impressed by the way it’s utilized here and how it rounds-out the composition…….
CONCLUSION: This masterpiece is brilliantly created, classy and elegant! The notes are seamlessly woven together: Top quality ingredients and superb quality of raw materials with no compromise despite the costs involved…
Lastly, renowned perfume critic Mr. Turin once gave this fragrance a PERFECT 5/5…. Hmmmmmm…, uuuuhhhmmmm……?!?! I wouldn’t go THAT FAR despite giving it such a stellar review. I’d actually give it a 4.5-4.7/5…. The only thing that holds it back, causing the overall fragrance to fall just short of that Nadia Elena Comăneci standard is the usage of spices in the concoction. The spices needed to jump and spring off the skin…. Stephanie Bakouche, as fabulous as her work was here in this creation, she could have taken a page out of the DNA of Eau De Sauvage Extreme [the 1984 O.G Classic], by implementing basil, rosemary, coriander & bay leaf to the extent that parfumeur did making them much more prominent and amped-up in the blending with that Bergamot/Lemon opening……
Nevertheless, MDCI’s Invasion Barbare still belongs in that “MASTERPIECE” category! It’s that holy grail [Haute] Niche Citrus that every elegant gent just has to has to splurge on to incorporate in their collection. In my case, I threw on the Bust and opted for the Silk Road Presentation to add luxury…. In the ENTIRE M.D.C.I portfolio, as elegant and as supreme as Invasion Barbare might be, there’s actually one other fragrance that I think is even more superlative…. That fragrance…?!?!?
клей – :
It has a classic vibe, it is manly and serious. The kind of perfume to be worn with a suit at an upscale event. What I get the most is the lavender with cardamom and violet leaf sweetened by vanilla. Well into the base, when the musk substitutes the lavender, it becomes more pleasant for me. I am not a lavender fan but I understand it’s quality.
Scent: 7.5/10
Longevity: 10/10
Projection: 8/10
Rangtor42 – :
An elegant aromatic with deep masculine floral like aspect to it
Very nice and makes me think of a leader like julius caesar
For the price, Jubilation 25 is king and for casual wear costume national homme is a far better alternative to this in my opinion
I won’t be buying this personally, but I recommend a sampling
Akyla_sss – :
I got a sample of Invasion Barbare from Luckyscent. I saw people thought it smelled like Penhaligan’s Sartorial. This smells like a low price masculine cologne like brute. It is very expensive. It smells better the longer I wear it, but I prefer Sartorial’s fragrance and price.
artist62 – :
I have a sample and thought I applied enough but got hardly anything. A little lavender, for sure, perhaps something a touch spicy. Some “fresh” aroma chemical? Possibly. I guess the appeal is for those who want a smooth, gentle fougere. I think I’d rather have a strong, rough one, and I hardly ever wear these kinds of scents!
ilbar – :
Kind of strange. A lavender bomb, married to cardamom and vanilla. The composition is smooth and skilled, but it’s not going to be for everyone. I struggle with lavender. It projects well and lasts for a long time. The first hour is the hardest to deal with, after that it becomes more pleasant… much like many lavender bombs. Dries down to a creamy, pleasant, masterfully blended vanilla-lavender-cardamom mix that is smooth.
ice888 – :
Nice, very nice. It’s odd, I simultaneously find it hard to pick out individual notes, but at the same time am able to pick up Lemon and Lavender. All in all, very smooth. Very good performance too.
ApallanuotV – :
It’s a barbershop… but not the one you may expect. It’s not the Rive Gauche, Drakkar Noir or Azzaro pH type. In IB the spices play more of a supporting role while lavendar is upfront and the vanilla fuses everything to a blend so incredibly smooth and luxurious. So IB’s cousin are not the usual barbershop suspects but: Eau de L’Occitane with its velvety lavender. Performance-wise these two are on par and maybe they are more like brothers (not twins, though) which does raise a few ??? when talking about value for money. Still, I don’t regret the full bottle of this civilized barbarian relative.
mla785Diobtetty – :
I like this. It starts out strong. Raspy edgy sexy. Nice, better for a night out. Then it settles. I can still smell it but it’s softer, almost like a leather with a hint of sweetness. Safe for work then. I am a woman happily wearing this.
5081970 – :
Anyone wishing the replace this with HDP Cassanova 1975, do not do it. 1725 is great, but not the same as IB. Invasion Barbare is dry and spicy, while 1725 is sweet and soft. There is a definitive similarity in the opening, but quickly subsides to soft and sweet.
mesmere – :
A lavendel fragrance. Reminds me of l’occitane. Or a reflection man, just remove the jasmine and insert lavendel instead.
bombr – :
I purchased a sample of Invasion Barbare awhile back, but I did not review it. I am fixing that today.
Let me start by saying that I am not normally a clean and fresh fragrance type of guy. I prefer darker and heavier scents. But I have to admit that Invasion Barbare is an extremely well made clean and fresh scent. A beautiful lavender and herbal. The ultimate barbershop fragrance IMO.
I wore this scent on Saturday. Saturday was chore day for me. So my plan was to use my “Captain Scruffy” look, scraggly beard, jeans, t-shirt and hoody. But the moment I put Invasion Barbare on my skin Captain Scruffy went out the window. I shaved and put on a trendy casual outfit before heading out to do my chores. So IB is a trendy casual to formal scent on my skin.
I get Moderate project with great longevity with IB. While IB is market to men I can see a woman wearing this one and I would love to smell it on a woman.
Bottom line: This one is worth a sample, regardless of your age, sex and taste in fragrances.
Xbongernis – :
Funny to me that reviewers say there’s “nothing unisex” about this fragrance. I am a woman and have worn it and absolutely adore it – and a friend of mine, also a woman, uses this as her signature scent. While this scent is gorgeous, deep and spicy – it is not out of place on a woman in the least. In fact I recommend any lover of spicy fragrance to try this. The cardamom is wonderful.
lipin-leha – :
A refined, approachable fougere in the classic (masculine) style. Opens with a burst of citrus over lavender that’s zesty but sophisticated. Has a classic structure but interesting elements – rich cardamom and ginger, the transparent violet leaf – giving it a contemporary feel. Gentlemanly without being stuffy. Unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately, considering the price tag) this one is firmly in the masculine realm. If you have deep pockets and are looking for a tasteful but relaxed winner, you can’t do much better than this.
Prototip – :
Quality of the former days…
I love fragrance since my youth (about 8 years old as far as I remember).
If I can affirm one thing, this is it : fragrance quality has strongly decreased during the passed years. Due to IFRA regulations and cost saving, we are forced to appreciate synthetical scents that have no relief, no soul, poor evolution… even the longevity has become really poor on the last recent 10 years (except for rare exceptions).
As for instance, several current reformulated fragance would be astonishing if they have retrieved their original formula: fahreinheit of Dior, Pour un Homme of Caron, Eau Sauvage of Dior, and so on… Today, they are simply spiritless and rather made common, in order to please to most people.
Concerning Invasion Barbare, this is simply the quality any fragrance should have, this is the beauty of former days. It smells classic but in a magnificient way. It projects, it lasts for hours and hours and even after 12h+ it does not smell weird like a panting synthetical base.
Invasion Barbare is a masterpiece, maybe only due to the fact MDCI has proposed a classical scent with the quality of former perfumes. This is a high rate for me ! Nevertheless, the price is also highly rated… That is why, it is not a bang for the buck, but only a masterpiece !
Alistarhov – :
“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication”
-Leonardo da Vinci
Invasion Barbare definitely does not reinvent the wheel or break new ground in the fragrance world. That being said what IB does is just represent a high quality fragrance to the fullest. The opening is a rich powdery bomb of herbs, spices, sweetness and a bit of citrus. For me the powdery element of this scent is beautifully executed (accentuated by a lovely cardamom note), this powdery aura lingers and blends with every passing note all the way to the dry down. Sweetness is a strong dimension to this scent and it is held up perfectly with a good dose of vanilla. The vanilla note of IB is so rich and strong but not at all cloying. This vanilla note also forms the backbone of this fragrance, it’s sweetness remains throughout a wearing. Another key note is the lavender. Now this isn’t Caron Pour Un Homme’s lavender. IB’s lavender feels drier but earthy and very medicinal. The lavender note in IB is ramped up a bit with the presence of the thyme and ginger. I always feel like IB is a real tribute to something that was made in an apothecary (rough, raw and slightly medicinal). These rough edges are all eventually smoothed out by the iris, which gives a nice floral green feel. At the heart of this scent is a strong base of musk, patchouli and grapefruit. This trio forms a rich slightly earthy, sweet, woody freshness as well as gives off a (slightly ever so slightly) animalic finish. This scent projects very well for me and has great longevity I get 8-10 hours sometimes longer.
Invasion Barbare is perfect for fall and spring where temperatures stay relatively cool. IB is the perfect day fragrance and can be used in any setting. I prefer wearing this when I can start my day a bit later and take my time. This scent invites you to slow down and take in your surroundings with calm and patience. A nice polo and slacks with a light blazer works perfectly with this scent. Invasion Barbare is class and french style in a bottle. IB is an homage to a retro style given a slight high quality modern twist. Think barbershop scent ramped up to the utmost quality and sophistication.
Now, I know IB is greatly overpriced and doesn’t create anything new, but for me it is simple; I love fougeres and after smelling Invasion Barbare for the first time I was smitten and it became a must have (sans bust for me). I liken purchasing this perfume to one who is making a purchase to add to their record collection. Yes you may have all of your favorite band’s studio albums but if you’re a fanatic like I am/was you would also pursue all the B-sides and out of print singles, even if it is packaged with some songs you may already have (fully ignoring the price). It basically comes down to pure indulgence and a real appreciation of what you like or love. I love this scent and its’ contribution to the fougere genre. Yes I may have picked up the greatest hits vol. 3, but I love every track on it!
irvin – :
gotta agree with review below.
A true rip off, lasts a few hours and is a skin scent, only the price tag reaches a very high altitude, mediocre scent!
russkij79 – :
low projection and nothing really unique, bought a bottle under the influence of the hype but this scent is actually worth no more than 60 euros, it is a very expensive mistake I won’t make again, beware of the hype it can cost you dearly!
ikiforov – :
Great fragrance! Surprisingly i receive regularly unsolicited compliments when i wear it. Perfect for spring/summer
katerinka1987 – :
I love this fragrance. It’s not fresh to my nose, but a very natural, herbal, dusty vanilla with some citrus wafting in the background. It’s warm, rich, inviting, slightly old-fashioned. Alas, the violet leaf gives me a pounding headache almost every time. I never understood before what people were talking about when they complained of perfume-headaches, and always thought they were exaggerating or just really hated the fragrance, but I get it now. A pity, because I’d love to wear this more.
Aviximilex – :
Honestly, Im really wondering how people are seeing some perfumes similar…..and once again here, it is confirmed that some of us dont know what they smell. Im talking about IB and Sartorial. I owe them both, IB received today abd Sartorial some months ago. Completely different perfumes for me. Sartorial is metallic and IB vanillic/spicy and extremely fresh. I like them both very much but IB is from another world. So well blended and so much quality in this perfume. It is really imaginable, addictive and manly. It does not remind anything I have or smelled and trust me I smelled hundreds of perfumes. The price tag is high of course but what we pay we get usually.
Great great signature scent that can be worn everyday. It is relaxing and. Classy in the best way.
maxik551 – :
Invasion Barbare opens citrus and spicy, refers to a bergamot, a hot smell. Soon after, a burst of lavender takes over in the drying, eventually the vanilla enters and leaves that lavender creamy, soft, with a violet background. A rich, fine scent, reminiscent of luxury, richness. Fixation of 12 hours on my skin and projects good. As for smell, one of the best I’ve ever tasted. Addictive, those of smelling the pulse all the time.
Scent: 10/10
Projection: 8/10
Longevity: 9/10
Sorry the english, “Google Translate”
=)
ukrvodas – :
This is certainly one of the best smelling fragrances that I have ever tried. Barbershop, but barbershop with a PhD. There is nothing unisex about it.
Invasion Barbare is compared to Houbigant’s Fougere Royale, but honestly I don’t see a lot of similarity. Both fougeres, yes, but to me they don’t smell too much alike. Fougere Royale is more floral (more feminine, if you will) and really not unlike a lot of other fougeres that I have met over the years. Not so this. I also found Fougere Royale’s sillage to not be particularly remarkable whereas IB is notably good in this regard.
One of the early reviewers described this as ‘holy grail’. Yep. You owe it to yourself to try it.
assonserogyh79361 – :
Invasion Barbare seems to the best-known of any of Parfums MDCI’s fragrances and I waited far too long to try it out, especially given that it’s a fougere, a style that I’m always intrigued by, as I feel that fougeres are often done decently well but are rarely done excellently.
I think IB flirts with excellence. The predictable lavender dominance is coupled with a relatively strong citrus opening of bergamot and grapefruit that lasts into heart before being overtaken by the spicy cardamom, eventually settling into a rugged patchouli base. I don’t get much sweetness from the vanilla at all—at best a smoothness comes from the musk, though, perhaps. The drydown still feels mainly like lavender and cardamom with a hint of patchouli.
In the fougere realm, I definitely prefer Invasion Barbare to Fougere Royale, as IB is simply more inviting and less acerbic. But IB is pricier, at $250 for 75ml (on Luckyscent), and despite its performance, which is outstanding, it’s a slightly tough sell.
7 out of 10
Andersen11 – :
Smells and projects really really good. I get a heavy dose of pure leather, which is not even one of the notes in it. The only problem is the price tag and I do not believe that it is worth all the money even though it is a very good and unique scent. I am glad that I have a decant of it and that I have tested it. That is good enough for me. Sartorial is not even close to smelling this good.
Scent: 10/10
Projection: 9/10
Longevity: 9/10
Putanlory – :
A rare fragrance that seems worth the price tag. Great structure, wonderfully rounded out with no jagged edges, sliding from top notes to base notes with tremendous grace. At once retro/vintage and totally fresh and new. Expresses the possibilities of perfumery as only a few fragrances can. Beautiful.
chipididi – :
This is one of those scents that immediately gives the impressions of “Quality” and “Natural Ingredients” and “Well-done”. It plays at the right volume, rich with detail, and it lasts as long as you expect expensive perfume to last when virtually everything else out there fails in this category. It’s character is too ‘old-fashioned-gentleman-in-a-suit-and-tie’ for me but I am still grateful for owning a sample of this as a reference to what a luxurious parfum could and should be.
andryhakozyb – :
Fern spicy structure and classic style to vintage, appreciating it contained some originality, all combined with an excellent composition reflects roughly this good MDCI fragrance.
There is a base of classic fern bergamot, lavender and patchouli and a very soft oak moss, all this is wrapped in spices where cardamom provides that voluptuous and point almost smoky and violet leaf a herbal touch dark green, atalcado and nebulous, but without ever being gloomy, it seizes this fern effect Invasion Barbare and develops a somewhat warm aroma with smoke surround effect and nothing burdensome.
The drying of sweet vanilla and soft musk combined with the high quality of the essences enriches the mixture providing a high quality scent very persuasive and appealing.
The best thing is the excellent result of all this mixed with a perfect balance between the 3 phases of development.
If you like high quality ferns, this is one of them.
Rating: 8
nbw580Diobtetty – :
Before I smelled this, I thought I didn’t like fougeres! This is a masterpiece, however! It’s one of those rare perfumes that just transforms the world around me when I wear it. It’s such a dramatic, sophisticated fragrance. Full bottle, signature-worthy stuff, without a doubt.
Yes, it’s quite an expensive buy, but this is one of those cases where the money really does give value. I’m hooked!
solu-medrol – :
This is a great fragrance, it is very strong in terms of longevity. 12 hours + easy.
If you are not a fan of lavender or mature vibe fragrances, I would look elsewhere.
This stuff does smell very refined and masculine. The notes have been very well balanced and seem natural. Keep in mind fellas, this was created by a female in search of creating the worlds most sexy and appealing scent that every woman would dream of a man smelling. I personally would have like to see a little more wood and spice used, but the more I wear it the more I like it. My only beef with the fragrance is its price point. For 75 ml I would pay $175 tops, but the $250 just pushes me away. I would buy a used flanker for a good price so if you’re reading this and are willing, send me a DM. Thanks
My goodness…..this stuff is AMAZING !!!! I get something new each time I wear it. It smells of extreme high quality. I will gladly buy a full bottle from the scent bar once this decant is done. 2 sprays and I’m set! Beastmode everything
vi_kkktor – :
Lovely fougere fragrance but not full bottle worthy by any means. It doesn’t last long nor are you an unique champion. It’s a vanilla fragrance with a little barbershop. Unremarkable to warrant this price. You’ve got to be too cool to think this is anything but a mundane me too fragrance.
Meupi002intitytek – :
Scent – ginger, herbs, violets, lavender & grapefruit.
Season/Time of Day – I prefer to use this one in the warmer months, day or night.
Projection – I didn’t get noticed, I didn’t get a compliment.
Longevity – I get 6hrs consistently.
Pavel.kovtunenko – :
Thumbs down. Smells like haystack, something dry green and powdery. There are so many other parfums out there of this genre that are so much better, take Rive Gauche or Paco Rabanne PH. And the price is absurd too. And did I mention it gave me an insta-headache?
2692874 – :
“Sing in me, Muse, and through me tell the story
of that man skilled in all ways of contending,
the wanderer, harried for years on end,
after he plundered the stronghold
on the proud height of Troy”
– Homer, The Odyssey
MDCI Parfums create unisex fragrances I swear to God. This is for me! This smells so feminine to me. The touches of ginger, cardamom, vanilla and violet are all notes which I’ve enjoyed in women’s fragrances. The opening is grapefruit and bergamot fresh and somewhat aquatic. I keep envisioning a Mediterranean coast, but somewhere like in the North Africa coastline which is today’s Libya. This fragrance smells like the Roman fleet in Alexandria or Carthage. They bring with them spices and perfume oil. This is a delicious soft scent which can still be worn by men because of the patchouli and musk. This part of the fragrance wears like a man’s cologne but it provides the sweet notes of vanilla and the grapefruit with a strong foundation. Some have called this a barbershop old fashioned after shave scent but I find it fresh and energizing. It makes me feel good after a shower. I don’t care if this sells for men. I love to wear this! I tell people I wear this. This is one of those Mediterranean scents I adore. It reminds me a little bit of Shalimar or Emeraude but with more ginger notes and therefore less intense. This is a good fragrance to wear day or night but spritz it on after shower to get that high it gives you. Smells so good.
igro70 – :
★★★★½
Elegant and very high quality result of a contemporary fougere.
Initially, grapefruit and citrus with spices surprised me and made me raise my eyebrow, only to moan when that lavender note appeared in perfect clever combo with cardamom and thyme. I wouldn’t say it’s barbaric at first or second stage, but it’s definitely virile and assertive.
After the first couple of hours it gets softer and a base of vanilla and musk embraces the other notes making an alluring sophisticated and sexy outro.
Overall longevity on my skin was 7 hours. Sillage was moderate to strong for the first couple of hours and then it became just moderate to soft.
I will definitely purchase a bottle as I don’t think there are many of its kind out there nowadays, especially offering top quality and craftsmanship (both the scent and the bottle)
Deroxtepgq – :
Too much thinking going on here. IB is a superb, vintage Guerlain-quality violet leaf perfume. This obsession with categorization and the imperative to share a “smart” opinion is boring beyond belief. Something of this calibre of quality and knock-me-down beauty is something a person should FEEL instantly. When a perfume surpasses all expectations except not being a Feu d’Issey or Breath of God or Ormonde Jayne Men why not be thrilled to have that perfume lover’s exhilaration and enjoy the intoxication? Being truly great in this Götterdämmerung time for perfumery is its own innovation. And besides, the putative missing originality is exceedingly vague as a concept; Really?
kettrina – :
I completely understand the balking at this one. Yes, its been smelled before. Yes, there are myriad variations of it in existence. Yes, it is pricey.
BUT (and I can’t emphasize this “BUT” enough), the construction here is nothing short of GENIUS! The marriage of the components is either proof of brilliance at work, or one of the most happy accidents in contemporary perfumery.
It’s like the difference between IKEA furniture, and an original Arne Vodder piece. Sure, the silhouette may be the same, but once you step closer you find why one is superior to the other. The lines, the joints, the raw materials all speak to a higher standard. And so it is in Invasion Barbare.
The feel of this is beautiful. I don’t expect to wow others when I wear this. This one is truly for me! (and if others are wowed, then that’s just sweet frosting)
SHARI-ITAL – :
Finally got to smell this hyped fragrance. I’m thoroughly confused as to why there is so much popularity for such a banal scent. Barbershop fougere, that’s it. If this isn’t a perfect example of the tail wagging the dog. If this scent sold for the price of pinaud clubman no one would be talking about it or its silly bottle. I’m glad I didn’t have to pay up to experience this as I would feel pot committed.
Дмитрич48 – :
Old school classic man pare! This is lavender & ginger heavy, you must like those notes to enjoy this one. Although there are others this is really well blended. However, this is over priced aftershave. But there is something about it that’s magnetic and alluring. Classic timeless and modern.
kuz-koc – :
Sweet Lavender. A Sweet vintage Man cologne soured with cardamom and slightly darkened with Patchouli & bay Leaf.
Quite interesting but sometimes it is harsh to the point.
lovely and very captivating.
as40 – :
Invasion Barbare is something that has escaped from time to make us know what is the smell of timeless.
I understand the name as a small branche of lavender watching barbarian invasions and generations of men making war again and again through all the history of time but which has remained the same when all around was changing. Wearing this reminds you that there are beautiful things in the world that remain true to us.
A philosophical scent, beautiful for what it is.
despera – :
The frag is really, really nice. It smells of pepper, cardamon, coffee and cocoa. Its a real fresh spicy classy smell with a basenote of fairy liquid (original). You know that if you walked in blind to a Hotel and it smelt like this, you would think does my credit limit cover it? This is the smell of top notch restaurants, and hotels. A gourmand frag, But:- no staying power, no longevity, and projection is:- one word crap! I anticipated this fragrance so, so much and initially was blown away bu it. It smelt like the interior of the Shard Building reception in London. I took my mum there for her 80th family. there for a meal. All commentated wow this place smells class. I think a person left a review, and if memory serves me right it is the “out of the mouth of babes one”. That review is I think in a nutshell the summation of this fragrance. The review is superb and I would like to pay homage to the reviewer and her little kids, who described so simply yet so accurately! It is classy classy classy. Russian Oligarchs parking wantonly in Bentley stretched Limousines and extended 4X4’s and a fat man, in his 60’s takes a woman who looks 30 after having a tonne of plastic surgery done the only thing that gives her age away is the width of her hips and saggy bottom telling you she is much much older than her face reveals.It s exactly like the Shard Met by a rafter of all Eastern Europeans and Aussies and Kiwis working who are all slim and under 30. Very beautiful yet the English in their own country are not allowed in; this is a world of Hitler’s vision the perfect, young, beautiful and genetic cleansed people who go forth. Or if you’re into James Bond Movies it is Moonraker, where it is perfumery eugenics. However like the wealth of immigrants who now place the British person on in the unemployment list and like Hitler’s vision it is a short sighted policy and this fragrance tells you it is criminal to pay so much for the utopian experience when it fails all the people and you find out in a short while your vision has been shattered! You have failed the people, and the fiscal cost was too expensive and the home suffers as all you have done is had a great facade temporarily and failed the people it should have been an allure too. Beautiful smell but you might as well get your money and throw it down the toilet, and cut out the middle man. Save your money. Whats the use of a perfume if it can be smelt for 10 mins and then no more. This is like a young man who has come into adulthood and finds a beautiful woman of the night. Totally his first experience and before any encounter he drops his load and she says bye, yoinks the money out of his hand and laughs all the way to the bank or pimp, where upon she is not laughing anymore!
This is like getting Parfums Nicolai, New York layering it with L’occitane Vanilla, and Joe Malones cocoa and coconut you are pretty much there. If the longevity had stayed than you would say I have all I meed in a jar! You can see it being the best perfume in the world. Dut the deal killer is no longevity. Such a shame, it remind me of England, so full of promise and legend however when you get there it is short lived and you see that all the components are there however the invaders have conquered and ruined it! for the indigenous. Maybe this is why it is called Invasion Barbare. Personally I would have called it Home Office Policy, a let down to all!
except the invaders!
manyakk – :
~ How do you sit down and attempt to add something constructive to a famed fougere bottle that’s been reviewed from every angle? Out of the mouth of babes perhaps? I asked my youngest son at the kitchen table what this scent reminded him of? I was surprised when he said, “Dad this reminds me of the fanciest store at the mall….you know the one with the escalator and pretty salesladies in dresses with lots of fancy new things on the shelves!” As simple as that is from a child’s imagination it does fit the image that IB gives of everything new, upscale and elegant. This newness image surely must be found in the powdery cardamom and lavender but it’s the long lasting grapefruit and violet opening that’s making the sales pitch here and a very persuasive one indeed! Simple yet complex, fresh yet sparkling, light yet deep, calming yet invigorating. Perhaps the most pricy versatile people-pleaser money can buy! When my sample is done I may find I will start an “Invasion” fund for a full bottle but the artistic bust topper will have to wait! I have too many other new children’s toys to buy at that fancy store in the mall!
Kind Regards, Plat ~
PS Oh yes, 10/10!
Edgardtwist – :
What more can be said about this one? It’s the go-to modern fougere fragrance. It doesn’t smell modern — but few fougere’s do. Its true strength is not so much in its technical virtuosity (although it’s very, very well done), but rather in the perceived effect it provides for the wearer. Terms like “classic,” “refined,” “gentlemanly,” “executive,” “briefcase,” “board meeting,” “rolodex,” and “secretary,” all spring to mind; this is a scent for people seeking to cultivate a specific image of themselves and project it outwards, forcefully. It’s the olfactory equivalent of a tailored suit, and, I’d posit, that that’s the wardrobe it would compliment the best.
Scent-wise, it has a powerful violet-leaf and orris presence akin to what’s in Fahrenheit only it veers much less edgy and the clean powder is amped up via a slightly dusty and not-too-floral lavender. It has fantastic sillage, and because it doesn’t have an unusually overwhelming presence, you could flap your arms around like a monkey and enjoy the scent bubble it produces. There’s no denying that it’s a great composition with impeccable blending, but it’