Description
Krasnaya Moskva was the very first ‘Soviet’ fragrance and certainly the most popular.
According to the perfumers working for Novaya Zarya (a perfume and cosmetics producing factory in Moscow, Russia), the fragrance was created by a certain Auguste Michel, but the year the composition was launched remains obscure: it either happened in 1913, at the then Henri Brocard’s factory in Moscow (i.e. before the Revolution in 1917) or later, when the factory was nationalized and given a new, Soviet-like name – Novaya Zarya (the New Dawn).
According to the Osmotheque’s files, Krasnaya Mosva was created in 1925, which technically seems to be right. Abroad, the fragrance is also known as Red Moscow or Moscou Rouge.
Other sources insist that Krasnaya Moskva was actually just a new Soviet name for a fragrance once known as Le Bouquet Préféré de l’Impératrice (‘Empress’ s Favorite Bouquet’), a composition created in 1913 at the Brocard’s factory in Moscow after he had died.
Krasnaya Moskva is known to every citizen of the former Soviet Union and its name is rife with emotional associations. The fragrance is a classic example of a soft floral chypre , with a cool head note (bergamot, coriander, neroli, aldehydes), a spicy floral heart, based on carnation, rose, jasmine and ylang-ylang and a base note, made up of woody and balsamic notes such as iris and Tonka bean.
A typical scent of its time (a spicy floral), the composition combines cool, almost metallic notes with warm floral and woody accords. It is pleasantly hefty, a bit tangy and it develops beautifully on the skin. Krasnaya Moskva (in perfume strength, as well as others) and other fragrances by Novaya Zarya are available for purchase in the factory’s boutique on Nikolskaya Street (in the shop center of Gostiniy Dvor), as well as via Internet.
Please read the article
familyguy – :
I actually was able to sample this at a thrift store. It was a spray bottle that was older. After a while it developed into a subtler Spellbound! Quite surprised.
The cap was a really cute Russian architectural shape. They wanted 18 dollars for it at the store. Otherwise I might have purchased it. I have bought 100ml nearly full N.R. for her for 6 dollars here and this is 18!
djonkendys – :
A very mature scent with lots of carnations, ylang, and Chernobyl. If you want subtle, use at your own risk. If you want nuclear, this is your jam.
e.korotkih – :
Красная Москва edp vs Novaya Zarya Red Moscow Krasnaya Moskva
The first one is more spicy and heavier on carnation with better sillage and projection. It feels more unisex while the parfum version is heavier on ylang ylang and has a light soapy vibe which makes it feminine.
I’d love to wear the edp version but here it is very popular (something like Chanel No5) feminine scent so I won’t feel comfortable. But it’s a great oportunity for everyone who lives abroad where the smell of the Red Moscow is unknown. Most of my life I spent it abroad and I wouldn’t have a problem wearing this gem. The best from the RedMoscow line IMO.
The edp has dark ambery color and leaves oily stain on skin while the parfum doesn’t and has light yellow color. Beautiful old school scent.
sergei012 – :
I adore this scent. It’s very like L’Heure Bleue. Where as LHB is dense, complex and somehow creamier, Red Moscow is thinner, airier and more high pitched. There’s a dirty note in this too which I love. I find LHB too girly for me but this one cuts it.
fvd339Negeltzex – :
chuno.alsh Unisex.
Rilock – :
This is okay. It’s a weak version of L’heure bleue and within a year it went rancid. Sure, it’s inexpensive but it’s not worth the $15 I paid for it.
Kayariafuemia – :
Красная Москва
Я люблю тебя, бабушка Анна
Krasnaya Moskva was my grandmother Anna cologne. She remember Soviet Union in Russia. For many Russians this parfum is our Chanel No 5 because it smell the same and because is possible the maker of No 5 perfume Ernest Beaux got the idea from this fragrance. For me this is a beautiful motherly floral perfume. Sweet powdery green and white colors. The carnation is beautiful with the red rose white jasmine and the yellow ylang ylang. A flower bouquet with my favorite flowers in the whole world. There is also iris. Is powdery, soapy, clean, fresh. Also smell of orange. When she is dry the parfum is musky and woodsy, green, with some vanilla flavor. This parfum is more an eau de toilette does not last as long as strong parfum. Good for older women who are 50 and older who enjoy perfume like Chanel No. 5. I will always remember my grandmother I love her.
vic69 – :
I have some favorite perfume. Krasnaya Moskva is also my favorite one for colder season. However, this perfume has two difficult points…1) In Japan, Japan is very humid country. So I can wear only a few months. I have to wait colder season every year. From my feeling, the middle of February, it’s so wonderful season for this aroma. Even very colder and darker night, I’m so happy feeling. 2) I can’t buy it in Japan (cry cry and crying…) When I want to buy it, have to go to Russia or request to my friends. I hope I can buy it in Japan also.
My favorite “how to wear” is dropping on the top of hair. The point is “a few”, it’s never one push. it’s only one drop on top of a finger. After that, knead softly on a hand. That’s all. When I went outside, and It was heavy windy, the warm aroma will be covered you as softly bouquet and vanilla. After I done it, many of cases, little girls who are neighborhood asked me “Wow, what’s?? what’s so nice aroma!!”
I’m always surprised about the price when I wore this perfume. I checked the price on the official site. The price!! it’s so good! (not expensive) However, the aroma gave to feel elegance. And, I love this design.
I just think if you like No.5 (Chanel) or L’Heure Bleue (Guerlain), I recommend to try it! Those are not the same, but I just image of them when I wore Krasnaya Moskva first time. I’d like to say the price again and again, it’s very good cost! The other hand, my friend doesn’t like this perfume. She told me “I like more modern aroma, it’s like a grandma”. So, I think if you like more modern type, maybe it’s not type of you.
У меня есть много любимых духи. Красная Москва тоже мой любимий его. Но… 1) Японии очень жаркая страна в летом… а, я смогу надеть это духи только несколоко месеца. В среднии февраля я убликается надеть его. Этот сезон слишком коротки. Только это очень жалко. 2) Я не смогу купить это духи в японии (я хочу плакоть). Есль я хочу купить его ещё рас, мне надо ехать в Россию или попросить купить моих друзья которые живут в России. Желаю купить это духи в японии тоже.
Я любю надеть это немного духи на волосе кончик. Это мягкий аромат. Когда у вас есть сильний ветер, вы можете чувствовать цвети и ваниль пахнет.
Я думаю, что есль вы любите No.5 (Chanel) или L’Heure Bleue (Guerlain), вам понравиься Красная Москва. Эти не одинаковие, но я помню эти духи когда я надела в первой. И вы знаете цену этого дух? Когда я смотрела эту цену, удивлёла. Это очень дешёви!!! но аромат не дешёви!!!!
Dgafar_98 – :
Responding to KJS88, I think Krasnaya Moskva would smell lovely on a man. It’s probably a bit too yellow floral right off the bat, but once it settles down it becomes a sweet balmy scent with some carnation to give it bite.
wvl914JeomiWogkig – :
Its not bad at all for a cheapy. It opens with good sillage and you think it might have decent longevity but it doesnt. If you spray on your hair or on clothes then it lasts for many hours. This is a new bottle and I suspect the original was much better.
I agree with the carnation and ylang opening. It is quite peppery. I also get plenty of kick from the bergamot. Where it all goes a bit pear shaped on me is the iris element. It does something strange on my skin. It becomes cold and a bit dead. Is that the metallic thing people are writing about?.
Anyway, a decent gutsy opening and then weird things start to happen. What a shame.
civ68 – :
Responding to the review below this: I wouldn’t class this as unisex—it seems extremely feminine to me. It’s extremely gorgeous though, too—I sense mainly the rose, carnation, aldehydes, and vanilla. It’s very warm and bright, and prob a cliche to say this but I can’t help imagining a gorgeous Russian woman in a fur coat. Even though I wouldn’t wear this outside, I have put some on my pillow.
rastabanalmaid – :
I have a male cousin in Germay who swears by this as a unisex version of apres l’ondee/l’heure bleue type scents. Is that accurate? I’ve always been intrigued by the distant beauty of those two legendary perfumes, but their sheer femininity makes it difficult for me to pull off. I’m naturally quite a masculine man, but I do wear Prada Man/Amber Pour Homme (which vaguely reminds me of l’heure in its top notes).
lemB – :
Holy grandmother of gram grams! It’s horrible. It’s great. It’s the worst and I’m addicted!
butz666 – :
Oh dear god, why don’t you try first what is sold under Red Moscow name nowadays before you say don’t do this and don’t do that with such certainty. Because you don’t know what you are talking about. Really. You memory of Red Moscow has nothing to do with today’s Red Moscow, do not confuse people. I had 2 more friends (late 20s in case you are wondering) who went and bought (and love) it after I bought mine and raved about it.
TucheReutRifeyfwes – :
You are not Russian and you don’t know how the smell of Red Moscow? I will tell you. This perfume was invented by Henri Brocard. Brocard were making soap and perfumes. One night he woke the whole house shouting “Found it!”. His wife was frightened and did not understand what was happening. Henri said that he had invented a scent that is sure to appeal to the Empress Maria Feodorovna. A week later, he gave the Empress a beautiful bouquet of flowers. The flowers were made of colored wax and look like real. Each flower in the bouquet exudes its natural flavor. A mixture of smells blended into a gorgeous scent. The Empress was asked to make a perfume and call it “Favorite bouquet of Empress”. After this Brocard received the title of “Main supplier of the Imperial court”.
After the revolution, in 1925, resumed production of these spirits, but was renamed “Red Moscow”. In the USSR it was the most popular perfume, they smelt of almost all Soviet women. But then it became unfashionable and was forgotten. Now “Red Moscow” is again popular. Many people think that that’s the scent of an old woman, but it’s not. Close your eyes and imagine Empress, in a beautiful dress, an updo that goes through the posh corridors of the castle. Around expensive crystal and gold. How do you think it smells this great woman? It smells wonderful, flowers, face powder and luxury. It smells like “Red Moscow”.
PS: Sorry for my English
phuca6_tb1102 – :
I may have gotten a a bad bottle, or worse, a diluted product, because this is pale, weak, boring, and lasts but a minute. No carnation whatsoever, no depth, nothing for my nose or senses to follow. I was expecting a grande dame and got a lightweight ditz.
puz942speagoessenda – :
Fragrance Review For Red Moscow
By Novaya Zarya
Top Notes
Bergamot Orange Blossom Coriander
Middle Notes
Rose Carnation Jasmine Ylang Ylang
Base Notes
Vanilla Tonka Bean Iris
Think of the history behind this old Russian grandma’s perfume bottle. It was concocted under mysterious circumstances, possibly a Russian nose attempting to recreate the European florals, while the Russian Empire fell to pieces under the Bolshevik Revolution. An entire way of life changed forever and the Soviet Union was formed. This fragrance line is aptly named Novaya Zarya which means New Dawn in Russian. It was the dawn of a new era. Krasnaya Moskva means “Red Moscow” and immediately evokes the Red Square in Moscow. The color red is also highly representative of Communism. While I’m an American girl from Brooklyn, Russian history has always fascinated me ever since I met the cutest and most loveable little Russian immigrant when I was little in the late 80s. She introduced me to Russian culture and the Russian fairy tale Vasilisa. To me this fragrance is all about Russia, and moves me as much as Maroussia. This is a floral aldehyde, with strong notes of iris, carnation and rose, and while it lacks musk or incense, it has a vanilla base which becomes powdery and sweeter, like a grandma’s little sachet in her closet. This is a scent of Anastasia’s grandmother, of Dowager Empresses, and of women who still wanted to smell beautiful and aristocratic, even when there was no such thing anymore in the Soviet Union.
The opening is clearly an aldehyde so I don’t know why it’s not listed as a note. The aldehyde is reminiscent of Chanel No. 5, fresh, brilliant and womanly to the core. But one never feels like one is drowning in the aldehydes. Before long an orange scent and orange blossom, citrusy, delicious and fresh, emerges. It is easy to then transition into a rose which smells like an orange citrusy kind of rose. And then an ylang ylang develops beautifully as well as a touch of jasmine. The dominant floral note is the carnation. It’s a gorgeous red carnation. This is all about the flowers. They are strong but also powdery at the end. This is quite a beautiful antique perfume.
The vanilla and Tonka create a powdery atmosphere. It’s like a body powder. It’s still rose scented and the carnation can still be detected. This fragrance makes me think of beautiful Russian women, in long gowns, tiaras, and gloves. They dance to Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin waltz and they exist in another dimension floating as they dance in the Winter Palace. The Revolution never happened and they are permanently stuck in a ball being held for the Tsar’s birthday. It’s a Doctor Zhivago perfume for Lara. This fragrance is wonderfully old fashioned and like I said is somewhat reminiscent of Chanel No. 5 but without the musk. It’s still very wearable today as a formal evening romantic and glamorous perfume to wear to the opera or a wedding, the ballet, a symphony, or any formal occasion.
I have the splash bottle which I purchased from ebay. It’s very strong when you first apply it but it softens into a carnation, rose and iris scent of such sublime beauty it brings tears to my eyes. It feels like wearing Russia on your skin. It’s a perfume for an Empress. The color red and the name Red Moscow totally matches up with the scent: red carnations, red roses and the Red Square.
4uvak:) – :
The perfume of my grandmother…I remember it as very powerful and strong, lasting forever, penetrating every object in the house! Always associated it with mature, assertive female type. Years away from the soviet Ukraine life and everything associated with it, I got accustomed to the best French perfumes. I was not even considering trying it again, but after the discussions here and on Bois de Jasmin, decided to give it a try. The first impression was – “not as strong as before!” Very nice Chypre with drying down to powdery mild notes. Lasts long (as it’s always been the case with it) without being overbearing. My friend, the perfume aficionado, told me, that I smell just like L’Heuer Bleue, and indeed – so many similarities. I think, I am in love again with this old forgotten fragrance! Thank you, Auguste Michel for creating it!
Sigurd – :
I bought myself 5ml sample from eBay just out of curiosity. Didn’t expect much to be honest as always imagined that something “Soviet” would be grim, cheap and loud. But after I have tried it I have realised how wrong I was. Yes it is old school but in very good way. Strong for a few seconds after spraying but then changes into spicy carnation and sweet powdery vanilla in the dry down. Rich and timeless, somehow resembles with Channel 5. Evening scent definitely, would be better for winter rather then summer. Overall very impressed and deffo putting this one on the shelf with my favourites.
artyom1412 – :
But the perfume has drastically changed since my childhood. It was much sharper than now. And much more cologne like if you can imagine very carnation cologne. Now it is spicy amber, golden, embracing, soft.
I heard that it used to be beautiful before I was born ;o) I am glad they fixed it ;o)
lutik525 – :
Ah what a beauty! It has such a bad reputation in Russia that I did not even bother to try it until now. Neither my grandma nor my mother had it so I just believed those who used words Red Moscow as a synonym of something smelling really not appealing. My bad! I finally matured enough to become curious about the most (in)famous Russian perfume. My oh my. Those who say that should it come under the name of Guerlain would enjoy a huge success. It’s very old school but not necessarily in a bad way. I got the 100 ml splash bottle and the juice is very dreamy, mellow.. Nothing screechy or sharp here. Can’t wait to start wearing it when it get’s a bit cooler. Must be truly dreamy in winter. In short, fear this fragrance not. It is much better than it is reputation and at this price point (my bottle was bought it Russia at the outrages cost of $4! Yes as in No-I-did-not-forget-the-zero) why not decide for yourself.
cBoJIo4 – :
My mom sent it to me from Russia. No spray. The label says perfume but it is not, it is more like EDT. I remember the original vintage version that my granny had. The new version is very different, weak and boring. I will look for a vintage. If you like Gloria Vanderbildt and Organza or Chanel 5 you probably will like this one. Just keep in mind that in Russia it is the cheapest perfume around, so do not overpay. =)
Tarwan – :
Blind bought an original Russian vintage of this recently on a whim. This is a potent, heavy, old fashioned, feminine fragrance. It has rich, heavy, first floral and spicy, then floral, then intensely powdery notes, that make it hard for me to picture on anyone but a mature woman of a bygone time. It reminds me of a woman in a fur coat, from many decades ago, and the smell of make-up.
It appeals to the collector in me, and my interest in Russia and Eastern Europe.
July 2016
tpe052intitytek – :
My Grandma Nina was born in 1920. I can’t be sure, but it seems like she wore this all her adult life. My mom says even her tea cup smelled like this perfume when she was little. Even in her eighties I remember Grandma wearing Red Moscow.
I was curious about the modern reformulation and went to their flagship store in Moscow. I was about to take a picture of it when a security guard said I was not permitted to! I complained about their customer service and never tested the actual perfume. Maybe for the best.
Red Moscow used to be a huge brand in the USSR. It belongs to the time when ladies were loyal to their scent… Now it’ s just a proverbial old lady smell, all due to a lack of good marketing. This hasn’t happened to Shalimar or Chanel No 5 because they take their legacy seriously!
Anyway, my memory of Red Moscow is warm and prescious and I appreciate the work of the French perfumer who dedicated his life to creating an iconic Russian scent.
drevniyposterr – :
This is a review for the men’s Red Moscow ODC which is not listed in Fragrantica.
Top Notes
bergamot, neroli, coriander
Middle Notes
ylang-ylang, rose, jasmine
Base Notes
iris, vanilla, tonka bean
Red Moscow is a retro style, warm spicy, floral aromatic scent for men, suitable for all year round use. Very versatile except the vintage character.
It opens slightly bitter-citrusy, with vivid spice, a blend of vivid neroli and coriander with mild bergamot. After some time I get a weak rose note with a dominant jasmine and some ylang-ylang note. There is also a mild, non offensive sweetness, I guess from the ylang-ylang. When it dries out, I get the powdery iris note with a bittersweet almond taste, the tonka bean not I guess. The vanilla is weak.
The longevity and the projection are both moderate. Generaly it’s a very good retro style scent. I wish it had better performance like the women’s Red Moscow which I have.. they are so nice scents and so cheap! It’s a must to have scent for a perfume freak like me lol! I’ll come back for a review for the women’s juice! The men’s Red Moscow is sold in Russia for 4 US dollars the 100ml ODC.
xrumerae – :
Thank you dear Veda, it sells quite cheap but that’s the beauty, it is a Russian obscure brand but it’s the juice that matters. Let me know if you want me to send you a sample of Maderas De Oriente, you would like it enormously! Take care!
infustist – :
Carnation check! Spices check! Resins check!!! Potential granny appeal check!!! It reads in beautiful Cyrilic “Red Moscow “on the bottle ( i learnt to read and write Serbocroat as a student in both Latin and Cyrilic, they are similar )What is there not to like? I think this is probably a posh juice rather than anything that could have adorned Plebeian Revolutionary overalls … Interestingly, no one mentioned this is almost identical to Maderas Maderas De Oriente! It is like two sisters, one brought up in the Mediterranean sun, ripe and smooth, the other fed on a vodka diet ( Na zdravlje …) boozier and slightly sharper, but both possessing the same DNA. Spicy, deep carnation, lasting and projecting enormously! Maderas is a little sweeter sooner and creamier, a bit more resinous, but, overall, extremely similar. A grown up scent for the discerning nose that loves carnation in all its forms. Very aromatic! A must have!
Rognar – :
i will agree that in Russia and pretty much all the countries that used to be part of USSR, Red Moscow is considered a “granny scent” or old lady scent, but i think mostly it reminds people of Soviet past… that usually is viewed as negative and is desired to be forgotten.
back to perfume… to me this scent is very close to Elizabeth Arden Red Door and Guerlain’s L’heure Bleue (considering the course of history, l’heure bleue was creted about 1912, and red moscow was launced about 1913 to 1925, it can be considered the attempt of tsar Russia/ Soviet Russia to compete with “the west” and make their own version of the famous scent)
aside from history… i am 26 and am an absolute fan of fragrances with a heritage, that tell a story. and this is most certainly one of them. it smells like spring to me, a very irisy, powdery, classy and heavier one, but in a good way.
if you can’t get your hands on one of the Red Moscow bottles, give a sniff to Elizabeth Arden Red Door and Gurelain’s L’heure Bleue. The staying power might vary, but you will get the idea…
Бодо – :
In Russia it is consider to be an “old lady old fashioned perfume” for the most time. But, it is a legendary masterpiece, and, actually, sometimes i wear it (i am 26 at the moment). I even bought a little bottle to take with me to another country. It is a strong floral scent, well done, complete, elegant and classic.
PARTIZAN-06797 – :
What a gorgeous fragrance. Love every minute of it. Very retro. One of the best carnations perfumes I have encountered. Love the powdery notes.
Interestingly enough I work in a multicultural environment, and also among my work mates there are a few Russian. All of them asked me what fragrance I was wearing, and when I told them it’s Red Moscow, they smiled with nostalgia 🙂 this fragrance inputs feelings
alka1 – :
I’ve been curious about this fragrance for some time. On a brief “R ‘n R” trip there was a bus load of Russian travelers staying at the hotel overnight. One woman (very unpleasant, sorry) sat next to me at the bar and I asked her if she knew this perfum. Figured she might know of it.
She said (without looking at me) “Is for old ladies.” I said, “Oh, hmmmm. Kind of old-fashioned, I guess”, or something like that. “If you like the smell of petrol”, she said. “Good for killing cockroaches”. Obviously a woman of very refined taste, if not manners…
I’m tempted to buy it just for spite.
sifjn – :
В начале 90 х годов пробовала красную москву у бабули,он у меня вызвал полное отвращение своей тотальной химозностью.это был маленький квадратный флакончик.и вот на днях мне в руки попал винтаж 70 х годов для экспортного варианта со знаком сделано в ссср,большой такой флакон с покатистыми плечиками.но это совсем другой аромат если сравнить с тем из маленького флакона не для экспорта.он настолько хорош и прекрасен,что нет слов.и нет в нем химозности,все натурально и обалденно.ничего подобного просто ранее не слушала.значит были разные версии:для простолюдинов химозная версия ни о чем и экспортная версия за 5 рублей для иностранцев и для людей из высшего общества.ну вот…
так вот эта версия за 5 руб. ПРОСТО ОТПАД.все натюр и класс.пудровость.глубокий аромат и оч.насыщенный.вот поэтому мнений о нем много от резко негативных до резко позитивных…
In italiano:ho provato 2 versioni di questo profumo.esistevano una versione a basso costo per la gente comune e quella per la gente riccA.insomma.
in english.you know I found 2 absolutely different versions of this perfume.one of them is made for common people and another one for the rich.
in french.j’ai trouve 2 versions de cette parfum,Lesquels fait pour de riche et pour de pauvre gents.
squikeskles – :
Wonder why nobody mentions that Red Moscow is almost identical to Red Door Elisabeth Arden.
worldos – :
I was gifted this from a fellow Fragrantican for Christmas.
I am transported back in time as this spicy, floral, Chypre fragrance develops on my skin to a sweet woody drydown.
This is vintage in all its glory, I could actually cry for lost years and the memory of my Grandma and Mum, both of whom this reminds me of.
I am on a trip down memory lane to my childhood days at home, under the watchful eye of my parents my Mum breezing through our house smelling of something like Krasnaya.
I can re live my childhood through this gorgeous perfume and my heart aches for those lost days of winter, where this smell is warm, spicy and comforting.
Beautiful, old fashioned, vintage perfume, this is utterly delightful.
Longevity is excellent as it has lasted for hours, silage is good too, it’s not a power bomb, but you are constantly reminded of its presence.
bodias – :
My perfume beauty have arrived from snowy Moscow as a gift!
Its so unexpectably glamorous, nothing that could make me think of Cold War times:)
I felt myself covered from head to toe in spicy carnation with ylang-ylang, soooo strong, I put just a drop on the morning on my pullover and then got changed. After maybe 5 hours I’ve entered bedroom which didn’t smell like my bedroom anymore, shocking feeling I must say! It was lively, vibrant, like big cities as New-York or Moscow covered by night-illumination, loud, busy, winning, animated. The fragrance was keep blooming on that pullover, happy by its own company!
Probably one of most powerful fragrances that I have got at the moment, I definitely needed something as dynamic, as Krasnaya Moskva.
And yes, its similar with C’est La Vie Lacroix!
wentUndireBew – :
Disclaimer: I like Russian things. I study the language. My username is Russian. I’m American. Ok that’s out, there’s my bias.
I traded for a bottle of this SOLELY for the bottle and the Cyrillic on it. I tried it once and thought, “Oh lord this reminds me of my great grandmother” and decided not to open it again for a while.
About a month later (after acquiring a taste for vintage Vol de Nuit, I might add) I splashed a small amount of it on my leg, just to give it a chance again, while I wasn’t paying much attention and cleaning my room.
“What’s that yummy cool iris? That chewy goodness? Could it be..?” Indeed it was. Now, from a respectable distance, this was just lovely. All cool chewy iris and a hint of vintage floral ylang, orange blossom, rose combo. So feminine and lovely it might just keep my craving for Vol at bay for a while. When not sniffed right up close (as I’m used to with newer frags) the beauty is revealed.
Like a the classic bombshell Russian woman, don’t try to get too close too quickly or you’ll probably perceive her as ‘cold’ or harsh. Give her time to decide if she wants come to YOU and – if she lets you in – you’ll find she’s the most lovely creature on earth, uber feminine and classic and worthy of respect.
[11.18.14, from 42ml glass splash bottle]
ikenazgool – :
Okay, so I thought, “Let me try this vintage, rechercé blend. I want to know what the revolutionaries were smelling in early communist Russia. I mean, if this was Empress Alexandra’s favorite ..”
I do believe that the historic blend of this would probably been Empress-worthy. You can tell the frag has “good bones,” so to speak. But, in my fanciful imagination, I can see the revolutionaries inheriting this brew, and beyond dismissing it as bourgeois , seeing the potential for a “universal” scent for the New World they created.
Alas, they may not have had access to the good ingredients of the original Krasnaya Moskva.
What I smell is a good blend (carnation dominant) with no staying power. Hello? “Perfume” that dies after 1 hour? No longevity.
A blend that despite being weak, lacks complexity or subtlety.
I’m keeping and using it, for historical reasons, when I want to channel Zhivago or Chernobyl babes.
Overall, a vague, trying-to-please, concrete-meets-Paris, which can help us understand life behind the iron curtain.
It reminds me somewhat of Evening in Paris from the ’60s Woolworth displays, but not as elegant or substantial as that resolute juice.
Александра – :
Pure perfume, 42 ml bottle (modern).
Really nice stuff. Ylang-ylang IMO is whats most of, but runner up is carnation.
Yes, there is some resemblance with L´Heure Bleue, not initially, but in drydown. Lovely.
Heady perfume though, I wouldn´t dare to put on more than a drop or so on each wrist, for fear of over doing it.
Even so, the longevity is not very impressive. A shame really, I would have loved to smell it after a nights sleep.
Final judgement: If you manage to find it, grab it.
Bructorce – :
I found this one for sale on ebay and couldn’t resist bidding for what is a rare find in the UK. Although I have had it for a few weeks now I’ve only just got round to testing it. Firstly, the bottle is not an atomiser so the perfume is applied in drops; risky if you overdo it.
On application it is too strong for me to even try to differentiate the notes. Only after about 30 – 40 minutes can I begin to take in the scent. It is almost eye-watering when sniffed close up. But the sillage is such that one is able to take in the perfume around you, with the carnation prominent.
To me it is a strong peppery floral, eminently suitable for wearing under several layers of winter clothing! I have only tested it at home – I daren’t risk wearing it in company until I have worked out how much, or should that be how little, to apply.
mmm665 – :
A lovely spicy gingery scent, fades away quickly though, so don`t rely much on the fact it is a perfume and not EDT. What is good about it is that they managed to keep the spirit of old Krasnya Moskva. It reminds of the vintage version, but sounds modern.
Oblom…… – :
I think Krasnaya Moskva is the worst memory in Eastern-Central Europe. In the ’70-80-es just one perfume was available in the Soviet Era, this awful cologne. Never again!
zerro – :
A review for new version, bottle looks very cheap,42 ml, plastic top, used to be elegant glass bottle with glass stopper. As far as smell is concern, it is an improved, more usable, more diluted, not a complete mosquitos repellent it used to be. Has some chemical note, but can be used by cheap perfume lovers, I gave my bottle away.
Morzan – :
I bought a small sample of KM and was pleasantly surprised how beautiful it is. Can’t speak about the poor sillage or appearance of the bottle, though the very essence of the perfume is distinctive. Gentle, powdery and a bit nostalgic. I believe in pre-Soviet era it must have smelled amazing. Reminds me a bit of L’Heure Bleue and in “one boat” with Kenzo Flower. Would be great if Novaya Zarya would finally start producing this gem in higher quality…
erstenfertersak – :
In the bottle it smells sweet and powdery, on the skin spicy,heavenly, complex HEAVEN. I bought this because my husband loves vintage perfumes and is utterly obsessed with WWII era soviet Russia. Personally, I don’t think it makes up for the regimen’s brutality, but Stalinists sure could formulate a perfume and it’s perfect for wearing to far left political meetings (no I’m not kidding)
NesToR – :
I’d say it’s memories that make this scent so warm and beautiful,I have the vintage bottle,it is small as match box,the juice itself has darkened but it is still strong just like a Russian woman.It encapsulates tears and laughter,dreams and hope,success and glory of Soviet Union.Masterpiece? No.It’s more than a masterpiece in our hearts.
papuas111 – :
My grandmother had this fragrance, when I was a child. At those times I didn’t like it.
Bought the nowadays version today. It smells different to the vintage. And my mom says so, too. Even its color was brown.
In nowadays version most of all I feel the ylang-ylang note with the iris, coriander and neroli notes, lightened a little bit by the bergamot and grapefruit notes, and the soft nutmeg in the end.
Beautiful! Soft, noble, feminine, elegant. Not too oldfashioned, actually. As a perfumelover from Russia I think that it should be must-have in my perfume wardrobe. But I just also love this fragrance.
It opens perfectly!
volvogp – :
It was really scary to purchase this blindly, but i got what i wanted (I have a modern version). This is a very gorgeous fragrance, somewhat between a mixture of oldschool chanel fragrances and nina ricci l’air du temps. Carnation is very beautiful here, and one of the notes (which one?) resembles me of bubblegum, lol (it can’t be true of course!).
I have been warned not to smell this directly from the bottle cause the KM opening may be disgusting and it contains lots of cheap alcohol, but it’s awesome and i don’t feel any.
If you ask me what woman should wear this f