I’ll preface this post by noting that I’m much more enamoured by and with the women’s section of the designer fragrance department in 2019 than the dreck that is currently in the men’s section. Having said that, some of the new releases from the big designers such as Chanel and Dior play it too safe.
Joy by Dior Intense – Certainly lives up to the name Intense, this Dior flanker blows the original away in terms of longevity. The addition of vanilla and heavier musk’s with an amped up rose note certainly does make for a heavier hitting composition. The vanilla adds a creamy texture to proceedings. The issue I have is it is so safe, and I can’t help but feel Dior could have pushed the boundaries a bit more. Though, it is likely to sell well, and Dior is going up against new release from Chanel and YSL for the all important dollar. I will add, it’s much better than its men’s counterpart Sauvage.
Chanel Gabrielle Essence – Gabrielle Essence, like the Dior flanker feels a heftier composition than the original. Essence adds more white florals and tuberose to the original DNA, and the addition of coconut and red fruits makes for a creamier tropical feel. The new notes are muted however, and I can still pick up the original DNA. So, again, the criticism must be that it plays the conservative card. Doesn’t push boundaries. Very inoffensive. It’ll be interesting to see which flanker is the most successful over the coming months. Well made, elegant but ultimately unexciting.
YSL Libre – I’m generally not a packaging freak but I love the bottle on the new YSL Libre, not overly fond of the cap. Libre is being marketed towards women but it’s a real gender bender with notes of lavender and cedar softening the sweetness of vanilla and blackcurrant. Orange blossom and mandarin provide freshness. There’s a soapy clean feel to the scent, with a powdery freshness from the lavender and vanilla, that mitigates a bubble-gum like sweetness that hovers in the background. Very well done and a scent that I could see myself wearing.
Tom Ford Metallique – Excellent new scent from Tom Ford. Fresh cold Aldehydes in the opening with a floral heart giving way to a powdery, creamy almond vanilla dry down. Kind of a mix of Lavender Extreme and Fucking Fabulous, at a much more reasonable price. Does not smell old fashioned despite the powdery feel of the dry down. A well-balanced scent, that could certainly be unisex, despite being marketed to women.
I feel the same about the new Chanel, nice but I just couldn’t really get excited about it. Curious to check out the YSL and TF and agree I like the YSL bottle!
Yes Cherie, the YSL and Tom Ford are certainly worth checking out. Two scents that sit in the unisex category for mine. Let me know what you make of them when you get a chance to sample them.
Great article! I’ve tried the new Gabrielle and received a sample today from YSL, will try it! Metallique is so nice! 😘
Thankyou, Yes the YSL is quite interesting. A real gender bender. Metallique is a fantastic release. I agree. 😘