By Designer

Irresistible EDT by Givenchy

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Irresistible eau de toilette is another fragrance from this Givenchy series. This edition was launched in 2021. I bought samples of each of the Irresistible perfumes brought to market thus far and have been testing them out. Today’s review entry is the EDT. How does it smell? Does it last long? Is it worth a try?

What does Irresistible EDT Smell Like?

Notes include: blackcurrant, white tea, rose, iris, cedar, musk

irresistible edt review

My Full Review

Here’s how Givenchy describes it: Introducing sparkling rose to tender musky wood, the new Irrésistible Givenchy Eau de Toilette is a bright and airy expression of femininity. It invites you to connect to others and savor the delicious lightness of life.

Like the EDP version, Irresistible EDT starts off quite fruity and with a sparkling quality. In that one, the pear had a great deal of influence, in this it’s blackcurrant.  Joined by a light white tea note that gives it moments of an herbal-like smell.

This, and the greater weighting of the Turkish rose note early on, provides this a sharper/sour and much less juicy/fresh/sweet aroma than the EDP.

It lacks the ambrette and amps up the musk note instead. The rose note here starts off very green, seemingly heightened by the blackcurrant. Plus, the white tea and its scent. However, this will calm down after the first wave.

After that point, it becomes a pinkish rose with musk, a sweeter fruitiness, and the powdery finish of the iris. I get some more iris in this one versus EDP, but still less than the Fraiche version of Irresistible.

The dry down is a fresh musky rose scent with some cedar and iris still hanging around. The iris really does fall off after that middle act and isn’t much of a factor on my skin, thereafter.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

This one has a lighter moderate sillage. Not as good as EDP as far as its projection and how long it leave a scent trail behind. Though, it isn’t all that much weaker than that version with a higher concentration.

With this, I get about 5-6 hours of wear total. The fragrance during that time frame is consistent with its strength and doesn’t just turn into a skin scent an hour in. It will eventually, but you do get a decent period of time to experience the scent of Irresistible EDT.

Seasonally, it has the same versatile use case. Spring and summer, is when this fragrance is at its best. If it’s not too cold otherwise, wearing it will be perfectly fine. Maybe not as sharp in the cold, as EDP. Just not when it is in peak form.

Irresistible is a pretty sort of perfume, that will get complements, and less of something that might be called sexy. But, it’s one that is a crowd pleaser and nothing that should offend.

It’s fairly wearable. Light and upbeat. More of a daily wear, casual, and semi-formal. I’d probably skip using this as a nightlife sort of scent.

Overall Impressions of Irresistible EDT

Overall, do I like this fragrance? It’s fine. In terms of how it smells, it’s actually my least favorite of the series. Though, for some people, you may prefer this to the sweeter EDP. Fraiche also smells better than this one, but doesn’t have the performance.

I do like the iris and the blackcurrant influence here. It does have the rose and a muskier profile, which is fine, just not all that exciting.

The performance is pretty middle of the road, also. None of the Irresistible scents are super long lasting nor do they have heavy sillage.

You get a pretty forgettable aroma, albeit pleasant, with middling performance and not too much about it that stands out. On sale, you could do a lot worse than picking up a bottle of Irresistible EDT. Full price? Probably wouldn’t go for it.

In either case, I wouldn’t go out of my way to obtain a bottle.

Coromandel Les Exclusifs de Chanel

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Coromandel is a fragrance from Chanel that I’ve admired for quite while now. I’ve gone through a few samples of this scent over the years and recently grabbed another to finally give this perfume a full review on the site. How does it smell? When should it be worn? Is it worth a buy?

What does Coromandel Smell Like?

Notes include: frankincense, rose, white chocolate, benzoin, sandalwood, patchouli, neroli, bitter orange, and more

Click here to try: Coromandel at Chanel

My Full Review

Here’s how Chanel describes it: “I thought I fainted with happiness when, for the first time, I saw a Coromandel,” Gabrielle Chanel said. Mademoiselle had a gift for understanding a variety of styles and mixing them with her own. She filled her Paris apartment with precious, floral-adorned Coromandel screens, creating a mysterious aura. The COROMANDEL fragrance reflects this feeling of exquisite enchantment.

Note: This is a review of the Les Exclusifs eau de parfum version of Coromandel. There’s others, like an EDT, and an EDP that wasn’t in the “Les Exclusifs” bottle…though, I believe it’s exactly the same as that one.

Coromandel definitely has a lot going on from the very start. A very deep fragrance. The opening gives you bright citruses, bitter orange, and the floral spices of neroli. But, that is joined by a massive hit of patchouli, along with some other unlisted spices (cinnamon).

The initial blast of spice and some of that citrus will lose positioning. The lovely white chocolate note emerges, which really helps to set Coromandel apart, and make this a scent to remember.

After about 20 minutes, the orris root and the smoky/resinous/amber notes start to play a larger role. Benzoin gives Coromandel that sweetish, almost fuzzy smelling aroma.

The iris aroma is the only distinct floral aroma, I get while wearing. There is also a jasmine and rose here, but not something I pick up on.

There is a warm smoke from incense and the general sweetness from the white chocolate, that can sometimes come across as pure vanilla in this stage (vanilla is a note, also).

Further along, the smokiness/fuzziness smooths out and it becomes more of a traditional amber note. Amber soaked wood, the patchouli note is in control with a rich green aroma, and the white chocolate/vanilla combination.

The citrus is gone. Very little floral influence. Spices to a minimum. Has an earthiness to it that feels refined and not too much like an overbearing patchouli note.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

The sillage here is at the upper end of moderate, at its peak. Not super strong or something that’ll fill a room, but you know Coromandel is there.

7-8 feet from the skin, at it’s max. Then, it’ll move in closer for a consistent level of projection.

On me, this lasts around 8 hours give or take. Sometimes, it’ll hang around a bit longer than that, I just bank on getting 8.

Seasonally, I’d stick to autumn and winter. This one needs to be worn in cooler temperatures for the best results. I’d put it away for summertime and find something else to wear then.

Coromandel is a unisex option from Chanel. Though, one that leans more feminine. It’s elegant and classy, not girly. So, if you’re a man, you can probably wear this without much issue. It just does lean more one way.

Coromandel might not be a daily wear for everyone. It’s not a nightlife bomb or party goer fragrance. It’s really good for more formal occasions, just not exclusively. Wear this one dressed up, to match its high price tag.

Overall Impressions of Coromandel EDP

Do I like this scent? Absolutely, this is a favorite of mine from Chanel, especially from their unisex options.

It’s got spices, amber, wood, smoke, resin, white chocolate, and a patchouli that’s actually awesome. Lots of detail and something that is utterly great on the right cold evening.

Everything here is well done and Coromandel manages to feel modern and classy without being stuffy.

The performance is well above average. Not completely elite or anything, but I’m not disappointed by it at all.

Is this a safe blind buy? I’d say probably not. It is definitely pricey, may not appeal to everyone, or might not fit your personal style at all. This is a Chanel, I’d for sure test out, because it can become a favorite perfume for the right person.

Vanille Fatale by Tom Ford

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Vanille Fatale was released in 2017 by Tom Ford. It is listed as a unisex fragrance, whether that’s actually the case or not is debatable. In this post, I want to share my thoughts and experience while wearing this perfume. What are the notes? How does it smell? How does it perform? Is it worth a try?

What does Vanille Fatale Smell Like?

Notes include: vanilla, mahogany, barley, olibanum, myrrh, coffee, saffron, coriander, narcissus, plum, and more

Click here to try: Vanille Fatale Eau de Parfum, 1.7 oz

My Full Wear Review of Vanille Fatale

The opening minutes of Vanille Fatale makes it known that this isn’t going to be your usual vanilla perfume. It hits hard with a mix of very sweet, warm, and tart notes. Mainly, what I get at the start is vanilla and plum.

At first the sweet/tart blend is way too much for my nose, but it does settle itself down, the further you get into the wear. But man, that opening, is really in your face about it.

I always think that I’m going to like plum notes in perfumes, much more than I seem to do, as I really enjoy the actual fruits themselves.

Once you move past the initial stage, I think that Vanille Fatale really comes into its own, and becomes much more interesting.

There is a smoky Oriental vibe to it with saffron and myrrh notes. It is also quite creamy, the roasted coffee and barley give this one a unique presentation and depth that you don’t get with run of the mill vanilla perfumes.

When it all comes together Vanille Fatale is warm with a touch of smoke, while being sweet and tart. From there you add slightly spicy elements (coriander and saffron) and a rich mahogany aroma.

What’s cool is that underneath there is a boozy rum note, which later helps to reign in the sweet tartness, and make this one into a darker sort of perfume.

There’s just so many different aspects to the fragrance, that you catch just hints of this or that throughout, and it takes on a new mood.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, it starts off fairly strong, and then moves into something that has a much more moderate sillage. To me, the opening can be overwhelming, but it does settle and isn’t too big of a deal.

Much of that opening strength has to do with how the tart notes can come across. Once those settle, it feels a lot more towards the middle of the road.

The longevity is great and Vanille lasted at least 9 hours on my skin. No performance issues here. I couldn’t imagine throwing these sorts of notes together and not getting something that lasts long.

Seasonally, this would be great in cold weather up to moderate temperatures. Once the humidity kicks in, I think that Vanille Fatale would fall apart. It is listed as a unisex, but it feels like a ladies’ scent to me.

They try to bring it back towards the masculine side with that warm spicy/boozy aroma, but it doesn’t fully succeed. When I compare it to men’s fragrances with those kinds of notes, it is much more feminine.

Funny enough, I’ve seen some women say that this is too masculine. So, I guess it depends on your own tastes.

This could fit in for almost any occasion during the season. It has a certain refinement and class, so it could be worn dressed up. Meanwhile, it is attractive enough to be worn for a night out. A nice darkly sweet daily wear.

I’d go easy with it, in the office. That initial bit of time can be too strong for that environment.

Overall Impressions of Vanille Fatale

Overall, do I like Vanille Fatale by Tom Ford? I think that it’s good, but it doesn’t really blow me away. There are times, when I find it enjoyable, and other times where I really don’t at all.

The dry down is the highlight. I enjoy the booze, coriander, and saffron notes. Vanille Fatale has plenty of depth and character, which is at the very least interesting.

The smokiness, the plum, coffee, mahogany…there’s a ton going on here. Different facets, not all of them feel that great.

It’s a mixed bag for me. Plus, it feels too feminine for me to wear, and can be cloying. However, it does have its moments and can perform extremely well, so I can’t hate it.

Some people will absolutely love this one, but it’s probably a fragrance you’d want to test out before committing to purchasing a full bottle.

Dahlia Noir by Givenchy

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Among the sample vials of fragrance that I received were several Givenchy scents, including a few perfumes for women. Dahlia Noir, is one of these perfumes, and a grown-up floral with a bit more sophistication than that of many other fragrances.

In this review, I’m going to cover how Dahlia Noir eau de parfum smells, how it performs, when it should be worn, and whether or not it is worth a buy.

What does Dahlia Noir Smell Like?

Notes include: tonka bean, iris, mimosa, rose, pink pepper, patchouli

Click here to try: Givenchy Dahlia Noir Eau de Parfum Spray for Women, 2.5 Ounce

My Full Review

The opening blast of Dahlia Noir is an aroma of a creamy/powdery iris with just a hint of rose, at least at first. The rose note does become more prominent after a few minutes of wear but it never takes over the composition.

It really does have a scent similar to iris-laden baby powder. That will become more of a pinkish rose weighting for the back half of the wear.

On me, there really isn’t much of a citrus presence. Sure, a sense of brightness but nothing too distinct. Though, a sweetness that sits under the floral notes and emergent spice.

As it wears on, Dahlia Noir presents its pink pepper note, which adds a very slight spice to the scent and then a soft vanilla seems to emerge. There is also a light cinnamon, but on me the pink pepper is the more pronounced of the two. The aroma is quite clean and fresh.

Once a lot of the spiciness has died down, Dahlia does get a bit of an freshness/earthy aroma to it, thanks to a pretty substantial patchouli note with mossy highlights.

It’s basically there for the middle act of this scent and then sort of fades into the close.

Mostly, though, this is a floral affair and the iris, rose, and mimosa notes dominate a present a feminine perfume. Dahlia isn’t too complicated of a fragrance. Powdery iris, rose, with some spice and a woody base.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, Dahlia Noir is pretty good. It isn’t overpowering or super strong; but you’ll know it’s there. This is a subtle fragrance but not weak, by any means. I would expect anywhere from 2-5 feet from the skin.

Longevity is decent, but again not superb. 4-6 hours seems to be its time frame to operate within. A bit below average sometimes, but can run right around the middle of the pack.

Beyond that, it doesn’t appear to really be present. If you’re paying a lot for a bottle, it’s not going to really give you any value, in terms of performance.

I think that Dahlia Noir would be good for casual or office settings. It is a pretty fragrance but it doesn’t strike me as sexy. I wouldn’t mind smelling it on a woman but I wouldn’t be all of that crazy for it either.

More refined and mature, with an old-school vibe versus being sultry or really captivating.

It does have some good versatility and could work well in almost any season besides the height of summer. The perfume would fall apart in higher temperatures. It strikes me more as an autumn wear, as that’s when I think these notes would be at their best.

Overall Impressions of Dahlia Noir

Overall, how does the Givenchy perfume rate? In my opinion, it’s just okay. There’s nothing amazing here unless you really love iris and rose. Which I am an iris fan, rose can be hit or miss, but Dahlia Noir EDP never jumped out at me.

The iris note is good here, but wasn’t enough to get me too interested.

I like the initial liveliness here. That pink pepper and touch of cinnamon gives this a solid start. There’s some balance with periods of sweetness or earthiness from the patchouli note. So, it’s not just all floral, all the time. A floral chypre fragrance.

The performance is passable and it does smell good but I don’t find anything about Dahlia Noir to be spectacular.

I’m not saying that it’s a complete no, it could serve a purpose in a perfume collection, though, it does nothing to make it ‘great’. It would be one that is worth a try, at a significant enough discount.

I do believe this has been discontinued, as of this latest page update. Discounts may no longer be possible for those who never acted on purchasing.

Alien Fusion by Mugler

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Alien Fusion is yet another flanker version from the best selling Alien series by Thierry Mugler. This perfume was released in 2019 and has enjoyed some success since then. In this post, I am going to share my experience with Fusion. How does it smell, how long does it lasts, and is it actually worth a try.

What does Alien Fusion Smell Like?

Notes include: ginger, cinnamon, vanilla, orange blossom, tuberose, and amber

Click here to try: Thierry Mugler Alien Fusion Women 2 oz EDP Spray

Full Wear Review

Here’s what Mugler says about Alien Fusion: At the heart of the desert an eclipse is revealed. Alien Fusion, a flamboyant Eau de Parfum that unveils a sensual trail with a vibrant depth.

Fusion opens up with a fresh spice combination and the citrus hints of the orange blossom. It’s warm with the early stages of amber and vanilla. 

After a few minutes, it begins to shift and the tuberose takes hold as the main note within the composition. Tuberose, cinnamon, and orange blossom. I’d say it becomes a 70/30 split between the tuberose and orange blossom. 

It’s got that nice bubblegum type smell from that tuberose note, similar to what you find in L’Interdit by Givenchy. Different fragrances, but that strikes me as a close comparison. Funny enough, this has ginger too, like L’Interdit Rouge. Except it’s pretty weak in Alien Fusion.

It stays pretty much the same until the final dry down, where there is more amber and vanilla. So, it’s a white floral with amber, vanilla, and some remaining light spices. The cinnamon hangs around longer than does the ginger note, which is usually short-lived in many perfumes.

Fusion has plenty of overlap with the original Alien, just more spice and a lighter aroma overall.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, Alien Fusion is very strong, not elite but it’s got plenty of power behind it. You don’t need to go crazy with the sprays to make it noticeable. If you’re familiar with the original Alien, this isn’t as powerful nor is it as heavy. 

Still, it does rise above most of the mainstream offerings out there, and will leave a distinct scent trail behind. 

The longevity is also good. Enough for a full workday, though, not really a double digit wear. 7-9 hours is about what it would last during testing. 

It has that strong start, is moderate by the third or forth hour, and then slowly fades away until you get to that eighth or ninth. 

Seasonally, this would be a good bet for the spring and summer months. While it has plenty of notes that work well in the colder weather, also. Honestly, could be fine almost year round.

I’d probably avoid the hottest days of summer. But, I have to say that I didn’t hate it when it was warm. It wasn’t too cloying or overwhelming. Ideally, a more moderate day in spring or even autumn would be a nice time to apply Fusion. 

 

 

Fusion has plenty of versatility for wear. Casual, semi-formal, work, and has enough attractiveness for dates or nightlife. It’s not the most formal or completely ‘serious’ scent, but it doesn’t strike me as being too immature. 

Overall Impressions of Alien Fusion

Overall, do I like Alien Fusion? I do. This is a great flanker scent. It smells great, you get plenty of overlap with the original, and it has solid performance.

I like the opening act especially. The freshness and orange blossom smells wonderful. It’s not that complex of a perfume, it just does everything very well.

The cinnamon, amber, and tuberose middle act is still quite attractive and I was never bored with this Mugler perfume. It’s got a good mix of spiciness, sweetness, warmth, and floral notes.

It’s pretty and gives you plenty of opportunity to wear it in a variety of climates or outings. If you didn’t like Alien, this one might be more tolerable for you, so it’s worth a try. It’s not as in your face or harsh as the original can be sometimes. 

If you liked Alien and want something slightly different and not as heavy, this is a great option, that you’ll probably enjoy.