11 Best Smelling Iris Perfumes

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Iris is a fairly popular ingredient in many fragrance from around the world. This flower gives off an earthy and powdery aroma, which can be very pleasing to wear, when done right. There are plenty of options to choose from in with this ingredient, but what are some of the best perfumes with iris? In this post, I want to put forth some suggestions for women, who want to find a really good perfume using iris flower as the main ingredient.

What are the Best Iris Scented Perfumes for Women?

Classic Chanel Iris

Chanel 19 Perfume For Women 3.4 oz Eau De Toilette Spray– A classic dating back to the early 1970s, this Chanel has seen many incarnations over the years. However, one of the constants has been the iris that is paired with green woodsy notes, like vetiver and oak moss.

It’s earthy and powdery, whether you opt for the EDP or the EDT version. Though, if you want a definite strength in the iris note, get No. 19 Poudre. Beautiful, feminine, and confident. Has leathery elements that blend well with the outstanding iris.

Powder, Powder Everywhere

Valentino Valentina Poudre By Eau De Parfum Spray 2.7 Fl Oz– Valentina Poudre is a very powdery, yet light fragrance that utilizes our target floral note, along with vanilla. Add to that, additional powdery notes, musk mallow, and a creamy tonka bean and you have a lovely setting for a wonderful iris perfume. 

This is a lighter sort of scent, so, don’t expect to take over a room with it on. It’s a fresh and clean and more personal experience with Valentina Poudre. Smooth, like a mix between that makeup bag smell and a bottle of baby powder.

Clean and Woody Hermes

Hermès Women’s Hiris Hermès Eau de Toilette Spray, 3.4 oz.– Dry cedar and iris that starts out packing quite a punch. Very woodsy and has a bitter quality at times, but Hiris is a very clean, and interesting use of the iris note.

It can be more difficult to find a bottle of this nowadays, but they do still exist online. Hiris has a classy air and maturity about it, and the dry down is fantastic, when the other floral notes emerge.

Amber Soaked Wood and Iris

Bois d’Iris by Van Cleef & Arpels– This is a salty ambergris, driftwood, and iris combination. You get the iris note as a highlight of the floral accord, with sea vibes of the wood and ambergris. 

Soft and woody at first. With a blend of vanilla and smoky incense giving it a sweeter and warmer depth as you move along. The iris here is pretty darn powdery and is joined by a touch of violet in the mix.

The base has a dry freshness and the smoke of the incense really makes this more interesting after an hour or so. Yet, iris and ambergris is going to be the main event, but both are of superior quality.

iris perfume

Citrus and an Iris Bouquet

Acqua Di Parma Iris Nobile Eau de Parfum Spray, 3.4 Ounce– A sweet at the start, citrus floral take on the iris note. Iris Nobile starts out with orange, bergamot, and star anise. After that, it dries down into a creamy floral, with bits of spice to go along with iris and a great tuberose note.

Can be very strong for some, but is a well-blended and powdered fragrance with a bouquet of floral notes where iris is a main highlight.

Orange Blossom, Iris, and Incense

PARFUMS DE MARLY Athalia, 2.5 Fl Oz– Athalia is a wonderful iris fragrance by Parfums de Marly. It opens up with an awesome blend of bitter orange, orange blossom, incense, and a bit of rose.

The iris, will initially play a smaller role for the opening act. But, it does shift and take over the composition, before drying down with amber and vetiver in the latter stages.

Athalia is warm and clean. Best served by wearing in the autumn through early springtime. I got really nice performance out of this one, as it can last for up to 10 hours on the skin. Athalia Review

A Masculine Iris

Dior Homme By Christian Dior For Men. Eau De Toilette Spray 3.4 Ounces– Yes, this one is a men’s cologne. However, while it leans masculine, it can definitely be worn by plenty of women without problem. This is actually my main everyday wear and one of the best uses of the iris note in a men’s fragrance.

Dior Homme is dry and sweet with iris, cacao, leather, and lavender. It is a floral cologne with a sweet woody edge and very fresh aroma. Classy and has great performance. If you want a change of pace from the more feminine floral perfumes. Dior Homme Review

Note: They’ve updated the formula of this fragrance. If you want the iris heavy version, it’ll be the 2012 edition and look like the picture below.

 

Greenish and Cold Garden Scent

SERGE LUTENS Bas De Soie Edp Spray 1.6 oz– Hyacinth and iris dominate this interesting floral perfume, that really embodies a garden environment. Very green and floral with a cold powdered aroma that stays through the entire wear.

Bas de Soie is soft in its dry down and creates a clean flowery scent to envelop the wearer. It’s a bit more green and plant-like than some of the others on the list. Floral garden with a healthy dose of iris to give it the type of finish that we’re looking for on this list. 

Warm and Lovely Iris Fragrance

Frederic Malle Iris Poudre Eau De Parfum 0.24oz/7ml UB– Creamy mix of sandalwood and iris flower, more of the actual flower than some derivative. Iris Poudre is warm and bright with a solid musk note in the heart of the perfume. 

Has an old school feel while being completely modern in its presentation, also starring lily and rose, in the dry down.

Popular Prada Option

Prada Milano Infusion D’Iris Eau de parfum Spray Women by Prada, 3.4 Ounce– Less of a heavy powdery iris note here, but one that is very clean, fresh, with lovely citrus notes in support.

Orange flower, mandarin, neroli, and cedar come together to create a beautiful Prada fragrance with a soapy sort of dry down.

Infusion D’Iris is woody and green to go along with the iris note, which create a soft and airy gem of a perfume. This is one of the most popular options for iris perfumes, on the market, and for good reason. Infusion D’Iris is a beautiful mix of ingredients, with iris, ultimately being in the center of it all. 

Earthy and Somewhat Spicy

IRIS NOIR Eau de Parfum by Yves Rocher Mini (.16 oz./5ml)– A more affordable options with spices and smooth tonka bean. Iris Noir from Yves Rocher pairs iris with patchouli and pepper, among other notes. Earthy patchouli and tonka flank the iris note, which gives off its usual powdery fragrance.

Iris Noir is indeed quite dark and different from the other options on the list, but that uniqueness is what partly makes this one such a terrific option for iris lovers.

It’s not overly heavy or super imposing, but it does provide a special take on this note, with awesome spice hints and a terrific patchouli.

1 Million vs 1 Million Prive Cologne Comparison

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Paco Rabanne’s 1 Million has been a hyper-popular cologne ever since its release however many years ago. It is known as a bold and absolute monster performer, which has been a go to for younger men, at bars and night clubs across the globe.

With the release of 2016’s flanker scent, 1 Million Prive, the fragrance may have some competition from one which was birthed from it’s own success.

In this post, I am going to give my thoughts and performance review, in order to create a comparison between 1 Million vs 1 Million Prive by Paco Rabanne for men.

Tale of the Tape: Prive vs. 1 Million

1 Million

Notes include: grapefruit, blood orange, rose, mint, cinnamon, amber, leather, patchouli, and more

Click here to try: Paco Rabanne 1 Million Eau de Toilette Spray for Men, 3.4 Fluid Ounce

Read my original review: 1 Million EDT Review

 

1 Million Prive

Notes include: tonka bean, apple, cinnamon, myrrh, mandarin orange, tobacco

Click here to try: Paco Rabanne 1 Million Prive Eau de Parfum Spray for Men, 3.4 Ounce

Read my original review: 1 Million Prive Cologne Review

 

Opening

The original 1 Million has this grape bubblegum-like opening that has become pretty infamous. This candy scented start is one reason I think this fragrance has pushed some people away from wearing it. Personally, I think that it works just fine and actually enjoy it.

1 Million opens up with leather, citrus, and rose. Together, they create that bubblegum sort of smell. It’s actually a really smooth leather, juicy orange and grapefruit. This is surrounded by a warm and bold amber, with hints of cooling mint. 

All in all, it’s a nice and powerful start, to this now classic best-seller.

Prive, on the other hand, takes on something a bit darker and less sweet. It still retains the cinnamon note of the original but adds a scent of apple (though, it’s not an actual ingredient, it’s just the effect that the blend gives off), which reminds me of cinnamon applesauce but not as sweet.

There is a light citrus note, provided by the same mandarin orange, as the original.  Tonka bean, myrrh, and tobacco come in later, to give it a rich and thick aroma. 

Honestly, I think I was digging the opening of Prive while wearing it the other day, more so than when I wear the original. The more time that I’ve spent with both, the more that I prefer Prive as a flanker cologne.

Edge: Prive

Projection

Update: The latest batch of 1 Million that I tried, isn’t nearly as strong as it used to be. As such, I’m downgrading it, and calling this category a tie. Below is my original take.

1 Million is a straight beast in terms of performance and in order to take this category, Prive would have had to match or somehow even exceed the bar that was set. It doesn’t.

Prive actually has really good projection and is by no means weak, but, 1 Million is legendary in this regard. Maybe newer formulations of 1 Million are toned down, somewhat, but I haven’t experienced that myself.

Prive is a very strong fragrance, so, you won’t actually be disappointed by the performance, it just doesn’t hold a candle to the original. 

Edge: Push

 

Longevity

Update: The newer batches of 1 Million don’t go as long. Usually, it still hits 8-9 hours, but now Prive has the upper hand.

Again, performance wise, 1 Million takes the cake. It goes on forever seemingly. Prive is no joke and will last 9-10 hours after spraying.

1 Million, always seemed to go for 12 hours, on my skin. Then, I’d lose track of it. I mean, you have to go to sleep at some point. Nonetheless, Prive is again, a great performer too. 

Edge: Prive

Versatility

Both of these colognes are useful for casual to romantic wear. Though, go lightly when wearing to work or school. Both are well suited to the colder weather. I would say, that Prive, is better suited for more formal events. Even though, it’s not really a formal scent, by any means. 

However, 1 Million can probably hold up better during warmer whether than can Prive, which gives it the edge here. For me, these both were always colder weather, nightlife wears. 

Edge: 1 Million

Overall Scent

Right now, I am enjoying Prive more than I do 1 Million. The original is a better performer but Prive is also great in that manner. Prive is smooth, warm, and I really like the cinnamon/tobacco note dry down period.

Update: After a few years of having tried Prive, after its release, I can say it is my favorite 1 Million fragrance. Better than the original and 1 Million Lucky.  Plus, it now has a better performance than the original, also.

Update 2: Prive has been discontinued, as of now. I tried to find a bottle a few months back and it wasn’t possible at a reasonable price. So, the original 1 Million EDT is the one I’d go with out of the series, if I couldn’t get my hands on a bottle of Prive…which looks like is going to be the case moving forward.

It’s just the most well rounded fragrance of them all. It has enough elements of the original to be familiar, then, adds to that foundation with something uniquely its own. 

Prive seems darker and a bit more mature than the original and I love the tonka bean note. That’s not to say that the orginal 1 Million is bad. It isn’t and I still like to wear it but as of writing I’m more into Prive. Maybe, it is recency bias but I’m going with the new flanker as the winner.

Winner: Prive

Popped Cherry by Dua Brand

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Going through Lost Cherry comparable fragrances, I had to grab a bottle of Dua Brand’s Popped Cherry version, for myself. I really liked the Tom Ford fragrance, in terms of smell, but the performance wasn’t great for the high-end price point. So, how does Popped stack up against Lost Cherry? How long does it last? Is it worth a try?

What does Popped Cherry by Dua Smell Like?

Notes include: Black Cherry, Bitter Almond, Cherry Liqueur, Griotte Syrup, Jasmine Sambac, Turkish Rose, Peru Balsam, Haitian Vetiver, Cedarwood, Roasted Tonka, and Sandalwood

Click here to try: Popped Cherry by Dua

My Full Review

Popped Cherry opens with that familiar warmth and sweet cherry liqueur aroma. With the original Tom Ford version, I get a mix of more naturalistic cherry and the liqueur, but this one is much more the latter.

Popped is syrupy and sweeter than Lost ever seems to get. There is the powdery element here as well, but it is much more toned down than in what they’re trying to go for here.

To me, the original Lost Cherry had sort of a Dr. Pepper Cherry-like aroma at times, that this one really doesn’t.

So, the main differences are: this is sweeter, less powdery, smokier/balsamic, and less of a natural cherry touch.

The dry down has a nice use of the almond note, tonka bean, sandalwood, and the balsam. All of which combine and compliment the cherry main event.

Dark and boozy, with syrup-soaked woody base.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

The sillage here is a bit stronger at its peak and lasts longer at its moderate state than does the Tom Ford. Still, it doesn’t have a huge projection off of the skin, moderate for a few hours and then lighter for the rest of the way.

The longevity is also better than what you get with Lost Cherry. Popped will last like 8-10 hours for me, most occasions. Sometimes, it will last on the skin for a few hours longer than that.

That being said, the projection is skin level on that point, and you’re not going to have a huge amount that late into the wear.

Seasonally, I’d stick to autumn and winter. It will be great in colder weather, probably up to something more temperate. Anything hotter, I’m not wearing it.

It is a unisex fragrance, but has more of a feminine quality. I mean, one of its strongest comparable scents is a Guerlain perfume for women.

Popped, like the Tom Ford does have a certain sexiness to it. It does grab attention when initially sprayed and is very appealing up close, when it settles. Great for nightlife and casual situations, but not too out of place for something like the workplace.

Overall Impressions of Popped Cherry

Overall, do I like this fragrance? I do. It captures most of what you’re going to get with Lost Cherry for a fraction of the price. Which is kind of what we’re going for.

Is it 100 percent the same? No, but it captures the vast majority of it, and has better performance than the Tom Ford perfume.

I’ve enjoyed wearing it, when it hasn’t been too warm outside or during the evening. I like that it has pretty much the same almond and I actually like the extra smokiness to it. I do wish, there was the same variety of cherry notes to the same level as in the Ford scent.

Also, the powdery aroma from the original is missed, to some extent. However, I’m really not going to complain about saving a few hundred dollars, and getting to have a delicious cherry perfume to wear.

Miss Dior Blooming Bouquet vs. Absolutely Blooming

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For this edition of the head to head fragrance match ups, I am going to turn my attention once again to some women’s perfumes. The two entries today are both from Christian Dior’s Miss Dior line of scents: Absolutely Blooming vs. Blooming Bouquet. Which one of these flanker fragrances, smells the best? Has the better performance? Is the better buy?

Tale of the Tape

Blooming Bouquet

Notes include: Calabrian bergamot, peony, Damsacus rose, musk, and more

Click here to try: Christian Dior Miss Blooming Bouquet Eau de Toilette Spray for Women, 1.7 Ounce

Read my review: Miss Dior Blooming Bouquet

Absolutely Blooming

Notes include: rose, peony, musk, pink pepper, black currant, and red berries

Click here to try: Christian Dior Miss Dior Absolutely Blooming Women’s Eau de Parfum Spray, 3.4 Ounce

Read my review: Miss Dior Absolutely Blooming

Opening

Absolutely Blooming starts out with a blend of pomegranate, raspberry, and white musk. It has a juicy delectable sweetness, a cheerful disposition, with a hint of musk. It is pretty powerful from the start.

The peony will be the strongest floral to first emerge from the mix. Then, the rose note will come on stronger, later in the wear.

Meanwhile, Blooming Bouquet, starts with citrus bergamot and a floral accord headed by peony. This Dior is actually quite beautiful and the bergamot is such an interesting note when contrasted with peony and some rose.

The peony is also stronger at first in Blooming. Rose never fully takes over, but it has some balance later.

Which is better? I really do think Blooming is great. However, Absolutely Blooming, is a step ahead with the strong fruity notes that smell fantastic from the start. It’s not way better, but enough to get the nod.

Edge: Absolutely 

Projection

Absolutely Blooming is a strong fragrance, as I wrote above. It starts off with a bang, tones down as it moves along, but is strong throughout the wear. Great sillage.

Blooming Bouquet is a much softer scent. It isn’t weak but is just a soft and airy style. Never has the same power as Absolutely.

Absolutely just radiates off of the skin more, can leave a scent trail, and let’s its presence be known much more than Blooming.

Edge: Absolutely

Longevity

Blooming Bouquet, while a light perfume, does last for a fairly long time. I got 7 hours of wear out of it, on my skin.

While that’s nice, Absolutely Blooming is one that can go for over 10 hours with that strong sillage.

For me during testing, it wasn’t even a close contest between how long each of these lasts on skin.

Edge: Absolutely

Versatility

Both of these scents share a lot of commonalities, in when they are appropriate to wear. They both have a spring/summer vibe. Both are good for work or casual situations. Both are very attractive.

However, Absolutely Blooming is sexier, and has better ability to double as a nightlife fragrance. Blooming Bouquet is very pretty and delicious, but it isn’t really a sexy kind of perfume.

Edge: Absolutely

Overall Scent

Yes, it’s a clean sweep for Absolutely Blooming, but I don’t want people to get the idea that Bouquet is a bad scent. It’s actually very good, just not when compared, to its counterpart.

It is very fresh with that bergamot/floral opening before transitioning with the help of a light musk note.

Then, it becomes more floral, when the bergamot fades. What you’re left with is peony and rose and a lovely fragrance overall. It’s the third best Miss Dior.

Absolutely Blooming is just a great fragrance and my favorite from this line of perfumes. It is simple and similar to Bouquet, with the rose and peony. However, it also has a surprisingly well done black currant, that isn’t too sharp or sour.

Plus, it keeps the fruit juiciness throughout, even when the floral notes grow in strength. It’s just better across the board.

Winner: Absolutely Blooming

Wild Rose by Coach

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Wild Rose is a newer release from Coach for 2022. I was able to get a hold of a sample of this perfume and give it a try recently. I really didn’t know anything about it going in, just got it along with some other fragrances I ordered. How does this smell? How long does it last? Is it even worth a try?

What does Coach Wild Rose Smell Like?

Notes include: bergamot, red currant, rose, jasmine, ambroxan, moss, tonka bean

Click here to try: Wild Rose from Coach

My Full Review

Here’s how Coach describes it: Feel the possibility. Wild Rose is our new scent inspired by the free-spirited beauty of a lush wildflower meadow.

Wild Rose opens up sparkling and fruity, with a nice bergamot top that is paired with a red currant note. The tart sweetness of the red currant is a good pairing with the more dominant citrus ingredient early on.

I was expecting this one to have a lot more rose than it does, based on the name. However, while it is there the rose isn’t a powerhouse in this one. It’s not really a deep red rose, either.

Actually early on, it smells like a mix of Delina and Burberry Her. Like if you sprayed Delina once to take some of the tartness away from a double spray of Her.

The same sort of soft rose and fruity blend you get with Delina, just with a creamy tonka bean instead of the light powder of the Parfums de Marly scent. Different note weightings, but a similar experience.

The dry down is where it really shifts from a Delina type of smell and more towards the Her and Baccarat Rouge 540 kind of finish.

The jasmine note becomes more prominent. Plus, ambroxan and a dry mossy note really gives you aspects of both of those perfumes. Jasmine, amber, and woods is found in BR 540.

But, with Wild Rose you still have a fruity top and more of a floral presence than that Kurkdjian perfume.

That’s about what you get with Coach Wild Rose: amber, fruits, light floral, and a bit of moss thrown in.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Sillage wise, this one opens up with an above average ability to project itself and leave a trail. The bergamot and citrus sitting on top of an ambroxan base, gives Wild Rose an initial boost.

Thereafter, it is more of a moderate scent. It will project off of the skin well and people close by will notice it. This Coach just isn’t a total powerhouse.

Seasonally, it is pretty much a year round wear. Though, I’d avoid the extremes of cold and heat. The ambroxan can get kind of weird when it’s hot outside and I imagine it can be too sharp in the freezing temperatures.

Other than that, you’d be fine.

This does have good versatility. It’s attractive enough to be worn out at night or on a date. But, low key enough that it can be worn casually or as a daily fragrance. Not necessarily the most formal scent, but one should get plenty of use out of it.

Also, age range seems to be wide open. Not too girlish or too mature for younger ladies.

Overall Impressions of Wild Rose

Overall, do I like Wild Rose? Yes, while it isn’t wholly original it is quite an attractive fragrance. It reminds me of a lot of different popular scents, but doesn’t blindly copy any one of them and actually smells good.

I like the opening with the citrus and red currant. It favors Delina in some ways and is a better smelling perfume than Burberry Her. Very good energy and just a pleasant aroma to smell.

The performance is solid. It isn’t an amazing marathon run or a complete sillage beast, but I think that you get your money’s worth out of Wild Rose.

The dry down is very reminiscent of Burberry Her and BR 540, just with better fruity notes than the former, and without the saffron and cedar of the latter. Sure, every company seems to be creating this style of perfume nowadays, but Coach did well with this.

This is a perfume to check out. It doesn’t have any real weaknesses and seems to do everything you’d want to a reasonable degree.