Notes: Blackcurrant, Mandarin, Basil, Magnolia, Lily of the Valley, Iris, Lentiscus, Firbalsam.
Pros: Smokey floral, incomparable, timeless, comforting...
Cons: Not-a-one...
Development: A unified composition, starts and ends the same...with magnificence.
Longevity: Excellent - lingers on the skin for a good 6-8 hours...
Sillage: Perfect - not too strong, not too soft...
Reminds me of: Creed Irisia; Romeo Gigli for Women (2004)
Where can I buy it? $16.95 for a 100ml tester at BigDiscount.com
Bottleworthy: And how! Ladies, check this one out...if you hate it, give it to the hubby!
The Bottom Line: One of the most innovative and perfect men's fragrances of the 20th century. Ranks right up there with Caron pour un Homme and Eternity in terms of innovation. A surprising floral combined with fir balsam and mastic, adding a smokey woodsy tone. I remember the first time smelling this, and thinking the name must surely be a reference to incense...Years later I realized that it was the French for "out of one's mind" but still feel that it might be a play on words. I recently got a craving for re-visiting this one when in Shanghai, wondering why a certain temple incense had smelled so good to me - simple, it reminded me of Insense!
Rating (out of 10): 10
What's your favorite Givenchy scent?
10 comments:
The only Givenchy I own is Pi and I'm down to about a tablespoon left in the bottle. I like Pi for the right moment. It is sweet, which I would say is usually not my style, but Pi is really lovely. I've gotten more compliments on Pi than any other fragrance I own.
Oh, I want a bottle of this one!
Mark - I do love Pi...maybe I'll have to review that one next...One of my favorite "masculine" vanillas...You should try to get your hands on some Yohji (the original scent, not the men's) if you are a fan of Pi...similar idea, whole different ballgame, incredible scent.
Ah...Really pleasing me to read those words about Insense...It may be one of the scents that gave me passion for scents: When I was 7-8 years old, I recieved a 10ml or so of this, and loved it then. Now, 8 years later, I got me a decant of it (because I could nearly remember that wonderful scent even 8 years later, and it was exactly the same as I could remember; probably the best scent of all times;)
I have a thing for Givenchy. Even though so many of their scents are not quite "me" I still always spend more time dwelling at their counter than anyone else's for some reason.
Organza Indecence is my number one fave - it's my wear it any time for any reason sort of scent. No matter what my timing is, it's one that always fits the occasion.
And I have a strange addiction to Xeryus Rouge. It's a particularly good scent, though not a 'great' one. I have these periods where I find myself craving its smell for days in a row.
My husband adores Pi. Like, that's it for him. He's got no patience for me trying to wrangle him into trying something new on for me. He's found Pi and he no longer requires any other scent. Ever. Unless L'Occitane starts making their Fig as an edt again someday.
I still haven't gotten around to Insense. It's not one of the ones sold at my M&F, and... drat, you are a foul temptress here. That is a really awesome price. Sigh. I need to rearrange my budget so that I have a "Marlen made me buy it" fund every month.
Love your Site! I read it everytime i can to get your latest views on the frag world...Congrats! I LOVE insensé (i also like the ultramarine version but of course it's very different) , i am so happy you like it, i wear it with joy and pride , and i get it everytime i run out of it, another favorite is hot couture but i don't love it as much, also, some of givenchy's special editions like my givenchy and so givenchy (pretty but forgettable)and i also like amarige!...i could go on and on...
keeg - you've just told us your age, and now I'm feeling old! LOL...Glad you enjoy Insense - it's a scent with a lot of special memories for me!
Katie - I too have a thing for Givenchy. Love Eau de Givenchy, Le De Givenchy, Monsieur, Gentleman, Pi, Greenergy, Indecence...I could go on...Better start saving for the Marlen-made-me-buy-it-fund!
castor - Thanks so much for reading and posting! Welcome to the I love Givenchy club!
Lol..Yeah, I think I'm quite young for being in this game, but who cares - I enjoy it as much as you guys do:P
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