Tuesday, May 02, 2006

REVIEW: Dior Dioressence

Notes: Rosebud, Violet, Geranium, Cinnamon, Patchouli.

Pros: Whoa! Hot Damn this stuff rocks! A great use of spicey patchouli and cinnamon set against greener and softer geranium and violet.

Cons: Hey Dior, market this stuff a little would ya...

Reminds me of: Estee Lauder Cinnabar but much greener; Diptyque L'Eau

Development: Packs a lot of punch at the opening and then relaxes during the first hour.

Longevity: Excellent, lasted a good 8 hours on my skin.

Sillage: Ideal.

Where $34.90 at ImaginationPerfumery.com

Bottleworthy? For those who like the scents of the 60's and 70's and who aren't afraid of a little patchouli.

The Bottom Line: A straightforward masterpiece, this is arguably one of the least known of the current Dior crop of hidden secrets, though not necessarily the least popular. With a drydown of warm, sweet cinnamon, and opening notes of violet and geranium, this is one for the guys to consider (and hey, that packaging and bottle are pretty unisex). Straightforward and simple in its composition, this almost-chypre is evocative of another classic from a few years earlier - Opium. Overall, striking, and a new scent for fall. This is the scent of early autumn leaves and late summer blooms.

Rating (out of 10): 9
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4 comments:

Shannon said...

Dioressence is a little hard to classify, isn't it? Sometimes she wants to be a chypre, other times an oriental. Fans of both genres will appreciate Dioressence. I love the spiciness of the cinnamon and the benzoin in the base, there is also just a touch of powdery-ness, giving it a very classic feel.

I love the bottle, but mine is the older style with the cheap looking white plastic lid. This one is MUCH better looking!

I'm glad that you mentioned Dioressence, she does need and deserve a little more attention! :)

~Shannon

marlen said...

shannon - you actually hit the nail right on the head, thanks for your great appraisal!

Anonymous said...

Fan of Dioressence here! I prefer others from dior but this fresh-semi-oriental-chypre-whatchamacallit is very inetresting but a lot of the allure might be to me the aldehydes and the fact that the top notes linger for a while before the actual spicer drydown..i find it a bit primitive(not in a bad way) and sensual, the flowers get a little constrained in between the top and the basenotes but i love them as well...the basenotes are classical in a way too...voluptuous!

marlen said...

c - great analysis! I like the fact that the floral tones are very muted comared to the spices.