Cristobal Balenciaga perfume – a fragrance for women 1998

Soft golden patchouli waves beating like sunbeams off of my skin.

Gold honeyed woods and dominant patchouli softened by florals on the drydown. I only have a 5mL bottle and want more. The tiny bottle with the beautiful gold engraved cap looks like a lost treasure only to be found beyond the veil of the fairies.

To break it down: It is a soft patchouli-fig combination moderated by elegant woods, the sweetness of peonies, dry floral carnation, the mellow flavour of vanilla and lush dewy freesia. The freesia became quite prominent to my nose just into the initial dry down- it just pokes its delicate petals into the composition for a brief window. There is also a hint of greenness to balance the composition and add depth. Vanilla and sandalwood are the most prominent in the base when all else has gone. This does not smell like a fragrance of the 90s to me. Well, it does in a way- while this fragrance is beautiful and elegant there is also a clumsiness to it in that the notes individually smell like parfums used in cheaper personal grooming products and knock off impressions of fragrances. I guess that speaks to its age, if anything this ‘clumsiness’ as I phrase it actually adds to its endearment- I guess it triggers the nostalgia of a simpler time. I loved the 90s. I am thoroughly impressed by this, I have been catching whiffs of it on my collar all day and enjoying it immensely. If only I could have a nice big bottle of my own to hide away.

Sillage: good
Longevity: good
Overall fragrance: absolutely lovely, this is a very warm, comforting fragrance. I will be very sad when my little miniature runs out