Notes of bitter almond, neroli orange, gardenia, iris, cedar, musk, vetiver, patchouli, and benzoin. Cartier’s Le Baiser Du Dragon goes on sharp and bitter, makes me pull back from its bite when it goes on. It’s an oriental, but there is a creaminess shortly after the open that’s not very orientalish, and it is more bitter than sweet.
I’m trying the parfum version, and I’m not sure how different it is from the EDT. I get why they call this the Kiss of the Dragon. That sharp musky almond bite at the beginning is pretty tough to take, what a kiss of a dragon I imagine would be like — not exactly pleasant, foreign, a little repulsive. This perfume is really gorgeous in its drydown, creamy vetiver, just a hint of patchouli, and the floral notes give it a touch of sweetness.
I’ve read several reviews of this, and this one seems to be one that works on you or doesn’t. I’m glad it works on me, but i can see how the musty patchouli and vetiver could take over if the other notes got eaten up and be a badly behaved, smelly dragon. My only complaint is it doesn’t seem to be as pungent as all the reviews say it is. I have this bad feeling that I’m just not smelling it, that the dragon is curled around my neck breathing lightly. Once I go out, the little dickens will just blast everything in its path, and I’ll be left to deal with the “No Perceptible Perfume in Public” folks.
Evil dragon.
Sprayed some on a card at Macy’s today. My first reaction was YUCK. I put the card in my pocket and later smelled it..sweet & woody. Don’t know it would be like on my skin!
Well, now I ::know:: I must have weird smell receptors, because I don’t find this to be difficult to wear at all. I don’t get a strong, opening blast. It’s very warm and comforting to me. No wonder the SA looked at me strangely when I said I could wear it everyday. (I’m like that with Fracas too.)What I ::don’t:: like is that after only about 6-7 months, my bottle of EDP went a bit wonky.
Ha! I’m so glad you like the Dragon. It does come off strong at first, but the amaretto&vetiver combo is to die for, isn’t it? The florals are nicely blended so I like wearing it myself without the fear of smelling womanly/girly (“You have a woman’s leg, m’lord!” Black Adder ) =))
I’m soooo enjoyinh the last pkg, all of the scents are just gorgeous and delicious, Vetiver Tonka and the Nazgul in particular, and I’ve become extremely partial to Eau des Merveilles!
Will write a proper email over the weekend, I promise!
Hugs and 😡 😡 😡
Hi Patty
I love me some Dragon Kiss! I have the EDP version, and I think its definitely better in the cooler months. I bought it when it was first released by Cartier, and although its not an everyday scent for me, I do like to wear it from time to time. Glad you like it too!
While it’s not my favorite, I have to admit that I like this and wear it…after a few minutes, it becomes sweet, woody, and earthy on my skin [vetiver and patchouly do this on me, I haven’t a clue why],and the perfume police haven’t cited me yet for any moving violations. [parfum version]
In a pinch, though, I would rather reach for vintage Cabochard or Un Bois Sepia…
I’ve been reluctant to say it in public, but I’m a big fan of Baiser–I have both the parfum and EdP. More rose shows in the parfum, I think, and it is more gentle and rounded than the EdP, which seems heavier on the vetiver, too. Someone who sniffed just the first 5 minutes, then the drydown hours later might think they had smelled two different scents. I LOVE the drydown. I don’t think Baiser has gigantic sillage, but when you can smell it, you can really smell it, in my opinion. Best saved for night and cool weather, can make me puke when it’s hot. I’d wear it when I thought Vol de Nuit might also be appropriate. Whew! this must be longest comment I’ve ever made!
Patty, I’m glad this one works for you; it did to me what it did for Marina—scary. It is an interesting concept, though. Being kissed by this dragon was almost like Lucy being kissed by Snoopy. 🙁
Well, I think sometimes the parfum is better behaved. Certainly, say, Mitsouko in the parfum, while “stronger” in some ways, is a much less jarring fragrance.
I’ll get some EDP to you. I find it an extremely in-your-face fragrance, so I am guessing it’s going to have a lot more sillage than the parfum.
Marina and Ina… I had a feeling lots of people hate this one. 🙂
I’m still stunned it didn’t just overtake me. I really spritzed on a ton of it, but just a nice little scent on me.
Evil dragon indeed! I almost got smothered by it a couple years ago. I do agree it’s a gorgeous blend, especially in parfum but just not for me.
Scary stuff. Clashed with my skin chemistry like very few other scents did. *shudder*
Glad you are enjoying it though! 🙂
Sure! I’m thinking maybe the parfum doesn’t give off the sillage? I could smell it all day lightly, and nobody was walking across the room to get away from me, so I think the dragon behaved itself, and I could have used with a more naughty dragon.
Nope, didn’t see that comment at all. I still haven’t gotten ’round to MKK yet. 🙂
I’ve got more of the EDP than I’ll ever wear, if you’d like to try yet another concentration.
I am … unsure about this one. I want to love it, mostly because of the name. But I am certainly getting the full dragon breath; the musk/vetiver is very, very strong to me. Did you see the comment on the Chypre post (I think) comparing it to MKK?