Michael Buble: By Invitation by Karine Dubreuil 2016

Hi there Perfume Posse, When I read that Michael Buble was doing a fragrance my mind went into instant cynical mode. I was expecting the absolute worst money grab in the history of fragrance and celebuscents. So I checked the perfumer out and she has been doing loads of good work for L’Occitane over the years, quality budget scents. She is also responsible for Lanvin Eclat d’Arpège, Gucci Envy Me + PH II, a couple of Guerlain Aqua Allegorias and L’Artisan Mure & Musc Extreme. Not all exactly my style but none of them bad. There is a bunch of other stuff I’ve never smelled so who knows. OK, I thought, maybe I should go have a look.

Michael Buble: By Invitation by Karine Dubreuil 2016

Michael Buble by-invitation-michael-buble-fragrantica Fragrantica

Fragrantica gives these featured accords:
Top: Red fruits, bergamot
Heart: Lily-of-the-valley, jasmine, peony, rose
Base: Sandalwood, musk, vanilla, praline

The first thing we need to talk about is the bottle. It’s a freaking masterpiece. I would believe that this came from one of the ultra expensive jewellery designers: Cartier, Boucheron, Bulgari or VC&A. High end ranges would all sit comfortably in this fun, inventive yet minimalist, glamour retelling of an old style puff mechanism. I find it clever and beautiful and would happily have it as my one bottle on display if that was the way I worked. Even the heavy, matte, recycled feeling of the box cardboard makes me think of much more expensive brands.

How does it smell? Opening is sharpish with the berries and citrus but almost immediately you can smell rich bakery under layers coming through and I am most put in mind of old fashioned cheesecake: the biscuit base, creamy rich filling that is sweet but lightly piquant and the warm joy of having a delicious dessert. Michael Buble may never have had a hand in making it, for that I have no information, but whoever was in charge has made something that could easily have been in the Guerlain line up. Not the Guerlain of yesteryear perhaps but the LVMH version of the brand, not incredibly dissimilar to Oriental Brulant.

Smooth like brandy custard and sweet like caramel slice, yet not really smelling like either of them, more the texture of both and too much applied can be cloying. Definitely a fragrance in need of a lighter hand. Longevity is nuclear and projection impressive for a few hours before settling to a light sweet hum above my skin.

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Do I love it? Well, I spritzed it one afternoon, swooned around in it all evening and LOVED the whisper of sweet, clean, woodsy confectionary next morning and went right back to the store and put my money on the counter for a 30ml bottle. No, it’s not the most sophisticated scent, not boundary pushing and not for anyone who only loves a chypre. If you love a sweet gourmand that smells all tonka, almond and vanilla then you will probably love Michael Buble By Invitation.

Available everywhere

Have you tried it yet? Do you like Michael Buble?
Portia xx

  • Jeanne says:

    I admit, I usually know nothing of the descriptions you give of perfumes, but I’m trying. Anyway, went to Macy’s, and yes they had “By Invitation” and gave me a sample. (Usually I’m drawn to Orientals and woody perfumes, don’t know the reasons, just like them) . This scent lasted all day and had a wonderful smell. I leave the explanations why to all of you. All I can say is I liked it!
    Yesterday, I ordered the set from Ulta, and got a bath robe too, Free! What a deal.

  • jenbat says:

    I like your review Portia – it’s nice to be pleasantly surprised by something once in a while! I’ve seen By Invitation around for a while (it’s everywhere in Canada, I guess cuz Buble’s Canadian), but hadn’t bothered to try it out – after smelling Ariana Grande’s celebuscent I guess I needed a celebubreak – now I will!

    • Jenbat says:

      Oops I didn’t mean that I was surprised that i liked your review, I meant that it was nice you were surprised by the perfume! Going into exam week, derp.

      • Portia says:

        HA HA HA JenBat,
        You’re going to have to work a LOT harder than that to even make me wonder if it’s shade. Thanks for the clarification though and good luck in EXAM WEEK!
        Portia xx

  • Ann says:

    Yum, Portia — this sounds like I could enjoy it. And so glad to read that he didn’t slap his name on a bottle o’ junk. Think I’ll give it a go next time I see it. Thanks !

    • Portia says:

      Hiya Ann,
      I’ll await your appraisal.
      Yes, it is nice that it’s not revolting. I think he has set himself up beautifully for a continued range in the future, I’d definitely have a sniff.
      Portia xx

  • Maureen says:

    Have not tried this fragrance, I think I heard he was bringing one out, then quickly forgot. I do like his voice, nice that a fairly young guy sings standards. I have never seen him in concert, but my boyfriend is a singer, and really likes some of his backing tracks…orchestration is excellent. I would like to try this, if I see it in a store. Bottle is gorgeous. Sweet gourmands are not my favorite, I do like vanilla if it is not super sweet.(I do like Angel on some people) Right now my favorite is Bottega Venetta.

    • Portia says:

      Hey Maureen,
      I think this may be tooth achingly sweet for you but it’s free to spritz in store right? Put it on a card first.
      Portia xx

  • Tara C says:

    Sounds yummy, would be happy to sniff it. Haven’t seen it anywhere though.

    • Portia says:

      Hey there TaraC,
      All the Drug Stores have it in Australia, very reasonable. My 30ml was under AUD$30 but the 50ml was the same price.
      Portia xx

  • Erry says:

    When I scrolled down and saw that bottle … It got me curious although I’m not a gourmand lover.
    The bottle and also Buble himself makes me want to try this one. I like his takes on American Songbook.

  • Tiara says:

    This sound right up my alley so I’m getting a bottle (unsniffed, so the small one), handing it to my husband to wrap and he’ll be almost done with his shopping!

    • Portia says:

      Hey Tiara,
      Great idea. I hope you love it when you get it as a super surprise present. Your man has good, economical taste. I like him already.
      Portia xx

  • rosarita313 says:

    Hmm, the perfume sounds interesting, to my surprise I’m really into gourmands right now and the bottle is lovely. I got tickets to see Michael Buble years ago through a PBS donation and he put on a great show even though the venue was a small liberal arts college auditorium……he was a class act.

    • Portia says:

      Hi there Rosarita313,
      That makes me really happy to know he is a good performer and bothers to really entertain. That’s cool.
      What’s a PBS donation?
      Portia xx

      • Sapphire says:

        Hi Portia,
        PBS stands for Public Broadcasting Systems (or Station–not sure which). Anyway, it’s the public television station that is funded partly by the government and largely by public donations. They are the ones behind Sesame Street, Masterpiece Theater, and bringing British comedy to the U.S.
        Would love to try the Buble. Just have to figure out where to find it.

  • Musette says:

    Babydoll: this is how Behind the Times I am (in large part due to the fact that nearly none of my expensive tech crap actually works) – though I have heard of Michael Buble I do not think I have ever heard him – he’s a singer, right?
    Now I gotta go YouTube him…..

    but that bottle is gorgeous – the actual scent veers into territory I tend to avoid but for all that, it sounds cozy and comfortable, which is not a bad thing at all!

    xoxoxoxoA

    • Portia says:

      Musette, it’s not even like Bublé is NEW! He’s way old now. You’ve heard him crooning in stores, on radios and on planes, trains & in automobiles. You just don’t know it.
      He’s sweet, so’s his frag.
      I hope you enjoy YouTubing him.
      Portia xx

      • Musette says:

        Just listened to a Christmas album of his: he has a charming voice! I probably have heard him and maybe thought he was …omg…the one who is married to Diana Krall (and tends to play crazies/serial killers as an actor) – Harry Connick, Jr! right? Or maybe I thought he was Mel Torme – who knows?! But what a lovely voice!
        xoxo

  • Michelle says:

    Have it. Get tons of compliments whenever I wear it!

    • Portia says:

      Hey Michelle,
      It smells very nice and great sillage. I bet it get loads of compliments, you probably wear it beautifully too.
      Portia xx

  • solanace says:

    Interesting. And the bottle looks posh indeed!

  • Tami.H. says:

    Absolutely LOVE him. Was just watching a video with him and my other absolute favorite Barbra.
    The scent sounds wonderful and the bottle is gorgeous.

    • Portia says:

      Hi there TamiH,
      He seems like a sweet guy. In one interview he is telling the host how poor he grew up and they were all singing along in the car one day and his voice just popped out, the whole family turned and looked at him with a What The…
      Hilarious.
      Portia xx