Le Parfum Intense Eau de Parfum by Elie Saab 2013

Hiya Posse. I’ve had this Le Parfum Intense (a flanker to the 2011 OG) bottle for ages, nearly a decade. I remember my first whiff of the original. On a mature woman, just back from buying it overseas. She was attending a trivia fundraiser I was hosting. As she walked into the room the scent hit me like a tonne of swoony bricks. I may have accosted her before she even got to her table.

Before going further, you’d think a flanker would have been DCd long ago but nope, still available on the discounters like FragranceNet (not affiliated)

Le Parfum Intense Eau de Parfum by Elie Saab 2013

Fragrantica gives these featured notes:
Top: Orange Blossom
Heart: Honey Ylang-Ylang Rose
Base: Amber Patchouli

Le Parfum Intense is in the same ballpark but ever so slightly more evening wear. Also created by Francis Kurkdjian. The opening is still a symphony of honeyed orange blossom, now with a low key banana peel addition. The heft and stabilizing base is still patchouli. So you’ll feel right at home.

What happens in the heart though is the addition of ylang and amber. It reads on me early as if you’re in a dream of tropical nights. You know, the fantasy they sell you on the ads. You’re 22, slathered in some shiny oil, weigh 10 stone and have a beefy, beautiful suit in board shorts beside you? Later there is a very interesting waft that’s like cold coffee grounds. Yeah, I know that sounds ghastly. It’s not. They are points of interest and add light and shade.

This definitely skews towards what we expect feminine fragrance to be. Doesn’t matter. If you like it, wear it. Projection and longevity are excellent. Will it change your life? No. Will you smell good? YES!

I’m a fan. Have you tried Le Parfum Intense?
Portia xx