Hey there Posse! It seems hard to believe that the La Perla Haute Perfumerie Fragrances Collection came out in 2021, in the heart of the pandemic. Right from the outset they have been stratospherically aspirationally priced. Here in Oz 120ml is AU$500. OH, um, so price/ml isn’t far off CHANEL Les Exclusifs. I’ll just stop my whingeing then shall I? TBH I’ve never really felt much affinity for the brand and their fragrances don’t feel outstanding enough for me that they should command such prices. Good but… The reason we’re talking this particular fragrance today is that I recently ordered some on sale soaps from Libertine Parfumerie here in Oz. They surprised me with three carded manufacturers samples. Mancera Roses Greedy, Amouage Jubilation XXV Man and La Perla Invisible Touch.
Annoyingly it came in a dab bottle so I decanted half to get the full spritz experience.
Invisible Touch by La Perla 2021
Featured accords include:
Top: Aldehydes, Pink Pepper, Bergamot
Heart: Violet, Ylang-Ylang, Paradisone, Rose
Base: Benzoin, Ambroxan, Palisander Rosewood, Patchouli
The most important part of course is how does it smell? The zing of sparkling, metallic, pink pepper and that creamy tropical florally of ylang open. It does have citrus but it smells like a citrus ice cream tastes. There are whispers of greenery, some suntan lotion and strangely, malt biscuits. It’s quite an interesting and entertaining start. Honestly, I was hopping this review was going to be a bit snarky but that opening is captivating.
Moving into the depths of the heart the rose is apparent. It’s a softly softly tea rose. Pretty and prim. It doesn’t really make much of a showing for me, more of a backup and of violet nothing. The base moves in.
Fairly standard modern designer privé amber/woodsy/something something something. It’s nice, smells good and will be non confrontational. There are moments of resinous rosewood that surface and then submerge, it’s a nice touch. Dry down is like a very deluxe lotion. I’m surprised sandalwood isn’t a note, it is very reminiscent.
Is Invisible Touch a groundbreaking, eye rollingly swoon worthy perfume that will change your life? If you’re new to the good stuff then yes. It seems nicely balanced to my untrained nose. I do like the way it has a real trajectory and maintains some interest. That opening is fun and a surprise. For most of us perfumistas though it will be a very pretty fragrance that is just a cut above L’Occitane and far less extravagant or original than we expect. Having said that, if you’ve spent your life buying all the super freaky scents and now want something wearable and easy to grab then this could be something to fit that niche. Of course, you also need to have the ready $$$$. It’s a lot of money for something so nice.
Ringing your bell?
Portia xx
It’s a big, fat NO from me. They’re welcome to set their prices how so ever they see fit. I’m not buying into that craziness. I feel the same about Chanel. Even the standard line is now ridiculously priced.
Yeah CassieFlower,
The world has gone crazy. They’re paying it though.
Portia xx
Huh. I think the bottle’s lovely, but if I had that dosh burning a hole in my pocket I’d probably buy some Guerlain. Or Amouage. ALSO I now have the Invisible Touch song by Genesis stuck in my head hahahaha thanks a lot!
I hate you SO much!
It’s now stuck in my head as well!
He he he, like kids Musette. So funny.
And now it’s in my head! Damn!
I have used Baby Shark as an outro for the recession at a Baby Naming today. It’s stuck fast in my head and won’t leave.
HA HA HA HA HA!! Sorry about it March. That song has been swirling around my head since getting the sample. One of the less life destroying ear worms, thank everything.
Portia xx
I’m afraid nothing that expensive speaks to me – I’m much too middle-class, I’m afraid!
Middle class is a very comfortable place to be MaggieCat, Lucky us eh?
Portia xx
IDK- I never really “got” La Perla. “Pretty and Prim” (and pretty pricey {for a pair of pettipants? Sorry, couldn’t resist a “Hairspray” ref}) was all I ever got from it. For the woman who wants expensive undies that aren’t really naughty.
But then I buy mine on sale at Banana Republic 12 at a time.
From the description of the scent I don’t really “get” or need this either.
oh, Tom. It’s allll in how you wear it. La Perla (of which I have several pieces) are not naughty… but they are verrrrry sensual.
They do make beautiful under clothes costumes Musette. Wispy armor.
Portia xx
Being boys is a LOT easier in the undies department Tom. Even the most OTT mens smalls are not a patch ion the lingerie market. I’m an Aussie Bum, Teamm8 and UniQlo undie wearer. Trunks. So comfy and supportive.
Yeah, you would eye roll and yawn at Invisible Touch.
Portia xx
I still have the old LaPerla bottles as well as back-ups, so I will stick with those. I have not bought a new bottle of perfume for over a year and have just been wearing perfumes from my own collection, which I could never live long enough to use them all up.
filomena813, you are an inspiration. More than 12 months without a bottle purchase is amazing.
Do you miss the thrill?
Portia xx
It’s really annoying that a high priced line is too cheap to send sprayer samples. Perfume pricing is really out of control. “Wearable and easy to grab” should cost two arms and legs.
Yes on all counts MMKinPA.
There are plenty of affordable choices for nice.
Portia xx
I was browsing online on Tuesday & found some of this line in the sale at Debenhams full bottles reduced from £254 to £89 & 8x12ml discovery set reduced from £219 to £153.
Obviously no one in the UK is willing to pay the RRP. At the sales price the discovery set is tempting as it’s actually 12 travel sizes
WOW Alityke! For £89 I’d be at the counter with my credit card ready to buy. It’s definitely nice enough at that price.
Portia xx
Portia
Debenhams is online only now. Took on many of Phillip Green’s empire. Now carries Obvious, Bastille, Memoize & a few like high end La Perla. When the sales are on 70% off isn’t unusual. Stock changes rapidly. You need a mule over here
WOW! I went and looked. Only 3 of the selection left and some refills.
Such bargains on so many things.
Glad I don’t have a mule Alityke.
No bells ringing here. The price is pretty outrageous for merely “nice.” But I really enjoyed reading your descriptive review. Thanks Portia!
Thanks DinaC,
Always good to see you pop up in comments,
Portia xx
No. Because that price point is insulting… for something that sounds pretty pedestrian.
For that kinda simoleans I want a perfume to be truly transportive. Otherwise??? I’ve got paint I’ve gotta buy..
And insulation.
So. Much. Insulation.
Yes, you’re right Musette.
We have been so spoiled by being part of the early era of perfume mania. It’s hard to get on board with merely nice for this kind of $$$$$.
Oh yeah, and insulation lasts SO MUCH LONGER!
Portia xx
I hear you on the insulation. Ye gods, the cost is head spinning.
It’s been a LONG time since I’ve had to bother. I bet it’s exorbitant.
Portia xx
I think I’m getting tired of pink pepper. I know lots of notes appear repeatedly but for some reason I find PP cliched. The perfume sounds pleasant but I think I’ll spend my money elsewhere.
So interesting Cinnamon,
We have had a run of pink pepper in the 21st century. It seemed to come from nowhere and stay.
Alityke notes they’re on sale in the UK for 89 pounds. For that I would be buying a bottle, or two.
Portia xx