Elie Saab Le Parfum




For the longest time, Elie Saab Le Parfum was invisible to me in the ever-burgeoning clutter of self-named designer perfumes. I have my YouTube fumies to thank for the discovery of this kitten-in-springtime delight. After repeated requests to review it, I dutifully trudged to Elie Saab's spot at the perfume counter, and wearily took a sniff.

Blah turned to "ah!" as the parade float of orange blossom, jasmine and honey sailed past my nose. Francis Kurkdjian is the fellow behind Le Parfum, and it shares a kinship with his Narciso Rodriquez For Her. It's brighter, less musky, more floral than For Her, but they both croon with the same velvet tone.

Le Parfum possesses a real lilt, with a lot of space in the smell for happy little birds, bees and gamboling Bambis.

Le Parfum is available from Amazon.com and FragranceX.com.

23 comments:

  1. The way you describe the fragrances that fall apart after 20 minutes reminds me of "Mission Impossible," from the 60s, and how their messages would always self-destruct.

    Maybe you should include this one on a Christmas gift list suggestion? 'Cause I'm hoping you do that again this year.

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    1. Nora, don't think I'll manage an Xmas gift doohickey this year...

      I like the idea of spy smell messages.

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    2. Word. I'll just pretend you did and that you included Lou Lou and Elie Saab. Love you, Katie!

      --Nora

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  2. Thanks for posting this review! ES Le Parfum is in my top 3 list!

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  3. I notice that you have a picture of the edt. Which is a good thing. The original Le Parfum (which is still sold) is an edp. I couldn't wear it. It didn't exactly fall apart when I tried it, but it was too sharp for me. I liked the edt better.

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    1. Hi M61 - Yes, it's the EDT I'm reviewing - should have been more clear. Your feedback comparing the 2 versions is most welcome. It's been a while since I tried the EDP.

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  4. It's strange, because everything you say is very positive about this perfume, but somehow the review comes across as negative- as if between the lines you are really describing it as a bit twee and over-eager to please.

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    1. Have you seen Katie's reviews before? Because if she thought it was "a bit twee and over-eager to please," she'd say so.

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    2. I have watched Katie's videos and read her reviews before, though I haven't studied them formally (though I would actually like to do a ph.d. in perfume critical theory, and include study of Katie Puckrik's internet content within my thesis). However, when she describes in summation a perfume as (and I am condensing, somewhat here, and also somewhat omitting, admittedly) 'a pretty little thing, like springtime and kittens, ruffles and ribbons, with bambis a-dancin, and twilight romancin', I think it is fair to ask whether what she is describing isn't maybe a little bit kitsch?

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    3. Anonymous, admittedly my description of Le Parfum might be seen as a kitsch putsch, but I'm not being insincere - I really do find it pleasing and well-made in its ruffly, kitteny genre.

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  5. Katie, did you sample the EDT or the EDP? I've tried the EDP and it was ok, but I'm curious how the EDT compares.

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    1. It's the EDT I'm sampling here. I've not done a recent side by side with the EDP, but check out Melisand61's take, above.

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  6. Katie, your timing for me is perfect. I have been sampling the EDP and enjoying it, but I think I will stroll by the mall tomorrow for a sniff of the EDT. THis may be my next full bottle as I'm liking the kittens and ruffles thingy.

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  7. Good review. You tell it how it is.

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  8. I have a 30ml decant of this, and no clue which version it is - it dates from the summer of the launch, so am thinking it is probably the EDP?

    In which case I have yet to try the EDT! (But imagine I would also probably prefer it.)

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  9. You can't go wrong with Francis Kurkdjian. Good review.

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  10. thanks for shares and review.

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  11. How do you like it compared to Aqua Allegoria Flora Nymphea -- Kris

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    1. Kris, I just sprayed on Flora Nymphea to give it a think. Flora Nymphea is sharper, grassier, greener than the muskier, more velvety Elie Saab. Elie Saab is more "eager to please", as someone phrased it above, a little more obvious. Personally, I prefer Flora Nymphea.

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    2. Thanks for the review -- Kris

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  12. In the subject of designers perfumes, a sale lady sprayed some Roberto Cavalli perfume on my hand as I was leaving the mall,didn't hear what she was saying, when I reached home the perfume developed to some great leathery incense smell which is not common for dep. store fragrance. I tryied to find out the notes of this perfume but it didn't match what I smelled, 2 days later I found out that what I tried was the new oud edition of this brand , although I didn't get the oud directly but there was the depth & the leathary aspect of oud, I liked it.Hessa

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    1. Hessa, that's my favorite application of oud in a perfume, I've realized: a smidge in the mix to add a bit of savory thickness.

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