Our take
What does Ça Sent Beau smell like?
In 1988 Kenzo launched the first perfume of the house. The bottle sets a single flower on a glass pebble, a naive image that works beautifully. The name states the goal plainly: a perfume that smells nice. Mandarin and bergamot open it, with a touch of patchouli that is unusual so early in a pyramid. The heart is a big white and fruity bouquet. Tuberose, orange blossom, gardenia and jasmine meet a creamy ylang-ylang. Peach smooths the edges while a hint of coriander keeps some air in it. Vetiver, amber and vanilla make a base warm enough to last the day. The generous white flowers place it clearly in the 1980s. Even so, the fruit keeps things fairly light. Next to Dior's Poison, released three years earlier, Ça Sent Beau seems almost shy. It is closer to a garden bouquet than a potion. Sources disagree on the perfumer, so we leave the name out.
When to wear it
A daytime floral for spring, good for weekends or holidays. One or two sprays will do, since the white flowers grow fast.
It belongs to the Floral, Fruity family. Ça Sent Beau is one of 17 creations by Kenzo in our encyclopedia.
