Our take
What does Parisienne smell like?
Yves Saint Laurent released Parisienne in 2009. Sophia Grojsman is credited, with Sophie Labbé named as co-author by some sources. Grojsman's hand is easy to spot. She made Lancôme's Trésor, and here again you get a round, fruity rose that takes up space. Cranberry and blackberry open it, two tart berries that stain the rose a dark red. Violet brings a powdery, make-up bag effect, and peony lightens things slightly. The base is drier than you'd expect. Patchouli and vetiver give it an almost chypre frame, softened by sandalwood and musk. On skin the rose keeps its dark-fruit edge for hours. The lipstick feel is deliberate, a bit retro and anything but discreet. It seems no longer in distribution, though that has not been confirmed.
When to wear it
Autumn and spring, daytime or a date. One spray, two at most, because it carries far.
It belongs to the Floral, Woody, Musky family. Parisienne is one of 47 creations by Yves Saint Laurent in our encyclopedia.
