Givenchy Very Irresistible Collection Review
Givenchy Very Irrésistible Collection Review
Every perfume house has their flagship fragrance – a fragrance that represents the spirit of the brand and acts as an iconic introduction to the plethora of scented offerings that each house has. For Guerlain it is the romantic orientalism (and roaring jazz-age flapper girl-ism) of Shalimar and for Thierry Mugler it’s the 10ft couture-clad glamazon of Angel. Even Chanel have their classic N°5 to represent the most high-class of fashion houses.
For iconic French fashion brand Givenchy, the thoroughly modern roses of Very Irrésistible has taken the position of flagship fragrance over recent years, surpassing more classic perfumes such as L’Interdit (fit for the likes of screen queen Audrey Hepburn) and even more recent greats such as the Grecian Organza. It appears that the youthful vibrancy of Givenchy’s Very Irrésistible is what speaks to the modern consumer of today and the brand has a wide range of interpretations of this popular signature for one to choose from.
In this review I’ll be taking a look at a number of the perfumes in the Very Irrésistible collection, ranging from the original Eau de Toilette and more edible Eau de Parfum to the intense and L’Eau en Rose versions, both of which present different takes on Givenchy’s modern muse. So whether it is the lighter or more intense rose that you find ‘Very Irrésistible’, you’ll find the Givenchy for you below.
Very Irrésistible Eau de Toilette and Eau de Parfum
Very Irrésistible originally launched as an Eau de Toilette in 2003 and was created by the dream team of perfumers that is Dominique Ropion (Thierry Mugler’s Alien & Calvin Klein’s Euphoria), Sophie Labbe (Bvlgari’s Jasmin Noir & Givenchy Organza) and Carlo sBenaim (Oscar De La Renta’s Live in Love and DIOR’s Pure Poison). Aiming to present a new take on the humble rose fragrance, this most modern Givenchy fragrance places nature’s reddest flower in a fresh and fruity setting with a touch of something slightly gourmand.
Smelling Very Irrésistible Eau de Toilette one finds a fun blend of lemon, berries and flowers. The sweetness of peony and rose are subdued by woods and musk to give the impression of soft and supple florals. But the interesting twist lies in the addition of liquorice (or star anise) that provides a subtle layer of darkness, giving the roses a slightly bitter edge and ensuring that Very Irrésistible isn’t just your typical blend of fruits and flowers.
The Eau de Parfum takes the joyful spirit of Very Irrésistible and folds in a heaped spoonful of vanilla to make for a much more sensual and oriental affair. Vanilla can be tricky in perfume, often thickening a perfume’s feel or even taking it into cloying, indigestible territory. For Very Irrésistible Eau de Parfum, the balance is on the safer side, ensuring that this undeniably gourmand note simply adds a velvety richness that makes the fragrance much more ‘Irrésistible’ than the lighter Eau de Toilette.
The intense version of Very Irrésistible is billed as a more voluptuous take on the fragrance’s signature and rather than boasting roses in delicate pink hues, as the original does, L’Intense pulls out all the stops to become an altogether more purple affair. Think of it as a further extension of the orientalism of the Eau de Parfum and you’re on the right track.
Very Irrésistible L’Intense starts out crisp, fresh and rosy in true Very Irrésistible style. With time however, it starts to unravel in a decadent dance of tart berries and luscious plum. The rose is more intense too and it feels altogether more vibrant and even a little bit darker as it meets the cherried facets of marzipan and the fizzy quality of patchouli. As with the original, this more intense version feels wrapped in a veil of silky musk that allows for a good sense of diffusion and a good deal of intense ‘oomph’. They should change the byline for this one to; “Givenchy Very Irrésistible L’Intense – it does what it says on the tin!”
Very Irrésistible L’Eau en Rose
L’Eau en Rose is the latest edition the Very Irrésistible collection and it is most definitely the rosiest of the bunch! Rose perfumes rarely smell like roses on the bush, due to the fact that rose oils and absolutes are so complex and display a wide variety of facets ranging from sweet jammy nuances to vibes of fresh earth and spicy clove. This rose however, nicely captures roses in nature, evoking the sweet, crisp and slightly green odour of freshly plucked rose buds.
There’s a touch of fruitiness tucked amongst the rose petals here, with hints of soft blackberries carried into the air by wisps of delicately wafting musk. As L’Eau en Rose’s scented petals unfurl, the fragrance becomes a tad more gourmand and begins to display a delicious dollop of rose and raspberry jam that would almost be macaron-esque if it weren’t dealt with in such a subtle manner.
L’Eau en Rose would be my personal pick of the Very Irrésistible franchise. Its simplicity and slight of hand is what makes it so attractive, ensuring that unlike many fruity florals, it doesn’t fall into the extreme traps of being sickly sweet or overly thin. In short, L’Eau en Rose creates a nice balance whilst remaining true to the bright and bubbly spirit of Givenchy’s flagship fragrance.
Competition Time!
Now closed – congratulations to our winner, Emma!
We have the whole Givenchy Very Irresistible fragrance collection to give away to one very lucky winner, which includes@
1 x Givenchy Very Irresistible Eau de Toilette 50ml
1 x Givenchy Very Irresistible Eau de Parfum 50ml
1 x Givenchy Very Irresistible L’Intense Eau de Parfum 50ml
1 x Givenchy Very Irresistible L’Eau En Rose Eau de Toilette 50ml
To win, simply tell us in the comments below which of the four fragrance personalities above suits you the best. Ends 6th April. UK only.
No purchase necessary. A purchase will not improve your chances of winning. Contest begins 27th March 2014 and ends 6th April 2014. Winners will be selected in a random drawing on or about 7th April 2014. One prize winner will receive the items stated above. Prizes must be accepted as awarded; not redeemable in cash or credit. UK Only.
