Absolu

I have an extra bottle of this perfume available for purchase. To be honest, it doesn't quite resonate with my senses. While I appreciate each individual note, the overall blend just isn't clicking with me 😐

When I first spritzed Absolu on my wrist, I took a close sniff and then stepped back to see if I could detect any distinct notes. Unfortunately, it came across as rather unimpressive. However, after applying it to my décolletage later in the day, I had a completely different experience. The scent suddenly transformed into something sultry and seductive - still not overly exciting, but it was dark, sweet, and nutty in a way that was truly delightful. In fact, it's perfect. I'm a big fan of Jacques Cavallier's work, particularly his approach to creating perfumes for women. On paper, they often seem unusual or even off-putting (which is why they don't always sell), but when worn, they're surprisingly deep and alluring. They require skin contact to truly develop their unique character. In my opinion, Cavallier is one of the most talented contemporary perfumers out there - sometimes he's a genius (as evidenced by scents like Kingdom, Nu, and M7), while other times his creations may be more straightforward but still well-crafted. Interestingly, my boyfriend only reacts positively to Habanita and perfumes created by Jacques Cavallier.

Rochas Absolu strikes me as an underappreciated gem. I haven't had the opportunity to experience Ormonde Jayne Tolu yet, but if its aroma is comparable to RA, I'm confident I would adore it. Why invest in a pricier option when Rochas offers a remarkably similar scent at a fraction of the cost? This Tolu/resinous fragrance at an affordable price is truly terrific. Its longevity may not be exceptional, but for the price and my personal enjoyment, I'll continue to reapply liberally. It's particularly lovely during Autumn.

Rochas “Absolu” exudes its elegance on me - a truly YMMV fragrance that undergoes significant transformations, not only across different skin types but also within the same individual at various ages. As time has passed, the sweet, vanillic/tolu balsam facets have taken center stage, rendering it an orange blossom, tolu balsam, powder confluence on my skin. Richly beautiful and soft, yet with a sumptuous elegance, this perfume whispers comfort in my ears. Interestingly, it bears striking similarities to Ormonde Jayne’s Tolu, which I find so uncanny that even without side-by-side comparison, I wouldn't rule out the possibility of mistaking one for the other - although I recall Tolu being slightly drier and more resinous.

A comforting haven, wrapped in warm and soft warmth, that gently nestles against you with its resinous soothing quality and subtly teases you with a moderate, natural freshness reminiscent of kumquat. I'm enamored with it, and even my partner, who's not typically fond of perfume, endures it without complaint. This fragrance doesn't overwhelm and cleverly maintains a sense of allure around the wearer. The progression is straightforward and uncomplicated - what you see is what you get. Unfortunately, this gem has been discontinued.