Eau d’Ikar by Sisley

Smells like Loewe Clásica but with a much more citrusy opening and less floral. A good option with an original scent.

I already had a review from 2013 that got deleted, so I’m writing it again because perception changes with new olfactory experiences. Eau d’Ikar has great quality; it is green and earthy in the opening, very natural. Soon you feel a slight sweetness, I believe from iris and jasmine, with a woody touch. Totally different from current trends; for me, it is very elegant. Undoubtedly, it has great quality. It is already discontinued in Mexico, fortunately I have my refill. Best regards.

I was keen to try it and it is not for beginners nor for those who love Invictus or Sauvage. It is expensive compared to designer brands and requires a trained nose. That said: unusual, yes, but it does not smell bad. I have never smelled anything like it; it is very original. Opens citrusy, green, and luminous, with almost rancid bitter orange. In Argentina there is a wild plant called fennel (similar to anise) and the dry down smells like that. It lasts a long time, feels almost niche. Do not buy blindly.

Opens with very intense carrot seeds, which I confuse with a pure green, earthy narcissus. They join with citrus notes like sun-dried peels, very pleasant. Soon, a powdery touch appears from the iris and the mastic resin of the mastic tree from the start. After five minutes, the citrus intensifies towards bitter orange, adding predominant woods and spicy notes. At fifteen minutes, the powdery aspect rises with the woody mastic tree, pine, and incense, with a sweetness that blends with vetiver and sandalwood, accented by amber; I don’t notice the jasmine, it must be very well blended. A woody, dry, powdery floral fragrance with slight spicy touches and subtle green notes. Very discreet and adult; it doesn’t refresh in heat but is spring or autumnal, ideal for mornings and afternoons. In summary: dried citrus peels, woods, lots of iris and resins, the mastic tree fuses with the iris. Very good perfume, different. Woody-powdery-spicy.

Citrus and herbal opening, slightly chaotic. A few minutes later, an alcoholic and green brew settles, soft, and something enters that seems like grapevine or fig leaf. It does not last long but the dry down is spectacular. In the dry down it smells like a gentleman over 40 in summer on a Greek coast, not a crowded one like Puerto Banús, but like Lampedusa or a tiny island, with a linen shirt and straw hat, but deep down that gentleman has plenty of money and class.

At first I thought what a good thing, then I smelled a bit of radiation, then it leaves a singular scent. It smells like a type with personality, like grass fallen inside an electrical appliance that caused a burnt cable. I would definitely not buy it. I prefer to have less personality and smell better.

Eau d’Ikar is a beauty, a proper stinker with its own personality. There is no other that smells the same and it is for men with character. It’s not for teenagers or for pleasing everyone, but for a man who knows what he wants and arrives saying, ‘this is who I am.’ The opening is delicious with bergamot, lemon, and mastic, reminiscent of Eau Sauvage but with that earthy touch of the mastic tree. The middle notes bring the mastic tree, a delicious and natural iris, earthy carrot seeds, and vetiver. An hour later, the soapy dry-down of the mastic tree, iris, vetiver, and sandalwood makes it feel very natural and of good quality. It is expensive, a work of art, nothing synthetic. The sillage reaches two metres for the first hour and then fades to the skin, lasting about six hours on me. It is manly and denotes class. It reminds me of Infusion d’Iris by Prada; both play with the mastic tree and iris. I invite you to smell it and enjoy it.

To start, Eau d’Ikar isn’t my style, but I recognise that when a classic, masculine scent is well-made, it has merit. The opening is a slap of bitter, rough greenery that softens in seconds with citrus, creating an exquisite citrus-green accord. Then come the discreet flowers, sweetening everything with an elegant soapy tone that complements that initial green. In the dry-down, it leaves a generic, warm, woody scent, like a seventies barbershop. The performance is low for the price, with moderate longevity and projection, staying almost glued to the skin from the start. It’s for spring mornings or temperate summers, or an autumn walk in the cold. Despite not liking it, it smells of quality. It’s sober and distinguished, but given the price and low longevity, I’d only recommend it after trying it.

Let it be known that this is one of the most peculiar scents I’ve heard. The opening is citrus with an earthy, metallic touch from the lentisk. After 30-40 minutes, it mutates almost completely, feeling herbal and floral yet retaining that bitter citrus. An hour later, iris dominates, creamier and less sweet than Dior Homme, a sensation that lasts until the end with woody notes. It’s very different from designer perfumes; its notes feel organic and it’s not linear; the scent changes considerably throughout its life. I’ve heard other Sisley perfumes for women before, fantastic and unconventional; I think the house has tackled this subject with discernment. The only weak point is the projection: after about three hours, it fades and stays glued to the skin, though those close by notice it. One point for Sisley.

To begin with, it’s a citrus-woody toilet water with Mediterranean character and a wise blend of citrus, flowers, and woods. I’ve worn it for several years and have always liked the very natural citrus touch, enhanced by a radiant iris. On my skin, that flower stands out, reinforced by carrot seeds. The essences are natural and noticeable by the depth of the notes. It’s not for a young lad; it’s for a mature man with a semi-formal style. It suits day outings and walks with family and friends perfectly. Pure Mediterranean nature.

I can barely smell anything, I can’t say anything more :P.

Eau d’Icar opens with citrus and freshness, featuring an original touch of mastic that gives it an earthy bitterness, setting it apart from other fresh openings. Then the green notes clash with the synthetic heart, creating an imbalance that smells like cheap soap or cleaner, ruining the iris and jasmine. The woody and balsamic dry-down is sweetened with amber, vetiver, and sandalwood, but leaves me indifferent due to being too simple. Moderate longevity and weak sillage: it works well at first, but after half an hour it drops significantly and clings to the skin. Not bad for the opening, but little more. Rating: 4.

A scent with a bitter, slightly rough edge. Green, citrusy, and earthy; I agree with Shiseido Tactics ‘Tosca’, it describes it best. Absolutely different and not fresh at all… it reminds me in its mid-phase of a bitter herb very common in southern Chile, with a vegetal stem note. It’s a special perfume, full of nuances and not for everyone. Quality of ingredients is perceptible in every phase. I recommend trying it and giving it a chance… never for a blind buy, it’s too rough, green, and earthy. Medium trail and equal longevity. It’s absolutely for daytime.

I was eager to try this perfume; Sisley is one of my favourite clothing brands. I finally tried the perfume today, and the citrus notes are present but with a dry aroma, presumably due to the vetiver. It’s certainly a different scent from what I’ve tried; it’s not my taste, but I don’t want to say I dislike it. I think it depends on each person.

I didn’t know this French brand until a friend recommended it. I bought it to match a refund. The similarity to Ulric de Varens UDV caught my eye, even in the bottle. It’s green, very much like Ulric but far more concentrated. The citrus note is strong, yet the greens fight them tooth and nail without either winning. Ideal for spring (or mild summers). Very good; it reminds me of those rough men’s perfumes from the 70s.