Narciso by Narciso Rodriguez

Pure luxury. I’ve worn it for years and it’s bizarre that you can hardly find it in stores. I admire the quality of the scent and the flawless architecture of its bottle; a good perfume doesn’t need to be loud, just elegant and subtle. It has excellent longevity, with a harmonious trail that leaves a mark without being overpowering. I love that soapy persistence that transports me to a glamorous dressing room from the golden years: the 30s, 40s, 50s… with women in silk and satin.

Talc. Soft, fresh talc. Beyond that, I was expecting a marked gardenia that didn’t arrive; I only found a withered rose that reminds me of vintage perfumes and doesn’t quite take my fancy. If there wasn’t gardenia, at least I expected a creamy rose, but it was disappointing. The bottle, however, is beautiful and elegant.

That has been and is the best of Narciso Rodríguez, a pity it’s discontinued, a true gem of perfumery.

The noblest Narciso there is. To my nose, it’s comfortably unisex. It has a delicious powdery aura but also an earthy quality from a super-present and distinguished cedar. An elegant perfume that I adore, good projection and good longevity.

I bought it recently and how beautiful it is, how refined. Enveloping and elegant. I love it.

Hello, I bought it for its reputation and the scent is exquisite, but it needs frequent reapplication. It sits close to the skin and on clothes, with a very faint trail; other perfumes last all day on my skin, but this one doesn’t. The price is high for its performance. It doesn’t resemble White Rose Agua Fresca (that one is long-lasting, fresh, and affordable), nor Eau de Rochas (that is a long-lasting EDT), nor anything from Guerlain at a similar price point. I liked it, but I’ll see how it fares in spring and summer.

Powdery, musky, and sophisticated, with a masculine vibe. It is woody and floral, though my nose doesn’t detect the rose to full effect. It seems extremely elegant, with a vintage feel, timeless like perfumes of yesteryear. I wore it in Canada in cold weather, especially on fresh mornings; it stands out in winter. The longevity is moderate with a delightful projection. Although it’s not my favourite, I think it will captivate several people for its class and formality. Try it.

It smells divine, like an expensive talc with a base of gardenias. It lasts a very long time on my skin; the musk of Narciso Rouge is the only one that smells good on my skin. I receive many compliments with this perfume, especially from women.

Brutal perfume. The gardenias just won’t stop coming out and the longevity is a beast. I’m taking it to my entire relationship with the narcissist, what a coincidence (perfumes are the circumstances we live through)

Mother of the Lord, what a perfume bomb. This is where my love for the Narciso Rodríguez house was born; they’ve released things I like more and others less, but I still haven’t found anything I don’t like. With just a couple of sprays, the longevity and trail are fearsome, you have to apply it cautiously. It reminds me of a modern version of the great classics from the 80s and early 90s that my mother used, nothing for timid natures. That’s why sometimes they say it suits mature women with a classic style better. The scent is dry gardenia and cedar, with a green touch at the beginning. After a while, the white musk emerges and softens it. It sounds simple and harmless, but it’s almost narcotic from start to finish. Normally I hate reviews that say “you’ll be showered with compliments”, but this perfume brought compliments from strangers and is almost a magnet for both good and bad. The witch’s draught I’ve used the most ever.

A monster of a perfume. I tried it on Saturday at a perfumerie and a single spritz on my wrist kept me going all afternoon and evening; they rarely last like that, so I couldn’t believe it. The longevity and sillage are brutal; I can smell it with every movement, lasting for hours on end. Still on the dry-down, three days later, it smells perfect. Initially, there was plenty of gardenia and white florals; as I read, it’s the white rose. It’s a lovely perfume for an elegant, sophisticated, polished woman. It evokes cleanliness and class. It’s very pleasant, but in summer it might be too heavy; it’s for the colder months. It wears well on its own, but I imagine it on a well-made-up woman without excess, dressed in neutral tones like the bottle, which conveys exactly what it is. Too sophisticated for me; I’m more natural and casual, which is why I choose the Narciso Rodríguez For Her EDP, which I find more versatile and feels more like me. But this Narciso is a head-to-toe powerhouse. So much class, so much style. It’s not for everyone, but if it’s right for you, it’s perfect as a signature scent; it has a brutal memory effect. Careful not to overapply. A flawless creation, yes sir. Edit: I tried it again today. Oh my… I like it. This time I went with an open mind and felt its minimalist, clean, tender side. I’m fascinated. I use For Her EDP but it falls short on longevity; in contrast, Narciso is felt with every movement and is addictive. I tried Poudrée and no, I’m sticking with this. I’ll probably make it mine and take it to my heart. I’m in love. I sprayed on my arm at 2pm and at 10pm it was still lingering, clinging to the skin, yet there was that addictive scent. Eight hours had passed!! To give you an idea, For Her lasts 3-4 hours for me. But with this Narciso, the longevity is incredible. Some say it doesn’t last and that For Her lasts longer… the mysteries of chemistry. It’s also worth noting that the EDP isn’t as mass-produced or cloned as the For Her. It’s so well-made with quality ingredients that clones shouldn’t even cast a shadow.

I came looking for the earthy note of Magnifique, one of the perfumes we used with my sisters in secondary school. It was the same year of launch, one of the first I bought with my own money. I bought the 50ml Narciso, and after smelling the box and my wrist in the following hours, the next day I swapped it for the 100ml. It’s a potent white floral, between talcum-powdery and earthy, with a supreme woody base. It’s a beast! I sense more of a bergamot vibe than rose… In any case, perhaps the jasmine and gardenia show their sparkling, citrusy side; here the flowers aren’t carnal or indolic, they’re clean but not tranquil, they shout their polished, well-planted presence! It’s a warm cloud of velvet. Unlike others where the talcum note is cold, here it’s more comforting. On the dry-down, the woods predominate and it becomes more earthy, with a slight warm amber touch. It’s not the classic vanilla-woody-citrus finish; it’s a cedar and vetiver earthiness, clean and non-green. I don’t remember how long it lasts because I haven’t used it in a while… I can say it projects very well, even when it fades in intensity towards its final sighs on the skin. I’ve had it for 6 years and I think the bottle level dropped more from gifting or exchanging decants than from my own use… It’s very neat, elegant, for special or formal occasions. Or, of course, for treating yourself on an ordinary day. It could be a signature scent because if someone wore it every day, you’d never forget its aroma… Note 1: The EDT seems more suitable for daily wear; it’s less potent, warmer-woodier, and easier to smell than the EDP (which tends to generate love or hate). I haven’t got a bottle of the EDT yet. Note 2: Poudrée is much sweeter and more ‘pink floral’ for me than this Narciso EDP. Note 3: Once I mixed the Narciso EDP with Natura’s This Flower. They had launched Rouge and I thought I’d try that combination while waiting for it to arrive in my city (it hasn’t arrived yet…). I loved how it turned out. Later I tried Rouge several times and still don’t understand it. I still think I need to give it another chance, because the family is so good up to here… I hope the new Rouge EDT and Narciso Ambrée are as glorious as the previous saga.

I’m a man and I wear it; the fragrance is enveloping and even at times a bit dense, BUT it’s special.

Elegant and feminine aroma, long-lasting and of very good quality; I like to use it in autumn, on the first cold days. Highly recommended.

Very similar in my opinion to Poudrée; I think if you have one you don’t need the other, given that on my skin I don’t see much difference.