Pleasures Intense by Estée Lauder

I’ve had this for years and noticed that newer batches seem calmer than what I remember, yet it remains a full-on delightful feminine floral. I loved it so much I brought it from abroad because it’s unavailable here; it was a bit of a madness, but every euro was worth it.

I wanted to try it because I own the classic Pleasures, but I’d been put off by comments about its potency. Finally, I mustered the courage, and I must say it has nothing to do with its sister, which is fresh, green, and elegant; this one is more stately and spiced. There’s a note I don’t like, reminiscent of Swiss Army Ginger Lily. I imagined it would be the same but with more sillage, yet it’s very different. I’ll give it another chance, but I’m not sure if I’ll keep it. Edit: I can’t take it anymore, haha, I’m gifting it because it’s heavy and overwhelming. I don’t understand how people define it as a wonder; I wish I had their sense of smell.

A timeless floral… as beautiful as Pleasures but less fresh and brash. Unlike its brother (ideal for spring/summer), this is perfect all year round. As a signature scent, it’s ideal. You can tell the flower from the start, but they are delicate and sensual, nothing heavy. Although I like sweet scents, this is one of the florals I tolerate and would repeat. It doesn’t smell old-fashioned or dated; quite the opposite, it suits any age and leaves a velvet trail. Without a doubt, I recommend trying it because it’s a pleasure to wear.

It’s my personal garden: at first, it smells like those fuchsia flowers from the bottle, but after 20 minutes, it becomes a field of a thousand colours swaying in the wind. On my skin, it lasts for 8 hours, with a trail that’s quite invasive for the first two hours before settling to a moderate level. I recommend it 100%; after years of wearing it, it’s a flattering perfume with brutal performance and total pleasure, always in my collection.

It’s like wearing a secret garden on the neck: tall grass, ivy, and flowers such as tiare, jasmine, and lily. It doesn’t smell of petals, but of stems and pistils, intense and literary. I discovered it in Venice because of that fuchsia and it stayed with me.

Delicious, supremely floral but with a herbal touch. The first impression is walking into a florist: flowers, leaves, stems in water, weeds. The longevity is good, although I read it’s too intense as per its name; I don’t feel it that way. For me, it’s not so intense or overwhelming; from my perspective, it’s perfect. It’s not soft, but neither is it an unbearable bomb; it’s very well balanced. I love it.

If you like announcing your arrival from afar so everyone asks what perfume you’re wearing… this is yours. A scandalous and exquisite floral.

Too heavy! I couldn’t bear it for even a second. It was a huge mistake to buy it, and my biggest mistake… 🙁

Sensual, delicate, sweet, and very fresh. My husband gave it to me, and I loved it from the very first spritz. It’s very floral but nothing heavy.

A sharp and heavy floral that reminds me of Greenleaf sachets for wardrobes. And there might be more than one sachet that smells better.

Smells like a banquet, very intense and sweet-floral, perfect for romantic dates. In summer, only at night and with moderation. The fragrance clings terribly and lasts for hours.