Thé Yulong by Giorgio Armani

I’ve been searching for the perfect tea perfume for ages, and without a doubt, this is the best. You might think it wouldn’t last given the notes, but it does. It’s so cosy and elegant that it makes you feel luxurious and comfortable at the same time. A bit pricey, but since it’s from the Armani Privé line, it’s understandable. I also bought the discovery set, which is a brilliant way to dip into the collection without regrets.

The opening smells like a tea infusion with a hint of herbal lemon balm. As it settles, it smells like clean, soapy tea. The projection is very low (at least on my skin), which is a pity because so much softness doesn’t justify the price. It’s often compared to Bvlgari’s Green Tea; it gives it a certain air, but Armani’s is more rounded, without harsh edges, everything very well assembled. In the end, it seems like a hint of iris with some woody notes. -After several days: ABSOLUTE DISAPPOINTMENT!!! It lasts like a shower gel. Good heavens, what a steal! Advice: test it on your skin before buying to see if it performs better than on mine.

A wet, fine tea, with a white floral touch and a hint of lemon at the start. Everything is very compact, like a drinkable aura. Balanced. An infusion with body, rich in broth and low on water, slightly sweet and warm. Less cold and less ‘aromatic’ than other teas, more calming with a nostalgic touch. Barely citrusy on my skin and quite creamy. Oriented towards the feminine side and Western classicism. I’d imagine Kate Middleton smelling of this during afternoon tea, but not in a Japanese style, nor Camilla or Queen Elizabeth II. The performance is mediocre, leaning towards poor, as is usual with this line. It’s pretty and elegant, but it’s not for me. I’m not much of a tea drinker… but I’d drink it if I applied it. I wonder if for tea lovers it’s sacrilege to add sugar, just as it is for us heavy coffee drinkers. This is super gourmand. This literally makes you thirsty for tea and helps me understand the incorporation of jasmine in some others. This Thé Yulong… I almost see it as too realistic to be a perfume (and I don’t want to smell like anything that makes you want to drink it, except that wonderful Cutty with Sprite in a ball from Dior Homme 2005). But obviously, this is a fine gourmand tea… not a watered-down Nestea or a New York-style Snapple loaded with sugar that could twist your guts. Taking the votes comparing it to the legendary green tea perfumed water for granted (I haven’t tried the rest)… I prefer Bvlgari. It’s more abstract, with tea as the backbone but less direct, with cool nuances, like that little Jovi plasticine touch and a soapy air. It results in being colder, less sweet and obviously less ceremonial. I’d recommend it to tea lovers and fans of discreet perfumes, for good weather and daytime.

Yulong is one of the best tea fragrances I’ve tried. Top quality, with a strong hit of green and black tea, an explosive opening of citrus and soft spices. It stays green, with floral touches, a soapy/woody base and sometimes musky. It smells relaxing, clean and even revitalising. You can tell the quality; it reminds me of Floraiku or Nishane’s Wulong Cha, which I prefer for performance and nuances. Its price makes it less attractive unless you love this type of perfume and value the quality. I think women will like it more, although it’s unisex and ideal for heat. I like it, I’d buy it, but I prefer other options. Rating: 8.5/10