Star rating: 5 stars–outstanding/potential classic, 4 stars–very good, 3 stars–adequate, 2 stars–disappointing, 1 star–poor.
Another flanker, another fruity floral…. Initially, there seemed to be little reason for me to review Givenchy Ange ou Démon Le Secret, a 2009 sequel to the original Ange ou Démon. Yet as I was smelling it over and over again in the street and in the office, it struck me as a nicely crafted soft floral accord, where the tart fruity notes fizzle like champagne bubbles in a Mimosa cocktail. It is approachable, likable and pretty.
To be sure, Ange ou Démon Le Secret is as commercial as a floral can get. Fruity notes — check. Watery floral accord — check. White musk and soft woods base — check. It is like a Hollywood romantic comedy where you know from the outset that the boy will get the girl and everything will be sunshine and happiness thereafter. However, despite the ubiquity of its genre, Ange ou Démon Le Secret is very well executed. For a reasonably priced fruity jasmine with just a hint of coquettish sensuality, it is hard to beat.
Created by perfumer Bernard Ellena, Ange ou Démon Le Secret is a fresh jasmine tea idea that is made luscious and bubbly by a tart rhubarb-berry accord. Initially, it is strongly reminiscent of Miss Dior Chérie, with the same accents on tart fruit in the top notes and woody patchouli in the base. However, like another nice example from this genre, Badgley Mischka, Ange ou Démon Le Secret is less sugary and jejune. It dries down to a soft musky jasmine, framed by sheer woods and patchouli. Its sillage is pleasant and vivid, without a rasping persistence that ruins many radiant modern florals. A good fragrance for those who want something contemporary and simple.
Givenchy Ange ou Démon Le Secret includes notes of lemon, green tea, cranberries, jasmine, peony, water flowers, patchouli, blonde woods, and white musk. Available from Sephora and other major retailers. 1oz, $53; 1.7oz, $75.
Sample: my own acquisition
14 Comments
Suzanna: I could never get my nose around the original Ange ou Demon, but “contemporary and simple” has a place in my fragrance wardrobe. There are times when I cannot tolerate much scent. Water flowers and green tea sounds easy enough that Le Secret may be worth seeking out.
“Rasping persistence..” yes, this is what ruins certain modern florals. They are simply too much, too synthetic, incapable of being washed off, not fading off the skin but adhering to it like a waterproof bandage. July 8, 2011 at 7:45am
maggiecat: I may have to give this a try. I love tea/jasmine scents. The original was a miss, but a near-miss for me, so it might be worthwhile checking this out. Thanks for the review! July 8, 2011 at 10:44am
Tamara*J: My 15 yr.old daughter Sophia wears this happily-she loves the green tea- like notes and it does smell like how a young woman should-zesty and sweet. I introduce to my girls to all kinds of perfumes and sometimes it’s really nice that they don’t like the stuff I wear and vice -versa. With four of them it means I don’t have to share! lol 😉 July 8, 2011 at 1:28pm
Victoria: Same for me, the original was a miss, but this one is actually quite a different perfume. Commercial, yes, but nicely done. July 8, 2011 at 12:17pm
Victoria: Fruity florals are so popular, and I admit that I often just ignore many big launches, especially in this category. Yet, sometimes it is just fun to find a fragrance that is not demanding and pretty. Plus, it can be found so reasonably priced online. July 8, 2011 at 12:20pm
Lynn Morgan: I am a big fan of Organza, and of course L’Interdit, but as far as I am concerned none of the other Givenchy scents live up to the ravishing elegance of the clothing, especially the vintage pieces that were actually designed by Givenchy himself. Why do designers who create sublime art with their fashions slap their nemes on plebiean perfumes? July 8, 2011 at 8:54pm
Vanessa: Well, like you guys, I didn’t care for the original Ange ou Demon and as a result have more or less tuned out to this flanker. I will check it out now for sure – even the small duty free on the cross channel ferry (my main perfume outlet this summer) is likely to have it I would think! July 10, 2011 at 2:32pm
Victoria: Worth sampling, if you like fruity jasmines. I have been wearing it time to time, mostly whenever it figures as a benchmark comparison for something. So, it grew on me.
Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile July 10, 2011 at 3:22pm
Victoria: I can understand that! I remember days when I myself loved to pillage my mother’s vanity table. July 11, 2011 at 10:44am
Victoria: Money is probably the only plausible answer to this. So many simply do not care, as long as the fragrance brings revenues. July 11, 2011 at 10:45am
Levia: Hi Victoria, I love your blog! I am from Italy, I always read your reviews to understand perfumes more and get inspired. Someone gave me a tiny 15ml of this perfume, but honestly I find it so dull and and weak for and Edp, I feel there’s not much personality to it. I thought you would give it a worse review 🙂 Your opinion never ceases to surprise me, as I noticed you don’t like much the Armani Privé Line, a shame you are not crazy about the Cuir Amethyste (my favourite amongst these). Thanks for your amazing nose! PS: I would love to read your opinion on Guerlain’s Shalimar Souffle de parfum! June 29, 2016 at 2:20pm
Victoria: Thank you for a reminder, Levia. I have been planning to review Shalimar Souffle de Parfum for ages. I liked it very much! June 30, 2016 at 3:42am
Levia: I love it too! 🙂
Also I am very curious about the new Alexander Mc Queen. Have you got your hands on it yet? :* July 1, 2016 at 7:35am
Victoria: Not yet! July 1, 2016 at 12:01pm