Star rating: 5 stars–outstanding/potential classic, 4 stars–very good, 3 stars–adequate, 2 stars–disappointing, 1 star–poor.
While Givenchy Very Irrésistible for women turned into something quite sharp on my skin, the masculine version held an altogether different experience. Created by Pierre Wargnye, the fragrance has recently been released, featuring a beautiful bottle that fades from black to emerald green. Notes: grapefruit, star anise, mint; mocha, sesame seed; Virginia cedarwood, hazelnut wood.
The first impression is of grapefruit and mint leaves dusted with a bit of confectioner’s sugar, a cool mélange sweetened just enough to take away the astringent edge. A combination of mocha and sesame seeds results in a chocolate accord that resurfaces slowly underneath mint leaves and citrus peel shavings and creating a subtle gourmand sensation. It is gentle and teasing, a facet that I found very appealing. However, the chocolate stage is still veiled by a tart green note that remains present until the drydown. The translucent quality of this green ornamentation reminds me of a lime slice covered thin crisp layer of molten sugar, tart, spicy and pleasantly bittersweet.
The end result is underscored by cedar and a sharp green note, which is extemely pronounced on my skin. Its loudness upsets the balance of the composition, especially the seductive chocolaty accord. Nevertheless, it is still interesting, which is not something I can say about the majority of masculine fragrances.
Photo: Liv Tyler, the face of Givenchy Very Irrésistible campaign.
11 Comments
Karin: I didn’t like the green note on me. And yes, it was pronounced to the end. If they had left it out, it would have been better. This kept it too masculine feeling for me to love, but I did love the chocolate note and would have bought it for that. August 23, 2005 at 6:54am
Robin: Ashamed to admit I haven’t even tried the women’s version yet! Will have to try them both together now. August 23, 2005 at 8:34am
BoisdeJasmin: Karin, I agree. The green note made the fragrance a little too conventionally masculine. If it were absent, it would have been a great composition. As it is, I find it interesting, but not particularly innovative. August 23, 2005 at 10:45am
Marina: I must try it now, you make it sound so very irresistable. 🙂 Sorry, couldn’t help myself, the name of this perfume (and the female version of course) brings out the worst, the corniest in me. 😀
Serriously though the mokha and sesame seeds notes sound very appealing. August 23, 2005 at 3:04pm
Tara: I hated the women’s scent and was nauseated by the men’s. I think the green/chocolate thing was a bad combo for me. Much prefer A*Men.
Tara August 23, 2005 at 5:55pm
Katie: As you know, I am utterly underwhelmed by the feminine version of VI. I have thus far avoided the male version, out of fear that it too will be dreadfully boring. But you make it sound so much more appealing than I assumed it would be. Huh. Now I’ll have to see if I can find it out on the shelves yet, certainly. August 23, 2005 at 4:43pm
BoisdeJasmin: R, I do not foresee you liking the feminine version at all. Masculine one would have been much better had the green note was rendered softer. August 24, 2005 at 12:08am
BoisdeJasmin: Marina, I actually found the name rather silly, as I keep pronouncing “very” in a French accented manner, which sounds incredibly silly. Otherwise, I cannot pronounce irrésistible correctly. 🙂 Sesame and mocha was my favourite aspect of this fragrance. August 24, 2005 at 12:10am
BoisdeJasmin: Katie, definitely try it when you have a chance. I would not call it a masterpiece, but it is quite interesting. August 24, 2005 at 12:11am
BoisdeJasmin: Tara, I also like A*Men, which does the chocolate accord very well. Your comment reminded me that I need to revisit it for the fall. August 24, 2005 at 12:12am
Argan: I definitely loved this fragrance. It is the perfect combination between the most sweet and passion. I would also suggest to try ange ou demon by Givenchy, one of my favorites! July 16, 2012 at 12:58pm