Reviews of FlowerbyKenzo (2000)
by Kenzo

Flower by Kenzo EDP and Parfum comparison

Left arm: Kenzo Flower EDP
Right arm: Kenzo Flower Parfum

Not sure if this was mentioned in previous reviews, but these seem to be 2 different fragrances, irrelevant of concentration.

On first spray, the EDP is a bit like play-do or latex rubber. It is not as "rubbery" as the latex note I get in Sarah Jessica Parker Covet or most of the Gaultiers, and it has quite a bit a fruit up front, sort of a peach-orange combination (nectarine?) along with a synthetic floral bouquet. Ok, ok, it is a fruity floral with some lactonic "milky" quality. Within 20-30 minutes, the sharpness of the fruit & flower softens to a bit of a soapy note, and is a little bit tart or sour. In fact, it is almost a plastic smell, or maybe a bit like old lipstick (sort of waxy). It reminds me of those dolls that have scented hair. Not bad, but if I had to base my decision to purchase on this one wearing, I would give it a pass.

The parfum initially has more emphasis on the latex note with less fruit, and is more powdery with what seems to be a light amber. I would not say it is significantly heavier or stronger than the EDP. Rather, it is more resinous and rich, maybe more of an evening scent. The florals are less bright in this one, probably tempered by the amber notes. Of the two scents, it has more of the same qualities of Kenzo Amour, which I love. Unlike Kenzo Amour, Kenzo Flower Parfum penetrates my senses gradually with softness. I find it more in the "Amour" family than the special edition Indian Holi (which basically smelled like Amour with red cinnamon candle wax). However, the amber notes are not stellar, and with the sourness of the fruit and floral wafting in an out, I am not sure this one is FBW either. Having said that, it is definitely the more enjoyable of the two!

Much later: Everything has dried down nicely...even the Kenzo Flower lost its dense waxyness to reveal a soft powdery floral underneath. Unfortunately I sensed hints of ammonia, darn it all, this aromachemical sensitivity!

I'm just starting out with perfumes, so maybe I'll come to appreciate this one more as I gain experience, but right now the powdery note isn't something that suits me very well. It dries down to something very like a marshmallow on me, which is a bit sweeter than I like my perfumes (YMMV).

I can definitely smell the rose in this one and the sweetness sticks for a long time. Not my thing but I don't particularly care for heavy florals. I tried it once as it was my roommates and she adored the scent. She was from Brazil and said many girls there wear it.

Starts out very promising, with a bright and uplifting opening, but quickly deteriorates into a fairly heavy, almost cloying, musty floral mish mash. Perhaps it's my lack of experience, but I have a hard time detecting individual notes. That would be okay if the fragrance was a 'symphonic floral' (to quote Luca Turin referring to 'Beyond Paradise'). Unfortunately, it's not. More like a poorly tuned high school band. Full on 'Meh!'

This was my first perfume (not counting drugstore scents). I wanted to put one on my wishlist and this was the only one I could find that I liked. It is sugary sweet, almost like candied violet leaves or violet flavoured sweets rather than like fresh violets. Other than that a sweet, girlie floral. Not bad, but I wouldn't use it nowadays.

Kind of fresh fragrance for women. Not too flowery. Both of my sis love this so much. The fragrance is just okay to me.