Je Reviens (1932)
by Worth

I have hesitated and pondered over the daunting task of trying to do any amount of justice to "Je Reviens" with mere words: I was asked outright by a BN cohort to submit a review, to which I responded that it would take a novel to render all of its facets, all of the elements that make this one of the most unforgettable perfumes in the world. "Je Reviens" has few peers. It is one of those singular scents that nobody ever succeeded in imitating: It has its place among the greats--Joy, Shalimar, L'air du temps, one of those rare scents that can be conjured to perfection by memory. To begin, it is indeed a confusing assignment to even try to describe what "happened" to it. In it's day, it was a wildly luxurious fragrance, extremely expensive, and made only with the finest ingredients. Many reviews compare it to the chanel woman's 5. In 1932, the 5 would be considered sassy and common, even vulgar next to "Je Reviens." Charles Frederic Worth was the very founder of Parisian Haute Couture: In its day, his house was the grandest, and the greatest of them all. Though later created and launched by his two sons, its perfume division maintained a standard that was unrivaled in its time, untouchable even by Jean Patou himself, the Great Innovator. Witness how everything about "Je Reviens" goes against the vogues of the time: Here is the very essence of elegance, not remotely, not even faintly concerned with fashion. In 70 years it has known countless "incarnations," making its name all the more ironic. Translated by Worth in English as "I Will Return," "Je Reviens" means more specifically "I'll be right back:" It's a present tense, difficult to understand in other languages, least of which English. Perhaps "I am returning" would be the closest, though somewhat awkward, translation, and "return" it did: In steps, it disintegrated all the way down to its current incarnation as a two penny "sent bon" made in England. Somehow, though, its spirit has survived: When you smell it, even today, it's still "Je Reviens," and could be no other: The brightest, most resplendent thing. Even if the current eau de toilette lasts but an hour, there is an "air de famille" in it that is unmistakeable. It blows on like glitter, and brings a smile, a caress, an aura of cool, comfortable richness. It's an heavily organic scent, very much in the way a field of overblown casa blanca lilies would be: One is perplexed that it wouldn't attract bees to the wearer. What it does attract? Men. "Je Reviens" must be the sexiest perfume ever to be put on the face of the earth. We understand why Viagra is that shade of blue once we have inhaled "Je Reviens" on the nape of a pulsating neck, in the crux of a bosom: It's a fragrance that heats up and gets all moist and sweaty in the most delightful way. Among the fields and fields of flowers, there is dark, erotic resin in the earth from which they bloom. The sweat stained and breathless afterglow is so sumptuous that finally we understand why a dumb insect will just keep poking its sucker in over and over and over, even when the flower is spent. Those who truly wish to experience "Je Reviens" in all of its promise of unimaginable splendour must procure a vintage extract: The year does not matter as much as the provenance. It must be made in France. The real deal clearly states: "Made, bottled and sealed in France by Parfums Worth, 128 rue Saint Honore, Paris, France," and even comes equipped with a tricolour French flag. Ladies: Any of you lucky enough to be in possession of one of these blue lalique bottles, use it wisely. The spell it casts will see you keeping hairy beasts at bay with a whip and a chair. Gentlemen, slap some of this nectar of eden on the veins of your prey and witness the effect down under. Who would argue? If something has refused to disappear for this long, even barely breathing in the bottom of the bargain barrel, surely, there must be something magic in it, and there is. The positively lyrical "Je Reviens" could be as close to perfection as perfumery has ever come. A grand statement, yes, but very frankly, there is nothing in it, nothing at all, that is not absolutely, mouth-wateringly delicious.

23rd October, 2011.

This review is for the original Je reviens.

This superb powdery fragrance reminds me of one of my favourite aunts who wore it in the 60's. She was in her early 20's at the time. She always dressed very hip while remaining extremely elegant. To me, Je reviens is some sort of security blanket, a true-blue comfort-fragrance. I only have good memories of it. The warm and very well balanced mixture of jasmine, hyacinth, tuberose, ylang-ylang, rose and musk always made me feel so good. I haven't seen it in stores in years. Some fellow reviewers here say it has been modified lately. If so, this is utter infamy. I hope I will never see the new corrupted juice ever. I don't want anything to interfere with my sweet memories of Je reviens.

16th October, 2011.

Je Reviens is one of those cheap classics. While the EDT is the most popular buy, I had the privilege to try the rather hard-to-find EDP.

This fragrance is indeed very powdery and complex, but more so in old-fashioned, vintage sense. Since Chanel No.5 started the trend of the floral aldehyde, there have been many fragrances released that smell very similar to Je Reviens.

Despite the dominant powdery aldehydes, Je Reviens has a very clean and soapy feel brought about by the citrus and floral notes. That refreshing quality, while safe, is extremely likable.

I can't say that I've ever noticed this fragrance being worn by anyone close to me. I am surprised at this seeming that this fragrance is very popular and cheap in my country. However I am very certain that there are many ladies over the age of 60 who wear this fragrance everyday.

I was thankful that Je Reviens didn't turn out to be an aggressive powdery scent, however due to my personal tastes I couldn't warm to the scent either. The EDP had rather average lasting strength, however due to a slight case of perfume snobbery, I must admit that I didn't expect much.

30th June, 2011.

I adored Je Reviens in the 1970's. It was floral and spicy and I felt elegant wearing it. It's a darn shame what has happened to it since.

14th May, 2011. (Last Edited: 6th June, 2011.)

(Review Vintage Pdt)

Admittedly I had very high expectations for Je Reviens, but this fragrance smell just like blue bathroom tablets.. SO disappointing, I'm really in shock about this.

I don't even want to try the reformulated EdT.

26th January, 2011.

This is a Cheap Nickle & Dime Drugstore
Supermarket attepmt on Chanel no 5 for the working Classes since the average
Joe or Jane can't afford Chanel so they
made this. the Aldehyde in this seems to
be more synthitic more plastic then the
earthy and more woodsy Chanel no 5.
The color is Antiseptic like in Hospitals like the color of nurses
And Doctors Scrubs or Bathroom Disinfectant with a Bright Turquiose
Blue Liquid. There is a Leather basenote in this but it fails to have
it's own Idenity in a trend of the once
Popular perfume Trend The ALDEHYDES!!!

12nd December, 2010.