Insensé (1993)
by Givenchy

Back in the 90s, Givenchy was promoting Insense and Amarige as his-and-her scents. I sniffed Insense first, loved it, and then proceeded to spritz my wrists with Amarige. BIG MISTAKE! I thought I'd been trapped in an old lady's hankie drawer--drove home with my wrist hanging out the open car window, then scrubbed furiously, and got a migraine for my pains anyway. I returned two days later and bought the Insense. The combination of the citrus-and-basil topnotes and floral heart completely won me over.

This is a bright, green scent--floral understood as something intensely alive rather than sweet and delicate. Having worn both Cristalle and Chanel No. 19, I thought I could pull this off as an office fragrance. But in meetings where there were only or mostly women, people kept asking, "Is someone wearing aftershave?" It's the balsam, mesdames--don't be fooled by the floral designation. After the first half-hour or so this registers resolutely masculine to just about everyone but me. I got tired of explaining and so gave it up. I still think it's good stuff, but can't convince any men I know to try it.

Are you out of your mind! Love this one. Bought it blind due to reviews here on BN and have not looked back. As with all my collection, I don't wear it that often so I am able to really enjoy it when worn. Love the opening blast and middle notes and find it lasts quite well for me. I usually put on fragrance before I dress and add a "touch up" if I go out for the evening and have never found Insense to be too much. It actually reminds me somewhat of the dry down on Platinum Egoiste.

Flowers, greens, and woods. I was dissapointed by this fragrance because I expected it to be a rich, luscious, refined floral. Its opening certainly is floral--but too synthetic for my taste. I wish it had some rose or jasmine to smooth it out. I agree with Foetidus that Insense is quite linear; after the floral opening, it dies down to a cedar/fir balsam accord that last all day. I was hoping Insense would be more like floris no. 89, but it is much more of the 90s than I can handle.

A floral with woody undertones. I mostly smell orris root. It's quite a nice smell, but only if I'm not suffering hayfever at the time, otherwise this one aggravates my allergies. Very nice though.

Nice florals. Nice smell. Nice soft woody base. Nice. That's it. Just nice.

A floral for men, and what a floral! An incredibly rich mix of floral notes in the heart with a citrus-fruity herbal top, and grounded in woods and amber. A kind of light chypre accord (no patchouli, but oakmoss in the base, with citrus top notes) complements what is essentially a fougère fragrance. Can men wear this? Some men think it feminine, but it was made for us, guys! I say "Hop to it!"

The name, by the way, is French for "senseless," "foolish," "insane." A good name, I think, since it really does drive me crazy!