Ilang Ivohibe 15
by Parfumerie Generale

A refined and pretty elegant white floral composition laying an a creamy vanilla base. While Ilang Ivohibè can't be considered a monster in projection it still has a quite remarkable presence and a satisfying lasting power with its slightly dusty allure that's tipycal of many of the Guillame's compositions. Usually marketed as feminine but not being too affected, I believe it could do great also on a man. Recommended.

30th June, 2011. (Last Edited: 5th August, 2011.)

A beautiful white floral with twinges of citrus and vanilla throughout the life of the fragrance (with the vanilla becoming more prominent in the base). It doesn't project far as it is more of a skin scent, but it lasts forever. Personally I don't wear floral-centric fragrances, but if I were to wear one this would be it.

Very high recommendation.

15th October, 2008.

Uh-oh -- I'm first. Well, I can't resist -- this is one of my favorite summer fragrances, perfect for all but very humid heat. This is sparkling with citrus ("california" orange) but fattened with the almost waxy counterpoint of ylang and vanilla. Jasmine is listed -- can't say it's not there, but my nose is not attuned to it. Somehow the blend of orange and ylang suggests an idealized, honeyed lemon. I used to get these great lemon-banana crepes in Biarritz, and this evokes that cafe desert, including the ambient sunlight and sea-scape. The sunny top notes are carried on a base of warm woods that makes the whole thing feel richer, not overly candied or frilly. However, it's still lightly feminine, even girlish, without smelling inane. Like most the other PG frags I've tried, this one has a sort of luxe hippy vibe, with no officious perfuminess.

I compared this to MPG's Fleurs des Comores, another ylang-heavy, summery scent. F de C was greener at first, with a clearer banana illusion, then more simple vanilla, and much less long-lasting. In contrast Ilang delivers lots of citrus and wood. Great sillage and lasts forever, unlike many of PG's otherwise appealing frags.

15th September, 2008.