Yria by Yves Rocher, 2001

There is something in the top notes that I really hate, not sure what. Better in the base notes. I love an oriental, but this one doesn't do it for me.

I love too many fragrances to have a signature scent, but if I did it would be Yria. Its definately an Oriental fragrance, but unlike most Yria works in any season. It starts with a heavy bergamot topnote, followed by rose and white flowers-gardenia, lily, and just a hint of jasmine. Plum and spice notes round it out. Yves Rocher also released Yria Elixer and an Yria Summer version. The elixer is a more intense version of the original with less bergamot and more spices. Yria Summer is an alcohol free fragrance based around bergamot and white flowers. On its own it has a very light scent and virtually no staying power, but its ok layered over Yria edp.

Yria is a nicely done, pleasant, floriental with good moves. It opens with a pleasant bergamot / citrus / green and then quickly moves to the dominant jasmine of the heart. Both the top and the middle are attractive, smooth, and comfortable. Yria dries down with a pleasant but rather ordinary sandalwood, musk, amber and tonka. It has reasonable sillage and almost acceptable longevity. Its not innovative, its not trendy, but it is a decent fragrance that comes at a very reasonable price.

Yes the lasting power is only an hour or two. Yes it's a little on the sweet side. Yes, this type of fragrance has been 'done' before, and Yria is not breaking any molds. Still, I LOVE it! It's a lively and warm flowery oriental. AND THE PRICE! Good grief--for the price it could smell a lot worse, and I would still love it. The bonus is that it's beautiful! I like to layer it with EL Pleasures. The combo is interesting and complementary.

my gran bought me this and i never wear it. to me it smells really dry, lemony and alcoholic- reminds of CIF cleaning fluid!

The Elixir is definitely more interesting than the other formulations. Still, even in its strongest form it's a light floriental, not terribly memorable but pleasant. The Elixir also has the best bottle, satiny red. Lasting power is not great, an hour or two.

For some reason, all of the Yves Rocher scents I've tried to date have failed to leave an impression-- (with the one exception of Ode a l'Amour, which I find offensive in every way). This scent is heavy on the jasmine, almost as heavy on the bergamot, and offers very little that one might call "feminine". As much as I (still) like Drakkar Noir on the DH, Yria reminds me a bit too much of what I like in a men's cologne... I'm just not convinced.