A very nice fragrance.
I'm not sure there is a demand for first impressions of Invasion Barbare, since it's a pretty hyped, and equally expensive fragrance. Nonetheless, I offer you my first impressions. I've sprayed this on about 30 minutes ago and let it settle (I added my 12mL sample to an atomizer), so this is very initial impressions:
Upon application (if I may steal from Dollars&Scents), the first thing I get is a tea note, which is not listed in the note breakdown. I think it may be the cardamom, but it is not a "kitchen spice" smell like some often identify with cardamom. It is backed by some sparking citrus, mostly bergamot (lemony) with some grapefruit that I only barely smell when thinking about it hard, so I don't think you would smell it idlely.
Some florals open up pretty quickly, which consists of mainly lavender that is very prominent, but also soft enough to interplay well with the citrus/cardamom combo. I get a little bit of ginger in there, which adds a nice depth and compliment to the citrus especially.
That's all I can detect immediately. Naturally the fragrance will develop over time and perhaps I'll get some of the vanilla in the dry down.
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As for initial impressions, I really like it so far. It's sophisticated in a way I've never smelled (being relatively new to the hobby), and the lavender blends so perfectly with the citrus notes on the top, which offers a very unique take on classic perfumery. I think the cardamom will take some time to understand, since it is a little strange to smell on skin, but it's not really a bad thing.
It's going to take some time to truly appreciate, and I'm not one to jump to any conclusions, so you're not going to read anything like "this is definitely full bottle worthy" or "this is a masterpiece" outside of those two instances. So far though, it's giving off a great first impression.
What do you think of Invasion Barbare?
Last edited by OctaVariuM; 1st February 2013 at 09:44 PM.
A very nice fragrance.
A good complex fragrance with a nice violet note weaving in and out of the composition. Though I find HdP's 1725 to be a inexpensive good alternative as they share the same vibe scent wise.
I thought it was a bit strange. It a weird fougere-ish sort of thing that seems a bit jumbled. I didn't find that it blended together very seamlessly - notes were sort of sticking out at various times, calling attention to themselves. I found myself more trying to figure it out than enjoying it.
It also seemed a bit weak and didn't last long on me. By comparison, Sartorial is another weird fougere, but one that has a much smoother feeling. A fougere with a slick metallic sheen. It's also "performs" better.
Overall, I was pretty underwhelmed by IB when trying it after all the positive comments I'd read. I didn't find it all that special, and I think it's far too expensive.
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I love everything about IB except the price. It last a solid 8 hours on my skin and as of right now it is my all time favorite scent.
Ordered a sample a few days ago. We'll see!
Don't mistake bergamot for tea, even though it's found in Earl Grey. Very different scent character.
I don't find lavender and citrus unique in the slightest . . . it's been done for at least 150 years. IB's is of unusually high quality though.As for initial impressions, I really like it so far. It's sophisticated in a way I've never smelled (being relatively new to the hobby), and the lavender blends so perfectly with the citrus notes on the top, which offers a very unique take on perfumery.
Extremely high quality ingredients, lovely composition. I think the cedar (and possibly a parchingly dry synthetic like adoxal?) cut the sweetness of the vanilla drydown so it stays nice and dry. Impeccable balance.What do you think of Invasion Barbare?
I don't think it is unique as in never done before, I think it is a unique take on something so simple and old (I had that in the initial review, but cut it out since it sounded awkward..I'll add it back by saying "classic perfumery"). And, regardless of whether it isn't actually tea, it still smells like it. I've smelled pure bergamot, and it doesn't smell like tea to my nose.
It's the best fragrance I own or have tried (by far). It has surprisingly strong sillage and longevity, and just wait until the dry down when the slightly animalic musk kicks in to blend with the vanilla and woods...it's spectacular. It's also one of those that gets better the more you wear it.
I predict you'll own a bottle by the end of the month.
I wasn't impressed as much as I thought I would be. Very good longevity and sillage though. I'll have to try it again before I flat out say I didn't like it, but I didn't find it as engaging as I had hoped.
I had tried 1725 before this one, and like Jack Hunter said, the two share something in their overall feel, and the whole time I tried IB, I kept feeling that I'd smelled this done (several times) before. Good quality, well blended, pleasant smelling, but I felt it was a tad too uninspired to warrant the fortune they're asking for it (bust cap or not), as inoffensive and "pleasant" as it is.
Like other fragrances I've smelled in the past though, I suppose there's a chance I'll come back to it in the future and find my opinion has changed.
It never quite clicked with me, but I can appreciate the quality behind it.
Current Top Favorites:
1) Portrait of a Lady original formula (EdP Frédéric Malle)
2) Giorgio for Men vintage/V.I.P. for Men (Giorgio Beverly Hills)
3) Dia Man vintage edt (Amouage)
4) Anat Fritz Original Formula and Classical (Anat Fritz) - tie
4) Lalfeorosa (O'driů) - tie
6) Les Nombres d'Or Vetyver (Mona di Orio)
7) Captain vintage (Molyneux)
8) Tzora (Anat Fritz)
9) Javanese Patchouli (Zegna) - tie
9) Monsieur de Givenchy vintage (Givenchy) - tie
9) Coeur de Vetiver Sacré (L'Artisan) - tie
9) Polo vintage (Ralph Lauren) - tie
9) Patou pour Homme Privé (Jean Patou) - tie
9) Oud Shamash (The Different Company) - tie
It's nice but not worth its price tag, IMO. I'd rather go with the way cheaper Rive Gauche.
Perhaps it's the violet leaf then.
Yes I agree this one is "pleasant" and not super unique. The character of it certainly doesn't fit the bold name.
I don't get a relation between IB and RGpH at all. I find RG very crude and much, much sweeter. (Nobody else finds RG sweet so I'm thinking it might be rectified birch tar, which often comes off as sweet wintergreen to my nose, or something.)
Does Invasion Barbare smell similar to RG PH and/or Azzaro PH?
RG PH doesn't really seem like the kind of frag I'm into.
I think it's a pretty great scent, but I wouldn't pay it's asking price. Every time I've used it, I think to myself "this smells exactly like something else". I can't remember what though lol.
It's nice to read someone else's first impressions of Invasion Barbare.
It's a fragrance that haunts me. It is my "holy grail" yet I have such
a hard time justifying owning a 60ml bottle that costs $250+
It's the only fragrance I've ever tried or owned that merits a 10/10 rating.
Perfect longevity, projection, sillage. Perfectly blended and balanced.
Perfect for any occasion, but...so expensive.
(And as I type this, I am already thinking about selling off several bottles
so that I can buy a bottle of Invasion Barbare again)![]()
I think it is definitely quality juice but I can't justify the price tag, at least not now.
My current top twenty five
1. Oud Wood
2. Herod
3. Pardon
4. Santal 33
5. Tonka Imperial
6. Pure Malt
7. Straight to Heaven
8. L'air Du Desert Marocain
9. Envy
10. Terre D'Hermes
11. Colonia Oud
12. Jubilation XXV
13. Royal Oud
14. Bois d' Argent
15. Tobacco Vanille
16. Sycomore
17. Amber Absolute
18. 1270
19. Baroanda
20. Allure Homme Edition Blanche
21. Rose 31
22. Dior Homme Intense
23. Reflection Man
24. Grey Vetiver
25. Noir Extreme
The way to go is to get the sample pack. The $112 you spend gets you 24ml of invasion and 3 more 12ml samples, and it is completely refunded when you purchase a bottle. So, effectively, you get 120 ml of fragrance for the $250 price tag of a non bust bottle.
A really nice scent, but IMO not worth it at that price point.
There are definitely strategies for acquiring IB below the sticker price, and they all involve the generous MDCI sample program.
I have mentioned this before, but I built a 50ml stash for less than half the cost of retail by targeting unwanted 10ml sample bottles that were sold off by folks (mostly women) who included IB in their sample pack.
So IB aficionados, don't lose hope! It really is worth it.
Sans parfum, la peau est muette.
What I'm wearing:
1. Annick Goutal Sables
2. Lagerfeld Cologne (vintage)
3. Chanel Eau de Cologne
4. Balenciaga Le Dix
5. Etienne Aigner #1
6. Parfums MDCI Invasion Barbare
7. Chanel Egoiste (vintage)
8. Fendi Theorema
Quality that leaves no doubt, but just didn't click with me in two different samples. I couldn't wrap my nose around it. Maybe it is just so different than anything else I wear, it makes me uneasy with it.
Meh... it's only ok IMO. I agree with most of the comments made by folks who don't love it.