.
Portia
.
Hello Fragrance Family,
Yes, I know i’ve come late to the Library Collection. I don’t know why but earlier I found them boring or awful. Ever since I fell madly in love with Opus IX in Vienna while shopping with Val CQ, Sandra, Anna-Maria and Jin last year. I bought it on the spot at full retail without even thinking about it because it’s so damn gorgeous. So i thought I better give the rest of the set a respritz and Bloody Hell, they are wonderful.
Opus III by Amouage: The Library Collection 2010
Opus III by Karine Vinchon Spehner
Fragrantica gives these featured accords:
Top: Carnation, Broom, Mimosa, Nutmeg, Thyme
Heart: Jasmine, Orange blossom, Violet, Ylang-ylang
Base: Ambrette, Benzoin, Gaiac wood, Musk, Papyrus, Sandalwood, Vanilla, Cedar
The opening is sharp but mellowed by a smoothly waxy violet leaf with sizzling, spicy green-ness and already the creamy ylang is present. Opus III is a chunky violet/waxy/lipstick and hairspray fragrance that for me smells like I imagine kissing one of the glamorous Hollywood stars in the 1940s & 50s. It’s all cool fresh and floral up top and I’m surprised there’s no narcissus because I am getting some raunchy vegetal something, probably the jasmine, ambrette and orange blossom. Woody dry down is dry and resinous, lightly sweet. Charmingly innocent.
One of the reviews I read mentions the word sleek and suddenly the whole fragrance makes real sense to me. Opus III is a sleek and flawless beauty that still manages to be friendly and approachable. Very easy to wear and love.
My imagine takes me to a well heeled businesswoman at the top of her game. Confident and talented in whatever role she’s in. A likeable, generous boss who also manages to get the job done. Though Opus III is happily unisex smelling this is my vision.
PDI
Further reading: Now Smell This and Australian Perfume Junkies
Libertine Parfumerie has $487/100ml with FREE Australian Delivery
What fragrances have you dismissed and returned to love?
Portia xx
Australian Perfume Junkies 
Revolution a Versailles by Jean Desprez
LikeLike
Hey Gina,
I have smelled it but can’t remember really. Is it a floral sister of BaV?
Portia xx
LikeLike
Eau d’Hadrien. A friend liked it, and I found some samples on ebay for her. I kept a few and kept trying it…suddenly realized I loved it and needed it in my life while I was out of town on a conference and applying the body lotion for a late night meeting. And I still love it.
LikeLike
Hey Maggiecat
Annick Goutal has a lovely way with citrus. Wish Hadrian lasted on me but it disappears so quickly
Portia xx
LikeLike
Cerisier by L`Occitane en Provence. I started feeling bored with it and gave it away, now I’d like to have it again lol
LikeLike
Hi Anastasia,
I can’t remember Cerisier though I do remember trying it. What does it smell like?
Portia xx
LikeLike
Hi Portia, sorry, i haven’t got the notification about your reply.
So Cerisier smells like cherry blossom. Absolutely tender spring perfume.
LikeLike
As much as I love the house of Amouage and their library collection, Opus III is far too sweet for my taste. I’m not really fond of carnation and that’s probably the reason.
I remember being repulsed by the chemical dryness of 10 Corso Como some years ago and when I gave it another chance last year I actually enjoyed it.
LikeLike