Earth, water and fire (Givenchy: Eau Torride, Eau de Parfum)

Member Name: lillamarta

Product:	Givenchy: Eau Torride, Eau de Parfum
Date:	05/02/09 (246 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Unusual blend

Disadvantages: May not be for everyone

Launched: 2002
Group: Citrus aromatic

:: Introduction ::

Givenchy has been around in perfume making for a good 50+ years and with over 70 odd fragrances under their belt, they're one of the most productive luxury perfume houses. However, to find a really innovative juice outside the current fruity-fresh trend of Very Irresistible and co. range Givenchy has been marketing to us in the past 5 years, I knew I had to probe a little further. Luckily, I managed to dig out an old sample splash bottle of Eau Torride in my drawer to test.

:: The bottle ::

The tall, cylindrical bottle represents the water - fire theme (torride means 'very hot' in French) with a crystal-clear bottle, but here's a twist. Inside the click-top lid, encased is a second cylinder of warm orange, yellow and red-coloured fiery column, like a burst of volcanic
lava emerging from hot spring geysers.

:: The fragrance ::

Top notes: mandaring, orange, peach, bergamot, lemon

Straight after application I feel the warm bitterness of bergamot and fresh citrus mixed with the aroma of subtly spiced tea. A few minutes later a dominant peach phase develops which is full, rounded and green and at the same time so fruity, that it nearly overwhelms the top notes. The name 'eau' is deceiving, powerful stuff this is and can last up to an hour.

Middle notes: black elder, bamboo, jasmine

The appearance of jasmine gradually restores the raw edge and balances the composition. The light, fresh notes are no longer there so the fragrance is now heavier and has a more floral theme. Some time later some aquatic - woody notes infuse into the peachy-floral ones and the feel is somewhat hazy, dull, like stagnant water on a hot summer day. The notes are more subdued than in the top phase and the 'very hot' has now cooled off to 'warm'.

Base notes: sandalwood, jasmine

Powdery jasmine with a green tea effect is present here and is gnetly mixing with an earthy, smoky undertone of sandalwood giving a barely there warmth. These notes can stay up to 10 hours and even stay after a shower though you have to start with a substantial dose to achieve this, which may overpower the beginning. I was slightly disappointed to find the dry down as subtle as this. Having said that, Eau Torride is an eau de toilette, whcih means either the middle or the base notes have a lot less staying power than eau de parfums do.

:: Conclusion ::

Earthy to calm, aquatic to freshen and spicly to dynamise, certainly, the concept of blending contrasting elements has been explored before, Eau Torride seems to stand out nevertheless. This fragrance does have a unisex feel to it and, like Eau Dynamisante from Clarins may well be worn by men too. While it may not be everyone's taste, Givenchy has made a great and unusual fragrance in this one that's at the same time fine-tuned and wild.

:: Price / where to buy ::

I haven't seen this fragrance sold nowadays in perfume outlets, though it's available online at www.amazon.co.uk starting from £17.24.

Thanks for reading.

©powered by lillybee also posted on dooyoo / Ciao! US

Summary: A fresh and dynamic cologne with a warm edge.