** Perfect Powdery Poppy ** (Kenzo: Flower by Kenzo, Eau de parfum)

Member Name: izzoh

Product:	Kenzo: Flower by Kenzo, Eau de parfum
Date:	14/11/09 (113 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Perfect everyday perfume, refreshing, subtle, feminine, floral but not suffocating.

Disadvantages: Slightly expensive.

My perfume fetish first started a few years ago when I was at college and to be honest hasn't stopped! I remember going through the shopping centre and 5 or 6 of us using the free perfume samples every time we went through the centre. The staff must have wondered where all the perfume was disappearing to so quickly! But the first 9of many) perfumes that I purchased and subsequently due to my high usage became a regular birthday and Christmas present from people was 'Flower by Kenzo'.

** Kenzo **

Kenzo is a famous worldwide brand of perfumes, clothes, and skincare products. The brand was created by Japanese fashion designer Kenzo Takada. A relatively new brand becoming first famous in 1970 when his first shop was opened and in 2000 Flower by Kenzo was born becoming the face of the Kenzo fragrance range.

** Perfume Packaging **

The perfume bottle that flower by kenzo comes in is definitely a minimalist statement. A smooth, streamline glass bottle that tilts ever so slightly and has the famous bright red poppy on the heavy pull off lid. You can see the clear liquid inside and it really is a refreshing bottle. It is eye-catching yet very subtle. It really advertises the scent well and is classy and sophisticated, yet a slight sense of freshness and modernism.

The bottle was designed to evoke that of independence within the contemporary woman. A lone singular poppy, a flower in its own right, standing out in the crowd. Ironically, the poppy flower itself does not actually have a scent. So it really is up to the individuality of the modern woman to take on nature in her own right and bring nature into her life in whatever way she feels right. I feel that Kenzo creates what he imagines a Poppy to smell like, but also to express that you can make nature your own. There are no boundaries.
Flower by Kenzo is also known as 'A flower in the city', taking root in an urban city and bringing a touch of nature and serenity to all who wear it. It really is a simple bottle, but very pretty looking and extremely timeless.

** The Heart Notes **

The heart scents (otherwise known as the middle notes) are what makes up the main body of the perfume and is usually what catches the most attention and appeal. The heart notes are most apparent within an hour of wearing the perfume and generally last throughout the life of the perfume on the skin. So when people ask 'oh what's that smell?' it's usually these notes that they can sense.

Wild Hawthorne, Bulgarian Rose, Parma Violet, Cassia, Opoponax, White Musk, and Vanilla.

A very floral scent, quite sweet scent. But one that is balanced slightly and made more powdery and smooth by the vanilla and opoponax (which is an almost light lavender offering). There is no doubting that the rose and white musk give it a feminine kick and it really is a smooth blend of sweet notes, but far from sickly. The wild Hawthorne and vanilla also give it a warm full bodied feel. It really is a lovable mix of notes.

** Wearing The Fragrance **

Aimed at the contemporary woman, Flower by Kenzo really is a light, floral feminism fragrance. It is a really light but quite deep scent which is perfect for a burst of freshness at the beginning of a busy day. The powdery soft vanilla aftermath lasts throughout the day giving you with a soft, subtle, lingering scent all day. It isn't too over powering so it really is perfect to wear all day every day.
The fragrance really explodes with light rose, vanilla and a very slight hint of cinnamon. It is sweet but really far from sickly and it can be sprayed over and over again with out that suffocating effect some perfumes have. It lasts all day, although obviously not as strong as when first sprayed and even in the morning, if used the day before you can still sense a very small light floral offering on the skin. It is a quality perfume without seeming to overbearing. It is perfect to wear during the day, or of an evening if you leave it to settle for a while then the musk will eventually appear creating a more dreamy scent.

In my opinion this is a spring/summer fragrance. It is quite a vibrant, refreshing, clean cut perfume and really makes your senses burst when it is first sprayed. Extremely uplifting. However, they tend to sell other editions of kenzo flower during the winter months with has a slightly more warm smell. But regardless to that, I wear this perfume all year round. It is feminine and fresh. An effortless, minimal, light floral perfume.

** Price, Availability & Other Products **

As with most perfumes the price varies depending on where you got and what size you get. I would always advice you to look online as there are so many perfume retailers now. I have not bought one for ages because I still have to bottles which were given to me as gifts. The usual places such as Boots, Debenhams etc have it on sale for around £39.99 for 50ml.
Although quite an expensive fragrance, it can be used every day and in all situations. You only need a couple of sprays and you are ready to go for most of the day as the scent settles and really lingers on the skin. So it is value for money.

This fragrance is available in three sizes (30ml, 50ml and 100ml). Each size represents a different stage in the blooming of a poppy flower.

** Recommendation **

This perfume also won a 2001 and 2003 Fifi award. This is an annual award ceremony, the equivalent of the Oscars for the perfume industry. It also won the 2002 perfume of the year. So straight away, you can't help bit think that this is a popular fragrance for a reason!

I genuinely love this perfume and it will always be one of my first choices. I love the fresh scent and the simple but femininity of the whole package. Although expensive, it is an every day perfume that will be used plenty but last a long time. I think it is a sensible and safe perfume if you want to buy it as a gift. Because the scent isn't too musky or floral, it is hard to dislike it. And tends to fit in somewhere even if the person doesn't love it, I am confident they won't hate it.

Recommended for the summer months, as a general day perfume or if you are worried about choosing the right perfume, this is middle of the road, so see it as your safe option.

==Thank you for reading.==

Summary: A flower in the city, refreshing, light, sweet perfume.