Yes, I Covet It (Sarah Jessica Parker Covet Eau de Parfum)

Member Name: venice105

Product:	Sarah Jessica Parker Covet Eau de Parfum
Date:	17/01/08 (179 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Uniquely pretty fragrance

Disadvantages: It doesn't come with Mr.Big?!

I received a bottle of Sarah Jessica Parker's latest fragrance, Covet, this Christmas after dropping many unsubtle hints ("I had to have it!" reads the ad tag line). It is her second fragrance, after the very successful Lovely. This is my first foray into the world of celebrity perfumes. While I had smelled and liked her first perfume, it just wasn't "me". But I trusted that her future perfumes would have a better chance with me than those of say, Britney Spears. Unlike most of her competitors, Parker's market is not primarily the youth one, and it does seem she aims a bit higher as both of her perfumes have a unique personality that is distinguishable from any other. Actually her perfumes are in a higher price bracket so I suppose she is aiming at the designer market as well. Anyway on to the perfume...

When I first smelled this it was on a whim, I was at a till, not even on the perfume floor (clever shop managers!). I hadn't heard anything about it (the rather silly ad campaign hadn't yet begun), but was drawn (irresistibly yes ok the ad was right after all!) to its unusual green glass bottle with an amber coloured, flower shaped stopper. Pretty! I sniffed the bottle before committing to a spritz, after that all I can remember is walking about in a daze for the rest of the day thinking "Mm I want it!".

It's an unusual fragrance, there is no disputing it. I am fairly certain it won't match the success of Lovely - sorry SJP, it is just not that mass market type of fragrance. When you first spray it, it is quite a strong acidic-y citrus smell (it has been compared not unjustly to citronella). While I am not crazy about this, it does intrigue as there is no sweetness as you would normally get with a citrus (it kind of reminds me of the Happy Hippy shower gel by LUSH). It quickly begins to unveil other characteristics that are a bit more inviting, however.

As well as the green and citrus top notes (wet greens, geranium leaves, Sicilian lemon, lavender), there is also chocolate (mm that's what I like about it duh). Anyway the middle notes are true to her previous perfume, with white florals (honeysuckle, magnolia & muget (lily of the valley) making it subtly Spring-like. Another interesting facet about the ingredients of this perfume is that the (top and base notes) are more often found in male colognes. It is actually advertised as a "feminine fougere", and fougere is usually associated with male fragrances that are citrus, woody and floral. The base notes do sound rather masculine : musk, vetiver, bois de cashmere, teakwood and amber.

It is a light, dry musk that settles the composition. The overall effect is not at all sharp or heady; it's kind of a vaguely musky, powdery floral. Although the top notes do linger occasionally, I would say it is sensual without being overly earthy. The strong base notes are blended into the rest of the fragrance subtly; it is lifted into something unusual and pretty. It just smells classy, and if I didn't know what it was, I might presume it was an older Chanel fragrance. It could be a modern sister to Chanel No.5 or Coco - it does possess that character of sophistication, which I love about it. I think it was quite brave of SJP to launch such an unusual and elegant fragrance. It is feminine in its own unique way, but I can't see teenage girls/younger women queuing up for it.

It is hard for me to put my finger on why I like this as it is a bit strange, even for my tastes. Normally I go for musky florals so I suppose this is one, it is just less reliant on the sweet elements that many fragrances currently emphasise. I would highly recommend trying it on your skin first and seeing how it sits before purchasing as I have read a few opinions that can't get past the rather strong initial top notes. On me I just love smelling it as the day goes on, it subtly evolves and has great staying power, which again is comparable to Chanel. I was hesitant to love a celebrity fragrance but that Carrie Bradshaw joie de vivre has crept into this Covet fragrance and it is just irresistible to me. Now where's my SATC dvd?

Summary: The second fragrance from SJP is a modern twist on a classic musky floral