Falling in love with something (or someone at that) can come as a total surprise.
Blanc Violette was chosen for trial for the sole reason that is has a name I am able to remember easily within the number-centric canon of Histoires de Parfums fragrances. I had zero expectations. I don’t particlularly care for violet as a note one way or the other and I knew practically nothing about the perfume.
I applied it and ten minutes later I had to forcibly prise away my clammy fingers from the keyboard where they wanted to hit the buy button on a full bottle on the Histoires de Parfums website. (They deduct the 10€ fee for the sample set if you buy a 120ml bottle by the way, and there is no shipping charge plus a free Travalo travel spray!)
Not so fast, I had to plead with myself, not so fast.
I implored my greedy perfume craving soul to honor my New Year’s resolution of waiting a month, then I could have it. Reluctantly, very reluctantly my soul gave in, pouted for a while and then decided to write a review instead.
Blanc Violette includes notes of violet, bergamot, iris, ylang-ylang, star anise, sandalwood, vanilla, musk and rice powder.
So, what is special about Blanc Violette? Why did I fall for it so hard? And why am I considering selling a kidney (who needs two anyway?) for a bottle of it?
There is one word that comes to mind over and over again – tender.
Blanc Violette is a tender perfume. Soft, powdery, a little sweet, feminine, old-fashioned and – tender.
I feel cushioned in it. It is like a soft filter that renders all my sensory impressions less harsh. What I see, what I hear, what I feel, is softened, the edges blunted, the contours blurred. And no, I did not partake of any mind-altering substances, aside from sniffing a little Blanc Violette.
I’m sitting out that month until I am allowed to devote my monthly budget towards Blanc Violette.
My little perfume craving soul knows what it needs, I guess.
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You have made me go scrambling to buy a sample of this perfume! I love violet! BTW adore the duck photo too.
Ha, I love when that happens. 🙂
Tempting post! And what a lovely cute picture of the ducklings 🙂 . Must dig up my sampleset of HdP, have’nt even tried the Blanc Violette. I also crave a little for violets these days, probably because spring is in the air.
Tempting perfume! 😉
I never cared much for violet, which is why Blanc Violette caught me unawares.
I tried Blanc Violette as a part of my violet-centered perfumes testing and I liked it then and planned to buy a small bottle once I’m done with a sample. Four months later I still haven’t finished the sample. I should give it a proper wear tomorrow! Thank you for the idea (and for the beautiful review – I enjoy reading nice things about perfumes that I like).
I’m always glad when we agree on something. 🙂
That photo is so cute, I agree! I must get my sample out again as I can’t bring it to mind. It has some of my favourite notes I see – and it has rice powder for you, which I like too!
Is is so lovely, soft and tender – a Vanessa perfume for sure!
Ha! I applied this the other day, just on a hunch, to remember what it smelled like and was incredibly happy I did so. 🙂
It’s such a little comforting thing, I can’t believe I never wear it (ok, I only have a sample so that’s probably the reason, but I completely forgot about it, shame on me).
I know how that goes… glad you took it out again.
This sounds gorgeous. Violet and rice powder is a lovely combination. You did very well to resist, especially as HdP offer such a great deal on the purchase!
Your review is beautiful but I think that photo alone could sell this one 🙂
I did well, didn’t it? *beams proudly*
We’ll see if it makes it onto the 12 bottle list…
The photo is amazing, it fits the fragrance to a t.
Oh no, I love violet, I have a new penchant for iris, your review makes me want to go out and buy some. I assume if you were to do a split on this it would not count towards your 1 perfume a month. Hypothetically if that was the case I would take 10mls * big grin* 😉
I’ll certainly think about that. I’ll let you know… 🙂
That picture is womb-achingly cute!!
Violet it hit or miss with me, but I do like the sound of this one and the HdP line is interesting to say the least.
I’m really starting to love a lot of soft scents, which is very unlike me.
I’d like to think that is my influence at work… 😉
I would agree wholeheartedly!
I’m craving soft scents right now, mainly because I’m really, REALLY ready for spring. I’m like Candy Perfume Boy, they’re hit and miss for me. Strangely enough, my favorite violet is the very mainstream, nothing exciting Balenciaga Paris. I enjoy its powdery softness, but never felt the urge to get a full bottle.
I like Balenciaga as well, but it is merely nice, without touching me. It leaves me unmoved, whereas BV is a big mover and shaker. 🙂
OMG, I have a 14 ml roll on sample in my sample case and just don’t know what to do about it! I was in love with violet scents, some time ago and BV sounded great, except on my skin feels like… fairy tales Granma: overly sweet, cloying and sticky! I recently compared it with Equistrius- now I see why you like it, t has a very strong resemblance with it- and Equistrius won the competition on every ground!
Yep, that’s me – fairy tale Grandma! 😉
Equistrius impresses me as stronger, more sophisticated and wordly, while BV is total regression under a metaphorical blanket.
That was a wonderful and tender review to fit your sentiments towards BV. This perfume is gorgeous, and I completely understand your craving:-) Once your perfume-loving-soul has stopped pouting (loved that picture), could it perhaps be an idea to buy the 15ml travel size that they offer??? Surely, that does not count towards the whole bottle thing…
The ducklings are sooooo cute.
Thank you for you lovely words, Asali.
If that travel size was more easily available, I’d have it already. But I didn’t find it anywhere in Europe. Do you know something I don’t? (I really hope you do!)
I think they must have taken them out again, last time I looked, they were there! I can try and call a store in Denmark for you where I bought one travel spray, would that be helpful? Or would you rather prefer the bottle anyway;-) Or perhaps write them an e-mail and inquire?
Did you see them on the Histoires website?
I will email and inquire with them. I would prefer the 14ml size over a full bottle, if I use it up, I can always get another one, since the rules say I may buy a replacement whenever I use something up (only this hasn’t happened yet. 😉 )
If they don’t have it, may I come back to you and the Denmark option?
Absolutely, I’ll probably call them anyway, then I can let you know.
And yes, they were on the website, so maybe it was just for a trial period? Do contact them, it was such a great idea.
I will!
“Tender” has been particularly tempting for me lately— alongside the more overtly femme scents; iodine’s comparison to Equistrius has me intrigued, since Equistrius was a HUGE hit for me (although not until the second wearing, when I bathed in it).
Equistrius and Bas de Soie have been battling it out for top spot on my “Next Bottle” list, but I think maybe I should sample Blanc Violette before making any decision…
Beautiful review B!! 🙂
Interesting to know that those two are top contenders on your bottle list.
BV is probably one for the Dee method of application as well, but although very quiet it has a definite presence.
Dee, the last time I was Anthropologie by Bookpeople, they had a tester of Blanc Violette, albeit stuffed in a corner somewhere… incidentally, they seem to have been cutting back their perfume selection there. I didn’t put on Blanc Violette but it definitely seemed worthy of some skin time…
Though my sample of Blanc Violette is long gone, I found it incredibly tender and pretty too. Some whispery scents have presence, and this one certainly does. Lovely review. 🙂
Exactly. Quiet, but present. Glad to hear you liked it too.
Beautiful review (and lovely ducklings). Sadly there is something in the Histoires de Parfum line that doesn’t work on my skin and “turns”. My personal favourite spring perfumes are Chamade EDT and SSS Lieu de Reves
Thank you!
Is it like that with all the Histoires? Too bad. 😦
Lieu de Reves is just dreamy.
If only that star anis wouldn’t be there (strangely enough, I love it in my desserts…).
Although, never say never – I just bought a parfum with Jasmin plus Violet on Iris base…
I honestly can’t say I get much of star anise in BV, but then again I’m not sensitive to it.
How interesting! Because I am not much of a violet lover, BV is one of the few HdPs I haven’t tried. I do like the line.
What I know of the line so far, I like as well.
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