Dia pour Femme by Amouage

clairdelune

I wanted to try this one based on La Chat Lunatique's high opinion of it, and I'm so glad I did! Dia is absolutely sublime.
From the very first whiff, it's high quality ingredients and mastery of formulation (it's Jean-Claude Ellena after all!) are completely evident.
In fact, it's so fine I'm quite sure I'm not worthy. If I had a conscience I'd go wash this off right now. It's just too good for me. Fortunately, I don't suffer from conscience.
Dia, you had me from Bon Jour.

glitteralex

This review is for the EdP of Dia. I find the balancing of the sweet fig in the top by such pungent spices and sage and tarragon and the sweet, watery note of cyclamen to be very crafty Usually we see Bergamot in this role. While the danger here is that all forces join to create an olfactory disaster, here we see no such thing. There is such restraint in this perfume, allover, that I want to scream "Take off that mink coat! Let's see what you've got underneath!". The aldehydes are intolerable if you apple the perfume in amounts sufficient to get a hit from the notes. Therein lies the nature of Dia: a smoldering and beautiful symphony unavailable to us through the armor of aldehydes. While this creates a certain effect, it leaves me wanting more.

After about 10 minutes, the aldehydes quiet a little bit, and allow a delicious candy-flower note to come through. The rose oil is readily apparent and fixes the other sweet scents of fruit flowers (yum). The orris is playing in the background; it doesn't have a big prescence here but likely is used as a base for the heart to create this huge powdery effect.

(I just got buzzed by a hummingbird! Apparently she likes the peach and orange flower notes. Thought they were attracted by color more than smell, so I guess this is more potent to birds than humans)

I have to agree with others that the comparison to Chanel No. 5 is very true-in character and in the use of aldehydes. No 5 was my first thought upon application of Dia. However, the ingredients are very different, and Dia is far less soapy and loud. One can also get this type of fragrance in Van Cleef's First and Hermes' 24 Fauborg. I also find similarities to Beautiful by EL, in that it is a very busy and inaccessible rose-centered fragrance. Dia's quality surpasses that of Beautiful, but if I was on a budget (which I should be) I would squirt some No. 5 over some Beautiful and run out the door.

Kterhark

(repost)
i spent the day wearing this scent to work. It is very light, which is disappointing for the cost. I will admit the rose scent is tasteful, delicate and high quality. This is a good choice if you are going out to help a friend, to volunteer, or just wanting to feel beautiful. It has a cheerful, uplifting affect.

BethAshley

This fragrance starts out soapy and a few hours later becomes almost dusty smelling. I agree with Megansmoms' assessment of it smelling like an expensive rose soap. This is most definitely for a mature woman. It's a good quality fragrance, but I'm not a fan.

megannsmom

I agree that this scent is soapy....like a very high quality and expensive rose soap, used by a mature (not old, just mature!) lady. Very nice, but I was really only happy with the drydown, as the musky base melded with the rose. Pretty, but not pretty enough to spend this kind of money on anything but a sample!

rosesbecomeme

True it is a little like Chanel no5 but much cleaner. There is no doubt the roses are there and it is not too heavy.

Mals86

I found Dia rather "perfumy" and not something that I would ever actually wear... leaving aside the ridiculously high price of it. Sure, it's composed of some beautiful and expensive ingredients, and certainly the beautiful bottle is worth something on its own. But it reminds me somewhat of the menu at a restaurant where the chef is so impressed with the fancy ingredients available that he keeps creating dishes too rich to be really enjoyed. Having sampled this Jean-Claude Ellena creation before trying some of his other, more characteristic creations, I was surprised at how light and effortless they seem, compared to the lush density of Dia. It's almost rococo in its style, very decorated.

This is a beautiful scent, but it's too much for me, in several senses. If you don't mind spending an arm and a leg, and your personal style is ornate, it's probably for you, and you will definitely smell wonderful.

SedNonSatiata

I had high expectations of Dia, given the untouchable beauty of other Amouage fragrances, such as Lyric.

On me, the aldehydes, rose and peach strike a soapy chord, somewhat pleasant for its nostalgic associations. I'm reminded of Ma Griffe and other scents worn by grown up ladies in lipstick, scents which remain in my mind unidentified but indelible. Paris and Chanel No. 5 may be Dia's less distant cousins, not in note-for-note matches, but in general mood.

AFter some time, I detect Dia's orris and woodsy base chiming in, but too softly for my taste.

This fragrance is ultra expensive. I recommend sampling and comparing to other soapy mixes before committing to the purchase.

mademoiselle_nicole

wonderfully warm and clean at the same time, dia will be something that makes you enjoy yourself. it is a fragrance that will make you feel worthy...
it's the way you would round up a perfect bathing ritual, not just an easy shower. it is true that Dia is daywear, but is has the sophisticated elegance of a perfect pearl or white soft gloves. for everybody who likes to celebrate the art of femininity every day after day.

jeca

Rich, oriental and very expensive ;o(
For those who likes florientals.