Azuree Pure (for women)

Chat Lunatique

I think I owe Mr. Chant an apology, for publicly deriding the strange, awkward (MO) Aromatics Elixir. Because, his repertoire of classics suit me better than any other one perfumer's creations:
Cabochard, I loved you best before, but I love you still,
Aramis, you are quite perfect...
But Azuree, you win. Maybe if I had to go to a desert island with just one scent, I would take you...

Luca Turin, in his Guide frets about how Azuree is never discussed among the great leather chypres. And I wonder how this masterpiece slid under the proverbial radar for so long, too.
I think perhaps its house of origin Lauder has something to do with it, as the archetypal Lauder-lover is more of a belle than a sphinx. And associations kept potential admirers at bay..perhaps...

Azuree has a fabulous hot citrus flavor to it, and the leather note seems to almost steam up through the brew. Maybe I am becoming a tad anosmic, but I disagree with Jale about the moderation thing. I like to hose myself down with this one because the sillage is impressive and the drydown of a lot of it gives me confident and powerful aura. I do wait a good thirty minutes, though, before venturing out!

I can also smell the inspirations for Knowing in this creation. It has the same twist of bright coriander over musk (and I would swear I catch some muget, though it's not listed). And the same amount of depth and headiness.

Of course, a man could wear this fearlessly. Of course it smells like a man's fragrance. Chant mastered the androgynous powerhouse, but I remember a time when this kind of scent evinced of its women-wearers, a sort-of sophistication and worldliness that transcended frilly stereotypes; that's what these strong, leathery women's scents were all about -- Balls, if you'll pardon my French. And I absolutely, freaking love that. When I put on an ironed button-down shirt and a smart pair of slacks, the finishing touch is *always* a Chant. And then I feel ready, impervious to all, for life's onslaught.

Five-and-a-half stars.
Azuree is absolutely fabulous.

abigailmarie

My mom's signature scent since 1976. It smells good but dated. I think it's too strong for casual use. Kind of smells like a man's cologne IMO. Very strong and lots of green and leather notes to it.

nathalieZ

I simply hate it! a scent right out of the 60ties!!! old fashioned, overly strong..not for me!!!!

Robert White

Yes, Juliette, like all of the Bernard Chant perfumes that I have smelled, this works well on a man. Chant, along with Germaine Cellier, was definitely a master at big Chypre fragrances, and this is no exception. He also created Aramis and the original Cabochard, both of which are descendents of Cellier's Bandit. This is definitely an all day scent. Strong citrusy top notes that stay well into the middle...which lasts for hours. Azuree takes literally all day to get to the oakmoss drydown of Chypres. I sprayed Azuree on one arm and Mitsouko on the other, and the heart notes of Azuree were still there five hours later, while the Mitsouko had already gone to oakmoss. This is a great fragrance (around since 1969!), and an absolute bargain ($38.99 on Ebay!) that will last you forever. If you like Bandit and Mitsouko, this is for you, man or woman.

artgoddess

If not overused, this is a refreshing, crisp scent. If used too heavily, you will smell like the bottom of an unclean hamster cage.

Juliette has a gun

This is - to my knowledge - the creation of the great Bernhardt Chant- a genius who composed perfumes like Cabochard, Aramis and Aromatics Elixier. You can feel his handwriting here again, a very leathery, bitter fragrance, oakmoss, galbanum - extremely tenacious. Very original, but better on a man than on a woman, I'd reckon. Nevertheless, an underrated marvel.

Jalutschka

Azuree has to be handled with care. If you spray on too much, the effect is devastating - people will shy away from you. But if you apply just a little bit, it's a gorgeous, very interesting fragrance. Smouldering, leathery, rather bitter, extremely original.
One bottle will last for ages. So it is a real bargain - and a perfume which is outstanding without being a niche-product from a niche-firm. It is a wonderful example of the talents and quality of Estee Lauder.