Geoffrey Beene Geoffrey Beene for women

When I saw a good deal on 100 ml of this one, I decided to take a chance on it. One reason is that two reviewers on two different sites thought it came across as somewhat "masculine" (one was a woman and one was a man). It certainly doesn't have a strong floral element, other than the violet, which is more like violet leaf, actually. I didn't detect any strong galbanum, so I'm wondering if green notes and violet were listed instead of violet leaf because some women think violet leaf is too "masculine" for them.

Anyway, another reason I was interested in this one concerns the different impressions. Some say it's too "dirty" or "musty," others that it is too sweet, and another that it was a great scent for a businesswoman (I think still others said it was soapy or rough). This kind of variation in the reviews always intrigues me. So what do we have here? What I consider to be violet leaf is a bit strong for a while, though not as strong as in some "men's" fragrances (and it lasts a long time too). The bergamot is obvious, and with coriander and oakmoss kicking around, it has that "bug spray" or "hairspray" effect, not that I view it that way any more, now that I understand and can detect the notes.

What I want after a short period of time is decent note separation, and while it's not great here (which may have been the perfumer's intention), it's not bad either. I can detect most of the notes, though they do tend to bunch up for the most part. It's a bit dry, but there is no issue with it smelling "synthetic," thank goodness. Though musk is listed, I don't consider this a musky fragrance. The sandalwood note is clear but not especially strong. And the civet note seems to be quite subdued. I don't get much jasmine but the rose is noticeable, though in the background for most of the time.

No. 19 (I have a vintage EdC), by comparison, is richer and the floral notes are stronger. It also has a more distinct and "clean" feel. This doesn't make Geoffrey Beene "bad" (the perfume, not the man LOL), but I think it's an out-of-fashion kind of scent these days, and some might call it a "grandma perfume." For me, the important question is, does the fragrance have value to the aficionado? While I don't think there is any need for variations on this theme, I do think having this one fragrance (of this type) is worthwhile if you like variety. There is enough note separation, naturalness, dynamism, and note contrast. It's also fairly well balanced, though not all aficionados seek this attribute.

UPDATE: 12 hours after application and it's still present. Basically, this comes together after a few hours and then stays that way. The oakmoss and bergamot seem to be quite strong, while the floral elements are not. There is a kind of fruity quality too, probably due to the coriander and something else providing some sweetness (vanilla/amber/benzoin/etc.?). The closest masculine fragrance I can think of is Worth Pour Homme Haute Concentration (comparing drydowns only). I'm not sure if this is worthy of being in my rotation but I'll give it a full wearing at some point and update again.

It is sweet and this sweetiness remains for all 4-5 hours on me (used EdT). It is really a pity that nobody noticed this sweet note which I unfortunately don't like at all.

Unfortunately I found this one offensive. I don't know if it's just too blokey or what, but it's just so 'rough' and unfeminine. It took my breath away - for all of the wrong reasons. Maybe this one needs to be revamped, repackaged and reformulated.

Maybe the one I have bought is old and hasn't been stored carefully, but I do not like this fragrance at all. It turned sour on my skin almost immediately. At first I thought it may have been the citrus opening but it just got older and dustier until I was left with a rancid musty old upholstery smell. It was very disappointing but as I said , maybe it's not the true fragrance it should be in its fresh state.

It is very unusual aroma! When I have put it on myself, I didn't like it. But when has passed some hours - aroma became pleasant. I use it in some hours before leaving the house. I was subdued by this unusual proof aroma.

I CANNOT STAND THIS SCENT!!!! ITS AWFUL!!! I do not know what it is that my nose just wants to run for the hills with this stuff. I bought two bottles and gave it away to anyone who was dumb enough to take it!

A truly great scent for office and day to day use. Something well tailored and professional about this one from the coriander opening, the rose and geranium breeziness in the heart and the animalic oopmph in the base it gives off a competant competitive vibe.

I stocked up on this in the EDT and the parfum. It is my gabardine suit scent.