Coeur de Parfum / Parfum Rare Jacomo for women

I always get nervous when I peruse a scent's notes and see my favorites, as I do here. My fear is that it will turn into a stinker, and the disappointment would be too great.

But no disappointment with Parfum Rare. What a surprising find this is! I've never heard of Jacomo until it came by way of a swap (and if you look who else reviewed this, you'll have an idea who that was ;-)

Parfum rare jumps right into its stride with me, not changing much over the entire wearing. So what does it smell like?

A promiscuous worker bee.

This is a warm, golden fragrance dusted with a buzz of spice. It has a strong powdery vibe that reminds me of bee pollen (that golden yellow dust that is heavy and sweet). This powder note is a smidge stronger than I would like, and is the only aspect that gives me pause to buy.

You may want to try this if you are a fan of Organza Indecence, Parfum Sacre, or general Amber scents. This is a sunset fragrance, warm, red, and breath taking. I'll play with my sample over a few weeks and see if my opinion changes at all.

My love affair with all things Jacomo continues.

Coeur de Parfum/Parfum Rare is a fusty, classy old dame that surely smelled a bit dated even at the time it was introduced. It's a grand chypre floral of the old school. If you told me it was introduced in 1957 instead of 1987, I would have believed you.

The closest scent to which I can compare it is Ungaro's Diva, which I loved but found unwearable on my skin. Coeur de Parfum is a bit softer, toning down the overpowering sweetness of Diva while still packing the one-two punch of oakmoss and vetiver in the base. Coeur de Parfum conjures images of powerful women in expensive evening wear, with satin-gloved hands clasping long black cigarette holders. The scent lasts all day long but seems best suited for nighttime wear.

If you like sweet scents full of fruits and flowers, stay far away from this one.

If you love and lament the long-gone days when women smelled like perfume instead of fruits and flowers, this discontinued classic is worth the hunt and worth the price.