Norell by Norell

Cyndyava

I loved this as a child. I probably sniffed the original fragrance. Longing nostalgically, I purchased it one day at a ridiculously low price. The fragrance is not exactly as I remember, but the same "vibe" is still there. Crisp, clean, classic, sophisticated, green, and slightly metallic. I still love it, but have to be in the exact mood for it.

kittykati

put in a few words: beauty, vintage-style. for me norell easily comes in the same league as the very beloved fidji. a rich floral; not even a bit sweet, yet not a 'dry' kind; crisp but not watery-nonsense-fresh; some call it green, some call it chypre. whatever the classification - if you want something that never comes out of style, this is it. suitable for all ages, every kind of weather, and all occasions. love it.

soniamcalear

This stuff would kill a city if they put it into a bomb! unbelievably stong!!!! Along the lines of Chanel #5 but 10 fold stronger. One of the few perfumes left with any staying power. A crisp scent that lasts into eternity.

Sassy1

I'm so torn by this one...It opens with a very odd earthy smell that just isn't in line with the beautiful top notes it's supposed to possess. I expect more citrus and lovely light floral but I get a heavy mossy green tone instead. Is this from the Galbanum? It really seems to overpower everything and never really softens. It's really sad as the notes all look so beautiful, this should smell like heaven. Instead, it smells too much like earth. Unless they re-form, it's a pass.

magie

before I joined this club,I had read the term chypre, but had never really known what it meant. I knew that certain perfumes contained oakmoss or cedar but did not know how it affected the perfume. After having read several reviews and doing some research I decided to try a chypre floral,now I had tried Norell several years ago in a local drug store and had really liked it but for some reason did not buy it. I have preferred oriental and oriental floral perfumes, most of my life. After trying Cuir de Lancome and Nike de Saint Phalle, I decided that I love chypre florals and am trying to branch out. I saw Norell at a local department store for a very reasonable price and decided to get it. One of the Fragranitica members was asking about green chypres and mentioned Norell. I realize it is considered a floral, but it is much more complex than that. I am still trying to improve my reviews so bear with me. Norell does start out fresh and green and soon after blossoms into a rich and beautiful floral. I can smell the carnation and mimose, but the other flowers and spice seem to become one opulent note. The dry down is amazing, warm, but with a fresh note as well. It like Niki,is very underrated. It is elegant and classy, perfect for any age or sex. It can be worn anytime day or night. One of the best 1960's perfume out there and(this is the best part)it is very affordable. I bought the cologne because I understand it has not been reformulated. Even though, a cologne, it last several hours.

NebraskaLovesScent

I can remember seeing this one frequently at discount stores for the last 20 years or so. I never really gave it a chance. The "plain" box and bottle and the inexpensive price led me to assume that Norell would not be a pleasant scent. It seems I should know by now to never judge a fragrance by its packaging. Norell is a humble reminder of this.

I purchased the Bath Oil, after hearing that its scent was closest to the original formulation of the fragrance (pre-1997). The bath oils works just fine as a perfume, by the way.

And oh, lovely Norell, I am so sorry I passed you by all these years!

The scent opens with a blast of sharp green, followed by heady florals and spice, all on a woods-and-moss base. The floral phase lasts the longest and the flowers are bright and powerful, reminiscent of Patou's Joy. I get a waft of oriental spice every now and then. Something in this phase reminds me of Molinard de Molinard as well. The beautiful dry-down, however, is classic chypre. I agree that "Floral" doesn't adequately classify this complex scent, but neither would "Chypre."

The scent is a perfect match for what I now recognize as the understated elegance of the box and bottle. Norell would be a classic beauty at any price, but it would be a shame if any Chypre or Floral Chypre fan let this one slip by when it is priced so low.

JB78

Norell is a classic. My mother wore this, along with Estee Super in the 70's, and I always loved the clean aroma. The Cologne is the original, along with the perfume which is so hard to find these days. It is a green floral that dries down to a nice soapy, fresh scent. Very understated, yet is very present at the same time. It is a shame that Norell is so hard to find in the stores anymore. I only see the toilette which is not the original formulation. I bought a few bottles of the cologne off ebay, so I am stocked up for a while. I recommend this to everyone of every age.

WardrobeMistress

I am using the Eau de Cologne and very sparingly but still, this stuff is so strong...

It's such powerful complicated stuff that I am struggling slightly to seperate the notes.

At the top there is a LOT of narcissus, with some dry lavender running underneath it. I also get some carnation which gives it an interesting warm/cool see-saw effect with the lavender. There is something ever so slightly sweet that comes in a few minutes later. I can't quite put my finger on it...not quite hyacinth and not quite jasmine..sweet pea is probably the closest thing. Oh wait...here comes the jasmine!

As it dries down it becomes very very soapy on me. It's like an expensive, top quality triple milled french soap, but soap none the less. Vetiver comes on strong now and rose as well.

To be honest, I am having a really hard time with this. I definately agree with Jalutschka about it being an earthy green chypre, but it's also definately floral. It is rather sophisticated I suppose, it's definately not for shrinking violets. It brings to mind an authoratative woman with absolutely unshakeable self confidence. For some reason I envisage Sigourney Weaver in Working Girl! This would probably put the fear of God in all your employees if you were the executive wearing this.

I doubt that this one will help you break through the glass ceiling, but if you were clutching a bottle of this, you could probably put quite a few cracks in it.

tessture

A vintage-style, lovely scent. Slightly metallic floral with a soft unobtrusive base that breathes class in a refined, elegant way. Suitable for most events, including tea parties and a night out dancing.