Orla Kiely Orla Kiely for women

Tea, and chocolate mixed with fresh peach. That's what it smells like on my skin. Pleasant and very refreshing.

Initially I found it a little herbal, because the tea was quite bitter, but then the sweet peach started coming through and it definitely softened that impression. After about an hour peach still played the leading role while tea provided a refreshing hint and chocolate added just a little more sweetness. And that's pretty much how it stayed untill the end (lasted about 6 hours).

Overall it smells young and cheerful, but I wouldn't say it's childish. I like it but somehow I find a bit too fruity. There is something about peach in perfumes that just doesn't get along with my skin. I must say though that the peach note in here smells a bit peculiar to me. I don't know whether some of you have similar experiences but the peaches you can get in supermarkets are often hard and quite crispy, but still very sweet. They smell ''peachy'' and sweet, but not as juicy as the soft, ripe ones. And it's this lack of a juicy aspect that I find so strange. Like fruit that is slowly getting dry.

Not unpleasant and I think that it has its charm, but I don't feel like getting a full bottle of this somewhat strange, peachy scent.

Great start, pity about the base.

Orla Kiely - such beautiful, quirky, fun & happy designs where the best of the countryside-past meets the city-present. All the prints speak of fresh air & nostalgic natural living....rosy cheeks, wellies, cup cakes & good old fashioned fun. I had hoped the scent would embody all of this...& the start was indeed promising.

The bottle is retro-classic. The moulded glass, orange bobble lid & solid weight feels very fitting. The green tea & bergamot opener is fresh yet calm & there is a warm bakery-goods scent creating a fuzzy, hazy background. All rather lovely, very natural, jolly nice.

Then, it all goes a bit wrong. Not badly wrong - no scrubbing necessary, but just not "right". The countryside starts to creep in....there is a lanolin whiff & a wet-dog damp-autumn-leaves accord that is just a little too much detail in this story! It is like someone (wearing a wooly arran jumper) let loose a soggy labradoodle who is now hooning around my wrist.

As a patchouli-lover, I am used to a bit of damp leaves...& whilst it is patchouli-esque in nauture the leaves here are a little more sickly/mouldy. All the while there is a warm & cosy (if a little generic) woodsy-vanilla-musk base. Very odd.

Definitely not your typical floral & one that I would advise you try before you buy. Welly-wearing brigade - give it a shot!

Hi, my name's Carrie and I do some work for KMI, the beauty house that helped develop the Orla Kiely scent. Obviously there's some mixed views here, but if you do like the scent, you might be interested to know that it has been shortlisted for a Pure Beauty Award. Thanks, C

I was very interested in this and was delighted it was available in Debenhams today so I could test it. Orla Kiely's designs are nice and reassuring because while they are unique then are also clearly inspired by prints from the 1950s and 1960s. Her clothing, houseware, etc is always nice but not necessarily groundbreaking. It is because of this that her stuff is so desirable. With this in mind I did not know what to expect from the fragrance and approached it with an open mind. It is a disappointment.

I thought her fragrance would be like her other stuff in that it would be solid without being boring. Or maybe I expected comfortable but not too familiar? This fragrance is average and smells like any generic celebrity's one. The initial blast on my skin was promising. Some tea and fig was apparent and after a little while the chocolate but it was very subtle. Mostly what I smell is some floral note that I can't quite identify. Not that is matters because it is overwhelmed by some powdery mess of a base. Sigh. The bottle is really pretty though!

My impression on my skin:

I was intrigued with this scent when testing on paper so I figured I would give it a go on my skin and see if I could make a decision.

It's very strong. I keep getting whiffs of it; therefore I do not think this would work well for the office.

I still feel it's an autumn scent, spicy, has a slight sharp/crispness about it, and is a warm scent.

It reminds me of something I've smelled before, but I'm not quite sure what, either another perfume or something specific.

At times when sniffed close to the skin it smells slightly musty. I get hints of the peach even in the dry down, which adds only the slightest bit of sweetness. I haven't smelt the chocolate note at all.

I think it's interesting, but a bit strong for me. I only sprayed it once in the crook of my arm and I am starting to feel overpowered a bit. I would say def worth trying, but try before you buy.

Smelt this today and i am in love with it! gutted that i spent ages a few weeks ago trying to find a new scent i liked and bought something that "will do" so now dont have enough funds to buy it............just yet! I cant wait to get this and keep hinting to my other half. I am not too sure what i like about it as its very different but i just love it!

This is only my impression off paper:

Off hand and straight away it is a very floral smell, but I keep getting the feel of autumn rather than spring. Has a light crispness/freshness, but also a deep muskiness (hence autumn?). The scent keeps changing to me, a get a hint of sweetness, then florals, then a darker musk. From not so close to my nose I get only florals, mostly rose and white flowers. I do smell the tea as well,which fits nicely.

Overall, I'm on the fence. I usually don't like florals but I would definitely like to try on my skin and see what comes through, as I really like the changing scents on the paper. Will edit when I get a chance to try on my skin.