Byzance (for women)

annehke

Chypre? Really? Well, I do love Chypres
but in no way had that word crossed my mind while testing it today. Other words such as...unique, fantastic, interesting, and "whoah, great stuff". At first I thought of candy, soap, sweetened fruits, and bath soap..then I thought of incense, hippie shops, and my favorite groovey notes, and a touch of sheer or light powder-never overbearing here. I tested the EDT. I wish it was a bit stronger and longer lasting..however my skin seems to make almost all perfumes disappear rapidly.

nesca1502

This is almost the only oriental fragrances I like, it is sophisticated and elegant, its something I picture wearing to the opera, very classy. Love the bottle too.

Robert White

You know, I wasn't crazy about this at first, but after having it for a while, I've really grown to like it. I've found the drydown to be fantastic...wish that I had a pure parfum version, because I have to spray a LOT of it on to appreciate it. But after that, the basenotes last all day, and I can smell the incense/resinous characteristics. It just goes to show how hard shopping for perfume can be.

tessture

Incense and aldehydes with slightly soapy carnation, drying down to lovely, almost church-like incense. I really like this one. There's a stage that I can only think of as 80s purple, since it reminds me of many mid-80s fragrances, but overall the incense feeling carries it through. Very nice, very purple somehow.

hathor

this to me is istanbul in a bottle!! it has something of east meeting west over the bosphorus. odd, but i get a hint of (clean) body sweat out of it. a lot of roses and a general feeling of something blue, which probably is emphasized by it coming out of such a wonderful blue bottle. i am amazed how many notes it contains. this is for me the last of the great rochas perfumes. very 80's i suppose, quite powerful, wouldnt be out of place on alexis carrington in her shoulder pads. i always think the 80's a much maligned decade but for me it was youth and freedom and i'll always smile when i remember this time. i'm interested to see that one of the base notes is heliotrope. i have discovered that several of my favourite perfumes contain heliotrope. this is ideal to wear in exotic surroundings of in warm summer weather in the evening.

Annie_D

Very interesting scent, the verdict is still out on it for me. Some of the notes are quite strong on me like tuberose I also am not a fan of anise and of course, I smell it througout the entire scent(maybe because once I get it in my nose I can't get it out), some lemon is present. I think it is an acquired taste, and a little indulgent. But that may suit some people fine, just not me!

If you are interested in buying the perfume or looking to restock go to fragranceshop.com 1.7 $16.95 or 3.4 for $20.95.

asilverfire614

This is one of those well-balanced that turns into something completely unidentifiable and indistinguishable regarding its notes...at least for me, that is! The only note I can distinguish at all is the tuberose.

For me, wearing Byzance is the equivalent of putting on a velvet scarf. It's very classy and distinctive and wraps itself around you like a soft glove. I love the fact that the powdery dry-down is subtle and not too sweet.

Lime909

I have a half-used bottle standing in my cabinet. I neither love it nor hate it. It's one of those... I take out the bottle to wear it, but then change my mind in preference for something else.

I think I largely bought it for the bottle (which I do still find beautiful) but the fragrance is a little overly powdery sweet, imo.

It's okay for deep winter to warm you up!

slamb

Lovely tuberose. Try this if Fracas (butter tuberose) is too buttery popcorn for you and if Knowing (mossy rose) is too strident in its high note. I wear it for daywear when I want a soft Knowing.The only drawback may be that Byzance is a little too powdery on the drydn. I am trying to get my husband to try this. The "guide" recommends this as a masculine, and I think that is a great idea.

newgabe

Take it easy with Byzance.. this is a strong scent and would be easy to overdo. I virtually spritz and run do avoid a nose itching pungency in the opening.. and for a while I regretted buying it. But like many perfumes, after a holiday at the back of the dresser, it returns to favour, refreshed.

guiwings

I had this one. For me it's a warm fragrance. It's, like description says, the essence of night. I just think in dance and seduction.

VioletLily

Byzance feels like an Odalisque, dressed in fine silks of vibrant colours, draped over a lounge. Just like those ones in a Henri Matisse painting. Opulent. Ravishing. Exquisite.

I am so glad I tried this again! Many years ago, I used to spray Byzance on in department stores and sniff dreamily, but I never got around to owing it. Recently though, that striking blue flacon pulled me in (I could get lost in that gorgeous bottle, but that's another matter), so I spritzed some EDT on. A harsh soapiness at first. Spicy. A blend of bergamot, orange flower, jasmine and rose to my nose, but it's not obvious as any of those things. Also reminds me a little of Boucheron’s beginnings too, in its initial stage. But then, like Boucheron, Byzance blossoms into something beautiful…as sandalwood, amber, vanilla and musk come to the fore and it blooms into a sultry haze of softly spiced, deep golden warmth and musky joy. And surprisingly, not heavy at all. I feel so good wearing this. Simply stunning.

Robert White

I was kind of disappointed in this...Turin describes it as an incense tuberose, but I just don't get that...it's got a creamy, lemony, smell, simultaneously soapy and edible, and definitely a powdery dry down. I don't smell any oakmoss in there...wonder why it's classified as a chypre in the Fragrantica description? I plan to keep wearing this as some fragrances just have to grow on you...it took me a while to like Bandit and now it's definitely one of my favorites. Tania Sanchez says it would make a great masculine, but I can't see most men wearing this.

essija

I remember this as ok. Nothing great I remember I was wanting boucheron and got this by mistake but it was alright. I think I might even still have it somewhere...

Malegria

It is very much like Salvador Dali, but softer, with lemony undertones. I was very pleased to smell a very earthy and natural cardamom, and also ylang ylang.It is too rich and heavy for an everyday use, so wait for a special occasion, put on your best black dress and your favorite pumps, some Byzance - and the world is yours.

liat

Has a very unmistakable feel to it. Sharp at first but then softens into a powdery soft scent, very floral and baby like. I find it lovely.