WHAT I SMELL: Joy (current version eau de parfum) is truly a joy when it first goes on the skin as it’s full of lush ylang-ylang and soapy white flowers and bright aldehydes. It’s a clean smell and one that’s slightly metallic. The florals are wrapped up in warmth, but at the same time there is a coolness or a bit of aloofness that makes the perfume proper and rather removed. After some time, a light controlled rose blends with the metallic notes and the soapiness begins to dissipate. As Joy continues its slow and deliberate path, a jasmine blends itself with the rose…but combined, they’re still very controlled and incredibly proper. Joy doesn’t transform or morph very much, but in the end, the florals fade and soften a bit, and what you’re left is a lightly warm breeze of light floral sandalwood musk.
From the Jean Patou website:
Created in 1930 at the height of the economic crisis. Joy, a sumptuous blend of roses and jasmine, is the antidote to gloom. Conceived as a perfume to reveal the essence of femininity of every woman, “Joy” is a timeless fragrance, the signature of the house Jean Patou.
WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME: Floral steel. A bit soft, yet rather hard.
THREE WORDS THAT DESCRIBE JOY: controlled, reserved, distant
WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT JOY: There are many reviews on Joy, but I haven’t found any on the current eau de parfum version.
BOTTOM LINE: Joy is legendary as the pillar of the house of Jean Patou. That said, I can’t honestly say that I don’t know anyone who continues to wear the perfume. Classics don’t always transfer well to the modern age and to me, Joy is a bit too removed in its personality. However, I’ll admit that I have a vintage bottle of the eau de cologne version from the 1970s. It’s clearly Joy, but it’s a much lighter wear as the florals aren’t tinged with the metallic edge and it’s just so much easier to like (but not love as it still leaves me a bit cold).
- Bone Rating: 3.5 out of possible 5 bones
- Scent: Floral
- Nose: Henri Almeras
- Classification: Feminine
- Expense: Varies
The Scented Hound 
May 9, 2018 at 10:13 am
I guess it leaves me cold too as I know I have some iteration of Joy floating around here somewhere, but I couldn’t summon up the interest to locate it and take a sniff. Re-reading this post, I am captivated by the notion of “floral steel.” It remains to be seen if that will inspire me to rummage around. 😉 xo
LikeLike
May 10, 2018 at 6:12 pm
Holly!!!! I think a lot of people have Joy lurking around somewhere as it’s not too hard to find. But, I would not run to “floral steel,” as it’s more of a, I’ll give it a try if I run into it. 🙂
LikeLike
May 10, 2018 at 12:32 pm
I’m positive I tried it at some point. I think I didn’t like it but I’m not at my computer now, so I can’t look for the notes (if I even made them).
I don’t know why but somehow this brand has never spoken to me. I know that they are still in production but I rarely see their perfumes and wouldn’t know if they make anything new, reformulated or discontinued any perfumes.
LikeLike
May 10, 2018 at 6:16 pm
A couple of years ago Jean Patou relaunched their classic line of perfumes. They really didn’t market them that well so they kind of just disappeared. They’re not bad, but they just get lost in the shuffle. I have to admit that I love 1000, but I don’t tend to wear it all that much in the heat here it can be a bit overwhelming.
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 18, 2022 at 12:06 am
Many younger women of today do not appreciate the complexity of perfumes, such as Joy or Chanel #5, because they have grown up in a world lacking in sophistication, taste – and class.
LikeLike