WHAT I SMELL: Vivacious makes its entrance with a full-bodied sunny bergamot and a sweet and lilting violet which quickly gives way to a waxy carnation full of energy and a boldness. I find the opening unexpectedly rapturous and exciting. As the perfume warms on the skin, the cool violet pops it head out from under the carnation. Here, the perfume feels as if it resides on two planes, the violet happily skips upon the rounded carnation as if the perfume is full of mischief, but not so much as to take it over with flippant silliness. As the perfume continues to develop, a rich, round, waxy mix of warm carnation and powdered spiced florals make for a lightly leathered hue. Vivacious is as pretty as it is bold, but it’s not demure by any means.
From the Hiram Green website:
Vivacious is a violet-themed perfume that takes its cue from those prim Victorians who adored this precious flower so much. Updated for the 21st century, this scent has a happy and carefree flair.
The fragrance opens with bright and joyful bergamot that seamlessly merges into a floral bouquet of flirty violet and spicy carnation. Waxy orris smoothly anchors this boisterous heart and soft, powdery amber adds a warm and luxurious finish. Vivacious is an exuberant and joyful perfume. Perfect to zing your life.
Notes: bergamot, violet, carnation, orris, amber
Flapper Joan Crawford in “Our Dancing Daughters” – 1928
WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME: Vivacious is the quintessential 1920’s flapper. It’s a modern perfume that comes out of the Victorian era with the just the right amount of old and newly bold.
THREE WORDS THAT DESCRIBE VIVACIOUS: waxy, full-bodied…and of course, vivacious!
WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT VIVACIOUS: A Bottled Rose, CaFleureBon, Colognoisseur
BOTTOM LINE: Vivacious is a lively perfume that brings forth something new every time you draw the perfume to your nose. Sometimes fresh, sometimes spicy, but all of the time bold and beautiful. This is a lovely new direction for perfumer Hiram Green, and its one that’s very welcomed.
- Bone Rating: 4 out of possible 5 bones
- Scent: Floral
- Nose: Hiram Green
- Classification: Unisex
- Expense: $165 for 50 ml eau de parfum
* Sample provided by Hiram Green. Opinion my own.
The Scented Hound 
August 10, 2020 at 2:24 pm
Hi there! I love your reviews so much!! This one is especially fabulous. I must definitely try something that will make me feel like a flapper! I was initially a bit reluctant to try any new Hiram Green fragrance, since his other perfumes, Moon Bloom and the green one (Slow Dive?) knocked me out with their intensity and were just TOO much for me. Even though I love white florals all those indoles in Moon Bloom were just killer on my skin. Vivacious sounds perfect for me, though, so I will definitely give it a go!!
Stay safe and healthy.
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August 10, 2020 at 2:26 pm
I love violets, Guerlain’s French Kiss being a big favorite of mine. I still want French Kiss. Saving up for it. But maybe Vivacious will be better?!?
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August 10, 2020 at 7:38 pm
I know I have smelled French Kiss but it has been years ago, I can’t recall how it would compare. To me, Vivacious is in the same vein as En Avion by Caron…primarily because of the carnation note, but this has just that wonderful light touch of violet on the top of that En Avion base.
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August 10, 2020 at 7:36 pm
Ahhhh, thank you so much for the kind words Ricky. I know what you mean about the potency of some of his perfumes. This is much more subdued than Moon Bloom for sure.
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August 11, 2020 at 1:11 am
Excellent and thanks for the comparison to En Avion. That is very helpful.
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August 11, 2020 at 3:07 am
I absolutely adore this new Hiram Green!
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August 11, 2020 at 10:34 am
Me too!
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August 11, 2020 at 4:10 am
It smells mostly carnations on my skin – not that it’s a bad thing. I will wait to wear it in colder weather to see if I get other flowers. Though, it might be even better in spring: I remember that SSS’s Wood Violet (I think that was the name) was much better in early spring…
Love your reviews, Steve: just a perfect structure for either getting information about something I haven’t tried or comparing impressions.
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August 11, 2020 at 10:36 am
I’m in Washington state now and it’s cool…I think that it helps to bring the violet out. I’ll try it back in Mexico, but I do think that the carnation could probably dominate easily.
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