WHAT I SMELL: 1000 opens with warm peachy aldehydes that quickly meld into a blend of violets and rose. The combination of the osmanthus and the florals make for a heady, overly ripened, thickened and metallic perfumed football helmet. Once the helmet’s on, there’s also a buzzing layer of sandalwood that provides an aura of hair spray. But not to worry as a little more passing time reveals a softer side with a more creamy rose taking center stage. 1000 is big, actually bigger than big. Its florals are magnified with an intensity that doesn’t allow you to look away. At the heart of the perfume, tucked underneath is the muted shadow of Patou Joy. Joy tends to be remote and aloof, but 1000 is easily the the more outgoing and gregarious cousin. But the DNA is unmistakable. After some time, 1000 begins to lose some of her exuberance and the metallics and sharpened edges fall away and it makes 1000 more elegant and more wearable. In the end, 1000 leaves us with a big and warmed floral heart.
From Fragrantica:
Top notes are Osmanthus, Violet and Apricot; middle notes are Rose, Jasmine, Geranium and Lily-of-the-Valley; base notes are Sandalwood, Patchouli and Oak.
Pretty Woman – 1990
WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME: Hooker with a heart of gold.
THREE WORDS THAT DESCRIBE 1000: heady, out-there, gregarious
WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT 1000: Perfume Smellin’ Things, I Smell Therefore I Am, Bois de Jasmin
BOTTOM LINE: 1000 is a perfume that seems to get lost in the sea of big florals. To me, it’s one of those perfumes that you really need to be in the mood for and that said, the mood just doesn’t come along all that often. I really want to love her…but she’s a bit too “sharp” for me. In any case, 1000 requires that you are light to the touch with your application. But the true bottom line is that Jean Patou perfumes have been discontinued and are no longer in production. Luckily, you can find them on some of discount sites, but for how long?
- Bone Rating: 3.5 out of possible 5 bones
- Scent: Floral
- Nose: Jean Kerleo
- Classification: Feminine
- Expense: Varies
Review based on the 2014 eau de parfum version.
WHAT I SMELL: Oh my; Hera opens up with a sweet orange blossom that quickly moves to a warmed jasmine and ylang, ylang. It’s thick, rich, intoxicating and absolutely breathtaking. From the beginning, Hera is beautifully all woman and has a persona that feels all-knowing with its golden glowing countenance. As the perfume develops, the florals become more creamy as the Rose de Mai begins to bloom from the center. The rose is rapturous without dominating and it helps to create a dream like aura in its wake. After some more time, a hint of incense whispers in, but I am guessing its the narcissus that I am smelling vs. incense, but in any case it adds a dimension of mystery to this rapturous beauty. In slow and graceful development, Hera begins to powder and dry and a wonderful oakmoss note appears. And a bit later, the perfume once again becomes a bit more creamy with what seems to be a hint of violet. Here, the perfume is so soft and enticing and lyrical in nature. It’s strange, because Hera seems to quietly move, meld and morph at every slow turn so it’s quite hard to pinpoint any development in a chronological order. And as a result, every time it’s worn it feels completely different, but no less beautiful. Hera is a gift from the gods of which this mere mortal is not giving it justice in my description, because it’s just to hard to put rapturous beauty into adequate words.
WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME: Perfectly named, Hera is indeed “Queen of the Gods.”
WHAT I SMELL: Narcisse Blanc opens with a peppery warm and indolic orange blossom and neroli. It’s thick, waxy and completely intoxicating. Quickly, a petitgrain note emerges to bring the floating blossoms towards the earth with a greenish touch of grass. There’s nothing easy or breezy about this perfume. Instead, it’s beauty is in the realm of the mature. Big and round as more florals come in punctuated with the rose, Narcisse Blanc is less mysterious than it’s counterpart, Narcisse Noir, but to me, much more accessible. However, that’s not to say that it doesn’t hold it’s wearer in some contempt, as there is a bit of haughtiness and aloofness about it without it being cold in nature. As the perfume continues to expand and radiate, the warmth of the base begins to move towards the still waxy blossoms. Vetiver adds just a bit of a brownish grass and a sandalwood brings a little bit of sour. Narcisse Blanc never got the love that Narcisse Noir did. Too bad, because it’s every bit as beautiful.
The Scented Hound 