WHAT I SMELL:  Iris Cendré opens up cool, yet warm with a suede-like bergamot that starts to sparkle quickly with a dash of tangerine.  The perfume is semi-light and airy and reminds me of feathers descending to the ground after a pillow fight.  Soon the incense comes rushing to the forefront, but in a powdered and light-handed matter.  At this stage of the perfume, it feels like a giant powder puff of feminine floral magic.  What I find interesting is that you can feel the complexity and quality in the perfume, yet it carries itself in the most simple and elegant manner.  So where’s the iris?  It’s been there all along, but it’s soft, delicate and basking in warmth behind the other notes.  It doesn’t want to be the center of attention and instead choosing to be cool and aloof like iris can sometimes be.  As the perfume dries down, it becomes stripped of most of its moisture and ends it’s journey in a haze of incense which finally gives way to a light floral musk.  Iris Cendré has me mystified.

From the Naomi Goodsir website:

A fresh floral tone, led by bergamot, tangerine & spices. A rich & powdery heart of incense & purple iris. Sensuality is enhanced by cistus, tobacco & amber.

WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME: Black swan feathers.

THREE ADJECTIVES THAT DESCRIBE IRIS CENDRÉ:  elegant, elusive, restrained

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT IRIS CENDRÉ:  Kafkaesque, Colognoisseur, CaFleureBon

BOTTOM LINE:  Iris Cendré is an incredibly beautiful and restrained iris beauty.  It’s elegant simplicity and cool demeanor conceals a complex heart.  My only regret with the perfume is that the opening doesn’t last as long as I would like.

• Bone Rating:  3.5 out of possible 5 bones
• Scent:  Oriental Floral
• Noses: Julien Rasquinet
• Classification: Unisex
• Expense: $187 for 50 ml eau de parfum

Sample courtesy of Lucky Scent.