WHAT I SMELL: Imprévu opens with lemony tinged aldehydes that quickly become entrenched in the most beautiful oak moss in addition to a more rounded citrus. Soon enough, the perfume moves from the citrus and becomes lightly creamy with pulsating florals. There’s also a spiced note that gives the perfume a bit of exoticness. At this stage, Imprévu’s heart is deep, warm, a bit mysterious and incredibly alluring. After some time, a light soapiness emerges, but that soon dissipates and that’s when the real magic happens. Around 10 minutes into wearing the perfume, a light rich leather melds with the deep and warm florals and the perfume begins to dry with a powdery oakmoss. The perfume is so beautiful at this point with its warm, in charge and take no prisoners personality. Imprévu in french means “unforseen” or “unexpected.” The perfume is exactly that… but in the most wonderful of ways.
From Fragrantica:
Imprévu was launched in 1965 as an intense female perfume that ideally balances the chypre, wood and leather aromas. Absolutely mature and opulent, it opens with aldehydes and citruses like bergamot and bitter orange. The heart is composed of leather with traces of clove and floral notes, placed on a wooden base with oak moss.
WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME: Tina Louise…pretty and glamourous in a B-movie kind of way.
THREE WORDS THAT DESCRIBE IMPRÉVU: warm, deep, confident
WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT IMPRÉVU: Perfume Shrine
BOTTOM LINE: Imprévu is a hidden gem of a drug store perfume that made smelling glamourous and chic affordable. And there’s nothing here that smells inexpensive except for the slightly soapish drydown finish that you can sometimes find in the over-the-counter fragrances. But all you need to do to remedy that is to re-apply. I found this little gem for under $25 online and I’m so glad I decided to make it mine.
- Bone Rating: 4 out of possible 5 bones
- Scent: Woody Chypre
- Classification: Leans feminine, but very wearable for men
- Nose: Bernard Chant
- Expense: Review based on the parfum extrait concentration. Prices vary, but can easily be found on sites like eBay.
As an extra bonus, a 1967 Imprévu commercial:
WHAT I SMELL: Exit the King’s opening is bright, light and a little lemony, all of which soon moves to a sparkling pink pepper that quickly melds into a soured, flattened and soapy mix of florals. From almost the beginning, the perfume has a cottony and gauze like sheath that sits above the muted florals. Overall, it’s pretty in a inconspicuous and subdued way. After some more time, a salty edge brings a bit of a bite to the florals floating underneath. And with the salt, comes a little funk, like a light sweat. And as I say that, the florals begin to really gain strength while still being muted. But because of the mix of salt, funk and clean florals, the perfume feels natural, as if it’s just part of your personal DNA. After some more time, the perfume begins to warm with a lightly sweetened minty patchouli. Here, the perfume feels like a natural hug with its herbal essence. As the perfume then slows in development, the herbal becomes more a bit more soapy and a clean woody white musk takes it’s place. Even without the herbal freshness, the perfume retains its delightful persona.
WHAT I SMELL: Lui opens with a warm, lightly spiced benzoin that’s deeply sensuous and lightly tar like, but without the heavy weight. Soon enough, a buzzing carnation makes an entrance in the quietest of ways. And then, a nutmeg and clove spice begins to take shape after a short time adding just a bit of a bite. The perfume is rather brooding in it’s spicy persona with a mix of benzoin, leather and vanilla spice carrying the perfume on its journey. In the end, you’re left with a light smoky dry haze of a perfume that hugs close to the skin.
WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME: Autumn in Paris.
The Scented Hound 