WHAT I SMELL:  Bandit opens up with rush of galbanum; it’s green and almost sparkling in its intensity, but at the same time rather animalic and dirty which seems like a contradiction.  But soon, Bandit starts to elicit its floral side with a some gorgeous ylang ylang and jasmine sitting on what seems to be a layer of cigarette smoke that is layered on top of the green notes.  After around the five-minute mark a light spice combines with the floral and hints of leather start to peak through.  Soon enough the oakmoss starts to make itself known as the dryness sits at the base while the other notes morph above it.  However, after some more development the oakmoss reveals an extra sharpness that when smelled it wants to collapse the inside of your nostrils, but that sharpness soon moves to a more dusty and powdery essence; all awhile still sitting on top are the lightly leathered florals that are rather pretty in more of a masculine way.  In the end you’re left with a dusty and dreamy lightly leathered floral.

I find that Bandit seems to transform itself at different times when I wear it.  Sometimes it’s more floral and pretty, other times it morphs quickly into the dryer chypre and light leather. Either way I like it because it’s unique and different and I believe, pretty unmistakable as a perfume.

From the Robert Piguet website:

Provocative and sultry, this chypre fragrance is an intense blend of exotic leather, wood, spice and floral notes including neroli, orange, ylang ylang, jasmine, tuberose, vetiver, oakmoss, patchouli and musk.

WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME:  Bandit’s not quite the tough and wild gal that I had heard about and was expecting.  Instead, I think she’s much more of a “Pussycat Bandit!”

THREE ADJECTIVES THAT DESCRIBE BANDIT: dry, semi-tough, dusty

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT BANDIT:  Olfactoria’s Travels, Perfume Shrine, Perfume-Smellin’ Things

BOTTOM LINE:  My review is based on the Parfum Extrait version and on my box is a sticker that states:

“Certification

This is the original formula for Bandit created by this company with Robert Piguet for the introduction of the perfume in 1944

Errol G.W.Stafford, President, Givaudan Fragrances Corporation”

So I guess this version is about as good as you can ever get to the real thing.  But I have to admit that if I want a real dirty girl, I’ll stick with my Gres Cabochard.  However, don’t get me wrong, I love this pussycat of a rebel.

• Bone Rating: 4 out of 5 possible bones
• Scent: Chypre Floral
• Nose: Germaine Cellier
• Classification: Feminine, but can easily be worn by a man
• Expense: Varies depending on the concentration.  Review based on the parfum extrait.