The Perfume Library

Paris La Havane

8.3

Carven · 2019

Sweet · Spicy · Woody

Carven Paris La Havane is a sweet, spicy and smoky men's fragrance, woody, resinous and leathery in feel, best suited to fall and winter evenings. It opens with elemi resin, mandarin orange and black pepper; the heart brings Cuban tobacco, lavender and rose. Patchouli, amber and leather settle underneath. The sweetness is balanced by an earthy, smoky texture. Longevity is rated strong and sillage good. Most voters pick fall and winter, and lean towards evening and night-out wear. Most see it as masculine and classic. Davidoff Leather Blend and Amouage Interlude Man have a close profile.

L'Eau Intense (Eau de Toilette)

7.4

Carven · 2016

Fresh · Citrus · Floral

Eau de Toilette

Carven L'Eau Intense Eau de Toilette is a men's fragrance that opens with mint, Italian lemon and grapefruit, then turns green with lavender and birch leaf. The opening is led by mint and citrus, with lemon and grapefruit keeping it fresh. In the heart, lavender and birch leaf add a green, lightly floral touch, with an aquatic coolness running through it. The base brings ginger and cardamom for spice, while cedarwood and woods give it a dry, woody footing. Longevity and sillage are both rated good. Most voters pick summer and spring, and leisure, daily wear and business are the most mentioned occasions. Its character is mostly seen as masculine and modern. Cerruti 1881 Sport and Perry Ellis 360° for Men have a close profile.

Le Parfum

7.5

Carven · 2013

Fresh · Floral · Fruity

Carven pour Homme (Eau de Toilette)

6.8

Carven · 2014

Fresh · Citrus · Green

Eau de Toilette

Carven pour Homme Eau de Toilette is a fresh, citrusy men's fragrance that suits spring and summer days, in daytime and office settings. Its longevity is rated good and its sillage moderate, so it stays close rather than filling the room. Most voters pick spring, followed by summer and fall, while winter stays in the background. Daily wear, leisure and business are the occasions named most often. Voters see it as masculine and modern. It opens with grapefruit, orange blossom and violet leaf, a fresh and green start. In the heart, sage, nutmeg and cedarwood add a spicy, woody touch. Vetiver and sandalwood soften the base and dry it down; the overall impression is fresh with a light sweetness.

Carven Homme

8.2

Carven · 1999

Citrus · Floral · Sweet

Carven Homme is a spicy, sweet men's fragrance that settles best into the cooler months of fall and winter; it has been discontinued. It opens with tarragon, clary sage, ginger and lavender, fresh yet herbal. In the heart, cinnamon brings spice while geranium and lily of the valley add a soft floral touch. The base turns sweet with vanilla and tonka bean, and patchouli and cedar lay down a woody, earthy floor; the overall feel is powdery and resinous. Longevity and sillage are both rated good. Most voters pick fall, winter and spring, while summer lags behind. Leisure, evening, daily wear and work get similar shares of votes. Most voters read it as masculine and classic. S.T. Dupont Signature for Men and Davidoff Zino have a close profile.

Vétiver (2014)

6.9

Carven · 2014

Fresh · Citrus · Green

Carven Vétiver (2014) is a men's fragrance that opens fresh with bergamot, lemon and grapefruit, then settles into the woody, earthy body of vetiver, cedar and benzoin. The opening is a bright citrus mix of bergamot, lemon grass, lemon and grapefruit. In the heart, nutmeg and lavender bring a spicy, green note, softened by orange blossom and geranium. Vetiver leads the base, with cedar and sandalwood building the woody frame and benzoin adding a resinous warmth. The accords also read smoky and earthy. Longevity and sillage are moderate. Most voters pick spring, fall and summer, with winter far less favoured. It leans towards leisure, daily wear and the office, and reads masculine and classic. Robert Piguet Bois Bleu and Miller Harris No. 3 Veti Vert have a close profile.

Vétiver (2008)

7.3

Carven · 2008

Fresh · Citrus · Green

Carven Vétiver is a men's fragrance built on lemon, bergamot and lavender over Java and Bourbon vetiver; it has been discontinued. It lasts a moderate time and sits close to the skin, with weak sillage. Most voters pick spring and summer, and leisure, daily wear and the office are its main settings. It reads mostly masculine and classic. Citrus and lavender open clean and green. In the heart, spices and nutmeg warm the freshness slightly. Two vetivers carry the base, leaving a woody, earthy and faintly smoky finish.

Paris São Paulo

8.0

Carven · 2017

Floral · Sweet · Gourmand

Carven Paris São Paulo is a sweet, spicy women's fragrance that suits autumn and winter evenings. Longevity is rated strong and sillage good. Most voters pick fall and winter, and evening and night out lead the occasions. It reads mostly feminine, though some voters call it masculine. It opens with cinnamon, bergamot and rum, spice and freshness together. In the heart, orange blossom, cardamom and cistus add a floral, spicy warmth. The base of vanilla, tonka bean and patchouli settles into a creamy, powdery, gourmand sweetness.

Dans Ma Bulle (Eau de Parfum)

7.5

Carven · 2018

Fresh · Floral · Fruity

Eau de Parfum

Carven Dans Ma Bulle Eau de Parfum is a feminine scent that pairs a fresh, floral frame with a sweet, powdery and creamy softness. Longevity and sillage both sit at a moderate level: neither faint nor room-filling. Most voters pick spring and fall, and leisure, business and daily wear lead the occasions. The feminine character dominates, though a good share of voters also call it modern. It opens with peony, mandarin orange and lychee, light and fruity. In the heart, dragée, jasmine sambac and heliotrope turn it into a sweet, powdery floral. The base of patchouli, vanilla and sandalwood dries down warm and creamy. Xerjoff Elle Anniversary and Parfums de Marly Delina have a close profile.

Ma Griffe (2013)

7.5

Carven · 2013

Fresh · Citrus · Floral

Carven Ma Griffe (2013) opens with gardenia bud, lemon and bergamot, then moves into a rose, jasmine and ylang-ylang heart, a powdery, woody chypre on the fresh side. Longevity is good and sillage moderate, so it stays fairly close to the skin. Most voters call it feminine, with a smaller group calling it classic. It leans towards spring and autumn without ruling out summer or winter, and suits daily wear, leisure and the office. Lemon and bergamot lead at first, with gardenia bud adding a soft floral touch. In the heart, rose, jasmine and ylang-ylang dominate, and sandalwood anchors them in a woody base. The dry-down of styrax, tonka bean, vetiver and musk turns powdery, lightly spicy and green in a chypre manner. Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche (1970) and Penhaligon's Jubilee Bouquet have a close profile.

L'Absolu

7.1

Carven · 2015

Fresh · Citrus · Floral

Carven L'Absolu opens on Italian mandarin orange and Madagascan ylang-ylang, with tuberose, iris and jasmine at its heart, making a fresh, floral and woody women's perfume. The first impression is citrusy and fruity, led by the mandarin and ylang-ylang. In the heart, tuberose, iris and Egyptian jasmine absolute build a floral body. Indonesian patchouli, Spanish cistus absolute and sandalwood anchor it on a sweet, woody base. Longevity is rated good and sillage moderate. Most voters read it as feminine, and it leans towards spring and fall, with summer close behind. Voters place it across daily wear, business, leisure and evenings out.

L'Eau de Toilette

6.9

Carven · 2014

Fresh · Citrus · Floral

Carven L'Eau de Toilette opens with Italian lemon, orange and peony in a fresh, floral scent that suits women and leans light. Longevity and sillage are moderate. Most voters pick spring and summer, and it fits daily wear, leisure and the office best. Nearly half of voters find it feminine. The top is lemon, orange, sweet pea and peony, with citrus and green accords leading at first. Hyacinth, wisteria and freesia then bring a soft floral heart. White musk and sandalwood settle underneath, leaving a powdery, creamy and slightly woody base. Yves Saint Laurent Paris Premières Roses 2016 and Grès Mythos have a close profile.

Madame de Carven (Eau de Toilette)

8.5

Carven · 1979

Floral · Fruity · Sweet

Eau de Toilette

Carven Madame de Carven Eau de Toilette is a powdery, sweet floral chypre with a spicy, woody backdrop and a distinctly feminine character. It has been discontinued. Longevity is rated strong and sillage good. Most voters suggest fall and spring, with winter not far behind and summer a minor choice. It leans towards daily wear, nights out and evenings, and also works for the office. Most voters find it feminine and classic. Ylang-ylang, jasmine and rose form a floral heart, softened by fruity and sweet touches. Patchouli, frankincense and styrax add a spicy, woody depth with a slightly animalic edge.

Monsieur Carven (Eau de Toilette)

8.7

Carven · 1978

Citrus · Floral · Spicy

Eau de Toilette

Carven Monsieur Carven Eau de Toilette opens on neroli, tarragon and bergamot, then deepens into patchouli, vetiver and labdanum: a citrusy, chypre-leaning men's scent that has been discontinued. The opening is bright and aldehydic, with neroli, tarragon, bergamot and lemon. In the heart, carnation, patchouli and vetiver lead, with jasmine and rose adding florals and cinnamon the spice. The base of labdanum, oakmoss and leather settles into a leathery, earthy, resinous ground, and the whole reads powdery and woody. Longevity is rated good and sillage moderate. Most voters pick fall, winter and spring, and it is chosen most often for evenings and daily wear. It reads masculine. Arrogance Arrogance pour Homme and Ralph Lauren Safari for Men have a close profile.

Paris Manille

7.9

Carven · 2017

Fresh · Floral · Green

Carven Paris Manille is a fresh, fruity women's fragrance that opens with pink pepper and starfruit and settles into patchouli and white musk, suited to fall and winter evenings. Pink pepper's spicy freshness and starfruit come first. In the heart, plum and davana carry a fruity sweetness, softened by floral and green accords. The base lays down an earthy, woody floor of patchouli, and white musk closes it with a powdery, creamy finish. Its longevity and sillage are rated good. Most voters pick fall and winter, and leisure, evening and night out lead the occasions. Most find it feminine, while some read it as classic or masculine. Pink Patchouli and Patchouli Blanc have a close profile.

Paris Bangalore

7.7

Carven · 2017

Sweet · Spicy · Woody

Carven Paris Bangalore is a sweet, spicy and woody women's fragrance built around clove leaf, vanilla and tolu balm. It opens with clove leaf's spicy edge, while vanilla and tolu balm in the heart turn it creamy and resinous. Amber, sandalwood and tonka bean settle into a powdery, woody, slightly earthy warmth in the dry-down. Longevity and sillage are both rated good. Most voters pick fall and winter, with spring not far behind and summer a distant last. It is worn across daily use, business and evenings alike. Feminine leads the character votes, though a sizeable share also reads it as masculine. Hervé Gambs Hôtel Particulier and Georges Rech Oriental Dream have a close profile.

Paris Mascate

7.7

Carven · 2017

Floral · Sweet · Spicy

Carven Paris Mascate is a sweet, spicy floral oriental for women, suited to autumn and winter evenings. It opens with bitter orange and coriander, bright and slightly sharp. Geranium, Moroccan rose and patchouli form a floral, earthy heart, and the base of vanilla, tonka bean and amber turns creamy, powdery and resinous. Most voters pick autumn and winter, with spring and summer well behind. It leans towards evenings and nights out, though leisure wear is also common. Longevity and sillage are rated good, though few have voted. V Canto Kashimire and Rhizome Rhizome 05 have a close profile.

Paris Florence

7.9

Carven · 2017

Fresh · Floral · Fruity

Carven Paris Florence is a fresh, floral women's fragrance softened by a sweet, powdery and creamy texture. It opens with magnolia and blackcurrant, so a fruity freshness comes first. Heliotrope carries the floral, powdery side in the heart, and sandalwood, Virginia cedar and myrrh settle it onto a woody, lightly spicy base. Voters find the longevity and sillage good. Most pick spring and fall, with summer not far behind; winter is the least chosen season. Daily wear and the office lead, while evening and night out also get votes. It reads feminine. Its profile is close to Hermès Twilly d'Hermès (Eau de Parfum) and Bvlgari Le Gemme - Calaluna.

Carven C'est Paris ! (Eau de Toilette)

5.9

Carven · 2021

Fresh · Citrus · Aquatic

Eau de Toilette

Carven C'est Paris ! Eau de Toilette is a fresh, green men's scent that opens on Argentinian lemon, Moroccan rosemary and Italian cypress. Lemon and rosemary give the opening a bright lift, while cypress adds a dry, resinous greenery. In the heart, Egyptian violet leaf absolute and French lavender lead, with hazelnut sweetening it slightly. The base settles on moss, Virginia cedar, cistus, patchouli and sandalwood, a woody, earthy foundation. Citrus and aquatic accords keep it fresh, with spicy and woody tones in the background. Longevity and sillage both sit at a moderate level, though the small number of ratings makes these only a rough guide. Its fresh build suits everyday wear. Jaguar Classic Electric Sky and Azzaro Azzaro Sport have a close profile.

Paris Shenandoah

8.3

Carven · 2019

Fresh · Green · Sweet

Carven Paris Shenandoah is a men's fragrance that opens with cardamom, elemi resin and ginger and settles into benzoin, amber and sandalwood, its fresh, green side balanced by sweet spice. Longevity is rated good and sillage is rated good as well, though the number of votes is small, so these ratings are only a rough guide. It is classed as a men's fragrance. Cardamom and ginger give a fresh, spicy start, softened by elemi resin. The heart of iris, sage absolute, Virginia cedar and Atlas cedar builds a powdery, green and woody middle. In the base, benzoin and amber add a sweet, resinous warmth, and sandalwood ties it to a creamy woodiness, with smoky and leathery shades staying in the background. Its profile is close to Oriza L. Legrand Rêve d'Ossian and Tommy Hilfiger Impact Intense.

Le Vétiver

7.9

Carven · 2009

Fresh · Citrus · Green

Carven Le Vétiver is a fresh, green and woody men's fragrance built on Haitian vetiver, patchouli and juniper berry; it has been discontinued. Longevity is rated good and sillage moderate, so it stays with you for a while without filling the room. Voters spread their picks almost evenly across all four seasons, and lean most towards leisure and daily wear. Mint, mandarin orange and geranium open it brightly. In the heart, absinth, fern and lavender give it a green, fougère character. The base of vetiver, patchouli and juniper berry leaves an earthy, slightly smoky woodiness, with nutmeg adding spice. Heeley Vetiver Veritas and Creed Bois du Portugal have a close profile.

Paris Sambava

7.9

Carven · 2024

Fresh · Floral · Fruity

Carven Paris Sambava opens with plum and cherry blossom and settles into vanilla and musk, a fresh, floral and sweet fragrance for women. Its longevity is rated good and its sillage moderate: it is noticeable up close without filling a room. The vote count is small, so these ratings are only a rough guide. It is described as a feminine scent. Plum and cherry blossom give a fruity, fresh start. In the heart, heliotrope and white orchid add a powdery, floral softness. The base keeps the sweetness going with vanilla, Siam benzoin and musk, while patchouli and Orcanox leave a dry, spicy trace. By Terry Rêve Opulent and Naomi Campbell Cat Deluxe have a close profile.

Dans Ma Bulle de Musc

7.5

Carven · 2022

Fresh · Floral · Sweet

Carven Dans Ma Bulle de Musc is a fresh, powdery floral built around rose, violet and musk, made for women. It opens with ozonic notes, cyclamen and pink pepper for a light, airy start. Rose, lily of the valley, violet and jasmine lead the heart, with dragée adding a soft sweetness. Musk, sandalwood and amber settle it onto a warm, powdery base. Longevity is moderate and sillage weak, so it stays close to the skin and keeps a low profile. Voters spread their picks fairly evenly across the four seasons, with spring slightly ahead, and lean towards office and leisure wear. Narciso Rodriguez For Her L'Eau and Montale Roses Musk share a close profile.

Dans Ma Bulle de Fleurs

6.9

Carven · 2020

Fresh · Citrus · Floral

Carven Dans Ma Bulle de Fleurs is a fresh, fruity floral that pairs citrus brightness with a soft, powdery and creamy feel, and it is described as a women's fragrance. It opens with lychee, mandarin orange, pear and green apple, a fruity and airy start. Peony, white lotus and freesia bring a floral heart, with dragée adding a sweet touch. Crystal amber, cashmere wood and musk settle it onto a woody, creamy base. Longevity and sillage are rated moderate. Most voters pick spring and summer, and daily wear, leisure and the office come up most often. It reads feminine and modern. Engelsrufer Aurora and Violet Tanagra have a close profile.