Rochas Byzance Eau De Parfum 90ml

Product Information

If L'Instant Magic and Hypnotic Poison had a baby, this would be it. Immediately after spraying you may think that this is very similar to L'Instant Magic, including the anise and iris notes, a beautiful, heavenly powdery vanilla scent with something you may identify as the Guerlinade. I am writing this time because I realized something today. I have bottles of both vintage EDP and EDT. If you've ever tried to hunt down a bottle of the EDP (and it's amazing bottle) you know how costly it can be to get your hands on one. The EDT is more accessible, and I realized today that I actually prefer it to the EDP!! My point is that if this was once a great love of yours, you may find that the less expensive EDT will work better for you than the EDP. What ever happened to unusual fragrances? There seems to be a massive surge in gourmande fragrances for women, whilst not being a bad thing at all (as I love MANY a gourmande), there's just so many sweet girly girl fragrances out there! Byzance is most definitely NOT a girly girl scent. This is a spicy, woody scent that is crisp, dry and incredibly powerful! If you want to rich & fruity, try Alchemie instead. If you want "sweet" & powdery, try the original Tocade. Rochas WAS great once.

It is a lot like some of the Estée Lauder ones, this: tart & sneezy & catch-in-the-throat ( laryngarpic, maybe?): a bit like Private Collection ... & I seem to remember Cinnabar, to which someone earlier compares this, being similar in that respect. Knowing also - that's another one. So cozy, so creamy(almost ambery), deep and incredible sexy/naughty... It's not too sweet or overwhelming, but the vanilla note is done in the best possible way in my opinion, because it gives depth, but at the same time playful/modern sexy approach. Byzance… well the name itself evokes luxury, silk, plum velvet & golden trimmings, lavish baths, people chilling out in such a lounge and “dolce far niente”…plus a little skankiness :o).

Very durable also - it's one of those that has that characteristic of springing whiffs upon me, primarily of the nature of that sheets-on-the-line muskiness, that at first I'm convinced must be coming elsewhence, and which I'm not aware of when I first put the 'fume on ... which I would say is on the whole a good sign. I have to say that in Byzance after a few minutes there is something in the finish that smells a teensy weensy bit dirty, maybe from the musks and I don't find that in L'Instant at all. Nothing to bother me too much, though. Another point that stands out to my eyes (and nose), is the low suitability of the product for the concept. Particularly, it would make more sense for me to find the Byzance Eau de Parfum (2019) fragrance in this Byzance Gold bottle and vice versa. There’s supposedly cedar, which I haven’t encountered yet, but it certainly would call to mind the middle east. Babylon stretched all the way to present-day Lebanon, so that makes sense. Of course, the Byzantine empire at its height also encompassed that region, so…potatoe potato. I still prefer imagining myself passing through the Ishtar gate when I smell it.

In the drydown though it transits from that angelic fluffiness, typical of what some people may associate to baby products, to a sultry sensual undertone with some more carnal flowers, the almond and the sandalwood notes, moving into a rather makeup/boudoir scent territory and becoming a true oriental.Let's start with the bottle design - so good and luxurious when you hold it in person! It's real pleasure to see so high quality presentation by Rochas! This blue color is stunning and the contrast with the gold nuances is so captivating in reality...

It starts off feminine and dries down to a masculine white musk. I’d say it’s a unisex perfume for a man who can pull off the initial florals and wait for the dry down. I've reviewed this before. Vintage Byzance resides in the pantheon of great fragrances from the late 80s that were part of my coming of age. So it's not necessary to again assert how utterly beguiling and mysterious I feel when I wear it. I find that the steamy and carnal facets stand out more in the summer, whereas in winter I can enjoy its powdery and woody side. In globalized times, where information is born and multiplies in seconds, this means that if one day you read something about it, citing this version as “reformulated”, know that it is not true.In 2019, Byzance was relaunched completely (proposal, concept, and fragrance). The look caught attention and disturbed the competition. The fragrance, however, did not exceed the expectations of many users hoping for a composition that, at least, resembled the original. But it appealed to women who love creamy vanilla fragrances with a sophisticated signature.

It makes me think of a mosaique whose numerous tiny pieces used with great skill turn into a perfectly composed image ... yes , a Byzantine mosaique !Due to the tuberose note, Byzance has also an aspect which resembles Dior's Poison; but the two are certainly different fragrances. It's a strong like, not a love, and it's not in the same league as the masterpiece that was the original Byzance, but it's one I will definitely reach for throughout the cold weather. Then a voluptuous rose and jasmine note take hold and pulls you in and wont let go. After a few hours, it meanders into a warm, sacred place that your heart will hold dear. If you know Rochas for sparkling Lumiere; dark green Mystére; complex Madame, fresh as f....Eau, well then, then you won't think much of this at all. I can hardly pinpoint anything else, but somehow it doesn't make me feel incompetent:) Byzance is one of those outstanding perfumes I don't have to approach with my mind. I simply let it lead the way, and it always takes me to good places, if maybe a little too mythical, entrancing, and out of my character.