“He did not hear Molly saying in as soft a voice as if she were talking to herself, ‘I wore mine just as they were sent,’” –Elizabeth Gaskell, Wives and Daughters
In this scene, Molly is speaking of a bouquet sent to her by her friend and unrequited love, a man who has fallen in love with her stepsister, Cynthia. In contrast to Molly, Cynthia dismantled her bouquet from said gentleman to add some of the flowers to Molly’s hair. Wistful and romantically sweet in its portrayal of loyalty set against love, the scene is typical of Wives and Daughters.
“Wistful and romantically sweet” is also how the latest perfume from Puredistance, Opardu (created by Annie Buzantian), strikes me. Based on carnation, Opardu’s other listed notes are tuberose absolute, purple lilac, jasmine absolute, and gardenia. I feel the carnation is just a dusting of spiciness, vaguely clove-ish, while the notes that really shine are the lilac and gardenia. The lilac is delicate, slightly green, and youthful. The gardenia is smooth, elegant, and a little melancholy. I love white florals when they have this lived-in quality. Whether it strikes me as wistful (in this case) or vulnerable, it’s always compelling. And the contrast between the lived-in quality and the youthful lilac works really well.
Opardu is linear on my skin. The overall combination of notes (I’ll buy a list that includes tuberose, jasmine, and heliotrope) feels deep, well blended, and expensive. I wore it today, and it didn’t transport me to Paris in the 1920s. I was still very much in the the 21st Century, navigating a cold and icy city street in heels. But I smelled great.
For more reviews of Puredistance Opardu, read Meg at Parfumieren, Elena at Perfume Shrine, Birgit at Olfactoria’s Travels, and Suzanne at Eiderdown Press.
Sample of OPARDU provided by Puredistance. As always, reviews are not compensated, and my opinions are honest and my own. Information on my review policies is on the Media & Disclosure page.
I tried Opardu several times and couldn’t make up my mind. I decided than that I’d need to wear it (as an opposite to just testing) to see how it feels – but since then I didn’t feel the right moment. I still plan to do it one day but for now in my mind it stands apart from the first three perfumes.
You wrote a beautiful review, I want to try Opardu again right now but I can’t: all “useable” skin RE is taken for today.
BTW, Puredistance has finally revealed notes – I just saw their post on FB about it.
Thank you for the link! I wonder if heliotrope will be polarizing for some people? It’s not overpowering, but I know there are people who just can’t stand heliotrope.
Thank you so much, Julia! I had one complaint, which I think other people shared, and which I forgot to put in my review: Opardu is pretty quiet. To really get the effect, I had to dump the vial onto my skin. So I think your decision about wearing rather than testing is the right one.
phewww, I’m so glad you wrote about the quietness!
I am still trying to find my Ophelia. A floral perfume that is so darned depressing and well, Ophelia-like, that I cry every time I wear it. I was thinking perhaps this was it, but I’m not going to spend a ton of money of something that I have to drench myself in.!
Yes, I’m finding it quiet. Unfortunately, the sample is a dab, so it’s hard to tell what it would be like sprayed.
Your image of an Ophelia perfume is just perfect. Can I sign on for that search, too?!
I love “lived in quality” to describe the feeling of a perfume!
I’m much happier with something that smells expensive rather than opulent so that’s OK with me. Puredistance perfumes are so unbelieveably well blended. Opardu has to be a must-try.
Natalie, I loved hearing about you wearing a vintage hat, fur wrap and heels. I will never be that well put together but love others who are. I know you have a huge back-log of perfume posts but if you ever posted pics of your outfits that would be lovely.
I prefer expensive to opulent, too.
It’s obviously not a huge deal that their press materials are a bit disconnected, but being in that industry, it really stands out to me.
I appreciate your confidence in my ability to look put together! I must say the end of this post was more about how I felt (and how this perfume appeals to the vintage lover in me) than how I looked. I am not one to pull off a head to toe vintage look! But I’ll consider the outfit idea. I’ve often thought it pairs well with perfume, anyway. Thanks for suggesting!
I’m sort of a sample-buying freeze right now, but this sounds so nice. Carnation + lilac sounds really appealing for some reason.
It is really pretty. The carnation is very subtle, though.
Seconding what Tara said, I loved how you ended this review with the image of you navigating through the cold city streets in your vintage hat and fur wrap. You’re right – Opardu is a nostalgic perfume, and that’s a perfect image to couple to it. (And echoing Tara again, I would love to see photos of you in some of your ensembles!)
Suzanne, I really enjoyed your review of this, and I felt like we had a similar experience with it. I’m glad that image of nostalgia “worked” for you, too. It just struck me that day how much the nostalgic, vintage-loving side of me was attracted to Opardu.
I loved your review, and I do get the wistful, nostalgic vibe of Opardu up to a point, but the musk is amped up on my skin for whatever reason, and I just can’t get past that aspect. It reminds me of the muskier end of the Narciso Rodriguez flankers. And I so wanted to fall for it, being a huge fan of the line generally.
Oh, what a bummer! It’s a shame the musk does that on your skin.
Good review. Clove tends to be a polarizing note.
Thank you!