Cantate by Yves Rocher

As I’ve mentioned before, my mom and I were obsessed with Yves Rocher perfumes in the 90s. This was one of our favorites; we bought them in large bottles and minis, both EDT and EDP. Seeing a sealed 30ml vintage on Vinted for €10, I couldn’t resist the nostalgia. It’s been a delight, though since it’s the Parfum version we never used, it doesn’t quite bring back the exact memory. It’s floral with a vintage vibe. The rose is very prominent, paired with geranium, settling into a powdery iris with some green notes. Then come the spices, with strong cinnamon and, above all, osmanthus, which surprises me as it’s under-voted but I smell it a lot; it reminds me of Amouage Sunshine and adds a peachy touch. The dry down is woody and eventually mossy. Moderate sillage, lasting 8-9 hours on skin and leaving a trail on clothes for several days. I love it, but I know our relationship will be short because I use a lot and the bottle lacks a sprayer, so you have to apply it with the cap. Scent 7.5/10 Longevity 8.5/10 Sillage 7/10 Value -/10 Versatility 8/10 Packaging 8/10 Would I buy again? Yes

This was a masterpiece… Oily, deep, dark… Why do they stop making the best perfumes?? They did the same with Ming Shu… what a pity…

I picked up a miniature after reading it was similar to Putain des Palaces, which I tried and fell in love with. The price piqued my curiosity. They share notes, but Cantate lacks the powdery and leather touches that give Putain its power and elegance, which this one misses. It’s not a bad fragrance (though it doesn’t last long), but compared to Putain, which I’ve fallen in love with, it falls short.

It has something that reminds me of Carmen by Victorio & Lucchino, but both are delicious and elegant. I have a bottle of Cantate with perfume at the bottom that has already turned into an oil extract, and I don’t wear it because this scent is no longer available. I adore its well-structured and complex cinnamon and osmanote notes; it’s a shame it’s discontinued.