Jaipur by Boucheron

I just finished a decant a friend gave me, and finally, I can talk about Jaipur, a classic I was eager to try. It’s very fruity and floral with a vintage vibe. To me, it smells like peach and a bouquet of flowers in all colors with powdery nuances; no single note stands out, but the blend is balanced and nothing is harsh. The base is resinous and even animalic. It resembles Volupté in style but isn’t the same. While the fruity sensation is similar, there’s no mimosa here, just that floral bouquet. Volupté is bolder, projects more, and lasts longer, but perhaps less refined. It has moderate sillage and lasts 8-9 hours; it’s very wearable and spring-like. If you like imposing, classic florals, you might enjoy it. It’s a good alternative if Volupté or Tresor feel too heavy to you, though if you have to pay gold prices, dosed Volupté is the better option. Scent 7/10, Longevity 8.5/10, Sillage 7.5/10, Value 7/10, Versatility 6.5/10, Packaging 6/10. Would I buy it again? No, I didn’t.

Jaipur is the singular oriental beauty of Boucheron… How many times have we wished for it and cried over its loss. It’s a princess essence of lavish necklaces and silky skin, a dream that dressed you wherever you went. I had a miniature about 30 years ago, I remember its champagne-dusted launch and the entrance of that glamorous era. That glamour united with the absolute uniqueness of India. Jaipur, the pink city of Rajasthan, with its palaces like Amber Fort or Hawa Mahal… Nothing could represent the fragrance’s opulence of its palaces, mystical corners, and red sunsets better. It had components that formed a perfume of yesterday, which we long for today. Its impossible-to-describe complexity made me understand the beauty of perfumery, of time, and of the eternal. Wearing it, I would drip it on my neck; after a while, it took on a candied tone but kept a precious rose, its sweetness was a Hindi tale. Its sweetness on a virgin skin moved me. I started choosing orientals by hand to dream: and who wouldn’t with these jewels? Sophia Grosjman offered us dreamy, voluptuous, unctuous, and elegant treats, leaving one of her best marks. I think she poured her soul into this Oriental piece here. It’s like watching a sunset on the terrace of a great palace, with juicy fruits nearby and an ice-cold champagne while the heat lulls you onto majestic carpets… Boucheron kept this supreme inspiration in one of the most beautiful bottles I’ve ever owned. As a young woman, I loved dreaming about it. If they brought it back, I’d bet my fingers it would be a niche perfume costing over 300 euros. Now, to own one like this, you have to be the owner of the palaces it evokes 🙁

It’s a fantastic perfume, delicate, elegant, mysterious, exquisite, and unique. It steals my words; its aroma transports you to another world or era. It’s so rich that I love it, and at the same time, very underused. If you go to a dinner or a romantic night with that scent, you will definitely be the queen of the place. It’s simply enchanting.

I’ve never been able to find one similar to this.