Arquiste

L'Or de Louis

 I didn’t really like this fragrance too much it kind of smells like black pepper.

Not for me . Too many opposing notes .

The notes you get immediately are the floral notes and Cade wood and they are strong! The musk is very very faint. I’m definitely more of a sultry musk/ warm scent right off the bat. I would say the photos advertised fit is perfectly and are giving off an almost older era, which would be good for someone else, just not for me.

At first it has a very strong soapy smell, then as it starts fading smells like a subtle sweet powder

I completely understand why others didn't like it, as it reminds them of grandma perfume or soap. It makes sense. The type of orris (Iris root) that this brand used seems to be aldehydic (soap like). Additionally, some orris fragrances tend to be associated with grandmothers (depending on what it's combined with). This is a more soapy or aldehydic orris rather than powdery. I really like this one. To me, it smells like the old world that I imagined. It sometimes smells fresh, illuminating, and a bit aquatic for me. I am not a fan of the honey part though. It sometimes has that stank when you wear it. It's one of those fragrances that I feel isn't too wearable. For those that don't know, Arquiste tends to tell stories through the perfume. In this case, it's about french King Louis IVX and his orangerie in Versailles. This fragrance was an interpretation of how it would smell if you walked through that area, along with what some of the ladies and the King liked at that time (explaining the florentine orris). It explains why there is a smell of orange blossoms. I once passed by rows of orange blossoms, and it reminded me of this fragrance, which made me respect it a lot more. I feel that it was excecuted well, even though I am not a history expert. I hope to secure a bottle one day.