Note Pyramid
Ysatis
Givenchy Ysatis is a 1984 composition of enormous density, and it smells like nothing being made today.
Aldehydes open it with ylang ylang, orange blossom, galbanum, Brazilian rosewood, coconut, bergamot and mandarin orange. The aldehydes give that bright, fizzy, almost soapy lift that defined perfumery of the period, and the galbanum cuts a sharp green line through it while the coconut adds an unexpected creaminess.
The heart is a full white floral: tuberose, jasmine, daffodil, carnation and rose, with iris for powder and rum for a boozy warmth. Carnation and daffodil are both rarely used now, and they are part of why it reads as a period piece.
The base is where it becomes formidable. Honey, civet, oakmoss, sandalwood, clove, amber, patchouli, musk, vetiver, laurel and vanilla. Civet gives a frank animal warmth, honey a thick sweetness, and oakmoss the damp bitterness that holds the whole thing together.
How Ysatis wears
It lasts a long time and projects strongly. One spray is a considered amount. Cold weather and evenings suit it.
Givenchy Ysatis Eau de Toilette, 100ml, launched in 1984 by Givenchy, the Paris house founded in 1952.
Please note: images are a guide only. Packaging and bottle design may occasionally differ from those shown due to manufacturer updates or promotions.
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