Out of nowhere, I decided to go with this one as my first purchase from the house. Using a collective of people I trust, I did a blind buy. This is different than I thought it would be, but I’m very pleased overall. It is a sweet, dirty floral that is strong on skin. I don’t see it projecting at all, but that is my preference in almost all my fragrances. There are rarely times I want to go in like a bomb, so this fits right in. I am weirdly in love with Monserrat, but that will have to wait until next summer before I purchase that.
Au Dela Narcisse brings springtime with its budding green, crisp sensations. Bruno provided the fantastic foundation for all these ingredients to shine from. Bergamot shines briefly until florals bring some sassy attributes; I can smell the brilliant wit here. This is called “switching it up and adding your voice—OK, nose—as a nod to a must-have category. This perfume puts the ingredient in the name and delivers in chypre form. Narcissus is the star all the way through to the base, and is unforgettable after wearing this. If you know narcissus and love it, this is an absolute must-buy perfume. If you haven’t smelled narcissus before, however, Au Dela Narcisse shows it off perfectly, shining above the jasmine, and showing up in the heart as it dirties up the herbaceous accord. Orange blossom also floats around the top, adding a powder vibe to the fragrance. Oakmoss carries everything (as it should in anything categorized as a chypre). You get your typical Bruno drydown: a bit fresh, but still dirty, with an amber-oakmoss finish.