Creed - Royal Princess Oud

If you can smell a colour this is how I imagine red would smell like. On that note Creed got it right.

 “After seeing the sketches for the first time, I could picture the scent in my mind,” shares Olivier Creed, Sixth Generation Master Perfumer at The House of Creed. “Particularly the red garments that graced the pages of these archival books struck me as incredibly empowering and beautiful for all women, not just of that time period. I knew Oud – a historical ingredient that is both expensive and rare – would be befitting for this magical accord.”

However, that's where I have to part company with the master perfumer.  I got a bottle of Royal Princess Oud for my silver wedding anniversary. But instead of reminding me of a historical princess,  it gave me a heady note of a hot summer night, and dancing under the skies to Chris de Burgh's Lady in Red. Yes, for me it's very much a modern day "royal" woman, powerful and sophisticated, rather than a historical one perhaps waltzing to Blue Danube.

The top notes are Sicilian  Bergamot, Rose and Violet. The Rose and Violet blends beautifully and it just envelops you. The middle notes are patchouli, iris, jasmine and vanilla. But it's the base note benzoin, sandalwood and oud that lingers and lingers on. It's intoxicating and powerful. It's fruity and full bodied.  It's warm and rich. And while Rose is the top note I can still get a very subtle hint hours later. Not just any rose. But a right royal red rose. Just in the background. Almost 12 hours later I can still smell the perfume on my skin. 

It's an Oud  for a woman in her prime. A woman who knows her mind. A woman who can wear a red, silky gown and glide across the dance floor with confidence. 

"The lady in red is dancing with me, cheek to cheek,

There's nobody here, it's just you and me,

It's where I want to be,

But I hardly know this beauty,
I'll never forget the way you looked (or smelled!) tonight"