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Essence No. 2 Gardenia
by Elie Saab
Elie Saab Essence No. 2 Gardenia is a remarkably realistic and naturalistic interpretation of gardenia, praised by many as one of the most authentic indoor floral perfumes available. It begins with a soft, creamy, slightly indolic opening that unfolds into a balanced harmony of green floral notes, woodiness, and a subtle earthy mushroom-like facet. The perfume’s character is refined and linear, leaning into its woody sandalwood base which provides depth and lasting power without dominating the floral core. It’s not a straightforward, sweet gardenia; rather, it captures the complex, narcotic quality of the real flower—floral in essence but grounded in a soft, slightly indolic depth that some find compelling and others find challenging. It favors subtlety over intensity, with moderate sillage and long-lasting wear on skin and clothing, particularly appreciated in spring and summer months. While some users report negligible projection or fading quickly, others note it remains perceptible for over 24 hours on fabric and can be vividly detectable for several hours on skin, especially when layered or applied generously.
Pros
- +Extremely authentic and natural-feeling gardenia scent that closely mimics the real flower
- +Long-lasting on skin and clothing with sustained wear beyond most other perfumes
- +Smooth, balanced composition with woody depth that enhances the floral without overpowering it
Cons
- −Can be too indolic or earthy for those sensitive to naturalistic white florals
- −Projection and sillage are moderate to low on some skin types, leading to under-appreciation
- −Some users find it too woody or not floral enough, especially if expecting a sweeter or more radiant gardenia