Hey Hey Looking Glassers, Today I went to the cupboard and grabbed an old Joy EdT by Jean Patou. Now that LVMH has put the kibosh on all Patou fragrances, my stash of the good stuff is becoming even more special. There seems to be some remaining modern bottles on the discounters, FragranceNet (not affiliated) still has some EdT and EdP for very reasonable prices. There’s something so lavish about wearing a fragrance that was once known as the most expensive perfume on earth! Imagine, created by Henri Alméras in 1929 and launched in 1930 in the early years of the Great Depression. Obviously it was only a depression for the unwealthy. There was still a class of people that could and would wear the most expensive perfume on earth… and wear it they did.
Joy EdT by Jean Patou
Parfumo gives these featured accords:
Top: Rose, Green notes, Tuberose, Ylang-ylang, Aldehydes, Peach
Heart: Jasmine, Rose, Lily of the valley, Orris root, Orchid
Base: Civet, Musk, Sandalwood
I’m working on the theory today that you all have smelled Joy at some point. It’s not for everyone. For many newly minted perfumistas it will smell dated and old fashioned, it is. Here’s the thing though, when you stop smelling with expectations and start really being in the moment you’ll be able to enjoy the unfurling of true classic perfumery. A masterpiece.
Sweetly fruity, fatty bouquet of white and tropical flowers undercut by some greenery and bubble gum that turns burnished and warm through its life. Ending on a vanilla rich sandalwood base with a friendly, sexy animal growl.
Joy smells like its name. It’s one of my favourite spritzes lately when I feel the downward spiral of depression trying to take hold. As the questions and darkness descend a big shot of Joy on the back of my wrist will derail the depths and give me much more interesting and beautiful pathways to follow. An excellent way to send me off for a refreshing sleep/nap from which I can awake revitalized and in a much more positive frame of mind.
Are you a Joy wearer? Do you ever use perfume to help with other parts of your life?
Portia xx
Undina's Looking Glass 
Joy feels too “fatty” & overblown for my personal taste. I prefer 1000 & Sublime. Both now getting more difficult find.
I find fragrance can anchor emotions so when I’m low I avoid scents. If I need to have a fragrance to wear I will choose something & wear only that until the crisis passes.
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ali tyke, I think I share your sentiments (scentiments? lol). If I’m low in spirit I tend to not wear fragrance, too, cause I don’t want to be reminded of that time or that event. And like you I think 1000 and Sublime are more suited to me. Portia, I love that you’re rocking whatever your heart desires. I’d love to smell Joy on anyone. I do have the eau de Bain of Joy, and a tiny EDT that my brother gave me. It’s gorgeous and over the top-costliest perfume in the world, indeed. If I do use the bath products I sometimes add a drop of A La Nuit which I adore. Makes me feel very femme fatale.
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A La Nuit! So good Carole. What a fragrance. Maybe I should grab mine out and review it?
Portia xx
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You absolutely should, Portia! I love it when you talk about your trips to France, and going to SL. Someday I’d love to have a bell jar-I think they’re beautiful.
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The bell jars are gorgeous but I get so annoyed at having to decant from them that I never used mine and sold them all on.
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So interesting about your not wearing fragrances other that picking one and pushing through Alityke. One of the things I love about this hobby is we all have different idiosyncrasies.
Portia xx
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I may have smelled only the modern Joy once on a coworker, and liked it enough to ask her what it was. It was a comforting and moreish floral if I recall.
I haven’t really thought about using perfume to change my mood, but I certainly use it for an extra boost before plunging into environments full of other influences (work meetings, social events, etc)!
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Ah yes Nose Prose, I have a few perfumes that I wear as armor too.
Portia xx
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I have a mini of this, and recognize its great merit as a composition, but rarely feel in the mood for it because it is always a bit too much.
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Yeah, I can understand that Vanessa. It is a big perfume.
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