Hi ULGers, Ilio by Diptyque was released in 2021. It almost completely passed me by. Recently I saw it at a Diptyque counter and gave it a spritz. Opening was jaw droppingly gorgeous. Sadly, it was completely overwhelmed by other perfume counter scents in the next 10 minutes. I really didn’t feel like we’d had time to bond. So, off to trusty Surrender To Chance and grabbed a decant. I wanted to write a post to tell you about it before finishing the decant.

Ilio by Diptyque 2021

These are the featured accords:
Prickly pear, Fig, Iris, Jasmine, Bergamot (Lavender noted in some lists)

Prickly pear has become a huge problem in Australia. Once established it’s almost impossible to remove. We even brought in a specific moth to work as a biological control. Apparently it has worked wonders in certain areas.

The taste is analogous to a near ripe watermelon but a little gritty, according to the internet.

An interesting, floral opening that feels more like real life peony than any of the given notes. Ilio even has the powdery softness of a peony petal. Underneath and making itself known over the first few minutes is a pithy greenery. A bit like the pith of a sweet citrus and the smell after you cut hydrangea flowers, or give them a good pruning at the end of their season. Plus there is a some really dark greenery smell that has a bitter edge, it’s fascinating. Like pulling that thin green bark from a rose branch.

Through the hear a very green and earthy iris that has carroty coolness becomes more pronounced until it takes center stage and every other note creates an uplifting backdrop. For something that seems so simple there’s a lot of story to Ilio.

Dry down is a green amber and some lovely soft white flowers. Yeah, I know. Doesn’t sound regular. It’s not. Even the base is exceptional. Ilio never stops surprising.

Totally unisex. Ilio is refreshing but missing most of the tropes that create that feeling. Longevity is good I’m still smelling the base at 10 hours. Diffusion is excellent for the first hour and settles into a soft pump of fragrance.

My question to myself is. “Though I’ve loved Ilio and worn it to the dregs of 3ml, will I wear it if I buy a bottle? OR will it sit unopened and unworn for the next 20 years?”. I don’t have a crystal ball but have added Ilio to the top of my To Buy List. It’s so interesting, and smells fabulous, all day.

Sound good to you?
Portia xx