Ispahan

Isfahan town like half of the world immediately

Incense, powdered mimosa Opium Exotic, warm, ambery, classic and elegant For those who love Youth Dew, Obsession and Cinnabar

I had this as a child. I really tried to like it, I cant remember if I ever succeeded, but I used it because it was the only perfume I owned. Completely inappropriate for a child. Would love to sniff it now, out of couriosity.

Postoje mirisi koji ne postoje samo na koži — oni žive u sjećanju, u ladicama prošlih dana, u raskoraku između onog što smo bili i onog što više nismo. I upravo takav je bio ovaj Yves Rocher parfem —dragulj iz vremena kada parfemi nisu morali vikati da bi bili primijećeni. Otvarao se toplom jednostavnošću — možda notom zrelog voća, možda nijansom mediteranskog cvijeta, možda nečim što ne znaš imenovati, ali što te pogodi točno u onu točku gdje ti nedostaje nježnost. Nije to bio miris koji pokušava biti nešto drugo. Bio je iskren, možda i previše za današnje standarde — skroman, ali dubok. Otkrivao je slojeve bez arogancije. Na koži je ostavljao trag doma, osjećaj meke haljine u kojoj si čitala knjige pored prozora ili jutra kad te ništa nije boljelo. Danas, kad ga više nema, shvaćaš što si imala. Nema ga na policama, nema ga u katalogu, nema ga u sustavu. Samo još poneka bočica na nekom forumu, možda već i isparila, kao duh nekadašnjih dana. A ti, kad prođeš kraj nekog tko ga je nekad nosio, zadržiš dah — jer znaš da ne miriše ta osoba, već tvoja uspomena. Yves Rocher je s tim parfemom stvorio više od mirisa — stvorio je most između duše i svakodnevice. A kad nešto tako tiho ode, ostavi za sobom tišinu koja odzvanja. To je zapravo bio prvi parfem koji sam namirisala. To više nije parfem. To je nostalgija u staklu.

I really feel like this is a dupe for Tubereuse Criminelle without the big opening of car smells. Am I wrong?? Well, since Ispahan came first, I guess it's not the dupe.

Gorgeous smell! I was lucky to find it. First, it nocks out all your olfactory receptors with a blast of spices and spices, after 5 minutes it starts calming down and beautiful flowers come out. Oriental? Yes, classic oriental fragrance without tonns of oud, saffron and rose.

This one smells like you're in middle of desert doing belly dance. However it is for mature women more, I say that as someone who prefers slightly lighter scents. If you love strong perfumes with hint of oriental world this one's for you.

ancien parfum de mon enfance mais qui m'a vraiment marqué de par son sillage et sa force, convenait plutôt à des femmes de caractère, vraiment oriental pour hiver et automne

I remember this fragrance well--I often purchased it with the 50% off sticker from the Yves Rocher magazine. Was nice warm light amber fragrance but nothing to write home about. I don't understand the comparisons to Opium which was my sister's signature scent back in the day. The only thing they shared is both were amber fragrances although in Ispahan's case it was a technicality and not a true characterization. As I recall Ispahan was so weak I used to POUR it into my palm, rub my palms together and pat it over my neck and clothing, twice. Also it did not last. Avon made stronger and more lasting fragrances back then. Why this has all the rave reviews here is beyond me. Yves was the mail order version of Prince Matchabelli in the late 80s.

Based on 2 others perfumes information sites, the notes should be: top: Aldehydes, Orange, Bergamot heart: Clove, Rose, Magnolia, Jasmine, Cinnamon, Ylang ylang base: Benzoin, Incense, Ambergris, Myrrh, Tolu balsam, Sandalwood, Patchouli, Musk

28. january 2021 Ispahan is a legendary Yves Rocher fragrance, many people seem to love it but to be honest, even though i have had it forever in my posession i have almost never tried it or worn it. I really do not know why, but i always heard it resembles Chanle nr.5 (which in fact is not true at all) and i was never bothered. I knew i have it, yet never reached for it. So finally i tried it and worn several times and here what i can say: Upon a first application (i have a spray edt bottle) it instantly reminded me of vintage "Byzance" by Rochas (not the modern reedition), but with some spicy notes from "Opium" by YSL. WHile the spicies from Opium are very present, i do think it tends to lean more into Byzance category somehow. To be honest it is just a mix of both, so you know it is good. My only complaint is about it´s rather soft projection and modest lasting power, but not every fragrance should be a beast. I would say it is not my favorite from Yves Rocher, though i love both Byzance and Opium, but i truly enjoy it. The notes do not make sence to my nose, i would put completly different ones into the pyramide, if i hadn´t known these. Now i see why so many people enjoy it, but for me it lacks a bit of "ovahness" :)

If vintage Opium and vintage Byzance had a baby, this would be the result. A deep and sultry oriental that would likely be considered "mature", but sexy is a state of mind, regardless of age. Mine is a mini, but would love a full bottle some day.

I got this perfume from ebay, Russian seller zabava7 on Ebay and to me the cafe cafe perfume is very similar to this. Ispahan is slightly less bitter and turns softer in a few minutes but I wouldn't have bought it if I knew cafe was that similar and so dirt cheap. Cafe stays a little more strong and tobacco-like.

I have a small bottle of Ispahan I've owned since the early 90s. It came as a gift with purchase of a large bottle long since used and gone This is an incredibly beautiful and sensuous scent, but deeply personal. You can smell it, but unless someone leans close to you, it is your secret. The similar Opium was everyone's secret. I don't wear it very often as I want it to last so I can revisit the scent. My collection is a bit out of control, but once I use up a few more bottle of things I'm not going to replace, I think I will look for something close to Ispahan. Maybe Youth Dew...

Vintage Ispahan by Yves Rocher is heavily influenced by Estee Lauder's Youth Dew and Cinnabar: rich honeyed spices balanced with orange peel are strong on opening. The dry down is slightly sharp until only a whisper of spice remain. YR perfumes typically start strong and end up as a mere hint of scent, and Ispahan is no exception. This is a bonus for those who can't tolerate powerful spice scents like the ones mentioned above. Without the monster sillage and lasting power Ispahan is fine for work, and safe for casual encounters. I happen to like big spicy scents, and YD and C will always be my favorites. Ispahan is a lighter version of the heavy hitters. The scent is also surprisingly unisex. It's a women's perfume that's not particularly feminine, the florals aren't strong enough to make this exclusively for women's use. Ispahan has a lot of fans, and flankers, too. The rose version sounds interesting, maybe I'll try it. RN I'm happy with this lovely vintage scent, my only regret is not buying earlier.

This was such a wonderful "grownup"oriental as I remember back in the 1980's when Yves Rocher had a store in Sydney. I was too young to pull it off and probably bought something with honeysuckle instead. I think it sparked something in me as I have a hefty oriental collection nowadays...but alas no Ispahan.

The spelling of this should be Ispahan . I think there is an error above. You can find the new version under the same name “Ispahan “ at Ebay . I PURCHASED with dealer “zabava7 “ at Ebay .

Yes it is called the exact same name ! I found it on Ebay . I was looking for the Russian version of Magie Noire , called Magic Night . I found several sellers of Russian perfumes. The reviews of Ispahan by the buyers at EBAY ( look under buyer feedback ) look good . It seems to have a following . I ordered the Magic Night ( similar to Magie Noire ) and Red Moscow, very similar to L’heure Bleue . I have heard recent reports from buyers that they are both rich and long lasting . Also , Novaya Zarya makes a scent called Opus , similar to Opium. They also have the license for Magnolia, another Yves Rocher hit . They also make a scent close to the original Climat , marketed under two names “Kuznetsky Most “. And Clima . There is another scent quite similar to Midnight Poison , Belle De Russie . I am waiting for my order to arrive . I posted this because I read members that were lamenting the loss of Ispahan . ( I have heard that Magic Night is similar to the ORIGINAL Magie Noire . I have a friend who purchased it and loves it . )

@annxyz, is this also called Ispahan under the Novaya Zarya label? I couldn't get any search results for it on eBay. Thanks!

YOU CAN STILL BUY THIS !! It is now made by Novaya Zarya and can be purchased on EBAY ! Novaya Zarya bought the licenses for “Ispahan” and also for “Magnolia” from Yves Rocher . They are extremely affordable and have good reviews at Ebay . I have not purchased them, but have ordered “Magic Night “ a close sister to the original Magie Noire.

When I was a teenager in the '90s, I owned a small collection of Yves Rocher fragrances, and this was one of the most memorable. It was too heavy for me to pull off at 17, but I remember thinking that it was the most mysterious perfume in the world, that it smelled like a night in a mystical Persian city. I recently got a mini Ispahan from eBay, and while I'm fairly certain what I got is not the original formula, it's good enough to bring back fond memories. Spicy, sweet, mysterious incense. The black urn-shaped bottle is perfect for what's inside it, too. I wish I could get a job at Yves Rocher and re-launch all the old classics for a new generation. For me, these fragrances just never lose their classic appeal.

too much of nutmeg indeed (and it smells like brass), but I just can't throw away an antique piece of fragrance art

I recently purchased this blast from the past, something I wore in the 1980s at an unsuitably young age. Ispahan is well crafted and curiously deceptive. It smells like a "night out" perfume to begin with with its spicy top notes, but evolves into a cosy floral with some wine/aldehydic accords. I can understand the comparison with YSL Opium, but in my opinion this is only valid in the early stages of Ispahan's evolution. After a while it diverges, when the floral notes become more prominent, making the perfume sweeter than Opium. Towards dry down, this smells much more like Hermes Rouge, and is the better for it! I'm glad Ispahan is back in my life when it's more suitable for me to wear it. I look forward to trying it out when it's cooler.

Yes, it evokes Opium, but it's a dialed down, silky slinky benzoin version, not cigarettes and a jumpsuit cut down to here. I can see why this one is held in such high regard, it's sensual, spicy without being overbearing, and I am convinced that it melds extremely well with just about anyone's skin. Can we talk about the bottle? It's like a gleaming cat's eye in an Iranian alley.

I had this troughout my schoolyears and I wish I still had it..I love it! its warm and comforting and feminine :)

It's lovely, Ispahan - warm, sensual and deeply mysterious, exotic and oriental. Spicy at first, then sweet, and floral, and lovely. Very comforting and very strong, lasting all day and into the next, with its beautiful rich smells of vanilla and spices and lovely flowers and citrus fruits, and gorgeous incensy mystery. It's a beautiful elegant and womanly perfume. And the bottle is absolutely wonderful!

I had several bottles of Ispahan from the Yves Rocher's store. It was my first perfume and the most favorite of all. Lancome's Climat was still hot on the market but when Ispahan came to play nothing was compare to it! There are a lot of great perfumes made by Arabians such as Amouage and some others, but Ispahan was like a true opium. Ispahan is a scent of the century. Seems like I can still buy a bottle in Moscow. However, maybe it is time to let it go and buy something new.

Dear fans of Ispahan! I kindly ask You to visit the topic 'Questions about vintage Ispahan Yves Rocher' in the Vintages section of Fragrantica forum. If You have some information/pictures about genuine Ispahan, please, be so kind as to share it publicly in the topic. So many fakes of this perfume have flooded the Internet, though, it's been almost 20 years since its discontinuation. We have a strong wish to find out the truth about this vintage beauty. Thanks so much for any useful feedback in advance! Will remove my comment later.

This is NOT spicy like Opium, at least not the vintage version. This is a soapy floral aldehyde to rival Guerlain; powerful and long lasting; similar in scent to Liu.

Ispahan seems to resemble Opium a lot, but where I have sometimes trouble wearing Opium, I don't have any with Ispahan on my skin. An oriental flower bouquet, smoky notes and a trace of slight animalic sweetness makes this a very warm and comfortable scent. She is not overpowering, yet confident of her full aura. The nutmeg and benzoin in combination with the multiple vanilla notes make it very sensual, and the distant citrusses and flowers make sure it doesn't get bold or obnoxious. I'm even more tend to store her with my skinscents. I don't wear her a lot, since she easily fades throughout the day, but I do love wearing her in autumn after a relaxing bath and stay indoors. Although she isn't a big perfume, she is a rare gem in her class, and deserves her attention.