Christian Dior Cologne Blanche : Perfume Review

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Prudon_josephine

Star rating: 5 stars–outstanding/potential classic, 4 stars–very good, 3 stars–adequate, 2 stars–disappointing, 1 star–poor.

One of the three colognes released by Christian Dior in 2004 under the guidance of Hedi Slimane, Cologne Blanche was composed by Francis Kurkdjian. All three fragrances are well-composed, with the attention to detail that cannot be left unnoticed, from the high-quality ingredients to the understated luxury of the packaging. If the name cologne leads one to expect thin and bland citrus concoctions, Cologne trio will definitely be a wonderful surprise. The colognes are quite varied, from bitter herbs and caramel undertones of Eau Noire to chilly elegance of Bois D’Argent. Cologne Blanche is an epitome of refinement, with its marriage of indulgence and comfort set against a ravishing delicacy of almond base enriched by the softest of musks.

The bergamot and orange are the radiant ornaments, delicately intertwined with the herbal whisper of green herbs. It is as if a branch of rosemary got caught in the fruit basket, its piney scent adding a rejuvenating element. The sensual touch of musk is an interesting element, considering the essentially “straight out of the shower clean” aura of the composition. However, there is something ethereal and alluring about the fragrance that makes me want to lean in and inhale the scent emanating from the skin.

The elegant drydown is reminiscent of the bittersweet peach stone, which alternates between milky green almond and lusciously sweet nut. A mere hint of confectioner’s sugar scented with vanilla foils the understated musk of the base. If I am to imagine a fragrance Napoleon would like on Joséphine (a woman of whom he said in his letters, “I must see her and press her to my heart. I love her to the point of madness, and I cannot continue to be separated from her. If she no longer loved me, I would have nothing left to do on earth”), Cologne Blanche would be it, fitting Napoleon’s fastidious cleanliness as well as Josephine’s predilections for exotic musks.

Cologne Blanche, like the other two colognes, Bois d’Argent and Eau Noire, is available in 4.2oz, 8.4oz, and 16.9oz bottles, and can be found at Neiman Marcus and Dior boutiques.

Painting: Pierre-Paul Prud’hon. Portrait of Empress Joséphine. 1805. Oil on canvas, Louvre. Abcgallery.com

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21 Comments

  • parislondres: Hello dear V! I tried these a few times and I must say that I really like Bois d’Argent the best of the three. Eau Blanche is rather nice but if I had to buy one it would be Bois d’Argent.

    Hope all is well.

    xoxo September 13, 2005 at 2:21am Reply

  • Sisonne: V, I love & own Bois d´Argent. I´ve never tested the other two, but Eau Blanche really sounds worth trying because I love scents containing almonds. September 13, 2005 at 6:53am Reply

  • Marina: Ah, what a stunning review! Mmm, almonds…If you could compare Eau Blanche to another fragrance, what would it be, just to give me a general idea? Is it anything at all like Lea St Barth for example? Jour de Fete? Like nothing else? Many thanks, Vikochka! September 13, 2005 at 8:22am Reply

  • Robin: I tried Cologne Blanche but didn’t love it, and especially not at the price. But the whole trio is very nicely done. I wish they had done a coffret set of smaller bottles, similar to the Hermessence sets! September 13, 2005 at 8:43am Reply

  • Laura: This one sounds delicious! Would like to try all three. September 13, 2005 at 7:34am Reply

  • Laura/kyahgirl: Oh V, you do such beautiful reviews! I am now feeling the stirrings of lemmings dang you! 🙂 September 13, 2005 at 12:24pm Reply

  • Sisonne: Dear V, Cologne Blanche sounds so beguiling…it´s really “dangerous” ;D to read your reviews: I get to know so many new fragrances – which is a good thing, but I want to own so many new fragrances – which isn´t such a good thing 😉
    Would you be so kind to help me: I already own Jour de Fête (You wrote it´s a bit similar to Cologne Blanche) – is Cologne Blanche different enough to justify having both? September 13, 2005 at 1:35pm Reply

  • BoisdeJasmin: Dear N, I like Bois d’Argent as well, and I will review it next. I like the softeness that Cologne Blanche has, which is very comforting and uplifting. September 13, 2005 at 11:44am Reply

  • BoisdeJasmin: C, Cologne Blanche is soft and smooth, with the notes of almonds providing a beautiful backdrop. It is very refined and sophisticated. September 13, 2005 at 11:50am Reply

  • BoisdeJasmin: L, that is what I have done, and ended up with all three! Dangerous road to choose… 🙂 September 13, 2005 at 11:51am Reply

  • BoisdeJasmin: Marinocka, thank you. It is more similar to Jour de Fete, but perhaps a touch less sweet. It has a wonderful silky softness that is subtle, yet lasts really well. September 13, 2005 at 11:57am Reply

  • BoisdeJasmin: R, I agree–the trio is excellent. I am very impressed with it, unlike with the latest Dior feminines. September 13, 2005 at 11:58am Reply

  • BoisdeJasmin: L, you are very kind. I was suprised how much I enjoyed it, with its feeling of comfort and elegance. September 13, 2005 at 12:32pm Reply

  • Linda: Beautiful review! Now I need to try it. Discovering your blog was very bad for my wallet. 🙂 September 13, 2005 at 5:06pm Reply

  • BoisdeJasmin: Dear C, you are very sweet. Thank you for this nice comment. I would say that they are a little different. Jour de Fête is more of a cashmere wrap, and Cologne Blanche is a georgette blouse. It is sweet and delicately powdery, yet very uplifting and refreshingly clean (without being boring). I own both, but my example is not really the best one. 🙂 I have a Libran inability to choose. Cologne Blanche is a perfect thing to wear first thing in the morning, or whenever you are around people. It is suble, requiring one to lean in and inhale the scent, yet it veils the wearer beautifully. If you write to Dior (or call their boutique, check the link to their site on my About page), I would imagine that you might be able to obtain samples. The fragrances are sold at the free standing boutiques as well as Sephora in Paris. September 13, 2005 at 1:52pm Reply

  • BoisdeJasmin: Thank you. I am sorry your wallet is suffering. 🙂 September 13, 2005 at 5:30pm Reply

  • Karin: This really is a lovely fragrance. Somehow it just feels white to me — it must be the notes of almond, powdered sugar, and the powdery note. There is something in it that pulls me in a similar direction to Caron’s Farnesiana though I haven’t tried them side by side to see how they segue to each other, if they do otherwise than in my mind. October 12, 2005 at 9:03pm Reply

  • Karin: ps another Libra, huh? it’s dangerous around perfumes not to be able to pare down, LOL. October 12, 2005 at 9:04pm Reply

  • BoisdeJasmin: Karin, yes, you are absolutely right–Libran indecision when it comes to perfume is just dangerous.

    I was intrigued by your observation about Farnesiana and Cologne Blanche, which is one of my favourites from the trio (well, I do have all three–another case at point!). Of course, I now have to test them side by side. October 12, 2005 at 11:56pm Reply

  • rutherford Rodger: would you consider reviewing BOIS D’ARGENT? i see you made mention that you might. i just love what you do! April 14, 2007 at 12:16am Reply

  • Wolf: Wow now that Cologne Blanche is discontinued do you know where I can still find it? Are there any other fragrances that smell similar? Thanks! January 14, 2017 at 2:19am Reply

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