A Hidden Gem: Blanche by Brocard - A Luxurious Scent at an Unbeatable Price
Hello everyone!
I've been hooked on aldehyde-musky fragrances for years, and it all started with Tesori's White Musk laundry detergent. Since then, I've fallen in love with this clean scent, and I've been searching for it in perfumes multiple times. One of those perfumes became my go-to, everyday scent. But, of course, I always want to try something new, so when I spotted Brilliant Nuage from Brocard at the 'Golden Apple' perfume store, I just had to give it a try to see how it compares to the famous Blanche by Byredo. I had a sample of this fragrance before, so I remembered the notes well.
The packaging is super simple, with a white box and a silver font that's calm and understated. It doesn't irritate at all.
I bought this perfume blind, without testing it first - it was a steal, so even if I didn't like it, it wouldn't have been a big loss. The first time I tested the perfume at home, it didn't exactly blow me away - the scent seemed flat, powdery, like a typical fabric softener or laundry detergent, nothing special. Maybe my recent cold had something to do with it, as all the fragrances seemed dull and lacking to me.
But I know that after buying a perfume, it needs some time to mature, at least a week, and the scent will reveal itself in a new way - and that's exactly what happened. I left it alone for a week and then spritzed it again, and it opened up!
At first, I picked up powdery, floral notes, but I barely detect any rose, a bit of lavender, some citrus, and then, a second later, the aldehydic-musky freshness kicks in, giving this scent a luxurious feel and making it sound way more expensive than its price!
The aldehydes add a sense of 'cleanliness' to it, and in this regard, the scent reminds me of my favorite White Musk from Tesori's D'Oriente, also powdery, but in every other way, these two scents are different.
The White Musk is more about cozy home atmosphere and tranquility, while Pur from Brocard makes me think of crisp winter freshness, frost, and snow. Although musky notes usually have a warming effect, here they combine with aldehydes to give the scent a coolness and transparency.
At first, Pur seems a bit harsh and un-feminine, but that's just at the beginning - almost immediately, it blooms like a clean, white flower and wafts a delicate, unobtrusive floral sweetness. The scent isn't cloying, there's barely any sweetness to it, which I really like, because it doesn't get annoying.
Since I bought it in January, right in the middle of winter, I think this is the ultimate winter scent that really comes alive in cold windy weather. When I apply it to a scarf or shawl, it even has a bit of a trail - although it doesn't last too long. But I think Pur from Brocard would be perfect for spring too, and even suitable for summer, since it's incredibly light and unobtrusive in terms of its fragrance. Compared to Byredo Blanche, Pur's trail is much more subtle and gentle, not screaming or harsh, but rather close to the skin.
Pur has significantly less longevity than Blanche, lasting an average time - it disappears much faster from the skin than from clothing or hair. On a scarf and outerwear, it lasts a day or two, but on the skin, it's lucky to last a few hours. But let's be real, this is a very affordable scent, so a bit of longevity is understandable. For me, that's not a huge minus, as I don't like overpowering fragrances that can only be washed off, but prefer light ones that evaporate naturally throughout the day.
I have to say, the Brocard Brilliant Nuage Pur eau de toilette has been a fantastic budget find - I didn't expect such an unusual and pleasant scent at such a low price! It's fresh, neutral, and clean, and I find myself wanting to use it every day - I'm really glad it's not just collecting dust on my vanity, but getting regular use. For me, it's the perfect winter pick-me-up, as it really comes alive on cold days. I'm curious to see how it'll smell in the summer, though!
Unbeatable priceUnique and pleasant scentFresh, neutral, and cleanPerfect for winter, spring, and summerLight and unobtrusiveCons:
Significantly less longevity than BlancheDisappears faster from the skin than from clothing or hairRating: 4.5/5
Recommendation: If you're looking for a fresh, neutral, and clean scent that's perfect for any season, I highly recommend the Brocard Brilliant Nuage Pur eau de toilette. It's a fantastic budget find that's sure to please even the most discerning fragrance enthusiasts.
Similar fragrances: White Musk from Tesori's D'Oriente, Byredo Blanche
Other reviews: Check out my other reviews for this fragrance:
Nordlys Lykke from Brocard - a forest scent of wild berries and moss that's great for autumn and summer.
Blackcurrant, sweet honeysuckle - that's how Jennifer from The Witcher smells
Givenchy's legendary Ange ou Demon fragrance is a masterclass in opposing forces.
Faberlic's cherry scent is almost a dead ringer for Tom Ford's Lost Cherry!
Demeter's funeral parlor scent is a mysterious and haunting fragrance for those who dare to try it.