Baccarat Rouge 540
Baccarat Rouge 540 Extrait de Parfum | Maison Franckis Kurkdjian
If you’ve heard about Baccarat Rouge 540 perfume and you don’t get the hype, keep reading.
This post is all about the famous Baccarat Rouge 540 Perfume
Baccarat Rouge 540 EDP and Extrait de Parfum
Baccarat Rouge 540 Eau De Parfum and Extrait de Parfum
I became familiar with this incredible manufacturer since an early age because I grew up seeing and hearing the word “Baccarat” at home. My mom would throw fancy parties every now and then, and in every gathering, the gorgeous, meticulously carved Baccarat crystal glasses were a staple in my house, along with other stunning decor pieces also made by the same brand.
Fast forward to 2015, Baccarat Rouge 540 Eau de Parfum was launched to celebrate the world-famous crystal manufacturer’s 250th birthday; what an excitement! Initially, it was going to be a limited edition of only 250 bottles, but given the success and the world’s positive reaction, Francis Kurkdjian, the perfumer, decided to keep it as part of his permanent collection. Quickly, Baccarat Rouge 540 became the most mass-appealing, sought-after, and cloned fragrance ever created.
When I heard the name “Baccarat” I felt I needed to get my hands and nose on it because it was a brand I grew up with and felt like “home”. On top of that, when I learned this fragrance had saffron in the composition which is one of my absolute favorite notes in perfumery, I felt this fragrance was screaming my name, period; I needed to try it; and so I did the moment Neiman Marcus received it. I tried it not just once but several times, and you know what? I didn’t like it, actually it was totally off-putting !! At one point I wasn’t sure if it was the fragrance or the pushy sales associate trying to convince me to buy it, but it was definitely unpleasant.
Over time, BR 540 EDP grew on me and I ended up loving this beautiful perfume, however, what I find truly captivating is the bottle and all the details that have been incorporated.
The brand’s signature color often seen in their chandeliers, is a deep, bright red. To obtain this vibrant red color, melted (fused) clear crystal is mixed with pure gold, a mix that master artisans utilize to make the fabulous creations that Baccarat is renowned for. Once the creations are shaped, those pieces are heated at 540 degrees Celsius and here’s when the magic happens, and the clear crystal turns red. If you rotate the bottle and look at it from the back, you can see a red chandelier imprinted on the back side of the label as a symbolic representation of the famous brand.
After the huge success of Baccarat Rouge 540 in the eau de parfum formulation, the house (Maison Francis Kurkdjian), launched BR 540 extrait de parfum in 2017 (which is my favorite), with the same nose behind: the master perfumer Francis Kurkdjian.
Baccarat Rouge 540 Extrait de Parfum and Candle
BR 540 (both EDP and extrait) are incredible blends of synthetic notes, a true example of modern perfumery which proves that conversely to what many people think, synthetic is not always a bad thing, especially in the perfume industry.
The notes present in this composition are saffron (actually a synthetic form of saffron since in natural form, this highly coveted spice has an allergenic compound), Cashmeran, Ambroxan, red cedar (which gives the fragrance with what many people recognize as “pencil shavings” smell, much creamier and less dry than other types of cedar used in perfumery), and Jasmine.
This master piece smells like nothing that has ever been created before, in fact, it’s hard to describe how it smells, and I think it’s part of what made this fragrance so disruptive when it appeared for the first time back in 2015. There are many fragrances on the market with the same notes and accords, however, Mr. Francis Kurkdjian mastered the art of blending just a few synthetic notes to perfection, and despite all the baccarat rouge 540 dupes out there, it’s still unique and the only one that is 10/10.
BR540’s smell has been described as “burned sugar”, well… not to me. I love cooking and baking and I’m very familiar with the smell of burned sugar which tends to be slightly bitter. In this case though, there’s no bitterness at all, if anything, it has a very subtle salty smell lingering in the background that perfectly balances the otherwise excessive sweetness. Every time I eat berries at home, I sprinkle them with brown sugar and the moment I bite a berry, Baccarat Rouge comes to my mind.
If you ask me what does it smell like, I’d say, it smells like candied berries with sprinkled granulated brown sugar on top (not the “sandy” and moist brown sugar; I’m talking about the dry, golden, crystalized one).
The extrait version is a bit different, but not dramatically different. In fact, someone who’s not into fragrances and smell them for the first time, highly likely won’t be able to tell them apart. However, Baccarat Rouge 540 extrait has a different opening, which is nutty and not as sharp as the opening of the EDP sister. This strong bitter almond accord, in my opinion, is one of the main differentiating factors from the original version.
It’s a pretty linear fragrance that slowly transitions without much change until it settles in the dry down, where you’ll get a less nutty but more woodsy, slightly smoky, and denser fragrance that lasts for at least six to eight hours on my skin. I’d say the extrait is a more mature type of scent compared to the EDP and yes, this is one of my top compliment getters.
Fragrance Profile
Baccarat Rouge 540 extrait screams “I am expensive”. It’s luxurious and over the top, however, it’s not overwhelming, intrusive, or intimidating.
This might come as a surprise to many since it’s an extrait de parfum, but this perfume is not what in the fragrance community we call a “beast-mode” fragrance with incredible projection and a mind-blowing sillage, conversely, it’s a scent that sits close to the skin. People think that when fragrances are in their purest form which is extrait (or parfum), they are stronger, they project more, and the trail is impressive, and I’m here to tell you that this is not 100% true. Due to the high oils concentration in extrait de parfums, this type of formulation tends to last longer, but usually extraits are skin scents with moderate projection and without a remarkable sillage.
Conversely, lighter formulations like eau de toilettes, since they have higher amounts of alcohol and a lower percentage of oils concentration, will leave a beautiful trail when you walk, and will project from a longer distance, even though they won’t last nearly as much as an extrait de parfum.
Since oils concentrations vary from house to house, not all fragrance formulations will behave the same way even if they belong to the same category. For example, Tom Ford’s private blend which offers an amazing selection of eau de parfums, has a higher oil concentration than the standard eau de parfums we see on the market so any fragrance from this line will perform better than other eau de parfums with a lower oil concentration.
Tell me more about Baccarat Rouge 540 !
It appears to have a particular molecular structure because many people experience a “Hide & Seek” game with BR540 EDP. What I mean by this is that after a while, many people can’t smell it anymore on themselves, but people around them can smell it. Unfortunately, this has not been my case. It seems my skin “eats” this fragrance and it disappears after an hour or so and no one around me seems to even notice it, however this is not the case with the extrait version which I love and will always keep in my collection.
Baccarat Rouge 540 Extrait is a compliment getter and fun fact, most of the comments and compliments I get when I wear this fragrance come from men. If you want to check my blog post about my most complimented fragrances, click here.
This is definitely a night time type of scent, something I’d wear for formal events, and also when I want to feel like a “femme fatale” and red carpet-ready.
Baccarat Rouge 540 is absolutely beautiful in both formulations, especially the extrait. If you asked me a while back if it’s worth the hype, I’d have said yes, because it was a very disruptive scent that smelled like nothing on the market even though it wasn’t love at first sniff for me. Nowadays, there are so many similar fragrances (even dupes / clones) of BR540 that makes the original fragrance lack the exclusivity it once had. That being said, there’s nothing like the original, and personally, I do not like dupes nor do I encourage people to buy them.
Worth it or not, the hype is out there and if you have a chance, give it a try. This is not a safe blind buy so make sure you test it first. It’s very alluring, intriguing and luxurious, and for many people one of their most complimented perfumes of all times. I can foresee it becoming a modern classic and a staple in many collectors’ collections including mine.
Fragrances that get the most compliments
Most Complimented Fragrances In My Collection
I want to share with you the fragrances that get me more compliments since most of us love and appreciate the famous “You smell amazing, what are you wearing?” question.
(FTC DISCLOSURE: A few of the fragrances mentioned in this post have affiliate links. This means that if you click and make a purchase through the links provided, I’ll earn a small small commission at no extra cost to you that will help me keep creating content for you. Opinions are 100% my own and I’d have the same opinion about the fragrances even without an affiliate link. Thanks for your support!).
X | Clive Christian
I start this list with one of my top complimented perfumes, definitely one of the fragrances that get me more compliments (especially from men).
Fun fact: it’s super similar to the original Gucci Rush (the red one) which was one of my most complimented fragrances by men during all the years I wore it. It seems there’s something there that men like ;-).
This is less screechy than Gucci Rush, it’s definitely softer, and project less, but it’s on another level, however it still smells very similar and it’s gorgeous. It has peach, pineapple, bergamot, patchouli, orris, lily, musk, and vanilla.
Gucci Rush is gorgeous perfume. Often times I’m asked if I could give recommendations of less expensive alternatives. When it comes to X by Clive Christian, I can only recommend Gucci Rush as an alternative because this is the only truly similar scent on the market.
That said, and I mentioned above, “X” is several notches above and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
It’s a fruity, sweet, musky, woody scent, very feminine and sexy. To me the magic happens in the dry down where you’ll get an ultra feminine and sexy scent that smells super luxurious that will leave a magnetic trail.
My veredict: this is a 9/10 fragrance, the only reason why I don’t give it a 10/10 is longevity which is not bad either, but I’d love it to last longer.
Italica | Xerjoff
Italica is the second perfume on my list of fragrances that get the most compliments. This is is undoubtedly the queen of the gourmands; it’s a whole experience which to me smells like an Italian coffee shop.
It’s very opulent, rich, gourmand, very lush. To me it smells like caramelized apples although it doesn’t have fruit. However, it does have toffee which is caramel cooked at a higher temperature for a longer period of time so the caramel becomes brittle and crunchy.
It’s a mouthwatering fragrance but I don’t find it cloying. That said, it’s very sweet and you need to enjoy sweet fragrances to enjoy Italica.
It’s extremely well blended, addictive, intoxicating, 100% a night time fragrance and it’s better for the colder months because under the heat it could be a cloying and overwhelming.
It’s very nutty due to the almond milk note present in the composition, actually very creamy. It has sandalwood which also gives creaminess, saffron which is not very spicy thanks to the lactonic note that tones it down. On my skin it’s extremely long-lasting.
I’ve heard people complaining about its longevity (or lack thereof). This is actually such a subjective topic. Many people blind buy fragrances without even trying them and that can lead to major disappointments. In my experience, this is a very long-lasting fragrance. When I received the fragrance, I sprayed 5 times and I filled up the entire room.
If you want to buy this beautiful fragrance 10% off, I’ve got a code for you :-). Click here and use Use Giselle10 or GB10. This is a permanent code that doesn’t expire, and can be used several times, which is different from the website welcome code that will allow you to use it only once.
If you want to learn more about Italica, I’ve dedicated an entire video to review this fragrance in-depth. You can watch it here:
Atlas Garden | YSL – Le Vestiaire Des Parfums Collection
Atlas Garden is also one of the fragrances that get the most compliments in my collection, that’s why I wanted to include it in this list.
It has similar vibes to Italica but here we have a unique dates and orange blossom intoxicating concoction that’s it’s completely different from anything I’ve smelled before.
This perfume is mouthwatering. It makes me think of a silver plate filled with glazed dates, syrupy baklava, and all those wonderful Middle Eastern pastries.
Atlas Garden was the most gourmand fragrance I had in my collection until I got Italica. It’s a crowd-pleaser, I get compliments all the time (especially from men). It’s very cozy, alluring, warm, and inviting.
The notes are orange blossom, tonka bean, dates, neroli, mandarin orange, bergamot, and Ambroxan. It’s a head turner; a very chic gourmand scent that I’d call “dessert in a bottle”.
It’s perfect for date nights or night outs, especially during the colder months.
Baccarat Rouge 540 Extrait | Maison Francis Kurkdjian (MFK)
BR540 Extrait is a stunning fragrance and undoubtedly, one of the fragrances that get the most compliments in my entire fragrance collection. This extrait de parfum version gets me TONS of compliments which I don’t get with the original which supposedly has better projection.
While this is an extrait de parfum (hence, more intense due to its higher oils concentration), it’s more like a skin scent. It’s something people will notice when they come close to you.
It’s a gorgeous scent. It has saffron, bitter almond, cedar, jasmine, musk, and ambergris which nowadays is synthetically recreated. Although ambergris gives fragrances a sweet/salty scent, ambergris is mainly used as a fixative, and also to enhance other notes present in the formula.
I’ll go against the grain here and disagree with the popular opinion that Baccarat Rouge 540 extrait or eau de parfum is classy and sophisticated. To me this fragrance screams “money”, it screams “expensive” and it smells luxurious. However, I wouldn’t consider this a classy and sophisticated fragrance in the literal way. Let’s say, if cities had a smell, this one would be New York or Vegas:-)
If you want to buy this beautiful fragrance and candle 10% off, I’ve got a code for you :-). Click here and use Giselle10 or GB10. This is a permanent code that doesn’t expire, and can be used several times, which is different from the website welcome code that will allow you to use it only once.
Not a Perfume Superdose | Juliette Has a Gun
Not a Perfume Superdose is also one of the fragrances in my collection that get the most compliments. I loved the original Not a Perfume which is basically a single, synthetic molecule called Cetalox, being this the reason why it’s called “Not a Perfume”.
The problem with the original Not a Perfume was that I couldn’t smell it after 30 minutes. For this reason, when they launched this flanker, I jumped into it with no regrets.
Not a Perfume and Not a Perfume Superdose belong to a type of perfumes called “Molecular Fragrances”. They are created to blend in with your skin in a way that will behave completely different depending on each individual skin chemistry. It’ll never smell the same or even similar on different people.
Molecular fragrances don’t last directly on the skin, they linger around you. You’ll feel wrapped in a sheer cloud of aroma, and you’ll get whiffs of it throughout the day. It’ll be something like “where this fragrance comes from?” type of situation because you’ll smell it in the air but not directly on your skin.
It lasts forever on my skin, all day, but not in the traditional way a potent fragrance (in the fragrance community these type of fragrances are called “beast mode” fragrances) would last.
It lasts all day, but after a short period of time, I won’t smell it if I sniff my skin. However, and conversely to what happened with the original version, I can catch whiffs of it throughout the day.
It’s woody, clean, musky basically with lots of character. It has some citrus/tanginess at the opening which makes this fragrance a bit sharp but then it dries down into a musky/clean scent with great sillage and I’m not sure why but many men love it.
Pas Ce Soir | BDK Parfums
Pas Ce Soir means “not tonight” in French – Launched in 2016, it’s been around for a while.
It’s one of my favorite fragrances in my entire collection, and I can’t tell you how many compliments I get when I wear this one and I can tell you it’s even face mask proof.
I talked about this fragrance before on my YouTube channel because it’s a fragrance I love.
It’s very fruity, floral, woody nothing groundbreaking but still delicious, addictive. Great all year round but particularly nice in summer
It has quince which is the star here, ginger, o.blossom, jasmine, cashmeran (also called blond woods).
This beautiful juice reminds me a lot of Beige by Chanel Les Exclusifs and Terracotta minus the solar/beachy/coconutty note. If you want to buy this beautiful fragrance 10% off, I’ve got a code for you :-). Click here and use Use Giselle10 or GB10. This is a permanent code that doesn’t expire, and can be used several times, which is different from the website welcome code that will allow you to use it only once.
Signature | Bond No.9
Signature is pure parfum, it has a 30% oil concentration and just to give you some perspective, EDP usually has between 15% – 20% oils concentration, (although some brands have stronger Eau de Parfums like Tom Ford in his Reserve line) but this is the standard .
It has oud, rose, tonka, musk but it’s not your typical oud / rose combo, this is very unique, very Bond N9, Sultry, luxurious, sexy, very loud, urban chic, something I’d wear to a 5 star hotel cocktail lounge, something I’d wear to the Ritz in Paris.
Smells Ultra luxurious, boogie, 10/10 in all the departments.
It’s worth every penny because your cost per wear will justify the purchase since a little goes a long way. HEAVY HITTER, if you want people to remember you for your fragrance, wear this.
Déjà Vu White Flowers 57 | Kayali
This BEAUTY in capital letters is definitely one of the fragrances that get more compliments.
I love how Kayali adds a number to each fragrance name. This number represents how many tests they made before getting the final result, and in this case it involved 57 trials.
Déjà Vu White Flowers 57 is a gorgeous and sexy fruity, floral, oriental fragrance, with pear, gardenia, nectarine, sandalwood, vanilla, orange blossom and patchouli.
It’s very woody and earthy with lots of a very well blended patchouli. Pear, gardenia and patchouli are the most prominent notes. It’s sweet, very sexy, very flirty and it’s timeless. I think this is an all year round type of scent; it performs really well both in high heat and in cold weather.
Personally, I enjoy this perfume more during the night. It’s definitely a date night or night out fragrance that makes me feel like a “Femme Fatale” every time I wear it. It has a very strong feminine energy with very good lasting power (I get around 6 hours on my skin), moderate projection, and a sweet, dense, and feminine sillage. If you’re intereted in buying it (disclaimer: I’m not affiliated with Huda Beauty, I’m just sharing the link for your convenience), click here.
If you want to check out another blog post about a stunning fragrance that gets me TONS of compliments, click here
Ruby N Vanilla Intense | EBK Paris
Ruby N Vanilla Intense by EBK Paris: One of the best vanilla fragrances ever created.
Ruby N Vanilla Intense EBK Paris Best Sexy Vanilla Fragrance. If you’ve been looking for a unique sexy vanilla perfume, then keep reading.
L’Opéra de Garnier
The place that started it all: L’Opéra de Garnier, the headquarters of the Paris Opera House built in 1669.
I was blessed to be able to visit this magnificent 147 years old theater this summer, and no words could describe the opulence and beauty of this place which happens to be the inspiration behind my favorite musical of all times: The Phantom of The Opera.
On top of that, it’s also the inspiration behind a vanilla fragrance that surpassed all expectations and quickly became a favorite in my entire collection: Ruby N Vanilla Intense created by the exclusive niche house by EBK Paris.
The House: EBK Paris
This is a very exclusive niche house based in Paris, they don’t even have a website; they don’t distribute their fragrances anywhere, not even at niche boutiques.
They only sell their fragrances in select top destinations like luxury resorts and 5* hotels. They don’t engage with brand awareness collaborations for advertising. Clearly, the whole concept is that it’s a very exclusive house.
Ruby N Vanilla Intense was my best discovery as one of the best vanilla perfumes ever created!. The fragrance Ruby N Vanilla Intense was launched in 2019, and both fragrance (as I mentioned previously), and name, were inspired by the Palais Garnier.
Now back to the source of inspiration: these velvety notes take inspiration in the interior of the Opera House in Paris, which has very lush deep red, almost ruby velvet curtains and seats / tapestry as you can see in the pictures above.
I know they use very high quality raw materials but as I said, however, the smoothness is very present velvety notes is the component that resembles the interior of the Opera House with red, lush velvet courtains and tapestry.
EBK Ruby N Vanilla Intense – A very unique vanilla fragrance
Yes, this is a very unique vanilla perfume, there’s nothing minimalist here, this is MY type of fragrance, this perfume screams my name all over. It’s sweet but super well blended, nothing cloying here.
It’s very opulent, extravagant, intoxicating, and addictive; a true gem that I’d definitely wear it to the Opera.
It’s a very luxurious and sophisticated fragrance but the European way, which is a more understated type of sophistication.
To me this is a fragrance for a diva like Dita Von Teese, Cher, or Marylin Monroe, it’s super sexy but equally classy and sophisticated.
It has a very unique old Hollywood glamour without smelling vintage; it truly smells like a million bucks.
Fragrance Profile
An opulent, sweet, full-bodied, and regal perfume; the most exquisite, sophisticated, and different vanilla fragrance I’ve ever tried. To keep it short and sweet, let me tell you: if the luscious, plush, velvet seats and drapery of L’Opéra had aroma, it would be RNVI.
This is a perfume that you can build upon, for example, if you go light, you can wear it during the day as well, however, I wouldn’t.
I think it’s still too rich and too opulent to wear during the day, and I also want to have a very special fragrance that makes me feel I’m ready for the red carpet and this is this fragrance.
I feel if I wear it during the day, may be it’s too silly to say but I feel that by wearing it during the day I’ll kinda lose that excitement and the novelty factor for that special occasion and as I always say, when I mention a “special occasion”, it could be ANYTHING.
It doesn’t need to be for the Opera or the Ballet, I’m a firm believer in that we are the architects of our lives and WE make the occasions special even if it’s a date in the kitchen on a Saturday night.
The notes of the fragrances are: vanilla absolute, bergamot, patchouli, velvety notes, sicilian mandarin, ambergris, almond, and guaiac wood.
As you can see there’s no breakdown of the notes meaning we don’t know exactly what notes are top, middle, and base, but this is not strange to the niche world, actually The JTC (or join the club collection) line from Xerjoff also have the notes to be kept secret and personally, I love it, I love to figure out the notes myself even if I’m not right .
Now, when I first spray this gorgeous vanilla fragrance, the first thing I get is a fresh, almost fizzy accords that leads me to think it’s due to the bergamot.
I can also pick a very subtle nutty note coming from the almond, but this is not a strong almond accord like in Amaretto liquor. Had I not known this fragrance had almonds I’d have thought this is heliotrope which can be powdery but also nutty at the same time.
Ruby N Vanilla Intense is a very creamy, velvety, and slightly powdery fragrance. I bet the creaminess and the velvety accords come from a combination of orris, sandalwood, and roses like the amazing Black Baccara, Nigrette, or Black Magic very deep red, burgundy, ultra velvety roses renowned for their stunning appearance and deep aroma.
Performance Profile
It has a great lasting power, one of my top performers in my entire fragrance collection.
I get six to eight hours with a very strong projection, and a dense, thick sillage that will follow you every step of your way. Think about the olfactory equivalent of a thick velvet rope of Le Palais Garnier: this is the trail you’ll leave behind.
This is a keeper for life ❤️ – What a blessing it was to have a self-guided tour that allowed me to immerse myself in the history and architecture of this masterpiece in the heart of Europe which happens to be the inspiration behind to of my favorite things: the musical The Phantom of The Opera, and my favorite vanilla perfume of all times: Ruby N Vanilla Intense.
If you’d like to know more about this beautiful perfume, I’ve dedicated an entire video when I did a collaboration with the house, so here’s the link:
Click here to check my other post about vanilla fragrances.
Ruby N Vanilla Neroli | EBK Paris
A months days ago, I’ve received this beauty as a gift from the exclusive house EBK Paris, and I instantly fell in love.
Disclaimer: I haven’t been asked to do a review but I truly feel I’d be doing a disservice to the house and to my followers by not doing so because the fragrance is truly amazing and deserves to be discovered.
RNVN is a citrus/floral fragrance inspired by the glamour of the Cannes Festival, and trust me they nailed it (if you’ve ever been to the French Riviera you know what I’m talking about).
It’s pretty similar to the original Ruby N Vanilla Intense, it has the same DNA, but this one is brighter and more invigorating while the original is deeper, seductive, and a more “va va boom” type of scent. Both are equally elegant, both scream sophistication and luxe, but I find Ruby N Vanilla Neroli more unisex and more wearable than the older sister which is super feminine, and a fragrance that I mostly wear on special occasions.
Ruby N Vanilla Neorli has a fresh, zesty, citrus-y opening, very energizing, and luxurious, that slowly leads to a honey/orange blossom/almond core that later transitions into a gorgeous woody, amber-y, musk-y, slightly powdery patchouli dry down. As a matter of fact, to me this is a “solar” fragrance minus the tropical (and often times indolic) floral notes. I’d say this is 100% a daytime, ultra sophisticated perfume. If you can think of the perfect combination of sun, yachts, marine breeze, blue skies, the red carpet, sophistication, luxury, and black-tie attires, this is Ruby N Vanilla Neroli and it’s a must-try. It’s very easy to wear, inoffensive, a perfect day-time scent that it’s so perfect that I wouldn’t even dare to layer it with anything except with a great accessory. I always felt that no outfit is complete without fragrance and accessories. Since this is a typical daytime spring/summer fragrance, I’d combine it with gold, dainty jewelry like these.
Fragrance Profile
The Notes
Bergamot, Neroli, Lavender, Vanilla Absolute, Patchouli, Musk, Orange Blossom, Amber, Dry Wood, Oriental Powder, and Almond.
Wearability
I find this fragrance very versatile. It’s definitely a daytime scent perfect for all occasions, and it’s the type of fragrance that you could never go wrong with. It’s very inoffensive which makes it appropriate for office environments.
Performance Profile
I rate the scent a 10/10
Sillage (the trail): 6/10
Projection: 7/10
Lasting power is above average, I get 6+ hours so I rate it as 8/10