I'm an Effortless-Perfume Connoisseur—This Is My Most-Worn Scent of Summer

I've been a beauty journalist for over 12 years, and I have dedicated most of that time to perfecting my own routine. You see, despite being a beauty director, I believe deeply that the ultimate routine is grounded in effortlessness. I want my makeup to take no longer than five minutes every morning, my skincare routine must slot seamlessly into my day and I have not an ounce of patience for styling my hair. It is because of this, perhaps, that I decided to specialise in fragrance early in my career. Fragrance is, in my opinion, the area of beauty that has the most transformative effect in the shortest amount of time.

I have spent years trying to understand the blueprint of the best perfumes ever made: scents that turn heads, have undeniable transformative powers and crucially, make you feel like the best version of yourself. And, after over a decade of researching the craft of perfumery, Givenchy L'Interdit Eau de Parfum has become the fragrance that sets the bar for every new perfume that comes my way.

There is no question that L'Interdit Eau de Parfum is my most beloved summer throw-on scent. It is the sort of perfume that, with just one spray, turns you into the most magnetic version of yourself with an unparalleled sense of ease. It has proved to be my reliable cloak of confidence since its launch in 2018. Whether accompanying jeans and a white T-shirt or a garden-party gown, L'Interdit never feels out of place.

And although I have well over 200 perfumes in my collection, Givenchy L'Interdit Eau de Parfum is one of the few I will never be without, and this is why...

The History

To truly understand what makes L'Interdit so special, it's important to understand its origins. Although this iteration was released in 2018, the roots of L'Interdit date back to 1954, when Hubert de Givenchy created a signature fragrance for Audrey Hepburn. It was the house of Givenchy's first foray into the world of fragrance. Just three years later, when he revealed to Hepburn that he planned to officially release the fragrance, it is rumoured that she responded, "Mais je vous l'interdis!" (But I forbid you!). Despite Hepburn's jovial resistance, the house released the original iteration of L'Interdit in 1957.

And the reason I say this backstory is important is that this element of almost "forbidden" levels of exclusivity remains at the core of the modern reimagining of the original scent. Whilst the intense, of-its-time, aldehydic, floral element of the L'Interdit of 1957 is no longer detectable, the 2018 version of L'Interdit Eau de Parfum that so many of us now know and love still possesses all of the same standout, headturning, attention-grabbing qualities.

The Scent

To me, L'Interdit Eau de Parfum is best described as a true movie-star scent. Wearing it feels like peeping through the curtain of a world of glamour and elegance so elite that it feels almost mischievous to spray. On first spritz, you are hit with a bomb of white florals, like burying your nose into the most abundant bouquet of velvety petals. But L'Interdit is far from a simple floral scent. The patchouli and vetiver base gives it a rich creaminess, as though on contact with the skin, the jasmine, orange blossom and jasmine petals turn heated and molten.

It gives the overall profile an expensive-smelling sort of elegance (and longevity) that doesn't come around often in modern perfumery. But what propels L'Inderdit Eau de Parfum into its own realm is, in my opinion, the role that the top notes of ginger and bergamot play. Because with these additions, the intense, deep, woody-floral perfume I've just described suddenly becomes something that feels luxuriously rare, shimmering and sparkling like diamonds on the skin. A spritz of L'Interdit is like a chilled glass of Dom Pérignon Vintage—something defined by both exclusive intensity and sparkling expense.

The beauty of L'Interdit Eau de Parfum's effortlessness lies in its ability to work in any scenario. Its unique beauty is so notable that it doesn't matter the occasion or outfit; it becomes such an extension of your being that it always makes sense. L'Interdit is not the woman who drifts around unnoticed; she is the woman who knows herself, who lays her cards on the table, who turns up 15 fashionable minutes late, who commands a room and who everyone wants to be acquainted with.

The Future

Whilst L'Interdit Eau de Parfum is, without question, my most leaned-on summer fragrance, a special mention has to be given to L'Interdit Absolu; the smokier, more elusive little sister. With the addition of powdery lavender, spicy cardamom and enticing tobacco, L'Interdit Absolu is the fragrance I reach for when I'm feeling particularly debaucherous.

If I were to define L'Interdit Eau de Parfum as a perfume best suited for carrying out a day of business before heading out for dinner in the 7th Arrondissement, L'Interdit Absolu is what is worn for after-dinner plans that run into the early hours, finished up as you walk back to your hotel room down the Champs-Élysées with your heels in hand.

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