Christian Dior • Diorella • Fragrances

naomidee on 5/3/2013 5:30:00 AM more reviews by naomidee

Age: 25-29   Skin: Very Dry, Fair   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Blue    

I spotted this fragrance coming back from Berlin, i regretted not buying it at the airport as i was unable to buy this anywhere in the UK it seems. I was over the moon to find that my boyfriend found it and treated me, what a hero!
I find that within the first 10 minutes the fragrance is pretty strong and has a very classic dior scent, i worried that the base notes are too strong, however once it settles it becomes beautifully fresh and uplifting. I love that it turns into quite a clean soapy smell, it's as it's as though i've just stepped straight out the shower and into freshly laundered clothes which lasts all day!
It's a very classy smell and is perfect for summer!

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*TOP REVIEWER* blooiejagwa on 3/4/2012 2:18:00 AM more reviews by blooiejagwa

Age: 19-24   Skin: Other   Hair: Other   Eyes: Other    

Beautiful- lovely - uplifting. It evokes a happy feeling for me. The citrus keeps it cheerful. Pleasantly harmonious. I do think the lasting power ought to be better, but nothing wonderful lasts forever. Edit- lol- Dh was like you smell like ketchup, have u been eating ketchup? Turns out the faded version of this smells exactly like ketchup on me!

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Floradanica on 9/17/2011 7:41:00 PM more reviews by Floradanica

Age: 56 & Over   Skin: Dry, Fair, Cool   Hair: Blond, Wavy, Coarse   Eyes: Blue    

I've loved this fragrance for years.... haven't worn it in a while but I will again. I started wearing it when I was in 19, in Scotland as an exchange students. It is a feminine version of Eau Sauvage; that's part of what I love about it. A crisp, but feminine, summery scent. Perfect with crisp white blouses and black cropped slacks....simple and elegant.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

artmama on 7/28/2011 5:58:00 AM more reviews by artmama

Age: 44-55   Skin: Normal, Fair   Hair: Red   Eyes: Green    

This is one of my favourites, I wore it in the 80s, and where I live it was not available until very recently. My daughter, who buys me a surprise scent from a range of several of my old faves every Christmas (which I pay for as she is still young) knew that this meant a lot to me, so when it became available again, she chose it for me. I am so happy to have it. It smells beautiful on me once it settles. It certainly has an aura of "old elegance" which to me is a good thing. It cheers me up every time I wear it.

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*TOP REVIEWER* rasputin2 on 7/20/2011 6:18:00 PM more reviews by rasputin2

Age: 44-55   Skin: Combination, Medium   Hair: Silver   Eyes: Green    

I recently sprang for the whole bottle after appreciating a little sample of DIORELLA. I'm glad I did, I love it. It must be pointed out that DIORELLA is fine, Midcentury French perfumery, and that ALONE places it head and shoulders above nearly any department store fragrance being debuted today. DIORELLA was the proudest creation in 1972, of its creator, Edmond Roudnitska. I'd call it a Green-Hesperidic-Chypre. At present, only the EDT formula is manufactured, and is available only from the online DIOR boutique. Inasmuch as DIORELLA is all about brilliant, top-heavy freshness, perhaps it is well-suited to an EDT formulation.

Opening spray of DIORELLA yields a blindingly sparkling impression of aldehydes, bitter-green galbanum and lemon zest. Basil confers a soupcon of mintiness. It is mingled with notes which greatly suggest "cool wetness", including a vaguely shampoo-like note which gives that "rinsed" smell, like BRECK used to do. Subtly juicy peach and melon give their Midcentury qualities. Then a most curious accord emerges: an almost savory musk, almost protein-like quality, touched with a not-there whisper of cumin. It is this quality which some have likened to "fresh meat". Indeed it is a delicate and reassuring animal-like smell, which gives a concrete tether to all the sparkling effervescence in DIORELLA, and makes the scent sit so welcomely on warm human skin. We humans instinctively look for animal nuances in every complex scent.

Behind this protein-like platform emerges the essential chypre base of this fragrance: the amalgam of bergamot, oakmoss, patchouly, tonka, vetiver. The chypre base is most delicate... never is it chunky or smoky or sweet or obvious... it's just that very French "haute-couture" underpinning that bestows so much character and neutralizes any kind of sweetness.

In far drydown, we get a very subtle "orange/melon/spice" signature--- it's this gamely sportive "grin" that makes us think of EAU SAUVAGE and of late-60's/early-70's gender sensibilities: when women were calling for a less-girly, more sportive vibe to match the gender politics in the air. Indeed, even with the delicate floral notes here (a green, vernal honeysuckle peers frillily over the musk midtones; a rose/cyclamen alto joins the happy paean to summertime), there is no reason at all why a man couldn't wear DIORELLA.


DIORELLA, despite its period associations, is still an amazing, refreshing, nuanced, elegant scent, eminently suited to late spring to high summer. At times, it makes me think of a pond, with its smells of sparkling, cooling wetness, and the not-unpleasant melange of fresh green grass... and the slightly foetid, mulching grasses, too. To appreciate life, we must be subliminally aware of death... and this is the beauty of a great French classic like DIORELLA. True Perfumisti will appreciate this classic for what it is, and will find themselves quickly forgetting whatever period associations it may evoke.


Five lippies for a timeless French classic.

15 out of 16 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

ellacinders on 3/25/2011 3:01:00 AM more reviews by ellacinders

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Red, Curly, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

I totally agree with the reviewer who said the melon note kills this otherwise gorgeous fragrance. It's also the very note that dates it so badly. I've worn it a few days in a row from a decant and while there is something irresistable about it, I can't shake the 1970s vibe. Melon always smells fusty and sour to me, and here the melon lays over the fragrance like a mildewing blanket. I don't feel clean at all but rather damp and on the verge of fermenting. Sorry, I want to love this for everything else going on behind that melon but I just can't.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

mzplacedinphilly on 12/29/2010 4:09:00 PM more reviews by mzplacedinphilly

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Green    

I sometimes wonder if my chemistry is off when I encounter so many positive reviews for a fragrance that was a "thanks, but no thanks" for me. Keeping in mind scent is subjective I thought I would add another point of view for this fragrance. I bought a decant rather than full bottle for one which turned out to be a good thing in the end. With the following notes and such glowing reviews, how could one go wrong:
Lemon, basil, bergamot, melon, green note
Peach, honeysuckle, jasmine, rose, cyclamen
Oakmoss, vetiver, patchouli, musk
Unfortunately, this did not give me the timeless and effortless frag I have been so searching for. It is a time capsule frag on me and a scrubber as I just can not stand the "old fashioned hairspray" essence that lingers behind this scent. I could imagine an older, well kept auntie wearing this as a signature scent. Just not my thing at the end of the day.

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*TOP REVIEWER* dioraddict84 on 12/2/2010 2:13:00 PM more reviews by dioraddict84

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Neutral   Hair: Brown, Wavy, Coarse   Eyes: Blue    

This is my favorite "classic" Christian Dior scent. It is a nice lemony scent, reminds me of Eau Savage a bit. Top notes are Sicilian lime and basil; honeysuckle and peach are in perfume’s heart, while vetiver and oak moss are in the base.

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happywoman28 on 6/24/2010 9:59:00 AM more reviews by happywoman28

Age: Unknown   Skin: Dry, Fair-Medium, Neutral   Hair: Blond, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Blue    

At first when I got a big bottle of this I was disappointed that it is different from the way it used to be in the 70's. I remember a much more potent lemon blast at first, holding that glorious fresh green and lemon scent much longer.
Now it is much quieter and more reserved. The lemon is more subtle.
There is a hay scent which I love. But over the lemons and hay is pure elegance. I imagine a crystal chandelier at the fabulous estate Viscaya in Florida. This is totally different from any other scent out there and is very complex, with so much more than lemons going on.
It is grassy and fresh and summery but also incredibly classy and French smelling. It took me a couple of days to get used to it, the way certain men who are not classicaly handsome take a couple of days to grow on me until I finally see that they are so much more adorable and interesting than if they had ordinary good looks.
This is simply wonderful, and the changes that have been made over the years have not hurt this at all. Give it time and you will love it.
If only it came in Eau de Parfum, so it lasted longer.....

5 out of 5 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* Andee on 4/4/2010 11:41:00 AM more reviews by Andee

Age: 56 & Over   Skin: Dry, Fair, Warm   Hair: Red, Fine   Eyes: Green    

Way too lemony for me. Slighly less sharp than Eau Savage, but very similar at first. Eau Savage does not seem to develop. This does, but it takes too long. I can't bear an hour or more of citrus OD before I finally get to something interesting. And, not interesting enough, at that.

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AnneMB on 3/9/2010 10:05:00 AM more reviews by AnneMB

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Blond, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Green    

My favourite scent for many years-light,fresh,elegant and totally unique.I´ve never met anyone else wearing this,and although I like to try out lots of other scents,this is the one I always come back to!

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warietessa on 2/4/2010 2:32:00 PM more reviews by warietessa

Age: 44-55   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Cool   Hair: Brunette, Medium   Eyes: Other    

I use it rarely has its charm for me and I smell nice. No other scent I can not induce such a festive feeling. Sleep changes and it seems to me the most beautiful about an hour.

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*TOP REVIEWER* Chamuda on 11/15/2009 12:57:00 PM more reviews by Chamuda

Age: Unknown   Skin: Other   Hair: Other   Eyes: Other    

Diorella to me is the (more) feminine version of Eau Sauvage. They are very similar, but Diorella is a bit subtler on the herbal notes (like basil, etc.) and the lemon is less bracingand sharp and more feminine. Also Diorella has an added peach note. I am not a big citrus fragrance lover, but if I had to choose a citrus/lemon based fragrance (i.e., Eau Sauvage, Diorella, O de Lancome, Cristalle, Light Blue, etc.) I would choose Diorella because in my opinion it's one of the most feminine and wearable.

4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

Jzgrl on 11/10/2009 9:26:00 AM more reviews by Jzgrl

Age: 25-29   Skin: Oily   Hair: Red   Eyes: Green    

Spectacular.

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lots2donow on 8/22/2009 12:14:00 AM more reviews by lots2donow

Age: 44-55   Skin: Normal, Fair-Medium   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Green    

I am 51 years old and I have used Diorella since I was 21. In my opinion, it's the best fragrance out there! It's different, very different actually, and I didn't love it when I first smelled it. But then I got totally hooked. I think now that my first encounter with this fragrance was biased by what I expected from a perfume to smell like. It's nothing like anything you have ever smelled.

I have tried many different fragrances, but have always come back to this one. And.... I ALWAYS got complements when I wore it. Spray a bit in your fresh washed wet hair, and you will smell sooo clean all day.

My husband has used Eau Sauvage ever since we got married -28 years ago. The two fragrances are similar in the sense that they are both citrusy, and if you love one you love the other. Our biggest compliment is that our two grown sons also wear it now.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

emmagreen on 6/30/2009 10:36:00 AM more reviews by emmagreen

Age: 30-35   Skin: Dry   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Blue    

To me this has a dated smell; I like it because it reminds me of my mom in the seventies, even though she never wore this, but it is sort of boho retro chic. The weirdest realization for me is that I think it's the decadent melon note that makes it seem dated. I like that it's not a fresh fruit smell, more of a dark one. I respect this, I think it's well made, and decent lasting power, but it's probably not for me. Would be interesting to try this in the fall/ winter and see if my impression is still the same.

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*TOP REVIEWER* karelin7 on 5/30/2009 12:12:00 AM more reviews by karelin7

Age: 44-55   Skin: Oily, Medium   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

Not much I can add but I feel compelled to write a review anyway. I was startled at how much this smells like Eau Sauvage. It really is ES, with sweet top notes. Luca Turin calls it "perfected Eau Sauvage" and I can smell why. First, it cures the fleeting longevity of ES, which tends to vanish quickly. Diorella hangs in there. And it is more complete than ES. However, the notes that round it out are very sweet--florals or fruits, I can't quite decide. The sweetness makes this decidedly feminine. But let it dry down, be sparing in the application, and what you get is a perfect monster of a fragrance, a drop dead masterpiece. The sweetness never completely leaves, but it leads the other notes, the citrus, the bergamot, and softens the meaty animalic accord which is less noticeable here than in ES. There is something fairly formal about this one; not nearly so formal as 24, Faubourg, for example, but this is a scent for a person who has arrived, who has the accoutrements, and a lot of self-possession. Go easy on the trigger. Too much and you'll smell like a room full of maiden aunts. With a light application, you'll smell like you're wearing a Matisse, if that makes sense.

15 out of 15 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

luckyangelou on 4/15/2009 4:30:00 PM more reviews by luckyangelou

Age: 19-24   Skin: Other   Hair: Other   Eyes: Other    

This is one of the most interesting fragrances I've ever encountered. I have a vintage bottle with the houndstooth print on it (not sure of the date on this). I was doing a search on the notes that I love, and this fragrance popped out at me. When I got this bottle, I was first a bit disappointed because upon first whiff, I got nothing that I was expecting. Then I dabbed some on, and let it develop on my skin. Initially, I got hit with basil and lemon, which wasn't unpleasant, but not quite what I wanted. Upon dry down, I discovered a complex aroma filled with familiar notes and something just out of my grasp, but I know that I like it! I smell Earl Grey tea with a splash of lemon, and also something mossy and green. Not evading my detection are the strong base notes, including cloves, vanilla, patchouli, and maybe some sandalwood tucked in for good measure. I think I even get a bit of honeysuckle. This is fresh and clean, yet maintains a deepness that I can't compare with any other fragrance. I have to admit, I think it may be a bit mature for me, but I enjoy it nevertheless!

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*TOP REVIEWER* lillie_munster on 3/18/2009 10:02:00 AM more reviews by lillie_munster

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

When i was small my dad gave me a tiny bottle with clover-blossom perfume oil. This oil mixed with some citrus, vetiver, jasmine, mosses and cumin: Diorella.
A very beautiful, classy yet unusual and sophisticated choice for warmer days. Perfect in spring and summer and uplifting in the darker months. Long lasting. Not as austere as Miss Dior. Maybe her younger sister.
A staple!

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AnneElise on 2/19/2009 1:00:00 AM more reviews by AnneElise

Age: 44-55   Skin: Oily, Olive   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Hazel    

Am I the only one who thinks Diorella smells like Anthousa's Citrus Sorbet? Only difference is that Anthousa doesn't have the pretty topnote, just a heavy, dull basil essence.
Like another reviewer, I love Diorella's lemony topnotes, but man! What happens when it unfolds isn't pleasant--not on my skin, anyway.
I'm bummed--it cost a fortune.
That'll teach me to buy unsniffed (yeah, right :)...

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