Ava Luxe • No. 23 • Fragrances

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sayde on 6/15/2012 5:20:00 PM more reviews by sayde

Age: 56 & Over   Skin: Combination   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Blue    

Purchased this blind based on reviews that said it was a lot like Ormonde Jayne Woman. It's very nice but it is not much like Woman. The top notes have a bit of hawthorn but that disappears fast. What you're left with is essentially amber. Others have said it is like Tam Dao -- well, may-be faintly but much more amber that woody or incense. It does seem to last pretty well. Amber does have good staying power.

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*TOP REVIEWER* AntFarm on 2/25/2012 12:14:00 PM more reviews by AntFarm

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Red, Medium   Eyes: Hazel    

Extrait: I can barely smell this. When I do put my nose against my wrist it smells very nice though. Very well-blended, soft sandalwood that isn't overly sharp or masculine. Very unisex.

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bgraceg on 2/15/2012 4:34:00 PM more reviews by bgraceg

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

Recently got sample size in oil version from the perfumed court; it was the components they described that attracted me. Thank goodness I hadn't read these reviews first, that mention powderiness or sandalwood, or I wouldnt have tried it. On me, this is one of those scents where you can't stop smelling yourself, not just because it smells lovely, but it has a compelling mystery. It is spicy, woody, yet subtle, and not at all sweet on me. It doesn't smell like anything else. I've layered it with Lostmarch's Lann-Ael and that is yummy too, adding warmth and coziness.

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Milelis on 2/12/2012 2:46:00 AM more reviews by Milelis

Age: 44-55   Skin: Other   Hair: Other   Eyes: Other    

I have to share a secret! I've just fallen in love with Ormonde Jayne Woman. However, this perfume is too expensive, and besides, I have a particular sensitivity in form of itching with this perfume. Now I have just received Ava Luxe perfume oil No23 - and imagine my surprise and joy when I discovered it is similar to Ormonde Jayne Woman! The same velvety, dreamy, warm, slightly woody fragrance .. The difference is that in the Ormonde Jayne Woman it´s violets in the background - in Ava Luxe Lavender. In fact, on my skin No23 is almost identical + I do not get allergies + it is so incredibly cheap! Still smells expensive. If you, like me, love Ormonde Jayne Woman but can not afford - try this instead!

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*TOP REVIEWER* eurodivas on 7/8/2009 4:54:00 PM more reviews by eurodivas

Age: 36-43   Skin: Acne-prone, Dark, Warm   Hair: Brown, Relaxed, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

I have read lots of raves about this fragrance so when I ordered from Ava Luxe I requested a sample. As I am not a big fan of sandalwood, I do not purchase any fragrances with this predominant note without sampling. No 23. I would consider to be a woody fragrance with a very strong Sandalwood and Lavender note. Actually, these were the only two notes I was able to get from this scent. Upon application, the Sandalwood note is overpowering and quite strong. The fragrance does mellow down quite quickly and transforms to something actually very soft which I did not expect. For lovers of sandalwood this is definitely a keeper but not for me. I must add that the lasting power was not so good.


EDITEd - July 27, 2010
It could be that my chemistry has changed but now this fragrance reacts completely differently on me. I have tried this fragrance again after over 1 year and I really love it. The lasting power is also much better. It could be that the sample I originally tried was bad because I no longer get this sharp and distracting lavender note.

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*TOP REVIEWER* daruma on 6/19/2009 6:30:00 AM more reviews by daruma

Age: 44-55   Skin: Combination   Hair: Red   Eyes: Blue    

I'm surprised by the references in reviews below to notes like lavender, hawthorn and so on because all I'm getting from this is overwhelming myrrh and a little sandalwood. If you like La Myrrhe or Mirra (sp?) you should adore this. It's a little sweet for my taste but seems very well done.

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Truesark on 2/3/2009 11:08:00 PM more reviews by Truesark

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

One of the nicest pleasant to the nose fragranes of Ava Luxe. I have tried over 20 of her scents and there are only about 4 that I rave about. This is a nice light sandalwood and I am a sandalwood fanatic. So in light of that, I have to say, this is done more on the sweet side and would not call this a wood note sandalwood, thought is definitly sandalwood. I have the ability to smell a fragrance and tell you the notes in it without reading reviews on it. I immediately knew it was sandalwood, but could not place the difference at first, as to why it smell sweeter and lighter than most, though very pleasant. It has floral added to bring the sharpness down a bit, and smooth the edges. I suppose this is to soften it abit and draw more attention to the spring floral notes added to it. It is a nice signature scent, and while I would not call it memorable in terms of unqiueness in scents, it is very smooth and wearable and at a good price point too. A definite 'must try' for Ava Luxe collectors.

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cusp2 on 1/23/2009 11:20:00 PM more reviews by cusp2

Age: 30-35   Skin: Sensitive, Fair   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Green    

I am not a huge perfumaniac, partly because I have allergies and partly because perfume is not cheap. It seems like lately so many scents are cheaply-made, overly sweet gourmand types that are attached to celebrity names (but little celebrity input.) I've been reading the reviews of Ava Luxe, however, and decided to try her Number 23, which sounded right up my alley. I'm so glad I did.
This scent is beautiful. It has soft, warm, creamy sandalwood..not too dry, not too sweet. A hint of dry lavender peeks out at the beginning giving the blend a slight astringincy, but certainly nothing unattractive. As the blend warms up, you sense rose, iris and acacia....this is a woody/floral blend that is pretty, yes, but not overly girly. Yet...its not unisex either. Its a beautiful, understated, slightly spicy mix that I am now addicted to. It really is gorgeous.

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Mimiacid on 1/15/2009 10:14:00 AM more reviews by Mimiacid

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Medium   Hair: Brown, Fine   Eyes: Green    

This is lovely stuff. It's a woody floral that is reminiscent, to me, of Serge Lutens' Douce Amere. But whereas that scent was ragingly bitter wormwood on me, No. 23 has just the right proportion of sweetness to dryness to make it intriguing. Once on, the bitterness tempers and it becomes more floral-woody, with a beautiful sandalwood, acacia and fresh flower accord (I haven't the nose to identify individual floral notes here). On fabric, it is wonderfully long-lasting and with good sillage, even though it is not at all a loud fragrance. It has a radiance which lasts a good 8-12 hours. I have a full bottle of the Eau de Parfum and I can definitely see myself re-purchasing this little gem.

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Fantomia on 1/2/2009 8:18:00 PM more reviews by Fantomia

Age: 44-55   Skin: Sensitive, Fair   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Blue    

Don’t know how I can describe no 23 – it comes to me as quite sweet, and I don’t’ like sweet so much, but it has just the right sweetness for me. It is a sandalwood for sure, when I fist got the sampler as a free gift with an order from Serena (I was ordering her Orange Flower) I put it away as – sandalwood for sure, but nothing more. In this new world of niche fragrances opening up for me it didn’t get my interest because it was so easily recognised. Actually I gave it away – and more than a year later I found it in this persons bathroom closet (it’s nothing but Poison for her) and I stole it back, and now the sampler is drained. Don’t know what it is with this fragrance, but I enjoy it’s sweetness so tremendously, it’s just a wonderful seamless sandalwood blend and everything added to the sandal is so humbly done, there is no quarrelling about attention – it IS a sandal and can never be categorized as something else, but the notes added is lifting it and taming it and making it thrilling and something more than just sandal. It’s just lovely, that’s actually all I can say about it. One evening I asked a friend about some fragrances, and what to wear. She liked a lot of them personally, but when she came to this she said it smelled like me. That’s strange because the (almost) only thing I have been wearing for years is different kind of orange blossoms, and this has no. Another strange thing is that it has lavender, which is a note I normally don’t care for at all in perfume (but I don’t mind it in aromatherapy and essential oils). Ava Luxes writes about the no 23 on her site that it “was regarded as a sacred number of magic and enchantment. It's sometimes referred to as The Royal Star of the Lion and it bestows abundant grace and blessing to those influenced by it.” In fact I AM an astrological lion – maybe the magic acclaimed in this is really true. Anyway, it’s true magic to me, and it’s the only perfume I have wore in my lover’s presence that have made him outburst that "I smell sooo good and sooo fucking sexy". And that’s exactly what I feel when I wear it too.

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gracebaldwin on 12/27/2008 8:05:00 PM more reviews by gracebaldwin

Age: 44-55   Skin: Other   Hair: Other   Eyes: Other    

I don't like lavender, so I was very surprised to fall in love with Ava Luxe's No. 23. Perhaps it's because the lavender doesn't stand out - I get the acacia and sandalwood along with the geranium, and the combination is just lovely. This is one of my favorites in the Ava Luxe line.

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*TOP REVIEWER* Gracious_Lady on 11/28/2008 9:07:00 PM more reviews by Gracious_Lady

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Medium Brown, Warm   Hair: Brown, Relaxed, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

Truly, one of the most unique fragrances I have ever smelled. Still, on my skin, it's chocolate and acacia. Weird, because chocolate is not in the note make up of No. 23... Anyway, I get a whiff of the enchantment expressed by the other reviewers, but in the end, sadly, my chemistry just can't seem to tap into and shore up the magic of this one...

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AllisonWunderland on 11/23/2008 8:21:00 PM more reviews by AllisonWunderland

Age: 30-35   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Blond, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

I almost can't even bring myself to review this fragrance. It's so enchanting, I'm afraid that it will lose it's magic if I speak about it too much. Silly, isn't it? This is a perfectly concocted creation. A woodsy, somewhat powdery floral. I stockpile this, I think I have 5 bottles right now.

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debrsl on 3/5/2008 4:17:00 PM more reviews by debrsl

Age: 44-55   Skin: Dry   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

While this *is* beautiful, I think it is just a little too powdery and floral for me. If you like those kinds of fragrances, however, I think this would be a must-try. There is something in there that adds a little tang that really offsets the other notes nicely.

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marnie123 on 8/29/2007 5:32:00 PM more reviews by marnie123

Age: 30-35   Skin: Normal   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Green    

on Ava Luxe website:
"No 23 perfume is a unique blend of Sandalwood, Hawthorn blossoms , Acacia, Rose, Himalayan Geranium , Lavender, and Musk. The floral notes are wonderfully balanced by the rich sandalwood heart, while the musk adds a subtle powdery touch. Magical!"
I say, on me, it *is* magical. I've sampled several times, and loved it more and more. Soft, beautiful, not too floral, not too musky, just perfect. Perfect

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*TOP REVIEWER* tessture on 8/10/2007 8:27:00 PM more reviews by tessture

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

Starts off with hints of Rose and Geranium with bright lavender, then dries down to a vanilla-like musky base with more Rose and Geranium and a tiny gentle sweet sandalwood note. Nice. I tried it on another day, and it was way too perfumey and wnet right up my nose. Definitely not nice. From first attempt ("divine!") to second ("argh, get this off me!") was a huge difference. Sample this several times before committing. It should be gorgeous on the right person, but maybe only on the right day.

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*TOP REVIEWER* lisa_67 on 7/10/2007 11:41:00 AM more reviews by lisa_67

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Fair, Cool   Hair: Brunette, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Blue    

Bless Serena not only for giving you a free sample with your order, but also because she obviously considers your tastes when she chooses that free sample for you. No. 23 was on my list to sample sometime, but I'd just not gotten around to it when I placed my latest order. What a nice surprise when I opened the package and found that this was my sample. I tried it immediately, and have been wearing it almost constantly since then. It will definitely be a FB purchase with my next order. I think the reason I hesitated to order this previously was the presence of lavender in No. 23. I truly cannot stand lavender; it is far too pungent, sharp, and medicinal to me. I don't like it in perfume, in household products, in candles, or in potpourri. What a surprise, then, to discover that I really do love No. 23. The lavender is muted by the rose, and wafts through as a faint, floral-powdery essence. What I really love is the acacia wood (one of my favorites) and the musk, in combination with the geranium, which has become one of my favorite floral essences in fragrance. I've never smelled a hawthorn blossom in the real world, but I want to, because it's doing something magical in here. This fragrance is pure and light, refined but muted. It won't precede you into the room, but it will linger oh so softly after you leave. UPDATE: Purchased both the oil extrait (long-lasting, wears close to the skin) and the EDP (lasts 5-6 hours, but has stronger sillage), and I adore them both.

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*TOP REVIEWER* SensualSusanna on 5/31/2007 3:03:00 PM more reviews by SensualSusanna

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Brunette, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

No. 23 is indeed a magical potion. Such a tantalizing story behind the fragrance -- I knew I had to try it. Also my DH was born on the 23rd of the month so I knew it was at least worth trying. It's dry-- sensuous - and reminds me very much of Costes. However -- unlike Costes, which lacks staying power -- No. 23 is holding it's own. (It is an Eau de Parfum sample). Very pleasant and FBW .... No. 23 is a contender!

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*TOP REVIEWER* LittleGnome on 5/23/2007 5:56:00 PM more reviews by LittleGnome

Age: 36-43   Skin: Oily, Olive, Warm   Hair: Blond, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Hazel    

I got this sample as a freebie from Ava-Luxe when I ordered others and two 5 ml vials of perfume. I didn't know anything about it and just sniffed the vial, it smelled great actually, so I put it on. Wow, I was so surprised. This is what I wanted Nanadebary to smell like, but didn't, on me. A sexy woody sandalwood scent, I am smelling something in here like nutmeg, resins, rose, lavender, and musk, and the lovely woody base. It also reminds me a bit of Helmut Lang, too - a wonderful woody skin scent. This blends beautifully with my chemistry. Love it!
I plan on purchasing this ASAP. Beautiful scent. If you like Helmut Lang, Nanadebary, sexy, slightly spicy skin musky type scents, don't hesitate to try this. I didn't get any sharpness from the geranium that I would normally expect, very well blended.
Here are the notes and description from the Ava Luxe website: "No 23 perfume is a unique blend of Sandalwood, Hawthorn blossoms , Acacia, Rose, Himalayan Geranium , Lavender, and Musk. The floral notes are wonderfully balanced by the rich sandalwood heart, while the musk adds a subtle powdery touch. Magical! "

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Sepheric on 5/16/2007 2:25:00 AM more reviews by Sepheric

Age: 25-29   Skin: Normal, Fair-Medium   Hair: Black   Eyes: Black    

This is perhaps the most interesting scent of all my 12 samples, half of which are simply vile. Sandalwood, Hawthorn blossoms, Acacia, Rose, Himalayan Geranium, Lavender, and Musk. No. 23 is dry and a little bit incense-y, but not too much. It's still missing a note; I'm not sure which. But somehow No. 23 smells incomplete. Too bad, really.

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