Jovoy Paris Jus Interdit Adam and Eve, painting by Pierre Paul Rubens – edited by Emmanuelle Varron.
Since 2010, Jovoy Parfums Rare in Paris has been a special place for all perfume lovers, a few steps from the famous Place Vendôme. Among the 130 brands represented in the boutique and online (and always introducing newness) there is a mix of emerging brands, established and historical perfumes, fragrances exclusive to Jovoy Parfums Rare (Roja Parufms O for example) and the Jovoy Paris eponymous line. Jovoy Paris perfumes was created in 1923 and was dormant for many years until owner, founder and Creative Director François Henin reinvented the house more than a decade ago. There are now 18 references, including three perfume extraits (Sr. Editor Despina Veneti chose Sans Un Mot recently as one of our best 2021 Valentine’s Day perfumes and former contributor Pam Barr reviewed Sombre Dessins here). Today I will write about Jovoy Paris Jus Interdit. The word “Interdit” had me imagining the Biblical story in Genesis: Adam, Eve, the snake, the forbidden fruit plucked from the Tree of Knowledge (to which Jovoy dedicated a perfume called l’Arbre de la Connaissance in 2011). Just like the Rubens painting I chose to show Adam, but unlike the legend, he is handing the object of temptation to his sweet Eve.
Amélie Bourgeois and Jovoy Paris Jus Interdit bottle – pictures via Flair and Jovoy, edited by Emmanuelle Varron.
Composed in 2015 by Amélie Bourgeois, Jovoy Paris Jus Interdit is a woody resinous extrait de parfum with an evocative name (forbidden fragrance) that immediately transports you to mysterious, wild and sumptuously scented destinations. When I spray it on my skin, I perceive a perfume with two “faces”, with a mixed but unique identity, like a mythical story. As mentioned, Jovoy Paris Jus Interdit is an extrait de parfum, and at that concentration adds remarkable intensity to the beautiful raw materials selected by Amélie Bourgeois. The bottle’s sides are bright red which differentiates it from the “Eau de parfum” black enameled flacon
Jovoy Paris Jus Interdit’s brand quote – edited by Emmanuelle Varron.
The opening is bright with bergamot, revealing solar, luminous notes that awaken the senses. The “Adam” comes just afterwards, thanks to a woody palette that takes over after the first seconds. Cedar dry and desiccated settles down on my skin like a frame under a canvas. Patchouli and oud add their color, warmth and majesty. Reading the notes of Jovoy Paris Jus Interdit, I thought that woods would take over the composition. On the contrary, they respect each other, without losing their depth and identity, melting into an extremely voluptuous accord that reminds me of a former lover’s coat that that was scented with Clinique Aromatics Elixir. The turning point comes after a few minutes: the “masculinity” from the first moments (and therefore my reference to Adam) slowly rounds out, gains in sensuality without losing its primary character. Hyraceum’s* strong but sensual leathery nuances, bridges the iris and its powderiness that lightens the density of the perfume –iris and leather often blend wonderfully in fragrances, playing on the male / female duality by giving a multifaceted identity. In Jovoy Paris Jus Interdit, these two ingredients bring a 90-degree turn, now focusing on my metaphorical “Eve” figure. Benzoin which appears after an hour, with its vanilla and amber accents marvelously marries both virility and sensuality. 
image by Emmanuelle Varron.
At once masculine and feminine, Jovoy Paris Jus Interdit is gender fluid. A forbidden fragrance that is beautiful and unique… whoever you are.
Notes: bergamot, hyrax, patchouli, cedar, iris, oud, benzoin, ambergris.
Disclaimer: A huge “merci” to Jovoy Paris for the Jus Interdit bottle provided for this review. The opinions expressed are my own.
Emmanuelle Varron, Senior contributor and Michelyn Camen, Editor-in-Chief
* Hyraceum is an animal essence also called “The Stone of Africa”, that you can find in hyrax urine and excrement (hyrax being a rodent close to the marmot)
Available on Jovoy’s website and in its Paris boutique from 19th May (France exits from lockdown and shops like perfumeries will be opened from that day), with full respect of the safety protocols. Emmanuelle and all Parisians perfumistas can’t wait!
Jovoy Paris Jus Interdit via Roberto Greco @roberto_greco_photo
Thanks to the generosity of François Henin, we have a Jovoy Paris Jus Interdit 50 ml bottle (worth 145 €) for one registered reader USA, UK, EU, Middle East:. To be eligible, please leave a comment on what you feel about Emmanuelle’s review and if you appreciate perfumes that have both feminine and masculine personalities. Draw closes 05/13/2021.
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