A Wren Says

I have to admit I was pretty shy about it wearing Kilian’s Love Don’t Be Shy. When I first got the fragrance, I couldn’t handle it. Something about it was way too much once it hit my skin and the air. Because of my biases at the time, I assumed it was the orange blossom. Or maybe it was the marshmallow, a note I was not familiar with. Disappointed I let it sit, undisturbed and unsprayed for months. For some reason though, last week I decided to spray it and give it a second chance.

Kilian Paris Love, Don’t Be Shy eau de parfum

$290 for the 50 mL refillable bottle

Key notes: Neroli, orange blossom, marshmallow

Additional notes: honeysuckle, rose, amber

Day 1, I spritzed it on and found that I enjoyed it and could really understand why it was often touted as Rihanna’s favorite fragrance. The name became more literal. It was a coyly feminine, and also sweet and alluring. It beckons strongly, but not aggressively.

Wearing it to work, a passing coworker remarked that I smelled very good, like very clean. Wearing it again, I didn’t get any comments, but I sure enjoyed it. I forgot to pay attention to how long the wear was on this. I didn’t think to smell my skin throughout the day. But that also means it wasn’t so strong on me or my clothes at the end of the night that it made its presence undeniable. So, I’m going to assume moderate longevity on me and enough projection at least in the first few hours to be noticed by others.

This is a fragrance that I’ll be reaching for more regularly honestly for an everyday scent. Will I be wearing sweatpants and smelling good? Maybe. More dressed up? Absolutely. However, because it isn’t bold, I don’t see myself personally reaching for this for an evening out. But if you want to be more subtle, it might be the perfect fit.

I think my opinion changing on Love Don’t Be Shy is just more evidence that sometimes you just have to let fragrances develop over time and try them again. I guess it might be time for me to give some other fragrances another chance.

(Image credits: Kilian Paris)