Dark cherry. Boozy rum. White flowers wrapped in vanilla. Could this be the most exciting designer flanker we’ve seen in months?
I don’t know if I’ve ever said it here on the blog, but the Givenchy L’Interdit collection is one of my absolute favorites. I own, or have owned, almost every L’Interdit flanker. This is one of the designer collections I know best.
Since I love cherry perfumes, I’m always curious to discover new interpretations of this addictive note. Mind Game French Defence is another fascinating cherry fragrance worth exploring if you enjoy elegant, complex scents with a luxurious twist. I also shared my full review of Mind Game French Defence, where I explore how this unique cherry fragrance develops and what makes it stand out.
Givenchy L’Interdit Elixir: The Cherry Note I Had Been Waiting For
As soon as I heard the word cherry, I was sold. I couldn’t wait to smell it. Cherry is one of my favorite fragrance notes, but only when it’s done right. When it’s blended thoughtfully, it can be absolutely addictive. At the same time, it’s also one of the trickiest notes to get right. It can smell luxurious, dark, and irresistible… or unfortunately artificial, medicinal, and overly sweet. I’ve experienced both.
That’s why I was so excited to see Givenchy take the L’Interdit collection in this direction. To me, adding cherry felt like the perfect next step – it naturally evolves the line into something darker, fruitier, and even more seductive.
In fact, I already know that one day I’ll dedicate an entire article to my favorite cherry perfumes because there are some true masterpieces.
So naturally, my expectations for Givenchy L’Interdit Elixir were very high. Let’s see if Givenchy delivered.
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A Short History of Givenchy L’Interdit
The story of L’Interdit actually begins way back in 1957 when the original fragrance was created especially for Audrey Hepburn. Decades later, Givenchy brought this iconic name back to life in 2018 with a completely new interpretation of the idea behind L’Interdit.
The story of L’Interdit actually begins way back in 1957 when the original fragrance was created especially for Audrey Hepburn. Decades later, Givenchy brought this iconic name back to life in 2018 with a completely new interpretation of the idea behind L’Interdit.
The modern collection was built around a beautiful contrast: signature white flowers paired with mysterious dark woods.
Since then, Givenchy has continued to explore different sides of L’Interdit, introducing darker, warmer, and more sensual interpretations while keeping the original DNA recognizable. I think this balance is one of the reasons the collection has become so loved – each flanker feels unique, but you can still immediately recognize that it belongs to the L’Interdit family.
Givenchy L’Interdit Timeline: The Main Flankers That Defined the Collection Over the Years
| Year | Perfume | Character |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | L’Interdit Eau de Parfum | Elegant white floral with a dark woody accord |
| 2019 | L’Interdit Eau de Toilette | Fresher, brighter, and easier to wear |
| 2020 | L’Interdit Intense | Smoky, vanilla-rich, and mysterious |
| 2021 | L’Interdit Rouge | Fiery, spicy, and sensual masterpiece |
| 2022 | L’Interdit Rouge Ultime | Richer interpretation of Rouge |
| 2023 | L’Interdit Burning Neroli | Bright neroli meets smoky depth |
| 2024 | L’Interdit Absolu | Dark, woody, smoky tobacco |
| 2025 | L’Interdit Le Parfum | Deep, elegant florals with a smooth and sensual signature |
| 2026 | L’Interdit Elixir | Dark cherry, boozy rum, and creamy vanilla with a seductive twist |
My Personal Favorites from the L’Interdit Collection
Before I rank them, one quick note: I’m only including the main L’Interdit fragrances that have remained part of the collection over the years. Discontinued perfumes and limited editions are not included, so this ranking focuses on the core lineup that has defined the L’Interdit story.
L’Interdit Rouge is one of my favorite perfumes of all time, and honestly, I never get tired of wearing it. Everything about it feels perfectly balanced – from the spicy kick of ginger and pimento to the intoxicating white flowers and the warm, sensual dry down. It makes me feel elegant and feminine every time I wear it. It’s the kind of addictive scent that instantly lifts my mood and makes me happy.
L’Interdit Absolu is another fragrance I absolutely love. It feels deeper, darker, smoother, and more mysterious. If Rouge is all about a stunning red dress, Absolu will have you reaching for the little black dress in your closet. It’s elegant, sensual, and one of those scents that makes you feel incredibly confident.
Yes, I started with my personal favorites, but now I realize that, except for one perfume, I want to include all of them. 😊 At this point, I think I will create a separate blog post for each flanker.
For this article, I’ll just add a few words about the exceptional one – and can you believe it’s actually the original L’Interdit.
The Original L’Interdit Eau de Parfum
This might surprise some people, but the original L’Interdit Eau de Parfum never really clicked with me. Years ago, I tested it twice using paper fragrance strips and on skin, months apart, and both times I mainly noticed a spicy accord that simply wasn’t for me. Maybe the testers had aged, maybe they weren’t stored properly, or maybe my nose just wasn’t ready for it back then.
Since I love almost every other L’Interdit release, I definitely owe the original another proper skin test before making a final judgment. After all, perfume preferences evolve – and sometimes we do too.
Givenchy L’Interdit Elixir: First Impression
Givenchy L’Interdit Elixir: Fragrance Notes
Top Notes: Black Cherry, Bitter Almond
Heart Notes: Orange Blossom, Jasmine, Tuberose, Oakwood
Base Notes: Rum Absolute, Davana, Vanilla
The opening is honestly beautiful. The cherry feels natural, ripe, and dark, like it has been warmed by the sun. The rum adds a beautiful touch of warmth, while the sweetness stays perfectly under control.
One thing I especially love about this fragrance is that the famous L’Interdit white flowers don’t take over the whole composition. They are definitely there, but they stay softly in the background, allowing the cherry note to take the spotlight.
Underneath, there is a dry woody base that balances the syrupy, boozy accord and makes the whole scent feel surprisingly luxurious for a designer fragrance. If you love cherry perfumes, this is definitely one to try.
One thing that bothers me, at least for now, is that on my skin, the cherry starts fading surprisingly quickly. Within about an hour, most of that delicious fruity character becomes much softer. The fragrance gradually transforms into a gentle vanilla floral scent, with only traces of the original cherry remaining.
I honestly wish the cherry lasted longer because the opening is truly addictive. I simply wanted more of that beautiful fruity moment. I will definitely give it a few more tries before making my final decision. Sometimes a fragrance reveals new sides of itself over time. Stay tuned!
Complete Givenchy L’Interdit Fragrance Notes
| Perfume | Perfume Family | Top Notes | Heart Notes | Base Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| L’Interdit Eau de Parfum | Floral, Woody | Bergamot, Fresh Ginger | Orange Blossom, Jasmine Sambac, Tuberose Absolute | Patchouli, Vetiver |
| L’Interdit Eau de Toilette | Floral, Woody, Musky | Bigarade Orange | Orange Blossom, Jasmine, Tuberose | Vetiver, Patchouli, Musks |
| L’Interdit Intense | Oriental, Floral | Black Pepper | Sesame, Orange Blossom, Tuberose | Madagascar Vanilla, Patchouli, Vetiver |
| L’Interdit Rouge | Floral, Spicy, Woody | Blood Orange, Ginger | Orange Blossom, Jasmine, Tuberose, Pimento | Sandalwood, Patchouli |
| L’Interdit Rouge Ultime | Floral, Woody, Warm | Neroli, Orange Blossom, Jasmine | Tuberose, Cacao | Patchouli, Vetiver, Ambroxan |
| L’Interdit Burning Neroli | Oriental, Floral | Neroli, Bergamot | Orange Blossom, Tuberose | Vetiver, Patchouli |
| L’Interdit Absolu | Floral, Woody, Amber | Lavender, Cardamom, Neroli | Neroli, Orange Blossom, Jasmine Sambac, Tuberose | Tobacco, Patchouli, Vetiver |
| L’Interdit Le Parfum | Floral, Woody, Balmy | Golden Pear, Ginger | Orange Blossom, Mimosa, Tuberose, Jasmine | Patchouli, Vetiver, Balms |
| L’Interdit Elixir | Floral, Woody, Gourmand | Black Cherry Accord, Bitter Almond | Orange Blossom, Jasmine, Tuberose, Pure Oakwood Extract | Rum Absolute, Davana, Vanilla |
Which L’Interdit Is Right for You?
🌼 Love bold white florals with a dark twist?
→ L’Interdit Eau de Parfum is your match.
☀️ Looking for an easy everyday fragrance?
→ Choose L’Interdit Eau de Toilette.
🍦 Can’t resist rich vanilla scents?
→ L’Interdit Intense is made for you.
❤️ Craving something spicy and unforgettable?
→ Go for L’Interdit Rouge.
✨ Love Rouge but want it smoother?
→ Try L’Interdit Rouge Ultime.
🌿 Prefer fresh florals with a smoky touch?
→ L’Interdit Burning Neroli is the one.
🌙 Enjoy dark woody perfumes with tobacco?
→ L’Interdit Absolu won’t disappoint.
🥂 Want something elegant and luxurious for evenings?
→ L’Interdit Le Parfum is a beautiful choice.
🍒 Love fruity gourmands with a seductive twist?
→ L’Interdit Elixir is your perfect match.
Final Thoughts on Givenchy L’Interdit Elixir
I honestly think Givenchy L’Interdit Elixir was the perfect next step for the collection. Adding cherry felt almost inevitable, and I’m really happy Givenchy didn’t create another loud, sugary candy-like fragrance. Instead, they gave us something darker, richer, and much more elegant.
Would I have loved the cherry to be stronger and last longer on my skin? Absolutely.
If you already love the L’Interdit family, I think this one is definitely worth testing. And if you’re looking for a sophisticated cherry fragrance with a warm, boozy touch, Givenchy L’Interdit Elixir might be your next beautiful fragrance discovery.
Givenchy L’Interdit Elixir: Frequently Asked Questions
How Does L’Interdit Elixir Smell Like?
Givenchy L’Interdit Elixir smells like a dark, elegant cherry fragrance with a warm boozy touch. The juicy cherry and rum create a rich opening, balanced by soft white florals, vanilla, and woody notes. It feels luxurious, sensual, and like a deeper, more mysterious interpretation of the original L’Interdit DNA.
Is Givenchy L’Interdit Elixir very sweet?
Not too sweet. The cherry and rum create a rich opening, but the sweetness stays nicely balanced by the woody notes and white florals.
Does the cherry last all day?
On my skin, no. The cherry is most noticeable during the first hour, and then it slowly fades into a softer vanilla floral dry down.
Which L’Interdit flanker lasts the longest?
For me, L’Interdit Le Parfum and L’Interdit Absolu are among the best performers in the collection. They both have excellent longevity and leave a beautiful, noticeable trail.
What size bottles does this scent come in, and what is the price range?
Givenchy L’Interdit Elixir Eau de Parfum is available in 35 ml, 50 ml, and 80 ml bottles. The price depends on the retailer and region, but the fragrance generally ranges from around €88 for the 35 ml bottle to approximately €157 for the 80 ml size. As a new release, prices may vary, and discounts can appear at different fragrance retailers.
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