Joy
Joy by Jean Patou is a feminine-leaning parfum from 1930 in the luxury price tier. It opens with aldehydes, tuberose and pear, moves into rose de mai, sambac jasmine and ylang-ylang and dries down to sandalwood, white musk and civet. Expect around 10 hours of wear, and it projects strongly.
Notes, explained
Opening
- Aldehydes Fizzy, soapy, slightly waxy. The 'sparkle' at the top of Chanel No. 5.
- Tuberose Creamy, waxy and enormous. The loudest white flower.
- Pear Crisp, watery and green-sweet. Clean and modern.
Heart
- Rose de Mai Softer, honeyed May rose. Expensive and unmistakably natural.
- Sambac Jasmine Greener, more tea-like jasmine. Less indolic than grandiflorum.
- Ylang-Ylang Banana-custard floral. Rich, tropical and slightly rubbery.
Dry-down
- Sandalwood Creamy, milky wood. Soft and almost edible.
- White Musk Clean, soft, laundry-like. The 'smells like nothing but better' note.
- Civet Sharp, faecal and intense on its own. In trace amounts it makes florals glow.
Smells like this
- Dior J'adore Infinissime
- Argos Birth of Venus
- Roja Parfums Diaghilev
- The Different Company Rose Poivrée
- Heeley Bubblegum Chic
- Cartier Must de Cartier
Cheaper alternatives
All 4 cheaper alternatives to Joy
More Jean Patou fragrances · Discover · Cheaper alternatives