Red Door

Red Door by Elizabeth Arden, composed by Carlos Benaïm in 1989, is a big, old-fashioned floral for women. Nearly everyone describes it as floral, while gourmand and woody sides are noticed by about a quarter and spicy, musky and amber touches by fewer.

The opening is fruity and a little unusual, with plum and peach alongside rose, orange blossom, violet and a hint of anise. The heart is a dense bouquet: tuberose, ylang-ylang and jasmine give it a heady, creamy richness, carnation adds a clove-like spice, lily of the valley and freesia keep it from becoming too heavy, and honey lends sweetness. The base is warm and powdery, with sandalwood, cedar and vetiver under benzoin, amber, musk and heliotrope.

This is a strong performer: most wearers report it as long lasting or almost indefinite, and most describe the sillage as strong or enormous. It is voted mainly for winter and autumn and for evenings, which suggests formal occasions and someone who enjoys a scent that announces itself.

Red Door — unisex fragrance by Elizabeth Arden (released 1989). Top notes: Rose, Plum, Orange Blossom, Violet, Peach, Anise. Heart notes: Carnation, Honey, Rose, Tuberose, Ylang-Ylang, Jasmine, Lily, Freesia, Lily-of-the-Valley, Orchid. Base notes: Sandalwood, Amber, Benzoin, Musk, Heliotrope, Vetiver, Cedar. — Parfica open fragrance database