Scent Intense

The Sophia Grojsman Tea Floral, 2007

Costume National Scent Intense was composed by Sophia Grojsman in 2007, one of the most celebrated American perfumers of the modern era (responsible for YSL Paris, Lancome Tresor, Calvin Klein Eternity and many other major launches). The brief was a polished tea floral oriental built around white tea and bergamot at the opening, jasmine, hibiscus and ambrette seeds at the heart, and a base of vetiver, sandalwood and ambrette woods. Where typical late-2000s launches went either gourmand or aquatic, Scent Intense pulled in a refined direction with its tea-jasmine-hibiscus character. Distribution has narrowed considerably as the Costume National fragrance line has been scaled back. Our interpretation respects the polished character.

How It Smells

The opening is bright and slightly green, white tea leading with its trademark soft tannic aromatic character, bergamot adding citrus lift, and a quiet floral edge appearing through the early phase. Within fifteen minutes the floral heart unfolds: jasmine takes a leading role with its creamy slightly indolic character, hibiscus adds an unusual slightly red fruity floral nuance that distinguishes Scent Intense from typical jasmine compositions, and ambrette seeds contribute a soft musky floral support. The base is the perfume’s polished anchor. Vetiver provides earthy mineral support, sandalwood adds creamy wood structure, ambrette wood contributes soft musky depth, and a quiet amber wraps the drydown in luminous warmth. The overall impression is polished tea floral oriental luxury.

The Notes

Top: white tea, bergamot.
Heart: jasmine, hibiscus, ambrette seeds.
Base: vetiver, sandalwood, ambrette wood, amber.

How Our Version Compares

Polished tea floral compositions like Scent Intense reward concentration because the tea-jasmine-ambrette interplay needs proper density to develop with depth. Our European Union production at 40 percent perfume oil concentration handles the composition well, with the tea bergamot opening sparkling cleanly, the jasmine hibiscus heart holding through the wearing, and the sandalwood ambrette drydown lasting well into the next day on clothing.

Common Questions

Is it really feminine or unisex?
Officially Costume National positioned Scent Intense as a feminine composition, but the tea-jasmine-vetiver register reads beautifully unisex in practice. Many men favour it as an evening signature; the polished composition operates outside rigid gendered categories.

How does it compare to other tea fragrances?
More floral than typical tea perfumes. Less green than Bulgari The Vert, more sensual than Bvlgari Eau Parfumee au The Blanc, more polished than most designer tea launches. Scent Intense occupies the polished modern tea-jasmine territory.

Is the original still available?
Distribution has narrowed considerably. Costume National scaled back its fragrance line significantly, and Scent Intense is now harder to find through standard retail channels. Resellers stock authentic bottles but freshness varies.

How long does it last?
Eight to ten hours at our concentration, with the sandalwood ambrette amber drydown lingering on clothing into the next day. The 40 percent oil approach extends the wearing significantly beyond the original eau de parfum format.

Comparative Advertising Disclaimer

Parfumour creates inspired by interpretations of well known fragrances. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Costume National. Costume National and Scent Intense are trademarks of their respective owners. Our product is an independently formulated fragrance designed to evoke a similar olfactive impression, helping customers identify a scent profile they are seeking.