Social For Women

Social For Women opens with impact: coriander, warm spices and clove over bergamot, neroli and orange, echoing the brash, spicy introduction that made Dana's Tabu one of the first great orientals. A rich floral heart of narcissus, rose, ylang-ylang and jasmine bridges into the part that defines it: a powdery amber base laced with benzoin, civet, a heavy dose of patchouli, plus oakmoss, sandalwood, cedar and vetiver. It is the same maple-syrup-meets-incense-and-patchouli idea the original is famous for, dark and foreboding. Against the vintage Tabu the Perfume Parlour version reads a little flatter and cleaner, the animalic civet and resinous patchouli depth less profound, and as a budget scent the longevity stays moderate rather than the original's enduring trail. Still, it projects with warm, spicy presence. This is a sensual, mysterious autumn-and-winter pick for evenings, formal wear and dates, delivering the Tabu signature at an accessible price.