Bleu Lazuli Review - Armani Prive Collection

Bleu Lazuli, Armani Prive Collection Review

Bleu Lazuli was launched in 2018 and is part of the Armani Privé collection. The nose behind this fragrance is Pascal Gaurin. 

Bleu Lazuli and it’s sister scents Rouge Malachite, Bleu Turquoise, and Vert Malachite all come in gem-coloured bottles of 50ml and 100ml sizes. 

The presentation is simply stunning. In retail, much is made of “shelf appeal” and this collection has it in bucket loads, with the two shades of blue my particular favourites. 

The cap is a gem-shaped plastic, which looks ok but it feels cheap and lets the overall effect down, a little.  

The outer packaging is clever, with a box that folds open like it’s housing some sort of precious jewelry.  

It’s clear the brand have put a lot of effort into making this feel luxury and it’s a great success. I almost want to keep the bottle in the box, like a real gem. 

I was drawn to Bleu Lazuli through my love for tobacco and sandalwood fragrances. In many ways it didn’t disappoint. The scent profile is gorgeous. 

I’m really keen on perfumery that smells different in the air compared to on the skin - there’s something about the genius of working with the materials and also the testing process to reach that effect that makes me feel it’s a particularly skillful thing to achieve. A little like the best impressionist watercolour masters, having to work closely on the canvass but having the ability to know how the paint splodges will look when looking from afar.  

Bleu Lazuli does exactly that. On my skin, the scent opens nicely with the tea, cardamom and plum  - it’s complex enough - but then all of a sudden it just smells of dry, blond tobacco. 

One of my favourite tests is to apply a fragrance inside and then step out into a cold outside space. From there you really sense the molecules as they leap off your skin, and this is one that does just that. The effect is majestic.

I test most fragrances by spritzing on the back of my hand and holding it up to the light. That way you can see how much oil is left on your skin once the alcohol has burned off. If there’s a lot of natural ingredients, your skin with glisten. Bleu Lazuli has a thick, glistening slick of oils, and it smells very natural too. 

Sadly, naturals don’t always translate into performance and this is the case here. It’s a gentle perfume, with a gentle sillage.

Bleu Lazuli is cyclical in that once the tobacco phase ends, you’re left with something akin to the opening. My skin smells lightly of plum, vanilla and sandalwood, verging on the gourmand. It’s cosy, comforting, unisex and really quite beautiful. 

At around £170 for a 50ml and with performance lacking, many will look past this. 

However, that would be a shame. If you’re looking for a beautiful tobacco and vanilla that doesn’t shout too loudly, then you should give this beaut a try.