I've been a fan of Stella McCartney's Stella since it was launched in 2003, so I'm not sure how I missed the Stella In Two fragrance duo that was released as a flanker set in 2006. (Was it really that long ago? Yes.) The peony half of Stella In Two was reformulated and relaunched as Stella Peony in late 2017, so I thought I should catch it this time around. I've loved peonies since I was a child and spent time examining the peony bushes in my grandparents' backyard. Peony flowers have become something of a cliché in recent years ("basic," as the kids say), but I'm still partial to the idea of a peony-inspired perfume.
Stella Peony was developed by perfumer Alberto Morillas and includes notes of mandarin, freesia, lotus flower, peony, geranium, amber and patchouli. (Jacques Cavallier was credited with the original In Two duo.) The card for my sample describes it as "a daring blend of peppery florals and amber gris." To my surprise, that description is pretty accurate. Many peony perfumes are actually light, rose fragrances with lemony top notes, very pretty and pink but still somewhat disappointing. Stella Peony is unexpectedly androgynous in its earlier stages, with plenty of pepper and a surprise note of something like anise.
Stella Peony's heart is more floral, although the pepperiness lingers and things never turn "girly." There's a soft rose note, with the subtlest hint of citrus. The dry down has a mellow woody-musky feeling, with a hint of saltiness on the skin. This must be the effect of the ambergris — which, as the Stella McCartney website reassures us, is "derived from an innovative and environmentally friendly substitute for ambergris, a substance produced by the sperm whale." Stella Peony's staying power is average for an Eau de Toilette. I wish it lasted longer on my skin, because it's been an enjoyable scent-companion for these early spring days.
If you ever tried the peony half of Stella In Two and you've sampled Stella Peony, how do you think they compare? I'm curious!
Stella McCartney Stella Peony is available in 7.4 ($25), 30 ($48), 50 ($70) and 100 ($90) ml Eau de Toilette.
I tried peony recently and liked it. There was a note in it that had a vague hint of something from one of my all time favourite perfumes Feu d’Issey – though whatever it is it is far less pronounced in Peony than Feu ( so it is no substitute, just a passing reminder) . I remember the duo In Two and the peony in that was thinner and far less interesting if my memory serves me well. Thanks for reviewing this. I love it when perfumes i can find locally get a slot. Decent for the price.
I agree…there’s a lot to be said for wearable, not-dumb perfumes that can be purchased in smaller sizes for $25! Sometimes we just need a treat!
I will never not love peony flowers. Basic FTW, I guess.
I have worn the original Stella for a good long time, probably since shortly after its launch. I was aware of Stella in Two, but have never smelled it. Will check out this one when it hits Sephora (as I summer it will/has).
How could one get tired of peonies?? They’re always a delight to come across, and full of drama.
I love peonies in person…I guess I’m just tired of seeing them in magazines and on Pinterest!
Sounds like I must head my local perfumery and check it out ????
I have only liked the original Stella perfume and didn’t really get that much into the others ones.
But this one sounds like s lovely spring perfume without getting boring ????
Same here…the summer versions, etc. weren’t all that memorable, but I still love the original!
I remeber these! Amber wasn’t bad but the peony smelled vapid on the blotter. I’d try this now, though.
Peony definitely suffers in fragrance but I love them so much in real life. The only fragrance I can stomach for long is Poivre Piquant.
Ah, Poivre Piquant! So good. This one started off in a similar vein but has a different drydown. Still, if you like PP, you may enjoy this one too. It’s more interesting than most peony perfumes…to me, at least!
I’m wearing original Stella now, I keep in it my purse for emergencies.
I like the color of the bottle, it looks like Pantone fiery coral.
Apparently, Peonies are Meghan Markle’s favorite flower! So look out for them on 5/19.
I love that color, too! SMcC always does a great job with packaging.
I’d lost track of the royal wedding updates, so thanks for that reminder. Good luck, kids!
“environmentally friendly substitute for ambergris”
I dont understand this.
Are they implying that other subsitutes for ambergris are not environmentally friendly?
Or that real ambergris itself is not environmentally friendly?
I love smell of peony irl.
In perfume it rarely gets an interesting treatment, this sounds good though!
Yeah, that’s a weird phrasing for it. What could be more environmentally friendly than a waste product aged in the ocean? It’s basically wildcrafted.
I guess it is their way of saying:
“We found a cheap synthetic replacement for ambergris” ????
Oops, sorry, see below!
All I could think is that, given S McCartney’s vegan philosophy in her fashion and accessories, she wants to reassure her fans that there are no animal-derived ingredients in this perfume either??