Admittedly, Versatile’s perfumes aren’t exactly brand-new anymore, but their latest creation, Very Bad Rice, is the perfect fragrance for the cooler months, in my opinion. And that’s why I’m posting this review of the Extrait de Parfum right now. Temperatures are dropping, and wisps of fog are drifting across the fields more and more often. The leaves are slowly changing color, taking on that golden-yellow sheen that glows so beautifully in the sunshine. October isn’t far off—and Christmas is just a mere three months away.
So it’s the perfect time for a fragrance that promises warmth and comfort. And for a quick look at what else has been happening at Versatile. Because Very Bad Rice isn’t just a new addition to the lineup—there have also been some changes to the bottles.
Have you read these yet?
• The Versatile Collection – Completely Different
• Rital Date, Gueule de Bois, and Accrodisiaque by Versatile
• Dimanche Flemme, Sea, Sud & Sun, and God Bless Cola by Versatile
• La Foncedalle – A Craving for the Nose
• It’s a Match-A by Versatile – Brunch to go as a roll-on [+ Giveaway]
Versatile – from roll-on to spray
For five years, the small roll-ons were a staple of Versatile’s portfolio. Recently, the Parisian label expanded its lineup to include classic atomizers for the first time. According to Versatile, this is a move the community has actually been asking for repeatedly ever since the brand’s launch. But the new sprays aren’t quite as classic as they might seem. The bottles hold a compact 30 ml and contain Extrait de Parfum with a fragrance oil concentration of 25%. Five of the brand’s previous bestsellers have been adapted to the new format, while Very Bad Rice is available exclusively as a spray. Visually, Versatile remains unmistakable as well: brown glass, a simple white label, and the distinctive spherical cap ensure that the small bottles—despite the new spray—clearly belong to the brand.
Very Bad Rice – Sinfully Good
Rice is by no means a new fragrance note. Just think of Dolce Riso by Calé Fragranze d’Autore, L’Eau Papier by Diptyque, Dirty Rice by BORNTOSTANDOUT, Champaca by Ormonde Jayne, or Venenum by L’Artisan Parfumeur. And yet, this versatile grain takes on very different forms in all these creations: sometimes soft and milky, sometimes powdery, grainy, or like warm rice steam. Very Bad Rice takes yet another direction. Perfumer Ambre Bouchard combines rice with tropical and exotic notes.
Fragrance notes: rice, milk, earth, mango, coconut, gourmand notes.
Yes, at first sniff, you might think I was completely off the mark when I said this fragrance is perfect for the cooler months. Because Very Bad Rice opens with a milky, light creaminess and the exotic, fruity notes of juicy mangoes. So, summer and a tropical vibe instead of cozy fall sunshine? Not necessarily! Soon enough, darker, gourmand-tart, and decidedly earthy-woody nuances join in, reminding me of toasted sugar. The characteristic rice notes also emerge and, together with the creamy milk accords, actually evoke delicious rice pudding—though with a tropical twist rather than the classic version with cinnamon and sugar. The mango remains distinctly perceptible and accompanies the composition well into the scent’s development.
“Very Bad Rice” by Versatile is a sweet, milky, and gourmand-tropical fragrance whose tart, darker facets lend it warmth and depth. To me, it evokes golden autumn more than the depths of winter, and it’s ideal for anyone who loves rice notes in fragrances and isn’t averse to mangoes either. A delicious, comforting fragrance with an exotic twist.
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