Burberry London for Women Special Edition 2009
Targeted at buyers who prefer biting, crisp florals over heavy gourmands, Burberry London for Women Special Edition 2009 delivers an energetic burst of citrus and metallic florals. Mandarin orange and pink pepper lead the initial spray, providing a sharp snap ideal for morning commutes or outdoor spring gatherings. The composition transitions into cyclamen and lily of the valley, backed by a dry base of musk and woodsy notes. Unlike the classic London, this limited release cuts through humid weather with a cold, soapy edge, making it an easy grab for daytime wear in air-conditioned offices or breezy shoulder seasons.
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Performance Metrics
328 VOTESOpen Performance Breakdown 1 TAKE
Expect 6 to 8 hours of longevity on skin, extending past 12 hours on clothing. Sillage projects 3 to 4 feet during the first two hours before settling into a moderate two-foot bubble that holds through a standard workday in cool spring weather.
Notes Pyramid
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Opening with a frost-dusted spray of grapefruit, mandarin orange, and pink pepper, this fragrance builds a cold, soapy floral texture. The heart relies on crisp cyclamen, pale rose, and green lily of the valley before settling into a dry, paper-like base of musk and woodsy notes.
Main Accords
10 MAPPEDThe citrus accord opens sharp and bitter on skin, fading into a dry woody backbone within forty minutes. Meanwhile, the musky and soft spicy accords work together to give the cyclamen and rose a cold, metallic soapiness that resists body heat and lingers in breezy outdoor air.
Community Data
678 TOTAL VOTESCOMMUNITY SENTIMENT
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When to Wear
TAP TO VOTETIME OF DAY · TAP TO VOTE
OCCASIONS · TAP TO VOTE
It looks easiest to wear in fall and spring.
Pros & Cons
Quick take before you sampleWHY PEOPLE MAY LIKE IT
Delivers exceptional 6 to 8 hour longevity for a spring daytime floral eau de parfum
Cuts cleanly through damp morning air with a crisp grapefruit and pink pepper opening
Projects strong sillage for 2 hours, making it ideal for outdoor daytime events
Offers a professional, non-sweet floral profile suited for corporate office environments
Dominique Ropion signature blend ensures precise structure from top notes to dry down
Functions as a unique cold-weather floral option for brisk shoulder seasons
Stays fresh on fabrics and outerwear for more than 12 hours without souring
Provides an energetic citrus and cyclamen alternative to heavy gourmand perfumes
Appeals to collectors seeking hard-to-find 2000s designer flankers
Maintains a clean, soapy presence that resists fading in cool outdoor temperatures
Comes packaged in an iconic pale pink checked bottle ideal for display
WHAT TO WATCH OUT FOR
May disappoint fans expecting the warm jasmine profile of the original London
Sharp cyclamen note can trigger mild headaches for sensitive indoor wearers
High sillage requires careful application to avoid overwhelming small office spaces
Metallic rose opening can feel overly cold and astringent on dry skin types
Discontinued status makes acquiring full bottles difficult and price volatile
Lacks warm base notes like vanilla or amber for cozy winter evening wear
Grapefruit and mandarin orange top notes fade quickly within the first forty minutes
Synthetic musk dry down can feel somewhat sterile after five hours of wear
Unsuited for high summer heat where the citrus and floral notes turn sharp
Can be mistaken for the men's 2009 edition due to similar packaging design
Polarizing soapy character offers very little sweetness for casual night outs
Fragranxe Review
EDITORIAL“Burberry London Special Edition 2009 Review: Cold Metal and Frozen Roses”
Dominique Ropion took a deliberate, sharp turn away from the original 2006 London pillar when he crafted Burberry London for Women Special Edition 2009. The opening hits skin with a biting blast of grapefruit, tart mandarin orange, and prickly pink pepper. There is zero gourmand sweetness in this opening spray. Instead, the top notes create a crisp, icy introduction that wakes up the senses during cool morning commutes in early April.
Within twenty minutes, the initial citrus blast recedes to showcase a chilled floral core. Cyclamen dominates this central phase, bringing a cold, soapy intensity alongside fragile English rose and green lily of the valley. The florals never feel plush or solar. They smell like frozen petals after heavy morning rain, holding a clean, metallic edge that persists as the heart unfolds on cool skin.
On skin, the accord behavior relies heavily on the tension between citrus and musk. As the woodsy notes surface in the lower mid, they absorb the sharpest edges of the pink pepper while retaining a dry, papery texture. The musk is clean and stark, amplifying the soapy qualities of the cyclamen rather than softening the composition into a cozy vanilla or amber base.
Performance is surprisingly potent for a light pink holiday release. Two sprays easily push past arm's length for three hours, lingering on cotton shirts, wool coats, and silk scarves for over eight hours. In high summer humidity, the cyclamen and grapefruit notes can turn sharp, making this scent far better suited for crisp spring mornings and breezy autumn afternoons between 50 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit.
This limited release fits fragrance collectors who prefer brisk, vintage-leaning florals with a clean industrial sheen. Enthusiasts who enjoy metallic rose structures or soapy green scents will appreciate its bold projection in professional office settings. However, shoppers seeking the warm jasmine, tiare flower, and sweet clementines of the classic London formula will likely find this version too astringent.
Burberry London for Women Special Edition 2009 remains a compelling artifact of late 2000s designer flankers. Guided by Dominique Ropion's technical skill, the combination of mandarin orange, cyclamen, and woodsy notes delivers an unyielding freshness. Seek out a bottle if you love cold, structured florals, but exercise caution with the atomizer during indoor wear.
FAQs
What does Burberry London for Women Special Edition 2009 smell like?+
This fragrance smells like a cold spray of grapefruit, mandarin orange, and pink pepper over a frosty heart of cyclamen, rose, and lily of the valley. As it settles, woodsy notes and clean musk create a soapy, metallic finish designed for cool spring mornings.
How does the opening of this fragrance differ from its dry down?+
The opening delivers a sharp burst of bitter grapefruit and spicy pink pepper. Within thirty minutes, the citrus settles into a floral heart dominated by chilly cyclamen and rose, before drying down into a calm, dry musk and bleached woodsy base that stays clean on skin.
How long does Burberry London Special Edition 2009 last on skin?+
You can expect 6 to 8 hours of longevity on skin, while clothes retain the soapy cyclamen and musk notes for over 12 hours. It performs reliably during long office workdays without needing a mid-afternoon touch-up spray.
What is the sillage and projection of this eau de parfum?+
Projection is robust during the first two hours, pushing past three feet from skin. Spraying pink pepper and cyclamen heavily can fill a room, so two light sprays are ideal for professional indoor settings and tight office spaces.
Which season is best for wearing Burberry London Special Edition 2009?+
Spring and autumn are the prime seasons for this perfume. The crisp grapefruit and cool lily of the valley bloom beautifully in temperatures between 50 and 68 degrees Fahrenheit, cutting cleanly through damp shoulder-season air.
What occasions suit this fragrance best?+
This scent fits professional daytime work environments, morning meetings, weekend brunches, and casual outdoor strolls. Its brisk, non-sweet floral profile gives off a clean, put-together impression that works exceptionally well for formal daytime events.
Is Burberry London Special Edition 2009 truly feminine or unisex?+
While marketed to women, the strong citrus opening and dry woodsy musk base give it a brisk, unisex appeal. Men who enjoy metallic rose, pink pepper, and sharp green notes can comfortably wear this fragrance in casual settings.
Who is the ideal target audience for this perfume?+
This fragrance suits fragrance enthusiasts who enjoy sharp, non-sweet florals and vintage Dominique Ropion formulations. It appeals to women who want a clean, energetic scent for daytime wear rather than a heavy gourmand or sugary fruit bomb.
Can you layer Burberry London Special Edition 2009 with other scents?+
Yes, layering it with a warm cedarwood or amber base oil helps ground its cold cyclamen note. Alternatively, pairing it with a simple vanilla lotion softens the metallic pink pepper top note for a cozy evening transition.
How does this compare to Gres Cabochard Cherie and original London?+
Gres Cabochard Cherie is remarkably similar, sharing the same cold, metallic rose and musk structure. In contrast, the original Burberry London features warm white florals like jasmine and honeysuckle, making this 2009 edition much cooler and brighter.
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Dupes & Alternatives
COMMUNITY DUPESCOREFor a very close alternative, try Gres Cabochard Cherie, which shares the same cold, metallic rose and musk framework. If you want a softer, more traditional floral, the original Burberry London for Women offers warm jasmine, while Burberry Touch for Women provides a gentler, powdery berry rose.
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