• About
  • Login to comment
    • Bluesky
    • RSS
    • Twitter

Now Smell This

a blog about perfume

Menu ▼
  • Perfume Reviews
  • New Perfumes
  • Archives

Now Smell This meets Feminine Hijinx, round 2

Posted by Robin on 15 July 2007 4 Comments

Way back at the end of April, I sent off some perfumes to Susie of the podcast Feminine Hijinx:

Susie (the one on the left) contacted me a few weeks ago and said they were hoping to feature more beauty and perfume information, and would I recommend some fragrances for them to try? So, we're going to test my ability to ask a few questions and then pick out some appropriate scents — not something, by the way, that I claim any great competence at.

I sent Susie 5 samples, and hit pay dirt on one of them: Susie has since purchased a bottle of Diptyque Do Son. Now we're moving on to Kim, who is in some ways more of a challenge. Kim worked in a health care environment — no perfume allowed! — for years, and doesn't wear perfume often even now. She does own Kimono Rose and Filigree (neither of which I've smelled) by The Thymes. She used to like fragrances in the musk category, but doesn't remember any brand names. She also likes the scent of lavender, but hasn't found a lavender scent that isn't too strong.

I am seriously at a disadvantage here. Lavender isn't my favorite note, and while I can think of a few possibilities, I don't own them so can't send Kim samples. So, I'm concentrating on the musk angle, plus a few random possibilities. Here is what I sent, listed in order from cheap to expensive:

Bvlgari Omnia Crystalline: This is a clean, crisp musky wood scent that really grew on me over the past month or so. I don't know anything about what kind of musk scents Kim likes so it is still a shot in the dark. At least it is a bargain: you can find a 25 ml bottle for under $25 if you shop around.

Hermès Eau des Merveilles: This one came to mind right away as a scent that is interesting without being overwhelming. It might be a good "re-entry" scent for someone who hasn't been wearing fragrance frequently. As with the Omnia Crystalline, I originally dismissed it as too dull, but later tries impressed me. We'll see what Kim thinks! This one can also be found at discount, in this case, you can find a 50 ml bottle for around $30.

Becker Eshaya Be: This is a soapy-clean floral musk, fairly light, and very California-ish. Not my thing, but we'll see if it is Kim's. 50 ml is $65

L'Artisan Ananas Fizz: I thought I might as well include a fruity floral, and I'll also note that in a recent random test of some 30-40 fragrances, 3 out of 4 of my girlfriends voted this a favorite. We're moving up in price: 50 ml is $75.

Acqua di Parma Iris Nobile Eau de Toilette: I wanted to send a few light, summery florals, and this is one of my favorites. It is something of a love-it-or-hate-it so I'm taking a chance, and I should also note that it really needs to be sprayed to be fully appreciated. If Kim likes it but finds it too light, she might want to find a "real" tester in a department store. A 50 ml bottle is $80.

Parfumerie Generale Maori Musc: This one is a foody musk, and I thought it was a really fun scent. This might be another that needs to be sprayed to be appreciated, but unfortunately, Kim isn't going to find a tester in any brick 'n mortar store in her area. 50 ml is $85.

You can listen to Kim's reactions here, (you can listen from your computer or your phone, or download for your iPOD or other MP3 player). Please note that iTUNES rates Feminine Hijinx as "explicit", and this particular podcast definitely is: don't listen with the kids!

How'd I do? Really lousy! I cracked up at Bvlgari Omnia Crystalline = Charmin.

Filed Under: perfume talk

Advertisement


4 Comments

Leave a comment, or read more about commenting at Now Smell This. Here's our privacy policy, and a handy emoticon chart.

  1. Anonymous says:
    16 July 2007 at 6:05 am

    Well, you can't win them all! I thought about it, and I think I might have suggested the following:

    – Caldey Island Lavender – Luca's favorite lavender, it pairs high-grade lavender with an excellent musk (and it's inexpensive)

    – Antonia's Flowers – a freesia headspace soliflore, which smells very lavender-like, with a touch of violet

    – Rose Ikebana, Vetiver Tonka, Osmanthe Yunnan, or Terre d'Hermès – she seems to be a Jean-Claude Elléna type

    – Après l'Ondée – this would be the Guerlain for her to try

    – Anice (Etro) – lavender lovers might go for anise, too, and this has a beautiful, crisp musk

    – Lime, Basil & Mandarin (Jo Malone) – worth a shot, if she likes Filigree, which sounds like a cologne type (or she could try Thierry Mugler's Cologne)

    – Drôle de Rose – for a good time, call…

    Log in to Reply
  2. Anonymous says:
    16 July 2007 at 11:09 am

    Great recs, thanks T! Hope Kim is reading…

    Log in to Reply
  3. Anonymous says:
    16 July 2007 at 3:30 pm

    Could you print what these ladies had to say about your rec's, I could barely sit the first 15 mins of this podcast… who in the hell are these women anyway??!! I'm sorry but they are NOT funny!

    Log in to Reply
  4. Anonymous says:
    16 July 2007 at 6:11 pm

    Too much to print, sorry! But if you're listening online, just skip to around 2/3 of the way through and you'll find the part about the perfumes.

    Log in to Reply

Leave a reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Advertisement

Search

Recent reviews

Atelier Cologne Love Osmanthus
Moschino Toy Boy
Arquiste Misfit
Diptyque Eau Capitale
Zoologist Bee
Parfum d’Empire Immortelle Corse
Comme des Garcons Series 10 Clash
Frédéric Malle Rose & Cuir
L’Artisan Parfumeur Le Chant de Camargue
Yves Saint Laurent Grain de Poudre
Régime des Fleurs Chloë Sevigny Little Flower
Chanel 1957
Gallivant Los Angeles
Amouage Portrayal Woman

Blogroll

Bois de Jasmin
Grain de Musc
Perfume Posse
The Non-Blonde
More blogs...

Perfumista lists

100 fragrances every perfumista should try
And 25 more fragrances every perfumista should smell
50 masculine fragrances every perfumista should try
26 vintage fragrances every perfumista should try
25 rose fragrances every perfumista should try
11 Cheap Perfumes Beauty Outsiders Love

Favorite posts

The Great Perfume Reduction Plan
Why I Love Old School Chypres
New to perfume and want to learn more?
How to make fragrance last through the day
Fragrance concentrations: sorting it all out
On reformulations, or why your favorite perfume doesn’t smell like it used to
How to get fragrance samples
Perfume for Life: How Long Will Your Fragrance Collection Last?

Upcoming

List of upcoming Friday projects

15 March ~ swapmeet

3 April ~ damage poll
26 April ~ splitmeet

3 May ~ spring reading poll
17 May ~ Haiku challenge!

 

Back to Top

Home
Archives
About Now Smell This :: Privacy Policy
Perfume Reviews
New Perfumes
General Perfume Articles
The Monday Mail

Glossary of Perfume Terms
Perfume FAQ
Perfume Books

Noses ~ Perfumers A-E :: F-K :: L-S :: T-Z

Perfume Houses A-B :: C :: D-E :: F-G
H-J :: K-L :: M :: N-O :: P :: Q-R :: S
T :: U-Z

Copyright © 2005-2025 Now Smell This. All rights reserved.