Back by popular demand, a repeat of the triple-extra-lazy poll: your basic open thread. Ask a question about fragrance. Anything: where to buy something, what's the best iris scent, whatever. Or, tell us what your scent of the day is, or what is the last thing you bought, or the fragrance you want to buy next. Anything you want.
Then see if anyone else has asked a question that you can answer.
Note: image is pink flower by follc at flickr; some rights reserved.
The 363 comments that originally appeared after this article were not properly imported when we moved to the new domain in 3/09, so I’ve copied them below in several large chunks.
Chunk #1:
On February 20, 2009 giveitomespicey said:
I recently found two scents I love: Orris Noir by Ormond Jayne and Frederic Malle Noir Espices. The Orris Noir doesn’t last long on me so I don’t want to put fort the $$ for a fragrance that doesn’t last. Does anyone know a similar fragrance?
The FM Noir Espices filled the bill but it is hard to get and $$$. Does anyone know a fragrance similar to this one as well.
I don’t like Serge Noir, Datura Noir, and Caron Narcisse Noir didn’t do the trick.
I did fragrance finder at Sephora and found their suggestions a joke. Rose Essentielle was one of the suggestions.
Thanks!!!
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On February 20, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
A way to get Noir Epices (relatively) cheaply: find 2 others to split the travel refill trio with you:
http://scentsplits.wikidot.com
Can’t think of anything like ON, hope someone else will chime in!
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On February 20, 2009 memechoses said:
i am thinking you have the edp. the pure perfume of orris noire is so much more itnense. worth the investment. i wear osmanthus pure perfume and its similar in effect to switching from black and white in blue ray color
you can also layer the bath/body oil under what you own, but its not quite the same.
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On February 20, 2009 joe805 said:
giveittome: So glad to hear someone else loves Noir Epices. I’ve been crazy for it for a couple months now and bought a partial bottle on ebay right after Xmas. You may want to check ebay — I’ve seen 10ml bottles selling there recently.
Robin is right — you can order Malle from any Barney’s branch around the country by phoning. The set of 3 10ml bottles costs about $115 once shipping is added.
I haven’t found anything similar that’s a better value, but I’ll be curious if someone recommends something.
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On February 21, 2009 AussieBec said:
I was browsing online at meccacosmetica.com.au and they had this amazing Malle coffret with all the scents in 10ml sprays. It is out of stock but I have already emailed and asked when it will be in stock and how much this costs. Luckily I will be sitting down when I read how much it will set me back. I MUST have it though! I haven’t tried Noirs Epices but this sounds stunning to me and I have loved all the Malles I have tried so far so this is a nobrainer for me.
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On February 21, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
Yes, I’ve wanted one of those forever! Not a bargain though, and admittedly don’t love every single one of the scents.
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On February 24, 2009 AussieBec said:
I reckon that I could love all these given the chance!
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On February 20, 2009 Daisy said:
Ok, I don’t know if I’ll get in trouble for saying this but I just happened to see (last night) on ebay a seller called “thewholedamshow-2007” had a 100ml bottle of Noir Epices for sale for 169.99—ebay is also currently running an 8% off coupon if you haven’t used one yet…..I just bought a 10ml lipstick rose from this guy last night….I have no other knowledge of him at all except that he has good feedback.
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On February 20, 2009 Filomena said:
I love so many Iris scents, but if I had to pick only one it would be Hermes’ Hiris. Today I’m wearing Tom Ford’s Champaca Absolute–which I really like. The last bottle I bought was Chanel No. 22. I’m not planning to buy anything else in the very near future as I have already gone over my limit so far this year–and it’s only February. Besides the No. 22 and Champaca, I purchased Cuir Russie, Beige and Narcisco Rodriquez Essence.
Five bottles in less than two months…so that’s it for me for quite a while…although the new Delrae one sounds intriquing.
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On February 20, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
I’ve bought 3 bottles so far this year, but didn’t spend too much on them luckily. REALLY hoping I spend far less in 2009 than I did in 2008! How is the NR Essence?? I haven’t smelled that one yet.
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On February 20, 2009 Filomena said:
The NR Essence is very nice…different…it has a zing to it. It reminds me a little of something else but I can’t put my finger (or should I say nose) on it. BTW, it’s nothing like their original fragrance.
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On February 20, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
Thanks!
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On February 21, 2009 SFLizbeth said:
Filomena
I’m headed out to Saks today to try it, and also Champaca by Tom Ford. The recent catalog had a strip of Essence, and upon smelling, you’re right it seems similar to something else.
On first sniff (from the scent strip) it’s got the fizzy top notes of Wrappings by Clinique, drydown is similar to one of Philosophy’s many scents…
If I have any nose left, I’m looking at Dioressence and Diorissimo.
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On February 21, 2009 SFLizbeth said:
Hi Filomena,
I tried Essence. I am a Musk freak, and loved it, it wore beautifully and is a warm weather musk (IMO). Not overly heavy or oppressive. They also had a cute mini as a gift and a gym-bag sized lotion. I purchased Essence, and the lotion too.
Next counter was Tom Ford. I tried many of his scents, Bois Rouge, Purple Patchouli, and Oud Wood. I loved them all, but really fell in love with the Moss Breches, it’s got a herbal top (sage, tarragon, rosemary) with patchouli, labdanum, and benzoin dry down. Wonderful stuff. By far, I loved the Tuscan leather. it’s the perfect “date night” scent for a guy. A really nice skin scent with meow factor. (trying to keep the comments family-friendly). I tried Champaca, and while nice, it wasn’t me.
Next stop was Neiman’s and the Guerlain Counter… Josie was so friendly and helpful. I tried Rose Barbare (LOVED it) Sous la Vent, (amazing), with herbs, iris and carnation. But it was very pricey…. and last, 68, which I also liked but was getting serious nose fatigue….
I had so much fun, have to revisit the Guerlain counter again, sometime soon…
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On February 21, 2009 Daisy said:
so how would you describe the Rose Barbare on you?
I sampled this for the first time today—I always try a sample on two different days—but at least this first try it was a serious no-go…..stale, musty, very old, old lady…..acck!
Our body chemistry or our noses must be from different dimensions!
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On February 22, 2009 SFLizbeth said:
Rose Barbare smelled wonderful. Honeyed, slightly leathery, dark dry-down, mosses and lush rose petals. I can wear Chypres well, it’s’ just my chemistry. If I were to just apply straight patchouli, it turns to woods + vanilla.
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On February 22, 2009 Daisy said:
sheeeesh! where did I go wrong with my bizarre body chemistry? I didn’t get any of that good stuff! Maybe a tiny touch of leather….so imagine this: a dried up rose that has been stuffed in a leather bound book and left in a dusty attic for a loooong time. There’s probably even a SPIDER sitting on it! That’s what I got from Rose Barbare….it’s just not fair (sniffle)
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On February 22, 2009 SFLizbeth said:
But on the same token, I simply can’t wear white florals. My mother-in-law wears Prada’s Iris and Chanels Chance beautifully. My body chemistry turns them to vinegar or flattens them out. So I work with what I can wear, musks and chypres (the dry kind).
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On February 22, 2009 Daisy said:
ah-ha! Prada’s Iris smells uber-fantastic on me! Not only do I have the FB, but I have a back-up FB “just in case”……there’s only 3 things I keep back-up bottles of: the Prada Infusion d’iris, Hermes Hiris and CK’s Eternity…. the world as I know it would END if those 3 were discontinued! Although, I would work hard at finding replacements!
I have to be careful with the chypres….or I smell like a brand new cedar chest!
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On February 22, 2009 SFLizbeth said:
So does this mean you’re my evil scent twin? 😉
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On February 22, 2009 Daisy said:
it rather sounds as if I am! Dare I say: “mu-wah-hahaha”
I’d probably love anything you’d scrub off in the first 10 minutes!
On February 20, 2009 SFLizbeth said:
Essense is available now? Where did you find it, Saks? That’s on my must try list but I thought it was available in Mid-March via a Saks exclusive….. please tell! Do you like it? What is it like, sillage, staying power etc…..?
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On February 20, 2009 Filomena said:
I did find it at Saks in NYC. The sillage and staying power on me are excellent.
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On February 20, 2009 Fuddy Duddy 101 said:
Happy Friday to everyone!
Today I am wearing EL’s PC Tuberose Gardenia because it is freezing cold here and I am pining away for spring and this scent just says spring to me! I also have EL’s PC Amber YY, which I know most of you found boring but I love it. It seems to really meld with my skin and its never overwhelming which is perfect for work.
I have to admit my scent collection has taken on a life of its own and is growing almost weekly ~ YIKES! I am an addict but I don’t want any help! LOL! My 2 most recent acquisitions were Givenchy’s Organza Indecence which I think is extremely sexy! And AG’s Songes. I have to admit the AG was an “acquired taste”. I bought the scent because I had to have the beautiful moon bottle. I did purchase a sample first and actually I ended up getting 2 samples because the first time I didnt like it at all so I couldnt justify buying the expensive bottle. But because I wanted the bottle so much, I decided to try it again and this time it worked on me! So strange how that can happen but YAY! Hope everyone has a great weekend!
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On February 20, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
Love both of your recent acquisitions, & wish I had a bottle of either…only have decants. You have a great weekend too!
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On February 20, 2009 Fuddy Duddy 101 said:
I think I would have cried Songes ended up being a scrubber for me. I really worked it though. For the 2nd sample I got a spay of it and in a larger size. I sprayed it on a scarf 1st only to see if I would like it there instead of on my skin first. And as the day went on I found myself smelling the scarf over and over again, I was totally drawn to it. So now I was excited. So the next day I sprayed it on me and prayed it wouldnt turn on me and it didnt! I was so relieved. Just had to share this with ya’ll cos it goes to prove I really think you need sample more than once to really get to “know” a scent.
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On February 20, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
Always a good policy to try something more than once, agree!
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On February 20, 2009 mals86 said:
Ooh, I’m wearing Organza Indecence today; agree that it’s sexy. (I think my husband is starting to come around to this one. He likes fresh florals on me, generally, but was doing laundry the other day and washed a sweater redolent of OI. Kept sniffing it and leering at me. Which is pretty weird in the laundry room…)
That moon bottle is gorgeous, isn’t it? I liked Songes very much but also tested Dawn Spencer Hurwitz’s Tubereuse at about the same time and preferred it… it’s on my “buy if nothing similar but better shows up” list, and I’m waiting to test my sample of OJ Frangipani first. I know, I know, they aren’t focused on the same flower, but they have a similar feel to me. Did buy JM Vintage Gardenia when they had that 25% off sale around VDay, and I probably wouldn’t have if it hadn’t been madly discounted. But I’m not sure I could ever have too many white florals, as I adore them. (Okay, I COULD probably have too many white florals. I admit it. Is there a Perfume Addicts Anonymous group?)
My “pining for spring” scents, both of which I’ve used this week: Apres l’Ondee and Diorissimo. Yup. Can’t wait for spring. Sick of this blasted cold icky rainy windy weather.
Full (100 ml) bottle count: Diorissimo and Parfum Sacre
Small (30 ml) bottle count: VG and SSS Velvet Rose
Minis/decants: Chanel 19, Black, OI, A l’O, Petite Cherie, Daisy
2009 perfume credit card damage: $238. Ouch. Must stop, with a wardrobe now established after 3 months of sampling & reading blogs. (However, shoe credit card damage: $0, yay, and clothing credit card damage: $19, yay.)
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On February 20, 2009 Fuddy Duddy 101 said:
“too many white florals”? No way – there is no such thing , say it isn’t so! LOL! We seem to have very similar tastes – I think we would be very, very, very bad or very good depending upon your point of view if we went shopping together! 😉
Eau de Givenchy and Eau d’ Hadrien are next on my “to sample list” for summer…oh oh!
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On February 20, 2009 mals86 said:
Yeah, I’ve got the Hadrien sample as well, waiting for warm weather to test out. No point in trying it now, I think — it’s too cold outside.
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On February 20, 2009 Daisy said:
Mals, I think you are already AT the perfume addicts anonymous group! And how dare you say you could have too much of any of this glorious stuff? Sacrilege! I’m not a huge fan of white florals but I sure understand the need for more of the juice you love!!
Oh, and you just had to bring up the financial damage thing, which made me feel GUILTY so I felt compelled to do a little adding-up of my own (which I really been avoiding!) So far this year I’ve spent a whopping $605 on smellies. oops….and I am waiting for my favorite perfume place to get in a FB of a L’Artisan and a Comme des Garcons for me…..but since I haven’t ACTUALLY waved goodbye to those $$$ yet they don’t count!
But no new shoes and no new clothing so far this year! (too busy buying perfume I guess)
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On February 20, 2009 mals86 said:
I only say I could have too many because of the $$$ to get them… and then, of course, the danger of letting something gorgeous slip to the back of the cabinet while you’re wearing something else gorgeous. Other than those things, I think white florals are like white blouses: near-infinite variety. I have six white blouses, from silk to cotton to long-sleeved to pleated… you see what I mean? And I didn’t even get into tee shirts.
Good thing I’m plugged into PAA. Hi, my name is Carol and I’m an addict…
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On February 20, 2009 Daisy said:
lol —well don’t expect any “help” here…..we’ll all just encourage you to try something new and exciting! This place is murder on my habit and my credit cards! Isn’t it great?? : )
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On February 21, 2009 AussieBec said:
I may be evil encouraging you to spend more money but somehow I feeli that if youi like parfum Sacre you will love Caberet by Gres and the plus is it is dirt cheap at discounters and online auction sites. I can’t get over how nice this is. It could be my perfect incense rose scent.
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On February 20, 2009 AnnS said:
There are a lot of MUA Swaps for Songes – so if you are looking to pick up another bottle or for anyone else who likes it but didn’t want to purchase outright, you may be able to get a bargain…..I can’t ever get Songes to work for me, even though I love the opening and the extreme drydown….
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On February 20, 2009 Joanna said:
I’m in the middle of swapping for Songes, as a matter of fact! I’m wearing my sample today and I can’t stop swooning over this scent. The fragrance changes so quickly on my skin, morphing from a really bright jasmine into a lovely woodsy smell (which never fails to evoke for me a deserted meadow in spring), followed by a dusty vanilla. LOVE.
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On February 20, 2009 AnnS said:
I wish I could just buy a bottle of the dry down – the middle gets weird for me. But the dry down is so beautiful. Anyone with thoughts on another frag that smells like Songes dry down?
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On February 20, 2009 friedchicken&gasoline said:
hello…SOTD is Montale’s Red Aoud. Encouraged by your articles, dear NST, I swapped for a sample on Makeup Alley! It was fun and the ‘swapper’ slipped this in as a freebie. Love the Red Aoud but it will probably be “SOTE” too since it’s pretty potent! Wams me up nicely since it’s cool here too — 55 but I’m in Florida so, hey!, we get cold too!
Latest acquisition: Diorissimo 30 ml. Now circling Montale for Red Aoud.
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On February 20, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
VERY jealous of your Diorissimo!
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On February 20, 2009 friedchicken&gasoline said:
went all the way to UK to order, then it popped up on fragrancenet.com! But you know how it goes — MUST….HAVE….BOTTLE…
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On February 20, 2009 mals86 said:
Oh, yes, Must Have Bottle! Just got my Diorissimo Monday… haunted eBay for weeks and nabbed a 3.3 oz tester for $72 incl. shipping, so very proud of myself… my biggest $ purchase so far. Probably should have gotten a smaller bottle, but I comfort myself that my daughter may inherit whatever’s left of it when I die.
Does whoever dies with the most EMPTY perfume bottles win?
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On February 20, 2009 friedchicken&gasoline said:
3.3 oz! good for you!
I’ll have to bury my full bottles with me, I guess…
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On February 21, 2009 AussieBec said:
I reckon I will come last in the most empty bottle contest. I have never emptied even one bottle of perfume. Sad huh? I do have a 100ml bottle of Jazz that is down to the last 30mls or so. I have to gloat about my Diorissimo purchase though. It was a few months ago but I picked up a 100ml bottle in a perfume store which pretty much exclusively stocks the latest sugary sweet teeny bopper frags for the equivilent of $50us. BARGAIN! I Think they just wanted rid of it cos their regular customers would have turned their noses up at it.
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On February 21, 2009 Patty said:
I bought Brin de Reglisse 100ml on Ebay UK for 31 euros (shipping to Italy included). Isn’t it a bargain?
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On February 21, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
Wow, yes!
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On February 20, 2009 lovethescents said:
giveittomespicey, I hear your pain, although I can’t offer you any solutions beyond what’s been suggested. I’m in the same boat, having recently fallen in love with the very unattainable Ormonde Jayne Woman. Any similarities here?
Also, when it comes to fumie swapping, if a decant/sample leaked during shipping, what is the most diplomatic protocol beyond letting the other person know what happened? If they just say “sorry”, then what?
Thanks for any advice!
Also, can anyone recommend an amber-based fragrance that isn’t too sweet or heavy like, in my silly opinion, EL Amber Ylang Ylang or Hermes’s Ambre Narguile?
Thanks again!
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On February 20, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
Hmmm…I don’t know. I’ve never had anything leak in swapping that wasn’t an extra. I do think the other person probably ought to replace it, but as far as I know, there isn’t any rule saying that they *must* do so.
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On February 20, 2009 lovethescents said:
I know there isn’t a rule so I guess I just not swap again?
Thanks for pondering 🙂
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On February 20, 2009 giveitomespicey said:
On my 2nd swap with a particular swapper, she told me something leaked a little. I asked if I could send her some more and how much. She refused. If I swap with her again, I’ll be sure to send her more of that perfume and extra of everything. If it wasn’t an overseas swap I probably would have shipped more anyway.
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On February 20, 2009 Fuddy Duddy 101 said:
If the decant leaked during shipping, I would definitely tell the person who sent it. I would approach it as an FYI so perhaps they can change the way they package it or what service provider they used to send it to you in the future. INMO, I think they should offer to re-send it because quite frankly, they were the ones who packed it up and didn’t do a good job of it. If they want repeat customers, they should offer. You shouldn’t have to ‘ask”. Or if you do ask for another sample, they should chime in and say of course, and that will be “no charge”. Good luck!
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On February 20, 2009 lovethescents said:
Thanks so much, Fuddy Duddy 101. I emailed them to let them know of the leak and am waiting for a reply…I agree that I shouldn’t have to ask, though. The feedback is helpful, so thank you again!
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On February 22, 2009 2scents said:
It can be hard to communicate through email so I have found it is best to be very clear and direct. This happened to me and after I got the apology I wrote back and said, ‘I’ve been thinking…I’d either like a replacement decant or to reverse the swap.” I got a very gracious response once she knew how I felt.
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On February 23, 2009 lovethescents said:
Hi 2scents, thanks for your two cents. You sound like an excellent negotiator. The swapper is actually sending me other scents as replacements, thankfully. This was a sticky situation for me and I am so grateful to all of you for your excellent advice 🙂
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On February 20, 2009 AnnS said:
lovethescents – you should try the Givenchy L’Interdit (Les Mythics). It is soft, lightly sweet, ligh floral, powdery amber. The amber dry down is very soft and almost a comfort scent. It has great lasting power. Very pretty and wearable.
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On February 20, 2009 lovethescents said:
AnnS, actually I’ve been trying to get a taste (sample) for ages! You’ve just confirmed my need for it! Thank you!
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On February 20, 2009 AnnS said:
I have been very happy with it – I drained my sample, then picked up the bottle. I wear it for a number of reasons b/c it is just so darned pretty, “crowd friendly”, cozy, etc. I think it works in almost any occasion when a nice, well designed, but quiet and pretty frag is in order. It stays relatively close to the body, but I enjoy sniffing all day the warm sillage it makes. I like it better than the PC Amber YY, which I also have. I like PC Amber YY, but it is more syrupy. L’Interdit is a light “classic” frag, and I alwasy enjoy wearing it. I hope it works for you.
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On February 20, 2009 sarcon said:
for the amber question: Gap Om (it can still be found at Gap outlet stores), Bvlgari Black, Attar Bazaar Persian Amber (a fragrance oil you can usually find at Whole Foods), YSL Body Kouros (this is a “men’s” fragrance, but I think a woman could wear it)
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On February 20, 2009 lovethescents said:
Bvlgari Black is amber? Must relook at those notes because I didn’t realize and I looooooove Black. Kouros isn’t my friend, but thanks for the lovely suggestions!
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On February 24, 2009 sarcon said:
I definitely get a very soft amber from Black. Body Kouros is a flanker to Kouros, and I don’t think they are very similar. Both Black and Body Kouros were created by Annick Menardo, who is a wizard with amber, IMO.
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On February 25, 2009 lovethescents said:
How very interesting! I guess I don’t know how to detect amber then. I will definitely look for Body Kouros as well.
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On February 20, 2009 joe805 said:
lovethescents: Re Amber — I like EL AYY, but if you can, you might want to sample Ava Luxe Ambre Foncé, and also Voluspa Baltic Amber. Both are also extremely reasonably priced.
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On February 21, 2009 giveitomespicey said:
Stephanie De Saint Aignan-UN THE AU SAHARA is nice and might fit the not too sweet category you are looking for.
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On February 21, 2009 lovethescents said:
I’ll have to look into the Stephanie for sure. I’ve thought about that before and it is intriguing. The Voluspa as well…hmmmmm
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On February 20, 2009 Tim said:
Any opinions on buying Penhaligon’s from ShopLondons.com? Anyone have any issues with quality or service in ordering from them?
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On February 20, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
I know there are people on MUA who have & were happy, but I haven’t ordered from them personally, sorry!
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On February 20, 2009 SFLizbeth said:
Hi all happy Friday,
I’ve been on a musk/leather binge. Today I’m wearing SL’s Daim Blonde layered with Kiehl’s musk body lotion. I’ve been going to SL MKK quite often of late. But I have to be careful not to overapply because it’s a very “big” scent.
I purchased two bottles of original Fendi when I heard the fragrance end of Fendi was closing up shop….. I was lucky to find a 15% off coupon which was great! I also found a bottle of Theorema, which I’m still debating whether or not to buy. I’ve been doing all discount scents this quarter, I’m looking forward to the “Damage So Far” poll because I’ve been good, for once!
I also bought a bottle of AV edt for 15 dollars. It’s the perfect discreet office scent, we’ll see how long that love affair lasts…
FYI, my computer hiccuped when typing the first post, so if this posts twice, my apologies….
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On February 20, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
Ok, mind is blank — what’s AV edt??
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On February 20, 2009 Existentialist said:
I’m guessing Adrienne Vittadini. Do I get extra points for answering one of *your* questions?
SOTD is 10 Corso Como, and a dab of Grayland.
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On February 20, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
You get extra points for answering anything, I should say! But if it doesn’t turn out to be Adrienne Vittadini you probably get docked points, LOL…
I still have not tried Grayland — that’s a Montale, right?
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On February 20, 2009 Existentialist said:
Oh no, negative NST points!
Re: Grayland: yes, it’s the only Montale I’ve tried, and I really like it. Tom on PST said it was a good place to start with the Montale Ouds. It has that vibrating thing going on that I like. I’ll probably get a decant next Fall, as it’s time to start thinking about warm weather scents now. I’m planning on buying Azuree and Calyx very soon, as I really haven’t spent any money on fragrance this year so far.
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On February 20, 2009 AnnS said:
I just picked up the tiny little 7 ml (?) bottle of Calyx at Macy’s around new years. I figure that much will probably last the rest of my life since it is so strong, lol. I’m waiting for summer to really try it out. It is so sunny!
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On February 20, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
I have not had good luck w/ the shelf life of Calyx…I’d use that darned thing up this summer! But a 7ml sounds great, I’ll have to look for one of those.
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On February 20, 2009 AnnS said:
I was pretty surprise it was available and snatched it up. There’s just no way I’d ever use up the big bottle so I always passed…good luck finding it! Perscriptives is in the Estee Lauder group right? Sometimes all those standard frags are available in small 5 – 10 ml bottles, but it’s hit or miss to find them.
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On February 21, 2009 lovethescents said:
If I was smarter then I would have heeded your warnings, Robin. I bought a mini of this gorgeous Calyx on ebay and it was rancid, foul and obscene raisins. Clearly off! Very disappointing indeed!
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On February 22, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
Yeah, that is one of very few perfumes (AG Petite Cherie is another) that I would never buy online. LOL at “obscene raisins” though, that’s funny!
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On February 23, 2009 AnnS said:
Got the little Calyx at Macy’s if that helps anyone…
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On February 25, 2009 lovethescents said:
Thank you for saying that but unfortunately, Calyx is exclusive to one shop in Montreal and they don’t carry that lovely small size! Must head to the US when the exchange rate is better and do some fumie shopping…..I wish
On February 20, 2009 silversheep said:
maybe adrienne vitadinni?
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On February 20, 2009 SFLizbeth said:
Yep, it’s Adrienne Vitadinni. The first one not the Capri.
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On February 20, 2009 Ojeda said:
How is Daim Blond with the Kiehl’s, if you don’t mind me asking? DB is my absolute favorite of my small collection, but on me it’s got longevity problems, so I always wonder about layering possibilities.
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On February 20, 2009 SFLizbeth said:
DB is great with Kiehl’s. It does help it last longer too.
FYI, I also layer DB with Hiris.
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On February 20, 2009 Ojeda said:
Awesome, I’ll try the Kiehl’s and I’ll put together an iris sampler list asap, Hiris included. 😉
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On February 20, 2009 krokodilgena said:
I have to present a project on the African Savanna and Eurasian Steppe, what kind of a scent should I wear?
I’m going to wear Moni di Orio’s Amyitis when I present my project on mosses (btw do you have any idea how annoying researching mosses is?)
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On February 20, 2009 lovethescents said:
Would LezNez’s Let me Play Lion be too obvious? Am I being cheeky?
What about something incensey like CdG’s Kyoto or Armani Bois d’Encens?
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On February 20, 2009 mals86 said:
Ha ha! Perfume jokes to wear, what a delightful exercise! I hadn’t thought of scent-occasion matching as a source of amusement, but it sure could be.
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On February 21, 2009 Regina said:
Great concept! I have to give a guest lecture on book packaging in a few weeks – maybe I will wear Dzing!
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On February 21, 2009 mals86 said:
Ooh, I got one: I just got back from my boys’ Cub Scout Pinewood Derby this afternoon. You know, where the scouts race the cars they made from blocks of wood?
Anyone want to guess what I wore? Yup: Bulgari Black. (Well, my little private joke made MY day, even if nobody else got it.)
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On February 21, 2009 Daisy said:
Mals, that was the perfect choice! I wonder if anyone caught the merest hint of the rubber and wondered if maybe they weren’t just a little too “into” the car race idea….imagining the smell of the track!!
How did your Cub Scout do?
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On February 22, 2009 mals86 said:
Daisy, I have two terrific Cub Scouts, two years apart in age. The older one is into muscle cars, so he keeps designing these Derby cars that look like 60’s Mustangs and Gran Torinos… he wants a fast car, but is scornful of the wedge shape that so many fast-car aficionados do. He likes it to look like a real car, and insists that it has windshields, bumpers, grills, and doors painted on. So we were pleasantly surprised that he won his age group and came in a very close second for Fastest Pack Car.
My younger one is quite idiosyncratic, and a big history fan. Last year he did a submarine; this year he designed an aircraft carrier based on the original USS Lexington (sunk in the Coral Sea in WWII), complete with plastic airplanes from a board game. We were expecting it to limp across the finish line, but he wound up running eighth in the pack. Surprise!
I don’t know if anybody got a whiff of rubber or not, but I don’t really care. I had fun with my Black!
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On February 20, 2009 silversheep said:
idole de lubin because of the bottle. it has an african mask on it
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On February 20, 2009 honeybushchild said:
I would consider CdG’s Ourzazate or L’Artisan’s Timbuktu
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On February 21, 2009 krokodilgena said:
I did consider Ourzazate and Timbuktu!
I don’t have Timbuktu, but I do have Ourzazate.
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On February 20, 2009 Daisy said:
hmm, probably right up there with lichens I’d assume…..I can’t imagine how much you are NOT enjoying that bit of research! So maybe you’ll garner extra points if you smell extra yummy during the presentation . 🙂
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On February 20, 2009 Celestia said:
May I suggest wearing Alliage by EL? It’s totally mossy to me and I love it.
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On February 20, 2009 violetnoir said:
Hot dang! Just ordered two bottles, one for myself and one for my sister, of Un Matin d’Orage from escentual.com! The pound is down against the dollar, so basically paid $77. per 50 ml bottle. I just had to do.
I think they have about six more bottles left, so click and buy while you can.
Hugs!
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On February 20, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
HA — then you will be hearing from me, LOL…
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On February 20, 2009 violetnoir said:
I absolutely expect to hear from you!
Chunk #2:
On February 20, 2009 AnnS said:
Here’s my Q – I am tuberose challenged and can’t take too much though a little is OK.
I am interested in a “sparkling” “in the garden” white floral. I was thinking about Lancome Climat but was a little uncertain. I am not afraid of aldehydes. Any suggestions?
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On February 20, 2009 Robin said:
Ann, it’s inexpensive, easy to find, and very well done: Pure White Linen from EL. Crisp, fresh, complex — and it lasts and lasts, with just the right amount of sillage. Compliments galore, which never hurts. . .
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On February 20, 2009 silversheep said:
just a teeny dab of carnal flower is surprisingly green on me. for a less $$$ alternative, kai is a green, light, delicious gardenia
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On February 20, 2009 AnnS said:
Thanks to Robin & silversheep for the tips. I’ve almost bought regular White Linen once, but passed, and never tried the flanker. Must give a sniff soon! And I’ve never tried Kai though I’ve read about it. Thanks thanks!
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On February 20, 2009 lovethescents said:
I doubly and triply agree with silversheep: Carnal Flower and Kai are both wonderful!
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On February 20, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
Ann, you’ve already tried La Chasse, I’d guess?
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On February 20, 2009 AnnS said:
No – I’ll have to put that on my list with the Carnal Flower… The sound so pretty. Thanks!
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On February 20, 2009 sarah said:
I realised a couple of months ago that I couldn’t tolerate too much tuberose…it was the common denominator between Inspire by Christina Aguilera and Covet Pure Bloom and the latter was even headache-inducing! However, I discovered that tuberose is in Tommy Hilfiger Dreaming which i love, so maybe that’s one for you to try 🙂
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On February 20, 2009 AnnS said:
My sister has a bottle of Dreaming. I’ll have to pinch a decant from her!
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On February 21, 2009 OperaFan said:
Ann,
As an AG fan, I’m sure you must already know Gardenia Passion, which is tuberose + jasmin. Perhaps it’s too ‘dry’ for you? It’s one of my Must-Keep-In-Stock-At-All-Times scents….
Cheers!
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On February 21, 2009 AnnS said:
Hello OperaFan – sadly Gardenia Passion becomes a big tuberose ice pick in the brain for me, like most tubes. Very sad. I can only enjoy such beauties as EL PC Tuberose Gardenia on someone else for about 30 seconds before the gardenia wears off….I actually like the way tuberose smells, but for some reason it sears my brain…I am however, eagerly awaiting a chance to sniff the new as yet unreleased AG gardenia….But thanks for the tip!
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On February 22, 2009 mals86 said:
Bummer on your tuberose reaction! I have the same “icepick to the frontal lobe” reaction to lavender. I like the smell, but lavender in any appreciable amount gives me the most god-awful headache. A shame, really, that any one note can just make a fragrance impossible… ah well. Less to love means more $$ in the wallet.
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On February 22, 2009 Daisy said:
oh don’t kid yourself! There’s always something else delightful smelling just clamoring for your perfume $$$…just gotta watch out for those perfumes clamoring for your rent and food $$$, those are the naughty ones!
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On February 20, 2009 sarahn said:
In flagrant disregard for my own resolution to spend less this year, I’ve already acquired two new bottles: PG Coze and Escentric 01. I got the Coze at a discount on evilbay, and swapped for a luckyscent gift certificate to buy the Escentric, so I don’t feel like a total spendthrift.
Coze is a testament to how my taste in perfume can change radically and a reminder to never trust my first reaction to a scent. I got a sample as a swap extra several months ago and thought it was just awful. But like many PG scents, it warrants multiple tries. I swapped for a larger decant recently, and whoa! Woods, spice, non-foody coffee and vanilla – gorgeous. I don’t even remember what I didn’t like about it before. I’ve been wearing it almost every day.
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On February 20, 2009 sarahn said:
On the other side of the coin, I *have* been rediscovering and appreciating bottles already in my collection. Why have I spent all these months pining for Iris Silver Mist when a practically-full bottle of Hiris is lanquishing in my drawer? I forgot how beautiful it is. I’m going to swap away my ISM decant and put it out of my mind.
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On February 20, 2009 AnnS said:
sarahn – I was just thinking almost the same thing this morning. It’s like having 10 tubes of almost the same color lipstick…you just forget about the ones you already have. I realize that I have many frags that almost smell the same as each other, and ones I hardly wear even though I love them. I’m also trying to revisit some of the frags I haven’t been wearing so much.
I’ve also made the decision to just forget about the hard to find frags. There’s no point in going crazy to get my hands on something when there are so many other beautiful frags that are easy to get.
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On February 20, 2009 Robin said:
Those are very good points, Ann. I’m going to go through my collection over the weekend and resurrect some of my poor, neglected favourites — and I’m going to try to just plain old forget about those impossible-to-procure scents. . .if I can. Funny my mind can play tricks on me and tell me that the harder the juice is to own, the better it must be. Not true!
I also vow to start wearing some of my most-loved decants. I’m always so afraid to get to the end of a 5 or 8ml bottle, I end up not giving myself the chance to wear and enjoy them. Very silly.
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On February 20, 2009 SFLizbeth said:
Kind of like saving the good china/crystal for good company?
Always good to use it, just because…..
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On February 21, 2009 joe805 said:
Robin: This is funny! I do exactly the same thing with 5ml or 8ml decants… I get VERY nervous and don’t want to use it anymore if it even starts to get down near half full. Ridiculous! As if I can’t buy more. And this is not to mention all the 1ml or 2ml vials that I leave about a quarter full just because I want to have them for reference if I want to fish one out and sniff. I can’t bring myself to actually EMPTY a vial and throw it out! But I’ve started using my decants lately too…
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On February 22, 2009 rrazzell on MUA (was Robin) said:
Joe, you made me laugh! It’s true for me, too, about the little vials. And hey, I don’t think we’re crazy to want to keep our reference points around; just ten minutes ago, I was rifling through the “P” samples in my alphabetized stash, trying to find my PG l’Ombre Fauve. (And I couldn’t, and it’s driving me NUTS!!!! :-D)
Okay, let’s make a solemn vow to “use the good china” — i.e., our decants. Why do I always think there will NEVER be more? It’s that strange Hoarder’s Syndrome, for sure!
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On February 21, 2009 sarahn said:
Exactly, AnnS. $40-50 for a big bottle of Hiris at the discounters, or half a mortgage payment, plus overseas shipping, for ISM. Crazy.
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On February 20, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
I love Hiris! But pine for ISM too. So I’m no help.
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On February 20, 2009 Daisy said:
Oh! You bad thing! Letting Hiris pine, alone, in the dark! Hiris is my all time fave frag…and being a soliflore it is great for layering with other frags. It smells great with Prada Infusion d’Iris (softens it up) and also with TDC’s bois d’Iris and also with PG’s Iris Taizo….all great on their own too. Letting Hiris pine….harumpf!
I try to love Iris Silver Mist, really I do, but it smells like dirt on me. Sad to let an iris go…..
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On February 20, 2009 Daisy said:
sorry, the Hiris was languishing , you were pining…..well it’s just as bad so you’re not off the hook ; )
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On February 20, 2009 SFLizbeth said:
I like to layer Hiris with SL Daim Blonde, very nice……
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On February 21, 2009 AussieBec said:
Am I the only person who doesn’t get Hiris?
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On February 21, 2009 Daisy said:
Careful Aussie….you risk losing hero points here….just kidding (you’re still my hero) I think for every one of us there is a perfume that it seems everyone ADORES but we just don’t get. For me it’s Bvlgari Black —makes me gag—yet I’ve seen so many posts from people who love it. I guess yours is Hiris. If you have a bottle that you don’t know what to do with—try layering it with maybe something else that’s too sweet…maybe it will work for you as a “component” of something else?
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On February 21, 2009 AussieBec said:
Well, of course I have a bottle of this but it is languishing unused. I will try your layering option one of these days and hopefully I will use it up this way. It is a 50ml bottle though so I will have to do a LOT of layering. As for Black, I am one of these people who loves the stuff. I wonder, do can you love them both or is it a matter if you love the one, you will hate the other? FYI I strongly recommend you do not try CDG synthetic series Garage as the rubber note of this is 10x stronger. Not for the faint heared but I love it.
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On February 21, 2009 Daisy said:
yup, that’s gonna be a lot of layering….maybe you have a friend you could swap with.
LOL thanks for the warning about CDG Garage….yeah, I read the description on that one and said “no thanks” ….my hubby is always working on “project cars” in our garage so I get enough of that smell already! I guess getting all garage-dirty balances out having to wear suits to work all week. Then I get to smell “Parfum du Garage” on Monday when I do the laundry (eww)
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On February 24, 2009 AussieBec said:
I have to say, the Garage scent is not for the faint hearted. It is unusual but definitely memorable.
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On February 20, 2009 monkeytoe said:
PG Coze is a fave of mine, too.
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On February 20, 2009 Ojeda said:
Escentric 01 is a lot of fun. I know it gets a bad rap for being basically Iso E Super, but I find it mysterious yet still easy to wear. Nice to see a woman buying it, as well!
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On February 21, 2009 sarahn said:
Yes, that describes it exactly: Complex and interesting, but so wearable. Looking to check out the rest of that line soon.
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On February 21, 2009 AussieBec said:
I like it too, It really is very wearable without smelling like every other woman around you but then, I like woody scents.
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On February 20, 2009 angelan said:
I really like cinnamon! I have BPAL’s Chimera, which I like a lot, but which doesn’t last on me at all. Is there anything out there that might have a similar feel to it? Sweet, but spicy. I like Opium and Cinnabar, but I think they’re a bit heavy for me.
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On February 20, 2009 lilydale said:
I haven’t smelled the BPAL, but maybe Serge Lutens Rousse? It was a bit too mulled-cider-y for me, but it might suit you if you’re looking for a light cinnamon.
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On February 20, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
Yeah, I’d recommend Rousse as well.
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On February 20, 2009 AnnS said:
Sonoma Scent Studio has a cinammony spice frag called Femme Jolie that is very nice. It has a lot of foody spices like ginger, cloves, etc, but I don’t really consider it a gourmand. It wears light compared to frags like Opium, etc. It is very pretty. I’m not sure it’s listed on the page, but if you contact Laurie Erickson directly she can mix up a sample or bottle.
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On February 20, 2009 Valkyrie said:
I haven’t really dipped my toes much into spicy scents, but if you like BPAL Chimera- cinnamon, myrrh, honeysuckle, & copal, I feel obligied- since BPAL was my gateway drug into perfume addiction- to point you to some other cinnamon BPALs.
Inferno and Wrath are supposed to have the strongest cinnamon presence of all BPAL offerings:
Inferno- cinnamon, bitter almond, and neroli.
Wrath- dragon’s blood resin, black pepper, clove, and cinnamon. (Though some critique it as having a big red gum quality)
I love Eclipse- bitter almond, vanilla, frankincense, heliotrope, cinnamon. yummy cinnamon almond cookies, but this one is a lighter scent and might not last longer for you than Chimera.
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On February 20, 2009 Ericgmd said:
I want an OUDH scent that has the potency and lasting power of M7 by YSL but where the AOUD does not disappear once the top notes are gone.
What do you think?
Do you think a Montale (Black or Red Aoud? which one?) or Tom Ford Oud Aoud is the best choice?
I also still fantasize about Eau Noire by Dior. But I keep going into Dior boutiques and testing it on my skin. That stuff is unwearable! and yet totally unforgettable…
What do I do? HELP
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On February 20, 2009 SFLizbeth said:
I say don’t give up. You could turn the corner with it very soon.
SL’s Muscs Koublaï Khan was like that for me, and then I totally fell in love with it. The first hour is still a little bumpy, but then the next 10 hours or so are complete heaven.
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On February 20, 2009 joe805 said:
Eric: I’d recommend Black Aoud over the Red. I quickly sampled a few others in a shop, but couldn’t say anything about any other than those two (both of which I own). Both also definitely have obvious rose, but the Black a bit less. From Robin’s recent review, I think that the Tom Ford is lighter than the Montales. You should think about getting a sampler pack of a few of them. I still need to try M7.
And Lizbeth: I’m really eager to try MKK one of these days — I just realized I’m in love with FM Musc Ravageur but am eager for a musk with a little more oomph.
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On February 21, 2009 giveitomespicey said:
I adore Musc Ravageur!!!!! I wonder how it would layer with Noir Espices. Thank you for your suggestions earlier.
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On February 21, 2009 AussieBec said:
Do try the M7. I don’t think you will regret it.
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On February 22, 2009 SFLizbeth said:
Joe, I think if you want more kick in your musks, MKK is it. I’m a musk fan, and I still had some adjusting to do…. But oh my God, the drydown is aaamazing! Couldn’t stop sniffing my wrist.
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On February 20, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
I can’t wear EN either. My advice: stop going into Dior boutiques. (LOL — I know, I know, just kidding)
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On February 21, 2009 AussieBec said:
The Montale Ouds are, in my opinion, better than the Tom Ford for potency but I actually find Black Aoud a little too much of a good thing most days. It is delicious but results in a headache if worn in any quantity but the tiniest spray in cooler weather. I love M7 and have to say, it did not receive the kudos it deserved.
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On February 20, 2009 marchlion said:
Today out of sheer bullheadedness I layered vintage Poison and Feminite du Bois (extrait.)
FdB totally ate the Poison. Amazing. Poison added a slightly liquor-plum base.
Warning: do NOT try this at home. Professional perfumista at work.
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On February 20, 2009 AnnS said:
Thanks for the laugh – just pictured your hazmat escort and the red flashing lights: Warning – too much gorgeousness may be fatal….
My recent sillage monster is Caron Montaigne, which is just amazing! Use with extreme caution!
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On February 20, 2009 joe805 said:
Holy crap! I can’t believe that anything ate Poison.
Is FdB extrait going to blow the door off my mailbox when it arrives?… any day now [taps foot impatiently] Thanks for the laugh as well.
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On February 21, 2009 joe805 said:
The FdB arrived today, and I’ll be eager to discuss it at a future time. Mailbox was intact. 😉
There is something about this FdB that VERY much reminds me of El Attarine, which I like. I’ll have to bat this idea around on other upcoming comment threads.
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On February 21, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
I think SL has been playing with the themes in FdB for a very long time…absolutely.
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On February 21, 2009 AussieBec said:
I have never smelled the FdB extrait. It must be gorgeous. I only have the EDP
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On February 20, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
Now you need a face off between FdB and ??? Something. This could actually be fun: find the fragrance that can eat all others.
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On February 20, 2009 AnnS said:
I challenge FdB to a smack down with Yatagan!
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On February 20, 2009 fountaingirl said:
And Aromatics Elixir!
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On February 20, 2009 SFLizbeth said:
I think MKK is up there for sure….
The scent that ate San Francisco???
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On February 20, 2009 DianaWR said:
Sending samples to a friend who has worn Ralph Lauren Romance for years. Exclusively. Any suggestions on what I should send her?
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On February 20, 2009 AnnS said:
My sister used to wear Romance. She also likes scents like Tommy Hilfiger Dreaming, Lolita Lempika “L” and the original one, Lancome’s Magnifique, Armani Sensi, SJP Covet, some of the Lavanilla’s, etc. Good luck.
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On February 20, 2009 SFLizbeth said:
How about Chance, by Chanel?
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On February 20, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
A bunch of Annick Goutal samples.
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On February 20, 2009 sarah said:
she has good taste! that’s always been my favourite!
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On February 21, 2009 Kelly said:
I’m a big fan of RL Romance and I also like Chanel Coco Mlle. and Bvlgari Jasmin Noir, they seem to be in the same vein. Or even Narciso Rodriguez if she’s not afraid of a little powdered rosy goodness. Or Stella McCartney. Good luck!
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On February 21, 2009 Kelly said:
P.S. You should also check out scentmap.com – it looks like they have some great recommendations.
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On February 22, 2009 shiny99 said:
oohh! i knew an exclusive-RL-Romance-wearer whose sister started wearing it too, so she changed to Armani Mania!
😀
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On February 20, 2009 marko3861 said:
Okay….here’s a “weird” question for y’all……
I just realized (about a month ago) that I have an unfaltering ceremoniousness in the way I apply fragrance….I stand the exact same distance in front of the exact same full length mirror and start at the exact same pulse point (left side of the neck) and finish at the exact same place (right wrist) EVERY SINGLE TIME I WEAR FRAGRANCE!!! Is that wierd? or do others of you have a “ritual” when applying scent?
oh….my scent of the day is L’Instant de Guerlain pour Homme Eau Extreme….it doesn’t quite match the glaring bright sun of Southern California, but it’s warm, buttery nuttiness and woods is exactly what I needed today….and yes, when applying, I started on the left side of my neck and ended with the right wrist!!!
Marko
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On February 20, 2009 Kayliana said:
I would like to know what the best, all vanilla fragrance out there is… and it can’t be Guerlain’s SDV!!
I WANT THE -END ALL, BE ALL- OF VANILLA’S!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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On February 20, 2009 AnnS said:
My vanilla rec is pretty classic, and it is really the only vanilla I have – Shalimar. The extrait is about as dirty you can get.
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On February 20, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
I’d agree with that as the be all, end all of vanillas.
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On February 20, 2009 Ericgmd said:
Jean Paul Gaultier GAULTIER2 is as far as you can go!
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On February 20, 2009 sarah said:
well the dessert treats (Jessica Simpson) range has a vanilla fragrance…I think it’s discontinued but there are still new ones on ebay. it’s quite a cheap one but it made me like vanilla for the first time in about ten years!!!
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On February 20, 2009 Smartylicious said:
Micallef Note Vanille is pretty fab IMO :o)
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On February 21, 2009 SFLizbeth said:
How about Guerlain Spiritueuse Double Vanille? Vanilla, benzoin, frankincense, spices, cedar, pink pepper, bergamot, Bulgarian rose and ylang-ylang.
It’s got a touch of smoke and a hint of something boozy The result is a very sophisticated, and grownup.
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On February 20, 2009 Lauriej said:
ok, my scent today is NU and is it every nice! Very sexy ,long lasting and very different, I love the patch in it, I have been rediscovering fragrances lately, Hiris which does not last long on me 🙁 , Hypnotic Poison , Peace by bond #9 . I love fragrance that last long and have descent sillage! send all suggestions… Love Lazy Fridays Poll…
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On February 20, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
Wait, Hiris doesn’t last but Hypnotic Poison & Peace do? Or you mean all 3 don’t last?
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On February 20, 2009 Lauriej said:
Hiris does not last , the other two do..
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On February 20, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
Things that last forever on me, plus have good sillage: Thierry Mugler Alien, many of the Bonds & many of the Estee Lauders, Tom Ford Black Orchid.
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On February 20, 2009 lilydale said:
Either you’ve been spying on me, or we’re just both borderline OCD, because that’s exactly how I apply too: left neck, right neck, left wrist, right wrist. Once in a while I get all wild and crazy and add in the nape of the neck (after the right side of the neck) and behind the knees (after the right wrist).
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On February 20, 2009 sapphie said:
I apply different scents in different ways. I generally apply parfums to carefully selected pulse points, whereas EDPs with more sillage might be applied only behind my neck and knees. EDT’s usually end up all over my neck, chest and arms. But I stay pretty consistent with whichever application suits the fragrance.
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On February 20, 2009 SFLizbeth said:
No, it’s not wierd. I apply the same way, every time too. Left, then right side of neck, then crook of my arm.
And I have a different system for when I wear oils. I’m more inclined to put those in my hair.
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On February 20, 2009 SFLizbeth said:
No, it’s not wierd. I apply the same way, every time too. Left, then right side of neck, then crook of my arm.
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On February 20, 2009 Tama said:
I do left wrist, touch it to right wrist, then that again, not directly on my right wrist (so I am MUCH weirder than you – lol), neck – not the sides of my neck but upper decollete so I get the waft. That is when I dab. When I spray, I spray left wrist, then right, then neck.
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On February 21, 2009 giveitomespicey said:
Felanila by PG is quite good.
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On February 22, 2009 rrazzell on MUA (was Robin) said:
Marko, I just realized that I do the same thing every time, too. I never thought of it as a ritual, though – just the most gosh-darn sensible way to apply (although when I think about it it IS a bit strange.)
I invariably spray the back of my left hand, then wipe my hand against my neck, upper chest — ears, even! I’m strongly right-handed, so it makes sense to have the right-left configuration that way, and I think that, for me, spraying first on the back of my hand gives me more control over the direction of the spray; I can see what I’m doing, basically.
Then, the swipe to neck, et al, makes me nice and fragrant to hug, which I do a fair bit of in the course of a social day or evening.
Also, the initial heavy application to the back of my hand makes the skin there nicely redolent of scent, so I can have the pleasure of putting nostrils to hand throughout the day!
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On February 22, 2009 marko3861 said:
I do the left back of the hand thing too!!! but I usually wait until I get home from work and apply a different scent than what I’ve been wearing that day – that way I get the “experience” of wearing 2 scents without the hassle of taking another shower…..it also gives me some great ideas for layering scents….smelling the dry-down of what I’ve worn all day wafting up from my chest mixed with the top and midnotes from the back of my hand.
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On February 20, 2009 honeybushchild said:
In a similar vein about vanilla, I would love to know – what is the dirtiest, skankiest, darkest deepest vanilla you’ve ever encountered? I just recently rediscovered that I could love vanilla as long as it is a dark vanilla.
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On February 20, 2009 Kayliana said:
I think Des Filles de la Vanille’s Vanilla is pretty dark. I call it my rock star vanilla. I wear it to rock shows. No, seriously. Does anyone else do this? Match clothes to perfume?! Another dark vanilla , strangely enough was Lavanilla’s Pure Vanilla. I guess if it has patch in it I consider it darker! Parfums de Nicolai’s Vanille Tonka is a good one.
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On February 20, 2009 lovethescents said:
I agree with the PdN Vanille Tonka.
I also match my perfume according to my outfits, makeup, mood, jewelery, emotions, weather, etc! It’s part of my ‘outfit’.
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On February 20, 2009 sapphie said:
Vintage Shalimar parfum …does that count as vanilla?
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On February 20, 2009 Jill said:
I am quite fond of La Maison de la Vanille’s Vanille Noire du Mexique. It used to be dirt cheap at Sephora, but I don’t think they carry it anymore.
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On February 20, 2009 helenviolette said:
I am wearing Bois de Isles today….sigh. I tested it months ago (dabbed on from a small vial)- and thought- what is all the huff about? OMG- received a nice decant in a swap- sprayed it on- and I am in LOVE LOVE LOVE….
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On February 20, 2009 Filomena said:
Bois des Iles is sooooo achingly beautiful–it’s one of my very favorite scents.
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On February 20, 2009 mals86 said:
GOORRRRRRGEOUS stuff. Saving for a nice big decant of BdI (because I cannot even begin to buy a big bottle).
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On February 20, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
Yeah, that’s a beauty. You need the extrait.
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On February 21, 2009 AnnS said:
You know, I had the same experience. I have a vial of BdI, and I’m always like, meh. Even though I know by all accounts and the notes, etc, that this is a frag I should just love. Maybe I need to get a bigger decant to spray, hmmm?
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On February 22, 2009 rrazzell on MUA (was Robin) said:
Dear AnnS,
I, too, find BdI escapes me. I keep returning to my decant, and can’t seem to find the magic. I see that we seem to share many of the same likes and dislikes, so hey, our inability to “get” BdI is another interesting and inexplicable commonality. Ah, well — not like we have a shortage of things we DO ‘get”! 😀
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On February 23, 2009 AnnS said:
Ah – good to know! It would be helpful to know what frags you like that I haven’t tried yet. Odds are I’d probably like them! What are your favorite white flowers – a big hole in my frag collection.
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On February 20, 2009 joe805 said:
Wearing Eau d’Orange Verte today thanks to Kevin’s review yesterday of J Varvatos Artisan. I should say I WAS wearing… all trace was gone before 11am (unless I bury my face in my t-shirt). EdOV really is fantastic, but I’m curious to stop into Nordstrom this weekend to compare to the JV.
No questions, but this is always a fun (and time consuming!) feature.
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On February 20, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
It does not last, does it? Ah well. Still like it.
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On February 20, 2009 AnnS said:
OK joe805, I am still cracking up about FdB blowing the door off your mailbox. I have this visual…..Yes, this thread is very entertaining!
And you must respond your results about the JV Artisan on the Artisan posting from yesterday. I won’t have the chance to test this for a while, and I want to hear more about it!
Chunk #3:
On February 20, 2009 lilydale said:
Can we talk about TJ Maxx? I have no fewer than 4 of ’em within about a 10-minute drive, but they vary in their bounteousness, and lately even the good one has offered slim pickings. Has anyone discovered any gems among the rejects that seem to always be there — I’m talking Azzaro Lavender, Cabotine, random Elizabeth Ardens, Covet, Tommy Bahama, Lacoste, etc.? Also, I’ve seen Paloma Picasso there a few times, but only in EDT; is that version any good?
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On February 20, 2009 Existentialist said:
I also bought the Paloma in edt, and I like it. I would say that TS describes it perfectly in The Guide.
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On February 20, 2009 AnnS said:
Paloma is a seriously ass kickin’ kind of woody chypre. It is in the same league as EL Knowing and the original Givenchy Ysatis. I used to have a mini bottle when I was in high school! It makes me laugh to think about it. It is a major frag for a woman who knows what she wants, lol. But seriously these days it could also be an outstanding masculine. Apply with caution!
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On February 20, 2009 lilydale said:
I vaguely remember it from its ’80s heyday, but it was sooo not me at the time and I simply wrote it off. As for the woman who knows what she wants, I don’t know what the heck I want, but kickin’ ass sounds good, so long as it’s not my own!
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On February 20, 2009 SFLizbeth said:
Yep, that’s a butt kickin’ chypre for sure. All three are great.
AnnS, did you ever try the body cream gel in Ysatis? It has a light, whipped texture that was weightless on the skin. Moisturized like a cream, but light texture.
Great stuff…
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On February 20, 2009 AnnS said:
No, never did. I’ll have to keep an eye out for it. I have to admit that I’m one of those gals who tends to ignore the body products so I can spend all the funds on the juice. But some body products are certainly worth it. I used to have a bottle a long time ago, and now Ysatis always lingers at the bottom of my “to buy” list…maybe I need to push it up a few. Thanks!
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On February 21, 2009 SFLizbeth said:
I don’t know if they still make it, but it’d be well worth it for sure. It just about eliminates the need for the juice, I think there’s quite a bit of frag in the cream.
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On February 21, 2009 Olfacta said:
My Maxx usually has even worse crap than you describe, but I did buy the Paloma EDT there a year or so ago. It’s a little loud, but I have to say that I get more compliments on it (from more men than women, oddly enough) than just about anything else I wear. Not sure what this means…
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On February 21, 2009 vanessa said:
I find something interesting in my local branch of T K Maxx most weeks: I passed up a FB of Cuir de Lancome (not realising how lovely it was), but did recently buy bargain bottles of Deseo, Bvlgari Black, a gift set of Floris White Roses with various lotions and bath gel etc, and a gift set of I Coloniali Body Splash with Japanese Yuzu and some delicately scented soaps – the latter for just £4.99. I have seen Mme Rochas there, and Paloma Picasso and Rive Gauche and Ivoire, along with some other classics as well as the Elizabeth Arden and Chopard dross. They have Miller Harris shower gels and Tocca lotions and many other niche unguents of note. I am thinking of offering my services to the local community as a “T K Maxx Bath/Body/Fragrance Fixture Rummaging Consultant” ,for I swear they underprice some of the gems in there because they don’t know what value they might have.
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On February 21, 2009 Daisy said:
that’s it! I have got to go check out the local TJ Maxx….there’s one less than 20 minutes away and I’ve never even been in it! I never dreamed they would have such treasures!
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On February 21, 2009 vanessa said:
Happy hunting, Daisy! If your local branch is like the UK stores, they get pot luck deliveries every day of the week, so it is worth checking in quite often to spot those real finds. Definitely has become a weekly habit with me – has the same kind of thrill for me as doing the lottery! I don’t know if the pricing is done locally, but if it were it might explain why the high street stuff in my branch tends to hold its value while the niche stuff is relatively cheap. I live in a pretty provincial town, you see, and the value of things may reflect the market the store serves.
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On February 21, 2009 lilydale said:
I had no idea TJ Maxx had infiltrated across the pond, and it sounds like you have a darn good one — aside from the Deseo and Paloma Picasso, I’ve never seen any of the others you mention in mine. Is it “TK Maxx” over there?
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On February 21, 2009 vanessa said:
It is indeed “T K” and I did a double take the first time I read “T J Maxx” but soon twigged it was a US twist on the store name!
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On February 21, 2009 lilydale said:
Huh, I always wonder why companies change names for different countries or regions — like “TK” is somehow more British than “TJ”?! Here in the U.S., the most popular brand of mayonnaise is “Helman’s” east of the Mississippi River, but “Best Foods” west of it (same company, same product), beats me why…
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On February 20, 2009 Jill said:
My most recent purchase is something called Garden of Hespera by Mor Cosmetics. I bought this online totally unsniffed on a whim because I loved the black scalloped bottle with atomizer and the list of notes — and I love the name, it’s so dramatic and mythological sounding! It’s a fig scent with woody undertones, notes of cypress and cedar, ginger, cardamom, and apples are listed. I am quite liking it as it doesn’t smell very similar to anything I already have. The box is also lovely!
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On February 20, 2009 Hollyc said:
Today I am wearing Diorella as it the second most perfect antidote to winter (the first being Diorissimo IMHO) with a little J’Adore L’absolu on my wrists. However, my fingers had a wrestling match and almost grabbed my Montale Aoud Queen Roses, maybe tomorrow. . . Next on my “must possess list” is Cristalle and No. 19, but first I must impose on my fellow bloggers to see who can tell me:
What is the difference between the Cristalle EDT and EDP? While I like the harsh opening greeness of the EDT, it is the mellow animalic drydown I love most, however it is dismally short-lived in the EdT. Do you get the same drydown with the EdP? Is it appreciably longer-lived?
What is the difference between the EdT and EdP in the No. 19?
Love this blog and really appreciate how generous everyone is with their opinions and experience. Thank you everyone!
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On February 20, 2009 bergere said:
Of Cristalle, you might like the EdP more; it is darker and it has more of a winey fruitiness and less of the sparkling citrus. The EdT is harder to find, too. I think the more substantial core of the EdP would last longer. The core of the EdT is a softer floral; I can detect it on my clothes the next day, but it is pretty faint.
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On February 20, 2009 SFLizbeth said:
Agree with Bergere. The impression I get is the edt is more green/moss and the edp is more floral without the emphasis on chypre in the drydown.
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On February 20, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
Agree with bergere…you lose the crispness with the EdP, you get a deeper floral heart. Personally I prefer the EdT & just reapplying, but it’s worth trying the EdP.
Can’t answer about the No. 19, sorry!
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On February 20, 2009 AnnS said:
I can’t say what the difference is directly between the edt and edp of No 19, but if you are sampling/buying this note that what is mostly available for purchase now is a reformulation that is much softer in the dry down than the original. The sharp leathery vetiver is tremendously calmed down. Sample this as much as you can, and make sure when you go to buy you know which version you are getting b/c there may still be some of the original floating around.
Cristalle – I can never tell the difference between the two versions, but it maintains that sharp chypre-ness that the new reformulated No 19 lacks. Sample sample sample…..
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On February 20, 2009 mals86 said:
As a 19 fan, I’ve been snapping up partial bottles/minis from friends and from ebay. I have a tiny bottle of vintage parfum, and some EdT which seems to be vintage as well. The newer formulation of the EdT is bright emerald green and apparently lacks the leathery drydown note I fell in love with when sampling. (Looks like AnnS didn’t like the leather, but it absolutely fascinates me! I got my sample from Perfumed Court, and I think theirs is the older stuff.)
Sorry, I haven’t even tried the EdP. Tried the EdT and that was that — but I agree with AnnS: sample!
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On February 20, 2009 AnnS said:
Real quick: I’d orded a sample of No 19 from TPC before I went on a trip, where voila, I had access to a brand new bottle of No 19. I tried it, and loved it, and bought it. By the time I got home my sample had arrived. I tried the sample and thought maybe it had gone bad. It was the reformulation thing. The sample was cleary the original leathery chypre version (I always have trouble with leather notes). I did some research and realized what happened. I do like the new version though, which is very close to Heure Exquise that I adore. If I may suggest, if you like the chypre quality of Cristalle, then you will most likely also like the original version of No 19.
Also, Nordstrom had the new version of No 19 in stores and online – if you are near one, you can check it out yourself. They also sell on-line Cristalle in both the edt and edp version.
mals86 is right too – make sure you know as much as possible about which version you are testing and liking!
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On February 20, 2009 Hollyc said:
Thank you everyone, sounds like the Cristalle EdP may be closer to the mark for me, although I know the EdT rates much higher. I think I’ll have to hit the Perfumed Court to sample. Seems like where I am Cristalle EdT is easy to find, but No. 19 is very hard to find in EdT. Why, oh why do the perfume houses restrict the distribution of fragrances that people are clammering for? Don’t they want the sales?
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On February 22, 2009 GuerlainGirl said:
Oh NO!!! I LOVE the original No. 19 — do you think the leathery original is still available through discounters? is it just the EDT reformulated or the extrait as well? I’ve had so much difficulty finding the EDP, I thought they’d stopped producing it.
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On February 22, 2009 mals86 said:
All the online discounters I’ve looked at recently seem to show the bright green EDT in their pix, so I didn’t even bother contacting them to ascertain which they had… went straight to ebay (and got 2 unused minis from my mom’s friend who’d had them stashed away). I haven’t looked in any stores, because they’re all at least half an hour’s drive away; much simpler for me to shop online. IMO, the hint of leather in the original drydown just makes the thing. And I’m not really a leather fan — more than a hint is too much for me.
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On February 22, 2009 GuerlainGirl said:
Thank you! that’s so helpful — the bright green juice means re-formulated, yes?
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On February 23, 2009 AnnS said:
I think in your case to find the original, I’d be looking at independent shops and online sites that show any version of the bottle other than the standard tall rectangular edt bottle that doesn’t have a cap and just squirts out the front. I would play the odds that a No 19 bottle that is the “classic style” may still be the original. As far as I know they only have the new edt in the tall rec bottle, etc. And you may be able to find parfum versions of the original lurking around, or even the body lotion. Good luck. I think they really do need to give some fair warning when they change a beloved classic, even though I like the new version.
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On February 20, 2009 mals86 said:
That sounds lovely, and different. Not all that expensive, either.
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On February 20, 2009 Ojeda said:
This sounds amazing. Fig with ginger and apples and cypress! I love everything in that list of notes. Where do they sell this in person?
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On February 20, 2009 Jill said:
I got mine from the Anthropologie web site, so I imagine they might have it at Anthropologie stores as well?
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On February 20, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
Thanks Jill — I’ve been meaning to check out that line & will have to pop into an Anthropologie.
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On February 20, 2009 Ojeda said:
Thanks! I’ve discovered Anthropologie as a nice local place to go to when I feel like I’ve been going to the Sephoras and department store perfume counters a little too often… 😉
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On February 20, 2009 Jill said:
I agree … I confess to being a bit of an Anthropologie addict, but more for their sweaters than their fragrance, LOL.
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On February 21, 2009 AussieBec said:
Mor is a fab Aussie beauty brand. it is so gorgeously packaged. I adore the soaps and highly recommend these.
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On February 20, 2009 Amanda said:
Oooh I too would love dark vanilla recs. My question is Guerlain related. I just received my first samples and am loving both Mitsouko and Nahema. What is your favorite of the two and why?
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On February 20, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
I find Nahema easier to wear, personally, but think Mitsouko is the better of the 2. There, that doesn’t help, does it?
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On February 20, 2009 AnnS said:
OMG – Nahema – *faint*. Nahema is leagues beyond all the other frags I own. I am a huge rose lover and it is the most magnificent version of rose ever created. It is luscious, wonderful & perfect. All superlative adjectives should have a picture of Nahema next to them.
I regret that Mitsouko never works for me. But I will try and try until it clicks.
That being said, I LOVE Chamade (almost as much as Nahema), Vol de Nuit, Shamilar, Jardins de Bagatelle, Attrape Coeur….My point being, there are many wonderful Guerlains to pick from….
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On February 22, 2009 GuerlainGirl said:
I love both Mitsouko and Nahema, although Nahema was instant love for me & Mitsouko took a bit to get. I do love chypres & so finally I understood & fell hard. I wear Nahema on my scarves & when I’m dressed for lunching with girlfriends. I wear Mitsouko to bed & when I’m out for cocktails. I refuse to choose at this point…
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On February 22, 2009 SFLizbeth said:
GuerlainGirl, Have you tried Rose Barbare and Sous la Vent? I tried the former two for the first time yesterday, and was swooning, esp with the Sous la Vent.
I ove Vol de Nuit too…. thinking about purchasing the extrait.
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On February 22, 2009 GuerlainGirl said:
Oh yes! I do love rose barbare, but I haven’t spent enough time with sous la vent. I understand people’s hesitation with rose barbare, but I feel like I’m wearing a red rose out of someone’s memory box — so, like you, I get all swoony. I wore vol de nuit on Christmas Day; its so special. And, I’m wearing apree l’ondee right now. Mmmmmm…
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On February 20, 2009 lilydale said:
Another question… I’ve been wearing L’Air du Desert Marocain and Bandit quite a bit these days (not together — blech), but how do those two hold up in the summer? I know Morocco is hot and dry, but I can’t imagine all that heavy spiciness and incense in sweltering humidity. And is Bandit too too much in summer heat?
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On February 20, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
I think L’Air wears better in summer than you’d imagine…just apply much less (a drop does it, really). Bandit overwhelms me in the heat though. I’m sure there are other opinions though!
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On February 20, 2009 Tama said:
I first tried l’Air in the summer and since it was a sample I just dabbed and it was fine. So, yes, but just a little bit.
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On February 20, 2009 Ojeda said:
I’ve been looking for a perfume that evokes a tropical jungle. Not a ‘tropical’ like Michael Kors Island, nothing beachy and resort-wear-like. More something that evokes vegetation and earthiness and heavy rains, with florals optional. I’m originally from South East Asia so that typhoon-is-coming smell is as homey to me as apple pie is to others! Lately I’ve been on a kick to find it.
I thought Mousson was The One until (ugh) that gigantic melon note blew out everything else. I know I should try Fleur de Liane but I hear there’s melon in that, too, so I’m afraid. Manoumalia is lovely — certainly has the earthiness and modernity that I enjoy — but isn’t ‘rainy’ enough.
OMG does such a thing even exist?
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On February 20, 2009 Tama said:
Get yourself one of those little bottles of Demeter Earthworm and layer it with some florals. I tried it with Demeter Wet Garden and got that kind of earthy green wet smell. That way you could see if you really liked smelling that way without forking over for a big bottle.
Seems like CB would have something along those lines, too, but not sure.
Too bad you are not me, you could just wear Jicky and go around smelling like lavender-scented pond water. Talk about vegetation!
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On February 20, 2009 Ojeda said:
I do enjoy that pond water smell! (I’m probably alone in this, but Un Jardin sur le Nil smells pond-watery to me. LOVE IT.) CB has that forest-y smelling one, Wild Hunt, that I’ve been meaning to try. Not jungle-y but, yeah, that could be close.
Demeters, though… they last for like ten minutes on me. But I haven’t tried the ones you’ve listed. This line is suddenly difficult to (physically) find as well. I remember a few years back, when it first blew up, they were everywhere!
Thanks!
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On February 20, 2009 boojum said:
Wild Hunt is fabulous, but it’s definitely a cool, evergreeny forest with moss and ferns rather than a hot, humid jungle. Might have to get some for my 12 yo dd who adores it, though she might find herself sharing it with her sister, mom and stepdad, since we ALL love it.
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On February 21, 2009 AussieBec said:
How abouit layering Dirt with Wet Garden?
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On February 20, 2009 SFLizbeth said:
Perhaps Terre d’ Hermes?
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On February 20, 2009 Ojeda said:
I do really love TdH, but it lacks a greenness that I guess I’m looking for. But I’ll give it another go, since it’s been a while. Thanks!
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On February 20, 2009 joe805 said:
Ojeda: This might sound strange, but if your’e ever ordering samples of CBIHP, throw in a vial of ‘Memory of Kindness’. You may like it for that green/earth/rain type of vibe.
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On February 20, 2009 Ojeda said:
Cheers, I’ll try that. Man, I really do need to track down a CB stockist.
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On February 20, 2009 Haunani said:
Ojeda, do give Fleur de Liane a try. For me it is watery greenery, a hint of flowers, and lovely fragrant mud. I’m crazy about it! Some might call the watery greenery “melonish”, but I don’t really get that. I grew up in Hawa’i and had been searching for a fragrance that reminded me of a hike in the tropical forest. FdL does it for me!
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On February 20, 2009 Ojeda said:
Thank you, this is the reply I was hoping for! How’s the longevity? Actually, you know what, I don’t care, lol. I’ll buy a gallon if it’s the HG tropical fragrance I’ve been dreaming of.
Time to hunt this frag down.
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On February 21, 2009 joe805 said:
H certainly makes Liane sound tempting! I heard only horror stories about the melon (I actually love Mousson, but figured I didn’t need yet *another* melon), but that sounds terrific!
Ojeda: I was just doing some reading of old reviews in a few places and you might want to also try Annick Goutal Folavril. I’m eager to sample that one myself after reading about it: notes of mango, jasmine, tomato leaf. Robin’s review says it evokes the tropics without resorting to suntan oil or fruity cocktails.
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On February 21, 2009 Ojeda said:
I do wish Mousson would get more credit. People keep complaining about the melon (lol, yes, me included) but the rest of it is stellar — absolute bang-on verisimilitude with the narrative of the ad copy, but nobody really talks about that. I think poor Fleur de Liane just got caught in the post-Mousson melon-trend complain-a-thon. 😉
Thanks for the Folavril rec! I have yet to really like a Goutal, but I’m always tryin’…
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On February 21, 2009 Haunani said:
Ojeda and Joe, I like Mousson too. Melon doesn’t bother me, anyway. Fleur de Liane is more aquatic-but-not-melon, to me. It’s not overly sweet, to my nose. There’s a lot of green – wet green plants. The lasting power is medium on me; still a hint of vetiver at the end of the day. I would love to hear what you think of it!
Oyeda, I’m in the same place with Goutal. I do like, but not love, Mandragore, but that’s about it.
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On February 21, 2009 Ojeda said:
Vetiver! This gets better and better… I’ll definitely track some down if I can this weekend.
H, if you don’t mind me asking, do you have any jasmine sambac and/or frangipani recs, again along the ‘hey this smells like my childhood in the tropics!!’ line? 😉
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On February 21, 2009 Haunani said:
Hi again. I actually do! There is a fairly new Hawaiian line called Saffron James. One of their fragrances is called Le’a, which is a very realistic (IMO) blend of two common varieties of plumeria (Frangipani) found in the islands. Another (their newest) is Nani, which is a warm and sexy pikake (jasmine sambac). Le’a doesn’t last too long on my skin; Nani lasts a long time. They are expensive for the bottle size, but worth it, IMO. The Perfumed Court has samples; Beautyhabit sells the bottles.
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On February 21, 2009 lovethescents said:
Oh Haunani! I adore Saffron James! I’ve only tried Le’a and Ume. Le’as doesn’t last too too long but it is so soft and lovely and light. Ume is darker and juicier and gorgeous as well. I haven’t tried the other two as the PCourt samples are sooooooooooo expensive! Plus, shipping outside of the US is painfully expensive.
Thanks for mentioning this fabulous line that I’m forever seeking out
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On February 21, 2009 AussieBec said:
I recomment Intense Tiare by Montale. My perfect Tiare scent.
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On February 21, 2009 Ojeda said:
They both sound AMAZING. Thank you so much! I would never have learned of this line otherwise.
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On February 23, 2009 bergere said:
Another place to try is the Ormonde Jayne line. There are a number of tropical flower scents, and all are lovely: Frangipani, Osmanthus, Champaca. They are obviously tropical without being beachy; while some have a fruity note (the Frangipani reminds me of guavas), they are not gourmands, either. Also a good, non-cloying tropical is Manoumalia by Les Nez, which has tiare flower.
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On February 20, 2009 Kelly said:
Today I am wearing Coco Mlle., it’s my comfort scent.
I have been enjoying my samples from luckyscent, Monyette Paris and Debut (great rec. from summer scents blog.)
This spring/summer I look forward to sampling Bronze Goddess, PdN Eau d’Ete and Eau Exotique, AG Hadrien, Chanel No. 5, Carthusia Mediterraneo, and others! Can’t wait for those sunny days!
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On February 20, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
I can’t wait either! But Mediterraneo esp. is what I wear in winter when I miss summer.
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On February 20, 2009 capillary said:
I have another concentration question: what is your preferred concentration of L’Heure Bleue? Is the EDT acceptable? Is parfum vastly better than the EDP? What are the differences? Remember that I’m a student and would rather not splurge on an extrait…
Thanks!
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On February 20, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
IMHO, in this case they really do improve as they go up in concentration…the EdP is better than the EdT, the parfum is better than the EdP. Perhaps buy a sample of the parfum (The Perfumed Court might have it) and see what you think?
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On February 21, 2009 capillary said:
Thanks to you both! I was afraid of that. I may have to compromise with the EDP.
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On February 21, 2009 SFLizbeth said:
EDP or Perfume is preferred to edt…. so much deeper/richer….
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On February 20, 2009 romaayden said:
Today I am wearing Le Lebo’s, yes thats two as on a whim I sprayed my fav Patch 24 then glanced at the Tubereose 40 and lightly sprayed that. The result: people on the street were asking me what I was wearing and how good it smelled.
My recent purchases were from ebay :Serge Lutens Daim Blonde and Dozonka so total damages this year are $110 for both bottles. with a savings of over $100 if purchased retail!!
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On February 20, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
Interesting, love both of those LLs but never would have thought to put them together! And wow, congrats — you got great deals on those last 2.
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On February 20, 2009 perfumelaydee said:
My husband is looking for a fragrance that is NOT a EDT or a cologne. He was pure parfum. Does this exist for a man? He wants one that will last. Not spicey, not too floral. Oh, maybe this is in the help look for a fragrance. But you said we can ask anything concerning perfume, cologne, etc.
I’m wearing Park Avenue today by Bond No. 9. Such a classy, light fragrance for the office.
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On February 20, 2009 joe805 said:
Is the main issue lasting power? I’ve had EDTs of some products that seem stronger than EDPs of another brand. I’ve never seen any traditional men’s product that’s available in “parfum” strength, though. What fragrances has he worn or liked in the past? It might be easier to suggest something with more lasting power if we knew more about the type of scent he likes.
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On February 20, 2009 joe805 said:
Just adding that I believe the entire Montale line are Eau de Parfum strength, and many quite unisex, so if you and he could manage to sample those? I find their lasting power quite good.
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On February 20, 2009 AnnS said:
Montale’s Chypre Fruite which has a suble pine-y note would smell *amazing* on a man!
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On February 20, 2009 Hollyc said:
Second that. Montales are very concentrated and long lasting. Two that I have tried and liked for myself are Aromatic Lime and Marine Fougere. Both are labeled unisex, but of Montale’s offerings, I believe they are more masculine and very, very nice. Montale is hard to beat.
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On February 20, 2009 SFLizbeth said:
There’s a perfume in pure strength by Henri Jacques. Available in SF only, I believe.
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On February 20, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
Perfumelaydee, Caron Impact Pour Homme is an extrait (parfum).
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On February 20, 2009 Tama said:
Today I have to eat some words and realize that Montale’s Jasmine Full is really pretty awesome. I had recently said that I could get a good jasmine in the hippie shop, which I can, but after wearing the Jasmine Full a couple more times, and wearing more each time, yum. I thought it was more expensive, and it has gone on my wish list. I have it layered today with a great lotion called “Tendre es la Nuit” by Exquises Tentations, which is available through La Bouquetiere. One of my fave Jasmine scents, and together I am knocking myself right out.
No purchases for me at all, not even a sample! Too poor. Whine.
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On February 20, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
I don’t know why I’ve never fallen for Jasmine Full. I feel like I should.
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On February 20, 2009 AnnS said:
Oh good for you Tama! I ate some frag crow at the end of last year over Covet….it is what it is. I love a good jasmine too! I am still dipping into my decant, but one of these days…..Another great jasmine, though an oriental, is the Givenchy Organza Jasmine Harvest 2007. It smells like jasmine-apricots.
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On February 20, 2009 Tama said:
I love those Organza Harvests, but have a huge bottle of Organza to get through. Maybe when I am flush again, I’ll think about adding that in.
I got a sample of Covet the other day and was sorry I didn’t pick it up when it was $20 at TJ Maxx.
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On February 20, 2009 Zoe said:
I seem to be on a spending/wanting spree after having successfully avoided it in my first perfumania year… Ouch.
So far, I’ve only actually bought Eau Parfumée au Thé Rouge and decants of Carthusia Ligea and Ava Luxe Opoponax Intense, but I am considering Ava Luxe Moroccan Mint Tea and No. 23, and have pretty much decided on a travel spray of Ambre Narguilé. Ambre Russe is also something I at *least* need a sizeable decant of.
I also need-need-need Dark Amber & Ginger Lily, which I only fell in love with (or even got to sample) after it had disappeared. Any news on it being reintroduced? I know there were rumours to that effect.
So *sigh*. But hey, maybe it’s just a sign of my tastes maturing? You know, feeling confident enough that I could commit to those purchases knowing I’ll love them for a long time. Now if I only had unlimited funds…
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On February 20, 2009 Lauriej said:
I did speak to the JM rep and they are bring back Dark amber and ginger lily in April!!! YEAH!!
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On February 20, 2009 Zoe said:
Oh, they BETTER do so! Birthday present to self, then. Noted. Thank you!
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On February 20, 2009 sarah said:
does anyone know if Elizabeth Arden are going to have anymore Britney/ Mariah/Hilary Duff/ fragrances coming out?!!!! lol!!!
I’m obsessed!
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On February 20, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
Gosh, I’m sure they are. Don’t know what or when, but would be shocked if at least Britney & Mariah didn’t have more. HD, not so sure.
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On February 20, 2009 romaayden said:
Hi does anyone know where to find the now discontinued skatkin black fig & absinthe edp?? have been stalking ebay and grooming salon no such luck of course you know how you want something even more when you can’t have it??? Any help appreciated. Thanks
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On February 20, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
Sorry, no! Wonder if you could layer Etro Anice w/ something to get the same effect? Of course, that would make it more expensive.
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On February 20, 2009 sarah said:
I’d say Boudoir is my second favourite frag…but cos my bottle is almost 8 years old (yikes) I haven’t worn it for at least 3 years and hardly at all for years before that!!!
I agree with Ann S about having loads of perfumes u love and barely wearing them….having looked at my collection yesterday i’ve decided there’s a few old faves that I’d like to replace so that i can actually wear them again…
1) versace baby rose jeans…the pink one!
2) Balenciaga Cristobal
3) of course Boudoir!!
it’s probably cos I’m so busy buying hundreds of new ones it never seems as exciting to replace an old fave!!
I think the few I’ve mentioned have strong memories of the time I had them cos I only (!) had six or so and they of course got used more!
then in 2003 along came glamorous…and I added that to my fairly small collection…damn I wish that was still being made!
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On February 20, 2009 AnnS said:
OMG – I feel a girly moment coming on – I used to have a bottle of Baby Rose Jeans that I gave away. (It seemed to only work for me in the city I bought it where I no longer live…I liked it for about three months during the impossibly hot and humid Pittsburgh summer.) I wish I still had it. I recently tested the Drole de Roses and I realized that Baby rose is a cheaper version of the same. Funny how things work.
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On February 20, 2009 sarah said:
it’s funny how we associate them with memories isn’t it?!!
I have this thing at the mo where the perfumes I wear the most continue to remind me of the first time i wore them…even though iv been wearing them loads since!
for example Believe reminds me of sunny weather on my long commute to work last year!
…the ones I mentioned above all remind me of 2000-2002 era!…would be quite bizarre to start wearing those again now!
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On February 21, 2009 AnnS said:
That’s always the case for me about scent and memories. Sometimes it is really funny how it works, esp. when a frag will give you flashbacks of things you’ve forgotten.
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On February 21, 2009 Daisy said:
I’ve never heard of Baby Rose Jeans….but it sounds like I would have liked it! My list of “Next Purchases” reads like this:
1. L’Artisan Drole de Rose
2. Comme des Garcons Red series- Carnation
3. Divine L’ame soeur
4. Divine L’inspiratrice
of course the purchase list is always changing and is (sadly) finances dependant (rats!) ….
say, am I the only one who keeps a note pad right here while reading these open-ended polls adding perfume after perfume to the list??? So many great suggestions…so few wrists!
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On February 21, 2009 AnnS said:
Baby Rose Jeans is a Versace frag. There is also Baby Blue Jeans, and I think one other? I’ve never smelled the others. BRJ is a sweetish, light, rose frag with maybe a little mimosa or violets. It did pretty well in extreme heat. It has that crazy pink girlishness that Drole has. Very light. The bottle is not so interesting. You can still find it at frag discounters on-line.
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On February 22, 2009 AnnS said:
Let me just jump back in here and say that I don’t want anyone to think that BRJ smells like the wonderful powdery delicacy of Drole de Rose. But BRJ is a light, powder peach rose that is sweet. It would be like DdR x 10 plus a dash of splenda.
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On February 20, 2009 kess said:
Is there such as thing as an “iris and incense” fragrance?
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On February 20, 2009 Ojeda said:
Olivier Durbano Amethyst has orris in it, though I don’t know if I’d call it an iris fragrance. But fruits on top, florals in the middle, incense at the bottom, for sure.
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On February 20, 2009 AnnS said:
An absolutely wonderful iris and bone dry sandalwood is Annick Goutal Heure Exquise. The sandalwood has that dry spicy wood thing, though it’s not incense, it sure is warm and sensual.
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On February 20, 2009 joe805 said:
That’s sort of how I’d describe Dzongkha (which is amazing), but I don’t know if anyone thinks I’m off base with that?
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On February 20, 2009 boojum said:
Joe, I could see that w/Dzongkha on someone else (I get the celery soup effect, but still love it, lol). As for me… Prada’s Infusion d’Iris smells *exactly* like some cone incense I used to burn, probably 15 years ago, so that’s iris and incense to me.
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On February 20, 2009 Haunani said:
Joe, I would describe Dzongkha as iris & incense. It is amazing, all right!
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On February 21, 2009 kess said:
Interesting… Somehow I don’t get iris in Dzongkha. Maybe I will try it with Hiris for more of an incense effect.
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On February 21, 2009 Zoe said:
Isn’t Zagorsk the textbook iris + incense?
I liked it a lot, in any case. Definitely loads of iris in that one.
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On February 21, 2009 Haunani said:
Going to have to try Zagorsk, I guess. Of that series, I’ve only tried Kyoto, which I adore.
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On February 25, 2009 lovethescents said:
Zagorsk is cold incense and burning candles (the homemade variety) with birch trees swaying around in the blowing wind. I love it. Since we’re CdG-ing ourselves here, I also love Avignon which smells exactly like the Catholic church during Easter with burning incense, strong, heavy woods, and a touch of water.
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On February 20, 2009 Valkyrie said:
Ladies I would love some ylang- ylang recomendations. Soliflores or anything with a strong ylang- ylang note. I am a tried and true incense/ oriental girl just begining to realize my love for some florals. I have already got great recs for jasmine, honeysuckle, and iris from reading NST, but haven’t seem to come across any praise for ylang- ylang scents.
Recently Soivohle Jo Jo stole my heart, it wasn’t the “drinking coffee in a lush tropical garden at night” scent I was hoping for but instead a coffee free ode to ylang- ylang that sang on my skin. But now it looks to be discontinued, and as it was from the natural perfumery line my wallet rejoices though my heart despairs.
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On February 21, 2009 joe805 said:
I hope your wallet forgives me for suggesting this, but you might want to send an email to Liz at Soivohle and ask her about availability of JoJo…. you never know if she has some stock and just doesn’t have it on her website.
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On February 21, 2009 vanessa said:
For ylang ylang I enjoy Plus que Jamiais (Guerlain) and Promesse de L’Aube (MCDI). They are both orientals.
Then there is Annick Goutal Songes, which is very lush, also oriental, though it is a bit heady for me.
More high street / obvious – and more accessible in terms of stockists – would be Agent Provocateur Maitresse. The note is quite pronounced in that.
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On February 21, 2009 AnnS said:
I’ll second Songes for ylang ylang which is a major note.
Also, Guerlain’s Aqua Allegorica Ylang & Vanille is exactly what it says! I think it is much more “sheer” than Songes, though very similar. A lot less expensie too.
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On February 22, 2009 rrazzell on MUA (was Robin) said:
Another ylang worth trying is Parfumerie Generale’s Ivohibe. It’s sunny and fresh, and the ylang is front and center. Notes: Madagascan ylang-ylang, Californian orange, Egyptian jasmine, and a forest of vanilla plants!
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On February 20, 2009 boojum said:
Coming to this so late in the day, maybe no one will respond…or maybe this would make a good poll in the future? For someone just beginning to build a collection, what 5 frags would you recommend as a “basic fragrance wardrobe”?
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On February 21, 2009 joe805 said:
Boojum, my primary reaction is that that’s not a question that should be asked or answered directly. I feel you’d get many different answers, and none might be right for *you* specifically.
Even more generic answers might not be a good fit. For example, just saying, “One should have one citrus, one floral, one wood, and one incense” wouldn’t work if someone detests citrus.
The only think I could recommend — which worked for me — was just sampling and sampling. I had no idea what a real “incense” or “oriental” or “chypre” was when I started a couple years ago, until I smelled some samples that fit those categories. I knew I loved citrus, so I started out sampling lots of those, but I also expanded my horizons. I also bought on ebay a lot of relatively inexpensive ($30-$60) used partial bottles of “niche” scents I’d read about. I loved some more than others, but it helped me realize what’s out there. If there’s are some good dept stores and Sephora near you, take advantage of testing lots of things there.
I guess I’d also go back to what Robin often says: it’s not what other people think are the “best 5 basic scents”, its what 5 really make you swoon — and also the ones you think you’ll be able to actually wear in a variety of situations. One of your five might be a special occasion evening scent, another might be an everyday scent you can wear to the grocery store. Sorry for the long response. Hope it helped.
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On February 21, 2009 boojum said:
Oh no, I totally understand that…it was more of a fun question rather than “which 5 should I buy”. ..that’s why I said maybe it should just be a separate poll for a rainy day. Thanks though!
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On February 21, 2009 AnnS said:
boojum – my suggestions to you are the following: 1. only buy full bottles of frags you actually like. If you do that, in about one year you will have picked out 5 bottles (maybe), and whether they are all white flowers, musks, incencses, leathers, etc, you will actually LIKE them. 2. Don’t go looking to buy something just b/c you think you should. The moment you’ve sprayed it and spent $$, another frag will be released that you like much much more. Learn how to avoid FB regret. 3. Go to one of the online decanters, like Perfumed Court, and search frags by note or house, either of which can be a lot of fun. Dump sample selections into your account. Do lots of research. 4. Make yourself a budget or spending plan. How much per quarter, per month, etc. You don’t want to go broke just buying full bottles that you actually don’t care about. (There was a lean stretch for me when I didn’t like any of approximately 45 samples I’d ordered over the period of about 3 months. What can you do?) ….After a while, you will have a collection that matches your tastes, lifestyle, etc. And collections and interests are always changing and growing. Don’t force it. Your goal should be to learn about frags and then acutally own bottles you really love.
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On February 21, 2009 Regina said:
I agree that it’s impossible to say what fragrances will work just right for you. But I’ve found that I need at least one fragrance for work, one for casual wear outside of work, and one for evenings out and “special occasions” – and you can multiply that by 2 if you’ve chosen scents that only work in warm or cold weather. But within those groups, it’s really a matter of your personal taste!
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On February 21, 2009 Younge said:
Generally I’ve always been discouraged from wearing perfume to the office, but some scents make me feel capable and powerful. So, I do it anyway, it puts me in a good headspace for the rest of the day.
One is L’Artisan Fou D’Absinthe. It’s the scent equivalent of a powersuit for me. Also like a powersuit, many others don’t find it nearly as attractive as the wearer so one must be careful with how much and wear.
I’m curious whether anyone else has scents for the office or work in general that make you feel on top of your game?
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On February 21, 2009 Tama said:
Since I am job-hunting, I think pretty hard about wearing fragrance on interviews. I have worn small dabs of CdG 2 because it seems so modern to me, and also potentially unattractive to someone else. I also like Bvlgari Blv and Lolita Lempicka in small doses. Basically I try to keep it so only I can smell and and if they can they’re too close. My “corporate” scent for a while was Trend by Les Copains, which I still have. Not sure what category it’s in, but I think of it as a stainless steel kind of thing, all business.
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On February 21, 2009 lilydale said:
I read recently that you should NEVER wear perfume to a job interview, since you have no idea about the interviewer’s tastes or even allergies, but it’s so hard to forgo that olfactory armor. I’m looking for work too, but no one’s hiring, so I haven’t had to worry about interview scents, sigh…
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On February 21, 2009 AnnS said:
I have another unusual point of view to add to the job interview issue. So often interviews are just painfully bad experiences, depressing, etc. I never really want to have a frag that reminds me of those experiences given that I have such a strong scent memory. Save the frag for after the interview when you are in your car decompressing, or even at home, taken a shower, etc. Use the frags to lift your spirit afterward rather than during. It is always possible that a frag could be impressive for an outfit or someone you’ve never met, etc. but lilydale is right. With frag being so subjective it would be heartbreaking if you lost a job b/c someone didn’t like the way you smell.
That being said, when I want to wear frag to some business situation, I tuck a wee dab into my cleavage. That way I’m pretty much the only one who smells it. If I wanted to really boost my business spirit even if just a hint, I’d pick 31 Rue Cambon or L’Interdit. Good luck!
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On February 22, 2009 Tama said:
You’re right about the painfully bad experience factor, yeesh!! I hate them – so nerve-wracking, and then you think you’ve nailed it and never hear a word.
I don’t usually wear more than a tiny dab of anything to an interview, and on my decollete or cleavage, like you. And I do go “naked”, too, just kind of depends on the situation.
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On February 22, 2009 AussieBec said:
I always wear perfume to work and have never had a complaint. When going to interviews I generally will pick a scent that is on the conservative side and with low sillage so as not to overwhelm anyone. Stella or Apres L’Ondee are both nice choices.
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On February 22, 2009 sarah said:
I do wear perfume to work but have my reservations about ones that might be too strong or sweet…hmmm, half my collection ruled out then lol!
I wore the original Kate Moss for my interview and I think it’s a really good work one as it’s quite fresh smelling.
My bottle of Chloe has gone a bit off colour (the actual bottle as opposed to the perfume – I only got it in August!) so I think I’ll use that up for work too.
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On February 21, 2009 Regina said:
I wear FM L’eau d’hiver or Hermes Kelly Caleche or Stella when I want a gentle scent that won’t offend anyone, Passage d’Enfer when I feel I’m going to need calming and focusing, and Dzing when I want to have a tough, no-nonsense kind of day…
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On February 21, 2009 Ojeda said:
Heeley Figuier — green, figgy, and so sharp, especially in the opening, that I feel very clear-headed when I wear it. Sillage is minimal, and the drydown is a figgy musk.
If I had them, I’d also wear Un Jardin sur la Nil or Kelly Caleche, or even the Chanel no. 19 edt. Actually, I feel most comfortable at work in green scents. I find something unfussy and alert about them.
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On February 22, 2009 Bee said:
third Kelly Calèche, the slight crispness of it makes a great spring-workday job perfume!
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On February 22, 2009 GuerlainGirl said:
Chanel No. 19 definitely makes me feel like I’m wear heels and a great suit. “Sexy woman in charge with with laser pointer in hand.”
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On February 23, 2009 AnnS said:
I like to wear my No 19 with my white shirs and pearls too! It feels classic, crisp and just perfect. Another “white shirt” frag I love is Lancome Magie from La Collection. (Magie smells very much like Arpege without the leather notes.)
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On February 21, 2009 AussieBec said:
Hi, my brother is going to Sydney in a week or so and I want to send him to Hermes and Chanel. My question is, which exclusifs and/or hermessences would you recommend for someone who hasn’t got any so far.
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On February 21, 2009 vanessa said:
If he was bringing the scents back for YOU, I’d say:
Chanel: 31 rue Cambon, Bois des Iles, Bel Respiro, Cuir de Russie, La Pausa, Gardenia, Beige.
Hermes: Osmanthe Yunnan
For himself – sorry, I don’t know what male ones there are in those lines!
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On February 21, 2009 MarianneW said:
First of all, what a superpost is this! .. my input is a little bit unusual: I am not wearing any perfume for some time now because I am taking care of somebody who is going through chemotherapy.
She is very very sensitive for odours and smells and my solution is to go to the store, spray something on a piece of paper, enjoy a few snifs and put the paper somewhere deep in my purse.
This is also a way to stay in touch with myself for this is quite overwhelming to go through as a bystander.
love to you xoxo
Marianne Winia.
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On February 21, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
Oh, that does sound overwhelming. Best wishes to you and to her…
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On February 21, 2009 lilydale said:
Sometimes when I go out perfume sniffing I bring a book and stick the sample cards inside — it keeps them separate, preserves the scents somewhat, makes the book smell nice, and keeps the smells contained within the covers. Perhaps this might work for you? Chemo can really do a number on the senses, and I feel for both you and your friend/loved one…
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On February 22, 2009 MarianneW said:
That is a very nice idea lilydale. When she sleeps I spend time reading books and putting a card with a fragrance inside a book gives me an opportunity to enjoy perfume a bit more.
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On February 22, 2009 AussieBec said:
Thanks for your recs. I don’t care what he would like though cos the perfumes are MINE, ALL MINE!!! Seriously, he doesn’t really need bottles of perfume that run in the hundreds and I just bought him a new laptop for his birthday so I reckon he has been spoilt enough for a while.
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On February 21, 2009 AlbertCAN said:
Lucky you! I would pick Osmanthe Yunnan for Hermes and 31 rue Cambon are great starting points but here are my thoughts if you want more choices.
Hermessence is a unsex collection so it’s up to the individual whether a scent works for s/he. Personally I think Osmanthe Yunnan is still the best of the bunch (one of my all-time favorites, actually), but I’m also partial to Vetiver Tonka. BTW I really enjoy the new Vanille Galante, although the latter may be a bit much for some lads (perfect for a lady IMHO). Ambre Narguilé and Poivre Samarcande are not for me so I don’t know if I can justify a recommendation. The rest (Paprika Brasil, Rose Ikebana, Brin de Reglisse) are totally judgement calls–they only work for me on the right occasions. (For instance Paprika works really, really well in a hot climate–a bit shocking because it falls flat in colder conditions…like where I live!)
As for Les Exclusifs there’s more emphasis on the ladies so I haven’t tried many of them on me. As a guy I would say Sycomore (vetiver) and Bel Respiro (fresh herbal) works well for me (though I find persistence an issue with Bel Respiro). Personally I think 31 rue Cambon is clearly one of the best editions within the collection, along with the classic Ernest Beaux creations (Bois des Iles and Cuir de Russie). Now, some enjoys 28 La Pausa, Coromendel very much…but again it’s a judgement call for me. (As Robin may knows I’m an iris nut…but on my skin 28 La Pausa vanishes rather quickly.) BTW I would classify the newest addition (Beige) roughly along the same category as Vanille Galante, though Beige is a bit more lush. No. 22 is an aldehyde floral so that may be too much as a starting point.
Just so you know, Gardenia and Sycomore have been reworked extensively so they bear no resemblence to the Gardenia/Sycomore creations from the Coco Chanel era…pick them if you like they way they smell (Gardenia doesn’t smell like gardenias…more like a tart white floral and Sycomore is now a vetiver scent).
I hope this helps!
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On February 22, 2009 AussieBec said:
Thank you for your well thought out suggestions. They are very helpful. I think that the Hermes scent will be Osmanthe Yunnan but still undecided about the Chanel. I wil order a sample pack of all their exclusifs but I won’t get them in time for this trip. Someone is always in Sydney pretty much every month but this month is special in that my sister in law is going with my brother and she is much more willing to shop for me than my brother. I am not a huge fan of Vetiver or iris but I can appreciate almost any frag. The only frag I flat out refuse to let near me is Secretions Magnifique. I loathe this scent.
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On February 22, 2009 Bee said:
don’t tell me some Chanel boutiques give out samples.. the nearest one here (Zürich, Switzerland) refused to give me more than one spray of BdI
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On February 22, 2009 AlbertCAN said:
I’m afraid it varies from boutique to boutique. Some have gotten all the samples from the Paris flagship while others (like me) have been denied almost completely at the local branch. (I haven’t visited the boutique for a very long time but I know the policy still holds.) Mind you, Chanel gives out scent cards in embossed envelopes…
I’ve been told that 2 samples per customer are allowed in the US, but samples are only given out in Canada after purchase (you know, in case a person wants an exchange or store credit). So it’s a bit frustrating–I wish the policy is more cut and dry.
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On February 22, 2009 lovethescents said:
So true and so wrong! Was at Montreal’s Holt Renfrew at the Chanel boutique and asked for samples. The SA frowned and said that’s for those who purchase bottles. “But why would you need the sample if you’ve bought the whole bottle?”, I replied. She repeated the no, quite firmly. I mumbled to my friend that stores are given samples for free by the manufacturer and shouldn’t be hoarded by staff…this obviously didn’t help but I felt better. Cue Absolutely Fabulous’s comment about ” drop the attitude you work in a shop”
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On February 24, 2009 AussieBec said:
Absolutely any time you buy a scent I would take the oportunity to ask for as many samples as you can possibly get away with. They usually are way more generous if they think that there is a chance you may come back for more.
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On February 24, 2009 AussieBec said:
I don’t know if they will give out samples but was just planning to get the set from The Perfumed Court for next time I get to Sydney. I have never even been into a Chanel boutique but I can usually coerce samples out of the meanest sales assistant. I find that showing off your perfume knowledge puts them on the back foot and when they are in your total awe they will give you all the samples you want. I have six Tom Ford Private Collection littlesample bottles and may try for some more soon! This way, I may never have to buy a bottle of these ridiculously expensive scents.
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On February 25, 2009 lovethescents said:
Well you are a little gem aren’t you! You should be a lawyer…advocating for the likes of me!
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On February 21, 2009 Daisy said:
I’m testing more roses tonight….my endless search for the perfect rose ….. today: Guerlain Rose Barbare on one arm, Lancome Mille et une roses on the other.
Rose Barbare….boy is this a granny-fragrance on me! All old and musty…quite a disappointment. Thank goodness it only lasted about an hour! I have sampled only 5 or 6 Guerlain frags and they all smell bad on me (so sad) Am I the only person who can’t seem to wear Guerlain?
Mille et Une Roses….lemons and tea rose, a little bit “boozy”? Definitely a summer rose scent…might have to buy this one.
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On February 21, 2009 AnnS said:
Hi Daisy – if you are searching for the perfect rose you should check out the roses from Sonoma Scent Studio website. The perfumer, Laurie Erickson, has a real way with roses. Her Velvet Rose is a perfect rose soliflore. You may also enjoy Miller Harris Geranium Bourbon, L’Artisan Drole de Roses or Voleur de Roses, Annick Goutal’s Rose Absolue or even Ce Soir ou Jamais which is a little darker. There are many good roses to pick from so good luck! I have a bunch and am always looking for more! Mille et Une Rose is definitely light and powdery rose.
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On February 22, 2009 SFLizbeth said:
I second AnnS’s rec. Sonoma Scent Studio’s Velvet Rose is amazing, very lush and rich. If you like a light, green rose, Jo Malone’s Red Roses is amazing. Composed of seven different types of roses, with violet leaves and a touch of lemon. I think that might be up your alley.
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On February 22, 2009 Daisy said:
thanks Ann and Lizbeth for the suggestions. I’m planning on a FB of Drole de rose (love that one) I’ve got a sample of the Jo Malone coming (from Luckyscent) I think the miller harris too…I’d have to check (sometimes I go a little crazy when ordering a sample batch ) I’ll definitely go take a look at Sonoma stuff….the Velvet Rose sounds beee-uu-tifullll…..I love roses! Darn good thing I have birthday AND anniversary coming up in the next couple months! (at least my hubby never has to worry about what to get for me on special occasions…the perfume list is always suspiciously handy….)
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On February 22, 2009 AnnS said:
Let me also suggest the shea cream for the SSS Velvet Rose which is just wonderful! I never really noticed the Jo Malone line too much. I’m awaiting a sample of Red Roses too. I’m very hopeful it will have that wonderful freshness! I’d really like to add one or two more roses to my collection for the summer. I’m also considering adding either YSL Paris or the new EL Beautiful….hmm.
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On February 22, 2009 Daisy said:
I just was at the SSS website and ordered 6 samples…of course I started with Velvet Rose….then it sort of snowballed; but I’m quite used to that. If this goes on my “to buy list” it will be the absolute LAST thing I’m adding! you know, until at least June…
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On February 22, 2009 mals86 said:
I have the Velvet Rose too… It’s very nice, although I could wish that it had less patchouli. It is not overdone, but I think I’m super-sensitive to patch. It’s just that I will suffer a lot for the big armfuls of dewy roses you get with this scent.
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On February 22, 2009 Daisy said:
Does the velvet rose have a lot of patchouli? They say on their website that they mix it up when you order (?) so I suppose that you could always inquire about having it made with less.
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On February 22, 2009 SFLizbeth said:
The patchouli in Velvet Rose gives it a grounded, moist-earth feeling. It’s not overly dry & woodsy (IMO). Try emailing Laurie to get her input, I get the feeling she’s pretty accessible.
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On February 23, 2009 AnnS said:
Yes, you should contact Laurie directly through her SSS email. She really cares whether her frags will work with people. Also, I am patch challenged. But I really like Stella, Prada, Bal a Versailles, etc. Velvet Rose does not really have a discernable patch note, not anything like other patch roses out there like Voleur de Roses, Paestum Rose, Stella, etc etc. It really just smells like “tea rose”. It is very beautiful., gardeny, dewey rose. You won’t even realize its there most likely.
Did you pick up a sample of the new Lieu de Reves? It is so beautiful and soft. It is a powdery violet scent that is perfect for spring. I can’t wait for the seasons to change!
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On February 22, 2009 sarah said:
Amanda – what magazine was the Paris comment in? Thanks!
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On February 23, 2009 Zazie33 said:
I love SL’s Borneo 1834 as soon as the top –ashtray kind of – notes settle into what I think is a beautiful drydown. Could you suggest me something similar, without that harsh cigarette opening (at least 30 min on my skin)? I often find Borneo compared with Coromandel, but I have a HUGE problem with 99,999% of the Chanels, and Coromandel is no exception. I do like Coromandel’s middle stage, but I would never wear that signature Chanel aldehydic BLAST. I find Fumerie Turque quite similar to B, but it is way too sweet for my taste (I have a very low sweet-powder tolerance).
Any hints?
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On February 23, 2009 Blimunda said:
I recently became aware of how attracted I am to cardommom as a scent. I love smelling it in seed and powder form, and it is in two scents that I own and love – TF’s Oud Wood and OJ’s Ormonde Woman.
Can anyone recommend other fragrances with cardommom?
THANK YOU!
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On February 23, 2009 Tama said:
Dolce & Gabanna’s The One for men has cardamom in it but it is kind of weird. I was actually able to identify the cardamom the fist time I tried it on, though, which was a major perfumista-in-training breakthrough for me! lol No idea why I even have a sample – must have gone into a bag of perfume I bought somewhere.
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On February 23, 2009 SFLizbeth said:
How about Cologne du 68 and Parfum Sacre.
Parfum Sacre is a sweet floral warmed by vanilla and spices. The opening is jasmine and orange, middle is myrrh with mace and cardamom. The rose emerges in the spice along with sweet vanilla and a bare hint of woods in the extreme dry-down.
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On February 23, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
A few that come to mind: Acqua di Biella Janca, Hermes Apres La Mousson, The Different Company Jasmin de Nuit, NellyRodi Cardamome
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On February 23, 2009 Tara said:
I am sorry I am posting this so late. We just got back from President’s week vacation. I am a 1980s girl and was wondering what people thought was the quintessential 1980s perfume. I loved loved loved Opium, Paris and Tatiana. Sometimes I jwish BIG hair was back in style and we could all just dance the night away!!
Thanks for the memories…..
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On February 24, 2009 Tama said:
Poison all the way! Oh, I wore Jontue and Tatiana and Pavlova, but Poison was the one that rocked my world.
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On February 24, 2009 SFLizbeth said:
Poison, Opium, Giorgio, Fendi, and Paloma Picasso.
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On February 24, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
Hope it was a great vacation! Paris & Calyx are big on my list.
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On February 24, 2009 perfumelaydee said:
Thanks for the recommendations. Sorry for responding so late. I will definitely let my husband know about the fragrances and we will start sampling. Robin, thanks for the Caron recommendation. Right now my husband uses Geir, Anglous sous plais (sp?) by FM and BVL by Bvlgari. We are on a mission to find a fragrance that last. Oh yes, we will explore the Montales. Thanks again.
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On February 24, 2009 NowSmellThis said:
Good luck, hope he’ll find something!
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On February 27, 2009 Blimunda said:
Thanks for the cardamom tips Tama, SFLizbeth and Robin. I ordered samples of the Nelli Rodi and the Parfum Sacre to start with, and will check out The One in Boots this afternoon!
It’s great being a budding perfumista. I’ve been noticing how my olfactory senses have been developing, and I am beginning to differentiate between scents I admire ‘intellectually’ and scents I admire ‘animalistically’. At first, I just grabbed at things I admired without really giving them a chance over time, because they appealed to me conceptually (Douce Amere being one of them!) After a few ‘intellectual’ purchases, I realised that i was not going to wear them and promptly sold them on ebay!
I’d been having a weird little battle with my ego, who was trying to convince me that I am an ‘edgy’, ‘avant garde’ perfumista who can wear ‘difficult’ scents that are unusual and challenging. HA! After exploring Serge Lutens, I realise that I am an ADMIRER of the weird and wonderful, but want to spend money on the gorgeous and wearable (to me, anyway – I realise this is all totally subjective). Cuir Mauresque is the only SL I would buy a full bottle of, (so far anyway!!!) and only when my Tabac Blond runs out!
So – my 2009 resolution is to continue to enjoy sampling whilst being honest with myself about what I WANT to wear – rather than constructing false standards for what I SHOULD wear.
Hence the cardamom request!!