You know the drill: ask a question about fragrance. Anything: where to buy something, what's the best rose 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. Or just show off your brand new gravatar. Anything you want.
Then see if anyone else has asked a question that you can answer.
Note: image is orange blossom by wetwater at flickr; some rights reserved.
I was just recently introduced to Sonoma Scent Studio,and love several of her fragrances,really looking forward to tabac aurea.
It’s a great line, and reasonably priced.
I have her Velvet Rose but am finding that I don’t like it as much as I thought I did.
Must go post that bottle over on scentsplits so somebody can enjoy it.
I’m really looking forward to testing Tabac Aurea too – I had a chance to smell it before it was finished and it was really really well done – I’m hopeful for the final version. It would be my first “tobacco” scent.
I’d love know about SSS too
Please Help: Looking for a bright citrus (no “fresh” note, no “aquatic” note, please) that also has no Bergamot and no Coconut. Extra points if it has a little detectable musk or vanilla in the base.
Nordstrom has a citrus by Dior called Escale a POrtofino (I looked it up after my rant). Notes are: ” A lush combination of Dior’s most delicious notes, the fruits and flowers of Italy and the brio of golden Portofino. A glorious experience of fresh top notes of bergamot and citron, tempting middle notes of almond and orange blossom, and base notes of cool cypress essence. ” I only did a scent strip but it was really refreshing, and a woman who does not normally like Dior was snapping up a bottle.
thanks, Tama, but I’m a little afraid of that bergamot note, which tends to turn sour on me . . . but it’s worth a sample, maybe!
How about Guerlain’s Pamplelune? Grapefruit and more grapefruit, with a patch/vanilla thing down in the bottom. Some people find it a little sulfurous/pissy (grapefruit can lean that way, for sure) but I think its just a great citrus with some dirtyness in the bottom. So to speak.
Thanks – I will try it!
Excellent suggestion, I would second that rec.
Also, perhaps Comptor sud Pacifique Vanille Citrus? I haven’t tried it, but the notes sound both cheery and comforting, with vanilla, sugar milk and chocolate in the drydown.
Sacre Bleu, have you tried Caron’s Nocturnes, Jo Malone’s Orange Blossom, or Sushi Imperiale by Bois 1920?
Good luck!
I will take a look at two out of three – not a fan of orange blossom except in small doses.
No bergamot is a tall order…esp. since they don’t always list every note used in the scent. Bergamot is really common!
Particularly if the word “citrus” appears anywhere in the description. Everything I can think of ends up with some bergamot in it. I was wearing PdN Cedrat Intense yesterday and it was citrus, bright, no coconut —I loved it, but there’s some bergamot in there. Maybe it’s the right combination that wil do the trick.
thats exactly what i was going to say. luckily bergamot is one of my favorite notes
Sacrebleu: do you have any citrus preference? Grapefruit? Orange? Lemon?
My favorites include: Hermès Concentré d’Orange Verte, CdG Grapefruit (which is really very orange), Jo Malone Grapefruit, Jo Malone Lime, Basil & Mandarin. None of those have vanilla or musk, but you may want to try Anné Pliska, which many people describe as orange creamsicle — it also has a dab of patchouli, but it’s a very nice scent. Also, that new Varvatos Artisan, which is in the men’s section and is as much about orange blossom as it is about orange.
Joe, I’m so glad you mentioned Hermes! I would have ,except anytime someone asks a citrus question I’m right there to call out “HERMES…” I thought maybe I was starting to sound like a broken record so I let you have a turn —it is by the way, the perfect suggestion.
Have you tried Din Dan by Lann A’el?
Din-Dan is lovely – lemony and bright. Lasted about 2 seconds on me the first time – need to try a bigger dose next time.
Sacre Bleu, try Chanel’s Cristalle. I am in the minority in that I prefer it in the EdP. Very sweet, juicy citrus with peachy notes. This doesn’t turn on me at all, has great lasting power and moderate sillage. Very bright and slightly austere. Most prefer the EdT which is also very lovely, much greener in the opening notes ,but very short lived. Worth trying both.
Hi sacre bleu. Just had to say – love your moniker – my favorite perfume!!!!
How about Jo Malone Lime Basiil and Mandarin? The lime overpowers the mandarin to me, and it wears nice. So does JMSweet Lime and Cedar.
+1 on the Jo Malone Sweet Lime and Cedar and also the Grapefruit. They are both very citrus forward
Did you ever try the Jo Malone French Lime Blossom? It’s all lime blossoms, linden, white flowers and a wee bit of musk in the base. I think it is very nice – somewhere between a floral and a cologne.
Have you tried O de Lancome? It’s quite zesty.
Or Ginger With A Twist by Origins?
Anthousa’s Citrus Sorbet is definitely on the sweet&musky side. No bergamot that I know of.
Straight up refreshing lemon is done best in Carthusia’s Via Camerelle, IMO – but it *does* have bergamot.
I would suggest Jo Malone (yes, another JM!) – Verbenas of Provence, which I love for summer. Just checked their site, and no sign of obvious bergamot in the ingredients. I only have one problem with JM scents – they do not last on my skin at all…
Check out pacifica candles and see their fragrance line- there should be a citrus you like there- the Tuscan Blood Orange is nice!
ooh – I needed this today! I went on a big fragrance sniff yesterday and was a little annoyed that I couldn’t find so many things I wanted to try! No Cumming at Sephora, no Egoiste at Nordstrom, no Matin d’Orage at Bloomies, no Fleur du Male anywhere… I did finally get a sample of MaDame, which is very fun, and sniffed and sniffed until I had such nasal fatigue I could hardly breathe. I had a very hard time asking for samples for some reason – I think being broke takes me to a place where I don’t want to inconvenience anyone or something.
Anyway, the ones I need to revisit from this trip are Carnal Flower, Chamade, Jo Malone Pom Noir and Lotus/Lily, a new Dior exclusive to Nordie’s that is uber-citrussy but I don’t remember the name, Premier Figeur Extreme, Terre d’Hermes. I got the new Varvatos, Artisan, all over my fingers and was pleasantly surprised that when I forgot and stuck a finger in my mouth later it actually tasted not-too-bad. That is a very nice scent! Not sure if it is ME, but I like having the little cloth tag they had saturated with it.
Remember when I was applying to work at the Malle counter at Barney’s? I went in (I was the only person in the store, I think, a little weird) and I’m not sure what they meant because they had all of 3 Malle fragrances mixed in with everything else. Scratching my head on that one.
Does anyone here wear Gucci by Gucci? I keep thinking I need it.
Sorry for the ramble!!
Tama, mall trips are always disappointing…they never have what I’m looking for. My only pleasant surprise last time was finding testers of the new Sisley colognes, which are awesome but ridiculously expensive.
My Sephora doesn’t ever have Cumming either. Wonder if that’s online only?
I was hoping for better, because I was in the big downtown stores where they usually have everything!
Tama – funny you mention Chamade – it’s what I’m wearing today. It is just amazing. Everytime I wear it, I just think- this is the one, this is the one….Good luck on the revisit. And, btw, I am almost always disappointed when I go to the department store, especially when I’m itching to pick something up.
Yeah, I just picked it up on a whim and thought, where has this been all my life? lol
Tama- I thank my stars that last year I began to love aldehydes and galbanum….In the past if I’d run across Chamade I’d probably just ignored it in favor of orientals. Now, I can’t get enough of these galbanum-aldehyde-florals. It just makes my head swoon!
I wear Gucci by Gucci on occasion and really like it. Should warn though not to go overboard spraying! I think I prefer it dabbed to sprayed because it’s so strong. It’s really a powerhouse fragrance to me and I love the sillage and lasting power. I’m still in the “must try everything!” phase, so I haven’t bought a full bottle…yet!
It *is* a little powerhouse, isn’t it? I do like the honeyed finish, though. I spray liberally and feel the olfactory equivalent of Aqua Net in the beginning stages, but marvel at it’s progression.
I like the sillage, too – I feel more adult when I wear it, which I should feel anyway, being 54, but I feel more put together somehow.
That’s exactly how I feel about it! I’m 28, so I guess it feels more how I imagined being an adult would feel (as opposed to real life). lol
I’ll cop to wearing Gucci by Gucci…at least, I had. It’s been a while…think I’ll pull it out tomorrow for a sniff-see. ‘Twas never a regular line-up kind of scent, though…
Sacre Bleu – my favorite bright citrus is Shiseido’s Energizing fragrance. I’ve seen this categorized as “floral-green” but to me it’s just bright bright citrus fruits with a little bit of spice. One of the few perfumes of which I’ve gone through multiple bottles (and the bottles are so cool, I’ve kept them. 😀 )
My FOTD is Chanel’s Beige – just got a sample in the mail the other day and I can’t stop sniffing my wrist today. My friend tried it last night and she usually loathes all Chanel frags, but she loved this one.
La Maroc I love green florals, so I’ll give the Shiseido a try – thanks!
agree with the energizing lotion, which actually does slightly resemble escale à portofino (mentioned above), at least on me, but is more affordable. Anyway, I have a problem with orange blossoms too, sour and harsh, so I run away from all those types of scents…
Thank you for the poll and the provision for asking questions.
1. Does any one perceive a similarity between the scents – Dzing!, Patchouli 24 and Bulgari Black?
2. Does the Le Labo’s Oud 27 share any similarities with the oud note in Amouage Homage, or Tom Ford Oud Wood?
3. Does the Amouage pure parfum in the new bottles smell attenuated compared to the ones sold in the crystal bottles?
Thanks you for your time.
1. Yes — they all have similar notes, and the latter 2 are by the same perfumer as well.
2. Well, they all smell like oud…probably not getting at what you wanted here !
3. I don’t know.
I haven’t been much help, have I?
Dear Robin,
Thank your for your expertise and reply.
I was wondering if the smell of oud in Oud 27 has the nuances of oud I find in Homage and Oud Wood – olfactory impressions of wood, honey, hay, berries, leather, etc.
Thank you again for your time.
Well, you won’t get any expertise out of me I’m afraid — I only tried it once very briefly. You might get a better answer if you go ask that question under the review Kevin did yesterday. Sorry!
Dear Robin,
You truly have been a great help.
Thank you.
Hi crk. I haven’t tried Patchouli 24 (would love to, though), but yes, Bulgari Black and Dzing! do have similarities. I cannot wear Bulgari Black, though. I think it’s the musk note. I much prefer Dzing! Why do you ask? Are you trying to decide which to buy?
Dear Karin,
Thank you for your comments. I am planning to buy a full bottle soon, but cannot decide 🙂 I do prefer Dzing! to Bulgari Black too!
Go for it! 🙂 I actually purchased a bottle of Bulgari Black unsniffed, and had to return it. All that rubber didn’t bother me – it was something else that I also detect in Eau de Cartier and Thierry Mugler’s Cologne. Since they all share a musk note, I figured that perhaps it’s the musk (though I love Narciso’s For Her, so I don’t detest all musks…just wish I knew what that one note was). I had a sample of Dzing! and couldn’t decide whether or not I liked it. Kept trying it over and over again. Then I found myself craving it, if only for its weirdness. I suppose Bulgari Black has a similar effect for some people, but Dzing! turned out to be a better choice for me. I recently purchased the large bottle and…I LOVE IT!!!
Karin, that kind of makes me laugh, I think we are musk opposites. The musk on Bulgari Black (and most of the Bulgaris really) smells awesome on me, one of my favorite things, and the musk of Dzing! is my favorite part over the weird opening notes. Narciso Rodriguez for Her invariably gives me a migraine, and I blame the synthetic-ness and whatever musk it has in the drydown. Oh noses.
The Black/Dzing! thing… I do love Black, and tried a sample of Dzing! a couple of weeks back, and was expecting all sorts of old books/ leather/ sweat ‘n’sawdust stuff (impressionable state of mind brought about by reading too many reviews), and on first sniff thought, ‘oh, it’s like Black!’ . I’d never seen a resemblance mentioned, and wasn’t expecting it at all. Very different dry-down though; it doesn’t have that amber warmth of Black.
I wanted to love Dzing!, but it’s really not for me.
Dear Kate, Thank you for your comments.
Haven’t tried Patch 24, but Dzing and Black definitely have the same kind of “feel,” even if they don’t smell alike to me. I think it’s the oddball-musky-skin scent thing they both have, and I love it!
Dear Jekkah, Thank you for your comments.
Today: Mûre et Musc EDT (some days it’s so *right*)
Most recent purchase(s): bwahahaha… awaiting in the mail decands of C&S Dark Rose, Bois 1920 Vento di Fiori, Paestum Rose, and Calyx (the last one thanks to Daisy).
Question: How obvious is it if a fragrance has “turned”? I feel I’ve yet to have that happen, but I did buy a partial bottle of L’Artisan Vanilia a few months back that has a note I’d describe as almost slightly “sour” (even though that sour buzz isn’t really apparent in the drydown). Maybe there’s no way to know for sure without comparing it to a fresh “control” sample, but I hear people talking of perfumes going “off” and I’m not really sure what that means, though I’ve seen it discussed here once or twice.
Hi Joe, congratulations on your Calyx. I just bought a 10 ml purse spray to replace the mini I bought that was DEFINITELY off. It smelled musty, mushroomy, with loads of rotting grapes. I’m sure if I touched it it would have been slimy. That’s how I knew that was off.
Joe, gosh, I mean, there are degrees. I went to wear my Delrae Debut one day and it smelled simply nasty….and did not get any better. Sometimes, it seems like only the top notes get a little “off”, and then the scent is fine once it dries down.
So, I don’t know how to tell other than if it smells worse than it used to, LOL…
The “off” thing unfortunately creeps up on you. My partner wears “Pi” by Givenchy and it comes in an VAST bottle… and it turns (slowly) starting at about halfway down. By the time he hits the bottom of the bottle it is definite, but there’s a long “maybe”. Boy, I hope this helps.
Today, I started my day in Saveur d’Artichaut. Once I got home, I found my recent ebay purchase: a 6 ml manufacturer’s mini of Jean Patou’s Vacances!!!! I’m so excited!! It cost me only $12!!!! Doubly exciting. I obviously had to try it and tested it against my sample. Perfect!
Recently bought from ebay a $45 bottle of CdG2 which I am waiting for in the post from a very helpful and friendly NST-er. More excitement to come!
Lovethescents, I just saw Jean Patou’s Vacances on the ‘bay for 550 u.s., have you tried it yet?
It’s supposed to be one of the all-time great green florals, which has me very interested.
Am finding responding tricky as I don’t see the post I’m responding to in this new version…maybe I’m just not very computer friendly…
Smokeytoes, Vacances is so lovely and clean and simple. It is green but not sharp green, no sap for sure. It just brings brightness to the scent. Lots of flowers but not big, white, heady ones. More like hyacinths and lilacs but not bursting out at you either. It sings springtime without screaming it. I’m so pleased!
If you hit reply, but then can’t remember what you’re replying to, you can click on the name at the top of the comment box (for instance, the one I’m looking at now says “post a reply to lovethescents”, and I can click on lovethescents to return to the comment. Hope that makes sense.
Cool, you sure solved an issue for me! I kept scrolllllllling up to re-read … you have single-handedly saved my scrolling finger from blog related carpal tunnel.
Saveur d’artichaut sounds nifty. . .Perfume-smellin’ things described it as “green, piquant, sweet and woody”, very appealing, doesn’t sound at all like the smell of cooked artichokes.
Hi bergere, Saveur d’artichaut is one of my top 20 favorites. I rotate so often, as so many of us do so top 20 is pretty good (I’m so high-maintenance!). Anyhow, I’m not sure I would describe it as piquant because I don’t get any spice. Or maybe I just don’t really understand what piquant means. It is green, lightly floral, some woods but not old or dark ones, more like green twigs, and there may be a hint of heliotrope and powder there too. It’s so hard to describe. It doesn’t smell like cooked artichokes, that’s for sure….might, just might (and I”m pushing it here), smell a hair like raw ones. It’s so wonderful
I just sampled Saveur d’Artichaut the other day. I got a lot of a tarragon from it. It was odd and didn’t particularly seem related to artichokes in any way. I was glad to have crossed it off the to-sniff list, anyway.
Just posting really to see my gravitar in action, and to make my presence felt for the first time on this excellent site. While I’m here, let me suggest some reviews of some of the very good mens perfumes released by Trumper. They deserve to be more well known. Eucris is one of my favorites, and would be suitable material for a discussion by Kevin.
Just looked under fragrance reviews and seen there is already an interesting review of Eucris archived from 2006! Will soon find my way around this site….
Hey, love the gravatar! Trumper is not so easy to come by in the US, although as you found, we do have a few reviews. I wish they’d come out with something new!
Thanks Robin. I thought Marcel Duchamp’s green perfume bottle would tone in with the site’s colour scheme. I’m also waiting for something new from Trumper, and fortunately there are a few dedicated distributors of it in South Africa. ( …wish there were distributors of l’Artisan, and Caron here though)
Caron is hard for me too….it’s in NYC, and I can buy Trumpers there too, but not possible to easily get samples of either.
Ah, Caron…was carried in Chicago by Nordstrom, with a lovely presentation room that included vintage bottles that you could sniff. Sadly, they packed up the shop last fall; I think it’s all in Seattle or California now.
Does anyone have any suggestions for a winter fragrance that is spicy and comforting, but not a flat, foody vanilla musk? I just noticed that almost all of my fragrances are great for spring or summer (so hurray that warm weather is finally coming!), but most seem too light for February. I like some of the vanilla/musk combos, but they can be so mellow they put me into hibernation.
FOTD is Paul Smith Rose (not the summer edition), which reminds me of what Verte Violette might smell like if the main note were rose.
Bergere, I’ll put in a plug here for my fave cold-weather scent, Parfums de Nicolai Vanille Tonka. I know, it says Vanille, but it’s not all that vanilla-y. I get tons of lime and carnation and incense out of it, and I find it thrilling from citrusy top to frankincensey drydown. No hibernation. Every time I wear it, I get the impression of drunken limes staggering around, giggling, in a forest of giant carnations.
Hm. Maybe that wasn’t a description guaranteed to make you want to try it. I’ll try again: Drinking Cuba Libres (with lime and Captain Morgan’s spiced rum). In church. No, that’s not quite right. Okay, how about wearing Dr. Pepper extract? No? It’s not that sweet, I swear. Really, it’s great. Really. Trust me.
Or how about Organza Indecence? Orange, spice, a little vanilla, some woods, a bare whisper of patchouli. I think Robin’s called it “wood pudding” in the past, but it’s got enough zing that it won’t put you to sleep. Last night my husband (who never comments on my perfumes if he can help it) said it was sexy. It was discontinued for some time, but it’s now been re-released as one of the Givenchy Les Mythiques collection, I think.
I mean, “wood pudding” in a good way: comforting without being terribly foody.
ROTFL ! No one could hibernate through a drunken-lime dance in the giant carnation forest! Definitely worth a try! And I’m all for Cuba Libres in church. Thanks!
Second on the Indecence. Yum.
I’ve always wanted to try some of Parfums de Nicolai scents, because I love many Guerlains–Shalimar, Mitsouko, L’Heure Bleue, even the new Insolence & L’Instant.
Somebody tell me which ones to try!
And Robin, I love the new format for posts–so pretty and easier to use! I love my gravatar!
Glad you like it!
I like so many PdNs they’re hard to list…look under Perfume Reviews at the top, I’ve reviewed most of my favorites.
Hope B.
I think you should try New York and Vetiver Tonka which are at the top of my PdN list.
As a line they all are pretty interesting and there aren’t any I’ve tried to date that I would warn you to stay away from.
It should be fun to explore the line.
Speaking of PdN, does anyone have any thoughts on Cococabana? With summer coming it looks more and more delicious…
Hi Katich! I have Cococabana and really like it. It’s not sweet – it’s a very green coconut scent. Though LT in the Guide says the sweetness takes over in the drydown. I suppose I don’t mind sweet, so don’t notice this as much. It is to my nose a bit similar to Juste un Reve, which also has a coconut note, but Juste un Reve is more powdery, Cococabana more green (in my estimation…)
I recommend Sacre Bleue – it’s a really beautiful, cozy-but-elegant. I don’t get the similarity to L’Heure Bleue that some people do, but it does “feel” like a Guerlain, if that makes sense.
Love your gravatar, by the way!
I love the PdN line! Robin has some great reviews here. I’ve sampled Sacrebleu, New York, Maharanih, Odalisque, Number One, Vanille Tonka, Eau d’Ete, Eau Exotique, and Fig Tea. My favorites have been Sacrebleu and Maharanih which are deep and rich, while both Eaus and Fig Tea (more fig than tea, btw) are light and lively. All of them have impressed me as well made, even if they have not been my style.
Have fun exploring!
I’m a new fan of Temps d’une Fete, and have a decant of Odalisque I like very much. The Fig Tea struck me as nice of its type…but oh, yes, I can totally see how Sacrebleu is a kind of contemporary L’Heure Bleu.
Guess in general, I’ve been please with Parfums de Nicolai so far.
I must try more PdN’s… I’ve only tried the Vanille Tonka and I adore that one. Who knows what other Nicolais are out there for me to love?
Only one way to find out… sample. *^%(@*(%!!! (oh, sorry, that was my bank account cursing you all…)
Hi, Hopeb,
Since you like some of the classic Guerlains, Odalisque from Parfums de Nicolai might definitely appeal to you–it’s in a classic perfume style, though not at all dated-feeling, a pretty and sensual floral core, and vanilla, woods and moss in the drydown. My favorite Nicolai is Fig Tea, fig plus tea, with floral and pepper notes: terrific for spring or summer. I can second Sacrebleu, a sweet but not cloying praline scent. Good luck!
Ha ha! MALS86, your description of Vanille Tonka made me laugh! I’m excited cause I just purchased a sample of this a few days ago from Perfumed Court – hasn’t arrived yet. I also (coincidentally) ordered Organza Indecence, which I have yet to try, as well as PdN’s Fig Tea and Eau Exotique. My fav PdN is Sacrebleu. I’m hoping VT makes me just as happy. 🙂
Mals is so right about Vanille Tonka being wonderful! Although I don’t get much in the way of limes, at least not for very long—mostly the warm incensey dry down. Maybe my limes have gone from being all giggly to just being HOT! (must be all that Cap’n Morgan) my carnations are more smooth, undulating in a sultry breeze….and it lasts and lasts. This is one of my top 5 fragrances I’d have on my desserted island.
maybe that should be a deserted island….although a desserted one sounds pretty good too! (at least I wouldn’t starve.)
Hot limes! I love it.
Seriously, VT makes me extreeeemely cheerful.
Bergere, check out Estee Lauder’s Knowing. Listed as a woody floral. I adore it. It’s a bit spicy going on, but then progresses to the most lovely rose/sandalwood/oakmoss. VERY comforting and lush. Long lasting too.
what about Parfumerie Generale’s Un Crime Exotique? Or DSH Cimabue? Or just get the Saveur d’artichaut sample 🙂
woo hoo 1st post!…I have been reading for awhile though.
bergere, my 2 fave heavier scents(that are not too vanilla..and I guess appropriate for winter) are Agent Provocateur (the 1st original one) 1 spray is all that is needed for this. Shiseido Feminite Du Bois is the other fave hefty one.
And they last for a million years on me. Also I am not a professional like most of you so I cannot make ‘perfumespeaky’ language so fluent as yet. 🙂
Welcome Tamarind! I think that is everyone’s MO—read, read, read then after a while you just can’t resist, you need to join in. Glad you finally did!
Sometimes the ‘perfumespeaky’ is a little daunting –I feel like I could never describe things in such flowery and exotic language.
Clearly we have some born writers in here… it’s great, isn’t it?
Black Cashmere by Donna Karen. Almost makes you glad when it starts to get cold again.
Second the Black Cashmere.
It’s funny because I was lamenting the other day that all my fragrances are kind of wintery and dark and I need some spring things!
Also suggest the EL Amber Ylang Ylang – very cozy.
My favorite winter frags are Chanel Coco, Bal a Versailles, Donna Karan Signature, and Prada.
Props to Bal a Versailles, this is my mom’s big perfume. I just got her a new 1 oz bottle of the Parfum since she has been out of it for a number of years.
Hi Bergere
I am a total winter fragrance person and have NO spring/summer bottles! (I’m currently doing lots of sampling to try and find one that I like!) So…..my fave winter frags are Ormonde Woman, which is the most unusual scent I’ve ever smelled. It has cardamom and coriander in it. It’s not quite ‘comforting’, but rather sensual and inviting, and very mysterious and dark. Her ‘Tolu’ is also a wonderful winter scent – probably much more comforting actually! Try that one first!
The great vanilla/musky/honeyish comforter scent is Muscs Koublai Kahn. It’s pretty hardcore to begin with, but it settles down into a glowing, golden fabulous blanket.
I would say Tom Ford’s Noir de Noir, Oud Wood and Tobacco Vanille are solid bets too.
Hope you find something you love!
How about Safran Troublant? It’s warm and comforting without overdosing on vanilla. Though they’re not everyone’s cup of tea, Serge Lutens’ Serge Noire and Rousse got me through the winter.
oponé (diptyque) has a strong rose-safran note which works very well in winter, but which I find awful as soon as it gets warmer.. I had a bottle lurking in my cupboard for a couple of years now, and actually wanted to throw it away, until I retried it this winter, and surprise, liked it (not my favorite though)
Hm, I see a big order to The Perfumed Court in my future. . . I’d better hurry so that I can try them while the nights are still cold! I am so grateful for all of the suggestions. I have to say I have only tried one of the ones posted, so it’s delightful to have all these new directions. Thanks!
I have nothing to contribute but am fiddling with my gravatar. Let’s see what happens…
Wah, it’s supposed to be different!
Yeah, mine was different last night and now it’s back to the original. What the? Although I am posting on a different ‘puter than I was using last night…
If you use a gravatar, it should be linked to your email address so shouldn’t change depending on computer. The identicons are somehow tied to your IP address, but didn’t realize it would change if you changed computers…assumed it would be the IP address you signed up for an account under. Weird.
This is sooo weird. I went home from work (okay, okay, I was reading at work, but I swear I was on a break and not gypping my employer) and logged on at home – and my gravatar now looks like the one I set up last night.
Now I have to ask: what do you see as my gravatar RIGHT NOW?
It looks like a sort of turquoise blue identicon…
It’s roses to me…
Tama! I have been wanting to try that Escale et Portofino- so glad to know where i can finally sniff it.
I am wearing the new Stephen Jones today- I picked up a half bottle (I got the bottle!!!) on MUA- I love it!- and I was this close to buying a bottle when I thought- hmmmm, let me just see if anyone is swapping decants….very pleased with myself….
I want a bottle of the SJ!
That SJ is on my to-try list for sure! Congrats on your decant!
I’ve been looking for haircare line with nice smell, because almost everything on the market smells terrible and because I have very long hair – I smell terrible for few hours after shower.
But then I’ve found a product by Leonor Greyl – Serum De Soie Sublimateur – and it has the most delicious jasmine smell I could ever imagine.
Well If anyone who is familiar with Leonor Greyl hair care line could tell me where else – I mean perfume – could i find this particular jasmine smell I would be grateful:)
Worth a shot…
I have not tried that, now I want to! Best jasmine hair stuff I know of is Oscar Blandi, or the Lush jasmine/henna stuff.
I was just thinking from yesterday that Jasmine was one of my favourite smells as I magically made the corralation between Lush Silky Underwear Solid Perfume, a Mandarin Jasmine edp I got on sale from Gap while in the US recently and the Jasmine Vanilla aromatherapy line from Bath and Body works…
So I would be interested in where this thread goes and see some for myself to try. In the meanwhile I hope I made you some cheap suggestions for getting other Jasmine fixes, not sure how similar they will be to your hair care however…
I don’t know that Jasmine but for a nice fresh one I like Opus Oils Jitterbug. For a Jasmine bomb I like Montale Jasmine Full. I also really like the Jasmine/Vanilla lotion in the aromatherapy section of Bath and Body Works. I think there is a fragrance spray too but I just have the lotion.
Well, today I am wearing my husband’s aftershave because he’s been gone for work and I miss him. (Paul Smith btw)
Other than that, I am looking forward to payday tomorrow when I will make a nice big sample order from Les Senteurs. I have so many suggestions to work through. I think this order will include a few Carons, some Etat Libre, and maybe some Malle. So exciting!
Sounds like fun! I’d love to visit that store.
I know. I keep trying to think of reasons why I might be in London soon. But alas, that trip will have to wait awile.
So just ordered, Caron’s: Parfum Sacre, Pour un Homme, Troisieme Homme, and Anarchiste. And Parfumerie Generale’s Bois Blond and L’Eau Rare Matale. So excited! Now if the post will just cooperate and deliver it soon.
Scent of the day is Baume de Doge, my sample of which is fast disappearing… And my score of the day was actually free! I was rooting around in my garage and found an old bag containing 1. a replacement leather loop for the one that just broke on my duffle coat 2. my mother’s engagement ring (oops) and 3. a 1/4-full bottle of Diorissimo extrait! I was so sure I had thrown out #3 during one of my many moves, and while it’s a tad dark and cloudy, I’m looking forward to revisiting it.
Oh my, what a find!! Hope it smells fabulous. And if you hate it, send it to me 😉
How do you get/change a gravatar…or however you say that word?
Go to gravatar.com
FOTD: Paul Smith Extreme.
Something peppery about it that I just needed today.
Question: What is your fall back frag? The one that you mechanically reach for when you really don’t know what to wear?
This year, mine is Ambra (Zara)
I wish I had one! I just stare blankly at the shelves.
I love the “I just stare blankly at shelves” comment…..Lord only knows how much time I spend staring at and contemplating the perfumes instead of just committing and applying. Maybe we share a deep-rooted fear of commitment!!! ;-}
Me too! Well, staring into the drawer here.
Not me! If I can’t decide on one , I grab several! Indecision time means start layering….or just one on this wrist, another on that wrist…a little dab of something else on inner elbow….
Okay, I will admit to a few times where I couldn’t decide and had to go back and stare some more….then it’s time to rifle thru the sample basket again.
I think, however, that my tried and true, always good and always makes me feel good scent to fall back on is a mix I keep in a 15ml atomizer right on the counter top —Hiris and Prada Infusion d’Iris.
I used to automatically reach for Philosykos whenever I felt uninspired. But lately more often than not it’s L’eau de L’eau — it’s just as easy, comforting and inoffensive.
Hmm, I think that would be Bandit for me, or Femme. Although today I’m wearing Youth Dew!
As for what I would like to buy, I’m jonesing for both Mitsouko and Poison, but am trying to be good and restrain myself. Was REALLY good this quarter and only bought samples!
Good for you on the samples! I have been very, very, very naughty.
Of course, I have to say that when I started getting interested in perfume in October of last year, I was the proud possessor of a full 5 ml mini of Sand and Sable and a nearly-empty 30 ml bottle of Victoria’s Secret Pink. Other than that, nothing. I mean zip, zilch, nada. I started ordering samples in January and there’s been no stopping me.
I know that quarterly damage report post is coming up soon… I’d better start adding up, but I don’t want to. I’d rather just rub my hands together in evil glee and look at my fragrance collection (four bottles and a slew of decants and minis)…
awww, you did have a misspent fragrance youth! Look at all the good stuff you were missing!!! Samples are an important commodity, they keep your imagination alive. And your 4 bottles are good ones. Are you counting that Velvet Rose in the 4? You know if you put it on scentsplits, you’ll have to get a replacement bottle #4 —maybe that Rosine d’Ete you’ve been giving sidelong glances to??
Mals, I think you and I enrolled in perfumista school at the same time! I started getting interested in December and started ordering samples in January as well. All I had at the time was a 15ml bottle of Cool Water, some body lotions and sprays from Mary Kay (Red Tea & Fig) and Bath & Body Works (Black Amethyste, Wild Honeysuckle, and Brown Sugar & Fig). Sad I know… My bottles and samples seem to be growing daily as well!
My default fragrance lately seems to be Stephanie Saint-Aignan’s EMBRUNS D’AMBRE. Last summer it was EAU DE CARTIER. We shall see about this coming warm season. I plan to buy a bottle of L’Artisan L’EAU DE JATAMANSI, so that might be my “reach-for” bottle (maybe just because it only comes in a gigantic size, LOL!). Hmm.. or maybe it will be FLEUR DE LIANE.
I usually end up in Dzongkha. It’s never felt wrong yet.
Dzongkha. Oh, yes. I agree that it never feels wrong. Should have gone on my list, too.
I’m wearing D&G’s The One today. Went for a long walk with a friend this afternoon, and boy did that scent bloom into major apricot heaven! Yes, I still find some mass market fragrances pleasurable…haven’t quite cracked the niche market as much as I’d like yet. But I’m workin’ on it. 😉
I’ve been on a buying frenzy the past few months – Chanel No 5 Eau Premiere (5oz), Dzing! (3.3oz), and Sacrebleu (which I’ve been wanting forever). Oh geez. How am I going to use up those big bottles??? Ha ha.
I’ve been eying the reformulated Organza Indecence at Dillard’s online, but figure I should try it first before I buy, so ordered a sample from Perfumed Court. I’m also obsessed with L’Artisan, ordering samples and more samples, trying them all. Wow. What a great line. No idea which I may buy next…but thinking I already have enough with large bottles of Dzing!, Vanilia, and Premier Figuier!
How to use up those big bottles? SHARE DECANTS!!! POST ON SCENTSPLITS!!!
Um, sorry for shouting there… I think scentsplits is da bomb. That’s how I got my Vanille Tonka; there was no way I could afford a whole bottle by myself, but 10 ml was quite doable.
And congrats on your bottles. Those are some great scents.
I’m patiently waiting for someone to post another split of Vanille Tonka over there on ScentSplits. And don’t go suggesting that I host the split either, because I am NOT going down that road. LOL.
Hosting splits has been a blast! I’ve only hosted a couple so maybe I’d feel differently if I dozens and dozens of listings. It is time consuming though.
Nothing wrong with mass market!! I gave The One a whiff yesterday and thought it was definitely worth looking at again. Really, a large portion of what I own are mass market or worse and I am fine with it – it’s all about how it smells!
Agreed!!! 🙂
I have been enjoying reading this site for the past several weeks, but finally created a profile today! I love perfumes and have an extensive collection, but seem to have a little less discerning nose then most of you. I tend to like the mass market fruity stuff. LOL. But maybe if I spend more time around this site you all will be able to convert me to the niche market and get me to appreciate some more complex perfumes : )
Other then that… Nice to meet you all!
Hi Apryl, and welcome. I think I owe you an email — I’m rather behind right now. But liking mass market fruity stuff doesn’t necessarily mean you’re less discerning — everyone does have different tastes, after all!
Robin-
Thanks for the welcome and you have a great site! Love it!!! And no rush on that email : )
Hello Mz Apryl,
I am new as well so it is good to meet you 🙂 mass market fruity stuff is kickass! 🙂 I like to see it as I see food, for example, sometimes you fancy McDonalds and sometimes Grilled Salmon on a bed of risotto with a rocket and sundrid tomato salad.
I have an eclectic taste that encompasses some cheapy stuff and some not so cheapy stuff, I a variety of smells in general…not only perfume…
Tamarind good to know I am not the only newbie and that at least I won’t be the only one on here that likes some of the mass market stuff : )
Absolutely! Some inexpensive perfumes are really great smelling and I’ve smelled some “you’ve got to be kidding, it costs how much??” perfumes that are kind of gross. And just because some niche (or mass market, for that matter) are interesting to sniff, doesn’t mean they are a smell you want to wear…on your body…for hours and hours…
FOTD: Jean Paul Gaultier Fragile EDP
Sadness: Organza Indecence smelt like a big can of artificially flavoured vanilla frosting on me. I swear I could taste it in the back of my throat long after I scrubbed myself raw to get it off. lol I think vanilla hates me.
So sad!!! I just tried that again (an original one) and remembered why I loved it so. So sorry it didn’t work on you!
LOL — a scrubber! Oh well, more where that came from.
Vanilla doesn’t hate me, but I didn’t like OI the few times I tried it. Not quite a scrubber, but not for me.
I am posting to see how my gravatar looks because I’m so proud of myself for even being able to swing one. It’s a rose from my garden! It has been extremely difficult getting the re-registration to work but I think I’ve finally got it! I really love Daisy’s gravatar and wish it could have been mine. I remember when Robin had a waterlily at the top of a review and thinking how very beautiful the image was.
That rose is fabulous!
Very pretty! I should have a picture of something from my garden. Except that I don’t really garden.
Wow, thanks! Waterlilies are easy–it’s growing roses that’s hard work (mine are poor neglected, anemic looking things)
Love that gravatar!
I was sitting here admiring YOUR gravatar thinking what a beautiful rose and wondering what variety it was! Then I saw that it was from your own flowerbed and I was quite impressed. I wish I could get my roses to look so lush and lovely!
Any picture I took of one of my roses would probably have a Japanese beetle sitting right on top, fat, happy and chewing away!
Daisy: the rose is a Peace rose, one that starts out deep pink and gradually opens up to fade from peach to yellow. In the picture it’s backlit. I pruned it back and wonder how it will fare after the coldest, worst winter in 40 years (global warming?). I’ve had a thing for waterlilies since I entered my Monet-loving phase about 20 years ago. Even my china has a Monet waterlily pattern. There’s something romantic about them for me. I’ve been to Monet’s garden in Giverny three times and feel that I’d like to have my ashes distributed there when the time comes. What’s really weird is that as I became more well-versed as a perfumista, I began to realize that not only do I like fragrances from the same category, but they tend to contain the same floral notes: lily-of-the-valley and waterlilies!
Your Peace Rose is lovely—I have a peace rose that always tends much more toward yellow! Who knows if it has survived this winter I walked the border of my flowerbeds yesterday and it’s looking pretty bad. Not just cold/snow/wind damage but rabbits and either moles or voles and mice—we had snow cover consistently this winter and under the layers of snow those little buggers were chewing and digging like crazy. I used to have about 50 rose bushes, hybrid teas, grandifloras, floribundas, a couple climbers….but roses are too hard to care for here…the wind snaps canes, the Japanese beetles seem impervious to every spray known to man and between the lawn sprinklers and general summer humidity I fought a constant (losing) battle with blackspot and rust , anything still trying to grow falls victim to deer (heavy sigh) I’ve gradually switched over to HARDY perennials as the roses die off.
I have several varieties of waterlilies in my koi pond…that pink one is my favorite but usually only has one or two blossoms at a time. You can’t tell from the picture but that flower is about 6 1/2 inches across. I have a yellow one that blooms profusely….until the water hyacinths try to take over. And last year I let them….so the Herons couldn’t see the fish!! Darn Herons think it’s a buffet!
Anyhow, your gravatar is lovely and makes me sigh…
BTW –Monet is my favorite as well. 🙂
Thanks, Daisy. I’ve heard that putting a bar fo Irish Spring soap on a stick and placing in your rose garden keeps the deer away!
LOL I might give it a try! Can’t be any worse than other ideas I’ve tried to keep the beasties from eating everything….like the year I put several pounds of cayenne pepper over my shrubs to discourage rabbits…they loved it. Spearmint gum in vole holes…..what the heck, maybe irish spring will do the trick. Manly yes, but do deer like it too?
Today I am rediscovering Hermes Vetiver Tonka and loving it, which is strange because it didn’t do much for me the first time I tried it a couple of years ago. Anyone have any recommendations for other great vetiver scents?
Gosh, feels like that was the topic of a recent thread. So many. Tops for me are: Chanel Sycomore, KenzoAir, Lalique Encre Noire, Terre d’Hermes, Malle Vetiver Extraordinaire.
Check the comments on Robin’s somewhat recent review of LeNez Turtle Vetiver.
Excellent suggestions, thanks! I recently smelled a vetiver perfume oil on someone which was amazing, but it was some concoction she’d picked up in a little shop in Hawaii, no brand name, so I’m on the prowl for something that will duplicate that scent.
Joe covered most of the good ones, but I’ll add the classic: Guerlain Vetiver.
Yes, that’s one I must get around to trying! Thanks.
What about Andy Tauer’s Vetiver Dance? Seems like that has gotten a lot of positive remarks.
Thanks, I’ll put that one on my list too!
My “summer” vetiver is Vetiverru by Comme des Garcons. The other recs are all good that I have tried, especially the Malle and the Tauer.
Thanks, I’ll put that on my list as well! So many vetivers, so little time. 🙂
I like The Different Company SEL DE VETIVER. It’s similar to Terre d’Hermes, but brighter and lighter to my nose.
OK, now that one I had not heard of … another one for the ever-lengthening list! Thanks!
Enjoying By Kilian Prelude to Love today. I just love the iris note!
The new site looks great too.
Thanks Zagara!
Today I am wearing Carnal Flower. My most recent purchases were Ormand Jayne Woman and Frangiapani. There are a few more of Ormand Jayne that I really like and would like to have, but I can’t live long enough to use all the frangrances I already own!
I took a whiff of Carnal Flower yesterday and practically saw stars – so amazingly gorgeous. Need a sample.
And we don’t like to think about that living long enough thing, m’kay?
Congrats on your new bottles!
I was so ecstatic to discover this site a month or so ago as my fragrance-habit was really kicking into full gear. Now I finally get to post too! Woo-hoo.
I’m working from home today, so I’m testing Delrae’s Amoreuse and Le Maroc Pour Elle. Luckily there’s no one to knock out!
LOL — those are not light scents! How do you like them?
No kidding! The first time I tried Le Maroc I hated it, but this time it’s gorgeous!!
be careful!!! Delrae Amoreuse is one AGGRESSIVE fragrance…should come with a disclaimer.
It is strong stuff – Completely drowns out Maroc, which I imagine is somewhat hard to do!
Completely agree on the Amoureuse!
I love Amoreuse. It is sexy and lasting. It wears well on me. Daisy, I love your idea of mixing Hiris and Prada’s Infusion d’Iris–I love both of those scents and will have to try that. Have a great weekend.
Ahhh, Filomena—You will love it…it allows the best of both to come out at different times… I mix them right in an atomizer and keep it handy. Don’t tell Hermes or Prada though…I’m sure I’m messing with pesky copyright laws or something! If I was famous they’d probably love it but since I’m just me, I’d probably get sued.
Daisy, I am wondering how it would be to layer the two fragrances instead of mixing them. Did you ever try it that way?
That’s how it started….a spritz of this, a spritz of the other…then I decided it’d be easier to just mix up a decant and try it that way —fewer sessions of digging bottles out of the fridge—and I really liked it! Now I always keep a decant of the mix (around here we labeled it “Iris Perfection” ) ready to spritz….. I’ve found that lots of other fragrances layer well with Hiris, probably because it is so streamlined.
Did you try it yet? What do you think?
Daisy, I’m going to try the Hiris and Iris Infusion mix over the weekend. I’ll let you know how the combination works on me.
Just a thought – I recently was very excited to pick up a bottle of YSL Cinema at TJMaxx. When I started wearing it, I realized that it smells almost exactly like Estee Lauder PC Amber Ylang Ylang. Has anyone else noticed that these two are smell-alikes?
Oh, interesting — I can see that. I’ll have to try them together.
Just letting everyone know that my first foray into unsniffed-purchasing is successful- I love the Kenzoair awkward plastic-y mini bottle (it’s so wonderfully unwieldy!), and it smells WONDERFUL. Can’t wait for the weather to get warmer to truly take it for a test drive.
Okay, one unsniffed success does not warrant wanton spending…(sound of me creeping to my room to dig up my hidden credit card)
Try it at least once more, but at least if you “spring” for a full bottle, that’s a relatively inexpensive one: you get get it at online discounters or ebay for less than $30 for 30ml or 50ml I think. It’s been on my full-bottle-to-buy list since last summer.
Excellent, so glad you like it! That mini bottle is nasty.
Oh, and adding that my first unsniffed buy was FAB. After that all went sour. Quit while you’re ahead 🙂
LOL, a mini also doesn’t really count. Just wait until you’re sitting there with 50ml or more of some stinky thing on your wrists, crying and dabbing your tears with your credit card statement. Not that that’s happened to me (actually, it hasn’t, thank goodness).
LOL dabbing your tears with your credit card statement? Oh, you’re killing me…too funny.
oh wait, I think I’ve done that. Only once (so far cuz ya never know what I’m gonna decide to buy spur of the moment) it was a bottle that got rave reviews, lots of ohhs and ahhhs and I figured “it’s $50 and apparently it’s amazing” —NOT! still have most of the bottle floating around the back of the fridge….
Well, doggone, Daisy, tell us what it is… you know one of us around here would probably be willing to pay to take it off your hands. No perfume mistake should ever sit around wanting for a good home…. unless it’s Red Door or Charlie or something.
Ok, Joe you asked for it….Bronze Goddess….it sounded so good…coconut and suntan lotion etc etc etc…..and I understand lots of people adore it– So no one out there throw tomatoes at me…but on me it smells like I dumped a bucket of tropical fruit over my head (drowning in it even).
But then I discovered Hilde Soliani’s Sipario—now there’s some coconut and pineapple paradise!!! yum…the hubby likes it.
But then I discovered HS’s Il Tuo Tulipano and that is simply amazing!!! I can’t believe I’m saying this…I want a bottle!
Careful Joe, it’d serve you right if I sent you a big honkin decant of Bronze Goddess just for inquiring!
If BG doesn’t grow on you, I’m sure you can manage to sell your bottle at some point. What’s funny is that after you said you sent me the Calyx, I checked ScentSplits again and noticed you had added BG to your listings and I thought of emailing you and asking you for a sample or small decant — I don’t think it will be “me”, but I’m also curious after reading all the comments about it. Next time I buy one of your splits I’ll definitely ask for a little of that too. Maybe it’s something that will appeal to you more at the height of summer — seasons are really everything sometimes.
Thanks for the reassuring words, Joe.
You are right of course, I may feel completely different about all that fruit when it’s not a blustery 40 degrees outside. Rain, wind and fruit may not be the best combo. Hey, if you decide you want some of that Vanille Tonka I’ll be sure to include BG in the samples…maybe a lot of BG in with the samples!
Besides, this credit card statement is getting all soggy and the ink is starting to run…
Hey, I really used to like Red Door! Wore it in the late 90’s. My boyfriend at the time liked it, too. Perhaps because I wore it. Ha ha. I think I mentioned this on this board before, but funny thing was, I had a bunch of different scents (no surprise), and his favorite was Coty Wild Musk, the cheapest of the bunch (big surprise).
Hahah I don’t think that day will be coming for a while…paying off student loans (and getting ready to incur some more) tends to take up a lot of my perfume-spending ability.
I’ll stick to my minis and mourn when my 15 dollar purchase online goes to waste. Oh, the humanity…
Karin: No offense intended regarding the Red Door! Just an attempt at humor — I’m a firm believer that anyone should wear anything they like, anytime. I’ve had love affairs with Drakkar Noir, for goodness’ sake.
Today – PdN Balkis. Suprised how much I like it since I don’t usually like berries or sweet.
Question I’ve been dying to ask the perfumesphere:
I recently was given a bottle of Mitsouko EDT, which I like quite a bit. But after reading many reviews, I have to say I get NO pear or soft fruit from it. Could it be the EDT vs the EDP? I know they’re supposed to be different.
I use EDP myself, and I think the reference is usually peach (I’ve never head pear). I had trouble with that for awhile too… to me it’s not at all like a realistic fresh peach, or even the type of synthetic peach you smell in candles or candy or other products. Maybe it’s the power of suggestion, but eventually the peach was apparent to me, but what can I say, maybe it’s a very stylized peach? And mixed with all the florals and the oakmoss-chypre base, it’s difficult to pick out and say, AHA, PEACHY!
I absolutely meant peach, sorry! I was so excited to finally ask I typed the wrong fruit! Thanks for your input. I have heard that they are different, and that the EDP is less ‘screechy’. Not that there’s anything wrong with screechy! I love a wicked chypre.
I’ll have to give it a try and see if I get that pea(r)ch vibe.
I have to be honest here and say that the peachy note — which isn’t much like real peaches in my opinion, more like peach-flavored pudding? — is my LEAST favorite part of Mitsouko. (It’s probably that it reminds me of an elderly relative who wasn’t very nice.) So less peach would please me.
And I have a relatively modern EDT.
Hmmm…glad Joe answered, because I don’t remember pear either. More like “peachy”, yes. Can’t remember which concentration is supposed to be fruitier, just that the extrait was the most chypre-y/mossy. But presumably newer bottles are less so since they’ve de-mossed it, I guess.
I have multiple bottles, decants and samples of Mitsouko in various concentrations from vintage to the current edp. I get the “peachiest” vibe from a vintage parfum and a vintage edc. The recent formulations are nice, but nothing like the old stuff imo.
Now I will have to ask for a sniff of the vintage at my local perfume shop. Thanks!
Hey AugustAmber. Yeah, I have the EDT and don’t get the peach either! Haven’t smelled the EDP or parfum, though, so can’t tell if it’s just my nose not “getting” it. I feel as if I’m missing out on something with the EDT. Though it’s OK, it doesn’t inspire that adoration that it does for others. It actually reminds me of a perfume my mom wears, another chypre – Yves St Laurent Y.
Where can I find Les Bains du Marais (specifically, their Fig perfume)? I don’t see it anywhere…
If you’re willing to order from Germany, try http://www.first-in-fragrance.com
I haven’t seen the new ones anywhere in the US, unfortunately.
Quick question–what is your favorite “travel” perfume? What do you pack for vacation?
It depends where I’m going. When I went to the Caribbean last year I brought Virgin Island Water.
If I’m going somewhere warm & casual, I usually just pack Estee Lauder Azuree Soleil (now Bronze Goddess). It’s all I wore at the beach last summer.
For trips, I like to take a handful of samples that sound like they’ll be well-suited to the climate. They’re easy to pack, and sampling adds to the fun of the trip!
Me, too! Great opportunity to dig out those samples.
Yes, for me it also depends where I’m going and especially what the climate will be like.
I recently spent two months in East Africa and brought along a little spritz thing I had decanted from my huge Eau de Rochas bottle. I thought the agrumes fragrance would work well with all the nasty anti-mosquito product I had to wear as soon as the sun set.
But if the threat of malaria isn’t looming in the air I find that lovely, coquette fruity florals are nice in tropical or sub-tropical climates. I spent last summer in Central America where there’s a chain that sells their own blend of popular frangrances (only mainstream, a mixture of high-end and mid-range) and I purchased a perfume extract (undiluted) of O Oui de Lancome. It’s very different from the none-knock off EdT: really round and delicious, nothing aquatic about it at all.
And I just got back from a short escapade to a marvellous island in the Baltic Sea; it was quite cold, a snowstorm on one day, and wild eglantine grows in the sandy earth, all clipped and jagged in the wind. I wore Cacharel pur Homme and it was perfect.
I pack samples of perfumes 🙂 Its a good way of optimizing the shelves & gives plenty of variety too 🙂
I asked this of Robin and she was stumped so here goes… I just received a bottle of Guerlain Vega as a gift. (I know I know nice gift!!) Anyway, the bottle has a crystal stopper and gold cording around the neck. The cording crosses over the top of the stopper and is sealed with shiny sealing wax. I’m afraid to open the bottle and ruin the cording! I know the wax will crack, but I’m afraid if I cut the cording it will all unravel as it seems to be one lone piece wound around. Anyone have any idea how to save the cording? Or as I also asked Robin, should I concentrate on worrying about poor children in the third world and stop being a baby about a bottle of perfume! But I figured this group would know the feeling.
Can you cut it, wrap the excess around the neck, and glue the ends down unobtrusively? A drop of Sobo craft glue would hold them, or you could even use sealing wax, if you have any.
I have a bottle and I just pried off the black wax disc with a little knife. It popped off, entire and unbroken, with cord pristine and still attached, and it just hangs there now via the gold cord. (I did it with my bottle of Sous le Vent and broke the wax but not the cord.) It’s the same principle as a bottle opener.
ou know that’s almost a $300 bottle of perfume so the main thing is not to spill any when you open it!
Hi
I was wondering if anyone had any experience with the ebay seller who sells brand new Frederic Malle fragrances at 40% off. They have 100% feedback, but I am a little hesitant because they appear to be the seller that I can find that is able to offer Frederic Malle at a discount. I really want to buy Lipstick Rose and Lys Mediterranee. Any info would be helpful. Thanks.
Hey, I’d like to know that too!
I’d like to know that, too! Did you actually read any of the feedback? Sometimes you can tell if it’s padded or fishy.
I’d like to know who is selling FM for 40% off on ebay?? I haven’t seen it for any amazing price. If you are talking about a seller who’s name is 4 words smooshed together where the 3rd word is something beavers make….then , yes, I have bought from him before…I got a 10ml of Lipstick Rose and a 10ml of Une Rose. They arrived very quickly and they are authentic. If you are looking for a FB size you might want to check out places like shop.lessenteurs.com for a price comparison.
Anyhow, that’s my experience, can’t speak for anyone else’s.
Not familiar with that particular seller, but I buy a LOT from ebay and I checked out the listings you’re writing about. With the number of feedback comments left and the type of comments left, I can just tell you that I wouldn’t hesitate to buy something from that seller if there were something I wanted… and now that I’m looking, there may very well be some things I want!
Thanks..Yes Daisy..that is the seller I am refering too…Sorry about my math skills…when I redid the math..its not 40% but on some Frederic Malle is about 30% which is still a lot. I am so tempted. I think I start with something small and see how it goes.
I was not commenting on your math (I would never comment on ANYONE”S math, trust me!) His prices are better than buying straight from France, I agree. And he has free shipping so that brings his price below shop.lessenteurs ….also in case you haven’t ordered from out of the country —as long as your purchase price is under $200 you’re okay on duty fees, but every credit card I’ve ever used charges a “foreign transaction fee” of 3%
The FM’s I got from him were clearly the genuine article. And he’s pretty easy to deal with, seems pretty accomodating. I’ve been sort of eyeballing that 100ml of Lipstick Rose….but I’d never use that much…I’ve just got eyes bigger than my perfume shelf….as the saying goes.
oops, I just re-read my post—it makes it sound like the ebay seller is ‘out of the country’ —he’s in Florida. the out of the country is lessenteurs.
Daisy..thanks for your help. My eye are also bigger than my perfume shelf! RIght now I probably have more perfume any mortal human could wear in a lifetime…but I still need more!!! I just adore Lipstick Rose although I agree 100ml would be alot, but its a better “bargain” than the 50ml…so what’s a girl to do?
Tara, if we could get enough interest, I would buy the big bottle and we could split it up….want me to go to scentsplits and make an entry to that effect?
sheesh, if I could type and think at the same time I wouldn’t have to keep adding a sentence …..if the item you want gets sold…email him and ask if he has another…he usually does.
Daisy, I just posted a reply about the split, but it wound up at the bottom of the comments when I intended to keep it up here….Oh well…I hope this one gets to the right place.
Can anyone tell me how strong the leather notes in CB I Hate Perfume’s “In the Library” are? And how long his fragrances generally last in the absolute form? Thank you
The leather is very subtle.
I mostly use the water formulas…hope someone else will come along & answer about the oils.
I have three of his oils (Musk, Revelation and Greenbriar). On my skin they last for 12-24 hours (Greenbriar just never goes away).
FOTD: Kenzo Jungle pour Homme
I have all three Jungles, but pour Homme is the only one I wear on a regular basis. Elephant is just too…big, and Tigre gave me nightmares the one time I wore it so no for now.
Does anyone know if Yvresse/Champagne parfum was ever sold in a 30ml luxury format?
I have no idea, sorry!
Hi,
Has anyone had a bad experience purchasing a fragrance from http://www.la-perfumes.com? I would be interested to know as I purchased a fragrance and am now having a hard time getting any reply as to the status of my order. Never had that problem before with many other perfume and beauty websites.
Hey-I just received an order from perfumela.com. Have you checked your spam folder? I ask because they always send me a click-n-ship with a UPS tracking number.
Whoops, I’m talking about a different site than you! Never mind.
My advice: go the fragrance board at MakeupAlley and do a search. That’s what I do whenever I want to find out if an online store is legit.
Thanks for this suggestion! I have been on Makeup Alley many times but only to check reviews of products. Never been to boards before. Will see what I can find. Thanks again!
I was wearing patchouli all day (Fumerie Turque followed by Borneo 1834) but I have now switched for evening smoothness to my newest purchase which is one I never hear or read anything about, EL Tuscany Per Donna. I really love it. I found it recently at an outlet store where I sprayed a lot of things on myself and most of them were just godawful but not this.
mmm…I have a bottle of Tuscany per Donna back in the fridge somewhere….I used to wear that a lot back in the mid-90’s.
I had forgotten all about it. I will have to dig around and see if it is still good (since it’s what? almost 15 yrs old?might be nasty)
I’ve had a couple things turn on me….Eddie Bauer Balance, Lanvin Oxygen, hmmm something else that escapes me now….sometimes they change color and smell sour & stale. Time for the trash can then.
Hi, I feel brave enough right now to start exploring the “white flower” territory: tuberose and gardenia to begin with.
I have sampled the very different versions of Santa Maria Novella (*** & 1/2), Fracas (***), TF (*), Do Son (**1/2 out of *****). I was wondering is there is any non-soliflore tuberose (/gardenia) scent that you could suggest: I would be very pleased to find tuberose on a smoky incense-myrhh even resinous base.
Any hints, with very low vanilla conc.?
On the green side, I’m also intrigued by Kai after reading nst review, but I can’t figure out how a green gardenia might be…
While I have no real advice, I sampled Ava Luxe Madonna Lily the other day and reviews say it’s very similar to Kai. I can’t comment on the likeness (never tried Kai), but I do enjoy ML a lot. It’s creamy and full, yet has a green, transparent quality.
PdN Sacrebleu? Sorry, I seem to be a one-note wonder here. Love Sacrebleu. BUT it DOES have tuberose, and it has that incensy base.
Did I already mention Frederic Malle Carnal Flower?
Zazie, I recommend a sample of Lutens Cèdre, which is very tuberose heavy on a base of smooth woods. I find it to be a unique tuberose scent.
Oh, and changing subject – for those of you close enough to Italy: on the 4th and 5th of April, Milan, there is this intriguing (at least for me) perfume event:
http://www.esxence.com/en/
I can’t wait to go there and try all the niche brands that aren’t usually available for a sniff.
Thanks!
Dear All
Robin kindly suggested I post a request on this poll. I was writing a comment under her Fracas review, asking for advice about finding a floral scent. I don’t own one, and am finding it hard to find one that I love. I tend towards wood/vetiver/musk/incense/leather/tobacco/oriental/spicey things. I love Serge Lutens: Muscs Koublai Kahn and Cuir Mauresque, OJ Woman and Tolu, Incense:Kyoto and Tabac Blond – to give you a sense of my tastes. I also like a lot of Tom Ford’s non-floral Private Blends.
The florals i’m interested in so far are: Fracas and Ta’if. I’m leaning towards the Fracas, because it packs more of a dramatic punch – but damn, Ta’if is just glorious (but perhaps a little soft for me right now). I like perfumes with a history or interesting story behind their creation, and that have an unusual twist. I’m up for something that isn’t tame, that can be worn out on an evening date, that is gorgeous, womanly, unusual, daring and edgy.
I really hope you guys have some suggestions!!!
Thanks so much!
Hey! you are my scent twin (maybe except for Fracas)!!!
The same serge lutens (+ a couple of the exclusive line), the same Tom Fords, …
I’m not that into florlas, I’m just starting exploring the genre…
I find Paestum Rose, from eau d’Italie, appealing: on the right days is wonderful, sometimes I find it too much.
It is rose + myrhh and other delicious stuff. It was suggested to me by Robin, a very nice nst commenter…
Ah, and what about SL bois de violette? It is not exactly floral… 😉
Hey, I found a scent twin! I read about other people who have them, and also ‘evil scent twins’ (I presume that means they like entirely the opposite things?!?) In which case, you are the perfect person to swap floral possibilities with…….
Yes, Bois de Violette is one that I like the sound of, and i have been considering ordering a sample (along with Bois Sepia, Encens Lavande and La Myrrhe just for fun! God, I am loving the Lutens lately!) . Robin also suggested the Paestum Rose to me, so I must try that. I was thinking also of SL’s Rose de Nuit and Tubereuse Criminelle. SO my list is shaping up……
Ta’if
Fracas
Paestum Rose
T.Criminelle
Rose de Nuit
Bois de Violette
Thanks Zazie!!!
Blimunda: If you are having troubles getting into florals, I have a few less common suggestions. They may not work for you, but perhaps you should test them. You seem to like the richer style fragrances. Here are my rec’s: Boucheron Femme – a very well balanced but rich floral-oriental with a nice bit of tuberose and some other white flowers. You should check out the Guide periodical reivew of this if you can from Fall 2008. LT suggests it is monumental in the way major art deco architecture is monumantal. I’ve worn it off and on since the 90s. Applied just right it is amazingly gorgeous, rich, womanly, and interesting. Along these lines, I also suggest Caron Montaigne. It is amazing floral-woody/amber with rich narcissus, mimosa, and woody spicy amber dry down. It gorgeous and rich, definitely not for everyone. My next rec for you, based on your vetiver, leather bias, is an oldie I recently rediscovered (my sister used to wear it): Ralph Lauren’s Safari. It is an aldehyde floral chypre with a nice vetiver floral soft leather quality that is also a bit powdery. It has blackcurrant, daffodil, narcissus, etc, but is so well blended you can’t really pick it apart. This is definitly rich, wearable and supremely dry b/c of the chypre oakmoss and vetiver. Very nice, and it is inexpensive. Based on your liking if incense, have you considered florals such as the new Givenchy (Les Mythiques) L’Interdit, which is a light aldehyde floral with a wee bit of incense in the base that keeps it from being cloying. Also, Sonoma Scent Studio has a floral rose, Vintage Rose, that is wonderful roses and incense.
ditto on the Montaigne suggestion. Very floral and rich, but with a nice woody drydown. We have similar taste – I also wear mostly incensy and woody fragrances, but also love big white florals, especially fracas and carnal flower.
Hi, Blimunda! I absolutely love Ta’if, so I can wholehearted second it, along with the Paestum Rose and the Montaigne Caron. You might really like Le Parfum de Therese, which I always perceive as floral despite its prominent fruit and spice notes. You seem to like richer fragrances, and this one is fairly rich, and has a great story to boot. Tauer’s Reverie dans le jardin also popped into my head. L’Artisan has a big honeysuckle-jasmine that might appeal, La Haie fleurie du hameau. Several of the Patou frags you might also find interesting; they tend to be big and complicated florals over a fairly animalic base (Joy, Sublime, and Normandie, which also has some amber and woods, but for me they don’t appear until the last gasp).
La Haie Fleurie de Hameau is breathtaking! It is amazlingly emotive considering how light it is. Annick Goutal’s Grand Amour is also very similar.
Wow, everyone, thanks so much. it’s great to have all this advice. I’ve just left a message with the Roja Dove Boutique at Harrods to see how many of your suggestions they stock. If I can try them all in one go, it would be great. The Caron Montaigne sounds very intriguing, and came-up a few times in your individual responses, so it seems I should try that first! And I will read-up on the story behind Le Parfum de Therese!
Thanks everyone, I appreciate it.
LOL sounds like you need a trip to scentsplits!
I’ve never ventured into scent splits……..maybe i should give it a try……
Whee, an open thread!
Perfect opportunity to ask you guys after your favourite (semi-)dirty musk. I want to find a musk that really melts into the skin, and that seems that necessitates some dirtiness/animalic edge to it.
I have tried: C16, Musc Ravageur, Musk to Musk, AL Rasa, Dzing!, Clair de Musc.
I have a sample of MKK coming, and will try Kiehl’s, Musc Bleu, L’Air de Rien, Madini Musk Gazelle and Musc Nomade.
Have I covered all bases or am I missing some important, perfect musk?
HI 🙂 I have a trouble with strong musk perfumes as often they give me a headache but my friends love ETRO Musk. We have been discussing about it for some time and the more they try it, the more they like it. Give it a try 🙂 Maybe you will like it too.
Kenzo Winter Flowers was pretty dirty to my nose. And the base musks in the new Badgley Mischka Couture seemed pretty dirty as well, even though it starts out like a light fruity/oriental.
Today is a good perfume day to me. Finally I got a bottle of Guerlain Mahora. I am a Guerlain admirer 🙂 I’ve been looking for this perfume for over a year and finally its in my hands. Smells a lovely tuberose on top notes with sweet orange blossom & base notes of vanilla & santal. Love it! Its a huge tuberose perfume. It can be compared to Robert Piguet Fracas by intensity of tuberose.
Tomorrow I will be testing Hermes Amazone and the day after Givenchy Organza Indecense.
Congrats on your new bottle!
So glad to find another lover of Mahora. It really doesn’t get a lot of love (to quote Marina from her blog). I managed to ‘live on” a small handful of carded samples given by generous Guerlain SAs back when it was new. Have been too “cheap” to buy them when they were in affordable abundance and finally got on ebay to bid for a bottle of the perfume.
Besides loving the scent on its own, I also like to use it as a base to add warmth and enhance some musky rose scents that I consider too sweet and too thin.
Enjoy!
Yay!
I’ve been waiting for a ‘free day’ so I can de-lurk and ask:
Is there anywhere I can go to connect with people near me who may be interested in getting to know someone else with a perfume hobby? While I thoroughly enjoy the online communities, I’m feeling the desire to have a friend (or several) In Real Life who shares my interest. Thanks!
You know, I don’t know a way to easily facilitate that. You could try going to the fragrance board at MakeupAlley and asking if anyone else lives in your town & would like to go on a shopping expedition. Or, you could ask the same thing here…although you’d do better to ask it earlier in an open thread (don’t know how many people are still reading this one).
I am looking into adding Opium pour homme and Celine pour homme to my collection. Any thoughts on either??
Help…
Sorry, I haven’t tried either…
After reading through all these comments, I thought about another poll…although we’ve probably already had that….”Name the best and cheapest fragrances”…it could be linked to our ‘perfumista/perfumisto during the recession’ discussion 🙁
We did do something sort of like that, but maybe it’s time for another edition!
Some polls are a good thing to repeat after a while, this might be one of those.
A coworker has been wearing a particular scent for years. According to her it was formulated by Tom Ford, and is supposed to be a scent his mother loved. I think it’s called Amber Dream. Apparently it is discontinued. Any recommendations on things that might be similar?
I would guess she’s wearing Estee Lauder Youth Dew Amber Nude, which was designed by TF. It is in fact discontinued, but you can still find bottles online at reasonable prices.
Hello everyone- am looking for solid perfumes- especially the Aromatics Elixir by Clinique. Where do I find it?
Thanks!
They can be hard to find…that sounds like something I’d email Clinique about.
Hello all,
Long time reader, first time writer (LOL) and I am just beginning to become interested in the world of ‘niche’ scents. My problem though is that so many that I’ve sampled smelled great to me (eg. scents by Serge Lutens/Frederic Malle/Comme De Garcon/CB I Hate Perfume to name a few) but to all my friends and family apparently smell terrible! Is it my nose that’s off perhaps? My skin chemistry with these types of scents? Or are they just uneducated simpletons? What do you guys think?
That’s a good question…next time we do an open thread, hope you’ll ask it again; this post appeared on Thursday & isn’t getting so much action now.
My first thought is that if you’re getting that many comments on your scent at all, positive OR negative, I’d wonder if you’re wearing too much.
Hi robin thanks for your speedy reply and I will definetely ask the question again in the next open thread. The funny thing is though, no one EVER notices which scent I’m wearing (I’ve noticed also that many of these niche scents don’t seem to project very much – then again it could be just me again!) and the only time I get a response is if I extend my arm and say “smell this what do you think?.”
Also interesting to note that if I was to slather myself in Joop! Homme and go to work most people would think I would smell great! Which, I think, leans towards the uneducated simpleton angle.
Anyway, I’ve already wasted to much space here with my completely self indulgent babble.
Keep up the good work!
You know, there’s some truth to the idea that if what you’re after is general compliments, you might be better off wearing whatever is the most popular mainstream scent (right now, Acqua di Gio Pour Homme, apparently). Or, you can decide to please yourself and forget everyone else, LOL…
Phew! Lots of good comments…I’m back to trying to make my gravatar work…maybe this time…
Looks like no… 🙁
Did you clear your browser cache? I’m seeing red flower buds…
??? I’m seeing a sky blue geometric design? does that mean that I need to clear my cache as well? Guess it couldn’t hurt….I’d like to be seeing the red flower buds too!
I’m such a techno-idiot….. yeah, a technidiot….that’s me.
I’m glad I came back to look…but here’s the crazy thing…*today* I see the image…and, as it happens, had cleared my browser cache just before embarking upon the gravatar attempts. And then there’s Daisy, who only saw the default design as of yesterday (Sat)…hmmm.
I’m technodeficient. Will ask those with more knowledge in their heads what they think….
Daisy, I’ve never done any splits although I would be very interested in a split of Lipstick Rose if you are willing to deal with a newbie. How many people do you need for it to be worth while?
Tara, I am so glad you found my comment! I was just doing the math….I also just checked scentsplits and sure enough there is NO LIPSTICK ROSE which is practically a crime! It is one of my favorite roses. I will host a split if I can get maybe 5 other people who want 10ml …..I don’t want a whole bottle….I have a 10ml decant but I’ve been rationing.
it is done. I’m headed for scentsplits now.
Robin,
I realize I am a week behind but I am just catching up. I have two questions. The first one is about the fragrance which started it for me in the seventies, Cristalle. Is the EDT truly the same as it was thirty years ago? Or has my sense changed as I have aged?
My second question is about citrus — which fragrances embody the idea of citrus and are still sophisticated enough for a mature woman?
I have a challenging job which I love but it is very stressful at times. A visit to NST is a delight ful mini-holiday. Many thanks.
Rigana, if you want lots of feedback, you’re better off waiting for the next open thread and asking again — doubt many people are still reading this.
No, Cristalle is not the same. The bottle I bought 2 years ago is pretty darned wonderful, but since IFRA has ruled out oakmoss & many citrus notes, I don’t see how current/future bottles can smell anything like the old.