Same old drill. Tell us anything you like: what your perfume is today, the last perfume you bought, the next perfume you're planning to buy, whatever. Or, ask a question about fragrance, then see if anyone else has asked a question that you can answer.
Note: image is Night clouds 26 june by omarrun at flickr; some rights reserved.
What fragrances do you think ,smell like ‘money’ ‘success’ and ‘class” My top three for men: Lalique Encre Noir, CC 1872 for men & Guerlain Habit Rouge. Fou for women: ER:Vintage Femme, SL:Iris Silver Mist and Eau de Sisley #3 and Roja Dove Unspoken
what say you?
M, almost all the Chanels smell like “money” to me, along with a hefty dollop of “elegance and style.” I’m speaking of feminines here, as I’m not familiar enough with masculines to comment on them. I just sampled 31 Rue Cambon yesterday (thanks, Daisy!) and my immediate thought was, Smells Like a Chanel: money and elegance.
There are other fragrances I haven’t named that would also carry those connotations to me, but I thought I’d leave those for others to mention.
Just think of me as your personal ‘perfume pusher’ heheheh ..oh, minus the trench coat ( I don’t own one) .
I think the proper term is “enabler.” 🙂
oh yes, absolutely —that sounds so much more respectable!
Smells like money = Dior Eau Sauvage. Except that it must be either reformulated or about to be, I’d guess.
I completely agree with the Chanels, as well as many of the older Guerlains like Apres l’Ondee, Jardin de Bagatelle, several MDCIs like L’Enlèvement au Sérail, Patou’s Joy and Amouage’s Jubilaiton 25. As for the men, most Chanel for men as well, also Jubilation XXV, PG’s Coze also smells rich. I completely agree with l’Encre Noir. It’s also an excellent bedtime scent.
How interesting that you picked Apres l’Ondee! To me it smells ethereal and otherworldly, gentle and romantic but somewhat impractical.
I completely agree about Jubilation XXV, though. It smells incredibly expensive, in the best way possible.
i ahd the same thought. Actually if you smell vintage femme and Jubilation, except for the huge blast of cumin in J, they are eerily similar…
I had to go spritz on a bit of XXV (love it so) with all this chatter about it. Sniffing it confirmed my thought: I don’t get a bit of cumin in it, much less a huge blast. Interesting how we all interpret scent differently!
I also don’t get the cumin note in XXV. Though I’m prone to not smell certain notes…for example I dont get any of the animal notes in SL MKK.
I think Boucheron Pour Homme EDP smells like old money, like some really classy, rich guy who was born into it. Of course, what with the restrictions on oakmoss, it’s probably been reformulated into something that smells like a guy who made a few million dollars by becoming a stock-car racer and divorcing a dissolute heiress.
Hermes’ 24F smells like money (and sunshine)! Am rather curious about the Paco Rabanne, I hear it’s a very popular gift for businessmen, from their wives.
Anything with oakmoss smells so rich to me-definitely money. speaking of I just spent alot of it on Alpona with the restrictions on oakmoss. Also the lady at Caron told me it is being discontinued:-(
Three recent purchases: Comptoire Sud Pacifique Vanille Banane, and Musc Alize; Burberry Weekend. I enjoy them all, but especially like the Musc, which reminds me of a nicer version of Ralph Lauren’s Blue.
Suggestions for a good summer floriental?
Hey, someone else who likes Vanille Banane! I’ll have to try the Musc.
I like it, too! A very fun scent to wear in the summer.
Thank you all, fellow fragrance fiends ! ! !
Lagerfeld’s kapsule floriental 🙂
Thank you, meme chose. Any one else have a suggestion for a summer floriental?
Hi, Sacre-Bleu: for summer floriental, I like Lucky No 6 by Claiborne (or Lucky Jeans, as the current incarnation I think). It’s jasmine and ‘woody’ without being heavy and is priced reasonably. Just purchased Poivre Piquant on scentsplit wiki to try for our miserable Florida summers! My birthday is coming and I will graciously accept a bottle of Bois 1920 Come La Luna. Thanks, guys!
AG Songes.
DK Gold (might be too heavy).
Apres l’Ondee (might be too springy).
Kenzo Summer Flower.
MDCI Enlevement au Serail, Promesse de l’Aube, or Rivage des Syrtes if you can handle a fruity top.
YSL Cinema.
OJ Frangipani Absolute (don’t know if it’s officially a floriental, but the base is quite woody-vanilla on me, delicious!)
Chantecaille Frangipani.
Good luck! Some of these are on my to-try list so I don’t know how summer-suitable they are; they just popped up in a search for “floriental” and don’t sound terribly wintery. How hot/humid is your summer? Mine can get pretty sweltery, so I’ll admit that the only ones that might make my own summer list are Songes and the frangipani suggestions.
I think I myself would rather wear lighter florals for summer (green or straight floral). I expect that I’ll have my Paris spring edition, my Kenzo Parfum d’Ete, and my (new!) Rose d’Ete in heavy rotation for the hot weather. I hereby admit that I LIKE the apple and melon in that Rose d’Ete, so snicker away.
I usually don’t go ‘oriental’ in summer because it’s like a steamroom here. I love Kenzo Parfum d’Ete! Thanks for list, Mals, I feel another sample pack coming on. Have long been curious about YSL Cinema, will have to test that one. And watch out for those cows!
really, the moo-moos catch a whiff of melons and apples and you could be covered with cow-slobber in 2 seconds flat! Cows have no concept of personal space (how rude!)
ok pulling out the biggest gun here kenzo flower oriental….
I’m awaiting the arrival of a few samples from LS. I’m especially excited about the Le Labo sample pack, By Kilian’s Beyond Love, Balmain’s Ambre Gris and CdG’s Vettiveru. Any opinions on these? 😀
The whole Le Labo line is wonderful, IMHO, and I love that CdG. Was not so impressed with the Balmain, but I know many people at MUA loved it.
the Labo sample pack —my first exposure to Labo; only tried 2 so far. The oud 27 —smelled like rotted hay—made it almost an hour before I was so nauseated that vigorous scrubbing and then overspraying with something else saved me. Since I have weird body chemistry everyone else will probably love it!
second: Fleur d’Oranger —sweet old fashioned orange blossoms but also it smells just like these hugemungous dark purple Iris that bloom in my yard! I may actually have to buy this one.
A shipment of samples is a wonderful thing, yes?
I’ve tried Vetiver 46 before and it reminds me of CdG’s 2MAN, with its smokiness and incense notes.
And yes, receiving a shipment of samples is wonderful. I just wish I could receive samples everyday! 🙂 I’ve yet to give each of my samples a full day’s wear though. Maybe ordering more isn’t the way to go…
I had to stop a minute and fantasize about what it would be like to find a packet of samples in the mailbox everyday….sigh…..
The samples do pile up but it’s weird fun to keep getting them! I put mine in a clear nail sorter box from Home Depot and my husband knows better than to ask when I’m going to wear all that stuff. I just spray him with something sweet if he acts up!
Picturing that! Thanks for the giggle.
I keep my samples in a craft organizer box with separators – probably similar to your nail box – and the whole deal is closed away from light inside the bedside cabinet, so it’s not out in plain view where the CEO can make fun of it. Because he would.
I’m trying to get my friends to band together so I may get a sample pack as well but they seem unmotivated. I just have to poke up with sharp sticks, wailing, “I bought you guys birthday presents!” ;3
I liked Beyond Love, because I like tuberose scents in general, but it wasn’t FBW for me. I didn’t love it more than Fracas as a lush tuberose scent, and it wasn’t more interesting than Tuberose Criminelle. Well worth a sample, though.
try DSH tuberose lovely without HELLO I AM A bIG WHITE FLOWER trail
Yes yes yes! on the DSH Tubereuse… my favorite tuberose so far. Doesn’t b*^%h slap you like Fracas.
Dang it, I had forgotten I was saving money for that one.
Thanks, memechose and mals! I will have to try this one.
I’m loving the Le Labo samples – I have done well with the Oud 27, which I will not need to buy, but am having fun with; the Fleur d’Oranger is fab and like Daisy I may need to buy that one; the Labdanum smells like an excellent version of Chantilly and it is comforting and femmy; the Neroli, not so much, too much calone. Still working through the pack.
The other samples I got were PdN Balkis, which blissed me out completely, and l’Artisan Premiere Figeur Extreme, which I like but am still working on.
Because I am still broke but selling some things on ebay I think my next purchase will be a really cheap bottle of Covet or a semi-cheap bottle of Madame. I just want something easy to spray on for spring and both of those work. Especially if I can get the Covet for a buck.
My Maoli sample (which they are now offering for free) is on the way so am hoping to get it in time to comment on one of these open threads.
Thanks for the Maoli tip, Tama — I just requested one!
Follow-up on Le Labo – I forgot I tried Ambrette (warm and foody – kinda weird) and today I wore the Jasmine, which rocks out! A really good one.
Three recent purchases that I love : Chanel no5 Eau Premiere, Lea St. Barth and FM Lipstick Rose
Most recent purchase that I think I might regret: Shiseido Feminite du Bois—oh the difference between a drop and a lot! oh well. But I absolutely love the other 3.
Decant the Shiseido & only use a drop at a time?
Robin, you are so right. I’m so disappointed and so many rave about Feminite du Bois —I’m going to offer it up as cheap decants just to get rid of it. I have so many things I love, why waste time on something that is just ok? Usually I sample then wait a few days then sample a couple more times before I lose my mind and buy a huge bottle! sigh, most of my impulse buys have worked out nicely…
CHEAP decants! Are you nuts?? I think it’s rare enough (it’s Shiseido, not the rereleased SL?) that you could certainly charge exactly what you paid for it, no discounts.
I must admit here that I haven’t sampled it yet, but I loved the related Dolce Vita enough to find a (used) bottle.
yeah, it’s the Shiseido which has been discontinued (at least in the states) but it was still the creation of SL —I should have known since me and Serge are NOT the best of friends. I haven’t loved a single SL frag.
Usually when I like something on first try, I just like it more with successive tries, not less. Here’s the exception I guess.
i just bought the edp on ebay for 64.99. man, I remmeber when that fragrance was selling for over 300..00. funny when somethign is perceived rare the prices they command. Now that serge rereleased imho, btw, it doesn’t hold a candle to the original…price went down. reason EU regualtions again
if its the original Shiseido and tthe one in the brown bottle, please sell it to me. it is my signature fragrane.
Well, there you go. But make me a sample first, pretty peas?
sounds like it could work out for us both…I’m daisylu at MUA feel free to send me an email and we can figure out if this is the same as what you like. 🙂
Hey Daisy,
I have Shiseido Feminite du Bois and find it lovely, though I find it quite heavy and best used in moderation and preferably in cooler weather. Best just use a very little at a time and give it some time as it develops quite nicely, my opinion. Now if it is not your thing after that then oh well. However don’t be so quick to discard it.
Otherwise if you make someone else happy with a nearly full bottle then great for you both. Yea and don’t sell ‘cheap’. 🙂
I’ve been searching for some Hilde Soliani samples: Tulipano and Mangiamo Dopo Teatro….can’t find them anywhere! They’re not available at the PCourt nor at LS. Can anyone suggest anything???
For samples, no, but if you want bottles you might also try calling New London Pharmacy — they often have things they don’t have shown online. But I’m not very familiar with the HS line.
thanks, Robin. I need to try them first before going the full bottle route…especially with the terrible exchange rate!
Sorry then! Maybe email The Perfumed Court & ask about them…seems like they do try to get everything.
great idea! Thanks so much!
LTS— oh the Il Tuo Tulipano is amazing –all warm and creamy but floral in a soft way —a little reminiscent of Montales Soleil de Capri but less spice. In fact, I’m having a very hard time deciding which one I must have. Luckyscent used to have samples–call them and ask if they’re going to have them again soon–they probably just need to crack open some testers!
I have Tulipano set aside for you, but can’t help on the other one!
YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYY!!!!1
http://www.luckyscent.com carries HS
Hi Daisy and memechoses, I have emailed LS and TPC. Hopefully they’ll have samples soon. I can’t wait!
Luckyscent has bottles so I don’t see why they don’t have samples! I got my samples from them only a few weeks ago—maybe they just are reluctant to open another bottle for samples.
I love the Tulipano…don’t know how much longer i can hold off buying a bottle…probably about another hour….lol
I guess you’ll know where to go for a decant!
Daisy–does this mean you’ll be found on Scent Splits???
–fingers crossed 🙂
LTS– I couldn’t help myself! I ordered a bottle of the Il Tuo Tulipano….I know, I know…I’m supposed to be at least trying to resist, but I’ve used up my sample and well, I’m just not good with ‘yearning’. The bottles are only 50ml so I don’t know if I’ll post at scentsplits (I already have a few things listed there) If you are interested in some go ahead and email me at Daisyloo82@gmail.com and I’ll for sure save you some. You get first dibs!
oops, Robin…I didn’t know my addy would show up so prominently, sorry…won’t do that again…don’t beat me…unless you are going to beat me with that model from the Nautica ad yesterday…then it might be okay.
I don’t mind if you don’t!
Daisy! I’m so excited! I’ve emailed you 🙂
If samples are unavailable I just consider it a sign from the universe to my bank account that we should move on to other things. 😉
Joe-you’ve really got the right attitude. You must be a very patient and happy person!
LTS: I don’t know about patient and happy 🙂 However, there are a seemingly unlimited number of fragrances I haven’t smelled in the universe, and a LIMITED amount of cash in my bank account. Thus, if I can’t get a sample on TPC or LS and if (and don’t ask how big of an “if” that is) I’m unwilling to buy a full bottle unsniffed, it’s an easy decision.
I could send you a sample of Bergamote if you are having trouble finding it. (Couldn’t figure out a way to contact you directly on the new site.)
I completely agree with not buying a bottle unsniffed. I did that a few times and always regretted it! There are so many fragrances to sniff but I think it’s important to pay attention to the ones you just can’t forget about…need to put out that fire, so to speak. As for limited cash in the bank, TELL ME ABOUT IT! I’m a nurse working in a province where we get paid the least across North America. And with all the sweating we do, we need to smell good!
I’m wondering if anyone else is calculating what they need to get NOW, before all the reformulations come out after the new EU restrictions, or what old beloveds they need to stock up on. I’ve been putting off getting Bandit for years, even though I love it and its available at the discounters, and this has pushed me to order now. I’ve got several other things I’m eyeing too, mostly citrus scents. I’ve read about an oak moss that’s been fiddled with to be low in the sensitizing elements of oak moss, so that can be used in perfumes, but I don’t know of any really good substitutions for all the citruses that are being done away with.
As I’ve said before, I’d be careful as you start to hoard online. Many things have already been reformulated. But me, I’m not a hoarder for the most part — I’ll just shed a tear and move on.
There is a lot of doomsday talk about the reformulations – but little in details beyond that. I’m worried about this – and am frustrated by the lack of information at this point. While Octavian’s lists are informative about what may be impacted they are limited to perfumes she considers important (versus what I might care about) and are, as far as I can tell supposition not confirmed fact.
As you note, some juice has already been reformulated. Is there anywhere that is starting to document reformulations as they are discovered?
Yes, the reality of losing the great old perfumes is gloomy but if there is a chance to get the information, I’d really love to hear from someone that the formulation of Joy or No 5 has changed BEFORE splurging on the largest bottle I can find. (I don’t consider it hoarding, just buying something I love that is in limited supply before it’s gone – am I’m pretty sure Nieman’s isn’t going to let me break the seal the smell it first).
The industry is going to be silent about these changes, after all, they are secretive about everything. Let’s share what we find when we find it – rather than offering the miserly ‘ it’s probably all reformulated anyway’ approach that has become the meme of choice this year.
I realize any list will not be complete nor will it promise that what you buy is the old formulation. Is there something like this out there?
I wish, but that would be really hard to accomplish. First, the number of things that are reformulated is much higher than most people suppose…stuff gets reformulated all the time, for a whole variety of reasons, and there’s literally no way to track that. So something that is about to be reformulated to meet IFRA regs could have already been reformulated several times…how can you, as a consumer, know what you’re comparing? You might be comparing 2 iterations out of 5, if that makes sense.
Second, how can you know the age of a bottle you’ve purchased or smell in a store? You might think it smells right, but it might not be the latest version.
Third, nobody agrees! When Luca Turin & Tania Sanchez published information about the reformulation of the Caron urn scents in their book, many people had a fit, swore up & down it wasn’t so. Others agreed with them. And all of these people disagreeing might have been smelling entirely different things since presumably they didn’t all come from the same source at the same time.
Joy will be reformulated b/c of new regulations on jasmine b/c of jasmine sambac replacing jasmine grand. Very sad. If you want to check batch numbers on bottles for reformulation research, check this site — it has pretty good information. You should still be able to find some pre-reformulation Joy. Good luck.
http://datecalculator.googlepages.com/englishhomepage
I posted this on the Nahema review on this site but I’ll reiterate it here because it kind of applies here- I was at the Guerlain boutique in San Francisco a few days ago and was told there that they’re discontinuing Nahema because of difficulty and cost of obtaining ingredients. So, I guess if you like that one, it might be one to start buying up before it’s gone!
Thanks so much for reposting, didn’t see it there & didn’t know it was a goner…
going to buy it tomorrow. one of my favorites. liked majora , but weren’t they the same
You people just talked me into buying an extrait mini on ebay. Now I know I’m crazy for sure.
I bought some Nahema last year from Parfumerie Nasreen in Seattle. The owner indicated to me that they’d only have Nahema in Europe — it will not be distributed to USA and become harder to find. I would check again to make sure it’s actually discontinued and not just in limited release.
Yes! I’ve been planning to buy Bandit for months, and while it may be merely psychological (as Robin says, so much has already been reformulated), the latest outcry has me searching in earnest for the cheapest bottle to buy. If you find a great price, please let me know (not that it’s so expensive, but I do love to save a buck or two…)!
This news is inspiring me to hit teh Bay in search of vintage Joy, Diorella, and Chanel (even though I’ve never liked No. 5). Although this behavior may have something to do with being in the beginning perfumista’s “mad buying phase.”
It’s like some sort of weird fever isn’t it? I hope the frenzied craving feeling passes before my bank account is run dry!
Jirish – thankfully I don’t have that many fragrances that I LOVE that have either oakmoss or large amounts of citrus. I knew however there was an opportunity for me to go overboard and overreact perhaps with “hoarding”. So I went and dug out all my frag boxes which I do keep, and I read the ingredients. I got a good tip from the Sonoma Scent Studio blog (Laurie Erickson) who’s written a lot on this issue with oakmoss. She indicated that the ingredients should read evernia prunastri for oakmoss or evernia furfuracea for treemoss. I read all my boxes and found 5 of my fragrances that actually had oakmoss (the ep), and two that had treemoss (ef). Then I made a list. And then I really reflected on what of ALL my fragrances were my absolute favorites. And you know, my top three fragrances don’t have oakmoss or treemoss in them at all, or citrus oils. It made me take pause before I went nuts to get backup bottles. I was however, very happy that one of my favorites that *does* have oakmoss (surprise to me as an unlisted note in all marketing) I had already begun to hoard b/c of mysore sandalwood issues. Phew. So now I acutally only have three fragrances out of all the seven with “moss” in them that I want to buy backup bottles for. And one of them is a regular cheapie at TJ Maxx. Which left only two I need to buy. I’ve created a spending plan to buy one each month until I get the backups I want, and then also it won’t interfere with spending for all the other fragrances I want to buy! I just recommend really doing your homework (read boxes!! I was surprised on two of my frag that they have oakmoss in them b/c it’s never mentioned in notes lists) and then making sure you actually really care. I mean if Mitsouko is the ONE, then by all means, etc….but I think it is important to a) really actually want it and take the risk of buying something that may already be reformulated (as Robin discusses) ior may go bad for the years it will be stored, AND how it all impacts the fact there are always new outstanding frags coming along….When I was looking at what I might have spent to buy backup bottles of the ones I have with oakmoss/treemoss….I realized for the same or less, I could buy one or two bottles of Chamade perfume (my absolute favorite of all). which I’d rather have than the oakmoss frags I have..it put things into perspective. I do think all this reformulation and regulations of notes/essences is overboard….
Um, what I meant to say about the overboard comment is that I think “they” are going too far with over-regulating the essences that go into fragrances, etc. Not that “we” are going overboard with buying beloved bottles, etc.
Happy Friday everyone,
Today I’m wearing Fig & Poppy by Speziali Fiorentini. I needed a summer lift, my nose is tired of heavy winter scents…
New purchases are Jo Malone’s Sweet Lime & Cedar dry oil body mist, it’s absolutely lovely, very green and crisp. I’m very happy I splurged. It has that summery citrus smell of Florida in the spring. JUST what I needed today!
Oh, that JM sounds nice — I like that scent!
This was a very nice scent. It smelled (to me anyway) not as woody/dry as the cologne, but more green and citrusy. It lasts quite a while too…
In the mail yesterday I received a mini of Youth Dew. I knew it was strong, I sniffed it at the EL counter, but wow one tiny dab scented the whole room! lol Also got a FB of the original Anna Sui and a FB of Arpege -unsniffed it was such a good price and I couldn’t help myself… haven’t sprayed it yet. *fear* lol I should go spray it on a square of tp
YD is amazingly concentrated stuff…and they don’t seem to have watered it down in the modern age.
I think the EL salesgirl was shocked that I liked it lol
Arpege on the toilet paper smells good so I’ll stop fretting. I’d put some on me but I’m still getting tiny wafts of YD off my arm.
I admit with embarrassment that YD scares me.
Me too. It’s bigger than I am, when it’s on my skin. Absolutely wonderful on people who can wear it, though… it was my mom’s best friend’s scent and because of that, it was always the Glamorous Lady Perfume of my childhood.
Yup, you can’t go overboard with Youth Dew, you could knock yourself out! A little dab’ll do ya, as they used to say. But if you use it light-handedly, it dries down spicy fresh. One time I wore it, my aunt commented on how it smelled “so clean”!
Sampling Drole de Rose today (nice, but I don’t love it).
My latest score: 4 ounces of vintage Emeraude parfum de toilette in the gold-crown-top bottle, for the staggering amount of… $22, including insured shipping! I know, it’s always a risk to buy vintage, but the bottle is full (minimal air damage, I hope), and the juice is the same soft peridot color as the other small vintage bottle I snagged last week – which is turning out to be the most perfect thing I have ever smelled. EVER. (One HG in the bag. I’m so happy.)
Latest frag added to the wishlist: OJ Ta’if. Just bought: 100 ml of Tocade, $24 including shipping. Just ordered: Rosine Rose d’Ete, 10% off at beautyencounter. Split of Lyric Woman being planned for May. (Hm. A rose theme going on here.)
And I received the first-ever compliment on my perfume at work yesterday, for 31 Rue Cambon.
Yay!! Rosine on the way! woohoo! You are going to LOVE it —and you’ve been so strong to resist as long as you have!
–and remember: absolutely NO tackling the mailperson as they approach with a package….seems they really don’t like that…
Mailbox is half a mile from the house so no tackling… if carrier can’t get a pkg in the mailbox, I get a little orange “pick up your package at the PO” slip, no door delivery.
Ah, rural life. Hey, I nearly got trampled by a grouchy mama cow the other day, trying to feed her possibly-blind and definitely-dumb calf a supplemental bottle. He kept trying to eat my jeans, instead of drinking from the bottle a inch from his nose.
LOL –been there, done that…cleaned off the slobber after! It’s a darn good thing that calves are cute….because they are usually as dumb as a box of rocks. Always difficult to feed–half of it ends up in their noses I think. Get him into a box stall so mama-moo-moo doesn’t get all freaked out. My mom has one of her ‘pet’ cows about to calve…the time is very near because she has been trying to sneak down into the swamp and woods at the very bottom of the mountainside….where it’s the most difficult to get the calf and haul it back to the barn….Big cows, little cows –they’re ALL dumb.
I went to Nordstrom the other day and did the whole sample-everything-as-long-as-there-is-space-on-my-body thing. And, let me tell you, I’ve found a new love. Of course, she’s exactly 90.
Mitsouko. It’s certainly not my favorite all-timer but it’s getting me excited. I’m pretty sure I sampled parfum so we’ll see how that works out.
Long term, though, I think I might be trying to set up some Hermessence splits, probably with the travel set to start out. I broke my second (SECOND!) vial of Vetiver Tonka last night and I think it’s time to get a better bottle.
Oh, sorry about your vials! If you do a split of Brin de Reglisse on Scent Splits, let me know…I need a small bottle.
It’s what I get for carrying samples around in my pocket, I guess. =P
I bought a big bottle of BdR in December so it could be awhile….
I go back and forth with Mitsouko. First couple of times I tried it, I thought, “OK, but not for me”. Then I loved it and thought I had to have a full bottle! Now I’m back at the not for me stage, admiring the Guerlains but not wanting to wear one…we’ll see where I end up as my sniffer becomes more refined.
Wearing YSL Nu (edt) today. I like it, but prefer the edp… Wish we still sold it 🙁
Sorry 🙁
I just saw Nu EDP at fragrancenet.com for 37 bucks. I own and like the EDP alot!
Thanks for the techie help R! 😉
Sorry the spam filter ate your comment! I think that’s only happened twice so far.
I have a question – does anyone know the best method of neutralizing the smell of a perfume left behind in a bottle or decant vial? I am trying to reuse some purse sprays for other fragrances and am trying to recycle some of my used vials. Any suggestions?
You can get rid of the smell in glass, but not *entirely* in plastic caps or atomizers. I never reuse for that reason.
Dumb newbie question: do you think it would matter much if the replacement scent were somewhat similar to whatever was in there before? Or if the replacement scent was much, much stronger than the original?
Examples: After the Drole de Rose is gone, refill with Paris; after Diorissimo, another muguet scent like that ’93 Kenzo Pd’Ete; after, say, Coco Mdlle., refill with Angel; after anything, Tabu… (This is all theoretical, of course. It’s not THAT expensive to buy replacement sprays.)
If I really loved the atomizer, I might do something like that. But I mostly buy cheapies, so I just toss them.
May I ask how you clean out a glass bottle exactly? I have a Bohemian perfume bottle that had Eau Ressourcante in it which I would like to reuse. Same question of metal funnels. I know you must throw away plastic ones when decanting, or stick to the same scent with them, but what cleaning agent would you use on metal ones? Washing up liquid? Something without too strong a scent itself? Some cleaning products can be quite pungent these days. Thanks!
For a metal funnel, I’d just use regular dishwash liquid. For a bottle, if dishwash liquid doesn’t work, try alcohol, or a mixture of vinegar & water.
Yup, vinegar and water. We always did a last rinse with acetic acid in chem lab….which is basically vinegar. It will remove soap residue.
Thanks for this – any kind of vinegar, would that be? Like regular malt or white vinegar, not cider or wine or another fancy kind!?
Will try the washing up liquid route first, as you suggest. Regarding alcohol, I have vodka. Or is the right stuff this “rubbing alcohol” people are mentioning further down?
White vinegar — a fabulous all-purpose cleaning product.
Use white vinegar only. Grocery store cheapo brand is fine…it’s all diluted 5% acetic acid.
Rubbing (isopropyl 30%) alcohol would be the one to use. You’d want it to evaporate as cleanly as possible. But I’ve never had any success with alcohol….unless you want to make sure there’s no lingering bacteria….like with a roll on container. For odor removal you need something absorbant.
Also simple old fashioned sunshine might do the trick….not that we have any sunshine here in Michigan…but if you can wait for sunny weather you could put the plastic parts in something where they couldn’t roll or blow away easily (like a heavy iron pan) and just set them out in full sun for a couple of days. You’d be surprised what the sun can burn right out of stuff!
As far as my knowledge reaches (meaning not very much), if there was plastic, some scents will just hold on for dear life. I had a Euphoria roller-ball. I rescued it from Euphoria and put in some Miss Dior Cherie. I tried rubbing alcohol, dishwasher cycles — hell, I even boiled it for an hour. Nothing doing. I hope you have better luck. Some fragrances seem to lift right out; others sink in their teeth.
Grrr, this is what I was afraid of. I have used rubbing alcohol before and it works sometimes but I was wondering if something oil-based would work better?? I have a lovely dagger-shaped purse-spray bottle of Safari by Ralph Lauren. Love the bottle, hate the fragrance. I cleaned that bottle with almost a full bottle of rubbing alcohol but it just clung in there! Eventually I just gave up and poured a strong Aveda fragrance in it. Surprisingly, it didn’t seem to change the composition. But now the empty bottle smells of a strong patchouli based Aveda perfume. *sigh*
The plastic parts are funny that way…but you could try rinsing them so they are nice and wet then packing them in baking soda…like in an old margerine tub or a rubbermade container (you get the idea) and let them sit for a few days. Baking soda is pretty good at absorbing odors so maybe it’d draw out the oils that have permeated the plastic parts. I don’t know if it’ll work but baking soda is dirt cheap so it’s worth a shot?
Great suggestion, Daisy! Thanks, I will definitely try that.
Baking soda is what I use in my little natural perfumery lab to get scents out of plastic items (and to get sticky stuff off of glass).
You also may consider filling the bottle with hydrogen peroxide (separately from any other ingredient) for a day or two. It MIGHT work. But sadly, yes, once it’s decided to hang on for dear life, you may not be able to get plastic to release a scent.
or 20 mule team Borax….possibly some TSP ….I’m trying to think of what you might have stashed in the laundry room or garage that would lift odors. My first try would be the baking soda. The problem with using something oil based is that you may find that you’ve substituted one odor for another odor.
Today is one of those days when I’m just not sure which perfume to grab. I want something crisp and fresh, but so much of my collection is floral and warm, or gourmand and warm, or just meh. I’ll most likely end up using Un Jardin en Mediterrannee (not that I’m complaining).
Any suggestions on similar scents (in mood or style)?
Something more green or floral or both? Or are you looking at citrus more?
For greens, what about CdG’s Calamus, TDC Sel de Vetiver, or Chanel 19.
Floral and green is Diorissimo alllll the waaaaayyy
Citrus hasn’t really been my thing but TDC’s Divine Bergamote gets a lot of love and attention and I’m aching to try it!
Good luck!
Thumbs up on that Diorissimo!
I need to get my hands on some Diorissimo! I’ve intended to do so for a while now, but I just haven’t.
#19 could have worked as well – I hadn’t thought about that. My mother my let me borrow a spritz one day (if she’s feeling generous). It certainly has the same feel as the Hermes.
What is TDC?
TDC = The Different Company.
For a melony fresh, I liked Omnia Crystalline by Bulgari (don’t hit me); for lemony fresh (sounds like a cleaning product!), Mediterraneo by Carthusia is my HG, and Din Dan (Lostmarc’h) is a peachy, lemony, minty breath of fresh air. And there’s always Cristalle (EdT), yum.
Your interest in Bergamote is noted!
You have access, missy??
You’re not the only one aching to try it. I’ve had Bergamote on my ebay wishlist for a year now, trying to snag one of those 10ml atomizers.
Missy has a full bottle!
A FULL bottle??? That’s fantastic!
I have a full bottle of EL Emerald Dream. Anybody want to swap?
And I completely forgot but what about some good,old fashioned 4711? It’s incredibly crisp and fresh.
I second that, and also Thierry Mugler Cologne is a wonderful fresh scent, without any of those annoying marine notes.
Ms Mishka – for floral and green and a little soapy (on me) I love Gucci’s Envy (the original, not the flankers).
For bright citrus, I like Givenchy’s Eau de Givenchy.
For citrus and a little incense I love Parfums de Nicolai’s L’eau D’Ete
I find MetB’s #3, green green green & green to be very similar to UJEM. I loved UJEM, but it went all hamster cage on me after about 15 minutes. However, I got some on my leather watch band, and spent the next week walking around with my nose glued to the band. (Then googled UJEM, found this blog, and…here I am.) Decanted, #3 smells just like that on me; sprayed, it’s similar but not AS similar.
Wow. A girl spends a day cooking and comes back to tons of recommendations! I’m saving all of these in a file for reference (of course, I’ll have to look up a few abbreviations) – Thank you all!
I recently received Fracas and the newest Narciso Rodriguez for my birthday. I love all the Narciso fragrances especially the Musc oil. And the Fracas is beautiful, but intimidating. I think I need the right occasion, outfit, & state of mind to pull it off. My next desires… Petite Cherie Annick Goutal & Piment Brulant L’artisan, for now…
Love, love, love Fracas! But you’re right, it isn’t an everyday sort of casual thing.
Ah, Petite Cherie~~what a fresh juicy pear she is! Definitely a spring and hot summer frag.
Has anyone heard about the Lancome Collection Voyage perfume for 2009? I didn’t see any news about it, so I’m wondering that maybe Cyclades from the previous spring could have been the last edition to the line.
I would find that a pity, they were a well done bunch of fragrances, but a bit overlooked, partly because of the limited distribution I guess.
When I saw the “Miracle Tendre Voyage” thing for this spring, I wondered the same…maybe they aren’t going to do another.
Today I am actually wearing one of my own creations, made for my brother who likes green scents better than I typically do. It’s a little minty on the top. Does anyone know of scents with a mint top note that don’t smell of toothpaste?
Hi Ducks, the only minty one that I really love, so far, is Ava Luxe’s Moroccan Mint Tea. It’s so refreshing and minty but the tea and sweetness make it so not toothpastey.
2nd MMT!
Oh, I read a review of MMT that really made me lust after it. And then, of course, totally forgot it… thank you for the reminder!
Oohh, MMT sounds like just my thing. Anyone else care to comment before I buy some?
Today I am wearing a combo of Tam Dao and Aveda Yatra. Yes, I’m very sandalwoody…
Your mileage will most assuredly vary, but I always found that Guerlain Aqua Allegoria Herba Fresca had a delicious spearmint quality that didn’t smell at all like toothpaste, swimming about as it was in a sea of other green notes. So so good!
2nd Herba Fresca.
Wow, I will have to try this out. Sounds gorgeous.
L’eau par Kenzo has just a touch of mint, and is all watery/springtime florals – and it lasts a long time.
Hi, Ducks,
Sorry to be boring, but Din Dan by Lostmarc’h has a very nice mint note (towards the top, a bit in the middle, too), that is pretty far away from toothpaste.
Agree on Herba Fresca. I also have a humongous bottle of Mentafolia Aqua Allegoria and would happily send you a bit if I ever get around to buying decanting supplies. allegro805 at hotmail
Also, Jacques Fath Green Water is a minty-citrus thing and minis used to easily be available on ebay.
Have any of you tried Bvlgari Eau Perfumee Au The Rouge? It’s on sale locally and didn’t know if I should snatch it up!
Hi, I have a bottle of Au The Rouge –it’s nice light tea scent —don’t pay more than about $25 for 100ml —check evil bay, last I knew there were some bottle for sale at fairly low prices.
I agree with Daisy. It’s nice enough but not worth big bucks.
There are several bottles of Au The Rouge at my local TJ Maxx right now, in case there’s a store nearby you.
I own it and quite adore it – but it’s easy getting a wonderful deal online. I don’t think I paid more than 17 dollars for a 100ml tester bottle. Try it out and buy online, I’d say.
Yup, I won a bottle in an auction for about the same. I know at least one ebay store where you can get a 100ml tester for $20. (of course there’s shipping, but there’s always shipping) I don’t know how that compares to the sale that you’re looking at Mountainear.
I have a sample of Au The Vert and really enjoy it, especially now that the weather is getting warmer. My local TJ Maxx had a few 100 ml bottles for $24. I have liked most of Bvlgari’s scents I have tried (Jasmin Noir was a bit disappointing!), so it seemed like a pretty good deal. Plus I like tea scents!
mmm yes the The Vert is some goooood stuff! have you tried the Au The Vert Extreme?
No, I haven’t tried that one yet, but I plan to! I first tried the Au The Vert during the winter and was a bit disappointed. I wanted a bit more power from it. I’ve worn it a few times more recently and love it more each time I wear it. Maybe the Extreme would have more oomph for the winter?
the Extreme definitely has more oomphf and lots more lasting power…I prefer the extreme, but my daughter loves the regular au the vert….so it’s hard to say which would be better for you. To me the extreme has a tangier burst of citrus and I like citrus/bergamot, the regular is definitely softer in nature.
Bvlgari is all over evil bay— you can find great prices on all 3 of these there–no need for a department store and their high prices.
Sorry, Au The Rouge was the one for $24.
I’m wearing Paloma Picasso today. It was a gift that I probably wouldn’t have chosen for myself and it’s been sitting on my dresser for 15 years, but today I decided that the bitter heart smells like Good Friday.
I ordered the second-to-last bottle of Après L’Ondée from escentual.com on Tuesday: first import! I love L’Heure Bleue and I’ve heard several opinions that ALO is similar but even better.
Hope you will love Apres L’Ondee! It’s a beautiful scent — if you hate it, I’m sure you can sell it.
I don’t find them similar but I do find them equally nice. l’B is much heartier than Al’O, to me, and Al’O is more ethereal.
We are on a little vacation, and while we were in a shop yesterday my husband spritzed on some L’EAU DU GOUVERNEUR by Comptoir Sud Pacifique. We were both quite impressed. It was citrusy at first and then got all warm spicy/woodsy. Do any of you have experience with this fragrance? I’m tempted to get husband a bottle for his birthday.
H, I think there’s a review here for Governeur. Sounds lovely.
I have a sample of Governeur that I’ve been meaning to try for ages — it sounds good, I’ll have to get to it ASAP!
Check the discounters — you can find it quite cheaply!
Thanks to all. I will check out the review AND the discounters!
P.S. We are vacationing in Sonoma County, California. The shop was the brick-and-mortar Hampton Court in Santa Rosa. Fun! I ended up with several small purchases (soaps and such), includind body butter and candle in Pacifica’s Tibetan Mountain Temple scent (yummy!).
Oh, cool — I like their online store.
Are you anywhere near Occidental? I have friends who live in the forest there in a huge wooden house they built themselves right from the lumber!
We didn’t go to Occidental – stayed in Healdsburg. Not too far away. Isn’t Sonoma County a wonderful place?
It certainly is! I take it you popped into SSS?
Hi again. No, SSS doesn’t seem to have “visiting hours” yet. Laurie says on her website that she plans to do an open studio day 1x/week. I thought about calling, but didn’t want to impose.
Hope you make it up the road to Healdsburg while you’re there, H. It’s just about my favorite town in the county, and I wish I had known about Sonoma Scent Studio there on previous (pre-perfumisto) visits. Also some terrific restaurants. Enjoy the rest of your mini-vacation.
Thanks, Joe. You’ve got great taste in towns, as well as in fragrance! We stayed in Healdsburg. Just got home. Was a great little getaway. 🙂
This week I got some Hermes samples — Kelly Caleche and Elixir des Merveilles. I’m really enjoying Kelly Caleche — the opening of it reminds me very much of Mandragore, a very good thing. Elixir des Merveilles is very interesting but until it dries down I find it kind of overpoweringly sweet/candied. I do like the drydown, though. Can you tell I’m currently obsessed with Jean-Claude Ellena? 🙂 (Last week I purchased Vetiver Tonka.)
There are worse things than being obsessed with JCE’s perfumes, LOL…did you try the regular Eau des Merveilles? I like it better than the Elixir, although it isn’t by JCE.
No, I haven’t tried Eau des Merveilles, but I have a feeling I might prefer it, I’ll see if I can find a sample. I just checked out your review of Elixir and I think my reaction to it was similar to yours — I like the drydown but not the opening.
Hello everyone!
My question: as a relative newbie, I don’t have a cologne in my collection, but I think it would be nice for bedtime and summer. Any suggestions on a good basic one that doesn’t cost the earth? No 200ml Chanel bottles for me this year!
Many thanks.
Have you tried 4711? Light, citrusy, sublime, the very definition of a cologne. Absolutely unisex. And dirt cheap! You can get a 27-ounce bottle (almost a QUART) for well under $50 (Perfume.com has it for $31 U.S.), so you can just glug it on in the heat of the summer. Some people even keep it in the fridge for this reason.
If you want to spend a little more, everyone seems to love Dior Eau Sauvage.
I second 4711
I third 4711 and just commented above to add the Thierry Mugler Cologne. Not as cheap, but available at discounters, and lasts a bit longer than 4711. I have both.
I haven’t, no, but I will now! I’ll have a look at the Eau Sauvage too while I’m at it. Thanks everyone!
Hi Capillary,
I’m also a newbie but I have used Eau de Rochas as my cologne scent for some time. My boyfriend uses it too. It’s quite delicious, and there’s an unexpected hint of patchouli amidst all that freshness. The flacon is gorgeous too, in a similar style as Eau Sauvage.
That sounds interesting. Thanks for the suggestion!
Hi capillary !
I am a newbie too but I have a wonderful cologne that in my opinion it is worth being recommended: Terry Mugler Cologne. 😀
I 2nd the thierry mugler cologne
3rd! Also love Eau de Guerlain, but don’t know if it’s been reformulated.
I was looking at both of these. Good to have that confirmed – I’ll go hunt them out. Thank you!
oops! I should have looked before I leaped!
5 oz of chanel’s les exclusifs “cologne” or ‘bell respiro’ might be perfect. 5 oz. amortize amortize amortize
Was this for me? I haven’t explored the world of decants yet, but you are right, that might be a good solution.
My first comment is that that photo is AMAZING. Can’t wait to check out a larger version on Flickr.
I took today off, so I’m not wearing anything yet other than a tiny dab of PdN Balkis on my wrist, trying to decide if I *need* to buy a partial bottle I’ve been offered. Enjoying being lazy on an overcast morning, sipping cardamom/cinnamon tea.
Last purchase? Yesterday some tiny bottles at the Soivohle clearance sale: Calcutta, Yin Hao & Ankhara.
I received 10ml of the swoon-worthy FM Musc Ravageur a few days ago, and am patiently awaiting a parcel from the UK with decants of Luctor et Emergo, Fleur de Sel, & Jicky. Apparently a week without decants is a terrible thing — now I just need to look for some ammo cases for storage.
Joe, that photographer has a whole series of those, & they’re awesome.
MR makes me swoon, but not in the good way — I sometimes think I’m one of the few people on earth that doesn’t like it!
Make that 2 of us on earth that don’t love it.
You know what I say: More for me. Musc Rav for me is just cozy and yummy. I think I’m ready to graduate to MKK.
bold talk!
I’m with you gals – couldn’t do Musc Ravageur, either.
Joe, I bought a 5 ml bottle of the Soivohle Oolong Ti as well as a couple of samples. I love clearances…
I’m another who could do without MR, and I have a sample. Remind me, come split time, and I’ll chuck it in your package.
Here’s an odd topic: perfume for exercise! I don’t deliberately spritz myself before working out (I’d feel like one of those gym bunnies applying lipstick before hopping on the Stairmaster), but sometimes a fragrance lingering from earlier in the day seems to energize me, while other times it just turns into an unpleasant, sweaty mess.
I haven’t exactly approached this scientifically, however, so I can’t remember what worked and what didn’t. Any suggestions?
When I used to go to the gym, I used to wear a little drop of Egyptian Musk…
I usually try to stick to something close to the skin and light, especially if I’m going to be hitting the treadmill and getting the heat up. Usually I use something pretty standard, like in the cologne family. Mugler’s Cologne is something I often use. But as I’m a man, I use those and don’t go for something experimental or “different”. (no wearing women’s fragrances lol)
Yes, definitely no Fracas!
I think this is a good question/topic — what to wear while working out. I’d say nothing overtly sweet, or fruity, but that’s just me. Alliage is a classic for sports, having been created as a scent you’d wear while playing tennis. It’s very anise-y green, but somehow I just can’t bring myself to wear it to yoga, where I wear Yatra. Kielh’s musk also seems appropriate for sports to me somehow as well. I like Tommy Girl for pilates sometimes.
Anise sounds like a great idea. Will have to seek out Aliage — the EL counters always hide the interesting stuff!
Interesting that anise has come up because I often will pull Body Kouros for the gym and that has a dominant anise note.
Hi –
So far, I really like the “new fresher” Chanels – #5 Premier and Chance Chance Eau Fraiche better than the originals. Last night, I just found the new Chance Eau Fraiche lotion on ebay for a great deal and purchased. Can’t wait until it gets here.
Anyway, I’m interested in hearing more about Jo Malone Lime & Cedar some one wrote about earloer and the newest Chanel – Cristalle Eau Verte if anyone has any news – where you can buy it, what it smells like, and if it’s good/not so good.
Last Sunday went to my mall to smell the new Estee Lauder splashes – and they said they won’t be until May sometime.
There’s a review of the JM (click on ‘perfume reviews’ on the top menu). I still haven’t tried the new Cristalle, so I’d like to hear reactions too!
Re the JM Sweet Lime and Cedar: when I sampled it, I thought it was too masculine for me. So I checked with Quality Control (my kids). Teenage daughter wrinkled her nose. Youngest kid ran like the wind – he hates sniffing my wrist. Middle kid, who is quite the diplomat, said, “Well, I like it. But not on you. It’s not girly enough on a pretty mom. You can save it for me.” (He’s TEN.)
If a fresh Chanel is what you’re after, Cristalle Eau Verte might be the ticket. In Canada it is available at The Bay. I spritzed this last weekend during yet another miserably cold Toronto weekend and really loved it. To my uneducated nose it’s a great combo of effervescent citrus, green and floral – very wearable, very Spring. The Bay had one size only – 100 ml EDT size for $90. I read on another blog that it will be arriving in the US in July.
So I’m going to Alaska to work for 4 months and I have three atomizers I just bought from Sephora and I have no idea what to put in them, though its looking like its going to be Epicia, Bois des Illes, and something else…. stupid airplanes not letting us carry our perfume bottles on. >_<
Do you have an address where you are going to be staying? You could box up a couple of your larger bottles and ship them to yourself the day before you fly out. Maybe ship them to yourself at your workplace??
What fun! I’d bring all my samples so I could play & test…
Today, I am wearing MDCi Vepres Siciliennes. Quite beautiful fragrance, but not sure I want to splurge on even a glass bottle at $225.00. Glad to join my fellow fragrance friends.
I have not tried that one yet! Spendy stuff 🙂
Today I’m wearing Iris Poudre. Has anyone tried those frags put out by Histoires de Parfums that Luca Turin is raving about lately? The ones named after years like “1725.” They sound fascinating. I’m not sure where to find them in NY.
I’ve tried a few but not all — they’re nice. You can find them at miomia in Brooklyn.
takashimiya. i met Gerlad Ghislain at the opening last week. i love 1804 George sand). most popular is his 1740 (marquis de sade0 and 1969 ( (the summer of love I guess, unisex) 1876 Mata hari is love or hate. really spicy rose knock out. you can get the cutest little sampler kit on their site…
I have tried a few from samples I got through miomia. I especially love the Marquis de Sade (1750?), which is not for the timid. I also really like Vert Pivoine.
DSH Chevalier D’Automne.
And on another unrelated note which is really my fault and not that of the fine people of NST–Curse you for leading me into buying a sample of Fendi Theorema with your glowing reviews!!
Now I have acquired 6 bottles and hidden them in my sock drawer…..it’s pitiful.
Haha, crow, I almost succumbed as well. But then my wiser self said I don’t really need to sniff something that is discontinued and hard to get when there are so many other scents out there.
6 bottles! And in your sock drawer! I love it 🙂
No scent for me today, since I slapped on some body cream I got as a sample w/frag purchase, only to discover it is VERY heavily scented. Fortunately I’m just at home today, because although it smells fabulous…it’s well into masculine territory IMO, which was unexpected. And since I know people will wonder, I’ll just say it now: Speziali Fiorentini White Tea. 😀
Ah…have tried the scent (many moons ago) but not that lotion.
Oh! I’m waiting on a package with their Honeysuckle hand lotion, which I tried as a sample & loved. Haven’t tried the white tea or anything else from that line, though.
I just got a packet of samples from DSH (her top ten sampler pack) and among them is a vial of her “Special Formula X” – which apparently can be used to determine what scents you ought to wear and/or avoid. But there are no instructions. Can anyone clue me in on how exactly to use it?
Oh, and am wearing “au lait” right now. Nice, very soft and yummy. Exactly like warm milk. I want my bedroom to smell like this! 🙂
Pamster, I’ve never tried that…I’m in the “body chemistry doesn’t matter so much” camp anyway.
actually fragrance x just magnifies your own body scent. i asked Dawn, and you can always email her for more info. She is so approachable. BTW that is my gym scent:)
Thanks! I will send her an email.
Tried the Special Formula X, and I keep smelling “ocean”… not sure how else to describe it. Sort of watery/salty in a pleasant way.
I have been in a perfume rut lately, not loving any of the perfumes I own, but not having anything new in mind. Can you all suggest something new? My faves are Fresh Sugar and Narciso Rodriguez for Her (edp, or edt). I have been enjoying The Different Company Osmanthus and Sel de Vetiver. Thanjk you all, m
You might want to apply for the Monday Mail (see link on bottom menu).
If you like Osmanthus you might try others of Jean Claude Ellena. Or L’Artisan Parfumeur’s Chasse des Papillons, since you seem to like girly and sheer.
I’m wearing Black March today. It seemed fitting to go along with both Good Friday and the tornado watches and warnings we’ve been under all day.
Oh sorry — do hope you don’t get a tornado! You smell great, anyway.
Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend.
My most recent purchase is Liz Zorn Moroccan Orange. I love her take on orange flower. Just a warm, sensual and joyful scent.
~Dawn
That Moroccan Orange is really great stuff — wouldn’t mind having a small bottle myself. This hobby is really all about craving, isn’t it? Really conflicts with my attempts at Buddhist study & practice!
LOL – a bit of conflict of interest there??
Hi Joe,
Moroccan Orange is great stuff and I just laid out the cash for a 2 oz. bottle. I love it that much and I love it on my hubby also but he doesn’t like it on himself, but he likes it on me. Oh well, the more for me then. ;0
This hobby for me is part craving, part collecting but mostly madness. But I wouldn’t have it any other way.
And hey, you could have worst conflicts to worry about. ;0
~Dawn
Joe, if you figure out how to master that, let me know. My Buddhist husband has a bit of trouble with the “simplicity” aspect of it too. 😀
On the other hand Joe, you could consider perfume a great lesson in impermanence. 😉
I really like this thought!
Yes, I’m suddenly and inexplicably fascinated by perfume, and have just fallen under the influence of this blog.
Can you recommend some good fragrances for wearing to bed? Both some for lulling yourself to sleep and others for making love….
I will not venture into the other territory, but for lulling to sleep I love L’Artisan Bois Farine and TDC Bois d’Iris. Also anything vanilla. On a weirder note, I find Mitsouko edp very comforting at bedtime, especially on chilly nights. I think it really depends on what you consider a “comfort” scent.
Joe, you may well be the only person on the planet who has Mitsouko on their comfort at bedtime list!!
But other from that particular twist of your personality—vanilla scents are nice for bedtime… M.Micallef Note Vanillee —very yummy and sleepy…also will cost you a vital organ to buy… BUT you can also try Il Profumo Vanille Bourbon or Lea St. Barth , I swear : on me, I cannot tell the difference between the two. Both delicious.
Surprisingly, I often wear Mitsouko to bed! I find it very calming and grounding and wear it when stressed as well. I’m not sure why, but perhaps the richness and depth is substantial enough to console.
lol – apparently you all don’t get the hot pepper blast that I get or you really love pepper. Whatever is soothing and helps you to feel comfortable and relaxed for sleeping gets an A+ in my book. Goodness knows sometimes a good nights’ sleep seems like the most elusive thing in the world!
I LOVE Mitsouko at bed time… okay, at any time.
I love Mitsuoko at bedtime too. Vol de Nuit is my second favorite for bed time. I wonder what it is that is so comforting? The Vanilla??
My favorite going to bed frag used to be Habanita, which I suppose would fall into the making love category. If/when I can afford a bottle, I’d be wearing Ormonde Jayne Woman to bed, too.
My two long-standing favorites for wearing to bed: Luctor et Emergo by The People of the Labyrinths, and Philoskyos by Diptyque.
I do Brin de Reglisse at bedtime because the lavender relaxes me – swear it works! If my husband’s not in town then I layer on a tiny bit of SL Sa Majeste La Rose just to cuddle up with.
For sleep-induction, vetiver is sooooo calming and relaxing:
FM’s Vetiver Extraordinaire
Lalique’s Encre Noir
TDC’s Sel de Vetiver
Guerlain’s Jicky is also quite nice.
The aforementioned Bois Farine is EXCELLENT
I went out last night and wore A La Nuit / Serge Lutens. The entire evening I was sniffing the inside of my wrists and elbows, marvelling at the transgression from uni-note (jasmin), to something quite fresh and green, to a delicious, creamy polyphonic white floral (although it’s jasmin pure and true till the end, so if you hate jasmin beware).
When I got home I dabbed a little more on to my wrists before climbing in to bed. It was sensational.
I can still detect it very faintly now as I sit here at noon typing this, mmmh.
I would recommend A La Nuit both for sleeping with the window open when the nights are warm, and also absolutely as a love-making scent. It’s very raunchy.
I agree, I have it also and it so “sexual” I dare not to wear on the daytime, though I would if I had a meeting where only men are 😀
Last night I put on some Vivienne Westwood Boudoir – seemed apt, and it is quite a fun bedtime scent. It’s kind of slutty and bold. Too bad I was by myself, lol, but my cat was more amorous than usual. It also had a very nice far drydown to wake up to.
A scent I really love but would never spring for is Amouage Attar.
That’s a beauty. I don’t have that kind of $$.
The two Amouage scents I’ve tried (Lyric, Dia) I’ve adored. What’s the Attar like? I’m almost scared to ask! That is probably waaay over my budget.
That would be the only scent I could purchase in a quarter (or two quarters, actually)!
Rose Taifi, Silver Oud, Silver Frankincense, Jasmine, Amber, Citrus, Sandalwood all beautifully blended in a highly concentrated oil blend for a mere $350!!!! Yeah ok! It is exceptionally gorgeous.
Seeing as it is Holy Week, I wanted to share this great story:
“Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. So they made Him a supper there, and Martha was serving; but Lazarus was one of those reclining at the table with Jesus. Mary then took a pound of very costly perfume, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped His feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.”
WOW!
Thanks Guerlaingirl! I’d like to smell that costly perfume.
Don’t know if I’d want to smell a whole pound of it all at once.
My daughter came back from Paris a few years back smelling wonderful, as usual. She was wearing Fleur de Orlane – a beautiful fragrance that reminds me much of her and spring-time. I also love Orlane’s B21 – a rich floral -perfect for romantic spring days.
I have only smelled the Orlane scents very quickly — must try them on skin some time.
I tried Vera Wang Rock Princess today. I did like it -there is one particular top note that I really like but unfortunately it also opens with vanilla-must everything these days contain vanilla? Anyway, a couple of hours later I sprayed some Aussie Hair Spray in my hair which started a competition between Ms. Wang and the Aussies . The scent of the hairspray (cherry bark?) made me want to decapitate myself, but the surprise was that Rock Princess improved with time- the vanilla diminished and the top note I liked lingered. However I don’t think I’ll invest in it-not at the top of my list. I might have to toss the hairspray.
Oh dear, sounds like a very unfortunate combination. So many hair products are over-scented.
This may be a very stupid question, but since I don’t know the answer I figure I’ll ask anyway. I just got a bell jar of Chene (it should arrive any day now) through a friend of a friend but am realizing that I don’t know if it comes with an atomizer (the spritzy thing is called an atomizer, right?). If not, where can I get one that will fit the bell jar? I feel bad asking this girl who doesn’t even know me to go back to the salons and then send me a second package, all for a silly little spritzy top.
Mmmm… Chêne. I’ll never have a bell jar, I think, but from what I read on basenotes, you’ll have to decant into a smaller atomizer.
Good to know. I suppose it’s best that the bell jar will sit somewhere cool and dark between decants, but I was kinda looking forward to gazing fondly at it as it sat atop my dresser. Oh well. Thanks for the info; off to TPC for a bottle to decant into! (I’m so looking forward to finally having more than my treasured little .5ml sample of Chene, I don’t think I’m going to wear much else for the first week after it arrives.)
Chene is amazing! Love Love Love!
Haha… from .5ml to a bell jar — you really traded up!
I’m wearing and loving OJ Frangipani layered with the body cream. I ordered these as samples and had to re-order. I was prepared to take the pricy plunge, but the OJ website did not have the cream in stock. Probably just as well, the shipping costs were crazy. Yesterday tried Annick Goutal Chevrefeuille. I really appreciated the Spring-like crispness of it balanced with the soft, but not sweet honeysuckle. I also got a hit of lilac, although I haven’t seen it listed as a note. My big disappointment was that the lasting power was very, very brief 🙁
Hi Scentred,
I am really lusting to try Frangipani… and all of the OJ line, actually.
Re. Chevrefeuille: I’ve heard quite a few people saying that this fragrance makes them instantly happy. Many people seem to find it uplifting. One very charming man I spoke to said he gave this scent away at least twice a year as a gift.
So it would seem that for some this is one those perfumes one wishes to smell on others and that one is willing and even eager to share with others.
I actually quite liked the big sweetness of the honeysuckle amidst the otherwise tart smell of the chevrefeuille… but it really is a shame about the lasting power. Perhaps if one were to apply it very liberally…?
Yes, I can only suggest you get spraying, though I am lucky not to have problems with lasting power – and I am a light sprayer as a rule! I think Chevrefeuille is like honeysuckle cut with lemon meringue pie (after the strange tomato stem opening that is). I have never given it away, but find it most cheering myself!
Scentred, it’s true, the AG does not last. I forgive it because it’s so perfect otherwise, and honeysuckles that do last don’t have that effervescence.
Rihanna and Kanye West have fragrance deals with Parlux now, I think
Yep.
I was wondering about the original Envy from Gucci. I accidentally got Envy Me, which didn’t smell like I thought Envy should smell. I need to exchange…maybe, for Envy. I found out that some men like to wear this?? It sounded like a fresh, feminine floral. It would be perfect for spring. Turin and Sanchez give it the highest praise. They keep saying it’s a brilliant *metallic* What does metallic mean? And what do you all think of Envy? I love fresh florals and all the notes, hyacinth, magnolia, jasmine….so….is it very feminine? The flanker is just too fruity for me-but I don’t want to smell unisex. I have nowhere to sample it here in Wichita Ks.
thank you,
Becca
I really do wish Turin and Sanchez would start listing notes in their critiques.
Gucci Envy is a great scent. Here’s a review at Bois de Jasmin:
http://boisdejasmin.typepad.com/_/2006/05/gucci_envy_frag.html
I agree, the original Envy is a great scent, as it is one of few florals that is able to smell ‘green’ (like the stalk of a lily that has been crushed) but does not go to the fresh or citrus-y side. As for the gender issue, a man could wear it without any problem, but I think it would not be as easy as wearing, say, Diorella, as Envy has a distinct floral impression and it doesn’t stay close to the body.
Regarding the flankers, yes, I agree, (Envy Me and Envy Me 2) they are more fruity (EM smells like pineapple and EM2 like melon) and not as mature as Envy.
I don’t think Envy is at all like Envy Me. Envy is a fresh, green floral, though I wouldn’t call it masculine or unisex. Fruity it most definitely is not! Metallic is that steely note you get a lot with iris scents eg Iris Silver Mist. I also get the taste (sic) of powdered iron girders in the opening notes of Nahema, but I may just be mad. Another beautiful green, woodsy, floral that LT raves about (****) is CK Truth for Women, which was a total surprise for me the other day as CK is not my thing as a rule – plus it is widely available. Has bamboo and peony, and is watery and lushly translucently floral, if that makes any sense at all!
Does anyone have recommendations for an online store selling decants, based in Europe, with a big repertoire, besides First In Fragrance / Aus Liebe zum Duft?
That’s what I would like to know…
I’ve not found one yet – all my orders go through The Perfumed Court or Scent Splits for decants, and TPC and Luckyscent for samples. The shipping to Europe is quite reasonable though if you buy a reasonable batch in one go.
Let’s see:
Perfume of the day: morning: Azurée Soleil; evening: L’Air du Désert Marocain.
Latest purchse: Eau d’Italie – Paestum Rose
Next purchase: ah, you never know with a wishlist as long as mine 🙂
Paestum Rose is on my wishlist too!
Perfume of the day – Des Filles a la Vanille: Nuit D’ambre
Latest purchase – Calypso St. Barth Lily
Next Purchase- ? ( :
I have not smelled the Nuit d'”Ambre…is is great?
Hello and greetings to all of you, let me introduce myself, I’m a newbie on posting comments but have been a regular reader on NST. First of all, please pardon my mistakes when it comes to language, as I don’t use English as my main language. Moreover, it’s great to have open thread like this, as a not-yet-a-perfumista like me could also participate in this forum, although only by asking 🙂
Here’s the thing I’d like to ask: for all leather lovers here, what perfume do you think smell closest to real leather (as in new leather bag, etc)?
So far I’ve tried Bulgari Black (more rubber than leather), Chanel Cuir de Russie (very resinous and abstract-y leather, more like the impression of a very smooth leather), Miss Dior in parfum (maybe my sense of scent hasn’t developed well enough to associate it with leather), Kelly Caleche (at first I only get thick floral notes, but on next sniffs I finally am able to appreciate the leather-like aspect of the fragrance), and the best of all is Dzing! (it’s like leather in a bottle, so it was purchase on the first sniff :-), although it’s quite short lived and smell more vanillic as it develops). Well, enough about me, what do you think?
Robert Piguet Bandit is a very pure leather on me. If you get the chance, you might also try Ayala Moriel Espionage or Andy Tauer Lonestar Memories. Enjoy!
PS: Dzing! was a first-sniff purchase for me too!
Hi & welcome!
Nothing *really* smells to me like “real leather”, but would have said Cuir de Russie came very close. You might also want to try Knize Ten.
Ok – yesterday in honor of bounteous springtime I wore Chamade. But…I was also thinking of Givenchy III, Chanel No 19, L’Artisan Jacinth de Bois, SSS Lieu de Reves…..What are your suggestions for fragrances that smell of bounteous springtime?
Jacinthe de Bois is one of my best “bounteous springtime”, but also Diorissimo.
I’m wearing Eden by Cacharel today. It’s Easter Sunday here.
my last buy was a vintage bottle of Chant d’aromes extrait. My next by is a bottle of Le Feu d’Issey I found in a little out of the way shop. I’m hoping no one buys it until I scrape the money together.
on a sidenote, what top note do the 90’s carven vetiver, zino davidoff, and heritage have in common that makes them unbearable to my nose?
Oh dear, beg borrow or steal to go get that Feu before it disappears! Lucky you.
And sorry, but don’t know the answer to your question.
I adore Gucci Envy!