Another very lazy poll! Talk about anything you like — what perfume you’re wearing today, why you love perfume, your favorite perfume house and/or perfumer, whatever. Or, ask a question about fragrance, then see if anyone else has asked a question that you can answer.
Note: image is mini pumpkins [cropped] by shelley ginger on flickr; some rights reserved.
For years and years, I only wore Diorissimo or Eau de Givenchy (this was well before I discovered NST!). I considered Diorissimo my HG of HG’s. I still love it, but now I find that my “HG” changes often – sometimes weekly. (I wonder if this is an unconscious defense mechanism against reformulation/discontinuance?) What are your current, as-of-this-minute HG fragrances?
Dang! You beat me to it! I was going to ask what everyone’s top ten were. 🙂
I should have known that “holy grail” was not going to happen from the start. After all, when I first started falling down the rabbit hole, I quickly identified three loves that most certainly were me.
Time has revealed even greater complexities.
What I know now is this: I can compile Top X lists based on scent families, on seasons, on types of clothing, on what I think I would be crushed to have to live without. But there is no one scent that either fully defines me, or would make me happy if that were the only thing I could spritz from now until the end of my days.
If that sounds horrible, at least I can say I have no issues with “going commando.” 😉
I feel the same way, I could never do the whole signature scent thing. Just call me a hussy with a short attention span :p
I’ll sniff anything and enjoy experiencing different scents. If I come across something that captures me in the process then great but, in general, my interest in perfume is not motivated by searching for the ultimate fragrance or anything like that.
Hi Scentself,
I’m with you! I started my perfume obsession with Calvin Klein ckOne when I was 16 (present from my father) then the next year it was Chanel Allure (also from Daddy) and now I look at my little collection of 10 thinking that I love them all (some more than others) but there isn’t a single one that I could bring with me on a holiday and not miss the others!
Eau de Givenchy and Diorissimo! I wore them for years, too: EdG almost exclusively throughout college and Diorissimo for years shortly after. Let me ask you: if you’ve tried A Scent (Issey Miyake)–does it remind you of EdG? I haven’t smelled the Givenchy in well over a decade (gulp–or 2), but when I got a sample of A Scent, it reminded me of something so strongly…and I thought back to EdG. But maybe it’s just me…or my terrible memory. What do you think?
EdG has very much more complexity and character, I think, but still within the bounds of an every-day scent. The Miyake is timid by comparison. I think it will sell well to people who are timid about fragrance.
Sorry, that sounded abrupt (I got interrupted). Meant to add that A scent by IM is probably one of those fragrances you can spritz with abandon and be out the door, knowing you smell nice and all is well.
Hey Dzingnut – I find about my top 20 fragrances don’t change that much, and then the next 30 or 40 are constantly changing for my attention depending on season, etc.
Here are my top ten HG’s:
Guerlain Chamade (the HG of all HGs)
Annick Goutal Heure Exquise
Chanel Coco
Sonoma Scent Studio Rose Musc
Sonoma Scent Studio Tabac Aurea
Annick Goutal Ce Soir ou Jamais
Cartier So Pretty
Guerlain Nahema
Guerlain Mitsouko
Chanel No 5 parfum
Now my top ten fall/winter frags are:
Sonoma Scent Studio Tabac Aurea
Sonoma Scent Studio Rose Musc
Guerlain Mistouko
Guerlain Vol de Nuit
Badgley Mischka
Mauboussin
Bal a Versailles
Donna Karan (Signature)
Guerlain Nahema
Lancome Magie Noire
Hi Anns,
Great to see a fellow Sonomo Scent Studio fan! I love Lieu de Reves myself which arrived yesterday along with samples of Velvet Rose, Opal and Femme Jolie. Love sampes!
🙂
I suppose it is no surprise to anyone that I really love a few of the SSS fragrances! There are so many to like for sure. I hope you enjoy Velvet Rose, Lieu de Reves, and Femme Jolie which creep into my top 20 favs!
Thanks AnnS!
I am wearing Lieu de Reves today – love it, love it, love it!
Hi Dzingnut, here are my top ten:
Fendi (the original)
Lancome Magie Noire
Angel
Chanel No 5 parfum
Niki de St Phalle
Guerlain Vol de Nuit
Clinique Aromatics Elixir or Wrappings
Nina Ricci Farouche
Hermes Amazone
Hermes Eau de Gentiane Blanche
Oh Smokeytoes — the original Fendi is a real broad! I have a bottle of it that I wear from time to time. I’ve been seeing red tag bottles of it at my local Kmart of all places!
Really?! Drats…. I notice it’s disappeared from many on-line retailers, and my local Walgreens/Rite Aids too. Wish I had a local K-Mart to raid!
I can check and see if they still have it.
Hi AnnS,
Thank you, you are so kind to offer! Only if it’s not an inconvenience, are you on MUA? I’m on as SFLizbeth.
These are my top 10 for fall and winter.
Angel
Black Cashmere
Hot Couture
Chaos
Kenzo Jungle
Samsara
Dolce Vita
Tiffiany
Lolita Lempika
Aimez Moi
Dior Addict
Mine for Fall/Winter:
Badgley Mischka
Guccy by Gucci
David Yurman
Allure Sensuelle
Chanel N. 5 parfum
Flowerbomb (guilty pleasure)
EL Private Collection Amber Ylang Ylang
And although I wrote I hated ginger in an earlier post, it had completely escaped me that SL 5 o’clock au gingembre is an all-time fave. 🙂
Hmmmm – now, I’ve sampled a lot of scents, but not owned many. I own 3 full bottles and the rest are 8ml decants, mainly because I cannot afford FB’s!! I’ve sampled a lot of fragrances, but not all of them have been tested on my skin, only on perfume cards. So I have a few more years of deeper exploration ahead of me! But here are a few of my favourites so far…………
Bandit Parfum
Tabac Blond Parfum
Chamade Parfum
Le Labo Poivre
Reverie au Jardin
Ta’if
Ormonde Woman comes out on top as my HG scent …….so far!!!
Oh you all know this was a hard question!!! My perfume cabinet is only a few feet away so I’ll have to whisper the top ten list so some bottles won’t feel sad….
1. 31 Rue Cambon
2. SSS Champagne de Bois
3. Mitsouko
4. Fendi Theorema
5. Lyric
6. Epic
7. Dia
8. Guerlain SDV
9. Une Rose Chypree
10. Jubilation 25
10.2 Soleil de Capri
10.5 Ubar
10.7 Guerlain Attrape Coeur
10.9 Guerlain Vol de Nuit
okay, I clearly have counting issues. I’ve given up on the whole idea of a Holy Grail…..my favorite changes from day to day. 😉
Ooh – another SSS fan! Anns is one too. Laurie is doing a great job! 🙂
Goodness, you DO have Amouage issues, don’t you? 😀
it’s an illness….
Guerlain is the old strain of the illness and Amouage is the S1N1 new version! LOL!
You got that right Rapple!! Unfortunately it is far too late to inoculate me for that—I am well and truly infected. more misfortune: I have the Guerlain strain as well…..in fact I just won another bottle of Mitsy extrait this morning! wooohooo!
Another bottle?!? Well, CONGRATS!!!
It was hard for me to pick my top ten too! I actually have a top ten for each different fragrance category! So really, my actual top ten would have about 30 fragrances listed in it!!
technically that might be CHEATING
top 10
(love this, though it is so unfair, top 20 would be much better)
1. Guerlain Mitsouko
2. Caron Nuit de Noel
3. Chanel No 19
4. Guerlain L’Heure Bleue
5. Chanel Bois des Iles
6. Serge Lutens Borneo 1834
7. Dior Diorissimo
8. Frederic Malle Une Rose
9. Serge Lutens Ambre Sultan
10. Caron Bellodgia
What does SL Borneo smell like? It’s just that I was born on that island and lived there until I was about 20 … and have not had the good fortune to sniff a single SL!
It is very intense – an overdose of patchouli and then sharpness of chocolate plus dark wood. The chocolate note avoids any references to sweet desert, it is that bitter chocolate with a strong aftertaste which almost cramps your limps, but yet you masochistically find it enjoyable longing for its bitterness again and again. On the other hand, it is warm and balsamic, it has a great silage, so careful then applying. It either kills you or seduces you, there is no compromise about it. For me this smell is cutting edge, putting you on a borderline. It is nothing I have ever smelled before, or after for that matter, but I cannot get enough of it.
Thanks Kseni!
Just reading the notes, I doubt I would like it because fragrances with patchouli tend to caramalise on my skin but I will try it for sure. I would like to bottle a hot and humid day, but spent in a bit of jungle trekking towards a waterfall so lots of lush green and maybe some damp sweet-smelling earth underfoot – no idea how that will translate into notes.
Isnuing – I don’t know if you’ll find this today, but when I read your comment I immediately thought of Les Nez’s Manoumalia. A beautiful tropical floral with an earthy vetiver base.
My current top 10, with L’Air and Bandit in the top 2 spots, but the rest in no particular order:
Tauer L’Air du Desert Marocain
Piguet Bandit
Tauer Incense Rose
CdG 2 Woman
Diptyque Philosykos
Olivier Durbano Black Tourmaline
Eau d’Italie Baume du Doge
SL Gris Clair
Armani Bois d’Encens
Profumum Olibanum
I am a babe in these here woods having fallen for perfume a mere six months ago. One of the many lines I have yet to try is Sonoma Scent Studio but I do have some samples of them on the way. Here are my current top ten:
Cadjmere – PG
Rossy de Palma – EldO
Tea for Two – L’A
Bois de Iles – Chanel
Aimez Moi – Caron
Jubilation 25 – Amouage
Fracas – RP
Elixir – Penhaligon’s
Tobacco Toscano – SMN
Ffille en Aiguilles – SL
I expect this to change by tomorrow 😉 Except Cadjmere. Cadjmere was my first niche purchase and I love it.
HA! soooo true! the list is always changing….putting the top ten in order of preference: IMPOSSIBLE!
Oh, please tell me that you are getting a sample of Champagne de Bois. If not I will have to send you some!!
Champagne du Bois was the first one in the cart closely followed by Tabac Aurea. I cannot wait for these! For the last couple of days whenever I come home from work I look for the tell-tale mishapen envelope. Sadly it has yet to arrive. I have high hopes for Monday!
Thanks for the sample offer and btw, you were my enabler for Theroema. I now have a big, delicious bottle!
Sharviss – Step. Away. From. The. SuperEnabler!!!
Well, unless you don’t mind being totally addicted and you have a bottomless wallet! LOL!
OH! LOOK WHO’S TALKING!!!! how’s that jewel encrusted super enablers pin working out for you???hmmmm? 😉
ROTFL!! 😀
Rapple—yeah, that’s what I thought…guilty is as guilty does, and all that.
Sharviss—-oh, Theorema is sooooo wonderful , I’m happy that you were able to score a bottle. Have you tried layering it with Mitsouko Edp?? Gawgeous!
I fear it’s too late! I have been enabled! Theorema with Mitsouko? Sounds intriguing. I have no Mitsouko but I will rectify that soon.
heheheheh Resistance is futile!
My HG’s, some of which are historically so:
l’Heuere Bleue
Joy (edp or parfum)
Black Cashmere
MPG Secrete Datura
MAC Naked Honey
l’Air du Desert Marocain
I’m sure there are more but I’m kinda tired today…
Hi Tama! Oh, Joy and L’Air were just squeezed out of my very literal top ten list above. But I’m actually wearing L’Air today – so perfect for dreary weather!!
So, I’m a little late to the party, and I’m also new to perfume mania (down the rabbit hole, as ScentScelf so eloquently said!) So I don’t really have a top ten yet, so I’m going to do…
Future Top Ten 🙂
Five Scents I recently tried and think I may love forever:
Diptyque Olene
L’Artisan Dzing!
Keiko Mercheri Gourmandises
CB Black March
L’Artisan Safran Troublant
Five scents I haven’t tried but am HG-hopeful for:
Apres L’Ondee
Bandit
Lipstick Rose
En Passant
Ce Soir ou Jamais
And reading all these lists makes my sample lemmings grow!!
Yeah for Ce Soir ou Jamais – one of my fav interesting roses. I will suggest that you make the effort to sample the edp which is richer and much better formed than the edt which is a little thin in comparison, but still nice. There is a great review of it by Donna on Perfume Smelling Things
http://perfumesmellinthings.blogspot.com/2008/06/roses-in-3-d-annick-goutal-ce-soir-ou.html
I’ve been really excited to try Ce Soir ou Jamais, actually; I have to admit that the name snagged me (I’m shallow!) and I know it’s a fave of a few rose lovers, you included!
Thanks for the tip on the EdP, I’ll try and track some down!
Also, that article was AMAZINGLY HELPFUL with the rose obsession we’re discussing downthread– thank you so much!!
-Sarah
Narciso Rodriguez for her EDT is my current ultimate favourite! (until I go buy Si Lolita)
I like body butter and scent combos a lot:
1. Agent Provocateur (by itself)
2. Shiseido Feminite Du Bois (alone as well)
3. Body Shop Mango Body Butter + EL Pleasures Exotic
4. B&BW Sensual Amber Body Butter + Stella
5. Almond Body Butter + VS Heavenly (nostalgia…a favoured well intentioned young man gifted the Heavenly)
I also want to get myself a Diorissimo as well and maybe the No. 5 Eau Premire as well as Dior Escale a Portofino so I can fill up this list to 10. I also plan to share out some of my moms Bal a Versailles Parfum when I go visit her next, she has a whole ounce of it (gifted to her by me).
Just 10? :-S
L’Artisan Parfumeur – Dzing!
Lanvin – Arpege
Knize – Ten
Jil Sander – No. 4
Robert Piguet – Fracas
Parfums d’Empire – Cuir Ottoman
Acqua di Parma – Profumo
Thierry Mugler – Miroir des Envies
Guerlain – Apres L’Ondée
Tauer – L’Air du Désert Marocain
I’m new to perfume, so I’m leaving lots of room for new HGs:
1. Bvlgari Omnia
2. Kenzo Amour Indian Holi
3. Diptique Philosykos
4. Possets Perfumes Alaska-Shimmering Crystals and Midnight Rainbows
My three would be Ajne Calypso, Penhaligon’s Amaranthine and Guerlain Plus Que Jamais. All featuring ylang ylang, spookily enough…
The question I wanted to bring to the table for any European members who get involved in decanting, is whether you know of any good suppliers in Europe for the full range of glass and plastic atomizers, 1ml glass vials, pipettes, metal funnels etc, in other words a range comparable to Accessories for Fragrance BUT from a European supplier. Shipping is very dear from the USA and not all suppliers mark shipments as “gift”, which you can’t really blame them for, so I sometimes additionally get clobbered with import duties. I have trawled the Net exhaustively but I cannot find a European equivalent of Pilot Vials or Accessories for Fragrance.
Amaranthine… this is the new Duchaufour? The thigh one? You must have really loved it!
And it will henceforth be known only as “the thigh one”… 🙂
HA! I was just thinking that! Henceforth it shall be known as “that thigh one”
Amaranthigh!
HAHAHA! perfect! Amaranthigh…..now I’m going to have to smell it although I’m fairly certain MY thighs smell like rose shea butter!
“her Royal Thighness”
That’s the one – and it is amazing!
Who knew I’d find a way to equate ylang ylang with Halloween? They now both have a connection to “spooky”… 🙂 Would love to hear more about Amaranthine, btw.
Good luck with finding a European supplier; sorry I can’t help.
I think we just discussed Amaranthine this week in another thread…the one featuring that as a new fragrance, I believe.
Sure an’ you did…on the 14th. Hilariously so, I might add…worth going back for if you are like me and were under a rock that day. 🙂
You are the second person recently to have put Amaranthine in such a lofty position. Now I REALLY want to sample it!
I don’t know of any, but I’m watching this space in case anyone else does!
In the meanwhile i make do with group orders from overseas (eases the pain in case of customs mark-ups), ebay and some homeopathy-related sites.
Remember last Thursday when I said I had just tried Parisienne(didn’t like) and Si Lolita(did like)? Well, I went back to the Bay on the Friday and walked out the new owner of an 80mL bottle of Si Lolita with a cute 5mL mini perched on top. I couldn’t even wait 24h to buy it LOL
Awww. Must be love.
Oh, I must test that! Haven’t seen it yet in US though.
I smelled Si Lolita the other day and thought it lovely. I am on a self imposed purchasing ban which I am going to break for this one. Usually it takes me 3-4 months after several sniffs to settle and buy something but this one was love at first sniff. 🙂
Random question – do any of you ever notice a certain flat note in perfumes like Guerlain L’Instant and Delices de Cartier? It’s not a specific smell, just a certain flat, solid-like “feeling” – almost like they’re two-dimensional as opposed to three-dimensional , missing a sort of sparkling, liquid feeling to them. Anyone know what I’m talking about? Do you get that feeling from any other perfumes?
I do know what you mean, and I felt exactly the same way about the Cartier. I’ve sampled a couple others recently that had that “flat” feeling, but I’m having trouble remembering what they were right now.
Yes! I notice it in newer fragrances that I suspect are mostly synthetic.
I’m wearing one of the more obscure L’Artisans today: Poivre Piquant. Pepper, milk, and honey. It’s perfect for this miserably cold, rainy day!
It’s also miserably cold where I am and likely to rain. It’s been this way for over a week.
On the bright side, today I rediscovered the sweaters and tweeds that I’d put away last Spring. So cozy. And it’s also the first time since last Spring that I’m wearing my favorite perfume, Idole de Lubin. Also so cozy.
Great choice!
SOTD = Lancôme Sikkim. This has really become one of my favorite chypres, and minis are available for a song online.
Finally received a bottle of L’Artisan Piment Brûlant this week and I’m disappointed by how little lasting power it has on me. Sad, since it’s such a nice scent. Wondering if the bottle I got is old or something or it’s just more wacky chemistry.
Also, Robin, you can delete this if you wish, but I wanted to let others know about another split option, a Google group that those with gmail/google accounts can opt into:
http://groups.google.com/group/scent-splits?hl=en
I’ve gotten in on some really great splits on both brand new and interesting vintage scents in the past several months.
Another announcement (two-part):
a) I need intervention
b) I bought a bottle of the CdG x Artek and will host a split. joe805 on mua. 😀
No intervention. Only enabling. (Are we sick around here, or what?)
No, I don’t think any of that trio were long lasting.
I am wearing EL Private Amber Ylang Ylang. It’s cold and drizzly in Minneapolis today and I want comfort. I tend to like more winter scents than summery. SL Amber Sultan and Daim Blonde, almost ALL classic Guerlains, not so much the newer ones, Frapin 1270, Back to Black. I plan on getting myself a treat next month and getting Idole. You can see the general drift of my perfume preferences 🙂
Hi Kelly! I too am a huge Guerlain fan, and the other scents you’ve listed – Frapin, Idole and Back to Black – also sounded like scents I’d love. Have yet to try them though.
Try the Idole…I’m planning to buy, but would love to split. 😀
Thanks! I needed some enabling – 😉
You know, I’m a kindly enabler…I tend to tell people how to do what they’re going to do anyway for cheaper or with less waste. 🙂
You’re so good to me. 🙂
Should you decide to do a Lubin Idole split and wouldn’t mind shipping overseas I am definitely in! I can be reached at petronellacj (at) hotmail.com.
SOTD and curent HG: Bois des Iles which I can’t get enough of lately. However lasting power is only so-so for me, so…
Question: What are your best strategies for extending lasting power ? For fragrances that is 😉
You really must be well moisturized before applying fragrance. Also, do it right out of the shower while your pores are still open, and apply to areas than tend to heat up: pulse points, cleavage, etc.
I just make sure my skin is moisturized (when I think about it), especially whereever I usually apply fragrance (neck, arms). Sometimes I use a light, unscented oil like sweet almond or apricot kernel. However, sometimes a specific scent and chemistry just make certain ones fleeting (see above!).
1) Avoid deodorizing/antibacterial body washes and scented soaps (unless, of course it’s a layering ancillary bath product for your SOTD) and 2) Moisturize; fragrance molecules don’t last on dry skin – moisture gives ’em something to cling to. Again, a truly unscented body lotion or cream works best. Alba Botanica (at most health food stores) makes a wonderful unscented body lotion that I’ve sworn by for over a decade.
My skin is like paper and scents last a good 24 hours on me, even through showers. I dread finding a “scrubber” as I cannot get it off no matter what I do. It just has to wear off after a few days. Seriously.
Perfumes don’t last on my skin so I tend to spray on fabric which makes a difference.
I found BdI fairly short-lived too. At least it’s sold in large bottles, eh?
Hi ScentRed- My trick is to try and keep the place I apply away from the clothes that will rub it off. I normally know what I am wearing ahead of when I put on fragrance, so I’ll spray or dab or both to get the fragrance in places it’s not likely to come off — like now it’s cold so less skin is exposed, I’m putting more fragrance high on my neck behind my earlobes, in my hairline on the back of the neck, etc. I don’t always bother with the wrists as the clothes will just rub off. And I always have to moisturize b/c of dry skin, so that is a given.
For some fragrances that are fleeting, I find a second application about 1.5 hours after the first application makes it stick better.
ScentRed,
I’d avoid deodorant soaps, and moisturize with oil, right out of the shower. I also may apply a spritz on clothing.
I moisturise with sorbolene right after my shower, let it absorb, then spray fragrance behind my knees and sometimes on my wrists, depending on how in-my-face I want it to be on that day.
I’m totally going to jump on the bandwagon about MOISTEURIZING! I usually use Cetaphil, because it’s thick and creamy, non-irritating, pretty much scentless and cheap 🙂
Although I do think it helps if you use really thick body cream that actually has a bit of your favorite note in whatever scent you’re trying to prolong, or at least something complementary.
So, I moisteurize the places I’m applying perfume (wrists, neck, etc), give that a few minutes to sink in, and then after applying perfume, let it dry before really moving around a lot or rubbing fabric over it (getting dressed, etc).
Also, spraying on my hair makes it last longer, particularly if I’m not using any silicone hair products (a lot of conditioner and most shine/anti-frizz sprays have silicone; I find that the fragrance practically slides right off if I have my hair too slicked in silicone!)
But I’m a newbie, so I’m just expirimenting
okay….now my very tiny brain is churning….I wonder what would happen if you poured a blob of unscented lotion into your hand then put a couple of spritzes of perfume right ON the lotion, mixed it up with your finger then smoothed it on your skin….then applied your regular spritzes of said perfume as usual. Wouldn’t it be like making your own matching lotion to layer? I might try this….in the interests of science of course.
This does not always work, but occasionally it does. Normally the fragrance structure kind of breaks down in the lotion.
oh rats! I thought I might really be on to something.
I think it’s worth a try!
Hello all and TGIF. Yesterday I received a big bottle of AG’s Ead de Hadrian (the original, not the awful reformulation) and even though it’s seasonally inappropriate, i was just so darn pleased to have it that I wore some today.
And great minds MUST be thinking alike. I wore my Idole yesterday! 🙂
That’s a really nice one!
I’m in Mpls like Kelly and had mine on the day before that… it’s definitely that time of year.
Lucky you! I need to go try the “new” Eau du Sud, I assume it’s ruined too but haven’t heard anything about it.
I’m not sure when the reformulations took effect, but I got a new bottle of Eau de Sud earlier this year and to my nose it was identical to my bottle from the 90s.
Oh good!!
Oops (blush), that’s EAU not EAD
I’m wearing my Crazylibellule Vanille Macarons solid perfume today. I love it for cool weather. More than a bargain for $18!
Yay! Did you see they have 2 more coming in that vanilla series?
I did and will want to try them! $18 is essentially free, after all!
SOTD is Emotionnelle by Parfums DelRae, that I received as a sample. I looked up your review of it, Robin; good grief, you really nailed that one! A blast of pure canteloupe, followed by plasticky flowers and canteloupe. Not sure I’ll make it to the drydown.
I requested some DelRae samples primarily to try Bois de Paradis for a fall scent. BdP isn’t horrible, but smells like pumpkin pie–cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg, over egg custard. Another one that’s way too foodie for me. Champagne de Bois (SSS) still has not been knocked off its pedestal!
I seem to be the only one who doesn’t think CdB is all that. There’s an odd note in there that just puts me off it. The first time I tried it, that’s all I could smell. I tried it again a few days ago, and got fabulous incense followed by…that note. It just doesn’t work on me, though I’m sure I’ll try it again.
So sorry to hear that Boo. That is the best “new” scent I’ve tried since Double Vanille in 2007!
I’m with you on the outside, Boojum. CdB is too aldehydic for me. So many warm wood scents I like better, but I’ll admit I have a problem with aldehydes. I think Bois de Paradis is really nice though, as well as Mythique & Amoreuse. I think all those DelRae’s are really well done (even Emotionelle, which doesn’t bother me).
I resample Champagne de Bois about every three months or so, but I had trouble with that one too. But I am incense challenged anyway – there are a few SSS fragrances that don’t work for me because I am anosmic to the musks that Laurie Erickson uses. But I do retest to make sure my nose hasn’t matured and things will smell differently. But I *always* wish that CdB would work for me as I find it a potentially wonderful alternative to Chanel No 22 which always blows my doors off and is difficult for me.
Funny you should say that. I tried CdB a few weeks ago and although there’s much to love, there’s also something that bugs me that I can’t put my finger on. Yet, despite the off-putting element, I still find myself compulsively sniffing my wrist.
And this one lasts forever on me – go figure.
I agree, boojum–I get the same reaction. I have tested four different times, and cannot figure it out, but there is a “nothingness” that lasts–it has no particular scent, but lingers.
Hi SKRZYPCE — the “nothingness” that you are smelling in the SSS is actually an anosmia, perhaps to the musks that are in some of Laurie’s fragrances. I am anosmic to a number of her fragrances that actually smell like nothing to me or smell “wavy” as fragrance comes and goes. It is good to test, because you never know which one it might be. Musk anosmia affects me for other fragrances on the market too. Sometimes a fragrance will smell just downright horrible as something that holds it together like a “sweet musk” is missing (eg. Couture by Badgley Mischka, Nuits Enchantees by Laura Mercier, and Lovely by SJP), and sometimes the musk anosmia will literally block the fragrance and I can’t smell it at all (SSS Opal, Cameo, Egyptian Musk, etc and something like DK Cashmere Musk). It is best to test and try, but there is very little you can do about musk anosmia if it is a problem for you.
Hi AnnS– you describe anosmia so well! I have noticed musk is a problem note in many scents for me. Occasionally one will work, but not often. I keep retesting, as you do. every so often to see if things change, but no luck so far.
I have that “I know something is there, but I cannot smell it” experience with Nahema, Boucheron Jaipur, and Keiko Mecheri Peau de Peche. Weird. AnnS is right – there’s something in there that blocks your perception of the rest of it. It’s totally bizarre to experience, though.
I found the melon in Emotionelle way too dumpster-y. And Bois de Paradis has this bizarre opening on my skin (“what is that? Mint? turpentine?) before going all blueberry-pancakes on me. Sniff. Sad.
Did you try Amoureuse? I hear it’s been reformulated though.
Today first cold/flu since november 2007 (I know because it’s when my perfumania started and I’ve been since then terrified by colds and not being able to smell) and first Black cashmere since last winter. Awesome even through half-functioning nostrils…
Get well soon! Don’t forget to knock back the garlic and vitamin C and drink plenty of water (Sorry, can’t help myself)
So sorry!! Hope you’re better soon.
sowwy oo sick 🙁
Get lots of extra sleep so you can get well and get right back to sniffing. (with both nostrils)
SOTD: Terre d’Hermes … HG of the Week: No. 5 Eau Premier (maybe because it’s been unseasonably cold here in Boston). I have always read that AG Petite Cherie tends to turn quickly due to “the unstable pear”, but has anybody else had any other AG fragrances turn on them rather fast? I just got a bottle of Chevrefeuille, and the first blast was straight rubbing alcohol, which happened with another bottle I got in a clearance sale. That one was completely gone, so now I have to use this one up fast … good thing it takes about 14 sprays to apply enough to last more than an hour.
Hi Dzingnut – I find that a lot of the AG edt’s are a bit “thin” in the body and can be rather diffuse. The Chev always smells a little sharp and soapy to me (as does Petit Cherie, Quel Amour…). I haven’t heard anything specifically about Chev turning quickly. Maybe you just have a bad/old/poorly stored bottle. I would suggest if you really care to try and obtain a sample of Chev from some sample vendor to see how closely your bottle smells to it. It might be helpful determining if it just turned or if it is sour for some other reason, or if in fact, you just don’t like it. You may also try and investigate the batch code to see if it is pretty old. They do still make it new. But it’s tricky with AG’s.. I want very much to stockpile Heure Exquise for reformulation issues (just in case!), but I’m afraid to do so as I am worried it might turn as well.
I do keep Petite Cherie in the fridge (in a plastic baggie) – it’s the only thing I keep cold. I hope I’m not actually hurting it, but it’s the one most notable for spoilage. Luckily, it’s a small bottle.
I think I’m suffering perfume fatigue…or rather, sampling fatigue. Lately it seems more work than pleasure. I finally set aside a big pile of samples that didn’t wow me at first sniff; I’ll go back to them some day (or not). How do you find time to *wear* perfume in between all the sampling?
Same thing has happened to me after crazy sampling all spring and summer. I finally said ENOUGH, even though there are still several I haven’t tried. They’ll be there when I’m ready to come back to them. It was almost a relief, like coming home, to go back to my old Guerlains – and CdB 😉
What is CdB short for? O,,r at least, who makes it? I would love to try.
Hope im not too late asking this.
oh dear its early morning here and my typing fingers are not working properly!!!
I believe Rapple’s talking about Sonoma Scent Studio’s Champagne de Bois. It really is a wonderful scent, great for cold weather too!
Thanks Daisy! I’ve been off watching our basketball scrimmage.
Thanks- spring here, but i may have to get a sample anyway!
Debbie – I wore it quite a lot this past summer, and it wasn’t too heavy for the heat for me as it’s primarily a woody scent.
I’m feeling a bit of perfume fatigue too … I almost didn’t wear anything today! Sometimes I need to take a little break. 🙂
I find when I get a slug of samples off and on that it is helpful to quickly sniff them and then put them away for a while. It is good for me to go back to my true loves/HGs for a week or two at a time to reset my nose and remind myself about quality. It is easy to get overwhelmed and fall for a fragrance too easily. (That also keeps me from overshopping these days – if a sample is not better than “X” then it is not worth it, etc. And almost *everything* is derrivative these days…) Then on days when I’m bored (and the toddler is sleeping and my husband is at work…) I’ll get out all those samples and revisit them more thoughfully for some really excellent “me time”!! That way I can really take the time to discover and savor something interesting. It is just not possible to keep up with everything, so I try and only bother with samples that are really potentially interesting or meritous.
You’re right. Especially after sampling a bunch of ‘meh’ perfumes in a row, I have to pull out my favorites and just live in them for awhile.
Boojum: I usually do a spraydown before I head to work in the morning, and sometimes, but not always, by the time I get home in the evening, or after dinner, I feel like testing 3 or 4 scents from samples on different patches of my arms. It’s always hard to keep something straight, and 95% are probably in the “this is nice but doesn’t wow me” category (I guess that’s good). Sometimes I dab just a drop of something on though, and I think, “Now THIS is kind of special.” Once it’s not fun anymore, just take a break, but don’t feel pressure that you must try your samples. They’ll be there waiting until you’re in the mood or until you decide to chuck them.
See, there’s half my problem…most things last all day on me. Once I put something on, that’s it. I’m too fickle to choose the night before, but am afraid of a fatal mistake in the morning before work. I think I need to reserve testing for weekends. 😀 But then I get so far behind….
Chuck samples??? sacrilege! unloved samples must be passed on to unsuspecting victims!
Boo, I know exactly what you mean….seems like I’m always way behind in giving things a seriously trial, little plastic tubs of sample vials on every flat surface….lately I’ve just been wearing favorites! Especially since it’s been so cold here in the midwest—I need my favorite comfort scents!
I haven’t gotten really sick of sniffing yet, but I do get notes fatigue. Sometimes I just don’t want to manage my perfume excel spreadsheet! I also don’t have a great organizing system yet, so all my samples are in a big intimidating pile.
The one thing I do feel sometimes is frustrated or dissappointed– I’ll send away for samples that sound perfect, have been really enthusiastically reviewed, and it seems like everyone loves, and then I just…am not wowed, or don’t smell what other people are smelling. Sometimes I wonder if my nose isn’t good enough!
But then it’s all worth it when I find the ones I love 🙂
If you primarily get 1 ml samples, you could try my method…not perfect, but it’s something anyway. I buy compartmented boxes meant for beading at the craft store, and just put them in alphabetically by house (all the As in one spot, etc.). They don’t have quite enough spaces (maybe 20?), but you’ll quickly find some letters you scarcely have any of anyway.
Awesome, thanks for the tip!
I’m actually looking at something similar; there’s a sort of plastic crafts drawers thing at the Container Store for $12, but it’s backordered.
And yeah, it has 16 compartments, but they’re pretty big? I figure I can combine letters the way they’re combined in the perfume houses; Q-R together, U-Z, etc.
Thanks for the tip!
if the compartments are too big won’t the vials all fall over? I need to do something too—baggies of sample vials everywhere!
D – I gave up all hope of finding a perfect system that would let me keep them upright, so mine are all lying down anyway. Eggs – these were only $4, you could grab several for the price of your one. I have one for things I’ve already thoroughly tested, but want to keep for reference (or to retry later, if I didn’t love them), and one for things yet to be tested.
Completely under the spell of Velvet Gardenia by Tom Ford. I have been wearing it almost exclusively for about a month now. I have not done that in a looong time. I even have a back up bottle on order since they are discontinuing this one!
As for my weekly purchase, I ordered Mythique by Parfums DelRae from Aedes. Hopefully it will be here next week.
What is your purchase or purchases this week only?
~Dawn
100 mls. of vintage Guerlain Nahema pdt. Hasn’t arrived yet, but I can’t wait! Oh! And a small bottle of vintage Vol de Nuit extrait.
Beautiful scents Rappleyea! 🙂 So envious of the VdN extrait!!
I think I lucked into that last Sat. night on eBay listed by a seller I’d used in the past. I think it had just been put up. Sometimes it pays not to have a social life. LOL!
LOL indeed! Only perfumistas / os can understand this.
My sister ebay ho…
😉 Where’s our other sister today??
Hi Rapple!!! you did it! you went for the Nahema! ooooh, and some vintage VdN extrait…..You are smart to stock up when you get the chance. Your perfume collection is a showcase of vintage Guerlains!
So—how are those Amouages treating you?more headaches? or are they better now in the cooler weather?
Until today (wearing CdB), I’ve only worn the Guerlains. Strangely enough, the Jardins de Bagatelle has worked really well in our cool, damp weather. I think because I can’t get the association with My Sin out of my head. LOL! So I haven’t tried the Amouages again. The Epic has been kind of daring me to try it….
I love JdB, but have never smelled My Sin. Your comment about that association intrigues me….
My Sin hasn’t faired too well in recent years. In the old days, it was very beautiful and had a fairly animalic base, which JdB doesn’t have. Still, there is something fairly reminiscent of My Sin in its composition.
Angela did a great review of it not too long ago on here.
R-Wow… love VdN, have a teeny drop of extrait left. I love the stuff.
Yeah, sigh…. I’ve worn it since high school, and I’m not about to say how long ago that was! At the time (pre-computers and blogs saying it was melancholy and mysterious) it was simply a not so sweet version of Shalimar, hence I bought it. Only the edt of course, I came lately to the glory of the extrait.
Hi Dawn – my only purchase this week is a back up bottle of the original bottle style of the Donna Karan (Signature) – the “ugly” black swan bottle. I’ve been wearing it again now that it is cold and snowy… it is so great!
Hi Ann,
That scent is so underrated imo. It is a great scent! Enjoy!
~D
Cristalle EDP is on its way from Amazon. The EDT has been my favorite for years.
I just got a small bottle of Cristalle edt the other day (unsniffed) Is it supposed to smell really sharp, almost bitter in the opening?
Dear Daisy and Aimiliona – Cristalle was always one of my favourites – I wore the edt on my wedding day. It was different, green and zingy. However, horrors!, this year Chanel have reformulated the edt and edp and have removed the lovely bright citrussy hit. The fragrance still worth having; it’s mossy and sharpish (the edp seems heavier on the jasmine now than it was), but that essential hit has gone. I now layer it with something lemony (I am particularly liking the new Liz Earle Botanical No 1).
Hope you’re not too disappointed (you might even have older stock, with any luck).
I’m sure this is “older stock” , it’s very green and zingy…and the metal collar of the atomizer has a bit of a rough feel that older bottles will get…I had to do a bit of a ‘clean up’ on the bottle too. sometimes it takes several experiments with something for me to “get it” ….and I need for my daughter to try it too –she favors those green zingy ones like MetB Green, green and green, Cristalle eau verte, and well, any thing green.
Daisy – re: Cristalle – YES! Cristalle is a toughy. Try No 19 or Pour Monsieur instead….
no19 hurts my nosey!! But I may give the Pour Monsieur a try. If J hates the Cristalle, it will be looking for a new home!
I was good this week and only ordered the sample set from Parfums Del Rae.
Cool, she sends nice big samples too. (although she could’ve sent less Amoureuse ….ack!)
I caved and bought one I considered buying last year, but I was so new to the hobby that a) I found the cost of $100 to be outrageous (so young, so naive!), and b) I still thought I was looking for my one all-purpose HG scent, and wasn’t so sure that was it. It wasn’t, but it was lovely…and of course, LE. LOL! Miraculously found BNIB on evilbay, shipping from the UK for less than that $100. Hope it works out. (It was Givenchy Amarige Mimosa Tamil Nadu 2007, for the curious.)
My SOTD is Chanel Sycomore and I am trying to figure out if it is FB worthy. I am thinking so! In the Fall, I also love L’Artisan Piment Brûlant and Nasomatto Duro. I wish more people knew about/liked Duro but I think it has been pigeonholed as this uber-masculine, overpowering fragrance which scares people off.
I think Duro is one of the couple Nasomatto scents I haven’t tried yet. Now I’m intrigued!
SOTD: BK Love – once the sugared jasmin and liquorice part is over (not for many hours, mind you) the drydown is what I always hoped L’Heure Bleue would be – a piece of praline. Please don’t judge me for being so shallow and dissing one of the great ones.
But here is my question: the SL website states that they will start shipping to the US in 2010. No further details. Has anyone heard about this and do you have more information?
By Kilians are far from shallow! Glad you found one to love.
I saw that too. Fingers crossed… but I guess there’ll be customs fees?
that will depend on the cost of your purchase. I think if it is under 200E then there are no extra customs fees….but regulations can change so it’s best to do a quick check before you order from overseas.
I did not know that, thanks!
If that’s true, I’m happy for me, and very sad for my bank account!
Your description of BK Love sounds so gorgeous, now I’m going to have to try it!!
Especially since I’m a total jasmine fanatic and also gravitate towards sweet. Would you say the liquorice is really…liquorice-y (does that make sense?) or more anise-y? Anise & jasmine actually sound delicious.
checked the notes on the BK website (very detailed) and the anise/ liquorices is a complete illusion. Perhaps created by the burned vanilla/ caramelized sugar/ coriander notes.
I compared Love to Etro Anice and to some Liquorices candy (good n’plenty) and it is definitely closer to the Anice. I wish I had some of the Indian candied fennel seeds for reference to round out my research, but if you enjoy jasmin and anise you should definitely give this a try.
Hm, and I find Anice to smell exactly like good n plenty…which is why my 5 yr old is begging for a decant of it. 😀 If this is more floral, I wonder how it compares to 06130 Feuille de Reglisse? Love that one, it’s on my short list.
Wow, thanks for all the research you put into that! That really helps <3
I often think I smell something that absolutely isn't officially included, so it's really helpful to know that you smell the liquorice in there.
It smells totally delicious; I'll let you know what I think!
My SOTD is Mitsouko edp. Sigh. What did I ever do before you came along? How come I never noticed you before? Well, Mitsouko was the only solution for the greyist, dreariest, SNOWIEST Oct 16 day ever…. Blah blah blah. Mitsouko- save me!!! I am trying to reign in my desire to go completely nuts and seek out vintage bottles of Mitsouko.
Here is my question to everyone – what is the fragrance that drove you insane? The one you had to have? The one that made you want to bounce your rent check and eat rice and beans for a month? The one that made you insane for trolling ebay for vintage (whether you did it or not)?
Hmm. I think I’d say Joy.
Vintage Emeraude PARFUM. If I were forced, at gunpoint, to pick one scent for the rest of my life, it would be that one.
at gunpoint? forced to pick only one fragrance for the rest of forever?? hmmm, I think I’d have to take my chances and fight….
LOL! See answer above to Dawnkana. Vol de Nuit vintage extrait. Once I smelled a new bottle last summer, I was heartbroken. It was worse than a travesty. So much has been written about the Mitsouko reformulation, but having smelled the new version, and owning vintage, I can tell you the Mitsouko reformulation is a masterpiece compared to the VdN! I hope for their karma in the next life, the LVMH execs work at pig farms!
I am laughing and sad about your comments at the same time… I fell for Vol de Nuit way before I did Mitsouko or even Chamade for that matter. I was glad I got an “older stock” botttle of VdN edt from the late 90s. And then I really really struggled with buying a 1 oz of the VdN extrait that was “older stock” as well mostly b/c of money. But I did get a few mls of older VdN extrait decant. So I know what you mean about it being relatively ignored in the reformulation uproar.
Learning from my mistake, I did take the opportunity to spring for an “older stock” bottle of Mitsouko extrait. It’s not vintage, but it’s certainly before the axe fell. Since I adore Chamade above all others that is the one I’ve been secretly searching and hording, including some edt from the late 60’s, some edt from the 90’s and a bottle of extrait from the 90s. It makes me happy to have them but sad that such effort needs to be expended to get these beauties before they are unrecognizable!! Same with some older bottles of Joy…
Ann – there’s a Vol de Nuit extrait tester on eBay right now, ending today I think. I have no idea how high it will go, but it isn’t listed as “vintage”. I can tell from the color of the juice though that it will be okay as that was the first thing I noticed in the new bottle last summer – it was a very pale greenish color. The one on eBay is the right color of amber. I’m not going for it after buying some last weekend so you wouldn’t be bidding against me if you decide to bid on it.
I too love Chamade and have a bottle of it. That’s my summer HG where VdN is the winter one. My bottle isn’t old, but I couldn’t really tell the difference between it and older samples, so I was really happy about that. I’ve been on a bit of a stocking up spree lately with my Guerlains, but the checkbook is screaming uncle so I’ve got to pull up!
Thanks for the tip! I’ll have a few hours then to decide if I want to go for it. Always a tough choice.
Do you mean the current VdN extrait is a travesty? Or the edt? Or both…? Such a shame as the vintage is so scarce (congrats on yours!)
The current extrait is the one I called a travesty. I had bought myself a bottle for my birthday as I really wanted that airplane propeller bottle. I haven’t smelled a new edt.
Oh no…that’s so sad…
Ok, I have two of those. SL Gris Clair and Chanel No 18.
I have TOTALLY been jonesing for a bottle of Gris Clair! I’ve been good so far and haven’t broken down and bought it, but if the hints I have left lying around the house don’t pay off by Christmas time, I’m buying it for myself!
Hey, if Santa doesn’t come through, I would definitely be interested in a split! Gris Clair is the only SL that I “get,” and I’m feeling that it must be got…
I will definitely be in on a split if the holidays are a let down for you guys. Since my santa clause get’s a typed list and just has to hit the ‘purchase’ button on TPC there are fewer surprises.
It’s a deal, kids! Contact me on MUA, and that way we’ll all be in touch and won’t be saying two months from now, “Now who was it that wanted in on the split?”
Oh goody! What’s your MUA name? I’m “Zanfirico”, but I’m a total MUA ignoramus, so this whole thing may take me a while to figure out.
I’m on there under the same name, just all one word.
I am sorely tempted to raid my retirement funds to get a FB of Timbuktu (I’ll be living in a hovel, but I’ll smell FANTASTIC). And I’ve been scouring *B** for vintage Mitsouko, but not very much is showing up right now. I’ve set out to get pre-reformulation scents; are the people in the know hoarding their genuine oakmoss juice?
I think oakmoss lovers are hording, or the sellers are becoming better informed. I keep hoping I’ll find some old Mitsouko or other Guerlains at some estate sales.. Good luck!!
Besides Fendi, it’d be Nina Ricci’s Farouche, in the Lalique crystal bottle. I managed to find the perfume on-line at the ‘bay, it’s heaven.
I still haven’t found it. 🙁
Tatiana, Lauren, J’adore are my favorites, but I wish I could get my hands on some of the original Halston. It would be perfect on a chilly day like today in the northeast.
That was a perfect scent, back in the day 🙂
Have you tried any of the online discounters? Fragrancenet, Parfum 1, Beauty Encounter?
Today I’m wearing Frederic Malle Une Fleur de Cassie. I keep hearing that it might take some time in to appreciate, but I loved it from the very first sniff. It’s floral and feminine, but not at all prim. On the contrary, I feel quite sly and seductive when I wear it. Something darker lingers beneath the surface, which is the reason why I love it. I just might need a bottle….
THAT is a beautiful fragrance, and I don’t find it too feminine for a guy at all. I like that it’s not just straight-up “pretty” but has some darkness and even some notes that are almost “off.”
SOTD : Barbara Bui le parfum. The weather has shifted from warm, moist and gray a week ago to to cold, moist and gray this week.
I miss my blue sky and crisp autumn days!
My consolation is wearing cozy scents: I’m less discontented when I’m wearing Bois de Iles, Black Cashmere, and Barbara Bui.
I’d be wearing them at this time of year anyway, but without sunshine, they really help brighten my mood.
3 great picks!
SOTD is SSS Champagne de Bois. It fits our cold, rainy weather here in central Ky. But… I have to admit that I’m not about perfume today as tonight is the Midnight Madness event for U. K. basketball and I bleed blue! The only place in the nation where 24,000 people turn out for a practice!
Hope it is great fun! And so glad I don’t have to go outside tonight. Or watch sports 😉
Hi Robin! I just got back on line from watching it on T. V. (I didn’t join the other 1000 people (over 500 tents) to camp out in cold rain for three days for tickets! It was a blast, and I cannot wait for the season. I’ve been a huge basketball fan since I was about nine years old!
Oh good…tv sounds much better!
Hi all, TGIF! It’s warm and sunny today, I’m wearing R & G’s Bouquet Imperiale with JM’s Sweet Lime & Cedar body oil.
My favorite perfume house (for now) is Hermes. I pretty much wear anything they create, I love any scent with vetiver in it.
I’ve been exploring frags with mineral/salty notes in them. Anyone have suggestions? I love/wear Hermes Td’H, has anyone tried LA’s Cote d’Amour?
You should try Miller Harris Fleurs de Sel which is a fantastic wild salty fragrance. It is really good stuff.
Thank you Joe, Gilty and Ann for the recs! I don’t think I’ve tried any of Miller Harris’s scents yet, I’ll give it a try!
Funny you mentioned Eau de Merveilles, I recently wore EdM (in edt and perfume) and loved the Eau, it was absolutely beautiful. This is going on my wish list for sure! I liked the EDP, which seemed gourmand in the opening, but the drydown was still a lovely woods scent.
Sticking with Hermès, you MUST try Eau de Merveilles which is a salty citrus/amber. I also love the mineral/salty aspect of Malle Dans tes Bras. I second Fleurs de Sel also.
I’ll third the MH Fleurs de Sel. It’s fantastic and worth every penny.
Is TDC Sel de Vetiver too obvious a choice? If my memory serves me right it was created by Ellena’s daughter and is meant to be along the similar lines to TdH.
Sel de Vetiver was created by Celine Ellena, but I have never read of any intention reflection between the two. Interestingly, my DH wears the creation of the daughter (SdV), while my teenage son will occasionally the creation of the dad (Terre de Hermes). *Someone* led them down this path… 😉
I think I worded that badly, I’ve read that SdV and TdH are similar but, no, I don’t think they were intentionally created to be so.
*someone* bought a bottle of TdH for the man of the household here too. Partly so that this *someone* could occasionally borrow it for herself 😉
Heh…*someone* here enjoys taking a hit on the Sel de Vetiver regularly, and might just sneak a quick spritz of the mini of Tdh on occasion. 😉
Cd’A is interesting, and at least worth a sniff. It’s been awhile since I tried it though, and didn’t fully develop an opinion. I did like it better the first time I smelled it than the 2nd, but my nose does funny things sometimes. I’d definitely get a sample, anyway.
Heeley Sel de Mer. 🙂
Ann S: great list! Oooh, I lubs lists! Would throw caution and cash to the winds for: Dzongkha (I could …eat it!), Hiris, L’Interdit (Les Mythiques), Unicorn Spell, and Dzing!
Thanks! I actually have an “aldehyde” fav list, and L’Interdit (Les Mythiques) is in the top 5 of my fav aldehydes… Good stuff. They have it rather cheap at some of the online discounters these days.
Mmm Unicorn Spell! I love that one and I sorta forgot about my poor little decant. I think I’ll wear it tomorrow – who knows maybe it’ll smell nice in the rain.
SOTD is the bought unsniffed but instantly loved SSS Femme Jolie (thanks, Laurie!).
That one sounded really nice to me, too. She’s got such loverly stuff.
I love love love Femme Jolie! I got a bottle of it last year after I discovered she’d whip it up for me. I think it smells so nice and soft and rich – very much like the base of DK Chaos and even a bit like parts of Feminite des Bois. It is so pretty!
Can’t wait until The CEO gets home and builds a fire… sure, I could do it myself, I’m a big girl… but it’s way comforting to be “provided for” in that way. (Hey, I provide too – clean bathrooms, ironed clothes, and nutritious hot meals. Not to mention the so-called paycheck I receive for part-time work.)
I was wearing DSH’s dupe of Crepe de Chine earlier in the day, but I got to longing for some smoke, so I washed off the last wisps and put on some Shalimar PdT. TarNilla Godzilla, here I come!
LOL at “tarnilla Godzilla”!
It can stomp over my whole day if I’m not careful with the dosage…
I started wearing Gucci Rush today & it was not at all the autumn party girl I remembered from last year! It clubbed me upside the head; although mellowed considerably. Which leads me to a question:
Ladies Only: does your sense of smell change on a monthly cycle? I really think mine does. Scents smell so differently to me at various times: love/hate/love/hate. Could this be the reason?
I’m now wearing Missoni Acqua, which smells like a gray autumn sky right now. Perfect for the day.
Hmm – you know I’ve always wondered if it is actually the sense of smell that changes or just the skin – you know cranky oily stuff? Well, all those crazy chemical in the body anyhow. I don’t think my sense of smell changes per se, but it did when I was pregnant, etc.
yes!–there are certain scents that I absolutely cannot stand for a few days, yet others that are perfect at that time.
Yes, same here. Sometimes my sense of smell is much more sensitive and things I normally love just about make me sick!!
OMG, so glad you brought this up! YES!! Everything smells sweaty and weird to me, sort of like pencil shavings. It took me a while to realize it was my sense of smell and not me. I’ve made people sniff my wrists, and all have assured me it is not I that smells like dirty hippy and pencil lead.
“Dirty hippie and pencil lead!”
The next ELdO release. 🙂
Good one, Miss K.!
OMG! I was playing with samples today & by hellish accident spilled some ELdO “Secretions Magnifiques” on my hands. HELP; send chemical clean-up team to scrub off!!! I am now dying for a dirty hippie to stab me with a pencil… Anyway, thanks everyone for the validation. 🙂
if you have the original missoni, how does the acqua compare to it? i assume it’s more fresh or watery, but i do love the original and the acqua is super duper cheap on ebay.
I don’t smell Missoni Acqua as a flanker related to the original. For one thing, it’s not nearly the change artist of the original. I hadn’t anticipated liking it so much, but quickly ran through my sample and then longed for it in the height & heat & fun of summer. It has a citrus/melon top note — but throughout the run, there’s a weighted lower note of salty cedar? that makes it less of a teenager’s scent to me. It’s a fairly green scent, which I enjoy. (The bottle is much nicer in person, if you care about that.)
Unless I’ve forgotten, it was not advertised as a flanker.
thanks for the info ladies! i think i saw it at nordstrom last time i was there so i may try to get a sample there first.
Not sure about sense of smell…preferences, for sure. Hmmm.
Indeed my sense of smell does change hormonally. . . no question . . .and yes to the love/hate/love/hate, too
Guerlaingirl: I wouldn’t be at all surprised – think of olfactory/hormonal changes during pregnancy, there must be similar changes during the month. Age related changes too.
Guerlaingirl- I know what you mean.Love/hate. It’s amazing the way hormonal changes can affect so many parts of your body. Urgh!
I tried Guerlain Insolence at Ulta this weekend. The Guide says it’s related to L’Heure Bleue, and the odd thing is that I recognize the relationship, love l’Heure Bleue, and scrubbed Insolence. How can they have so much in common and be so different?
You only need one wrong note to ruin a whole fragrance.
Totally different in feeling & character, despite the commonalities.
Yes, totally different. And I like L’HB, especially in parfum (mmmm), but Insolence was like being surrounded by shrieking parrots. Or car alarms.
Shrieking parrots coated in Aqua Net would be my take on it,
YIKES! Sounds like a Guerlain I’ll pass on!
I´ve just rediscovered Gucci Eau de Parfum a month ago and cannot think of a better evening fragance, I´ve heard it´s going to be discontinued,
WHYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY????????????????????
Was that a chypre?
I don´t think so, for me it´s a blend of orange blosso,, iris and vainilla. I love it and it´s lasts forever. I spritzed only twice around my neck, went clubbing and still smell it after hours! And I must confess I have a reputation for turning light any perfume I wear.
Seriously, it´s worth a try!
I would swear I’ve tried it…must go check my notes.
SOT¨D: My sample of Cuir de Lancome. Lovely, smooth, creamy leather… Fantastic.
Got my BIG parcel from the US the other day so have been basking in the glory of Habit Rouge, Kingdom and Rochas Absolu (an underestimated gem!). And still have a load of samples to try. So happy about it!
Oh how nice, enjoy!
May I rant for just a moment? I was on a flight from Orlando to Seattle last week when about a half hour before landing the woman across the aisle from me felt compelled to pull out a mini bottle of perfume and spritz herself 5 or 6 times. It was a sharp, bitter citrus followed by laundry detergent – gah, it just about killed me. And not only me. The two very nice young men sitting in her row where coughing and hacking and a little kid a few rows up yelled, “mom, what’s that smell!” As much as I love my perfumes, I’d never do that on a plane (unless it was my own private plane in which case all bets are off). Seriously, someone with asthma would have been in real trouble.
Thank you. I feel better now.
On a more positive note, the weather here is finally cooling off (75 tomorrow!) so I can pull out my lovely, deep, dark, spicy scents! Hooray!!
:O ON THE PLANE??? How wuuuuuuude!
And a flight attendant didn’t say anything to her?
Sad thing is; she probably thought she was impressing everyone with her wonderful perfume!! Did she seem to notice people coughing, complaining,….retching? or just totally oblivious?
The FA actually ran for the galley when she walked down the aisle and smelled it. Can’t say I blame her. The oversprayer? Completely oblivious.
I would be too embarrassed to do that. Especially when the kid yells out “mom whats that smell!?” I would at least wait till I was off the plane!
People can be so oblivious. I was once on a plane when the woman sitting across the aisle from me decided it was the perfect time to paint her nails. The fumes, as you can imagine, were intense! Thankfully the attendant came and put a quick stop to that.
What makes me mad about that is that it’s people like her that make your average person think that they hate perfume. Ruining it for the rest of us, lady! Thanks a lot!
And it’s always something wretchedly smothering, like Opium (sorry Opium lovers!).
Exactly.
Unreal.
Today I am wearing YSL Paris Eau de Printemps 2008. I bought it last spring and have only got halfway through. I almost didn’t buy it as it only comes in the 125ml size and out of necessity I need to keep my bottles 50ml and smaller otherwise I would never finish any!
It’s the first time I’m wearing my favourite spring/summer fragrance this spring, due to the winter temperatures we have been having. I couldn’t resist the pull of it when I got up an hour or so ago. Yesterday I was wearing Calvin Klein Euphoria, which to me is the deep winter fragrance – warm and rich.
So today, 12 sprays of Paris Eau de Printemps, and I am wafting about in a silky muslin cloud of rose violet sweetness … will make having to stay at home on a Saturday just about bearable, methinks! 🙂
Oh – forgot to say – it’s still a winter cold day today but I just got so sick of wearing the heavy spicy dark winter fragrances in my collection that I just had to break out a little bit of sunshine!
Random question: is anyone a fan of Frederic Malle’s Lipstick Rose?
mmmmm FM Lipstick Rose !! One of my most favored roses! Have you ever tried L’artisan Drole de Rose?
Really?? Man, I gotta get me a sniff of that then! I really would have thought FM would have a presence in Australia by now – or maybe I haven’t been going to the right places.
I read the description/notes of L’A D d Rose on their website the other day and I’m pretty sure I’ll love it, just got to find some to try! 🙂
L’Artisan has a great sample program!
They do indeed…I just wish they’d HURRY UP and get HV on it! Like…yesterday! Sigh. I just want to know if I need to put off some other purchases in favor of that one, or if I can go ahead and get what’s tops on my list. The woes of a severely restricted budget.
I haven’t smelled the EdPrintemps, but I have a bottle of the LE Pont des Amours (2005, maybe?) and like it very much. And the springtime ones are much, much lighter than the original, so it’s hard to overdo them, but I don’t think I’ve ever worn 12 spritzes of anything. Ever. Maybe I’m just timid, or I don’t know how to live it up, or something.
I think Printemps is just what they call their annual springtime limited edition. I forgot what the actual name was – there might be a Pont in there somewhere …
This is the first time I can remember spraying that much on myself – it’s briskly cold here, so any less would disappear, most likely.
And … I’ve just put on 4 more sprays as an after-lunch refresher! 🙂
They do call the flankers springtime fragrances, which I guess would be “printemps” – but two of them (Yes, two – 2002 and 2009) are actually named Paris Eau de Printemps.
Closing the day down with LesNez Manoumalia. **bliss**
Have a good weekend you fine smelling people!
Hope you had a wonderful weekend!
I started out with DelRae Eau Illuminee – which I liked, but didn’t love. It was just too dry on me – I’ll give it another shot some other day though; maybe on a hot, humid day.
Then I went trolling at Marshalls and found a bottle of Tocade for $9.99, so that’s what I’m wearing now. I’m not getting any of the “slutty” that others did – just a warm, yummy drydown. Does that mean that I’m anosmic to something? Or just partial to slutty 80s fragrances, so this doesn’t smell slutty to me?
Heh heh. I think everything just smells slutty to me… remember me and my Joy? No, Tocade is more flirty than slutty, IMO, and I really like it – but That Flirt Tocade isn’t nearly as much fun to say as That Slut Tocade… 🙂
Hey, reading your story about “that slut Tocade” was what made me finally decide to track some down!
I haven’t gotten my hands on it yet, but I can’t wait 🙂 And $10, what a dream!
My $9.99 bottle came from TJMaxx, so don’t limit your discounter trolling to just the one… 🙂 Mals, your nickname for it still chuckles me.
LOL —Thelma: good thing you mentioned that purchase because I was sending you a bunch of the bottle I just got! You’d have been swimming in Tocade!
I have to say thanks to Mals for turning me on to Tocade. I think it’s kind of a womanly va-va-va-voom-y kind of fragrance. very warm and spicy almost in the the dry down. Strong though….2 spritzes is plenty!
lol Louise, I thought about you and Tocade when I saw the bottle today, but a: I couldn’t remember if you’d actually bought it and b: it was $10.00!
I’m not sure if I’m as happy with my other $9.99 purchase though – Nanette Lepore Shanghai Butterfly. I can’t figure out what it smells like – I think it was overwhelmed by that slut Tocade.
I had a sample of that one and never could quite decide how I felt about it either.
*sigh*
I sprayed it on again and all I can really smell (in the Shanghai Butterfly) is the carnation. I like spicy carnation, but I already have the far superiod CdG Carnation. Oh well, it was only $9.99 and the bottle is adorable.
Since the weather got so much colder these last couple of weeks, I’ve really not been enjoying any perfume as much as I was in the long, hot days of summer. Maybe having less exposed skin, and less of the warmth of the sun working on that skin/perfume combo? Anyone else have this problem, or suggestions on how to get around it? It’s also true that I have a summer-heavy collection – not too many good, warming, comforting scents. Again, suggestions gratefully received. Help me out of my seasonal/scent-slump doldrums!
Hi Vickyjane,
I’m with you on the seasonal slump – though I am experiencing the reverse in that I am sick of my winter scents and decided to just spray lots of my spring favourite on! In my mind, summer scents don’t do well in winter because they do well in hot weather so tend to disappear very quickly. I find that wearing something heavy (for me, heavy is Calvin Klein Euphoria so maybe not that heavy at all) under layers of clothing and reacting with my body heat is actually best – it promotes the cozy sexiness that I associate with cold weather. Layering on clothes and then unlayering them afterwards!
My other winter faves include Lancome’s Tresor and Poeme.
Though I am finding that today, when it’s 16 degrees celcius, just lots of sprays of YSL Paris Eau de Printemps is just the trick. So maybe it’s to do with how much of your summer faves that you put on too?
Good luck – and what are some of your favourites in your summer heavy colleciton – ours is coming in a couple of months and I will be looking to buy some companions to Paris E d Printemps and Tommy Girl!
Hi Isnuing, thanks for the advice. My summer favourites this year have been Annick Goutal’s Le Chevrefeuille (to me, this is like Elderflower Champagne in perfume form), Serge Lutens Fleurs d’Oranger and Les Parfums de Rosine Un Zeste de Rose – all beautiful summer scents. I am envious of you having summer just around the corner – I am facing 4 or 5 months of snow – argh! Anyway, enjoy your sun! Thanks.
Cheers, Vickyjane! Thanks for the suggestions – I have been very curious about AG Le Chev ever since reading the review of it here. I am definitely going to drop by David Jones today, hopefully they have a tester bottle I can have a spray of.
After many weeks of winter weather in what is technically spring, I am looking forward to a bit more sun – but not to high summer here, it then feels like walking around in an oven!
🙂
Just back from my shopping trip – and no AG Le Chev at David Jones!! 🙁 I will have to either get samples from TPC or hope my luck holds out and I can find it when I’m in KL in Dec.
Hi VJ! Our summers are so hot and humid (well, except this one was exceptionally cool) that usually I have the opposite problem! So I’m happy that it’s getting cooler (actually cold with sleet and snow last night!) I’m sure the other Super Enablers here will chime in with some other recommendations, but I’ve been reaching for my favorite Guerlains: L’Heure Bleue, Mitsouko, Vol de Nuit, and Spiritueuse Double Vanille. Two others that I really enjoy are Sonoma Scent Studio’s Champagne de Bois and Le Labo’s Patchouli 24.
Hi Rappleyea, thanks for the suggestions. I think it is high time I got my hands on some of these Guerlains – I know they are real faves of many of the regulars here and I have never tried them (I am ashamed to admit). This might be just the ticket! Thanks. P.S. Enjoy your sleet and snow!!!!!!
If you’re required to love the Guerlains to hang out here, I’m in trouble. I like, but don’t love L’HB (it has potential, anyway), still want to try SDV at some point, but really dislike a lot of other Guerlains. They’re just not me. I’m much more at home in l’Artisan, Annick Goutal, CdG, Chanel, or any number of other lines.
Boo – I’ll send you a sample of SDV if you’d like. Contact me at rappleyea11 at yahoo dot com. It’s not a “Guerlain” in the usual sense compared to their old classics. In fact, if I sent it to you blind with other samples, you’d never pick it out as a Guerlain. It’s woody, boozy, some tobacco, although not listed in notes, and of course the dry vanilla. Definitely no Guerlinade.
I am scent-free today because I went to a quilt show and was going to be in the car with an allergic person. I’ll put something on soon.
I have gotten some new samples – I tried the Opus oils Dirty Sexy Wilde and was practically talking to myself with glee. It is so weird! It really embodies that whole Dorian Gray thing – the sillage is quite clean, but on the skin is total skank. I think civet is what smells like rotten pond water (that I get in Jicky) – it is here, too, but seems so much more fitting. I don’t know how often I would wear it, but I enjoy it. It is a serious monster.
I have some Neil Morris samples but haven’t delved in too far. So far they are a bit hippie-ish but I think I am drawn to that type of dark note, and those things smell good on me. Nothing yet that has made me sing but I have only tried a couple.
Bonus – I found a bag of Possets samples I had completely forgotten about! I have the Del Raes on the way.
Is the Dirty Sexy Wilde sweet? I think that was my main objection to all the OO scents I’ve tried so far: too sweet for me.
Here’s another one: I’ve just discovered the Perfumed Court online store selling samples! I think this may be the best way for me to sample FM, SL etc. Has anyone used them before and has it been a good experience?
Thanks! 🙂
I think almost all of us has used them at one time or another and it is generally pretty good.
Thanks Tama! I figured people here would know 🙂
Am so excited to soon be able to sniff FM, SL, OJ …. !
Highly recommend TPC. Also the Posh Peasant and try checking the manufacturers’ own websites – a lot of them offer sample packs of their scents.
Thanks R – I will check those out!
I use TPC a lot, as well as Posh Peasant. Scented Monkey also sells samples for a pretty good price.
Thanks Ann! I didn’t know about the Scented Monkey.
Thanks Anns!
TPC’s selection can’t be beat, for sure, and I really like their decanting supplies. That said, they can be pricey, so I use them for things I can’t find elsewhere. Even so…I order from there regularly and have never been less than pleased.
Thanks Boojum!
I had pretty much decided to do the same as you – to use TPC only for those scents I can’t find a tester for in Adelaide 🙂
Wearing Breath of God because B Never Too Busy.. is closing up shop. Despite the five stars it got in the Guide, I still don’t think I’d shell out the cash for this, even though it’s not a “collector’s item”. It’s just a weird rubber cement and fruit combination. Interesting, but ultimately something I recoil from at the end.
On another note, has anybody smelled The Party in Manhattan????
oops…it’s NOW a collector’s item! Never smelled any of their other scents, though.
I’ve smelled Party in Manhattan only once. Pretty sure they reviewed it over at Perfume Posse though!
I wonder if they’ll move any of the B Never scents over to Lush…
Yeah I read the review over at the Posse- that was enough to make me want it, badly! lol We’ll just add that one to the list.
Jared, I know this is kind of a late reply, but I adore the Party on Manhattan and encourage you to try it. If you decide to get it from The Perfumed Court, keep an eye open for the specially priced decant they had this summer. I keep thinking I should get another of those…
Can anyone suggest a mainstream fragrance that is predominantly an indolic jasmine? I love jasmine.
Good luck with that! Since the IFRA regulations, jasmine made the banned/severely limited list. I’ve been on the search for a good, indolic jasmine and what I’ve found is that in the many, many scents that list jasmine as a predominant note, it is only an aromachemical, which smells nothing like real jasmine at all! And definitely not indolic.
Mainstream (I think):
Try Gap Mandarin Jasmine, Lush Silky Underwear, Gucci Envy Me
forgive if my suggestions are not ‘indolic’. i am not sure what that means, thanks.
Indolic would mean that slightly poo-cah cah smell that occurs naturally in jasmine and neroli among other things.
Hi Laken – I think Annick Goutal’s Songes has the most indolic jasmine of most standard fragrances. It is just beautiful and it does indeed have the “off” note that should go with some indolic jasmine. Otherwise, Joy is a good choice if you want something classic. My fav commonly available jasmine is the Fleurs de Nuit by Badgley Mischka. It’s not indolic, but it is very pretty.
Thanks for the suggestions, Rapple, Tamarind and AnnS. I might be setting my sights on Joy! I haven’t smelled it yet but I bet I’ll love it. Gosh those IFRA regulations are terrible aren’t they!?!
Hi Laken – it took me a while to come around to Joy, but now I really appreciate it’s beauty. Try and test the edp if you can which has a nice body to it.
I’m not sure if it’s indolic enough but the first thing that pops into mind for mainstream jasmine is Alien. There’s also that new Estee Lauder Private Collection Jasmine Moss one although I’ve yet to smell it.
Might be worth trying.
I briefly owned a bottle of Joy parfum and, yes, that was all jasmine.
Just got a bottle of a Fragrance from Ye Olde Past… KL Homme By Karl Lagerfeld…. WHOOF! they don’t make em like this anymore… SPICY, CARNAL, SEXY THICK and Resinous! a true Oriental for men and I LOVE IT! starts off like a Heavyweight boxer at first on the skin then mellows to something so lovely… It’s not even funny! still am captivated by it at 3am in the morning and the silage is still just barely caressing my nose… WHAT A FIND!
My ex-husband had a little bottle of a Lagerfeld and it was gorgeous. I was good and didn’t even “borrow” any. I wasn’t as obsessed by perfumes then as I am now.
I wore Brin de Reglisse but I think it’s losing its hold on me; I took out my sample of L’Heure Bleue extrait and applied over it a few hours later. Bad move; they mix to make that rank honey smell that drove the final nail into my relationship with Amoureuse.
Then I sprayed myself with Muguet Blanc and Cologne Noire at my NM (PS, my NM is doing free atomizers filled with any of the six with the purchase of one bottle of the VCACE; I think it was 25ml. And they were almost out, making me wish my funds were intact. Or that I had a concrete decision on which one I’d buy. And then which one would be in the atomizer.) and I guess on spray doesn’t do it. I got very little lasting power from them. Next time I’ll have my wrists free! Dx
Then! I went to MAC and suffered a huge runaround about their Asphalt Flower. There wasn’t a tester out and I wasn’t going to buy blind, even for a flat $20. So they finally let me open one and I was not thrilled. It wasn’t bad but it didn’t shake me up at all.
And those were my adventures in Fragranceland today. =P
Hi, Super: I was curious about the new MAC but haven’t encountered it yet. What was it like (besides underwhelming)?
It’s finally cooled off here in Florida (well, relatively, down to the 50s overnight). so will finally get to road test Guerlain Spiriteuse Double Vanille. whoo hoo!
ooohhh, SDV…..can’t wait to hear what you think of it. It’s one of my all time faves…..but others despise it….seems to be a love it or hate it fragrance!
the first time i smelled this..i was euw
sat . night i spayed and well i couldn’t stop smelling my wrist…and catching wiffs of it…i kind of felt it could be a cousin of serge
so yum…
but i think it need cool/cold weather
hmmm, I didn’t get the connection to SL ….mostly lots of tobacco and smoke and vanilla ….but isn’t it strange how you sniff something and think “well that’s odd” and the next thing you know, you can’t detach your nostrils from your wrist!
i guess the vanilla… the bois de vanille
smokey tobacco…. in fumerie
maybe it is just the boozy unusual/odd part …that is what sl seems to be so good at.
i love to have my nose attached …it means i am VERY happy with my smell…
Drat, I didn’t get a free atomizer when I bought Bois d’Iris!
Hi everyone! I have a question:
I could really use help finding a sort of edgy or unusual rose fragrance. What are your favorites?
A little backstory: I’ve had a huge rose lemming since my mother started wearing Bvlgari Rose (not sure of the concetration or if it might be a flanker, but it smells much better on her than any of the ones I’ve tried in stores, so I’m a bit flummoxed). I want a rose of my own, but something a little weird– I’ve tried Gourmandises and I like it, but not sure if it’s FBW. I really want to try FM Lipstick Rose, but I often see it compared to Drole des Roses, which I really didn’t like, so I’m worried.
I was inspired by the YSL Paris and Parisienne reviews, so I tried Paris but on me it was all powder. Probably needs another try. I smelled Parisienne and almost adored it on the test strip (a little too fruity) so I want to try it on skin; I’m excited about the vinyl note!
But Robin said in her Parisienne review that “if you’re after an offbeat (or sexy) sort of rose, you can do far better;” which ones are better?
I think my ideal would be a leather rose, like the love child of Bvlgari Rose and Dzing.
Failing that, what’s your all-time favorite rose?
Hello! For a rose with a difference, I’d suggest FM Une Rose which is an earthy, wine-y rose. Or perhaps OJ Ta’if which a nicely spicy, dry rose.
The both sound gorgeous, thank you!
Diptyque L’Ombre Dans l’Eau has a beautiful rose, green, earthy scent…the drydown is really interesting.
Interesting that L’Ombre strikes you as a rose scent! I love the drydown too 🙂 But the top notes are SO green on me for SO long that to me it feels like a rather sharp green scent.
I’ll have to give it another test!
HI Eggs! I love roses! Recs for edgy roses really just depend also on how much you want to spend.
Some of the darker roses rely a lot on amber and patchouli, so if you don’t like amber or patch, then you may have some difficulty. But it never hurts to try!! My fav “dark” rose is the Annick Goutal Ce Soir ou Jamais which as a dark and very very slightly skanky note in the base, but is a clear rich rose with very nice fruit accents. I recommend trying to test the edp of this one if you can get it b/c the edp is a bit less thin than the edp.
Otherwise rose rec’s are the following:
Voleur de Roses (l’Artisan)
Bryant Park (Bond)
Stella (Stella McCartney)
Lady Vengeance (Julliette has a Gun)
Rose en Noir (Miller Harris)
Velvet Rose
Vintage Rose
Rose Musc .. all from Sonoma Scent Studio
Ce Soir ou Jamais
Heure Exquise
Rose Absolue …. all from Annick Goutal
Lyric Woman by Amouage – gorgeous!!
Mille et Une Rose (Lancome)
Miss Charming (Julliette has a Gun)
Listick Rose – Frederic Malle
Drole de Rose (l’Artisan)
Tocade
Rose Pivione (Parfums de NIcolai)
Ferre Rose
Beautiful (Estee Lauder)
…. there are many many many roses! Do some homework and have fun!!
What an incredible list!
This combined with the Ce Soir review you linked me to above has formed the new core of my rose sample lemmings 🙂
Thank you so much for all the great recommendations! That was super thorough and I can’t wait to get testing.
This is a really tough question, but if you had to pick an absolute favorite from that list, which one do you think it’d be? Just out of curiosity 🙂
What a question! It would be like picking your favorite child! Ok, before I disclose my list, I want to mention that ScentScelf below is absolutely right: the rose journey is long and weird. It is everywhere once you begin to really smell it. People’s favorite roses run the gamut of all kinds, and you will end up testing some fabulous rose fragrance from a rec, and you won’t even be able to smell it!! Roses are serious “straight up” tea or damask type roses, they are sweet and powdery, they are green and fresh,gourmand and foody, etc etc. I can only say do a lot of homework & have fun as roses are in many fragrances and you’ll be testing just about everything before you are done!!!
That article by Donna is fantastic, but then you are comparing something like Parfum Sacre to Joy and you will be like, huh?? Rose? What rose? How rose? You have to take it in stride for a while, and then it it will all make sense. And don’t forget to get out and try some of the Montale’s which have some really beautiful rose accords, but paired with aoud (which I don’t like so much), but are still worth exploring. The Rosine line has some very beautiful sweet & gourmand roses too. So some of my favorite roses are “straight up” like right off the bush, and some are more complex where rose plays a more significant role. Here is my rose fav list.
1. Nahema (Guerlain) and Rose Musc** (SSS) — dead tie.
2. AG Heure Exquise
3. Cartier So Pretty
4. SSS Velvet Rose
5. AG Ce Soir ou Jamais
6. Amouage Lyric
7. Lancome Magie Noire
8. Joy
9. Miss Charming (Julliette Has a Gun) and Drole de Rose (L’Artisan) (tie)
10. Stella, Lady Vengeance (JHAG), and Bryant Park (Bond) – tie as they are all pretty much the same rose and amber/patchouli fragrance. All good beginner / everyday rose too.
And I’m going to mention Tauer’s Le Maroc which is an equally beautiful rose, jasmine & patch fragrance which deserves mention in this conversation.
**Rose Musc is a hugely sentimental #1 – First the rose is very good and rich, etc, but I am insane about the labdanum base that goes along with it. If you love woods, it is a must!! And Nahema has to be #1 for beauty and technical reasons, etc.
The most amazing BIG TRUE rose I’ve ever smelled is Montale Highness Rose…..from the Private Collection…unfortunately it’s like $700. A total bummer, I know. 🙁
In addition to the great suggestions here, I’d add Le Labo’s Rose 31.
First: Lipstick Rose and Drole de Rose are somewhat similar—I have both, love both…but if you don’t like Drole de Rose, you won’t like lipstick rose either.
That said—JHaG Citizen Queen is one HOT rose
PdE Eau Suave is a vintagey smelling rose to me
Cartier So Pretty is well, pretty!
Une Rose Chypree is a cinnamony, incensey rose…this is a BIG fragrance–2 spritzes per day maximum!
FM Une Rose –bright with a little wine note
SL Sa Majeste la Rose —big velvety true rose
DSH Arabian Rose–big spicy true rose
How could I forget So Pretty?!? I think my brain is fried! So Pretty and Guerlain’s Nahema are two of my favs. There are too many too many favs!
oh, MPG Rose Muskissime –also verra verra nice.
Yeah, I’ve been really excited to try Lipstick Rose, and I’m still going to try it, but I’m starting to worry that you’re right… maybe I just need to give Drole de Rose another try!
Thanks for the rec, I’m starting to get really excited about Une Rose Chypree and FM Une Rose!
Thanks for the list!
Hi eggs, I can hook you up with some samples. I’m daisylu at MUA drop me a note. 🙂
Nobody has yet mentioned Magie Noire (darkish, animalic) or Un Rose Chypree (which manages to both bubble and burble, as in has lift from a kind of spicy citrus, yet rumbles with a thick vetiver + base, all around the rose). I love both.
If you really want to get off the beaten path, SIP Black Rosette can take you for a crazy ride, and I have some first batch of TDC Rose Poivree that I am keeping for whenever Halloween or Morticia Addams costuming comes up.
Ooooo, these sound so excited!
Wild rose ride? Dude, sign me up 🙂
LOL! Okay, but I should be clear; while I could borrow Dr. Seuss and call this an “Oh, The Places You Will Go” scent, the places you DO go before you finally end up at rose are medicinal, weird, high pitched, and really nothing at all to do with rose. When you finally get there, it’ll all be all “what in the world was that???”
At least, that’s how it was for me. And while I still am not up for wearing Black Rosette as a perfume, I like taking it out every now and then for the ride. It’s what sent me into exploring perfume…perfume can do that??? Totally threw the idea of “development” into high relief. Mind you, I was early on my journey; other people might have different experiences of it.
🙂
…furiously adding to must sniff list……
I have tried many roses (though not many on the lists that have been posted here) and I have yet to find anything that beats Crabtree & Evelyn’s Evelyn Rose!
That’s really good news, since it’s probably pretty easy to come by! I’ll have to try it 🙂
That is a very good point! It is easy to come by, for Adelaide standards at least, as 3 places in the CBD stock it.
I really like Rossy de Palma by Etat Libre d’Orange. To me it’s a very dark, sexy rose.
How exciting! I keep wanting to like something from that line; I know I’m in a minority here, but the names and packaging cracks me up!
Out of curiosity, have you tried Bendelirious? It sounds yummy to me, but I can’t really drag my butt to Bendel’s right now.
i love ecume de rosine..for summere
also the montale
aoud roses petals
sa majeste la rose (serge lutens)
lyric amouage
and my love for winter nahema!!
There is NO WAY I could list only one favorite rose scent! From girly to va-va-voom, I love a whole range of them.
Some good ones, starting with the girly or literal:
Parfums de Rosine Rose d’Ete
PdR Zest de Rose
DSH Perfumes Rose Vert
DSH Beach Roses
AG Petite Cherie (pear/rose)
YSL Paris Pont des Amours (LE)
SSS Velvet Rose
Serge Lutens Sa Majeste’ la Rose
And some Dark Roses:
Amouage Lyric Woman
Gres Cabaret
OJ Ta’if
JHaG Citizen Queen
Rochas Tocade
Montale Oud Queen Roses
Caron Parfum Sacre’
Tauer Une Rose Chypree
Guerlain Attrape-Coeur (peach/rose/violet/AMBERRRR)
Gucci L’Arte di Gucci (HTF but gorgeous)
Ungaro Diva
Czech & Speake Dark Rose
Etro Shaal Nur
Parfums de Empire Eau Suave
L’Artisan Voleur de Roses (a little too much patch for me)
Victoria’s Secret Rapture (rose-amber, a little too sweet for me)
I find Magie Noire utterly amazing, but I get distracted by all the woody chypre stuff going on and don’t smell the rose in it. And I don’t get rose from Joy – but with that one I’m distracted by the dirty-panties jasmine, eek. I do smell rose in my vintage bottle of No. 5 extrait, but not in the modern one.
I didn’t get rose from Joy either…..until I tried it in Edt…..the skank was GONE and what’s left is a huge, sweet, old fashioned rose….I’m a goner. I’m thinking that maybe the jasmine (which is a tough one for me since I hate indoles) is way less evident in the Edt.
I wanted to give a try to 31 Rue Cambone, but I forgot it was still Hungary…the lady at the shop did not even know about it…good old perfumed court, I’ll need to place a new order sometime soon
Too bad…hope you can get some at TPC!
Ok so today and yesterday I’ve finally had the chance to sample SSS Tabac Aurea. Let me tell you I was anticipating this sample so much I was actually dreaming about it all night the night before I got it! However, unfortunately for me it hasn’t been the HG I was hoping for. In fact, I’ve struggled to stop myself from scrubbing it off! I don’t know, I’m thinking maybe my nose hasn’t evolved enough to appreciate some scents yet. I couldn’t detect any of the notes or subtleties of the fragrance – it just smells like a strong, bitter coffee note from the start to finish. Some one mentioned Nasimotto Duro above and that tweaked my (very immature) scent memory and this smells very similar to me. Very old school masculine that doesn’t appeal to me I think. Also kind of reminded me of Jo Malone Amber and Lavender and I’m not a fan of that either. To say I’m disappointed would be an understatement but I’m glad I got to finally try it!
Ross – that one didn’t work for me either, but for totally different reasons! Not at all sharp and bitter, I got something close to cookie dough in the middle! LOL!
Mmmmm…cookie dough LOL. I think I probably would have liked it better if I could detect some cookie dough, I’ve got a bit of a gourmand scent fetish at the moment. I also got a sample of DSH Gingembre and I reckon I’m going to spring for a decant of that from scent splits.
Oh Rossm, I’m sorry that one didn’t work for you. But it never hurts to try and learn. A fragrance I find very similar to TA that is really nice is the Chanel Bois des Isles – a similar rich labdanum and sandalwood base but no pipe tobacco or honey.
Thats ok Ann! I’m going to persevere with it from time to time just in case it finally clicks!
And yes please keep the rec’s coming, I like trying out new samples and I often have no clue which ones to try next and so value everyones input here.
So sorry it wasn’t for you. (Coffee??!! Huh.) Ah well, you will find others to love… you can leave allllll the Tabac Aurea for me….. 🙂
I sent my boyfriend out today to ask for a sample of Idylle and Mitsouko (want to try the latter again, and I have lost my sample!).
Crazy enough but now in winter I like most:
Premier Figuier from L’Artisan Parfumeur
Un Jardin apres la Mousson
Kelly Caleche EdP which is very rosy and reminds me of YSL In love Again
Nahema (Guerlain) – I could not stand it when it was warmer.
I would also love to have the Diptique fig scent and a fig candle.
This fruity scents are more comforting for me in winter, I don’t know why. They are easy to “smell” and comfortable. Get me in a better mood, like summer inside while outside it is raining cats and dogs (love this english idiom btw!)
I love that your boyfriend is your perfume gopher. 🙂
I made a comment to the husband today about how “I knew my annoying perfume hobby would be useful one day” (he was wondering where to buy small plastic spray bottles). And he said “I think it’s a FUN hobby!” Which, of course, I could use to rationalize additional purchases then, right? After all, why am I using “my” money if the whole family is going to enjoy it? 😉 (Yes, due to distinctly different spending styles, he and I get an allowance right along w/the kids.)
your hubby is a sweetheart, he really is….and it was wonderful of him to assist with all my computer questions….yup, he’s a keeper!
yup..me too…keep him going and u know what…he will end up purchasing blind for u.
my hubby has been ingermany/england and he was so proud that he had gone into a store and smelled..”bergamot, lavender etc and has done homework” and finally chosen a scent that he is sure i don’t have with riesling (grape in it)
G-d bless him..the perfume house is Maurer and Wutrz!!!
I am wearing DKNY be delicious
Be Delicious is one of my all-time faves! 🙂
Today I am wearing Lieu de Reves by Sonoma Scent Studio. It arrived on Friday – very happy to see the brown package! It’s 20 degrees celcius.
Congrats on your new perfume 🙂
Thanks Robin!
I am trying very very hard to be very very good from now till Dec – need to save up for a bunch of samples from TPC/Posh Peasant for my Perfume Project starting late this year or early next year. 365 perfumes … I will be broke for a loooooooooooong time!
Eeewwww. That’s even worse. Well, I guess Thank God it wasn’t her toenails.
OK, lest you all think I’ve lost my mind, that comment was supposed to nest below sharviss’s comment: z’People can be so oblivious. I was once on a plane when the woman sitting across the aisle from me decided it was the perfect time to paint her nails. The fumes, as you can imagine, were intense! Thankfully the attendant came and put a quick stop to that.z’
Yesterday I discovered a sample of Montale Roses & Musc in a forgotten drawer of my fridge. It had a tiny amount on the bottom. Today I thought, let’s use it, and did not expect it to make much of an impact what with the 3 drops left. Boy, was I wrong!
First I could feel the aroma of heavy, sweet summer roses, the ones used for in my country for sherbet or preserves, enveloping me. Round and round it swirled until I was floating in a sea of delight. Never encountered such a rose note. Magnificent! Half an hour later the musk kicks in but it plays second fiddle to the queen of all flowers. Three hours later, as I write, it’s still going strong and I may never want it to fade.
I own only two rose fragrances at the moment: Voleur de Roses and Midnight Poison. In Voleur de Roses, I imagine a rose stolen by Lestat from a fresh grave, possibly of one of his victims, to embellish the buttonhole of his black velvet jacket worn over a crumpled lace shirt. Cold. Forbidding. Dangerous. Thank God it was a present.
In MP the rose is smoky, passionate, emanating from the red flower an argentinian tango lover holds between his teth as he expertly seduces his woman at a Buenos Aires Cafe. It is the fragrance of late nights full of sultry dancing and promising passion.
But Roses et Musc is a sunny rose in the garden of an Arabian Princess. Powerful, bewitching, a little lazy. Wonderful.
PS I hope Angela reads this, I’d love to know her opinion. 🙂
Peace!
That sounds wonderful! I do love their Roses Petals oud one.
Oh poo! I went away this weekend and missed this. I’m still in the process of compiling my top list – every time I receive a new sample order – something gets added to the list. But, I do have a scent I never tire of and return to over and over again and that would be:
Mitsouko
I know – *yawn* – how predictable. But I do love that perfume SO much. I suppose it is my HG. No matter how much sampling I do, and what new thrills I discover [lately that would be Lyric and Daphne], there are times when nothing else but Mitsouko will do.
Oh, & I think I’ve just discovered my favorite fig scent – Miller Harris Figue Amere. Gorgeous.
ahhh, there you are! I couldn’t believe you were missing out on an open poll day!
Mitsy—one of my HG fragrances as well. There’s a reason why that is a predictable choice. I’ve probably asked you this before, but have you tried some Mitsouko with Fendi Theorema? It’s a lovely cold weather combo.
So how was the weekend away? Did you do anything fun? I hope it wasn’t a work related trip (no fun there). Welcome back 🙂
Thank you Daisy – I had the best time away – it was spent with my best friend to celebrate her birthday and my daughter came to hang with us too. We had an awesome ladies night. I haven’t tried that combo – in fact the only Fendi I’m familiar with is the original [which I love] – I haven’t tried Theorema yet. Obviously, I need to do so! 😉
Oh! do you happen to have an FB of the original Fendi? I’ve been lemming a sniff of that—we could swap Fendi samples if you’d like.
No, I don’t currently have a bottle of the original. If I come across something I will let you know and we can swap. Fun! 🙂
I’m not about to admit to the Empress of Enabling, Daisy, that I’ve never smelled Theorema, much less layered it with my beloved Mitsy. I’m assuming that this is now buried deeply enough on a Friday thread that I’m safe!
Well, at least I’m not alone in having never smelled it! I don’t feel like such a dork now. haha
I have a mini bottle, and I can now admit that although it is a well-made thing, I Do Not Love It.
LOL don’t be so sure! I’d never smelled it either, but the great enabler herself sent me a sample recently. I can say, it’s a great comfort scent, and I’m very glad to have smelled it before it vanished forever, but while I like it very very much, I don’t need to own it. Whew!
MU-WAHAHAHAHA I have you now, my pretties!
Rapple, of course I have your addy….
Rustic….I can not allow this travesty to continue! the injustice! It pains me…..drop me an email, I’ll send you some to try. Us Mitsy enthusiasts need to stick together. (or co-enable…whatever)
Thank you Daisy – how can I pass up an offer like that? What is your name on MUA – I can’t remember? I’ll contact you there. I may have something around here that you haven’t tried yet…
Rustic—I’m daisylu at MUA ….take a look at my notepad too and let me know if there’s anything else that calls your name. Speaking of notepads…I reeeeeally need to update it. I just don’t have time this morning ….yikes, not even supposed to be sitting here at all! But I need my morning NST fix! 😉
Has anyone heard anything about a new Frederic Malle store in NYC? The new Allure has a bit about it — claims it opens this month — but I can’t recall having read about it anywhere else.
Yes, read about in WWD too. On Madison, IIRC?
Madison and 72nd — and Google informs me that Creed and Diptyque are opening new stores around there too (http://racked.com/tags/frederic-malle). Kind of neat to have a perfume district; now if only LAP would reopen…
Yeah, but we’ll see: I’m going to be surprised if all of them stay open.
I’m always late to the party on these open threads : }
I used to think my skin deskankified stuff, but not anymore! I’ve been wearing Tabu to work lately and the other evening I kept getting this whiff of something dirty that I can’t explain, but if you’ve worn it you know exactly what I’m talking about..
I’m wearing Bal a Versailles edt today, and I’m getting the warm, animalic drydown it’s famous for, but is reportedly muted in this particular formula. Anyways, this is the first time anything overly animalic has made itself known on me. Bal is so fascinating, so glamorous and dark, now so warm and comfortingly sensual.
Isn’t it lovely? I actually don’t like the early stages – they seem overly perfume-y and too formal to me – but once it settles into that slightly dirty warmth, I love it.
Oh, I love the early stages! It’s like wearing a (completely safe, pc)fur coat 🙂 So glamorous. And best when worn with red lipstick.
Bal a Versailles is a wonderful thing. I like it every step of the way.
BaV fits a certain mood, and then: it’s amazing! mmmmmm good stuff
mmm..i am wearing jubilation 25
i need to wear this as the CEO has been away for almost 10 days and i am CEO’ing my 4 kids
actually it is one of my most admired but least worn tgther with Mitsuko…which i am now determined to know the vintage …
for winter i like
nahema ..oh well truthfully,any and all of the older guerlains
borneo
am thinking SDV might fit into this list
bois de isle
31 RC
cherugui
attrape..oh yum
Wait, does Jubilation 25 make children listen? Because if it does, I’m going to need some!
HA!!!thanx for helping me understand what my secret weapon was..no nonsense, don’t mess with me mom…winning the domestic scene jubilantly….wearing her gorgeous armour
I’lle give it a try again and be sure to let you know!!
Fun things to do if 1) your nostrils are blocked so you cannot smell anything anyway and/or 2) you are at work and cannot spray with abandon but want to do something fun and perfumey anyway as long as the boss ain’t looking: Use Microsoft publisher to make your own calendar for 2010 using pictures of your all-time favourite fragrances . The cool thing is that this time you can make a top 12 instead of top 10. Woohoo! Or, track down cool pictures of ALL the fragrances you have and select a new one every day to set as your desk top background. And a tip for those of you who cannot throw away the box after the juice is gone: clip out the front part and use it as bookmark, and finally display that bottle (if it looks good, that is…)
oh this sounds like great fun…but i am rather sub everything when it comes to new computer things ….
Bought a bottle of Cuir de Lancome at Winners and at last have a classic, ladylike leather scent. Now I feel like a grown up…