The usual open thread routine: talk about anything you like — what perfume you're wearing today, the perfume you wish you hadn't bought unsniffed, whatever.
Or, ask a question about fragrance, then see if anyone else has asked a question that you can answer…
Note: image is 3 daffodils [cropped] by Muffet at flickr; some rights reserved.
I’m going to Hawaii and am struggling with finding the perfect scent for the trip. I want something tropical, but not too tropical, if that makes any sense. To further confound, I am thinking tuberose-ish buy not tuberose, because I don’t like tuberose… and coconutty but not coconut because I don’t like coconut. Basically, I don’t want to smell like suntan lotion and I don’t know what sort of flower would meet my needs. I had thought about getting a bottle of Kai, but the gardenia turns to mothballs on me, so there you go. Help me!!!
Bronze Goddess? I think that there’s some coconut in there, but it doesn’t smell overwhelming like coconut or suntan lotion. Or EL’s Tuberose Gardenia – the gardenia is more prominent than the tuberose to me.
How about the VC&A Gardenia Petale? Actually, a couple of those might be good – Orchidee Vanille is based on the vanilla orchid, not vanilla extract, and it is a tropical floral to me. I get that tuberose but not tuberose thing from Lyric woman, but that might not be what you are looking for in a beach scent.
Have you been able to actually test Kai? If not, it would be worth getting a sample. I find it very different from any other florals I’ve tried, and just so pretty.
I think Kai’s very pretty – but to me, it’s tons o’tuberose, so that one might not suit.
You could try the similar (to me) but different Child. I liked Kai better, but if Kai didn’t work on you, maybe Child will work better on you than on me.
so jealous! where in hawaii are you going? my dad lives on the big island, so if you need any tips on stuff, let me know!
when i think of hawaii smells, i think of white ginger (awapuhi) or plumeria – probably not too many fragrances have those notes. i think anthropologie had some series that was mostly tripical soliflores last time i went.
and i LOVE bronze goddess. it’s coconutty, but not too much so.
I don’t know if this is what you’re thinking of, but the Saffron James line at Anthropologie is on sale right now ($35 to $50 off). My guess is that they’re being discontinued. They’re all inspired by the smells of Hawaii. Might be worth checking out.
The Big Island is beautiful! I probably liked it so much because it was less… touristy? More like a place where real people live out their real lives, as opposed to their vacation lives. (Not that there’s anything wrong with having a vacation life…)
It is so different from Oahu and Maui – definitely less touristy, and so varied – mountains, desert, rain forest, volcano! Haven’t been to Kauai yet, which I hear is not so touristy either. Next trip!
my brother has spent quite a bit of time in the islands (half the year he’s a ski-freak, the other half a scuba-freak) and he’s told me that Kauai is the best (and he’s uber-anti-touristy)
Great, now I’m lemming a trip to Kauai …..
Ah, me too. My aunt and uncle have a timeshare on Kauai… they were there when the Chile earthquake hit and had to weather the tsunami warnings. Their pictures are always so beautiful!
Also, after thinking about it, you may want something lighter – I really like Jennifer Lopez Deseo. It’s a little salty and a little flowery, slightly beachy – and I saw it at Marshall’s the other day for $10!
Hawaii, how wonderful! I recently tried Ormonde Jayne’s Tiare and liked it (tiare is Tahitian gardenia, I think? But not sure if that’s the same kind that would go mothball-ish, though). It seemed tropical and green but not like suntan lotion. I also really like OJ’s Frangipani, which has a little citrus to it also—I can send you a sample of that if you haven’t tried it.
yes, OJ Frangipani is the one that came to my mind immediately
A: You probably know this, but keep in mind how oppressive the humidity can feel over there, so anything you test in PDX will feel way different in the heat. But what a great vacation!
I’m not familiar with it, but how about OJ Frangipani? Or maybe something like The Different Company Osmanthus, which I love for a tropical apricot-floral vibe (though it’s not really tropical). I’m not one of the many fans of Bronze Goddess, but if you want a sample of that and Osmanthus, drop me a note!
Hmm Joe, you’re not recommending Mahora? 😉
HAHAHA! It’s too new to me to have jumped to mind! Wooops! Actually, my first couple sniffs made me think it was “not me”, but I’m testing a big dollop now and it really is quite NICE!… and like you said, very soft. Not one of those asphyxiating white flower things that gives you a migraine and then bludgeons you for good measure.
NOT an asphyxiating white floral? Hmm.
Speaking as a fan of (asphyxiating) white florals, I thought Mahora was really nice for about four hours… after which I had to scrub it off. It got nauseating. I don’t know why: it wasn’t the Evil Death Tolu Balsam, and it wasn’t Equally Evil Estee Lauder Base Accord, either. But something ver
NOT an asphyxiating white floral? Oh, come on… even I, Queen of Asphyxiating White Florals, would call it one. Thought it was very pleasant for about four hours, after which I had to scrub because it got (how shall I say this?) nauseating.
Not sure why. It wasn’t Evil Death Tolu Balsam, or even Evil Death Lauder base… but something evil..
Mals, I swear to Our Lady of the Flowers that I WET the back of my hand about 15-20 minutes ago and I am just getting this nice, wafty floral, tempered with some soft wood, but I have to bring my hand up to my nose for it! Of course, as many of us have determined, I have Evil Scent-Neutralizing Skin from Hades.
Oops, double post… anyways, it took a good 4-5 hours to get ugly on me, but ugly it got.
The first 10 minutes of Mahora made me think I’d died and gone to heaven, then I just smelled like something died on the back of my hand. And then – it WOULD NOT WASH OFF.
Blech…I’ve been traumatized beyond belief by Mahora.
Cynthia – maybe you could drown it out with some Halle….
bwahahaha – I think that Mahora might have been even worse than Halle and Little Italy. It might have even been approaching Bond No. 9 Saks for Her territory – there was something fecal going on for sure.
Yowza! I can’t stand the tiniest whiff of anything fecal….it can have the most gorgeous top notes, etc….but once that note has shown itself, the scrubbing begins and I’ll never touch it again! I can take a lot of wonky notes, but not that!
Gotta say I thank the lawd that I don’t ever get anything from ANY perfume that I’d describe as ‘fecal’. I think I know what you mean, but…ack!
Gee – I’m saddened to see all this Mahora bashing. I really like it… one of the few, perhaps?
I grew to like it after my third test! And Rappleyea likes it! 😀 Don’t be sad.
I like the TDC Osmanthus recommendation. Others that work well for me there: Diptyque Do Son, which is a watery, slightly salty tuberose, and – of all things – the Body Shop’s Indian Gardenia perfume oil.
Miss Kitty – which island? Or did I miss that?
Thought of a couple more: Fleur de Liane and Vanille Galante. Aquatic florals work very well in humid heat.
I think we’re going to Maui. You’d think I would know, right? There was so much confusion when we ordered the tickets, that I can’t remember what we actually ended up with. 🙁
How about Datura Noir by Serge Lutens? It’s got the tuberose and coconut, but it’s so much more than the sum of its parts.
Manoumalia!
Did you try Manoumalia by Les Nez? A little tuberose, but not too much. A little coconut and loads of dirt and vetiver. It’s otherworldly. Can you tell I love it?
Another Manoumalia fan here. LOVE IT!
Oooh! Manoumalia is a good one! Not at all too cloying or heavy/sweet. I had to go put a dab on and sniff… mmmmm. 😀
Bronze Goddess is a terrific recommendation – but it may veer toward the “too tropical” end of your spectrum, esp. if you have a sensitivity to coconut. Personally, it is one of my favorite fragrances. I wear it all summer long and I recently picked up the body oil for after shower coziness in the evening. LOVE! The great thing is that BG is practically *free* (in perfumista economics), and there are so many people who like it, you’d have no problem re-selling the partial if you changed your mind. Not that you will…because it ROCKS!
Other than that, I’d say another tropical (sans coconut) would be L’Artisan Ananas Fizz, which I think it perfect for this time of year. It’s tropical but not oppressing-summer-heat tropical.
Finally, I think Osmanthe Yunnan would be perfect for a spring trip to Hawaii. Good luck and enjoy!
Sirai, Jean Patou…
How ’bout madonna lilies? AL Madonna Lily for example – excellent lush tropical scent, references coconut but doesn’t quite go there, and I’ve seen it compared to Kai. And while I’m at it with the AL: try Venus Sand, too. Heliotrope, if memory serves.
Course, my eternal cheapo standby love Jil Sander Sun is a great candidate, too.
I had to do a Google hunt to figure out you meant Ava Luxe. Keep in mind she only does perfume oils now and might not have her entire back catalogue available (though The Perfumed Court has many). Her site: http://www.etsy.com/shop/AvaPerfumes
Whoopsie, acronym meltdown. Yes, Ava Luxe is what I meant. I am still thoroughly annoyed at the whole no-edp-and-lotsa-discontinuation thing, but she does have some real beauties. I understand that she does take some requests for scents she officially discontinued when there’s enough demand, though.
You’re right that a caveat might have been in order for my recs, as I don’t know if they’re still in the current line-up.
Perhaps you and I can bombard her with requests to bring Venus Sands back.
I second Ananas Fizz, third Manoumalia, and offer for your consideration my newest love, PdN Juste un Reve. It’s like lying in a European garden dreaming about your tropical vacation. I adore it, and I kinda have a girl crush on Patricia Nicolai.
Lol at your user name!
Wow, Miss Kitty, this sounds like a wonderful vacation! I know you’re going to have a great time.
Since Joe didn’t recommend it, I will. What about Guerlain’s Mahora? If you haven’t tried it, I can send you some. A very underrated (IMHO) soft white floral – frangipani, jasmine, neroli, tuberose, which all dry down to a pretty nice sandalwood base. The key word here is soft.
Some great recommendations already. Manoumlia is beautiful. It’s pretty topical so might feel a bit much in the heat but it’s worth trying. OJ Frangipani, definitely.
On top of that I’d suggest AdP Iris Nobile (EDT) and Magnolia Nobile and L’Artisan’s La Chasse Aux Papillons
My favorite tropical-but-not-tanning-lotiony scents: Ormonde Jayne Frangipani, PdN Juste une Reve, and Maoli Colonia Dulce.
Best wishes – hope it is a WONDERFUL trip!
maggiecat’s mention of OJ Frangipani below just reminded me that I LOVE OJ Champaca and it’s time to order an FB. It seems like that might be perfect for Hawaii.
Do you like orange blossom? That new Penhaligon Duchaufour sounds so tempting.
You have so many great suggestions here A! I have nothing to add, just wanted to say isn’t it nice how helpful everyone is? And let us know what you decide to go with! 🙂
I know! I love this place. 🙂 I wish I could just hang out with perfumistas all day long.
Have to add: Not only nice, but knowledgeable! I feel like throwing out a challenge, like, What would one suggest to wear to an outdoor Slayer concert in late September?
BK Flame. 😀
I saw Marilyn Manson and Slayer back in March of 2008, and I wore Mitsuko-Guerlain. It Rocks!!!!
Mitsouko and Slayer–I am seriously into that combination. Love it.
Oh, and tonight is the Megadeth concert here in Austin and I’m trying to decide on Bandit… or Back to Black , That is another good one,, or Nahema that’s what Joan Jett wears all the time, how about the Dior Poisons, I bet if you were to wear any of this suggestions you would stand out in such a big crowd.(because that happens to me all the time) Everyone will smell fruity, and sweet.
I was going to suggest Bandit (as I know she has it!), but don’t know the weather out there well enough to know if it would be too much.
Eau Sauvage.
cool! we do like the same stuff! 🙂
Of course we do, Daisy. I buy everything you say! I think the thing that threw us off is the fact that I want to swim in Coromandel (and given the bottle size, I just about can) and it is too patchi for you.
yuppers—I have patchouli alarms in my olfactory center for sure…patch almost invariably goes to wet moldering hay on me…and having grown up on a farm surrounded by horses, cows, and a nasty rooster that would chase me into the tack room on a regular basis (but that’s a whole nuther story)…I’ve been around hay in all its phases….growing, cutting, baling, sweet stacked in the hayloft (that’s the nice end) but I’ve also been around it in the “now I’ve got to pitchfork it the hell outta the barn” phase…..and that’s too often where patchouli takes my brain.
Thank you all so much! Wow! Excellent suggestions, some of them even things that I have and just didn’t consider. The EL Bronze Goddess is a great idea, and certainly accessible. I’ll have to breeze over to the mall and give it a sniff. (God help me, then I’ll probably finally break down and buy a bottle of Private Collection.) I’ll be near an Anthropologie tomorrow, so I will give that a shot. The Saffron James line sounded really exciting–I have Panicked Buying Response to anything that may be discontinued, so whether it is Hawaii-appropriate or not I may be picking something up anyway. 🙂
Again, thank you all for the awesome suggestions! I feel energized to start the hunt!
Get some while you’re there!
This Plumeria Lei is awesome and is easily found at Hilo Hattie’s:
http://www.everythingfragrant.com/fmst-isp8.html
But there are tons of island scents, some good, some not, at most shops.
Oh wait… what about your Voile de Fleur?
Hey, Smart Lady–good idea! That’s brilliant! Of course, I’m still shopping as if I have nothing to bring with me… for back up, you know. 🙂
You have so many suggestions already (boy, went out for a few hours and the comments went crazy) — just wanted to say: have fun on your vacation!
hahaha isn’t that the wonderful thing about the lazy day polls? We just entertain ourselves and you get to actually get the grocery shopping done! it’s a win-win situation! 🙂
Especially as a way to kick off the weekend… we can just entertain ourselves. 😀 I thought just the same thing.
I know! I get so excited when I see an open poll show up on a Friday!!! …perhaps I need to get out more……
I’m all “oooooooo–an open thread!”…..but was busy today…now it’ll take me all weekend to catch up on what everyone has to say.
Guerlain Terracotta Voile D’Ete. It isn’t coconutty or tuberosey, but it is very tropical; spicy carnation, heady vanilla, ylang-ylang. Gorgeous. Summer in a bottle.
Not a bad suggestion! Love Terrracotta.
I am also going to Hawaii – the Big Island – in 2 weeks. I will probably pack my OJ Frangipani or Annick Goutal Songes. Now the real question is – where to buy some perfume while I’m there?
can’t think of anywhere on the big island that would have anything interesting. the fancier hotels would have shops (Waikoloa), but everything in Hawaii is pretty much more expensive than on the mainland and would be stuff you’d find elsewhere. you may find some indie stuff here and there though – lots of hippie-ish shops in Hilo and Kona has lots of small shops. Hilo also has a mall with a Macy’s, but would be small selection I imagine.
Saffron James was created by a woman who lives on the Big Island, I believe. You might e-mail them and ask where you might find their fragrances.
I can attest that Deseo is a lovely fragrance and definitely reminds me of being on a tropical island.
Hey Miss Kitty, how about Bond Fire Island? Or Divine by Divine?
I’m wearing OJ Frangipani as I type. I agree with others that this would be luscious, though heady, on a Hawaiian vacation.
Hope you have a wonderful time 🙂
Fire Island could work well!
You have zillions of great recs here, but I will add one I didn’t see, just because I am currently loving it: Crazy Sticks’ Josephine Jonquil. The tiare, chocolate, and jasmine are REALLY working for me; it’s tropical without being coconut; and it isn’t liquid, so no traveling problems!
just my thought.
ENJOY Hawaii! Wish I were going too!
Oh, good idea! There’s a place ten minutes from my house that sells those. Excellent for traveling, you’re right.
Kitty – I rec PdN’s Just en Reve which is about the prettiest sheerest tropical floral I’ve ever smelled. I normally can’t stand tropical style florals, but this is very nice – cheerful, warm, sensuous, light, tropical. And you can get that cute little 1 oz bottle from PdN too!
Definitely Les Nez’s Manoumalia. It is unusual, singular, exotic and hits all the notes you are hoping for…
“Manoumalia seems to give us a more natural or realistic olfactory gift from the tropics. Manoumalia includes the green plants, the woods, some dirt and earthy dimension along with the gorgeous sweet tropics.
To be sure, there is a sweet fruity, tropical floral heart in Manoumalia, but the vetiver, sandalwood and amber underpin the fragrance giving the fruity-florals a certain weight and beauty I’ve never before experienced. Manoumalia is not solely a vacation or beach scent, it is a serious perfume easily worn to the office or for any occasion you wish to smell fabulous.”
(from “I Smell Therefore I Am”)
Ah, I’m grateful that it really is spring. Having survived winter with a little help from Guerlain and other vintage friends, all the while lamenting the loss of so many greats, I am now feeling much gratitude toward current perfumers who have created scents that work so well in spring and summer. Today I’m testing Hermes Pamplemousse Rose, which will likely be part of my summer rotation. Recently tried FM Geranium pour Monsieur as a result of Kevin’s review and am happy to add that to the olfactory AC arsenal. Also wore and enjoyed Killian’s Beyond Love this week. I’ve sworn to use up the large sample before deciding to FB or not, but so far I’m very appreciative of this lighter and green take on tuberose.
After alllllll my griping about the ridiculous packaging/pricing on the BK’s, I found Beyond Love really nice; I prefer it to Fracas and the (Rotting Chicken of Evil) Tubereuse Criminelle. Carnal Flower is even more beautiful than BL, I think, but a little more demanding too.
Oh Mals… my unsniffed decant of Rotting Chicken of Evil will be arriving *any* day now. I’ll keep your rec in mind. 😉
Then again, I’m also a lover of what you’ve dubbed Evil Medicine Cabinet from Hell… so go figure.
Well, I did find that it was only Medicine Cabinet of Hell in the edt. The parfum is quite wearable (I prefer L’HB in summer, BTW).
“Rotting Chicken of Evil” ROTFL! Someone should do a Prix Eau Faux of THAT! 🙂
I really must test Carnal Flower (and even “RCE”) more thoughtfully sometime.
I did this huuuuuge long test of tuberose scents (15 reviews posted, and I STILL have tuberose scents to test), so I have now tried enough to actually *have* a favorite tuberose. I got “camphor and rotting raw chicken” from TC every time I tried it, and just could not get past that. It didn’t help that the first time I wore it, I had cleaned out the fridge that week…
I didn’t mind the camphor so much.
LOL – I bet you could do a list of things NOT to do when testing perfume!
Oh, and I can’t bear Fracas – to me it’s the landshark of florals!
Geranium pour Monsieur is very nice!
And beyond love is really one of my favorite frangraces: simple and pretty and interesting!!
SOTD – Mac Naked Honey.
Regretted unsniffed purchase – Britney Spear’s Believe. It’s not gross or anything, but I never wear it. Therefore, even at $19.99 for a whole gift set, it’s a waste. Lolita Lempicka Forbidden Flower – I don’t know why I bought it, even at TJs. The only LL that I’ve like is Fleur d’Corail. The whole JLo roll-on Glow collection – again, not bad, but I don’t wear it.
Sigh… at least they are cheap regrets. Unless I add up the amount of money spent that could have been spent on something good.
I’m wearing Delrae Mythique from a sample a NST friend sent me and I had to order a FB of it ….it smells..so good and it will be my go to scent for the spring. I wish I was going to Hawaii too…. one can only dream!!
ooo– mythique! is that your favorite of the iris scents? It really is gorgeous!
I actually loved all of them and decided to ordered 2 decants ……(1.) VC&A Bois d’ isis (2.) Frederic Malle Iris Poudre both are so lovely. I had to ordered a FB of the Delrae Mythique because it is so gorgeous & unique at no shiping cost and I am also getting a FB of Iris Noir (Yves Rocher) because it only costs $29.00 and it is one I can’t live without, in the meantime still injoying all the samples, and adjusting my bank account ….ooh shucks….. I just have to have them all…. need to get the Hermes Hiris that one goes really good with my body chemistry and my kids and hubby love it too..I really need the Fifi Chachnil, not iris but it is lovely and feminine, and sexy.
oops, ment Bois d’ iris.
Cynthia, I wish I’d focused on that Mac before it was GONE! You bought some scents that you regret, but nabbed a winner that most of us missed. One must think of the losers as offerings to the perfume gods 😉
Saks Fifth Ave in Cleveland. I’m just saying…I know someone who got it from a very nice sales associate who mailed it to my, erm, their home. That was a few months ago, but maybe they still have it.
It is sad to think of all the cheap-but-useless stuff adding up to the cost of a nice bottle. Le Sigh. I always like the idea of clandestinely leaving stuff like that on the counter in a ladies’ lounge … someone may think they won the jackpot.
So many people really would – and you’d also earn perfume god karma 🙂 I love this idea!
Great idea!
Seriously though, you could donate unloved bottles to a women’s shelter. They’d love it.
Ooh… I hadn’t thought of that one. I’ll have to do that – it would stop taking up space that I could be using for better things and someone would actually like it.
It’s the same thing with mascara for me. I spend countless dollars trying cheap mascaras in my endless search for the perfect one. When I could’ve just splurged on that one tube of Diorshow or a Chanel mascara that i’ve been coveting forever. When it comes to perfume it just hurts less to spend 30 or 40 dollars a few times than spending $120 on one bottle of a L’Artisan.
I’ve learned my lesson on mascara and foundations as well. I always think there must be something in the drug store for me, and then after countless tubes and bottles, I should have just bought the high end product I wanted in the first place!
I don’t have very many cheap regrets….a couple…I’ll have to see about “sharing” with unsuspecting friends or donating them….but my worst unsniffed mistake was $206 of Maison Francis Kurkdjian Cologne Pour le Soir —got sucked in by the reviews likening it to Bois d’Armenie, which I adore……..Holy Cow! such a spendy mistake! Still got about 20mls left if anyone is yearning for some…..
I am leaving on my honeymoon in two weeks and am looking for perfume shopping suggestions. I’ll be hitting Miami, Key West, and Georgetown (Grand Cayman) on a cruise and then a few days in Orlando. I’ve heard prices are good in the Caymans, but that the selection isn’t any different than most department stores. Does anyone know of shops that would carry stuff I don’t have access to in Chicago?
Also, I’ll be hitting the World Showcase at Epcot. It isn’t Paris, but I’m still excited about going to the Guerlain shop. If anyone has any tips/suggestions I’d love to hear them. Thanks!
Congrats! Hope the trip is lovely. Sorry, no recs on ‘fume shopping… I never go anywhere…. waaaaaah… (Ahem, pity party over.)
So what scent are you wearing for the wedding?? Inquiring minds want to know.
The wedding was last August and – hold on to your chair – I opted not to wear perfume. It was outdoors at my parents lakeside house in northern Michigan. It got up to 85 degrees that day and was still at 80 when the ceremony started about two hours before sunset. Instead I went with Cashmere Mist deodorant and body lotion. I kept my hair and makeup pretty simple (really wanted to look like ME in the photos) and we even told people that smart casual dress was fine because it was way to hot for suits, so the subtlety of the fragrance worked well.
We delayed the honeymoon because we were exhausted (I slept for about a week after), out of money, and thought we would appreciate a warm weather vacation much more now than at the end of summer.
Gosh, both the wedding and the honeymoon sound lovely! Nicely done, Lucy!
Well, that’s a sensible way to do it! Both my sister and brother had their honeymoon trips some months after their respective weddings, after they’d saved up enough for a really good trip.
I don’t think I wore any perfume for my wedding either… it was long before my perfume interest. Heat+scent can be overwhelming, so you did the right thing!
Gee, where are my manners? Thank you for the conratulations. We are still very excited about it.
It’s hard to imagine myself going to DisneyWorld as an adult, but someone mentioned on another board that that Epcot Guerlain shop had amazing things that couldn’t be found outside Paris. Enjoy your honeymoon!
Joe, if you live near Orlando and have nieces and nephews you’ll find yourself visting Epcot as an adult. And going on the Small World ride at Magic Kingdom three times in a row. And learning all the ins and outs of Fast Pass. Le Sigh, indeed. 😉 But it does have its rewards: you will find things in the Guerlain shop that are hard to find elsewhere. And the SAs are lovely people, very willing to let you try all sorts of things.
Note to Lucy, don’t miss the boulangerie across the path from the Guerlain shop.
Oh, man, I was a Disney child and am a Disney adult. Never been to Disney World but have spent many a happy hour at Disneyland.
Have said this here before, but will repeat it just in case: I think the Guerlain store at Epcot is variable. When I was there, they had nothing at all that you couldn’t find in any decent department store.
I went as a young adult with other young adults and had a blast. I’ve also been as a 30-something with my best friend and her niece and nephew. We had a blast both times – even if the Tower of Terror almost made me hurl.
What a wonderful honeymoon plan! Best wishes, Lucy, and please let us know what you sample and choose to buy in a future poll!
Also in France at Epcot they have the Escale de Pondichery and Escale de Porofino. In the Givenchy line the have the reissued Givenchy III, L’Interdit, and 2 others I cant remember the names of.
If you go to Boca in Palm Beach County, there is the TownCenter Mall. The Saks there has a Guerlain Boutique and a Chanel Boutique. Both carry all the exclusives. The Nieman Marcus has Serge Lutens and L’Artisan and a few of the Different Company. That’s the best place to go sniffing in South Florida.
Congratulations!
Now the Bal Harbor shops in Miami have an Hermes store and they have the Hermenessences. But don’t be fooled. The Saks down there has almost nothing for scents. There’s a Chanel store down there too-you would think they would have the Exclusifs, but no.
Nice. I wish my local Sak’s and Neiman’s had such things, or even offered to get such things for me. I ask about them and instead of offering to transfer from a different store they look at me with a blank stare and act like they have no idea what I am talking about.
There’s a charming little store in Key West called Besame Mucho that carries various non-mainstream brands, including Antica Farmacista, Diptyque, and Santa Maria Novella. I don’t know if they have anything you wouldn’t be able to find in Chicago, but I think it would be a fun place to check out if you have some free perfume-shopping time while you are there.
In any event, congratulations! And hope you have a wonderful honeymoon.
Is anything more happiness-inducing than yellow daffodils? (Maybe a four-day weekend… which I’m starting my enjoyment of today! 😀 )
Not sure what my SOTD will be, but right now I’m being lazy and savoring a spritz of the decant I just received of LL Poivre 23. Yummy.
Also fell in love this week with Bois 1920 Sushi Imperiale; I haven’t read much about that on the blogs. I know it’s a few years old, but still, it ranks up there for orange/woody/spicy goodness. Highly recommended. And fate and a swapper sent me a decant of HdP 1740 just days after Kevin’s review… it’s really great!
Enjoy the weekend, everyone! 🙂
My mini-daffodils popped open this morning! So cheerful.
I know I’ve read good things about SI from commenters here, Joe. I will try my sample again based on your rec. I think the first time I couldn’t get around thinking it would smell like sushi – I’m too suggestible! LOL
And we have tons of real ones in bloom, yay!
Four-day weekend? Do you work for the UC system?
Daffodils always remind me of my grandma’s backyard when I was about 3. I love the way they smell.
I love the way they smell AND the way they look.
Started the day with Miss Dior since it was chilly but still bright spring day. I stopped off at Bloomingdale’s at lunch to do some quick sniffing and tried Chamade (meh), L’Instant (liked), Songes (ok) and Eau du Sud (very nice). Not bad work for a Friday!
Chamade, on me, took a good HOUR to bloom out of that galbanum – that’s one that really is never at its best with a quick test. (Just saying. Of course, it may not be for everyone.)
Of course, to me, the galbanum is the best part! Not sure I’ll make peace with my unsniffed split purchase… but if not, I know several willing owners for it. 😀
Well, I like the galbanum too, but that one’s a shape-shifter, and if you didn’t like the topnotes you’d never know what a golden thing it turns into.
I am with Boo here on Chamade – I LOVE that galbanum opening soo much! I enjoy but wait patiently for it to pass into the drydown so I can reapply (judiciously) to smell that amazing opening again! I feel the same about the gorgeous galbanum openings of Heure Exquise, No 19, Bel Respiro, Temps d’Une Fete…. I could go on!
I think the three of us, at least, are Old Skool with our galbanum affection. Most (ahem) younger people don’t like it much…
Say it loud: I’m Old and I’m proud!
Well, I do suppose I am getting there for sure! My sense of taste does tend to fall on the more classic side of the fence.
Thanks, good to know. I hear so many good things about Chamade it was a disappointment not to be thrilled on first sniff.
I wasn’t thrilled at first sniff either, but now it’s one of my favorites. A smile-inducing fragrance, if ever there was one.
What am I NOT wearing today?! Quiet day at home so tried several different samples. Fracas–which is about the sixth time I’ve tried it and still not liking it. Others include PdN’s Fig Tea, Eau D’Ete, and Balkiss along with Micallef Mon Parfum and Dior Ambre Nuit. Out of all of them, like Mon Parfum the best but doubt I’d ever spring for a FB.
Love love love Micallef’s Note Vanillee and was sick to see it disappear from LuckyScent. But, today I happened across the news that they’re re-doing distribution channels so it isn’t really gone. Whew!
I can take Fracas…in minute dabs! But enjoyed it last night, just a dab on one hand…
Folded a little flower out of tissue paper (puff up a flower shape and then twist the bottom part for a stem) and sprayed it with Fracas a couple of nights ago. The lovely smell of tuberose and white flowers on my nightstand without committing to Fracas on my skin.
Fracas turns my stomach. I’ve gone back to my sample a few times hoping it would change, but I always end up washing it off.
I have a lot of trouble with Fracas too. It is just so potent! Tuberose is challenging for me in most fragrances when it is prominent, but Fracas – wow – it beats the band. I always wish it was a fragrance I could wear b/c of it’s status.
I’ve had that Micallef on my to-try list for awhile now… haven’t tried anything from the line yet, and that sounded like a good/easy intro. Bummer LS doesn’t have it anymore; I should have jumped sooner.
I love PdN’s Fig Tea-such a wonderful scent.
Tiara—we should toss around the idea of splitting a bottle of Note Vanillee this fall —I luvs me some vanillas!
YES YES YES!! I’m all for it! And perhaps by then the distribution issues will be ironed out.
(I got so excited seeing the mention of a split of Note Vanillee that I was sort of bouncing on the couch. My husband just asked, “Are you preparing to launch?”)
tell him “YES!” and the destination is Luckyscent! Ha!
Well, right now I’ve got my perfume splitting hands very full….but in not too long I should be ready for more splitting….you can email me at Daisyloo82 at gmail dot com……we can hammer out the details!
Today I’m wearing Un Jardin Après la Mousson, because I’m craving for the new Voyage and I needed something to make the waiting more bearable. And a miracle happened: I didn’t get melon, only citrus and green notes!
I have never bought unsniffed, but two years ago I had to sell a brand new full bottle of Light Blue because it turned my stomach. I don’t know how I hadn’t noticed it before. Since then, I think it over before buying a perfume.
I love all the Jardins!
I love Un Jardin Sur le Nil and Un Jardin Après la Mousson, but Méditerranée has something that I dislike, and I still don’t know what it is.
The melon in that one is sneaky, right? I bought it when it came out, loved it, then *BAM* melon up my nostrils. No fun. I then sold it, only to realiselater that the melon doesn’t always appear. Sigh.
Le Mousson was a gift. I wouln’t have bought a full bottle, but the melon note has grown on me and now it doesn’t annoys me. However, I love it much more the days I don’t get melon 🙂
I really like Mousson and actually even enjoy the melon. I compared it to Voyage on skin the other day because I thought there might be a similarity with the cardamom (which in Mousson is more green, and barely there). I’ll probably get a 50ml bottle of Mousson now that you can get it for a near song at the discounters.
SOTD- A few spritzes of Ginger Mentha from C.O. Bigelow, which I got for a song during a ridiculous sale. I wanted something that gives a scrubbed-clean feeling today, and it fits the bill.
I have not tried that one, is it massively gingery, or mostly just clean?
SOTD: Bois de Iles…I’m on a Chanel kick! But my sweater still holds the scent of Safran Troubla…which I got in the mail yesterday!
Would LOVE to go FB on Chanel 22 and 31 Rue…where is the best place to buy? (online please!)
Hmmm, those are GREAT scents. I think the *only* place to buy online (besides the occasional price-hiked bottle on ebay) is Chanel.com (the U.S. site). They do free shipping for the Les Exclusifs.
I don’t trust eBay anymore on popular prestige designer scents. The large bottle of Bois de Iles I bought started evaporating at an alarming rate, even in a dark closet, and from the beginning there was something missing from the fragrance, like it had had the edges filed off, reducing the overall scent to “so what?”. I think it was a pretty well composed bogus. Same thing happened on a small bottle of Diorissimo. Never again!
Monsta-sorry to hear that, what a bummer. Were both scents from the same vendor??
No. And I wouldn’t think it would be worth the effort for someone to duplicate any but the most popular scents, which were the ones I was looking for.
Holy cow! Does it look like the crimp at the top of the bottle had been tampered with ? I have heard that there is a seller on ebay who has been in trouble a few times for selling thinned down and bogus scents, often as vintage finds….I’m wondering the same thing Smokey is…same vendor?
Nope. Different.
Yes! I just received my bottle of Coromandel from Chanel online today and it came with a tiny mascara and a carded fragrance sample.
how nice of them. enjoy it Julia : )
Springtime means that my Kelly Calèche bottle gets all excited and starts jumping up and down and spraying generously in my direction..
Tomorrow I’ll have to keep it under control, I’m planning a short city trip with the serious intention to work through the newest tuberoses (the 3 HDPs and the newest Prada, if I find them)
LOL – those neglected seasonal favs WILL do that!
Give it a good pat before you spritz.
MissKitty I am also going to Hawaii, but not till July – let me know what you decide (although I am quite anti-tuberose myself). I’m tempted by the OJ Frangipani (which I haven’t tried yet) and might also recommend le Labo Jasmin 17, which is really more neroli than jasmine but quite nice all the same. Or you could just plan on finding something there…which is what I may do! Lucy, Florida is quite humid – something light and fresh, maybe citrus-y would be perfect. My SOTD is Wiggle’s Martine, a lovely comfort scent.
Cat Friend: drop me a line at MUA and we can compare notes. 🙂 I wonder if there is anywhere good to buy perfume in Hawaii?? I’ve never been. I actually haven’t taken a vacation in nine years, so I feel a little travel-impaired.
If Haunani shows up later, she’s orig from there and can give you some advice, probably. She also loves Saffron James Le’a, and with news of that sale, I’m inexplicably lemming a bottle. Want to split one? HA! I’m trying to find out if my local Anthropologie carries it, or just the online store. Even on sale, it’s still quite pricey at $1.67/ml.
You beat me on that comment (re: Heidi, not the purchase). 😀
I’ll be there tomorrow and check it out. I’ll email you if I decide to cave and get it. 🙂
just an aside here but TAKE LOTS OF SUNSCREEN! and don’t forget the TOPS OF YOUR FEET! a friend of mine went on a Hawaii vaca and didn’t think about the tops of her feet….zowie, she was in PAIN! the tops of her feet were a mess—and peeled for a long time after she was back in the land of the pasty-skinned.
Aloha, fragrant friends. I checked the Anthropologie website because I’m almost out of Le’a, my fave Saffron James. It appears that they are out of it. Sob!
Miss Kitty, have a wonderful trip!
P.S. Avoid the impulse to take anything heavy. That means clothing and fragrance!
Dear Miss Kitty,
I can relate. I haven’t had a holiday since the honeymoon to Paris almost nine years ago! Next month M-I-L will be 90 so it’s the big birthday party for family in Victoria, B.C. Yeay! I will be hunting perfume bottles on Fort St. in the antique stores.
Just yesterday, I called my travel agent about Hawaii. I’ve been 14 times but not for the last 10 years. I get accused of being the typical North Vancouverite and going to Maui. It’s so much easier and less stressful than Europe. They speak the language, you can drink the water and you can go shopping! I look forward to being able to get a bottle of Jessica McLintock and trying whatever else she has new on the market.
Celestia
Today’s is Eau Parfumée au Thé Rouge. I was decanting and got it all over my hands (love decanting accidents) so I just ran with it. Wasn’t too sure about this one when I first got it (sah-weet) but it turns out to be a very versatile, non-threatening, casual fruity-floral-but-not-quite which gets quite some use.
Heaving a massive sigh of relief at spring, like everyone or so it seems. Yay for crocussesses!
Hermès Au Thé Rouge makes my mouth water!
I’m confused….I think she was referring to the Bulgari scent (Is this by Ellena, too? I know Thé Vert is…) not the Hermès Rouge…no?
Yes, I don’t know why sometimes I forget that they are from Bvlgari and I think of Hermès! It has hapenned two or three times yet! 🙁
I do the same thing – they’re both in the same mental file folder of perfumes by companies that make super-expensive things I’ll never buy. 🙂
Zeezee, did you say decanting Eau Parfumée au Thé Rouge?
😉
Drop me a line if you want some. I have a large bottle – one of my better Marshall’s finds.
I put on some AG Eau d’Hadrien after the gym. It’s springy and fresh and perfectly pleasant but I still find it hard to get excited about citrus.
Still, it’s better than Un Matin D’Orage which was an oppressive loathsome scrubber.
I’m not a citrus fan myself, can’t explain why. It’s not as if I dislike it – it just sort of… bores me. “Yeah, yeah, citrus, big whoop. NEXT!”
Thought Md’O was *really* pretty, but it annoyed me by vanishing after 2 hours.
Yup, that’s pretty much how I feel bout citrus. I also end up wishing I’d put on something else (like vetiver!) but at least they don’t linger and bore you for hours.
By was really surprised by just how much I hated Md’O. I can only assume that there’s something in it that I’m hyperosmic (?) to because of how strong and unpleasant I found it.
Didn’t care for Un Matin d’Orage either — a disappointment, especially since I often love AG scents. I too found it unpleasantly strong and sharp, although I did appreciate the after-the-storm aspect of it.
Huh… I thought that it was really soft and pretty – although there is *something* that hints at a sharp bitterness in there. But, that’s the part that I also like. It does disappear completely on me after a few hours.
Isn’t it funny how your skin or sense of smell can lead to a totally different experience? I apparently have skin that magnifies sweetness – several scents that other people find intriguing or even smoky-sweet are just unholy on me.
IMHO, Hadrien is not exciting enough to get anyone excited about citrus 😉
What are the best places in Toronto to shop for perfume? A friend who lives there is getting frustrated with department store stuff. Thanks!
Yorkville is the best place to go.
Allen’s on Avenue Road carries Amouage, Serge Lutens and others. Holt Renfrew carries a lot of niche lines as well as the usual dept store ranges. Noor boutique carries Eau d’Italie, Diptyque, L’Artisan and a few others.
Does Allen’s sell samples??
I find a website… hmm.
I’m not sure, but the other posters might be referring to Andrew’s Department store in Hazelton Lanes (Yorkville). They carry Amouage, Serge Lutens, Bond and a few others.
I second the Holt Renfrew recommendation. They now have carry Chanel LE and have a pretty awesome selection: http://www.holtrenfrew.com/holts/pages/brands/brands.dot?language_id=1&gender=women&bType=groom
A few subway stops south of Yorkville, The Bay Queen Street has a selection that goes beyond most of the other Bay stores, including Annick Goutal which is increasingly hard to find.
SOTD: two testers (one on each hand) of the white floral that Laurie at SSS is working on. This is going to be gorgeous for white floral lovers. She is extremely talented.
My only recent unsniffed regrets are minor – decants only, not FB’s – Amouage Epic, beautiful but gave me a headache (something which never happens!) and Balsamo della Mecca – just didn’t work for me.
Unfortunately, winter returned to central Ky. last night – a little snow and sleet this a.m. and back below freezing. The temp. is supposed to rebound though.
Have a great weekend everybody!
Yes, Bouquet Blanche is gonna be lovely. (I liked one of the testers better than the other, due to a faintly-raspy thing that I thought might be too much orange blossom. Then Laurie told me to ditch both of them, she had too much OB in there and was tweaking. It was nice to know I wasn’t nuts about the OB…)
Freezing in NYC too…I broke out the Cuir Mauresque for a bit of sweet leather warmth.
Too bad about the Epic headache…it’s so lovely…
I agree – I thought it was stunning. And it wasn’t just the Epic that gave me a headache, so did Jubilation and Gold. I’m sad but my wallet is rejoicing!
Hm…maybe we should arrange to swap headache-inducers. 😀
Darling Daisy already relieved me of it. But what is yours? Email me and we can talk – I’m sure it’s something I love! 😉
OK, I have a totally random comment. I occasionally wear perfumes that drive my two cats absolutely crazy. I put on some Frédéric Malle French Lover this morning and they absolutely would not lead me alone – the stuff is way better than catnip (and sadly way less affordable). Does anyone know what substances tend to do this to kitties? Vetiver seems to really do the trick as well…
No idea, but hope someone else will know…
Could it be ambergris?
I’ve had cats who have gone wild for mint. Maybe it’s that.
I have this sample from Boadicea the Victorious (“Delicate”) that my cat is bonkers for–from the notes listed, I can’t figure out what it is she likes so much about it.
When she does this, my husband says that she’s “trippin’ balls”. And that’s what it looks like, too: a wild acid trip.
Interesting. I recently found out my cat goes absolutely bonkers for nutmeg. Don’t know how common that is, but maybe something like that? A spice?
SOTD is Patchouli 24 (it’s cold and windy in Maine today), although the one drop of Oud 27 I put on the inside of my elbow is doing a pretty good job of overpowering it.
Unsniffed regrets? So embarrassing. Very Hollywood and Parisienne. I do like gardenia – just not on me. What was I thinking?!?
You were thinking, “Life is short, must have perfume!” I’m sure you can find someone who will want them. Sell them on scent splits, if you have to.
I’m a total newbie and welcome all advice! Thanks!!
Okay, so Chanel No. 5 used to smell like pee on me, or to me, but in indulging my newfound curiosity for all things perfume, I spritzed it on the other day… and found it to be absolutely heavenly! Clean, sparkling, fresh gorgeousness. I remain amazed, and only somewhat delighted, because my perfume budget for this lifetime has been expended. Interesting, though.
As overexposed as No. 5 is, it’s still the gold standard. Should be called No. 1! I would have loved to have been alive when it first came out. Imagine the delirium when it hit your unsuspecting nose.
I’m with you, monstabunny: I often wonder what it would have been like to smell vintage classics in their day – before there were a thousand pale or annoying imitations, against the backdrop of the standard perfumes of that day, and without the competing sensory distractions that we have in our overscented world now. Time travel would be my number 1 wish, for sure!
Ditto on the time travel thing.
With all the sweet young things out there I keep coming back to that grand old lady, Chanel No. 5. Can’t argue with a classic.
I finally understand why this is a classic! It’s a big week for me. 😀
It was my mom’s scent, so it took me awhile to come around… and then I bought a vintage bottle which was just stunning. Now I think it’s gorgeous.
Don’t you love that breakthrough moment when you “get” a fragrance? It happened to me with Shalimar. I suppose it is just a matter of developing your nose and learning to appreciate something that is truly unique, even if it has been imitated many times.
AgentBetty- I had my big breakthrough moment with No 5 last year, and since then I wear it regularly and thoroughly enjoy it. It is just so beautiful and classy. I find it relatively easy to find and buy vintage or at least older bottles of used No 5 on ebay. I have three vintage bottles now, and they smell even more amazing than the current No 5 parfum. My fav way to wear it is to put small dabs of the parfum behind my ears and then spray the No 5 eau Premier on my wrists. They combine for many many hours of fragrance beauty and happiness.
Happy Friday everyone! My SOTD is VC&A Bis d’Iris. Absolutely gorgeous. One of these days, for a very special occasion, I’ll have to splurge and treat myself to a FB of this. I’m giving my bottle of Balsama della Mecca to my husband – it totally bullied me but smells fantastic on him.
Ohh… at first when I got my sample I thought wow!!!! and when hubby smelled it he really loved it, so he is getting a FB of it (Balsama della Mecca) I love this site, always find the answers.
I also finally sniffed the Guerlain “Apres’L Ondee, and I loved it. sigh…need to save up for at least a decant of this one.:)
I just ordered a sample of Apres l’Ondee today from TPC. Can’t wait!
How awesome! I bet you are going to Love it too.
I ordered a decant of VC& A Bois’d Iris from TPC today, Thanks to a friend here at NST sent me a sample and wuala!! I loved the way it lingers all day long.
Apres l’Ondee is on my FB for spring list. It’s so pretty.
Oh, glad it works on him!
Thanks Robin. I love to smell it, but had some trouble wearing it. I will try it again next Fall.
It was very high-church incense on me – not that I have a problem with that, actually – but it’s definitely something that I’d have to be in a particular mood for.
YES! Same here…very nice, but not highly wearable. In fact, I think I’d prefer it as a room fragrance, and I think I might just put a few drops in one of those clay lightbulb rings.
Any suggestions for a transitional spring-but-it’s-still-cold-out scent? Something warming but brisk at the same time. It’s a little too early for En Passant.
L’eau d’Hiver? It’s kind of a warm/cold scent to me and I like it in the transitional months.
I’ve had a sudden craving for definite florals, not usually my thing. Joy worked for me when it was still cold because of the underlying animalic notes. Tuberose works for spring, too.
No idea what you’re looking for, but things that have smelled good to me in the back-n-forth weather have been Kelly Caleche, OJ Woman, and Bandit.
Bandit is totally doing it for me right now. It’s a go to scent.
Totally agree on Kelly Caleche — that one is great in in-between weather.
I’ll weigh in on the Guerlains that have been working for me in the back and forth weather – Vol de Nuit, Mitsouko, Samsara (vintage), L’Heure Bleue, as well as Chanel Cuir de Russie. They all seem to be like baby bear’s porridge – just right!
What about Shaal Nur? I’ve been loving it lately. It’s a lighter alternative to my cold weather comfort scents, but still has a spicy, incensey warmth to it.
However, I have a feeling I’m going to love it even more in the hot weather.
Shaal Nur is wonderful any old time! I sure love that one.
Haunani you and I just might be scent sisters 🙂
Dark Earth by Neil Morris is perfect this time of year. I’ve also been enjoying Chamade.
My fav late winter into spring fragrances that are fresh and yet still warm are: No 5 eau Premier, Safari, Timbuktu, SSS Lieu de Reves, Caron Montaigne (b/c of the narcissus and woods), and then my total fav is Trish McEvoy Citrus Petals – it has a beautiful linden blossom opening that smells like fresh spring, but then dries down to a warm light musk base. It works perfectly in spring.
I love linden blossom, use it for tea quite often, but in fragrance it usually translates as too lemony instead of herby. I’ll try the Trish McEvoy, though the title implies lemon again.
I think I recall Ann telling me it was dc’d. :/
Yes, sorry, it is discontinued, but you can still find it around places. There is more of a mimosa-y linden effect than a linden citrus effect like in the Jo Malone French Lime Blossom, etc.
Cold and gloomy morning, so I wrapped myself up in Amouage Epic Woman. At least the sun came out later!
Unsniffed regret: Annick Goutal Songes. I need try retry it at some point and if it still doesn’t work, either split or sell the bottle. I feel bad about it sitting around unloved!
Oh, that’s a shame. Hope you can split it.
Same here, I thought I loved the AG Songs but as it turned out not what I thought it would be. I bought the 3.4 beautiful bottle….(the only size left).
I’m trying it again in a month and see….the base has this kinda buzz to it, and it gets nauseating after 30 min. after I spray it.
Songes is a challenging fragrance to wear. I tested it a number of times before I came to an undestanding of it. I only like it for a very particular type of warm weather in the early summer. There are times I wear it when I think it smells gorgeous, and then other times it just smells all skunky – indolic. Give yourself a few opportunities to test it in warmer weather.
Enjoying Yves Rocher Rose Absolute the last several days. The slightly warm and spicy rose is perfect for our still-cold weather.
Happy Friday!
Great scent, and perfect for early spring.
Must try. I like YR Gardenia.
my coworker is going to india this summer. i was wondering if there are any good india based fragrance lines you can recommend. i might ask him to bring me back something.
Great question and I have no idea…hope someone else will chime in.
I don’t know about an Indian fragrance line, but I’ve read about motia, or jasmine-infused sesame oil, used for perfumes & hair oils which is supposed to be lovely.
SOTD: Carnal Flower. Loving the Malle line right now. Must acquire more!
As a fun story, I wore this while running various errands today, one of which was getting my oil changed. I can say that Carnal Flower was not out of place in the garage at all. The scent morphs into total rubber on me eventually, which I find just fantastic. Thus, garage-friendly! I did not, however, reveal to the men present that I was wearing a scent called Carnal Flower.
Great story, Jared! We’re always matching scents to the weather – you may start a new trend of matching scents to errands – LOL!
How funny!!
Has anyone ever seen on eBay (or anywhere) any of those gold Guerlain canister things with the cut out circles – empty? Do they come up for sale? I have a 50ml refill of Chamade that is designed for one of those. I’m wondering if I could get hold of an empty one for it – would that work? It’s no big deal, but it would be nice to dress it up as it should be. Better from a preservation point of view too.
I believe I have occasionally seen empty ones on ebay. More often, they come up with scent in them, but sometimes not very full and therefore relatively reasonable in price. Just search for “vintage Guerlain perfume,” which also brings up empty bottles. If you do that once a week for a while, I think you’ll find one sooner or later.
Or you can put in an automatic search and they’ll email you every day…
But also note that they still sell the canisters, so you might want to look at more listings than just the vintage.
They come available frequently. I bought one for one of my bottles. Just don’t pay too much for it.
Thanks – can I ask – my bottle has sloping shoulders, but I notice that some Guerlain refills have round shoulders, meaning that the bottle is more or less cylindrical. What was yours? Do you happen to know if both shapes fit into the gold canister? As you suggest, I don’t want to make an expensive mistake …
Mine was cylindrical. I would try to buy one that will fit your bottle. You can ask the ebayer questions and perhaps send them a picture of your bottle to see if it fits.
Those are harder to find (the 50ml w/sloping shoulders). I’ve never seen one empty. The ones that you find most of the time are to hold the round 93ml. bottles.
Oh thanks – that’s very useful to know. Glad I didn’t just plunge in.
Thanks everyone for your replies. I shall follow up. Man, searching for vintage Guerlain is an eye-opener. One of these days I shall get myself one of those Chamade print ads. And yet doing so would be to admit obsession …
But how pretty it will look framed on your wall! I sort of want one, too. Also a Caron Poivre ad…
Oh yes! Those ads are great! Vintage ads are fun – and often a lot more creative than those we see today, faced up by super models.
I stopped in at the Diptyque shop here in London this afternoon. I live quite nearby, so I’ve walked past hundreds of times, but always felt too intimidated to go in. It’s so serenely, exquisitely elegant and….well….I’m not. Anyway, I went in and it was simply wonderful. What was I so afraid of? The sales assistant was a lovely Indian chap with a French accent (!) who was warm and friendly and knowledgeable, and totally put me at my ease. And my god, he had the patience of a saint, and seemed to think my obsessive sniffing was sweet rather than bonkers. I ended up taking home a bottle of Philosykos (I’ve loved it for so long; a decant just isn’t enough), and the SA cheerfully put TEN different samples in my bag without even being asked. Proper, 2ml spray samples! I feel rich.
Isn’t it funny how sometimes you get a case of The Shys for no good reason? Doing small brave things feels good!
I’ve only ever dealt with their Westbourne Grove branch (in person, by phone and email) and they’ve always been nothing short of delightful. Extremely generous with samples as you said. They are one of my favourite companies and their customer service is a big part of that.
Philosykos is a wonderful choice. They do matching body products too 😉
Wow, I love Diptyque scents and am so glad to hear they have wonderful stores. In addition to their scents, I recently got their luxurious hand balm online (I think it was reviewed on NST), and I LOVE it. Thank you for sharing this great experience and wise counsel, Chanterais!
What fun, congrats!
Philosykos was a wonderful choice —-love it love it love it!
And see? you have no need to be shy! Be proud! Be bold! You smell fantastic! 🙂
I get The Shys like that a lot – it is pretty fun to break the barrier! Good work on your brave adventure!
Rictor,
American perfumes are actually pretty big in India, especially among the upper class (ANYTHING American is considered a big deal)…so I don’t know that you would find a lot of Indian fragrance lines. Its more common for the average Indian to wear oils…ask for sandalwood or rose
SOTD – none yet, though I have a little dab of Week-end a Deauville on the back of one hand for testing purposes. Recent regrets… Odori Iris really wasn’t my thing, but it found a happy and deserved home elsewhere, so not a true regret at all. And I took a gamble on Chamade, which I don’t think will work out, but again, I know several places it can go if I don’t love it. Hard to regret those!
the first couple of times I tried Chamade I really didn’t like it either….my first decant of it got adopted by Mals ! ( Hi Mals!) It wasn’t until months later that I ended up hosting a split (don’t ask, these things just seem to happen to me) that I decided it was excellent…now it’s a favorite go-to scent. All I’m saying is give it a few tries before you put it up for adoption. 🙂
(rubbing hands together and cackling) Chamade is excellent! Can take awhile to grow on you, though.
I think we both benefitted from my perfume adventures that time 🙂
oh, yes, definitely. Perfumes can take a while to grow on you.
Chamade was love at first sniff for me – there wasn’t even one moment when I didn’t think it was the living end. Maybe it was the miserable cold winter day I tested it and it just smelled so wonderful. It doensn’t matter to me. It is comfortably positioned at the very top of all HG fragrances. Boo – you won’t have troubles finding a good home for that!
Don’t worry, you’re at the top of my list if we can’t make peace. 🙂
Aw shucks Boo… 🙂 I’ll hook you up with something good….
I’m looking for a new spring fragrance. Theorema was my favorite winter one. I have several citrusy fragrances and some light florals,but nothing I love. Any suggestions?
Jills, I love Theorema, too! I’m testing Killian Beyond Love, and think I love it. I got a huge sample as part of the Killian L’oeuvre noire sample coffret available at Lucky Scent. I also enjoy AG Vetiver and Dzing in the spring and summer.
Envy. Really pretty, light, classy floral.
Depends what you gravitate toward and notes you like, really. Consider a “Monday Mail” for a new spring scent….
In terms of recent launches, I’d recommend trying Balenciaga Paris, or my latest love, No. 18.
Joe, that totally suprises me you like No 18 so much. I’ve tested and retested and tested that many many times (even just the other day!), and it never makes any sense to me. It is indeed profoundly elegant, but it is so cold and lifeless…. what gives? Tell me why you love it so much! I consider you one of my almost scent twins – I must understand why you like it so much!!!
Hey Ann! Cold & lifeless? Hmm. Maybe it’s a weather thing that’s making me love it as spring gets underway. I just sprayed some on and I get a very woody & nutty iris, with sweetness that must be the rose. Until looking it up in The Guide, I wouldn’t have known to label it “rose iris”, but it makes sense now. I can just say that it has a great “nutty floral” feeling to me.
When I bought into the split, the hoster mentioned it being “based on ambrette seed”, which is from Bois de Jasmin’s review (below). I think that’s what hooked me and made me curious. I do love this… maybe it’s much better sprayed than dabbed? It’s just a beautiful light floral to me.
http://boisdejasmin.typepad.com/_/2007/04/chanel_no_18_pe.html
I did wonder if it was a sray v. dab issue, since I am only able to dab. And sometimes I have trouble smelling ambrette completely – sometimes it gets blocked in fragrances for me if it comes from ambrettolide. It is possible I am not getting all of it. It is interesting to read your comments.
Cold and lifeless??
Yeah, it is weird. This one is way off the radar for me, totally confusing. That’s why I keep retesting it: It’s not you, it’s me!
Hmmm… what to wear for Spring can be tricky. It would seem like it depend on where you live to some extent. For example, here in Houston, it might even depend on the day. Right now, I can get away with tradition spring-like scents, but it will be getting hotter soon and I’ll move to more summer-like ones.
Some of my favorite Spring scents are Chanel 28 La Pausa, Le Labo Iris 39, DelRae Debut, Le Labo Fleur d’Oranger 27, Mac Naked Honey (discontinued – I really hope they bring it back though), Hermes Pamplemousse Rose, Chanel No. 5 Eau Premiere and Cristalle Eau Verte.
Jill – this year my fav spring fragrance is turning out to be Tom Ford Black Orchid Voile de Fleur – it is just so sunny, warm, bright, happy, and the gardenia and white florals are perfect! And it really lasts through the day – it has been good chasing the dreary winter away.
SOTD is Tom Ford’s Noir de Noir-I LOVE this stuff. I get lots of wonderful patchouli in the drydown.
I haven’t warmed up to that one yet, but could definitely do more damage in that line!
Hey Tama
It took me a while too. I think wears better as a cool weather scent though.
Have you tried Black Orchid yet?
I have a sample of that and the first time I tried it my teeth cracked from the sweetness. I will dutifully try it again!
Smokey – I just tried Noir de Noir that has been in my TF sampler untouched for months. It is gorgeous. I’m exploring rose fragrances right now, and a newly discovered a love for chypres, and this one is great. I think a FB is coming soon. Someone is trying to make something up to me and I have suggested the big apothecary bottle of that because it is “pure craftsmanship” meant to “enhance my home environment” according to the copy at NM. I don’t really need a cup of Noir de Noir, but it does make the $180 50ml. bottle look like a relative bargain.
SOTD – Kenzo Magnolia, which I discovered here! It’s just so light and pretty I feel I can wear it all the time. Another fave spring scent, Kelly Caleche, which I plan to wear for Mother’s Day, it just makes me feel so ladylike! I’m actually looking for a soft oriental for fall that’s easy to wear and not too powdery. I’m looking forward to trying the new Bvlgari BLV II.
The Magnolia is very pretty. A soft oriental I love: Teo Cabanel Alahine. A little citrus, a few florals, a few spices, some warm golden labdanum. I don’t find it powdery.
SOTD – AA Mandarine Basilic. Went to the mall at lunch and stopped in Sephora and spritzed some on . I just read the review here the other day, so figured I’d try it. It’s so nice – it actually smells like an orange! I’m not a big fan of basil – eating or smelling – but I don’t get much at all.
Still hoping to find a bottle at TJ Maxx…
Recent unsniffed purchase: Crown Perfumery Crown Bouquet. Wearable salad/spring garden. Gorgeous. $30. ‘Nuff said. 😉
Also wearing the heck out of Chamade and Silences recently.
Crown Bouquet is one of my favorites for spring! It’s not a million miles away from Vacances after the some of the heliotrope burns off.
You know, I thought that too – that without sharing a lot of notes, the *feeling* of CB was similar to Vacances. I wasn’t expecting that.
I sampled that one the other night and it is gorgeous! IMHO.
Wearing an Avon fragrance today– Just Play.
Haven’t bought anything unsniffed in awhile, but I’m sure I will have a moment this year! 🙂
I probably will too!
SOTD –Mazzolari Alessandro —finally got my hands on a partial bottle….soooo yummy, this is the Queen Mother of all almond fragrances…. the CEO calls it “that cookie perfume” and says it with a wiggle of the eyebrows…..a high compliment indeed. None of the burnt sugar or overly powedered dry down of some almond scents. Lucky me it’s been winter again this week with snow flurries this morning…..perfect cookie weather 🙂
Lucky you…. ! That Alessandro is some yummy stuff. I’m trying to tamp down my lemming until Fall. I did just get a decant of Montale Amandes Orientales, which is boozier and drier than the Alessandro but still pretty darn nice…
It is sort of the wrong season for these types….but I’d been lemming and when I had the opportunity to nab a partial: I was all over it! Now that I finally have it—we’ll probably snap right into 80 degree days!
Montale AO is nice too—it’s got almost a fruity thing going on under the spiciness of it. The Montale definitely has “more” going on with it. I have some things to send you—have you tried Steph. de saint Aignan Amande Honorable? (have I asked you this before?) —I ‘ll have to send a sample along. It’s the “summer” almond.
Summer almond? Yes! Would love a smidge of the Amande Honorable…
My nightmare came true last night and somebody in my class got sick and thought it was perfume – my perfume or the cumulative effect of four of us wearing scent in a rather small space.
Oh, no. Oh….. NO.
Oh man. That’s my nightmare too.
What was the scent?
ooo, that’s not good….but also it could be that she ate something that disagreed, or was coming down with something. How is she today?
That is very sad. I hope it’s just a virus going around.
Ha – that lady is nuts. I’ll bet it wasn’t your perfume at all – especially since no one else could even smell it until they got within hugging distance.
Several of us had on perfume and I did open a dry-erase marker. We were in the classroom area of my shop which is partitioned off with shelves full of roving and yarn still in plastic bags, but it is a large open shop with plenty of ventilation. She was starting to look kind of green and started complaining of a cloying smell and I did notice a smell over by her, and now that I know more about the situation, I know what I smelled was her breath. Turns out she is diabetic and when she checked her sugar and it was was haywire and I guess she was in ketosis. I’m sure she wasn’t smelling her own breath, and maybe the collection of perfumes contributed to her nausea, but it wasn’t MCS or anything. It was diabetes. I had on a couple of sprays (2) of Epic woman that were applied over 8 hours earlier before several hand-washings, etc., nevertheless, I was terrified it was me and made someone sniff me. The only place fragrance was detected was a little bit under my ponytail and of the cuffs of my sweater which I had removed. I had a very bad night worrying that something would be said about fragrance at work. I learned about the diabetes later today when she called to make up the class she missed.
lol – I would probably react more to the dry erase marker smell than anything else. Unless someone had taken a bath in Angel.
Julia – if she had a diabetic reaction, well that really must be the culprit. And then dry erase marker – some of them are just revolting and very powerful. If you put Epic on 8 hours before she was in your presence, I seriously doubt it was you. I do wear fragrance almost all the time, but if I’m in a small meeting situation, I just put it in my cleavage and then really no one else but me and someone extremely close to me is going to smell it.
Super, thanks! I’m loving the Theorema and Champagne des Bois you recommended to me before!
Sorry, this message was for mals86. It looks so lost!
So you liked the CdB? Great! I think it is really lovely.
alright!! another devotee of Theorema and Champagne de Bois (all bow down!) I’m going to venture a guess here that you smell FANTABULOUS!!!!!
YES, perhaps you were the one who recommended those to me. Got my gravatars confused, sorry! (Wishing for a ‘delete’ button right about now.)
Can’t speak to the Theorema, but I can to the Champagne du Bois. Until Mals came along, I thought I was the only one who got a Bois des Isles thing out of it. Whatever/however equated…lovely.
I just swapped for 3 fragrances from the Stephanie de Saint-Aignans line and am impressed with each one: Berberiades, Embruns d’Ambre, and Voleur de Ciels. This is upsetting because they are not cheap!!!
I know, I like several of hers, particularly Berberiades, but they are quite pricey!
Sounds like a candidate for a split next fall… Berberiades is on my list too (haven’t tried the other 2 listed).
Ooh, Dixie, Embruns d’Ambre is one of my favorite fragrances! Come to think of it, it would work well in spring, as it has warm and cool elements.
How she got that cool ocean component to work with the warm amber is amazing! I love it! It’s definitely full bottle worthy!
Yep. I bought one right away!
SOTD – Ava Luxe Bois de Figue. The whole fig tree, wood, leaf, and fruit.
Eagerly awaiting the return of Opal to the Sonoma Scent Studios website – I really want to give that one a whirl.
That sounds so nice! How does it compare to Philosykos?
No SOTD yet, but thought it was going to be Shiseido Feminite de Bois. I just scored a bottle at Goodwill on my way home, but the more I sniff it, the less I like it. To me it smells like Lubin Idole and Bond Lexington Avenue–something sweet and cloying that I just can’t do. Oh, well. At least I got it at Goodwill.
Feminite de Bois?!? At Goodwill?!? That’s a major score, A.! Congrats!!
The phone was ringing as I was trying to finish typing this, and I missed that it didn’t work for you. Try it on skin to make sure, but if it still doesn’t, I’m sure you could either sell it or split it.
Yeah, it smells, um, different on skin… is there cumin in this? Oh, dear… I’ll stick with it, though. Maybe I’m just having a bad, uh, smell day?
I just realized that “bad smell day” sounded weird. I meant my sense of smell might be off.
Oh God! I’m still holding my middle! LOLOL that is definitely one of those statements that has necessary qualifiers……
It’s not the cumin you smell, Miss Kitty, it’s that gorgeous, sweaty cedar in the base. I couldn’t take it either when I first tried it but then, I dunno, something happened. Now it just feels warm and dry and spicy and resonant to me. Might want to keep a little decant for yourself if you sell/split it off!
Second Sweetlife’s recommendation to hold onto some for yourself if you do split/sell. I have to say, I *do* get cumin out of it sometimes…also that cedar, but they hit differently. When FdB is good, it is very, very good. But some days…I have to just say no.
Despite that, I rank it high on my faves list, so that should say something. And, I have never gotten the “cumin” when I smell it on somebody else, so I wonder if it’s a on yourself chemistry thing? Is there such a thing? Your own skin under your nose, but not anyone else’s?
I need to start going to your Goodwill! I did get a bottle of vintage Diorissimo EdT for cheap, and I think it is off, too. Maybe I just don’t know what Diorissimo should smell like, but this one has a sort of shellac thing going. I soaked a piece of cloth in it and put it in my closet and it aired out nicely and my closet smells great. I need to try it by itself on clean skin to really know if it is wearable. Maybe the top notes are off and if I give it some time it will be nice. Oh well,it was cheap and it looks like bottles I remember from when I was a kid. If I can’t wear it I can always display it.
Vintage Diorissimo has a habit of turning. I found a bottle that I bought 20 years ago (!) and had forgotton about. The juice had darkened horrifyingly and when I sprayed it on, I got that same shellac note you mention and nearly threw the bottle away. Luckily I didn’t, because as the day wore on, it began to smell like actual Diorissimo, and the acetone disappeared completely. I suppose the perfume has matured. If you can ride out the first twenty minutes or so, I think you will find it becomes more like its old self. And I have heard that fans prefer this to the current, watered-down formulation.
You can probably wear it if you can make it through the age-damaged topnotes (usually 15-20 minutes, but sometimes it takes as long as half an hour to wear off). I have several vintage things that are weird to start with and then get gorgeous.
It does have something in common with Idole, doesn’t it? I like neither. At least you won’t have a hard time flogging it if it should come to that.
Spartans! Prepare for glory! 🙂
—>off to the bar…
I’ll cheer…they’re a client. 😀
I’ll be rooting for your (and Daisy’s) Spartans, but I wish they weren’t playing in the late games. I stayed up last night rooting for my Ky. Wildcats and I’m feeling it today!
Northern who?? hehehehheh ….. let’s hope the Spartans see a little glory this eve.
I’m wearing EL PC Gardenia Tuberose and I love it. I do notice, however, it doesn’t seem to have the same staying power that it did in the winter. I’ll spray it on and fifteen minutes later, I can hardly smell it. Maybe it’s just me?
I’ve had issues with the longevity of TG, too – I solved it by using the “spray until wet and then air dry method”, coupled with a spritz on my clothes and one in my hair.
Thanks, Cynthia. I’ll try that!
Wow. I find it a powerhouse.
Hi, Robin,
I store it on a shelf in the light. Will not storing it in a dark place make a difference for a bottle less than 6 months old?
I don’t think so, and anyway, perfumes don’t usually get weaker when they spoil…they just start to smell “off”. I’d try asking someone else if they can smell it after you can’t — it’s possible you’re just getting olfactory fatigue and it’s stronger than you think it is.
Thanks!
SOTD: Eau de Fier (finally got some!). Gosh, I may have finally found an Annick Goutal I like! It’s fabulously gasoline-y on me — very similar to SMN Nostalgia but more wearable. And apparently discontinued, sigh…
A little decant of Le Labo Poivre was a bust, though… I liked the initial pepperyness, but the drydown is like Patchouli 24 amped up to nausea-inducing levels — really cloying vanilla. Oh well, at least it’s only 5ml of this pricey mistake instead of a full bottle!
I love it too! I hear you can still buy it in Paris, but I haven’t confirmed.
If the powers that be want to outlaw oakmoss, I’m just going to go to teh Bay in search of more vintage juice. Can anyone here recommend vintage chypres that are worth seeking out?
Jean-Louis Sherrer-not too expensive($20’s)
Deneuve-expensive($100’s)
Mitsouko in the box with yellow stripe has oakmoss
Vintage Chanel 19
Histoires de Chypre
Chypre de Coty (probably pay $150)
Caron Alpona
The Party Manhattan (this isn’t vintage)
Grin by Ayaly Morial (I’m sure she uses real oakmoss)
Aromatics Elixer (just get an older bottle)
Givenchy III
Vintage Miss Dior-an absolute must!
Very nice list. And I’m going to pop in and second the Grin; I have it in roll-on, and love to have it for travelling. Puts a smile on my face every time…very green, not sweet.
Patou’s Colony is another great chypre, also unfortunately discontinued, but it shows up on the Bay. Also, Rei Rien had it. Don’t let the notes scare you (pineapple is one) – it is NOT fruity or sweet. Great for summer.
I must ramp up the fruit. I absolutely get pineapple out of Colony. Loud and clear. But Mitsouko goes all peachy on me, too. Hmm; maybe that’s why I can do the hardcore chypres with relative ease…
I have a sample of that I should try… I have more samples than I do free skin space, these days.
Tell me about THAT, sister!
Today I am wearing Hermessence Vetiver Tonka. I’m not crazy about vetiver but I do like it if it’s done well. So far this is the most “well done” vetiver I have ever smelled. And I was a little afraid of Vetiver after trying Miller Harris’ Vetiver Bourbon.. but this is beautiful! Also I am just about to purchase a full bottle of Diptyque’s Eau de Lierre… boy, do I love this scent! Oh my god, I tried it before and long time ago I wanted to buy a bottle… but You know how that goes… Now I just got another sample of this… the only thing I can say I should have bought a full bottle of Eau de Lierre looonggg time ago! I adore Ivy note… That’s the reason I really like Gramercy Park or Marc Jacobs Icy splash he used to have… But Eau de Lierre is just so gorgeous with it’s peppery and green notes. And it’s not too aquatic, it’s just percect. One ingredient more or less in this scent, and it just wouldnt be the same… it’s perfect the way it is, not too complicated, simple yet so beautiful!
I love Vetiver Tonka too 🙂
SOTD: Chanel No. 5 Eau Première – magnificent beauty. Perfect for this in-between weather. The day started all sparkling spring and has ended cold, blustery, and wet.
Latest surprise: the new chemicals at my pool seem to add a leathery-skank note to all my Chanels that is only perceptible after a couple of hours of drydown. (Yes, I shower after swimming, and No, eau de chlorine never completely goes away on the skin…) Usually it’s never been a huge problem for me. Swimming pool smell reminds me of myself in the best possible way, so I usually accept it’s presence underneath all the beautiful perfumes I wear these days. But something new has crept into the pool chemicals. It’s not entirely awful…but certaintly strange.
Question: Is Ormonde Jayne only available at their own website (save the samples available at TPC)? This is a line I’ve not had the opportunity to try yet and let’s just say I’m very curious :).
Wow, you can tell I’ve spent the day writing when I can’t seem to adhere to simple grammar rules. I even managed to invoke my own pet-peeve, “its” vs. “it’s” – ACK!
APOLOGIES!
Hey M, yeah, it’s a bummer but OJ is only sold by OJ. they do have a nice sampling option at their site (still a bit spendy though) ….I have a couple of their fragrances and I can send you samples….you’re on one of my splits? or I owe you samples or something–I know I saw your name on a sticky note here somewhere in this abyss of deepest hades that is my desk …..
Oh, <3 <3, Daisy!
Could it be bromine instead of chlorine? My extremely generous neighbor who lets me use his pool adds bromine, and it smells slightly like sulphur to me.
Wearing fragrance is always tricky for me on the days that I go swimming. I try to avoid ones with really delicate notes for sure. I noticed that the fragrances I wore the last time I swam got a bit of a low smoke type aroma to it – but I don’t remember what fragrance it was. I know it was the chlorine – I try to wear really simply orientals on the days I swim that can fight off chlorine skin! I love swimming, but I love fragrances more!
You know, lilydale, it could be bromine. All I do know for sure is that whatever it is, it is definitely new to my pool because I’ve been swimming there and wearing perfume for several years now and I only noticed it recently with the Chanels.
Ann – yeah, perhaps I should be ashamed on this blog and in the company of all these perfumistas to say that I think I love swimming *more* than perfume. Obviously I would never want to give up fragrances (and I won’t unless they suddenly cause asphyxiation or some such, in which case probably the smell of chlorine would do the same thing), but I know for sure that I would never, could never, give up my swimming. It is my “life force,” keeping me sane one lap at a time, and it’s a source of great creative inspiration. Weird, I know.
SOTD Eau de sick
awww, so sorry…. hope you get better quickly. 🙁 I hate sick days.
Thanks so much. My daughter and son both have the flu and of course mom gets it too.
I seem to have some sort of flu too…hope we’re both better soon!
sorry to hear that Robin! hope you feel better really soon.
Oh, how awful! As much as I love to see spring on the way, I hate the changeable weather for that very reason. It seems to bring on the sick.
Everybody is sick down here because spring heralds allergy season. Most things don’t bother me unless it is so high you can actually see particulate in the air (oak). I am sensitive to pecan and we just had a pecan tree removed and I am so happy – not a single watery eye so far. It was half dead and hasn’t produced nuts in a few years and it really needed to come down. Now the oak trees have more room to grow, too.
Thanks guys!
SOTD: BPAL The Unicorn. Best in the spring, and good lord do I need spring here in Alaska, if only on my wrists and in my hair.
Oh, you’ve still got a wait, don’t you? For that matter, it’s pretty cold here today too.
SOTD is Missoni Acqua. It’s probably still a little too cool for it, but I wanted something light & beautiful for the boring a.m. business meeting today. It just relaxes me. I have two fruity florals; this and Badgley Mischka. Sometimes, I just want that modern style. Badgley Mischka is much warmer with bigger sillage.
Hope the meeting wasn’t *too* boring!
Today I’m wearing YSLs BodyKouros which I bought unsniffed on the basis of reviews I’d read elsewhere. As has been mentioned many times already, don’t buy unsniffed! While I can wear it, there’s (to my nose) a band-aid smell that I don’t like.
Oh, sorry 🙁
SOTD: Manoumalia. I’m sad I lost a bid on some vintage magie noire parfum on the bay. 5mls went for $183, I only had an extra $80 dollars laying around left from my state income tax refund. I consoled myself with a wee little sample of it from TPC along with samples of vintage Guerlain Apres le Ondee edt, and Vintage Chamade parfum, a decant of Wild Hunt and some Ava Luxe Nude Musk perfume oil. Maybe it’s best I didn’t win and buy something untested that’s as love/ hate as that witchy babe. Sour grapes and all.
Vintage MN is one wild trip, I say. I have not smelled the parfum, but I have some vtg edt that Just Blows My Mind. Can’t wear it too frequently, or I don’t concentrate on anything else…
Sickpuppy – I hope you see this. I have a FB of Wild Hunt water perfume but it just doesn’t work on me and I think it needs a new home. I think I might have a travel size absolute of it as well. Email me at julia941 at yahoo if you (or anyone) is interested.
SOTD Bulgari Black. Still cool here some days, although sunny.
SF SNIFF TRIP!!! The date is set for May 22nd. Anybody who hasn’t been getting my emails for details or anyone who wants to join us email me at matadecoco2001 at hotmail dot com.
A guy came by to look at work spaces in my building who is a nose! We had a little bit of conversation about the IFRA stuff. I hope he moves in – I will happily be his guinea pig!
Wish I could join you in SF!
Me too!!!
I was wondering if anyone of you have tried the iunx line by Olivia Giacobetti. Im travelling to paris this spring and will make sure to check them out. Are they still available at hotel costes?
I understand they are, but not sure how much of the original line is still made…you’ll have to tell us! L’Ether was my favorite.
Hello.
— MASCULINE assistance
I am reading this blog/site for a while but I haven’t decided what masculine fragrance to buy for my incoming wedding.
From what I smelled on local shops I came with these:
1. Giorgio Armani – Acqua di Gio
2. Lacoste – Pour Homme
I didn’t like any Gucci I smelled.
Can anyone help me with a must-buy perfume for this special occasion?
I like sweet perfumes not strong ones (like aftershaves).
— FEMININE assistance
For my fiance and my mother I bought in past and they liked: Gucci Rush, Stella In Two, Kenzo Flowers.
There is something else I should try in the same niche?
Kenzo Summer Flowers / Stella Nude / Gucci by Gucci?
Thank you,
AB.
This sounds like a perfect project for Monday Mail. See the link on the site.
Yes, Monday Mail! I think we’d all love to jump in and offer recommendations, but I know that I would want a little more information about when the wedding is, and what kind of fragrances the people you’re buying for already like.
Please check out the link, it would be fun!
West99 – I think that the Parfums de Rosine Rose d’Homme is about the living end rose-woods-classic fragrance for a man. It is just perfectly warm, rosey, yet subdued – very sensual and romantic. I have a small decant that I wear but I also have begun putting little spritzes on my husband. He tolerates me, lol. I can’t recommend it enough, especially for a wedding. It would smell good all the time, except when a real eau de cologne is called for!
🙂 ITA!
Hey, great minds!! 😉
Thanks Anns.
During my online searches I found that ‘Parfums de Rosine Rose d’Homme’ can be found under 2 forms:
1. classic 50 ml bottles / hard to find in UK shops, available for international delivery
2. small glass bottles – 2/2.5/5/10 ml / pretty expensive compared to bigger sizes; 10 ml price = half of 50 ml price from the 1st category
I could name the shop where I found the 2nd category of products but I do not think it is allowed but I think you know as it is advertised on this site :).
Can you help me with this situation? 🙂
west99, I also hope you will look into the Monday Mail. It would be a really fun challenge for everyone to think of scents that suit you all and work together! And best wishes!
Thank you all!
I know about Monday Mail and also about the fact that only few people are chosed to receive an answer from this great community.
This is why I chosen this way for a guaranteed and fast answer, considering that the wedding will be on 1st of May this year and ordering/receiving fragrances from UK to Romania (place where I live) will take around 2 weeks.
I will make a try on Monday Mail ;).
Oh, no, we print almost all of the MM requests…a very few people were not a good fit because they either had already tried everything or weren’t at all able to say what they liked…but 99.9% of requests get printed.
That said, given your time requirements not sure we can help you in time.
Thank you Robin for you answer.
If the MM would not fit into my timeline, at least the experience I have got with this community will help me in choosing by my own an perfume.
I will be glad also if the MM will be chosen for review for a later date since my preferences for an perfume will be the same, and will help me in making a list of ‘must buy’ products.
Thank you,
AndreiB.
West99: Since you like Acqua di Gio and prefer something a bit “sweet” instead of like an aftershave, maybe you can sample the following:
Terre d’Hermes
the new Voyage d’Hermes (only sold from Hermes boutiques now, I think)
Something from Diptyque or Acqua di Parma brands.
I also like Vento di Fiori from Bois 1920, an Italian brand.
For your other question, I like Kenzo Winter Flowers more than Spring Flowers. I have heard good things about Flower Essentielle. I also think many of the women’s Hermes fragrances are very good.
Yes – flower essentielle is lovely – v v good.
Thank you, Joe. 😉
SOTD – lacoste pour femme – bad day to try it I guess bacause I can’t smell it due to colds. Honestly, who gets colds during summer? Bummer.
Question – Will attend a friend’s briday shower in May – What would be the best perfume – or perfume related stuff to give her? Sadly, will have to ask for “mainstream” stuff from y’all as niche lines are mostly not available here.The bride to-be is the epitome of Miss Goody Two Shoes – and very very conservative (so no kinky stuff for her). Im thinking that if I get her something “too sensual”, she’ll not use it at all. =(
Oh, I think Monday Mail would be a good option for you, too. What’s your price range, what does your friend usually wear? That sort of info would be helpful.
This is the first time that I’m attending a bridal shower so I really have no idea what to give, or what people normally give on such ocassions, except for the usual kinky/lovey-dovey stuff. . I usually just ask my friends what they like to receive as a gift (bday etc) but since this is a surprise party for her, Im stuck with actually *thinking* of what to get her.
Price Range: I can spend around $45-$50 for the bridal shower gift and another $45-$50 for the actual wedding gift. $100 translates to around Php5000 here)
What she’s like: Miss goody two shoes, sings in church choir, is marrying the 1st (and last!) boyfriend (since college!). 27yo. Petite and thin. She normally just wears calgon or the usual VS stuff, some D&G Light Blue & Clinique Happy (told ya – mainstream). Not too experimental (but I’m really itching to get her some new stuff)
Shelley – Chanel No 5 eau Premier would totally fit the bill for classy mainstream. Then I’d say Rose the One – good well done basic rose accord on nice soft musk base. Simple easy to wear but still pretty.
Rose the One fits my budget – will check that out. Might get the Chanel for myself though =p
Thanks AnnS!
Absolutely –great suggestions!
No 5 Eau Premiere is really, really lovely. I think I preferred Flora by Gucci to Rose The One, though, and those seem to be at similar price points.
Will check out Flora by Gucci too. =) Thanks!
Yes, Flora is good too – I found it not so awful when I tested it. It has a very pretty bottle too.
Just came back from the esxence exhibition, where I tried some new releases:
-l’AP Nuit de Tubereuse: a green mango hit me on the head;
-Penhaligon’s orange blossom: beautiful soliflore, on my to buy list;
-Vero Kern new Edp: very passion fruity. But good news the perfume conc prices are lower now!
– Nasomatto Nuda: nice, but…
-Andy Tauer Orange star: nice but not “me”;
-Byredo Tulip: it’s Byredo, so definetely not me;
-Bruno Acampora: how the overwhelming oils transform into beauty when diluted. Very different. Fell for two of them.
Biggest disappointment: couldn’t smell the osmotheque perfumes(no one there), and l’AP new tubey;
Biggest surprise: none, but will go back there tomorrow for further inspection. Thought I could share my first impressions with you all!
Great rundown! Thanks, Zazie.
Jealous that you got to try the Orange Star! I’ve been waiting a long time.
Orange star is quite orangy, ambery and incensy( sorry for all the ys!); it has a common footprint with other AT’s- I thought of Incense extreme and a bit of l’Addm, though it has its own personality.
The new packaging is cute, the samples are smaller but I like their new design too!
Yes! Thank you —-now I’m practically frothing at the mouth to try the Penhaligon’s orange blossom (eagerly awaiting a decant of scented night stock) …..and strangely eager to get hit on the head by a green mango! 😉
Daisy – I have some OBs I need to send you then if you are jonesing for OBs right now: Laura Mercier’s Neroli, Villoresi’s Dilmun and then Caron Nocturnes. Have you smelled any of those???
I haven’t tried any of those 3 ……that’d be fantastic….now what do I have to return the favor? hmmm…..let’s discuss!
Ditto to all of this post.
Sorry! Referring to Daisy’s eagerness to try the Penhaligon’s and her curiosity about the green mango.
I’m jealous of your Night Scented Stock decant… just very curious about it, but not enough to buy a full decant. Let me know how it is.
I’m sure I’ll be able to spare a dab for you dear….sniffing is so much better than hearing…
So all you got out of the new L’A tuberose is mango?? Eek. (I still want to smell it, though. Lord only knows when it’ll show up in the US.)
Mals, I’ll be brave and go try it on skin tomorrow. On paper I got lots of tuberose, with that typical greenery, and a very recognizeable tropical fruit note. I really seem to be ubersensitive to those kind of fruits, like melon or passion fruit, and I don’t like them, so my first negative impression is very subjective!! The bottle is very cute though 😉
Oh yay, can’t wait to get hit on head with green mango!
Go layer Sur le Nil with Carnal Flower or Fracas or something. LOL 😉
Wow – I missed the party yesterday, but what a lot of good reading this morning! It’s better than reading the Saturday Morning Paper for sure.
My breakfast scent is the AT Maroc Pour Elle – just so warm and sunny and sensous. ANd yes, I love that crazy hippy vibe. I have nothing else really interesting to say but I am dying to read the Prix Eaux Faux entries when they are posted!!!
We have far fewer entries than I expected…unless we’re going to get an avalanche right before the deadline.
Well, that surprises me – I figured you’d have tons of them. Maybe all the real crazy ad launches are scaring people off?
Could be! We’ll see how many we get over the next few days.
Ann, I got my decant of Maroc p Elle the other day and we had a luscious almost-hot day here and I wore it as well. Total hippie vibe I think (I started getting scared by it after sampling it again AFTER committing to the split), but today in the sunshine and heat it was awesome!
Yes, elegant hippy, lol. It is not something that I think I could always wear as there are a lot of normal people who would probably wrinkle the nose at that gorgeous patchouli. But it is just about the best thing ever on perfect summer days, or days that I *wish* were perfect summer days! And of all the scores and scores of fragrances I own, my husband really likes this one…. b/c it smells like his favorite record shop, read: hippy incense.
I sometimes wonder if you’re hyperosmic to patchouli somehow, because this one certainly doesn’t scream “headshop patchouli” to me. There’s something about the jasmine that combines with the woods to remind me of something very Indian, like davana flower and nag champa incense or something. But there’s something about it that just blooms in the heat. I think it falls on just this side of wearable, where L’Air du Desert — though a masterpiece — is more often than not just Too Much.
Paloma Picasso
Knowing by EL
Okay so the above two fragances were supposed to be in reply to j_lunatic and to expand on Dixie’s great list. I thought I pressed all the right buttons but obviously it didn’t work!
Since someone else way up there had the same glitch, I think I’ve figured out the problem. Instead of clicking on “reply to this comment” first and then logging on, log in first and then decide which comment to reply to.
My SOTD: LL Coral Flower. Not totally in love with the scent but had to have the bottle!
Yes, that’s true! I wish I had an easy way to move comments to where they ought to be.
Like AnnS I also missed the party- was at the movies watching “The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo”. (Which I can recommend to anyone who has read the book). I am now having an enjoyable Sunday morning reading everyone’s comments. It is autumn here but you wouldn’t know it, weather is very warm so SOTD is C & E Nantucket Briar, lovely for an Indian summer type day!
Loved the book. Is the movie graphic?
There are a couple of scenes which might be described as graphic but I thought it was in keeping with the book. If you’ve read it you’ll know what to expect and in Australia it’s rated MA15+ so you can’t see it unless accompanied by an adult if under the age of 15. It’s less violent than a lot of films are these days.
Thanks so much! Can’t decide if I want to see it or not. Graphic violence bothers me much less on the printed page than in movies.
OK, I’m sure now one is reading at this point but I just had an extreme perfume find at Marshall’s – Eau de Shalimar! I think this is the stuff before Shalimar Light, which is discontinued, right? Can’t wait to try it. There were 2 more bottles (75ml for $40) I can try to grab if anyone is interested. Also, a EL Private Collection Tuberose Gardenia set w/ perfume and body lotion for $60 (they had 2 or 3 of those – I didn’t get one as I’m not a fan of tuberose but I know people like that one a lot) and EL Brasil Dream for ladies for $20. I picked up one of those myself. What a day – I wasn’t even going to go in since I’ve spent so much lately on splits and such.
No, Eau de Shalimar is after Shalimar Light. Still worth a shot, but it’s a cleaner version.
After I posted this, I looked around and saw this available online for about what I paid, so not quite as exciting as I first thought. Oh well!
Sorry!