The usual open thread routine: talk about anything you like — the perfume you’re wearing today, the perfume you miss because it's too hot (or cold?) to wear it right now, the fragrance you're saving your pennies for, whatever.
Or, ask a question about fragrance, then see if anyone else has asked a question that you can answer…
Note: image is Gerbera con Vista Al Cielo [cropped] by Javier Volcan at flickr; some rights reserved.
I was making up some samples yesterday and as of this a.m. I am still sporting a combination of Jicky, Mitsouko (both in extrait) and Mahora. Surprisingly, they all went together pretty well, especially the Mitsouko/Mahora combo. Who’d a thunk?
I’m getting ready to go the grocery store before it gets too much hotter (heat index to 107 today!) and I think I’ll go back to the Mahora today.
Have a great weekend everyone!
We’re expecting nasty heat too, but next week looks like it will be nice.
We have the heat here too and I would never have thought of Mahora, but I’ll try it today. Thanks for the idea!!
I don’t think it’s on too many people’s radar. Even though it’s full of white flowers, I find it more subtle than you would guess, and it never becomes over-powering or too sweet. It doesn’t have the usual Guerlain base, which I’m grateful for in this oppressive heat.
Yes, I did wear it and felt beautiful all day! It’s surprisingly light, just like a veil of white flower beauty.
Well – I wore Mahora yesterday when it was nearly as hot, and I loved it! There’s a gorgeous tuberose barely hidden behind the classical structure. For those who have trouble with the opening but love white flowers, the heart and drydown are well-worth waiting for! I’m so glad you like it.
YEA! Another Mahora lover! An under-appreciated gem.
Oh dear… I have a mini bottle of Mahora and thought it was lovely for the first, oh, five or six hours, and then the drydown was just hideous in a way that I can’t even describe. I got queasy and had to scrub…
Anybody want my mini bottle? You might have better luck than I did with it.
Hey Mals,
I’ve been on a Guerlain kick
and would love to try Mahora on for size.
If the offer still stands , I will take it.
Some Guerlains are winners and then there are some horrid losers on my skin, I don’t like to gamble except when it comes to perfume!
My email is zebra_cupcakes@yahoo.com
Key indicator your fragrance obsession is starting to infect those around you: Your 5 year old daughter demands that she wear Le Labo Iris 39 every morning to school. Sad but true (sad because it’s so damn expensive).
So, just wondering if anybody else’s child has gravitated towards a very unlikely perfume in your wardrobe?
I don’t know about unlikely…but my own 5 yr old has been begging for her own decant of Etro Anice for about a year now. I snagged a bottle off *bay, so she’ll be getting some for her birthday next month. She always likes to smell whatever I’m playing around with, though.
Yep, I’d classify Etro Anice as ‘unlikely.’ Well, in the respect that I wouldn’t expect a 5 year old to be wafting a scent that smelt suspiciously like she’d been drinking from a bottle of Ouzo! LOL. But in saying that I just received a decant of Anice and like it a lot and I reckon you’re 5 year old would be the best smelling kid in the playground!
Being a good little Finn, she is quite fond of salmiak (salty black licorice candy), which is why I don’t find it so unlikely. 🙂
oooh I am a good little Finn toooo then
I’ve been considering getting a sample of Etro Anice. maybe I will next time I order Aedes samples…someday…
Oh, Boojum, I’m addicted to the little Dutch licorice cats, and I’ve been curious about the salty licorices. I’m sure they’re an acquired taste, but I have a feeling I could acquire it fast! Any brand recs for salty black yummies???
Haunani, I’m Swedish and I don’t know which brands you can get internationally, but I think Fazer has international distribution. It’s a Finnish company and their salty licorice cats are great.
Thanks, Helle. I will start a list and look for them. I know Amazon sells some brands, and that’s easy shopping!
Haha, I’m not one to ask. I’ve never liked black licorice, let alone black licorice containing the primary ingredient in toilet bowl cleaner. 😀
Now, Fazer chocolates, on the other hand… 😉
Hi Haunani,
I’m Dutch. I have some salty licorice. I don’t know where you live, but maybe I could send you some?
That’s nice of you, but I’m in the US! Perhaps you could tell me the brand you recommend?
1. Venco, hard or soft mild salted or double salted
2. Euroshopper
3. Kruidvat (Kruidvat is a discounter) hard or soft mild salted.
In the past there was also a double,double salted.
Thanks! I’m guessing the beginner should wait to try the double or the double double salted? 🙂
Yes, I guess that is better. But be carefull especially with double salted, as it pushes the blood pressure.
Yesterday’s SOTP: Vintage Guerlain Vol de Nuit from samples just arrived in the mail. Today’s SOTP: Probably Histoires de Parfum 1725, because cool anise and lavendar suit what’s promising to be a day in the mid/upper 90’s here in NJ.
And why my comment chose to post here instead of at the bottom, I shall never know. Maybe because HdP 1725 wanted to be grouped w/ the licorice. Sorry, all.
Perfume with a mind of it’s own! I think I’m scared…. 😉
Vol de Nuit is so lovely! Hope the 1725 keeps you a bit cooler today…it’s going to be a hot one here in Michigan too…looks gorgeous out the window this morning…but I’m sitting in my climate controlled house with a fan for a nice breeze, thus enabling me to completely ignore the heat! I thought about doing yard work….but I’m hoping that urge will pass. 😉
Guerlain Vol de Nuit is on my must try list, but I haven’t see it here. Maybe I will be able to buy a sample in the future.
hmmm….I don’t suppose you are in the US, are you? Of course a couple samples in a small padded envelope wouldn’t be requiring forms (at least I don’t think it would) so if you want to drop me a note at Daisyloo82 at gmail dot com I could send you a couple 1ml vials (got to keep the packet under 3/4″ deep) —the Vol de Nuit that I have is vintage though. Which makes it wonderful smelling , but difficult to find if you love it. 🙁
Hi Daisy, that is very kind of you, but I live in Germany.
LOL — she has expensive taste!!
Aww, haha. Very cute!
14 y.o. daughter yearns for Red Flower Cardamom Amber oil. Her favorite perfumes are L’Artisan Tea for Two and Jo Malone Red Roses.
My 14 yr. old loves rose perfumes also but wants them to be fresh, realistic. Is JM RR like this?
I think JM Red Roses or CdG Red Rose would both be nice….trying to think of another straight up fresh cut rose….maybe some of the Rosines depending on what she might like as a background note. Of course the best straight up rose perfume in the history of rose perfumes is Montale Highness Rose….but that is very spendy. Oh, another very nice rose, is DSH Tea Rose EdP and if she likes it a little spicy then Arabian Rose Edp.
Daisy , weird you talk of Montale HR because I had a sample of that and she went through it QUICK.
She did like it but your right- much too spendy.
I haven’t tried the others. She doesn’t really like rose with too many other notes, she doesn’t want synthetic smellin’ either.
mymy whatta picky lil’ girl!
Wonder where she got that???! 😉
hmmmm that *is* a mystery…..lol
Highness Rose is amazing….if she loved that then I would give serious thought to picking up some DSH Arabian Rose. I think the 30ml EdP with fixative (makes it last longer) was something like $56. My daughter loves a true rose fragrance as well and loves Highness Rose —we did a lot of comparing and sniff testing between the two—in the end J decided she prefers the DSH Arabian Rose, so that is what she ended up with a bottle of. Dawn offers a couple different sizes so a perfume purchase wouldn’t have to be a long term commitment. If you decide on the Highness Rose—then you need to check out theperfumeshoppe dot com Naz (the owner, who is a lovely person) has the best price…and last I knew, the only other place to get HR is directly from Montale in Paris. (but I haven’t been looking at this in quite a while so maybe it’s other places now)
Tamara – Have you tried Annick Goutal’s 2 roses? her Rose Absolute , which is a pure, sheer rose and Ce Soir ou Jamais (I’d recommend the edt since your girl is only 14), which is also quite a lovely rose scent. I think you will find a very helpful writeup (by Donna?) on Perfume Smellin’ Things. Ce Soir, in fact, can be had for a bargain at a lot of discounters. (I can send you samples if you haven’t tried them yet….)
From DSH, you may also want to give American Beauty a try. I find it very sheer and true, and another is Beach Roses which I’m not familiar with but sounds like it might be suitable for a young teenager. You’ll find them both in the limited edition page of the Parfums de Beaux Arts side of her website and she sells samples.
No OperaFan I haven’t tried any of those yet but as soon as I’m done with SAVING FOR THE TAUERS (that was for you Mals!) then I will look into them so thanks.
I guess I could get the samples for her now but that is just cruel and unusual punishment to me- getting my daughter some when I’m forbidden not too.
She’s gonna have to wait . 😉
Yes, keep SAVING FOR THE TAUERS! if you are living off samples for a few months then she can too! Fair is fair. Let me go see if I have your email address….I can send a few pretty rose samples to tide her over for at least a little while.
Oh, glad to be of service… 🙂
Interesting – she obviously likes her florals! I looked up the Cardamon oil on Luckyscent and it sounds very nice. I’ll be mentally filing that one away as a potential future gift for someone.
And Tea For Tea is one of my favourite scents but again a far cry from the drugstore Barbie sprays young ones normally take to! She’s got great taste!
A very kind split host put some Mauboussin EDP in my package. My 4 year old daughter has claimed it as her own along with a sample of Tendre Madeleine,
awww, too cute! And nice picks for a little girl too…she has good taste. Now beware (and start saving) because she reminds me of MY daughter who, by 16 , was probably the only girl in the high school regularly wearing Chanels, Amouage, and classic Guerlains to school. 🙂
…taking over the world, one tiny perfumista at a time!
Very classy 4 year old, Scentred!
I forgot to add, and I’ve been waiting for an open thread to ask this, I tried Guerlain’s Idylle last week and on my skin it smelled suspiciously like Guerlain’s Plus Que Jamais. Has anyone else noticed the similarity?
I’ll have to test side by side, but in my memory, Idylle was much more floral and in a higher pitch than PQJ.
You might very well be right as I didn’t test them side by side. I was just going from scent memory, which is usually pretty accurate. I think our skin is fairly different though, but I’m interested to hear your opinion if you do test side by side.
Guerlain’s Idylle is similar to Sarah Jessica Parker’s Lovely and Narcisso Rodrigues for Her. I am waiting to try all three at once to compare as soon as I get my order in.
Happy [HOT] weekend everyone! New favorite perfumes: Lubin Gin Fizz [vintage is the only one I’ve tried and I have it in the cute opaline bottle, from the 60’s I think], Like This [waiting until Fall to wear it regularly, but sampled it finally the other day and it was instant love – even the maple syrupy dry down], Nuit d’Tubereuse [ sampled yesterday and I’ll be going in on a split. I think this one is wearable all year, any season. The tuberose note is very fleeting on me – it’s kind of a spicy, greenish scent and it’s quite lovely]. The most recent orange blossom worn, in my quest to sample them all, 88 OB Scent. Very nice – along with Penhaligon’s and JM’s – I like these three so far. Oh, and I also recently got another bottle of vintage Chanel no. 19 – the eau de toilette this time. That’s some beautiful stuff. For you NSTers along the East Coast – what will you wear this weekend to help you feel a little cooler?
Oh, jealous of the No. 19… that vintage edt is gorgeous! I got some in a split earlier this year, but should keep my eyes open for a FB.
Boo, my Eau de Toilet I just got is a little 1/2 oz. size, but when I get some pipettes, I’ll at least make up a sample for you so you’ll have a little more to hold you over. 🙂
Oh, don’t do that! I have a 20-ml decant; that will hold me until I can find a bottle, certainly. It’s just the rare occasion when I can see a drastic change between vintage and current, and greatly prefer the vintage. So eventually, I’ll want to find a bottle.
Vintage No. 19 edt is Da Bomb!
I know Mals, I absolutely love it! I only recently discovered it and it knocked my socks off.
Rustic!!
I just now, at this very moment received your package.
THANK YOU SO MUCH<3
I appreciate it from the bottom my heart.
It has made my day.
Your handwriting is so pretty too!
Thank you dear 🙂
Oh good T – glad it arrived safe & sound!
And I forgot to say – I was compelled to send you a few things in the hopes it will satisfy some cravings and help you to save up for the URC. 😉
Rustic you doll baby you! 🙂
Thank you once again and yes any perfume helps my lemmings, I’m trying very hard and so far so good.
Oct. is so far away though……… 😉
I cannot wait for my Tauers!
I usually avoid eBay, but my recent infatuation with several hard to find fragrances won my reticence…and I won an auction for a vintage 30 ml bottle of vol de nuit extrait, 1/4 full.
When I received it, though, almost all the content had spilled, because of very poor packaging precautions (it might have spilled even with a more secure package, but still, a tiny piece of scotch was the only protection).
I was also very sad to see that the alcohol had completely ruined the “vol de nuit” logo: to my surprise it was not made of metal, but was more like a sticker that was falling apart because of soaking in the juice leaked.
What kind of feedback would/do you give in case of poor packaging?
Is the vol de nuit logo really just a sticker or I was given a dupe?
Thanks… I knew I am no good dealer… 🙁
Oh, what a shame! I would try emailing the seller before I left feedback and see what they are willing to do to make up for it.
What a shame. I’ve won four such bottles (and telling myself that I do NOT need another!) and every one has been fine. I am so sorry that yours arrived damaged. I agree with Robin – I would definitely email the seller and hopefully you will get either a replacement or compensation.
You know, I won it for 35 euros, so I don’t care much about the money.
And I knew that a travelling bottle might spill a bit, or that the heat could damage the juice… or that my box could get lost/damaged.
I took all this into account, and wouldn’t hold the seller responsible for these mishaps…
What upset me was that no precaution was taken to secure the bottle: the cap was wobbly (the scotch had no use, really) yet no effort had been put in place to secure it.
The bottle was in a larger box, and except for a tiny sheet of paper, there was no other wrapping and it just wandered freely in the box, spilling all around the precious juice… Well, at least the crystal is not chipped!
I don’t want to damage the seller with a negative feedback, but I was quite angry…. well, I’ll email him, and tell him to treat vintage Guerlains with due respect, in the future!
I’m so sorry Zazie!
That must have felt awful for you.
Truth be told, that is why I’m scared to try #bay in the first place.
I hope the seller makes it right.
OMG! this is just making me sick! What a waste!
Zazie–you do need to contact the seller! A monkey could have done a better job of packaging than that! I don’t care if it was only 5 euros, this person should know they did a very poor job, and they should compensate you in some way! If they do something to make it better then you can give good feedback like “good communication , very helpful ” or some such…if they do nothing then you need to give accurate feedback as to the poor packaging, damage and refusal to do anything about it….that is what feedback is about! If they do not help you —open a dispute with paypal, you could very well get all your money back.
DEFINITELY contact the seller.
I am very surprised about the logo being a sticker. Is your bottle the “airplane propeller” bottle (the iconic VdN bottle) or some other style? I have a 30 ml bottle of VdN extrait. It is not vintage, having been bought at Nordstrom about 2 years ago, but it is in the propeller bottle, and the logo appears to be metal (although I suppose it could be metallized plastic). It is definitely NOT paper. I do have a 1/4 oz. bottle of VdN that I bought ~15 years ago, that does have a paper label, but it is not in the propeller bottle. It is in a bottle that is the design used for Jicky. At the time, Guerlain was using that bottle for all their 1/4 oz. sizes. Guerlain has used paper labels for some of their other scents in larger sizes. My vintage (at least 30 years old) 15 ml Shalimar bottle (inherited from my grandmother) and my ~15-year-old, 30 ml Apres l’Ondee extrait have paper labels, but I really thought VdN always had that metal logo with the propeller bottle.
It’s a 30 ml propeller bottle, the model that corresponds to the current 60 ml extrait bottle.
The round vol de nuit label on my bottle looks like metal where it is not damaged (and looks like metal on the pictures of the seller too). But in reality it is a rather thick and robust paper with a silvery sheen/effect on the exposed surface. If it wasn’t for the spilling I think I would have thought it to be 100% metallic.
If it was made express to fake the lack of the real logo, it was really well done. That is why I think it might be authentic after all… But of course I don’t know for sure: the only VDN extrait I met in person was a cubic tester… and it disappeared all too quickly from the shelf.
That’s too bad! Recently happened to me with a bottle of vintage Jolie Madame. I left the leaking, stained, messy bottle in the zip lock it came in and snapped a photo and emailed photo to seller (with very polite message stating problem and what did he advise?) and he said to return it and he’d give full refund including postage both ways. Which he did. This is clearly the sender’s fault — and most sellers will do whatever necessary to have good feedback. Good luck!
I bought a bottle from a seller, and it completely smashed before it got to me. He didn’t wrap it at all; he merely slipped the bottle into an envelope. I couldn’t believe it. When I expressed dissatisfaction and requested a replacement or a refund, he replaced my purchase. I left him a good review.
Definitely contact. Clearly the seller isn’t used to handling perfumes. They should refund the money, but even more, they should learn the proper kinds of handling and packing if they are ever going to sell perfume again. One tragedy is heartbreaking. Two is criminal!
No scent yet today, maybe I’ll go with Guerlain AA Laurier Reglisse, haven’t worn it in a while. I haven’t found anything new lately that really blows my socks off.
Scent I’m looking forward to wearing again: SSS Champagne de Bois!
I love Laurier Reglisse, great choice for hot weather!
Prudie – do you not like CdB in the heat? It has been one of my go-to’s all summer.
I’ve been longing for it so I wore it the other day, but I remember thinking it was too heavy and musky. Might have to try again.
I don’t think there’s musk in CdB. It’s not a listed note, and Laurie once mentioned it on her blog – alongside 2 other very popular scents which she said contained musk, but not CdB.
Perhaps the labdanum/sandalwood combination that Laurie uses?
I just got a bunch of Annick Goutral samples.
Myrrh Ardente smells like a rootbeer float. I like it.
What are other rootbeer float-ish perfumes????
I don’t htink we have rootbeer here, what does it smell like? Is it different from ginger beer?
It is very different from ginger beer, though I am terrible with descriptions and can’t think of anything to compare it to.
according to wikipedia, rootbeer uses sassafras root.
I tried another perfume with myrrh and I thought it smelled like rootbeer too (but it didn’t have vanilla, so it didnt smell like a rootbeer float)
Krok –have you tried SL Douce Amere? As Boo says farther down in the comments it has a definite root beerishness. I have a bottle and would be happy to send you some to try if you’d like.
you can email me at Daisyloo82 at gmail dot com
Daisy what you said about your horse was very sweet and endearing. I’ve never had my own but always wanted one.
Horses have such souls don’t they?
You can look in their eyes and see it.
I live out in a lil’ ‘cow -town’ and everybody has pastures with horses,ponies, cows, llamas, goats, minature donkeys.
I go on my runs on a killer horse trail and see beautiful ones all the time….I’m glad you have such a precious memories of Sassy.
thanks Tamara, I’m sort of an “animal person” although I only have a dog, cats and koi now. When I was growing up we had 25 or so horses, some cows, geese, ducks, chicken….and really anything that wandered in was pretty welcome to stay (my parents had a touch of the hippy thing going on). The horse I miss the most is Sassy because she was just so darn cool….she was so like a person…only better: because she was a horse! 😀
Oh but I am also.
I have always loved and needed to be around creatures, just now I’ve traded that in for four daughters and a construction worker hubby. Creatures in their own right for sure! ha 😛
I have my two kitties but need a dog, where I live we can’t have one..so weird because I grew up with cats, dogs , birds , fish galore and now my girls only know of Kinky Boy and Biggsie, our cats. Animals are better than most people sometimes..<3
It can also be called Sasparilla. Which is more fun to say anyway. 🙂
You think so? I think sassafrass is more fun… so we used that as the name for our parakeet (way back when). Good name for a noisy bird, don’t you think?
oOo budgies! I love them so. That’s a great name for one indeed.
I meant more fun than saying rootbeer. I didn’t see the sassafras post before.
Ooh! I considered calling my kitty sassafras when she sashayed into my life last August. She soon informed me her name proper was Ibis, though.
as a youngster I had a red sorrel mare named Sassafras —but we always called her Sassy….and she was 🙂
She lived to be 40 years old, and was without a doubt the Grand Dame of the entire stable. Smartest horse I ever knew.
40????!!!!! 😮
I know…Sassy was one tough old broad. Started out life out in Idaho as a “cow pony” , never forgot her trade either. You could point out a cow who was straying and that was it….just like a sheepdog, she’d head right for them, circle around and herd them in…the person was just more or less along for the ride. She was several years older than me and the first horse I ever rode. She was also the first horse J ever rode when she was 3. Sassy was extremely careful with children …would walk reallllly slow …it was funny to see. She just knew. It was a sad day when she left. 🙁
I don’t know where you live, but “root beer” is most commonly available in North America. If you can buy a soft drink called birch beer, sarsaparilla or sasparilla, those all refer to beverages very similar to (or the same as) root beer.
Ah, thanks, I’m in Autsralia, and we have it as sarspirella. Howvever, I can’t think of any perfumes like that at all, so after all thaat my inexperienced nose is of no help whatsoever.
Oh wait, Purple Patchouli has a kind of ‘dirty cola’ element, which is the best I can think of.
It seems a few people compared the new Vamp à NY perfume by honoré to rootbeer. But I have never smelled/tasted rootbeer, so I’m not of much help…
Serge’s Douce Amere was definitely rootbeer on me. More specifically, rootbeer popsicle. 😀
well, now I gotta go sniff it…..
hey! you’re right ! it’s quite rootbeer-y !
Hypnotic Poison smells like rootbeer to me.
Yes! That’s it – HP totally smells like root beer!
I liked Hypnotic Poison until my boyfriend’s brother said it smells like a baby diaper bag. I assume he meant scented baby products and not feces. I hope.
Annick *Goutal
scent of the day is my sample of Musc Nomade
I LOVE Musc Nomade-it’s a wonderful comfort scent to me.
I like Myrrhe Ardente too and also get the root beer connection. Can’t think of others other than those mentioned except for Moschino Couture which has a cola smell to me (in a good way)! So does Escada Collection but that one is ultimately too sweet for me.
I was testing Myrrhe Ardente last week and really like it.
You should try Acqua di Parma Blu Med – Mandorlo di Sicilia.
Givenchy Ange ou Demon EDP smells like root beer.
Funny, I just realized I must like the scent of root beer because I have Escada Collection, Moschino Couture and Ange ou Demon!
Trouble by Boucheron smells like root beer to me as do Hypnotic Poison by Doir and the somewhat hard to find Fever by Celine (not Celine Dion)
In The Guide they describe Guerlain’s Quad Vient la Pluie as root-beer iris.
I had a sample of that and for the life of me could not figure out the “strange” note, have to try it again and see if I get Root Beer (which I love btw).
I bought a bottle of Boucheron Trouble and then a friend commented that it smelled like root beer, and I could never bring myself to wear it again. I don’t know what they might have in common, but this is definitely another root beer smell-alike. I had to give the bottle away!
too bad at the time you didn’t know that I loooovvveee rootbeer. You could have given it to me XD
I’ll see if I can obtain it somehow.
I get root beer from SL Tubereuse Criminelle — that’s one darned expensive A&W!
SOTD is No 19, just got a mini of the parfum. It is completely different to most things I have. Its really cold here now, I think this will be even better in the summer, reminds me of streams of water for some reason. Need to decant into a spray bottle though, I hate splash bottle with a passion, they spill and you either get too much or not enough. Anyone know if this is as nice in the eau de parfum?
Also have to say I recently bought a bottle of vintage miss dior, and it is gorgeous, sorry, this is the only place I can say that and not be rewarded with a polite ‘that woman is crazy’ smile.
I have some vintage Miss Dior too — wonderful stuff.
I guess at this time of the year it is not about the fragrances I am saving to buy but the ones I am waiting to TRY! 😀
I am excited about trying Bleu de Chanel , Van Cleef & Arpels Midnight in Paris Pour Homme, Nautica Oceans, Dali’s Salvador Pour Homme and Ted Lapidus Black Soul whenever I can get my hands on them.
Other releases I want to try are Biotherm Homme Force, Le Vetiver de Carven (carven is opening a store here, so I am hopeful they’ll bring it)
And that is not mentioning any female or unisex fragrances OR discontinued products hehehehe! 🙂
I smelled the Bleu de Chanel on a card today — not a good way to test, but I was not impressed. MJ Bang was surprisingly interesting though. Will have to try them both on skin later.
I guess my expectations are too high for the chanel hehehehe
I saw the video on Bang, all that talk about pepper really turned me off.
Now that you liked it, my curiosity is piqued.
The top notes are VERY peppery. It might get boring later, I don’t know…didn’t keep the card very long.
I just came back from a short vacation in the South of France. There is a gorgeous perfume store in Cannes which carries all the major niche brands. I tried some of the Malle scents as they are really hard to find here in Germany and I completely fell for Bois d’Orage (aka French Lover). I didn’t buy a bottle though because I need some further testing. Has anyone had the chance to try this one?
Welcome back, you lucky lady! Bois d’Orage is on my “to test” list; sounds wonderful. I hope others will chime in with comments.
Haunani, I am curious if you like it – maybe we can get back on it on one of the next open threads. On me it was all about incense, I couldn’t get my nose off my wrist. 🙂
Sounds very promising!
On me it had the cedar/lemon kind of feel that Vetiver Extraordinaire has, but just with less vetiver. Honestly it reminded me of the smell of a cigar on a shirt you’d worn out the night before. I could totally get the “French lover” aspect in that way, like you’d been out on a date and the remnants of it are still lingering the next day.
SOTD is Chanel No 18. The EDT is a great choice, because I get to refresh after I go outside to walk dogs (stroll around in any shadows is more accurate)…. The best thing about going outside is coming back in!
Yes, stay in the shadows today!
Oooh this is very timely as I’ve a bunch of things to share. First things first, though:
Attention Daisy :p and all other Amouage fans – there’s a new one coming out this autumn and I was lucky to try it earlier today. It’s called Memoir and, as usual, there’s a men’s and women’s version. The men’s is a fresh anisic which I thought was just okay.
The women’s one, though, is gorgeous. It’s a of smokey, incensey plum/prune. There’s something from Ubar in it but it’s nowhere near as bright. It’s lovely and plush and will be just the ticket for autumn. The SA had them in plain glass atomiser bottles with handwritten labels on them so I’ve no idea what the packaging will be like, I’m fantasizing about deep purple!
I didn’t read that… I didn’t read that… I need a vacation… I didn’t read that…
I agree Boo! So far the few Amouage’s I’ve tried have given me a headache – the only line to ever do so. But this one sounds worth suffering for!
I seem to get that from SMN, which is too bad. They start out fine, but then grow and grow and grow and then BAM! Headache.
That’s *exactly* what happens to me with Amouage. And I love the scents so it’s a shame.
Lol, maybe you’ll hate it. Else you’ll just have to ask Santa really, really nicely.
Rapple, have you tried Epic? I always think that one smells like a Guerlain especially the drydown.
I agree, I find Epic woman to be soft and round all the way through. Epic Man and Jubilation XXV, the men’s, are close to head-achey to me.
LOVED Epic, but that one gave me a headache quicker than any of the other ones. I sold my decant.
That is SUCH a bummer when that happens and you actually like the fragrance. It must be some ingredient they use, wonder what it could be.
I know! I’m going to try Jub. 25 again when it cools off a bit as I love the old Femme vibe that it has.
Lucky you! Can’t wait to try it! Sounds amazing…
Wow, this sounds fabulous, thanks for sharing! I love how you saw it sitting in a plain bottle with a hand written label. I’m wearing Epic Man today by accident, I thought I grabbed the Epic Woman sample. I’m liking it much better than the first time I tried it – the opening is stunning, but the drydown is still just a little bit too dry for me.
Oh, they had it well-hidden in a cabinet. I got chatting to the SA about the library collection and I think she must have realised that I loved the brand and so she decided to bring out the goodies.
That sounds amazing!
Smoky and incensey is good. I need to get over my fear of Amouage. I had a bad experience with Epic Woman (meaning, I sniffed it and my head swiveled all the way round on my neck, Exorcist style). Haven’t tried any others since.
Oooh. Thanks for the scoop!
Update – after several hours, the drydown is a creamy yet slightly skanky/almost meaty vanilla, similar to that in Lyric. So it opened with a smokey incensey plum, then got more radiant like Ubar and the base is reminiscent of Lyric. Considering the name, I’m wondering if it’s perhaps meant as some sort of retrospective of their work so far? I’m looking forward to reading the official release info.
This is all on paper, btw, because, rather stupidly, I didn’t ask for a spritz on my wrist.
OMG OMG OMG! a new Amouage! and it sounds FABULOUS…..my face feels very flushed right now….and I’m bouncing in the chair…. did she happen to say WHEN this new scent would be available ? OMG this is so exciting….a dark purple bottle would make an excellent addition to my collection…..mwahahahahahaha!
Lol, I thought this one might get you excited 😀
She didn’t know when exactly, just that it’s SHOULD to be this autumn. Should because the library collection was originally supposed to come out in March and they only just got those so who knows.
A dark purple bottle would be fabulous, wouldn’t it?
or blue….I could go for blue…maybe not quite as dark as AT’s new bottles….but this scent at least “sounds” more purple than blue….clearly they need to come out with TWO fragrances , so I can have a purple bottle AND a blue bottle…..that’s not greedy, is it?
I’m just looking forward to trying the Library Collection!
I’m sorry if this gets a bit long but I spent a couple of afternoons this week browsing the fragrance counters so I’ve a fair bit of fragrant excitement. Some of the things that I tried were:
SL Bas De Soie – I tested it a couple of times now as I wasn’t sure what to think of it at first. It opens with iris which has a dry/chalky/mineralic feel to it. With time, what I assume is a hyacinth emerges and the whole things turns more greeny floral with that waxy pollen feel. It’s definitely worth trying, just give it time to develop.
Margiella Untitled – pleasant light green thing somewhere between Bel Respiro and that Prada vetiver.
Womanity – meh, not as weird as it sounded which I thought was a shame.
CdG Wonderwood – either I’m losing my marbles or it’s mostly vetiver, with some pencil shavings in the drydown. Very light and quite pleasant if not hugely exciting.
Re-visited those new Jo Malone Cologne Intense – still meh. Oud & Bergamot is probably the most interesting of the lot which is funny since I’m not really into oud. It’s also the one that’s sold out at the local counter.
Anyway, I was about to head home when I noticed a small stand with discounted items, all reduced to clear. I had a closer look and there were, among other things, a bunch of Carons, L’Artisans and even The Different Company. I found a set of 3x10ml Bois d’Iris travel refills at half price so I grabbed the box and went to pay. That’s when the SA mentioned that everything on that stand was further reduced by another 50% so my 3 10ml sprays were…wait for it….8.80 GBP!!! Of course, I went back for another look and ended up also buying a travel bottle of TDC Osmanthus (£20 instead of 85) and 100ml La Chasse Aux Papillons (£15 instead of 60). Not quite the same as Angela’s bargainous Amouage but I’m pretty pleased with that little haul nonetheless.
Oh and my Cuir De Russie extract arrived a couple of days ago and it is just heavenly. The SA also included a bunch of samples so SOTD is the lovely 28 La Pausa. I seem to be going through a bit of an iris phase.
Phew, think that’s it!
Oh and there were Amouage Opus I, II and III but, luckily, I didn’t adore any of them. My credit card can breathe a sigh of relief for now.
Congrats, that is amazing!
Didn’t you feel so good inside when you got home and went through your lovies??
I love sitting on my bed and sniffing over what I’ve gotten.
Wow- I’m such a nerd.
I know, I do that too. Pitiful, isn’t it 😉
I got samples of Futur, Brigarde Concentre and Fleur de Liane to play with today! also broke down and bought a 10 ml vial of Carnal Flower at *Bay. that should really bloooom in this heat!
Suze, those all sound lovely! Have fun!
Good Lord! you had quite a perfumed week! I hope you didn’t knock the postal delivery person down in an effort to get to your Cuir de Russie? Were the cats faithfully at their post to alert you to it’s arrival? (my cats are often far to busy practicing their ennui to be of any assistance) …I’m so happy for your fortuitous shopping expedition! What amazing bargains! by the way….you smell FABULOUS! 😉
One of my cats (a Humane Society rescue who had been raised with a dog) actually GROWLS at the postman!
Ha! nobody is allowed to growl at my mail lady! She brings PERFUME…we treat her well ! I try to be very nice to all my delivery people…some weeks I see them more than I see my friends….hmm, that might be bad…at least for my bank account!!!
Hey Rapple, did you get a package from me by any chance?
Ha! I missed the delivery the first time because the SA said it should be shipped within 3 days but they shipped it within a couple of hours so the courier tried to deliver the next day while I was out! Turns out cats aren’t much use in those situations 😀
It’s so gorgeous, I’m constantly sniffing the bottle!
I just got a sample of Wonderwood.
I thought it smelled too much like the original CdG. but I haven’t seen anyone else say that, so maybe I am losing my marbles too.
I was disappointed by it. I think i’ll layer it with other things, though.
Nice haul!
CONGRATULATIONS on your bargains!
Ditto this! I would love to find a deal on those TDC travel refills!
Excellent bargains…!! I never seem to find those kinds of deals.. Just where was it that they were virtually giving away perfume…?
Well done! I don’t think there’s a store within 100 miles of me that carries any of those brands. Lucky you!!
Same here Rapple. I have to order samples of anything really interesting online. Abyss is lucky indeed!
I don’t have anything interesting near me, either. I probably could find some if I were willing to venture into the snobby areas here… but I’m not. So ordering it is.
I loathe paying for samples because the costs can really add up and only ever *grudgingly* do it if I have no other choice at all. If I can’t test things at the shop then I email or ring the brand and ask them nicely if they would mind sending me a sample, it’s surprising how many will happily do it.
Terrible confession… I am so phobic of the telephone that I would rather pay. :O
lol Boo! We may be EST’s, but we share that in common about phones! 😀
I’m pretty bad with the phone too (good to know I’m not the only one) so I mostly rely on email although the phone experiences have all been good.
well, I have little shyness and no shame whatsoever…I need to start making some calls!
Lmao 😀 Who needs shame when you can have perfume!
Thanks guys! I never realised that store even carried those brands, I never saw them on display before. Well, I guess they are stopping now and were getting rid of any remaining stock.
Oh and I live in the sticks, away from perfume civilization. It’s about an hour away by train from the big city so I only go there sporadically and it’s nice when making a trip pays off like that.
Nice finds, Abyss. I got a 3×10 Bois d’Iris on eb*y a couple years ago for next to nothing too.
I also got a bit of Bas de Soie this week and I really like it. To me it starts with rooty, slightly powdery iris sweetened with hyacinth, and it becomes more green. It reminds me very much of another scent I like: AG Grand Amour.
Thanks for chiming in, Joe! I’m should really try more of the Goutals as I’m still not that familiar with a lot of their stuff.
Wow, I wish I lived near you so I could hit this sale! I’m on a bit of a buying spree at the moment…
Oh, I envy your extrait…
And the la pausa sample too!
It is just luxurious buttery loveliness isn’t it?
Too bad it lasted half an hour on me. I need to try it again!
Would love to find something similar, with a bit more presence…
You know, I got more wear out of La Pausa than Bois des Iles! Sprayed on fabric La Pausa it lasted pretty well, it’s light but I kept getting little whiffs of it for a few hours. BdI disappears within a couple of hours which is disappointing since that’s another beauty.
I’m going to spend the early part of the day painting outside in the Seattle sunshine wearing either Dior’s Cologne Blanche (almondy!) or maybe AG’s Mandragore (bergamot!)…
Boy, 1ml sure doesn’t last long…is 5ml the new sample size?
Must get second job.
That sounds like a wonderful day! Can I come hang out with you? 😉
Yes, what a lovely, creative and fragrant day you’ll have! It’s too hot here in the Mid-Atlantic today to do much of anything outside today other than water the poor thirsty plants.
5ml really is practically the new sample size. If I don’t like something, 1ml is fine, but if I like it even a little bit, it’s nowhere near enough to appreciate it. Since starting with split groups, getting a 5ml portion has become way too easy (probably too spendy too, but… ).
1 ml for me is only enough for one test (on a wrist, for example) and one full wearing–I can only get two if it is really strong. Since the conventional wisdom is to try something at least three times before buying, I need at least a 2 ml sample to really make up my mind. I would say that actually 2 ml is the new sample. Many of the carded manufacturers’ samples currently offered (when you can get them) are ~2 ml, and the samples in the OJ Discovery set are 2 ml.
I found spraying instead of dabbing really makes a difference too. So now, to really test drive something, I’ve got to have at least 2.5 ml to play with. They are really adding up!
Speaking of sample sizes – things must be getting tough even at Chanel since they appear to have stopped doing those fabulous boxed 4ml miniatures of Les Exclusifs and have replaced them with standard 2ml carded spray samples.
SOTD is Voyage d’Hermès. Have always liked this, but finding now I LOVE this. Would like it to last longer but at least it’s not as fleeting as Escale à Portofino.
Am a bit green with envy after reading about the deal Abyss found-such great bargains!
I love it too. The Parfum does last longer, but I still like the EdT better.
Parfum?! Are you thinking of Terre d’Hermes? I enjoy the edt and parfum of that, but think I’ll stick to buying the edt.
Duh, yes. It’s too darned hot out to keep anything straight. You left just in time, apparently!
Seattle sunshine for me as well. So I’m wearing Mitsouko today. I find that its syrupy peach is especially nice in the summer, warm and well-rounded. Plus it always gives me the sense of pale golden light flickering through trees that we get so frequently in the Northwest.
I’m happy to see so many Seattle peeps on here today.
Today is drop dead gorgeous, everybody is walking around with a air of happiness on such a pretty day.
Well at least I am.
I’m one of those peeps that actually say’ hello’ and ‘excuse me’ and ‘thank you’ with a smile.:)
The sunshine makes me feel glad to be alive.
I’m wearing Amoureuse from last night and even though it kinda twinges a slight headache out the side of my face, ( :P) I gotta say I really enjoy it, especially the honey drydown, it’s lovely!
Maybe the body cream would not be as harsh?
No matter-
I want everybody to know whether anybody cares or not , that another week has gone by and I’ve been saving successfully for my Tauer’s in Oct. ! I’m really doing it!
No minis, decants or samples for me these days.
I will have my URC and hopefully my URV in the fall…..
And I plan on getting L’HB too, that is delicious, love in a bottle to me.
It’s so hard to wait.
Shout outs to Julie and Adela for hookin’ a girl up with some lovely fume’ in the mail, thank you dears very much!
<3 Tamara
Congrats on your frugalness this week, Tamara! It will definitely be worth it in the end.
It is truly hard to wait and save but it WILL be worth it. 😉
It’s been almost a month of saving,
I have 2 and half more months to go!
Mantra to repeat as necessary: SAVE FOR THE TAUERS, SAVE FOR THE TAUERS…
I know I already said that to you. Sayin’ it again, just in case. 🙂
Mals KEEP tellin’ me, I need to accomplish this and see it through!
SAVE FOR THE TAUER’S.
Has anyone else out here had to save for so long to acquire something they love to death?
I can’t wait to tell you all that I made it
and that they are home and on my neck, wafting around my face.
Oh happy day!
I am also saving my pennies for a perfumed reward: chamade extrait, which I absolutely adore.
It actually makes me feel good to wait and “deserve” my purchase.
I will value it more, in the end!
(BTW, I must be the only one hating chamade’s heart-shaped bottle… Too girly for me! The other Guerlains have a much more appealing packaging…)
We will rejoice with both of you when you attain your heart’s (nose’s?) desires!
No perfume for two days now due to a nasty migraine. I feel naked without perfume! Stupid headache… *grumble*
I feel for ya. 🙁 That’s dreadful.
So sorry to hear that. My boyfriend gets them and those days are no perfume days for me.
Feel better! Those are the worst…
Oh dear, get better soon!
a TWO DAY migraine? EGAD! I’m so sorry! they last about 8 hours for me and leave me feeling weirdly out of step with the rest of the world for a little while and exhausted….so I can’t imagine how horrible it is to have one for so very long! Oy! Hope it’s a distant memory tomorrow.
Aww, thank you all! I’m finally getting better this evening. I get migraines from time to time but this one just wouldn’t quit. Thank goodness. I’ll be scented again tomorrow. Hope everyone is having a great weekend!
I’ve had migraines that have lasted that long, it’s no fun. I used to get them 4 or 5 days a week, so in a way they blended all together into a week long migraine-fest! Too much fun for one person to handle.
Glad you’re feeling better!
I was hanging out with some friends last night and told them of my little perfume obsession. Most of my friends have maybe 1 or 2 bottles of mainstream stuff. So I was explaining about samples and blogs and such and the guy was incredulous – “There are blogs about perfume? What can you write about smells?” My boyfriend had the same reaction when I told him about it. I guess it is hard for people to understand writing and reading about something so intangible like a smell, but everyone here does it so well!
That’s why we need each other! And why need our wonderful blog writers.
Ask them if they feel the same about food, cuisine, wine blogs. How can you write about tastes? How can you write about visual arts? Funny how the idea of scents being a world unto themselves like any other sensory experience is so foreign to many people.
I also have encountered ignorance about how scent blogs could convey anything tangible to us.
And why would anyone even be interested?
I stop trying to convince at this point because when someone
reacts like that I don’t want to waste the energy trying to give them some imagination.
Don’t they know perfumistas are artists, writers, poets, people that can have such ordinary , mundane lives but that perfume helps us feel alive and appreciate the world we live in?
To everyone else I’m just a stay @home mama going back to school this fall but the ones that know me the most intimately know that I am a dreamer and that perfume can be the most sensual, wonderful experiance one can have.
IGNORAMUS. 😛
Tamara, you said it all too beautifully: how perfume adds a spark in an apparently ordinarily daily life.
It is exactly how I feel about it!
Thank you Zazie! I know right? People that don’t understand are really missin’ out………………
And don’t smell as good.;)
BTW keep saving too, we can do it together!
Can you believe I’ve never tried Chamade or ANY Guerlain extraits??????????? (gasp) I must remedy this very soon! *sigh*
But not until I have my Tauers. 🙂
The comparison with food and wine is especially apt because so much of what we think of as taste is really smell. I think a large part of the lack of understanding is related to the fact that perfume is not a necessity. You have to eat and drink something (so you may as well try to eat and drink things that are enjoyable), but you do not have to wear any perfume at all. As far as visual arts, those are more tangible and durable. If you buy a painting or a sculpture, you can expect to own it for a lifetime, no matter how much you look at it. That bottle of perfume, however, has the perverse habit of disappearing, and the more you use and enjoy it, the faster it disappears. Perfume has neither the necessity of food nor the longevity of visual art, and therefore comes across (to the uninitiated) as the most frivolous of arts.
LOL! So true! My husband gives me room for this little obsession since he blogs about drag racing (tires, transmissions, all that exciting stuff!)
At least we SMELL better!
Ugh. Hate that. I showed up to a friend’s house for dinner not long ago after having bathed myself in ELd’O Like This at the store, and murmured some apologies (because by the time I arrived at her house, the scent had turned into something less than social). She then gave a very long diatribe on how much she hates perfume and thinks its a waste of time, money, etc. “After you put on shampoo and conditioner and soap in the morning, don’t you already smell fine? Who needs more than that?” Um, me!
The scent she finds most offensive? Coconut. It’s so ubiquitous, but to me largely inoffensive.
Me: wow, even my conditioner smells like coconut.
Her: (face smushed up, nose crinkled): and you *like* it?
Me: well, I like what it does for my hair. I don’t worry about that smell because I know I will mostly be overriding the scent with perfume.
In the end, we had to change the subject. I was more than a little offended.
I’m curious what kind of “less than social” smell Like This turned to on you? To me it just turns to a very maple-y immortelle scent, but nothing funky or musk-skanky.
Ooh, a diatribe about why perfume is a total waste of money would be hard to listen to. I mean, in theory, I can see it seeming totally frivolous, but so are hundreds of other commonplace money-sucks in modern daily life.
People have talked about a playdoh note in there, and it was a very powerful sweet playdoh smell… combined with something a little like burnt plastic. A definite headache cloud around me, and anyone I sat next to.
She did in the end admit to only wearing/owning the same scent that her mother and grandmother wear: L’air du Temps.. and only wearing it 2 times a year. *Yawn*
My father would have been there nodding in agreement. He hates all scented things, most especially coconut, and is endlessly harrassing my mother about everything from her hand soap to her deodorant. She tried and tried to find things he’d find inoffensive, but in the end, it turns out they don’t exist.
E, that just tangentially reminds me of a favorite New Yorker cartoon, in which a woman is telling another couple:
“It started out with lactose, now he’s intolerant of /everything/.”
http://tinyurl.com/2ww7klx
Did your friend have anything on the walls of her home? Paintings, photos, art prints, anything like that? If so, you could have asked her why–after all, aren’t the walls of her home finished nicely–textured, primed, and painted (or wallpapered or paneled?) Who needs more than that? Now, I will concede that light fixtures, clocks, thermometers/thermostats, barometers, and calendars all serve a practical function or give useful information, so they are understandable, but pictures do nothing but look nice–how frivolous is that?! What’s that you say? Pictures look nice and break up the monotony of a plain painted wall? They make the room look more interesting? Well, perfumes smell nice and make the air around us more interesting. Perfumes serve the same function on our bodies that paintings, prints, and photos do on our walls. They add ornamentation and provide sensory pleasure.
Very well said!
OOOO– that’s good! Mind if I borrow that argument? A friend of mine who is always complaining about money and it “soooo broke” clearly thinks my collection is a waste of money….and yet she has sketches by some famous artists gracing her walls…..one I know she paid over 5 grand for in auction (Picasso no less!) I just take a deep breath and ignore…..
WTF!
Well I suppose to each their own.
Everyone values things differently and I can see someone thinking ‘that’ was worth it but our obsession is not.
Still……..I don’t like having to explain to people that it truly matters and means something to me .
Pffffft.
They don’t get invited to my house to play with my fume’.
I have no idea what I’ll wear today. I’m finding that scents are dissipating way too fast in this weather, and its making me angry. It’s tempting to wear something hella heavy, but that’s proven itself to be the wrong (very wrong) answer. I love the warmth and the sunshine, but I want my perfumes to last beyond noon.
Just keep spritzin’, sistah!
My skin tends to eat perfume anyway, so summer just makes it worse. I know what you mean about the heavy scents–I have tried that too, and it was a major mistake. The heavy scents don’t really last longer, they just are more intense during the three hours or so that they take to burn off. I am pretty well resigned to the fact that perfume does not last all day on me. I have taken to making decants of my scents and carrying the decant with me so I can refresh my fragrance during the day. I bought some of the 5 ml spray vials from TPC, and I have been very pleased. They have metals sprayers, not plastic, they do have caps, they are a nice slim shape that fits well in the small zippered compartment in my purse, and they do not seem to leak. I used my label maker ($20 at Target) to print labels for them.
LOL! In this weather, my scents *only* last 8 – 10 hours compared to the usual 12 or 16 (or overnight in many cases).
I’m the same way. It’s the rare perfume that lasts more than three hours on me, and I make up 5ml pursers for just that Eason. On the plus side, it does mean I can wear very different scents over the course of a day, which I like.
It’s too bad we can’t average out our skin. Even the lightest scents last all day on me, so if I wear anything during the day, I can forget about testing anything in the evening.
Same problem here Boo! There’s no such thing as wearing more than one scent in a given day.
Well, perfume doesn’t stay on my skin either. And the heavy perfumes, same as 50_roses. Cool water woman stays all day, but I don’t like it……….
You might try an oil-based perfume, if you can find one you like. I know many here have stated they do not care for perfume oils, but they do seem to be longer lasting. Oh well, at least there are consolations–(1) I can change my scent for evening, as my daytime scent is gone by 6 P.M., even if I have refreshed it at midday; (2) I can change yet again for bedtime, as the scents I like to wear to sleep are not the ones I like for daytime; (3) if I really, really hate something, I CAN get if off my skin. A shower will remove all traces of perfume, no matter how strong or vile; and (4) since I necessarily go through more perfume (due to the need for reapplication), I have a good excuse to buy more of it!
I too have scent devouring skin and tend to feel sorry for myself about it, but I especially like no 4 on your list of advantages 🙂
50 Roses, you know, of course, that you are a GENIUS.
50: You described exactly the way perfume performs on my skin. Some things last more than 4 hours, but they’re rare… and often they last because I get a bit on my clothing. I love to refresh at midday. And sometimes I can smell a scent hours later if I press my nose against my arm, but there’s no sillage coming off of it at all. I can’t imagine still smelling a perfume after sleeping all night! I even moisturize well after a shower too, so it’s not a matter of skin being very dry. So interesting.
It’s funny how scent lasts and lasts for some people and simply disappears on others. My skin is oily, so it is not a dryness issue. I do not use a deodorant soap, so that is not it either. I wonder of some of us just have skin that produces some sort of deodorizing enzyme that breaks down fragrance. I often spray scent in my hair as well, but even there it does not last more than 4 to 6 hours at most. O often apply some at bedtime, and I never can detect it in the morning. I guess maybe I prefer my problem, though, to the problem of having it last too long. I really do feel for anyone who has tested a real scrubber and cannot get it off.
My skin is extremely dry and fine, with very tight pores, so maybe one of the reasons (there may well be others) scent lasts forever on me is that my skin doesn’t absorb any of it.
And you’re right – it is hell not to be able to get a scrubber to scrub off! Ironically, I’ve found the best thing to use (although it will only remove about 1/3 to 1/2 of the smell) is olive oil.
SOTD is Tom Ford Black Orchid (I watched “A Single Man” last night and felt I had to wear Tom Ford today!). Not what I’d call a hot weather scent at all, but it’s blooming beautifully in the humidity and I’m loving it, in a different way than I did in winter.
Jill, what a coincidence! I watched “A Single Man” last night too. At the beginning when George got dressed–could you identify the cologne bottles on his dresser? I couldn’t.
That is a coincidence, Suzy! Those bottles caught my eye too (of course!), but I couldn’t figure out what they were either. I’m sure they were something very particular with all the attention to visual detail in that movie!
I haven’t tried that one yet, but the Voile de Fleur does just the same in the humidity. It’s not really my style normally, but in just the right weather, it’s about perfect.
Interesting, I’ll have to try that one in the hot weather as well, I have a sample of it.
I love VdF – the original BO (I love saying that, it makes me laugh) was horrendously mildewy on me.
Wonder if I am super-sensitive to earthy/mildewy notes? Nuit de Tubereuse I find almost unbearably mildewy for half an hour before it settles down. And I hate hate hate earthy patchouli.
Speaking of earth and (possibly) mildew…just got some CB I Hate Perfume samples in the mail (thanks to TPC’s disastrously tempting sale last weekend) and that Black March (or whatever it’s called) is really too too…I don’t know what.
Someday we should post on great scents for Halloween…
Have you ever read Kevin’s classic review of Serge Noire from fall of 2008? His recipe for ” All Hallows Eve SlopPot-pourri(TM)! ” almost made me fall off my chair laughing!
Slop-Potpourri made me laugh too, but Serge Noire — after many cases of making my eyes pop out of my head — has become a scent I really enjoy!
I actually prefer Black Orchid in the heat, because it really brings out the earthy truffle note that I love best.
And now for something completely different: I am doing an assignment on perfume advertising for my visual communications course and am in need of some cold facts and figures about the perfume industry and the perfume advertising business. Anyone have any good sources to suggest (printed or online)?
I’d look at Basenotes. Seems as if they cover the industry. also I think Women’s Wear Daily has some business coverage.
I liked Chandler Burr’s The Perfect Scent and The Emperor of Scent, and of course there’s Luca Turin’s Perfume Guide, and The Secret of Scent, which was good but pretty technical in parts.
Yes I do, I have also been doing an article on related topics. E-mail me, cfreeland9999@yahoo.com.
Thanks, I’ll check them out :).
SOTD is Amaranthine which I’m wearing in attempt to break my *addiction* to Nuit de Tubereuse! I’ve been wearing it 24 hours a day.
Tonight I’ll be wearing eau de mosquito repellent. I’m volunteering at a music festival: blues, beer, barbecue…sweat and mosquitos.
Sounds like a fun evening, except for the skeeters. I think NdT and Amaranthine are two of the most addictive fragrances ever. Not sure why, but I get cravings for both of them regularly.
I’ve been wearing my large sample of Nuit de Tubereuse quite a lot lately, in attempts of breaking my addiction to Amaranthine! I got a FB just weeks ago and I love it to pieces… NdT is green and spicey and refreshing in comparison, but it’s not love, yet. Have fun tonight!
LOL, Helle. They are both intoxicating scents and addictive. I agree Haunani. Congrats on your FB of Amaranthine. I’m getting a FB of NdT–the decant level is dropping quickly!
My NdT sample is running low as well… it IS an addicitive fragrance 🙂
Just the opposite here. I have a bottle of NdT, but I ran out of my Amaranthine decant. Unfortunately, I love them both!
I’m not wearing anything today, but yesterday I was wearing Britney’s Believe. That was the first time I’d worn that scent all day and even by the end of the day I was still not sure if I really liked it.
I’d been wearing Burberry The Beat all week and wanted a change of pace for Friday. I actually like The Beat much better after wearing it a few days. It was something I got as a gift of sorts through work and when I first smelled it and I didn’t care for it, but it’s growing on me now.
I am scraping my pennies together for Balenciaga Paris. Right now that’s my HG of fragances.
The Beat really grew on me too. I think it’s very nice and have used quite a bit of my bottle.
The bluebells in it make it such a happy perfume, I went through my FB years ago, it’s like a spicy tea isn’t it?
I find it a happy perfume too! Yes, there’s a spicy tea aspect to it.
SOTD- Not sure yet. I jsut got my bottle of Liz Earle in the mail (I’ll be emailing anyone who wanted a sample today) but its promising to be a scorcher in the valley today, so I’m thinking I need to wear something lighter- maybe Atelier Gran Neroli.
Has anyone else taken advantage of the 1+1=3 sale at Possets? I”m eagerly awaiting my package! I ordered High Tea, Isabelle (from her new Dark Matter line) and Lamp Black. I might order again, its such a good deal, 3 oil perfumes for $20.
I am trying to take advantage of the 1+1=3 sae, but I keep getting hung up at the total $$$$$…..any suggestions???
SOTD is Coromandel which I adore. My skin eats perfumes so quickly, though, that I have to re-apply every coupla hours, which is OK because I love it, but gets real pricey after my only decant is consumed so quickly…..
What am I saving up for: a stronger Coromandel! Of course!!
Have you tried Serge Borneo 1834 or CdG Patchouli Luxe? I love all three. The latter two are definitely more potent than the Chanel.
I think you just add two to your basket, then just write in the third you want in the comments box for the order. She also throws in four random samples. If you have any other issues I’d email her, she’s really prompt about answering emails.
I thought the Nobile Patchouli Nobile was a stronger Coromandel – but it’s hard to find.
I’ve had my eye on a few Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab scents (notably the steampunk ones) but I don’t really hear very much about them so I am reluctant to try them. hmmmm *scratches chin*
Many BPAL scents are very nice, but they don’t last on my skin at all, so it doesn’t end up being a good enough value for me. The scents aren’t SO good that I’d just buy more and more if that’s what my skin dictates.
I really do adore black phoenix scents, they are very well done. My two favorites- Dragon’s Heart and Delight do actually have some lasting power, however I do agree that they don’t generally last long enough for me. It’s unfortunate because they are amazingly lovely and some are very original.
Bon week-end, everyone.
I will just say that the high point of my week was getting a sample of the new Tauer — Carillon pour une Ange — on Thursday night, and then wearing it Friday. I love it. LOVE it. It’s so lovely and complex with tremendous lasting power. I would love to know the types of raw materials or aromachemicals Andy uses in his creations; I should start regularly reading his blog. It feels as if his ingredients are so different from what one experiences even in other niche/indie perfumes. So that’s my 2 cents. Keep in mind I really like Orange Star as well, but this floral Carillon is really something else!
Not sure what my SOTD will be, but I see sun. Yay! Maybe Penhaligon’s Orange Blossom — note that I get a bit of a skanky note in there that reminds me quite a lot of Duchaufour’s Amaranthine; it’s a nice surprise.
did you ever get that 30ml bottle of HeWood?
I got an even larger bottle of HeWood and split a lot of it with others. Nice to see you back visiting us!
Andy is so generous with his contests, when I win I must spread the wealth…I’m sorry I forgot you bring the sample of his L’eau d’epices he sent…fantastic!
Don’t be sorry! But what is this L’Eau d’Epices? Something new?
Penhaligon’s OB is lovely! I need to spray it liberally for it to bloom, but then it really does bloom. I agree about the (light) skank in there.
I too like the Penhaligons Orange Blossom. It definitely has a family resemblence to NdT and Amaranthine. They’re all nice flowers with a small but persistent naughty streak. 🙂
I am really curious about the orange blossom. Will have to try.
MUST try the Carillon… off to scare up a luckyscent samp order…(Aw, c’mon now, I’ve been good so far this quarter, only one ebay mini – Coty la Rose Jacqueminot! The early-80s edp. Sadly, the top notes are bad and I haven’t put it on skin yet.)
I didn’t care much for Orange Star. But then, I’m definitely not an OB fan.
You HAVE been good this first month of the quarter. Let me know how you like Carillon if you get a sample. I feel better being ahead of the curve sampling this one, because I didn’t sniff Orange Star until what seemed like two or three months after everyone else!
Oh, so glad you posted this… I had a lingering memory that someone was desperately seeking some vintage La Rose, but couldn’t remember what house, or who was looking. Saw something on *bay this morning, but it wasn’t this, and now I can forget about it.
Oh good.
Any Gilt Groupe fans out there? Their DL & Co sale has been extended, and even though they sold out of about half of what they had, there’s stil a lot to be got (candles only at this point): Angel’s Trumpet, Tiare, Lady Rhubarb, Forget Me Not, Hemlock, Amber, a couple of Art Nouveau florals and diffusers. I’ve already spent way too much, so now I’m passing the disease over to you good folks. 🙂
So, SOTD: SL Louve, which I was pretty certain was going to be too sweet for me (my skin amps sweetness big time). But no! It’s actually wonderful. Add that to the list of SL scents I love. This is getting scary.
Shout out to Daisy, who knows what she did. 🙂
I think I’m too old… that thing simply confuses me. I signed up when someone mentioned it once before; now I just keep deleting emails without reading them, bc I haven’t figured how to stop them coming. LOL!
With Gilt, you definitely have to pay attention to see if any good sales are coming up, and they do cycle around fairly quickly, too. There was just a DL & Co sale a few months ago. It was then that I got a Jasmine and Sandalwood candle that was SO good, I almost cried that I couldn’t really afford to get more at full price. At Gilt, they’re about half price, so I was fortunate enough to be able to stock up this time. But luck is part of it, I just happened to have the cash at a moment’s notice, it’s definitely not always like that.
P.S. For anyone interested: The wax of these candles is so soft and so highly fragranced, that they can double for a solid perfume. Woo hoo!
I would just like to say at this time that I have no recollection of any wrongdoing ….especially any wrongdoing that may cause anyone to spend all their hard earned money on perfume……**whistling** and edging out of the room……innocently….
Haha. I’m having fun shopping around though. Fun until the funds run out.
The discussion about licorice earlier in this thread inspired me to get out my Etro Anice and Guerlain Aqua Allegoria Anisia Bella samples. I had already established that I like the Etro, but this is my first time with the Guerlain. The Guerlain is refreshing, with its citrus component, but I’m liking the spicier, sweeter Etro better. I think it’s time to put the Etro on my wish list!
Just FYI…that one is easily obtainable at great discounts. I got mine on *bay for $45 shipped, but you can just go to Amazon and find good deals there too…also Rei Rien.
Thank you! Have you been taking enabling lessons from our Daisy? 😉
Hmm, maybe; but I don’t look at it as enabling when I’m just telling you where to get something you were going to buy anyway at a lower price. 😀
LOL! And you’re right.
Huh? I do that…assist with shopping….so how come I’m the “evil enabler” and Boo is “helpful”? I mean really, I hardly twist arms at all….anymore…..
Daisy: “BUY IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
😀
ooooo—just those two little words make my heart beat a little faster!
Well, I appreciate all of you. 🙂
Wearing Yosh Ginger ciao,from a sample vial and I really do love it. I usually don’t like coconut in perfume, however this coconut is soothing and relaxing a true summer comfort perfume I would like to try the oil concentration of this… black coconut? Oh no!! that bottle is expensive!!!!!
Yes, you did not pick a cheapie!
The eaux de parfum are reasonable: $110/50ml. The perfume oil = YOWZA!
but it’s good stuff , isn’t it? I find it very energizing.
So, is the sample you have right now the EdP? I have not tried the EdPs, but the oils are VERY long-lasting on me, and I have scent-devouring skin. That little bottle of oil is pricey, but it should last a long, long time. Really, even I need only a tiny drop or two to last 12 hours. You might even just try the sample (Lucky Scent has them for $6 for 0.7 ml, the same price as the EdP sample). If you look at the price of the FBs, the oil sample is underpriced and the EdP sample is overpriced. If you don’t care about getting the original packaging (and I think the bottles for the YOSH scents are rather uninteresting anyway), you could buy just samples of the oils and get it for about half the price per ml of the FB.
the oil samples are m.i.n.i.s.c.u.l.e. though….like 1/4 ml…. the oils seem to end up smelling like….well….oil… the Yosh Edp’s seem very nicely done though.
You can buy smaller decants of it 9the oil) though at The Perfumed Court, and a little bit lasts a LONG time because you need only tiny dabs. I also think I got a Yosh sampler pack once… not sure if those are generally available, but it was a great deal. I don’t think I’ve ever gotten as many compliments/reactions to any fragrance as I have to this one (though people have to get close first, ha ha!).
I have the YOSH sampler pack as well. Lucky Scent carries it–they call it the Sweet Suite–and you get 6 vials for $30.
SOTD: Aqua Motu
I made the mistake of applying mousse on my new short haircut, and it’s killng me with coconut. (Herbal Essences Body Envy)
I remember receiving a shower gel for Xmas that was called a water scent, and sure enough, in the ingredients, it listed coconut. I phoned the company to register my horror. I don’t think coconut should ever be in a fragrance that is aquatic, marine or oceany.
Hair products are forever cramping my perfume style. All of the products I like best have way too much fragrance. Nice fragrance–but too much of it.
And I agree: coconut ≠aquatic
You know, since there are unscented soaps, deodorants, laundry detergents, fabric softeners, lotions, etc.–why not unscented versions of hair products? It would seem that it would be beneficial all around–the scentophobes (perfume haters) surely do not want fragrance in their hair products, since they do not want scent at all, and the perfumistas do not want it because it clashes with our perfume.
Places like Whole Foods do carry unscented hair products. And even most things scented with lavender e.o. (not a synthetic) will only smell very briefly as lavender is a top note and disappears quickly.
I had a feeling there must be unscented hair products some where. I’ll check it out. Lavender is a good idea, too.Thanks!
Rainy and muggy up here.
SL’s Clair Musc was and warm and perfect this morning, but sadly fleeting. I’m a bit obsessed with musks these past weeks (last month it was gardenia). Anyway, I recently ordered a decant of Koublali Khan, and hope it likes me.
Now, I’m alone, indoors, so applied a very generous amount of Tabac Blond for myself to enjoy. God I love this stuff. I noticed recently how much it smells like Mitsouko, which I’m happy about, since Mitsouko is so much less costly.
Oh, too bad…CdM lasts pretty well on me. Hope you’ll have better luck with the MKK.
It’s been an exciting week for me perfume-wise: I tried my first scrubber, grew a tolerance for a chypre and decided on my first niche FB purchase. Happy days!
Here’s what I’ve tried:
No. 19: I was afraid this would be an “old woman powder scent,” but I loved the edt and loved the edp even more. Smells beautiful on humid evenings lounging around at the park.
Miss Dior: I bought a FB unsniffed and later read how this is a classic chypre from the 1940s(?), so it’s not something I would think I’d like, but it grew on me after several wearings and I can see its allure. I can’t say I’m in love with it though.
Diptyque’s Vetyverio: Yummy, but doesn’t last.
Si Lolita: I liked the spiciness, but if I were to get anything from this house it would be the original LL.
Philosykos: FB must-have.
I couldn’t stand Bandit for longer than 10 minutes and went at it with detergent, dishwashing liquid, green tea-scented soap and generous sprays of the remainder of the LL.
I’ve got a couple questions: What smells similar to Vetyverio but has bigger sillage and lasting-power?
And, with another heat wave coming at me next week, which of these would be fine to sample in high temps/humidity? : SMN Classica, Santal Blanc, A la Nuit, Daim Blonde, Tam Dao, Amber Sultan, and Fracas.
Oh wow, those are heavy hitters for sauna-ish weather. I think I could only cope with Tam Dao under those circumstances! (Btw, it layers nicely with Philosykos as well)
So it’s as I suspected 😉 I didn’t get to read about all those in detail yet, but most of them seemed like they were on the heavy side. Oh well, at least I’ve got a good excuse now to order more samples, and save those for the fall 🙂
There are SOOOO many vetivers out there, you’ll be spoiled for choice. You can start with the easier to find ones like Guerlain, Prada or Tom Ford. My two favourites are Chanel Sycomore and Hermessence Vetiver Tonka. Then there’s Lalique Encre Noir, Frederic Malle Vetiver Extraordinaire, TDC Sel de Vetiver, Annick Goutal, Jo Malone, Givenchy…. just to name a few. It seems that most companies have a vetiver in their arsenal these days so you can have plenty of fun exploring them if you like the note.
You’re right, I’ll get on that. There’s so many that I’m just starting to notice. I’ve always glossed over them and went for the orientals because I assumed anything “fresh” or green would smell like a fruit, a flower or Cool Water 😉
I think Daim Blond would also work in hot weather. I wore it once this week (in Houston). The apricot part of it makes it lighter.
I’ll give that a shot. My coworker is on vacation all this week, and I’ll have the office to myself, so no harm no foul 🙂
Dominika: I’m thinking Annick Goutal Vetiver might be one really worth trying for you. Also, CdG Vettiveru, but that also isn’t so long lasting.
That sounds like a good one. I’ve never tried any AGs, but I was thinking of samples because a few others of them sounded nice for summer. And I like exploring one line at a time: it’s nice to pick out similarities between a few scents in the same house
Flipping through the Saturday newspaper, I was pleasantly surpised to find a big fat interview with His Holy Scentiness JCE. Somehow it always takes me by surprise when I find serious perfume-related articles in mainstream publications.
Now I really *must* get around to trying Voyage, the sample’s been kicking around in my bag for a month now.
Oh yay, which paper??
SOTD: Vetiver Extraordinaire. I’m kind of battling it out with Une Rose, Noir Epices, and Musc Ravageur. I just don’t know what to think. I mean I like them all, and I’d happily wear them if a bottle fell into my lap, but they’re all in this weird place. Rose as a note is getting troublesome with me these days (peachy? soapy?) and Une Rose seems anything but dark and angular, and Musc Ravageur feels like Jicky with the spice cabinet thrown in there. And Noir Epices screams rose to me, too, but I do love it’s spiciness. Oh well, the relationship continues!
Jared: I love all 4 of those and own bottles of Musc & Noir Epices. Une Rose is great, but I’d never need more than a small decant because it’s just too much big rose… though very complex and deep and winey. I love so many of the Malle line.
If you’re ever interested in swapping some decants, you know where to find me.
I do! Yeah, the Une Rose is great. It and I are at the same party, eyeing each other across the room with interest, but with trepidation, too. It is awfully big, yes. I can imagine a full bottle lasting a lifetime, although I do love spraying with abandon…
i was in Bendel’s today and i picked up Jasmine et Cigarettes. very excited!!!
Congrats!!
Here’s my latest scent-happy story. I have Chamade EDP in one of those 50ml refill bottles with the sloping shoulders. I’ve been watching eBay occasionally hoping to buy one of Guerlain’s gold canisters for it, but I kept keep seeing the wrong type. (I need the rectangular type, not the round type with round holes). Finally, I spotted one, bid for it and got it! It was a bargain, even with the postage costing a lot more than the item.
I was surprised at how heavy and how well made it is, never having seen one other than in pictures. I suppose I had half-feared that it would be a bit tacky-looking. The bottle fits in perfectly, and oh my – how gorgeous it looks on the dressing table!
So these gold thingos really are worth searching out if you can get one cheap.
What a happy find! I’ve been lusting after those gold canisters, too, though I’d have to also buy the bottle to put in it. I have Chamade, but only in a small parfum.
Congratulations and bravo that your persistence paid off! I’m a big fan of Chamade as well, and this will only add to your enjoyment.
I’m wearing kuumba made’s tunisian jasmine. It’s cheap, and it’s awesome on me. People are following me and asking what the pretty flower smell is. I am in love with this one.
How nice! And I love jasmine, will have to try it.
SOTD — Molinard Iles d’Or Edp. yup, a spicy gourmand in humid 90 degree weather…but I got this unsniffed split in the mail yesterday and I HAD to try it. I like it very much, the first thing I noticed is a striking similarity to Fendi Theorema ! (I love Theorema) Maybe a touch more peachiness…and a bit of cinnamon toast…I put one spray on my inner elbow more than 8 hours ago and it’s still going strong. And I spent time outside weeding flower beds too–I was keeping a watchful eye out for bumble bees and such but they seemed to ignore it. The Edp was available in the “1849 collection ” but I think only in Europe?? So it’s not easy to find–the host of the split picked the bottle up in France and you cannot imagine how happy I am that she did! I’ve seen a newer looking Edt at a few discounters and I wonder how it would be.
I love the name of that one… Golden Isles, isn’t that pretty? I liked Theorema except for that cocoa-ish bit in the bottom (bleah).
maybe I just didn’t recognize the cocoa-ish note? hmmm…so if I’m not smelling it in Theorema, maybe my nose isn’t picking it up here either. I still need to go read what others have said about Iles d’Or…before I do that I like to make sure I do my own sniffing and cogitating first (so my impressions aren’t influenced ) . And I have yet to do a side-by-side.
Looking to take advantage of the BH sale–eyeing the Honore des Pres Chaman’s Party and Honore’s Trip… they sound magical. But not a lot of samples circulating out there. Has anyone tried and can give some feedback?
Much appreciated.
SOTD–Bois des Iles! Got a nice sized decant in a swap, and though it’s normally a sweater scent, who can wait till sweater season to put it on?? Luckily, the heat opens up the woodiness nicely on me and decreases the powderiness of the drydown. Lovely and rich. I say, seasons be damned!
They are cologne style frags, all natural, very very fleeting. Lovely as they are, be prepared to reapply every 15 minutes!
Hmm… I’m all for natural and organic, but at those prices, I can’t afford reapplication like that!
Loved Chaman’s Party, and it was the only one with lasting power (for me).
I was in Las Vegas for a couple of days this past week and managed a quick trip to Barney’s. Quick because my DH was in tow and he’s a not a fragrance shopper.
Purchased –
Cereus Pour Femme No. 3 ( magnolia, citrus, peony, jasmine & musk) .
And Antonia’s Flowers Tiempe Passate – Just adore it and had never tried it until this trip.
Have a good weekend folks.
♥ Dawn
Love the AF TP, and have been meaning to buy a bottle forever.
Today I’m wearing Mahora on one wrist and vintage B de Boucheron. I preferred B for the first few hours but my Mahora wrist is now mashed into my face ahhh.
31 Rue Cambon really worked its magic yesterday for the first time. I had been so carefully hoarding it that I wasn’t using it properly. So I’m going to be free with it from now on and deal wi
Glad to add another Mahora fan to the list!
…with the problem of running out later.
Sorry about that. Issues with the iPod not rendering the send button and displaying my text over the top 🙂
SOTD is Bigarade Concentree (yes, again) Humidex today was over 40C/100F and I was travelling in the car with my family so this seemed like a considerate choice. Well, that and I LOVE it.
MMM… love that stuff… need to get a decant…
Hi all
SOTD is Melvita’s Lime over JM’s Amber & Lavender. Turned out to be a nice combo. Hubby and I went to the theater (Young Frankenstein) I wanted something subtle.
Hot, HOt, HOT today!!! and we were out all day for appointments and shopping. Were we nuts or what? thankfully, we all survived – and an excellent sushi lunch to boot!
For today I chose to wear Un Air de Samsara, and loved it.
Hope everyone on the East Coast managed to survive….
So late to the party….sorry was at the beach!
Don’t be sorry –you got to be at the BEACH! Which is a heck of a lot better than pulling weeds all afternoon like I was! It’s acceptable to miss an open thread for something **good**…..as opposed to cussing out dandelions….
It’s close to midnight and still 86 degrees (heat index 93 degrees!) here in DC. Stayed indoors all day with BK Pure Oud on one wrist and Rose Oud on the other – smelling great IS the best revenge!
Later, I decided to layer Tiger Flag Majmua attar with MAC Naked Honey, which is nice. Tomorrow: melting beeswax to attempt a Majmua solid perfume along the lines of the original sample that March raves about on Perfume Posse. Will report back if this works!
You may already know this, but just in case, make sure to melt your beeswax in a double boiler, or I use a Pyrex bowl set over a pan of water. Good luck! I really want to get a sample of Majmua too after reading March’s ravings about it.
Sunday update: I put beeswax pellets in a small Pyrex bowl and heated it in the microwave in cautious 20-30 second increments to melt, poured in Majmua diluted with grapeseed oil, stirred with a disposable chopstick to blend, and quickly poured the mix into my selected container before it started to solidify.
I used Majmua diluted roughly 1 to 5 (or possibly 8 – I didn’t have a way to really measure) with grapeseed oil (which just happened to be the neutral oil that I had on hand), and a roughly equal quantity of beeswax pellets.
I think March is right that the scent of beeswax improves the Majmua attar. When I first got it, I simply diluted the attar about 1-9 with oil, and it reminded me of straight-up hippie incense circa 1970 (minus the customary ambient cannabis 😉 The beeswax scent makes it more natural somehow. I’ll need further testing to determine whether I’m crazy about this, but it seems nice so far. The 50/50 oil/beeswax ratio works very well. I found that by Googling “how to make solid perfume”.
Rapple, if it ever cools of enough for me to get to the post office – surely next weekend will be better, right? – I will send you some of this – it’s the least I can do, since you kindly sent me the SSS samples a few weeks ago!
Grapeseed oil was the perfect one to use. It has a light texture and naturally resists rancidity for the longest of just about any carrier oil. I use it in my shea butter mixes. (along with sweet almond oil –which is also a great utilitarian type oil)
Interesting – that’s good to know!
Thank you so much! And yes, I’m desperately hoping for a break in this weather. Heat index is pushing 110. That’s just insane! No *gasp* air…..
BTW, what did you think of the SSS samples? Did any of them work for you?
Rapple, I haven’t tested them thoroughly yet, due to weather fatigue, but I’m intrigued by Jour Ensoleille.
Rapple: You’re not the only one. Majmua starts working on my brain every time I read or think about it. Tigerflag is tempting!
Here in Northern Cal have cool weather most of the summer, so I’ve been enjoying both summer and winter scents. Tonight I wore Guerlain Bois d’Arménie and enjoyed it thoroughly! I did wear Eau Première this morning, so I’m enjoying each end of the spectrum. I’ve also just received a decant of Chant d’Arômes, which is making me very happy lately…I could see it being the perfect year-round chypre. I hope it cools down for everyone who’s suffering soon!
I recently received some Hermes samples, including Kelly Caleche, Un Jardin Sur le Nil, and Osmanthe Yunnan and Brin de Reglisse from the Hermessence collection. I fell in love with all four fragrances, but unfortunately I cannot afford to buy them all (especially the Hermessence ones, yikes!) so I’ll be saving up for Un Jardin Sur le Nil.
Don’t forget to check the discounters… you can get Sur le Nil at a very reasonable price that way.
Unexpected nice combination: CDG Wonderwood and Soivohle Peche et Vert. They really compliment each other nicely!
How do you like the Peche et Vert on it’s own? The idea of peach and green scents certainly sounds nice.
It has a realistic fresh peach note, and is”green” without being overly so. My skin tends to eat fruity notes, and this stands up better than most. Liz Zorn is by far my favorite of the “indie” perfumers…hers is a unique point of view, and the line is of good quality. She has a sample program as well.
I’m expecting a delivery of both of those scents (decant and mini) any day now. Peche et Vert really has me intrigued to try!
Good morning, NST! I’m very late to the party here but ah well. This week, I was treated to a bottle of Andy Tauer’s new Carillon Pour Un Ange straight from the marvelous man himself after winning his 5th anniversary draw.
This fragrance is breathtakingly beautiful. It has a very green opening over a faint floral, then briefly moves into a sharpness (pepper, anise?) before hitting a sweaty-hay pitch, and then dries down to lovely dry-floral with all those hints of hay and pepper + a very very light musk. It’s not sweet, cloying or synthetic smelling in the slightest. All of this happens over the course of about 2 hours.
Lasting power is 8+ hours (though sillage decreases significantly after about 3-4 hours, making this a skin scent). For reference, my skin eats fragrance. I typically can wear 2 sometimes 3 fragrances in one day. On fabric Carillon lasts days and days.
NB to my STs/ESTs/and everyone in between: I’ll be sailing through this bottle and plan to PURCHASE another when it becomes available in the larger size next spring.
This a WINNER and bound to become one of Andy’s most popular and best selling fragrances. I hope that you’ll be reviewing this one, Robin!
Big love for this perfume and a big thanks to Andy for his unparalleled generosity! What a man. 🙂
I’m so pleased that it made you happy and want to sing off the top of a mountain! I love LOVE URC and want to love URV.
As everybody knows I’m saving saving saving for my Tauers in Oct. And I have yet to try this, I’m almost afraid too – what if I need this also?????! ha
Congrats MJR, enjoy your new love. 😉
SAVING FOR MY TAUERS.
Ehh that looks better.
It didn’t look normal if it wasn’t in caps.
ha.
Congrats on your win! I’ve just recently discovered a shop here carries some Tauers, so I’ll be sampling them soon seeing as I don’t have to bother ordering them internationally online. You, and a few others here have made that line sound so good… Plus, I’m all over anything relating to incense or Morocco.
Congratulations!!!
Good lord, my drooling has reached a critical level! I can’t wait to try it but I suspect it’s a FB purchase just waiting to happen! Because you know, I desperately need another FB of perfume….
You certainly do, you poor deprived girl…. 🙁
Happily, I have a big, gaping LoTV-shaped hole in my wardrobe… can’t wait to try this!
Thanks so much for the advance review! I’m really looking forward to it.
There’s still that contest here for that same Tauer, let’s hope one of us wins 😉
M: Couldn’t agree with you more. See my note about Carillon above. Can’t wait to hear others’ opinions of it. This is so lovely.
It’s great, and the longevity really is amazing (says he, also of the scent-neutralizing skin).
Also really love the color of your new gravatar, but what is this. I’ll admit to missing green glowing bunny though. I’ve thought of changing my gravatar now and then, but it’s so easy to become attached to one, you know?
Haha, Joe! The minute I changed it, I immediate began missing Alba, Eduardo Kac’s GFP (Green Fluorescent Protein) bunny, too! I’m sure I’ll go back to her again soon! 🙂
Right now, though, I am so drawn to this installation by Roger Hiorns called “Seizure” made with copper sulfate (that crystallized). Here’s more info about the project: http://shapeandcolour.wordpress.com/2008/09/11/roger-hiorns-seizure/
Stunningly beautiful, isn’t it?
I wonder if I can get someone to finish one of my walls like that. LOL. Nice.
it’s beautiful! ….but I kinda miss the bunny too…. 🙁
don’t worry, when you least expect it, kapoweee!! she’ll be back 😉
I loved learning about Alba, and “Seizure” is amazing in an entirely different way. Thanks so much for bring us such fascinating gravatars, Mitty!
you’re welcome! i aim to please… 🙂
MJR: Congrats and thanks for a great review, although I almost didn’t “recognize” you! lol! You’ve made it sound irresistible, and I love the name.
Keeping our collective fingers crossed for tomorrow.
yes, yes. best of luck to all the folks entered in the draw. for obvious perfume-karma reasons, i refrained from entering it myself. bon chance!
Have been majorly busy this weekend with only the most rushed opportunities for hasty perfuming… but have been craving, and wearing, Shalimar Light in the evenings. Don’t know why, just know I’m loving it.
But I’m going to go get a sample of Carillon pour un Ange, very VERY soon.
Has anyone had their Hermes, Un Jardin en Mediterranee go bad? I took mine out of the bottle a couple of days ago and the juice has gone brown. Top notes are off, drydown seems ok. Bought it a little over a year ago. Colour was ok then. In hindsight I think the topnotes were slightly off then as well.
Over on basenotes there were several complaints about this happening. Just wondered if anyone on this board had had the same happen to them. Thanks for letting me know.
SOTD: STANK! I colored my hair so I’m just stanky. I am however very happy to know that if I take advantage of the Parfum1 sale w/ free shipping, I can finally get my bottle of Chergui and move on to whinging incessantly about the next one, which I already have lined up of course, Micallef Black Sea. I really need to get a couple more samples of it to double TRIPLE make sure I can’t live with out it, it’s quite cost prohibitive.
I’m sort of fascinated by Micallef’s scents lately. Has anyone else tried Aoud Gourmet? I’ve given it a solid chance and it’s quite dreamy.
Are you going to get the Chergui? That’s great! I hate to be forced to whine incessantly about one fragrance for too long…it’s good to move on to the next one! hmmm….although that might be the mentality that has my perfume cabinet overflowing…..and that can only mean ONE THING! yes, that’s exactly what I was thinking: that I need a BIGGER perfume cabinet. 😉
oops, hit the button too soon! Yes, Micallef Aoud Gourmet is one of the nicest ouds I’ve tried. Great stuff!
Sweetonpink, I did the same thing with Black Sea. I have a new second sample, but I’m pretty sure I’m going to need a bottle! 🙂
Isn’t it just amazing? The drydown on me is very sandalwood-like, although I don’t see sandalwood listed in the notes. Just last night I ordered an extra vial of it along with all of the other Micallefs available at Luckyscent that I haven’t tried, including the other Seas. It was a strictly Micallef order, and I must say, I’m SO looking forward to this sniff fest!
Yes, going for the FB of Chergui! I might as well, I know I will wear it often and it’s a pretty good deal. I tried to get it thru BH, but it doesn’t look like you can even buy SL through them online at the moment. So much for their sale fitting my needs. (boo!)
Oops sorry, this was in reply to Daisy, above.