The usual open thread routine: talk about anything you like — what perfume you’re wearing today, the first fragrance you'll buy in 2011, whatever.
Or, ask a question about fragrance, then see if anyone else has asked a question that you can answer.
And of course, wishing everyone a very Happy New Year! I am taking a short break (again) — I'll be back on Saturday Sunday (sorry, still resting!).
Oh, and the quarterly damage poll is coming up on Tuesday, so do count up those receipts.
Note: image is Lucky Charm Omamori by timtak at flickr; some rights reserved.
Been on a Guerlain kick lately, wearing Coriolan today. My favorite is Heritage EDP. Almost wore Dzing but changed my mind.
Oh, and Happy New Year to everyone!!!
And to you!
I’m wearing BtV’s Pure and Vibrant – liking Pure a lot and not liking Vibrant.
I probably should know, but can’t think of who BtV is?
I am not sure, but it could be Boedicea the Victorious?
I was wondering the same thing, googled it and this is what came up.
Happy New Year!
Oh I’m sure that’s it, thanks!
Only scent so far is a combination of errant spritzes from making some samples for swaps getting mailed out today – Bond No. 9 New Haarlem and Guerlain AA Herba Fresca. Yes, it is an odd combination! It’s a chilly day here in San Diego today, so will put something cozy on later. Happy New Year to everyone!
That does sound like an odd combination!
Happy New Year, Robin, and I hope you enjoy your very well-deserved break!
I’m wearing a combination of Casmir, Il Profumo Patchouli Noir, and bacon
:0D
and have two warm cats curled up on my legs.
Hi T – Though I rarely post I about it, I almost always wear bits of several scents, too. Yesterday I wore Chergui (usually I just do a drop, this was a bit more and it is still with me), Diptyque Eau Lente on the other side, also still faintly with me and a spray of Britney’s Curious In Control on the back of one hand (funny name on so many levels!) from a tester at Kohl’s. (Adds in a whisper – I like the Curious In Control!).
I’m sure many think it’s strange, but I’ve learned more about my fragrances by wearing them with another than I would if they were worn alone – brings out notes I wouldn’t have guessed and fits so many moods, lol! Happy new year!
Hi springpansy!
I do the same thing when testing scents, a different sample on each hand. The contrasts between the two scents ‘refreshes’ my nose.
Curious In Control – is that the black and pink bottle? Smells like caramel? I recall that it actually wasn’t that awful of a gourmand, given its parentage.
Happy New Year!
Hi Bear – Yes, Curious In Control is black/pink and caramelly, also a little fruity and yet light. I think if it were stronger, it would be a definitely no, but I like how it’s ethereal but lasting. And yes, you said it best, not bad given its parentage!!
I often wear two scents – I’ll normally put one on my wrists and another on my neck. I agree with Bear – it keeps my nose fresh when I can smell two different frags. Sometimes it helps me smell them better too – I notice if they have an overlapping accord, then it makes other notes jump out. Today I am wearing Chanel Coromandel on my wrists and LM Ambre Passion Velvet on my neck.
Woah, what a combo! I have both of these and must try this soon! My SOTD is Chanel’s Cuir Russe, so I can smell like the back seat of a Bentley AND Mick Jagger! I love the new, improved Laura Mercier Amber. I need to do a back to back and compare them, but I think the newer one is a little easier to wear.
I have a sample of the original LM Ambre Passion and it is indeed a bit more rough and less sweet. I liked it, but I do agree that this version is more wearable, more sensual. It was an interesting experiment with the APV and Coromandel – the APV kind of knocked out the sweet and savory notes in Coromandel, so I was really able to smell that great rough patch that dominates the base but is normally smoother.
Thank you, I am!
SOTD: Paestum Rose. I tried Vetiver Tonka for the first time yesterday (I know, shame on me) and what can I say: I love it! I was scared that it would enter gourmand territory but it perfectly kept the balance between the sweet notes and the dry vetiver. As good as it gets. Happy New Year everyone!
Vetiver Tonka is just to die for! So glad you love it!
I love Vetiver Tonka too! Definitely my favourite vetiver together with Sycomore.
Abyss, Sycomore is my HG vetiver, we seem to have a similar taste! Have you tried the new Delrae, Panache? Might be a nice option for spring.
No, I haven’t. Somehow, I didn’t even realise that it’s a vetiver but I’ll make sure to check it out. Thanks!
SOTD is Caron Narcisse Noir. I have a love/hate relationship with this one because it’s the EdT reformulation. I like to wear it when I wear dark purple though & being dressed in an eggplant sweater today, so I felt compelled.
Christmas gifted me with a bottle of L’Artisan Dzing! as I had predicted. It smells like sexy filth, like the Moulin Rouge and I can definitely see how people would either love this one unconditionally or be rushing to the shower to scrub it off. I much prefer it after the first hour or so, though. I was also pleasantly surprised by my parents — neither of who wear any fragrance nor understand my love for it — when they gifted me a bottle of Chanel Coco. I suppose my mum didn’t let the SA sway her toward something ‘younger and fresher’. I’m proud.
I’m currently pondering which perfume to wear for NYE. I’m also torn between which dress to wear. I’ve somehow amassed a collection of black couture dresses and rarely get to wear any of them. Once I settle on a dress I’ll probably have a better time deciding on a perfume.
So I’m curious, what fragrance is everyone planning on wearing to ring in the New Year be it a quiet evening at home or a raucous party in the city.
It will be a quiet evening at home for me and mine, and I’m leaning towards Eau Premiere—which is sort of a mini-celebration in a bottle 🙂
Hello Dee!
I wore No 5 EP on Christmas Eve and Day and received numerous compliments. I asked the complimenters if it reminded them of another scent and nobody identified No 5.
It is a fantastic scent!
Happy New Year!
Even though it is technically iconic, I doubt few people could identify No 5 – it’s just not worn enough. It makes it easy to slip in on then. Eau Premier is great too – it’s sunny & elegant at the same time.
It IS fabulous… and one of the things I love about it is how great is smells on both me and the hubby—in fact, it might even be better on him! Though I think he’ll be wearing his old stand-by, Bulgari Black 🙂
I’m staying in but that never stopped me from wearing a special scent, which is probably true for most people here 😀 I think I’ll go with something fuzzy, sparkly and aldehydic to match champagne and fireworks. I think last year it was Baghari so I might go with that again or something along similar lines.
I’m thinking something rich and significant such as Parfum Sacre, Mecca Balsam or a precious vintage perfume.
NozKoz I miss you! Have a wonderful New Year!
You will smell divine<3
Thanks, Tamara – hope you have a fragrant New Year full of wonderful new discoveries and time to enjoy old favorites, too!
k- I totally relate to what you said about your parents! Good for them on the Coco! I really wanted a bottle of No. 5 EDP or parfum, this year, but alas… my family doesn’t quite “get it” yet. It’s okay though- I returned another gift to Macy’s and my .25 oz parfum bottle is in the mail! Score also on the Dzing! I love that fragrance, and would love to have a bottle of it. I have a small sample that I keep in my bathroom drawer, and at times will apply it and simply contemplate.
I’ll probably wear my sample of Chanel no. 5 EDP for New Year’s- I’m going classy this year with ‘low’ heels and pearls. The only other contender is Versace Signature fragrance (the one that smells like blackberry jam)- it makes me feel sexy.
Hi! Our wedding anniversary (#26 this year) is Dec. 31. We almost always stay home and hubby cooks a special dinner. I’ve been sick and off fragrances (boo), but hope to be feeling good enough for one by tomorrow night.
Wishing all a fragrant, prosperous, and joy-filled new year!
Happy anniversary! I’ll probably take advantage of a rare day at home to test a bunch of things, rather than wear something special.
Happy Anniversary- what a lovely day to have been married on 🙂
Happy 26th Anniversary !!! Hope you are feeling much better 🙂
Thanks for the anniversary wishes! My goal for tomorrow is to trade the codeine cough syrup for some nice wine for dinner. Happy New Year to all of you!
Thanks for the additional good wishes! Feeling only a little better. Trying some simple citrus with ginger – TDC Bergamote. I hope to wear my new Fleur de Narcisse tonight (Christmas gift from hubby).
yay!! you got the Fleur de Narcisse!!!!
So glad you’re feeling some better.
Happy Anniversary!
Happy New Year!
Yes, Daisy! Hubby got me the bottle, with assistance from me and YOU. Thanks. 🙂
hahaha even the best of hubbys can use a gentle nudge in the right direction. What’s important is that he is willing to comply with your wishes! 🙂
Oh happy anniversary Haunani 😀
126 more happy years for you guys!!!
Happy Anniversary and best wishes for 2011, Haunani!
Happy anniversary H!! My husband and I had our 26th this year also! 🙂 I hope your sniffer recovers in time for wearing the perfect scent this evening. I was planning to wear Champagne de Bois, but have to rethink that since the husband recently decided he hates it. Since we’re spending a cozy night in and I’ll be cooking and we’ll be enjoying a very fine expensive chamgne by the fire – perhaps Tonka Imperiale, or Ava Luxe Kashmir Spice, or SSS Winter Woods… Darn, this will be hard to decide. Happy, healthy new year everyone and much love to you awesome folk! 😉
L’Eau d’Hiver. I tried Mimosa pour Moi just recently and I loved it, I wasn’t sure if I was to like mimosa (never tried fragrances with mimosa) but I just love the way it smells like the Riviera: smooth, calm and sunny. Happy New Year everyone (or Bonne Année as we say here). 😀
Has there ever been a thread about making a match with your favorite fragrance or something like that?
Philippe – that sounds interesting – could you explain the idea a bit more?
You take your favorite book, and you try to find out, if that book would be a fragrance, which one would it be?
My favorite book is One Hundred Years of Solitude: I think that if that book would be fragrance, it’d be Amaranthine (Penhaligon’s). It’s very simple 😉
My husband and I are just finishing reading One Hundred Years of Solitude. I’m reading it again after 10 years and he’s never read it. It is so good! I love all those people. I can see why you pick Amaranthine, but I think it requires something with a little more sweats and dirt. 😉
Oh, this would be fun! I think there have been one or two discussions of perfumes for movies or classic film starts, but I would enjoy more.
Also love One Hundred Years of Solitude – I should try Amaranthine again!
I meant to match a fragrance with a book, not a fragrance with another one. My mistake, sorry 😀
After all these years I’m reading Tolstoy – Anna Karenina (I’ve put it down as I am dreading the ending) and War and Peace. William Faulkner was asked which were the three greatest novels of all time and he said A.K, A.K, and A.K. I can understand why, just magical poetic writing and amazing insight into the human condition. Anna predates Mitsouko, but with her jet black hair and snow white skin I’m sure it would be hers.
I loved that book. Should reread it, but will have to wait, since I let my sister borrow it. Could be a loooooooong while.
Snowing here in Colorado – finally! Probably Bois de Paradis after my workout and shower. For New Year’s Eve, I’m thinking of Amouage Lyric Woman – just a drop as this is potent on me. However, I must say that I rarely wear what I think I’ll wear when I plan ahead of time as I change my mind frequently, lol! Happy 2011, everyone!
I do that too…planning ahead only works if I happen to be in the same mind set “then” as I am “now” …..sometimes the plan works right up until I’m right in front of the cabinet and my hand just gravitates to another bottle.
Scent of the Early Morn: Chêne
Scent of the Day: Traversée du Bosphore
I cannot get enough of TdB, and find myself resorting to testing new stuff (new to me, that is) either late in the evening, or in the wee hours of the morning, so that post-shower I’m ready for Traversée.
Whatever is happening to me feels decadently wrong (but oh so right)—is this a love affair?
Hi Dee,
I have not yet tried TdB – can you tell me about it? Do you get much leather (leather frequently doesn’t work for me)? I’m dying to try it!
Thanks.
Hi Springpansy,
I don’t get leather in the way it appears in Cuir de Lancome (which is stunning, btw), but more as a well-worn suede—like the knee-patches of a favorite pair of riding breeches. There’s the crisp opening, which smells less like “apple,” and more like the idea of biting into an freshly picked apple on a perfect Fall day. The dusting of sweetness over the whole makes me want to spray it on a blanket and just nuzzle it all day long.
… I might be a little biased 😉
Sounds wonderful – I’ll look forward to sampling at some point!
Hi Springpansy – I get only the barest whiff of leather in TdB – like if I was walkiing on the other side of the street from a fine leather shop. Nothing as rich or dense as Lancome’s Cuir, et. al. More like the soft gauzy leather in Vol de Nuit than anything else I’ve smelled… And it only lasts for a few minutes. I definitely get a tempered burst of green apple at the opening that lasts for just a few minutes as well. I don’t think I’d even really notice it much if I didn’t know it was there from the notes list. I mostly get a light, powdery, sheer, rose-iris-vanilla frangrance that is very linear, but in a good way. I don’t think it’s nearly as sweet or thick as some of the other Loukhoum based fragrances out there. Sometimes it doesn’t last very long and I like to reapply. I’d tested it rather extensively one day, and then the next day when I got wet in the shower, the scent picked up and amplified right off my skin. That was kind of a neat experience to smell it so thoroughly again. It is a very “pretty” scent to me, very nicely done.
Thanks so much, Ann!
TdB is my SOTD too! All the talk of it on the “best of 2010” lists made me dig out my decant and spray some on. Seems that with trying so many different scents lately, I haven’t settled in and enjoyed what I have. Perhaps a resolution for the New Year (or for January anyway), take a break from sniffing new stuff, and wear the “old” ones!
That’s what I’ve done the past few months. of course, that means I’m also very far behind…
Sounds like a love affair to me! I have not fallen for this one at all – I tried it again last night and it was a nice soft leather and then candy. I decided if I want leather and candy I’ll spend $35 for Azuree. Of course, TdB is MUCH softer and more refined than Azuree! It’s lovely, just not pulling my heartstrings like it is for so many.
Don’t throw tomatoes at me, but my SOTD is Katy Perry Purr. My sister gave it to me for Christmas just for the cute bottle, which is veerrry cute! The scent is pretty forgettable IMO, but pleasant.
Hi Jill!
Please extrapolate, I’d love to know what notes you smell.
The bottle is covetable in a kitschy kind of way, Katy herself not so much.
Happy New Year!
Hi Bear, it starts off very fruity, I get peach and apple, but it fairly quickly dries down into something more creamy and musky and ever so slightly gourmand (it is a much warmer scent on the drydown, I think I pick up amber). It’s nice, just nothing to write home about and smells similar to many. The bottle, though, I’m very glad to own. 🙂
That bottle is adorable!!!! I don’t hate you for wearing the scent. 😉 I want a bottle of it myself – the scent almost doesn’t even matter.
I won’t throw anything at you, because I want a bottle in the worst way. And the juice is not terrible – I’d wear it now and again. But that kitty bottle is to die for.
Scent of the day is DSH December — I’m working my way through her holiday sampler set. I think this is my favorite of those I’ve tried so far, probably due to my bias toward fir & incense.
I’d love to hear any fir & incense recommendations folks may have, as I’m still relatively new to this perfumista scented wonderland. Happy New Year, everyone!
evergreen recs are CBIHP Wild Hunt- that smells like a pine forest on a summer afternoon bathed in golden light
and OJ Woman- sophisticated but a little strange jasmine/ violet/ black hemlock combo
Incense- Norma Kamali Incense, Costume Nationale 21- honeyed milky orange blossom incense, Eau de Italie Bois d Ombrie- boozy leather incense
incense roses- Eau de Italie Paestum Rose, M Miccalef Rose Aoud
Wild Hunt sounds amazing! I’ll be checking out your other recommendations, thank you!
AG Encens Flamboyant is very good. For a pine room spray, AG Noel is wonderful (doesn’t work on fabric, though – just as a room spray).
Encens Flamboyant was my first incense/fir love, thank you.
I’m seconding Ormonde Jayne Woman, that’s a must try. Original, a little unusual and very beautiful.
I’m not much of an incense lover but I think that both Armani Privé Bois d’Encens and Etro Messe de Minuit are worth trying. The former is a crisp, airy incense and the latter is a truly strange, almost spooky mix of incense, damp earth and who knows what else.
Strange and spooky are right up my alley; I really liked Etro’s Shaal Nur, so I’ll be sure to try this. Will check out the pine recs as well, thank you for the suggestions!
Fir & incense: Try Wazamba (Parfums d’Empire), Fille en Aiguilles (Serge Lutens), and Zagorsk (Comme des Garçons).
Hi Joe! I gave Zagorsk to my son for Christmas. He wanted a pine scented fragrance. I bought this unsniffed for him because the second note listed was pine. I am not sure if it is working for him because the incense aspect seems more dominant, and it is rather strong! Okay I will confess, he is 14! But he REALLY wanted something that smelled like PINE, and he REALLY like the sample of Sequoia I had so I just went with it! Any other (lighter) pine suggestions?
I think Monocle – Scent 2:Laurel has a wonderful evergreen sap like accord(not necessarily pine).
Thanks! I will see if this works for him…
Fantastic, Joe, thank you for recommending these!
Zagorsk was going to be my recommendation as well, mostly bc Wazamba and FeA don’t work for me… but also bc it combines the pine and incense so nicely. Wild Hunt (recommended above) does smell like a forest, but so realistically that it’s more of an experience than a wearable perfume. Still love it, though!
Hi Jennym – I tested the December last week and thought it also had a nice black tea like accord to it in the drydown. It is very pleasant. I am thinking of the Sonoma Scent Studio fragrance Incense Pure for you if you are looking for more austere incense fragrances. Some reviewers liken it to a walk in the forest. It is lovely.
DSH Silver Fir is a lighter piney scent and quite lovely.
If you can still get it, Smell Bent Felix Navidad is a pine.
For incenses I would recommend Smell Bent Tibet ur Bottom $ and Incensed (I wear them in combination sometimes).
Also, Tauer Incense Extreme and Incense Rose are some serious incenses. Very resinous.
I have not tried it, but have heard great things about Montale Incense Pure.
Heeley Cardinal is a lighter incense that is lovely.
A great cheap incense is Pacifica’s Tibetan Mountain Temple.
Mandy Aftel has a Fir perfume that is very realistic, like a Christmas tree. I also like MCMC Hunter, a combo of fir balsam, tobacco, and vanilla. These are pretty minimalist and would seem to suit a young guy. Good luck!
Whoops, I see Sarahbeth is the one looking for a pine scent for a 14-year-old. Either way!
Hello everyone! SOTD is my beloved Bois de Violette. After weeks of frost and snow the weather turned pretty mild so heavier scents aren’t ideal all of a sudden. BdV is always perfect for times like this and manages to hit the spot every time.
Anyone else taken advantage of TPC’s sale? I have a few samples on their way, including -finally!- a couple of SSS. Their scents get so much love here that I decided it was finally time to give them a try. I picked Champagne de Bois and Tabac Aurea. Can’t wait!
Hi Abyss – yup. I went over to PC and ordered a sample set of the new Dior Collection series…and a sample of Vetiver Pour Elle (which I’ve been wanting to try for ages).
Oooh, good choices! I’m curious about those Diors and I’m really hoping that they might might start stocking them in my area again. And enjoy VpE. It’s lovely but I still can’t decide if I love it and need a bottle or if just like it a lot and a small decant would suffice.
Oh, and BdV is on my wish list! Great scent!
Tabac Aurea and Champagne de Bois are my favorite SSS scents!
They sound right up my street too!
Second that! 🙂
I third that!
SOTD Esscentual Alchemy’s Melange inspired by Frank Herberts sci-fi masterpiece Dune and the hallugenic spice Melange. It is one of the sexiest fragrances I’ve ever smelled and the best spice perfume I’ve every smelled. The notes are “:Sandalwood, Benzoin, Patchouli, Tincture of Coffee Beans, White Lotus, Clove, Ginger Lily, Litsea Cubea, Nutmeg” For spice lovers and sci-fi nerds who wanted to try the star trek/ star wars perfumes but let there refined tastes get in the way.
That sounds so interesting, Valyyrie – where did you find it?
on etsy
http://www.etsy.com/shop/AbsintheDragonfly?ref=top_trail
plus a sample w shipping can be had for $5.75 and her Blushing Beauty is lovely as well think wildflowers and warm glowing skin.
Oh, thank you, Valkyrie! I do love sci-fi, too. 🙂
Dune! I should read that series again.
I almost bought Dune yesterday in the bargain bin – I have never read any of them.
For Christmas, I bought my teenage, fantasy-book-loving daughter the first three of the Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever series. (Used!) She’s struggling to get into the first one, which I think starts very, very slowly after a difficult introduction – I hope she settles into it soon. Anyway, *I* had to reread them myself, and now I’m finding all kinds of symbolism that I missed the first time…
I really need something comforting. I am going to wear CdG’s Red Carnation. Also, the sandalwood in my vintage Samsara comforts me too.
NozKnoz- Went back to the Salvation Army to see if that vintage Magie Noir was still there (so you could adopt it) and it was gone. So sorry. I have yet to check out the other thrift store in town so I will let you know. If I see another MN, will not hesitate this time now that I know it would get a good home.
Happy New Year To You Robin!
Oh wow, vintage Samsara I’m so jealous woman. Too expensive for me right now.
It was a gift from one of my fellow NST people. It is almost gone, so I’m pinching it.
Dolly, thanks so much for checking! And happy hunting – although I trawl ebay pretty regularly, I haven’t found any thrift shops near me with perfume, and there’s something so satisfying about rummaging throught all the junk to find a treasure! 🙂
That is so right! It’s like I mentioned to Angela: It really is great therapy!
Thank you, and to you!
I am interested in what “cheap thrill” my fellow NST folks like. For me it’s Coty Wild Musk.
Ive become fond of the Estelle Ewen line. “In Red” and “In Black” can be found on some wholesale websites for about $8-$12 for 100 ml EDT.
Tibetan Mountain Temple by Pacifica. Somehow Santa knew this was just the right thing to stuff in my Christmas stocking!
Possets Venus Black! Only $10 a bottle, and this stuff is to die for. Notes as listed on the website:
“Blackest musk flirts with a float of black pepper, a shot of dark sweet pear and the most small amount of sage and non-stinky narcissus for tingle.”
Hello Everyone!
Today I’m wearing a blast from the past TBS Woody Sandalwood.
Dense, rich and perfect for winter weather.
Y’all are making me want to order Traversee du Bosphore – iris, leather, sweet and powdery. Pushing all the right buttons.
Happy New Year Everybody! 😉
Bear, I’d be happy to send you a sample of Traversee if you like. You’ll see my email address if you click my name above. Happy New Year.
don’t buy it unsniffed, I really was sure that I would love it, but I don’t – it just smells of sugared almonds on me, and that’s something I prefer to eat 😉
and yet “sugared almonds” sound so very appealing to me! hmm..maybe I need a dab of Mazzolari Alessandro now, that’s about as sugary almonds as you can get.
hi Bear,
i’m an iris-leather fan, but did not get any of those in TdB, and actually did not like it much.
unsniffed purchase is not recommended at all 😀
Bear- I have not tried TBS’s Woody Sandalwood. Shame on me being such a sandalwood affecionado. It sounds sublime!
Hello Dolly2!
It really is great – but its not straight-up sandalo, you must like patchouli (a little) and cedarwood too.
Happy New Year!
I can appreciate patchouli as long as it is of decent quality. I also like cedarwwod too. I used to keep hamsters growing up and used cedar chips to line their condos with. I always sniffed the bag before putting it in.
Happy New Year!
SOTD is Micallef Gaïac. Heading to NYC for an overnight trip and will do a little perfume browsing, but probably little or no perfume buying. You never know. I’m most determined to finally sniff TDC DeBachmakov.
Happy New Year, everyone!
Hello Joe!
I’m back from the state store 😉 and curious about Micallef Gaiac.
Is it more of a ‘skin scent’ or woody? I’ve been reading reviews and it seems to be an extremely variable scent.
Happy New Year!
Bear – got to test Micallef Gaiac last year. IMHO it is definitely a woodsy scent. Not as strong as something like Lonestar Memories.
Woodsy, but sweet woodsy, and with ample sillage. I’d put it in the same vein as Sycomore.
Hello AnnS and boojum!
GAACCKKK!!! What are you doing to me? You should be sayin’ Gaiac and Bosphore are the two worst scents ever!
They both sound lovely to wear and horrible to my wallet .
No way I’m participatin’ in the budget thread! 😉
Happy New Year and thanks for your views!
LOL! I do like Gaiac, though a decant will suffice, and Bosphore really didn’t do much for me at all. It’s fine, and I’ll wear it, but it’s nowhere near my top 20.
Ha, ha. If you try really hard and focus I am sure you can convince yourself you can live without Gaiac. It’s nicely done but not earthshattering, etc. There is another one coming down the pike that will get your attention soon! 😉
Ha! you guys are soo bad! Poor Bear, you didn’t stand a chance…
This morning I’m wearing Aftelier Fig (from the free mini I was given to make up for an error in an order of samples. Talk about generous!). Such a great scent for stormy days.
My question is also about Aftelier scents. I am completely head-over-heels in love with Candide but my sample is the Parfum and I can’t really justify spending that amount of money on such a small amount of juice. So if anyone has actually tried both the Parfum and the EdP I’d really like to hear your impressions of how they compare. Do they smell exactly the same? If you have experience with any other Aftelier scents in both concentrations I’d love to have your input as well. Thanks in advance!
I’ve smelled a few things in both and to be honest I prefer the extraits.
Tama, I was afraid of that. Thanks for the input!
I have a funny feeling that over the next year (or perhaps, the next few months) I’m going to come up with plenty of reasons why it’s not so terribly bad if I spend $150 on 7ml of perfume.
If you happen to smell the Candide EdP, please let me know…I had the same question.
Will do!
I am wearing Fat Electrician today, my only fragrance gift of xmas 2010.
I think im stocked up on cold weather scents for now, so my next few purchases will probably be for springtime/summer. Im thinking the following:
Hermes – Eau de Gentiane Blanche
Montale – Attar or Black Aoud
Jo Malone – Lime Basil Mandarin
Bvlgari – Aqua
Great choices, Rictor. And great gift… but the name is a bit of an odd conversation piece, eh?
Yeah, but im a bit disappointed. I actually wanted the butt crack icon to be on the bottle label, so it would grab more attention.
Rictor- You just gave me such a mental picture of the stereo-typical butcrack image. LOL!
I know – I’m always a little sorry that the pics aren’t on the bottles.
Via del Profumo Mecca Balsam has been near the top of my buy list for far too long, so I’m prioritizing that and a bunch of VdP samples. Also, I Just ordered samples of several of the new Diors, Aesop Mystra and Marrakech and FM Portrait of a Lady, so 2011 should get off to a great start. Wishing the same to everyone else here!
You are way ahead of me already…I need to do something about the Diors too.
SOTD: Patchouli Nobile from Nobile 1942 and also a spray from a bottle of Moschino Funny! I had stashed somewhere, which is a crazy combination (the Moschino was prompted because it is SUNNY in Seattle and I was tricked out of a winter comfort scent). It is bright, uplifting frag. I went to bed with the Patchouli Nobile, and it is gorgeous… (oh that does sound strange, I have basically personified my sample of scent… it is a MAN!)
I do like Funny! It grew on me over the summer.
SOTD: new sample of SSS Tabac Aurea (and I am itching to buy a bottle- but am forcing myself to finish the small decant first)- and will be spritzing a bit of SSS Champagne de Bois tomorrow night (And maybe some YSL Champagne on New Years Day)…brag: I was blessed with a bottle of En Passant for Christmas from my sweetheart- it will be glorious in our early Texas spring!)
confession: I called up Guerlain and ordered unsniffed Shalimar Ode de la Vanille- fingers crossed 🙂 just couldn’t pass it up…
AND- Happy New Year my friends! Auld Lang Syne <3 and don't forget to eat some black-eyed peas for luck 🙂
In my family it is sauerkraut! I think I’d rather eat the peas.
I like to spice up tradition with a black-eyed pea and mushroom curry from Madhur Jaffrey! Also planning to make lamb with spinach this year for the greens.
Mmmm… I love our Madhur Jaffrey cookbook. That recipe sounds great!
Black-eyed peas all the way!
Great scents—two of my faveorite SSS frags!
Hope you love Ode! 🙂
Helenviolette, I hope you love Ode a La Vanille as much as I do! It is glorious. This from a Shalimar hater too.
Lucky you, Helenviolette! En Passant is SO lovely!
SOTD Lalique Encré Noir. Finally gave in to temptation yesterday and purchased a bottle of Mahora – unsniffed – so keeping my fingers crossed that it’s as good as it sounds. The price was good, though, so it won’t be a disaster if it turns out that I don’t like it. For tomorrow night’s celebrations I’m thinking of Fracas or Fragile. Yes, I am indeed a tuberose ho! Happy new year to all you fabulous-smelling people.
I love Mahora – it is like an evening-gown version of a tropical.
Hope you like BIG! Mahora is beautiful and if you ever decide you don’t like it (give it time) just tap my shoulder! mollyseb at hotmail….
Indeed, I will bear this in mind, as it’s a pity to have something lying unloved in a drawer when it could otherwise go to a good home. I’m hoping I love it, though, as it sounds like it’s just right up my street.
SOTD: Traversée du Bosphore! As mentioned in my comment above, I hadn’t worn this in awhile, and had to wear it after it appeared on so many “best of 2010” lists, including my own!
I have to say, this year I’ve been consuming samples like crazy. Trying SO much new stuff. I’m with Robin and March on realizing there’s no way to sample everything. There are just too many. And the thing is, I end up buying a bottle or decant, wear the scent a few times, then move on to something else. Though it’s fun to discover new scents, I’m thinking I need to figure out a way to enjoy what I have for awhile. Otherwise, why bother to accumulate bottles and decants? May as well just “live” off of samples! Does anyone have a system that they use to manage this? I’m thinking perhaps set aside a day a week, or a week a month, for trying new things…but every other day, wear what I have!
I’m also thinking about doing a serious purge. Some bottles I just won’t wear any longer cause other “better” scents have replaced them. Why waste a day on a sub-par scent when I can wear something great?
Guess it’s time to make some resolutions. 😉 (Which I never really do, but end of year is a great time to re-evaluate how I want to do things differently…)
Damage post on Tuesday? ACK!!!!
Hi Karin, it’s me, your (possible) scent twin! If you’d like to share notes off line email me some time: smaakest at yahoo dot com.
Karin, to answer your question about a “system”:
I test new scents on weekends and on days when I’m home from work. As others commented above, I wear one on each hand/wrist. I’ll often try several different sets in one day, recording my impressions in my scent diary (spiral notebook) when I feel ambitious.
When I have to be out all day I’ll wear my favorites from my FBs or decants, sprayed generously. I’ll take a decant/ purse size version with me as well.
So far this system is working well–a balance between research/ nose education and wearing my true loves.
I knooowww, that damage poll’s coming up fast. Argh.
I know, and I am still doing damage….
: DDDDDD
I’m wondering if I can be “too busy to stop by” on Tuesday….I’ve resolved to buy NOTHING in the month of January…does that mitigate any of the damage I did last quarter? ….I shouldn’t buy anything in all of the first quarter….but if I said that— you all would just laugh at me.
You could be too busy, or just “forget” to check in, or you could use the “furlongs per fortnight” technique or expressing things in the least understandable units. For example, instead of telling how many bottles you bought and how many dollars you spent, tell how many firkins or gills of perfume you got and express the price in terms of some obscure currency.
genius! pure genius! 🙂
Or there’s the virtuous approach: too bad it’s on Tuesday – that’s always SUCH a busy day at work, and then I have Pilates after work – I’ll be too tired to even turn on the computer by the time I get home! 😉
sounds perfectly reasonable to me! 😉
I made a New Year’s resolution about twenty years ago–I resolved not to make any more New Year’s resolutions! I kept it faithfully for many years too. ;D
I have done a whole lot of sampling this year as well. I only discovered NST and most of the online perfume sources this year, so I have been playing catch up. I like to think of it as part of my education. I feel there are certain perfumes and certain houses I need to have at least some experience with so I can understand what everyone is talking about. I really think I do have a much better appreciation of what is out there after working my way through a few zillion samples.
I don’t necessarily have a system, but I generally like to test when I expect to have time to pay attention to what I am wearing (generally this means in the evening or on weekends). I have scent-eating skin, so I can wear perfume during the day and still be able to test in the evening. I often lament perfume’s lack of longevity on me, but it is an advantage when testing. I also like to take sample vials along when traveling, as they take up so little luggage space. I do like to test “related” perfumes side-by-side. For example, I might try out two or three different violet or incense scents, or different scents from the same line to compare. I do find that the standard size sample vials (0.7 ml) commonly available are too small. I really prefer to get a larger sample, about 1.5 to 2.5 ml, which allows me to wear the scent a few times. Sometimes, I will be rather taken with a scent the first time, but after repeated wearings I get tired of it, or I may find that I like it when dabbed on one wrist but not in a full application. Investing in larger samples may reduce the tendency to get too many FBs or decants that will go unworn, by allowing you to be sure you will actually wear it more than a few times.
50 Roses I totally agree, some of the best perfume advice I ever got was to test a scent at least 3 times before purchasing a full bottle (sure it was from a NST article). It’s saved me from making a lot of expensive mistakes.
I also find going it to a shop to test a perfume, even a few times, may not be ideal. Its not the same as having the sample to apply, to wear on its own for a while…
Good advice on the larger samples, 50 Roses! I’ll even go for 5 mls if something is well regarded by other perfumistas whose tastes I share. Then I’m less tempted to get more FBs than I can really use.
well, I’m staying at my away-from-home-retreat, with only a few old bottles I keep stashed up there for company, and I’m really enjoying them again (Bvlgari Black, Ôponé, kenzo winter flowers), so I’ve resolved to spend more time with my old favorites instead of jumping on every new scent coming up… hmm let’s see how it works out
Good luck…it’s worth trying!
One of my New Years resolutions is to find all those great vintage scents I have been hungering for. If not online, then through thrift stores, etc. So in need to go back in time and find some comfort there. 2010 was not such a nice year.
Hope 2011 is much better 🙂
Everyone please have a happy and safe New Years!
Today I haven’t really spritzed myself yet.. but still have the faintest hint of Tressor lingering on me. I have forgotten how much I love this scent. And for the wonky weather in Texas, it is working really well.
One of the joys of being all growed up, is learning how to wear this, and not shower myself in it 😉
What is on the must buy list for moi.. Atelier! I have lusted after the Orange Sanguine ever since sniffing this and now that Atelier is offereing 1 oz sizes, several different ones shall make it home.
I really want to branch out and get out of my ‘safe zone’ for fragrance.. It really seems that since I have dabbled with Philosophy fragrances, I have kinda lost my my way with fragrance. I do love Pure Grace, and it does work well for me during the hot muggy summer months, and Falling in Love works well for me also (Trish’s #9 lasts a nano second on me) It is time for me to jump back into the World of Perfume and find something fantab.
Oh yeah, JoElla, I’m so glad to see the Atelier Colognes are offered in smaller bottles now. I like all of them but it’s Grand Neroli that’s most FBW for me.
I tried Trefle Pur the other day – nice!!!!
Happy New Year Everyone and Good Smelling!
I’m wearing Sycomore at the moment, hoping to get OJ Tiare today – Xmas gift to self. I’m an entire year behind in sniffing – but may have to get to work quickly on those new Diors.
XXX
You smell great…I love Sycomore.
escadalo! wore no scent today 🙂 somehow forgot in the morning rush and dash for the bus to work.
got the new chloe love for christmas, although I didn’t expect to like it, I do – sort of. It’s powdery and flowery and very…well-behaved 🙂 the 30ml bottle with the chain is darling!
and a bit ahead of the damage poll – vintage pucci vivara edp arrived and it’s very lovely
to all a nice and joyous new year’s eve fête!
Congrats on the Love Chloe! I wouldn’t mind a 30 ml bottle myself.
Wearing Hanae Mori HM today, after stumbling on a bottle of the eau de parfum at a ludicrous discount ($18 Canadian for 30 ml). I am not a gourmand fan, but HM is rather Dior Homme-like in its use of gourmand touches without actually going whole-hog edible like A*Men or Blue Sugar. HM’s woody, mossy character seals the deal for me, and the drydown goes on for-freakin’-ever. I was looking for a wallpaper scent, something no-brainer and pleasant for those days when I don’t want to be distracted by my fragrance, and HM fits the bill perfectly – well-mannered, but deep and woody enough to avoid being boring. The sillage trail it leaves is heavenly.
I’m hoping that the first fragrance I buy in 2011 is that bottle of Polo I’ve been circling around for months. I can’t decide if it’s wearable for me (too old-school and overused?), but I love it.
I prefer the Polo Modern Reserve. Its still in the green bottle, and shares a lot of notes with the original, but you can tell they are different scents when you compare them side by side.
I dig the Modern Reserve, as well, but I feel like it’s missing that green, mossy, vetiver-ish thing I adore in the original Polo. MR is more woody/dry/spicy, and a tad sweeter. It’s good stuff, but…gaahhh, that Polo drydown. It makes me weak.
Today I’m wearing some vintage Femme EdC I managed to snag off eBay for an extremely good price, but I’m still not sure yet whether I like it or not. The initial blast makes me almost gag (smells uncannily like gone-off cough syrup), but I think that may just be a problem with its age. The drydown is really quite nice, a fairly skanky, woodsy smell. Anyway, the jury’s still out on this one.
On a related note, I’ve been trying to date the above fragrance and I haven’t come up with anything so far. It’s an EdC, which I believe is only available in vintage formulations, and I think it’s about a 30ml bottle (doesn’t say anywhere). The bottle is the classic shape with a black screw lid. If anyone has any idea about how old it might be, I’d be interested to hear. 🙂
I may be completely wrong, but if I had to guess, I would guess that your bottle is 70’s vintage. My reason for saying this is that it was common in the 70’s for many classic scents, particularly those considered “strong”, to be released in a lighter Eau de Cologne concentration ( I had a bottle of no. 5 Eau de Cologne which I bought in the late 70’s or early 80’s). Most of those EdCs disappeared once the Opium/Giorgio/Poison steamroller came through and ushered in the trend for perfume strong enough to choke a horse.
That does seem about right, thanks! 😀
What a fun day! I made my very first eBay purchase – a bottle of Barbara Bui Le Parfum. I hope that it arrives safely. Speaking of heliotrope, I also received Ava Luxe Heliotrope today. It’s a very soft baby powder / musk. I got one for me and one for a friend.
Lately, I’m all about heliotrope – just can’t seem to get enough. Anyone else go through phases where they just can’t seem to get enough of a particular note?
Hi CM!
Powder, I’ve been goin’ through a powder phase and heliotrope also. Barbara Bui is perfect – powder, incense and lasts forever on my skin. Got it super cheap off ebay.
Happy New Year!
Thanks, Bear. It’s nice to know that I’m not alone in my heliotrope/powder quest. You’re right about the longevity of the Barbara Bui – maybe that’s why I keep looking for heliotrope as it seems to be fleeting in so many perfumes. I was smitten at first spray with Le Parfum.
What’s your favorite find so far? I also really like L.T. Piver Heliotrope Blanc – it’s very soft with that lovely almondy opening (mixed with soft white florals, I think) and then fades to a lovely powder scent without a lot of “baby” in it. Quite nice.
Crown Heliotrope was very almond/powder but alas, when Clive Christian bought Crown Perfumery it was discontinued. Teint de Neige Lorenzo Villoresi is the most powder that can be packed into one bottle. If you like leather, Habanita Molinard is powder and leather and reasonably priced. Do try to sample it, its a classic.
Thanks for the tip!
Congrats on popping your ebay cherry! Slippery slope, that, but lots of fun.
I go through mini-phases. Rose or vetiver. But nothing earth-shattering. Mostly I find that I like to explore notes that are difficult for me, like iris, so I can try to find one or two that work.
Interesting Tama! You pick a difficult note to explore to find iterations that work. I latch onto a favorite note and find several variations on a theme. Maybe I should try your approach as my NY Pefume resolution! Jasmine, Neroli and Tuberose… here I come!
My first love was Iris and I have several beautiful Iris perfumes. I really like L’Artisan Iris Pallida. If you’re exploring Iris, be sure to check that one out as it’s really lovely. It was also my first – and only so far- “OMG I can’t believe I spent that much on a perfume” purchase.
Well, it’s winter. Which means I’m re-entering my All Tuberose, All the Time phase.
hahahahaha …Mals, does this mean that there is a time when you aren’t the Queen of the Tubeys ??
yeah, the spelling is off….but Tubies looked too much like tubbies for my comfort! I digress….you know, whenever tuberose comes up, my first thought is of you 🙂
Well, the rest of the year, I’m only Intermittently Tuberose. Because, you know, there’s Rose. And Narcissus. And Green Stuff. And Aldehydes…
Most of the week I’v been trying to remember, re-enjoy my older scents but by evening I cave in and give myself a good dose of Divin Enfant! On me it doesn’t have any deep notes, and is really quite sweet. I don’t think its going to become a classic because it doesnt have that nuanced feel that most great perfumes seem to have. BUT for some weird reason I find it the most amazing comfort scent! Simply makes me feel more positive than any other scent I have (a collection of mainly gourmands).
A friend is going to Germany soon and I am ordering some stuff from first-in-perfumes which have quite a range. I only want to get one ‘original flacon’ (and lots a samples). Both Citizen Queen and Kyoto are a much better price there so I have been considering one of these BUT the reviews for Dzing are so good I am considering getting it unsniffed. (Its not sold here) Is there anyone who does not like this perfume? Turin compares it to the smell released when you open the pages of old books…the best smell ever!
Hi Merlin,
I would suggest sniffing first. I love leather scents such as Cuir de Lancome and adore the smell of old books but did not get with Dzing. I just keep getting “animal droppings in sawdust” but I know this is sacrilege and I am in the VAST minority here. Just a word or warning. Where are you? In the UK they have it at Space Nk stores. It’s a must try either way.
I live in South Africa and not that many niche fragrances are sold here. Buying something that must be posted always feels like such a gamble, and with courier service, and customs, the price can shoot up. Thats why I’m ordering about 10 samples there. We do have Citizen Queen and Kyoto here which I know I like but are much cheaper there. One of these would be a safer choice but, I am worried I may fall in love with Dzing, and then not be able to get a bottle for months and months! Actually the only leather fragrance I really like is Cuir de Ottoman. The guide does not classify it as a proper leather but rather as an oriental because the leather is so delicate in it! I don’t like bandit very much and ELDO virgin and torreros I kind of like, but not nearly enough to buy…I’m afraid that is all the leathers I have tried. So perhaps Dzing is a definite no?
Oh Merlin, what a predicament! I don’t know what to suggest except that it’s far from a traditional leather scnet and just to beware if you are squeamish about “barnyard” notes. However you could always sell it on if you don’t like it, I’m sure.
As for samples/decants, I get a lot from Scent Splits where there are a couple of sellers in Europe. (Robin, please remove link if not appropriate)
http://scentsplits.wikidot.com/current-splits
Always fine to link…
Forgot to thank you for the link! I will go have a look there ( :
Hello, fellow South African! Tell me: is ELdO Vierges et Toreros a good tuberose? I’m very intrigued by it (and love the line and tuberose.)
Eeeep, unless you’re not South African and just live there, I’m sorry 🙂
Great to find a fellow South African! (I was probably in bed when you posted.) I couldn’t really tell you whether it is. Tuberose does not seem to be a great note for me (fracas and poison are the ones I’v tried) so it could be what makes me slightly ambivalent about the ELDO. But (fellow S.A.) Metropolitan Make-Up happen to stock almost the whole ELDO range…
There is a branch in Sandton and one in Hyde Park. I’m not sure other cities but I think if you google it they have a website you could check it on.
Btw my e mail is merlynn.edelstein@gmail.com
I have to agree with Tortola….I like leathers….I love the smell of old books….but all I got was warm animals and barnyardy type notes.
BUT–if you did buy Dzing! unsniffed and hated it—I have a feeling you could easily sell it.
Oh, I get a lot of Virtual Circus out of Dzing! too: sawdust, cotton candy, vanilla, animal fur and dried dung. Utterly fascinating, but I don’t really want to wear it.
Smell Bent One reminded me a lot of Dzing! without the animal feature and with a little bit of spice, and I can wear that very happily.
Hi Merlin – I know Dzing! has many fans, but I am not one of them! I had a sample and just sniffed it again yesterday and still don’t like it. I know shipping is hard for you, but definitely sample first! And a much cheaper “old book” scent is Smell Bent “One” – a very nice dry vanilla.
I would hate to dissuade you from something you might love, but Dzing! definitely seems to be a love-it-or-hate-it scent. I tried a sample of it based on all the glowing reviews, and I was in the “hate it” camp–a very strong note of animal dung to my nose. It’s always risky to buy unsniffed, but doubly so when the scent is strange (and Dzing! is very strange).
Merlin, I also love the smell of old books but Dzing! is not that on me! More wet cardboard which is a different place entirely. Do sample and I hope it works for you.
Thank you for the advice everyone! I’m going to play it safe – and if I love it enough I’ll work on getting a decant or split, as suggested. There are so many scents that many perfumistas love and my nose cant appreciate that it really isn’t worth the risk ( :
Hi Merlin,
I’m a recent Dzing convert but I never got ‘old books’ from it. To me, the opening is pure leather – like a ring master’s whip! The leather slowly fades and I get either an faint animalistic musky type smell, or sometimes it’s more sawdusty. Either way, it’s a little *dirty* but never too much. It’s interesting and I really like it.
I ordered a decant and at first spray was really unsure and didn’t love it at all. I was a bit disappointed. However, I kept reaching for it and went through close to half of the 8ml decant in a week! I especially like layering it with other more feminine fragrances. Mimosa Poi Moi + Dzing is especially nice.
You (or someone) mentioned Bandit. I didn’t think that Dzing was as harsh as Bandit which slapped me in the face and made me cry. Good Luck!
CM, its so strange how that happens: a perfume doesn’t seem all that great and yet you keep reaching for it! I’v been reading further up in the comments, and have decided samples are probably the best way to go for me. And not just for Dzing. I just like novelty way too much!
I’m glad at least one firm Dzing fan replied though ( :
I’ve been struggling with purchasing Sinfonia di Note’s Blanc des Cotons. I’ve been lemming this for months and months but it is $150….can’t find anyone who wants a split despite my efforts! Eeek!!
It’s just so unpopular and unloved.
Oh, hope you find someone, good luck!
Happy New Year to Robin and everyone!
Not looking forward to the damage poll – I didn’t keep the Dreaded Spreadsheet this time. I don’t think I was as BAD this quarter as last, but I also have not finished doing my damage (perfume trip tomorrow).
Anyway, been doing some ebay shopping – just got a set that is a full ounce of each of Arpege and My Sin in extrait, vintage. I don’t know if I like either one but it was too good to pass up. I have also fallen back in love with Chanel No 5 thanks to a vintage edc I got as part of a lot of ebay – I was really bidding on something else!
This was a very self-indulgent year for me after 7 or 8 years of having very very limited finances. Now I need to buckle down and manage my money and pay things off and save and all that boring stuff. At least I will have a huge perfume library to choose from. And it’s not like I won’t buy any, I just have to be more restrained.
I also need to take stock of my samples! I just went through some and I have so much stuff I have never even opened! My goodness – I could easily get through a year just sampling, I think.
I was doing SO well until that Lanvin set showed up. I blame Angela (for her My Sin review) and Claudia (for posting the listing) for my sudden misbehavior. 😀 SOTD for me: testing a sample of vtg Toujours Moi sent as an extra in a swap.
How many decants = a bottle?
For the damage poll, samples and decants aren’t necessarily counted. It’s kind of up to you.
I think I could never buy anything again, and give away all full bottles, and then wear nothing but samples for the rest of my life…it is sick how many I have.
It’s sort of funny to think about. Each sample lasts me at least 2-3 wearings, and I have something like 530 of them. I can only imagine what your pile looks like!
I can’t even imagine. I’m sure my pile is pitiful in comparison, and mine is daunting enough.
I’ve been curious about l’Artisan’s discontinued The des Sables. Has anyone tried it?
I haven’t, sorry!
I love it that I am not alone in my ‘misbehaviors’… you all make me feel oh so much more comfortable about my indulgences with fragrance! THANK YOU!
That’s what we’re here for.
Our job here is done. hehe
Happy New Year everyone! Wearing NR Musc for her intense (a Christmas gift) and contemplating a shift in perfume tastes – all of a sudden, I want to smell elegant… Strange.
Interesting!
Went shopping today and tried a load of different things. Diorama was a big dissappointment, as LT says, it’s like Diorella but not as good. Also tried Chamade for the third time and still not getting it which is very frustrating as I am a Guerlain girl and I KNOW it’s good – must try harder.
New Year’s Eve I will be baby-sitting my niece and wearing my Christmas present to myself, SL’s Sarrasins. Yes I ordered my very own bell jar from Paris (a feat in itself, nearly gave up on their website) and still getting twinges of guilt. Love it though!
Happy New Year in advance to Robin and everyone here on NST. Thanks for making this such a life-enhancing site. All the best for 2011!
I am a Guerlie Girl through and through but there are many I don’t “get” and several I don’t even like. No stress if you can’t do it.
Thanks Tama that’s reassuring, keep feeling I’m at fault!
Yes! Tell your nose to get with the programme! LOL
Yeah, it’s like “Listen here Nose, this is a masterpiece, appreciate at once!”
I’m certain your nose has gotten the idea now!
“Guerlie Girl”. Oh PLEASE make that into Tshirt….
WHERE DID YOU FIND DIORAMA?????
http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/main/ProductDetail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524446388372&afsrc=1&site_refer=GGLBASE001&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=3348900899933
Enjoy!
TheNoseKnows – I’m in the UK and tried it at the House of Fraser in the Westfield Shopping Centre, Shepherd’s Bush. It’s the reformulation though. Hope you get on with it better than me. I’m going to try a sample of the vintage stuff, though if that’s love I’m in trouble!
Tortola – I just had to share with you that we recently adopted a little stray tortoiseshell cat that I almost named Tortola, but went with Tortelina instead. I had to go with the Italian name. Either way, her nickname is the same – Tortie. 🙂
RusticDove, that’s so cute! I think a lot of perfume people are cat people too.
I don’t adore Chamade either, I respect it. Same with Mitsouko. I don’t think you should *have* to adore every good Guerlain!
Ok, Mitsuoko RULES! OH MY! I LOVE MITSUOKO! Love The Peach, The Jasmine, the Feeling of Violet in the upper notes! It is an ABSOLUTE MASTERPIECE! STUNNING! I find it one of the Guerlain Absolutes! one a woman MUST Own! but that’s simply me! LOL!
Thanks Robin, I kept thinking I must be missing something but I am now going to conclude it’s just not “me” and move on!
Robin, I wonder if I keep sniffing i will be able to appreciate scents in that way ie. not necessarily like something, but still be able to appreciate its brilliance. I’m afraid i still cant comprehend the ‘structure’ of a scent. So its still a kind of infantile like, or dislike, response!
Oh, I absolutely think so, it’s just a matter of approach. Some things smell intrinsically well-done and some don’t.
Hi everyone
wishing everyone a happy new year
And to you 🙂
Happy new year to robin and everyone else! Thanks for the many joys this blog gives me every day.
From warm and muggy Sydney.. My sotd (NYE here today) will be EL Tuberose Gardenia. Am going to start 2011 in a flash of white flower fabulous-ness.
First purchase of 2011 likely to be 5oclock Gingembre… I was slow to love it but have drained the decant and feel a little lost without it now 🙂
Controversial new love: Piguet Visa. In *shame* the reformulated version. The horror!
Oh, I heard the new Visa was GOOD – not like the old one, but good still.
Haven’t sniffed either, but I would not be ashamed of it.
I got a voucher which I’m hoping to spend on Shal Ode de la Vanille.
New year marks the beginning of the heatwaves and bushfires in the Land Downunder. When it gets hot all I wear are white florals, wild fruits like Pulp, over the top vanillas. I also like the beachy smells like Montale’s Sandflowers.
Am craving FBs of Amoureuse and Jasmine Full but am trying to be strict with myself.
Happy New year all!
Nice present, congrats!
Forgot to add – my great wish for 2011 is for those rumored and long awaited 100ml Les Exclusifs to HURRY UP!! Will be purchasing beige and 31RC for sure.
I’m holding out for CdR for my B’Day in Feb
Geez – what did I say to ‘await moderation’?
I’m with you on that! Lusting after a smaller Coromandel and 31 RC.
As I was reading Anna Karenina (in French), even though there isn’t much details or descriptions concerning her caracter, I could imagine her: her black hair contrasting with her white skin, elegant, aristocratic, beguiling, languid. And if Anna had to be a fragrance, I’m sure she’d be Mitsouko 🙂
If Froth on the Daydream was a fragrance, which one would it be? I have yet to find it 😉
This comment was meant to be a reply to Winiefrieda’s concerning Anna Karenina. My mistake!
Not too long ago, my wife smelled a recent version of YSL Paris, and reacted by lamenting that it was nothing like the Paris she has at home. So: any tips for finding the older version of Paris? Does the bottle have any distinguishing characteristics? The packaging?
I think I read that older Paris came in a pink box with a black stripe; the current packaging is all pink. That’s all I can offer, though!
Been Wearing Bleu De Chanel (LOVING IT!!!!) Bang By Marc Jacobs (LOVING IT ALSO!) but mainly Bvlgari Man… want to write a review and send it to RObin but after the new year… Bvlgari is totally AWESOME! Light, Fresh, Vibrant, Clear, Sensual! One of my new Faves… now if someone could possibly find a bottle of Mugler AngelMen Pure Malt for me i’d be one happy puppy!
Looks like Fragrancenet has Pure Malt!
I forgot to do a review of the DSH Cuir et Champignon that I won here (thanks again, Dawn and Robin!)… It’s definitely mushroom-y — we’re talking shitakes and porcini, not those boring little white buttons in boxes at the supermarket. Very umami! The drydown is great: softly spicy, subtle leather. The only part I’m not crazy about is somewhere in the middle, where it goes through a brief phase of holiday candle shoppe (clove, maybe?) — most of the DSH scents I’ve tried wind up in that phase on me, but in C&C it’s mercifully brief. All in all, a keeper.
Thank you for the review, because I have not smelled it!
I am thinking SOTE tomorrow will be Champagne de Bois–after all, what is more appropriate for NYE than champagne (or something named for it)? I just love CdB, and I intend for it to be my first FB purchase of 2011. Right now it is the only thing on my “to buy” list.
That was my plan for NYE 50, but since the hubby recently decided he can’t stand it – I had to reconsider. Perfect scent for the occasion – enjoy!
I guess I’m lucky with my hyposmic husband. He doesn’t hate any of my perfumes, he just can’t smell most of them. I sometimes wish he could enjoy them, but at least I can wear whatever I want.
To all my fellow fumies~ Have a safe and beautiful New Year.
I love how fragrance connects us and I have enjoyed sharing my love for perfume and life with you all…. xoxoxo<3
~T
Just to echo the sentiment Tamara!!! Here in Scotland we specialise in New Year so I shall be inhaling/exhaling whisky fumes, hard to match with fragrance! but SSS Winter Woods will be up to the challenge I’m sure. Don’t fancy dabbing neat malt.
A happy Hogmanay to you!
I finally got around to trying Iris Ukiyoe today. It reminds me of Penhaligon’s Bluebell. Wish I could say I love either. First fragrance purchase of 2011… Love and Tears or Nuit de Tubereuse – love them both.
LOVE Love and Tears! My favorite release of 2010 (along with NdT and Traversee du Bosphore).
BTW~ I am not looking forward to the tally!!!!!!!
Oh dear…………..;)
Nor me, sister!!! <3
SOTD is EL Youth Dew Amber Nude… though I’ve been ‘perfume-walking’ with friends, so there’s some Fracas happening on one arm and Tam Dao on the other. I think tomorrow night it would have to be No. 5 Eau Premiere – perfectly radiant to ring in the new year. I’ve fallen head over heels for it.
SensualistGeek -Keep hearing loads of love for Eau Premiere lately. Not a fan of No.5, but it seems that’s not a deal breaker. Must try very soon and therefore bound to be my next purchase in 2011!
Tortola, do try it! The No.5 aldehydic burst is certainly there in the opening, but it turns into a very different, radiant, transparent scent. It’s not really quiet as such – just a bit restrained and very elegant. And thank goodness for the 40ml offering! Enjoy and happy new year to you. 🙂
I love to wear it to bed – although at times I over-spritz and DH does comment on the overload!
Thanks for the Eau Premiere info and a very Happy New Year to you too!
I too love eau de premier, whereas no 5 doesn’t work on me at all.
Good to meet you on here, Merlin! I live in the UK now and miss home so much 🙁
Let’s stay in touch – thanks for your e-mail address. I have a link for you of a site here – they’re very kind with their ELdO samples. I received the incredible Tilda Swinton Like This for Christmas and they sent along Divin’ Enfant and Josephine Baker samples.
That wuold be great! From an olfactory point of view England is a better place to be – at least so far as perfume goes ( :
Happy New Year Everyone! Looking forward to NST in 2011!
I started work today wearing Remin-a fun incense scent that a friend was kind enough to send me a sample to try out. By lunch time I spritzed SSS Cameo and can still smell soft powdery roses.
I’m looking forward to a bottle split of Xerjoff Irisss and a Bottle of Cette Nuit La.
Who makes Remin?
I was in my dad’s room the other day looking for the nail clippers when I happened to notice a bottle of St. John’s Bay Rum on his dresser. I took a sniff and mmmm, it was delightful. It smelled spicy, fresh and subtle, and like something I would wear myself. I decided to go on the St. John’s website and ordered a bottle of their West Indian Lime & Floral Cologne. Has anyone else tried any St. John’s fragrances?
Oh, and Happy New Year to everyone!
I bought my husband the West Indian Lime and the Bay Rum from St. John’s. They both smell really nice on him!
Hi Taylor and Haunani!
If these are the colognes wrapped in wicker, they are excellent blends, light and crisp. Perfect when you want to wear something that won’t be too assertive around alot of ‘scent averse’ people.
Happy New Year!
Yep, those are the ones! I forgot to mention that I love the bottles as well.
Wearing vintage DiBorghese from a bottle I scored awhile back. I never thought “aldehydic oriental iris leather” would belong in the same sentence, but DB holds it together.
Sounds lovely.
It’s interesting. Womanly with a touch of cruel, plus a good wallop of dirty civet. Reminds me strongly of the kid leather opera gloves worn by glamorous city ladies in the 1960’s.
Which Di Borghese is that, Olenska? BTW, some of them are now selling for several hundred on ebay!
It’s DiBorghese EdC (“Cologne Vivant”) by Princess Marcella DiBorghese, 2.5oz spray, issued late 70’s long before the Georgette Mosbacher takeover. The bottle’s spray mechanism was faulty, so its previous owner gave it to a local charity boutique, nearly full and still in its original box. I managed to transfer the contents from the defective bottle— it wasn’t easy, but the price I paid for this perfume ($1.00) made it all worthwhile.
I forgot to add– yes, I did see several identical bottles selling for big bucks on eBay, but a) I was a bit skeptical of the pricing, b) I really liked the perfume and c) the busted sprayer would not have been a good selling point. So I decided to keep it and “rescue” the juice from the bottle.
Thanks, Olenska, and Happy New Year!
Wow – great deal on that DiBorghese – yay for you!
Thanks! Wrote about it & posted pics here:
http://tinyurl.com/olenska-diborghese
HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!
SOTM = Dior New Look 1947 soft, nice, whispery floral …but then I got bored.
SOTRestoftheday= Montale Boisé Vanillé –one of my faves. sigh.
I wanted to wear Rahat Loukoum….my bell jar arrived today…unfortunately when I opened the priority mail box—it was a bell jar of Musc Kublai Kahn—what a major bummer! Boxed it back up and , attired in my very-fine-looking-lazy-day-sweatpants, made a quick trip to the P.O. …..I plan to pout extensively until the correct bottle reaches my doorstep.
Hi Daisy!
I have a sample of Montale Boise Vanille and it is wonderful. The woods and vanilla are rich and perfectly blended, I fear I need a bottle!
I may be sorry I asked this, but if you are in the USA, how did you order one of SL Exclusives? I have my eye on several but no ‘connection’. Thanks in advance for any enabling provided. 😉
Happy New Year!
Bear–I do live in the US and I bought it NIB off of ebay for a somewhat painful price. The sad fact is that I have about as much chance of making a trip to Paris as I do to going to the moon. And good ole Uncle Serge doesn’t seem inclined to move that one to the exportable line (curses!) I guess I moaned about it just enough that the CEO said “just buy it!”.
As for Montale Boisé Vanillé–you are so right! Gorgeous! And full bottle worthy indeed….but if you’d like to try a small amount first, I have plenty and would be happy to split some of mine for you. Drop me a note at Daisyloo82 at gmail.com 🙂
Thank God there wasn’t some secret button that allowed Americans to buy the exclusives- money saved!!!
Thanks for the split offer but I’m actually being good and not purchasing anything for as long as ——————————– well, as long as I last. I’m betting on mid January, but I might surprise myself.
Happy New Year!
You sent back MKK????? I’d have bought it from you! *Pouts**
Sorry Dixie, it didn’t come from SL in paris but from California…some other lucky duck who actually got to go to Paris! And she still has the MKK up for auction! — I used buy-it-now on evil bay because I couldn’t stand the idea of not winning! Her hubby accidentally sent out the wrong one–(that would be a mess for her if I decided to keep it! people have bid on it! But she’ll have it back by time the auction is over.) I hope she sends out the correct bottle right away but I doubt she will….sigh, more waiting….but I’ve been waiting for this for a long time already.
Oh Daisy that is such a dissappointment! I had a little moan about the SL website but at least they sent me the right bell jar. Hope your RL comes soon.
ahhh, you must be in the UK? SL doesn’t ship bell jars to the USA–here we are at the mercy of ebay or personal shopppers (both=ouch)
Congrats on your bell jar! It’s exciting isn’t it? 🙂
Oh I am in the UK and didn’t realise they don’t ship to the US, that’s just nuts. It was exciting to get my first bell jar though and they were offering to engrave your initials on the bottle for free so I thought why not? Seems like a really flashy thing to do though!
oooooo your initials on the jar?? fannn-ceeee I’d love that : “yes, this is MY Bell Jar, you can tell because my name is on it!”
must be a hold over from childhood when my brother would get seat I wanted or whatever and then say “your name wasn’t on it!” (aren’t 8 yr olds great?) I hope you did get the engraving—it is luxurious, wonderfully so!
Oh gracious, that’s quite a mistake!!
Happy New Year everyone!
And to you as well 🙂
SOTD is Aromatics Elixir. One of my absolute favourites. I tried it because of the review in Perfumes The Guide, and am very glad I did. It always hits the spot.
A very happy New Year for everyone!
AE is great stuff – enjoy!
AustenFan, AE is the only fragrance I was asked for the name of when wearing it. Soon after, my mother, sister and best friend all bought a bottle. Needless to say I don’t wear it anymore but it is fantastic stuff!
You guys are very luck – it turns vile on my skin!
Happy N. Year, everyone! To all the bloggers, who keep us so informed with such entertaining reviews, and also fellow posters, for your fantastic company, support, info, advice and funny comments!
Love You All
xxxM
Thank you Merlin, and you have a wonderful 2011!
I recenly received an Ava Luxe order and one of the samples she included is Ambre Antique. She couldn’t have selected a more perfect fragrance for me. I have decided that will be my fragrance to ring in the new year. Have a blessed new year all you NSTers. XOXO
Hope it was perfect!
I recently found out that Guerlain has discontinued Attrape-Coeurs (a little late, I know). Does anyone know where to get this? Is it available anywhere besides Ebay?
Thanks!
Where are you? I was in the Houston Galleria in November, and they still had at least one bottle of A-C in Neiman Marcus. I saw it in the case as the SA was getting out the bottle of Derby that I bought. I do not know if it is still there, but it might be. If you are anywhere near a NM, you might want to check. I have seen a couple mentions on this site as well about a store in Las Vegas that sells the hard-to-find Guerlains and might have it. It does show up on eBay, but at a premium. A while back, there was a bottle for $299, which was not too bad of a markup, as the retail price is $225. Right now, there is a bottle being offered, but it is $450.
Thank you for your response!
I’m in the San Diego area and I think there are NM’s around here somewhere – I am unable to get out much so it would have to be a phone or mail order.
I’ve heard tell of the shop in Las Vegas too, on the Basenotes forums, so maybe I’ll give them a call about it. I have a sample and I adore it so I’ll have to think about springing for $225 for a bottle. Is that for 50 or 100 ml? In the bee bottle? (see, more questions :>D)
It is in the bee bottle, and it is 125 ml.
Check the San Francisco NM, too – I got mine there and they may still have some.
Hello,guys!
Tonight i will be wearing my latest purchase, wich i am just in love with :Womanity by Mugler! LOL Some people dont like it, but is sooo different and clean and reminds me of parties that i wanna use it today.
In fact it is one of the best scents i have ever felt.
Now i am interested about the Vetiver Tonka some of you are talking about,will just look for it at the stores.
Enjoy! I like Womanity!
I like Womanity, too – I plan on getting a mini soon.
Happy New Year’s! My sad discovery this year is that Chanel perfumes and I just don’t mix. I like them, but they don’t like me. Sigh. But tonight, it will be Jubilation 25 and a red dress! I’m excited!
That sounds like a festive combination! 🙂
I think everyone has a house like that. Guerlain and I don’t mix almost at all. (I can wear some of the masculines and a rare scent here or there, but most of the classics are awful on me.)
Maybe it’s the iris? I know a lot of the Chanels use iris as a note. Many houses seem to have a “signature” note or accord to give a sort of family resemblance to the scents, so if the signature is something that doesn’t work well on your skin, you will likely have trouble wearing any scents from that house.
I can’t recall trying any perfumes with iris listed as a note. I think I’ll need to investigate this further!
Happy New Year, all! I’m about to go start dinner (Moroccan roast chicken w/couscous and a salad of mixed greens, pomegranate seeds, walnuts, dried cranberries and feta). We’ll be staying home, watching movies and playing games, and just snacking away. SOTE will be Cologne du Maghreb… a little sparkle, a little spice, and a little good luck to take me into 2011.
That all sounds very special E! Happy New Year. XOXO
Your dinner (and plan for the evening) sound perfect, hope it was!
Happy Healthy New Years to Everyone! I hope everyone has a great and wonderfully smelly year!
Happy New Year to you!
My sister was blown away, by the way – thank you for making me appear to be a magical person.
Happy new year!
I am wearing Verveine Agrumes by l’occitane as it is the only thing I can stand today (ugly bout of faringitis… thank God now 80% gone)
Oh and I fear the last quarterly poll.. I never fare well at these after my October U.S. vacations hehehehehe
Oh, hope you are 100% better by today!
Happy New Year, everyone! Wishing you a healthy, wealthy, happy and fragrant 2011.
SOTE is the beautiful Amouage Dia.
Dia is beautiful!
I rung in the New Year with Black Rosette and I do have to say I smell great! Happy New Year everyone!!!!
Yes, you do!
Happy New Year everyone! I just got a new bottle of perfume and i HATE the way it smells on me for the first hour, but then it melts into my skin and I can’t get enough of it. I find myself spraying it and wondering why on earth I ever bought it white fighting the urge to go scrub it off and then later on I’m compulsively smelling my wrist because it’s so soft and warm and lovely. Does this happen to anyone else or am I just nuts?
What’s the perfume?
Yes, what is this perfume?
I’ve had similar reactions. The much loved nuit de tuberose is like that for me. But the strongest hate/love reaction I’ve had was to SL iris silver mist. It’s vile in the beginning and beautiful in the end. I love that you can track that scent as it goes thru the lifecycle of top to bottom notes. Extraordinary overall. But on me, the opening hour or two is really unappealing on me.
You’re not nuts, it just means that there is something in the top note that you don’t like. I had a similar experience with my sample of Un Coeur en Mai. There was a weird plasticky top note that I did not like, but after it wore off, the rest of the fragrance was lovely (though not lovely enough to justify the price tag!) I found myself wishing there were a way to fast forward through that first half hour to get to the good part.
I think I know what you mean—the first 1/2 hour or so of Ubar is tough: I hover on the edge of a headache, feel a little agitated…then all of the sudden whatever that note is that makes me edgy is gone and then I can’t stop sniffing my arm! Luckily, if I can make it thru that first hour—then it’s glorious the rest of the day! If I could extract that one note–I’d wear Ubar every day!
I LOVE Ubar! The thing I have found, though, is that I have to be very careful not to overapply. I have scent-eating skin, and one drop or one spray is never enough on me, I have to use at least 3, and I usually have to reapply every few hours. Ubar, however, is very potent. The bottle I have is a 7.5 ml mini, with a very small opening, but even so, two drops are enough, and they last a good long time. One time I put on too much (about 5 or 6 drops) and it did give me a headache.
ok I’m a bit embarrassed to say that the perfume is White Soul (and yes I think the name is awful), but I just love how it smells after an hour. The first part is awful and kind of chemical, and then when that goes away it’s soft and musky and sweet. Maybe I need to before I start getting dressed and then hopefully by the time I’m leaving the house it will be closer to the “ahhhhh” time. 🙂
Who do you think you’re fooling, every day? 😉
Happy New Year everyone! I’ve been wearing Le Labo Patchouli 24 a lot lately. My favorite scarf smells of it and it’s left a heavenly, warm, spicy clean trail everywhere. I’ve also recently discovered Anne Pliska perfume, and am sort of in love with it. Not too often that I drain a sample vial dry.
by the way, I am the NST fan formerly known as “sweetonpink”, I recently changed my username
Anne Pliska is a nice one, not me really but so nicely done.
SOTD is Vetiver Extraordinaire from sample — lovely stuff and preferable to several other vetivers I”ve tried, but I don’t think this vetiver note is really my thing. Or at least not at the moment…
First FB of 2011… I’m thinking something that will be nice for the spring and summer ahead, maybe Jardin sur le Nil, as I’ve already got a few winter fragrances and am looking to expand my wardrobe. I’m at the start of a three-week vacation at my parents’ now, and I want to buy a fragrance now and wear it the entire time I’m here so it will remind me of home when I wear it later…
Random question: are there any perfumes out there that smell like the beach in late summer? I don’t like aquatic notes, and I don’t associate things like Cool Water or Light Blue with the beach, but I am wondering if there’s anything more realistic out there that will really remind me of the ocean without being too sweet or too dry and salty?
Dominika, Miller Harris Fleurs de Sel and Stephanie Saint Aignan Embruns d’Ambre are both worth trying.
Noz, thanks for checking back and recommending 🙂 I’m not familiar with that second line, but I’ll try the Miller Harris for sure.
CB I Hate Perfume has some very realistic beachy scents that are worth trying.
Boojum, I was just emailing my brother about what we want to do in a few weeks when I visit him in NY for the weekend, and I mentioned some perfume shops 😉 He emailed back saying he lives steps away from the CB boutique in Brooklyn, so what a coincidence 🙂 I can’t wait to try those scents, and Black March.