I meant to get this poll up and running first thing this morning, but our internet access is not working so well today (so I also don't know for sure that I'll be able to join in the discussion). Better late than never?
The usual open thread: talk about anything you like — the perfume you’re wearing today, the perfume you'll miss when summer is over, whatever.
Or, ask a question about fragrance, then see if anyone else has asked a question that you can answer…
Note: image is lotus1 by ~suchitra~ at flickr; some rights reserved.
Wearing DSH En Fleur to get in the mood for Thursday’s trip to Hawaii. Trying to decide which perfume(s) to pack … definitely Bronze Goddess, probably also Eau de Rochas or another citrusy cologne-type thing.
I finally got around to trying Bvlgari Black in Sephora yesterday. I think I need that one for fall.
Lucky you — have a great time in Hawaii!
It’s for my sister’s wedding — I’m the maid (heh) of honor and am at a loss to think of a good perfume for a beach wedding. Sis is wearing Pacifica Tahitian Gardenia, which I introduced her to. I like En Fleur but its lasting power isn’t great. I will probably end up taking my Fracas rollerball and applying lightly.
That sounds so nice, congrats to both of you. I think a little dab of Fracas would be lovely.
I always recommend this on here but sounds like it would be great for what you are looking for. I love wearing a big natural gardenia or tuberose in Hawaii, it just amplifies the heaven. Have you tried Antica Farmacista La Parfum A La Moana? Would be lovely… And a lot less ‘perfumy’ than Fracas, but by no means am I dissing Fracas. Also perhaps by La Maison De La Vanille – Vanille Divine des Tropiques?
I haven’t tried either of those, but they sound great. Unfortunately I don’t think I’ll have time for serious fragrance shopping between now and Thursday, but I’ll file that info away for future tropical vacations (not that I need an upcoming vacation to justify new perfume purchases).
Right now on my arms I’m testing eight samples (a record!) I got yesterday while at the store to buy Un Bois Farine (yay!) With that and yesterday’s sniffs on testers, I now know I don’t like amber fragrances, although I like amber *in* fragrances. And I finally found what I think would be a vanilla perfume I could like: Serge Lutens’ Un Bois Vanille. I like it much better than I did SDV, Vanille Insensée or Eau Duelle. And now I really want to try Filles en Aiguilles, the tester was very promising. And L’Artisan Thé pour un Été is truly lovely. There, random thoughts!
Congrats on your new Bois Farine, I wish I had a bottle of that!
Hi Alnysie,
Let me know if you like Fille en Aiguilles – we can cut a deal…
Sounds like you did some good shopping!
Will do! (And yes, I did!)
I just wrote you! I like it a lot!
SOTD is A La Nuit. A beautiful perfume to accompany the lazy day my husband and I are enjoying today. I’ll miss these lazy days, but watching futbol today makes me look forward to some Fall perfumes such as DK Black Cashmere and Solange Stoned.
A La Nuit = yum. But I like Black Cashmere too.
mmmmm….I like ALL those!
As much as I hate to see the waning of summer….the chilly nights and mornings have certainly put me in the mood for some of those cozy scents….dare I say: Fall Scents? *wahhhhh I miss summer already!*
Hi again!
Ive had a lovely time in Toronto so far. I took a sugestion to go to Noor boutique, and just about died of happiness! I highly recomend them!
Today, I am trying Noir Epices by Frederic Malle. I do quite like the start, but for some reason, now as it peters out at the end of the day, I reminds me of Mitsouko.
Has anyone else experinced this strange relationship?
glad you went to Noor – it is an amazing place. If you need to go to Hermes, the best SA is Keisha…
Thanks for the tip! I havent stopped in yet…
Noor?…..hmm….do they have an online boutique?…..always looking for perfume shopping options….
Also glad you got to Noor!
I can see how Noir Epices reminds you of Mitsouko (though I haven’t directly had that experience)..However, parts of Mitsouko’s drydown remind me of Poivre and Noir Epices reminds me of Poivre..:)
I’m wearing Voyage D’Hermès today, one of the best opening notes I know and one of the worst lasting power! NSTperfumers, does anyone here has M7 and M7 Fresh?? Can you describe M7 Fresh comparing to M7, please?
Voyage lasted on my skin for more than twelve hours…like I’d been soaked with sea water then covered in pepper.
Sorry, I have not tried the Fresh!
(and Voyage doesn’t last 12 hours on me, but it’s reasonable enough for an EDT)
You’re so lucky. In me Voyage has an Eau de Cologne lasting power and sillage. Spider75berkeley, you have seawater in a lot of perfumes (best exemple: Kenzo Pour Homme) but this papper smell no. See with other eyes: It’s someway different and you hardly find another person with this kind of smell. 😉
I have both M7 and M7 Fresh: they are almost nothing alike. M7 Fresh is an herbal cologne with a tiny hint of M7 in the background.
Is there that cherrie syrup smell on the Fresh? Is it resinous and smoky??
M7 Fresh is “okay” ……regular M7 is amazing.
Is there that cherrie syrup smell on the Fresh? Is it resinous and smoky???
I’m having one of those weekends where perfume is improving my (otherwise potentially quite crabby) mood immeasurably. Have worn in the past two days: Smell Bent Incensed (crazy sweet incense–love it), L’Artisan Tea for Two (an all-time favorite), L’Artisan Iris Pallida (very pretty, but is way too light on me, hardly can smell it), and Penhaligon’s Elixir (alluring, and I mean to get a big bottle someday).
Plus I’ve been reading all about Serge Lutens fragrances online, since I’ve never actually worn one (wait, except Feminite du Bois back when it was a Shiseido scent), and have been quite intrigued by the Fille en Aiguilles I sniffed on a spray stick recently. And I also covet a bigger decant of Eau d’Italie Bois d’Ombrie, which amazed me in a sample vial lately. And I need more Philosykos…okay, it’s a good thing my birthday is coming up.
Will gladly take suggestions for other scents to try, based on those I like, listed above!
I wish I could wear Tea for Two, I love the spices and sometimes it’s perfect, but the next day the tea note will be too much for me. But in the same line, maybe Jacomo #08? It’s also in the same “chai” category, maybe lighter on the tea? In any ways, I love it!
Oh, Jacomo #08 sounds wonderful! I haven’t tried any of the Jacomo line yet, in fact. Must add it to my list! Cardamom…mm, I’m sold.
I’ll second that Jacomo #8 suggestion. I’ve been wearing the heck out of it this summer.
Okay, I’m seriously hoping for a perfume shop gift certificate in the birthday haul. A check would do… 🙂
Oh, I didn’t even think of it as a summer scent! But since I only have a sample vial, I couldn’t test it that much, and mostly dabbed it some evenings just to smell it from time to time!
Unfortunately for my Canadian self, it seems I could only find it on Luckyscent, with the astronomical shipping and duties charges ordering from them incurs… I even wrote to Jacomo and they confirmed that they don’t sell it in Canada *AND* I can’t order from their website. 🙁
No, scratch that, I can only find it on *IndieScents*, not LuckyScents. Although I think it’s run by the same people, and with the same charges. :/
Wow, Jacomo #08 sounds wonderful. I had no idea that it even existed. How prominent is the milky note?
I just dabbed some on my hand to try to answer… but I can’t really tell, I don’t have many fragrances with a milky note and so I’m not sure what it smells like on its own! Maybe Aparatchick can answer… I don’t think it smells too much like milk, I don’t get any “warm milk” smell (which might put me off).
This might be a silly question, but: does a milky note smell a little like a buttery note? Because I can’t bear the butter note in Serge Lutens Jeux de Peau, but I really like #08, if that helps.
Never having smelled a straight-up butter note (or Jeux de Peau), I can’t really answer that … I think that certain rich white-floral fragrances (like Fracas) that have a buttery kind of quality, but that’s probably not what you’re describing here. I just don’t like it when fragrances remind me of custard or pudding. But since you don’t get a warm-milk smell from this one, I’d guess that wouldn’t be a problem here (yay!).
Try it, and let us know what you think of it! 🙂
I own Tea for Two and am a fan of Jacomo #8 as well, although I haven’t gotten around to buying a FB. Just thought I’d add that to my nose, the Jacomo has none of the rather prominent smokiness of T42 and has a more clean, muskiness to it. I like them both, but I suspect that #8 is the “safer” fragrance. Also, I don’t find either of them has much “milkiness” ala Jo Malone Milk and Honey, for example.
I just got some Jacomo #8 and don’t find it “milky” really…more of a steamed rice sort of note perhaps. There’s a touch of Penhaligon’s Amaranthine to it, but without the skank factor.
I’m starting to amass quite a collection of sample and was just wondering how others store/organize their samples. What type of container do you use so they’re not overflowing all over the place. And do you organize them by Perfume Houses or notes?
I bought some lipstick organizers to use for decants and samples. Each compartment will hold one decant up to about a 10 or 15 ml size, depending on the shape, or several sample vials. I use separate organizers for decants and for samples. The decants are organized alphabetically by perfume name. The samples are organized alphabetically by perfume house. The organizer keeps the samples and decants vertical, so they do not leak as they sometimes do if they are stored on their sides.
That’s really a great solution I never thought of. My problem was leaking samples when they ended up on their sides. I’ll have to find some lipstick organizers now. Thank you!
I bought mine from eBay. They weren’t cheap, but I don’t regret buying them. I have so many samples and decants, it would be chaos without some sort of organization system. I just couldn’t find anything in the stores in my area, so eBay was the next option. Here is the listing if you are interested (no affiliation, BTW):
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=310235513423&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT
Don’t worry about the listing ending soon. It has been relisted over and over for several months. The seller originally had almost 100 of them, but most of them have been sold.
I also use a similar tray from The Container Store. I can fit about three 1ml vials in one slot or one larger spray sample. As I test though, I do take out ones that I’m not crazy about or don’t need for future reference. Still have to figure out how to go about swapping them once I have spare time!
I started off with my modest collection of samples grouped in tidy organza bags, sorted by perfume house. When the bags started to proliferate, I began storing them in small wooden craft boxes with latching lids. When these became too numerous, I shifted to a nice-sized jewelry chest with adjustable partitions. Soon (with the addition of numerous full- and mini-sized bottles) I outgrew even this. At present, my collection has taken over the lower half of an entire curio cupboard. It is splayed out on numerous shelves, in boxes and pouches, and is even now threatening to usurp the entire cupboard from top to bottom. Help.
I feel your pain.
I use an old secretary desk to store my bottles, decants, samples, and decanting supplies. My bottle collection finally outgrew the desk and letter slots area, so for the first time I’ve resorted to storing my cool-weather only fragrances in a box at the bottom of my closet. It will be a sad day for me when my summer fragrances go in the box, but I will be happy to see my fall and winter friends.
Going out on a date with ‘the frenchman’ after not seeing him for about 5 years. I’m wearing Dia and hoping he’ll like it. He also instructed me to bring him a gift so I made a baggie of minnie samples: Chanel Coromandal, POTL, Bvlgari Black and 2 masculines from Parfums de Nicilai: Carres d’as and Balle du Match. Hope he likes them… is it too weird to scent an old flame?
I don’t think it’s weird, I think it will be fun! I am in the bad habit of scenting all my guests when I host a party, but it is always a huge riot.
Oh I do this too! People cant come to my house without being sprayed with something whether they like it or not
Ha! I would come in the door and immediately head for your perfume cabinet!!
hahah anytime Daisy!
Oh, I think that sounds like fun! It is surprisingly nerve-wracking to scent someone when you also want their approval, though, isn’t it? I know I feel pretty exposed sharing my favorite scents, hoping that my company approves of them (and therefore me?), too!
Lately I have been wearing a lot of Vega, which was my most recent FB acquisition. I have been pining after a bottle for months, and I wanted the bottle almost as much as the perfume, so a decant was not a good option, but the price tag was discouraging, to say the least. Well, I managed to get a $250 MN gift card, so that brought the price down to a reasonable level.
I am also awaiting my order from DSH. The Secrets of Egypt fragrances are apparently being cleared out, and the remaining “mummy” bottles are marked way down–from $275 down to $75 or $85. If you were longing after one of them, but wouldn’t pay full price, this is a good time to grab one of the remaining bottles.
I am going to have some ‘fessing up to do on the next damage poll, but I figure that in America, it’s not how much you spend, it’s how much you save and I have really “saved” a bundle! 😉
I love Vega.
oohhh….how much you saved….yes, very important….get ready to fess up! I want to hear more about the DSH’s you’ve ordered!
I’m wearing Sambac, by Ajne Organic Perfume Apothecary. It’s jasmine with fresh citrus, green woods and a base of aromatic forest balsams and woods. It’s so clean but rich at the same time. It really makes me feel relaxed, and kind of enchanting. : )
That sounds lovely!
I like the sound of this, too!
There was a distinctly autumnal tinge to the air today which was so disconcerting and caught me so offguard that I didn’t know what to wear, so I am scentless today. I am a little bummed that fall will arrive and I will still be unemployed and thus unable to purchase my fall scent wishlist.
I’m having a really interesting time experiencing scent through my boyfriend who lost his sense of smell from a concussion. His ability to sometime ‘sense’ ordors but inability to identify/understand the smell has raised questions for me about what scent is and the nature of his injury.
That’s fascinating, Meg (though I’m sorry that your boyfriend had such a traumatic injury). What kinds of things does he perceive when he “senses” odors — at least, insofar as you can know what he’s experiencing?
When he smells things it is always the same unpleasant ‘phantom’ ordor, regardless of whether it’s bleach or a perfume he is smelling. Thus, the sensors in his nose are working fine (makes sense, right, it was his head he hit), but that the part of his brain which recognizes smells is damaged. So, we are trying to *help* the neurons learn to fire again by stimulating them: I’ll spray on a perfume and TELL him what it’s supposed to smell like, etc. Atleast, that’s our own patchwork understanding of how to help him smell again.
I really hope he will have his sense of smell back quickly! It must be horrible to only smell (and taste, I assume?) unpleasant things.
And again, good luck for finding a job!
He has his taste back, weirdly! and thank you. How is your own hunt going?
Really? I guess that’s good news for his sense of smell?! Let’s hope so!
Thanks for asking. I’m having my first interview tomorrow, I’m rather nervous…
Good luck to you today Alnysie!!!!
Seconding the good luck!
Thank you!!! (Wow, I was confused, the interview is tomorrow, not today! I hope I’m more alert by then!)
sorry about his head injury! scary stuff that!
I hope he can get back a sense of smell for good things too.
It would be sad to not smell all the good things in life…but I guess that’s better than other complications he could have suffered. I count him as lucky, but still cross my fingers for the return of smells.
A friend I dont see often lost his smell due to head injury. I missed the beging of recovery, but nearing the end it was late spring and we would be walking, when sudenly he would stop and exclaim ‘lilacs!’. It was one of his first scents back. Withen a year, scent by scent, he got them all back. There is hope!
I’m glad for your friend! I can’t imagine how exciting it would be to smell things again after months without!
Hi Meg,
I’m still fighting my way back to life after a near-terminal bout with an acute form of Vasculitis with neurological complications. Either the illness or the medications caused me to become anosmic. I also lost my sense of taste. It all started to return, then I caught a cold and it went again. Now it’s almost all back (I’m still completely anosmic to Mitsouko). The doctor said I could become anosmic again (hopefully only temporarily) if I have another cold.
I find it strange that your boyfriend’s sense of taste has not been affected. It sounds like a good idea to keep trying to stimulate his sense of smell. I hope it returns.
(((((( Jonette )))))) I haven’t been around the blogs nearly as much as I used to be….but I remember you being very ill and in the early stages of recovery…..sorry about the cold. I hope your recovery continues.
Thanks, Daisy. We’ll eventually get to do some swapping. I haven’t forgotten you. 🙂
oops! I think I’m mixing you up with Dixie. Thanks never the less for your good wishes.
You, too, Meg.
oh, how awful. I hope you recover well without going anosomic again.
I’ve been meaning to ask this for a while and the discussion above about sample storage reminded me. I live far from any worthwhile sniffing opportunities so the only practical way to sample fragrances is to purchase samples / sample-size decants and I, too, am amassing quite a collection.
My question is: When you test a sample and you don’t like it, do you save it for reference or for a future second try or do you swap it or give it away or do you throw it away?
I’m just beginning but I’ve read in many places the advice of keeping everything, for reference. So that’s what I’ve been doing so far and it’s been useful a couple of times. And I still hope that in a year from now, I might end up liking all those heady flowers, or Shalimar, or Philosykos! (I don’t think I’ll ever like Sécrétions Magnifiques, though, but I’m keeping that one too.)
Haven’t tried SM yet and, from what I’ve read, I’m in no hurry to do so! 🙂
I think this depends on what you want out of your perfume collection. I think for blog writers on fragrance, or anyone very serious about cataloguing fragrance, it will be useful for them to keep samples on hand. If, however, you are more interesting in smelling more things you may want FBs of, you may want to only hold on to your samples you are un-interested in for a certain time period, say, 6 months-year before swapping them away in order to smell new things you may actually like at a reduced cost (and maybe give someone else the chance to discover a new love as well!). I think a purgatory time period is key, though, so you can give a scent multiple tries over long periods of time: your initial opinion of a scent might change in a different season or if you’re in a different mood or have learnt to appreciate a certain note.
Hmmm . . . guess I’m going to have to be less generous in my application. I don’t have enough left after 2 or 3 tests to trade!
this fact may eliminate your dilemma! it’s true though, I do use very lightly.
I generally keep things for a while and try them more than once. . Certainly, it is a good idea to test things at different times of year. Some scents are better in cold weather, others are better in heat. I usually allow for about three tests, in different weather, before I decide that something is just not for me.
Tastes do change, and it is good to have references for different notes or perfume families, if you are trying to educate your nose. You might want to keep these “references” in a separate area. There are some scents that get mentioned so often, (Joy, No. 5, Shalimar, e.g.), that it is probably good to have samples of them just to remind yourself of what people are talking about.
If your collection becomes unmanageable and you feel you need to get rid of some things, then by all means purge those you definitely dislike. Certainly, if you get involved with swapping, you can use these “not me” samples to swap. Someone else may love what you do not.
One final piece of advice–keep a spreadsheet, diary, or whatever, to remind yourself of what you liked and what you didn’t like. Trust me, after testing several hundred perfumes, it is easy to forget whether you tried something or not and what you thought of it. There is not sense in duplicating something you hated the first time, especially if you are paying for all your samples.
I agree completely. I’ve already set up a spreadsheet which I maintain in a neurotically AR manner! 😉
Yes, I’ve definitely purchased some “classics every perfumista should smell” as education and useful reference points. And I certainly keep my eye out for free sample opportunities.
Phew – so glad it’s not just me – I love my spreadsheet!!
the perfume spreadsheet seems to make the rest of the world make sense! Or atleast less daunting.
I keep most of my samples because you never know…last year I tried two scents that I just “didn’t get.” Now, suddenly, I love them. But, sometimes I find a scent plain ‘ol disagreeable and give it away as an extra in a swap. One man’s trash…
Hello all,
I had friends over for brunch today. It was great company and delicious food! Of course we had mimosas so in keeping with the theme, I wore Guerlain AA Tiare Mimosa. I picked it up at Marshalls for $14.99. Made me enjoy it even more.
Speaking of trying to figure out the perfect scent for a city, I’m traveling to NYC over Labor Day weekend to watch some tennis. Trying to determine if I can only take one bottle of perfume with me, what should it be? It will also serve as my swan song to summer scent. I’ve considered: Bond No 9 Coney Island (I love that it is a jumble tumble of smells), Jo Malone Verbenas of Provence, Balenciaga Paris. I’m kind of all over the place. Any suggestions?
Enjoy the remaining dregs of Sunday evening!
I might skip packing anything and buy something in NYC instead!
Hmm, not a bad idea….or I may pack something to take and buy something there 🙂
I’m not sure which scent I’d recommend, but I would want to keep in mind that NYC in August can be hot and muggy. I’d want something that helped me feel cool but sophisticated.
Definitely agree.
Are you going to Flushing Meadows. If so, you will probably have the choice of (1) leaving from Penn Station taking the Long Island railroad special to the stadiums. (It is usually referred to as the Shea, or Citifield or Mets train) or (2) of taking the Number 7 subway line, which leaves from Times Square or Grand Central Station. The latter option takes longer, and is more crowded but gives you a lovely view of the Manhattan sky line.
Oh wait, you asked about perfume… not transit.
How about picking up one of those bargain HDP’s Les Carrottes, which is part of here I Love New York Line and bring that. Okay, it does smell like carrots, but it is also sparkling and lovely. A fun daytime scent.
Otherwise I’d not pack a bottle, and make a quick stop to buy something which you may have been longing to test, but is not available to you at home.
Hi Dilana,
Yes we are headed to Flushing Meadows! Thanks much for the transit help. Hubby is a big tennis fan & player so we have made this trek for the last 12+ years. We’ve taken the LIRR and the # 7, and tend to flip back and forth between the two options. I’ve not heard of HDP’s Les Carrottes. The scent sounds interesting. Dont really associate carrots with sparkling & fun. LOL!!!
If you can’t buy something new my suggestion is Coney Island! It will keep you cool and it kind of fits in with the place…
Hi Meg,
I havebeen leaning toward the Coney Island option. I think it will be refreshing and have it’s own sophistication to it. Plus it has good longevity and sillage on me so it can stand up to NYC muggy days and heavy foot traffic.
Thanks for the rec’d!
I took advantage of the Space.nk sale that’s going on and bought three of their own 15 ml mini fragrances (Tuberoli, Champaca and Santalrosa) which were $10/ea and I love each of them! I kinda wish I’d purchased the 30mls instead.
I also took the opportunity to buy an Honore des Pres fragrance that was on sale. I’d heard such good things about the line and they were considerably marked down, so I tried Bonte’s Bloom: “…daisies and sunflowers, with garlands of meadow flowers and tedded hay,Iris butter,blue chamomile, fragrant herbs and Paraguayan leaves…” Sounded perfect. How wrong could I be. Not only did I have to spray it several times just to smell it, what I got was the scent of that concentrated water after a bouquet has been left in the vase for way too long. Blessedly, the staying power and sillage is the weakest of any fragrance I’ve encountered (even Jennifer Aniston’s wimpy thing seems like a powerhouse next to this).
I’m glad I didn’t pay the original price of $145! I’m ticked off enough that I spent $36 on this instead of on more or bigger bottles of SpaceNK fragrances. I have never had a fragrance purchase make me angry before. Ever. I almost feel like I’ve been duped or tricked. Surely Olivia Giacobetti isn’t mean-spirited. I mean, she made Hermes Hiris, which is challenging, but which I love. I’ve had plenty of negative reactions to fragrances. Penhaligon’s Amaranthine being a recent one, I found it revolting and yet fascinating. I could feel the workmanship and could see how some people could love it, even though it was a scrubber for me.
That said, does anybody want a nearly new bottle of HdP Bonte’s Bloom? lol 😛
I hope it hasn’t turned! I ordered Bonte’s Bloom at the same sale (hasn’t arrived yet) and hope it will be the same as my tiny tester from a few years ago: all boozy hay summer breezy and green.
BB was one of the very first “perfumista” samples that I ever got and it went immediately into my “get more of this” box, but I never ordered more because the price tag did not warrent the fleeting longevity. But, at $36, i can spray with abandon. Crossing my fingers that it’s still the same and not old flower water.
Boozey!? I wish. I love boozey in my fragrances. I do hope you are right and that it has just turned and that you don’t get a similar unfortunate bottle! There is only one review of it on MUA, very recently posted (wonder if s/he got it at the sale, too?) and a very similar experience to mine. I’m going to email SpaceNK, even though it doesn’t sound like they’ll take opened items.
Oh no, so sorry you hate it!
I scored a pretty well-paying job, but it doesn’t start until September. I am already thinking about what my first fragrance purchase will be! Right now I am leaning towards a big bottle of Chanel No 5 EP, but I can’t decide yet.
ooh jealous! Not a bad choice if you do with 5. It is on my buy list as well for when I also…hopefully… find gainful employment.
Meg, sounds like both you and your boyfriend have had some difficult experiences lately. Best wishes to you both for better times ahead.
It’s true. Thank you.
Huge congrats!!
Congratulations!!
After two years of considering and reconsidering my first major perfume purchase, I’m now the proud owner of Un Jardin en Mediterranee by Hermes. I actually hated this scent when I first tried it. I found it too fecal, and preferred the lighter Un Jardin Sur Le Nil. But then my nose shifted. I’ve come to love the rotting fig notes, the baked-in sunlight, the sweet, spoiled fleshliness. The feces is warm and almost chocolatey, teeming with bacteria. I’d love to hear other thoughts on Un Jardin en Mediterranee.
I think I would have loved JeM more if I wasn’t already in love with Philosykos?? Nil is still my favorite of the Hermes Jardins.
Congratulations on your purchase! (Two years?!) It was also *almost* my first bottle too! (First I impulsively bought Praliné de Santal, but UJEM was on my list for much longer.) I was also previously more interested in Un Jardin sur le Nil, I almost emptied my 8 mL decant, but then when I got my decant of UJEM, I felt it was *it*. I loved how rich it smelled. (I like your description, I wouldn’t have thought about it that way by myself, but I can totally see what you mean.) Now I’m back to not being quite so sure, but still I’m really glad I’ve got my bottle.
I’ll repeat myself: UJEM is my second prefference on Un Jardin series, behind UJSLN. Both are relaxing fragrances and UJSLN for me is like being on a spa (it’s aromatherapeutical). The smell of fig on Méditerranèe is heavenly and the citus oppening is so pleasant, very balanced with other notes. I’m thinking about buying a new fig frag and in doubt between Phylosikos, Fico di Almafi and Ninfeo Mio. I’d like one with more sillage and lasting power. Any suggestion Spider? Any suggestion Robin??
this was my first major purchase too!! I got a sample, hated it at first (for similar reasons as yours- it smelled like something dirty was lingering underneath), but was more and more drawn to wear it almost every day. I love how it changes. I missed it when the decant wore out! To me it smells like seawater and sunshine and salty earth. I also love the lemony tomato topnotes. Definitely my go to summertime perfume- I don’t know what I’ll do when fall comes around…
Hey,
I am new around here..I am not an expert on perfume. But I have a question. I really like Armani Mania for women..anyone know if/when this may be discontinued? I keep hearing it’s discontinued but it looks like one can still buy it off their site. I *really* like that one. I get so many compliments on it..I got to say..men seem to really like that one. I hope it doesn’t get wiped out completely.
I also am a bit into the Daisy..I tried on the Eau so Fresh version yesterday..I am not so sure I like that one as much as the original. I can’t say I really love anything else that’s popular out there. Major ones I dislike are: Angel, Light Blue..oh and those DNKY apple scents, oh and White Linen..actually I don’t like much Estee Lauder ones..or Lancome. Maybe the Miracle..Idk..well that’s my chat!
I don’t have any information on that perfume, but discontinuation can mean a few different things – for example a particular trader might “discontinue” the item from its inventory. It can be hard to know if something will go out of production permanently, and even if it does, stock takes awhile to run out, and there is a second hand market.
If you are new to fragrance, you may find it will spark something in you and eventually you will end up with 50 bottles and will have left your first love far behind anyway. That is what is currently happening to me!
So true!
I may fall in love with many others.
I mean fragrances I loved five years ago, some I wouldn’t wear today.
That’s how it goes I guess..much like a crush that you aren’t into anymore:).
Thank you so much for the reply!
Morgan is right, it’s hard to tell. It might just be for sale because they still haven’t sold all the bottles they’ve already made, but they don’t plan to make any more once those are gone: in that case, yes, it’s discontinued. But I have no idea what their plans are, sorry!
That’s ok! Thanks!
Oh I dislike Light Blue so much too and I think I’m crazy about that!!! But Angel captivated me after a long period of time. It teached me how to like it.
Oh, and anyone smell the Lovestruck yet? I am not sure how I feel about this one yet, I would have to smell it again. I can tell you though my husband HATES it on me! Lol..and what’s with the bottle top? Hehehe.
Oh, GOOBERS! I had a question to ask; I know I did! I remember saying to myself, “Self, next time there’s an open thread, you MUST ask the lovely folks at NST that very insightful and thought-provoking question!” (Ok, maybe not quite that, but something like!)
Anyway, I’ve got NO IDEA what I was gonna ask!!!!
Damn!
I guess I CAN share that I’ve done a complete 180 on Shalimar. Way back in January, in my early neo-Perfumista days (I know, redundant!), I found a half bottle of vintage Shalimar at an estate sale that I bought, just because I knew it was well-loved. Took it home and strongly disliked it.
Now, it has become my go-to fragrance this summer! I LOVE it! I feel so sexy and sophisticated and beautiful, and it has just the right amount of sillage that I know others can smell it but it isn’t too much to feel rude or like an imposition. I’ve decided to wear it with abandon and in complete denial that I will run out and probably have a horrible time trying to replace it! So there! : P
Oooh, I like this comment. Shamilar was one of the perfumes I promised myself I would never seek out because it would be too hard to find or too expensive. I basically promised myself when I first started that I would never be drawn to the vintage obsession that seems to take hold of so many perfumistas. But then, lo and behold, someone sent me some of the edt in the swap…and now… I’m intrigued… and want to try the edp and maybe even, one day, vintage.
Would it be evil for me to tell you I got it for less than $20? (It turns out that many estate sales will cut prices in half the last few hours of the sale. . .and somehow perfumes don’t seem to get snatched up by the usual vultures!)
EVIL!! but it does sorta change things… 😉 I have never been to an estate sale, I’m not sure where to find one! I must investigate further…
Hey, it might be a way for a cash-strapped perfumista to keep adding to her collection. . . 😉
(BTW, I’m not sure where you are, but for me, I can simply do an online search or check craigslist for current estate sales listings. Often, they include pictures or lists of the “booty,” which can help you decide if it’s worth the drive. Good luck!)
Thanks for the tip! I will try this. I’m in Canada, btw. So Marjorie, I’m gathering you started serious perfuming 8 months or so ago? May I ask how many bottles have you amassed since then?? I’ve been doing this a little over a year and I want to see how bad I’ve been in comparison!
Ok, Meg, just for you! (Don’t tell anyone, ok? This is just between you, me and the damage polls!)
I have about 20 FBs, although I’d guess about a third were bought as partials. In addition to the larger ones, I also have about that many minis.
I definitely went into a bit of a tail-spin at first, easily spending $1000 the first 4 months. I’ve actively slowed myself down since then, trying to limit myself to one “significant” purchase a month, although I admit I broke that rule this month (OJ Discovery set and a large brand new Egoiste, you know, just to compare to my vintage find. . .it was research, really!). I have had to practically ban myself from ebay and other purchasing sites. I just can’t seem to help myself when I find a “good deal”!!!
Hope you find that reassuring! 😉
ahaha, that is reassuring! I have only bought 8 bottles since I started (a little over a year ago), but I have 19 in total (some gifts, some from before perfumista-hood). Although I have been in the bad habit of buying fbs of things I haven’t smelled, which it looks like you haven’t done? Anyway, it makes me feel slightly better about my spending, lol. Look, visa!! It could be worse!! You understand now don’t you!
Ha! No, I haven’t bought any larger bottles “blindly,” but most of the minis were unsniffed. When I was first exploring scent, I figured I could buy a mini for $10 or a sample for half that, and the mini just seemed to make more sense. Of course, now I have several minis I’m not likely ever to wear, but who knows? Maybe I’ll grow into them?
That is what I tell myself about my unsniffed fbs. Of course, one worked out nicely: bas de soie.
I’m scoring a vintage bottle from my godmother. I remembered she used to have a rather large bottle of it on display in her bathroom and even as a kid I thought the bottle was pretty cool looking. I had no idea about what was in it. Now that I’m much older and wiser I thought of it and asked her if she still had it and she said she does. She said she would clean it out for me (oh the horror) and I could have it. I promptly told her NO, please do not empty it I wanted the contents as much as the bottle. So now I’m looking forward to getting it but wondering if the juice will still be any good. Has anyone gotten any vintage fragrances that were just no good anymore?
I have a few that have horrible, “old” top notes, but even those dry down nicely after a while. I have a vintage bottle of Egoiste and it never gets quite as nice as “fresh” Egoiste, but it is still interesting.
Funny what you say about the bottle! I have been exploring vintage shops a lot lately, and nearly all of them, if they carry perfume at all, are selling empty bottles. I must admit, I don’t really *get* an interest in an old perfume bottle without the perfume! So glad to hear you were able to save the juice in your grandmother’s bottle!
*Godmother* not *grandmother* OOPS!
I’v tried Joy and chanel no 5, about 20 years old. They seemed to have lost most of their scent. But, I have a very beginner nose…
Does ANYONE, ABSOLUTELY ANYONE, Know where I can Source a Bottle of the New “Alberta Ferretti” Scent that came out a year or so ago? no store or it’s website seem to carry it, i would love to try the Juice and see what it’s like….
Btw… Mty Top 5 Current Fave Fragarances that i MUST Acquire….
5.. Le Baiser Du Dragon By Van Cleef
4. Encre Noire (Men)By Lalique
3. Jimmy Choo By Jimmy Choo
2. Bellissima By Blumarine (was my fave TIL….)
1. Elie Saab Le Parfum by Elie Saab!!!!
Had a prediction about Elie Saab that it was going to be An ASTONISHING One and IT IS! I also have the same Feeling About Bottega Veneta Eau De Parfum… Can’t WAIT To Smell It!
I have been hearing a lot of the Saab, I will have to give it a smell:).
Fyi – Le Basier du Dragon is by Cartier not Van Cleef & Arpels. Just wanted to make sure this didn’t make your search for it more difficult than needed. 🙂
😀 LMAO!!! I am Such A Schmendrick! LOL! I know perfectly well Le Baiser Du Dragon is Cartier.. I have Absolutely NO CLUE what made me Put down VC&A…. Having one of those Brain Melt days i guess… Thank you so much for correcting it, My Friend!
I sniffed the new Bottega Veneta at the weekend. I liked it but it made me think of Armani Prive Cuir Amythest a LOT. So then I did a bit of digging and it’s the same perfumer!
I like so much Le Baiser du Dragon and wanting a bottle too. It can be a shared perfume perfectly. Somethig of L’Instant Pour Homme remembered me a lot Le Baiser…
As for the “Alberta Ferretti” Any Info on that one anyone???
Hello all!
I’m new as well. I’m a female, headed to Paris next month and need help narrowing down the selection of brands to buy when there (and also I have a question about Caron urns). I can purchase 5 or 6 bottles and have already decided that I will buy one bottle from IUNX, Caron and Serge Lutens (JAR is out of my budget). Please help me choose from the other brands below and please tell me why you prefer that brand to the others listed.
Also, I am looking for perfumes that are fairly exclusive to Paris or France.
Nicolai
Maitre de Parfumeur et Gantier
MDCI Parfums
Frederic Malle
Detaille
Parfumerie Générale
Huitième Art Parfums
Isabey
Frapin P. & Cie
Mona Di Orio
Parfums d’Orsay
Also, if anyone let me know which Caron fragrances are exclusive to France and how much the urn perfumes start at that would be greatly appreciated!
And, I’m a sucker for the romance behind the stories of the perfumes and the brands.
Some of my favorite perfumes are: Tubereuse by L’Artisan, Fracas, JOY, Diptyque’s Do Son, Comptoir Sud Pacifique’s discontinued Tiare. (I spend a lot of time in tropical countries for work)
Thank you for any advice!
If you can fit it in do go to Guerlain on Champs Elysees! Even if Guerlain fragrances are not your thing (I notice you are a Caron fan) it is a beautiful boutique. Wishing you as fabulous a time in Paris as I had about 18 months ago.
Thank you donanicola I will visit Guerlain to pick up some Meteorites and for a spa treatment. I would love to hear more about your Paris trip if you have a post somewhere! 🙂
and Thank you Robin for your advice, duly noted!
I have not been in the NYC Caron boutique in so long that I don’t know how much the perfumes start at, nor which ones they carry — so will be no help on what Paris has that we don’t have here.
Of the brands you list, I’d go to Nicolai — they do have things that they don’t sell in the US — and Malle, just because I think it’s the best on your list. But don’t think Malle has anything exclusive to Paris.
Do agree w/ Guerlain as well. And would add Annick Goutal.
I’m joining the party late. Not too late, I hope. Since my sense of smell has mostly returned, I’ve been making the most of it and testing lots of scents. This time, I managed to fall in LOVE with two of the samples I ordered (usually it’s all a big let down)! I’m still debating about a third one.
In love with: Montale – Aoud Roses Petals. I ordered this and two other Montale samples: Chypre Fruité and Shiny. I liked these, too, and for awhile, it was a toss up between Shiny and Roses Petals. But Shiny didn’t last long on my skin. The Roses Petals lasted more than 12 hours — I could still faintly sniff it after 16 hours. It is delicious. The opening is strong, but bearable.
I also fell madly, deeply in love with Sinfonia di Note – Poudre d’Épices. This is heavenly. I can’t stop sniffing myself.
The third scent I’m debating purchasing as a fb is Badgley Mischka. It is really lovely, but I’m not yet sure it’s right for me. I’ll have to test it a couple more times.
I’m excited because after visiting the Montale site, I discovered a retailer here in Holland — located in Amsterdam. He also has a webshop, but I want to go to the real shop so I can test other Montales. He says he has the full line.
Best yet: the prices are about one fifth less than at First in Fragrance and I also won’t have to pay shipping! YAY!
Could you describe the Poudre d’Epices? I’m often a sucker for anything spicy! And powdery spicy sounds awfully lovely. . . 🙂
I don’t think I’m too good at fragrance descriptions. Here’s what they wrote at First in Fragrance, that intrigued me so much that I ordered a sample:
>>Poudre d’Épices, – this fragrance delivers what it promises: a huge spicy prelude of cinnamon, clove and pepper, with a possible pinch of allspice that is immediately flanked by quiet floral notes led over a woody musk base.
A strong and dark-spicy fragrance with oriental tendencies, powdery and soft, yet with an enduring peppery piquancy.
Now I’ll try: it opens with a burst of spices — a true blend, hard to pinpoint specific notes, other than pepper. This is not an in-your-face fragrance. After several minutes, the floral and woody musk join in. I can’t say how long it takes to reach the next stage, but it just becomes powdery and softly spicy. In some ways, it reminds me of the original Old Spice, which I haven’t smelled in a great many years. This is feminine, yet I think a man could wear it. The pepper never disappears, but it makes this so pleasant — keeps it from becoming too girly and too powdery. It is never harsh, not even at the start. After a few hours, it just hugs my skin. I have to put my nose to my skin to smell it, and I can smell it on the breeze if I’m outside, but it is subtle. I find it really lovely.
Ah, geez. . .that DOES sound lovely! Another to add to the list. . .
I’ve read a lots of good stuff about the Montale Aoud Roses. May have to check it out although I have yet t love a rose.
Hi Meg,
Montale has several rose scents — I think with aoud, and the names are similar. This was the Aoud Roses Petals. The opening is strong but not as medicinal as some of the aouds and it quickly moves to the side to allow the rose to step forward. It is a strong fragrance and it lasts (on me) until the next day. A little goes a looooooooong way so judicious spraying is called for. I plan to sample some of their other roses when I go to the perfume shop.
I posted this a couple of days ago, but no replies, so here goes again:
Does anyone recall Lentheric’s Bain d’or bath oil from the late fifties or early sixties? It was supposed to have orange blossom as the main note. I’d love to get my hands on a very similar scent. (I’ve read Jessica’s mention of orange blossom fragrances). If anyone remembers this and knows what is currently closest, I’d be very thankful.
Sorry I can’t help!
Late posting…
Bought Juliette has a gun Citizen Queen for myself and TM Pure Havane for my husband last night on the flight home from Norway. Loving both…
Hello! Whrite us more about Pure Havane, please…
Hi Moore!
It’s delicious and sweet, lots of honey and chocolate, but no smoke. Only sweet tobacco leaf, maybe a sweet pipe tobacco before its lit. Very warm, perfect for Autumn and Winter. I’m going to go and track down some Pure Malt next, but maybe just for me. i must have the only Scottish husband in the world who hates Whisky !
Souds good!! About your husband, it happens on the best families: I don’t like beer at all!! Ugh, that umbrela’s iron handle taste!! 🙂
It might also be a good idea to try very simple smells like orange zest, coffee grounds, cinnamon, or mint to start off with.
Oops. That was meant as a reply for Meg way up above. Hope it helps. (You may have tried it already).
Hey Sapphire I jusy found this now. Good advice, I will try some simpler single notes. Thank you!
I am not sure if I hate or like Euphoria?
Lol, I smelled it on someone yesterday and it smelled a tiny bit lovely on the person. Maybe it was just the chemistry, idk. But I remember hating it last time I smelled it in the store. Before then, I had a friend who bought a bottle and I thought it was ok.
But I did find a bottle super discounted recently and didn’t buy it cause I just thought, even with the discount, it wasn’t worth it, lol, so there you go.
I’m sure I like woman’s Euphorria: it’s not overly sweet, a little fruit, with good sillage, makes a good impression with us… try another time… 😉
Maybe this place is too snooty for me..I get it.
There’s a lot of talk on here about more mainstream common fragrances. Most of mine are found in major department stores although I am acquiring more of the niche ones. I had a bottle of Euphoria. My hubby gave it to me. I liked it enough to finish off the bottle. I had to use a light touch with it though because it was strong and it did have some staying power. I’ll probably buy it again sometime but right now I have too many other scents on the wish list. If I found it at a discount i’d buy it because at least I know hubby likes it on me. Some of my scents are not exactly on his favorites list.
I’d like to see more people talking about “mainstrem” frags either. I have a restrict acess to niche fragrances and I where I live we pay niche prices for mainstream perfumes. You wouldn’t belive the prices…
I’ve had the same experience with Euphoria! I often smell it on other people and think it smells delicious but I find it totally ovebearing on me. I hope you don’t find NST too snooty! Lots of us have mainstream loves (for me it is viva la juicy, be delicious, and pradas) and it is oft mentioned that good perfume is what brings you personal enjoyment, not brand identity.
Hi Kalliela,
I found the same thing, Euphoria smells beautiful on everyone else, but on me it goes a little screechy and brings on a headache.
I found Euphoria Blossom though, and it works really well for me. It stays close to the skin, but its very pretty – not as sweet or overpowering as the original.
I ABSOLUTELY loved Euphoria. Only it disappeared on me in about 20 minutes or so. Tragic!
Wow! I have a rollerball of euphoria and I like it in small amounts in the winter. When I wear it it stays on my scarf and coat all winter!
I am JEALOUS!
Found out a new Santa Maria Novella boutique opened in Bethesda MD, so i was there yesterday sampling away. You should check it out if you live in the area.
Heard about that — it’s a LafCo store I think, like the one in NYC.
I’ve got a question.
I’m planning a short trip to London, on a limited budget. Is there a fragrance which is available there, but not in NYC, which you would recommend as a souvenir?
Today, I’m wearing L’Heure Bleu, which seems very strange on a rainy day.
London is great for perfume shopping though it’s all quite spread out. Check out Persolaise’s blog as he has recently posted a perfume shopping guide similar to the one Carmencanada wrote with respect to Paris (Grain de Musc). As for something unique to London – Angela Flanders scents might work and they are reasonably priced. Or there is Le Labo city exclusive Poivre 23.
Prices in London are not so friendly!!! But there are a great variety.
How about one of the Ormonde Jaynes? I’m sure it would be fun to visit their shop.
Urg! You remind me that I am STILL waiting for my discovery set to arrive! It has been a few weeks since I ordered it, my August “bottle” allotment! So many OJ scents have been on my to sniff list for so long! Sure hope it gets here before school starts again.
An update:
Nothing like the power of complaining to the cosmos to get something done, right?! So, my Discovery Set came, my discovery set came!!! Woo hoo! Since it is warm and full-summer feeling in Portland today, I reached for Fragripani. . .and I can definitely see why it gets such love! Maybe a little shear for me, but very pretty!
If I were going to London, I’d be at Roja Dove’s boutique (in Harrods) in a New York minute! He carries many fragrances, but his own scents are fabulous. I’m particularly fond of Unspoken. Have fun!
Thank you all for your helpful tips!
Late to the party (didn’t know there was one!) because I was moving furniture and pictures around in my condo. Whew! I was exhausted last night. Hmm… did it all unscented too.
But Friday and Saturday I wore my new bottle of I Love les Carottes from the Space NK sale. I love it! It’s a little strange (in a good way) on the opening, but I get the most beautiful, soft and realistic rose about mid-way through. Great purchase!
Space NK wouldn’t ship to South Africa which is probably quite lucky cos I was VERY tempted by Les Carottes!
Every time I wear Infusion de Iris I go on a carrot binge…
They only shipped to the U. S. because they have a distribution center in New Jersey – at least that was the return address on the box and it arrived in two days!
It seems like they are both in the UK and in the USA. Only the USA site had the many sale products though.
I am wearing my new bottle of Carrots too! Very pleased.
Hi everyone –
A bit late on the “Sunday” open thread, but thought I would try my luck at a question anyway…
I’m going to New York for the weekend (I live in Toronto) and although I’m very familiar with NY and visit frequently, I’m usually visiting friends and therefore too busy to indulge my favourite pastime – perfume sniffing.
This weekend I will have some more time so wondering if people have suggestions for anywhere I should go or any stores with hard-to-find frags (i.e. places aside from Saks and Bergdorfs etc).
In particular, is there anywhere that has Montales? There are many I haven’t smelled.
If anyone has suggestions, thanks in advance!
Aedes de Venustas, for a smaller, nicely edited collection. I think MiN New York has a similar feel, but haven’t been there.
Barneys has a slightly more niche selection than Bergdorfs, but both stores are worth a stop. Don’t know what’s up at Bendels these days, but they used to have a few unusual things too.
We have a bunch of articles on NYC stores, if it helps:
https://nstperfume.com/perfume-shopping-in-new-york-city/
It used to be that you couldn’t find Montale in a NYC brick n mortar. If that’s no longer true, hope someone will chime in.
MiN and Aedes are both worth visiting – I don’t recall ever seeing any Montales there, though. In fact I don’t remember seeing them anywhere in NY (I love Montale too and shop a lot in NY for perfume). Sorry – if I think of any place to try I’ll come back and post it here.
Thanks so much! Very helpful.
Definitely late here, but I am enjoying reading everyone’s comments this Monday evening, as usual!
I bought a bottle of Guerlain AA Herba Fresca this weekend (thanks for putting this on my radar Robin). Love it, but I am sad there is only so much “summer” left to wear it.
I also sampled the other AA’s while at Sephora and Herba Fresca was the only one I loved, but everything was nice.
My latest tester yesterday was Le Labo’s Tubereuse 40 from a bunch of samples I got during TPC’s July sale. I love it! But I don’t know if it is going to be FBW considering it’s cost and trip to NYC to get in (even though I am only 2 hours away). Hmmm, will depend on how I continue to feel about it.
Love Herba Fresca AND the Tubereuse — but boy, HF is the better bargain!
Reading this way late– too much work and kid stuff going on this summer!! This is for MEG-you must read Season to Taste by Molly Birnbaum. I’m sure you will find it interesting because of your BF!