Same old thing: talk about anything you like — the perfume you’re wearing today, the last scented candle you bought (or wanted to buy), what you're cooking for dinner tonight.
Or, ask a question about fragrance, then see if anyone else has asked a question that you can answer…
Note: top image is Beech wood II [cropped] by rachel_thecat at flickr; some rights reserved.
I rarely get comments on the perfume I’m wearing, so I’m wondering which scents you wear that get the most (or most frequent) comments/compliments.
Oh, great question! I admit, I get very few comments, too. But the ones that I’ve gotten responses to:
Bulgari Omnia, which men seem to find distracting, although I really don’t quite get it. . .(not that it’s not a nice frag!)
Balenciaga Paris, the kids I teach always seem to notice my perfume the days I wear this (they say it’s nice!)
Amouage Memoir (which I only have a sample of, but I LOOOoove it!)–I’ve gotten love each time I’ve worn it (I really want a bottle–some day it will be mine!)
That’s it!
Sometimes people comment my fragrances here, but there was one real situation, when I was going through the park and a woman was walking after me, after a while she speeded up just to ask what fragrance I’m wearing, she said she’d love to smell it on her man.
That day I was wearing my fav Prada Amber pour Homme.
Marjorie Rose – I also get a lot of compliments when I wear Bvlgari Omnia. An SA told me it was a man magnet and though it didn’t really strike me as all that I decided to give it a try. The first time I sprayed it in the house my husband loved it and he rarely comments on my perfume anymore. It must also work on women because my fragrance hating boss complimented it and asked about getting a bottle for herself.
Interesting! Makes me want to try Omnia!
It’s worth a try! I don’t think it’s much of a “perfumista” scent–not super complex or challenging. But that seems to make it very well-accepted to the general public! And a bonus–you can often get it for $30 at Marshall’s/TJ Maxx/ etc.
I love Omnia. . .but it is not one that folks notice on me. I’m with all the perfumistas who rarely hear comments about their perfumes.
The one that does get spontaneous compliments is Molecule 1. I’ll forget that I have it on, and someone will take a big huff, and ask about it. The only other thing that I’ve gotten several positive compliments on is Jo Malone Vintage Gardenia layered with Pomegranate Noir, and I forget to wear my Malones these days. . .Be well!
Hello Hemlock, the word attracted me because I really love Ormonde Woman with : Hemlock. I bought the body lotion after I bought the complete discovery set with all the fragrances of Ormonde Jayne.
I occasionally wear escentric 01 which is similar to molecule. It’s the only scent anyone has commented on. Will have to try the JM s!
I personally love Bulgari Omnia, wear it all the time. I think I smell like the world’s finest cedar closet and have absolutely no interest in attracting attention from men. Just divorced after 40 years and come-hithering is the last thing on my mind. Maybe that’s why I find it so comfy?
I hardly ever get compliments unless I ask people to smell me. I have gotten comments on No. 5 Eau Premiere, MAC Africanimal, and TF Oud Wood.
I love Carnal Flower on you, that smells amazing!
I’ve had compliments here and there (you know of the “you smell good” variety) but the ones that stand out are the time a man interrupted a date I was on to ask me to write down what perfume I was wearing (Une Rose) and the time a male friend told me “never, ever, wear anything other than that” about TF Noir de Noir.
Wow, those are both high praise indeed!
My two most widely complimented fragrances are L de Lolita and Toyko Milk’s Eden. They are also the cheapest bottles in my collection, go figure.
I know that every time I wear L’Ombre Dans L’Eau from Diptyque I will be asked about it, both by men and women. It’s my most complimented perfume of all.
This was one of my very first niche purchases and I love it’s green rosy charm.
it’s so sensual and natural at the same time! I love it!
I often get asked what I’m wearing when I have “Angel” or Tocca’s “Florence” on.
I don’t get spontaneous compliments often, and when I do I am often wearing multiple perfumes so I’m not sure if its any one of them or some or other combination. I don’t have a magic potion perfume which almost always draws compliments, but, on the negative side, I do have perfumes which I am cautious about wearing as I sense the majority of others may dislike them…
I very rarely get compliments on my perfume. My husband gets migraines so the most I can hope for from him is “that isn’t giving me a headache”! But before my perfumista days, I would always get compliments when wearing CSP Coco Vanille.
Tabac Aurea. Every.single.time. My husband, co-workers, random people in the grocery store line. It’s kind of amazing, since I rarely get compliments on perfume.
I wore Balenciaga Paris out to lunch yesterday and a couple of women asked me what perfume I was wearing. It is lovely in warm weather!
Kelly Caleche: “Someone’s tea smells really good.”
Neroli Portofino: “You smell really clean.”
Bottega Veneta: “Your perfume smells nice. Is it Angel?”
Great open poll kickstarter! I’ve gotten the most compliments on 31 Rue Cambon, from both men and women.
I also rearely get compliments about the fragrance I am wearing, with exception of two scents: Kenzo Amour and Hypnotic Poison Eau Sensuelle.
Most frequent Compliments – Green Tea Tropical by Elizabeth Arden, from friends, relatives, coworkers and even my latest crush
highest praise – For Valentino Rock n Rose, from an ex flame who described perfumes as “coloured water in fancy bottles”, who felt THIS was an aphrodisiac
I couldn’t think of anything in answer to this yesterday, but then it occurred to me that I regularly get compliments on Champagne de Bois.
I get compliments on this too even though I don’t like it. Did you change your gravatar or am I imagining things?
LOL! Yes, I changed it for the beginning of college basketball season. I’m rabid!
I once had an allergic, asthmatic lady at my office compliment Armani Mania (new version). She said it smelled good AND it didn’t bother her. I also get the occasional nod to SJP Lovely from random men.
Coworkers: No 5 Eau Premiere. Husband: Eau Premiere and Estee Lauder Private Collection
Balenciaga Paris, Commes Des Garcons White, (and, once when I thought I had sprayed way too much) Commes Des Garcons Daphne
I get comments on the original Fendi per Donna and Bandit.
i have lots of random things to say.
1. to answer your question–NR for her EDT gets the most compliments, especially from men.
2. I want that huge outdoor Diptyque candle in Figuier. So expensive, so amazing.
3. Went perfume shopping with some friends, they know I’m into perfume, and wanted help picking out “signature scents.” I decided to show them some Annick Goutals–Petite Cherie, Le Chevrefeuille, etc–and they go, omg, these are so heavy. I personally don’t consider Annick Goutal heavy in the least. A few minutes later, I fell in love with Bois D’Argent. My friends were horrified. But I can’t say I blame them. Most of the 19/20 year olds I know like to stick to Pink Sugar and Chloe EDP. Oh well. Don’t want to sound like a perfume snob.
I want a new scent, but I can’t decide what I want, i think my nose is changing. What’s the last thing you fell in love with?
Oh! I would have gone for the Annick Goutals too, because I find them very light and low sillage and ephemeral at best.
Bois D’Argent is lovely! Good choice.
Love Bois d’Argent , that’s a lovely choice. Wear what you like, your friends may benefit from the exposure.
My most recent full swoon was Ormonde Woman. I fully recommend the Discovery Set–honestly, they are all beautiful (if not all for me). Lots of fun and a great way to test a lot of quality scents!
I most recently fell in love with Mecca Balsam. And funnily enough, I had bought a decant a year or so ago when it was first released, didn’t like it and gave it away. I received a sample recently, and loved it. Go figure! It’s perfect for this time of year.
I’ll have to try my Mecca Balsam sample again. I tried it early this summer. . .and it was not instant love, though I love incense. As the weather cools down here, I’ll have to retest. Thanks for the reminder
ok…I. will. not. laugh. ….. so now you like it? How do you feel about Laurie’s Incense Pure? I feel like that is Balsamo della Mecca’s smoother sister…
I hear you laughing….
Can you say Attrape Coeur???
I love Incense Pure, but I find myself huffing the sample that I keep by my computer more than actually wearing it on my body. It truly is like liquid incense and I find it very relaxing.
Have you tried AG’s Myrrhe Ardente? That’s one I can wear in the warmer weather as it’s lighter than the above two. I’ll send you some if you’d like.
I rooted for the Spartans Friday night – I was busy switching between my game and that one!
Love that! It reminds me a lot of SSS Tabac Aurea – I love them both.
I’m very likely to buy Sharif unsniffed, too.
Okay, now I know our skins react very differently to scents – my skin amps the musk in Tabac Aurea and makes it extremely sweet. It smells nothing like Mecca Balsam on my skin, although I wish it did!
I feel like I fall in love with something on a daily basis, but By Kilian Incense Oud hit me pretty hard and I have yet to buy it. I just bought SL Tubereuse Criminelle, which is pretty fantastic, and I’m not going to say *after* the camphorous opening, because I really love that part of it.
I am SO envious of your TC! Sigh! And as for the Kilian, I am lusting after the new perfume solid compact- I haven’t even decided which scent I want, but want that gorgeous black compact!
I smelled one from the Jo Malone’s cologne intense range recently – ‘Dark Amber’ and it was absolutely gorgeous. Nevertheless, apparently they are way out of stock and its unavailable for a while… Also its pretty expensive – but I would shell for a decant, for sure!
oh, i love dark amber and ginger lily! it’s discountinued though, right?
I had heard of a Jo Malone Ginger Lily that was discontinued but had never seen it. I saw this though, very recently. Part of a series called cologne intense. The SA told me that this one (Dark Amber) and the Bergamot one had sold out internationally. It sounded like they would eventually get more stock, but who knows???
Fell madly in love with “Tonkamande” by P.G., but my skin kills it in less than an hour so I can’t justify splurging on it. I will be purchasing a .5 oz of Michele Bergman “Black Gardenia” sometime in late January though. It is huge, heavy, and cloying: just like I like it.
I recently fell in love (well im not sure its love but its certainly lust) with Prada Candy-hopefully someone will get the hint and I will receive a bottle for my birthday.
Last scent I fell hard for was Amouage Ubar. Since then it’s been mostly passing fancies.
Chanel 28 La Pausa – the first Chanel I fell in love with (apart from vintage No. 5).
I hear that too from non perfumistas that stuff we would all resoundingly call “light” is so strong. Strange. I am sure I furrow my brow and look at them like they are odd!
Oh yay, an opportunity for me to ramble a bit, hope nobody minds, it might be a bit long! There IS a mention of a candle though
So I finally had a chance to get to the big city again for an afternoon of decent perfume sniffing and managed to catch up on some recent and not so recent releases and take home a bunch of samples. Some brief impressions-
Bottega Veneta – I can see why this has so many fans. I got a couple of samples and wore it 3 times this week. It’s SOTD too
Chanel Jersey – disappointing as expected
Hermès Santal Massoïa – meh. Anyone expecting a creamy sandalwood will be probably disappointed.
Robert Piguet Calypso – interesting, will definitely want to re-visit
L’Occitane Immortelle de Corse – super boozy
By Kilian Sweet Redemption – v. loud orange blossom candy floss. Like Love on steroids.
SL Tubéreuse Criminelle – erm..more on this later probably in a separate post
Acqua di Parma Gelsomino Nobile – meh
Jo Malone Bluebell – bizarre concoction which I can only describe as cucumber
Tom Ford Violet Blonde, Santal Blush & Jasmin Rouge – okay. I actually found Santal Blush not bad I was expecting it to be.
AG Mon Parfum Cheri Par Camille – hated this, found it truly unpleasant.
Dior La Collection – the only one that really stood out from the crowd was Leather Oud which was just…beastly. Fun but not something I can ever imagine wearing.
Diptyque Perdigone candle – I need one of these in my life! Totally treating myself for Christmas.
Miller Harris also sent me samples of La Pluie & La Fumee both of which are okay. La Fumee is a dry incense and sandalwood and La Pluie is mostly a jasmine & yang blend yet it actually reminds me of Vanille Galante with that wet lily vibe.
“Hermès Santal Massoïa – meh. Anyone expecting a creamy sandalwood will be probably disappointed.”
…Oh.
Yup
I keep trying to figure out what it does smell of (something like figs? or maybe my brain is playing tricks on me) but I’m not getting the sandalwood. It’s not unpleasant and I might have liked it better if I approached it with an open mind and without expecting to smell certain things and judged it on its own merits so to speak.
Fig, that is exactly what I thought of. The top notes smell like the top notes of Un Jardin en Mediterranee, tempered by the sweet milky smell of woods+vanilla (?). At one point the milky accord smelled to me like the old Bath & Body Works Fign and Brown Sugar shower gel.
Ah, so it’s not just me then.Thanks for chiming in!
I was sort of obsessed with Brown Sugar and Fig a few years ago before I got really into perfume… I stockpiled a bunch of the products. Still have a few bubble baths and a scrub left!
Great mini reviews. Thanks! You had quite a sniffa.
I also tried L’Occitane Immortelle de Corse in my recent sniffa in the city and also got a straight hit of booze. It was a little overwhelming.
great you had a chance to catch up with all these.
nice summarizing mini revs
I thought the L’Occitane Immortelle de Corse smelled like a nice Irish or Scotch whiskey on paper and was disappointed it didn’t smell that way on me…
You had me at “super boozy.” L’Occitane counter, here I come!
And now I’m intrigued by the Hermes, mostly because I love fig and adore the BBW Brown Sugar and Fig that arwen_elf mentions.
Thanks for all those mini-reviews!
yes! another Brown Sugar & Fig fan!
Bummer! I was so looking forward to Hermès Santal Massoïa. I had visions of minimalist coconutty, creamy sandalwood dancing in my head. I’ll try it, but won’t keep pestering my local boutique as for when they’ll have it in stock. Thanks for all the mini reviews. Sounds like much fun sniffage!
Thanks, everyone. It was fun and and I still didn’t manage to smell everything. Turns out that there’s a new Armani counter with all those Armani Privé scents. And one of the stores now stocks Clive Christian. I’ve never been interested in them but, hey, now they are there….:D
Oh, bummer about Mon Parfum Cheri. I still have high hopes for that one, whenever I actually see it anywhere.
I tried Calypso about a year ago, and while I enjoyed it, I felt like I didn’t get a good enough read on it to commit to a bottle. It was more subtle than I’d expected (esp. from Piguet) but every so often I’d catch a whiff of it and think “Wow, that smells amazing.” I guess since I’m still thinking about it, I should revisit it soon.
Mon Parfum Cheri seems to be getting fairly positive reviews so it might be just me. I had a similar experience with Un Matin d’Orage.
I only tried Calypso on paper but I’d definitely want to give it a couple of wearings before making up my mind about it.
I had a sample vial of Calypso, which was good for a couple of wearings. Probably I’ll get a 2.5ml or 5ml from TPC next time I place an order (and will resist the urge to sample the vintage version).
What aspect of Mon Parfum Cheri was particularly unpleasant? I really haven’t had much experience with the Goutal range.
Now, about Tubereuse Criminelle. I had a hilariously similar reaction to the one that Robin described in her review. Sure, I’d read plenty about the scent but I was feeling a bit cocky and though that maybe some people were exaggerating a bit. Thankfully, I had the wits to spray on the blotter, which I sniffed and, yep, instantly recoiled in horror. Still, I took the blotter home, kept sniffing it periodically and after a few hours the most beautiful tuberose started to emerge. I loved it! So here’s my question – because I was so shellshocked by my first sniff of those top notes, I didn’t ask for a sample. It took absolutely forever for the mothballs/petrol/whatever to wear off on paper but I’m curious if they perhaps don’t last quite as long on skin. If so then I’d definitely consider getting a bottle of this stuff since I thought that the base was easily THE nicest tuberose I’ve ever smelled. I can’t stop thinking about and I’d love to read about your experiences.
You know, I went back to look at my original review, and not sure it’s clear — I would not want to do without the top notes now, they’re part & parcel of the whole experience of TC to me. I do think they fade faster on skin, but I also think you’ll fall in love with them.
Thanks, Robin! Yup, I gather that with time you’ve grown to love the opening notes too but your description of smelling TC for the very first time was pretty much how I experienced it also. Before that, I just thought “well, MKK is not sooo bad so how shocking could a tuberose possibly be”
I love the opening notes SO MUCH I wished they lasted longer! It is a very good tuberose, but truthfully, for tuberose I prefer Carnal Flower. I kind of think of Tubereuse Criminelle as my “winter” tuberose.
Lol, just goes to show how things differ between people. I only ever wear CF in the winter and I adore the top notes in it. That crushed green stems accord smells amazing in the frosty air, imo, but once it wears off I can take or leave the rest. But the tuberose in TC is much more to my taste and I liked far better than Fracas, Carnal Flower, Beyond Love and any other tuberose perfume I’ve tried.
I was put off of smelling tuberose perfumes for a long time because I so hate Fracas. Carnal Flower taught me otherwise, for sure. Super-deluxe love. But I was charmed by the Criminelle enough after a couple tries to buy it, so I love that one, too. Here in SF I can pretty much wear anything anytime, anyway, so when I say TC is more wintery it doesn’t mean that’s the only time I’ll wear it, or that I won’t wear CF in the winter.
I LOVE Carnal Flower in winter – especially when the air is all crystalline and cold!
I love the opening and the dry down of Tubereuse Criminelle..I did’nt love it at first, it actually took me a few months or even a year to fall inlove with the opening, I’m not ever without it even if it just a small spray sample bottle, I do know that I get more compliments from people wanting to know what kind of perfume I’m wearing and where they can get it. I received my jar of Frderic Malle Carnal Flower body cream today and all I can say is I’m inlove….I don’t ever want to live without it….I just opened the jar and took a small amount of it and rubbed it on my hands and the whole house smelled rich of pure white florals.
TC’s opening is hilariously loud–I love Le Guide’s description of this as the Ethel Merman of tuberoses. I have to say I love the menthol/medicinal blast of the opening. It is delightfully odd, and I dab it on, reapplying to experience the opening again and again. I just have a sample, and cannot imagine spraying it, though.
Thanks for making me smile. Malsnano has a hilarious take on this fragrance on her blog, Muse in Wooden Shoes. This is one of the reasons why I love the perfume community. We experience the same art, but have wide variations in our responses. Very cool. Be well, and safe, nay, exhilarating sniffing to you!
I didn’t mind the mothballs. I did mind the “rotten raw meat” thing. Once it got on to the tuberose, it’s gorgeous, but I just didn’t recover from the first part, and I’m a bit jealous of those of you that didn’t get that.
Thanks for chiming in, ladies. So how long would you say the top notes last on you?
Have you tried Perfumerie Generale’s Tubereuse Couture? I agree with you about the drydown of Tubereuse Criminelle and PG TC I found is a more wearable version.
I’ve been wearing a lot of Secret Obsession these last few weeks. I was surprised by how addictive that ambery, salty tuberose is. And it has a sillage that sort of glows instead of wafts. Somehow! If sillage can have texture…?
Perfume question! Is Rochas Byzance EDP really so different from the EDT??
Hi everyone,
I wanted to ask if any of you has taken a course or several in Cinquieme Sense either in Paris or New York? Which course did you take? Opinions? I would love to hear any comments or suggestions as am considering some course in Paris. I live far from Paris, though, so this requires some planning.
No SOTD yet (although it’s quite late into the day). I had an early morning breakfast with a friend – too early for me to want to smell perfume. And I’m having dinner with some friends tonight – curry – so I should wear something that won’t clash. Not sure yet what it will be.
For some reason, curry makes me think: citrus.
It makes me think of chai/spicy tea scents, but that could just be because I’ve been dousing myself in my new bottle of Jacomo #08.
Happy weekend, all!
To answer the cooking question. . .
I cook A LOT for myself, and I spend much of my time on weekends cooking so that I don’t have to fit it in after my long days at school (as a teacher, not a student).
My usual routine includes making a large pot of soup (starting with stock I make from bits and ends of veggies and meats from the previous week). This week I’m making pumpkin soup with some pie-pumpkins I bought in October.
I also cook at least one dinner, sometimes two so that I won’t be bored on Thursdays; this week, I’m making tuna cakes (like crab cakes but cheaper!) and mini “Greek” pizzas for the alternate meal. I am making the pizza dough and a loaf of bread. I have yogurt this week, but I also have started making my own yogurt when I need more.
Oh, and I made an apple crisp yesterday.
Pumpkin soup is one of my favorite foods. Tomorrow is my birthday and my birthday plan is to get pumpkin soup and Pflaumenkuchen. I love pumpkin soup THAT much.
A while ago I had pumpkin ginger soup with pumpkin seed oil and it was the best soup I’ve ever had.
Happy Birthday! (mine is in about 2 weeks!) What are Pflaumenkuchen? Kuchen = noodles, right?
I love just about EVERYTHING pumpkin, I have to admit! Pumpkin soup, pumpkin custard, pumpkin pie (of course!), pumpkin cheesecake, pumpkin curry, pumpkin bread, etc., etc., etc.! It is one of those perfect fall foods–comforting and warm and versatile. Too bad I can’t share with you! : P
Pflaumenkuchen is plum cake.
Oh! Plum cake sounds even better than noodles, hah!
I *know* why I love pumpkin – its a sweet savoury food; so one can have dessert for main course!
Yes, precisely!
Pumpkin cheesecake you say? Try this Bourbon Pumpkin Cheesecake- all I can say is Nom Nom! http://smittenkitchen.com/2006/11/candy-corn-for-really-lucky-grown-ups/
Ooh, that DOES look good! I don’t usually have bourbon on hand, but it sounds so decadently fall-like! Actually, it makes me a bit sad that I’ve allowed my father the Thanksgiving feast hosting duties! I miss having an excuse to make such stuff and then enjoy but not make myself sick with it!
I love pumpkin anything, cake, soup, cheesecake, pancakes. In SF/Bay area, Mitchell’s Ice cream makes a Pumpkin ice cream during the holiday season that is really tasty. I love it with butterscotch sauce, super sweet but so worth it!
Happy Birthday! (mine is in 2 days)
Happy Birthday to you!!! I love pumpkin soup too have you ever had a dish we call tarinole in spanish it’s pumpkin, sweet spices and honey and milk? you have great taste in fragrance, I remember I ordered a sample of Cuir Ottoman cause you mentioned it here and now I need to find it and test it again in this cool wheather.
Tarinole sounds great! I love Cuir Ottoman – hope you find your sample, ajuarez.
Happy Birthday!
Happy birthday Kroc!
I’ve also had pumpkin soup on the brain — love variations with ginger or curry spices. Also, my new soups-and-stews cookbook arrived from Cook’s Illustrated this week, and it suggests adding toasted walnuts and crumbled blue cheese as a garnish for plainer pumpkin soups. Yes, please.
I made a big pot of pumpkin soup — with carrots and fresh ginger root — this weekend too. Froze some portions, and have been eating it every day since Friday. Love it with fresh ginger. This has been the second time I’ve made it this month — I’ve been using some interesting Japanese “kuri” pumpkins.
Hi! I am de-lurking after 5+ years of daily reading. Thank you so much for a wonderful read every day! Today I need some fellow perfumistas to talk about my latest buys. I’m under the impression that I have the worst quarter EVER since counting my damage pool.In spite of relatively good access I have been trying to avoid certain lines because of their crazy pricing; especially anything By Kilian… But then after ordering from Ormonde Jayne (Champaca and a Candle – Casablanca Lily) during their free shipping and two full bottles from Illuminum in October, I was given a sample of ‘Love’ By Kilian. Things only got worse from this point. I went back for a full bottle pretty quickly, but ended up getting the full collection sampler set instead (145 € for 10 scents- ouch). NOW I’m convinced I need at least three : Love, Back to Black, Cruel Intentions (for the moment)! People around me just think I’m plain nuts and now I need some fellow perfume aficionados who ( kind of) understand!
Welcome!
I think of fragrance as just another form of entertainment. As such, it isn’t a problem if it isn’t preventing you from paying the rent or eating! Just think of all the crazy, over-the-top skiers out there, easily spending hundreds of dollars in a weekend! We all have our hobbies, and I think it’s too bad that fragrance is perceived as somehow more excessive than any other.
On the other hand, the fact that we’re a little on the outside helps to create community like here at NST! Bonded together in our eccentricities!
Thank you ! At least I’m coming from a family were my mom and her dad are quite into perfume, so I my close environment is somehow understanding…. And no worries, I’m not sleeping under a very, very fancy smelling bridge
i’m pretty much sleeping under a fancy smelling bridge at the moment, it’s not that bad. Home is where the box of perfume is!
Such a sad image! I suppose one might want to stick with “warm” scents to protect against the elements!
I have fallen down the Kilian rabbit hole myself after a long time of scoffing and being snooty about the price tag. I have the full-on presentation bottle of Cruel Intentions and am lusting after Incense Oud in the worst way. I have samples of pretty much everything else. It didn’t help that I saw him in person and he was wonderful and charming.
oh no, charming too? Doesn’t help in talking myself out of this brand…. I guess my fancy bottle will have to wait since it equals one travel atomizer plus 2 refills…There you go, I just convinced myself that I’m making a good deal…
Waiting for a “discovery set” of the oud series myself.
(as in waiting for them to offer it. wish I was waiting for one in the mail.)
Hi, congradulations on de-lurking! I can definitely empathize with NEEDING Back to Black. I own it now and it something I will never regret acquiring. It is so wonderful to wear. I still have to try Love and Cruel Intentions but I already know A Taste of Heaven will be joining my collection as well. If it helps lessen the blow to your wallet and you don’t particularly care about bottles, you can buy the refill or travel refill ($70) of the By Kilians and decant them into inexpensive atomizers.
thanks for the advice! I checked the price of the travel refills and those are actually quite OK price-wise…I’m not sure if this is good news – just means more kilian for me
Hi and welcome! How is that OJ candle, by the way?
Hi Robin! The candle is gorgeous I love it.It is actually a repurchase and I`d love to wear this as a scent…
Good to know, thanks!
Hello and welcome *waves*
Hi and welcome! So glad you piped up. I hear your pain about the By Kilians – that’s a line that works for me, although I haven’t succumbed to bottles yet!
I am wearing Lipstick Rose today. I bought a used bottle of ebay a few weeks ago, and I love it. Makes me sad that it is so expensive! I love L’eau D’Hiver, too. Anyone have a better option than ebay for a Malle fix? I live in Oregon, so we don’t have a Barneys (who I noticed online sell new bottles, but not at any discount, of course).
Barneys will ship them if you call, and you can always get the refill travel trios. Will someone else chime in — can you only do the mixed trios in Paris?? Because those 10 ml bottles are a good deal.
Ooh, a mix of 10mL bottles sounds like a great solution! I hope someone knows if that’s an option in the States!
If nobody tells us, I guess you could call Barneys to find out. Another option is to enter an automatic search on eBay, because those travel bottles do turn up from time to time. Not so cheap as buying them yourself in the trios, though, or doing a split.
Hi Marjorie! Aedes carries Frederic Malle, too, and they occasionally offer free shipping…like right now, I believe. But I like to order FM from this very nice SA at the Barneys in Chicago because she’s so knowledgeable and nice.
Thanks for the info!
Today I’m walking along with my DKNY Red Delicious for men, only few drops to finish the whole bottle of this one. RD accompanied me for the last two years, time for a change.
Today I got some samples, like: Loewe Solo, D&G anthology “21” Le Fou and Gucci II. Le Fou kind of speaks to me.
Have you recently tried anything interesting?
Or maybe you have any suggestions for me?
I’m definitely buying Dsquared Potion (waiting for my scholarship to afford it) and looking for one more frag, which should be more fresh, but not watery (21 suits a little)
I just sniffed Eau de Baux at L’Occitane a few days ago and I love it. If I could get my husband to wear fragrance, I’d make him wear this. Also, it’s relatively inexpensive.
I’ve never tried Eau de Beau… I think I’ll have to stop by L’occitane if I happen o be nearby and try this one
I have mentioned it here before, but I have *nearly* bought Eau des Baux several times! Knowing that they’ve come out with two new scents that are well-reviewed seems to indicate another opportunity to waffle about it! Maybe if I get some birthday/holiday money. . .
Oh, has anyone else found their local L’Occitane to be reticent to spray a scent directly on your skin? The SAs at my local shop seem to prefer to spray a little ribbon and tie it on my wrist. . .kinda cute but I don’t really get it. I mean, don’t they want me to find out if it suits my body chemistry? (Or even better, I wish I could make a little sample. . .)
Like Marjorie above, my SOTD is Lipstick Rose.
Now here’s a question for everyone: would anyone like to take a few Tauer samples off my hands? I have spray vials (I think 1 or 1.5 mL?) from an Andy Tauer Discovery set I ordered. I was deeply saddened to discover that Tauer perfumes don’t agree with my skin (or nose). Since there are three I know I will never, ever spray again on myself, and since there are so many Tauer fans, I’d like them to find a good home rather than languishing on my dresser. I can appreciate them, but they just aren’t for me. So, anyone who would like Eau D’Epicees, Une Rose Vermeille, and Une Rose Chypree, they’re all yours. Email me at naomi DOT lutes AT gmail and we can make arrangements.
How nice of you, and I’m so sorry the Tauers don’t work for you! I don’t love every single one, but I do love several, and am always anxious to try whatever Andy comes up with.
I should note as an fyi I’ve had some takers already! Thanks everyone!
Berliners and those who spend a lot of time in Berlin–what are some recommended shops for perfume? I went to Galeries Lafeyette and looked at their selection a while ago.
A while ago someone on the tram was wearing something really nice. It was smokey but also kind of smelled like cherry pie. I guess there’s a chance it was cherry tobacco? I like how smoke smells so sometimes I have a hard time knowing if I’m smelling perfume or not when I like how someone smells.
I can’t respond to anything about Berlin, but I can imagine the cherry smoke smell! I have a bottle of Tea for Two, which I love, but I avoid wearing it at work, since it smells so smokey. I sprayed it for a friend last week, an ex-smoker who said that she could never wear it because it is so similar to the smell of cloves cigarettes!
Hilde Soliani Bell’Antonio smells exactly like my mom’s coat. So for me it is a comforting scent.
Oh, Tea for Two is lovely, and I think it’s totally acceptable for work. It smells like freshly brewed chai.
Yes, I love it. But on me, the smoke is very prominent, and I am a teacher (health and science). I feel like it would be a bad message for the kids if they think I smoke or hang out with smokers!
Sounds like “Back to Black” actually.
Happy Birthday! “Such a pity that one’s birthday happens only once a year”!
I used to work with a Russian….
I’ll have to try it. The name makes me sad though because I listened to Back to Black on repeat when Amy died
hi, I am not from Berlin, but visit regularly. Have you tried Quartier 206 and the Different Scent in Krausnickstrasse? And I second Back to Black: Cherry Tobacco Rose heaven
I have not been to Quartier 206 but I was planning to.
I’ll add the Different Scent to my list of places to go.
Thank you!
I wasn’t enamoured with By Killian until I tried Back to Black. It had a drydown of a beautiful tobacco note that I smelled on my old sweater for a couple of weeks. It reminded me of my childhood in Long Island during the winter months.
My father was German- from Berlin. Ive never visited Germany, I live on the other side of the world – but one day I hope to visit.
Yes, definitely go to The Different Scent, great selection and the owner is awsome – you really can spent some time there. On the other hand I found the SA’s at Quartier 206 rather snobby. To my surprise the KaDeWe has an amazing perfume selection, you can find everything from niche to Armani Privé. Have fun!
Maybe Quartier 206 and Douglas.
I have a full-blown unsniffed lemming for a bottle of Iris Pallida. I’m blaming the Luckyscent neswletter with those dreaded words “last few bottles remaining”! Seriously, what is wrong with me??
I have full bottles of 28 La Pausa and Hiris, do I really need another Iris? Would I like this one, or would I regret buying it unsniffed?
Hoping you guys can talk me in to it or out of it!
Well, 3 irises is not *that* many. Do you wear both Hiris and 28 La Pausa, reasonably often?
Hi Robin,
Hiris was a regular all Summer, La Pausa seems to be for Spring. From the notes I’d guess Iris Pallida is a little warmer, and I do love patch and cedar.
I forgot! I have OJ Orris Noir coming for my birthday next month too…
Wait, wait — I totally misread your question, you’re not just asking if you should add another iris to your collection, you’re talking about buying it unsniffed! Now I don’t know what to say. It would be a mighty expensive mistake. Went to re-read my review, and apparently I really liked it — but I very successfully forgot all about it, trust me!
I won’t talk you out of it.
I love iris fragrances. Have you tried VC&A Bois d’Iris? It is not like 28 La Pausa or Hiris. It is woody and sweeter. I’ve already used Almost 3/4 of my bottle.
I love Iris Pallida and I know they have it at Neiman Marcus and last I checked BeautyHabit still had some of the Exceptional Harvest. I’m bad about buying bottles unsniffed but I can hook you up with a sample if you like. I’m julia941 at yahoo.
Julia, you are too, too kind!
I haven’t tried Bois d’Iris yet. I’ll drop you an email, hopefully I can return the favour!
Hi Julia. Do you know if the 50 ml Iris Pallida the same stuff as the 2007 Harvest edition, just smaller amount and less luxe presentation? Or is the Harvest version different materials?
Follow up on Kizzers’ question: how’s the powdery factor with Iris Pallida? My powdery threshold is low but I like some irises. I do Cruel Gardenia for powdery, but can’t do much more than that. Help here?
I bought Iris Pallida unsniffed when it was the 100ML Harvest Series and pricey. I had a 25% off coupon from Beauty Habit and made very good use of it! It was risky, but I was a newbie perfumista. Luckily, I really really like this one. I find it to be very soft with a hint of pepper (?) and cool iris. Very feminine and one of my favorite irises. i only wish it lasted longer on my skin.
hi Kizzers,
I adore most iris based scents (28 La Pausa, Iris Silver Mist, all the Bois d’Iris’, Mythique, Infusion d’Iris) but Iris Pallida I did not like at all after second try. First I was astonished by its beauty, but at second/third/fourth try it was meh…
buy a sample first
Hi Folks,
Sorry – been totally sidetracked this weekend and beyond…
I think I’ll try a sample first before splashing out (great advice folks) – hopefully luckyscent will still have some 50ml bottles in the New Year.
xxx
SOTD is Satellite Padparadscha. Got some samples from Black Phoenix Alchemy Labs on the way. Hopefully ill like 1 or 2 of them. What are your favorites from BPAL?
BPAL started my perfume addiction and their are some great ones, and just plain interesting but not wearable ones. I haven’t been wearing any and trying new ones lately, but some of my favorites that are more unisex, masculine are Anne Bonny, Faiza the Black Mamba, and Tezcatlipoca. Anne Bonny-Bewitching Brews- is simply incense- sandalwood, patchouli, and frankincense- it is uber rich and strong and intoxicating . Faiza the Black Mamba-Carnivale Diabolique- is a super green, super smoky incense full jasmine and is sadly unavailable at the moment. Tezcatlipoca-Excolo- verges on scary some days but other days it is a dark, sexier, barely sweet version of Angel. It is animalic leather with dry cocoa, patchouli and incense.
I went shopping yesterday to Meadowhall in Sheffield because my friend wanted to go Christmas shopping.
I went in Debenhams and I didn’t know there was an Illamasqua counter there, it must be new. at least it’s nearer to me than The Trafford Centre in Manchester. an Illamasqua artist saw me stood waiting for my friend (she was taking ages in another shop) and asked me over to the counter. then he inisted on making me over so I was like ok. so now I’m addicted to their skin base foundation.
and then I remembered Freak. the testers I saw were all empty so I sniffed the bottle. bearing in mind I haven’t got the full scent, but it smells blatantly commercial. no suprises or weirdness like we all thought. it reminded me of a few other scents that I can’t think of, but definitley familiar. it smells floral almost oriental. so they have their job right from the description with all the flowers. I only smelled the main bit, so of course there could be deeper mysterious notes.
From my experience, no deeper or more mysterious notes.
oh
that’s disappointing. but then again I didn’t expect it to smell niche and adventurous, but I did it think it would have more to it.
Ugh, I’ve read a couple of reviews of Freak, and it sounds like such a disappointment (not least because it’s such a waste of a gorgeous bottle). I’ll still try it whenever I happen across it, but I’m not expecting much.
I know
such amazing bottle!
and yeah same, I’ll still try it properly when I’m next at Illamasqua. I was just disappointed.
On the bright side, I wasn’t remotely tempted to blind-buy a bottle from Sephora (they now have it, but it’s listed as online-only).
at least you’ve saved some pennies
Debenhams now stock it too. and I’m going shopping today so I might come across it
I never buy perfume without sniffing it first
I’m still recovering from a nasty bout of flu, so no perfume testing for a while yet. My sense of smell is gradually coming back. At any rate, food doesn’t taste like cardboard any more. Tonight’s dinner will be homemade turkey soup. It really does seem to help me feel better, and it is good soup weather now.
I tend not to use candles because I have cats, but I really want the AG Noel room spray. I got a sniff of it last year and loved it, but didn’t buy it because I still had a lot of gifts to buy. This year, I managed to get going a little sooner and faster, and am now nearly through with my Christmas shopping, so I figure I should reward myself.
Oh, get better soon!
Kevin sent me a decant of that room spray, and I love it.
Oh, I’m sorry you had the ‘flu! Me, too. Mine has been blessedly short, but wow, it has knockd me silly. 36 hours of sleep and antivirals help a lot. I just put on perfume for the first time, and it is knocking me out. Sweet Redemption is trying to kill me
Hope you feel better, soonest.
I bought some of the Noel candles, and they do smell amaaaazing. Mm.
Thank you Robin and Hemlock for the well wishes. It’s been nearly two weeks now, so I am not really sick anymore, I just still have a lot of “crud” in my respiratory passages. I can breathe fine and taste my food and I can smell perfume, but it seems muffled, like I am missing a lot of the subtleties. I get the general idea, but the details are fuzzy. It’s especially annoying because I just got a sample of SSS Fig Tree the day after I came down with this, and I haven’t been able try it out yet.
No cooking tonight: a friend’s husband is throwing her a surprise birthday party at a swanky restaurant. Not 100% sure she’s a fan of surprise parties, but I going to dress up to the nines and I think I will wear Bois de Paradis, in moderation. Too bad it’s going to involve about two hours travel time…
I’m secretly hoping for a surprise birthday party.
Unfortunately no one here knows its my birthday.
My birthday wish is a bottle of Cuir Ottoman.
Well, you’re supposed to tell people! How else will you get prezzies??
Wearing Aromatics Elixir today.
My husband is brewing beer and baking bread.
I’ll begin saving grapefruit rinds in a couple weeks so I can candy them for Christmas.
I have a question: when a scent is described as soapy, what kind of soap are we talking about? Ivory? Lava? Felsnaptha?
I think it depends on the scent. There have been some that turn to Zest on me, but usually when I think something is soapy, I mean like scented guest soap, if that makes sense. Sometimes if the scent is more than the soap, I’m okay with it, but if there is too much of the soap part, I can’t do it. Prada Infusion de Fleures d’Oranger was so soapy it was unwearable.
Oh, and then there is pine tar soap, which I love and is a whole ‘nother ball game in perfume.
Oh good, I’m not the only one who loves that smell. My husband looked at me askance when I told him.
I don’t think the term ‘soapy’ is that specific as to always refer to the same kind of soap. It depends.
Yeah, “soapy” depends… a lot of the time, for me, it’s a nice floral-scented guest soap, the hard-milled kind.
But sometimes it’s the industrial soap they use in hotel laundries. Bleah.
thanks, ya’ll. Glad to know it’s not that specific…
I’d add that when I’ve come across “soapy” used to describe a perfume, it usual means one of the following:
clean-aldehydic, like EL White Linen
bitter like soap (Ivory, etc.)
full of white musks (also used in detergents and fabric softeners because musks are dense and stay in fabrics for days)
Today I am wearing BBW Vanilla Jasmine Aromatherapy lotion,l which is seriously potent stuff. I tried some Le Labo Vanille 44 with it, but that is so quiet it got drowned out. It certainly doesn’t have enough va-va-voom to warrant the $400 price tag. Just a nice, rather clean, slightly vanilla, skin scent.
The other night I made kale with sweet onions in the wok, with a bit of smoked salt, and topped it with poached eggs. I keep seeing poached eggs everywhere suddenly as a topper to things. It was yummy, and I have more kale and more eggs, plus some chard, so I very well may do it again tonight!
Kale and chard are foods that have only recently been made aware of – have been enjoying learning to cook with them. In fact I have some kale chips you have reminded me of right now that I think I will munch on!
The eggs and greens sounds delicious. I use a lot of chard and kale in my cooking, so I’ll have to try to replicate your dish. (I’m always amazed at how cheap dark leafy greens are compared to other veggies, and there always seem to be respectable specimens at the store year-round.)
this sounds delicious – do you blanch or wilt the kale first?
No, I cut it fairly small, then toss it around in the hot oil that the onions are in, then throw a little water in and cover to steam. At the end I remove the lid and stir it around so the water goes away.
My friend is visiting from out of town and we had a bit of a reunion last night, so I woke up feeling…erm..delicate… and needed a very light scent. Went with Winter 1972 and for the first half hour I wondered why I don’t own a bottle, I find it so damn enjoyable, but like always, it has almost completely faded away after that and I remembered why I resist.
I have been inspired by all this talk of pumpkin-based recipes and feel like I may need to make some pumpkin soup for dinner…
Hope you’ll feel less delicate as the day goes on!
Oh wait, that was *yesterday*. I’m sure you’re better by now!
Wearing Bare Skin (Leslie Blodgett) today – nice powdery musk. My husband is out of town so I’m wearing all the stuff he doesn’t like (which is pretty much everything but especially musk and patchouli). No cooking tonight – going to my brother’s 40th birthday party and there will be tons of food there. For the party, think I’ll wear Pomegranate Noir.
LOL on my skin Bare Skin smells intensely like black pepper. I liked it on the tester tho
I have a sample of Bare Skin – the first time I tried it I thought it was horrid and sour, but then I tried it again at the end of summer and liked it much more… I think it’s much more suited to summer somehow.
Question: what’s your favorite gardenia scent? I adore VC&A Gardenia Petale, but it disappears after an hour and at that price point I just can’t bring myself to take the plunge! Any suggestions for an alternate? Tried on Marc Jacobs EDP today and it’s not bad, but… it just doesn’t speak to me.
My favorite is Kai–simple, very green, fresh gardenia. Robin has a review here at NST. Chanel’s Gardenia is very true to life, but very fleeting, and pricey. TF’s discontinued Velvet Gardenia was also a very true gardenia. . .but now getting harder to find, and also expensive. Those are all I can think of in my defevervescent brain. Hope that helps! Be well.
Have you tried EL Private Collection Tuberose Gardenia? Granted it’s not a pure soliflore but it’s the least objectionable gardenia I’ve smelled (it turns out that gardenia and I don’t really get on that well).
Gardenia is really difficult to get right. Last summer, on a hot evening, put put a gardenia behind my ear and the scent keep wafting around to my nose — I was so enchanted I decided I had to find a true gardenia scent. You probably know that gardenia is impossible to work with and all gardenia perfumes are “composed.” There’s a mushroom-like earthiness to gardenia that most perfumes don’t capture. Also, real gardenia is not particularly sweet while most gardenia perfumes are. I found By Kilians Beyond Love layered with VCA’s Gardenia Petale comes very close to the true flower. Also EL Tuberose Gardenia is pretty close, I find this one to be BIG and little hard for me to wear for some reason. Good luck – and if you find a dead ringer, please let us know.
Thank you all for your lovely suggestions! Looks like I have quite a few to try out; Kai and the EL sound like particularly good bets. I’ll let you know if I run across any other finds.
Gardenia Grand Soir by Parfumerie Generale is rather gorgeous, and quite light and green. Also, Gardenia by Isabey is a grand, rich, deep version.
SoTD: Caleche, a recent discovery which I now quite like- Maybe it’s time for me to revisit some previously rejected perfumes!
Today, I baked pumpkin butter muffins, and made feta salsa and spelt crackers for dinner. Tomorrow will be a courgette and lemon cake ( my daughters’ choice) and butternut squash red curry with coconut rice. Yum!
Most complimented fragrances are Boudoir, Shalimar, Calyx, AromaSanctum customised Fire of Isis and, when I wore it, the red- cap Dolce and Gabbana Femme. Also, Costume National 21 AND Homme have been commented upon lately.
Pumpkin butter muffins?! Sounds like a must-try!
SOTD is Bal à Versailles. It had kind of migrated to the back of my collection during the warmer months. And all this talk about pumpkins is making me want to order a sample of Like This.
While I was in Vegas a couple of weekends ago (getting hitched), I went to the Guerlain boutique and met the lovely Clare. I fully intended to buy myself a wedding present, but I really wasn’t that blown away by the stuff I tried (mostly from the L’Art et la Matière collection). I might revisit Cuir Beluga, but that’s it. I thought about going back for Vol de Nuit in parfum, but decided to put it on my Christmas wish list instead (even our cheapo wedding was starting to add up $$-wise).
However, I broke down and got a bottle of Jacomo #08 from Indiescents, which arrived on Thursday. With it came samples of DSH Rubaiyat, Smell Bent Incensed, Tokyo Milk Dead Sexy, and Brecourt Haram — all wins. I haven’t heard much about the Brecourt line, but it seems well conceived and reasonably priced.
Making Texas-style chili for dinner: chunks of beef chuck, lots of spice, and no beans or other errant vegetable matter (aside from onions and a couple cans of tomato paste).
I got a bottle of Jacomo # 8 this summer, and have been really happy with it. Hope you’re enjoying it!
Oh, I absolutely am! I seem to remember you praising #08, and that encouraged me to sample it. It has the rare distinction of being right in my olfactory wheelhouse, but at the same time different from anything I currently have. The milky-cardamom aspect is just so delightful.
(and the bottle is purty.)
I like Incensed – I sometimes layer it with the other Smell Bent incense – Tibet ur Bottom $. The Incensed is dark and the Tibet is light and together they make a nice full-bodied incense. I like them separately, too.
I didn’t see Tibet ur Bottom $ on Indiescents (if I had, I would’ve sampled it for the name alone). Is there another site or store that carries a lot of Smell Bents? (I’m only just starting to explore that line.) Definitely agree that Incensed seems to have good layering potential. I’m also dying to try Desperado.
SOTD is Gucci Guilty Intense. Definitely takes the original up a notch. Latest candle craze is BBW Marshmallow Fireside. Has the marshmallow plus just a little smokiness–completely addictive. It is one of their fall scents and won’t be around much longer. Was wondering if anyone has smelled the limited edition of Jimmy Choo perfume and how you found it?
you mean Jimmy Choo by Jimmy Choo? Or was there any other releases and don’t know yet about?
If you meant Jimmy Choo, I tried this one. It was quite nice, maybe a little to sweet at some level. Worth trying, for me not worthy a bigger bottle than 40ml
SOTD is Ambre Russe, my favorite amber.
My wonderful husband is the cook here (I come from a long line of truly bad cooks, so this works out well – for me!) and tonight he made salmon with fresh dill. Yum.
This time of year always reminds me of the childhood fun of roasting pumpkin seeds after we had carved our Halloween pumpkins. If I recall correctly, Mom roasted them in butter, garlic and Worcestershire sauce.
I roasted them for my son one year and he hated them! It was a big disappointment.
I would be very interested in recommendations for rose perfumes. I have been wearing a sample of tresor to bed and find it so comforting. Have samples of rose chypre and incense rose that aren’t right (too brooding). Florals are rather new to me — I generally prefer wood, spice, orientals, vanilla.
For realistic roses try Nahema, FM Une Rose, Jo Malone Red Roses, SL Sa Majesté la Rose, By Kilian Liaisons Dangereuses. For more complex fragrances which include rose OJ Ta’if, Caron Parfum Sacre or Amouage Lyric (I personally don’t even get that much rose from this one but lots of people do) might work.
Second Parfum Sacre, and I also recommend Gres Cabaret. It’s a light woody/incense rose, and a terrific bargain. Also check out Clinique Aromatics Elixir if you are okay with patchouli. (I’m also not much for florals, and those are the only rose scents that I wear regularly. Love ’em all.)
Stella is quite linear but isn’t a bad rose for mainstream. And 10 Corso Como is a beautiful rose incense that’s nice for fall…
How would you compare 10 Corso Como with Tauer Incense Rose?
Not sure… I haven’t tried Tauer’s… anyone else tried them both??
Gres’ Cabaret is a lovely rose (and it’s not expensive). It’s a little woody and a smidge fruity. There’s also Guerlain’s Rose Barbare which is an amber-rose and $$$$. Another great rose that doesn’t get too much attention is Parfumerie Generale’s Brulure Rose. Andy Tauer makes Une Rose Chypree which is lovely, and you might be able to score Gucci’s L’Arte di Gucci on ebay (it’s discontinued) for a nice price. OJ’s Ta’if (which others have mentioned) is lovely and my personal fav.
As we speak about rose fragrances I’d recommend YSL Paris or Parisienne, eventually D&G The One Rose.
Sonoma Scent Studio has lots of rose scents and they are well done and reasonably priced.
And, just to add, Paul Smith’s Rose which is a pretty, simple rose accented with green tea. Reasonably priced, refreshing and easy to wear. And really smells like rose.
And, of course there is Tea Rose, which I find a little too strong and smells old fashioned to me – but only cos of personal associations.
A lightly fruity but warm rose I like is Ferre Rose, by Francis Kurkdijan (sp?). The initial minute or two Reminds me of Clinique Happy, which I don’t like, but it settles into something nicer and warmer. Also, I was able to get a 100 mL tester off eBay for less then $20, so the price can’t be beat.
For a nice baby-powder rose that is not as over-the-top as FM Lipstick Rose, try Hotel Costes 2.
Scents of the day were rose ikebana,Mona di Orio Lux and Daphne. I am often complimented on perfumes with ample sillage: on Sonoma scent studio perfumes ( champagne du Bois and jour ensoleille), Kilian back to black.
On another note, a new young lady was hired at my office this week and she came in before the interview smelling of Angel (horrors!) I am shocked and amazed she would interview in it.
Good grief, I’m shocked, too.
Late as usual, but hope someone can help me with an unrelated issue that I need advice on. I felt totally gutted when I discovered that a repair guy (well, actually the trainee with the repair guy) had taken a huge (100ml) bottle of Cristalle edp (pre-reform), nearly full, from my dressing table. Absolutely no doubt. We rent the house, and the men were brought in by the landlord’s agents. I realise there is no chance of getting it back, and it is probably impossible to replace. But what do I do?
My husband says it is a serious accusation, and I have no proof. It doesn’t help that I didn’t notice it for some days, as I had flu, and wasn’t in the mood for perfume for a while, and it had been standing behind a collection of other bottles which disguised its absence. However, I feel that the agents should at least know about it, even if nothing is done. And I would like my revenge (because I’m like that).
What should I do? And what can ease the sickness I now feel?
Oh no, I am so sorry. No idea what you ought to do, I’m afraid.
Oh no, what you have described is one of my worst nightmares! I know the feeling of wanting to do something to make it right, but I am afraid there is not much you can do to feel better about it. There is probably no way to get back the actual bottle, and very little point in filing criminal charges. After all, you do not have “proof”–even though you know what happened. You could try telling the landlord’s agents about it and at least urge them to use someone else next time, so another tenant doesn’t have to go through the same thing. It may not do any good, but at least they won’t be able to say they didn’t know. Could you file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau (assuming you are in the US or Canada)?
I have been in a similar situation. It was not a repair person, but someone who had been invited into our home stole from me, and I know the sick feeling. I felt violated, and even though I knew absolutely who had taken the things (no one else had been in our house during the time frame in question), I could not prove it. I still feel a little sick when I think about it, even though it has been over 10 years. My trust had been violated, and if one person will violate my trust that way, how do I know someone else won’t do the same thing? The only thing I can suggest is that you might get a lockable cabinet for your perfume or whatever else you care most about so some other sticky-fingered person doesn’t make off with it.
Thank you for your kind words. I feel bad enough as it is, but it must have been so hard for you to have a friend steal from you – that is the biggest betrayal of trust. The silly thing is that I put my handbag out of sight, and didn’t leave my jewellery around in case of temptation, but never thought that a chap would steal my perfume! So I’ve learnt a lesson.
I will talk to the agents, as they should be responsible for whom they invite into our homes, and the repair guy has got to know what his employee has been accused of.
This is the UK, so I will consider some equivalent organisation. I guess taking it to the police is wildly over-reacting, and they would probably tell me to go away in no uncertain terms (but that’s what I wish I could do).
I hope you have regained some faith in other people.
Citizens Advice Bureau? They are usually able to point you in the right direction. Who would steal another’s perfume?! Horrible. Do get in touch with your agent, even though it might be hard at the time, hopefully it will prevent something similar happening to someone else. Good luck.
Thank you, Yes, it is horrible and weird. And I’m worried about being thought a weird person myself when I tackle this!
That’s awful. I think just the thought of a stranger rummaging through my personal belongings would upset me even if nothing was taken.
I would let your landlord’s agent know about the situation. I’d be sure to say that although I didn’t have any proof that it was taken by the repair man, I thought they should know in case anything like that happens again to someone else, in which case they’d have enough information to take action.
Absolutely. I have informed the agents now, and await their findings.
1. I would double check to make sure that in a cold medicine induced fugue, you did not wake up in the middle of the night, sniff it to cheer your poor stuffed head and shift its location.
2. I would contact the landlord’s agent, explain that you can not find a bottle which meant a great deal you (don’t explain about vintage perfumes, the other person may think you’re nuts) and ask if they could contact the repair men to see if they had to move anything at the dresser. (You may or may not want to hint, that you would offer a small reward for helping locate a sentimentally important item). Even if this does not do any good, it will get filed in the back of someone’s mind. If the same repair crew keeps getting complaints about small items going missing, actions will be taken.
Thank you – you are an incredibly tactful and nice person!
I realised I would sound somewhat demented if I said anything about my perfume habit, extensive collection and the value of a pre-reform bottle of Cristalle, so I refrained. It was stretching things a bit to ask if they had to move anything, as it would be obvious to anyone that the table was nowhere near where they were working, but I have told the agents I am not expecting to get it back, and just wanted to make sure it didn’t happen to anyone else. The agents say that their contractors sign agreements which they are supposed to honour. We will see what happens …..
I get many compliments when wearing Andy Tauer perfumes. I love Lonestar Memories and many of my not so into fragrance collegues find that very attractive and personally I think t is one of the most heavy “Tauers”, It lasts and lasts untill the evening. Delicious!! But his Rose Chypree comes second!!
I was wondering if any Boston area folks have a list of what’s available at Colonial drug? The gentleman behind the counter said they don’t have one on online and since you have to request what you want in order to test it(and I am short and their counters are full of stuff so I don’ have good sight lines….)
SOTD: Sweet Redemption by Kilian. I got a sample of SR and thought it was too sweet for me – until I tried it on skin. This seems to be made for me (sweetness is normally a real deal breaker) and I already know that the travel refill set is going to be mine!
I love Beyond Love as well but alas I’m not the right person to wear it (it’s too mature). Don’t know about the rest of the line but these two are gems!
Fragrances I get compliments on: Carnal Flower and Nuit de Tubereuse (both from men when I went out), Infusion d’Iris (my male housemate compliments it whenever I wear it).
Other thoughts on perfume: Got a little 7.5ml decant of Hiris last Friday and was puzzled why I don’t own it already. Then the first 15 minutes passed and I remembered the poor sillage and longevity. Why has Hermès never come up with an EdP version of this?!
Also, was in the mood for summery perfumes last week and ordered a sample of fig tree by Sonoma Scent Studio. I wonder how this will compare to Philosykos – can anybody give me an idea of it?
BTW–i love your photo. i love birch trees in the fall! Thanks.
i’ve gotten compliments on Chanel Chance eau fraiche and Jo Malone Sweet lime and cedar at the gym. Go figure. I also got a compliment on a green tea scent I sprayed at a Soma store. I really don’t like green tea scents.
I HAVE A QUESTION TO ASK MY FELLOW NST READERS!
What are your favourite orange blossom scents? I recently discovered a love of fleurs d’oranger and have smelled a few, but not had a chance to try many on my skin. I find Serge Lutens’ to be too heavy and sweet, and too floral. I prefer the more citrussy and cologne-like Zagara, from Santa Maria Novella. But am wondering if there are more out there? Please advise!
Oh, and today I am wearing Bois Farine!
Unfortunately my favourite orange blossom is Prelude to Love. It’s not a sugared orange blossom, it’s green with a touch of something like iris, very pleasant and wearable but at those prices I don’t see myself owning it any time soon.
Yay, Bois Farine!
When I was in France recently I discovered Roget & Gallet Bois D’Orange. It’s lovely. It’s very affordable and is a cologne, I believe, so not too heavy.
I very much like the Le Labo Fleur D’Oranger (don’t remember the number off hand). Jo Malone makes a nice one, as well. Both are a bit brighter than the Serge, which I own and love. I need to try the SMN.
My least favorite is the Prada Infusion Fleur’s d’Oranger – serious soap.
The Serge smells seriously bad on me, I don’t know why. But I do find orange blossom a ‘happy’ note and I use ELdO’s Divine Enfant. It smells very sweet and innocent on me.
While I am not an orange blossom fan, 7 Virtues has Afghanistan Orange Blossom and even I can tell it’s really pretty.
thanks so much guys – I’ll follow these leads…….
x
Wearing Yves Rocher Rose Absolute today. This never fails to remind me of spring, since that’s the season in which I discovered it, and today we just happen to have windy, spring-like weather.
Very pretty rose scent!
The shower gel is beautiful, but I am worried that it’s been discontinued. Keeping an eye out on the YR Web site…
SOTD is Andy Tauer Vetiver Dance, a birfday present from my hubster. The delightful packaging includes a handwritten autograph from Andy! I read on the Tauer blog that he regards this as his least appreciated perfume. I love how dynamic this stuff is, from the sharp green opening act to the warm, powdery drydown. Feels right for this time of year.
It’s a nice one. I have given a couple of samples to a friend of mine, who smells much better in it than I do.
Hi all! I am a rare poster, but always love the good reading!! My husband thinks it’s hilarious that I often laugh out loud reading this blog
You ladies (and men!) crack me up and always brighten my day!
Anyway, wanted to respond to the most complimented perfume question….I easily get the most compliments from men AND women on Byredo Bal d’Afrique. Good thing, because it happens to be one of my very faves also! Beyond that, my husband and sis-in-law both love Amber Narguile.
A bit late to this party, but I’ll pop in to say hello.
Today I’m wearing a beautiful scent by Dawn Spencer Hurwitz: a floral melange called Route d’Iris. I’m loving it.
Regarding candles: I was just looking at and salivating over one of the new Diptyque holiday candles, Perdigone, a spiced-plum scent that sounds yummy to me. I’m not sure I can bring myself to spend $68 on the large one, but maybe the small size at $32 is doable. Hmmm. The last scented candles I bought were a set of Pacifica votives, in the LE holiday scent, Satsuma. They’re really nice.
I’ve been in an iris frame of mind lately. I’ll add that one to my list. Thanks, Joe!
If you like displaying it unlit, I’d go for the larger candle. The throw on the larger sizes is significantly better.
I noticed that Pacifica has a Roman Frankincense holiday candle — not usually a big candle person but might have to get one of those, given my current incense obsession. I only wish there were matching frankincense soaps, perfumes, and so forth.
Love that one! I bought it last year and wished I had bought two.
I did mean Jimmy Choo by Jimmy Choo, but there is a new limited edition perfume version in a silver snakeskin box wtih silver trim on the bottle.
Tested a big ol’ whack of scents this week, including TF Black Orchid (finally at my Sephora!), the new DSquared Potion, and Mugler Alien. Black Orchid’s downright ’80s-era potency – trails for miles, lasts forever, won’t wash off – was a pleasant surprise, but I find the drydown almost identical to that of CK Euphoria. Darker, with perhaps a touch more incense and wood and an earthier patchouli, but the resemblance is still slightly disappointing given all of Black Orchid’s hype and hooplah. That said, the tester strip has been scenting my messenger bag for the last two days and every time I catch a whiff I very nearly swoon. I may have to bug the SA for a sample. (I do enjoy a dose of Euphoria now and then, and Black Orchid definitely improves on the blueprint.)
Speaking of testing on strips…never again. I tried Alien on my skin after having dismissed it on a strip months ago, and it was like an entirely different perfume. It becomes so much warmer, cozier, and yet somehow drier on my skin, and intriguingly raspy, like a slightly scratchy wool sweater. The nuclear jasmine is almost too much for me to take in the opening – jasmine is decidedly NOT one of my favorite notes, let alone the synthetic, steroidal version in Alien – but once it calms, it’s just gorgeous, and oddly soothing to me. It’s not whacked-out or weird for the sake of weird, but refreshingly simple, elemental, and well-built. An underrated scent, methinks.
As for the DSquared Potion…turns out I owned it long before its release. It’s by L’Occitane, and it’s called Vetyver. (And it’s less expensive than what DSquared is charging.)
I’m wearing Lola by Marc Jacobs today, and I nearly bought a lovely vetiver scented candle today but it was expensive and I’m a broke student.
I saw the By Killian solids this past weekend, they are beautiful in person-fell in love with and purchased Straight to Heaven. I really love the Incense Oud too but it’s way too pricey for me. Thinking the travel spray might be the way to go.
BK solids! That’s what I want in my Christmas stocking! Those travel sprays are beautiful, too. Too heavy for travel, really, but ideal for handy display on the dresser with no risk of light damage.