That's right, it's Data Privacy Day.
We're celebrating with the usual open thread routine: talk about anything you like — the perfume you’re wearing today, the last perfume that made you laugh, the perfume note you're enamored with at the moment, whatever.
Or, ask a question about fragrance, then see if anyone else has asked a question that you can answer…
Note: image is Irises [cropped] by dottieg2007 at flickr; some rights reserved.
I smelled M7 for the first time this week, I was in Debenhams with my mum and we were walking past the YSL counter, the new little square bottles caught my eye (I remembered seeing them on here) so I began sniffing them. the sales assistant (she was one of the rare sale assistant that actually knew what she was talking about and knew a lot about the company) came over and started telling us all about the different scents, how they came about and things.
M7 is one of the fragrances that is now available in the new little square bottles. so they have the old packaging on sale.
I’m not sure if I like M7 or not :S the sales assistant sprayed it on a tester strip. I liked the bold opening (and my mum didn’t) then we got home and it quietened down a little bit and something else came to front, is that the vetiver? because that’s the bit I’m unsure about (my mum likes that bit), we have such different tastes in perfume they’re nearly opposite!
so I need to test this on skin a couple of times to be sure if I’ll like it/ buy it. but I like how this is actually “different”, not the usual mainstream numbness filling up she shelves. this is actually interesting, and I hope it smells nice on my skin!
and for a limited time, you can get a free YSL charm bracelet with fragrance purchases at Debenhams.
I’m going to a friend’s house for her birthday tonight. and can’t decide what to wear, it’s between; A*Men, Alien and Flowerbomb.
Good to know, Owen – sounds like now is the time to get a good deal on the outgoing packaging!
I know! I think it went down to £35 for 100ml !! my mum said I’m not allowed to get it because I have enough already :/ all 6 bottles.
Aww… can you ask for it as an advance birthday present, if you don’t have the cash on hand right now?
That’s a good deal.
6 bottles is a lot of perfume to the N.O.W. (non obsessed world) And is, after all, enough to last some years! (She says, guiltiy contemplating her 6++ collection)
Oh how fun to have a knowledgeable SA! I love being shown a scent from someone who knows and cares about them; they almost always find something that I wouldn’t have tried or point out aspects of a scent that I may not have noticed. Doesn’t happen nearly often enough, but such a gem when you find one!
I know right! she was so helpful 😀
I give major props to the SAs at Barneys and Bergdorf Goodman, who seriously know their stuff. Specific shout-outs to Lydia, the FM rep at Barneys Chicago, and Alina, who runs the Guerlain boutique at Bergdorf Goodman in NYC.
I agree about the FM SA at Barneys in Chicago — GREAT! (The L’A SA seems knowledgeable as well.) Also Irina, who is counter manager for Hourglass & 3 Lab at the Barneys in Scotsdale, but seems well educated in most the lines they carry.
M7 is a hidden gem, that only after reformulation was recognized as that. One of my favourites, it was a hate at first sniff and love at the second one (after about five to six years later). Is your bottle full brown?
I’ve never tried that
Worths at least a try. Then, search for it! It’s not an easily acceptable frag. It has a kind of medicinal smell (cherry syrup smell) so intriguing. I do like strange smells. But try, after all it won’t kill you. 😉
I’ll try it as soon as I can see it in Douglas os Sephora in Poland. This might not be too fast, because many fragrances arrive here many month late… And, what more I have few exams in the nearest 2 weeks so I won’t have time to check. Maybe later
I think you’ll find it easy since it’s a “teenage boy”. I only know the old formulation and haven’t tried the new one nor its new flanker, M7 Oud Absolu. Good luck on your tests.
Thanks! I’ll report back to you after testing
I have found my favorite perfume because of experts advises on this site. It’s Lumière noire pour femme (MFK) and I love it because it’s so feminine and elegant and I wear it for evenings out. Now I’m on a hunt again but, I would like to find a more casual, day time, office friendly version of Lumière noire. Any suggestions?
This is not a scent I know. Can you describe it and what you like about it?
Oh, gosh – I love LNpf! It is very definitely dressy and sexy and Killer Diva Babe. It is, basically, a dark rose chypre with a little slice of cumin and musk, and some narcissus.
I don’t know that you are going to find something juuuuuust like it but lighter – but there are several similar scents that might be less naughty and more office-friendly. Try a VERY light application of Paloma Picasso Mon Parfum, or Givenchy III (both of which are less heavy on the rose IMO), or Ungaro Diva (more floral in general, less identifiably rose). Or the one I’d pick for daytime, Parfum d’Empire Eau Suave.
(Angela did a lovely review of Eau Suave, here: https://nstperfume.com/2009/05/25/parfum-dempire-eau-suave-fragrance-review/)
Thanks, I don’t know those ones. I will definitively try it.
I f you want rose, maybe Stella-a nice woodsy rose, or Le Labo Rose 31.
Good Morning All,
I’m looking for an after swim scent. I swim in the early am with a masters group and the pool isn’t chemically smelly, but shampoos and cleansers are scented to mask their function. Anyone have any favorites? TIA
Tulip, I have been greatly enjoying my newly acquired Guerlain Idylle Eau Sublime. Octavian reviews it on 1000 Fragrances. He likes the dewy rose, but, to me, it’s an abstract floral that I wouldn’t necessarily have identified it as rose. I used to swim, and I imagine that this soft, dewy, luminous floral would be lovely after a swim.
I can’t recall that we’ve discussed apres swim fragrances before, so I’m intrigued by this topic and looking forward to the other responses!
Well, maybe Hilfiger Eau de Prep? I’m not familiar with it’s feminine version, but a mix of grapefruit & clary sage sounds refreshing and energizing after swimming
As long as you don’t wear it WHILE swimming. That has to be my pet hate …. a mouthful of someone else’s perfume, blech!
How about garlic after-glow.
Tulip, what do you like? What do you usually wear? Pool and related chemicals can be very persistent and there is no fragrance to mask it for everyone, but depending on what you like, a fragrance may mask the scent for you, which is what matters.
You may try a sporty body fragrance that can be applied all over and has the added benefit of pampering your skin. Clarins Eau Dynamisante is powerful enough. So would be any of the Jardins collections from Hermes. Or, from La Prairie, Cellular Energizing Body Spray is a wonderful way to treat your body after a hard workout.
I usually wear OJ (Woman, Tolu, Ta’if) or Chanel (BdI, CdR, #22, Cormandel, Sycomore, Coco). In other words, non-citrusy. I’ve cooled on my Hermes Jardins 24F, and KC and C.
How about Vetiver Pour Elle (now that it’s being discontinued). It’s light and still “there.”
Stop the presses. Is it really? An I going to have to bump it to the top of my must-buy list? Darn it!
How about something like AG Mandragore Pourpre? The combination of citrus, anise and mint gives it a fresh, clean character without straying into functional or overtly sporty category.
I’ll revisit – good idea, thanks!
This is a good question! I agree with the others, that perhaps you might want to stick with something in the aquatic/ mint/ green/ fresh (I know these genres aren’t the most revered in the perfume community but they certainly have their uses!) category as it might mix better with the soaps/shampoo.
Meg,
So are you thinking a men’s – I haven’t looked at those types in years. Who knows, maybe cool water? would be perfect. Thanks!
I used to swim laps nearly every day. What with the chlorine, the sunscreen (outdoor pool), and the aprés swim products, my skin and hair constantly emitted a slightly unpleasant chemical note. It didn’t help that I shampooed with Ultra Swim, which takes care of hair but *stinks*. My personal preference would be to veer away from clean aquatic scents and go for something completely opposite: woody amber, incense and resin, anise. I’m a little embarrassed to confess what I wore during swim season, but suffice to say it was not subtle. Or sporty. Or summery.
Oh, please, confess!!!
Well, okay. Fracas, which I love, but post-workout? Really? What was I thinking? Also 24, Faubourg (which I see from you’ve cooled on, as have I). And Allure, which I now actively dislike.
I plan to swim a nice slow Masters C lane this summer and look forward to trying out each of my fragrances in succession. Shall we compare notes later?
Let’s do.
Today I get inspired by Prada Amber pour Homme Intense.
I was planning to wear Dsquared Potion, but I woke up this morning and really felt like wearing Prada this Saturday.
Sorry Potion, my dear! I promise to use you tomorrow!
Prada has cornered lots of skin time 🙂
I guess 75% of my fragrance skin time is exclusive to Prada, the other 25% belongs to my other 3 perfumes.
Boo, too bad… No one wants to talk with me during this open thread. Sad thing.
I kept my promise wearing Potion today
Gosh. I did answer your first post.
Hah, fun! Sometimes I want wear a lot of frags at the same time that I even use one with horrible lasting power and sillage just for using another few hours later! And don’t be sad about not having answers to your questions: for countless times I’ve made some and didn’t get any answer. That’s why I’m trying to avoid making questions and only answering or commenting. 😉
Sometimes I do so too. I spray a fragrance in the morning, and when I unconsciously I sniff my wrist and can’t trace the fragrance I put something new.
And what are you wearing today Moore?
Have you ever tried Potion by Dsquared2?
Right now, nothing, just laze on my bed in that state between sleep and vigil. Planning to use Eau de Cartier.
Poison hasn’t arrived here yet. If where you launches last years to arrive, here they last ages and IF they arrive. 🙂
In Poland Potion appeared 1 week after it’s launch to the market, but for example Prada Amber Pour Homme Intense didn’t make it’s way to polish perfume shops. Maybe because it’s said to be a limited version, which is not true. Good that I found a way to get me this Prada.
Here Intense didn’t arrive and I guess it won’t. Well, I’m impatiently waiting for JPG’s Kokorico, A*Men Le Goût du Parfum and A*Men Pure Havane. I guess I’ll wait till the eternity. Lol
Kokorico is also one I’m waiting for and wanting to sniff. I haven’t heard about that second you mentioned, I’m familiar with the name A*Men Pure Havane, but I hate original A*Men, so that’s probably the reason I’m not interested with these two
I forgot to mention that I found Kokorico’s 5mL miniature on polish ebay, but it’s soo expensive as for this small amount. Probably because of miniature bottle.
A*Men flankers are kinda different from their father and that’s why I’d like to know all of them.
Some people tell Kokorico is somehow similar to L’Instant Pour Homme. Have you tried it?
I was supposed to try it last time I visited sephora, but because I lacked time I forgot to do so. Will test it first during next visit
It’s a cruel winter in our beautiful Prague. Here I am defrosting in front of the warm glow of my PC screen, with a cup of beautiful Earl Grey, and totally wrapped in Ambre Narguile layered with Paprika Brasil. They go great together.
Today I was shopping for fragrance and something unique happened; the owner of one of the oldest and noblest Parisian perfume houses showed up at our one and only “niche” store in Prague, asking the owner if he will display his beautiful creations, some over 250 years old! As a “sample customer”I was invited to attend his fantastic presentation and after testing about 20 fragrances, I had to excuse myself and leave, head swimming, home to write this on my blog. I will write this in English as well, for Robin, hoping she’ll feature this. The fragrance house is not listed under Perfume Houses as it’s just made a comeback under new owners, but its creations are so unique it deserves all attention.
sounds exciting!
I thing I envy you
Oh I’m jealous, sounds fun!
And Prague is on my “life list” of places I so want to visit! It looks like such a fabulous, interesting city and so beautiful! (And now I know that it has a perfume shop to visit!)
Oh how cool, I want to hear more! What is your blog?
Exciting!! (And Prague is indeed a beautiful city. Hope I can revisit sometime.)
What fun! What’s the brand?
Patience … all shall be revealed … 😀
It sounds like you had a great day!
I’m sure you smell glorious and I would very much like to read your blog.
Hey, what are the niche stores in Prague? I was there for three months about 5 years ago and while it may be the most beautiful city ever (especially at night and after it’s snowed), the shopping left much to be desired (although the thrfting was good).
Wow, what a treat! I would love to read your blog post. Can’t wait!
P.S. Prague is indeed a beautiful city. Looking forward to returning there some day.
I’m here, drinking coffee, listening to my favorite band, and watching my toddler “read books”. Don’t really want to face the amount of laundry I have to do this weekend! uggggggggh
aaaaaaaaaand fiance just suggested I make a Macy’s run when toddler goes down for her nap to see if they have anything new to spray. yay!!
Sounds fun.
Really glad your blog is up and running!
thanks!!! going to try to write something today.
Bravo to you for getting your blog going. I can’t wait to check it out later.
Love the banner of your blog, breathesgelatin!
thank you!
I’m at the office right now then meeting my boyfriend later this afternoon, so no time for trying out new perfumes today! Wearing one of the regulars.
Actually, here’s a random thought/ question to throw out — so I’ve been dating the bf for only a couple of months now. This has cut down on the time I spend puttering around my place on the weekends (which is usually when I do my sampling), but also means I have been a bit more wary about wearing certain fragrances. I’ve never been a signature scent kind of gal, and usually have 4-5 “go-to” scents. But since I’ve been with him I tend to wear only a couple, both of which are ones he’s commented on that he loves. I’m sure as time passes I’ll revert to my normal self, but I was just wondering if anyone else has been through the same thing? By that I mean, wanting to stick to things the other person loves, and that they have grown to associate with you.
I also went throught that Naomi. I used to wear what my ex liked the most.
I can sure understand this quandary! I went down the rabbit hole after the end of a very LTR (over 10 years). I have thought about how I would deal with the whole perfume thing as I begin to “shop around’ again. How will my date feel about my scents? What if they are actually allergic or unbendingly anti-scent? How will they react to the money I spend on this past-time?
Now, it is easy for me to say, since I don’t have anyone I’m trying to impress right now, but I’d like to believe that “the right one” will respect my fragrance choices, and thereby show their respect for me. Taken in that light, it may serve as a good “test” for communication. They don’t have to agree with my scent style, but if they love me, they will either accept it as a part of me or kindly communicate their boundaries.
Marjorie, you perfectly articulated my concerns just as I did! It is scary new territory we’re treading in. But I’m sure your right… the right person should be able to cope, if not find it interesting/amusing.
Marjorie – re: your comment about how the “right one” will accept fragrance choices. Thought you would appreciate this since I know you’re also a big fan of Lipstick Rose – well, he’s in love with that scent!
LR is so lovely, I’d have a hard time accepting someone who didn’t at least like it! 🙂
I definitely understand this. I went through a big break up in the fall and sort of have a new fling now. While I’ve been having fun making a new “scent memory” by generally wearing the same new perfume in the initial time I’ve spent with the new guy (Coromendel, which he has commented as smelling “amazing”) I am wondering when to branch off into the more experimental wears around him. I guess I don’t have the answer, I’m really not sure myself. Maybe the key is to slowly dip a toe in, by wearing some new things that aren’t too divisive… and gauging the reaction.
There’s another related source of anxiety with this in that my old boyfriend was totally doting and indulging in my perfume habit. He thought it was adorable and whenever I got a slew of new samples he’d let me put some on him and we’d smell together, and he would dutifully report his thoughts on whatever I stuck under his nose. I don’t expect such a mutual interest from the new guy, but I’m wondering when and how it’s going to come out that I am “in” to perfume more than normal people, and how that might come across. I’m worried it might seem very strange.
Your fragrance choices are part of who you are and someone who truly likes you will also like the way you smell. If he genuinely dislikes a fragrance that is a part of you then he dislikes a part of you. Do you want to live with that?
Also, it may be a test. Would you avoid or even give up a fragrance you like because he did not openly praise it? Good. Next time he may ask you to give up an outfit, a hobby, or why not, a friend. It may be a matter of taste, or it may be a power game. Hard for an outsider to tell from your story, but you will know.
My fiance loathes every perfume bottle or sample I have in my possession (they all smell like grandma to him). It bothered me at first, but I’ve learned to live with it, and now I don’t even think twice when he comments on something I’m wearing. I wear perfume for myself, and should he ever like something I’m wearing down the road, I may be inclined to wear it around him (emphasis on “may” :-)). And for the record, he loves fruity florals or what he calls “trashy perfume”. Of course.
We’re having a weird winter in Connecticut. Lots of gray days with rain, not very cold & not a lot of snow. My truly wintery scents just don’t seem to apply! I’m on a small cycle between Chanel Coco, Chanel Coromandel, Guerlain Nahema, and Montgomery Taylor Ambra di Venezia. Somehow, I don’t think I’ll get bored… Although tonight, I’m going to a birthday party & I might wear pink & YSL’s Paris.
We’ve had a mild winter here in Texas. I haven’t even worn most of my “winter” scents very much, as it hasn’t been cold enough, and I really think the opportunities to wear them are just about over. I found the first hyacinth of the season blooming in my front yard 2 or 3 days ago, my boxwood hedge has already started its annual flush of new growth, and all my roses are blooming. My yard is telling me that it is spring, no matter that the calendar says January.
Yes! My hyacinths are coming up as well. And there are small leaf buds on my rose vines…
I’m in UK and couple of brief cold spells aside, we’ve had a relatively mild autumn and winter too. I noticed flowering snowdrops in my neighbor’s garden yesterday and almost fell over! Of course, it turned frosty this weekend so who knows how long they’ll last now.
P.S. and while we are on the subject of flowers, I adore the photo that Robin chose for this poll!
agreed!! It’s a fantastic shot.
Isn’t that gorgeous? Wish I’d taken it.
I thought it was a drawing until your post.
I walked past my neighbor’s house last night and noticed that her gardenia shrub was blooming! Normally they bloom in April around here, but we’ve had a milder winter than we’ve had in several years.
Here in the DC area, the grass is usually dead by January, but it’s mostly still green. Snowdrops are blooming, and the other bulbs are coming up, as are hellebores and various alpen-type flowers. I passed some cherry trees that have a light sprinklings of blossoms all over – very odd!
January has been a warm one here in LA; the weather is just spectacular. When I opened my front door today, the heavenly smell of jasmine practically hit me in the face. And trees are blossoming everywhere, it’s glorious!
Coromendel is one of my new obsessions! And one day soon I’ll have a bottle of Coco, which I imagine translates well into warmer weather-thoughts?
It’s been incredibly mind on the Pacific West Coast as well, significantly more than usual. At first everyone was saying that the cold la nina weather was just “delayed” and that it would come in November/December. Then apparently January/Feb. I no longer believe them, as it is starting to feel like that time just before spring, when everything is holding its breath.
After last week’s Open Poll, I came to the conclusion that I should probably let go of a couple of bottles that I like but don’t adore and replace them with the things that I do. I was reluctant at fist but I asked myself if I’d rather keep what I had or get what’s on my wish list instead and suddenly it was a very easy decision to make.
SOTD is the wonderful AdP Profumo. The only thing stopping me from entertaining getting a bottle is the fact that I already have a fruity chypre in Jubilation so the two would occupy a very similar …erm…niche in my collection. This got me wondering – do you guys consider this when deciding what to buy? Do you find that you have similar fragrances which ‘compete’ and one ends up getting more wear than the other(s) or is it not an issue for you?
Yes, I consider this strongly & then purchase the bottle anyway. 🙂
LOL
I have nearly set a moratorium on myself against buying more spicy tea scents. I really like them, and I still really like them when I smell new ones! But I have a FB of Tea for Two, Omnia, and Jacomo #8. I also have a bottle of similarly spicy Bang. Oh, and I have some cinnamon essential oil. I would happily own 5 o’clock au Gingimbre and Rousse if they fell in my lap, but I’ve avoided purchasing them because how many cozy, spicy scents do I need?
I’m hearing a lot of great things about Tea for Two and it’s now on my wish list of things I need to try/buy.
How many cozy, spicy scents do you need? Well, it’s not like they are all the same scent. I mean they are all different in their own way, right? It’s not like you’re buying 5 bottles of the same thing. I say buy what makes you happy. 😉
Poodle, I could send you a sample if you wish. Contact me at marjoriehundtoft at yahoo dot com.
That’s so sweet of you. Thanks.
guerlaingirl, ha! 😀
So do you ladies find that even though you have duplicates they still all get included in your regular rotation or do you inevitably have favorites and the rest mostly just sit there looking pretty?
In all seriousness, I try *not* to wear the same fragrance 2 days in a row. So, if I’m in an amber mood (as I am now) and I’m frequently in an amber mood, it’s lovely to have several great scents to choose from. I do agree that a new fragrance has to smell better than what I already have for me to purchase another bottle.
A good point, GG! How you wear scent must certainly play a role in how many of a type you can comfortably own. I don’t often wear the same scent two days in a row, but I do go through moments when only one scent will do for days at a time. And last summer, I only wore Shalimar for weeks!
I do consider that sort of thing – usually I say, “Is this better than the other [whatever genre] scent I already have? and if the answer is yes, I decide I need a decant at least anyway. If no – well, then, I can leave it alone.
Yes, this is a recent problem of mine. Between Prada Amber, Coromendel, Tabu and Coco Mad. I have sworn myself off of any more Amber/patchouli purchases. Dammit though, I want Borneo as well! Same problem with Back to Black filling my cherry tobacco niche-it doesn’t lessen my desire for Chergui. I feel like I SHOULD fill the gaps in my perfume collection-citrus, floral… but the drive isn’t really there-yet.
Get the Chergui – it’s very different then B2B
Just picked up Chergui a couple weeks ago…love it!
I do consider what I’ve already got in a particular scent category, but by no means does that trump a scent’s intrinsic beauty. I may have a number of rose fragrances, for instance, but that won’t stop me from considering an addition if I truly love it and if it represents a unique twist on the formula. If a fragrance is strongly reminiscent of something already in my collection, however, I’ll consider carefully whether it’s worth adding. Usually in those cases the answer is no.
When you have several fragrances with similar emphases, you can enjoy the differences that make each unique and keep yourself sharp. I see no reason not to get something because it’s like something you already have, as long as there’s something in both to enjoy.
This doesn’t always stop me, but it does tend to be a source of indecision and regret (if I find a better one later, or delay until one is discontinued or reformulated). It tends to depend on how similar, how expensive and how often I’m likely to wear that type of scent. For example, I can’t wear patchouli very often, so owning PG Coze has kept me from buying Coromandel and Borneo, which are riffs on the same patchouli-chocolate tune, to my nose.
I think of myself the same way with respect to patchouli. But I have a couple of patch scents and am thisclose to getting Portrait of a Lady and the new Angel Goût, so I guess I was wrong about myself, not for the first time.
I do have PoaL, a very different theme. It’s amazing, but where can I wear it? (Haven’t been invited to any Goth parties lately!) So I sometimes sleep in it, and it DOES give me interesting dreams!
Another beautiful and completely different scent in which patch plays a key but subtle role is Histoires de Parfums 1969. I wear that one fairly often.
I’ve avoided sampling that new Angel. It does sound tempting!
Sample it! The patchouli is less prominent than original Angel and it’s good fun.
[makes note to try HdP 1969 post-haste]
Btw, if chocopatch is your thing, you really must try the new Angel Taste. This coming from someone who cannot wear the original Angel. Robin’s review is spot on: get past the opening blast and you won’t stop sniffing your wrist.
Hi all! I gave in and ordered a bottle of Memoir Woman yesterday! It was at a bit of a discount, satisfying my frugal self. I can’t wait until it arrives! It’s a 100 mL bottle, so I’ve justified to myself that it will last a lifetime!!!
When I feel like I can justify buying another bottle of perfume some day (maybe in a few months), I think a Tauer will be on the list–probably Une Rose Chypree. In my SSS sampling, there are several there that I like, too (and much more affordable!). Remember how a few weeks back I’d said I was feeling sated? Hahahahaha!
Memoir is great stuff.
Oh, congrats, Memoir is wonderful!
Congrats on the Memoir! Beautiful fragrance.
Oh, and I’m thinking about accepting an offer from my mom for a trip to Hawaii over spring break. I know it sounds lovely, but she drives me a touch crazy. And with the loss of my brother this month, she’s quite a mess right now. If I say yes, though, I feel like I should bring some of my tropical scent samples to really try out–anything with Osmanthus! Any other recommendations?
All the lighter/floral Ormonde Jaynes, especially Frangipani.
Good thought! I have several OJ scents from my Discovery Set that I’ve only sprayed the once because they seemed too light for my general preferences. But since I really appreciate several of the warmer scents, I can see how this would be a good time to retry them.
Yes, and Sampaquita, although admittedly I don’t love it — just seems like it would fit.
We’re on the same wavelength today. It can feel so immature to admit to having a “problematic” relationship with one’s mother. Yet their criticism/well intending remarks can cut so close it’s hard to act like a rationale adult sometimes.
I don’t think we have to be hard on ourselves for falling into familiar, if unpleasant, routines with our mothers. In my case, I have to be the adult in the relationship, and really have had to my whole life, and as I have matured–I’ve begun to rebel! Maybe that’s regressing, but at the same time, I feel like I have to set some clear boundaries with her to protect myself.
I think if I go to Hawaii, I will need to rent my own car so I can have some freedom to plan my own days.
I think that’s a great idea!
Hermès Osmanthe Yunnan. Although perhaps too delicate for Hawaii. Didn’t Haunani post something a while back about some scents by a Hawaiian perfumer?
You’re right! I will have to search for that, unless she reminds us today!
Paging Haunani…
I remember Haunani mentioning En Voyage perfumes. They sound enticing and I keep meaning to order samples. I don’t remember which were her favorites, though.
Just want to express my sympathy as it sounds like you may have had to mother yourself through the tragedy. I hope all the spicy warm scents helped a little!
SOTD is Dior Dune – I couldn’t remember what it smelled like, and found a bottle on ebay recently to try.
The lavender is banging me around a little, but this thing is absolutely fascinating! Can’t believe I didn’t remember what it smelled like, because it’s very distinctive. This is the one that my younger sister wore in the early 90s, and which I was forbidden to wear myself. (Me: Hey, you smell nice. What is it? Sis: It’s Dune. And forget about getting any. This one is MINE. Me: Geez louise, I just wanted to know…)
Dune is having such a resurgence! I feel like I’m reading about it everywhere, I need to try it again. And laughs/sympathy about the sister territorial stuff. Perfume was never an issue when we were young, but we came to blows several times over borrowed clothing.
I almost “blind bought” a bottle on ebay, too. I had asked at my Nordie’s and the Dior SA hadn’t even hear of it. I am resisting buying a FB, though, even if it’s not too expensive. I bought a lot of unsniffed minis on ebay last year, and very few of them are important to me, and I don’t want more bottles like that.
It’s not a safe blind buy – are there any, really? – but I agree that Dune is a fascinating scent, soft and feminine yet with a chilly, almost alien quality. I keep spraying testers of it sporadically and deciding it’s not for me, then it gets stuck in my head and I need another spritz just to be sure. And another. Aaaand another.
It’s worth having a small decant of on hand for reference, if nothing else. (I keep a mini of Tabu around for the same reason. Never wear it, but a mind-bender when I dab a little on my wrist.)
I agree that there aren’t any safe blind buys. . .but when it can be hard find a scent another way, I find myself tempted. I really prefer not to test scents that way, though. I think that whenever I can justify another perfume purchase again (note the bottle of Memoir mentioned above!), I may make a big Perfumed Court order and get samples of things like Dune that I can’t seem to find another way.
I haunt ebay for minis. True, not all of them turn out to suit me, but I can often swap them, and sometimes they’re nice to have around for reference.
With regard to Dune, at least my sister-in-law and sister wear it, and I can pass it on to one of them.
Marjorie Rose,
My local Ulta in Vancouver,Wa has Dune so you might want to check the ones in Portland. Good luck in your search.
Thanks for the tip!
SOTD: Amouage Ubar.
My favorite Barneys SA called yesterday to alert me to the upcoming Barneys bag event, wherein after spending $200 you receive a darling toiletries bag stuffed with full-size products and deluxe samples. I need another FB and more lip gloss and night cream like a giant hole in my head, but the SA cleverly pointed out that the small bottle of FM Portrait of a Lady would bring me the GWP. She knows me all too well.
When is this event? I have a few FMs on my list too and who doesn’t love a gwp?
Next week, but you can pre-order what you want. They’ll set aside your purchase and your gift bag, then officially ring it up the day the event starts and ship it to you.
When? When, when when when? And
Darn – I just bought a bottle of Seven Veils not 1 month ago…
I think the event starts Feb. 2 and goes for about a week. How do you like Seven Veils? The Byredo packaging is exquisite, isn’t it?
Yes, love their packaging. I adore Seven Veils. Not much love for it in the blog-world, I haven’t seen many reviews. It’s a warm-spicy scent (I think it gets the spice from Wisteria), with a vanilla-sandalwood dry down.
Warm, spicy, vanilla, sandalwood? Oh, shoot. . .!
I can’t smell anything, man!!! I’ve go this rotten sinus thing and my house could smell to high heaven right now and I wouldn’t know. lol. Bal a Versailles has always been my head cold fume, because that one is warm and the only one I’ve been able to smell, but not this time. Saaaaad face.
Feel better soon!
Sounds lousy! I hope you feel better soon!
So sorry!
Thanks gals. Nap time! <3
Liesl, right there with you. I look like the woman in the sinus medication commercial who’s complaining about sinus pressure. It’s not pretty. And I can’t smell …. whaaaaa!
You get better soon, too!
Everyone around me seems to be coming down with the sinus thing. My husband is just getting over it and of course that means that’s my turn to have it is probably right around the corner. Hope you both feel better soon.
Was going have a sample day with some recently acquired goodies (thanks Alnysie!!) but then the day took a more stressful turn and I decided on a newly acquired, much loved comfort scent: A Taste of Heaven. I love it!
The stress is due to visiting my mother for the first time in years (she lives across the country). A Taste of Heaven is helping me through the requisite criticism re: hair, clothing, vegetarianism, lack of visiting, etc. It is great to revisit her vanity for the first time as a perfumista, though, and seeing what perfumes she has: Opium, Obsession, Amarige, Hot Couture. I’m thinking maybe this is where my interest in orientals is borne from. Hoping to try Opium for the first time ever (with permission). More than anything, hoping that perhaps perfume (she clearly has an interest!) is a way to bridge our slightly estranged relationship. Thinking of breaking out the samples later!
Oh, my heart goes out to you, Meg! I hope you have the freedom to get away and de-stress regularly! I have *tried* to use the “thank you for your concern” line with my mom when she goes on one of her anxiety-driven monologues aimed at my choices, but it doesn’t seem to work too well. My best strategy is to change the subject when I find an in, usually switching the topic back on her life.
“anxiety-driven monologues” is such a great and accurate description!
I hope if you do go on the trip that you have a relaxing time. Hawaii is a pretty magical place and you deserve a getaway after your recent trials. I hope you are finding some peace in that regard.
I am ok, thank you for asking. As anyone whose lost someone probably knows, you have to learn to ride the ebb and flow of grieving. Today, I seem to be feeling pretty “normal,” but I took yesterday off of work because I was too exhausted to deal with the kids on an assembly day. I think I just have to be ok with the fact that I’ll be taking a lot of sick days for a while.
SOTD is Pacifica Tibetan Mountain Temple – first time wear. One of the few times a fragrance has truly transported me to a distinct scent memory. I adore Dzonghkha (but don’t actually think it smells like a Bhutanese temple) but TMT is EXACTLY like being inside a Himalayan monastery when the incense is burning. I used to travel a lot in the Himalayas and this just made me want to book a flight immediately 😀
Also purchased a FB of Tubereuse Criminelle last week and have been wearing it to work. I have an office to myself for most of the time and so felt that I could take a risk with the wintergreen floral eccentricity. Does anyone else deliberately spritz on a not-very-office-appropriate scent once in a while? 😉
Tibetan Mountain Temple sounds lovely. I love incense fragrances. They remind me of home; the Buddhist temples, sultry summer nights, sound of trickling water from the tea garden fountain, wind chimes, gentle breeze blowing through the bamboo bush, ancient rocks covered in moss…
Yes, to your question. Only when I know it’s going to annoy the hell out of someone. It’s a bit like blowing smoke on the face of someone who annoys you, isn’t it?
Quite! But also because I sometimes really, really want to wear a particular fragrance and couldn’t be bothered to wait for the weekend.
TMT may well be the answer to your question below as well. It is contemplative and peaceful. May head to the British Museum tomorrow to stare at some thangkas in lieu of the real cold stone floors and dusty tapestries.
Interesting, I always thought Tibetan Mountain Temple was appealing, but never considered the possibility that it might be authentic. In fact, I’m so used to rolling my eyes at perfume PR claptrap that I would have automatically assumed this was the last thing a Tibetan temple might smell like, LOL! Must try it for meditation sometime….
Agree, that is usually my starting point as well!
Yes. I usually stick to the least obtrusive scents possible, but if I happen to know in advance that I will be exposed to some particularly noxious odors, I throw caution to the wind and wear something to fortify myself. Like 31 Rue Cambon, which isn’t exactly a wallflower.
I can see how 31 RC may work for the office in some situations. You’ve just set the idea running now… have to dig out my sample for Monday 😀
I thought 31RC was rather mild until a student said they knew I was in my office b/c they could smell my scent in the hallway. It didn’t stop me, sone I stray with abandon from the vat bottle.
I’ve got the tankard, too! Tulip, we may be Super Scent Twins.
I often wil wear whatever I feel like (barring something only if a co-worker has expressed a problem with a specific note{Kim has allergies to Lillies-the stargazer,tigerlilly type not LOTV so Diorissimo =yes ;DK Gold =no).
If we are changing the signs in the window I try to wear a strong scent .Once the reddish inks on the banners warm up from the sun the store starts smelling as if we have a sewer line problem!
Warmed red ink evokes sewage? Who knew! Blech.
I’m wearing Voleur de Roses today. I have been leaning towards moody scents this winter. I am also looking for fragrances that feature cherry blossom, wisteria or perilla.Wanting to go back to my Japanese roots for spring. Any ideas?
I love Voleur de Roses. I’ve almost used up my decant and am debating whether I need a FB or not.
Moody is a very good adjective for it. I find it very sad for some reason.
I suppose it’s a bit melancholic, but it’s not that I feel that way. It goes well with the weather in London. I’m longing for the arrival of spring though.
Have you ever has cherry blossom itea? I’m think Mariage Freres has one, but I fear it will be too tart or like cherry cough syrup, so I haven’t tried it.
No, I haven’t tried it. I don’t normally like fragrances that are too sweet. I’ll try the one you suggest though. The cherry leaves also smell nice and I’m hoping there is a fragrance out there that captures that. I don’t think I’ve come across wisteria. The natural flower has such a lovely scent.
I correct myself. Yes, I’ve had the tea, which is traditionally served in spring. It’s basically cherry blossoms preserved in salt, and you drop one or two in a cup of hot water. It has a delicate aroma.
Love VdR. No suggestions, though
I’ve read of but never sniffed two Guerlain’s: an Guerlain Acqua Allegoria Cherry Blossom scent that doesn’t have very good reviews on Basenotes, and a Guerlain Cherry Blossom parfum extrait that sounds very nice on the Perfumed Court website. Maybe someone else here has tried them?
The beautiful and spring-inspired TDC de Bachmakov lists shiso among its notes. Of the Japan inspired scents that I have tried, I really like Hermes Iris Ukioye.
I have a non-perfume question. Has anyone seen the movie “A Separation”? Is it as good as the critics say? I’m trying to decide whether to see that movie tonight or go to a friend’s house for dinner.
What’s for dinner?
Tulip :DDDDD
(Don’t want to brag, but) I bought my first Sonoma Scent Studio creation – Champagne de Bois. Looking very much forward to it. I was also very pleasantly surprised that the owner herself, Laurie, wrote back to clear up some address stuff and thanked for the purchase. That was so nice; that’s one reason I like small niche producers – you feel welcome as a customer.
Also, I’m in love with Guerlain’s Shalimar Parfum Initial; didn’t expect it to be so charming and the bottle is darling, too.
Champagne de Bois is great! I’ve been pondering a fb myself. And yes, small businesses are so good at making the transaction personal.
Yes, I’ve had great customer service from Laurie, too! I ordered a bunch of samples a few weeks ago, including the brand-spanking-new Nostalgie. She emailed me to ask if I wanted to wait on my order until Nostagie was available or to substitute something else. Within a week, I got my samples including an unfiltered sample of Nostagie and a note thanking me for my patience! Heck, I was just happy to get such an early sample!
This Sunday morning, I’m wearing some of my sample of Nostalgie. Really loving it today!
Yes, in addition to being a talented perfumer, Laurie is a genuinely nice person.
Congrats on the bottle of Champagne de Bois – it’s just lovely.
Ditto everything.
today I wore Rodriguez for her roll on, on one hand, and Lutens Claire de musc on the other. I like both very much, though I only have 5 ml of the latter. Both are very smooth and comforting, though the Rodriguez is much warmer and more sexy. The Lutens makes me think of the innocence of infancy and is very pristine – I can see how it might make some think of fresh laundry!
Funny enough, my boyfriend pointed out that Tauer’s orange star smells slightly like a detergent or fabric softener! I was loving it till he made this observation. How can a scent be like this and also warm, spicy and Christmassy???
And last, a question: my latest interest is violet. I have been trying to compare lieu de rieves by SSS and l’Occitaines delices de flours. (I admire violet blonde but find it too elegant for me) the difficulty is I only have a dab sample of LdR, and the l’Occitaines tester is a spray. Still, they seem quite similar. The SSS is a little warmer and more nuanced, the l’Occitaine seems sweeter, simpler and perhaps more refreshing. Does anyone have any comments about these?
Merlin, I haven’t properly tried the DdF, but I did sniff it the last time I was at L’Occitane. It did seem sweeter and simpler to my nose, and obviously didn’t attract too much attention from me at the time, since I haven’t thought of it since! I have been testing LdR this past week, though, and I really like it! I may decide to buy one of those wonderful 17 mL bottles that they offer at SSS. To my nose, though, the rose plays as much a role as violet in LdR–similar to Lipstick Rose, if not as powdery/cosmetic.
Yes, I remember you saying how much you liked it last week! My favourite then was winter woods which I still adore. I will probably get a 17ml of winter woods – though I certainly have many frags in this genre!
With the exception of Esau de beaux I find most l’Occitaine frags eminently forgettable! Jessica, however, gave D.D.F. a great review on here so I did seek this one out. And though it was quite sweet I found it a delicious and airy sweetness. Because its a limited though, I can’t wait my usual 3 months before deciding.
Still, it’s about 63 dollars here which is not exactly cheap…
After reading how much you liked L.d.R. I started wearing that more and then fell for that AS WELL. It’s also delicious though not as edible as DdF, and as you say more complex. I will probably pass up on the loccitaine and get a 17ml of this AND Winter Woods…
Happy I could inspire you! I’m afraid that there is a real risk of me becoming a bit of a SSS Ho! I think I could happily own a small bottle of Lieu de Reves, Nostalgie, Sienna Musk, and Voile de Violette. I think I’m going to give in and buy Champagne de Bois, too–which I like but do not love, but it reminds me of Bois des Iles enough to give me a sandalwood fix when I need one. And there are about 6 more that I like enough that I’d take happily if they were given as gifts.
I blame the totally affordable 17 mL bottles!
Even the SSS ones I don’t like settle down Into a base I love! I haven’t tried Nostalgie or voile violette, YET. And while i like Sienna Musk and velvet rose, I’m not sure it’s love!
CdB is a bit of a puzzle to me. There is a note I don’t like in it, may be aldehydes, but I don’t know. And, aside for that one unsettling note I adore it. (not sure how that is possible- but somehow it is) I especially like how strong it is and how long it lasts! Perhaps a 5ml…
But I’m still hankering a little over the DdF : /
Finally trying AG Ninfeo Mio today. Really liking it — feels like a nice contrast with the cold weather. Does anyone else find this scent almost beachy? I’m surprised by that, as I thought it would be more of a “green” scent.
I really like NM – just got a decant in a swap of LAP’s PF, but I prefer NM actually. Enjoy!
Interesting — I am finding I like it way more in cold weather than I thought I would, but it doesn’t really strike me as beachy.
So busy today with moderating an art event that I forgot to put on perfume. As a result — despite the fact that the event was successful — I felt slightly “off” all afternoon, a little bit left of center.
Hope it went well though!
Hi everyone! 🙂 A friend of mine told me about her favorite perfume called Pure Pink by Karen Low, and I couldn’t find a review of it here, or much information about the notes of it online….I was wondering if any of you had tried it and could tell me more about it?
Thank you! 🙂
Sorry, I don’t know this one!
I’ve never heard of it either.
I am still in my sandalwood period and loving it! Today I’ve been wearing MPG Santal Noble. At first I feared it might be too sweet but the more I wear it, the more addictive it becomes. Coffee, chocolate, and creamy sandalwood, but elegant and not gourmand. Complex. I have an FB on its way! And I’ve already bought a FB of Anick Goutal Sables. Plus another FB of Montale Sandalsliver is looming in my dreams. Sandalwood, this time tinged with citrus and herbs. The world of sandalwood is so varied!
I have not tried Santal Noble in a long time, I should get a new sample.
Yes, as I promised, my scent for Sunday is Potion by Dsquared2. Have a good day!
You too!
You must see Octavian’s blog – 1000 fragrances – as, spookily, he raves about Potion today. Great minds think alike! It sounds like a wonderful fragrance.
Thanks Jullie! I immediately rushed to 1000fragrances to read it.
And I’m absolutely agreeing with Octavian.
Dsquared Potion is a wonderful creation, a perfume that never existed before (I mean it’s not similar to some other perfumes we know)
Lucasai I forgot about Potion — I remember reading about it when the press release came out and really wanted to sample it. Thanks for the heads up!
You’re welcome! Glad I could help! In my opinion Potion is a very unique, cozy and seductive scent. Definitely worth trying & buying a full bottle (like I did)
Please let me know what you think about it after you sample, ok?
A bunch of samples arrived yesterday from Scent and Sensibility……..am really enamoured with STECCA from Hilde Soliani. It made me coo, which doesn’t happen often! A very beautiful, haunting tomato leaf fragrance. Unusual.
Also had samples of Cepes et Tuberose and Candide. Not so sure about them at first, but they deepen and unfold further in the dry down.
Not sure which of my regular fragrances to wear after my shower though…….am thinking something warm and enveloping for this cold weather……Musc Ravageur? Bois Farine? Dzongkha? Ah, what a high class problem to face!
LOL at “a high class problem”…I guess that’s true!
I may take a trip to Nordstrom’s and Neiman Marcus today to do a bit of sniffing. Lord knows I don’t need a bottle of anything but I’m feeling like I might want to treat myself to something. Maybe I can find a nice SA and pacify myself with a few good samples.
Does anyone have a go to comfort scent? Is there one fragrance in particular that you wear when you are really feeling down to help pick you up? I’m not feeling blue today but was curious what people reach for when their having one of those days.
When I am down, I tend to reach for fresher scents. I don’t know if it’s necessarily a comfort scent for me but if I’m down, sometimes I reach for Love and Luck. I notice I went through that bottle quick..it’s a good scent, cheaper and I love the mini for my purse.
I noticed I have been reaching for my Pleasures Delight more, which was a gift. I wasn’t keen on it at first..but lately I am reaching for it more and more..I dig it during the cold months. Not sure why, but I get a champagne/fuzzy alcohol drink type of accord with this that I find rather distracting and off putting a bit. That’s the only turn off with that scent.
For me, sunshine in a bottle is Estee Lauder’s Intuition–a scent that doesn’t get much attention on the perfume blogs I read. I think it’s the citrus note. Love citrus, but I’ve found perfumes that feature it tend to be fleeting. However Intuition dries down to a lovely golden glow that wafts around me for hours.
I’m going to put some one right now. There, that’s better.
Sunshine, that reminds me, I want that Sunshine Clarins frag..too many on my want list right now. But Clarins is on there..I dig their scents.
I had a small bottle of that way back when and I remember liking it but you’re right it does seem to be one of the forgotten fragrances out there. Maybe I should reacquaint myself with it.
Almost any perfume will pick me up when I am a little down, I just love perfume so much, but one that is guaranteed to lift my mood is Divine l’Ame Soeur. P:TG describes it as “pale, vegetal, unsweetened”, which I do not understand, as it is *very* sweet to my nose. It makes me think of powdered sugar, and it never fails to bring a smile to my face.
I find I reach for things that are powdery to me. I think it’s because I associate powdery with soft and warm and fuzzy. Like a comfy blanket to curl up in.
Un Jardin Sur Le Nil, my aromatheraphy.
I didn’t bring any perfume to school with me.
My perfume collection consists of: Bulgari Black, M7, Ourzazate, Black Cashmere, and Alexander Mcqueen Kingdom. 4-5 is about the ideal number for me. But I’ve had Black Cashmere and Kingdom for a really long time and although I still think both are beautiful, they don’t really fit my tastes anymore.
I wore Kingdom everyday that I was home over the winter but it is still mostly full. I don’t want to get rid of it but perhaps I might as well. It is a hard decision.
Really nice collection. I heard good things about Black Cashmere. I think you’ll like Lolita Lempicka Au Masculin, 212 Sexy Men and Body Kouros too.
Oh, I hope you can tuck that Queen away somewhere, Krok. Someday you may want to revisit the time in your life when you wore it, and it will be impossible to find. Such an amazing bottle, too…
My collection is:
Jasmin Noir L’essence, Mon Jasmin Noir, Shiseido Zen White Heat Edition, Forbidden Euphoria, Euphoria, Pleasures Delight, BLV Omnia, Miss Boucheron, Armani Mania(may true love forever more than likely), MJ Daisy, lots of various niche and designer samples and Lady Million.
I would have bought a couple more bottles this month but instead bought a handbag and lol, a 49ers jersey..I do love those 9ers..came to a sad end this year:(. Haha, fumes and football..I dig them both.
Armani Mania is great.
My small collection consists of:
Prada Amber pour Homme, Prada Amber pour Homme Intense, Prada Infusion d’Homme, Caron pour Un Homme, Dsquared2 Potion, Police Pure DNA, YSL L’Homme Libre (travel spray)
The 49er’s should have won. They had a bit of bad luck but I think they have a good team and I think they will do well next season. I was hoping my Patriots would get to play them next week. I like fumes and football too. Lol.
Oh and Love and Luck just ran out 😉
Been exploring and sampling a LOT since this summer when I picked up Perfumes, The A-Z Guide as something to read on vacation. Before then I had only a passing interest in perfume, which has of late become a bit of an obsession (no pun intended) . A few observations from an absolute neophyte:
– I’m “learning” to smell. When I first starting sampling, I couldn’t really distinguish individual notes at all. For instance, when someone characterized Jicky as “skanky” I couldn’t imagine what they were talking about. Then I put some on for the first time in a while the other day, and whoa! Indeed, there is a bottom at the bottom. Still love it, though.
– It’s funny what “sticks.” You try a bunch of stuff and the one you least expect to like is the one that calls you back. Again and again. Or, as has been the case with the Serge Lutens that I’ve tried, one (Borneo) is delicious, the others….not so much.
– Go for the EDP. One reason I never wore perfume was that it never seemed to last more than 30 minutes. Whereas a strategically place spritz or two of EDP will drift supportively up from your collar off and on throughout the day. That’s the issue with most of the Hermes fragrances–swooningly lovely, but they tend to light up the room and then promptly leave.
My next quest is for a beautiful rose scent–I have a sample order on the way from Sonoma Scent Studio that includes Cameo, Velvet Rose, and Vintage Rose. Can hardly wait! What’s your favorite rose?
Thank you for sharing your new discoveries! I was in a similar situation about a year ago. I still feel like I have a lot to learn, but I am surprised at how quickly I’m learning (and that I’m still interested in perfume after a year! who knew?).
My favorite rose scents, and I admit there aren’t many, include the rose + violet scents: Lieu de Reves, and FM Lipstick Rose. I liked but didn’t feel like I “fit” BK Rose Oud, which had the most “sticking my nose into a bloom” kind of rose note that I’ve thus far found.
I have also been on a quest for the perfect rose scent. Many rose soliflores seem to turn sour on my skin, while some others seem to have been too oversweetened, perhaps in an attempt to compensate. The SSS roses are all well done; I like Velvet Rose the best, as it seem to fit its name very well. Vintage Rose makes me think of rose potpourri, rather than fresh roses.
Others that I have tried and liked include Yosh Sottile, which stays true on my skin for an incredibly long time. I have perfume-eating skin, as you seem to as well, and have had trouble with staying power, but the Sottile perfume oil I have lasts a good 12 hours on me. DelRae Coup de Foudre is a nice, lighter type of rose that is good in warm weather. Czech and Speake Dark Rose is rose with a touch of oud. I don’t like oud-centric scents as a rule, but in Dark Rose it serves to add some depth and richness to the rose, rather than being the focal point. One of my very favorite perfumes of all is Teo Cabanel Oha, which is classed as a rose chypre. It is one of my go-to scents, a perfume that I can wear any time or for any occasion, and which never seems like the wrong choice.
My favorite rose is Annick Goutal Rose Absolu.
It’s just the softest, tenderest rose scent…
I find mai rose to be the biggest offender for souring on my skin. That DelRae rose is what finally made me realize what the particular rose note to avoid.
The roses described as “fresh” also tend to go sour on me.
Yeah, I’m really proud of myself when I recognise a note!
It’s not very popular, but I like Lutens Sa Majeste La Rose. A less expensive rose soliflore is Paul smiths Rose. Both of those are ‘light’ roses and not at all spicy. Citizen Queen is described as a dark rose. it’s beautiful, leathery and assertive. Many praise Stella, but it’s not a favourite of mine. And, there is a new diptyque centred on rose.
I love Caron Parfum Sacre, which many consider a rose scent. Calice Becker’s rose-plum Liaisons Dangereuses for By Kilian is one of my favorite fall scents. And I’ve just fallen for Amouage Lyric.
I have been a fan of rose scents for a while. My first one was Stella but it isn’t quite right anymore. I also tried YSL Parisienne which is very sweet. My favorite for a long time was FM Un Rose, deep and dark. It has a bit of a sour note though. I just ordered BK Rose Oud which is along the same lines. Portrait of a Lady didn’t work for me and makes my nose itch. My sister likes Etat d’Libre Rossy de Palma. On me it’s meh, on her citrusy rose. I have also tried Drole de Rose and Voleur de Rose, meh. I would love to know the outcome of your rose quest.
Thanks all for your suggestions! One of the “problems” with rose scents is that there are so many beauties to choose from! An embarrassment of riches.
I’ve made some notes of your successes and will report back.
my 8 year old daughter hit her head and later she started to throw up, so we went to the hospital and stayed there for 48 hours for observation. at night when she was already asleep I started to smell my comfort scent Emeraude, though I had no perfume on at all. my brain wanted to comfort me I guess. it was such a unique experience. and my daughter is fine now and we are at home again 🙂
I’m glad to hear that your daughter is alright!
Very interesting about smelling Emeraude. And how nice to know that scent is always available to you in your mind’s “nose.”
The hospital stuff is so scary. Glad your daughter is well! Do you have any actual Emeraude to put on?
So glad she is ok, that would have terrified me.
I too am eagerly awaiting my pile of rose samples to arrive. In the meantime I’m wearing my sample of Comme des Garcons Red Carnation to remind me of receiving a bottle of carnation infused perfume from my mom when I was a child. I asked her about it yesterday at her birthday lunch, and it was part of a special conversation. Then she said she was’t feeling well and fainted! Serious episode of terrifying possibilities. We went to the emergency room and they found nothing, but we’re all quite traumatized. The carnation scent is helping, like medicine today.
I hope it was just emotion. I did actually faint from emotion many years ago; it never happened again.
I wish it had been from emotion. It looked like a stroke. She has leukemia and Lyme disease and she is pretty messed up. She had just finished telling me she was relieved to make it through the last year, since it was the age at which her mother and grandmother died. We did manage to have a good laugh over the whole th ing, but now we wait for more medical info. Sorry, TMI/downer!
Wow, that’s a lot for a body to bear! Carnation does have a certain strength, doesn’t it?
Still enjoying Bigarade Concentree (Jean-Claude Ellena for Frederic Malle) as a winter pick me up. Looking forward to going to smell the new scent from Evody at Jovoy tomorrow…there’s always so much great to stuff to smell at Jovoy!
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This is my first comment on now smell this! I’ve been reading the blog for a awhile and always use the reviews as a reference when smelling perfume. My mom has always been a huge perfume lover and I’ve always liked perfume but last year I started really trying different lines and basically trying to smell everything I can. Now Smell This has been such a great reference! I cannot tell you how many times I have read and reread certain reviews while smelling my wrists. Today I’m wearing Serge Lutens Santal Blanc. There’s just something about this fragrance that really makes me feel warm and cozy. A lot of people say that it smells like pencils and I get that too but I’m always drawn to it on a lazy Sunday like today.
Welcome, glittergal!
It’s true, whenever I try a new scent I enjoy rereading the review, which enhances my enjoyment (or confirms my displeasure, LOL).
Hi and welcome, and you smell great!
Welcome! I’d like to have perfume-lover- mom.
I also like these kind of “strange” smells on perfumes. 😉
I’ve been skulking around on NST for quite awhile now, but today is the first time I’ve mustered the courage to ask a Lazy Weekend Poll question. (I’m nervous… I have SO MANY questions… which one should I choose?)
So here goes.
My husband is touring Scotland for the next three weeks or so. (I’m in the US.) He’s asked if there’s any rare or UK exclusive fragrance he can pick up for me while there. (I suspect it’s his attempt to ease buyer’s remorse/guilt for prospective additions to his Scotch collection that he hopes to procure.)
Other than in London, I am not familiar with fragrance shopping in the UK. Does anyone have any suggestions? (Please keep in mind that for all intents and purposes, this is a blind buy.)
I was in Edinburgh last summer. There is a swanky mall in the New Town? next to Reiss and Mulberry. They had a huge perfume bar with most of the European brands which are hard to find in the U.S, Annick Goutal, L’Artisan, Serge Lutens, etc. I didn’t find any perfume but I did get a Mulberry bag.
Hi Knit, glad you de-lurked! Sorry can’t help, just will add that next time, if you post on Saturday morning you’ll probably get more response. By Sunday night, sometimes these polls are winding down, so fewer people see your question. But good luck, hope you find something!
I apparently will be taking longer to sample all my Mon mail suggestions than I thought since I have very bad magpie tendencies when it comes to sniffing and am easily distracted so ended up sniffing on paper all the Montales, D’Orsays andNobile 1942s that MIN had in stock. I tried on a couple of the Amouages but completely fell for Montale Intense Tiare which has now been added to my eventual FB list–full and round and linear which, since it is detectable on skin for 48 hours (including showering), is a goood thing
So glad you found a winner though!
Hello All,
I’ve just hit catch-up with NST! Very overworked and over-inboxed, so sometimes I am waaay behind on reading the daily posts. Add to that the fact that I’m in an East Africa time zone — so maybe I’m late to post? Anyway, here goes: reading about loss here today and struggles with our relationship with parents and considering the posts about scents being a “fit” or not: I often think about how we perfume-peeps are strongly connected to or affected by emotions and how we can have a strong scent connection to those too. I realize I sometimes subconsciously choose to NOT wear a favorite when I know it’s going to be a bad memory day, e.g. a funeral or recently: the day I had to fire someone (horrible!). I wouldn’t want a darling scent to be tainted with that memory. Anyone else do that?
Yes, Ida, I do that too — with fragrance, clothes, accessories… sometimes even music. I know exactly what you mean.
Yes…if I think it’s going to be a really bad day, I skip perfume altogether.
Marjorie Rose I hear you on the mother boundary issues. When I talk about mine I try to make it sound more funny than tragic. I was wondering were you the one that lives in Houston? You should go to Hawaii. The beauty of the place and the other tourists are enough to occupy you and your mother separately.