The usual open thread poll: talk about anything you like — the perfume you’re wearing today, the fragrance you purchased but never reach for, what you wish you'd bought instead, whatever.
Or, ask a question about fragrance, then see if anyone else has asked a question that you can answer…
Note: top image is jasmin [cropped] by .EVO. at flickr; some rights reserved.
Hi everyone,
I tested two citrus fragrances yesterday – Andy Tauer’s Cologne du Maghreb and the new Limon de Cordoza by The Different Company. The latter didn’t leave a big impression on me – nice but not a must-have – but the Tauer is pretty amazing. Lemons and oranges on a wooden altar in a church. Longevity is a problem though. Any opinions on these?
I tried all 4 of the TDCs very quickly yesterday. Was probably wearing too many things at once to make any decent judgments, but my early favorite was the Sienne d’Orange.
Oh good, I’ll have to try that one. The price is steep for a Cologne though.
It really is, and based on 1st try, doubt I’d pay for any of them.
I was lucky enough to win a bottle of CdM in Andy’s Advent giveaway awhile back. You’re right about the longevity. I wore this last week and when it started to fade I sprayed TDC Sel de Vetiver over it and wow! That’s a great combo.
My exams are finally over, the only thing remaining is my degree project presentation on Friday. To celebrate I gifted myself with a new bottle of perfume, Van Cleef & Arpels Bois d’Iris.
It’s Father’s Day in Poland today, my Dad got a new aftershave lotion and a box of cookies as a present from me.
SotD is divine smelling Le Labo Iris 39. One day I’ll have a nice bottle of it, with my name printed on the label.
Hope that you’re having a good weekend!
Missed you much since last Lazy Weekend Poll two weeks ago!
Hey, greetings to Poland! I’m working in German national television and am very busy with the European soccer championship in your country (and Ukraine). 🙂 What a nice gift to offer to oneself, I love Bois d’Iris!
Greeting! I’m sure you’re very busy at this Euro 2012 time, but I hope that you enjoy the overall soccer excitement!
Congrats on your new bottle! And sorry we skipped a weekend poll…tech troubles, which are hopefully now all ironed out.
Thanks, it was a love from the first try and I found a really good price online to get this bottle of VC&A Bois d’Iris.
No worries! I know you were changing servers.
Congratulation on your new bottle and good luck for Friday!
Thanks, I’m very happy about the VC&A Bois d’Iris it smells so wonderful!
About the Friday, it will be all right!
Enjoy your freedom from the tyranny of exams, Lucas! What did you get your dad?
He got Davidoff Hot Water aftershave lotion and a box of Oreo cookies.
I’m going to enjoy my freedom. I hopefully find a summertime job.
Hi Lucas!
Oreo cookies are so good! I haven’t had them in a while but now that you got me thinking I may have to grab some on my next trip to the store.
Glad your exams are over and I love your gift to yourself. It’s always good to reward yourself like that I think. You have lots of new scents now it seems.
They’re yummy right? I like to grab a pack myself once in a while.
I’m also happy that I’m done with my exams, now only this presentation is left before I officially get my university 1st degree.
A kind friend from overseas sent me a sample of Bois d’Iris and I immediately found in love, I couldn’t resist when I found a great deal online, I just had to buy it and treat myself to it.
Well, it’s not that many: Nuit Etoilee and Bois d’Iris (last year I bought 2 bottles, so it looks this year will be more perfumed) + some samples I orderered or got from kind people. Now that I’ve found a split board exclusive to Poland I’ll be getting more splits and decants, yay!
What a lovely choice!! You have such good taste. 🙂
Awww… thank you:) I just try to make the best choice possible, don’t want to regret any buys.
Ooooh, Bois d’Iris is gorgeous! I bought it as a Christmas present to myself two years ago. I would have emptied the bottle already but I try to save it for special occasions since it’s so expensive.
It’s gorgeous indeed. This perfume is very special, a good way to gift yourself. I think I’ll keep mine also for special occasions and moods. I wouldn’t have bought it if I didn’t find a tester bottle online for 80$. I know this perfume is expensive (it’s VC&A Exclusive line afterall) so I was happy to find a tester at almost half the price.
A summer perfume tip: Cristalle lasts longer when you spray it directly on top of pure shea butter. I bought my shea butter from L’Occitane.
I switch between a shea lotion & a coconut butter lotion, both work pretty well to increase lasting time.
Thanks for the tip. Cristalle Edt, right?
Hello, everyone! Feels like it’s been ages since the last poll 😀
I had another trip to the big smoke and managed to squeeze in some perfume sniffing despite the crowds of crazed sale shoppers.
I was hopeful about Nuit Etoilée but it did disappoint after all.
I also (finally!) got to try some of the Les Heures de Cartier. Really liked XIII (Treizieme), the SA and I had a good snicker at the shockingly animal enclosure-like IV (Fougueuse) and she then suggested VII (Defendue) which I though was a nicer example of the dry chocolate + patchouli genre.
Sadly, the two other things that I really wanted to try (Amouage Beloved and Denyse’s LAP) were nowhere to be seen.
Lastly, patting myself on the back for resisting a 50ml of Dzongkha that’s on sale at the moment since what I really want is Sycomore.
Oh and some very brief sniffs of a couple of new Piguets both of which smelled very vintage.
Which Piguets did you sniff? If they smell vintage I might be interested since I’m currently on a vintage kick. I’ve only sniffed a couple of the Cartier Heure series but L’Heure Convoitee will be mine come Sept to celebrate starting acupuncture school. That scent is so darned perfect on me. Just rationing my sample unti then
Futur has has a fun, retro vibe. Can only call it “Wasn’t tomorrow wonderful?”, which of course isn’t much of a description of notes….
Yes, do update us about the Piguets! I can’t wait to try those, and have been holding off on ordering a sample pack from TPC/StC/whatever it is these days until I’ve heard whether they’re worth the trouble.
The first one I tried was Notes which instantly struck me as something from a different era. I’m almost certain that the other one was Casbah (tiny chance it was Oud but I doubt it) which, to me, leaned strongly to the masculine side. Bois Noir and Mademoiselle were nowhere to be seen.
I know it’s vague but I was already in a rush to get to a meeting so it was literally a case of notice the bottles, stop in my tracks, sniff, feel relief they weren’t in the Douglas Hannant mould and dash 😀
Thanks, Abyss (and sorry to be so late replying — busy weekend entertaining my parents). It’s certainly reassuring to hear that the new offerings are un-Hannant-y!
“both of which smelled very vintage.”
This is very good news. I like when they stick to their guns.
Sorry to hear that Nuit Etoilee was a disappointment for you – I really like my blue bottle of it.
But happy you smelled some other interesting things.
I really wanted to like Nuit Etoilee just to have an excuse to buy that bottle which is simply gorgeous. Alas, it’s just not my kind of thing.
Hi Abyss,
I have FB of Dzongka and would be happy to share a decant with you!
Oh, thank you, that’s so kind. I’m going to pass though, since I’m really trying to be good.
I put on about 5 sprays of Sycomore today, .. a little too much. But I smell soooo good. You’ll love it!
Sounds heavenly! I’m jealous since I loved it as soon as I smelled when it first came out. I’ll probably crack and finally treat myself for my upcoming birthday.
Continuing my vintage lot exploration has yielded another couple of wonderful things. First is Imprevu–this is amazing–woodsy, green mossy with flashes of carnation. This is definitely going into my regular rotation–it’s what I never get from Ormonde Jayne Woman. Second is Holly Berry from Prince Matchabelli for which I can find absolutely no information, though I’m pretty sure it’s old. I’m not very good with picking out notes but it seems to be dark cherry over pine (or other evergreen). It’s a greenish liquid in a round bottle that’s dented in the middle where the crown logo is and has a small metal cap and is a splash bottle. If anybody knows anything about this one, I’d appreciate the info
I loved Imprevu! Now I want to nip over to eBay for a bottle. That and some Nuance will take me back…
What does Nuance smell like? If it’s as wonderful as Imprevu then I may need to go hunting……
Well, now I have to admit to myself, and every body else, how limited my knowledge and abilities are. I couldn’t tell you why one reminded me of the other without doing a little research. Seems they would both be considered woody florals with an aldehyde intro. Nuance seemed sweeter, but not sugary sweet, perhaps more girlish. I read it had a list of fruit in it, but I would never call it a fruity floral, as those are almost fightin’ words with me. How is this: If Imprevu was Kim Novak, Nuance was Sandra Dee.
I don’t think I’ve ever heard of Imprevu, but it sounds delightful. I, too, found OJ Woman lacking (probably because of Iso E Super anosmia) but love the idea of it.
I hadn’t heard of Imprevu before I bought an estate lot off ebay–it came out in 1965, don’t know when it was discontinued, and wasn’t in my scent memory bank as something my mom wore, but it is wonderful and definitely worth seeking out
Imprevu was quite popular in the mid-to-late 1960s.
Thanks for the info! I’ve been obsessing about mossy carnations all weekend.
Just got my samples from Strange Invisible. Testing Musc Botanique and Aquarian Roses right now.
How do you like them? I’m a fan of the Musc Botanique.
They are both quite nice. The Musc is very comforting and the Rose is one of the most natural smelling rose fragrances ive experienced.
Experimenting with a sample pack of Amouage perfumes I bought “on special” last weekend after reading about Jubilation 25 for months–had to see what the fuss was about! Sad to say Jube 25 is not going to be my cup of tea; it’s got a skanky note that doesn’t love me.
I think the standout of the group is going to Memoir, which is much less “perfumey” than the rest of the lot. Believe I’m also going to like Jubilation XXV–the men’s version of Jube 25. Starting to think that I like masculines as much or more than feminines.
I also just broke down and ordered L’Heure Bleue EDP, which has gone down in price (the declining euro? also coupon code). I must stop falling prey to every weekly special that drifts my way. I must.
But LHB is sooooo lovely and is even suitable for hot weather, unlike the Amouage, which I’m thinking might be best when the leaves are falling.
I’ve never tried Jubilation XXV but have you tried Lyric? From Amouages I know it’s my favourite one.
Yes, Lyric is one of the samples that are included in the set, and while the opening does have the funky, animalic note, it goes away in the drydown which is quite lovely. I like the opening of Epic better, and Beloved sounds like it would be up my alley, although it’s one I don’t have.
These are so complex (and powerful!) that I can try them only one or two at a time. When I got the package on Friday I dabbed a tee-tiny bit of all of them on–I can never resist–and ended up a very fragrant muddle.
Hi K. I am also testing Amouages today: Memoir on the back of one hand and Epic on the other. Epic’s drydown smells just like Atelier Cologne Vanille Insensee!
Congrats on your bottle of LHB! I’ll catch up with you this weekend.
If I break the piggy bank for a FB, it may just have to be Epic! Never experienced anything so compelling as this one.
I’ve sampled a great many Amouages but Epic Woman is still my favorite –I wear it all year long (cold summer here) — I’m halfway through my third large bottle! I’m looking forward to trying Interlude; love the blue bottle!
Yes–did reply to your email. Look forward to hearing from you!
Happy weekend all!
Memoir is the only Amouage FB I own, although I’ve sniffed many of them. I do prefer it in the cooler months–transitional times like fall and spring are really great, actually. Too cold and I don’t get to enjoy the scent quite as “big” as I like it. Too warm and it can be a bit much!
Interesting about the masculines–my notes from sniffing the Amouage line a year ago had me preferring the male versions of both Epic and Reflection. I wasn’t yet open to cumin at that time, so I will need to go back and resniff the Jubilation scents.
there seems to be a new perfume in amouge that came out called “beloved”.. has any one tried it . Gold remains my fav in summer and winter, and I finished one bottle of honour and onto the second… So yes amouge is one of my fav perfume houses. How does one get into splits . I think the 200 ml channel botteles are a bit much? many thanks Nabila
I just got a decant of Beloved and it seems to be the most different of all the Amouages I’ve tried. It starts off more green and herb-like. But it quickly changes to a powdery-like scent, very romantic. I find it the least animalic of the line. I’m not very good at reviewing scents – hope this helps! Ultimately I’m really taken by the beauty and softness of Beloved.
Ha! Memoir is my all-time favourite scent, and it’s nice to see it get some love. 🙂 On my skin it is pure licorice, smoke, and incense. <3 Also, I find that Memoir is the only Amouage that I'd wear any time, any season. Perhaps I'm biased though. 😉
Yes, I admit to wearing it year round as well, but I feel a little self-conscious if the weather gets too warm (not that it happens much here in Oregon). I get the incense and licorice/anise but I also get this juicy/boozy merlot note that I really enjoy. I always feel luxurious and sensual when I wear Memoir!
Hello all! SOTD the day is Whips and Roses from Kerosene. I surprised myself by liking this so much- in fact, I ordered a larger decant of Copper Skies because I was sure that would be the one I loved! Copper Skies is great but Whips and Roses is love. A gothic leathery rose with an undercurrent of decay (from the gardenia I assume) it tells a fantastically dark story. Have a fragrant weekend everyone!
Oh my goodness, that sounds amazing — the name and the notes! Off to Google it.
I am so behind…really need to look into that brand.
It is really well done, Robin. Copper Skies is a gorgeous amber with some coffee, honey, basil and cloves. The basil just cuts the heft a bit, rather than adding an herbal hit. Whips and Roses is just love for me, much closer to what the leather-clad Kelly Caleche woman should be wearing than KC itself but with a bit of skanky decay ( where else but here in fumieville would that be a good thing!). Decants were from StC.
Thanks! (And it’s silly to care, but I do love the names)
The one that keeps haunting me in the Kerosene line is Creature. Copper Skies is easy to love, and I do love it. but Creature is wonderful if you like forest-floor scents. Has a little crushed mint, which adds light.
Whips and Roses smelled like pickles on me. Some roses go vinegar on me, though. i know a lot of folks are loving it. I kept me sample for further testing just in case my chemistry was off that day or something.
I’m shocked that I like Creature as much as I do.
I tried Whips and Roses this week too and I thought the same thing. I think it may be a keeper. It had some good lasting power on me and i loved it from start to finish. I liked Creature too. I really wanted to try the Copper Skies but haven’t gotten to it yet because I got so carried away with my other samples.
Is that house really that good? It’s hard for me to ignore the cheap looking packing and take it seriously.
Speaking for myself, I like the samples I’ve tried so far. Whether or not you would like them I have no idea. As far as whether they are a decent house is also subjective because I’ve tried some samples from some expensive and raved about houses and thought they smelled like tampax or shampoo. I wouldn’t let the packaging be a deal breaker. I am a total bottle tart but I’m willing to overlook that if the contents are good. I’d say give them a try in a sample order sometime.
What Poodle said! I have to say I like the bottles, though. They are hand painted with automotive paint and finished with automotive clearcoat by Kerosene.
My parents are visiting this weekend, and I’m about to meet them for brunch and then go spend some time walking around in the Berkeley hills. I’m thinking that Cristalle EDT or Pacifica Mediterranean Fig would be appropriate for these activities.
With an eye toward minimizing my second-quarter damage, I was *going* to wait until July to order my birthday-gifts-to-self of Manoumalia and Monyette oil. But Luckyscent’s free shipping offer ends on June 30, so I may just have to beg Our Lady Donatella for an indulgence.
She is very forgiving 🙂
Have fun with your parents!
Thanks, Robin! And I suppose if I place my order on 6/30, it won’t arrive until July anyway … I think Donatella can live with that.
Anyone know what happened to the wiki-dot scent split/bottles pages? There were some splits and bottles I finally saved up enough to get. If anyone has any info where to find these pages again, or other ideas where to find splits and bottles of discontinued fragrances, I’d appreciate the info.
Wearing DelRae Mythique today. Lots of it!, as I spilled my sample all over my arm while applying it.
Hope everyone has a great Saturday.
I don’t know, and it’s really sad. A few weeks ago it was there and yesterday, I discovered it had been removed. I asked on the Facebook fragrance site and no one else knew either.
Keep asking around; maybe someone will have the answer. I’d like to know, too. And I’d like to see it reinstated, as I have purchased from many people there.
There’s a Facebook fragrance site? What is the name of it? Or do you need to be invited?
Yes, there is. You have to become friends with someone who is in the group and then they invite you. Email me if you’re interested: smaakest AT yahoo……etc.
I’ve been looking for it, too! I guess Wiki doesn’t want any commerce going on in their “information” world? Rats.
The scuttlebutt on MUA is that the wiki site was getting filled with spam, and because the admin(s?) couldn’t keep up with clearing out the spam, it was closed. 🙁
I e-mailed them and this is what I got:
“This site, though it’s almost 4 years old, is just fulfilled with the spam. We just have removed the permissions for anonymous edits, but this site does not have any admin or member, who could fix this Site and remove the spam. On the other hand, we can’t host the Site with spam links. We’re removing this Site, I’m sorry. You can always create another site and contribute with the right and careful permissions.”
I’ve heard people talking about using scentsorystation.wordpress.com as a substitute (not affiliated), but what a shame they took down Scent Splits!
Thank you for posting this!
Good to know, thanks.
I received two surprises in the mail today…well, I knew they were coming, just not exactly when.
The first “surprise”: Andy Tauer’s Tableau de Parfum Dark Passage (limited edition from his collaboration with film-maker Brian Pera) — it is my SOTD — it is wonderful – iris, smoky, bittersweet.. what’s not to love? I will need to ration this! Is there another fragrance out there that is a close approximation?…or even several that can be layered to achieve a similar effect?
The second “surprise”: The Perfume Lover by Denyse Beaulieu. I ordered it through B&N Marketplace and it was fulfilled in the UK with no shipping cost because I am a B&N member. I look forward to reading it and also hope to be able to get my hands on Séville à l’Aube at some point in the near future.
After the super hot humid weather the past few days, I am looking forward to this weekend! Happy scenting everyone!
I wish I’d gotten in on that dark passage thing now. Oh well, next time maybe.
EEEE!!!! I got my Dark Passage this week too!!!! So exciting, I feel like I was waiting forever for it! It is delicious. The rationing part is going to be hard…
Happy (rainy) weekend, all!
No SOTD today, yet. I have non-date with a fella this evening–just a meet and greet to see if we click–but not sure what I want to wear, yet. Bummed that it’s raining here in Portland, because I want to feel like I’m on summer vacation!
I was hoping to buy a large decant of Attrape Coeur, but I can’t find someone who carries it! I bought a small sample from TPC just before the divorce, but now neither the new TPC nor STC carries it! Any suggestions of another source? (So disappointing to fall in love with something so hard to find!)
I’ll consider parting with my 5 ml decant if you’re interested or if you can’t find more somewhere else. Email me at smaakest AT yahoo, etc.
Oh, that’s kind! Maybe we can arrange a swap . . . 🙂
I think there are a few sellers at Crystal Flacon who have Attrape, it’s one of my favorites as well 🙂
I’m not familiar with Crystal Flacon. I will look into them, thanks!
I just looked this up. Thanks for the tip!
Try the Posh Peasant, last time I checked they still had it. I’ve ordered samples from there and also a decant of Plus Que Jamais, and I was very satisfied with the service.
Oh, good suggestion! I’d forgotten about them! I did use them once and I was pleased with the service, although I recall the prices being a bit higher.
I have bought from The Posh Peasant before, and was entirely satisfied with the service. As for the prices vs. TPC, it seemed to me that they could be higher or lower, depending on the particular fragrance. In fact, after comparing prices on a number of perfumes that I wanted to sample, I placed two orders, one from TPP and one from TPC, in each case ordering the items which were cheaper from that particular source.
I’m on a huge gardenia kick right now, and would love suggestions for new gardenia perfumes to try. I have most of the usual suspects (Michael Kors, Floris, Marc Jacobs, Kai). Has anyone tried Penhaligon’s Ellenisia? Any other suggestions would be appreciated.
Happy weekend, everyone!
See my comment about Whips and Roses above – its not a gardenia scent per se but the gardenia is there adding an interesting undercurrent. Might be worth investigating for a different iteration of the note!
I stumbled apon this fragrance on fragrantica and it looked simply Devine !!!! It’s on the top of my wish list , I so dig the name whips and roses !! Lucky 😉
I went on a Chanel sniffa last week and loved Gardenia from the Les Exclusifs de Chanel line. I tried the EDT, not the Parfum.
I second Gardenia. I’m not a floral person, but that was just beautiful. Felt frail and silky.
Estee Lauder Private Collection Tuberose Gardenia is one you definitely need to sample.
Discontinued Tom Ford Velvet Gardenia is the textbook gardenia – notably it has that (pricey) mushroom note – but is impossible to find. BUT if you love gardenia you should get a decant b/c for the first hour at least it’s as real as they get.
(meant impossible to find a *bottle*).
Hi read about channel Gardenia in the exclusive line
I get gardenia in Manoumalia. It smells tropical to me but not too sweet.
I have minis of both Ellenesia and (Penhaligon’s) Gardenia. I find the Ellenesia somehow too muddled and powdery compared to the pure Gardenia. I’d be happy to send you a lil’ sample of both.
Oh, I’m at amymitsme at hotmail dot com!
Isabey Gardenia is worth a shot. Don’t know if they’re reformulated it though, haven’t tried in the past few years.
Jungle Gardenia by Tuvache was lovely. Coty bought it; I haven’t smelled it since. Perhaps a vintage bottle?
I love Gardenia Petale from the Van Cleef & Arpels Collection Extraordinaire. It’s on the softer side (and the expensive side…) but definitely worth trying.
Oh–and speaking of vacation, mine began with jury service this week. I was picked to serve, AND the jurors picked me to be the foreman during deliberations–which really surprised me! (Given that I was by no means the most senior in the room and I *do* have blue hair! I chalked it up to the mystique of being a middle school teacher!) The trial took a few days, though, and I found myself carefully deciding on my scent for court! I wanted something sort of formal, not too loud or distracting, but would help me feel at ease and focused–I decided on Egoiste the second day, which was a good fit for the warm courtroom.
I had never served on a jury before, and I find the experience interesting. But I am glad that my summer is now my own! 🙂
I was chosen jury foreperson last week, but it was only lasted a day. I wore #5 Eau Premiere. I was glad for the experience.
What sort of trial was it? Mine was a civil case and we had to decide on what damages, if any, a man deserved for “pain and suffering” several years after a car accident. It was really interesting to debate–first, how do you decide if something is a direct result of an accident years before, and if you do decide there is a direct relationship, how do you quantify something as nebulous as “pain and suffering?”
I was honestly quite flattered to be picked as foreperson–but it really did surprise me! I was thinking, “hey, I could do that,” but when the question came up and more than one juror immediately suggested I do it–totally unexpected! Were you comfortable with the responsibility?
Hi, Marjorie Rose! The same thing happened to me – I was called up for jury service at the Old Bailey in London. I was the only (very young) girl on the jury and even though I was quiet and didn’t put myself forward, the other members decided to choose me as “foreman”. The defendant was accused of scamming money out of an old chap, and the responsibility I felt for this woman if we got the verdict wrong was just awful. We found her guilty, and it was such a relief to hear afterwards that she was a serial scammer and had done this to many old men.
And it all happened when the tiral of “The Yorkshire Ripper” was taking place (I saw his back through an open door). I was really glad I escaped that – not only was it all indescribably horrible, but it went on for months, as opposed to my one week.
It was an experience.
The perfume I chose to wear was Nina Ricci’s Farouche.
Oh, thank you for sharing your experiences! I know what you mean about comparing your experience with a more famous trial–we have a big child sex abuse case that just ended here in the states, and as I did my service, every time I heard about the case on the news, I kept thinking “thank goodness I’m not on that jury!”
I did take the responsibility seriously, and it irked me a bit if some of the jurors gave that “let’s get it over with” feel to the deliberations. I spent a lot of my authoritative energy reminding folks that we needed to take the time it takes to do it right.
I have been on two juries, and was forman (or “presdiing juror” as they now call it here) once. I was far from the oldest person there, but I think I got picked because no one else wanted it. It was a child molestation case, which is just about the worst sort of case I can imagine. It was absolutely gut-wrenching, especially as the victim was a 6-year-old girl. I would have rather been on a jury for a murder trial. The only thing that helped was that the defendant had pleaded guilty to the charge, but insisted on a jury trial to determine sentence.
I can hardly bear to think of the consequences of making the wrong determination in a case like that–either sentencing an innocent person to prison for such a horrible crime, or letting a guilty person go.
Oh my goodness! That does sound awful! I *was* very impressed with the general sense of compassion that my fellow jurors seemed to have for both parties. As one woman said, it was not a good day for either guy. And that was just a civil case!
Hi everyone: ) I’m down to the last few of my samples, which I really want to get through so I can start wearing my decants and FB. I’ve got samples of:
Parfum Sacre
Rossy de Palma
Dia
Jasmin et Cigarette
and Fils de Dieu
My question is: are all these fine to try out in warmer/more humid weather, or should I hold off on any of them until autumn?
Hi Dominika! I would say “try them all now”, but I’m sure that you’d enjoy Amouage better in colder, autumn/winter weather.
That was my initial response, too–why not try them now? I’m still kinda tending towards that response, just be sure to leave some for later trials down the road.
Exactly! Try them now and be sure to check them back in a colder weather. Speaking from my own experience – I liked my sample of Amouage Lyric much better when it was colder outside.
Hiya guys 🙂 I was just wondering if I should hold off on any of them in case they’re big orientals that can be suffocating in the heat. For me, sometimes the weather can make or break a perfume… though it doesn’t look like any of these are toodangerous to try now 😀
I sniffed Parfum Sacre briefly already, and I’m very impressed. I love how that happens just when you’re getting cynical and tired of sniffing perfume after perfume, and then suddenly something grabs you and you fall in love.
Parfum Sacre is on my “must sniff” list, so that’s nice to hear! I know what you mean about weather. And a bad first impression can be tough to overcome, but I guess I’d tend towards at least a little sniff rather than waiting. (but I’m not the best at delayed gratification with perfume!)
Parfum Sacre is gorgeous and should work in any weather but I prefer it in autumn myself. If memory serves you are in the UK and the weather we are having should be fine with it. I don’t find it to be an ‘inflater’, you know, one of those fragrances that expand exponentially in a billowing cloud when they encounter any heat.
I did find Fils de Dieu very sweet. Bois de Jasmin noted it as a ‘modern Shalimar’ – Shalimar is one of my HGs but I found FdD to lack any of the former’s complexity. Have fun!
Ok, so in an embarrassing “I have too many samples” turn of events, I just found that I already *have* a small sample of Parfum Sacre! Just sprayed it on, and WOW! Lovely! It’s a touch “old-fashioned” in the top notes, but I’m loving the warm vanilla, amber, soft spiciness of the heart notes! And I can easily imagine it being lovely in warmer weather, too, with the spices maybe a touch more prominent?
Dia, just like Ciel, are not bad for slightly warm weather (though Ciel screams summer to me).
Parfum Sacre is beautiful, and timeless imo. Wear it whenever. 😉
It’s good to know there are lighter more summery options out there from Amouage – I always think of that house as heavy on the incense winter scents.
I dont any except Dia.. Dia u can wear any time.. exquisite
I’m afraid to sample that one 😛 A full bottle of Amouage is not what my bank account needs right now, and I’ve got a feeling I won’t be able to resist that one. I sampled it briefly awhile ago, and I’m worried that upon further sampling it’s going to be as good as i remember it 😛
SOTD is Fougere Nakh by Liz Zorn/Soivohle. I’d had a small sample that I cherished… then wept to hear that it was discontinued… then jumped for joy when LZ included the last of her stock in a recent inventory-reduction sale. Salty, smoky, profound, ideal…. and mine. 😉
Yay for you!
Super happy. Can still smell it on my wrist this morning!
As my Nordstrom travel atomizer spits like a cobra, Vetiver Pour Elle will not be the SOTD until I can transfer it elsewhere.
You know, probably wish I bought Attrape Coeur when I had the chance but as beautiful as it is it wasn’t quite me …
Oh, what a waste! Good to know though, I’ll avoid those atomizers.
Maybe mine was defective, but yeah it was a let-down. $5 did seem too good to be true. The silver Sephora one seemed superior but they mysteriously stopped selling them – now they just have the self-filling ones, which exclude the ability to decant from anything but a spray atomizer as far as I can tell. Seriously, what gives? >:(
Also,
@Abyss you had asked about Lys Soleia which I have now worn and which I like. Will give full report if anyone wants to know. Also have to read Robin’s review!
That’s great, thanks for getting back to me! I don’t have that much experience with lily perfumes but I thought it was rather nicely done too.
I was surprised because some of the Aquas I’ve tried are really one-dimentional. Lys Soleia is similar to (but I like better than) both Vanille Galante which seems less complex, and Lys Mediterranee which has a closer structural relationship to mainstream florals. It has more translucency than Baiser Vole and Lys Carmin.
this is my first participation and its a questions .. do you ladies and gents think there is a difference in perfume composition between the USA and Europe? I tend to think that perfumes are lighter for the USA market or at least it used to be ( 20 years ago) but not sure now? can any one she a light? Nabila
I don’t think there is all that much difference these days. And most companies aren’t really developing with an eye to the US (or European) market anyhow, even if they market here — they’re usually more worried about how a scent will sell in an expanding market (Asia, Middle East, Latin America)
I have FOUND my house. <— bold announcement.
Parfum d'Empire has stolen my heart and I want to tell everyone. So far, Wazamba, Aziyade, and now Ambre Russe are making me smile.
Also, I bought Serge Lutens Cedre based on the beautiful heart I smelled after testing multiples at a department store, only to get home and find out that tuberose – I now realise – I despise, and that it stays with tuberose for at least half an hour. So sad. Still loving my recent purchase of Santal Blanc though, that yummy gourmand pencil.
Enjoy the Santal Blanc! It really is a lovely fragrance. Where did you find it? Everywhere I’ve looked it’s been sold out.
Here in Holland we have a department store that is still selling it in the cheaper non-exclusive bottles 😉 I just bought the last one! They told me they are getting more (which I think was them not knowing what they were saying lol). This may be too forward, but I tend to enjoy helping people lol 😛 But if I see it again, I wouldn’t mind sending it to you (it’s 79 euro here) if you really cannot find it anywhere. 🙂
If the saleswoman wasn’t just saying rubbish that is. They had run out of the Douce amere, I think, too, andI asked about it and mentioned the exclusive range, and she said “oh no, there are more coming next week”…
Is that de Bijenkorf? I think it’s very nice of you to offer to get a bottle for me. I prefer the export spray bottles over the splash bottles. But I think it’s been pulled back into the exclusive bell jars, so I doubt they will be restocking it.
Yes it is de Bijenkorf! If I see it again, I’ll try to mention you in caps on the next weekend poll – you never know! 🙂
I’ve fallen hard for PdE Azemour. Now you’ve got me curious about others in that line.
PdE is terrific! I love Ambre Russe, Wazamba, Osmanthus Interdite, and Azemour.
Their sample set is a great deal.
Aparatchick, I’ve never ordered from Europe. Do you use Pay Pal? Does PP convert the money for you?
Susie, I’ve used credit cards and Paypal for purchases in other currencies. If you use your credit card, your CC company will automatically convert it (and charge you a fee usually). If you use PayPal, just go to the “send money” tab and you’ll see the option to change the currency to pounds or euros or any number of currencies. I have a vague memory of buying books from a seller in the UK and paying through Paypal on his website – in that case I believe Paypal automatically converted the funds.
Thank you, Aparatchick.
Happy birthday to me !!!!! I have had a bottle of Dzing waiting for me for two weeks that I ordered for my birthday ( self gift ) and I’m dying to open it later at my party ! It’s taken all of my strength not to bust it open , I had to get my partner to hide it from me, it’s 6 am in Sydney and we are off to the fish markets for prawns and oysters for my party !!! Always many sights and smells there ! Also got monsieur balmain from my parents !!! A request from me and a rec from a NST poster ” bear ” hope it’s nice !! I got a voucher from my work mates so I got black orchid from the sexiest man alive Tom Ford ! To all the wonderful lovers of fragrance on this site , I am so grateful for all the wonderful things in life today on my 32 nd b day !!! Yippi
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday! It’s my husband’s birthday too. Hope you have a great day! Prawns and oysters? Sounds good. What time should I be there? 😉
Thank you guys ! Poodle , I would love to have u around , 1 pm sharp and please bring your entire fragrance wardrobe !!! I imagine it is extensive! Happy birthday to your other half ! Hope u get to enjoy a party to !
Adding to the birthday wishes! & congrats on your Dzing.
Happy birthday – sounds like you received some really good fragrance presents.
Have you tried Violet Blonde? That one seems like it would smell great on a man too.
Happy Birthday, and enjoy all your birthday gift fragrances!
Wearing Creed Baie de Genievre yesterday and today, haven’t worn it in a long time. It smells old fashioned in a good way, and seems to wear well in the unusually dry heat we’re having.
Thinking about layering it with Rive Gauche Homme, what do you think?
Sounds wonderful !! Love rive gauche , do u know what rive gouche means ? ( translation ) anyone ….
Rive Gauche means “left bank” and refers specifically to the left bank of the Seine river in Paris.
Wonderful ! Such a great sounding word , thank u for filling me in ! Xxx
My SOTD is.. a lot of stuff.. I kind of went crazy at Ulta earlier. What I learned today: I don’t like Guerlain Insolence (I didn’t actually realize it was a violet scent before I tried it.. I’m finding I can tolerate violet as a bit player, but I don’t like it in a starring role). Also, something in Kenzo Amour Indian Holi’s drydown smells like heated plastic on me. I like regular Amour better.
I’m sniffing my way through a bunch of samples I got from Eden Botanicals. I was inspired by a 2-part post I saw on Perfume Smellin’ Things about building up a scent library, and the post mentioned Eden as a good source. I like that they offer samples of everything for $2-3 each, so I got a whole bunch of samples. They threw in a few samples of new essences for free, which was a nice bonus.
Highlight: New Caledonian Sandlewood Absolute – delicious. It’s sweet and buttery and smells almost edible.
More.. ahem.. challenging: Black Currant Bud Absolute – undiluted, it smells like the stale, dried urine of someone who needs to drink more water.
That sandalwood is tempting!
Does anyone know if LuckyScent ships to Australia?
From their website
International Shipping
Luckyscent now ships samples and product orders via US Post to most countries.
Please note: There are specific countries we do not ship to using US Post. We will notify you via email and inform you if there is another shipping alternative such as FedEx.
You could always email them ahead of time, to find out.
Please email us comments, questions or if you seek recommendations
lucky@luckyscent.com
I know this doesn’t give you a definite answer, but I hope it gives you a way to find the info you want.
Thank-you. I am nearly out of a perfume that I dont think I can get here anymore and the only site that I can find who stock it is Luckyscent. I will email them and ask about shipping here.
Hi, just got up and have lazy wafts of last nights layering blend of Guerlain Heritage and Shalimar…. Beautiful spicy creme brûlée! Anyone else tried this together?
Also I have Cartoer Declaration and Terre d’Hermes winging their way in the pst, just exhausted myi samples. I’ve getting through my sample of Essentric Molecule 01 too, any thought on ISP super e and women wearing guys scents? Cheers Rx
No, but now I want to!
Amouage Gold. This is, hands down, the best thing I have ever smelled. It is like an improved version of the great perfumes of yore, which is what people should be doing today, with all the means available, instead of focusing on stupid focus groups. I usually only buy decants, but I’m going to save in order to get a full bottle of this. It just is worth it. (And I’m getting a sample of Dia, as well.)
Solanace, I agree with you about Gold. While you are saving for your bottle, however, sample the others in the line. Gold was my favorite but now I’m crazy for Ubar, with Memoir and Lyric tied for second. I also like Dia. Sigh. So, sample more of them and see what you think over time.
Also, if you want to try a cheaper version of Gold, sample Rochas Madame Rochas. It was also created by Guy Robert. The ingredients are not as high quality, but they are surprisingly similar.
Thank’s for the suggestions, Suzy Q. I’m definitely getting an Amouage sampler with the perfumes you mentioned. Also, I have a Guy Robert sampler here, so I will try Madame Rochas today. I only remember the bottle, my aunt used to love it, and she had great taste, having introduced me to Joy and Jolie Madame. So I already know I will like it! (I was also pleasantly surprised with Gucci no 1. Not the same incredible ingredients as Gold, of course, but very classy.) Have a nice week!
While I haven’t tried either one, I recall reading a reviewer note that Lancome Climat was very similar to Gold – worth a try!
Happy Sunday!!! Rainy in South Fla. today and SOTD has been Lalique Amethyst … sooo many compliments!! My mom passed away recently and I have all of her fragrances and a treasure I found was Silver Rain… reminds me of her and loving every moment of wearing it!!! Does anyone know if it is discontinued???
I’m sorry that I don’t know, and my condolences on the loss of your mom, that’s so hard.
My condolences on the loss of your mother.
Amethyst by Lalique is my favorite comfort scent. I spray it on most nights to help me have nice dreams. I’m halfway through my second bottle and have the body creme as well. It’s too bad it never lasts long, even though it’s an edp.
I don’t think Silver Rain has been discontiuned Lauriej . It’s a really long lasting scent as well – good quality . I’ts still avaialble on the La Prairie website and elsewhere. 🙂
Talking of discontinued fragrances….Gucci Rush .
Is this really discontinued or has Gucci decided to keep it on because it sells well ?
I checked the Gucci.com site and they list it – albeit one of the last on their list.
I am IN LOVE with Gucci Rush -I wanna to buy all of it………
Help – all help welcome !
Did you try emailing Gucci’s customer service?
(But, it’s really really hard to find out positively whether something has been discontinued or not, which to me means “we are never going to make any more” as opposed to “there are still bottles in existence in the world”)
Thanks Robin. This is what I find so frustrating – we never know for sure …..
My local Sephora – well, i got the last 30 ml bottle and the SA confirmed that they will not be restocking. She gave me the last amounts in the tester as well which was very kind of her. Perhaps Sephora will just be repalcing it with soem newere more sort after scent …like Justin Bieber’s Girlfriend ! *LOL*
I took down the number for the Gucci customer service in US so I will be calling them on Monday …….
(I’m speaking on pure conjecture, don’t know if this helps:)
If it’s on Gucci’s website it’s likely they are still making it – Gucci Envy was removed from the site around the time it was discontinued (which was around the time of the latest IFRA restrictions). IOW, I think they are current in their web listings. Also I feel like I’ve seen Gucci Rush ads and fashion mag placements fairly recently which makes me think it’s safe for now.
Yes Lys – this was my thought as well. I felt a great sigh of releif when I found it still on the website though one of the last listed ! it’s still there.
Frankly, I think Gucci would be very stupid to pull a scent that is established and well loved .
Gucci Rush IS Clive Christian X for women – who knew… I am a late comer to both scents but damn… i wish I had tried both earlier. i also hear L’eau de Circe by PG is similar ot both X and Rush . Must try !
I don’t think I will ever escape that love of lactonic peach …thanks to Misouko.
Hi! Yesterday I bought Silk Road Caravan from Anthropologie; being on the discount rack (and being that discounted stuff is about all I can afford there) I figured to buy it, that one over 1860 Darjeeling, because wasn’t too sure about that citrusy note. Any one have any experience with SRC?
Also, has anyone here ever blended their fragrances; i.e, used two fragrances at once? I am tempted to try that with some of mine, like Pacifica’s Persian Rose and Mediterranean Fig, and my chanel Coco and Gap orange blossom solioflore that I’ve had for quite some time but just dn’t know what to do with. Some of them smell nice together when you test them on the same arm, so I wonder if blending would work well.
I often layer fragrances by spraying first one on my arm, then the second one over that. It works very well. I personally wouldn’t dare to blend them together in a bottle, if that’s what you were thinking about doing.
Nope, not in the bottles, but what you just described, by spraying each on separately. I think I will try it.
Has anyone tried fragrances from Rancé ? I’m particularly curious about Laetitia, which sounds like it may be a good fit for me. They don’t list shops on their site. I’m in Holland. Anyone know where I can get this or a sample?
A local niche shop here in Poland carries that line… I liked Laetitia quite a bit when I sampled it briefly about a year ago, and I have been meaning to get a sample and spend some more time with it.
Maybe you can email the store and see if they ship to Europe? I’m not affiliated.
http://www.missala.pl/index.php?id=408
Thank you so much, Dominika. I see they also have samples. I’ll be writing to them. I have a close friend who visits Poland often. So even if they don’t ship to Holland, she can order it via her mother in Poland and bring it back.
I love this forum!
I wore Acqua Di Gio for women (the one made in 1995) and Armani recently replaced it with Acqua Di Goia, which is FAR too fruity for my liking. Does anyone know of a perfume that would compare to the original Acqua Di Gio? It was honestly a perfume made for my soul and nothing else makes me feel like myself when I wear it.
The scent notes are; Muscat grapes, melon, mint, pineapple, freesia, hyacinth, ylang-ylang, jasmine, sandalwood and a very very light musk at the base.
I adore this perfume, if anyone can help me out I’d be so incredibly grateful!
Thanks :0)
I had a bottle of Acqua di Gio and used to love it. It is still available here in the US online at many discounters, Amazon, etc. I’m not sure where you are but I would look online a bit to see if there is some available to you.
I don’t know where you are, Gold.Wolf. Aqua di Gio, both the women’s and the men’s, are available here in Holland.
Finally got around to trying some SSS scents and I fell in love with tobac aurea, fig tree, sienna musk, and jour ensoille.
Better late than never 🙂
Did you try Winter Woods? It’s knocking Tabac Aurea out of first place for me.
My husband just discovered them last week and ordered a sample pack. So, yikes, because I don’t know if we have the budget for two perfumistas in the house (not that I think he’d appreciate that label!) and I can see us heading that direction. We loved the Fireside Intense and Tabac Aurea.
Reporting back from the Vancouver sniffing Saturday: met up with B & B from the Okaganan, who’d made a special trip to the city for the event. We spent about two hours at the Perfume Shoppe, had lunch and a perfume swap, and then popped into Holt Renfrew for some more sniffing. It was a day of talking about perfume, makeup and related topics, and also of successful shopping.
How about next a Portland sniffing day sometime this year? Canadian duty-free limit is now $800 for a weekend, yay! Oregonians, let us know…
SOTD is quite simple: one drop each of magnolia and lotus, two drops each of Persian amber and Tunisian patchouli. Yum.
Hi everyone
I was wondering if you could help me find a perfume I came across a year ago or two. I saw it at a duty-free shop and supposedly it had won an award of some sort (for best new fragrance I think?). I can’t remember the name, but it was an address, like No.3 X road or something. It had a very interesting and modern smell. I know what I remember is very vague but I was hoping you guys could help me find it since you know practically every perfume out there. Thanks in advance for helping.
If it was a new release, maybe it was 34 Boulevard Saint Germain by Diptyque? That’s the only recent one I can think of that’s got an address in its name…
thanks a lot for replying but looking at the bottle I don’t think that’s the one that I saw. I have to give it a sniff though. perhaps they’ve changed the bottle? It had a really odd name and I don’t think there are many perfumes out there with a similar name so this could be it.
Well… maybe it wasn’t a new release? In that case, it could have been 24 Faubourg by Hermes, or 31 Rue Cambon by Chanel.
thanks so much. I’m gonna try them all to see which one it was.
I recently got back from holiday. and while in Majorca, I managed to pick up a 50ml bottle of Miss Dior Chérie 😀 £10 cheaper too! I missed the chance to get one before it discontinued in the UK, I was too late. so this bottle needs to last a long time.
Did you sniff it first? With reformulation, Miss Dior Cherie is now generic dreck. Supposedly the original Miss Dior Cherie is now being called Miss Dior and the original Miss Dior is something like Miss Dior Classic. I am avoiding all of them because I don’t like them messing with my head
yes I sniffed it first 🙂 what do you mean by generic dreck? you comment cofused me :S I didn’t know about a Miss Dior Classic.
the old Miss Dior Chérie and the new Miss Dior smell different. the new one is a mere ghost of the old one. there is nothing in the new Miss Dior that distinguishes it from any other “perfectly nice, over refined, sweet perfume” out there. and definitley does not deserve even half of the increased price tag! they took out the strawberry and the caramel popcorn. I tried one on each wrist.