Our same old open thread poll: talk about anything you like — the perfume you’re wearing today, the vintage perfume you'd most like to smell, whatever.
Or, ask a question about fragrance, then see if anyone else has asked a question that you can answer…
Note: image is Antique chrysanthemums [cropped] by Quinn.anya at flickr; some rights reserved.
Perhaps with the coming of fall and warm smoky smells, I have been thinking of tobacco/leather frangrances and wondered if anyone was familiar with Tabac Blonde or Chanel Cur die Russie, or had any other suggestions????
I’ve got a sample of Chanel Cuir de Russie. It’s pretty nice and smells good but on my skin it lacks power. Maybe it should be sprayed more generously but I don’t want to drain my sample so fast so I apply lightly.
I luuuuv Cuir de Russie. I’ve been looking for a vintage one for comparison.
Have you tried Robert Piguet Bandit? Notes include galbanum, orange, bergamot, neroli, jasmine, rose, tuberose, leather, patchouli, mousse de chene, vetiver and musk. Very similar to Tabac Blond with a musky dry down.
Second this! Bandit is fantastic, and doesn’t get the love it deserves. It’s wicked and cuddly at the same time, very yum.
Hi Anastasia,
I was recently wowed by the new Ramon Monegal leather scent Mon Cuir. Dry leather.
And, it’s not smokey or tobacco like, but MPG’s Cuir Fetiche is a super great leatherette kind of scent. More creamy and floral than CdR.
I have CdR but it smells a bit too gentleman like on my skin at times. I go back and forth with it.
I have never smelled Tabac Blonde, so I cannot make any comments in regards to that one.
D
Well, I’m a leather junkie, as there are so many great ones and they are rarely boring or repetitive. Cuir de Russie and Bandit are my favourites but they are quite different – one is an elegant, soft iris leather while the other one is a more shocking bitter green with hints of ashtray (rather than honey tobacco) and a pretty skanky, musky base.
I liked the vintage Tabac Blond extrait but didn’t care for the modern EDP at all.
Other leathers worth trying are (in no particular order)
Daim Blond
Cuir Mauresque
Boxeuses
Oud Cuir d’Arabie
Miss Balmain
Jolie Madame
Azurée
Cuir Venenum
Tuscan Leather
Knize Ten
Cuir Pleine Fleur
Lancome Cuir (very approachable AND affordable)
Kelly Caleche
Bel Ami
Memoir
Dior Leather Oud
Bottega Veneta
Mythique
Rien
Cuir d’Ottoman
Scandal & Cabochard if you can get hold of vintage.
Must be a leather kind of day.
I’m wearing (and rediscovering) Oscar de la Renta pour Lui. Was dirt cheap and I’m loving it!
IMPRESSIVE list – I can only add Dzing!
Tuscan Leather- No tobbacco but a great leather scent.
+1 on Leather Oud- a delicious leather-honey scent.
Anastasia, the tobacco scents that I’ve already tried and love are Ys Uzac Pohadka and BK Back to Black. Some new ones are on the way this fall, including Diptyque Volutes, which sounded quite wonderful on Grain de Musc. I think Denyse also mentioned another in her fall preview post.
Just posted my list at the swapmeet! I’m looking forward to see how it develops. I hope to get involved in some nice swaps.
Today I’m wearing Forest Walk by Sonoma Scent Studio. I’m enjoying it but after few wearings I had so far I know I don’t need a bottle of it.
It’s a real autumn weather here today. Gray, windy, rainy. And I can’t stop sneezing…
Drinks lots of ginger and lemon tea, Lucas. Oh, and take lots of Vit.C.
Thanks dear. Water for tea should boil in a minute and I’ve just taken few pills. Hope to stop this before it evolves into something more nasty.
I fear I got my first cold of the fall the 2nd day of school. It’s an occupational hazard for a teacher, but STILL! The second day? Seems WAY too early! Hope yours goes quickly and without much ado.
Thanks Marjorie. Smell great and get well soon too!
Kids are just walking Petrie dishes for cold viruses!
Hope you and Lucas feel better soon.
Thanks!
My cold isn’t too bad, just annoying! I keep thinking that over time, I’ll get fewer colds–maybe my immune system will get better at fighting them off? Not so far. . . .
Sorry to hear that! Its spring here (though today is freezing) and I got a cold last week. Good news: its almost gone. Hope yours doesn’t linger!
I’m hoping to block it and say goodbye before it decides to stay a little bit longer with me.
Colds are awful. Hope you feel better soon.
I’m sure I will.
I went out and purchased a sample of Forest Walk after you all discussed it last week. I agree, I don’t need more than a sample but I’m liking a few others…..
Echoing others comments, feel better soon!
Lovely gravatar! When you’ll be sampling SSS don’t miss Jour Ensoleile, it’s gorgeous.
I’m curious about Winter Woods
Winter Woods is gorgeous with that signature SSS base. It’s a walk in the forest on a clear, blustery day with woodsmoke swirling all around you riding an undercurrent of sweet, cured woods. Gorgeous and like most SSS, a little goes a long way.
I have purchased Serge Luten’s Une Voix Noire and R Piguet Bandit. The latter being my second purchase as I have used up my first one just yesterday. I’m so looking forward to receiving UVN! It’s a boozy, dreamy gardenia with a metallic edge.
I have also been looking for a great lily scent. I’ve tried SL Un Lys, which is my SOTD and I love it, but I wonder if anyone could suggest other great lily scents? I read on Ormonde Jayne’s site that Ms. P. has been working on a casablanca lily scent for years. Casablanca lilies are one of my favourite flowers, so I would love to try that! Any suggestions?
There are not as many good lilies as there should be. Donna Karan Gold was great, but in a more mainstream style than Un Lys. Also worth trying the Annick Goutal.
Sorry – think I posted at the same time as you…
Great minds think alike
Thanks, Robin. It’s strange that there aren’t many that feature lily. Which Annick Goutal would you suggest I try?
I meant to say, a good lily scent. I know there are many with lily notes, but I haven’t come across one, except Un Lys, which captivated me.
Have you tried Cartier Baiser Vole?
I have a Jo Malone Casablanca Lily but it came in a set with Pomagranate Noire. I don’t know if it’s available separately or not.
I think Robin meant AG La Muguet.
Did you try Muguet Blanc from VC&A?
Thanks, Lucas, but I want lily as in casablanca lily.
Sorry — I meant Des Lys. It’s light, though, in their soliflore series — all sort of light/sparkling scents. And actually, if light interests you, there’s also Hermes Vanille Galante.
That’s so true! I picked my user name, because for years, when the subject of perfume came up, we’d be discussing our favorites and when I’d name Diorissiomo two things would happen – 1. They’d never heard of it, and 2. When they asked what it smelled like and I answered lily of the valley, that’s what they’d say. Obviously I wasn’t wearing it at the time, but it’s the dismissive tone I got that I found a bit surprising.
Its discontinued but available at discounters – Donna Karen Gold. Described as an amber lily, rich and wonderful!
Sounds good. Thanks, Merlin.
Second DK Gold, lovely! Another big favorite of mine is Guerlain AA Lys Soleia, it’s adorable and not expensive. You could also try Hermes Vanille Galante and Cartier Baiser Vole.
I liked FM Lys Mediterranee if you are looking for a realistic lily. Theres also VC&A Lys Carmin and the new Tom Ford but I wasn’t completely smitten with either.
Lys Mediterranee is one of my top 3 scents of all time. Soooo good!
I sampled the new Tom Ford Lys Fume last weekend and it was good. On the warm and lush side with some spice.
Great suggestions! Thanks everyone. Will definitely give some a try.
Lys’ guide to lily scents:
Vanille Galante, virtual lily, very heady but no flesh to that flower – ylang & vanilla.
DK Gold, amber lily, most fleshy of lily perfumes with an almost leathery texture in the EDP.
Aqua Allegoria Lys Soleia, sunny lily, cheerful, realistic lily sillage with gourmand vanilla in the drydown. Good value!
TF Lys fume, plasticky lily, but in a good way. Spiced top, full-bodied and realistic lily heart, similar to casablanca lily. Recommended but the price is greater than what is merited.
Lys Mediteranee, tiger lily, salty tangy lily with green accents. Good but the aromachemicals are familiar as Estee Lauder-type florals. If you like Private Collection Tuberose Gardenia you will like this.
(Un Lys is my signature scent. While Un Lys is more streamlined, the above have more “moving parts” with the exception of Vanille Galante which has a simple composition.)
Lys Carmin is lactonic.
Baiser Vole, don’t get me started. >:(
You didn’t like Baiser Vole? I didn’t, but since I didn’t know lily as a note before, I assumed that I don’t like lily scents. Do you think my assumption is specious?
Oh, definitely don’t give up on lily. I do like Baiser Vole, but it’s hardly a soliflore in any classic sense.
Baiser Vole is largely creamy white musk so when they made a giant paper cut-out of a lily for the tester I thought, this is an affront to lilies everywhere! BV smells like floral cosmetic cream. The top notes are about lily and the EDT is wonderfully-green, vegetal lily but this goes away fast. To me clean musk is like creating an opaque olfactory wall when I would like more depth of field and complexity. IMO. I gather many people like BV.
I agree — I was impressed with the top notes but hated the drydown. It contains a particular musk material that I recently became sensitized to and now, when I try anything that contains that musk, I feel like it’s going to eat my head. Same musk is in DVF Diane, by the way. I can practically see the detergent granules raining down on me.
LOL scary imagery all around.
I think Baiser Vole was my gateway lily; I did like it and it also made other lillies more accessible, so I now adore DK Gold. Unfortunately haven’t really had a chance to try many others.
Well, thank you Lys for the comprehensive list! I’ve just looked up Vanille Galante and it the notes sound interesting.
LOL half of what I was typing got listed by other people while I was still typing so I hope it isn’t redundant!
Vanille Galante is great. I didn’t mention it because others got there before me but it’s absolutely worth trying. Hermes are very generous with their (rather large) samples so I’d definitely recommend popping into a store and asking for one.
You might try Antica Farmacista Casablanca.
How about Lily of The Valley by Yardley of London. Not niche but it’s a lily based scent.
I am not too keen on lily of the valley. I am after the heady scent of casablanca lilies.
What about Lili Bermuda? The whole company is based upon the “famous (stargazer) lilies” in Bermuda, and they began a perfume company based upon their Lily perfume. I sent off for their “Fragrance Library”, which was well worth it. The scents, for the most part, are “clean” and smell fresh. I love “Petales” and “South Water” which has coconut milk, guava and sea salt. I am actually allergic to lilies, so I can’t comment on the lily perfume but I would expect it to be good!
My ultimate trip would be to go to Bermuda for the tour of their perfumery. You can find them on the Internet or Facebook. Anyone want to go?:-)
I did go to Bermuda about a year ago and took a tour of the Lili Bermuda perfume factory given by a very nice and knowledgable young man. Bought a bottle of Coral but wound up giving it to my daughter, who liked it better than I did.
What a wonderful trip that must have been! I like Coral, too, and it seemed to be the favorite of my teen daughters as well.
I love Bermuda, Amarie, and can’t wait to go again! This was my third trip there.
You might try Yosh Stargazer. It seems to me to be very true to that distinctive lily scent. I don’t like it at all as I just can’t stand that smell, it makes me sneeze. So I’m not exactly recommending it, but it doesn’t seem to have been mentioned yet and I’d think it’s a contender.
I must be feeling rebellious (I know, shocking!), because I didn’t wear Bronze Goddess all summer, and now that school is back in session, I want to wear it all the time! What’s that about?!
Missing summer!
Of course, you’re right! The summer never seems long enough!
I think I’ve decided not to participate in the swap this time around–since I’m moving soon. I hope it’s successful, because I definitely want to do it another time!
Marjorie, I’m sure you could participate if you make a note that you’ll be able to send after a specified date.
I’m sure you’re right, but I think I don’t want to have to think about it. I already started to pack my perfumes (although I regret putting some of them away!), so it would be a bit of a production just to say what I have to offer. I’m not worried about it. There will be other opportunities!
Oh, Marjorie, are you moving into your new house? How exciting! Hope you have a smooth move (I hate moving as I find it so stressful).
Thanks, Abyss! The closing date is Oct. 4th. I’m gonna take my time to move. The interior paint in the house needs some immediate attention–very BOLD color choices by the previous owners! I also have some contract work I want done in the kitchen and bathroom before I move in. So my plan right now is to stay in my apartment while I take care of those things. I’m hoping to be totally moved over by mid-November. I guess that makes it sound like I’m taking a really long time, but with my job, I really only have weekends to do that sort of stuff!
So what perfumes did you decide *not* to pack up? What a tough task. I don’t envy you! Good luck prolonging summer, too.
I have my FBs of Dune, Lipstick Rose, Nostalgie, B. Paris and my vintage Shalimar (which is a stopper bottle–so I’m not sure how I’ll move it–maybe just keep it in my lap?). I have decants of Bronze Goddess, Attrape Couer, OJ Woman, and Gris Clare. I also have all my samples still, since I haven’t quite figured out how I want to pack those. Many of them are currently in a hanging organizer in my closet, so maybe I’ll just lay that on top of some clothes when I get around to packing clothes. . .
It’s a pretty good variety, but wouldn’t you know, I keep thinking of scents I want to wear that are already in the box!
Stopper bottles are tricky, as there is always the fear that the stopper will come loose and all the precious perfume will leak out. You could try tying the stopper to the bottle with thread or cord, which is how those type bottles are sealed at the factory. Or else you could wrap some not-too-sticky tape, such as painters’ tape, around the stopper and neck to hold the stopper in place. I would also suggest making sure that the bottle remains upright if possible, so that it won’t leak.
50 Roses, that’s a good suggestion with the tape/upright! I admit, I’m terribly fearful of losing any of my nearly-impossible-to-replace vintage Shalimar! What are my chances of being lucky enough to find another bottle?! So I really was considering leaving it until the end and moving it by holding it in the front seat or in my lap! (Maybe with some stabilizing tape?)
Marjorie Rose, having ordered many vintage stoppered bottles on ebay, I have had a chance to observe successful and unsuccessful packing techniques. The no-fail technique seems to involve both tape and rubber bands wrapped lengthwise, so that there is pressure pulling and holding the stopper in. (Of course, you want to shield the label from the tape by covering it with paper first.) Good luck – and congratulations on your new home!
Thanks, Noz! I can see how the rubber bands could be helpful!
And thank you! I’ve very excited to have my own home! It’s something I’ve wanted and worked towards for many years!
I bought some stuff at Target in the “as seen on TV” section that might work. It’s a silicone tape that sticks to itself and supposedly will seal up a pipe and stop any leak. Not sure if it would do that but I do know it sealed up the two pieces of hose I have attached to the dehumidifier. It’s not sticky, so there’s no residue from adhesive. The only thing I don’t know is if the perfume oils or alcohol would effect it in any way.
I always unwind a cotton ball and wind it around the opening inside/under the twine/rubberband , so if there is seepage, the cotton absorbs it. Then you can put the cotton in the bottom of your purse, or somewhere else you want to smell good. I had a cotton ball with a tiny bit of vintage VdN that lived in the bottom of my huge purse for more than a month. Every time I dug around in there, I swooned.
Thank you, Poodle and Woodgirl, for your suggestions! I was worried about adhesive residue, so maybe I’ll look into that tape.
And I like the idea of having a lovely scented cotton ball! How do you prevent the cotton from getting in the way of holding the stopper in place?
For your perfume bottle with stopper, you can slip it into a sock and tie the sock closed tightly, then wrap criss-crossing elastic bands around it, then put it inside a box with bubble wrap or packing peanuts. Then write EXTREMELY FRAGILE on the outside of the box.
Good luck with your move!
My sample of Santal majuscule arrived today so that’s my SOTD.
I finally found time to pick up my set of OJ Tiare travel sprays which I bought last month so I’ve been enjoying that most of this week. I must say, I’m very impressed with the packaging/presentation of these; they feel a lot more… substantial than I expected.
I also managed to squeeze in a fair bit of sniffing while in London so got to try a whole bunch of things. The two that stood out were Seville a l’Aube and Azemour les Orangers. Off the top of my head I also tried the 3 new Tom Fords, Amouage Interlude and Beloved, Vero Profumo Onda, a couple of MDCI, the new AdP Iris Nobile, Guerlain Myrrhe et Delires, a couple more L’Artisans (Batucada & Traversée du Bosphore), FM En Passant & Lys Mediterranee. For the new releases, I was given a sample of Balenciaga Florabotanica (dull) and was allowed to sniff the new Diptyque which opened with powdery iris and then quickly developed into a sweet tobacco scent, quite different from the sheer style of their recent releases.
Hi Abyss! Was the Santal Majuscule a sample you claimed via newsletter offer or a bought one?
And what a great nose you have. I love Azemour les Orangers as well as many other Parfum d’Empire scents.
Hi Lucasai! I claimed the Lutens sample via the newsletter, it took about 6 weeks to arrive which is more or less how long they took in the past too. Did you order one?
I claimed mine via newsletter too. Still waiting for it’s arrival.
I get those newsletters, and every time they offer a sample, I try, just to see, maybe this time they’ll ship to the US? Makes me sad that they don’t!
That’s such a shame that you guys can’t get them stateside. Hopefully SL will start including you eventually!
Hi Abyss,
What do you think of the Santal Majascule? I recv’d a sample of it the other day and really enjoyed it, although I don’t think it was a great day to sample it because it was 100 degrees here. But, even in the heat, I liked it. It smells like Jeux de Peau mixed with rose and very a light cocoa.
~D
One more thing…
What’s the Amouage Interlude Woman like?
Thanks.
The first thing that struck me was how similar it smelled to Jeux de Peau. I might have to compare them side by side to pinpoint any differences. I liked Jeux de Peau well enough so I’m enjoying SM too but I’m not sure if there’s a need for both.
Interlude woman was woody, almost medicinal and quite…dense. I might re-test it when it’s colder but it’s probably not quite my thing. I liked Beloved more, probably because it reminded me a little of Jubilation 25.
Thank you.
I bought TWO, yes TWO bottles of Beloved. Good LORD. I saved up 2 months’ worth of my rent money I get from a starving musician and put it toward my Perfume Extravagance. I wear the stuff every day. I never do that. It totally captivated me. I’m terrified it won’t go over well and they’ll discontinue it. ‘Cause there’s nothing like it. I found it to be a bit of a vintage powdery cross between Bal a Versailles and Aromatics Elixir…what was your take?
Hi Abyss! Is Santal more balanced than Jeux de Peau?
I guess that you could say that to a degree. Most notably, I found that the burnt note in SM was a lot less prominent than it is JdP. It still had that cosy, toasted quality but without slipping into the charred territory. Plus, obviously, there’s sandalwood which stands out more and more as the day progresses. That’s my impression so far, after wearing it for a day and without comparing the two side by side.
Thanks for the description!
I’ve been obsessing about Miss Dior Le Parfum ever since I smelled it on a scent strip a couple months ago… Victoria at Bois de Jasmin said it would be available in September, but the Dior website lists it as “temporarily unavailable.” Has anyone else smelled/tried it, and do you know anything more about its availability?
Call Nordstrom or Neiman Marcus, they should be able to get it for you.
It’s available at Sephora online. I was in one of their shops the other day, here in So. California and they had it on the shelves. Very nice and great for the Fall and Winter months ahead. It’s on the heavy side and a little bit spicy with a very subtle vanilla that I kept getting whiffs of.
Thanks, Lys and Dawnkana — I’ll do as you suggest!
You’re welcome.
At that particular Sephora, it was quite the popular scent. Lots of people sampling it and liking it.
After reading comments, this sounds interesting. I didn’t realize it would actually be different. I’ll have to try this!
I saw it at Macy’s yesterday too.
Hope you all have a good weekend! I’ve been tempted by some Serge Lutens exclusives lately, but I’m wondering about the best way to apply perfume from a bell-yar. I usually prefer spraying, perhaps decanting it into a smaller spray-bottle?
I decant Bois de Voilette from the bell jar to a small spray bottle using a straw. It works out fine.
I love this idea. I would never have thought to use a straw (not that I have anything to decant).
I think it was some of the posters here at NST who recommended the straw method to me for which I’m much obliged
Just posted the longest comment ever for the swapmeet
I really want to say thanks to NST for having one! It’s my first.
Today I am wearing my new sample of Hothouse Flower. So far so good, it has all the qualities I’ve come to expect from Ineke.
A question for everyone! As perfumes move in trends (oud, frutiy floral) so does food and drink. Fall is pumpkin and spice time! do you look forward to this?
Personaly, I am off to buy some pumpkin chai tea
I love pumpkin although I have never encountered a pumpkin perfume. My favorite fall hot drink is Pumpkin Spice Latte from Starbucks. The only issue I have is that it gets quite sweet when used with soy milk. I also love pumpkin cheesecake and pumpkin pie! Oh, and pumpkin soup!
Oh, pumpkin cheesecake. Now I need some of that to….
I ate a heavenly pumpkin soup 2 weeks ago!
I’m not a Starbucks girl but I have a weakness for their pumpkin spice latte – that’s something I look forward to!
Maybe Etat Libre d’Orange is a good pumpkin and spice perfume that doesn’t go the easy, foody route.
And like hajusuuri said, pumpkin soup! Forgot about that!
Hm, I will see if I can hunt that down. Thanks!
I totally left out the name of the perfume! Etat Libre d’Orange is the company, Like This is the fragrance – it’s the scent for the actress Tilda Swinton.
Sounds like something I may want to try. Thank you Lys!
More pumpkin love —
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip muffin or cupcake! I went to Salt Lake City on a business trip 6 years ago. I had breakfast in the cafeteria of the company I visited and complimented the host on the wonderful selection of breakfast items, specially the Pumpkin Chocolate Chip muffin. Before I left that afternoon, I was presented with a bag of mini Pumpkin Chocolate Chip muffin, compliments of the in-house Chef!
Pumpkin Donut!
This morning I’m wearing the last dregs of some vanillic musky concoction I bought from Astral Sea 3 years back that my roommate and I always referred to as “Liquid Sex.”
And now, as I promised Lucasai I finally have the time to post about the Peoneve Launce at Harvey Nichols!
So, we showed up, headed for the garden terrace and got a seat. The terrace decorations were really cute and the Perfume inspired cocktails were quite tasty. Only problem is, the waiter brought samples of a completely different fragrance. So after we finished our drinks I had to fish out their counter in the fragrance department. As you can imagine, they were out of samples until 11 a.m. the next day, the same time that I would be in a plane over the North Atlantic so I opted for a single spray from the bottle they had.
I’ll admit, the first hour and a half was pretty amazing. I love big huge floral fragrances and this was intoxicating with enough sweetness to make it pleasant but not feel like a 12 year old. Every time I would sniff I was always smiling and told the husband, “Baby, I may be racing back to the store tomorrow to buy this.” To which he raised an eyebrow as he had already endued being drug through Floris and Harrod’s where he had nearly had a heart attack at seeing me happily fork over the Mastercard for a 50ml of Tobacco Vanille.
Then, after about two hours, it started to evolve, sort of. It was definitely changing, but the florals were starting to lift off and the sweetness intensified and were then accompanied by a strong citrus. I sniffed, thinking it was familiar and after about five minutes I realized what it was.
CLINIQUE HAPPY.
To say I was disappointed would be an understatement. But at least I have a fun story to tell about how I spent my birthday with $50+ cocktails and a lot of expectations!
Lol! I like Happy despite sometimes it’s too much to my nose.
I’m waiting for my TV to arrive anxiously.
Aw man now I wish I could get a perfume called “Liquid Sex.” Any chance you can find the name? (I realize it is just a nickname, but still.)
Using Un Jardin Sur Le Toit,. Trying to understand how some people can be so bad. A moderator of a famous perfume website -Basenotes- banned me without ANY reason. They justified this way: banned before, banned again. I was never banned from that place. I contacted the support and had no answer,. Then I created another account to ask the moderator the reson she banned me (she was the only moderator online when I was banned. I was posting at this time and when I reached 1,000 posts she banned me.
Here’s my talk to her:
Me:
‘Hello. At the time I was banned you were the only moderator online and so- if I’m mistaken, correct me- you banned me.
As I understand the message you guessed that I am a member already banned before. Could you explain me why?
I would like to read an answer, ask you to reactivate my older account or keep this one at least.’
She:
“Where are you getting your information about what moderators are online at what time? You seem to be guessing.
We never ban members by guessing. The reasons accounts are banned is explained in the rules and guidelines. Members who have been banned before, will be banned again.”
After I could answer to her shuffle answer, she cancelled my new account.
I wasn’t guessing she was online. I am sure she was the only one. She was guessing I was an older member. As I said before, I never had been banned before. This is beating my nerves!
I’ve noticed similar problems on Fragrantica. I’ve never suffered the ban hammer but then, I also don’t spend a lot of time on it either. I truly do not like how the don’t give a “first warning” or something like that. Sorry your’e having the difficulty
Thank you. It’s outrageous talk to people with these behavior. It’s even more outrageous know that the administrators don’t do anything. They don’t bother. To them we’re just one more banned member. They forget the contribution we give to their site!
All sounds very unpleasant
Maybe some technological confusions somewhere?
Unfortunetely not. I really tried to solve the problem but they haven’t showed any interest. On the contrary she didn’t want to talk and banned my account before I could even talk to her. They do anything not to talk. I had 1,000 posts and no problem in any of them. And the moderator answer, so gross!
How frustrating.
Hope you are able to get this resolved.
I’m available to resolve the problem but they are not. They have no interest in that. What annoys me most is the fact that creating a new account they or she will ban me again! There’s no talk to them. Whe have to hear and accept everything even when the reason is with us. Take a look at her reply. My name there was Alvus. If you check it out you won’t see any problems in my posts.
Vincent Basenotes is a large established site and should have a policy for grievances – you could try contacting someone in site administration or support by email, rather than signing up again and asking the particular moderator you think blocked you. If your account was closed due to error, as professionals they owe it to you at least to review your complaint.
Lys, yes they are huge but their policy is very precarious and contradictory. I mailed the administrator, no answer though. There’s about a week I sent him the mail.
And I had a deal ongoing there.
It’s disappointing to hear, sorry for your troubles.
Thank you so much Lys!
Oh goodness, that sounds frustrating. Best of luck with getting your account straightened out!
I can’t speak about any Basenotes policies, but it’s a standard function of any forum for members to be able to choose if they are ‘visible’ when online, or ‘hidden’. Anyone who chooses the ‘hidden’ option will never be visible to other members when they are online – moderators or not.
Thank you so much! The problem isn’t my account, but this moderator called [edit – deleted name]. Payd accounts have the option to be invisible and she always is. My account won’t be reactivated for sure. Their rules say that people just can’t have two accounts simultaneously. If you have an inactive account, you can open another. My first account was inactivated by her with no reason. She justified as if I was banned before, what’s false. She didn’t answer any of my questions. This way, we can notice she’s not gonna let me create another one. And if I create she or [edit – deleted name] will ban me again. I guess some other members have the same problem. Some told me there were situations like this before and nothing is done. People are treated like bandits and nothing is done. To those who have an account in there, be aware! They show no respect to members.
[ed. note: Vincent – I’m sorry, but please do not name names here. At least one of the people you are talking about has an account here to.]
Sorry I meant “paid”, not payd.
So sorry for the names Robin. I just thought members on here should have some information.
Perhaps one of them could explain us the reason my account was banned, but as I can expect none will do that, right?
No worries! And I wish you luck with your dispute, but no, doubt it will get solved here.
Scent of the day is Kerosene Whips and Roses. I’m besotted with its greenish rose and soft leather. I may have to buy a whole bottle.
Chamade, have you tried Diptyque L’Ombre dans L’Eau? That’s my SOTM, and I’m loving the juicy green rose. Not leathery, though. Its tomato leaf feels so right at the end of summer.
L’Ombre dans l’Eau sounds like something I would like. Thank you for telling me about it, Bluepinegrove.
And thanks for Whips and Roses! I need to try that one.
I adore Whips and Roses- you smell wonderful!
Close to 100 degrees here already and it’s only 10 a.m. Ugh! I hate this hot hot hot weather. It makes me feel like I am withering.
Current favorite perfume is MPG Cuir Fetiche. I describe it as a “leatherette” scent. It’s on the lighter side of leather with more creaminess and florals then CdR. Cuir Fetiche does not turn gentlemanly on my skin like CdR can do sometimes.
I sampled the new Marchesa scent at Sephora the other day and it was all right. My skin pulled a violet note. And, then later on it became more “meh”. My 23 y/o daughter liked it, so I bought her the rollerball of it.
While at Sephora, I also sampled the new Dior Miss Dior Le Parfum. If you are looking for a cold weather scent, then this will be great. On the heavier side with mild spices and an underlying vanilla note that I kept getting whiffs of and enjoyed. It was quite popular amongst the shoppers while I was there.
Have a good weekend everyone.
~Dawn
Has anyone sniffed the new eau de parfum version of Diptyque L’Ombre dans L’Eau? I just bought a full bottle of the EDT without awareness of this new formulation. Though *until now* I’ve been quite happy with my purchase, I am sulking because I suspect I’d like the EDP even better. I am too chagrined to request a sample.
Yes, it’s quite nice, and so is the EdP of Philosykos. Victoria at Bois de Jasmin preferred the EdP of L’Ombre, but I think I might like the EdT better — have to try them together one more time. But, I think I preferred the EdP of Philosykos.
I think your EdT will stand up well. I tried both versions recently side by side. I thought the EdP had more of a big green bite and more of a black currant/fruity vibe up top, and was more intense. Six hours later, both wrists ended up in the same place. I think if you like the EdT, it focused more quickly on the rose aspect. The EdP for me was more intense, but focused on the supporting cast of notes. Both are pretty. I think I’d go with the EdT for me, for what it’s worth. I hope you gets lots of joy from your FB
The edt broke my heart with that vague sweet maple-y note that hangs over most of it, would you say that since the edp is greener that there is less of that? *crosses fingers and toes*
Thank you Robin the Librarian and Hemlock Sillage! I do feel much better about my purchase now. Getting to rose more quickly fits my preference.
I just got the solid of Ombre because I found it at a good price on eBay, and could justify that much more easily than $100+ for the bottle which I had been dreaming of. I like it quite a bit and it is very true to the scent, but it is frozen at one point, and doesn’t evolve which is starting to bore me. I am realizing now how much I like to smell things as they wear throughout the day. The lasting power is good, though. Maybe I’ll swap it next year. Sometimes saving money by buying something which isn’t really what you want doesn’t save any money at all!
After reading last week’s thread I went and purchased some Sonoma Scent Studios samples. I’m particularly liking Champagne de Bois and Wood Violet. You guys are bad.
Am enjoying the return of more mild temps, so I can start breaking out Tea for Two. YAY!
Have a great weekend!
Enabling comes with the territory, I fear! It’s the payment for the sense of community, information and inspiration you find!
What else did you try? I will likely give in and buy Fig Tree at some point. I already own bottles of Nostalgie and Champagne de Bois, and a decant of Lieu de Reves. I guess I’m a bit of a fan-girl, huh?
Just got back after a shopping trip with my 15 yo niece, buying her first bottle of perfume. She picked Caleche Eau Delicate. At first I thought she might like a Jo Malone, but I think she’s gotten something much better. She almost picked Un Jardin du Mediteranee, which is a favorite of mine.
What did she think about the Jardin series?
What taste! Mediterranee is what got me started down this rabbit hole! I tried to get my niece interested in my perfumes (she wears one of the Justin Biebers and Taylor Swift Wonderstruck) and she absolutely turned her nose up at all of them, including YSL Babydoll which used to be such a popular teen scent! I’ll keep working on her, but I think she’s uninterested in anything but image and marketing right now.
Lol on your niece! Just let some bottles accidentally near her Bieber’s and Swift’s fragrances. Young people like to discover the world touching.
Aw, that warms the cockles of my (old) heart to hear! Caleche was my first department store purchase way back in the day.
What a beginning!!!
I tried the new Elie Saab Eau de Toilette yesterday. (Th previous release was an EDP.) Anyone else tried it? It’s lighter than the EDP, with a gorgeous citrus opening. I found the EDP too strong and high pitched, but this may just hit the spot.
The jasmine in the Parfum was too indolic for me, otherwise I loved it! Do you smell any (forgive the childish term) “poopy” jasmine in the toilette? (okay, that sounds even worse. My 10-yr-old son would be ROTFL right now!). If it’s “cleaner” I may have to get a FB…
I thought it was super clean!
Reading and napping the day away in Coriandre.
SOTD is Serge Lutens Amber Sultan. It was a sample I received from Aedes de Venutas. It’s was cold and foggy this morning. It smell like. incense to me, but I like it.
Try M7.
Today I’m testing one of the new Fall 2012 Sweet Anthem perfumes, Nicolette. Glorious. Orange blossom + honey. I’m buying a bottle, no question.
Wearing Kerosene’s Copper Skies, perfect with today’s weather. Co-Hosted a party today for 35 girls (both prep classes in her year at school) to celebrate my daughter’s sixth birthday and am now feeling completely wiped out yet curiously unable to sleep. Even my well earned bourbon of earlier isn’t helping! Will have to go in search of a sleep scent now, maybe some vintage Dior Homme or CN 21.
Is Kerosene a blogger or anything alike?
Hi Vincent,
Before becoming a perfumer he was well-known for his perfume reviews on YouTube under the name kerosenetrewthe.
I thought I was crazy! Then it’s the famous Kerosene! Cool!
I’m wearing Blackberry Bay today, I was inspired by Jessica’s review to give my sample another go. Her review is spot one – this is quite nice for daytime, especially if you want something safe and office-friendly. Bonus – it’ll be long gone in time for you to choose a scent for the evening. Today I’m craving Back to Black for the evening but it’s scorching hot still. Hmm. I’ll have to see what mood I’m in after a cold one.
Ugh – of course I meant spot on. Really, I’m only 1/2 of the way through a cold one!
I’m having a time trying to get a bottle of Dia. I have an American Express card which I use for a lot of everyday purchases, such as gas, so my reward points add up quickly. I was trying to get to 25,000, so I could get a $250 Bergdorf Goodman gift card, but needed another month to get there. A week or so ago, I saw that AmEx put some of their rewards on sale, so I only needed 21,250 points for the BG gift card. I tried to order it, but I couldn’t read the security code on the back of the card (on the signature strip), as it had rubbed off from the heavy use the card gets. I had to call AmEx to order a replacement card. When it arrived, I ordered the BG gift card and requested expedited shipping (for $10 extra) and got the gift card in a couple of days. When I went to order the Dia from BG’s website, the last option for Dia Woman (the set of 4 10-ml travel sprays) was out of stock, even though it was still showing as available the day before. It seems that I am just not meant to have that bottle of Dia right now. I hope that it is only a temporary out of stock situation. It may well be, as BG gave away mini bottles of Dia in a GWP a few months ago, and that may have triggered a large number of orders. I haven’t called them to ask, as I don’t know any of the SAs, in fact I have never been in BG’s store, as I live a loooong way from NYC.
Good luck, 50 Roses! It sounds like a good deal, if you can get it to work!
Last July I had a chance to visit the Diptyque shop on Bleecker Street in NYC to preview their newest scent, Volutes. I was able to place a pre-order and receive a discount. I’ve been wearing it for 3 days now and just love it.
Ozmoz reviews the components this way:
Volutes (wisps of smoke), a fragrance by Diptyque, opens with spicy notes of pink pepper, saffron and Madagascar pepper. The heart reveals a tobacco accord accompanied by iris, immortelle (a.k.a. everlasting flower) and myrrh. The trail is warmed up with styrax intertwined with opopanax and benzoin. Perfumer: Fabrice Pellegrin, Firmenich.
I can tell you it has a great sillage and lasts for hours (I haven’t actually timed it). I have the EDP which, when I previewed the fragrance, I found to be richer. I’m loving it!!
Well done! That sounds really special. Denyse at Grain de Musc loves this one. Is the immortelle very curry like? It’s not my favourite note, usually.
SOTD…….I am not feeling well, and planning on having a lazy day lounging around in my pyjamas. Safran Troublant could be a soft, sweet comforting accompaniment to such activity?! But it very quickly merges with my own skin scent and I can’t really sense its presence after an hour. So I’m wondering if I need to push the boat out and go more luxurious, lots of pampering today……Coromandel?! Labdanum 18?! I’ll definitely be lighting my Tolu candle come what may……….
Oh, a Tolu candle sounds lovely and comforting! I’ve avoided scented candles, because I fear I would get sucked further down the rabbit hole! But I bet that’s really lovely. . . get well soon!
Thank you – I am feeling marginally better actually.
Perfume is a necessity, candles are a luxury. The Ormonde Jayne ones are the height of luxuriousness!
*Perfume is a necessity, candles are a luxury*
Our local perfume mecca store in Houston, Kuhl-Linscomb, is having a 20% off sale on everything this weekend including perfume. I’d about decided on a bottle of Jeux de Peau but then on Friday I tried a few things on skin and became fascinated with Muscs Koublaï Khän which I’d never tried before, as it has such a bad reputation. I did not find it stinky or off-putting at all, just sort of beautiful and enrapturing. But I worry that maybe I’m missing a note that would put people off and make them want to avoid me! I’m going back this afternoon to purchase one or the other, but can’t decide which. I know–high class problems! Of course their gorgeous jewelry is also on sale so I could always skip perfume and buy a bauble instead… ha ha…
I wish I had known about that sale sooner. I would have enjoyed browsing there yesterday, but today is probably won’t work. Oh well, my wishlist right now is rather short, and consists of brands they don’t carry anyway, such as Amouage.
As for the MKK, I had a similar reaction. I was expecting a really fierce, skanky, animalic scent, and what I got was a warm, gentle musk, not offensive at all. I do think it may be a matter of selective anosmia. LT claims that most people are anosmic to one or more musks since they are large molecules just on the edge of what humans can actually smell. It makes sense; many people do seem to find MKK really potent, while others (those who are presumably anosmic or hyposmic to something in it) can’t understand what all the fuss is about. I myself have always liked musk and couldn’t understand why some people hated it, so maybe I have a lower sensitivity to it.
To my nose MKK is a mix of white musks and more animalic, “sweaty” musks (I think of them as armpit musks!). I do like it, but I like a bit of armpit musk. Those who find it tame may be anosmic to the armpit musks, but I also think it could just be perception — some people think cumin smells like sweat and others don’t. MKK also contains some other animalic materials in addition to musk (civet and castoreum, though likely synthetic versions), and costus, which a lot of people think smells like dirty hair…..
I agree about it smelling like a mix of laundry and ‘body’ musks. I don’t find it all that shocking either, in my experience, it smells softer and less …erm…beastly if applied on skin. On fabric, I find that castoreum and other ‘sharper’ notes are more prominent and it smells dirtier.
I have not one but two testers of MKK languishing in my sample box – I’ve smelled it on paper and thought it smelled lovely-sweet, the SA who was new and awesomely enamoured with Lutens pointed out a “gold” note and there is a metallic accord there too.
BUT I’ve been afraid to put it on skin. Ironically this fear is coming I think from my horrible experience with the *clean* ambroxan “non-perfumes” – not even musk, I know – which I can’t actually smell until 5 hours later, 5 hours too late! Then it’s skin-clinging dreadful sweet marine amber and if it touched fabric – the horror – it’s five days of “clean stench”!!! So afraid I won’t be able to wash off the hidden beastie that MKK might evolve into on my skin, which is both musk and amber (and apparently ambroxan) lovin. So stupid! We should have MKK Appreciation Day where people like me can man up or woman up and face the fear. Ironically my fear isn’t of an unwashed fornicating barbarian in a bottle – I doubt MKK will smell dirty on me – but I’m afraid it will just be too much big musk cocktail. Probably it will smell like Guerlain’s Encens Mythique and all will be fine.
BTW forgot to ask, what did you wind up buying or are going to buy today?
Ha ha, I chickened out and bought Jeux de Peau! I did try a nice spray of MKK to give it a 2nd try and asked Andrew, the very nice sales rep there, for his honest opinion. He said “well, smells like b.o. to me.” Indeed on this time around, when I first sprayed it I definitely could pick up a strong barnyard odor. I didn’t mind it but it wasn’t too appealing either. So between those two things, i settled for the “safer” scent. I now after about an hour or an hour and a half later am contorting my arm to smell (and honestly, almost lick!) the part of my arm where I sprayed it. It just gets that good, much softer and sweeter. Gaia, the Non-Blonde, said it’s a scent to dab not spray, so there is a bit of advice for those who are still chicken like me. And 50 roses, sorry you didn’t know about it. You should sign up to be on their e-mail list.
Its meant to be spring here but today is freeeeeeeeezing!
I just discovered Halston at a near-bye pharmacy and love it. It seems to be a soft musky-peach oakmoss. Its actually the first oakmoss type smell that is good on my skin. It also has a certain fizz to it which is quite addictive. And usually fizz doesn’t work on on my skin either – Vraie Blonde for instance was awful – despite a similar ‘champagne’ note.
Yay, a classic I can love:)
Love Halston, and it can be had very cheap these days at drugstores and discounters!
Yes! I bought a 100ml bottle for about $32. It seems like its even LESS in the U.S. And it smells so sophisticated (to my nose at least).
Hmm, can’t remember what I paid here in the US, but it wasn’t much. Agree with you about the sophistication level
I just purchased Arquiste Parfumer Infanta en Flor from Barneys and was pleased to find out that it’s GWP time! The event actually starts on Wednesday, so I won’t get my purchase until then and I can’t wait. This scent is very feminine and floral with orange blossom water and a clean musk – I have nothing like this in my collection. It actually reminds me a bit of the Byredo Tulipe, but it’s more floral and doesn’t have that plasticy note (that Tulippe had) that amplifies on my skin. Love Love Love this one.
Has anyone tried the Flor y Canto? That might be the next one om y list.
That’s funny, small perfume world. When I was on my pilgrimage to select my new Serge scent today, the same guy I mentioned above, Andrew, asked me to try his favorite of the Arquiste perfumes which they have only recently started to carry. And it was the one you bought! It smelled divine on him. He said they’d had a training in the scent line and the perfumer was there and said he wears that one himself. The only other one I tried was Aleksandr which I found a bit so-so, but keep in mind that by then I was reeking with several of my potential Serge purchases including the notorious MKK!
Flor y Canto is gorgeous! I fell in love with it at first sniff and is on my “to buy list”. It is a heady riot of flowers and is also very feminine.
Over at Basenotes, there is a an interview with the CEO of Robert Piguet, and he has this to say about Bandit, which seems to be a favorite here:
“The IFRA regulations on oakmoss make things so difficult for that perfume” says Garces “If you keep changing and keep tweaking things you could end up with a different thing. I don’t want to spoil it so I’ve asked Aurelian to look at the whole thing again, to go back to the very original formula and take it from there.”
Maybe’s it’s time to finally get a bottle.
I had a sample of Illuminum’s Black Musk in a drawer, so I tried a bit of it today – it’s fantastic! And reminds me of another scent that is almost just like it.
And then I googled – and discovered it is also super spendy.
I wanted to share with you all – Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab has a limited edition that comes out in late Jan or thereabouts, part of their “Lupercalia” fragrances (Valentine’s Day timeframe), called “Smut.” It is generally around $25 for 5ml of thick, resinous, very musky sweet oil that only gets better as it gets older.
It’s just about identical. A bit different – but a hundred bucks’ worth of different.
So, if you like the Illuminum but can’t spring for that price, watch the Black Phoenix page and jump on the Smut as soon as it goes on sale. It really is that good. (And I’m no longer a “bpalerina,” I’m over many of their scents – this one belongs in every perfumista’s collection, along with Snake Oil.)
“… but NOT a hundred bucks’ worth of different.” Grah! Curse not having an edit function!