The usual routine: talk about anything you like — the perfume you’re wearing today, the last scrubber you tried, the upcoming perfume you're most looking forward to, whatever.
Or, ask a question about fragrance, then see if anyone else has asked a question that you can answer…
Note: image is Down Deep in the Sea aka Pink and Yellow Snowflakes [cropped] by garlandcannon at flickr; some rights reserved.
Good afternoon Robin, good afternoon dear friends. How are you all doing?
My latest scrubber is Tom Ford Oud Wood, too much everything on my skin. I’m going to describe my thoughts in upcoming Monday Quick Sniffs on my blog.
Today I’m wearing Terre d’Iris from Miller Harris. Nice, but definitely not full bottle worthy for me.
This week I also got to test entire Perris Monte Carlo. Also people from Ramon Monegal started following me on Twitter and they’ll supply me with some samples, yippie!
The exam session at my university is officially on. Three out of seven exams passed, four more to go.
Hi Lucas. Glad to hear your exams are going well.
I just got a sample of Ramon Monegal Cuirelle with an order I received this week. At first sniff I think it’s pretty fabulous. I need to give it a real testing but it definitely caught my interest.
I tested Cuirelle some time ago too and thought it was nice, but I didn’t fell in love back then. Maybe I need to revisit it. Ramon Monegal people said they’re sending me the entire collection, so I will have plenty to try.
Good luck on the sampling Lucas!
Thanks!
That’s so funny about Oud Wood, people usually refer to it as a subdued version of M7. I haven’t tried M7 but I have an easy time wearing Oud Wood. Skin chemistry must make a big difference!
Great news about Ramon Monegal!
I had to wash it off. Maybe it’s because I’m not used to perfume of this caliber?
I’m excited about Ramon Monegal too.
And I find M7 easy to wear, but have not tried Oud Wood. Also my skin subdues most perfume!
I haven’t tried M7 though.
You need to try the recently discontinued one. The replacement M7 Oud Absolut is completely different – its like a cologne.
I’ve seen the current M7 lately, might have a problem finding the older one. It’s almost impossible to find anything discontinued or vintage in Poland.
There are actually 3 versions: the oldest is the richest, and perhaps the most macho. It was reformulated and the reformulation, also called M7, may be a little less so. This is the one I have, and adore. The latest, ironically called M7 Oud absolut is masculine in a light cologne fashion. I got one of the last bottles of M7 available at a discount pharmacy last year. Because it is discontinued recently I think you may have a chance: here in South Africa I have never seen vintage, nor many discontinueds – for instance, I have never laid eyes of Cuir de Lancome!
We have a lot of Cuir de Lancome here
See, so there are people even more deprived, lol!
I’ll be interested to read your take on the Monegals, Lucas!
I haven’t tried all the Miller Harrises, but one I really like is La Pluie. Now I’m curious about La Fumée.
Good luck with exam season – it’s a lot of work!
It will take some time until I take care of those Monegals. But to make you interested I’ll be reviewing Veni, Vidi and Vici this week.
Thank you, I’m gonna do my best.
Congrats on exams, and I’ll be interested to hear if RM gets the samples to you (they also have my address, and while I didn’t get the samples I hoped/asked for, they sent a beautiful small bottle of their Barcelona-exclusive with a nice note, so they’re still in my good books!)
I hope. I’ve been told there were mailed few days ago
Hello my fellow Perfume-lovers
How are you? Are you all enjoying the weather??
I have a question. Here it comes:
Besides perfume and other perfume related things, I love to have pure perfume oils too. I have damascus roseoil, amber, black musk, lily of the valley, lavendel, ylan ylang oil, jasmin oil from grasse, neroli, sandalwood oil.
But I am searching now for a pure Iris oil. You know they make it from the roots. And I can’t find it. Do you perhaps know where I can find it. I live in the Netherlands. If it is from a European country I will even buy it online. Anyone can help me? 😀
This is going to be tough because iris essencial oil is very expensive and the quantity that can be produced from its roots is very low.
I’ve found few things like this: http://www.pravera.co.uk/shop/primavera/essential-oils/calming/primavera-essential-oil-iris-1percent but it’s hard to tell if it’s natural, but looks quite promising.
Really I am thanking you Lucas. I am going to search more from that website for other oils. What I dont understand is that I read essential oil 1 percent 5 ml. So the 1 percent is pure iris oil? What is the rest? Some odorless oil? I know iris oil is expensive but I love iris perfume.
A company I’ve used for hard to find and/or rare essential oils is:
http://www.victorie-inc.us/
(no affiliation)
And I see that they have orris butter. These are pure essential oils, not diluted in carrier oils. Their quality has always been excellent.
Only today I saw your post on the last LWP. Thank you so much for the tip and sorry for not answering. 🙂
Oh, no problem. My comment didn’t really require a response. Have you been able to find a source of Mid-Eastern perfumes??
Actually not yet. But I’d like to.
It’s usually in a jojoba base if it’s a true essential oil, though most tend to be in the 10% e.o. to oil ratio. Jojoba is considered ‘odorless’, and also most closely mimics ones own skin oils so it absorbs more quickly and you’re not left with big slick residue.
Jojoba oil also does not ever go rancid. I have had e.o. dilutions made up in other oils, such as almond oil, that had to be discarded because the carrier oil spoiled .
I’ve also ordered from a company called Eden Botanicals
(edenbotanicals.com) and they have a really good selection of materials, and they seem to be really good quality. They have orris butter with different levels of irone concentrations, as well as iris root CO2 extract. It’s expensive, and I know they’re based in the U.S. so I don’t know how their international shipping is, but I figure it’s worth a look.
(Not affiliated.. just ordered from them)
I love your blog lucasai. Everyday I am looking to your blog to see if you post a new article :D. Keep going, maybe in the future you have to write a book about perfume and science 😀
So sweet of you! Thank you for your support!
Happy weekend everyone! I just went to IHOP and consumed 3 days worth of calories for breakfast. Country fried steak and eggs, hash browns, and pancakes. I’m trying to insulate myself from the cold. SOTD is Like This, Tilda Swinton. I did have a fragrance question but the other day but now i can’t remember what it was. It will come to me I guess. Hope everyone is staying warm.
I’m staying as warm as possible 🙂
Have not been to IHOP in ages, jealous of your big breakfast!
Winter weather is the perfect justification for for IHOP, Poodle!
IHOP sounds like a fabulous way to start a weekend, poodle. And the syrupy Like This sounds like an ideal way to complement the pancakes and keep the yummy scent going throughout the day!
I hadn’t thought of that at the time, but you’re right, it was a good match for the pancakes.
And just so I don’t look like a complete glutton, that monstrous breakfast did last me all day and I only had a little snack before bedtime. So I don’t feel quite so bad about it.
I am trying Olfactive Studios Still LIfe this morning. I’m about to scrub it. It is just like opening the door of a cedar chest and too close to that cedar/mothballs experience for me to be able to stand it. Ick! It’s the only one of their line I haven’t liked. ((That’s good in a way.)
Recently when I bought Tom Ford Santal Blush, the SA at Neiman-Marcus gave me some samples, including Black Orchid. Wow I love that stuff! That is major prima donna stuff! I love smelling it on myself but am afraid people will look at me funny if I waft it around. Might need a caftan, or high heels or a fur coat to be able to get away with that (and I have none of the above).
So you *did* buy the Santal Blush!
Yes and I like it very much but it seems to disappear on me after an hour or so. I will have to ask others if they can smell it, I seem to become anosmic.
One reason I haven’t bought it yet is b/c I was afraid of it’s tenacity so maybe i need to revisit …
Black Orchid really should be in a splash bottle, not a spray.
And was just thinking recently that when I was young, most perfumes came either way — spray or splash. Rare that you see a women’s scent in splash any more.
Black Orchid in a splash bottle = my nightmare.
🙂
Cristalle! *weeps*
Oh, yes, they did. My first “grown-up” perfume was Karl Lagerfeld Chloe in edt, in a 1-ounce splash bottle. Thing lasted me all throughout my teens. I dabbed carefully – that’s another one that probably caused some people elevator nightmares when sprayed.
Black orchid was a total scrubber for me, too strong, too much screech, no grace and no mystery. I’ve loved other Tom Ford fragrances, however, particularly Tobacco and Vanille.
Black orchid is a scrubber for me. Even if I limit to one spray the perfume wears me and seems to walk into the room before I do. 🙁
Gosh, me neither–I recall it as just much too sweet for me–but Calypso’s description makes me really envious! I totally want a prima donna scent. Might have to dig out my sample and take another crack at it!
I’m trying an Olfactive Studio this morning as well! Chambre Noire. I don’t find the top notes so abrasive as some do, and now it’s drying down into a comfortable leather. So far so good!
Oh that one is my favorite! I used up the entire little sample spray vial and ordered it and was desperate for it to arrive from France. Good deal as they charge nothing for shipping and it took less than two weeks. I have worn it almost every day since and refilled my spray vial so I can replenish when needed.
Free shipping from France? Wow!
Yes, when you order it, it will show the price in dollars and the only box to be checked says something like “Free Shipping EU.” So I checked that, both when I ordered samples and the FB, and I never had to pay anything more. It came nicely boxed and within about 10 days, I’d say.
Calypso, how is its lasting power and sillage on you? I remember liking it, but found it disappeared too quickly and was not very strong. I must, however, try it again as I really loved the scent!
You also need big jewelry!
Well this wasn’t exactly a scrubber, but I tried Roseberry Eau De Parfum by Parfums de Rosine on the back of my hand last weekend and after a few hours I wasn’t too upset at having to wash my hands. The scents I’ve tried in that line start out sparkly and promising but then fade into meh. Rose and gardenia are the two scents that I am very particular about. Sa Majeste La Rose made the cut but I’m still searching for my gardenia. Right now I’m wearing C for Women by Clive Christian. Most of the time that I wear it, it’s a huge gorgeous floral and then other times it’s very spicy. It has me baffled.
I am a lifelong Gardenia geek too, and I can’t speak highly enough of Guerlain’s Cruel Gardenia – soft, warm, close to the skin, nuzzly. Have you tried it?
I have not tried that one but I will now! I got burned out trying so many different gardenias that I just gave up and decided I could be happy with the great tuberose scents, my favorites being Beyond Love, Carnal Flower and Fracas.
I adore Carnal Flower; the other two tend to wear me, however! Cruel Gardenia is more muted, slightly woodsy, very womanly but not a primadonna like , say, Fracas. You could hose yourself in it and not asphyxiate anyone ( always a good thing!). 🙂
And another lemming is created. Sigh. Cruel gardenia sounds marvelous! I adore vc&a gardenia petals as well!
Ooh! Should also say – Gardenia by Jo Loves is also just lovely! I know what you mean about the gardenia quest though – I’m on a sabbatical from it myself at the mo!
Have you tried Un Voix Noire, Lutens gardenia scent? Total scrubber for me. It literally turned my stomach. It has a metallic note in it that reminded me of, now this is gross but, blood. It was such a huge disappointment for me!
une voix noir was a scrubber for me too! My husband actually said it smelled like the scent they use in port-a-potties to try to cover up bad smells, and it is spot on to me!
If you like tuberose you must try Ramon Monegal Kiss My Name. I tried it and bought it almost instantly and I don’t even think of myself as liking tuberose. (In fact, I can’t stand to have a bouquet of them in my house–I hate them the way I hate Stargazer lilies.) I am still also in search of a true, pure, subtle gardenia.
My favorite one so far, with gardenia though it does include the other usual suspects of white flowers, is Bond No. 9 Saks Fifth Avenue For Her. It does not get a lot of love but I think it’s beautiful.
love those three tuberoses too! For gardenia I still love the orginal marc jacobs and estee lauder tuberose and gardenia (which is more gardenia than tuberose to me).
Roseberry was a scrubber for me too! And unfortunately, I had splashed a bit on my wool sweater when I opened the vial so the sweater ended up having to be washed as well! I can tell you that wool is an excellent carrier for perfume!
Oh no! That is the worst. Being stuck with a non-scrubbable scrubber! It seems that the scents that I hate are the ones that last forever.
Ain’t it the truth! 🙂
Me three! Currently working my way through their sample kit and Roseberry is my least favorite by a significant margin. (And I’m someone potentially willing to wear a fruity floral. Not that one, alas!)
Hi Lila, My favorite gardenia is Gardenia Petale by VC&A. Just delicious realistic gardenia… I think you’ll like it!
I actually have that one! I do like it a lot. It’s a very understated gardenia to me which has me still searching for a richer, lush gardenia scent. I love to wear it in the summer. I also really enjoy Lys Carmin from VC&A.
Hi Lila – I love Cruel Gardenia too. It lacks the creamy white sweetness up top associated with a lot of gardenia perfumes – a lot of “gardenias” evoke creamy tuberose. CG focuses instead on the warm, almost citric volatile aromas present in the flower, and uses a lot of good heady ylang and jasmine to do it. Fabulous skin scent, meant to evoke sun-warmed skin with a kiss of musk. Balanced by bitterness, better on skin than fabric.
I am totally intrigued now! Maybe this will be the one for me. 🙂
I’m going to order samples of all the recommended gardenia scents here right away!
Beyond Love, Carnal Flower and Fracas are all tuberose, though.
I don’t really get on with this note in perfumery but the least objectionable gardenia I’ve ever tried is still Estee lauder Private Collection Tuberose Gardenia.
I like that Private Collection Chanel Gardenia – probably cos it doesn’t smell too much like gardenia!
Yes, Tuberose Gardenia is lovely!
Happy Saturday, all!
I feel like I missed out on some good conversations yesterday. New SSS and L’Artisan, and Angela’s great post on Winter frags! Hate it when my life interferes with my reading about perfume! 😀
I have a busy weekend that, for once, isn’t filled with painting my house (although it’s tempting to procrastinate that way). I’m trying to force my anachronistic self into the current century, at least for a little while, and I’m taking a class on how to use an iPad in my classroom. The class has A LOT of reading and homework (including going against my comfort zone and using it in my classes). So, my goal is to check off as many of the necessary homework boxes as I can today. Unfortunately, this also coincides with grades due on Monday, so there are student labs to correct. 🙁
In any case, perfume, when I get to it, will be something cozy and just for me, since there’s no one else around to care. Maybe Dune, mentioned by Angela in her post yesterday and now on my mind.
I do wish my son’s schools would allow the students to use iPads or other personal devices to keep track of their assignments & whatnot, and even better yet, have all their textbooks on the device. Some day I’m sure that will be the norm. Meanwhile, good for you for taking the class!
Thanks for your support, Robin!
I have a lot of reservations about giving students expensive devices with internet access, messaging, games, and a lot of other non-educational purposes. However, as you say, it is very likely to become more common, and so I felt that I needed to at least become somewhat familiar. I’m SOOOooooo ignorant, though, that I didn’t even know how to turn the darn thing on until someone showed me!
Yes, that’s the problem — they’ll all be playing angry birds!
But there must be a way around it, and for kids like my son who can’t seem to get the hang of writing down assignments in an agenda, would really be a huge help.
BTW, we gave my Dad an iPad a few years ago after he became vision-impaired. He has slowly but surely gotten the hang of it! And they are fabulous devices for the vision-impaired, so worth it for all of us to know how to use them before we get there 🙂
My sister-in-law gave my dad her old iPad and all he wants to do is pllay solitaire and mahjong and look at the stock market. I have no complaints about the stock market part. I had to create an icon so all he has to do is click on it, scroll down, select download and voila. Of course everytime the site changes ever so slightly, I have to show him what to do all over again.
Hajusuuri, there is no frustration like watching my mother try to navigate the internet! Compared to her, I’m downright modern! 😀
Same here with my mom and the internet. I wish the Apple Store has the one-on-one classes for the iPad (similar to the $99 / year take as many sessions as you need to learn how to use the Mac), but unfortunately, all they offer are the group classes.
I’m addicted to my iPad. Seriously, if this thing goes on the fritz I will probably need to be medicated. I don’t take it with me wherever I go, but when I’m at home I tend to use it far more than I ever thought I would.
Poodle, I hear that a lot. But I’m struggling to imagine it–other than Internet (reading nst and emails and such), what do you use it for?
I suspect that even my use of the Internet is atypical. I don’t surf, I don’t Facebook or pintrist. These sorts of entertaining time-wasters don’t appeal to me.
I AM enjoying playing around with the map feature, though! I zoomed right in to the village where I lived for much of my time in Madagascar. That was fun!
I don’t do Facebook or pinterest either but I have a lot of love for twitter. I’m all over the blogs. I use it to shop from the comfort of my couch. I prefer to read any free cookbooks I get on kindle on the iPad yet I like my kindle for reading regular books. I stream Netflix movies on it. I have a few apps that I like on it. I had done a blog for hubby’s company this fall and used it to write the posts. If I had a laptop it might not be as much fun but since its the closest thing to a laptop that I have I love it.
I have been toying with the idea of getting an iPad mini but I first need to replace my aging MacBook — it is over 4 years old and old enough to not be able to have its OS upgraded to Mountain Lion.
This was a good perfume week for me. On Tuesday, I received my bottle of Secret Garden that I have been lemming after for about a year. After burning through two samples and most of a decant, I decided that I just needed to go for it. SG was the first one from this line I tried, and the only one so far to really grab me. For some reason, none of the other Afteliers have spoken to me, which I suppose is good for my bank account.
Congrats on your new bottle! And yes, it would not do to love *everything* from Aftelier.
So I made it to the big city and back with relative ease (some issues with the train notwithstanding) despite the snow. I squeezed in some sniffing in between the appointments but, sadly, nothing really impressed me. I hated Petit Fracas and didn’t really care for the other 3 new Piguets either. Marni and 1932 are not out yet (although my details have been noted down and an invitation to the 1932 launch as well as some samples were promised).
I took a sample of Jour d’Hermès home but it’s not looking promising either, first impressions are that it smells like gardenia shampoo 🙁
The other three Piguets, were these the three Asian-market Piguets (Chai, etc) or three from the past summer? I can’t get my SA to follow up on finding samples! >:( Which would be fine if she didn’t keep saying she could.
The most recent ones, so Chai and the other ones that are called something like Jeunesse and Blossom?
Have you tried emailing RP through their website? I did it a couple of years ago, heard nothing back but a few days later a postman showed up with a parcel containing multiple samples of all their offerings at the time. I was very impressed.
Out of all the recent releases, I quite like Mademoiselle which is a lush white floral with orange blossom and tuberose. They should have called that one Petit Fracas.
That’s a great idea, no one around me carries the “new” Piguets and I like or love the rest of the line.
Mademoiselle sounds good.
Good for you, I am terribly behind on the Piguets.
You are probably not missing out hugely.
That’s a shame about the Jour d’Hermes, but I really appreciate hearing your impression of it. Gardenia and tuberose tend to really hate me, so despite how much I like Hermes this one’s heading downward on the sample list. Thank you for helping calm and slow down a lemming! 😀
I was convinced that it would be instant love. I’m absolutely fine with tuberose but gardenia is not my thing. I don’t hate it but, to my nose, the opening is very functional and I doubt it’ll even grow on me. Oh, well, money saved!
“I was convinced that it would be instant love.”
Ooh, yes to that! My first niche sample order included 3 very small spray decants of fragrances that I’d carefully researched and read extensively about. I just *knew* I’d love them all, and the only thing that kept me from blind buying one of them first was that I wasn’t sure which of the 3 would be the MOST fabulous on me. At this point, I’m sure you can guess what happened – Not a single one of them worked on me, lol!
Yup, been there, done that. That’s why I never, ever, ever buy unsniffed FBs. Ever.
On the other hand, I like it when I try something that I don’t expect to like only to discover that it’s gorgeous. Happened to me recently with Andy Tauer’s Incense Rosé and reinforced how important it is to keep an open mind.
Completely agree with the open mind. One of the ‘for sure loves’ mentioned above was OJ Woman, and Ta’if was my choice of an interesting sounding counter-point from the house. Sweet and with dates wasn’t ringing my virtual bells, at all!
The ironic outcome:
OJ Woman – My apologies to all of Perfumeland, but this smells like a mediocre all purpose household cleaner on me. Please don’t be mad, I’m obviously asnomic to the magical bits and am still bitter about it!
OJ Ta’if – My word, who knew! It’s got the date drafting in and out adroitly, it’s definitely sweet but not cloying on me. Could even turn out to be FB worthy after another, larger test drive.
Never say never!
Oh Lily – just wanted to say that I share your views on the two OJs! Woman on me smelt like diapers (!?). Ta’if is amazing, rich, warm, a bit sweet but not too much and heavenly. I’ve already gone through two bottles of it.
I have the full sample set from OJ and none of them are keepers for me. I try them again from time to time. They’re ‘nice’, but I’m disappointed that I can’t feel the love I keep reading about here on NST.
Replying to your comment below Ohlily. I too found OJ Woman completely mediocre on me. I got none of the fascinating forest floor that was promised, merely a too sweet, ambery bore fest. I was so convinced I’d love it I ordered the samples in EdP and Extrait and nearly blind bought (still working on that foible)! I envy those that “get it”. 🙂
Jillie:
It sounds like we are both getting some sort of an ammonia-like presence in Woman. I’d love to know what element we seem to be anosmic to – Definitely want to avoid it in the future, lol! Ta’if’s loveliness still lingers in my mind, so I better start saving more of my pennies!
Jonette:
I’ve only tried these two so far, but am still looking forward to giving the others a try when I can. Sometimes certain lines just don’t work on me at all, so kudos to you for giving them a more than fair shot at your love!
hollyc:
Eek! It can so hard to resist blind buys at times – I have to keep reminding myself of previous pricey mistakes(and the fact that it’s in plural)!
I was also disappointed when I tried Jour d’Hermes, and we may be the only two in perfumery who are from what I’ve read. Everything about it seemed as if it should be love at first sniff – but something doesn’t quite work for me. I’ll revisit it, but my hopes for true love here are low.
I know, right? 😀 I’m happy it’s so well-received, I just wish I could smell what everyone else seems to be smelling.
No!! You’re not alone. I think a few others discussed this on a weekend poll a few weeks back. I don’t care for it much at all. Very nice lemon/grapefruit beginning… then… musk. total meh for me.
I’m actually relieved to find someone else who isn’t overjoyed with Jour de Hermes! I have tested it three times from a sample and found it to be nothing more than a sweet, citrusy white floral. I wish I loved it – the notes, name, and bottle look so promising! But it’s quite ordinary on me.
This mostly just reveals me as a wimp, but I tried Tolu this week and just could not do. Didn’t make it an hour. Enjoying lots of others from the OJ line though–favorite so far is probably Champaca but I really like Sampaquita and Osmanthus too…
Tolu is too much for me too, so joining you in the wimp club 🙂
Hahaha, very glad I’m not the only member! Anyway, I think we perform a valuable service, not leaving lighter compositions neglected! 🙂
Meanwhile, Robin, this reminds me! It’s a bit ahead of the Monday Mail feedback for my group but I couldn’t wait to tell you–I have found my more sophisticated/less candied version of the Lacoste Inspiration that brought me to Monday Mail in the first place …and of all things, it’s Champaca! It’s strange to say because the Inspiration doesn’t smell like basmati at all, and I def wouldn’t describe Champaca as candied, but the two do share many other notes (pink pepper + an orange tree product + floral + light musk), and I’m very happy to trade the candied element for a very different “gourmand”. (Actually I’m finding savory gourmands very moving; the bread in En Passant actually made me cry!) Anyway, having read your Champaca review, I just had to tell you! Too funny. And very pleasing (even if the upgrade will cost, gasp, seven times what I nabbed my bottle of Inspiration for. Worth it.)
Oh, I’m so glad, and what a great choice! And yes, you turn out to have expensive tastes 🙂
Thanks, I’m so glad too!! It’s crazy to finally find one’s needle in a haystack–luckily the 200 others I tried first softened up the ground for what this one costs!
Very late here, but if you like bread notes, you should try Lostmarch Lann-Ael and Serge Lutens Jeux de Peau. I think they are more bready than En Passant, so they may be right up your alley!
Ah, Odonata, thanks so much for this!! You’re exactly right, I love Jeux de Peau, and I haven’t even heard of the other one, so I am so excited for another bread fragrance to try! Amazing, thanks so much for the recs!
And Tolu is one of the four OJs I can actually smell on my skin – the rest disappear in minutes. Still, I don’t find it strong. If Andy Tauer were a 10 on strength, most OJs would be a 2 or 3…(on me – that is).
Yup. I’m with you, Merlin. Even OJ Woman can seem really ephemeral on me some days.
I’m with Merlin and Marjorie. I’ve tried a few of the OJ scents and I don’t find them strong or long lasting. I haven’t tried Woman but I have tried Ta’if, Frangipani, and Tolu. I do like Ta’if while it lasts.
I totally believe you–not only am I a lightweight in general, but due to some negative personal associations with Shalimar, a lot of deep, sweet Orientals are pretty queasy-making for me. So I didn’t stand a chance, but I can easily imagine people who don’t happen to share these limitations getting on quite nicely with it!
Curious to know: which are the other OJs you find have better staying power?
Like Marjorie, even the deeper, heavier ones are somewhat ephemeral on me. Ones with a fighting chance: Orris Noir, OJ. Woman, Taif and Tolu. From what I remember the others hardly registered!
I think its a chemical thing: some people find her frags very powerful and others like me can hardly detect many of them.
Exact same list I would’ve created Merlin! Maybe with Orris Noir slightly in the lead.
Aha, this is instructive–so it must be that I am a weeny about the rich orientals, because while I think of OJ Woman and Taif as somewhat stronger than the rest of the line, Tolu was WAY more overwhelming for me than either of those. (Haven’t tried Orris Noir yet.) Interesting, thanks for added data points!
Marjorie, do you think we may be anosmic to iso e super? I don’t think I could smell some of those light ones even on paper…
Merlin, I have wondered about that before, but it is difficult to assess! I know that I do not love natural cedar, which smells like BO to me.
Sorry for only seeing your post on the last LWP today. Talking about Chergui and all the subjects we were talking, I don’t search for originality either on fragrances, I just find there are better options other than Chergui. 🙂
And I agree to you that many fragrances’ bottles look better in smaller sizes.
No prob!
Tolu was too much the first couple of times I tried it. Then I spritzed some during a seriously cold spell and it was like it finally unfolded before my erm, nose. Now it’s one of my favourites from the line but it only comes out when it’s frosty and a tiny spray is all that’s needed.
No issues with longevity, I find all OJs last really well on me (I always spray on fabric, though).
It’s so interesting that you say that–I was a little sad when Champaca lasted just a few hours on my skin, but a week later it’s still going strong on the sweatshirt I wore that day. This is when I wish I knew more about the chemistry of perfume! Obviously there’s something going on with heat or chemical interactions or both, but I’m so curious about what it is specifically here, since this seems to make even more of a difference than usual…
I cannot do Tolu either. Bleargh.
Hi everyone, I have a perfume related question I’m hoping you can help me with. My lovely new fella wears two perfumes (an aggressive “sport” fragrance and a Creed which is all smoke and pineapple) both were gifts from family and he doesn’t like either of them particularly and they don’t really suit him. He’s asked me to help him find a new perfume. So I’m looking for a few suggestions to start me off…. He is a university professor in literature and cultural studies and just turned 40. He is a very warm person and has a middle eastern background. When pressed to name his favourite smells he said he likes comforting every day smells like frying onion, spices, clean sheets, honey, fruits – oranges, dates and pomegranates and the ocean. When I asked him if he knew the names of any perfumes he liked he said Old Spice but he doesn’t want to wear it. So I think I’m looking for something that is relaxed and homely and has perhaps the same vibe or some notes in common with Old Spice….. (or anything else you think might be interesting!!). Thank you so much for any suggestions!!!!!
I’d be tempted to start with Chanels or maybe one of the spicier Serge Lutens. I like Chanel Pour Monsieur pretty well, love Egoiste, and would be very happy to smell Anataeus on a man in my close proximity (although it’s more leather than spice). Several SLs have a mix of spices and fruit, so if you have ready access, it might be fun to just play with several of them and see how you both like them. First thoughts are Serge Noire, Ambre Sultan and Rousse.
Enjoy!
Cosign on Serge, lots of good options with those notes. My only hesitation is that I don’t imagine there’s a lot of overlap between Serge fans and Old Spice fans. But, it sounds like Old Spice could just be more or less the only fragrance he knows the name of, rather than an indication of preference for things that are more mainstream!
Other ideas: I realize that being pretty sheer, Jo Malone might not be the first thing one thinks of for men, but Pomegranate Noir might still be worth a shot.
I love Le Labo Rose 31 so basically I will mention it anytime I’m given half a chance. Nice spices there.
Spicebomb and Musc Ravageur also come to mind–warm and spicy.
If it turns out he’d really prefer something that smells a little less niche/more mainstream, I think Chanel Bleu is very well done for the sport/ocean genre. On myself I found it not particularly exciting, but I recently asked a friend what he was wearing because he smelled so nice; lo and behold!
JM Pomegranate Noir is fantastic on a man. I think its sheerness is good for wearing to work, he can just apply more for nights out. It certainly doesn’t smell just like old spice, but it has a similar warmth amd sweetness in the drydown. Great suggestion!
Ah, super to hear the confirmation! Thanks Lucy.
If you are in or around NYC, I suggest going to the Atelier Cologne store in the Nolita neighborhood… and while you’re there, dine at one of the many wonderful restaurants.
… or, if you can’t get there, order samples – they have a sample program where you can get the entire collection 10 x 1mL vials for $15. (don’t quote me on the 1 mL,,,, they look like 1 mL to me)
My choices for him from this line are: Mistral Patchouli, the latest offering and recently reviewed here at NST and/or Ambre Nue.
Good luck. Note: I am not affiliated with Atelier Cologne.
I ordered Atelier’s sample set two weeks ago, and Mistral Patchouli was not included. Lizziemarian, you might have to ask specifically for that one if you decide to go the sample route.
Mistral Patchouli joined the set like 1 week ago.
Fearsmice – it is there now. When I looked two weeks ago upon discovering that there is a store in NYC, it was not included in the sample set which was why I made the decision to stop in the store. I think it was fate as I had a dinner engagement that firmed up 2 weeks ago (for this past Wednesday) and the restaurant was within 3 short blocks of the store and so I stopped in before dinner. A word to the wise ~ don’t go perfume-shopping on an empty stomach 😉
Ah, thanks for letting me know, you guys.
Hajusuuri, don’t keep us in suspense: which of the line made you the “hungriest”?
Looks like I need to confess now and I am sure Lady Donatella will forgive me…I got the Collection Absolue (5 x 30 mLs) but was able to choose which ones I wanted (and not be stuck with the original collection), got each of them in individual boxes AND I got a “bonus” 6th 30 mL along with the leather holder which I had engraved with my initials. The scents I chose were Bois Blonds, Vetiver Fatal, Sous le toit de Paris (2X), Mistral Patchouli and Rose Anonyme (back up for a decant I got via the NST Swapmeet). And because I am weak, I got a bar of soap in Oolang Infini. All told, I spent $10 for every minute I was in the store.
Impressive!! I can see Lady Donatella stretching her arms out wide to you now! 😉
Hahaha, ok you’ve sold me on them too! Any idea how much shipping is? I can’t immediately tell from website but maybe I need to order sample set regardless.
For the sample set, it is free ground shipping if you are in the U.S.
Fantastic! Thanks so much for the info–you made my day! Yippee, off to order!
Carnation and clove are the two dominant notes I’ve always gotten from Old Spice. Does it make any difference to him whether or not it’s a gender specific fragrance when trying something new? Bellodgia by Caron sprung to mind if he doesn’t mind trying something that’s marketed towards women.
Happy sniffing during your search- that’s the fun part of the journey, anyway!
Not at all! Unless the bottle was shocking pink and covered in lace…. And even then I suspect he’d be prepared to use it but keep it hidden.
Now that’s awesome! No pink or lace to contend with, the bottle is just curvy instead of angular. 😀
Two warm/affable scents which I adore to smell but which definitely lean masculine are Montale Oud Cuir d’Arabie and Czech and Speake Frankincense & Myrrh.
Ohhh that’s great everyone thank you!! I think this is going to be a very fun project!
It does sound so fun–I’m jealous! I was actually just wishing I had someone to spray some Sampaquita on; I have this idea it could work really well on a dude… (Incidentally you could try that! But it doesn’t really have the notes you mentioned.)
Let us know how it goes!
I’m not sure how this fits with your description, but I made my husband try a sample of Ormonde Jayne Man and I absolutely LOVED it on him. Very similar to OJ Woman, all spicy woody goodness.
Or Lutens Chergui. Seriously, I think of it as professorial (and I’m one, so I know… ) like old fashioned nice pipe smoke.
Calypso, I have two favourite frags and Chergui is one of them. It makes me feel like a child in the study of a magical uncle-professor – think Narnia chronicles. There is smoke coming from his pipe as he tells this story that draws me in…
Noir Epices by Frederic Malle would be perfect. It’s a combination of orange and spices. Less sweet than most spicy fragrances–it has no vanilla–and would be amazing on a man.
Hi Lizzie,
Please disregard the vicarious nature of this suggestion. Try a sample of Amouage Interlude Man. It is indescribably beautiful and has many of the spice notes that you mentioned, but goes way beyond anything I’ve ever smelled. This one just morphs and morphs from one gorgeous smell to the next. It’s expensive, but a little goes a really long way. Just a tiny drop from the sample lasts all day and evening.
Parfums de Nicolai New York has an orange note. It’s also wonderful and ridiculously inexpensive. Hermes Eau d’Orange Vert is another classic.
I have two suggestions for you. Aqaba Man is comforting, yet has subtle spice notes. I’ve mentioned this one many times before here, but I just LOVE it: Poudre d’Epices by Sinfonia di Note (it’s much nicer than Old Spice, imo, and similar to Tauer’s Rose Chypre, which doesn’t work for me.)
Hello there! What a fun mission! I’ve been undertaking a ‘find a perfect fragrance’ for my darling best friend too and he’s been such a good sport. None of the scents his past flames had bought him suited him at all, so its been fun finding him the perfect ‘him’ smells (lonestar memories so far at the top of the list- even I want to nuzzle his neck!)
Sooo, as soon as I read dates and spices I thought of Aziyade by parfums d’empire. I think it’s totally addictive, and I think unisex (it’s on my fb list) and hopefully fits the brief 🙂 have fun experimenting!
Very late to this party, but would second Spicebomb and I always like to mention L’Occitance Eau de Baux – it is inexpensive and smells delicious!
Happy Weekend Everyone!
SOTD is Dior Dune – wearing it for the first time after seeing it included in Angela’s most excellent Top 10 Winter Fragrances post. I’m enjoying it and know that I can wear it, in moderation (2 spritzes!), to the office. I don’t yet know its longevity on me but I like what I’m smelling — for lack of a better way of describing it, I will just say that it smells like minty vanilla.
You smell delish!
…and I feel delish 🙂
As you well should! 😀
I have a question that I hope you can help me with (I’ve tried google, but I trust you guys more). A really good friend is converting, becoming jewish. She has always been a religious person, but seeking her path. Now, at 38, shes found her answers and is shifting from Swedens traditional protestant, non churchy faith to judaism. It’s a big thing for her, and shes really happy – and seroius about it all. I’m visiting her new house for the first time soon, and I want to give her something special. She loves perfume, scented candles etc, and I got the idea of giving her a perfume thats kosher, and will be wearable for her during easter and such. I would love some input on this subject.
That is really very sweet and thoughtful of you! I don’t know if it’s kosher, but I’m fairly sure it is organic – Stella by Stella McCartney. There’s also many ‘natural’ perfumes done by smaller indie brands, but Stella might be a nice starting point in your search since it’s more widely available (and very pretty!).
Best of luck! 🙂
Hi Anna – whatever you decide, I suggest NOT getting anything that will remind her of Easter. I have to think about kosher perfume as I only associate the kosher mark with food.
Do you mean, during Passover?
Anyway, kosher perfume, great idea and fascinating question! I have no idea but would to love to hear about it from anyone who does!
I’m pretty sure there is no such thing as a kosher perfume, as “kosher” refers to dietary laws. So it’s only about food and drink. Some orthodox Jews have rules regarding dress and modesty, but that may not apply to her. But if you want to play it safe, bring a scented candle rather than a personal perfume, as wearing perfume may be considered immodest (you did not say which type of Jew she is–there’s a huge range, just as there is a huge range in Christianity). My intuition regarding scents for the candle would be something with cinnamon or ginger, spices I associate with my family traditions (I am a non-religious Jew).
Also honey and/or citrus scents would be great.
Ayala Moriel, a natural perfumer, is also Jewish. Some of her scents might fit the bill, and you could also ask her opinion. Her blog is:
http://ayalasmellyblog.blogspot.com/
Anna, you might want to check out natural perfumer Ayala Moriel, who grew up in Israel and lives in Vancouver, Canada. Here’s a link to a review of her Etrog Oy de Cologne: http://www.cafleurebon.com/behind-the-bottle-ayala-sender-of-ayala-moriel-parfums-etrog-oy-de-cologne-fathers-day-draw/
(I love the name Oy de Cologne, which is a pun on the Yiddish exclamation “Oy vey!” and eau de cologne.)
She has a commercial website for her line, an Etsy shop, and a blog about natural perfume, SmellyBlog. I’m not affiliated with her and haven’t actually tried her perfumes yet, but I’ve seen positive comments about her perfumes, as well as other reviews.
Thank you all for your thoughts and advice in the matter of kosher perfume 🙂
Hi Anne, as Suddenlyexplicably pointed out ‘kosher’ refers only to dietary laws. Used informally though, it can mean proper, legitimate or authentic. If your friend has converted to orthodox judaism, and one of the more strict versions, it is the question of ‘modesty’ that is relevant.
A discreet perfume that she can smell but that does not project too much is probably safer. For an example of how an orthodox institution would address the question you can have a look at this page:
http://www.yoatzot.org/question.php?id=1762
Also, for some debate, and how its addressed informally have a look at this page – and most important – do look at the very last comment!
http://www.imamother.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=149467&start=20
Oh, one other thing: I don’t think natural versus non-natural has much bearing on the matter.
Sorry, that came out sounding very pompous! I’m a non-religious Jew, but stayed, and studied several months at an orthodox institution.
I thought it just sounded helpful Merlin.:)
Thanks – I get hung up on tone sometimes!
Happy weekend, everyone! I’ve got a question about Ombre Rose. Has anyone who wore the original back in the ’80’s tried the current version?
I’m curious as to how they compare.
I’m not sure how helpful this will be, but my sister has worn Ombre Rose since she stole my bottle back in the 80’s! On her last birthday, I sought out a vintage bottle for her and she said she couldn’t tell any difference! Not sure if that means the current version is okay or if she just doesn’t have much of a nose. 😉
Thank you twice-over!! I bookmarked your earlier essential oil link, and nearly had the vapors when I saw the oak moss. Ecstatic would be a serious understatement of how I’m feeling right now! 😀
I had a sister that liked to swipe my perfume too, lol. I know the formula has to have been tweaked in some ways to confirm with the current regulations, but since it was one of the ‘sweeter’ fragrances that I truly loved and went through more than a few (gorgeous)bottles of, I’d love to revisit with it.
Do you think it still smell good on her, and is it close to what you remember it to be? I know it’s no longer as pricey as it was, but I’m trying to avoid yet another ‘cheap’ blind buy – I have a terrible history with those, lol!
Thank you again!!
Actually, to my nose, it has smelled exactly the same on her over the years as it smelled way back in the day when I wore it. You can still probably find older bottles on ebay for reasonable amounts.
The essential oil company that I use for most of my oils is:
av-at.com
Good prices and excellent quality. Glad to be of help!
Oh, and I actually have a bottle of oak moss from Victorie and it is wonderful. But if you’ve never worked with oak moss, it is very thick and gooey!
That’s excellent to hear, thanks! I’ve got a couple of vintage ones on watch already. 😉
The more essential oil links the better, so thank you again. Most of mine are either from Aura Cacia or Dreaming Earth :
http://www.dreamingearth.com/catalog/pc/home.asp
Looking forward to more exploration on both fronts – Yay!
Re the oakmoss – I’m just worried I’ll roll in it. 😀
Rappleyea, do you mean the vintage version that you bought smells the same as the one that is made now? Or do your mean the vintage one you bought her smells the same as the one she has from the 80s?
Pretty much that they all smelled the same to me *on her* – I’m not sure what I would think if I were to wear them and smell them on my own skin. I’d probably be pickier. Although with that said, I have some recent L’Heure Bleue and a bottle of vintage, and while I’m aware of some differences, they’re not deal breakers, nor do they mar my enjoyment of either one.
All this talk about gardenia, so trying out Creed Fleurs de Gardenia today – it’s a reissue I guess? Put it on on my way out – not impressed with the sillage but otherwise it smells really nice.
I went to a Mardi Gras dinner last night, so I’m wearing Hove’s Belle Chasse today – an elegant floral that reminds me a little of Chanel’s No. 5, without the aldehydes. Perfect for a gray, cold day and a symphony tonight.
LOOOOOOOVE that one! Have a little sample of the perfume and hope to get more someday. My favorite Hove I’ve tried.
I don’t get No. 5 AT ALL from it though…
Good evening everyone, I’m a little late to the party but really enjoyed skim reading all of your responses. I’m very new to perfume so a little nervous about not being able to describe what the heck it is I’m smelling in a perfume. So many of your descriptions are sophistocated and interesting! Anyway I went to Aedes for the first time last week and had a wonderful time sniffing and sampling. That place is like a high holy temple of perfume, there was an absolutely gorgeous display of dried flowers in the center of the space and the whole shop had that dark velvet brocade almost occult atmosphere. Yum! The salesguy was super sweet and totally appreciative of the perfumes and best of all didn’t make me feel at all like the greenhorn I am. I went away with a sample of Amouage Interlude Man which is the most exquisite perfume I have ever smelled. So spicy and savory in the beginning, and then dries out into some sort of exotic Javanese incense kitchen smell with several layers of spicy/leathery/curry goodness in there. I regretted not going in there with a list of perfumes I wanted to sniff. Also I will allow for more time the next visit.
You just did a GREAT job describing what you smelled! And I’m very jealous of your Aedes trip – I long to visit in person.
Thanks for the encouragement, Rappleyea. I’m lucky to have a niece in New York and I don’t live that far away, so the crystal ball is telling me there will be more perfume adventures in the near future. I hope you get a chance to do the same.
I really have not excuse not to go up there (I’m in Ky.) as that is where I’m from and I still have aunts, uncles and cousins in New York (not the city, though). Perfume adventures are wonderful! Keep us apprised.
So a couple of scrubbers this weekend. Based on several great reviews of Traversee du Bosphore by L’artisan, I bought a slightly used bottle on Ebay before actually smelling it (this was one I could have sampled at Aedes but was too perfume ADHD in that place to remember to do it). That was a mistake. I know it’s a beautiful scent, but on my skin it is way too sweet, rosey and powdery and all of the layers are kind of smooshed together into something that isn’t me at all.. I will try to resell or trade it soon..
I’m on a little adventure in vetiver land this weekend. I read in a couple of blogs that Guerlaine Vetiver is a bit of a benchmark fragrance for vetiver so I bought a small bottle on ebay which arrived in the mail on Friday along with three samples of vetiver dominant perfumes from Luckyscent: They are: Diptyque Vetiverio, Il Profumo vetiver de java and The Different Company sel de vetiver. My favorite of all is the Guerlaine. The Diptyque comes in second with a very lemony fresh tang on my skin. The other two at this point are scrubbers, way too fussy and flowery for my nose and my taste. Or it could be that I just need to give them a little more time and attention.
Do a search on this site for vetiver scents – it’s one of Robin’s favorite notes so there are quite a few vetiver reviews here. But you’re right – Guerlain’s Vetiver is the gold standard.
Yes, thank you. I will do that. I think my problem with the other vetivers, including the Diptyque is that the vetiver is too integrated with the other scents and just doesn’t come through as much as I would like. Vetiverio starts off with a strong whiff of lemony vetiver and then morphs into more of a sweet floral and the vetiver goes back into the woodwork. The guerlaine is vetiver loud and proud till the very end, and smells exactly like the bundles of vetiver you get at the market in Haiti or the DR. It is very true to itself. I wore it all day today and it still smells distinctive and beautiful.
I recently found Tom Ford Grey Vetiver (in the mainstream, non-exclusive line) and was surprised how much I like it – it reminds me of the Guerlain in a more stripped-down and less tobacco-y way. It’s all smoky, citrus vetiver and very wearable. Of course the Guerlain is top-notch.
Thankyou for your description of Grey Vetiver. It sound intriguing and I will have to try.
A vetiver scent that I think you’ll like a lot is the new (not even for sale yet – in a week or so) Sonoma Scent Studio Citrus/Vetiver, part of her new naturals line. I was a tester on it and have loved it through all of its iterations.
Good golly you’ve tried something that isn’t even out yet! Thank you so much for the suggestion. I will be right on that one when I can a sample.
I’m really unfamiliar with vetiver, but I tried a sample of Jo Loves Pink Vetiver when it was first released and liked it so much, I ordered a full bottle. I like it a lot and even though I often prefer men’s colognes (I’m a woman), this is probably too masculine for me. I have to try wearing it more often. It is really nice, though. And I loved the packaging!
Hi Jonette,
JLPV sounds great. I will try to get me a sample. Thanks for the suggestion.
The other scrubber this weekend was… drumroll please…
Seville A L’aube. I know there is a lot of fanfare about this perfume and a fascinating story/book about the making of it which I will definitely read, but the actual scent on me is a very sweet simple slightly citrusy orange blossom. Admittedly, my nose is only at the preschool level at this point, but I just couldn’t see what the fuss was all about with this perfume. It wasn’t terrible, but I definitely wouldn’t wear it.
The other perfume I tried was Diptyque Volutes which was actually quite lovely. It seemed to have a slightly sweet, musky belly that held for a little while.
Which Volutes did you try, the EDT or EDP? People tend to like one or the other more, and they are rather different. I bought the EDT, thinking the P was more smokey in a way I didn’t respond to.
While I know what you mean about the Seville I would suggeest waiting on it or possibly shelving it for awhile. I had the same reaction at first and then tried it later on and it’s gradually grown on me. I still haven’t bought a FB but I plan to. It seemed just sort of sickening-cloying at first but I found that after wearing it for a few hours, I felt enveloped in a beautiful warm halo with a golden tinge that was magical and not so sweet. The effect was just general enhancement. I’d recommend in general not trading or getting rid of stuff right away because at times once you go back to something you suddenly realize what you were missing the first time around. Not always of course. In the beginning of my perfume pursuits I bought all the amber perfumes I could find including SL Ambre Sultan and I still don’t “get” it, but so many people adore it that I’ve held onto my bottle, even though it smells to me like Pine-Sol cleaner.
Hi Calypso, the sample is of Volutes EDP. Even so, it did not last very long on me maybe because it was just a few drops from a tester and a spray would be different. I will have to try the T for comparison.
And thankyou so much for your sage advice about hanging onto bottles of perfume even if not approved on first wearing. A great reminder that tastes, opinions, body chemistry and even the ability to pick up subtler fragrance notes is something that changes and develops over time. As a newbie, I feel like I’m in a bit of a frenzy to reach perfume nirvana NOW. I don’t own a bottle of Seville, just a sample, but I did buy Traversee du Bosphore and am really not digging it even though I know there is a lot there to appreciate. I think I will take your advice and just let that one live with me for awhile and see how I like it in a few months.
FWIW, I find the scent very beautiful, but in terms of wearing regularly, it’s not for me either. Ah well. Suspect there are some Seville lovers who won’t mind one bit if their precious doesn’t become too widely worn! Meanwhile I’m so looking forward to the book, and I’m glad I’ll have a sample to sniff alongside!
Excellent idea to sniff and read. I think I will be doing the same! Marketing idea: a free sample of Seville or a sheet sample that comes with the book.
For a newbie nose you have very sophisticated taste! To me Guerlain’s vetiver is all sour lemon, and I’m utterly out of my depth with Amouage. Don’t dismiss your current judgments, but yes, your taste will develop further and you may come to appreciate things you didn’t before!
Hi Merlin, Thank you for the compliment! I’ve always been sensitive to smell and it seems like I’ve been searching for a perfume that smells good on me for a long time. I have really dry, smooth skin and I’ve found that many of the mainstream perfumes just end up smelling like baby powder or disposable diaper on me. Discovering that there is a whole other world of fine and niche perfume that doesn’t do that has been a revelation for me.
Happy Saturday, all! Luckily, I didn’t run into any scrubbers today at Holt’s. I finally got to smell what all the fuss is about the Malles…olfactory beauty. I sniffed Portrait of a Lady and had to sample it on skin. What an experience… I can’t stop huffing my wrist. I also got a whiff of Carnal Flower. Next time it will hit skin. Jour d’Hermes was nice, but I really need to sample it on skin before any firm decisions are made. I picked up the purse-spray of the new Marni perfume. I was happy to encounter a mainstream fragmentation that isn’t all frooty and “pink”. It’s woody, warm and spicy, yet soft at the same time.
DH came back from a business trip and brought home a bottle of Ambre de Merveilles on Friday, good man! All in all, a good weekend so far!
Sounds like you had a great day! And a big congrats on such a nice DH AND a new bottle of perfume!
Thank you! It was a fun afternoon. My 7 year old daughter was with me and I loved seeing her reactions to scents. She thought POL was “lots of roses”, and was over the moon when the kind S.A. gave her a sample of Prada Candy. I couldn’t ask for a more thoughtful hubby. : )
Thank you fso much or sharing your perfume filled day. There are several things in there that I want to check into. Portrait of a Lady sounds wonderful and would love to smell that one. Is there a mainstream department store that carries Malle perfumes? And congrats on the Ambres des Merveilles. That’s a gorgeous one, like being wrapped in a glowing cloud of amber. Your guy has great taste.
If you are in the States, I believe that Barneys and some Saks carry FM. In Canada, as far as I know, the only shop that carries the line is Holt’s, and only in a few locations. After sampling Portrait of a Lady and Carnal Flower, I think it’s worth shelling out the cash for samples!
I wish I could say DH picked out Ambre de Merveilles on his own… I gave him a “cheat sheet” of perfumes I would be happy to give a home to, and AdM was on it! That said, he is lovely and thoughtful. : ) With all this cold weather, it is a great scent to have on hand!
wearing my sample of santal majuscule this evening, perfect for lounging about!
SSS Winter Woods for me, today. Its smoky-sweet-menthol scent is perfect for this misty wintry day.
It’s been exceptionally cold and dry here in the DC area, which we are NOT used to after last year’s non-winter. Only heavy hitters will do, so I’ve been working my way through an 80s perfume sampler including K de Krizia, Gucci No. 3, Ombre Rose, Ysatis, Capucci, Diva and Ferre (none of which I actually wore back in the day). I’ll be ready to switch to some of the florals on the best winter scents lists when we go back up to 50 degrees next week.
Oh, have you got to Ysatis yet? I’m become interested in this one. You don’t see much about it on the blogs.
I didn’t wear Ysatis back in the day either, but recently have been spritzing from department store testers. I suppose it has been reformulated but still I find it very appealing. Lots of beautiful white florals, and spices, amber, sandalwood … and also (to me) a subtle note of coconut. Not full bottle worthy (yet), but certainly decant-worthy.
I loved Ysatis back in the day. I went through quite a few bottles of it actually. I stopped wearing it because it reminded me of a jerk I used to date. I haven’t sniffed it since. I wonder if I would like it now that so much time has passed or if I’d still have a negative scent memory attached to it.
Maybe good memories you had before the jerk came along will out-weigh the bad? Anyway, there are plenty of other fish in the sea – and perfumes to enjoy!
I’m curious to see what you think of the Krizia and Ombre Rose, so please keep us updated!
I enjoyed sampling all of them except Capucci. I liked the idea of Diva, but it seemed a bit harsh in this version, anyway. After huffing 80s perfume for several days, I realized that what my wardrobe lacks is shoulder pads. Kidding!
I’ve never taken to Diva either, though I feel I ought to like it.
I bought an 80s vintage shirt from our school fete last year. Deep red, and in very fine wool. I can’t tell you how happy it made me to cut the shoulder pads out! And yet even without them it screams 80s! I just go with it, and wear it with Niki de Saint Phalle.
I love Nikki, and vintage red wool is the perfect match!
Hah on the shoulder pads! It does sound like a fun blast from the past, though – Thank you for sharing it with us. 😀
Theoretically, Diva should have worked on me, but it never has. I thought K was great, and wore that one quite happily – Ditto on the Ombre Rose.
Easy to solve – just stitch in the pillows from your bed:)
🙂
I used to wear K de Krizia back in the day and about a year ago I bought a bottle just to have on hand for memory’s sake. It’s rather potent but I still love it and love the bottle design. They also used to have the most beautiful magazine ads.
The ads were so great! I miss the style – Ma Griffe, anyone? 😉
K is tempting!
I did the same memory lane thing with Molyneux Quartz. My friend’s mom used to wear it in the 70’s and it brings back memories of listening to Elton John and reading Oui magasine as a teenager.
Well, Valentines day is coming up and my squeeze will buy me a fb of something if requested. I am definitely going to check out TF Gray Vetiver as a candidate. I love frankincense, vetiver and spicey perfume, not so big on gourmand or rose but I do love Jasmine as well. It can be expensive or not so much. Any suggestions?
Also, is anyone else requesting a perfume for valentines or have you received something wonderful in the past? Stories please!
My favorite incense: SSS Incense Pure. Favorite jasmine (and sandalwood) is Guerlain’s Samsara. It doesn’t get much love on the perfume boards, but if you can find an older bottle on ebay (the clear glass rather than red), it is beautiful. I probably reach for it more than any other in my collection regardless of the weather.
An early Happy V – day!
Thank you for your suggestions and info about the Samsara in the clear bottle. I just bought a used one on ebay for six dollars. There is only a little perfume left in the bottle, but this will be my tester for that. SSS Incens Pure looks wonderful and I love that you can get small quantities to test it.
Great deal on the Samsara. Let me know what you think. And yes, Laurie sells samples on her site: sonomascentstudio.com.
Hi Rappleyea,
Not sure if you will circle back to this blogpost, but just wanted to let you know I did get a small used bottle of vintage Samsara EDP on ebay. There are only probably 10mls left. The sandlewood smell is extraordinary. I tried wearing it and it’s not my thing unfortunately. You probably already have as much Samsara as you need, but if you are interested, I can send it to you as a gift.
I’m putting in a request for the Malle coffret collection. Or I just may buy it myself!
Hi OJADDICTE, Lucky you! I hope you get your Malle coffret. What a beautiful way to celebrate Valentines.
I’m trying out a new set of Aftelier edp samples I just got a couple days ago. I finally got around to trying Cepes & Tuberose, and it seemed sweeter than I expected. SOTD was Parfum de Maroc. I like it, and it lasts pretty well, though it wears so close to the skin that I can’t smell it unless I put my nose right on my arm after the first few minutes. Wild Roses seems slightly more diffusive and lasts just as well. I liked the opening of Trevert, cool and piney with a hint of spiciness, but it pretty much disappears except for a hint of clary sage after maybe 20 minutes. My cats hated the opening. They usually don’t care but this made them back away from me.
This evening I’m wearing Possets Venus Black. I’d never heard of this line until I swapped for a few small bottles and samples
Geez.. hit post by accident on my phone. Anyway, I got 6 small bottles and a bunch of samples. It’s pretty hit and miss, and a lot of it was sweeter than I like, but there were a few standouts, Venus Black being one. It kind of smells like a cousin of Musc Ravageur. My other favorite was unfortunately a limited edition that’s already out of production.
Thanks for the mini reviews, Sweetgrass. That’s a line that I’ve been meaning to try for ages.
Any suggestions on a good musky fragrance for men?
Are you looking for clean, soapy laundry musk? Or one that’s on the other end of the spectrum?
Such a good question, so much potential for misdirection there. Is there another term that people use for clean musk? It really is remarkable how little resemblance it bears to the other thing that goes by the same name!
Perhaps someone in this writerly crowd could propose a neologism!
How about whusk?
Hahahaha, yes, exactly!
Try Diptyque Volutes EDP
Here’s a few of the ones I like, although I’m not good at recommending men-specific scents:
Musc Ravageur = spicy musk (comes in EDP and a perfume oil).
Musc Kublai Khan = depending on your skin-type, can smell really dirty/animalic or softer and almost honeyed.
S-Perfume = clean, skin-scent musk.
Ramon Monegal Agar Musk = oud musk; haven’t tried it but highly recommended by a friend and this line is really well-made.
Annick Goutal Musc Nomade is also interesting. I don’t know if you’re looking for something less mainstream that these. BTW, Guerlain Encens Mythique is an amazing musk perfume, both clean and incredibly animalic, but I have no idea how this would smell on a man. Also the Tom Ford Private Collection Musks were interesting and I hear they might be being phased out.
Cosigning Musc Ravageur if you want something distinctive but easy to love.
For something a little more mainstream but still a true musk, Kiehl’s Original Musk No. 1 is pretty can’t-miss, I would say.
But as Poodle mentioned, then there’s a whole other category of very clean musks, and I just don’t know those very well (at least for men’s fragrances). If you think that could be what you’re looking for (it could be!), I think my advice would be to go into Sephora. I know it’s not very dude-friendly but it does have a whole men’s fragrance section plus a new electronic catalogue. A sales associate can search it for you (or just help yourself) for “musk”, then let you sniff a variety of different things.
You can do same in a department store of course, but without a catalogue you have to rely on the knowledge of sales associates, who don’t always have a lot of background training.
I am having an educate-your-nose afternoon with some Kusmi tea and comparing Ormonde Woman and Man. I like both a lot, am coming to the end of my samples and need to decide what to do. I have always thought them very similar, but side-by-side I can clearly smell the difference (especially in the beginning): Woman is softer and balmier with the grass oil and and a hint of florals, Man is sharper and spicier, with the juniper and pepper. I am keeping my third forest-favourite, Forest Walk close by for reference and it seems almost fresh and floral next to the others 🙂
I have a London trip planned for April…
SOTD is Czech & Speake’s Dark Rose, which had been hidden at the back of my perfume closet and forgotten for nearly a year as it was upstaged by newer arrivals. I’d forgotten how much I like it and must wear it more often.
I like Dark Rose too. I might easily have bought a FB is it were available in anything smaller than 100 ml, but I did get a good-sized decant. For some reason, I get very few comments from others on my fragrance (I do try to wear it politely), but DR is one of the few that has gotten me a compliment.
Hello and happy Sunday. My decant of jour d’Hermes arrived yesterday. The first whoosh was a bit sweet and I thought I was safe but within a few minutes I kept catching a whiff of something lovely. I am smitten- it trills on my skin. Hope a FB is available in my town very soon ;).
Today is my birthday, and I received two bottles of perfume from my daughters and a beautiful silk scarf from my husband. In addition, I ordered a bottle of L’Ambre des Merveilles at 20 % off as a little present to myself 😉
Happy, happy day! And congrats on such lovely, scented gifts. 🙂
Thank you, Rapple!
Happy Birthday!
Thanks, Poodle!
Happy Birthday, Farouche!
Thank you, Hajusuuri!
Happy birthday! What bottles did you get from your daughters?
Hi C.H., My daughters gave my PdN L’Eau Chic and Yuzu Rouge. My brother and sister-in-law knocked me over by giving me the Parfums MDCI Discovery Set, which I had been drooling over for years. We don’t usually go overboard with family gifts, but this was a thank-you of sorts for a favor rendered. It’s an absolutely gorgeous set if anyone is tempted 😉
Ooh la la, that sounds like a very happy birthday indeed! Do you already know some of the MDCIs or is this all new? I have not tried any, very envious…
Happy Birthday, farouche – Those are some lovely gifts! 😀
Seeing your name always makes me smile and want to come sit by you. Yumminess!
Hi Oh Lily, Come sit by me anytime! 🙂
Aw, thank you! You may regret your kind offer if it’s warm where you are, because I probably wouldn’t leave til May. 😉
Adding a Happy Birthday: hope you think of how much you are loved with every spritz! – what wonderful presents:)
I do, Merlin. I feel so fortunate 🙂
Happy Birthday!
Thanks, Lys!
Happy belated birthday! Your family has lovely taste, and congrats on scoring Ambre de Merveilles at a discount. : ) The MDCI set has me intrigued. It’s a line I have yet to try.
Good morning, all! So, I didn’t manage to get all of my homework or grading done yesterday, so I am going to have to keep slogging away at those tasks today. 🙁
I decided to wear Une Rose Chypree today. Always lovely, but I’m noticing that it also smells rather fabulous mixed with the scents of the apple crisp I just prepped. The crisp has lime and cinnamon (I will add raspberries before I pop it in the oven), and those two really are pleasant with the URC!
Apple crisp is my favorite! Get back to work!!!! 😉
Ha! How did you know that cooking was one of my favorite ways to procrastinate?!
Oh, I like to participate in on-line forums!
LOL! No need to worry about your tone online(as mentioned above), that comment really was priceless!
*update AND Happy Dance!*
The grading is done. 🙂 Monday, after the obligatory, mind-numbing morning meetings, I will have to enter grades/finalize them, but I won’t have to actually ASSESS anything. So, YAY!
Of course, that still leaves my own homework. Bleh. Of course, if folks keep responding to my posts, I’ll have this really rewarding distraction to pull me away from time to time!
*cough* Merlin *cough cough* !!! 😀
Well I think this would be a good time for some of that apple crisp you made earlier. A girl’s gotta eat you know.
😀
I agree, some sort of nourishment is in order!
Sadly, I can only enjoy the crisp from afar tonight. It is for a coworker’s birthday, and I think it would be frowned upon if I took a nibble out of the corner before we meet together!