That's right, it was cinnamon bun day in Sweden yesterday. Never too late to celebrate!
Meantime, we're doing our same old open thread poll: talk about anything you like — the perfume you’re wearing today, the perfume you wore the most in the last week, the perfume that smelled great on someone else but not on you, whatever.
Or, ask a question about fragrance, then see if anyone else has asked a question that you can answer…
Note: image is Cinnamon Buns [cropped] by Steve Johnson at flickr; some rights reserved.
I would eat one of those cinnamon buns right now!
My perfume of the day is Prada Amber Pour Homme. Just used the last spray and my bottle is finished now. It was the first perfume I bought with my own money from tutoring so it has a sentimental value to me.
I would too!
I got a surprise package from Kilian earlier this week with samples of Playing with the Devil and Good Girl Gone Bad. Both are fairly typical Calice-Becker-for-BK style (I do know that GGGB is not hers) and neither are very me but I didn’t hate them.
I got a lot of slightly dirty peach from Paying with the Devil, but it either has some musks that I’m anosmic to or just a terrible lasting power because it mostly disappeared after only a couple of hours. GGGB has quite a pleasant sandalwood drydown which I’m enjoying on my sweater today.
Hi Abyss! I also got a package from By Kilian with samples of Playing with the Devil and Good Girl Gone Bad in few days ago. I knew the latter one earlier and Playing with the Devil didn’t wow me. It is a good fruity floral perfume but nothing else. And it also didn’t last long on my skin.
Thanks, Lucas! Perhaps like it’s not just my nose, then. I sprayed it on fabric too which usually makes most things last a while.
Once I was at a cafe in Berlin and these people beside me were having a conversation about Cinnabon. One was explaining that they went to the US and had these Cinnabons which are these crazy little cakes, etc. And it sounded like it was a completely foreign concept to them. After that I assumed cinnamon buns were an American thing. Maybe it was just new to those individuals. There are even some Cinnabon locations in Germany (I looked it up) but there aren’t any in Berlin.
I’m not wearing anything today. Yesterday I found some samples that I completely forgot about. A few Ava Luxe samples and Menard L’Eau de Kasaneka. All of them got put in the bag that I’m giving to my sister.
I’m really wanting to try Black Rosette and I don’t know if I should order a sample because I’m trying to only make absolutely essential purchases this month.
Oh, that’s interesting! My fear would be that if Cinnabon is their only experience with a cinnamon roll, then they haven’t had a really excellent, true cinnamon roll! My step-mother was a professional baker, and I was spoiled with delicious, yeast-risen cinnamon rolls and sticky buns as a child. I wouldn’t bother to eat anything less fabulous than that!
I do not like cinnamon buns but I feel the same way about red velvet. A lady who went to the church I used to go to was a retired professional cake baker from South Carolina (I live in northern VA. She moved to the DC area to be closer to her son). She would bring red velvet cakes to luncheons and once I won an entire cake during a cake walk!! So seeing people obsessing over these fake red velvet cakes just really irritates me. My internet friend from Michigan swears you can get delicious red velvet cake there but I do not for a second believe she’s had a real red velvet cake. Especially since she eats prepackaged red velvet cupcakes.
Yes! I fear my stepmother spoiled me for most baked goods! I’ve had delicious red velvet cakes from high-end, scratch bakeries, but they don’t come in plastic tins. 🙂 My real nemesis in commercial baking is the frosting–most commercial frostings are over-sweet and taste like chemicals and shortening to me. Not worth the calories.
My dad just retired and a woman brought cupcakes (including fake red velvet), which he took phone. I ate three of them in one day against my better judgement. This was on Thursday and I am still recovering from the sugar. Then today someone forced me to take a donut and then my boss brought me a box of cookies since I’m leaving soon. People think I have a big sweet tooth for whatever reason but I actually really don’t. Salty foods (and tomato juice with added sea salt and pepper) are my vices.
I suppose it probably seems rude, but I refuse sweets pretty much whenever they’re offered to me. At work, I’ve developed the reputation of being “the healthy one.” Of course, it’s nice to be healthy, but I also just don’t want to eat things that taste bad!
People constantly bring cake and candy to my work site, mostly not very good and certainly not healthy. I use wearing orthodontic dental retainers as an excuse to pass. 😉
Noz, it’s always good to have a handy excuse! I think folks have been less likely to press me about desserts over the past year since I’ve noticeably lost weight (over 45 pounds so far!)–people just assume I’m trying to preserve my figure! I think it’s somehow more palatable for folks to think I’m depriving myself than to think I’m just a food snob! 😀
That’s so true, MR!
Over 45 pounds! Wow! You go, girl!
MR-If you want a wonderful cinnamon roll recipe, search the internet for the Dog Team Tavern Sticky Bun recipe. It takes approx. 6 hours to make but it’s worth it.
I’ve got an Egyptian friend who’s crazy about Cinnabon and will take an hour-long taxi ride through Cairo’s crazy traffic to get it 😀
This topic has started a craving and I’d settle for a Cinnabon now. The only shop I know of is miles away!
Eeek, I can walk to the mall and have myself a Cinnabon bun!
I wouldn’t mind a Cinnabon myself, but I haven’t had one in ages as the nearest location is about 50 miles away.
I assume you gave away the Ava Luxe samples because you didn’t like them. I’m curious to know which scents they were. I have several Ava Luxe scents and, although I wear them very seldom, I find them nicely done (and uncomplicated).
Vamp, Biba, Ingenue. I also had Film Noir, which I had in my bag of samples that I like for a long time but upon the most recent review, I decided to put it with the samples that I’m giving away.
I didn’t find them bad but I don’t have any desire to wear them.
I’d like to try Cafe Noir, The Noir, Absinthe, and Sweet Absinthe.
I used a full sample of Moroccan Mint Tea.
This reminds me of my 3 year old’s favorite movie, “Bee Movie” wherein Barry (protagonist bee) argues with his friend, who thinks Barry should cease interacting with humans:
Barry: Do you know what a Cinnabon is?!?
Friend: No…
Barry: It’s bread! And frosting! And cinnamon! They heat it up!
Happy weekend!
Just spent three days with my kids at Outdoor School–only fragrance I wore for those days in the woods was a little sandalwood essential oil. I’m so happy that I’m back home, the sun is shining (it was COOoooold and wet most of time!), and I can wear PERFUME again! 😀
I’m thinking I will wear Zeta today while the weather is sunny–plenty of time for the heavy orientals in the coming weeks!
I sampled Zeta for a few days and didn’t like it enough to get an FB, but for some reason it’s been haunting me ever since 🙂 It’s so soft and fluffy, if I had to pin a texture to the scent, and there’s nothing else quite like it.
I think you describe it very well! Before this summer, which was unusually humid for Oregon, I didn’t have much appreciation for the light, airy scents. But I found myself feeling overwhelmed by my usual, heavier scents and reached for Zeta a lot! That fluffiness was precisely what I wanted.
That makes sense, because I don’t often stray far beyond orientals either, and I don’t wear rose or jasmine at all, but Zeta was probably the first floral I loved (if you can consider it that.) Unfortunately I associate rose and jasmine with soap and bath products, and the only other florals I’ve loved were Lys Mediterranee and Un Lys…
I know what you mean about rose and jasmine scents. It has taken me a while to warm up to rose (still haven’t warmed to jasmine). I avoid the lighter, sweeter roses because they *do* just smell like soap to me, but the heavier, more complicated roses have won me over–especially this last half year or so. If it has enough spice and avoids musk, then I like them!
Like Lyric and Carnal Flower? 🙂 I don’t comment here as often as I used to, but I do lurk quite a bit, and I think I remember you mentioning those as well as some issues you had with getting FMs in the mail. Glad it all ended well.
Tuberose is a whole ‘nother matter! I respect Carnal Flower, but I can’t quite get myself to wear it. Lyric is beautiful, though!
Do you wear Zeta a lot? I’m having weird deja vu in this post. I swear I’ve read your comment and lucasai’s comment before. Sometimes I think I may be psychic. I give people advice that seems to make no sense so they ignore it then later they say something unlikely happened and they should have listened to me. But they never learn -__-”
I bought Zeta this summer and lived in it for nearly a month, so I’ve probably mentioned it several times! 🙂 There won’t be too many more days that it will seem appropriate, so I’ll enjoy it while I can.
Funny about the advice–I do feel that some people see patterns and intuit concerns better than others. However we call that, it worthwhile to listen to our gut.
Oh–and that conversation about home fragrance products got me to lemming to Pier One last weekend! I bought some reed diffusers–really like the citrus cilantro that I found on clearance. I’m probably gonna swing by and see if there are any more to stock up with! Good for me and good for bunco gifts. 🙂
Citrus cilantro sounds nice, I should head over there too…
It’s quite nice. I wouldn’t describe it as “cilantro,” but it has a subtle greenness to it without being too sweet (which I find most room scents). I put the diffuser in my bathroom, and it’s perfect–clean smelling and not overpowering.
Ooh, Bunco gifts! I just joined a bunco group in my town, and I’m already sweating hosting. The first one I went to really outdid herself.
Is it a very big group? For me the biggest part of the work is cleaning my house and rearranging things enough for up to 15 guests! We don’t go crazy over decor or whatever, and meals are usually shared in pairs so no one has to cook it all for everyone. Sure is a lot of fun, though!
My house is a bit smaller, so one of the tables will have to be in the playroom. It was mostly the array of food… baked brie, meatballs in the crock pot, and lots of little bowls of luscious all over the house. Hey, as long as I have enough wine, I’m sure it’ll be great!
Yeah, my house is on the small end, too–plenty big enough for me, but small for so many guests! We set up three tables–one in my guest bedroom, one between the sofa and love seat, and the dining table. Every new round, people had to get up and get out of the way to squeeze between the sofa table!
I blind-bought 125 ml of Yatagan recently, so I’m wearing that today and burning some jasmine incense from the local bazar. Yatagan has a very distinctive marijuana note in the opening and dries down to an herbal, masculine powerhouse.
Things are cooling down here in Cairo… The military curfew has been pushed forward to midnight, so I’m looking forward to going out more and wearing this beauty as the evenings get chillier.
Hey, that’s a bold blind buy, glad you like it!
Super happy to hear things are calming there!
Oh no, I spoke too soon. Stay safe Dominika.
Ads for the Azzaro Duo perfume keep showing up and I don’t understand why it had to be that perfume with that bottle design of all perfumes.
Yesterday, I ordered a five-pack of samples from Olympic Orchids. I have high hopes for the Golden Cattleyea. I have been ordering a ton of samples lately. Today, I’m trying Voluspa’s Jasmine Brown Sugar, which smells like Nag Champa. I enjoyed all of the changes that Cocoa Tamarind by Voluspa went through.
It’s cooling off around here, and I’ve been wearing Royall Spyce all week. The other day, my husband hugged me, nuzzled my neck, and said “Mmmmm … carnation.” Now I now why I like Royall Spyce — it’s like a carnation cologne.
On a completely unrelated note, if you need to lower your blood pressure (and your perfume of choice isn’t working), there is a 4-minute video of a sloth on a bed cuddling and grooming a cat that I found on-line recently (a search by “sloth hugs cat” should work; I wish that they would NOT add corny music). The sloth gets a little too close to the cat’s eyes (sloths have long claws) a couple of times, but overall, you can tell the cat is enjoying things. Cats don’t like sudden moves, so I can see how a slow-moving sloth would make a great cuddling partner 🙂
OK, so “enjoying things” might be a bit much. I think the cat likes some of it, and that it is also a very patient kitty 🙂
Videos to raise the blood pressure? That’s easy:
For nature-lovers:
– A wolverine (the animal, not the superhero) running in the snow: http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/episodes/wolverine-chasing-the-phantom/video-the-phantom/6055/
– The mating dance of the peacock spider
For baseball fans:
1. The 2001 World Series (and many others)
I have the opposite problem. What video should I search for for higher blood pressure??
LOL! I’m in the same boat as you.
You’d be welcome into my 7th grade science class anytime! Pretty sure they can raise the blood pressure of anyone! (Love ’em anyway, of course!)
Videos to raise the blood pressure? That’s easy:
For nature-lovers:
– A wolverine (the animal, not the superhero) running in the snow: http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/episodes/wolverine-chasing-the-phantom/video-the-phantom/6055/
– The mating dance of the peacock spider
For baseball fans:
1. The 2001 World Series (and many others)
I have never smelled Royall Spyce…is it close to Old Spice then?
I do see similarities between Royall Spyce and Old Spice, but Royall Spyce smells more natural; you can really make out its individual spices; and it isn’t floral (at least to my nose). I do like Old Spice, but I can’t wear it because is burns on contact. Yikes!
Interesting, thanks so much!
I am sampling Undergreen Pink today (verdict: too sweet and pretty for me) but will soon change to Santal Majuscule or L’Ambre des Merveilles before heading out to dinner. I wore Dia almost every day to work last week and only the fear of finishing my sample led me to switch to my (newly acquired) Clair de Musc on Friday!
Hi Sunset Smells,
What is Clair de Musc like? I’m looking for a musk skin scent and that one might be a candidate.
Looks yummy.
Yesterday, I went to Barneys NYC to arrange for a pre-sale for the Beauty Bag Event (10/14-10/17). It was my first visit since the beauty floor renovation was completed. I don’t exactly know when it was completed as the last time I was there was in June and half the floor was blocked off. The floor is now brighter (but not garish), there’s more space between the counters, it has a nice flow BUT, other than most of the candles consolidated in one section, the placement of perfumes / make up / skin care defies logic (OK, maybe they are grouped by owner or distributor, but I, for one don’t really pay attention to that). Perhaps the idea is for shoppers to “discover” as they walk around OR maybe an attentive SA is supposed to walk around with you as you tell him/her what you want??? If it were up to me, I would just place the brands in alphabetical order.
Anyway, my main goal was to visit the Le Labo City Exclusives and scored samples of Cuir 28, Gaiac 10, and Limette 37. I already have all the others from generous swappers!. Gaiac, my SOTD, is FBW, in addition to Vanille 44. I have to spend more time with Cuir and Limette.
Other perfume samples:
– Serge Lutens La Vierge de Fer – the paper strip smelled of sweet flowers and a hint of peach…and did not wow me then. I have to wear it to decide. It is currently only available as a Bell Jar.
– Terry de Gunzburg Flagrant Delice (fig, citrus fruits, flowers, bitter almond, tonka bean, vanilla, musk) – BTW, she is visiting Barneys NYC on 10/10.
I’ll be interested to check out the Barneys layout next time I’m in NYC. The last time I was there, I attracted the attention of a very aggressive Le Labo rep who become cross with me when I wouldn’t let her spritz me (she was pushing something–don’t recall which one– that isn’t my thing). I recently acquired a sample of Vanille 44, which I like–don’t normally consider myself a vanilla person.
Same on Vanille 44–generally I am a pretty hardened vanilla phobe but I fell for this one! (Figures that it would be wildly expensive and usually difficult to find!)
Oooh, I would have literally yelled at that S.A. and called the manager to instantly reprimand the S.A. AND apologize to me. I usually would not make a scene but I consider unwanted perfume spray assault.
Interesting about the Barney’s remodel–my first thought at how I would want a perfume floor to be organized was to say to ignore house and organize them by scent category–all the green chyprees together, etc. But then I think about how different a Malle would be from a Jo Malone, and then I think that’s a bad idea. . . and now I’m not sure!
I easily get lost so I prefer to have some logical sequence. The streets in midtown Manhattan are in numerical order, both north to south and east to west. I’m pretty sure this is true of many places but 2 neighborhoods I recall being in alphabetical order are the Sunset District in San Francisco and also downtown Portland near/around Pioneer Square Mall.
I hear you, though, on why it’d be nice to have things grouped roughly by some kind of substantive category rather than by brand. I got cornered by a rep at Nordstrom’s this week wanting to show me the Chanel line–even if I were new to Chanel’s department store offerings, once I’d found one I sort of liked, what I’d like to be able to say next is, “Okay the No. 19 and its flanker seem nice but not quite right; where can I find five more things that are sort of like this?” Continuing through their brand would not help me much in that endeavor! But I guess that’s as much a question of financial organization of perfume sales as it is physical organization!
(Ok also I am just mad that she deemed me not the kind of person who could wear No. 19, and sprayed Chance Eau Tendre on me instead. Sigh.)
I am constantly quietly insulted by SAs who try to sell me on youthful fruity florals which are completely boring and identical. It’s hard to find a polite way to tell them that I probably know more about what they’re trying to sell than they do.
What I’m still stumped by is how aggressively some people will police those boundaries, even when it’s at odds with their own economic interest! This is not the first time I’ve had an SA refuse to show me the bottle I was interested in because they felt it didn’t match my perceived age/gender. I get there could be incentives to sell certain bottles, but still I’d think they’d rather I get something than nothing.
Yes, it’s that notion of “like this but more X” that makes me kinda want them grouped by type instead of house. It would suit my shopping more often then not, I expect!
You know, it makes me realize, kudos to Sephora for that electronic database they have in many of their stores now; I think it’s basically a gesture toward this idea. Can’t say I’ve ever used it because now I tend to go in there looking for something specific, but I think it could really be enormously helpful for someone new to perfume. I know I felt like I had to do sooooo much reading on perfume before I had any business even approaching perfume counters (because indeed, how would I ever follow a trail of things I liked in the stores?) The barriers to entry really shouldn’t be that high–everyone should get to sniff -alongside- their perfume reading 😉
It’s funny–I felt like I needed to do research to “have any business” at a perfume counter, too, but now, a few short years later, I feel like I know too much to be comfortable at the perfume counter! I think the folks who would be the most comfortable at the perfume counter (minus lovely places like Barney’s who treat you wonderfully, regardless) are the ones who have a signature scent and just want to branch out a bit.
Ha yes–a bit ironic but I guess it’s a good system for being forced to try things OTHER than what you know you like 🙂
(Seriously though, free economics dissertation topic–does this not fly in the face of what the free marketers say their system will produce? It seems like massive inefficiency, that there should be so many perfumes yet so many obstacles to getting a product you actually like, as a consumer.) (Wait, more fun than econ dissertation–Planet Money episode!)
Good that they have finished the renovations there 🙂
I practically forgot that Le Labo City Exclusives left their homes a while ago. I wish I could go to some store and smell them all! I only know Limette 37 and Gaiac 10 as they were sent to me by a kind reader. I’d be curious to hear what you think about Cuir 28, it’s a new one.
Lucasai, are you planning to review the Gaiac? Would be interested to know what you thought!
Am considering writing a review of it. But first I want to take care of few latest releases.
Lucasai, would love to know what you think of Limette. It sounds appealing but is so spendy. Have to go to NY, might be time to try.
SOTD PoTL Luctor et Emergo. Fall feels like the perfect time to wear it.
Thinking of sampling Chanel Coromandel and Beige, any thoughts? I seem to recall, Robin, that you are not a fan of Beige but could be mixing things up.
Hi Anngd!
You can read my review of Limette 37! I posted it earlier in the summer.
Here’s the link: http://chemistinthebottle.wordpress.com/2013/06/15/le-labo-limette-37/
Will do, thanks!
Hajusuuri, I’d be so interested to hear more about how the Gaiac is wearing on you, as it seemed not to agree with my skin at all. Actually I’ve been meaning to try it on a scarf to see if that does better, maybe I’ll do that today. But I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Hi C.H. – Gaiac 10 wears very close to the skin and on me, smells like a freshly ironed shirt with a hint of citrus. But for its price, if I end up owning a bottle, this one is worthy of overspraying because you will smell good to you and not offend anyone else.
Oh that’s so useful to hear–now I def need to retest my sample on a scarf, because on my skin it really did not play so nicely! (Now, if only I knew where my sample has gotten to!)
Well, after realizing that I hadn’t bought anything the last quarter, I immediately started ordering samples. Also, I recently stated that I’ll never do a blind buy. Now I need to contradict myself. So, never say never. One of the shops in Holland where I buy samples had some special offers. One was a nearly full tester of Five O’Clock Gingembre. It was her only bottle — she doesn’t carry SL. It’s something I’ve been planning to try out, but I decided to take a chance. It cost me € 55 for nearly 50 ml, which I consider a good deal. Well, it was a risk worth taking. I love it! Mmmmmmmmmm.
I’m busy test-driving the other samples. So far, I’ve worn Carner Barcelona D 600 and Rima XI. I liked both of these and find them somewhat similar. I’m not sure which I like better and will have to try them a few times more. I don’t know if I’ll find one fbw.
Next, I tried MDCI En Levemant Au Serail. I really expected to fall in love with it, but I didn’t like it at all. Luca Turin and I sometimes don’t see eye to eye. For example, I love Cartier’s Le Baiser du Dragon, and LT trashed it.
I next tried Frapin 1270 and Miller Harris Geranium Bourbon. The Frapin 1270 was like a sedate, polite family member of Badley Mishka. I never smelled the cognac. The drydown was a lovely, sweet vanilla. Nice, but not for me. The Miller Harris was something I expected to fall crazy in love with, after all the positive reviews I’d read. Also, I grow scented geraniums and really love the rose geraniums. This was almost a scrubber for me. I like diva scents, but this was like a nuclear bomb! All I used was one small spritz from the little decant sprayer, but I think you could have smelled it a couple of meters away. The opening was very interesting. It was just like cutting into the stem of a plant — a true, sharp green scent. It took a while before the geranium stepped to the fore and eventually morphed into very strong rose, but not a rose I like. It was just too, too powerful. About eight hours later, the geranium note was nice and spicy, but the rose was too sweet and too strong. I’m a rose lover, but this is one I’ll stay away from.
Today, I wearing Parfum d’Empire Osmanthe Interdite and I love it. I want to get to the Hermes boutique one of these days and test-drive Osmanthus Yunnan. Then I’ll decide whether to get one or both of them. My gardener planted an Osmanthus Fragrans in my garden this summer and I hope it survives the winter and maybe blooms next year.
Tomorrow, I plan to test-drive Amouage Fate — both the men’s and women’s versions.
I tested some Maison Dorin perfumes a few months ago and made notes for myself. On the whole, they were very disappointing. I’ll report back on these tomorrow.
Hi Jonette! This means you are feeling better and can smell! Yay!
Congratulations on the purchases 🙂
Thank you! I’m still taking cough medicine, but yes, my nose is clear and I am making the most of my sense of smell.
I’ve ordered more samples– the Discovery Set from Juliet Has a Gun.
I wanted to order a sample set from Nose. After they were mentioned here, I visited their site and did their diagnostic and filled in my preferences. I really liked their recommendations, so decided to try a few times more with other perfumes I own. None of their other recommendations were as appealing as their first ones, but for the love of me, I don’t recall what I filled in, so have been unable to get the same recommendations. I wrote to them twice, asking if I could order the original recommended samples, and have not received a reply. Phooey!
I also have had no reply from Dorissima. I wanted to find out where I could sample Narziss and Goldmund, or whether I could buy samples from them.
You might check your spam folder–when I’ve done their diagnostic, they’ve always emailed me the recs automatically, and I do think maybe they got caught in my spam filter initially.
Hi and thanks. I had received the recs, but because I tried some other preferences, when I went back to the site, the original recommendations were gone. I have been unable to remember which perfumes I typed in for preferences to arrive at the original recommendations. That’s what happens when you have a lot of favorites. I wrote to them (twice) and explained what happened and even listed the fragrances they recommended and told them that is the sample kit I want to order. But they haven’t replied. I’m wondering if I should bother to call them in France (and hope I get an English-speaking person on the phone). Yes, I could order the samples individually, but they have a good deal on the sample kit.
Ohhh I see. Bummer! Yes I’d certainly think that if you showed them the list, they’d be willing to sell you a kit! Bet it’s worth a call–I’ve never ordered anything from them but I figure companies that have English websites must be accustomed to fielding calls from English-speaking customers.
It’s good to see your nose is back in the game Jonette!
I just love Carner Barcelona. I find all their perfume to be very good. My favorite is D600, which I own in a bottle (it was my birthday gift back in February) and then it’s Tardes and Cuirs. I like Rima XI too but it’s my least favorite one in the line. They just introduced a travel size set of 2 x 15mls of Rima XI and Tardes.
Osmanthus Interdite is great. If you like the bottle – do get it soon. Parfum d’Empire will be changing bottles with the beginning of 2014.
Hi Lucas. It’s because of your reviews that I ordered the CB samples. Don’t you find D600 and Rima XI similar? I guess my nose is not that good at discerning the notes.
Thanks for the info on Osmanthus Interdite. I would love to find Tea for Two (to try it, or even a blind buy with an affordable price). Any ideas? I don’t use Ebay.
One of my favorite perfumes is Atelier Cologne’s Oolang Infini, so I’m planning on trying other tea scents.
Just adding: do you mean they are discontinuing the fragrance, or just changing the bottle?
They’re NOT discontinuing any of the perfumes. Only changing bottles. I guess they realized that column bottles cannot be stacked on perfumeries shelves so they’ll be probably opting for some rectangular flacon shape.
I’m really honored that my reviewes made you interested in Carner Barcelona scents.
I find D600 and Rima XI to be very different. On my skin D600 smells of a woody iris while Rima XI smells of roasted nuts, hot cardamom and dry, resinous amber. I guess everything is a matter of your skin.
Jonette, I can send you a sample of Tea for Two if you’d like.
How very kind of you, Poodle. I’m writing to you at your Pokey address which I found in a previous post. If it doesn’t reach you, let me know and I’ll post my email addy here.
Congrats on the SL 🙂 With maybe two or three exceptions (his funky florals) I’d buy just about any SL if I found it on sale.
From what I remember, Le Baiser du Dragon was a syrupy sweet patchouli bomb on me that I didn’t want to love, but did.
Thanks, Dominika. This was the first SL I’ve tried and am glad it was love at first sniff.
Isn’t it funny how differently we can experience the same scent? On me, the Cartier is a delicious, none-too-sweet Amaretto and has something very elegant about it. I can only wear it if I’m wearing chic clothes. I’m a patch-aholic, but don’t smell the patchouli in this.
I sampled it a few years ago, when I attended a talk/workshop on patchouli at a local niche perfume shop… it wasn’t an earthy patch by any means, and the saleswoman introduced it with an apologetic disclaimer: it was way sweeter than anything else we sampled that night. I also remember loving Pro Fumum Roma’s patch – a very full-bodied, oily and grand patch with a pricetag to match… Borneo and Coromandel are still my favourite patches, though. Can you, or anyone else, suggest something from the mainstream that’s remotely similar to those? I don’t have access to much niche at the moment…
My favorite patchouli is still Santa Maria Novella Patchouli. I’ve been wearing it for many years (a bottle lasts forever, because it’s very strong juice, and it doesn’t go off). It’s not considered mainstream, though. On Makeup Alley, one reviewer wrote “along with Coromandel, Borneo and Jalaine- absolutely the best patchouli on the face of the planet!!”
I haven’t tried those, so I can’t personally comment. The SMN Patchouli soap is wonderful, too. You should be able to order samples online and maybe the actual cologne as well. It is called cologne, but I consider it perfume extrait strength. A little dab is all you need and it will last a full day.
I also like Mistral Patchouli, but that’s a very different take on patchouli. SMN is the best ever, in my opinion.
I’ve turned my dad on to L’Artisan Patchouli Patch–I know L’Artisan is still niche, but it’s pretty well distributed, so it’s worth a check! It’s patchouli, but spicy and complicated. (I was trying to wean my dad off of his favorite pure patchouli oils which could be a bit overpowering and dated smelling!)
My favorite patchouli is a perfume oil from Attar Bazaar called “Tunisian Patchouli”. I believe it’s around eight bucks for a dram.
I’m afraid this is also not mainstream, but if you like Borneo 1834 and Coromandel, you must try CdG Luxe Patchouli. It’s very much in the same ballpark, and is very dark, smokey, a bit tarry, resiny, and syrupy. It’s very potent. It’s pretty expensive but you can try it in a $4 sample from Luckyscent.
Oh, I love Geranium Bourbon! But then, I love nuclear bomb scents. 🙂
I wear Jungle Elephant and some very strong Montales and Amouages. So I’m not a stranger to strong fragrances. But this was truly nuclear! I’m happy that you love it and can wear it. I’m very curious as to what your other nuclear perfumes are.
I just did the same after the damage poll and realizing I got nothing last quarter! I am eagerly awaiting a whole mess of samples and decants which are winging towards me right now. Great that you love the SL, what good luck. You surely would have been able to swap it, anyway.
Yesterday I got an email from L’Occitane about their new limited edition soliflore hand creams/body butters: jasmine, rose and violet.
Jasmine sounds tempting.
Hey, tempting to me too! I would love some jasmine hand cream, thanks, will check it out.
I wish we had a day dedicated to cake in the UK. We are supposed to eat a heavy fruit cake with marzipan and icing at Xmas. I hate fruit cake so much my husband & I had 2 cakes at our wedding: fruit for him and chocolate mousse cake for me. Start as you mean to go on… I would support a movement for a National Cinnamon Bun Day. and my perfume is Tom Ford’s London – spicy and delicious with a coffee note that would go very well with the buns!
What about Mr Kipling Mini Battenberg Day?
I really want to try London. It’s only at his boutique and wouldn’t be at Heathrow would it?
Sorry only at the Sloane Street shop at the moment – it is worth trying. Truly unisex and delicious – could have better longevity but not bad. In 6 months I think they will roll it out.
And ..mmmmm Battenberg – best use of marzipan ever!
I HATE fruit cake — it’s as heavy as a brick is full of my least favorite flavors — alcohol and walnuts. I know that its long shelf-life has practical implications, but gross!!!
Oh – the alcohol! My mother used to start making the Xmas cake in September, and poke holes with a knitting needle and pour a measure of brandy into the cake every month til December. The family would still be eating it in March – hideous! Always gave everyone indigestion.
Ugh! Why add more alcohol every month?! I soak the dried fruits in a little brandy and then the cheesecloth I wrap the fruitcake in is soaked also. That’s it! Maybe 2 cups liquid for about 6 loaves of fruitcake. It adds a lovely fragrance to the bread, but doesn’t really impart any flavor after it’s been curing for a month or so.
I was looking up recipes for a molasses cake and I found a cake that is a specialty of some Portuguese island and they said that it can be consumed the entire year (as in the cake has a shelf life of 12 months). The cake I made did hold up pretty well but it lasted a week. How small of pieces are these people eating if the cake can last 12 months?
There’s a central/eastern European honey cake called Medovik and it also stays good for a long time but it doesn’t last very long because it is too delicious not to eat within a week.
I’ve eaten fruitcake (my recipe) that sat wrapped in the bottom of my fridge for over 2 years–the alcohol plus the lack of moisture makes it last forever, as far as I can tell!
I don’t drink at all, but I have a fruitcake recipe (from my stepmother, natch) that uses pear brandy as the soaking liquid and only natural, dried fruits and nuts (NO gumdrops, etc!). It is absolutely delicious, and I’ve converted many people with it over the years! I do not like traditional rum cakes for the strong liquor flavor, and I never like those processed froots so many people bake with around the holidays, but this recipe really breaks the mold.
Niederegger makes William Christ marzipan, I think just seasonally though.
Kindcrow, I had to laugh at how vehement you are! I like (don’t love) to eat fruitcake, but I have several fragrances that probably make me smell like one, and that I love.
🙂 Smelling like a fruitcake could be good, I think. Also, I am willing to try new things, and I think that I would try anything that Marjorie Rose baked — even her fruitcake 🙂
I agree. Her baking exploits often have me drooling at the computer.
If anyone dares to call me a “fruitcake”, I won’t know if it’s because I’m crazy or because of my perfume. 🙂
I love fruitcake – but only my mum’s. She was a professional baker though so that might explain it. Her fruitcake was moist, crumbly and did not have any alcohol ( so didn’t last very long). I think she melted the sugar before adding it to the batter, and it gave the cake such a lovely texture. And good butter as well.
We in the UK have the great british bake off instead?
I was at IKEA today and their buns were 6 for $2.99 because it’s National Cinnamon Bun Day! Well, it’s from Oct. 4 to 6.
Russell Baker was an american humorist whose columns used to be syndicated in newspapers across the US. (Yes my comment goes back to the days of newspapers and columists). Although his columns were mostly about politics, he had one famous column called “The Fruitcake” which he suggested was a family heirloom, passed on from generation to generation, because no body really wanted to eat it.
Another great humorist (Calvin Trillin. suggested that there was only one fruitcake in the world. It would be given as a Christmas gift when visiting a family for the holidays. The family which received didn’t actually want it, so they would give it as a gift to their neighbor who would thank them and then find someone else to give it to…. and on and on. Thus one fruitcake would circulate through eternity.
Actually, I am rather fond of something called a biblical fruitcake, featuring dried (not candied fruits) referred to in the bible, figs, dates, honey, etc.
Does anyone have any experience with how long one may keep Aftelier edps? Am tempted by a couple, but may stick to decants, because I don’t see myself using fbs.
All this talk of cinnamon buns and cakes makes me want to go into the kitchen and bake something. I’m not going to though because I’ve had more than enough sugar this week.
What is your favorite cake? What is your favorite gourmand perfume?
My favorite cake is Pflaumenkuchen, followed by the molasses cake and the honey cake that I mention a few comments up. My favorite gourmand is PG Coze. Bois D’Ombrie isn’t classified as a gourmand but it smells like prunes so I categorize it as one.
I made this a few weeks ago. First take chocolate, baking chocolate in bars, and melt it. Then take figs (I used the black ones) and split them open. Then slip in a blanched, slightly roasted almond. Cover the fig with chocolate. Add orange zest. I thought they were good. I probably wasn’t the first to do this but I thought of it independently all by myself!!!
My mom’s cranberry cake has always been a favorite. It’s both sweet and tart which I love. Favorite gourmand perfume? Good question. Would Tea for Two or Like This, Tilda Swinton count? I used to like Prada Candy but lately it doesn’t like me. I love a few vanilla scents too. I just got a sample of one of the Guerlain vanilla perfumes and it is really nice but probably not strong enough for me.
Those figs sound really good. I’ll have to try that. I bet they’d be good for company around the holidays.
Your chocolate fig creation sounds amazing, engelwurz!
What I miss are my grandmother’s pies. She had a magic touch with pastry dough. Every other pie crust I’ve ever tried seems tough and hard compared with her light, flaky crusts. Sigh!
My husband’s favourite cake is Coconut and Lime (Delia Smith recipe – she has a website!). It is delicious and although sweet (lots of icing and filling), the tanginess of the limes cuts through the sugar. Highly recommended.
I second this endorsement! Delia Smith’s Coconut and Lime cake is wonderful, and very easy to make.
Thought I’d mention this, if anyone has a few hours to unwind this weekend, this is a great three-part BBC documentary about perfume… I hope it’s ok to post here (not affiliated:)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=annRzLYrRwM
I’m only 2:00 in but Guerlain doesn’t introduce new perfumes often?
The documentary ends on Jean Paul Guerlain’s racial slur, so it’s a few years old, before all the Shalimar flankers.
Absolutely ok, always, to post links to anything except something you’re selling or promoting.
SOTD: Emotionelle – I just felt like some melon.
SOTD: sjp lovely. Again. I’m a bit hooked at the moment tho I may switch to Agent Provacatuer later for dinner out with my beau.
I was wondering if anyone had a suggestion for something like a more modern Lou Lou? It’s one of the few perfumes my mom can wear (woman has some crazy body chemistry) but its really hard to find and a bit strong for every day. I’ve hunted around the internets some but came up dry and I’d love to find her something a little more accessable to try.
I have a bottle of Lou Lou on my dressing table at this very moment. It is hard to find and when I was looking for something similar I discovered Annick Goutal Songes. A lovely jasmine with woods, not heavy or difficult to wear. I also think it smells a little more modern than Lou Lou.
Thank you for the idea! I’ll be ordering a sample to try!
I just bought Lou Lou online from fragrancenet – very inexpensive.
Sotd: kingdom. Such loveliness, discontinued. I had thought of eking it out to the next century but then decided that I am going to enjoy it while it lasted and did three sprays (!). No one asphyxiated in my wake. 🙂
Three cheers for this. I love Kingdom, and while thinking of Alexander McQueen always makes me sad, I also think enjoying beautiful things lavishly while you can sounds like just the right way to wear his perfume!
SOTD is Korrigan. It is cold and drizzling here today and it just seemed right. In fact, I just spritzed a little more on. (It’s about 4:00 PM where I am now.) We had a few warm days during the week, and I got the Emontionelle out then.
Ohh, love Korrigan. Sniffed it at Scent Bar on the rec of a wonderful SA, and she totally nailed it–I found it so moving, even though it’s something I’d never have picked out for myself.
About 6 months ago I found Bvlgari pour Femme for $12 in an op. (thrift) shop. At first I found it musty and unimpressive, but that has turned around and I’m really enjoying it now. Notes include violets, iris, some fruit and spice, woody notes, and tea. (I get the violets and tea quite strongly.)
However, the lasting power on me a quite poor. I need about 5 spritzes – on skin, clothes, hair – to get it to last more than an hour or so, and even then the sillage is very close.
Reviews and comments on the boards suggest that BPF is a fairly subdued thing, but five spritzes for me is massive. I’d be interested to know what other people’s experience of this one has been?
I think a lot of people are anosmic to it. If someone told me that the feminine fragrances from Bvlgari are just water, I’d believe them.
Hmmm … that sounds bad. My five spritzes could be too much for anyone who gets too close. So far I’ve only been wearing BPF at home alone, so that may be what I should keep doing.
I have not tried any of the other feminines: I get put off by the many Omnia flankers, and I’ve heard that Rose Essentielle (or whatever it’s called) is not great. Black is the only other Bvlgari I know.
I’m anosmic to Mitsouko. I try it every now and then, but it might as well be water. Occasionally, I can detect a faint trace of something. This is very frustrating, given all the love others have for it.
Oh darn! That is very sad. It will be no consolation, but I can’t smell Cuir de Russie.
Annemarie, I have Bvlgari black, omnia, and the vert and blanc, and aside from black, 5 spritzes would probably be the least I’d do!! I find them both light and short-lived. I haven’t tried pour femme but it wouldn’t surprise me. So, if you do happen to be knocking people out with 5 sprays- you and me both! 😉
Thanks perthgirl, it sounds as if this is a Bvlgari thing then. (Black disappears on my skin too but I smell is strongly when my son wears it, so I gave mine to him. I wish he’d wear it more often, as it smells superb on him.)
SOTD: L’Artisan Premier Figuier
I’m on a fig kick trying to discover my favorite fig.
Sampled Caligna yesterday and really loved it. It also has fig but not as noticeable as Premier Figuier.
I think PF might be a but too sweet for me, and I hope to try Dyptique’s Philosykos tomorrow.
Enjoying the fig note but my husband a huge fig eater does not get the fig as a note. Guess this will have to be yet another fragrance I wear during the week only when he doesn’t have to smell me all day long.
Arrgghh! 🙂
Fun! I also found Premier Figuier too sweet, and prefer Philosykos, although Pacifica Mediterranean Fig, Jo Malone Wild Fig & Cassis, and Hermes Jardin en Mediterranee are other fig favorites of mine as well (I like all the figs, is what I might be trying to say 🙂 ) Let us know what your favorite winds up being!
In addition to C.H’s mentions, there’s also Ninfeo Mio (my fave fig), and Roger&Gallet have a new? one- Fleur de Figuier, which is a light airy floral fig. I just got the little bottle for $19, and have been using it on my sheets…
It turns too sweet on me, but you might try Womanity. That’s got a nice fig note, and it’s not too hard to find. They had it at my Sephora.
I went searching for a fig this summer, and the one I want to buy (but is on backorder at Our Lady) is Aqua di Parma Fico di Amalfi. It is creamy fig but the opening is a bright grapefruit, which I found very refreshing and light on the hot, humid days of summer. I drained two samples in about a week, I think!
Should mention SSS Fig Tree, too, since it’s the fig that got me searching for other figs! It’s in the green, creamy fig camp. 🙂
Thanks for all of your great suggestions! It seems there are a couple categories of fig fragrances – those that are true fig dominating scents, and those that have fig as a note but it is subtle and not the main star.
I also want to learn more about fig and the fig leaf and how these work in a fragrance composition. The world of fragrance is so fascinating. I’m grateful for this blog and others like it, as well as those who contribute to the discussion as it makes for such a rich and enjoyable experience in my life.
Thank you for bringing it up–I’m excited to try these other suggestions too! 🙂
I have to avoid Cinnabon completely when I go to the mall. I could seriously eat like a half a dozen of the large rolls!!!
I got a Bottega Veneta sample for my hubs, I like it! I don’t like too many men’s scents, so this was a nice outcome!!z We both think it’s full bottle worthy:).
Of course, I meant BV Pour Homme.
Ooh, where did you get this? Last time I dropped into BV they still didn’t have it, but sounds like maybe I should try again?
I bought it off Fleabay.
SotD was Odalisque, which I’ve been wearing a couple of times this week. There’s something in it reminds me of Hermes eau de Merveilles… can someone help me figure out what on earth is reminding me of the Hermes? I am figuring out how to parse some notes, but so many others escape me. Those who are good at picking out different notes, how did you learn them, especially those that one doesn’t encounter in “real” life?
I wish I could remember Odalisque better…sorry I cannot help.
I’ve been test-driving my two Amouage Fate samples for four hours and neither is right for me. I don’t know whether to be relieved or disappointed. I already have two Amouage loves here — Epic Woman (second large bottle in several years) and several samples of Opus V, which I think I’ll finally have to buy a full bottle of someday. I’m also starting to fall in love with Jubilation Woman, of which I also have a few samples.
Amouage Woman is a lovely array of spices, but just not right for me.
For the first half hour, I HATED Amouage Man and had to restrain myself from not trying to scrub it off. I couldn’t even get my nose close to my wrist without recoiling. I couldn’t identify what was putting me off — the only thing I could think of was burnt curry powder. When I went and looked up the notes, I realized it was a licorice note I was smelling, but then to the nth degree, with cumin. It continues, even now, to develop and is tamer and has something very beautiful to it, but the licorice and cumin is not for me. I tend to like masculine scents, but I find this one is truly more suited to a man. Just my opinion.
I’ll try the Jardins d’Ecrivains Wilde on the inside of my elbow later on and report back.
SOTD is Mahora. I just dont get the lack of love here. I smell no funky vase water or decay or any of that. To me it’s just a huge tropical white floral with a lovely heft of tuberose- mentholated and all 🙂 and it has such a lovely bottle! One that Daenerys Targaryen would love 😉
Agreed. I recently received a sample of Mayotte – Guerlains new name for this fragrance – and I just love it.
It stays with me all day, but doesn’t seem to bother others, and it just smells delicious.
A little goes a long way, so my sample should last a while. Also, this is one I prefer dabbing vs. spraying. I think the spray could overwhelm.
Enjoy!! And know there is another fan out there 😉
Okay, I’ve test-driven Jardins d’Ecrivains Wilde and it’s not for me, although it is a fascinating scent. I’m enjoying it, every time I put my nose to my inner elbow. I don’t know why, but it makes me think of libraries and book paper. It ‘s a very good fragrance. I think I’d like it better on a man.
I still want to order a sample of Orlando and maybe more in the series some time in the future.
After my bath, I reapplied Osmanthus Interdite and it is so lovely. It makes me feel happy and conjures up those first warm days of spring when you start smelling flowers on the breeze and it fills you with happy energy after the long winter. Mmmmmmmmm.
Now I’m going to do something I haven’t done in maybe twenty five years: set my hair on large rollers! I always had nearly straight hair. In any case, it was smooth except for humid days, when it would frizz. The heavy medications I was on during my illness changed the texture of my hair. I don’t know if it was the Prednisone or the Methotrexate (I’ve been told the latter is a chemo drug), but I now have someone else’s hair and it’s very disconcerting! My hair is an unruly mass of curls and waves. It’s still very thick, but I can’t do anything with it. I tried a special after-shampoo conditioner for curly hair, but that caused an allergic reaction. Someone suggested rollers, so I’ll try that. Sheeze!
I had stick straight hair as a child but the older I get the curlier it becomes! I always wanted my moms naturally curly hair tho so I’m not complaining. My advice to you is to try and find a hairdresser with curly hair herself. It really is a different animal altogether and having someone who knows how to handle it themselves is a godsend! I usually just put some curl defining gel in mine when wet and let it air dry or blow it dry on low with a diffuser. Good luck!
Oh, Prednisone and Methotrexate!!! I know them both well! I was on high dose Prednisone for 8 months and weekly methotrexate for over 3 years, and it *did* impact my hair! The hair on my head thinned dramatically (although this turned out to be temporary), and for years when I’d get my hair cut, my stylist would comment on it. I had these frizzies that flew all over the place and she’d just have to work around them.
So sorry you have to deal with this regimen, although for me, the methotrexate was more tolerable than the prednisone, and both saved my life. I wish you all the best!
Thank you, Marjorie Rose. They both saved my life, as well. Are you familiar with this fun song? Ain’t it the truth!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYlgtloOztU
Ha! Bad news, you’ll get fat, good news, your CDs will be perfectly alphabetized and your floor will be spotless!!!! 😀 Good to know you’re not alone, huh?!
I do this for my hair. I take 1/2 banana and mash it up, then add olive oil and honey (just a tiny bit of honey and how much olive oil is up to your own discretion) and mix it all together. I work it into the lower half of my hair and then just smooth a thin layer on the top half. Then I put on a shower cap and I clean up (umm maybe some people don’t make a mess but I do) and after that I start my shower. Then I rinse my hair and shampoo (but I don’t need to use conditioner). I do this about every 5 weeks. Some people say if the banana isn’t 100% smooth the chunks will stay in your hair forever. It isn’t been any kind of issue for me (the treatment I found on the internet just uses banana/honey so the olive oil may be making the difference) but anyone who tries it may want to consider that.
I’m trying this. Thanks!
Wow! A gourmand hair conditioner. I can’t wait to try this. Thanks!
I often hear that letting curly hair air dry is a good idea; and that, after washing it, you should mess with it as little as possible — very gentle towel-drying and perhaps a little leave-in conditioner.
Also, if you must comb or brush it, use a really wide-toothed comb and then, only sparingly. So, after washing, if you add a little leave-in conditioner, let your hair air-dry, and very gently squeeze out the excess water with a towel you could end up with some well-defined curls. All of this is from TV and magazines, mind you, and not from personal experience 🙂 My hair is not curly — it is completely kinky/nappy.
I have, naturally very frizzy/curly hair. I have a medium amount of it but each strand is fine. As others have said, get a hairdresser who knows how to work with curly hair – many of them just want to straighten it. I don’t have the patience for elaborate grooming so I have it cut layered (so it doesn’t look flat at the top). I use Charles Wortington Hair Healer to condition it – this one is not too heavy but it works well to untangle and undo knots; I only comb it with the conditioner in. Rinse, and put in some Moroccan oil and non-sticky gel. As its drying I scrunch it up a little. Anyway, this routine has been serving me nicely for a while:)
I’m afraid to buy any more products. My hairdresser sold me the rather pricey I.C.O.N. India Curl Cream, an after-shampoo “wave-curl enhancer” and I had an allergic reaction to it (eyelids got sore). Worst of all, it did nothing for my hair! I regularly use the scented oil from this brand, which has Moroccan argan oil and other good stuff in it and is very nice.
I’ve worn my hair in a rather chic shortish style but it takes so much work to tame it and it still rebels. So now I’m trying to grow it longer, in the hope that the weight will make it behave better. I’ve taken out the rollers and it looks rather nice, but who knows what it will look like when I wake up tomorrow.
I truly appreciate all the advice from all of you who chimed in. Thank you so much!
When I was a teenager I got my hair cut into a boy’s style brush cut and it was NOT a good idea, lol! As it grew longer it started looking like a toilet brush with bristles spraying out in every direction! I’m lazy about cutting so I often let it get too long, halfway down my back and while weight does help, at that length it pulls it like a helmet round my face. Thats why layering helps. But even the shortest pieces are at least shoulder length to control it a little.
Unfortunately, I don’t think I’ll ever manage a really chic or sophisticated style!
About products I totally understand. Each one tried costs $$$. If you are allergic to one from your hairdresser though you may be able to take it back. Generally I don’t find products aimed at curly hair very helpful; often its the ones for dry hair that are better – so long as they are not too heavy. Those little silicone serums just vanish in my hair.
The Charles Worthington Hair Healer costs about $10 – its not from a salon. The only salon products that work for me are Kerestase masks, etc and I don’t like paying Kerastase prices!
One last thing: curly hair does not like to be tamed:) Try to work with it rather than against it – aim for a textured look and for it to be healthy and glossy.
Hope something in all that ramble helps! (Also when buying products check out Makeupalley reviews – they can be quite useful)
I know a couple of women who have had their hair go from straight to curly after chemo. I always wanted curly hair but I guess it’s not without it’s drawbacks- keeping the curls in place! 🙂
Osmanthus interdite is the only one from the line I’ve not spent any time with, but with all the positive comments I see I must remedy that..
Realized that I don’t have work and only a lecture class today so I can wear something bigger than usual, so I’m wearing Iris Ganache. Yay! At this rate I can only wear it once or twice a year but it’s just so wonderful
I promised to review some scents from Maison Dorin that I bought samples of back in May. I took notes on two of them back then. I decided to try the line because I’ve read such promising reviews, and I love Middle Eastern fragrances. This is a perfume house with a long history:
http://perfumeposse.com/2010/09/22/dorin-and-made-in-italy/
On the whole, I was very disappointed. These are the ones I tried.
Un Air d’Arabie Oud, Un Air d’Arabie Rose of Taif, Un Air d’Arabie Amber, Un Air de Damas Fullah, Un Air de Damas Rose.
I only took notes on Fullah and Un Air d’Arabie Oud.
Fulla: UGH! This is supposed to be mainly bergamot, which is a note I love, but this was awful and made me nauseous. I couldn’t scrub it off fat enough.
Un Air d’Arabie Oud: Somewhat fecal opening, then after five minutes, I can smell some iris, like weakened Amouage Opus V with dirty diaper layered over it. Eventually, the iris takes over, but is never as lovely as Opus V.
There was one that I liked, but not loved.I can’t remember which one. I don’t even feel like sniffing them again. I’ll pass these on sometime, maybe offer them in the next swap. Hopefully, someone else will love them.
I tested Jovoy Guardez-Moi again yesterday. Surprisingly, for a Duchaufour, I found it kind of boring. It’s a nicely done fruity floral, similar to Mary Greenwell Plum. I find it a bit creamier than MGP, and MGP a bit spicier. (I mean this in relative terms, as creamy or spicy are not adjectives that would spring to mind when testing these fragrances.) It’s supposed to be a sensuous gardenia but the fruitiness undermines that resemblance, to my nose.
I enjoy MGP whenever I want something pretty and easy to wear. Guardez-Moi would fill the same bill and perhaps smells slightly more expensive. Some reviews were very positive, and you might appreciate it more than I did.
Personally, however, I have to take points off because the original Guardez-Moi came in a beautiful black, sculptural cat-shaped bottle, one of the most wonderful of all art deco perfume bottles. It is hard to imagine that the original was an inoffensive fruity floral – surely it must have girded its loins in genuine civet and musk! Moreover, if anyone could have produced a fascinating modern version, it is Duchaufour. I wonder about this unfulfilled potential as I file this away in the same mental category as Chanel Coco Noir (admittedly, it’s a lot better than that, though).
My sample of Ylang 49 arrived yesterday (along with a sample of Tilda Swinton Like This–which was great, but it was like the choice between a great merlot and a great zinfandel–I’ve got a lazy palate and always go for the big easy zin…)…
So after sniffing my wrist for about an hour I pulled out my bottle of Zen Shiseido (gold bottle) and a decant I have of Amouage Ubar… and the sniff journey began. I really like Zen, which I never see formally reviewed and gets only mild love in comments on various perfume sites… but I’m on my second FB. ANYWAY, I was struck by the similarities of the three fragrances… not that they are actually the same, but they felt like a journey from dawn to dusk…sweet and dry, to hints of salt and a little humidity– from Zen (dawn), to Ylang 49 (early afternoon–bright, shiny, with short shadows), to Ubar (dusky, deep, long shadows)…
Zen, Ylang 49, Ubar
Anyone have these three? Would love to hear your thoughts about them..
I haven’t tried any of them but I want to try Zen.
I just looked up Ubar on luckyscent and I don’t think I’d like it but what really struck me is that it is $285 for 100ml. Unless this is a typo, this makes Amouage significantly less expensive than I thought. It’s always listed with By Kilian as one of the hyper-expensive brands. Flower of Immortality is $235 for 50ml. I just looked up Frederic Malle and it is also around $260ml for 100ml. I increasingly see people saying “Yeah, By Kilian is really expensive but it is really worth the money” Then show me the receipts that By Kilian’s materials are twice the quality of Amouge’s and Frederic Malle’s!!!
Zen is definitely one of those scents that elicits lots of compliments, but I like it because it makes me feel peaceful and happy. I just realized how dumb that sounds, particularly since it is called Zen, but it is one that I reach for when I’m not up to a challenge but don’t want to smell like a white flower or aldehydic (if that is even a word!)…
Zen (before the recent reformulations) is the only perfume that I share a love for with my mother and my paternal grandmother. We all love(d) it.