As always, answer as many or as few as you like.
1. What's your favorite flanker?
2. Name a flanker you think was better than the original pillar fragrance.
And design your own flankers...
3. Name a fragrance you'd love to have in a lighter, 'Eau Legere' version.
4. Name a fragrance you'd love to have in a heavier, 'Intense' or 'Noir' version.
5. Name a fragrance you'd like to see done in a variation with a specific note (or notes) added or intensified.
Note: top image is Amsterdam: Floating Tulip Shop [cropped] by jimderda at flickr; Some rights reserved.
1. Sensuous Noir! I just reviewed it this week for Bois de Jasmin and I definitely think it’s better than the original.
2. See #1, but I also think the Mugler flankers are often better than their pillars. My favorite of the A*Men line is A*Men Pure Malt.
The new Roses de Chloe is also definitely better than the reformulated Chloe.
And design your own flankers…
3. I generally don’t want things to be lighter! But maybe Safari or Alahine.
4. How about L’Ombre dans l’Eau in a Noir version? The name already wants to be noirish but the fragrance isn’t.
5. I like this question. I’d like to see a Beyond Love with more coconut. In fact, I suspect that when I first tried it did have more coconut, the current version seems to have less. Also, Shalimar with more leather. (Cuir de Shalimar?)
Cuir de Shalimar is an intriguing idea!
Surprised they haven’t done it!
Yeah wow, that sounds very cool. Maybe this year? Given the number of leathers that seem to be populating new releases…
Yes, to Cuir de Shalimar! Great idea!
Agree with #2…and I like several of the Angel flankers better than Angel.
Which are your favorites? I went through a mini of the rose one and liked it a lot. I think Angel EDT has a similar effect.
The floral ones were really nicely done.
I thought the really expensive one aged in Remy Martin casks or something – Part des Anges? I think — was fabulous. The cheaper version, Liqueur de Parfum, was also great. Wish I’d bought it, although I wanted to smell it (or maybe drink it) more than wear it.
Yes, the liqueur one was great!
Oh I def prefer the Roses de Chloe too!
Such a good call about L’Ombre dans L’Eau being a dark name for a light fragrance! Have you tried the EDP yet? It’s at least somewhat closer to the spirit of the name, I’d say.
I did get a sample of the EDP but I didn’t notice a *huge* difference, not as much difference as I wanted anyway. Still love it though.
Yeah you are right–I think it’s just the shift from green emphasis to rose I like much better about the EDP, but not being quite as crisp is not the same as actually being very dark or deep!
(…but for this spring day, I think I know what I’ll be wearing for the rest of the afternoon!)
Cuir de Shalimar sounds ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL!…I’d buy it for sure.
Let’s start a petition.
Count me in!
Me too!
I don’t think Guerlain has any leather perfumes currently, do they? It seems like an obvious gap, and not inconsistent with the brand.
Derby, but it’s in the Parisiennes collection.
I’m definitely on board with Cuir de Shalimar. That’s a great idea!
My favorite flanker, and the one I consider better than the original, is Guerlain Idylle Eau Sublime. It’s a wonderful dewy rose. I have the EdT, and, BTW, it’s now being given away for under $40 on Amazon.
There are many perfumes that I would like to modify, mainly because of overbearing modern musks or painful wood notes. I’d like Guerlain Vetiver pour Elle with the musk dialed way down, AG Matin d’Orage without the spikey note, L’AP Timbuktu with much less of the celery-cumin note.
Ambroxan should be strictly limited and perfumers should just stop using Karanal and the like. Does it really smell good to them, or is it a cry for help – a silent protest against IFRA’s banning of key classical perfume materials?
I agree. I know ambroxan can be used subtly because Tauer uses it, but too much gives me a full-body headache.
We ALL need to protest the IFRA’s banning; they have ABSOLUTELY RUINED the fragrance market due to the whiny people, if they don’t like it, DON’T BUY IT! Let the rest of us wear what we like to the office and other public places!
I’d add iso e super to the ban too. I can smell it in a fragrance at 500 paces, and it always makes me queasy.
Yes, that’s another one that should be strictly limited. I really wanted to like the Ormonde Jayne line. Each of the perfumes has interesting and original elements, but I quickly tired of the heavy use of Iso E Super.
Is that it? How do I know it’s the Iso E Super? I’m not loving my Ormonde Jayne samples and actually aborted sniffing after exploring only two of them. I’d appreciate any input. I’ve done some research on it, but my impressions regarding how it affects a scent are still pretty nebulous.
They OJs all start to smell alike, and that commonality is a heavy dose of Iso E Super. To me, it smelled really appealing at first, but then the novelty wore off, and I realized how dominant it was, and how they all smelled the same. You could also sample Molecule 01, which contains only Iso E Super.
It’s used in a lot of perfumes in more subtle ways, too, of course.
I would agree with that. I happen to love Iso E Super, but if you don’t, you won’t like OJ, or most anything by Geza Schoen maybe — he’s clearly very fond of it too.
Thanks for your input!
I’ll add my thanks as well, I’ve been wondering lately how it is folks know about which chemicals are used specifically, since they’re typically not listed and only occasionally mentioned in press materials. Interesting!
I’m another one who can’t find love for the OJ line. Thanks for enlightening me!
I’m anosmic to it, but always wonder what I’m missing when I smell something that has it… like, what is the fragrance *supposed* to smell like? Am I just smelling half a perfume without it?
I liked Idylle EdT – way less patchouli, added muguet. Pretty.
1. Givenchy Organza Indecence.
2. Balenciaga Rosabotanica, L’Eau de Chloé, Chanel Allure Homme Édition Blanche.
3. Parfums DelRae Amoureuse & Donna Karan Black Cashmere.
4. Balenciaga Paris. The Essence version wasn’t at all what I’d hoped for.
5. Hermes Kelly Caleche with more leather.
Ooh, such a good call on Rosabotanica, vast improvement. And B. Paris Noir & Kelly Caleche with more leather–sign me up for all!
I still need to try Givenchy Organza Indecence – I think I might just love it. Before falling down the rabbit hold I used to exclusively wear Kelly Caleche. Haven’t worn it regularly in quite some time but certainly would with it amped with leather!
Yes, Kelly Caleche with more leather! I didn’t like the EdT – too vegetal. Almost celerylike. But the EdP and I get on very well. All the same? More leather = yes please.
1. Vetiver Pour Elle – more second version than flanker and Youth Dew Amber Nude. 2. I prefer Bottega Veneta Eau Legere and Infusion Iris Absolue over the originals.
Oh, I might agree with Infusion d’Iris Absolue too. Although I do love the original.
I also love Youth Dew Amber Nude! Maybe I’ll wear that today…
So we agree upon Youth Dew Amber Nude and Sensous Noir! How do you feel about the Miss Dior Le Parfum version of Miss Dior (Cherie)? This is another one I have a soft spot for…
Oh, I liked that one! Only smelled it once though. It reminded me of Badgley Mischka.
I can see that, both are very classy with some fruit-BM being more fruty to my memory.
I’ve only tried BM and can’t imagine anything being fruitier! I used up my decant a couple of years ago. This reminds me that I should get another. It’s not my kind of scent, yet I really need to wear it once in a blue moon.
1. Favorite flanker: Baiser Volé Essence
2. Better than the original: Brit Red, Alien Liqueur de Parfum
3. Coromandel “Eau Légère”
4. Vétiver Tonka “Intense”
5. Kiss Me Tender (infused with cherry blossom or rose) or Profvmvm Vanitas (with violet)
Great choices — I would buy VT Intense.
I have no opinion on flankers.
SOTD is Womanity, the original, which I love. I have not tried the flanker, which I understand is less salty.
The Womanity Liqueur version sounded interesting but I didn’t get to try it.
I didn’t even hear about that one.
1. Prada Luna Rossa Extreme
2. Gentlemen Only Givenchy
3. Again, Gentlemen Only Givenchy…this one is very wonderful, but a lighter, less intense/powerful version for the warmer months would be nice.
4. I would love to see Bvlgari Man series have an intense/noir version; a flanker stronger than Bvlgari Man Extreme…this one is not strong enough for me. Love the ingredients, but would be better with deeper woods, smoky incense and spicier.
5. Marine/Sport fragrances like TH Freedom or Armani Acqua Di Gio, less briny/salty, more mint, woods, spice and incense.
I need to try the LR Extreme!
I would have to agree with egabbert on the Sensuous Noir response.
1. Sensuous Noir – its brilliant
2. Sensuous Noir or Nude – they were both well done
3. N/A – I like my scents to be heavy in a good way
4. Burberry Body or Sensuous Nude – I usually just spray on extra to compensate for them being lighter
5. I’m open to tying new things
I’m a fan of sensuous. Sounds like I need to give Sensuous Noir a whirl some time!
You would love it. I get so many compliments when I wear it. People literally stop me and ask, “What is that you are wearing!”
Oh yeah if you like Sensuous, you should definitely try the Noir. Lots of personality. I recollect the whole line as a little sweeter than I’m inclined toward, but I’m with Elisa (thanks for this review! http://boisdejasmin.com/2014/04/estee-lauder-sensuous-sensuous-nude-and-sensuous-noir-fragrance-reviews.html), I think Noir is the best one.
Yes, I would agree with Sensuous being a bit too sweet. And it doesn’t really settle down–a quality I mostly like in my scents, but I wouldn’t mind if it got a bit softer after a while, since it’s a bit of a toothache.
Good afternoon team Now Smell This!
I just came back home from my May Day family trip
1. Favourite flanker is Prada Amber Pour Homme Intense
2. Flanker better than the pillar scent is Chanel No.5 Eau Premiere
3. No idea!
4. Atelier Cologne Grand Neroli “Intense”
5. Prada Candy with suede/leather & tobacco – Prada Candy Man
#5 sounds yummy.
Thank you
Could not agree more with #2! The original No. 5 is not my thing at all, but I really like Eau Premiere. And a Prada Candy with suede, leather, or tobacco sounds delightful. This needs to happen.
If only guys from Prada Parfums wanted to listen to me.
Maybe they would
You think Daniela Andrier would allow me to help?
I think she would insist on it!
That would be something awesome.
Of course I need to protest regarding No5, Lucas! I agree Eau Premier is excellent but to me it cannot rival the original’s abstract precision. After trying it for a while I realized that I don’t really enjoy wearing Eau Premiere, something bothers me about how well-mannered it is. But sure it is a very fine fragrance.
Cybele, I don’t doubt the masterpiece character of No. 5, but I find it impossible to wear, while I can do No. 5 Eau Premiere.
That’s just what I thought.
All this is from a subjective point of view so anyone can agree/disagree or have other types
Of course! Same from my side, just my subjective point of view…it’s just fun to exchange different opinions and perceptions!
Yeah, for sure. There are so many great ideas out there.
You are a genius, Mr. Lucas.
I like your style!!
Haha! Happy to hear that
Oh yes to #4! I initially was a big fan but now it feels sort of thin/watered down to me. Grand Neroli Noir, yes please!
I love the entire Atelier Cologne range, Grand Neroli feels the best choice for a carefree summer scent but it doesn’t last longer than 2-3 hours on me…
First, I am a HUGE Atelier Cologne fan, my goal is to have everything they offer!
Second, I feel Orange Sanguine is the best Summer scent…reminds me of a creamsicle.
Third, try Vanille Insensée…a nice warm weather scent that will last.
Orange Sanguine doesn’t work for me but Cedrat Enivrant gives me what OS does not.
I know Vanille Insensee, one of my favourite non-gourmand vanillas.
I’ll toot Lucas’s horn and suggest you might really enjoy his blog, Chemist in the Bottle. Although it’s not formally listed in the “Reviews” section, he just recently scored an exclusive preview and reviewed Atelier’s Blanche Immortelle which you will find there. I’m a fan of the line myself!
I REALLY, REALLY want to try AC Blanche Immortelle…
And thank you for the blog suggestion, I will do that…
I’m sure you’d like Blanche Immortelle.
Thank you so much Holly!
The actual, full size review of Blanche Immortelle will be published on the blog this upcoming week.
Thanks to your review, Lucas, I ordered some extra samples from AC of their more recently-added fragrances. I’ve only tried the Blanche Immortelle once so far, but it isn’t for me. Sigh.
I own Oolang Infini and Mistral Patchouli. Orange Sanguine is wonderful but lasts less than a half hour on my skin! It always makes me think that Jean-Clause Ellena was the nose behind it, but he wasn’t. I deliberately bought the large bottle of Oolang Infini because I also have to keep re-applying it.
lucasai, Prada Candy Man sounds sooooo DELISH, especially with the notes you listed, I would DEFINITELY BUY!
Thank you. Maybe one day we’ll live to have such Candy Man on the market.
HERE’S TO HOPING?!…
Yes. Fingers crossed.
Candy Man!! I love it.
… or Man Candy. That would be fun, too.
I assume that’s the femme version?
I bet it is!
Hahaha dying laughing. Man Candy, yes please.
Me three!
I will allow Prada to use any other name, just MAKE IT HAPPEN!
I like your idea for #5. That sounds like something I’d want to wear. I also like the name.
Thanks sweetgrass
This is fun!
1. My fave is Eau de Shalimar
2. Not exactly a flanker: Acqua Universalis Forte.
3. Hm, lots of scents as I prefer lighter stuff. Then again, Portrait of a Lady Legere or Lei Leggere by Mazzolari might be sacrilege! Oh, I know: Eau de Teint de Neige.
4. I agree with L’Ombre dans l’Eau Intense/Noire, it would be yummy! But also Lumiere Noire Plus Noire, as I didn’t find that fragrance very dark.
5. A more floral Habanita EDP (sacrilege!).
Hey, presumably all flankers are sacrilege…a more floral Habanita would be fun. I think the new Habanita L’Esprit is supposed to be more floral, but also much lighter. And have not seen it or tried it.
I had a sample of Habanita L’Esprit. It was quite nice, but all I got was a bit of citrus at the very beginning and then all nutmeg and musk. Habanita EDP seems to me all (powedery) angles and aggressiveness (which I the point, I guess), I would like something to soften it.
Interesting, thanks!
Ha yeah it probably is sacrilege, but if FM were ever willing to slice up the sacred cows, I’d take a sheerer PoaL in a heartbeat.
So, if we’re talking sacrilege, how about a Tuberose Criminelle Eau Legere?
Hahaha um yes, considering that I’m still too scared to try the hard stuff, I could use a gateway! We could call it Tubéreuse Déliquante
Oh and meant say also–yes, I agree that Lumiere Noire is quite bright, I think it’d wear a lot more comfortably for me in a darker version. Great name too, Lumiere Noire Plus Noire
Or maybe Lumiere Encore Plus Noire?
Yes, you are right, Encore Plus Noire is much better!
Finally, a real use for my French
I actually assumed you were French!
Ok, I am going to need a screen cap, that is the best compliment I’ve EVER gotten!!
I find most of the FMs a bit heavy, dense, blunt or hard. I think it happens because FM is a man, and he’s the editor of the line. I’d like PoaL with lighter patchouli and Le Parfum de Therese with a breath of air.
Yes yes yes!
I thought Lumiere Noire pour femme was dark (well, for a floral) until I tried it next to Portrait of a Lady. Nope. It practically glowed. But then I like it very much, so I wouldn’t bother changing it, myself.
1. Favorite flanker? . . . It doesn’t really belong as a “favorite” since I only wear it a few times a year, but one of my first FB purchases was Ange ou Demon Le Secret, and it holds a special place in my heart as a result. Now it seems rather unsophisticated, but when I just want to smell pretty around the holidays (when I first bought it), it is a friendly reminder.
2. Better than original. . . no idea. I feel like my niche-preferences/snobbery works against me on this topic. Haven’t seen a Tauer or Amouage flanker, yet!
3. Ubar Eau Legere? or Une Rose Chypree Eau Legere? It’d be nice to be able to wear them on the warmer days of the year and not feel overwhelmed.
4. SO MANY could use some added oomph! How many times have I noted that I really like a scent but it is too close to the skin and/or fades too quickly?!
5. I’d like Mary Greenwell Plum to have that bright, fruity top to be build upon to keep it full and interesting into the dry down. Fill it out with some fermented grape notes, maybe?
SO glad you said Rose Chypree, has same thought but wondered, is this sacrilege?!
And I like Ange ou Demon Le Secret too! A Sephora SA insisted on making me a sample recently and I wasn’t exactly in a rush to try it, but then I saw Victoria’s review saying that “for a reasonably priced fruity jasmine with just a hint of coquettish sensuality, it is hard to beat”! Pretty good rec! And I agree, friendly and pretty–plus I never turn down a nice tea scent!
I do really enjoy AoDLS, although the name makes me cringe even to write it! Gods forbid someone ask what I’m wearing!!
As for URC, I do love it, and it is nearly a perfect scent, IMO, but as I can’t wear it year ’round, I can’t help but wish I had a softer version for hot days. The opening is just TOO MUCH if it’s warm (although the dry down is still lovely).
I think you should tell any inquiring minds that it’s Givenchy Le Secret–google will turn up the correct scent for anybody who really wants to buy it, and everyone else needn’t be the wiser
You are very wise! Good suggestion.
I haven’t tried Ange ou Demon Le Secret yet, but I certainly plan to now! I love tea scents. Thanks for turning me on to another possible love.
Let us know what you think!
LOL, I’d like Mary Greenwell Plum with less of the grape note, but I think maybe I’m hyperosmic to it.
I don’t actually get much of the grape note (there are a number of white florals that do smack me over the head with it, however) in Plum. It’s very citrusy/tangy. Maybe I’m lucky in this case, because I do love my Plum.
What I *really* want is that lovely opening to extend into the heart notes. My experience with Plum is that whooosh of lovely fruit and aldehydes and then it quickly softens to a cozy skin scent with nearly no fruit at all. If the opening lasted longer or evolved into something more interesting, I would already own some!
I really think it’s my nose, rather than the balance of notes in Plum. It completely dominates BK Imperial Tea for me, and that doesn’t seem to match reviews’ perceptions.
I do enjoy wearing Plum, and it’s one of the few perfumes that I like to wear in public. Which isn’t surprising, is it, since makeup artist Mary Greenwell created the Plum to add “the last touch of magic to any look I create…”
1. Guerlain Shalimar Eau Legere
2. Prada Infusion d’Iris Absolue
3. Piguet Fracas
4. Oriza L. Legrand Relique d’Amour
5. Penhaligon’s Amaranthine with more orange blossom
So agree about #2. The liquid gold
I just discovered the EDP. Will have to look into the Absolue! How is it different?
Absolue is more like a buttery iris to me.
Ooooo that sounds lovely! Okay, It’s on the test list. Thanks!
1/2: My favourite flanker is Hypnotic Poison and it is so much better than the original but then it’s a completely different fragrance so does it really count? The whole ‘Poison’ range is baffling as to why they were so obsessed with the name they kept using it for perfumes that bore no relation to one another.
4: I know lots of people found the original overpowering but I would like an ‘Intense’ version of Prada Candy.
5: I’d like Angel with more of the coffee and chocolate that’s in the male versions.
Did you try Angel Le Gout du Parfum? It has a much richer/darker cocoa note.
I actually quite like this one
1/2 I’m not a great wearer of flankers but L’eau de Chloe is definitely better than the original.
4. There are a lot of fragrances that could be intensified. I’m with Lucasai about Grand Néroli Intense and I’d also love a stronger version of another summer favourite. What about Un Jardin sur le Nil Nuit?
Interesting….maybe amp up sur le Nil’s incense?
L’eau de Chloe is really nice, compared to the first version. Green and refreshing.
(Well, not the FIRST first one… I always have to say that I loved the Lagerfeld Chloe. But that was a rich white floral on a woody base, a completely different animal. Anybody born after 1980 probably doesn’t remember the old one.)
Favorite flanker is Eau Premiere. Can’t say it’s better than the orig, but it works much better on me.
The most maligned flanker that I actually enjoy is no 19 Poudre. Still prefer the orig, and it took time for Poudre to grow on me– think Victoria at BDJ and I are the only perfumista fans.
Just picked up my limited ed Terracotta edt at N-M. It was on the website briefly, then disappeared, so I thought I’d better grab it.
There is a new SA trend these days, have you all noticed? They are super friendly now–the thinking must be that you’re more likely to give your cash to your new best friends. When I was at Bloomingdales in NYC, one actually followed me briefly, saying “I love your haircut!” Today the Guerlain gals tried to ply me with cookies and water.
I like cookies.
Love being on the receiving end of this new sales tactic.
LOL! Every now and then you just get a genuinely friendly assistant. I like talking to new people and play the clown a lot to get people to smile. As an assistant I got no commission and really didn’t care if people bought or not.
Oh I thought I was the only one who liked 19 Poudré! Very glad we are three, at least
Make that four! Although I admit I had to get used to it. Now I often crave it.
I think I was helped by the fact that in my piecemeal perfume education, I actually smelled 19 Poudré before the real thing (and for that matter I’ve never smelled the vintage so I may have no idea what the real-real thing smells like!) Standing alone, I think 19 Poudré is very nice!
The fragrance I reach for instinctively, no matter what season or occasion, is Chanel No. 19 Poudre. I can’t stay away from it. And I adore the original madly (as straight parfum), which is timeless – but Poudre is more modern somehow, with a light sophistication and a sort of careless charm. Think I’ll put some on right now.
Totally–funny to have the powder feel modern but it does!
Flankers I prefer to the original: are 1) most of the Muglers 2)Hypnotic Poison and Pure Poison which even in their worst incarnations are preferable to the original Poison 3) Bottega Veneta Eau Legere – the original is joy-less. 4) My bit of perfumista blasphemy is that I prefer Cristalle Eau Verte to the original, in part because it lasts better, but also I just flat out prefer the smell.
My favorite flanker of all is Calligraphy Rose which I adore, and far prefer to the original Calligraphy.
3) I have a perfume eating skin and a nose thats a little blunt so I would not want anything lighter.
4) I’v basically just given up on the Hermessence line: its too light and too brief (except for Ambre Narguille which I don’t like).
Most of the Chanel Exclusifs (except for Coromandel). Most of these feel like refined and evanescent auras rather than proper perfumes. Sometimes I’m not sure if I’m really smelling something, or merely making it up… Cuir de Russe and Bois de Illes have parfum versions but they are not widely available, and the prices are prohibitive eg. Cuir de Russie and Bois de Illes. So the parfum is not available in my country and is out of my price range and the EDTs are just a waste of money.
For a fruity fun scent I like Viva La Juicy, but on me its hardly perceivable after half an hour….
Most of the L’Artisans’ are too light: even Dzing gives up on my skin. I would love a stronger Bois Farine.
Most particularly I adore Burberry London for men, but it only lasts for a nano-second!
Yes, do let’s have beefier versions of the Hermessences.
Agreed. The last time I ducked in, I got the full-court press from the SA about layering the Hermessences, which I always feel like basically is just a way of saying, “We are deliberately selling less complete fragrances so we can take twice as much money from you.” Would much prefer the rounded-out, stand-alone versions!
I was quite mind-boggled by how much the sales assistant sprayed when I wanted to try some of them. She sprayed the ribbon about four times, and must have sprayed about as much on the skin.
Yeah. I am not opposed to sheer, but ultimately the emperor should be wearing SOME clothes
I just remembered: there is one flanker I adore Donna Karan Black Cashmere, but the original makes me yawn.
Oh here’s an idea for question 5. There really need to be more fragrances with nice inky oak moss notes, don’t you think? So I was wondering if Mitsouko Eau Vintage would work? Miss Dior Eau Vintage? Femme Eau Vintage? Calyx Eau Vintage?
Just a thought.
That would be ideal! Your ideas inspired me to wear vintage Miss Dior tonight. There is nothing like the real thing!
Absolutely! Enjoy that Miss Dior.
I am opposed to flankers on principle (although sometimes I stretch the principle–are the Poisons really flankers?). I was disheartened to see “New Spring Fragrances” in a magazine this month, and 5 of the 6 listed were flankers.
Favorite flanker and fragrance flanker I like better than the original are one and the same: Shalimar Ode a la Vanille-Mexique. The initial rush of citrus in the original Shalimar just clashes in my nose with the rest of the notes. I think the Mexique opens softer and blends better, to my nose.
For a lighter version, I’d love Tauer’s Maroc pour Elle Eau Legere! I’d love to wear Maroc in the summer but it’s just too heavy in the heat.
I really want a heavier version of Osmanthe Yunnan.
I wish Tubereuse Criminelle’s mentholated opening stayed all the way through to the end. Amp it up!
I’ve been meaning to try the Shalimar Odes. But my vintage Shalimars are giving me the side eye.
1.J’Adore Voile de Parfum – I have the 1999 original J’A and frankly the iris, rose, powdery musk of the VdP appeals to me more.
2. Same as 1.
3. None, I like heavy!
4. L’eau d’Hiver Frederic Malle. Wonderful scent that disappears in 30 minutes!
I don’t feel that making this ‘more’ would ruin its ethereal quality.
5. The leather Shalimar idea sounds good.
Off to order samples of J’Adore Voile de Parfum!
Bear, yes, one needs to be able to sense the ethereal compositions in order to appreciate how ethereal they are, lol!
1. and 2. Roberto Cavalli Oro. I recently got a sniff of the original (not the current one), and it also has that smooth (magnolia?) note at its center, but the rest of it is sort of nondescript.
3. Parfum Sacre (truly sacrilegious?) I appreciate how lovely it is, but the black pepper is just too much for me.
4. Lots of things come to mind, but the first was Lanvin ME! The blueberry/licorice opening is delightful, but fleeting, and after that it’s all dryer-sheet musk.
A happy belated May Day to all, and an early Happy Mother’s Day to the moms among you.
1. Happy Spirit Magical Nights by Chopard. My very favorite flanker. Even though lavender is not listed in the notes, I swear there is lavender in it and therefore love it as the perfect bedtime fragrance
2. Sensuous Noir or Sensuous Nude – both are so much better than the original!
3. I’m not sure this is possible, but a lighter Ambre Sultan so I can wear it to work, please?
4. Noir de Noir de Noir – ( maybe call it Noir 3?) just bring it on, Tom Ford!!!
5. Ramp up the rose I smell at the beginning of Montale’s Intense Cafe and make it stick around longer.
I’m with you on the Noir de Noir. Its the only one in the collection that I really really like, but after half an hour it is so muted.
I like Ambre de Merveilles and Black Orchid Voile de Fleur. Otherwise not a big fan of flankers, it would seem.
In a complete non-sequitor, can anyone in the Toronto area tell me whether Noor has opened again?
1. Favourite flanker of all time is EL White Linen Breeze.
2. AOD Le Secret and Organza First Light.
3. Angel should be called Eau Legere and be an Eau Fraiche concentration.
4. G of the Sea should be an EDP or pure perfume.
5. One day there will be a flanker called Intense Midnight Noir Sport Sublime.
Please remove the musk from Idylle completely and I’ll be happy.
Pure White Linen Light Breeze – although totally clunky as a fragrance name – is very pleasant! I don’t really enjoy cologne, but PWLLB works almost like that for me. It smells good and then it’s gone, just like traditional cologne.
I did get a bottle of ELPWLLB and it was good, whereas ELWLB was great! Too bad it’s discontinued.
Shoot me an email at live dawt Com . I have Way… More than I can use of White Linen Breeze . They look like the three bears on my shelf big papa ,medium mama and travel purse size baby . I buy perfume lots on Ebay and somehow these ended up accumulating.
Thought of another one: don’t care for Elie Saab Le Parfum, but I do enjoy L’eau Couture, and will probably use up both of my samples.
1. Élixir de Merveilles is my favorite flanker.
2. See #1. Also, I find Alien Aqua Chic easier to wear than the original. Just today I also tried Lancome Tresor Midnight Rose and liked that better than regular Tresor. I suspect there is a substantial dose of iso e super in there because as it dries down it kind of reminded me of OJ Ta’if.
3. I don’t generally want things lighter but maybe Chanel Coco Eau Légère? Actually a lighter version of the original, not like coco mademoiselle.
4. I think I’d wear a more intense Bottega Veneta.
5. Maybe Osmanthe Yunnan with more of a smoky tea note. Or see #4 and amp up the leather.
Hi Sweetgrass, I like your idea of Osmanthe Yunnan with smoky tea – Osmanthe Lapsang, perhaps?
I was also thinking that Aromatics Elixir might be good with a bit of smoke…
1. Ambre des Merveilles (this might also apply for my #2 answer as well, but as a change up, I will list…
2. Prada Candy L’eau – I know I’m in the minority on this one. The original ends up as a “skin scent” on me, but not in a pleasant way, more in a “did I forget to bathe?” way, so I appreciate that the flanker is more floral. Plus I love the packaging.
4. Heavier, ‘Intense’ or ‘Noir’ version: AC’s Oolang Infini or PdN Les Temps d’un Fete – so basically, and light /spring scent – crank those babies up!!!
1.Black Orchid VDF. To me Miss Dior is the flanker queen.How about Miss Dior Hello Kitty le meow heavy on the civet? Oh wait they did that lol thanks everyone for all the fun!
1. My favorite flanker is Aqaba Sands. I also like Aqaba Men. I still love my fb of the original Aqaba, but if I ever want to buy more, I’d probably get the Sands one.
4. Name a fragrance you’d love to have in a heavier, ‘Intense’ or ‘Noir’ version. Intense:
Anything by JC Ellena, while still retaining the basic scent. Also, anything in the Atelier Cologne line.
I just bought a fb of Lady Vengeance, and ordered a sample of their flanker, Lady Vengeance Extreme. I think “Phooey” sums up the Extreme for me.
I far prefer Lady Vengeance to the ‘extreme’ version too. Its a pity that there is not a more intense version of Lady Vengeance which is a great rendition of the dark rose theme. The extreme went in a gourmand direction, if I remember right…
Not really relevant to our poll subject, but does anyone know where I can purchase a sample of Tom Ford’s Noir de Noir in Europe? None of my usual sources have it. Shops in Holland that sell TF only carry Noir. I see it is sold in the UK, but no samples. Before I consider ordering from a US sample/decanter, please let me know.