The usual open thread: talk about anything you like — the perfume you’re wearing today, the perfume you just can't decide if you like or not, whatever.
Or, ask a question about fragrance, then see if anyone else has asked a question that you can answer…
Note: top image is summer is here!! [cropped] by amira_a at flickr; some rights reserved.
I will be visiting Seattle and Portland in October. I know about the Perfume House in Portland, of course, from its frequent mentions here on NST. What would be some lines I should check out there, i.e., things that might be hard to find anywhere else? I would appreciate any other suggestions for things to see and do there, especially off-the-beaten-track type of things that I might not otherwise know about.
Sweet Anthem in Seattle…Kevin says it’s a great store:
https://nstperfume.com/2011/10/18/new-sweet-anthem-boutique-in-seattle/
I second Sweet Anthem. Although not perfume related, if you get to West Seattle, where Sweet Anthem is located, I recommend you head to nearby Alki Beach for a stroll. On Alki, Cactus has a great happy hour and Phonecia is a lovely spot for dinner. Enjoy!
And try the Husky Deli on California Avefor great ice cream 🙂
And in West Seattle you MUST have a treat at Bakery Nouveau (just half a mile up the street from Sweet Anthem)! Twice-baked almond croissant or pear cherry tart or chocolate bread or… I miss it.
Barneys in downtown Seattle is also a great non-pressure place to check out lots of quality perfume lines. Essenza in the Fremont neighborhood is exceptional as well for perfumistas.
The downtown Seattle Nordstrom is across the street from Barneys and has the full Chanel exclusifs line, Bond no. 9, and more.
I find that the Chanel counter has great SAs who are approachable and pleasant.
Not off of the beaten path, but: the Portland Japanese Garden and Powell’s Books.
I hear the Japanese Garden in wonderful, and we are already planning to visit that and the rose garden, as well as the Pike Place Market and the Space Needle in Seattle, as well as both state capitols (yes, I know they are not in Seattle and Portland, but we can go through Olympia on our way from Seattle to Portland, and make the drive to Salem on one of our days in Porltland).
My husbands *loves* bookstores, and Powell’s Books sound like the sort of place where he could easily spend the whole day. Maybe I can drop him off there while I head over to the Perfume House. Not that I don’t like bookstores, but perfume shopping is not exactly his thing.
Don’t think you’re getting out of the Perfume House in less than two hours, little missy! It is a vortex.
When I get to the door and realize how long it might be until I return, I circle back.
That’s why I need someplace where my husband can be happy browsing for a few hours while I go to the Perfume House.
Be strategic too – Powells is on the other side of town from the Perfume House, which is on SE Hawthorne. You may want to drop your hubbie at the main Powels (there are parking garages around there), and then you can take the Portland streetcar system around and get off at about SW Broadway and Yamhill and then walk down to Nordstrom and then if you like a few blocks lower, Saks. If you’ve never, you really must take a chance to ride the PDX streetcar – it is just fabulous and give you a chance to look at the shops (especially if you just ride it all the way around – it’s a great way to see most of the downtown and Pearl district) … and then figure how to get across town and do Perfume House in the afternoon? I believe Powells has a SE location off Hawthorne that is nearly on the same block as the Perfume House. So you can separate again… and keep on sniffing while he reads!
As for Seattle, there is also Parfumerie Nasreen somwhere right downtown. I’ve ordered from them, but never been to the shop.
These tips are all great! My mom and I are planning a ladies trip to Portland, and I am taking notes.
Not perfume-related at all, but if the ummm…eccentric…woman who runs the 24 Hour Church of Elvis finds physical premises again, please stop by. It’s a most unusual experience. She has been in three or four locations over the past 20 years. Right now she is only online but somehow she has managed to open another shop after each other one closed. Fortunes, prizes, coin-operated art installations, wedding ceremonies…Portland wants to stay weird and these are the kinds of things that maintain that.
Powell’s will keep any book fiend occupied all day!
Also, Essenza in Fremont neighborhood, and Parfumerie Nasreen in downtown Seattle.
Rain here. Rain rain rain. We’ve gotten 2.2 inches since about 10 am yesterday, and it probably won’t stop until tomorrow afternoon… not that I’m complaining. It was starting to get extremely dry, and The CEO was contemplating putting out hay for some calves in marginal pasture. Looks like he won’t need to now!
Which brings up the question, and perhaps there’s already been a poll done on it, but how about Fragrances for a Rainy Day?
Think I’ll get out my Shalimar Light.
Gosh, don’t think we’ve ever done that poll…will add to my list.
Once, when I was in school and had to park a half mile away every morning, it started raining buckets. Like sideways, wring-out-your-umbrella sort of rain. I was absolutely drenched!
I had a little 15ml bottle of L’Artisan’s Piment Brulant in my locker and went ahead and sprayed some on. Now that’s the only perfume that seems appropriate in the rain.
Same here, Mals. And *much* cooler than the usual Aug. And even before reading your comment I was considering spraying some Shalimar cologne.
We were getting desperate for rain, so it is very welcome! But yes, cooler than usual.
I do wish they still made Shalimar Light.
Cold rainy = Magie Noire; L’Arte di Gucci; Amouage Memoir Woman; FM Noir Epices; Bal a Versaille
Warm rainy= Goutal Heure Exquise; Guerlain Vol de Nuit; Bottega Veneta Eau Legere; Caron Aimez Moi
OOOH. Good list. Well, the ones on it that I’ve smelled are good! (I STILL haven’t gotten to Vol de Nuit. And I didn’t care for Bottega Veneta so didn’t try the Eau Legere… can’t remember whether it was patchouli or a Tang dust/baby aspirin effect in the original BV that did me in.)
Still raining today and I’ve got Cuir de Lancome on. It’s working well.
Wha-wha-what? I can’t believe you’ve never tried VdN?!? How is that possible! Let me know if you ever want to – I’ve got both edt and extrait in vintage/not current stuff….
Wearing 31 Rue Cambon, a nice fit for a rainy, but not too cold day.
Yeah, that’s a nice one for rain.
What a beautiful and peaceful picture for the lazy weekend poll, you’ve got a great eye, Robin.
After a few days of ‘more appopriate’ temperatures the heatwave is back for the weekend and I just can’t stand it anymore.
Scent of the day was My Burning Secret from Technique Indiscrete. ‘Was’ because it’s long gone because of those temperatures. It smelled to me of soapy lavender. Nothing groundbreaking really.
I can’t stand the heat any more either! The UK and Poland seem to have been suffering similar weather lately. Now they say that our area will be hit by the tailend of Hurricane Bertha tomorrow – will it affect you? What a strange summer.
Poland and UK often have a similar weather patterns I think. You only get more rains because of the Ocean surrounding you. We only have Baltic Sea at the North.
Oh, I hope that hurricane doesn’t cause you much trouble. I will let you know if it had any effect on Poland.
Hate to take any credit for all the wonderful photographers on flickr, but thanks!
That’s a pity, because My Burning Secret is a really cool name.
Milk of Flowers is my SOTD.
My husband and I are going out tonight to a street party, followed by dinner in a nice restaurant. We live in New Orleans. It is HOT. Its August in New Orleans, so no big surprise. I’d like to wear a fragrance tonight. I’ve narrowed my choices down to: Hermes Un Jardin Sur le Nil, Esprit d’Oscar, Marni, Angel Sucre, or Chanel No. 19. I know I’m all over the place with my choices. Which one do you think could stand up to the heat, and still be pretty later on in the restaurant?
Go with the Nil!!
I vote Nil too!
I shouldn’t complain about our heat in the UK when it must be so much hotter there! I keep telling everyone that Guerlain’s Jardins de Bagatelle has really worked for me in the heat – its lovely white flowers seem to bloom. Funny thing is I didn’t used to like it years ago!
My pic would be Nil or No. 19.
GAH. I mean picK.
Ok, No. 19 or Nil. I’ll let the husband sniff the two and he can decide. Both are so beautiful.
ditto
I’d bet on Angel Sucre to survive heat, dinner, dessert and whatever you have planned after that.
Jean Claude Ellena is great for the hot humid weather of New Orleans. The humidity here in South Florida lately reminds me of New Orleans and I’ve been pulling out my Hermes collection. I forgot how lovely Rose Ikebana is!
I’m wearing vintage Diorella again. I love chypres but again I’m not quite sure about this one.
On an unrelated note, I was describing a perfume to my boyfriend (I can’t remember which) and he stopped me midway through. He asked, “How can something smell sparkling?”
I tried explaining, aldehydes, citrus, you know, but I couldn’t manage to convey my meaning. Any thoughts?
Have him smell something with aldehydes! You could also point out that champagne smells different from wine.
I actually don’t experience aldehydes as “sparkling” most of the time; it depends on the quantity and the other materials, but to me, aldehydes “smear” out the other notes, like you’re looking through frosted glass.
Tell him to think about putting his nose into a glass of champagne.
For me, aldehydes = carbonation.
ask him what he thinks smells sparkly, and conversely, what he thinks smells dull or flat. Sometimes working from an opposite helps to define the other.
I am starting to think of musk as an opposite to aldehydes. Musk can be soft and fuzzy, or indistinct. Aldehydes have that effervescent quality discussed above. Opposites?
Although musk can be sharp smelling sometimes so there’s that.
I’m still commando as Robin has dubbed it but will probably go with Shalimar cologne. Light enough for a coolish, rainy summer day.
In the “can’t decide I like” category: I’ve been dithering for TWO years about buying a bottle of PdE Equistrius. Obviously, it’s not a huge love, but it’s by far the leader in my search for an iris WITHOUT MUSK! You all have no idea how impossible that is to find! Now I’m kicking myself for not buying it in the 50 mls. bottle!
Hiris is the runner up, but that ends up more orange blossom on me than iris.
Love it- one of my faves by PdE! I have a decant and intended buying a 50ml bottle when my decant is done but since they are now only offering 100ml I doubt I will. So sad as it is wonderful and refreshing in the hot humid summers here in FL!
You could twist my arm and talk me into a split… My email is rappleyea11 at yahoo. Keep it in mind since we’re of the *same* mind on this.
Rapple, a new iris to try is DSH Scent of Hope. It’s a recreation of Iris Gris, so it also has peach, but it’s subtle.
I’ll have to try it – peach in scents usually works for me (Mitsouko, Femme, Nahema, etc.). Thanks!
Iris without musk is tough. I get big vetiver in the drydown of No 19 and then sandalwood in the drydown of AG Heure Equise, both of which have a pretty good iris accord. Also, AdP Iris Nobile edp has an orange blossom faux chypre base, definitely not musk in there.
I might need to try No. 19 again – I remember not loving it, but you know how that goes. Heure Equise was a lot of galbanum, not bad though and Iris Nobile was o.b. I would love to find the opening of either VC&A Bois d’Iris (before the musk drydown) or Iris Ganache (which I love but before the ganache) with vetiver or sandalwood to wear when it’s too warm for Iris Ganache – which is most of the year! I think that’s why I’ve dithered on Equistrius – it’s a much sweeter, more powdery iris than either of the above.
You might want to get your hands on the AG Heure Exquise EDP b/c it has less of a galbanum bite, with richer rose and iris before it heads into the base.
Thanks!
Wearing Eau des Merveilles today; I never thought I would become a Hermes fan because overall, they are just too light for my taste. However, this smells like nothing else I own and I find myself wanting to smell that saltiness.
Are there other scents with a salt accord, maybe with flowers? Big white ones? Or does the salt accord not go well with flowers?
I’m a recent Eau des Merveilles convert as well.
Easy & breezy, delicious sweet, salty scent. Love it!
Yesterdays review for Falling Into The Sea mentioned salt.. And Fleurs de Sel by Miller Harris
Fleurs de Sel is nice, as is VCA Midnight in Paris, which has a bit more of floral bent.
Hermessence Vanille Galante. Not really vanilla. Lots of people have used the description ‘salted lilies’ and I agree…I think salt and flowers are an excellent combination!!!!
Okay, I’m an old bore, or kicking a dead horse, or a one note tune, or a one trick pony, or a broken record… on this one… BUT ladies let me tempt you to revisit Womanity for your sweet creamy fig and florals tempered with salt.
I totally agree! Womanity is a beautiful fragrance. My tall, blonde and beautiful 23 year old daughter rocks this fragrance. People compliment her all the time on how good she smells. She wears Alien, Hypnotic Poison and Caberet. All perfumes way out of her demographic!
Oakland Fresca, I took your advice and revisited Womanity today. It was a great choice for today’s warmth. Merci!
Womanity is gorgeous and I always forget about it.
I have not yet smelled Womanity, and after all these comments, I think I must put it on the list!
I’ll also vote for fleurs de sel by miller harris, but that is a fougere. AG Vetiver is salty; Chanel 31 Rue Cambon has a salty accord…
Clair de musc has a distinctive salty curl.
Truly proud to be the first to suggest Lys Mediterranee. Basically it’s lily by the coast 🙂
Today I’ve been hanging out in the low rent section of my perfume collection. I still have all my pre-perfumista department store frags from the days before I discovered what’s *really* out there, and I NEVER wear them, so I wanted to retry them to see if they really are as bad as I fear they may be. I tend to look upon them like one would that fling with ‘that’ guy that seems totally cringe-worthy in hindsight :-/
So today was Secret Obsession: still quite nice and wearable. But still so far down the ladder.
And Burberry London. Yowza. It’s not awful and I guess this was my first white floral before I ever considered white florals. It’s actually far more mentholated in the tuberose note than I remember. Both seem more chemical now that my nose is older and wiser 🙂
But I still can’t bring myself to let them go…
Next on the list are Burberry Classic, Vivienne Westwood Anglomania (plastic raincoat!) and Versace Crystal Noir.
Cheap rent indeed! 😀
Haha “low rent section”! I love it! I think it’s great that you keep your first perfume choices in your collection. I was thinking that it’s a great way to remember how much you have developed and learned about perfume, and some of them may even be fun to wear (or spray on the pillows or whatever). I was thinking today about how much I love hearing about other people’s perfume collections and how it reveals a portrait of your personality and style as it evolves over time. I was thinking about the “top five” in my collection and the “satellite” perfumes that sit around them. I think my choices say a lot! The top 5 right now are: Rose anonyme, L’air de Rien, Nuits d’hadrian, Afternoon of a Faun and Hindu Honeysuckle. Taking a step back from that, I can say my present style is romantic, quirky, boho-lite. I’d love to see a poll of what perfumes are the top ‘go to’s’ in our collections and what we think that says about our personal style.
My top 5 if I had to save only 5 would be Lyric Woman, Organza Indecence, Roma Imperiale (Profumi del Forte), Yvresse and Manoumalia. But there are probably another 5-10 just a nose behind..
What is Manoumalia like?
To me it’s full-on tropical flowers. Not in a beachy way, to me it’s like stepping off the plane in Bali- the smell of the floral offerings that are everywhere, almost cloying with their headiness and the hint of decay. Sounds rather frightful but so realistic!
haha! It does sound frightful but realistic! I think I have whitefloraphobia. Tuberose and indole critters are so scary for me. A lot of them have this sort of rancid hazelnut note that makes me gag. I don’t even like Songes. The only tropical flower perfume that is ok for me to wear is Tiare. That one is so beautiful.
Songes is a challening fragrance to wear. I like it, but if I put it on on the wrong day or when I’m in the wrong mood or when the weather is not just right, I can get overwhelmed by it. Skank is always tricky!
Sajini, I am positive that I have whitefloraphobia! 🙂
I’m wearing Parfum de Therese today, from a generous sample sent to me. I really love it. I’m looking for a replacement for my beloved PdN L’Eau a la Folie, and this was suggested to me as I also like the old versions of Diorella and Femme, and they all seem to be related. Trouble is, of course, is the price ….. Does anyone know of a cheaper fragrance that has that lovely citrus zing overlaid with peach/plum and soft suede and – NO CUMIN, which the newer Diorella and Femme apparently have in significant (for me) amounts?
I hope that you will find just the right perfume to replace L’Eau a la Folie
PdN L’Eau a la Folie is a favorite of mine as well. Sad it is no longer being made and can’t imagine finding something close to it. It’s a unique scent.
Would be interested in learning of any recs on this as well.
Giving you a virtual consoling hug, Floragal.
Have you tried Bottega Veneta? I hesitate to mention it because although it has citrus, it’s nowhere near the zing of Diorella and Therese. Still, there’s plum and leather … closer to Femme, perhaps.
Just noticed that The Perfume Shoppe in Canada still has 100 ml bottles of Folie. Le Temps d’une Fête as well, for anyone who wants to grab that before it’s gone.
Thanks, Annemarie – off to check this out!
You may want to test the Natori edp. It was in a lot of comments a few years ago, but has kind of fallen off the radar. It appears to still be available. It has a lot of rich plum and fruits with aledhydes and patchouli/woods. It is very nice and I’d often thought to get a bottle for myself but didn’t. This may fail your citrus requirement, but it’s still worth a shot. Otherwise, what I can stand out of Femme makes me actually think of vintage Arpege or even Mitsouko with the rich treatment of nearly stewed peaches that appear in both. Parfums Delrae Bois de Paradise has a massive dose of spiced fruits, so you may want to try that as well. I rarely can stand cumin in fragrances, so I smell your pain. Good luck!
Very interesting, AnnS, thank you – I will enjoy discovering these. Almost sound autumnal which will suit our current weather!
I think I’ve enticed myself to finally take the plunge on Natori edp – I”m seeing the bottles for less than $50 on internet dicounters…. Funny how all this recommending works, lol!
Slightly overcast here today. Think I will go with Hermes eau de narcisse bleu. It strikes me as an amped up gentiane blanche.
Mmmm. I like that one. I actually forgot that I had a bottle if it that I purchased last year and found it in my drawer yesterday. I think I’ll follow your lead and wear it tomorrow…..
Surprise! Like buying a new perfume all over again! 🙂
Recently I have tried FM Eau de Magnolia and I am in love, this reminds me of a scent I used to love but I can not remember what it was, I am obsessed to find what it reminds me of, I would appreciate if anyone can help, I know it is something old a scent from the 80’s or 90’s.
Thank you
It reminds ds me a little bit of Cristalle and the vintage Diors.
Agree, it does have something of Diorella, Eau Sauvage or even Diorissimo, I think.
I’ve been thinking the same thing, actually. I wonder if it could be AG Eau d’Hadrien?
Received a generous sample of Rendez Vous at the Atelier Cologne boutique yesterday so I’m giving it a try today.
Osmanthus is not a favorite note of mine, but I do like it. The scent is quite juicy and tart to my nose (kind of making my mouth water) and slowly the suede note is starting to kick in.
Looking forward to a sunny day in the park later on.
Cheers!
I’ve been sampling Kenzo L’elephant and just sprung for a small bottle from an internet discounter. I didn’t think I would like it that much but I guess I really like it a lot!
I luurve L’Elephant. Great choice! 😉
This is one of the few “dessert” fragrances that I own. It is really nicely done for so sweet and rich.
I’m wearing Guerlain Chant d’Aromes today. I’ve had a sample for a while but hadn’t worn it. I have plans to go to Shakespeare in the Park tonight with friends (to see Two Gentlemen of Verona), but the weather has taken a turn, so we’ll see how that ends up.
Chant d’Aromes is so beautiful.
It is, but I’m finding it doesn’t last very long. It’s already almost gone after a couple of hours.
That’s true. It’s one of those that needs several sprays and is still fleeting.
I tested Chant d’Aromes once some years ago, and it disappeared on me within about 20 minutes. Completely gone, without a trace. It wasn’t just my nose either–the SA couldn’t smell it on my wrist anymore either.
Apres l’Ondee for me today–finishing up a small decant. It is freezing outside, dipping close to 60 F and foggy (which is pretty cold for a summer day here on the left coast), and so I’m sipping peppermint tea and sniffing this wonderful perfume. I am really close to buying a full bottle. Any advice? Does it only come in an edt?
It used to come as an extrait (30 mls goes for about $375 on ebay) but now only edt. I love En Passant, but l’Ondee is cheaper and gives me the same feeling.
You can still get a “current” edt of Apres L’Ondee pretty inexpensively on ebay and other online sources now. My recommendation is that if you love what you’ve been testing, you try and find a bottle from that same time period, if you know what that is. If you don’t know, make sure you sniff before you buy the bottle where they sell it, in case the formula is different from what you’ve been loving and wearing. Guerlain reformulations can lead to heartbreak and poorly spent fragrance funds if you don’t know what you are doing.
The current edt comes in a “smooth” gold box with a deeper gold vertical band and black line that runs down the center towards the name that is dead in the center of the front of the box. Older bottles have a prominent black area for the name label at the top and patterned gold lines on the box. These are still around, but harder to find and more expensive. Both the older and newer formulations of AlO are in the classic bee bottle. The very vintage stuff comes in some really lovely bottle shapes, but is very costly. Good luck!
Be careful, too, in case the tester and bottles for sale are different vintages. I had a real disappointment once when I bought a bottle of Mitsouko. I tried it out years before but never bought it (due to financial limitations) I decided to try it again, decided I still liked it, bought a bottle–disaster. The bottle was a new one like you describe, in the gold box with the line in the center. The tester must have been an older formulation. I really liked what was in the tester, but hated the bottle I bought.
I got totally suckered by the reformulation of Vol de Nuit extrait. I love love love the older/vitage version of VdN. I had the chance to get in on a split of current extrait, and well, it was a profound and expensive disappointment. I didn’t think that Guerlain would tinker *so much* with one of their revered classics, but I should have known better. You are right to mention about the testers.
I am wearing CDG Kyoto today. I’ll probably get a full bottle at some point. I really like it. Right now I am waiting with bated breath for my bottle of Diptyque L’Eau Trois to arrive. It was a blind buy but it was such a good price and considering the limited distribution of this one I couldn’t resist it. Hopefully it doesn’t turn out to be a costly mistake.
The perfume I can’t make up my mind about? That would be Bois 1920 Agrumi which I wore yesterday. I really liked it at first but by the end, it smelled a bit like pee. What could that be?
I feel the same way about Kyoto. Why am I still living on decants?
I have never smelled any of the Bois 1920 perfumes but I have seen black currant listed as a note in Agrumi and I know there is a bunch of citrus. Both grapefruit and black currant can smell a bit urinous, some people get straight-up cat pee from the slightest bit of black currant so I would guess that is the culprit.
Thanks for the reply. I’ve just read up on black currant and it sounds like it is indeed the culprit. I think I’ll have to retry L’Ombre fans L’Eau which I really liked. I want to see if I can detect that same unpleasant smell. I’m not sure if it was a particularly high concentration of black currant oil or an unfortunate interaction of ingredients that did it but until now I thought I really liked this note. Maybe it’s the difference between natural and synthetic black currant?
This is something I have always wondered……can someone explain to me how you can identify what fragrance goes with what season? I think I understand that light fragrances like Atelier’s Orange Sanguine would be a summer fragrance. But what makes a scent a “Winter Scent” or a “Spring Scent”? Your responses are greatly appreciated.
I’d say most of it is just what you *want* to wear at any given time. Most of these designations are arbitrary and it mostly depends only on what you feel like smelling like.
But generally folks wear greens and florals starting in the spring. These can transition right on through the summer, adding light citruses. In fall, people bring out their incense, chypres, ambers – generally “heavier” fragrances. Again, these can be worn through the winter along with the rich orientals. But it’s always fun to go against season and wear a heady white floral in the depths of winter.
This is very general and I’m sure others can add their opinions as well.
Yes, it’s really about how you feel it for yourself. My fragrance choices are very season dependent, but not everyone feels the same. For me perfume wears a bit like fabric. So just as I would never wear a woolen jacket in summer, I would never wear Chanel’s Coco or Dior’s Dioressence either. But there are many exceptions. Dense white florals can bloom on your skin best in the heat, for instance.
Agree with others, would add that it’s not always obvious and the best way to find out is to wear your perfumes (and test samples) in different seasons. For example, I adore BK Liasons Dangereuses in the fall. Something about its deft balance of rose and plum, with a dryness that suggests smoke, is meant for fall. It’s a delight to discover the perfect season and weather for each perfume.
For me, seasonal fragrances are an issue of “weight”, although some fragrances can break rules for that. Heavy fragrances are thick chypres, orientals, woods, deep spiced fruits, etc. Light fragrances are eau de colognes, citrus, white florals, etc. Humidity may play a roll in these decicisions. I can see being able to wear some woods, orientals, patchoulis, etc, if the weather was really dry. When it is very hot and humid, a rich woods or oriental fragrance may just feel suffocating. Similarly, in the cold damp weather of winter, Cristalle is just not going to warm me up, although it may make me think of summer!
I just bought a bottle of Cristalle and feel that it is light. So, living in Houston where it is extremely humid and sometimes reach 3-digit temps, it is perfect for this time of year. Got one right! 🙂
Yes, humidity is the great equalizer for fragrances I think. I love Critsalle edp!
In general, it’s weight for me too, and what the weather does to it. If the scent is light enough that it needs heat and humidity to bloom, it’s a summer scent. If the scent is heavy enough that heat and humidity will cause me to feel claustrophobic when it blooms, it is a winter scent. I also tend to be in the mood for florals in the spring and spices in the fall. Of course, I also like to have opposite day every once in awhile. I love the dryness of Dzongkha on a warm, rainy spring day and a light citrus or beachy scent will pick me up in the dead of winter.
These “rules” aren’t really rules at all though. More like a pattern as to what I crave and when. The only rule worth following is wear what you like.
Yep I agree with others about the weight. I would add that for me it has a lot to do with how my skin responds in the heat/humidity or cold to a perfume. I have super dry skin that turns almost everything to baby powder. I’m sure there’s a scientific explanation for that. In any case, some of the perfumes that I tried in Winter that were kind of meh on me are just so different with the heat and humidity helping them to stay on the skin and mix with oil/sweat etc. So in summer I can get away with smaller applications of some of the heavier perfumes I wear in Winter. I agree with others said to experiment and find out what works best for you.
Thanks to everyone who responded. I learn so much from all of you. I tend to just wear what I like on a particular day. But I know that I do tend to wear my “lighter” scents during the Spring / Summer season. I have learned that the rule is “there are no rules”! Thanks everyone. 🙂
Wearing Mugler Oriental Express, part of his new collection first launched here in Canada. It is a gourmand poedery iris, a bit like the dealy departed Guérlain Iris Ganache.
I think that’s a great poll question, “the perfume you just can’t decide if you like or not.” There are many perfumes toward which I am ambivalent, and some of the perfumes I like best have an attract/repel duality. Examples would be the weird Duchaufours, Diorella, the basic cologne accord, FM Portrait of a Lady and Shalimar.
Or sometimes I like the perfume a lot but there’s one note that’s not to my taste, like the fruity note in spicy DK Black Cashmere. Sometimes it’s because the name is a mismatch, so my brain can’t handle what the nose is reporting (blanking on example right now).
Today I reached for my bottle of Calypso Chevrefeuille b/c someone mentioned it yesterday and reminded me how much I enjoy it in the summer. It really lasted all day, esp. through a musical festival and book sale. This evening I doused myself in BV Eau Legere b/c it’s getting very cool at night now (boo-hoo, summer is almost over!). I’d really love to smell BV Eau Legere on a man!
How does the Calypso compare with Annick Goutal’s, AnnS? I’ve always loved the AG as a very realistic honeysuckle, and I find my (old bottle) of AG lasts really well, but Lucas said his sample, which was probably a very recent formulation, didn’t.
Not even on the same planet. AG’s Chev behaves more like a lemon citrus cologne that was partnered with a very crisp jasmine-honeysuckle. It is definitey a “white flowers” experience to the nth degree, and you must really want to enjoy the very tart lemon part. There is a very brief appearance of actually honeysuckle or some honeysuckle accord that lasts for about an hour on me. Then it’s all a nice well organized white flowers cologne. I only wear it in the hottest weather. OTOH, the Calypso Chev is more of a modern fragrance, meaning it’s more of an impression of the summer time when honeysuckle would be blooming, than actually smells anything like it. I was trying to think more clearly about it yesterday when I was wearing it. It has some sort of bergamot “green” notes that last for a long time and really hold it together, but it doesn’t smell “orange” at all. There is a clean jasmine in a supporting role, a dash of amber and probably some sort of nice musk that I can smell propping it up. The most prominent note in this fragrance is actually a very fresh linden. Yep, linden. NO wonder I liked it so much! So it is warm, persistent, and fresh without getting any soap or laundry musk smell. It is really nice and well done. But it’s not going to be “honeysuckle” white flowers fragrance.
Wow! Linden! That makes me really want the Calypso. Thank you for such a detailed description, as this is so helpful
Oh, and I have the older version which I got off ebay a few years ago. So yes, mine has a nice quality for a few hours. Normal for this type of AG. Or what used to be normal? It is not the current.
I find that all current formulations (no matter what company they come from) are weaker than their old selves. Definitely feel that they are being diluted, either for current market demands or IFRA restrictions.
Very true.
SOTD = Guerlain Cuir Beluga
I have a decant but may need a FB at some point. I had brunch with Daisy (coolcookstyle) at Prime Meats in Brooklyn and the met up with Ari at Twisted Lily. I tried Serge Lutens L’Orpheline which I like! The FB winner was Tauer Cologne du Maghreb. We also stopped by Atelier Cologne and I bought the 200mLs of Sous le toit de Paris in preparation for the splitmeet next month ;-). As the freebie, I got 30 mLs of the new Rendezvous so I now have all the Collection Metal series! We also went to Osswald NYC and I got samples of Stephane Humbert Lucas 777 Black Gemstone and Qom Chilom as well as LM Sensual Orchid.
This evening, I had dinner with friends at a fabulous restaurant Ai Fiori. It’s still Restaurant “Week” in NY next week so further gastronomic delights may be in my future.
OMG Hajusuuri. What an amazing day you had! Congratulations and enjoy all the beautiful perfumes you bought.
Thank you, Sajini!
What a fun day! And perfect weather in NY to be out & about.
So jealous of your Sous le toit de Paris. Came very close to purchasing a FB the other day, but that is a BIG bottle.
Would love to know what you think of the Rendezvous.
Hi Floragal, I am keeping the bottle sealed as I have 30mLs from a previous purchase. I will be splitting the 200mLs during Splitmeet in September. The only fair way to account for the freebie I got is to include the volume of it in calculating the per mL cost so while I still have to work out the final split cost, a 50mL split of it including the atomizer and postage will be around $53 – can’t beat this :-). It is also very easy to split since it has a screw top! The other one I’m splitting is Blanche Immortelle although that one will be more expensive (about $70 for 50mLs) since it is part of the Collection Metal Series and I’ll probably go with smaller volumes $~$16.50 for 10mLs or $31 for 20mLs).
I will be wearing Rendezvous during the week and will report it during the SOTD polls. It is definitely right up in my love it scale.
Wonderful price on the 50mls!
I’m sure you’ll have no problem finding happy homes for the Sous. If you are looking for any more partners on this do keep me in mind 😉
September can’t come soon enough 🙂 The splits will “open” during SplitMeet.
Nothing like a perfect day in the Big Apple! I’m very curious about the Stephane Humbert Lucas 777 line – need to order samples.
nozknoz, it was an absolutely perfect day…glad it was yesterday and not today as it is quite hot today. OsswaldNYC offers samples and the cost depends on the cost of the perfume.
What a wonderful day you had! Congratulations on your purchases.
Thanks! Now I feel so spoiled but I have to say that I should continue to appreciate my own perfume backyard!
I just bit the bullet and bought a bottle of Amouage Fate Woman. I got it with the 20% off coupon at Fragrance Net. It’ll be my first Amouage FB. I’ve gone through 5 or 6 of the carded decants and decided it was going to be my early birthday present to myself. Yay! This morning I am wearing some of my sample of Aedes de Venustas EDP that was given to me by a nice SA at Kuhl-Linscomb in Houston where they recently got their three perfumes. I love this one but didn’t like the other two at all. This one is tangy and spicy in an intriguing way. I read it has a rhubarb note and I can smell that one for sure! Might have to have more of this in my future. 🙂
Fate is wonderful! Enjoy spraying with abandon!
It was Fate that you should have it….ENJOY!!!
Oh, I love this one too! Great that you got 20% off! I got an 8ml decant which I am really enjoying- wish I had a FB not only for the perfume, but also for the stunning bottle! Enjoy it
My package from Phoenix Botanicals arrived yesterday, and my SOTD is Meadow and Fir by Phoenix Botanicals (notes: Violet, Linden, Wild Flowers, Fir, Amber, Resins, Myrrh). I wore it to bed last night, and I re-applied this morning. Overall, I really like it and I’m glad that I blind-bought it.
The first 30 minutes include a note that teeters on the edge of being pre-urinous. There is NEVER any urine, but during the first 30 minutes, there is something that makes me suspicious, like it’s just around the corner 🙂 Thankfully, that note disappears and the fir, violet, and resins remain. This stuff smells like a sun-warmed evergreen forest, and it’s very soft and comforting. Ahhhh …
The perfumer calls it a “luxurious treat for the nature lover,” and I agree (no affiliation).
Meant to add that I have the liquid (not the solid) version of M & F.
The weekend is GONE…GONE!!!Had fun yesterday with Miss Merlin in Johannesburg!Mini-Sniffathon,there is a vintage clothing shop in Joburg that sells some Santa Maria Novella’s at CRAZY low prices!!Walked away with some purchases…lol.Question NST!:I tested SMN Ginestra,apparently the main notes are from some broom-plant.Any other perfumes with that note that you guys might know?I LOVED the Ginestra,hope I can get a bottle asap!Happy Sunday!!
Sigh 15 minutes left…
But some Jicky from a certain J is making the transition a little easier 😀
Hehe!Glad you enjoy it!
Basenotes lets you search by fragrance note… I don’t really associate much with broom but they do list 26 fragrances. Can you access it? One of the ones I would say seems most likely is L’Artisan Côte d’Amour. They list others but of the ones I’ve smelled they seem to have other more dominant notes such as TF Jasmine Rouge.
I’m wearing Dior New Look 1947 today. I like the overall idea very much, but whenever I take a closer sniff, the synthetics feel a bit strong to my nose. Wish it had been done earlier with better ingredients and a bit more character. I definitely don’t need a full vat but appreciate the quarter-ounce “mini.”
Today I tried Jersey from Chanel. It was a sample I received when I purchased Cristalle. The SA at the Chanel counter was very generous. Anyway, Jersey was nice but didn’t last very long on me. I ended up spraying some Modern Muse from Estee Lauder on top of it and the combo was great together.
Tonight I reached for Nuxe Prodigieux perfume. This was just bought on my cursed trip to Paris that started with lost luggage and ended with our house being robbed and a lot of trouble in between. On the fourth day without my belongings (one outfit, four days, ick) I absolutely HAD to get my hands on some fragrance and a quick trip to the nearest pharmacie landed me this. It is incredible what a mood changer it managed to be, for which I’ll be forever grateful.
Wow I am very sorry for the bad times you’ve been through. I’m glad though that at least one good thing came out of it.
DKNY Red Delicious. A good apple scent for early autumn.