Last week of August, folks! And where I live, it's the first day of school. What fragrance are you wearing?
I'm in Kenzo Air, a wonderful summer vetiver with anise, and one of my few 'buying unsniffed' successes.
Reminder: this Friday, the 29th, wear the last fragrance you bought.
And for those of you who like to plan ahead, see Scent of the day ~ Friday community projects 2014, where I'll try to always have the next six or seven weeks mapped out in advance.
Note: shown is the Kenzo Pale Blue Tiger Babygrow, on sale for $52 at Alex and Alexa.
Good morning! I’m wearing Jasmin et Cigarette. This old sample has been lingering in purgatory, but I felt sort of drawn to it today, and I’m liking it much better for some reason.
I’ve never totally made up my mind about that one either. Wish it were bolder.
I always love Jasmin et Cigarette at first, but as time goes by it becomes increasingly harsh and gets on my nerves. I’d love a more natural-smelling version, I think.
SOTD is Halston Man Amber
Another one I have not smelled…
ha, didn’t think you were a blind buyer (Panthere incident nowithstanding). I too am wearing a blind buy that worked out–vintage Ungaro Diva purchased on eBay. Think I was reading the notes on Fragrantica and wanted to try–and it was inexpensive. It’s a lovely honeyed, civety well-blended floral. I only apply a small spritz, and that quantity doesn’t make a diva-esque impression.
I love Diva! They honey makes it sweeter and softer than other rose chypres from that era.
Well, I’m not supposed to be! But Kenzo Air was not much of an investment…can’t remember exactly what I paid for it, but I’m pretty sure it was less than $25.
Glad yours worked out too!
Diva’s very good… plenty skanky on me, though.
Sampling Musc Monoi. I like it but it didn’t last on me; I just respritzed after about an hour.
I finally made it to the PdN shop last week and surprised myself by walking out empty handed-the musc monoi also seemed to disappear quickly!
Wow, it does better on me. Wonder if you can’t smell the musk.
Yes, I must be anosmic to it, though my nose is also a little stuffy today. Victoria reviewed it today and said the musk lasted on her through a shower.
Wearing Ninfeo Mio, I’ve come down with a stomach bug and NM is one of the only scents I want to wear at such times. It’s a great scent whatever the occasion.
Hope you feel better soon and what a lovely idea for a perfume when you’re not feeling quite right
Oh no, get better soon!
Hope you are feeling better soon. Ninfeo Mio is a wonderful scent to help you feel better.
Thanks for all your good wishes! With Ninfeo Mio and a lovely white jasmin tea I should be feeling better in no time.
Oh, that does sound comforting!
Kerosene Pretty Machine. This really is pretty and I’d like some more but I do wish it lasted longer.
Tonight Mitsouko edt, current version. Both this and my L’Heure Bleu have the same base which seems to distract from the fragrance itself I think..
Hello from an incredibly wet UK on the last bank holiday before Christmas. I started off with some of the sample of rosa nobile I picked up last week and have jus tried a spritz on Infusion d’Iris. The Rosa Nobile is appealing.
Giving some serious testing to a sample of Pdn Vetyver. I really like it but it seems to be a bit masculine on me. Not that I am sexist when it comes to scents since I love Bvlgari Black and wear it often. I’ll keep sniffing throughout the day- really wish all samples came in spray packaging- dabbing just doesn’t seem to do it for me.
On another note I just did something I swore I would never do again after blind buying l’Artisan Vanille Absolument (which I detest and am looking to off-load, maybe in the upcoming swap). I just blindly purchased Encre Noir because I found it super cheap and then had an additional 20% off. How could I say no? Anyone have any opinions about EN? I got the male version as this seemed to be more what I was looking for and I know many feel it’s quite unisex…
Happy Monday to all and for the US folks, remember the 3 day weekend coming up! Woohoo!
I love Encre Noir. I bought it for my husband, but ended up wearing it more than he does. It layers well, also, especially with white floral perfumes.
Oh nice! That bodes well for me- thanks for commenting 🙂
I’ve almost bought Encre Noir (for men) a few times unsniffed b/c of all the glowing reports that it is very similar to Sycomore….. but I’ve passed. I am holding out for S I think.
I could only find the humongo giant size, so if you would like some to check out just email me at taiga101atyahoodotcom with your info- I have no clue on how to go about “decanting” but think I can figure it out- there must be directions on how to do it online somewhere 🙂
After hearing so many good things about Encre Noir I ordered a sample recently. It’s not for me (I don’t get too excited about vetiver “soliflores”) but I like smelling it on my husband.
Encre Noir is wonderful, my desert island pick for sure. It IS similar to Sycomore, but I like it better (my husband and I own and wear both) – which sure is a treat for the wallet 😉 It’s got a great bottle as well. I love many vetivers, but this one just makes me go weak in the knees. It’s unisex to my nose. The women’s version is something completely different, I only tried it briefly and it didn’t make an impression at all other than “bland”. Hope you like it!
I have read comparison reviews of Sycamore and EN, which I found really interesting. I have never put my nose on Sycamore, but EN seemed somehow “easier” from what I read- less complicated than S and of course, easier on the bank account! Thanks for your input 🙂
I am wearing Guerlain Rose Barbare today b/c I just needed something warm, almost cuddly, but really “bright” as well. Cheers!
SOTD is Cristalle because I have a busy day and was rushing this morning and didn’t want to think about it.
My blind buys that are more well researched (from reading comments and reviews here and on other perfume blogs) have turned out well. The most sucessful blinds buys I have done are Cuir de Lancome, vintage Balamin Vent Verte, and Infusion de Vetiver. Love them all, would buy them all again 🙂 It helps that I have now sampled enough classic and niche fragrances that I can calibrate my preferences to other people’s reviews.
Scent twins (often!) for the same reason – Cristalle is just so easy to wear. Returning to work full time today after a lovely and long summer break. Feeling a little sorry for myself (cue the violins) but I really had a wonderful summer.
I am wearing Guerlain Insolence EDP. I know some consider it “vulgar” but to me it smells of lovely violets on a rich warm base.
Oh I love it, but then I like vulgar perfumes.
If rich, warm, sweet and loud is vulgar then yes, I suppose I do too.
I have a mild cold but can still sort of smell. Didn’t want to wear anything that if oversprayed would be obnoxious so I’m wearing L’Occitane The` Bergamote, so now I smell gently like ice tea
Hope it gets better instead of worse!
It’s my first day of classes at college today, so I decided to wear my favorite, Chanel No. 5 EDP, which is comforting and familiar.
I think it’s awesome that you are wearing No 5 to college! Good luck, but it seems like you already have some!
Thank you! I generally disregard “rules” that some perfumes are only supposed to be worn at certain times and on certain aged people!
It’s Parfums de Nicholai week for me and I started out big with Number One Intense. This is a classic floral: jasmine, rose, tuberose, orange blossom (heck, I think all the flowers are in this one!) with a lovely sandalwood, amber and oakmoss. Great way to start out the week!
I’m in two Smell Bent oils, a bit of the Scrooge the Pooch limited edition from a couple of Christmasses ago mixed with Thai’d Down. Pooch is patchouli and Thai’s is mushroomy and spicy, so I’m smelling and feeling pretty good (which is a welcome change, given how miserable and gross yesterday was.) The mushroomyness of Thai’d always gives me a little mood lift.
I put on CSP Caramel Sunset, as I want to wear summery things before the cooler weather sets in. It’s sweet, but somehow doesn’t have a real sugar blast when I put it on.
Infusion d’Iris lotion today now that I am beginning to be able to smell again. I’d gotten this for cheap long ago and hadn’t really worn it, but now I realize it’s almost invariably perfect, so I’ve ordered a bottle of the perfume because of course I’ve ordered a bottle of the perfume.
Scent of last night was a sample that Ginger at Twisted Lily had given me of ELDO’s Archives 69. Something about it seems kind of….lifeless maybe? Artificial? Not sure. I haven’t found one of theirs yet, besides Like This, that I’ve found particularly compelling, but maybe I just haven’t tried enough of them yet.
And now I’m realizing that a little Archives 69 is still on my arm and it’s making me kind of nauseous….I think we have our first scrubber!
Their line is all over the map and very polarizing, but in my experience, Rossy de Palma Eau de Protection is a fantastic dark rose scent, Fils de Dieu is a delicious sort of citrus rice pudding and leather, Nombril Immense is a terrific patchouli, and Divin’Enfant is amazing — baby powder and marshmallows on a bed of leather, tobacco, and coffee.
But on the other hand, I really did not like Like This, so maybe you’ll hate everything I loved. It’s a big line, though, and there’s lots to try.
Kids are back in school here today, too; pools are closed; so, of course, it’s decided to be summer! On what seems like the umpteenth day of hot (ghastly today), humid, stormy weather, a splash of 4711 straight from the fridge is refreshing and about all I’m interested in for now. I longed for summer when it should’ve been here and now that it’s here too late, I’m so ready for fall!
SOTD: Bvlgari Man Bvlgari for men
Wearing SL Jeux de Peau today and enjoying its gourmand qualities. I just have a small decant and probably won’t spring for a bottle any time soon. I’ll probably buy another decant when this one runs out, though.
I heard this was discontinued? Or did I get incoming info mixed up yet again?
Serge Lutens hardly ever discontinues anything. Sometimes a scent goes from being in wide distribution (the export line, in spray bottles) to being available only in the Paris boutique and possibly a few other places (the exclusive line, in bell jars), but they hardly ever go out of production, it seems. Jeux de Peau is still available in the all the usual places, as far as I can tell. Thank goodness! I have a whole bottle and it’s one of my very favourite Lutenses.
It only lasted 3-4 hours on me, but I certainly enjoyed it during that time. Do you get any longer with it? (I spritzed generously.)
Glad to hear that it’s still around 🙂
I went with Angel Parfum de Cuir today. It was sitting on my dresser calling to me.
That stuff is SO GREAT. I think it’s my favourite of all the Angel flankers — it might even be better than the original, because the leather carves through the sweetness a bit.
That’s exactly my feeling about it. It’s actually the only Angel flanker I’ve tried, but I’ve heard some of the others were good too.
Seconding the “so great!” I picked up a bottle a few weeks ago and it’s a fabulous find for leather lovers. It’s way too hot still to wear – I’ll break it out around November.
I found my bottle at Marshall’s, so I decided I had to snap it up, and I’m glad I did. I’ve had a weird hankering for the heavier stuff the last few days, heat or no heat.
You’re the one! I saw your comment and high tailed it to Marshalls the next day and snagged a bottle myself! Hat Tip to you!
Yay! 😀
Good morning. I’m back from my hiking trip and after 4 days of smelling like bug spray and perspiration, I needed something girly. I’m wearing La Haie Fleurie from L’Artisan, as that is about as girly as they come.
You smell lovely!
Good choice!
I’m wearing Bottega Veneta today, inspired by my shopping trip on Friday where I visited the BV store to inquire about their new scent. The SA told me it was to arrive today, and to stop by for a sample this week. I must find some excuse to head over to that part of town!
🙂
This was the fragrance that launched me into the mad, mad, mad world of fragrance! It’s a favorite of mine 🙂
I get tons of compliments when I wear BV – you smell great! Let us know about the new one!
I never get compliments on any of the scents I wear and I wonder why. The only one that has ever gotten some attention and that person liked it was Estee Lauder’s Private Collection Tuberose Gardenia. So odd as I think I wear some pretty nice scents.
I really enjoy the original BV, but my recently-obtained sample of BV’s Essence Aromatique was horrifying. It wouldn’t scrub off. Of course. The wastebasket even smelled. For days. (Okay, an exaggeration, but . . . .)
I’ve come around on the Essence Aromatique. When I first tired it I was really surprised at how harsh it was for me and didn’t like it at all. I’ve tried it a few more times and I wouldn’t say I love it, or even like it, but it is not as harsh as that first time.
Meant to add that I’m still looking forward to trying BV’s Knot when it arrives. Fingers crossed on that one!
I’m wearing Bond No. 9 Chinatown today.
After I took my shower last night, I applied some of the Chinatown body silk, and I could still smell traces of it this morning. Smells so lovely. I spritzed some Chinatown eau de parfum on, along with more of the body silk.
I really love Chinatown (probably my first niche scent) but I don’t think I’ll ever repurchase it. I used it on me, my sheets, my towels…!
Wearing BP’s PC01, since summer is still going strong over here. School starts next week, so people doing lots of school-prep type activities, or cramming in some last official summer fun.
I am finishing off my sample of Grand Neroli today. I’m going to miss this one.
Wearing PdN L’Eau Mixte. Having a hard time deciding what to wear these days. It was pretty warm this morning so seemed like a good day for it.
I was feeling perversely dark on this hot bright sunny day so I wore SL Fourreau Noir, which is I guess mostly lavender and incense and tonka bean but smells a LOT like black licorice to me. It’s so gorgeous.
I enjoyed Fourreau Noir, but I don’t remember getting any licorice from it. Wish I had some of my sample left to retry it. As much as I liked it, I’m not sure it’s worth the exclusivity mark-up. 🙁
I don’t know if it smells like black licorice, exactly: there’s no licorice mentioned in any list of notes. It just reminds me a whole lot of those black licorice cigars and pipes. Which may or may not be the same thing!
That sounds really good! I’ll have to scope it out as I’ve not heard of that one.
I’m wearing Jo Malone Wood Sage and Sea Salt after picking up a sample yesterday. It’s very nice, but not thrilling…
Not to knock the whole line but is any Jo Malone really thrilling? They seem sort of safe to me: I’ve never encountered one that I couldn’t stop sniffing or thought I couldn’t live without. Vetyver Black Café was the only one I ever tried that I genuinely enjoyed wearing throughout its life, and even that wasn’t compelling enough to make me want to own it. (I thought I’d adore Rosewater and Vanilla and it was so nothingy, like a watered version of SL Rahät Loukoum.)
Yep, I too really liked the Vetyver Black Cafe minus the fact that it was so fleeting! Nothing else she has done is worth it to me..
I have to say that JM fragrances is the reason why I am the perfumista I am today. Nectarine Blossom and Honey is divine, Blackberry and By is exquisite, and Peony & Blush Suede is extraordinary! Maybe I am a bit bias, but I love almost everything they make. The fragrances are unique and they are designed to be layered.
JM’s new line Jo Loves is quite nice as well.
Love Nectarine & Honey also. That was one of my entry scents, too!
I feel that way about all the JM’s I’ve tried. Nice but not thrilling. I do, however, really enjoy the bergamot and oud dry body oil- the scent is “nice” but I really love how moisturizing it is and the lovely sheen it leaves on the skin without being greasy. 🙂
My wretched pursuit of trying to love Shalimar continues. I know this is one of the Holy Grail fragrances but I simply may not care for it. I definitely do not like the modern formula. Today my vintage bottle of the EDT came. Better but not love.
It’s OK if you don’t like the classics! All of this perfume stuff is so subjective and then there’s skin chemistry too. I don’t care for Shalimar or L’Heure Bleue, and that is OK.
I can still be in the Club? I do not have to give up my Perfumista Union card? Thank goodness! And thank you for your kind response and what a relief to know I am not the only one who does not enjoy Shalimar……
I admire Shalimar but I don’t like it all that much, so you’re not alone. The 1980s extrait was kind of an attack dog (my mother couldn’t bear it on her skin so she would put a tiny amount on a tissue and tuck it into her bra), and the I guess early-2000s EDT, which I have a smallish bottle of, is much more wearable but still not really my thing: I only put it on when I want to experience it, not because I love it.
You’re allowed to not love the classics, thank goodness!
I love your attack dog analogy! In the extreme drydown phase I find it nice, but not fabulous. Thank you for your kind response.
I love Shalimar, but I definitely get where you’re coming from. I found an almost untouched vintage EDP bottle at an antique store and gave it a cursory spray. It turned my boyfriend’s stomach! I was going to get myself a bottle of extrait when I graduated but I think I’ll have to find something else.
Today is a Marni day, and it’s working out well.
I had an incredible olfactory experience today! I decided to walk back to work from a dental appointment, along one of downtown’s main residential avenues, block after block of very dignified buildings. I was busily checking out everyone’s landscaping and window treatments when I passed a brownstone that belongs to the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, which to someone in my age bracket brings back memories of kids with shaved heads and saffron robes panhandling in airports, and George Harrison records. The sidewalk “air” outside of this building alone smelled of hardcore patchouli and incense – total head shop. I stopped and inhaled deeply, and for one minute – I was 16 again. It made my day!
I also want to thank someone on NST (unfortunately I cannot remember whom), who recommended Guerlain’s Cologne au Cedrat … I blind bought this a few weeks ago, and it is fantastic! I love the lime.
The baby clothes in the picture are awfully cute. And since I’m going to be an aunt in a few months, it sort of gives me ideas. I just can’t quite imagine spending that much on something for a baby that’s going to outgrow it in 5 minutes.
I didn’t even know Kenzo made baby clothes! And that price is already way marked-down.
It was news to me too. I looked around that site, and I was kind of shocked at some of the prices for baby clothes. There was a Roberto Cavalli onesie (seriously) that was like $250. So by that standard the Kenzo is downright economical.
SOTD is the first thing my hand hit in the cabinet this morning, Burberry Brit Rhythm. Not one of my favorites, it’s just a bit too sweet and powdery on me.
My first day back to work after being sick for about 10 days. I have a physical job, and still detoxing so did not smell very good by the end of the day. Tonight I decided to just roll with the BO and put on some vintage Bandit perfume.
Hope you keep on feeling better in the coming days!
Thanks Nebbe.
I sprayed on some Un Air de Samsara this morning, and it is still going strong!
Had all intentions to do a load of laundry this afternoon, guess what didn’t happen…
SOTD = My Inner Island Vaniglia Sopraffina e Rhum
This was my Vacation FB purchase this year and it is absolutely superfantastic! It is very concentrated and lasts and lasts!
It was hot hot hot here today so I was looking for something green green green… along the line of ivy green. Looks like I have a hole in my collection (the horror!). Iris Silver Mist was what I reached for but just didn’t hit the spot. Any suggestions???
I’ve been in PG Djhenné all day and just reapplied to head home. I don’t wear it often, but it’s a good dry, woody scent.
I *love* KenzoAir and wish I’d bought several bottles!
I am a school counselor and today was the first day of school for our kiddos in Texas. I decided to wear my signature and favorite fragrance. My signature fragrance is my go-to scent that makes me feel confident and happy. My SOTD was Nectarine Blossom and Honey. I wanted to leave a lasting impression.
I’d think Nectarine Blossom and Honey would help to relax anyone who came to talk with you, as well.
Definitely!
After deleting 3000 words from my dissertation (not recoverable), exposing my Macbook to malware (not so invincible), and mysteriously disabling my foreign accent popup menu (not resolved), I am wearing the antithesis of my misery. You guessed it: JOY.
My jaw absolutely just dropped in horror! How awful.
Hope the JOY is working!!
Ha ha, wa, waaahhh. Overdosed on Joy. Now I will l definitely have to go out for a jog to get the Joy out of my pores. Sweat it out. But for now, it’s back to write or die!
As a fellow distracted PhD, I feel your pain. Losing work is crushing 🙁 Glad your choice of scent helped; I’m sure the jog did too.
How awful for you! Waaahhh is right. :-). Hope the jog helps!
Oh dear — adding my sympathies. You smell great though!
Hanae Mori Eau de Collection No. 1 was what I started out with, but after doing a lot of work outside in our 90 degree and very humid weather, I needed something green and refreshing after a cool shower. I layered June Jacobs Cucumber & Green Tea body balm under Shiseido’s alcohol free version of Relaxing Fragrance and instantly felt way more comfortable and collected. It’s supposed to be hot and humid for most of the week so I’m trying to remember what wears light on my skin so I’m not smothered by it as the day wears on. 😉