Care to tell us your fragrance of the day?
I'm back in Le Labo after reading the news this morning that the brand has been acquired by Estée Lauder. I'm wearing the lovely (and cheerful) Bergamote 22.
Reminder: this Friday, 10/17, wear one of the perfumes included in Michael Edwards' Perfume Legends (I've added a complete list at the end of the book review), or wear any fragrance from 1992 or before.
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.
Taking Tauer’s new Sotto la Luna Gardenia out for a second spin. I have a decant and seeing if it is fbw, interesting and compelling it is, gardenia? Not so much.
I get more gardenia out of it when it’s humid but I found it compelling enough to buy it
I get gardenia. But one that is buried, sooner rather than later, under the rich woody-ambery stuff.
I think that is a good way to describe it and I too am pushing it towards my to buy list.
I’ve been in a negative funk in the past week or so….I continue the search for my Foreverman (the title I’ve given to my as of yet unmet future life partner, whoever he may be), but dating in New York, much as I love the city, is *brutal.* So much rejecting and rejection and by the time you’re in your early 30s, you’re over it. Sigh. Taking a brief break from online dating to regroup, and wondering if I should just lean in and become a nun.
Due to this current state of mind, I purchased Elizabeth and James’ Nirvana Black (decidedly not appropriate for use at my future convent) at full price at Sephora the other day, and have no regrets. I have been crushing on it hard for a while, and wore a sample on my birthday a few weeks ago that made me feel and smell fabulous.
There may be no worthy men at present, but by GOD, there will be worthy scent.
Hope you’re all well, fellow fumies.
So sorry, that’s rough. A brief break sounds like a good idea. And meanwhile, you can smell fabulous.
Thanks Robin! You smell delightful too.
One of my best friends is in the same situation w/ dating in NYC. My sympathies. OTOH, Nirvana Black smells great.
If she wants to start a support group, I’m ready. And thanks!
Well I’m obviously not your guy but I like your company if you want to hang out before/during/after the Twisted Lily event Sat. Nirvana Black is lovely
Aww – I like your company too and I’d love to hang out before that event! Really looking forward to it – going to bring my copy of Scent and Subversion to be signed and fan girl all over Barbara Herman.
I’m looking forward to sniffing vintage perfumes and it ties in so nicely with the Friday SOTD theme
The search is tough, but hey, you’re looking for the Foreverman! These things take time and a keen eye… and lovely perfume to carry you thru those more trying days.
Thank you! I’m working on staying positive…thus the much needed break from online dating. But yes, thank god for perfume.
Those of us who had met you KNOW you are drop-dead gorgeous inside and out. (Guys, she didn’t pay me to say that).
Oh, and you smell fabulous!
You are so sweet – thank you! Very, very kind of you to say.
Thanks for the mood-boosting guys. You’re all lovely.
True on all counts.
Awww – thank you so much dear!
I was reading the comments before a trip to Sephora and you inspired me to take the Nirvana Black plunge after months of pondering
I know it doesn’t last very long on me, but gosh darn it, why argue with what you love 
Also I love the bottle even more than I thought I did (they didn’t have the lid on the tester so I didn’t full appreciate it).
As for the dating, no comment beyond good luck and thank goodness for perfume…and wine
I hope you’re loving Nirvana! Isn’t that bottle great?
And thanks for good wishes!
Anytime my marriage hits a rough spot I remember how much dating sucked and I make up with Mr. Lucy right away. It’s tough. Don’t give up though. New York is a big place. There’s as much room for wonderful men as there is for jerks. And if you do find the right man for you, it really is worth all of those horrible dating stories you’ve been racking up.
Lucy, thank you so, so much for the supportive comment – it does help!
Dating does suck doesn’t it? I don’t think it matters where you are, it always feels as though the whole world is full of ‘could-have-beens, should-have-beens, or will-never-ever-be’s…
As much as remaining single is depressing, especially considering how much energy and emotional reserves are depleted in the whole dating thing, at least you are remaining true to yourself. I don’t believe that ALL those couples out there are happy. Or even compatible. Some people are lucky enough to find their Foreverpartner, but others just settle because they don’t want to be alone. There’s love, but not LOVE!
You’ll find it when you least expect it. Just take care of you.
Perthgirl – I just now saw this. Thank you so, so much for your encouraging words – they are much appreciated!
SOTD is Prada Amber pour Homme Intense. Went a little femme yesterday with Narsisco Rodriguez For Her, so I decided to go a little masculine today. Amber pour Homme Intense opens pretty masculine, but after a bit it settles into a nice smokey amber that I think anyone could wear. I think its FB, or at least decant, worthy.
So … what does it mean for Le Labo now that they have been acquired by Estee Lauder? I have to admit, I haven’t gotten into Le Labo scents – I only went to a store once and I think the fact that the names aren’t always a signifier of the actual scent threw me off. Do you think anything will change? Have other niche brands lost their charm once they were acquired by a larger company? I’m wondering if I should hurry to try stuff before that happens.
I was your scent twin yesterday with ApHI.
Very hard to say what will change. Jo Malone sort of changed, but had flip flopped over the few years before & after anyway so very hard to tease out what caused what. Bigger question for me at the moment is how long the founders will stay with the brand.
Estee Lauder has done well by Tom Ford…it’s not like they’re incapable of sustaining a luxury brand with a very different style than their own.
Good point. I didn’t realize quite how much Estee Lauder owned! According to their website, their companies range from “entry-level prestige to ultra-premium luxury.” Don’t know why that made me laugh! I guess what they do with Le Labo depends on whether they consider it prestigious or luxurious.
Fingers are crossed that EL doesn’t F-up Le Labo by trying to make it more mainstream or cost effective. I hope they decide to take the high road!
You are tactful, rose pepper! Re “the names aren’t always a signifier of the actual scent” – I’d go with “Not-Main-Ingredient Random-Number”. I bought a bottle of Not-Patchouli 24 in spite of and not because of the various affectations (and the Le Labo fellow was pretty nice even enacting the whole ritual with a straight face).
Wearing Encre Noire (men’s) today and loving it. Shame it’s not very strong at all (on me that’s something, as everything tends to last), but it’s an excuse to refresh.
Yum, you smell great for now, at least!
SOTD is Tobacco Vanille (Tom Ford). It is another crummy cloudy cool day, I needed something comfortable and cozy (wow, all those c’s).
You smell great! And comfortable and cozy as well!
Just smelled this for the first time in the wild over the weekend, on a good friend. I was all “Mmmmmmmmmmm”
Wearing Black Flower Mexican Vanilla from Dame Perfumery. Reminds me of a lighter version of Tendre Madeleine and I’m curious how it will respond to layering.
How is the “staying power” for you?
Staying power was very good but it was relatively quiet/close to the skin for this kind of vanilla. I expected it to be a little stronger, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing, since vanilla can be overpowering.
What?! EL now owns Le Labo? I’m a little shocked. I never really explored the line due to price and limited availability. I’m surprised at the takeover, I have to say- EL and LE Labo seem odd bedfellows.
SOTD is Hermes Hiris, which I am really digging! Glad I bought a full bottle as I like more than my decant of PdE Equistrius because it is less powdery and more earthy, while still seeming to be shimmery and transparent. Equistrius decant is just about gone, so timing was good for the Hiris purchase.
Happy Humpday to all!
How is it Wednesday already? It was just Sunday night!!
I know right?! Just the other day I was 32! Now I’m 49, and I really don’t know how THAT happened…;)
I realized the other day that I’m closing in on the end of my “F” decades and creeping up on the “S” decades – EGAD. In my head I’m 28!
Me too! I also realized that when I was 28, going out with a 45-year-old guy was fine, but the thought of going out with a 76-year-old guy strikes me as odd because 76 is old! Same age difference, though I think when I am 76 I will probably still feel 28. Guys probably feel younger too.
Xerjoff JTC Ivory Route. It’s the only one of the entire set that I’ve smelled that’s any good — but it’s REALLY good, like a cross between Spicebomb and Ambre Narguilé, heavily spicy at the top and then warm golden tobacco and amber.
Sounds really great. However, probably not going to investigate Xerjoff any farther than I have (two samples, neither of which I liked).
I don’t blame you. I never cared for any of the previous Xerjoff scents I tried, and the eight JTC scents that I sampled before Ivory Route ranged from merely uninteresting to genuinely bad. And at that price? Forget it. Lots better things out there.
Fall has finally hit my area and we’re experiencing cool temps in morning (cooler outside than in) with days in the mid 70s. To celebrate, I’m wearing Ormonde Jayne Woman. I’m alone in my work pod today. It’s quiet today and I’m wafting Fall all around me.
I’m wondering the same about Le Labo and whether it’s time to pick up a travel set of the few scents that I like. Hmmm.
You smell fabulous!
It’s fall here, too. Gray but not gloomy, and rainy but I’ve got my rain jacket and my own personal bubble of Eau Duelle Edp to keep me dry and happy.
Sitting under an air vent on the bus, and it is swirling my scent around my nose.
Getting nervous that this morning is starting out way too well. Am I about to spill coffee on myself our something?
I’m trying Cuir d’Ange. I wore it last night and again this morning, and it’s lovely but very, very soft. After a couple of hours last night, it seemed like the strongest thing left was a clean musk, which was not my favorite part, but I’m not getting that yet today.
GAh. Can’t wait for my decant to show up.
Me neither!
When I was at the Midtown NYC Hermes boutique 5 weeks ago, the SA there said this was not worth all the hype. The tester was not available then so I couldn’t refute her comment. Could you imagine? I bet she would have been fired if a manager heard her say that!
Interesting about Le Labo. I’m sampling VC&A California Reverie today, which I absolutely love, even if it’s already gone after 3 hours. I drained half a vial on it, but it *was* dabbed and not sprayed. At any rate I’ve added this to my to-buy list.
That one is gorgeous.
How would you describe CR? Is there some other perfume that you could compare it to? I have been considering a blind buy for a while… …
On me there was a plastic note but it could be a sample container issue – the SA used one of those plastic bottles that makeup base or oil samples come in.
Interesting; I didn’t get the plastic note. (My sample was from glass vial.) I really don’t have much to compare it to. It’s sort of the same general vibe (happy summery honeyed floral) as Chanel Beige, although I much prefer CR. (I was also reminded, at one point in the drydown, of Clinique Happy.) If you like this sort of thing I’d think a blind decant buy would be entirely safe.
Thanks Hajusuuri and ErinK! Plastic vibe does not sound good… but easy-going pretty scent is what I am looking for with this one, I feel I don’t really have enough of that type… So still tempted as Erin does not find plastic. Cool they have the 45 ml size… Might wait until spring, though. So many other things probably fit our cold fall/winter better than CR.
Scent of the day is Antonio Puig’s Quorum, a lovely woody Chypre for fall and not too masculine at all. Was able to purchase this at JR Cigars in Burlington NC on my return from Asheville. If you get a chance to stop by there do so. Three glorious counters full of difficult to find fragrances discounted. All mainstream but at least you can smell things you might not normally have access to. I belief Mr. Turin has referenced this location for perfume shopping but he was much more coy about naming it than I was!
I used to live in Asheville and miss it so! What great find you made in discovering JR Cigars! Who woulda thunk it with a name like that?!
Thank you for the info on the EL takeover of Le Labo – have been in their standalone London shop & it was really interesting, though I didn’t buy anything (I try to travel with carry-on only, so the size limit for liquids prohibits purchase much of the time). I may pop in when I’m there in Dec to see what’s what. Not wearing fragrance today – major house-clean today & tomorrow before Seattle trip on Mon – come Mon, though, it’s Penhaligon’s Bluebell for the next 10 days!
*Unless* you stop in at Nasreen’s for some sniffing (1005 1st Ave).
This was on my list for the trip, but looking at the website there are fragrances listed as available that I know for a fact are discontinued or were limited editions, so either the list hasn’t been updated or the stock is getting rather old! Must admit was a bit put off by this, but if you think it’s worth a look I will pop by.
Hopefully, since Estee Lauder bought Le Labo, they will bring back Aldehyde 44. It really grew on me even though it’s close to no 22. Right now, I am going commando because I am overwhelmed by my collection today.
I hope so too. We need more aldehydes in the world. Of all of the majors, I like EL the most and they have one of the best collections of fragrances in the industry. I am wearing Mitsouko today however (2013 restored edp).
Yes! We need more aldehydes.
Funny thing is, I typical enjoy them more in summer and winter, not so much in the fall.
word.
Wonder if the Le Labo City Exclusives will stay exclusive under the EL ownership.
I am wearing AG Eau de Charlotte today. It is warm and sunny here and that one felt like a good one to wear.
Haven’t worn that one in ages, may have to dig it out– though in this case, it would be to sweeten up a rainy & dreary day.
And not just totally cut from the collection due to cost…
Yum, yum, yum… loving the ever lovely Amber Oud by PdN.
Lavender and vanilla coziness.
Interesting news on Le Labo now under the continually expanding EL umbrella – wow!
Hi, I’m new here. I’ve been reading for a few months and decided to register finally.
My SOTD is Grey Vetiver by Tom Ford, one of my top favorites.
Hi and welcome! Great scent, of course…
Hiya! Glad you joined the conversation
Welcome! I should try this!
SSS Tabac Aurea again today – it’s Essence of Autumn for me. I need some “golden” today because we’ve had endless rain rain rain for the past several days.
(Also, one of our ten-year-old scarlet maples cracked in half during the windstorm yesterday. SIGH. I will miss it.)
I just noticed last week that my original bottle of Tabac Aurea is almost empty. Yowz! However, I already have a backup bottle from a swap a couple years ago.
Wow! I still have about half of my original “custom blend, 50% patchouli” (yeah, I know, serious patchophobe me) 47ml bottle from… gosh, 2011?
Mine is the 17 ml bottle so it’s not as shocking! I haven’t even worn it yet this year, but it’s been a winter go-to for years.
Condolences for your tree! I lost a beloved redbud a few years ago after a heavy snow, and I have a coralbark and two Japanese maples that I would be VERY sorry see damaged.
Daim Blond for me today. It’s funny that I enjoy that stewed-jammy-apricot note so much in this even though I hate eating stewed-fruit puddings.
I’m also surprised to see Le Labo team up with such a giant as EL, especially after carefully constructing that niche, cool, “edgy” image. Will be interesting to see what – if anything – changes!
Wearing Vitriol d’Oillet. Really digging this.
My SOTD is Oeillet Bengale. It is becoming a staple for me this fall. I am enjoyingf it immensely.
With LeLabo being acquired by El, does that mean it will be available anywhere EL is?
Wearing a tiny spritz of Trefle Pur. I am feeling cautiously optimistic about the Le Labo buyout; perhaps EL will be cutting out the pretentious nonsense about city-only availability, etc.
Mmm, Trefle Pur. Nice choice!
SOTD is Amouage Epic Woman, again. One reason being that my cardigan still smelt strongly of it since yesterday, Epic truly has an epic longevity!
Oddly enough, I am wearing another EL brand, Donna Karan. I spritzed on some of the rebooted Chaos since I knew I would be in over-cooled rooms all day and would need a little olfactory warmth.
Wearing Cuir de Lancôme, which judging by the comments on here is one of the more popular scents with perfumistas. I’m enjoying it; so easy to wear and elegant.
Still commando at the moment, but am thinking maybe Afternoon of a Faun or Jasmine et Cigarette.
Wearing CBIHP Gathering Apples today. Most of his stuff is so realistic, I’m surprised that the apple here is a bit Jolly Rancher-ish. Quite juicy, but too sweet.
Got a few minis in the mail last week. I’m wearing Thierry Mugler Alien.
Hello, odor-perfect posters.
I’m wearing Teo Cabanel’s Barkhane. This is pretty darn great. You can tell it’s a cousin to Alahine, but where Alahine is smoky and golden, this Barkhane is smoky and sienna. It’s definitely an oriental, bolstered with tobacco and smoke and something boozy. I’m intrigued. Highly recommended.
I really should try this. I accidentally ordered 2 sample sets thinking that .7 mL quantity is too small and each one is actually 1.5 mLs so I can spray to my heart’s content once I transfer them to an atomizer.
Wearing Milk of Flowers today. Have a job interview in a couple of hours so no wearing something big.
Good luck with your interview!
Good luck!
Best of luck to you!
Yay job interview! Hope it goes well- good luck!
Best of luck on your interview! MoF sounds good for an interview — spice for confidence, but not too “loud.”
Oh, I hope that isn’t bad news for Le Labo.
What a coincidence. I picked out Aldehyde 44 this morning! It’s so fizzy, soapy (in the best way but I do love soapy) and even feels a bit like there’s a good dose of some sort of citrus in there, too, though I’m getting a cold so can’t get all the particulars as well as I’d like.
However, I was thrilled to see that the vintage bottle of White Shoulders, on which I took a financially reasonable chance, not only arrived when Mr. Ab. Scent brought in yesterday’s mail (it was pouring buckets most of yesterday and we missed it until today), but it smells so much better than even what I remember from the 90’s.
Again, my nose isn’t functioning at 100% today, which is awesome for diaper changes but not so much for perfume analysis, but I got so much gardenia, jasmine and lilac. Even the top notes seem to be in really good shape though I’ll have to spray more liberally to know for sure. The bottle’s from around 1980, maybe a little earlier, and was even still in the plastic wrap. I’m in flowery fizzy perfume heaven.
Off to go make some tea and try to sneak in a quick rest. Hope everyone’s having a great day. You all smell wonderful!
Ooh, White Shoulders. I wore that years ago – the vintage version is beautiful.
I wore White Shoulders bath oil (as a perfume) as a teenager in the 1980s. Good stuff, and very strong.
Love White Shoulders. I have some very vintage stuff and some slightly newer juice and it’s just fabulous
Wearing:
Ambre Nuit by Dior La Collection Privee
Reaction to Lauder’s acquisition of Le Labo:
Hello watered down Oud 27 and Le Labo kitchens at Macy’s!
Le Labo kitchens at Macy’s, LOL!
Wearing Hermes Jour and Jardin sur le Toit layered – this combination sort of works for me today, I think!
I don’t usually play with layering, too afraid of ending up with a mess on skin.
Well, today has been something of a trial and it’s not even noon yet here. Woke up early, had coffee (thank God) and then there was a blackout and loss of power for the next two hours probably because wind knocked over a tree. After the lights came back on, I did battle with Comcast, who sent me a bill for equipment I returned in August, and then they screwed up my email address after I moved.
I haven’t even washed my face yet, and am girding myself to approve the contract for a bath remodel that makes my mouth dry and my hands wet–20k and the room is TINY. However, the work needs to be done and the contractor has great references. I will be dousing myself in either Bois des Iles or Champagne de Bois, haven’t decided which. Either way I will feel fortified!
Strength to you
Ugh…sorry for the crappy day!
Wearing Alien aqua chic 2013, although I overapplied lol.
Continuing the theme, today is Coty L’Origan (courtesy of a perfumista who gave me a sample.)
The hazard of working close to a shopping center is that I often end up there to pick up lunch. Hence, I’m now wearing Lush Vanillary on one hand and Breath of God on the other. I’m enjoying both right now but am very surprised by Breath of God, since I found it so off-putting the first time I tried it.
I have the solid of Vanillary, and I love it- I’m very lavish with and it’s great for moisturizing skin too. I wish they had a big tub of body butter in this scent- I’d snap it right up!
I tried the solid in both, and all day, I’ve been noticing how soft it made my skin! I might need one of these… but I’ll count it as a lotion purchase and not a perfume.
You can even “forget” to list things and no one will judge you
Yesterday’s gardenia discussion and our weird, pre-storm warm, humid weather prompted me to pull out a neglected sample of Parfums MDCI Nuit Andalouse. The Non-Blonde described it as “what happens when gardenia is paired with violets and a creamy dessert” and noted that it would be a perfect wedding perfume. I think the other notes complement and support the gardenia rather than taking over.
It’s really beautiful in that symphonic, real perfume MDCI way that recreates the quality of vintage perfumes with a modern lightness. This particular Nuit Andalouse is a perfect warm evening in June in the gardens of the Alhambra.
Sounds very pretty.
FYI, I was just looking at the Parfums MDCI website and saw the following, which is not really news, but I thought their frankness deserved to be noted:
“IMPORTANT INFORMATION
“Unfortunately, thanks to IFRA guidelines, “Enlèvementau Sérail” is no longer available, even as samples.
“Please do not include this fragrance in your selection when ordering sets.
“Thank you for your understanding!”
RIP, Enlèvementau Sérail! So sad about IFRA and the EU’s nonsensical undervaluation of perfume. (The basic problem being that the EU considers perfume to have no benefit in its risk/benefit analysis of chemicals.)
Oh no! I have a largish decant…it will need to be rationed now. Such a shame, as it’s such a pretty fragrance.
I have been very curious about this line but have kept my distance due to price point. I give them two thumbs up for alerting customers to crazy, irrational, ridiculous, unsubstantiated “facts” while the entire world continues to poison the planet with highly fragranced chemical nightmares called “laundry detergent,” “fabric softener,” plastic nonbiodegradable exfoliating beads, candles, air “fresheners,” ad nauseum, none of which gets filtered out of water systems. Ugh! So nonsensical!
DIY-ing it today. I’m wearing a smoky/leathery carnation thing I made some time back. It was my first real attempt at a carnation accord, and I think it’s fairly solid. It’s had some time to age now, and I’m pretty happy with how it’s turned out. I was a little worried about the cade oil at first. It’s strong stuff, and even the tiny amount I used threatened to dominate everything. But over time it’s settled in and found its place. The top is still smokier than I had initially envisioned (ensmellened??), but I like it. It’s gotten less smoky as the day goes on. Now it’s more clovey/resinous as I’m getting more myrrh from the base. I decided to give it a whirl today since it was a cool morning, and something smoky felt right.
I’m very impressed – I love perfume but can’t imagine composing anything. Congratulations!
Thanks! This is pretty much the only successful project I’ve done. Most end up being varying degrees of disaster.
Hey, that sounds nice! Kudos to you for exploring and not letting “disasters” get you down! Keep on mixing and matching
Thanks! It’s a lot of fun, even though it can get expensive (thinking about all the materials I want to order… if my credit card could cringe…). The disasters are just part of figuring it out.
“ensmellened.” Hee, hee. Carnation, clovey, and resinous … mmm … nice.
It will certainly be intwresting to see if EL put Le Labour into wider distribution, or let it still play hard to get.
I’m thinking of wearing No. 5 today, to mark the release overnight of the new ad.
SOTD = Papillon Perfume Angelique
This smells like what makes tobacco smell more like pipe tobacco and not the dry version ( but there is no tobacco in the notes). The mimosa gives it a luminous sweetness and integrates well with iris. I know I am oversimplifying but I love it and a FB will join my collection sometime soon
That does sound nice!
Not that I am enabling…Indigo is celebrating its first birthday today only — 20% off any FB purchase with code Birthday Bash
Correction…the code is Birthday Gift (not Birthday Bash)
finished a decant of Timbuktu today a decided I just don’t like the patchouli/incense/vetiver combo, oh well, the journey continues
First hot day of the season today, from low 20s (about 70f) to 35 (95) overnight, so wore lots of Madragore edp
Grad school and work have been kicking my butt, so I treated myself to the last bit of Apres L’Ondee from my decant.
And now I have none.
(On another completely unrelated note, had anybody heard about the new Frederic Malle being released exclusively in Dubai – it is being called ‘The Night’?)
Yes! Just read about that!
SOTD was Grey Flannel; I wanted something soapy on this grey morning. SOTE is Coco, which is my preferred “done with work, so I’m changing into cozy clothes” scent these days.
Yesterday I wore ELdO Rien – wow is that some crazy stuff! Just a tiny bit dabbed on is so strong I just can’t imagine what the “Intense” version must be like. It was fun but it made me want something pretty today so I have sprayed on Chanel Coromandel three times today and just can’t stop huffing my wrists!