The usual open thread: talk about anything you like — the perfume you’re wearing today, the fragrance you're trying to find at a good price, whatever.
Or, ask a question about fragrance, then see if anyone else has asked a question that you can answer…
Note: image is where the fairies dwell [cropped] by psyberartist at flickr; some rights reserved.
Yipee – I’m first! So, all the talk of Samsara a few weeks ago led me to try the Edt again and I love it! Unfortunately in South Africa it is not a discount perfume. With old classics I am so used to finding them for good prices $50 or less, that $100 for 50mls just seems a lot… To make it worse American sites have it for so little – but theres no way it’s worth it with taxes and postage etc. So, for the moment it’s under consideration. For those whom have it – would you pay $100? A lot of people talk of the modern fake sandalwood accord, but personally I can’t tell the difference.
Yikes! $100 for a bottle there? Wow, that is really expensive for that. Would buying a bottle from the US with postage/taxes end up being the same amount? If you really want it and it’s a little cheaper getting it from US then that’s probably your best way of getting it.
I bought mine as a blind buy but I’m glad I got it. I never smelled the original so I can’t comment on whether or not I think the newer formula is worth the price or not, but it is beautiful. I found myself reaching for it as “whenever” scent when I wanted to change what I wearing or needed to put on something but couldn’t be bothered with thinking much about it.
Not surprised to read you can’t tell the difference; the original Samsara was famous/infamous for the large amount of fake sandalwood used (along with Mysore). I was lucky enough to come across 2 (admittedly inexpensive) small refill bottles of the reformulated EDT and I think it’s fabulous. Even on days I don’t wear it I keep one of the EDTs in my purse and haul it out for a calming yet re-energizing sniff (especially to counter negative smells encountered on public transit — no need to spray and annoy anyone, I just uncap and breathe deeply).
Not really trying to enable ;_) just an argument on the pro-buy side.
Lindaloo, that’s really interesting! I always thought the older one was like THE sandalwood scent. But the funny thing is that I’m not always enthusiastic about more genuine sandalwood like effects. Often I find them too dense and buttery.
I do like the current Edt more than the deeper rougher Edp… Don’t know or really care which is closer to the original!
Bought it years ago at THAT Atterbury shop,Merlin.Edp 50ml was around $80 back then.Have never worn it though…lol
Johano, I did phone but they don’t have it at the moment!
Their stock is worryingly low at the moment!!!
Thanks for feedback everyone! Jenkr, our postal service has been on a prolonged strike and customs are notoriously expensive and hard to predict, so I’m not going that route. Your review of it as a whenever scent is the best possible type of review. I grant you at least 3 enabling pins 🙂
Hello Merlin, I’m in Durban. Mail me on ijooste@internews.org – I think I may have a Samsara solution 🙂
Ida, message sent!
Commando right now but will be wafting SL Fille en aiguiles later which will be perfect for a late evening Christmas concert at a 144 year old church. I’m going with a bunch of friends and we’ll have dinner at a fabulous Italian restaurant prior to taking the short walk to church.
Sounds like a beautiful evening! Love this time of year!
Sounds like a perfect evening (and a very fitting scent).
I can’t figure out what to wear to the show I’m attending later… Maybe I should go with Vol de Nuit…
ohmygoodness–ohmyGOODness–OH MY GOODNESS! I have been waiting to announce/brag about this until all was settled well and good, but GUESS WHAT?!
I am now the proud owner of a full bottle of my desert-island scent (for surely this is it for me!)–a 4oz bottle (FOUR OUNCES!!!)–of Guet Appens (Attrape Coeur)!!!!!!
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
Thanks to my perfume fairy Godmother (for surely that must be what you are, Catherine!), I purchased this off the ‘bay on Black Friday for practically a steal! (OK, it was Amouage-level expensive, but that’s nearly half off what I’ve seen it generally speaking!)
It is a beautiful, blue-glass, Art Deco stopper bottle, so I will likely be decanting little portions into a sprayer to make use of it. But I feel like I have enough that I can wear it as often as I like! Yay! Huzzah! Yippee Skippy! Woohoo!
Just thought I’d let you all know. 😀
Oooh, congrats:).
Thanks so much!
How do you feel about that? I mean, are you happy? I just can’t tell :p
Yeah, it’s alright.
😀 Oh, ok then! Lol!
Oooh congratulations! I’d never even heard of that one, but it sounds really nice.
It is an usual, and lovely, candied violets and rose scent. It is one of the scents that convinced me that I *do* actually like rose as a note. I find it has the *fullness* that I really crave in my fragrances, as well. Like the scent-equivalent of Phil Spector’s “Wall of Sound.” It is well-rounded and evolves without becoming simple throughout the dry-down.
“The Wall of Sound” – what a perfect comparison. When scents are just perfectly harmonized, lush, rich, and full of life with lots of moving parts. Perhaps a bit bold and outspoken too?
I feel that way about Carnal Flower and Iris Silver Mist.
Yes to all you say! You could add lusty and passionate to the list.
I can completely see what you mean about Carnal Flower, although I’m still undecided about it. ISM is too cold for me–but I keep waiting to be grown-up enough for iris scents! 🙂 It is wonderful to feel that way about a fragrance, though, isn’t it?!
4 oz! Nice, congrats.
Thank you, and I know! I would have been happy with a partial bottle–even a smaller partial bottle. This is more than I could have realistically hoped for! Now, if only I can manage to preserve it ok!
That is, preserve it for continued use over the years! (I haven’t *quite* purchased a perfume fridge, yet, but I can see why it’s tempting!)
Just put it in your fridge! I keep my more delicate scents there and they have been fine for years!
And congrats on the buy!
I can see Mr. Spicebomb and my mother rolling their eyes at me now. . . ! “Is that a bottle of *perfume* in your fridge?!”
On a practical note–you don’t notice a transfer of scent between food and perfume? Will I have perfume-tasting butter? The GA/AC wouldn’t be so bad, but Shalimar could be a bit much!
First, congratulations on your fabulous purchase!
Second, if you are decanting, infrequently, and you keep the stopper seal area wrapped with parafilm (or the equivalent) I think your treasure will keep well. And eventually you’ll be able to display that gorgeous empty bottle.
Good suggestion Lindaloo, thank you!
I’ve never noticed that, but I keep my bottles carefully sealed, boxed and cold.
Nice nice nice!!!Congrats!
Thank you!
EEEEE!!!! Oh gosh I’ve been holding my breath–stopper bottles are scary! I’m DELIGHTED it made it safely to you–the scent’s so beautiful and on top of that, it really was a great deal!! It was at least half the price I’ve seen it going for, maybe even like 75% off. Couldn’t be more thrilled to see it go to a truly loving home!!
I was admittedly nervous, but how could I resist what could have been such an opportunity? And I agree–I’ve seen bottles for much, MUCH more than I spent. Funny though, it’s a “deal” that doesn’t seem to translate to non-fumies. I tried to explain to some friends at work, and they seemed just about in shock at the price. “And what, now, is exchange rate for gold?”
Congrats on the great buy! I want to be that happy about something. I have no idea what it smells like but it must be something special to elicit that type of response.
It’s special or I am. 😀
Most definitely both.
Your happiness in infectious. So glad for you!
Thank you!
You have been talking about AC for so long on nst, I am so happy for you that your wish came true. Thank you for sharing your joy!
I know–I’m kinda a broken record aren’t I?! Attrape Coeur and the Malle Coffret, my two unicorns! Thank you for being joyous with me!
When I started reading your post I assumed it was the Malle coffret because I somehow managed to miss the second unicorn. Now someone needs to hook you up with one of those so we can have some more unfettered joy on the open blog page!
Oooooh, in the pretty lantern bottle? SCORE.
Yes, that’s the one. It is a really gorgeous bottle–and I’m mostly indifferent to packaging (as long as it’s not C3PO Nicci Minag level awful)!
Congratulations, I have that bottle. The presentation and the perfume are both fantastic!
Yay! So, where/how do you keep your bottle?
On a bedroom bureau, no degradation of aroma, though the juice has turned darker in color.
I don’t baby my perfumes – but they are also not in direct sunlight. I’m not a vampire so sun does enter the bedroom – I don’t worry about it – que sera sera.
Enjoy wearing it, creating joyous olfactory memories.
I bought it when it first was released in 1999, I’ve never had a Guerlain ‘turn’ – knock on wood!
Oh, that is reassuring, thank you! I have resisted becoming someone who puts fragrance in the fridge, etc, mostly, as you say because it’s there to enjoy and what will be, will be. But this scent has been such a longed-for acquisition for me, it’s making me a little more neurotic than usual! 🙂
Just ordered a little decant of Un Crime Exotique to try out. I do hope it’s not too Yankee Candle, I really do like the PG line, so, why not try it? It has mixed reviews..many say candle scent, which idk if I will like that..but sometimes ya just gotta see for yourself:)
It may or may not be candle-ish, but promise you it isn’t Yankee candle.
One out of two ain’t bad:). I hate Yankee Candles.
I find it difficult to even walk by those stores in the mall. . .
I haven’t met anyone who actually likes the smell of a Yankee candle store. I imagine that there are quite a few, though, or they would not be so successful. Then I try to imagine what those Yankee candle lovers must be like and all I can think of is the zombie apocalypse.
Ha! Yes–and instead of brains, they are eating overly-(cheaply)-fragranced wax!
They are not AS ubiquitous in South Africa. The other day I was in a large second-hand junk furniture shop and was thinking the place really smelled nice. Turns out there was a yankee candle burning in the far corner, but I’m not sure which it was. On the other hand I did buy one from the voyager series and had to stop using it in my room because it was just too strong and persistent…
Glad I’m not the only one! Most candles are nasty smelling to me..haven’t sniffed a very expensive/high end/niche perfume house candle..guessing they are so much better than the junk at grocery stores, Ross, TJ Maxx..I hate the cupcake and marine scented ones the most…and linen..good gosh linen. eck
I did some damage this past week. I bought Journey Woman by Amouage, Nuit Rouge by Antonio Alessandria, and then caved a day later and bought Cuir de Russie by Chanel. Granted, I did get a hefty xmas bonus from work, which what prompted all this FB spending, but I still am shocked I did it. Normally I’m so freaking careful with what I spend money on. I was going to just buy one bottle when I get my tax refund and that would be it, but now since I got the ridiculous bonus I can put all the tax refund into savings (fiance and I are saving for a house).
I knew I wanted an Amouage after trying almost all the Women’s collection and most of the Library collection. It’s funny though, I thought I’d get something with more incense and spices and dark, but Journey is so beautiful with the mimosa and honey. I never thought I’d love a fragrance like that. Nuit Rouge hit all the right marks for an incense frag for me and ever since I drained my decant of cuir over a year ago I’ve been pining for a bottle.
Of course UPS is toying with me now b/c they didn’t update their deliveries and I don’t know if one was dropped off at my future in-law’s house yesterday or not! Grrr. Just waiting for all the bottles to arrive is making me anxious.
Well congrats on the bonus and the bottles…that’s a nice present. And hope they get there soon and safely!
Thank you. That, of course is my “xmas to me” stuff and that’s it. No more!
I can completely relate to the anxious waiting for a shipment! You should have seen me checking for my GA/AC this week! Being a stopper bottle, I was so afraid it would leak in transit (across the country) that when I finally was able to pick it up from the Post Office, I actually sniffed the box before I opened it! I hope yours arrives soon! It does sound lovely. . . I might have to give it a sniff when I head over to Our Lady* this week. . . .
*Our Lady of the Scented Wrists, aka The Perfume House, here in Portland, OR. Regular offerings to the gods will bring you perfume wealth, I’m certain of it!
One of the UPS deliveries was supposed to be yesterday and I kept checking, but it didn’t update at all. Then I looked today if maybe it was just delayed and now says “tracking unavailable” UGH!
I think I’ve heard of that perfume place. I was in Portland visiting friends this past June and I remember reading about that shop. Wish I’d managed to swing by there when I was in town.
Sounds like another trip is in order then! 🙂
Good luck on your package. At least it sounds like it’s going somewhere where it can be brought in right away. I’m always a touch terrified a package will be left on my front door and be whisked away but someone!
So THAT’S Our Lady. I had almost convinced myself it must be Neiman-Marcus, another place I have never been.
Oh I hear you. I bought Phi and Amouage Lyric in the past few weeks and feeling guilty as all get out about spending so much money. And now waiting for someone to send something! Victoria posted a wonderful piece on this subject on her site. It really helped me to sit back and appreciate my love of fragrance as a valuable creative pursuit that makes life richer.
http://boisdejasmin.com/2014/06/pleasures-and-no-guilt.html
Ah, thanks for that! I know I can spend the money on myself, but it’s been so long I’ve spent THAT much money on myself I felt a little guilty. But I know I’ll wear these fragrances a lot 🙂
My scent of the day is Laboratorio Olfattivo Patchouliful.
It’s 6th of December so Saint Nicolas visited all the smaller and bigger children in Poland to leave them some little treats. I got a huge mug in a green sweater and a toffee-flavored black tea.
My family also has been to the first Christmas shopping today, I got bought a really nice and warm sweater to put under the Christmas tree. Can’t believe it’s so soon.
That’s nice that Christmas starts early for you. I went shopping today too but it was more frustrating than anything else.
A patchouli scent? That’s a great idea. I think I’ll find something with patchouli for later on this cold damp day.
We just went to do a little shopping and decided to have a quick look for any Christmas presents. We didn’t expect to find anything specified but we did find something 🙂
I still need to figure out what to buy for my parents.
Mine would rather buy for themselves with gift money
That tea sounds great. Happy St. Nicholas day!
Hi NST!I have not been here much lately.Still in my I-HAVE-ALL-THE-PERFUMES-ON-MY-WISHLIST-SO-WHAT-NOW??? mood/mode…soooo strange though!Lol!We are experiencing an unusually hot(!!!) Summer this year,so I find myself reaching for only 1 perfume,almost exclusively:Calyx!(original from Prescriptives)It really is refreshing in the heat.Hope everyone is well,and enjoying December!
Hey, a classic! Wish we were having Calyx weather 😉
Yes, it’s all about keeping cool here in the South! Today I wore EL Private Collection around my collar and Encre Noire on my arms. They complement each other really well 🙂
Put on Erik Kormann Eau de Froehliche #1 from the large sample I have…getting in the Christmas spirit. It’s a good one for this time of year — of course, I decided that a couple of years too late. I have a FB of #2, but I like #1 more…lazily shopping this morning and thought I’d try to see if any’s available, but the only bottle I can find is on eBay and only shipping to Germany. Oh well…probably don’t need another bottle anyway. Can always wait until I move to Germany next year…’course I won’t be working then so won’t have the $.
Really trying to pare back…keep saying I’m going to pare back. Ha!
Happy weekend, and happy St. Nikolaus Day!
I am pretty successfully paring back, at least on perfume. At least, I’m buying way less than I used to. So good luck, it can be done!
I broke out my much-neglected Lolita Lempicka today. As so often happens when I wear something I rarely reach for, I think “Why don’t I wear this more often?” So many perfumes, so little time.
I love Lolita Lempicka and don’t wear mine nearly often enough either! I end up finding new things to appreciate about it with every wear.
Wearing Sycomore, nice and smoky on a soggy day.
Love smokey Vetiver of a cold rainy day!
Vetiver is a difficult note for me,as in I’m not sure whether I can actually smell it or not.Guerlain Vetiver is almost undetectable to my nose.Sycomore I smell all sorts of yummyness…except Vetiver!HELP!!Lol
Interesting, had never heard of being anosmic to vetiver. MPG Route de Vetiver and Frederic Malle Vetiver Extraordinaire are much stronger than the Guerlain or Chanel, if that helps.
Thanks,I shall investigate those as well!
I know Sycamore is the ultimate Vetiver scent to many (and even the non-vetiver fiend, Johano loves it) but it just doesn’t work for me. Perhaps it’s skin chemistry?
I am temporarily besotted with Grey Vetiver. There is something chewy about it, resinous, dense and salty! I like this because I sometimes find vetiver scents too thin. I’m worried it is only a short-lived infatuation so I will probably wait a couple of months before splurging on it! Any fans around here?
TDC Divine Bergamote. Lovely.
You smell crisp and gorgeous!
The boyfriend and I did tested out some samples his morning. Such fun! On me:
– BPAL Alice (yummy, milk bergamont, rose. Cheap thrill, would get a FB)
– Olympic Orchids Blackbird (blackberry in the woods – the woods ground the sweet fruit. Don’t know if I’d want a bottle, but I’ll def wear the sample)
– Olympic Orchids Seattle Chocolate (not nearly as gourmand as it sounds, I think becauase it’s not very sweet. I really like this one)
– Olympic Orchids Peace (airy patchouli. But not super cleaned up patchouli, if that makes sense. This would be great in summer!)
– BPAL Velvet (starts off like a Reese’s peanut butter cup, maybe a dirty one. Then that goes away and it’s kind of just creamy sandalwood)
Love Seattle Chocolate–it’s so unusual yet wearable
These all sound great!
What fun!
I have a FB of Alice. It has a carnation note and carnation is probably my favorite floral note (especially the really hot and spicy stuff that has now been killed by IFRA).
I like Blackbird and I love the first half of Seattle Chocoate. On my skin, Seattle Chocolate starts to smell like “perfume” and that single generic perfume note lasts for hours. It loses its distinction way too quickly to me.
Have you tried Prada No. 2 Oeilet?
It’s been on my “to-sample” list for a while. Looks like it’s time for an STC order.
Impossible Iris, which is really just SO pretty. I love it.
I thought I didn’t like iris scents until I tried Iris Silver Mist, and realized not only do I like them, I love them! Especially when they’re really, really rooty!
If anybody has a recommendation for a really brash iris, please do comment, still a newbie! 🙂
Well I enjoy Bois D’Iris from TDC,and Iris Poudre from Frederic Malle is my most complimented fragrance at work(ever!!)
Oh!!!And Chanel No 18!!One of the most overlooked but GORGEOUS Rose-Iris perfumes out there(IMHO!)
And to add to that – Hermes Hiris is loved by many, and a more easily available one is Infusion d’Iris (Prada) which you may already have tried. The Prada – to me – is a floral vetiver: vetiver with a strong iris inflection.
Hermes is one of my favorites too. Equitrius by PdE is another lovely iris.
Ramon Monegal Impossible Iris
Prada Infusion d’Iris Absolue (the bottle has gold trimming)
Le Labo Iris 39
Chanel 28 La Pausa
Atelier Cologne Silver Iris
Bond No. 9 Silver Factory
If you are looking for rooty, you may also want to sample I Love Les Carottes by Honre des Pres.
Thanks everybody for the suggestions! 😀
It’s hard to beat SL Iris Silver Mist! If L’Artisan Parfumeur ever reissues Iris Pallida (which was originally a special harvest limited edition), that’s wonderful. Something very special out now is Dawn Spencer Hurwitz Scent of Hope, which is a recreation of the legendary Jacques Fath Iris Gris. This is an unusual peach-iris perfume. Chanel 28 la Pausa is a beautiful vetiver iris. Annick Goutal Heure Exquise is an enveloping, warm, seductive perfume that includes iris.
This was supposed to be a reply to Kelly – not sure why it came out as an independent post.
Wow, thanks! I keep hearing about DSH Scent of Hope – I will need to try it! And I love the Chanel Exclusifs, so will try that as well! 🙂
Wow! I’ve heard so much about Jaques Fath Iris Gris, thanks for the info about the dsh frag. Must try!
There is a review by Angela here on NST, too:
https://nstperfume.com/2014/10/20/dawn-spencer-hurwitz-scent-of-hope-fragrance-review-with-an-aside-on-jacques-fath-iris-gris/
The DSH is very pretty. I can get weirded out by earthy iris (I always wind up double checking to see if I’m dead*), but Scent of Hope is very gentle. Though I admit that the peach note is less prominent than I expected.
*Oddly, ISM wore very *cheerful* on me. Carroty, but friendly.
Mals, I don’t get the morbid vibe from ISM either!
Bahahahahaha, that made me laugh so hard. I love Iris but also find it occasionally morbid, perhaps because it is often so rooty.
Wearing Tom Ford White Patchouli today after forgetting about it for a year. Smells smooth and elegant. There’s nothing I’m looking for right now – if I had a wish it would be for several different En Voyage perfumes to show up in my mailbox, chiefly Zelda – but I’m in no hurry.
You know, i have worn Angel more times in the weeks since Angel Friday than I have in my life to date.
Am going so far as to ask for a small (yet refillable! ) bottle for xmas. Just craving it as an at-home scent, and the sample that i expected to only wear once will be gone by this time next week.
Which of the Friday Community Projects has sparked a new or rekindled fragrant relationship?
🙂
Have you tried Angel Taste of Fragrance flanker?
Not yet, but it sounds like i need to! Where can i find it?
If you’re in the U.S. I can send you a sample (send me a note). It was a 2011’s flanker – Angel with an extra chocolate. If you like it, it’s available from many discounters (e.g. http://www.fragrancenet.com/perfume/thierry-mugler/angel-taste-of-fragrance/eau-de-parfum#!236691 ).
Thank you! Emailed you 🙂
Hey, that would be a good Friday community project — wear something you found / appreciated because of a Friday community project.
So meta!!
😀
Hello all! My SOTD is Vanille by DSH. I think it is a true vanilla scent. It isn’t overly sweet. It is a little stronger than Aetlier’s vanilla.
I LOVE Atelier’s Vanille Insensee!The local retailer discontinued the Atelier range and had a 50% off.Of course I had to take 2…(400ml should last me a while…;-))
Are you an Olfactif subsciber too? I LOVED that one (the other two weren’t for me really).
Wearing Le Labo Vanille 44. It’s rainy and yucky, and this is a good comfort scent.
I think Vanilla is great in any weather!I scored some L’Artisan Vanilia from Merlin,which kinda is my favorite Vanilla perfume.Would love to sniff the Le Labo sometime!
Le Labo’s is one of a few vanillas I really enjoy.
Definitely, for a long time I thought vanilla was an absolute no go for me but Vanille 44 converted me. (And now I’ve got a whole roster. Turns out I just didn’t want to smell like cupcakes, but I love all the other vanillas.)
Vanilla never seems to work for me, I generally don’t like food-y, gourmand scents. I subscribe to Olfactif, so I was kind of bummed when I found out the theme was vanilla this month!
I didn’t care for Dame Perfumery’s Black Mexican Flower Vanilla or Xerjoff’s Lire, but I shockingly LOVED DSH’s Vanille! I like when my expectations of scents are subverted, so I kind of like the random factor of Olfactif. Also, if I don’t like scents, they’ve gone into the NST freebie or trade swaps, and that way, some of them may get some love. It all works out in the end! 🙂
A little PSA…I saw on Tauer’s website that PHI Une Rose de Kandahar is now available in the Explorer set 🙂
Thanks! 🙂
Thank you!!!
*delurks*
Aw man, I followed Robin’s link yesterday over to the Immortelle de Corse review and now I totally want to sniff it, but it is very discontinued. Are there other things like it that aren’t unobtainium? The current L’Occitane immortelle stuff all seems to be anti-aging creams, which I’m not into.
And today I’m wearing Taste of Heaven, my latest stop on the wild goose chase for an optimal lavender. Not very tenacious, but very nice.
Lol….Delurked for a bit myself today!!Good to rekindle the perfumed-obsessed-fires!!;-))
It’s a shame they axed that one…but the whole collection is gone.
Woolwine – nice to see you here! Met you during a freebie meet – want to thank you for the mini of Noa! Fell and love and just recently bought a FB. Thanks for being my welcomed enabler! 🙂
Oh hey, awesome! I’m glad you liked it!
Me too; I need to try now that Immortelle de Corse … Have you seen samples being sold anywhere?
If you need some other immortelle suggestions, now that Robin’s gotten your hopes up! 🙂 , Kevin kindly mentions his favorites here! https://nstperfume.com/2014/08/20/atelier-cologne-blanche-immortelle-fragrance-review/ The only one I’ve tried of these is the Atelier, but I quite like it! And my impression is that folks really like Afternoon of a Faun and Anima Dulcis as well, I just haven’t gotten around to them.
I am sorry! I should have said in the text that it was discontinued.
In addition to the other suggestions given, ELDO’s Like This, Tilda Swinton has a noticeable immortelle note in it as well.
Actually, I have a 5 mL decant of Atelier Blanche Immortelle that just does not work for me. If you’re interested, please email me at kgoodw2 at hotmayl dot com.
Just be warned, I might take a week to send, haha!
I am thinking about buying a new bottle of perfume to my fiancé for Xmas, something with tobacco, evoking a cuban cigar maybe… Any suggestions? I’d prefer something that I can go smell in person (I’m in Montreal), since I probably won’t have time to order samples, test and order a bottle before then.
Hmm. I can’t help much on the “what you might smell in person in Montreal” question, but just to throw out a suggestion – why not a sample set of tobacco fragrances for him to choose, along with the promise of a full bottle once he’s picked one? He’d get something to open but you wouldn’t be limited to only what you can test in person. Just a thought; some people like that and some would rather open THE gift.
As for tobacco fragrances: Serge Lutens Fumerie Turque or Chergui, Parfums de Nicolai Cuir Cuba Intense (leather and tobacco), Caron Tabac Blond Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille. I LOVE Sonoma Scent Studio Tabac Aurea, but I am not sure SSS still ships to Canada (sorry). I’ve heard good things about Thierry Mugler AMen Pure Havane. Good luck to you.
That’s actually not a bad idea at all! I hadn’t even thought of that… Thanks!
I really like Mals’ idea. I think it might be fun – testing multiple perfumes and choosing THE one together. But it depends on whether your fiancé will participate.
My tobacco-centered perfumes list would include:
Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille and Tobacco Oud
Thierry Mugler A*Man Pure Havanne
DSH Perfumes Le Smoking
Ormonde Jayne Montabaco
Sonoma Scent Studio Tabac Aurea
Yosh Sombre Negra
I have been meaning to sample Le Smoking but haven’t gotten around to it yet. How does it compare to SSS Tabac Aurea- I have that and love it but no sense in trying Le Smoking if it’s a close cousin…
There is also Diptyque Volutes–tobacco, leather, honey, iris.
Spicebomb!
I had asked for a sample of this in Sephora for him, but when he tried it we both found that it smells like Dr Pepper! Haha!
That is exactly what I did for my boyfriend last year! He ended up choosing CdG Black. He definitely had fun choosing and trying all the samples. When he chose his fav, I bought him a full bottle.
TF Tuscan Leather is a nice pipe tobacco. BTW Vanie, what do you think of Ogylvie’s for perfumes? Any other good stores for perfume in Montreal? I can only think of the Guerlain boutique, where there should be the lovely if non-tobacco L’Instant Pour Homme…
I’ve never been to the Guerlain store yet! I really should fix that quickly!
I like the selection at Ogilvy, but I rarely feel like I can browse slowly without getting pushed by the SAs. I like going at Holt Renfrew (particularly for the Jo Malone counter, always so generous with samples!)… and Sephora, obviously!
I have no idea if it’s available near you but one of the new By Kilian’s smells like cigars. It’s called Light My Fire. I’m more of a pipe tobacco fan so I didn’t care for it but if you like cigars it’s worth a sniff. Slumberhouse also has a few scents with great tobacco notes but that’s another brand that might be hard to smell in person.
Holt Renfrew carries By Killian so I’ll make sure to smell this one. Thanks!
One more: Czech&Speake have one called Cuba – but although I wear many men’s scents this one is too masculine for me. My favorite is probably Lutens’ Chergui!
I’ve never heard of Czech&Speake before, but from the notes, it looks like something he might like. Thanks!
Sorry, don’t know why I presupposed the scent was for a woman! I don’t adore it, but it is meant to be quite authentic 🙂
Waiting for PHI and Lyric Woman to arrive in the mail, so I’m wearing Rose Anonyme today. I can’t wait to compare those three perfumes. I never thought I would love rose perfumes this much.
For me all these are completely different (though I like them all).
Rose perfumes are so different, I love some and can’t stand other.
Oh wow, I really like Rose Anonyme, but for me that’s more of a summer scent. Lyric Woman is so comforting, but there’s so much more going on than the rose in that. I feel it’s more moody and definitely an autumn/winter scent. I’ve not tried PHI, but that has me curious now.
*sigh* waiting for perfume purchases can feel so agonizing!
Oh, you’re speaking my language tonight! I love PHI and Lyric! I would add OJ Ta’if to the same family of rose scents. And of course, my beloved AC/GA mentioned above. Odd, full roses that stay interesting and moody (or at least passionate) rather than light and spritely. Never had much taste for the perkier versions of rose!
I’m testing Tom Ford Velvet Orchid today and am surprised how much I like it. In the late dry down, after the patchouli has dispersed, it reminds me of Guerlain Samsara. This accords well with Angela’s description of Velvet Orchid as a “salute to the grand oriental perfumes of the 1980s.”
Velvet Orchid is not as striking as perfumes like Opium and Samsara, but it would be easier on everyone else in the elevator. 😉
Usually I’m very good in detecting samsara-like perfumes and I didn’t think of it when I tested VO. I should give it another try – just out of curiosity.
I noticed that first when I sprayed it on a card and sniffed it a day or two later later. The Samsara notes are under a lot of other notess – it’s like they are the perfume’s skeleton.
Let me know if you have a chance to try and find it!
I’m wearing Barbara Bui Le Parfum and really should have discovered this five or six years ago because this would have been the perfume of my dreams back then. I’m losing my taste for sweet foods and fragrances, and heliotrope always comes off as especially sweet to me, eclipsing most else. Still, I can’t help but to like this even if it’s not really for present-day me. There’s something very lovely here.
Waiting for a sample of
Scent of Hope to come, so I wore a linden and bergamont toilette water all day and just sprayed on some Cashmere Mist for my hubbie-it’s his favorite on me.
Linden and bergamot … nice.
Sampled Leuco from Maria Candida Gentile today. It’s pretty but turned into a skin scent really quickly which is surprising considering how well Sideris and Exultat project on me
My SOTD is Royall Spyce. I almost wore my favorite carnation soliflore, but I need to start rationing it.
Ulta did not have testers for the Les Couvent des Minimes (spelling?) colognes but I bought some anyway. I am looking for a non-indolic and non-soapy orange blossom, so I hope that the Eau de Amiable fits that bill.
So, I kinda butchered the name of the cologne, but …
I give you credit for even trying to get the name right. I’m not even trying. I bought the vanilla one but gave it to the hubband to wrap up for me for Christmas. My Ulta had testers and I did like the orange blossom one too. I don’t know if you’ll find it soapy. Everyone’s got a different limit on soapiness it seems. I didn’t think it was indolic at all.
Braved the mall and am excited to try my new Rose Jam shower gel from LUSH (wish I needed a shower now)! Also got a couple cute gift packs from LUSH which include a mini Rose Jam and a Ro’s Argan Body Conditioner.
SOTD Started with Lolita Si. Later in the day and many trips around the mall later I tried Kenzo Amour which I sampled at Sephora. Interesting…milky and sweet – I just might like it!
Listening to Pandora “Soul to Soul” channel. Totally bringing me back to the 80’s and loving it!
I completely forgot to ask this earlier, but does anyone have a good mimosa perfume they can recommend? I’d definitely get a sample first, of course. I love it in Journey Woman and am really curious now about it as a soliflore or more central part of a fragrance.
I love Mimosa fragrances and will say that “Butterfly Flower” from Bath and Body works is a nice, cheap Mimosa fragrance that is just lovely. It’s only available online, but you can get a boatload of it for cheap. I love the shower gel and the body spray.
Another mimosa that I really love is Frederic Malle’s Une Fleur de Cassie. Whenever I wear it, I can’t help but think about our beautiful mimosa tree in bloom in the summertime.
Branch & Vine by Providence Perfume Co. is also another really nice, very realistic Mimosa.
Thank you! I’ll look into those 🙂
I found YSL Cinema Edp to be very bright lovely mimosa- somewhat nostalgic. It was fairly inexpensive on ebay.
Guerlain Champs Elysées has a nice mimosa note. More? Calypso Mimosa and Mimosa pour Moi by L’Artisan Parfumeur. Idon’t like it, but you might – Le Mimosa by Annick Goutal.
I’d heard that about Champs Elysses. I sniffed a bottle while at the mall, but couldn’t remember what it was like. I’ll have to go back and test it now. I’d also heard about Calypso too. Thank you!
A great Mimosa that is mostly overlooked, as is the line, is L’Infante by Parfums Divine. They have a sample program, and I am not affiliated.
Haha, funny how sometimes recommendations can sound like affiliated endorsements 😉 Thanks, I’ll check it out.
Shay & Blue Almond Cucumber is pretty much a straight mimosa on me. It does have a true cucumber note at the top (not aquatic) and the mimosa dries down to a ground almond scent rather than marzipan. It isn’t gourmand sweet either. Tenacious, but light and pretty.
I’d read about this one on Kafkaesque, but dismissed it due to the cucumber. Hmm, if it’s not aquatic nor sweet I’ll have to consider this one then.
I have not yet told this to anybody, and probably never will because everyone that I know will think I’m CRAZY, because I am, but last week, in a moment of weakness-working retail during the holidays and as a night librarian during finals week has been dizzying, frustrating, and exhausting this year-I impulse purchased a bottle of the Bois des Iles pure parfum from Chanel. I thought about returning it, because I don’t have much money, but I just couldn’t do it! I can’t wait to smell it, but I have a horrible cold right now and can hardly smell anything. I think it will be my New Year’s Eve scent. Ugh, feels so good to get that off my chest. Don’t judge me, folks!
I say good for you! Sounds like you’ve been run ragged lately, so you deserve a very special treat. Keep it your secret if you need to – we won’t tell. 🙂
I knew I could count on you all! That’s definitely why I am confessing it here. I thought maybe you all would understand. 🙂
There are much worse things to buy! At least you bought a great scent..after all, everyone needs a treat after finals, eh? Plus I hear BdL is great, specifically if one is a librarian…in a study I found……..online or something:).
*BdI I mean…BdL is short for something for sure though! Too many perfumes.
I think it’s just another way of describing Bois des Iles…Bois des Librarians (also known as BdL)…You know…from that study! 😉
Hey, when I think about to all the ridiculous impulse items I have bought in my life… Yours is wonderful! Enjoy it!
You are too sweet. 🙂 I definitely can’t say I’m not happy about it.
missylulu, i am in the same boat as you but don’t even have guts to confess it here …
hope your cold is over soon, and enjoy your Bois des Iles as much as I enjoy all my new stuff 🙂
I hope you are enjoying every moment of your new fun smells as well! I almost didn’t confess here but I thought this would be the best place to do it.
I’ll judge you if you return it. Just kidding, of course. Hope you feel better and enjoy it!
best. reply. ever. 😉
Well then I will DEFINITELY not be returning it. 😀
If you don’t treat yourself, who will? I’m all for a little splurge once in a while. Whoever said money can’t buy happiness has obviously never purchased a bottle of really great perfume. I hope your cold is gone quickly and I hope you enjoy every drop of that perfume.
Thanks, Poodle! I kind of had that line of thinking too. I haven’t splurged in a hot minute, and I thought to myself, “Dammit, I’m going for it!” I am DYING to smell it, but I suspect it will have been worth every penny. I’ve only smelled the EDT, and adored it, so, I suspect the parfum will be even more incredible.
Isn’t this EXACTLY why they invented credit cards?! Sometimes you just HAVE to have it!
I’ve never smelled this one but have heard only great things about it- Enjoy your bottle when it arrives 🙂
Bahahahahahahaha, sometimes I do feel credit cards were invented to satisfy my perfume needs. Luckily, one of the families that I house sit for gave me a big Christmas bonus, so I felt even more justified in my purchase.
Yesterday I was so excited to sample the Guerlain Vol de Nuit that I got from the STC decant sale! I sprayed some on and was just floored – on me, it smelled like a very old incontinent woman. The urine? Something worse?!? Note was so strong for about 2 hours and then the dry down was nice. I’ll for sure be offering that up for a trade!!! Wore Coromandel today to feel better!!
Been there. Lol. Try it again maybe with a lighter application. Sometimes that helps. Sometimes it’s just not worth it. I forgot what perfume I tried that smelled like dirty diapers and other folks were raving about it. I’ve had a few that smelled like urine the first try but then the next time it was all honeyed goodness so sometimes it’s weather, mood, hormones, etc., that brings out certain aspects of a perfume. Sometimes they will just never work on you. Thank heavens for swaps.
I love Vol.
Katrina, lol @ old incontinent woman.
I am wearing (and loving) Malle Lipstick Rose. I love this site terribly but Im afraid my finances won’t- I am already fantasizing about bottles for the next split-meet and I should’nt! No 19, Mon Parfum Cheri, Ambre Sultan…Oh the possibilities and now I keep seeing suggestions for Scent of Hope and I feel my greedy little curosity rearing its head… sigh
Yes, reading this site sometimes makes me what I call “want-y.” I am in a bit of a backlash – my husband keeps asking what I want for Christmas and I just want to scream NOTHING!!! I don’t NEED anything!!! Ha!
Want-y yes, that is the perfect description!
Ohhh, I just got a mini of Lipstick Rose from STC and I am in love too. It is totally a perfume that makes me feel fabulous and like I am ballin’ out of control whenever I wear it. I’m dying for a full bottle…Someday…Luckily, a little bit goes a long ways.
For those not ready to splurge on a whole bottle there are always the travel refills! The price per ml actually works out quite well, if I remember right…
Hello all 🙂
I’ve just bought myself some fabulous Chrissy pressies 🙂 after a big splurge in getting some most-wanteds- Mito Vd’E, Rose de Kandehar, Wit, Putains des Palaces and Field Notes from Paris, I got some non-perfume pressies.
The Guerlain holiday collections have a shimmer powder in classic bottles with a puff atomizer, and this years is the gold Coque d’or bow bottle, which I felt I just had to add to my blue Vol de Nuit and the gold bee bottle ones 🙂 and a pair of black Alexander McQueen pants 75% off.
And I haven’t even started on gifts for anyone else yet! Lol
75% off is just how it should be! and yay for buying presents for oneself!
Oh my word, so many wonderful goodies! All of those are gorgeous. I would love to walk by you on the street because you smell fabulous. I’m keeping my fingers crossed for either Clair de Musc, Afternoon of a Faun, or Odalisque for Christmas. We will see…
SOYD was Moon Bloom, which is lovely and today is Encens Flamboyant which is good as well. Very gray here today so I’m doing the ironing while watching Death in Paradise!
Wearing Indult Tihota As I got my holiday bonus I used part of it to get myself bottles of SL Santal de Mysore (lucky enough to get a 50ml export bottle as Liberty has some stock online (apparently this is exclusive to them) – if anyone in the UK doesn’t want to spring for the 75ml from Paris) and L’artisan Tea for Two and Oeillet Sauvage. All my Christmas stuff is taken care of now bar getting a tree and wreath and picking up the food stuff ordered on Christmas Eve in London, so thankfully it’s low stress from here. Got my MIL OJ Ta’if and Tolu bath oils for her gift this year.
I’m wearing Tihota also so we are scent twins today!
Chergui, which turned out to be perfect for a cold but sunny Sunday morning walk with the dog. The experience actually made me look forward to colder weather? Too bad I will only be dogsitting for a few more days 🙁
Do you think there may be a connection between adoring dogs and adoring Chergui?
Hmm, mostly having the dog makes me go outside more despite the cold temperatures. It also helps me be more appreciative of little things in general. I think it is watching the dog meticulously sniff every leaf and twig and rock, even the ones he sniffed the day before.
Damp, grey and getting chilly here today. I have extended the Friday theme in that post spin class I showered with BBW Vanilla Bean Noel, used the same scent in the body lotion, and then layered a nice NON-Sweet vanilla in the form of Dame Perfumery Black Flower Mexican Vanilla Perfume.
I smell good, if I do say so myself 😉
Decided to wear Tubereuse 3 Animale by Histoires de Parfums; then realized that this choice must have been shaped by what I read here last night. Not only that I got this from a NST freebiemeet a couple of years ago, but it also has notes of immortelle and tobacco that were discussed here yesterday. None of these (tuberose included) are my most loved notes, but I always enjoy this fragrance (and the small toblerone-like packaging is excellent).
Hello everybody..today in Rome it’s getting cooler and I decided to wear STERCUS by Ortoparisi..someone knows what’s inside of it?..it smell so creamy on me and I adore it
Luckyscent lists the following notes: tobacco, castoreum, wood, leather. Perfumers rarely list all of the notes, so who knows if it contains real stercus?
I have to say I could never wear this one because of the name. Just one of the those bizarre irrational psychological things, I guess.
Marjorie Rose,
I have that same blue bottle of Guet Apens but I purchased it when it first came out as a special addition and it still smells the same…hasn’t turned at all.
It is a 4 oz. bottle and a dabber so it will last me forever. Enjoy it!
Marjorie Rose,
I have that same blue bottle of Guet Apens but I purchased it when it first came out as a special edition and it still smells the same…hasn’t turned at all.
It is a 4 oz. bottle and a dabber so it will last me forever. Enjoy it!
Sorry for the double posts…not exactly certain how that happened.