Inspired by yesterday's community project, name a perfume...
1. That you'd give 5 stars out of 5, but that has a 3 star price (a bargain, in other words),
2. That you'd give 3 stars or fewer, but that has a 5 star price,
3. That everyone else seems to rate higher than you do, and/or...
4. That everyone else seems to rate lower than you do.
Or, tell us anything else you'd like that relates to 5 star perfume ranking systems...or, as always, just talk about whatever you want to talk about.
Note: top image is Tycho's Star Shines in Gamma Rays [cropped] by NASA Goddard Space Flight Center at flickr; some rights reserved.
1. Reformulated Cabochard EdT from Parfums Gres. Such a delightful soft leather scent, more like a 2-star price. Great bargain!
2. Too many to count.
3. Ditto.
4. Hanbury from Maria Candida Gentile, with a shoutout to our dear Holly, who also knows what’s good. 😉
5. I like rating systems, as long as no one takes them too seriously. I used to write grades together with long narrative comments about student work, and I found that words and numbers are both helpful, complementary forms of communication.
Now we just need perfume rating diagrams! Seriously that would rock my world. Anyone?
Hi and thank you, leathermountain! I bought a bottle of Hanbury which is rare for me. I absolutely adore it, the best orange blossom I’ve found.
I’m also a fan of Cabochard, nice pick!
Oh, I miss the days when I had time to leave comments for my students! I had 230 students last year and will have nearly three times that next year. 🙁
Wait, really?! How?!!!
3 times that???
Yup. Truly. They have changed my schedule for next year to only teaching health class (I’m a science teacher, too). I will see students 9 weeks a year so that each group can rotate through a session of health. Through some scheduling creativity, I will actually see nearly the entire school each trimester (in 3 week-increments). It exhausts me just to think about it!
Wow, that’s a gruelling schedule. I feel completely undone even thinking about that kind of rotation. Please look after yourself and plan the best ways to survive such a burdensome timetable.
Thank you for the kind words! It’s important to me to be a *good* teacher, but I fear that I will have to settle for *surviving*.
Three weeks, huh? Not exactly a good amount of time for establishing trust and rapport within each group, so they could potentially ask real questions and engage in real discussions about personal matters of health. I’m so sorry your system is in such a shambles, for you and for your students.
Good heavens!! Wow. I am sending you strength. I can’t help but wonder what the parents in the school district think of this trajectory! I mean even when it was “only” 230 kids…!!!
leathermountain, yes absolutely! And what I love (or have loved in the past) about teaching health is that it offers the opportunities for some very meaningful discussions–what are our values? How do we make good decisions? How do we make our lives more enjoyable and healthful? It will be much harder to establish the rapport necessary for such conversations to be meaningful.
CH, sadly, the kids that I teach mostly don’t have parents that are that involved. About 80% of my students are considered “disadvantaged” in one way or another. That said, the parents who reached out to me at the end of the year when the news broke, I encouraged to communicate their concerns with the district.
Agree about Cabochard!
Good to know – I tried a smidgen of the vintage version and loved it, but have been wondering about the reformulation. Sounds promising!
SheriG – it may be nothing like the vintage for all I know! It isn’t strong at all: after the first punch fades its a lovely soft leather. The original sounds like it was very strong?
No, fairly soft actually … but it was from a very small dabber vial, so maybe not representative of its true character?
1. I have one 5 star fragrance with a 3 star price, and I just discovered it last night–Molinard’s Habanita (thank you, MR!) I could not believe how cheap it is, 15 ml for less than $35. A great oriental for no money.
2. I think By Kilian is overpriced for what they are, as well as Xerjoff. Uncle Serge with his last few releases is going that way.
3. People seem to like Kai and 10 Corso Como quite a lot but neither did anything for me, and Lyric Woman makes me smell like a Creamsicle.
4. I love Legrand Chypre Mousse, but it seems to be a polarizing fragrance–lots of people find it dank or too mineral-y.
And I have a question–when a fragrance is discontinued and you love it, how much should you buy (if any) to stock up? Or should you just move on and find another to love?
I would say move on after you have 1 bottle on stock! Or maybe someone could recommend something similar?
Love this topic. Always fascinating.
From reading similar discussions on Fragrantica, there’s a spectrum in effect, from “I never buy backups” to “I have 12 backups of all my favorites, and I mean ALL MY FAVORITES,” Lol. Admittedly, I am a teensy, itty bit of a pack rat, so that must play into where I fall on the backup spectrum somehow 😉
Depending on where the fragrance falls in my workhorse (heavily backed up) to taste treat (sparingly backed up, if at all) spectrum impacts the number of backups I keep.
My method now is that if it’s a d/c or limited edition that I just Love and I can get it cheap on ebay, then I back up at least one bottle. If the scent is easily available, in a formulation I like, no backup needed.
Perhaps you’ll find Kevin’s post helpful, foxbins:
https://nstperfume.com/2008/08/19/perfume-for-life-how-long-will-your-fragrance-collection-last/
Oh hey, you mean me?! I’m glad you like the Habanita!
I’ve become a back-up bottle kinda girl, and I’ve been wrestling with the notion of “how much is enough?” What I try to do is estimate how fast I’m gonna use it, and if I will likely wish I had more (ie. drain a bottle) in the next couple years, I figure it’s not a waste to buy more. But I drain a handful of bottles each year, since I’m kinda a heavy user. So, YMMV. 🙂
I am incapable of moving on! My all time favorite perfume (By Woman by Dolce & Gabbana) was discontinued a couple of years ago and I have been bereft ever since. I have a bottle and a half in reserve and not really sure if I’m willing to pay over $200 for old bottles that show up on eBay. If anyone knows of something that smells similar, please comment.
Michael Edwards’ Fragrance Finder suggests Fate Woman, Knightsbridge, and Love is Sweet are similar to D&G By Woman. The first two are quite pricey, though.
Yes, I also got Habanita quite recently – the new EDP version. Definitely a fantastic perfume at a reasonable price 🙂
Like Marjorie Rose, I believe in backup bottles, in my case until the fragrance becomes so rare that the price reaches the stratosphere. I have a related question, and that is: does that price escalation happen with every discontinued fragrance? Or are there some that hang around on EB at some sort of reasonable price pretty much forever? Does it really just depend on demand, or is supply (or lack thereof) always a factor?
Chypre Mousse, yes! I love its contrasts.
Foxbins, you had me at dank and mineral-y…….
Happy Saturday Everyone! My responses to the following questions are as follows:
1. That you’d give 5 stars out of 5, but that has a 3 star price (a bargain, in other words),
( Bronze Goddess from Estee Lauder fits the bill for this one for me – actually, in my opinion, all of EL’s fragrances are reasonably priced)
2. That you’d give 3 stars or fewer, but that has a 5 star price,
( Most of the Atelier fragrances, except for Orange Sanguine – they just don’t last long enough for my taste and some of the formulas seem kind of weak)
3. That everyone else seems to rate higher than you do, and/or… (I hate to say it since so many people love it – but most of the Chanel line. A lot of the fragrances smell similar to me. Although there are some that I like, there are more that I don’t get what most others do. The only one that I’m not sure about is Misia – I have yet to sample it. I want to see if it is as fabulous as so many say it is)
4. That everyone else seems to rate lower than you do.
(This would go to my beloved Jo Malone line. I have always been in the minority when it comes to this fragrance line, but I stand by the line . I have found that there are a few here that love it as much as I do and hopefully with JM’s line “Jo Loves” coming to the US soon, we can recruit some more people (lol). Nectarine Blossom and Honey has always been the scent that men and women have stopped me to ask what I am wearing. The thing that “sealed the deal” for me was when one of my students at my school told their mom, ” Mommy, why can’t you smell like Ms. Smith”? “She always smells so good”! Children don’t lie! They know quality when they smell it!)
Have a spectacular weekend everyone! 🙂
Agree with your No. 1 and 2!
You know me. I love Jo Malone as much as you do. Most of them work well for me in the office and they last a long time on me. I am one of the lucky ones I think.
Kris, I thought of you first when I made that comment. Glad that I’m in great company. You have amazing taste! 🙂
I ADORE ALL THE JO MALONE SCENTS! WITHOUT RESERVE! 😀 I just wish they’d stop discontinuing so many! URGH!
Absolutely agree with you on everything you stated. Peony and Moss was my favorite. The Peony Blush and Suede is nice but doesn’t compare in my opinion.
Peony & Moss was lovely.
1. I think Amour Amour and Anais Anais by Cacherel are great perfumes for the price.
2. Some Tom Ford fragrances are not that great or long lasting for the price. As well as some Creed
3. People love Jo Malone- I don’t! Period
4. I think Carven Le Perfume is great-but not very popular or highly rated. I think its such a fun fragrance!
I really like Carven Le Parfum as well. It’s not particularly original, but it’s just really pleasant.
Why is it so much fun to rate things? I just can’t resist! 1) Eau des Merveilles. I don’t know that I would consider this a bargain, but it’s certainly more affordable than a lot of niche perfumes. I’ve always considered it a 5 star scent and it was my “gateway” scent into perfume obsession. It was the first scent that taught me that you don’t always have to smell like flowers or fruit. And I think it’s a true original, which is pretty rare in perfumery. 2) Can’t think of one fragrance in particular, but I’ve always thought the Creed line was overpriced. I’ve never really liked any of their scents and their prices are outrageous. 3/4) I recently tested TDC Osmanthus and was really surprised that I didn’t like it more; everyone else seems to love it. Maybe it’s my skin or I’m anosmic to a note that brings it all together… Also disliked Diptyque Florabellio, which people seemed to like.
Great choice for #1. It was fun to read that EdM was your gateway. I had the same experience! The first time I tried it (random spritz at a department store) and I thought “what the ???” But it stayed on my mind…and down the rabbit hole I went.
The scale of bargain really has shifted, hasn’t it? To me, anything under $150 seems pretty thrifty now for something great.
Ha! Yep, that was my experience. Smelled it at a department store and almost recoiled in horror. It was just so different than anything I’d smelled. I put the blotter in my purse and forgot all about it. But then the amazing smell that kept wafting out hooked me and yes, down the rabbit hole I went too 😉
That might make a good poll question someday. What gateway perfume led you down the rabbit hole into perfume obsession…
Had the same experience and yet I haven’t bought a bottle yet, but its top of the list. That one and JM wood sage and sea salt led me down the rabbit hole.
I agree on Florabellio. Total scrubber for me, ‘orrible. Nail varnish remover, calone, and bitter day old coffee. Not a nice brew.
I like Eau des Merveilles but it’s so fleeting on my skin. But I agree about its originality.
Happy weekend, all!
1. Silences and Calandre spring to mind right off the bat. I’m looking forward to hearing other’s choices.
2. Innumerable
3. Ditto
4. Ostara. I’ll admit that it does fizzle out, but the opening is so radiant and playful that I feel a pure childish exuberance when I wear it. Plus some of Chanel’s Les Exclusifs fade away pretty quickly, and we’re willing to just respritz those, right? I think that Penhaligon’s doesn’t get much perfumista love in general.
Which Penhaligon’s scents do you particularly like? Ages ago I thought Juniper Sling was wonderful, but then I didn’t try it again for so long that I no longer hold an opinion of it. Does that ever happen to you? The others I’ve tried have not been my favorites (e.g. Elixir, Iris Prima, Lothair, and especially Bluebell and Malabah). I did enjoy Ostara’s top note, but I found the drydown rather loudly clean-musky and temporally infinite, so I crossed that one off, too. But since I also love Silences and of course the underappreciated Hanbury, I’m wondering whether you I have some good overlap in our perfume tastes, and I’ll be happy to know which ones you like!
Other than Ostara, I like Iris Prima quite a bit. I only have a mini of it though, and with so many other irises out there it’s doubtful I’d ever commit to anything larger. My perception is that Penhaligon’s is considered to be a bit stuffy and old fashioned.
I do try things that I think are wonderful and then don’t pursue. There’s just too much out there, and I don’t enjoy shopping nor owning a lot of stuff. Plus as I’ve mentioned here before, I’m speed-dating my samples as I overwhelmed myself over the last year.
Thanks, Holly. I think Penhaligon’s is cultivating that impression. Well, old-fashioned. Probably not stuffy. Such a fine line.
I’ll try Iris Prima again. I remember thinking a lot about the floors of a dance studio, in a good way, and not even so much about the iris. Should be fun to re-try!
Now that you mention it, I was probably speed-dating my samples when I formed my former opinion of Juniper Sling. Oh, @pixel, have you tried Juniper Sling?
I have! It’s nice… though so far the punchiest juniper I’ve found is L’Occitane Cade. Which is also a heckuva lot cheaper than Penhaligon’s.
I like the sound of that one!
1. That you’d give 5 stars out of 5, but that has a 3 star price (a bargain, in other words). For me it would be Love, Chloe. I am just a big fan of it, but know it probably would not be close to 5 stars for most of you.
2. That you’d give 3 stars or fewer, but that has a 5 star price. Probably most of the Bond #9s.
3. That everyone else seems to rate higher than you do. I am still on the fence on this one, but at the moment Séville à l’aube.
4. That everyone else seems to rate lower than you do. Jo Malone for me too. I have many of the scents and they work well for me.
Oh, right there with you on Bond No. 9! Haven’t found one yet that keeps my attention!
It is no doubt my highly subjective imagination, but I have found the SA’s spiel at the Bond counters particularly off-putting as well. No fault of theirs… They are just saying what they are supposed to….
I’m beginning to get the feeling that the folks at Nordstroms keep shuffling me over to the Bond counter because my over-long and complicated answer to their innocent question about “what do you like?” leads them to believe that I insist on exclusivity, and it’s the “best” they’ve got.
Kris,
Not sure if you are aware of this, but Nordstroms is having their anniversary sale this month. If you have a Nordstrom card, you have “early access” and considered VIP to a lot of goodies in the store; including beauty products (makeup and perfume) from July 9th – 17th. Not only is the Jo Malone line included, but other perfume lines as well. Yesterday, I got the Nectarine Blossom and Honey Collection Box for $99. It included a 30 ml bottle of the perfume, 50 ml body cream, and 100 ml body and hand wash. I’m sure its value price is over $300. If you don’t have a card, you can still take advantage of the sale. Everyone else will be able to participate in the sale from July 18th – Aug. 2nd. The price will be $110 at that point if there are any left. Still a fabulous price. They also have the 200ml bottle of Peony & Blush Suede for $195. You know it is rare for JM to go on sale, so when they do, I jump on it! And, off topic, I got a 3-piece MAC Lip Kit for $29. It included the lip pencil, the lipstick, and the lipglass (all full sizes). Separately, I’m sure it would be about $90 easily. So, just wanted to give you a heads up if you didn’t already know. 🙂
Thanks for letting me know on this. I will take advantage of it!
A quick note for those wishing to economize that the Nordstrom JM gift set value isn’t actually $300. If one bought the full-size hand wash (8.5 oz) and body cream (5.9 oz), plus that small bottle of perfume, it would cost $180 ($40 + $75 + $65)–but the gift set doesn’t include full-size versions of the hand wash and body cream, just minis (1 oz and 1.7oz.)
So the price per oz is about the same or actually a little more expensive than what those products usually go for.
Still a nice gift set, though, especially for someone who might prefer smaller quantities of these products than are usually available! Just didn’t want anyone to be confused about how they compare to the usual prices (as has happened to me previously on these JM gift sets–it’s def a bit confusing!)
I didn’t like Love, Chloe but I thought it was well done. I don’t see it any more and wonder if it is d/c? A pity if so.
Heard it is d/c, maybe within the past year.
I do like Love, Chloe, and have a partial FB + a mini. That’s about enough to last me. It isn’t currently a workhorse, this one.
Love, Chloe IS GENIUS! It was a scent that never caught it’s right share of the market Because it is SO DIFFERENT than the Wan, Silly Fruity messes that were coming out at the time… it’s Romantic, and Sexy, and Powdery and JUST HEAVEN!!!!!
1. Mostly no. I’m a snob, I fear, and mostly the less-expensive, easily found frags bore the heck out of me. Can I cheat and say “old perfume that people assume has gone bad”? My vintage Shalimar was purchased for a steal of $20 at an estate sale. Folks don’t know what they got!
2. Anything in a fancy collector bottle. I admit, I prefer a bottle over a decant, but otherwise, who cares about the extra froofalah? And I don’t need the reassurance that there’s only so many and *I* have one of them.
3. Neela Vermier. They’re interesting, but not fragrances I want to smell like.
Hermes (and most of JCE’s frags). Pretty but too faint and don’t last long enough. (Sorry Robin!)
Several of the more beloved L’Artisans, including Dzing! and Seville a l’Aube.
I *twinkle* previous references to Jo Malone and Atelier. See Hermes above.
4. I adore Andy Tauer’s fragrances, and it seems that two of my big loves, ZETA and Une Rose Chypree, get a lot less perfumista love than some others of the line.
I’m with you on Zeta (RIP) and also I forgot to ad his Sotto la Luna Gardenia which no one EVER mentions. That one’s probably going to the archives with Zeta so I probably should get a FB.
Gosh, I don’t think I’ve tried that one! I wonder if they have it at The Perfume House? Or is it a limited edition that I might have already missed?
I think it was the 1st in the new Sotto la Luna floral series. But I think he operates on sales and popularity. He said that not enough people were buying Zeta so he’s not bringing it back for now. I know MIN NY was sold out of the gardenia and doesn’t seem to be getting a new stock. But Tauer still has it in samples and FBs last time I checked.
Thank you for the info! I’m guessing TPH hasn’t carried the Sotto la Luna fragrances. . . off to go peak at his website. 🙂
Heh, I love your first answer. Same here, I thought my $8 partial bottle of vintage Diorissimo was very reasonably priced 😉
(I’m with you on item 2 as well, can’t fathom the appeal especially for the money involved. But maybe it’s basically just a separate hobby, bottle collecting.)
Ooooh! Vintage Diorissimo! You are so lucky…
Crazy lucky!
You are forgiven 🙂
(sort of)
I don’t know, I think URC generally gets favorable reviews. It’s maybe not as popular as, say, LADDM, but I think (particularly when it was brand-new) people tended to say good things about it.
1) Rochas Femme current EDT I think is spectacular(sweaty note included)for the $38 I paid for it and I like it better than the vintage.
2) There are many but recent samplings that comes to mind are: Unum Lavs: nice but it’s been done and not worth the $$ IMO. And SL De Profundis. The ad copy and purple presentation in the bell jar are such a build up to a fragrance that wasn’t more than a nice, fleeting flower shop refrigerator floral.
3)Many of the Chanel Exclusifs that I’ve spritzed. I find them so diluted that they are difficult to enjoy and actually irritates me that they made them that way. Not sure what they were thinking over there. Also much of the Atelier line.
4) I’ll add my most recent acquisition of Tokyo Milk Bittersweet which is the cocoa I’ve been looking for. It’s not a 5 star frag so I wouldn’t put it in #1 category, but I don’t see it talked about or getting much love. Really another bargain gem to me.
I’m with you in general irritation concerning the Exclusifs. Exceptions are Misia, Rue Cambon and Coromandel which all have some heft…
Actually, my one exception so far is Cuir de Russie which has some staying power but I haven’t compared it to original formulations.
1. I think that Jacomo 08 is five star fragrance at a bargain price. It has a hint of freesia (I usually can’t stand freesia in perfume), but I still love it.
3. Something that everyone seems to rate higher than I do. Hmmm … I would guess most things. I’m not a “traditional” perfumista in the sense that I don’t like many “traditional” perfume notes or perfume that smells anything like “perfume.” I read tons of reviews of classic perfumes — in vintage or reformulated versions — and I am not motivated to seek out samples. I’m not against trying new things (in this case, “new” might not be the right word), but it feels like so much work (for something that is supposed to be pleasurable hobby) to read a description of a fragrance that sounds totally unappealing to me, and then do the work to acquire a sample.
And applying fragrance is letting something into my personal space in a way that is very different from experiencing other forms of “art.”
I like what Jeffrey Dame says about perfume: that perfume is pleasure, not art. Although I have to say that earlier on in my perfume journey, I wrote off certain categories but am surprised to find perfumes that I love in said categories. And some of it happened more by chance rather than a determined effort to try to like certain things. And living in NYC affords me access to lots of free sniffing opportunities. But ultimately I agree that I want the ones I wear to bring me pleasure.
This is a fun one!
1) I actually really enjoy the Pacifica line. 4 and 5 star fragrances for 1 star prices. Same goes for Cartier. I’m in love with La Panthere (and it gets complimented more than anything else I own) and Eau de Cartier. Husband smells divine in Declaration. All three were reasonably priced. Ditto Bvlgari, L’Artisan, and AG. Quality lines without tremendous prices.
2) You know, I love what CB I Hate Perfume is trying to do in theory. Honestly, though, those fragrances last five minutes and cost an arm and a leg.
3) I guess I’m just not a Chanel girl? I like Cristalle ok and Coco is nice. Nothing else grabs me. Ditto OJ (gasps?) and many of the Tom Fords.
4) See, I thought Pucci was good and almost no one likes it.
Bonus answer to a question that wasn’t asked: a 5 star fragrance with a 5 star price that’s totally worth it? Vero Profumo! I’d buy them all if I could.
Good question! I’d say 777 Rose de Petra and a couple of Amouages I’ve tried (Jubilation 25 & Lyric so far).
I’ve recently fallen hard some of the Aedes scents, Oeillet Bengale and Pallisandre d’Or in particular. Not sure I’ll ever be able to afford a FB, but I do think they are worthy of the high price tag.
I really love Oeillet Bengale too, but it is pricey. Trying to savor every little bit of it that I have left.
Thanks about the CB I Hate Perfume – the whole story thing is great, but honestly, I’ve tried about six of them and I don’t have much love for any. At the Beach 1966 and Mr. Hulot’s Holiday are fun for summer scents.
I feel Josh Meyer with Imaginary Authors does a much better job at half the price — much longer lasting, and the stories and names are better!
I’ll bite on the 5-star perfume for a 5-star price – Puredistance Opardu and Puredistance M, Serge Lutens Iris Silver Mist, SHL 777 Khol de Bahrein, JAR Golconda, Guerlain Cuir Beluga, Aftelier Cuir de Gardenia, Chanel Bois des Iles Parfum, for starters.
IF, and I do mean IF I had the excess cash to buy it when it shows it’s head ever so infrequently on Ebay… Chanel No. 46! That’s a 5-Star for a 5-Star Price i’d GLADLY Spend… Even though sometimes it can be selling for like $700.00 or more… if i had the cash to throw at it I WOULD!
Definitely seconding Vero Profumo. Truly extraordinary.
1. Caron Yatagan, a great woody oriental for wicked cheap.
2. Recently I’ve tried samples of several $600 frags and been distinctly underwhelmed (Roja Dove, SL L’Incendiere, Armani Prive Sable Or and Fume). I know my expectations are high, given the price, but none of them seemed impressively ‘better’ than normally-priced frags.
3. Scents everyone likes more than I do… heresy, I know, but: Ormonde Jayne. So many of them seem same-same to me. Pink pepper, Iso E Super…
4. Scents I like more than most folks… Givenchy re-issues. I know Robin loves her Organza Indecence (thanks for the recommendation!) but I don’t hear about the rest too often. Several are quite lovely, and not terribly expensive.
Ormonde Jayne is particularly tragic because the scents could have been great if they’d tailored the base notes rather than overdosing all of them with Iso E Super.
The Armani Prive line has been a TRAGIC Letdown… they all smell so… OVERTHOUGHT! Just too Intellectual and not emotional enough!
Some of the Armani Prive scents are among my absolute favorites — Bois d’Encens, Ambre Soie — hence my disappointment with the Sables.
Totally with you on #3 – I was afraid I was the only one who felt that way!
I’ll have to do some research to come up with a bargain; I’ll post that later if I find one that is still available.
I used to think the Parfums de Nicolaï were a huge bargain, and perhaps they are still bargains, relatively speaking. However, some of the best are no longer available (or only as “Intense” versions that I haven’t tried). The few that I’ve tried more recently tend to have a note or undertone that I don’t like.
I like a few of the Memo perfumes, such as Lalibela, but can’t justify the price. They seem fairly simple and not at all natural.
Theo Cabanel Alahine is a perfume that everyone but me seems to love. I like the top notes but find the rest meh.
I like several of the original Heeleys and the Calice Becker By Kilians more than most people. I find them subtle, beautiful and perfectly balanced, which is rare.
Which Heeleys and by Kilians? Also looking forward to any bargains you come up with.
Heeley: Cuir Pleine Fleur, Sel Marin, and Cardinal (incense). Verveine, Spirit of the Tiger (Tiger Balm!) and Eau de Menthe are also interesting. There were some positive comments on L’Amandiere this week, but I haven’t tried it yet.
BK: Liaisons Dangereuses (rose plum), Beyond Love (tuberose), A Taste of Heaven (lavender), Back to Black (honey tobacco), Pure Oud, and Rose Oud. Love and Tears (jasmine) has many fans, but I already had SL A la Nuit by the time it came out, so I haven’t spent much time with it. I like the travel atomizers, which are pretty and less expensive.
The challenge with bargains is that most of the perfumes that were bargains when I bought them have since disappeared or gone up in price.
I guess you stumped those former bargains too well already. 😉
I love the blotter smell of Cuir Pleine Fleur, and the tiger balm and the mint ones, though I have yet to test them properly. I admit I sort of skip over the incense and vetiver ones because I tend to think I’m tired of those notes, but in reality I might just be tired of poor interpretations of those notes. I’ll keep my eyes open for those By Kilians too. I’d hate to get so caught up in vintage that I forget all about the future’s vintage!
Just realized you said Verveine, not Vetiver. Even better!
Yes on the Heeleys! The only FB I have now is Iris Nuit, but it is subtle, harmonious and beautiful – just as you describe.
I’m on my cell, so I’m only going to answer one of these. A 3-star line that deserves 5 stars and is a bargain is Josh Meyer’s Imaginary Authors’ is such a unique, thoughtful, and reasonably-priced concept. If you haven’t tried them yet, please do!
Memoirs of a Trespasser, The Soft Lawn, Falling into The Sea, Yesterday’s Haze are all favorites.
Oops meant to start an original post, and not respond sorry about that!
Another thumbs up for Heeley. Cardinal is the only FB I have, but I also like his Verveine and Hippie Rose.
BK Love and Tears Surrender may be my favorite jasmine soliflore. I struggle with indolic jasmines… and Love and Tears has zero indoles. Works for me!
I agree on Heeley Cuire Pleine Fleur and the Iris. I very much agree on By Kilian. The refills are not that expensive by today’s standards and it is a very consistent and beautiful line. I’m talking the old ones here. My personal favourites are Beyond Love and A Taste of Heaven. Back to Black, I’m on the fence about. I recently decided that it was time to add BL to my collection, only to discover that the BK’s have gone up in price.
Morning, all. I love this poll: it’s made me think more about my collection.
1. I love Silences and Safari, both as cheap as chips, but my choice for this question is Black Cashmere. I bought a bottle for a little more than NZ$130, which isn’t exactly cheap in itself, but is not expensive in comparison with other perfumes. I suspect that I would have bought it at twice the price, though, because it gives me joy. Following Marjorie Rose’s example, I bought the last bottle as a back-up, and then the lovely manager of the perfume department gave me the tester because the store is no longer going to stock the Donna Karan line.
2. When I was in Melbourne recently, I smelt some of the Keiko Mecheri line, and thought them rather commonplace for the price they command. Not awful, just not saying anything original, which, for A$270, would be a requirement
3. Almost everyone seems to like and/or respect the Frederic Malle perfumes more than I do. I find them rather thin and unconvincing, but I think maybe I’ve got odd skin chemistry. Also, I reached the point of not being able to bear Seville a l’Aube, and gave mine away.
4. Lots. And lots. In fact, I sometimes read reviews and find myself thinking that my perceptions must be blunt indeed.
Enjoy all your Saturdays, everyone. I’m feeling distinctly down pin and I think I might flollop about the house today doing nothing much very slowly.
“I’m feeling distinctly down pin and I think I might flollop about the house today doing nothing much very slowly.”
😀 😀 😀 😀
I’m ready for you to write a blog, Waterdragon. Your writing charms every time.
Why, thank you, but I am absolutely not a blog-master. When I think about the consistency and organisation (not to mention the expertise) that generates NST, I’m overcome with gratitude to Robin for giving us all the opportunity to chat and learn, but I know that I would never emulate any of those things. After my two or three years of lurking, I am deeply enjoying passing the time with you all, though.
Hi Waterdragon
Have you tried Goldminer’s Daughter yet? It’s made in the South Island by a woman who trained in France and Britain. I find the scents too strong and somehow ‘sticky’ ….not that they are literally sticky ….but somehow like the perfumes you find in shops that sell Nepalese jumpers, incense, soap, ‘tribal’ art. But quite interesting and good on her. The Gorse perfume is possibly the most wearable.
I agree on several of the Malles. Admittedly, I do have perfume eating skin… But, I know at least one other person who also finds many of the Malles short on oomph. Complete opposite of their reputation 🙂
Oh love this poll because it reminds me I wanted to ask the Saturday crowd whether anyone had suggestions for an equivalent to Demeter Mahogany (maybe not quite a 5-star perfume but gosh the price is amazing!) A friend is looking for something similar but quieter–and is willing to spend more money. Ideas?
When you asked this last time I was wondering about Lutens’ Chene. I can’t exactly recommend it because I don’t know it well and don’t know Mahogany at all. But Chene is a nice rich non-coniferous woodsy scent. I don’t know that I’d call it quiet, another reason this may be a useless suggestion. But, since you asked twice, I figure it can’t hurt to mention it. Maybe others know both better than I do?
Oh super, thanks for this idea! It’s one of the Lutens I think I haven’t smelled yet, so I will have to give it a try!
Glad to share my non-information! 😉
Perhaps Sycomore or Encre Noire? Also, Fragrantica has a bunch listed under mahogany notes. Another option of course is to dilute the Demeter, or buy the roller ball version which may not have as much sillage.
Oh very good ideas all! I actually have never diluted a fragrance myself before…but I guess if ever one was going to experiment, Demeter’s pricepoint might make it the right ‘fume to practice on! Have you tried this before? Any tips?
Exactly! There are several options for diluents. Everclear is one, but it’s banned in several states and I don’t know if you’re even in the US. Then there’s vodka, perfumer’s alcohol, rubbing alcohol, and distilled water. The easiest option is obviously the last. If adding any of the alcohols, add an equal amount of water as well. It will probably take some finagling to reach the desired concentration. Even though the Demeters are cheap, I’d advise working on this experiment in small batches. Let us know the outcome!
Oh wow thanks!! So smart about small batches–no need to wind up with a huge quantity of all the versions that don’t work! For that matter I’m realizing this may involve a whole lotta time wearing Mahogany, since one probably can’t test more than one on skin at once, if trying to gauge sillage…
That is a great idea, and I love all the details! It reminds me of another quieting technique: spray and then immediately cover with a hefty layer of unscented lotion or oil that you like to have your skin. That ought to slow down some of those smelly molecules!
Oh interesting! Does this really work? For some reason I am picturing lotion making the perfume wetter and thus more diffusive but maybe I’ve got it totally backwards. I realize that solid versions are less diffusive and presumably that’s the same idea… (Oh, making a solid of it might be another approach. I know Mandy Aftel’s book has instructions for how, though I’ve never actually done it.)
It has worked for me, though not necessarily on purpose. 😉
1. That you’d give 5 stars out of 5, but that has a 3 star price (a bargain, in other words),
– Several masculines fit this category for me, for example Cartier Declaration and Caron Pour Homme & Third Man.
2. That you’d give 3 stars or fewer, but that has a 5 star price,
– Many from the Atelier Cologne line. They smell good, but don’t last at all.
3. That everyone else seems to rate higher than you do, and/or…
– I can’t seem to appreciate L’Huere Bleue, although I do love the Guerlain classics in general.
4. That everyone else seems to rate lower than you do.
– I’m almost embarrassed to admit it, but I really enjoy reformulated Opium.
Does L’Heure Bleue go play-doh on you? I sometimes have that problem with it. Other times it’s very beautiful to me. I haven’t controlled my variables, so I don’t know if this is a matter of the vintage, formulation, deterioration, weather, or my unpredictable mind.
I get that in the drydown but it’s more homemade play-doh with a dash of unsweetened vanilla. But I actually like that smell and find it comforting so it’s a plus for me.
What’s in your play-doh recipe?
Flour, water, salt, small amount of oil, food coloring. It doesn’t last like the manufactured stuff but it was fun to make as a kid.
Doesn’t sound all that smelly!
L’Huere Bleue????? HERESY!!!!! 😉 😀
Just Kidding… I have heard that before… even more shocking is i have heard it more about the Jewel of Guerlain Jewels… MITSOUKO!!! That Perfume makes me Die and Go to Heaven! But L’Huere is one of those Fragrances that just is way Complex… it can be a difficult one to love!
Oooo – look what I found:
http://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2015/jul/11/jo-malone-how-i-get-ready-beauty
I don’t for one second believe she does all that in 25 minutes. I’d end up in the emergency room if I tried to multi-task dying my eyebrows wine, and tooth whitener. Has anyone tried the Pomelo fragrance?
BTW, if you want to kill the rest of Saturday voyeuristically, click on the heading “How I get ready” and you can read about a long list of stars I’ve never heard of plus a mountain climber, Kiss, John Walters (who fills his moustache in with Maybelline eye pencil – “That’s why they call it a pencil moustache.”) and more.
Hahahaha 25 minutes, that’s a good one!!
Nonetheless, I’m fascinated by how much she crams into getting ready to go out.
Totally. It made me wonder how much assistance she has (personal/domestic/other.) Couldn’t help thinking maybe someone else was laying out the clothes, drawing the bath, fixing dinner, etc. That would be one way to decrease the amount of time these tasks might require of the rest of us!
Hilarious, nozknoz! God forbid I ever need false eyelashes – it will probably take me the better part of an hour to get it right! I have never tried Pomelo (assuming you are asking about the Jo Loves version), bit I am certainly looking forward to trying the line when it becomes available in the U.S. whenever that may be.
I can’t wait for that line to come out as well! So exciting! By the way, Jo Loves Pomelo is soooo refreshing! The citrus is awesome!
I tried searchimg on Amazon to no avail. I guess I’ll have to be patient.
I just checked and it said they are out of stock right now. They probably will have some soon. As soon as I see it, I will let you know.
And one more thing — I think that nip of Whispering Angel affected her perception of time.
LOL!
🙂
How about when she mentions painting on her fragrance? Dipping a brush into fragrance then painting her skin with it, letting that dry, then adding another coat of scent.
This is curious to me. Seems like an interesting alternative to dabbing.
Is this a thing? Does anyone else use this application technique?
So much to ponder in this simple article! I’ve NEVER heard of painting on perfume with a brush, but I’m noticing that Pomelo comes in a body creme. Perhaps she’s applying that with a makeup brush, as some do with cream blushes? I have to admit, I don’t like dipping my fingers into perfumed body creams.
That could be it. So many questions 🙂
Back in the nineties….I think….Ungaro brought out a perfume that had a brush applicator. Painting on perfume was meant to be very sensual. I didn’t wear the perfume as it was too sweet but I recall the bottle. It was actually pretty….so the brush was attached to the top, like a dropper…but was the brush.
The Ungaro perfume was called Desnuda and actually came out in 2001
Fascinating – thanks, Kanuka!
Interesting! Thank you!
FYI, Christos has reviewed Jo Loves Pomelo on Memory of Scent:
http://memoryofscent.com/2012/05/20/jo-loves-pomelo-the-dark-side-of-citrus/
“Like pomelo, the oversized fruit, Pomelo the fragrance is a gigantic ball of citrus glow. I very rarely get excited about citrus scents and certainly all this thick fruitiness would not be enough to impress me. It was good to get my attention but what came next was amazing. As it develops on skin its focus shifts completely. From citrus to earth. A very resinous vetiver emerges with dark intentions.”
His reviews have already been responsible for more than one unsniffed buy on my part. 😉
Late to this party, but that link was truly hilarious! I think she must be pulling our leg.
That would be great. “Yeah, I just paint on my fragrance, then I shape shift into a pomelo, then I shape shift back and I’m ready for the day!”
1) 3 star-priced, but instead of assigning 5, these are 4s: Guerlain Terracotta and Cuir de Lancome.
2) 3 stars but 5 star priced: a lot of the Maison Kurkdjian fall into this category. Also wanted to love Creed Iris Tubereuse, which opens promisingly, but has a meh drydown–ridiculously overpriced.
3) Atelier, Prada, Amouage, L’Artisan, the afore mentioned Creed–could go on. Fine by me, I can buy more scarves!
4) Don’t see much love for a couple of my AdP faves, Iris Nobile or Profumo. Also prefer no 19 Poudre to the Prada iris. Mind you, the 1st time I tried Poudre, I thought it was heresy, but have since changed my tune.
What’s the AdP Profumo like?
It’s a woody floral that skews pretty retro. What’s interesting to me is the fact that though it contains noticeable patchouli, it doesn’t bother me at all. It’s a note I can’t bear in some other frags, like Le Labo’s Ylang 49.
It reminds me of Amouage Jubilation 25, without the cumin.
I LOVE Profumo! It is absolutely gorgeous. 😉
It seems like they Reformulated Profumo… are we talking the Older Version or the Current one… been Skeptical about the Newer one…???
These are strong recommendations! Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Love Iris Nobile! Until recently I had only tried the EDP, but recently got a sample of the EDT and might love it even more, especially for hot weather.
1. My absolute favourite: Youth Dew
2. Some Creed, Jo Malone, Bond No.9.
3. Hermes L’Ambre des Merveilles. It turns sweaty, “intense” coarse ground black pepper (literally like the ones in your kitchen) like on my skin. Not pretty.
4. Womanity. I love this and I find it beautiful. I can already see people shaking their heads right now 😛
Heh, I have actually never had a chance to smell Womanity, clearly I need to!
Womanity is great. It’s interesting and I get compliments when I wear it.
I like Womanity too. I’m a sucker for figs.
I don’t particularly like fig frags….too milky something, but I really like Womanity too…. But the name, OY!
Well, yeah. Name is stoopid.
I always forget that it’s a fig. I hate figs, but that one just doesn’t smell like the figs I hate.
I will have to put Womanity on my list. I always see the NST readers commenting about this. And, I like figs!
Keep an eye out – I saw it at Marshalls for less than $30 a month or so ago…!
Outstanding! Thanks so much!
A partial response to the poll!
1. I’m a little stingy with 5-star ratings (did it make me weep? no? ok then), but I think Lush Lust is, at least for those who find the prospect of an over-the-top jasmine exciting rather than horrifying, a 4-star perfume for a 1- or 2-star price, so, same differential at least? Similarly, I think Pacifica Mediterranean Fig is, if not a 5-star perfume, still very good for a real bargain, and I wish I’d smelled it before I bought some other pricier figs.
2. Woof, so many. Lots of good mentions already (Bond and Creed absolutely; Jo Malone, Kilian and Tom Ford feel very hit-or-miss), but I think the Aerins most exemplify the 5-star price on 3-star frags for me: several of them are fine overall, or have at least one aspect to recommend them, and I’ve even bought a partial bottle of Evening Rose, but the retail pricing is ludicrous. $110 for 50ml puts them at the same price point as Tauer or Lutens (among others), but the quality does not match up.
I also like Evening Rose the most. A testing accident revealed that Van C&A Rose Voleurs and Evening Rose layer really well. Not that I own either 🙂
Ha ah yes VC&A. Another line that I have not even gotten around to trying, scared off by pricing…
I LOVE the questions this week!
Here is my list of not-yet-mentioned perfumes that score at least 4 stars and are priced at either 2 or 3 stars:
Eau de Rochas, DK Gold edp, Lanvin Arpege (definitely a 5), Bal a Versailles, SSS Winter Woods, Caron Pour un Homme, Kings&Queens King Solomon, Jolie Madame
Because there are so many great perfumes at a good price, I find an absurd number of average perfumes to be overpriced.
I’m surprised at the number of people who are not all that impressed by the Chanel exclusifs. I thought I was alone in that! I seem to like the Dior Privee line more than most do. Eau Noire and Dior Vetiver are masterpieces to me.
I don’t like Bois de Iles nearly so much as everyone else, and Cuir de Russe (EDT) is so thin I’m not always sure whether I can smell it or not! Amouage Jubilation 25, is not particularly jubilant to me and I don’t find Lyric lyrical… Bottega Veneta edp is not something I would write home about. Teracotta was a scrubber to me. I really want to like Etro’s Shaal Nur, but I just don’t, and the same for the current Messe de Nuit (I haven’t smelled any vintage…) Stella, I don’t even find pleasant and I dislike Chloe Love; Montale Black Oud is just meh. Some L’artisans in this category: Passage de Enfer, Bois Farine, The Pour un Ete, Vanilia, Tea for Two. I like several tea scents but the Bulgari ones turn to plastic on my skin! While I like Gourmand Coquin, the much admired Spiritueuse Double Vanille does nothing for me. Chanel no.19 edt and edp last all of 15 minutes on my skin. Cristale does the same…
Just in case I haven’t yet been excommunicated I will say that many Annick Goutal’s are just average to me – especially the rose ones (though I adore Heure Exquise).
And, as a plea in my defense, I have made a complete turn around on some scents before so there is hope for me!
Um… perfumes I like more than others seem to? I think Lonestar Memories blows L’air du desert out the water (so to speak). I also love Nostalgia, and don’t hear it mentioned often. Gaultier2 is widely looked down on, but I enjoy it, and Cristalle au Vert is lovely in summer.
What can I say – my nose is idiosyncratic 🙂
Are you talking about the SSS Nostalgie? I really like that one as well but only have a small sample so haven’t worn it much. I have a similar issue with No 19 but it’s more that I don’t smell anything at all when I’ve sprayed it on. Same with Bulgari white tea and their Omnia Crystalline. Nada.
Oh no, sorry, I mean the Santa Maria Novella! It’s a gasoline and rubber scent with a balsamic leather dry down. Very different from the SS 😀
Ha! Yes, very different 😀 My phone auto corrects (Nostalgie to Nostalgia) But I’m imagining an SA giving that SMN scent description to a non-perfume person and it’s making me laugh.
And yeah, I have similar problems smelling some of the Bulgaris, so I am probably anosmic to something. Then again, when I have asked others to smell, 45 minutes after applying 19, they can’t smell anything either.
Oh that is tragic to not be able to smell No. 19!
Luckily I’m not so blown over by the first 20 minutes (when I can smell it) as to be totally engulfed by grief at its loss 😉
“Amouage Jubilation 25, is not particularly jubilant to me and I don’t find Lyric lyrical…” I think there is potential for a musical in this!
Mmmm….it has a certain Gilbert and Sullivan quality, I think. I see a chorus of maidens in tears and white muslin and an importunate villain with an improbably splendid moustache contriving all sorts of wicked little bits of business.
How about I do the script and you do the stage directions?
That would work. Could we include a perfumed element, do you suppose?
It would be an absolute requirement!
I volunteer to usher / spritz the audience on cue.
Where can I get tickets to this?!? Hehehehhehe
Katrina – you are just hoping to get a free spritz of something fantastic, aren’t you? Just admit it!
Totally agree…Cole Porter came to mind…. You’re The Top!
I can hardly smell Cuir de Russia either. Occasionally I notice other people say this too, so we are not alone. 🙂
Yeah…only I think I may be that other person, which would mean the pair of us are alone 😮
At least we can keep each other company in our ‘grief’ 😉
Second Jolie Madame and Eau de Rochas for five star inexpensive frags. I own and love both.
When perfumes like that are available for those prices – it makes a real joke out of the madly expensive duds!
Delightful post! Now the follow-up questions:
What’s King Solomon?
Where’s the cheap Jolie Madame?
Leathermountain,we have some pretty cool discount shops in South Africa.Jolie Madama was a steal at Dischem,it’s like a Superdrug or discounter pharmacy store.King Solomon is by Perfumes for Kings and Queens,they’re part of the Korres line-up from Greece.My other favorite in that line is the green tuberose Queen Sheba.Supercheap at a local chainstore called Edgars.
Johanob, sorry I didn’t see you had already answered!
Does your Edgar’s still stock these. They aren’t in Joburg any more, and we never got the rest of the Korres range either 🙁
Unfortunately Dischem is phasing out the older stuff, the Rochas, Balmain classics etc. they are going to stock regular department store stuff. Very sad. Been considering a back up of Madame Jolie…
I didn’t mean to answer on your behalf,but I was online and had the info!Lol!I have not been to Edgars in a while,the last time I went I got the Queen Sheba and Ophir Gold for something like $4…so I guess they were on their way out already everywhere by then.Pity about the Dischem phase-out!!I “saw” it,but had not realised that was what’s happening!!I still wanted to get Giorgio Beverly Hills!!!
No, thank you! I just meant that I should have refreshed before repeating what you had just said 😉
I haven’t seen the Kings & Queens for a few months, so I don’t think we get them anymore.
Giorgio, however, I saw quite recently, so I think it’s sill there (in Dischem).
The Kings&Queens range is under Korrres but I think it is a different website. When I get home to my computer I’ll post a link! Admittedly I haven’t worn King Solomon that much; it is very masculine, but the best in the range, and really quite something! Maybe scent of tomorrow 🙂
Madame Jolie is only available at discounters in SA. I got my 50ml bottle for about $45…
Thanks to you both, johanob and Merlin, and sorry to hear about the changes at Dischem.
Oh, Leathermountain, what can I say, we shall endure! 😉
I can’t find a really decent website about their products. This is their Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kings-and-Queens/75887300428?v=info&sk=info&tab=page_info
And on this page there is quite a nice little review of King Solomon by Apicius:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kings-and-Queens/75887300428?v=info&sk=info&tab=page_info
There is a note in it that he also associates with more expensive scents – but then he does classify it as a ‘strong and nose-catching cheap gents’ cologne’!
I have tried their soaps and body butters and would describe them as nice enough but not something I would re-buy. The soaps are huge and do last forever!
Haha!Great list!And we do agree on more things than we actually realize!Lol!You’ve just condensed about 4 years of perfume convo’s/sniffathons/emails/whatsapp’s in one written piece,M!Lol.Of the ones we love I think King Solomon and Jolie Madame are the two standout bargains we discovered!Jolie:a leather I actually could wear AND adore after the Azuree disaster.DK Gold and Vanilia is my two favorite bargains I scored thanks to you!I wonder what will we discover next….?hehe.x
Yes, although you are capable of appreciating those I still aspire to appreciate! 😀
1. 5 star frags: Two came to mind immediately–I have both in EDT, and love them–and they were fairly inexpensive!: Chanel Cristalle and Aromatic Elixir.
2. Pass 😎
3. Everyone else seems to rate higher: Dame Perfumery… he seems like such a terrific guy… and it seems like everyone LOVES his frags…. sigh… they do nothing for me.
4. The regular ol’ Prada.
And I sound like a broken record, but the Volnays are really worth checking out if you are someplace that carries them….
Keep on breaking your record (look how we’ve landed in a whole different metaphor!) because I just now noticed your Volnay plug.
A momentary fantasy of me crossing a finish line with my hand pumping the air in triumph….
And while I am being totally random, I will confess that my purchase of Fire Island had very little to do with the fragrance… In college I became fascinated with the poet and art critic Frank O’Hara, who died just months before I was born. In that typically self-absorbed melodramatic way of college freshmen, I was convinced that had he lived I would have met him and we’d have become friends (I was 17 and very certain of my own unique brilliance… which of course tarnished dramatically the older I got!) Anyhoooo, O’Hara spent a lot of time with various bright lights from the NYC art scene on Fire Island, and died there himself at age 40….. His poetry is rushed, funny and self-regarding. I still love it. He probably would be appalled by Bond No. 9 and all it’s marketing ilk…. But I bought the perfume Fire Island with him I mind nonetheless….
Told you this was random!
I love it. A fist pump to you!
I bought Like This, about three years ago, largely influenced by Swinton’s reading of the Rumi poem. Still don’t feel quite right in the scent though!
I am not alone! Thanks letting me know. As if we don’t make enough excuses for ourselves buying frags!
Unleash the poetry!!!!
1. Bulgari Black, of course!
2. I’m with the many mentions of Amouage… I *guess* I can tell that the materials are fancy, but of the 6 or so I’ve tried I have never found any that memorable.
3. Baiser Vole! An instant scrubber for me. I took out the sample again after reading so many glowing comments about it here, but to my nose it is heavy and saccharine and stomach-turning.
4. Tough one – most of my favorites have at least some lovers among you! PoTL A*Maze I think didn’t get a ton of love, but I think it’s wonderful.
1. 5 Star Fragrance at a 3 Star Price… Just discovered a Bottle of Bvlgari Blv II for like $27.00 on Ebay and I always thought that was just a Wonderfully Lovely scent that didn’t find it’s market.
2. The original Chance by Chanel. It’s an alright scent, Not really my Cup of tea, But still a fine scent… But not for that Price!
3. Easy. Fendi Theorema. It’s HIDEOUS! I never Understood the Love thrown at that Fragrance! maybe I Need to Re-Sniff one last time to see if it’s just i wasn’t ready for it back in the day or if it still smells unabashedly confused!
4. My Old Standby… Gucci Guilty for Men… Almost am out of it and need another bottle. Although I know MANY men who buy it, Perfumnista’s Shun it like the Amish… Dunno why. I think it’s AMAZING Stuff!
Should do a Poll of Top 10 (or 5, if that’s more fun!) Discontinued Scents that are 5-Star Scents… I think we all would have more of a list of 10 than 5 (I KNOW I DO!) But Hopefully that will be a Poll sometime! 😀
I agree! So many were so good, it just boggles my brain why they were given the axe! That would be a great poll.
1. Narciso Rodriguez Narciso. I think it’s great.
2. Aedes de venustras Oeillet Bengale. It’s good, but that is Kenzo jungle too.
3. Xerjoff Casamorati 1880 Grand bal. To me, it’s basically Victoria’s Secret Angel. I have tried them side by side.
4. Almost every scent by Le Labo. They are mostly magic, imo.
5 Star rating but 3 star price: Vintage Ciara. Every single note comes out in this gem. Not so much in the reformulation.
3 Star/5 Star price: XJ Richwood. Completely hyped bio on luckyscent. I got absolutely no sandalwood or anything else that was promised me. Highly disappointing. I am even still mad at myself for paying 10 dollars for a sample!
Oh, Ciara. I wore the vintage when it was new, and loved it.
1. The old Sacrebleu by Nicolai was a true 5-star bargain. The new Sacrebleu Intense is a bargain too, though more of a 4-star bargain.
2. Hermessence Rose Ikebana. I was wearing my sample this week, and it’s pretty, but not over-$200-pretty
3. Most of the Ormonde Jaynes (except for Tolu, which I love). My bit of heresy is that I find them a little hollow. Must be all that Iso-E-Super.
4. Les Parfums de Rosine. Especially my old (since 2007) favorite Rose Kashmirie: a beautiful spicy, citrusy, woody rose.
How do the 2 Sacrebleus compare? I’m familiar with the old one btw.
Intense has more of everything – more vanilla, more fruit, more incense. The balance seems a little off, though.
Great idea!
5-star fragrance for a 3-star price: almost anything by Di Nicolai. Love New York.
3-star for a 5-star price: almost anything by Tom Ford, and most of the Chanel Exclusifs line. I like Jersey; Misia is meh. The rest don’t last or devolve into a metallic hum. It could be my skin. Add Uncle Serge’s recents; haven’t like anything since Une Fille.
Most folks seem to rate the Chanels and Fords higher than I do.
Amouage seems to be a very polarizing line. Perhaps it’s the ridiculous price? I love all I’ve smelled, really top quality. But one has to pay a lot.
Also: I don’t see much love for PoTL in general; love it.
anngd, I think you’re right about the Amouages–if it’s gonna be $200-300 a bottle, it’d better smell like it! I’m in the *love* category for enough of them that I don’t mind the prices, even if I don’t love all of the scents. I respect that they are well-made and each one is unique.
I know you’re a fan, MR. I aspire to collect as many as you have 🙂
It’s all about priorities!
Buy an Amouage instead of 2-3 bottles of other juice.
Or refuse to make a car payment one month.
You have options! 😉
I think people have just “forgotten” POTL, because they don’t release anything new. I love it too.
Robin, Luctor et Emergo is one of the few fragrances where people follow me around and ask, ‘What are you wearing?’ Haven’t tried A*maze, reviews were very mixed. Time to get a sample.
A*maze is nicely done but less unique — you’ve probably already smelled something similar.
I had to google POTL to figure out what you two were talking about. Haven’t even heard of this house! Looks like they’re mostly focussed on fashion and interiors? (It stands for People of the Labyrinths, for those others of you who didn’t know what it was! 🙂 )
If I recall correctly, Luctor et Emergo is the motto of the country/duchy/entity Silesia – it means ‘I struggle and emerge.’
The clothing looks very post-apocalyptic, so that fits, too!
I don’t know about Silesia, but Luctor et Emergo is definitely the motto of Zeeland, one of the Dutch provinces. It used to get flooded all the time but these days people can live there quite happily.
austenfan, you’re probably right. I haven’t looked it up in some time. Thanks!
Ann!!I’ve lost your mail addy!!Computer crashed etc etc!!Need to send you a package!!
Hi Johano! Miss chatting. ann dot dalrymple at gmail dot com
I have a package for you too, so include your addy when you send.
Awesome!!thank you!will do this week! From my side:glad to see you here again!x
1. Caron Pour un Homme. I’m going to be bold and say that it’s the best lavender out there (and I’ve tried a few).
2. Xerjoff XJ Casamorati Regio. More of a one star actually. Mind you, the ingredients might be expensive for all I know, but the end result left me spitting curses. I loathed it. ( Nearly as much as Teint de Neige, I’ve never explored another Villoresi)
3. Most of the Chanels. But: I can see why people rate them highly as even I’m aware that they are very well made. (except Allur;, I profoundly dislike that one) By and large, however, they happen not to suit me. Especially the Exclusifs. A bit too refined for my taste.
Two other lines that I’m not wholeheartedly smitten by are Ormonde Jayne (all that wood) and the Lauders. A tad too loud, mostly. Funnily enough both lines do have one or 2 fragrances that are easily among my favourites.
4.
Rockin’Rio. Because it’s such fun
TDC Osmanthus, just beautiful
Thé pour un Eté, who cares for lasting power?
Delrae Emotionelle; Melon can be great!
I’m sure there are others, but these are the ones that sprang to mind.
Which ones of the OJ’s en Lauder’s are among your favourites?
OJ Woman and EL White Linen.
1. That you’d give 5 stars out of 5, but that has a 3 star price (a bargain, in other words),
-CSP Amour de Cacao. It’s not fancy but then neither am I. It makes me happy, enough said.
2. That you’d give 3 stars or fewer, but that has a 5 star price.
-any Amouage I have tried (except Fate Woman!)
3. That everyone else seems to rate higher than you do, and/or…
– DK Gold. Yech!
4. That everyone else seems to rate lower than you do.
– SL Un Bois Vanille. As necessary to me as water and air 🙂
I also like CSP Bois de Filao. I think it smells to me the way Hermes’ Jardin Meditereinee smells to everyone else 🙂
With you on Gold!
1. I haven’t yet found a 5-star bargain, but I continue to be hopeful. The search has been fun.
2. Almost everything from Bond No. 9, with certain rare exceptions, doesn’t justify the price of a bottle in my opinion. But I don’t think I’m alone in that assessment.
3. Everyone loves the Malles, and I have great respect for all of them, but I can’t seem to find one that I really enjoy. Still working on it. Also, this may be heresy, but I don’t like Coromandel at all. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone else admit to that, but please let me know if I’m not alone in this. And if I am – oh well!
4. My most polarizing favorite – L’air de Rien – still has plenty of fans, but there’s one that I loved that didn’t seem to move anyone else: L’incendiaire. Every time I go to Barney’s I end up spraying it, and ultimately huff my wrist for the rest of the day. It’s big and complicated and I will never pay $600 for a bottle, but it does move me. It doesn’t appear to have done the same to anyone else.
I like Coromandel, but I don’t like No. 5. Yes, I know that’s complete heresy, but there it is, I’ve confessed. 🙂
I liked L’Incendiaire too. Just couldn’t see that it was enough “better” than the rest of the line that I could squint my way around the price tag – LOL
Yes, the price is decidedly unsquintable. Maybe they’ll do a lighter concentration and bring the cost down to something resembling reasonable. In the meantime, I spray generously when at Barney’s.
Ha ha! I think Robin was not entirely enthusiastic about Coromandel. Having gone through a patchouli phase I tried to love it, but did not; and then going through a vetiver phase I tried to love Sycamore, but wasn’t able to either…
I haven’t experienced Sycamore, but will investigate and see if I’m in your camp. I love Cuir de Russie, 31 rue Cambon, 28 la Pausa (that lovely little disappearing act), and Bois des Iles.
I’m waaaaay in the minority. I don’t think I’v heard of a single vetiver lover who does not love Sycamore! I do like Rue Cambon, but it feels too accomplished for a dilettante like me to wear. And La Pausa, just lovely, for 10 minutes or so 🙂
Not entirely is an understatement 🙂
Ha ha!
HA! 🙂
Coromandel doesn’t work on me AT ALL, but it’s absolutely gorgeous on my mother.
Someone sitting next to me at a concert smelled amazing, and she was wearing it. Strangely enough, it did make me sneeze; I seem slightly allergic to something in it. All in all I wasn’t sure if my experience had been improved or worsened by her having it on 😀
It went perfectly with the wooden concert hall as well as the music!
Coromandel was a scrubber! I like patchouli but Coromandel was all white chocolate on me and very little else. None of the Exclusifs in edt form work for me , but Bois des Iles parfum is exquisite.
So I’m not alone! I too couldn’t wait to get it off of me
Having thought more about bargain 5-stars, others have mentioned various Rochas perfumes such as Femme and Eau de Rochas, and I would add Tocade. I haven’t tried Tocade 2013, a reformulation in a completely different bottle, but there are still inexpensive bottles of the original on ebay.
I would also highlight Maria Candida Gentile, an Italian indie brand that not only makes great smelling perfume but also does what we wish every other brand would do: 15-ml bottles. My favorite so far is Sideris.
I tried Angel Sucree yesterday and really liked it.
There are meant to be differences between the one just before the new bottle and the one prior to that. I think the bottle is supposed to be the same, but the design on the box a little different. Is anyone able to weigh in on that? The one in the later box design is still available here, but I think the testers may be an even earlier one. All in all, I’m not sure whether to risk it…
After looking really hard at what’s on ebay, I’m pretty sure that my samples are the 2015 Eau Sucree. If so, it’s the one in the darker blue bottle rather than the light frosted bottle.
Sorry to be unclear – I meant Tocade!
Angel Sucree (an any variation) never arrived on my side of the world. Kind of a pity because I would like a wearable Angel…
Feeling a bit too sleepy to weigh in with any ratings myself, but here is a pretty song called “Stars”:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7C1kvpnYRo
Thanks to everyone who has posted so far, for all the great ideas (my to-sample list has tripled in size), and for all the belly laughs. We have some true comedic talent in this community. 🙂
For a 5 star fragrance at a 3 star price, I nominate Gucci EDP – the one from 2002 or so, in the heavy clear square bottle. It is far and away my most complimented fragrance, and it never fails to make me feel simultaneously elegant and comforted.
For the reverse, nearly any of the Hermessences (except Osmanthe Yunnan) – ridiculously poor longevity, and they’re just not that outstanding even when one CAN smell them. Ditto the Hermes Jardins.
For fragrances everyone else rates higher than I do, well … don’t throw things at me, but the Goutals and Guerlains I’ve tried so far are completely underwhelming. I do like Vol de Nuit very much, but so far Goutals just don’t work on me at all. Oh yeah, and Anne Pliska – I just don’t get it.
For fragrances that I rate higher than everyone else seems to – Dior Escale a Portofino. Nobody seems to hate it, but those who love it as much as I do seem to be in the minority.
I tend to think of many of the almost-there scents as emperor’s-new-clothers perfumery. Then again, I do pick up more subtle scents than I could a few years ago, so it is possible that my nose is just blunt.
“Emperor’s new clothes” – great analogy, Merlin. That’s exactly how it feels sometimes.
Thank you all for great comments, and good laughs!
1. I can think of many 4 star scents for a 2 star price, Carolina Herrara’s Carolina Herrera, Roberto Cavalli’s Roberto Cavalli, SJP Lovely, quite a few of the Yves Rocher’s; Secret d’essences Neroli, Tendre Jasmin, Voile d’Ambre, Moment du Bonheur, Comme une Evidence and the Monoi’s, and Aromatics Elixer, but I can’t think of a 5 star fragrance for a bargain. I can also think of many 4 star scents for a 3 star price, ie. de Nicolai’s, the Goutals, and even some of the Lutenses which aren’t that expensive in Europe.
2. FM Lipstick Rose, a real scrubber for me, but that is more a question of disliking it than that it says something about its quality, which I think ‘objectively’ is high. It seems to me that Tom Ford’s Portofino is somewhat overpriced.
3. I think many of the Guerlains, I have not found a way in that house. Maybe I will, nothing conclusive.
4. Maybe some of the Goutals, that are liked well enough, but maybe not loved as much as I do, Mon Parfum Cherie par Camille as an example, or Ambre Fetiche, or Encens Flamboyant. I think they are my 5 starts (in the company of many others that are equally loved by others, no 19, Cristalle, no 5 etc.).
A lot of us seem to have many 4 star bargain perfumes, but not 5 star ones! I think we reserve the 5 star rating for the ones we have sold organs to pay for 😀
5 scar perfumes
Hee
From now on its five scar perfumes!
Our hearts I suppose 😉
Depends on the relative market price on organs :p
1. A 5-star fragrance with a 3-star price: I got Cuir de Lancôme for $5… but recently it looks like the prices have gone up.
2. 5-star price, less-than-3-star fragrance: pretty much all the Xerjoff fragrances I’ve tried. The are all pretty ordinary…
3. Fragrances everyone rates higher than I do….. Bentley for Men Intense…. it smells like a shopping mall….. that annoying woody-amber.
4. Everyone rates L’Artisan’s Al Oudh lower than I do….. I just love it.
1. That you’d give 5 stars out of 5, but that has a 3 star price (a bargain, in other words)
– Anais Anais by Cacharel
– the original Private Collection by Estee Lauder
2. That you’d give 3 stars or fewer, but that has a 5 star price,
– Green by Byredo – lovely scent but it is almost identical to Grey Flannel
– Neroli Portofino by Tom Ford – it’s “okay” but I can’t understand the high price tag
3. That everyone else seems to rate higher than you do, and/or…
-Tubereuse Criminelle by Serge Lutens. I can’t, or won’t, get pass the huge wintergreen opening. I guess I don’t like my tubereuse weird!
4. That everyone else seems to rate lower than you do.
-1996 by Byredo – this is my favourite scent from this house
I also love Byredo 1996. It’s one of my all time favorites.
Agree on 1996 being the best.
1. This is hard. I must be a snob. Def 5 stars but prob too pricey?: Smugglers Soul by Lush.
4 stars: Bvlgari Black, Eau des Missions.
2. Where to start. Bond No9, Creed, Xerjoff and I’m sure many others I haven’t encountered.
3. This is my first post so I won’t say Mitsouko. ( I get hairspray and depression.)
Otherwise: most of Tauer (find them screechy).
4. Penhaligon’s Vaara. It attracts the probably justified criticism that it’s a watered-down, cheapened down Mohur, but it inspires love in me, which Mohur doesn’t (at least not the regular version, haven’t sampled the extrait). Something perfectly radiant about it, fabulous in hot weather.
Great thread!!
Sometimes theres no predicting what will tug the heartstrings – could just as easily be a supposedly ‘weakened’ form of something else…
Mitsouko likely goes over my head. Can’s see (smell) the appeal.
And welcome here!
Thank you 🙂