We all complain about flankers, and they're an easy mark: there are too many of them (really, WAY too many of them) and the general tendency of flankers, of course, is to dumb down, or sportify, or summer-ize, or oud-ify, or otherwise attenuate a possibly already less-than-marvelous pillar fragrance. But I'm sure I'm not the only one that has a few flankers I like better than the original. Here are my five picks,1 do share yours!
Tops on my list is Givenchy's Organza Indecence. I never did care, either way, about Organza. I'm sure it has many fans (do raise your hand!) but it never appealed to me. Organza Indecence, billed as Organza's "vampy little sister", is a fabulous spicy woods that shows little obvious relation to its big sister floriental, much less to its namesake fabric, or for that matter, to indecency — it is sort of sexy, yes, but it works best as a comfort scent, and I'd wear it with anything from flannel to cashmere to an old sweatshirt.
I'm sure I'm not alone in loving Christian Dior Hypnotic Poison while having, let's say, respect, at most, for the original Poison (I said in my review of Poison that "it is far, far easier to appreciate its good points now that everyone on earth isn't wearing 2 sprays too many"). As with Organza Indecence, Hypnotic Poison has little enough in common with its older sister, and also like Organza Indecence, it's both sexy and comforting. I should add that I hear that Hypnotic Poison is not quite the wonder it once was, but I have avoided trying the latest formulation so I can't comment.
Thierry Mugler Angel Liqueur de Parfum was a limited edition 2013 release,3 but they're still selling it over at Thierry Mugler, and I've been vacillating about buying it ever since it came out (and to be clear, I have never for even a second considered a purchase of the original Angel). Richer and sweeter than the original, and beautifully boozy, but also mellower, with fewer rough edges. I might just be talking myself into a purchase.
When I reviewed Prada Infusion d’Iris Absolue, I said it was gorgeous, yet I wasn't sure but that I'd still wear the original Infusion d'Iris more often even if I owned both. Now that I've owned both scents for several years, I can tell you that it's the Absolue I usually reach for, in fact, it might be the single iris fragrance I wear most often.2 It's noticeably deeper and richer than the original but not overwhelming or difficult to wear — it still works with the "veil of scent" concept.
Everything I said about the Prada goes as well for Hermès Jour D'Hermès Absolu. It's deeper, richer, more full-bodied than "regular" Jour d'Hermès, and if I ever drain my bottle of the regular, I'll buy the Absolu.
1. Erin wrote a similar post back in 2009, 5 Perfumes for: a Flanker Skeptic. Maybe my post is the flanker to hers? Her criteria were not quite the same: she was writing about decent flankers but not necessarily flankers that bested the original. Still, we shared 1 pick: the Givenchy, and while Hypnotic Poison did not make her list, she did talk about it.
2. And that made me think about how misleading, in some ways, the scent of the day posts are, since I'm sure I'm not the only perfumista who doesn't end the day in the same perfume I was wearing in the morning.
3. Update...just to clarify, the bottle shown at top is actually the 2009 release of Angel Liqueur de Parfum and that is the one I reviewed. It was released again in 2013 as part of the Les Liqueurs de Parfum collection. The 2013 version, which I have not smelled but which I assume is at least close to the 2009 version, is the one that is still for sale.
Shalimar Ode à la Vanille seems deeper to me than the current formularion of the EdT, and I like it better. And yes, I tend to wear something different after I shower in the evening.
The vanilla flankers were really good, I wish they’d do another.
YES! Maybe a Tahiti one this time?
Which one do you prefer? Madagascar or Mexique?
I have only tried the Mexique.
Agreed. I reach for Ode a la Vanille way more often than the original.
Me too, and I do love the original!
I can’t wear Shalimar, but I’m hoarding what’s left of a precious, precious bottle of Shalimar Eau Legere.
It is a mystery to me why they let that one go for Shalimar Light.
Same here with Eau de Shalimar. And people say the Eau Legere was even better! I have recently tried the Cologne, full of hopes, but it seemed flat in comparison. Will have to try it again.
Speaking as someone who owns or has owned Angel, Eau de Star, Angel Parfum de Cuir, and Liqueur de Parfum Création 2013, I urge you to get the LdP. You’ve been talking about it for ages, which for me is always a sign that it’s not a passing fancy, but something you truly want, maybe even need. It is far and away the best of the Angel flankers, thick, lush, and opulent without being overwhelming. (The leather one is also pretty terrific, mind you. But the 2013 has it beat.)
I think that several of the A*Men flankers are also better than their namesake, which is just too sweet and overwhelming for me (although I wore it when it was new, for the novelty, until it became too much): Pure Coffee and Pure Malt are welcome variations on the theme, and B*Men is a clever rethinking of the original.
It’s doubly tempting because the bottle is 35 ml, so only 5 ml over my own stated limit.
Completely agree with A*Men, they’ve really done a good job with those.
The 2013 bottle looks the same as the one pictured above, btw: it’s completely mirrored, but when you hold it up to the light, the mirroring becomes transparent, and you see that both the glass and the juice are Angel blue. It’s a gorgeous, irresistibly touchable object.
Thanks, I had thought from the pictures that it was opaque gold.
You’ve talked me into it…..LOL I got a sample of the original Angel a couple of months ago, and I really like it A LOT. Can’t really wear it at work, but I love it on date night or at home…..
I think I’ve liked every A*Men flanker I’ve tried and I really should get one. The problem is I usually try them at airports and then get confused and don’t know which one to buy.
Agree so much about how the Absolu versions of Id’I and Jour compare to their originals!
Ideas to add: I’m pretty whatever about Burberry Brit but one of their summer flankers is a favorite wallpaper cologne for me (it smells like a couple of the lightweight Kilians at a fraction of the price!) I vastly prefer Eau de Cartier’s Zeste de Soleil flanker to the original. Chloe Intense has some sneezy pepper to recommend it over the 2008 Chloe (but I admit I still haven’t ended up wearing it at all–I should rehome it but I love the square bottle with the black ribbon…)
Burberry Brit Gold was likewise way better, and so I think was the Red although now I hope I’m not confusing that one with another. And agree with the Cartier!
Oh you know I’ve now heard numerous good things about the Red, I’m sorry I missed it.
IIRC, the Red was more interesting than the regular but the Gold was the best.
Yup!
Red is lovely but the body lotion is far and away better than the EdT. I have 4 bottles of the lotion, for now until my time.
Ha!!
Burberry Brit Gold is the first flanker that came to mind while reading your post. Burberry Brit is nothing to me, but Gold is sublime. I still wear and enjoy my original bottle. I also enjoyed Red in the past and still have the body lotion. If there were any justice in the fragrance world, Burberry would bring both back – especially Gold.
Ok I am officially keep discounter eyes pealed for Gold and Red!
I thought I was the only one who knew the beauty of the Red lotion! Heaven.
I wish I’d tried Gold….
Yes! Red and Gold were very nice, I own both.
On the subject of Brit flankers, I went through a bottle of Sheer when it was first released and I own a small bottle of Rhythm now. Both are better than the original. (Maybe I just really dislike Brit.)
Another Sheer fan here!
Sheer fan here as well. I drained one FB pre-perfumista.
Brit is gross. Like rotting candy.
Lol
Flankers I like better (that come to mind quickly): Modern Muse Le Rouge, Pleasures Pop, Daisy Dream….
I always have a morning scent for the day, and then a bedtime scent after my shower! Minimum of 2 scents per day….
Oh yeah….Flowerbomb Intense is better than the original in my opinion….
Oh, and you reminded me of Rosabotanica, which is way better than Florabotanica.
Oh yes totally!
So true! I really wanted to like Florabotanica and was disappointed, but Rosabitsnica is a great, interesting scent. I’m considering buying it to encourage the making of decent mainstream scents.
I liked Le Rouge much better than the original Modern Muse too. Have you tried the other one, Chic I think?
While working in the perfume industry for 20 years, Indecence was a great revelation to me. The original is definitely not to my taste and Indecence is not anywhere near my category but it is marvelous for those who like a spicy, sexy fragrance. I think it’s terrific, just not me! I do, however, really like Organza First Light. Too bad it’s gone.
And I’m sure I never tried First Light — great name!
I like the original Organza, but only once in every other blue moon. It is very dated, but the jasmine is delicious. I ignored organza indecence for far too long, and now I am relieved to have a bottle. It is one of my fav “pudding” vanillas, only because it manages to stay on the lesser side of sweet. I love the cinnamon parts too. I never heard of Organza First Light!
Robin, I own and enjoy all the flankers you’ve listed and agree about each one. A quick list that comes to mind:
Pleasures Delight
Pure and Midnight Poison
TBS Musk Libertine
L’Eau de Chloe (I didn’t even know there was an Intense and now want to find it!)
Kenzo Amour Indian Holi
Angel Innocent and Eau Sucree (not better than the original, but as good in my opinion)
All the Narciso Rodriguez flankers I’ve tried and subsequently purchased
Idylle Rose Patchouli
Shalimar Light, which again, while not better was as good in its own way
Same for Chanel No. 5 Eau Premiere
I’ve liked some of the Coach summer editions, but found them far too fleeting to seriously consider purchasing. And I’ve been curious about PdN’s Kiss Me Intense since I loved Kiss me Tender but haven’t tried it yet so can’t say how it compares.
Wow, great list! I would agree as well with the Musk Libertine, which I do own, and I loved Shalimar Eau Legere.
Absolute Scentualist, I’m not sure if you’re interested, but Holly did a side by side comparison of PdNs KMT and KMI yesterday. Look in the comments for yesterday’s daily post. She didn’t find a huge difference between them and it was mostly in the opening notes.
FWIW I think L’Eau de Chloe is prob superior to the Intense version… but in a world without budget restrictions, I’d be happy to have the full set, I love the bottles.
Robin, yes the Musk Libertine is great. I stocked up during their buy three, get three sale. I think they’ve discontinued it now, but I love it. The body butter’s really lovely.
Petunia, I’m really interested since I’ve been putting off buying any until I found out how they compared to each other. off to find it now!
C.H., I often see a set on Sephora with the original Chloe, Roses de Chloe and L’Eau de Chloe in the same cute bottles for a reasonable price. I don’t know what the Chloe Intense is, and will have to look it up. But I bought the set with three 1 ounce bottles and am surprised how much I really like them.
Oh yes, I did like the Roses one too–maybe my favorite juice of all of them. But I have a lot of other light roses and other florals I prefer at this point so it’s hard to justify buying just for the bottles… maybe I will win the lottery
Yes. I do think L’Eau is probably my favorite, but the original is a perfect bedtime comfort scent.
Petunia, I just read Holly’s thoughts and it figures I think KMT is probably much more my style. I liked the sample I had back in the day, and am sad to read it’s been discontinued.
Is it discontinued as in gone from the face of the earth? Or can it still be had maybe in less obvious shops etc? I checked Evilbay and all they had was a bottle of Kiss Me Intense.
Another facepalm, should have bought it when it was there moment. Le sigh.
I guess you might find some on evil bay. The original is so pretty. Oh well.
I only tried the Absolue once, and remember not liking it. I really should try it again, but I never seem to be able to find it in shops.
Lolita Lempicka is of course not a flanker to Angel, but apparently Angel inspired. I prefer it very much to the original.
It’s a fun post, and I’m now going to read Erin’s flanker piece.
And the Lolita Lempicka has had some great flankers too!
I just have to chime in and agree since I have a collection of apple bottles but use and love the juices too!
IdI Absolue didn’t work for me either – though I love the original edp!
Oh yes, the Lolita Lempicka flankers! I own several of those. Also, I don’t know if they count but several (in fact, I think almost all) the Harajuku Lovers as well.
And another huge favorite of mine was Clinique’s Aramatics Elixir Perfumer’s Reserve. It’s like the extrait of the original, and I loved it so much I bought a back up bottle. I wish they’d bring it back or keep it around all the time.
I also liked the J’Adore L’Absolue, too.
The one I can think of where I’m familiar with both the original and a flanker is Alien. I don’t like the original much, but have a FB of Eau Luminescente, in an orange bottle which came out in 2008. It’s the same structure, but orange (actually mandarin, looking at Fragrantica) rather than jasmine. It’s a lovely summery scent.
Glad to see Mugler making a good showing here today, they deserve it! I have been remiss in not trying any of the flankers to Womanity.
Mugler really excels at worthwhile flankers!
I think Thierry Mugler has done a wonderful job with flankers, especially for Alien. My favorite of the lot is Alien Essence Absolue – so much nicer than the original Alien in my opinion.
I liked the Alien Essence Absolue better, too, and almost bought a bottle before I concluded it was a bit too heavy for me.
I third this motion… Though I ended up not buying it for the same reason!
You reminded me that Alien Acqua Chic is very nice too!
Yes! My fave is the Alien Eau Extraordinaire. For context, I really like iced tea fragrances for spring/summer, like JLo Still.
I’ve always wanted to try the Eau Extraordinaire b/c I read it has a very nice tea accord. I like the Essence Absolue A LOT, but only the smallest dab is required so my bottle will last forever.
I also love the shalimar ode a la vanille flankers and I also like PI flanker. I am also dying to try the Shalimar Cologne that was released last year but hasn’t jumped the pond over to the US yet.
After reading today’s SOTD post I am wishing Guerlain would do Shalimar Plastic Doll Head and Shalimar Petrol flankers
HAHAHAHA! I needed a laugh today
I would blind buy Shalimar Petrol – I love that gasoline note in the opening.
I still need to try the PI flanker.
Hermes’ L’Eau des Merveilles is a great scent, but imho the Elixir des Merveilles is even better with the gourmand notes. At least it suits me better. I don’t know if it counts as a flanker, but I prefer the Chanel No 5 EDT to the (presumably) original EDP – at least the way they smell now. Sadly, I’ve never gotten my hands on vintage versions.
I did not love Elixir, but I loved Eau Claire and L’Ambre. Not sure if I’d say I love either more than the original, but any way you slice it, Hermes has done a great job with the flankers.
We are spoiled for choice with the Merveilles series. I prefer L’Ambre. The EDT of No 5 predates the EDP buy several decades. Victoria wrote a great post here about them: http://boisdejasmin.com/2011/02/chanel-no-5-perfume-edt-edp-review-and-fragrance-poll.html
A lot of people prefer the EDT but you can’t make a bad choice with No 5 – they are all great, as is Eau Premiere. Chanel has preserved its heritage better than Guerlain has Shalimar’s. All those Shalimar flankers are just confusing in the end.
Especially the last two, PI and the jamine, which have nothing to do with Shalli.
Oh, good call about Merveilles, I think I prob prefer a couple of the flankers to the original, which doesn’t suit me somehow.
I love L’Ambre and have almost drained a 100ml bottle.
I did not care at all for Eau Claire. Orange candy and laundry sheets.
Flankers I like more than the original, Alien taste of Fragrance. Tendre Poison. Miami Glow. Gucci Guilty Black. NR for Her L’absolu. I think I am the rare person who prefers original Organza. I don’t like the current version though.
Ohh yes I think there are def NR flankers I might prefer to the original (though that might require me to know which one the original was!! No idea.)
NR needs to fire whomever is in charge of naming the fragrances.
So good to know that I’m not the only one who can’t keep them straight!
Even the SAs can’t figure it out.
I saw one at TJ Maxx and could not for the life of me figure out which was which.
I’m with you on Organza, although I’ve only sniffed the current version of Indecence. Maybe my expectations were too high, after reading the rapturous reviews.
Agree with many already mentioned above, and would add that although I detest the original Amarige, (pretty sure I’m not alone on that one ha ha!) I thought that both Amarige d’Amour and Amarige Mariage were lovely…pretty sure they’re discontinued now though.
And Givenchy did those lovely harvest scents!
Original Amarige is nuclear, but have heard good things about the “special harvest” mimosa and ylang flankers.
The Ylang is indeed wonderful.
I like Extravagance d’Amarige waaay better than the others!
I agree with the assessment of Infusion d’Iris Absolu. I didn’t find the original particularly interesting, but the absolu actually smelled irisy to me in a way the original didn’t.
I also prefer Angel Parfums du Cuir to the original because the leather note smooths it out and cuts the sweetness. I didn’t realize how much until I smelled the two side by side. I’ve never tried the Liqueur de Parfum but the description is making me want to check it out.
And I never did manage to try that one!
On the men’s side, the Chanel Allure flanker Edition Blanche was quite decent. Much better than the array of Allure Sport flankers they released.
Also Dior Fahrenheit flankers were good. Some hated 32, but it was unique for it’s time. Certainly better than the JpG Le Male orange blossom flanker. The Aqua Fahrenheit (not “aqua at all – very misleading) flanker is a better homage to the original Fahrenheit since the original reformulation is so harsh (not gorgeous like it was in the late 80s).
Oh–Fleur du Male?? I would’ve expected that one to come up as one some folks did prefer to the original! (Maybe including you, Robin, if I am remembering correctly?) Interesting to hear a dissenting voice–I’ve got to make time to try my sample of that…
I adored Fleur du Male, very sad they discontinued it, and absolutely agree with Allure Homme Edition Blanche, that was a fantastic scent.
This is a great post, even if it is a flanker.
I like Angel Eau Sucree better than the original or any of the few other flankers that I’ve tried. Enough to want a small bottle, but they’ve confused me by producing 2014 and 2015 editions.
Another flanker that I like very much and more than the original is Givenchy Organza Jasmin 2007. I like J’Adore l’Absolu better than current, reformulated J’Adore.
I never did figure out if the 2015 Sucree was different!
This is a case in which I should probably just decide on the basis of which bottle I like better.
J’Adore L’Absolu is TONS better than the current version of J’Adore.
Get ready for Eau Sucree 2016! I’m not joking…it’s coming!
You just reminded me how much I admire the Givenchy Organza Jasmine from either 2007 or 2008. The sweetest nectar-y jasmine! It is gorgeous!
Love this post and the conversation around it! It makes me realize that I own more flankers than I thought. Flankers I love over the originals include:
– Burberry Brit Red
– Hypnotic Poison and Midnight Poison
– Elie Saab Le Parfum L’Eau Couture
– Shalimar PI and Parfume Souffle (I still cannot get Shalimar to love me)
– Organza Indecence
– Elixir d’Merveilles and Amber d’Merveilles
– Lady Shiloh
I forgot all about Midnight Poison, I liked that one too!
I am also a Organza Indecence fan. I don’t even know if I ever smelled regular Organza. And while I would never wear Angel, I owned Angel Innocent and have a sample of that Liqueur de Parfum. Man, that is some yummy stuff. You even have me contemplating a bottle of it! And the Angel Taste of Fragrance with cocoa was really nice as well. This post is also making me wish I had tried the Shalimar Vanilla flankers. Are those still in stores at all or have I missed the boat on those?
The Shalimar Mexique flanker that was available at the discounters (and for about $50) is now showing out of stock everywhere. Amazon still has it for $100, and Ebay’s prices are still higher. If you want some, act fast. Madagascar is on Ebay for upwards of $250, and I haven’t ever seen the original.
I snapped up Mexique just in time a few months ago.
I hope Mugler does another quartet, although maybe they’ve run out of good themes after Taste & Liqueur & Leather.
A*Men, can’t think of the name, but the orange flanker they did last year was nice. I don’t wear it very often but I do enjoy the orange opening when I do.
Guerlain’s Ideal homme cologne has quickly become one of my favourites. It is much lighter and easier to wear that its counterpart and lasts a good 8 hours, so value for money.
Dsquared potion blue cadet is a staple in my drawer. I think this is the 2nd bottle that I own now. The original is lovely, but a bit too sweet to wear too often, but the blue is an easy wear when you can’t decide.
My wife liked Mugler Womanity, but there was something about it that didn’t sit right with me, I found it too screechy. However the summer version is really pretty.
On a different note, if you are in the UK, escentual.com/ have a 25% offer on everything at the moment until Monday (no affiliation). I have just bought a bottle of Moschino Toy on a blind buy for £30. The reviews are hit and miss but the bottle is fun.
I’m not looking forward to confessing to Donatella this quarter! ????
Don’t worry, Donatella is just and merciful!
Oh I hope so. Christmas and the new year sales have not been kind to my bank balance. So many smells, too little time! but my top drawer looks full and bountiful! ????
I liked the extra chocolate (Taste of Cacao?) version of Angel in the 35ml bottle. I also liked Burberry Brit Gold & Red, Hypnotic Poison, Infusion d’Iris Absolue and Narciso Rodriguez L’Absolue.
To add to the list, even though I normally abhor aquatic scents, for some reason I liked the Missoni Aqua flanker as well as Chanel Chance Eau Fraîche.
And I do appreciate that they do the 35 ml bottles…sure beats 100 ml.
I also remembered, when selecting a fragrance for after my shower, the wonderful EL Private Collection flankers. I have decants of all of them and kept my fingers crossed for a set containing all three in 30ml. Tuberose Gardenia is great in the summer, Jasmine White Moss and Amber Ylang Ylang seem to work best on me in the cooler months. Wonder if they’re still around.
On the budget end of things, I blind bought JS Fancy Nights and like it quite a bit. It reminds me a bit of Fresh’s Sake line, but also a bit of a Guerlain whose name escapes me at the moment. Cheap thrill indeed.
The “new” Private Collection scents are so far removed from the original that it’s easy to forget they are flankers. They were almost like a subset or precursor to the Aerin line.
I tend to forget too…think of them as a series rather than flankers. They didn’t even use the same bottle, and PC (the original) was long forgotten by most consumers. So they aren’t your “usual” idea of flanker.
And Fancy Nights is a flanker to Fancy..
Nice post! Some of the flankers I like better than the original:
– Hermes Terre d’ Hermes Eau tres Fraiche
– Prada Infusion d’ Iris Absolue
– Cartier Baiser Vole Essence de Parfum
I never tried that version of Baiser Vole, I should see if it’s still around.
The essence is so much better!
Oh and Infusion D’Iris Absolue is discontinued, as well as the EDT. Because of the new collection of Infusion, the others have been axed.
I didn’t know they were changing around the old IdI line! Does anyone know why since it’s so popular?
I did a scouting mission to the Prada Boutique. Purple Rain from the Olfactories Collection was a virtual dup of the Absolue except for the price — $300 for 100 mLs (I think); each of the Olfactories comes with its own cloth pouch! Better stock up on the Absolue and give one to a friend!
I know it’s discontinued (I think it was LE to begin with) but it’s still easy to find!
I found the Essence verrrrry sweet and powdery. I think I’d be surprised if it was your thing?
Wait–
Hahaha–ok looks like I had some tip-off on that??
Hehe.
https://nstperfume.com/2014/01/14/cartier-eau-de-cartier-zeste-de-soleil-with-an-aside-on-baiser-vole-essence-de-parfum-fragrance-review/
No??
Maybe the extrait’s the one you didn’t try?
Wait nope review says you smelled that too
Heh, just glad it’s not just me who has this problem!
HA. Time to order the gingko biloba!!! If only I can remember to…
LOL. I also forget where the atomizer went but I can always get a refill from big sis ifnshe still has any left!
I like Baiser Vole, but love the Essence.
Brit Red is getting some well deserved love today. Wonderfully bright gingerbread, especially in the lotion. It almost smells like they started with the lotion!
I also loved Pure Poison and wish I’d see that at discounters.
King is probably L’Amber. So delicious.
Does L’eau Froid count? Freezing cold incense. Way better than the original L’eau and on my list to buy.
I’m dying to try Liquer de Parfum. Especially now, Angel smells so thin to me. I remember when it smelled like warm honey and cotton candy. Now its musks are so lacking. I’ll go in on a split, Robin.
Oh, no Paraiba? Is that #6?
I will keep that in mind…seriously considering buying the Liqueur!
I agree, Angel is not the powerhouse it used to be.
I saw Pure Poison a while back at an outlet mall perfume store, can’t remember the name of it.
I was not a fan of the original Angel, but I got Angel Liqueur de Parfum some time ago, and it’s ridiculously smooth and utterly wearable. The rat musk base from the original Angel is still there but it’s mellowed out and less of an issue. I recently got a bottle of Angel Les Parfums de Cuir, I hope it will turn out to be another winner. I have to say that in both cases, I really love the bottles, which are much more beautiful in person than they appear in the photos.
Glad to hear another yes vote. Do you mean you got a bottle of the Leather and you haven’t even tried it yet?
I did try a small sample first, and it worked fine, so I snapped the bottle when I got a good deal on it. Now I will have to see how it works when sprayed with abandon..
Gotcha!
Of those not yet mentioned:
TBS White Musk Smokey Rose
Bottega Veneta Eau Legere (the citrus gives some lift to it)
Aramis Calligraphy Rose (I also prefer the Saffron to the original calligraphy but the Rose is the best!)
Haven’t made up my mind on a bottle but definitely prefer Elie Saab’s Parfum Intense to the original!
Yes to BV Eau Legere!
Here’s another I forgot – I also really like the Bottega Veneta Eau Legere – enough that I have a back up bottle in case they cut it from the line. I would be crushed if they ever reformulated the original BV too.
The original BV went sour on me, but the Eau Legere is wonderful. Is it wrong of me to hope it ends up at the discounters eventually?
I like some flankers better too. My fav flankers are TM Alien Essence Absolue which has a very yummy drydown, and I prefer Kenzo Flower Essentielle to the original, even though I have regular Flower too.
I liked Winter Flowers better than Flowers…can’t remember Essentielle.
I have Flower by Kenzo Summer Fragrance 2006. It is like a light, feminine Habit Rouge to my nose. I do like it. It always surprises me when I like a fragrance that lists gardenia as an ingredient because I don’t like gardenia at all but it just shows how a well-blended juice can still be a winner for me.
Interesting, I missed that one!
Nodding my head at most of these…
Also, I prefer Agent Provocateur L’Agent to the original. It is a flanker, oui? I figure if it has the same bottle, same colour, similar name, then it’s a flanker.
Maybe also Kelly Caleche, although I prefer Caleche.
And the Acqua de Parma Acqua Colonia Oud/Leather/Ambre I love and prefer to the regular Colonia.
I also prefer Balenciaga Paris L’essence to the original.
Oh and I prefer Sensuous Nude and Nights to the original, and prefer Marni Spice just a little more too.
I think that one was a flanker! Harder to tell when it’s also the brand name.
I wish Kevin will do a similar one for mens’ perfumes.
Good idea!
I bet that would be a fun read!
Aromatics Elixir Perfumer’s Reserve, I love it way more than the original.
Need to be permanent.
They’ve done it several years in a row I think? Or have they stopped?
Oh, I really love Sensuous Noir. So much better to me than the original Sensuous. The Nude is nice too. Estee Lauder usually does a good job with their flankers.