It's Maurice Roucel Friday! Our community project for today: wear a perfume by Maurice Roucel, if you have one. Thanks to Elisa for the suggestion!
What fragrance did you pick? As always, do chime in with your scent of the day even if you’re not participating in the community project.
I'm wearing Maurice Roucel's Kenzo Air. (It is sadly discontinued.) I smell pretty fantastic. Tea at the moment: Upton Mincing Lane Breakfast Blend.
Reminder: on 2/26, crack that whip! We're wearing leather. (suggested by thegoddessrena)
And for those of you who like to plan ahead, see Scent of the day ~ Friday community projects 2016, where I'll try to always have the next five or six weeks mapped out in advance.
Note: top image is from Kenzo's Fall 2013 fashion campaign.
Not in the mood for Faubourg’s baroque opulence, so it’s ISM today–which perfectly suits this strange almost 60-degree day in Feb (not that I’m complaining!)
Most jealous of your weather. But you do also smell great.
Twins! I debated between ISM and Faubourg as well. Like you, I was not feeling Faubourg today either. ISM is doing quite nicely. I don’t think we’ll hit 60 degrees here, but the snow should melt a little.
Went to bed last night with 3-4″ of snow on the ground, and woke up this morning to nothing but puddles. Sure, that happens in March, but never experienced it in Feb before.
Me, too! Despite the puddles, bright sunshine and 62 degrees at noon today, incredible! I was sorely tempted to hang laundry outside (usually I don’t get to do this until April) just to celebrate but suppressed that urge and decided to not do any chores at all today since it was a difficult week for me and just enjoy the day outside as much as possible.
I’m in ISM. I almost forgot that was his!
Twin!
Lucky us!
Triplets!
Heck yeah!
And guessing it is the one most of us own!
That’s not the one I would have guessed, honestly, but I think you’re right.
I was betting on Musc Ravageur or 24 Faubourg.
ISM gets my vote too!
24 Faubourg today, which is always glorious ambered orange honey. Yay for Friday too!
You smell lovely.
Thank you!
I’m in 24 Faubourg today, too – it was my only choice for Roucel. Poor me, how will I ever make it through the day smelling like this?
I’m dying to try Kenzo Air! I like many of their fragrances and this one sounds wonderful… probably best not to fall in love with it, though.
Indeed – how can we cope with smelling like this all day???
24 for me as well, and like Regina, it’s my only Roucel. As I was heading for the perfume shelf, my thoughts were something like “I’m not feeling the love today,” but as soon as I uncapped the bottle I remembered why I love it so much. Gorgeous! And a good reason to participate in these Friday events – the reminder factor. We smell great.
I know exactly how you felt – I was I the same position and have since been enjoying the honeyed amber wafting up at me every time I move.
You all do smell great! I’m coming in with 24 Fauboirg as well. Any reason is good enough for me to wear this, it is fantastic!
I’m really glad today’s event has got me into wearing this again, it is so lovely.
I really want to sample this one, i’m sure u smell divine!
Any excuse to liberally douse myself in Strenesse works for me!
Happy Friday, everyone!
Started the day in FM L’Eau d’Hiver but added a squirt and a half of Iris Silver Mist at lunchtime. My only Maurice Roucel and it’s a sample. It jackbooted efficiently over the Malle – I find it very interesting but a bit iced-carrot-vodka-from-Mars for normal wear.
What a great description of ISM – and that’s what I love about it!
SOTD is Arkinson’s Amber Empire. I love this enough for a big decant but not a full bottle.
You bet I have one! I’m wearing Broadway Nite.
At some point we should do a chypre week….
Ooooh, yes. I like that idea.
Me too!
Me three! Look out, coworkers…
Tootsie Roll alert below. :-0
Twins! Broadway Nite for me as well.
Since I no longer have Gucci Envy, Broadway Nite is my favorite Roucel.
I think it is my favorite overall, though Ency and L de LL are close.
Triplets!
This is the last of my sample. I think Daisy sent it to me, waaaay back when (at least it looks like her handwriting on the label). Such nice stuff.
I haven’t seen Daisy in a long time, now that you mention it. I don’t know her at all save seeing her in the threads.
Actually, I’ve noticed quite a few regulars disappearing. I hope everyone is okay.
I see her on Facebook, she’s fine.
But yes, the group of people commenting seems to transition every couple of years.
Oh wonderful. Thank you for easing my mind!
I honestly think every time I wear it I love it more. The aldehydes!!
It’s very nice. I’m digging the jammy rose today (you know I love my aldehydes!).
SOTD: Oud Ispahan (Dior). Couldn’t find my sample of New Haarlem, that is the only Maurice Roucel I have (or think I have). TGIF!
I must have a sample of it somewhere. That was a good one!
Well, you can’t say I didn’t try. Started the day in Frederic Malle’s “Musc Ravageur”. On me, this was an inoffensive little musk that died of boredom about an hour in.
I also have a manufacturer’s sample for Linari’s “Acqua Santa” but I think that would be better in warmer weather.
So I have now changed to CB I Hate Perfume Burning Leaves, another slight scent that holds out the promise/ threat that I may need 3 perfumes today to end the day smelling of anything at all. :^D
Musc Ravageur is npt my favorite. It has a weird, garbage-y, overripe note over a barbershop eau. Not my favorite Malle.
I would love to wear Gucci Envy, but 15+ years ago when I got a bottle of this, I had no idea discontinuations happen. So I’m in Iris Silver Mist – half a point?
It’s still one of my absolute favourites, but as the time goes on, I find it less and less ‘silver’. The vegetal quality is still very much there, but the scent seems much warmer to me these days, almost spicy. Am I losing my mind?
Annikky ISM has always struck me as warm and spicy, I think it is because of the clove note (at least to my nose) so I think you are still sane
Commando so far, the Roucels I have don’t fit my day…I think I will wear Journey, a belated birthday present from my husband, the travel spray, as well as Lyric’s travel spray (much to my own surprise I fell for this giant rose) as I couldn’t chose between them. Lovely Amouage shop in Abu Dhabi with a very kind SA, gave us lots of samples.
This is reassuring
And yes, I now get clove as well – I don’t think I did in the past, I believe I was so overwhelmed (in a good way) by the hugeness of the iris that I didn’t really notice anything else.
And these are some lovely presents. I was surprised by liking Lyric so much, too. But it’s partly explained by the fact that I don’t get as much rose from it as many others, it’s a woody-creamy blend of general gorgeousness to me.
Maybe that is indeed why I like Lyric so much, I always thought it was a rose (difficult note for me) and it is much more woody creamy gorgeous as you put it! Hope you are well with added 4 legged family member, and undoubtedly busy in Brussels.
Lumi is being wonderful (most of the time:), I’m so glad we have her!
And it was eerily quiet at work yesterday evening and this morning, as all eyes were on the Summit. And for once, there were no economic issues (that I work with), it was all about the UK.
I find the metallic quality very fleeting. I only discovered it about a year ago and have liked a warm earthiness that drapes like a silk scarf. IMHO it’s a kaleidoscopic fragrance, so you are quite sane if you detect a spicy note.
Yes. Let’s agree that I’m sane.
Thank you :)!
This is begging to be contradicted of course
I wouldn’t call it warm but I definitely understand Lutens’s imagery of white cotton in the sun. I find it is quite a match with its name.
It’s a great scent in any case and it’s fun to discover the different facets of it.
Absolutely. I actually love to wear it in the heat of summer. More bracing than an EdC (or a sip of gin!)
Maybe the silver is more to do with the silvery shine of wet petals in spring and autumn? And not at all with metal?
I personally think it smells of turnips and carrots, but in a good way.
Yea, the turnips and carrots (and raw potatoes, in my case) are very much still there.
Oh no, I forgot, but I would be wearing my dans tes bras sample if I had not already left the house.
Oh no! One of my favorite Malle’s, too. At least it’ll be waiting for you later.
Do you have a back-up today?
Tocade. I finally acquired a bottle of this after finishing my sample and thinking about it forever.
Twins!- iv’e got a dabber set of 3 with funny little vials with colourful hats, they could be mistaken for quirky 70’s cocktail accessories of some sort, quite peculiar and fun!- the set cost about £4!
Triplets! One of my favorite comfort scents. The vanilla base is scrumptious and the rose heart quite lovely. The silly bottles make me smile and I love that it is so expensive.
Me too. I found a set of Rochas minis this week for 9$. There is a plasticky bit up front that I don’t know if it’s because of their age, or built into the scent, but I can catch the vanilla and rose waiting in the wings…
Maurice Roucel today! Lolita Lempicka Fleur de Corail which is such an interesting fragrance. Salty wood is not usual for commercial releases. So soft and evocative of the beach.
Salty wood? Ooooo, now I have to try this.
I agree. I once took a sample on a beach vacay. It was perfect!
I will give one small suggestion if I may. The bottles for L de Lolita and Fleur de Corail are virtually identical except for L de Lolita is clear blue glass and Fleur de Corail is fogged blue glass. I could not help but notice that there was some confusion in the Fragrantica reviews. That being said, I suspect these two would layer nicely.
no Roucels in my “portfolio”, so I opted for AGs musc nomade (instead of musc ravageur)
I wore Kenzo Air also! I have a mini bottle, and it’s kind of hard to apply without pouring out way more than intended (it has happened 2 or 3 times with this bottle). As for the scent – this should be a no-brainer for me, but it just falls short somehow. It seems skeletal to me, like something is missing. I enjoy spare or minimal perfumes, I like some of Kenzo’s other scents, and I like vetiver and anise, but for whatever reason, this one just doesn’t do it for me. Maybe it’s the pepper – I am not crazy about it in perfumes, and there seems to be a lot of it in Kenzo Air. So I brought with me to work bpal’s Pile of Fallen Leaves single note, and I did some layering with that……much better! There is a cool prickly feeling to the dead leaves note that goes along with the ‘airy’ pepper of Kenzo Air.
Hey twin! Sorry I am enjoying it more than you. I wish they’d done the Intense version a bit differently (I actually forgot i’d tried the Intense until I read my own review).
Since this Friday’s community project was suggested by Elisa, I thought about wearing her favourite
Tootsie Roll perfume aka Missoni 2006.
However that scent is credited to Roucel and Trudy Loren.
So SOTD is one of my all-time favourites, Gucci Envy. I love lily of the valley and Envy’s gorgeous floral greenness is a good contrast to today’s gray rain.
PS to Robin: Missoni 2006 isn’t listed under Roucel.
LOL I can’t believe you remember I said that! Have you ever tried the Acqua version? I haven’t, but always been curious about it.
Envy is perfection, but I wore it last week as a 5-star, so I skipped it this time around.
I remember that comment because I read very shortly after getting the Missoni and deciding I liked it. I like to call that part of it “hazelnut ganache.”
As for the Acqua, I have sampled it and remember the melon on the top. I’d give it another sniff if I could find mine. I thought I had my perfumes corralled in two cupboards — clearly I was wrong
Dewy, not quite white florals. Almost like Fleur de Laine, if I remember correctly, but less green. I didn’t think it a 4-star.
I liked the Aqua better than the original, which never happens to me as I hate aquatic scents, but there you go.
Trudy Loren was the creative director though, she is not a technical perfumer. Will check the Missoni, thanks!
I remember LOOOOVING Missoni 06 when it came out, but I never wore it. Now I wish I still had my small weird collared bottle.
I only had two Roucel scents in my collection (currently). I wore 24 Faubourg earlier this week so I wore the other one, Reflection Woman by Amouage, today. It’s my least favorite Amouage to be honest. I’m surprised I’ve got given my sample away yet.
I used to have ISM, but drained it a while back and haven’t gotten another decant of it, but I’d most likely be in that if I still had it.
I considered wearing this, but I think my sample is in a different country. I wanted to give it some visibility, as it seems to be pretty universally hated
I don’t mind it and I find echoes of Envy in it, although the latter was a much better scent.
I wouldn’t say I hate it, but I’m definitely not inclined to wear it when there are better Amouage scents. In general, I’m not a fan of the watery/aquatic type of fragrances and that’s exactly what this is. I think in my personal review of it I said it was one of the better ones in that sort of category, but even then I don’t think it’s worth the price point. It’s definitely not a bad scent, but it’s just not a “me” scent.
Reflection was one of my first Amouage samples. I liked it for a minute but the persistent aquatic/calone note made me queasy.
Guerlain Insolence is my SOTD.
It is one of the oldest bottles of perfume I own, and its half full. A little bit of this goes a long way.
Happy Friday!
And, drinking a hot cup of Earl Grey Tea this morning.
oh that sounds so perfect, what a lovely combination, yum!
You smell great! I can still smell it on my coat cuff from yesterday. My 30ml bottle will last forevah!
I think I’ve never tried this one, a gap in my perfume education.
I only own one and it’s 24, Faubourg. I’ve been waiting all week to wear it, but it’s warm, sunny, and even slightly humid today. It’s supposed to reach 60 degrees here in suburban Chicago.
So, apologies to everyone, but I’m out. SOTD is Parfums DelRae Debut, preceded by Jo Malone Geranium and Walnut body scrub and Wild Fig and Cassis bath oil. Spring is here. For today anyway.
Lucky you, and you smell great!
The only Roucel I have is a sample of Musc Ravageur. First time wearing it.
I like it so far – cosy, soft, sweet but not too sweet.
Good choice, scent twin!
I’ve had a comically exasperating morning, which, among other things, involved A LOT of cat shenanigans, inexplicable delays at every stage of my commute, and getting outbid on ebay. Adding to today’s theme, I’m wearing Dans Tes Bras for the first time and the salty metallic notes remind me very much of the dirty-penny element of Secretions Magnifique that makes me gag. I’m not sure I’m in the mood to see if this evolves into something I like better.
Oh, cats and their shenanigans! Good thing they’re so soft and elegant, otherwise no one would put up with them.
Sorry to hear that your selection today is not successful. Sounds like a scrubber situation. Maybe you could find something else to sample during your lunch break?
I feel the same way about Dans Tes Bras – there is just something a little ick about it. A shame, since the idea is wonderful. If anyone ever ACTUALLY succeeds in the goal of capturing the smell of a lover’s skin, I’ll buy a gallon.
????
I’m with you, there! Still searching for my perfect “skin” scent.
I agree about the ick, but there’s something about that particular ick that I find oddly compelling. It was my runner up for today. I still have a nice sized sample and keep forgetting I have it. Of all the perfume I’ve worn, it’s one of the few my hubby liked!
Pet shenanagins are perfect start to any Friday!
And I feel you on the fragrances that does not work- ugh, when the smell does not scrub away….
I’m sorry you’re sharing my feline frustration today, but they are cuuuute and so worth it. Hope you have a back-up perfume handy so you can scrub. Nothing’s worse than a bad perfume when you’re already grumpy.
Aw, I love my two little furballs, but on mornings when you wake up getting stabbed in the foot, listening to them playing with blinds and knocking everything off your nightstand, it’s easy to at least wish they’d sleep in.
I absolutely love Dans tes Bras and hate SM. The Malle has a metallic violet note but I find it much less “being operated on” nightmare. That said, it is a polarizing scent.
Now that the metallic violet has faded, I actually quite like what’s left. But regardless, I can agree that DTB is infinitely more appealing than SM!
I’m glad you are having better luck! Enjoy your sample.
I need to get my hands on a decant now.
I don’t have a single Roucel so I just decided to randomly choose something from the cabinet, and that turned out to be Caron Coup de Fouet, a big spiky carnation which feels springlike to me.
I have three Roucels, Missoni (but I’ve worn it once this year), Tocade (which I’ve been planning to wear all week), and 24,Faubourg, which is what I ended up wearing. When I got home from work last night I put on one tiny spritz of Tocade, to see if it had somehow changed into something I could wear. It hadn’t. So 24, Faubourg.
I keep mini of Tocade and about twice a year do what you did – try it to see if by some magic it could work for me. It never does.
I admire it though. Pity they re-bottled it. I loved the crazy fun of the old bottle.
I think I only keep it for the bottle. I love the Tocadilly bottle, too, and that one is wearable. Unfortunately I used it up. But I kept the bottle.
Le Labo Labdanum 18 which is a too powdery for me, but nice enough. I think I would rather wear Shalimar if I ws heading in this direction.
I am drinking a rare late morning cup of coffee.
I found that Le Labo too baby powdery for me. Late regular coffees are one of my guilty pleasures. Though sometimes I regret it at 3AM
No Roucel. SOTD Vetyverio instead – perfect for Chicago’s February thaw.
I have a sample of Vetyverio that I really enjoy wearing. I’m considering a full bottle of this in the future.
I found my sample of Musc Ravageur and dutifully applied. Its nice enough, I guess. Too tame and polite to do anything for me really, but a good light musk for our terribly warm weather (it didn’t drop below 60 last night, which is completely ridiculous).
I enjoyed Epic so much yesterday that I suspect I will succumb again today. It lasted well into the night and when I was awakened at some ungodly hour by an excited Doolittle-cat trampling my face, I drifted back to sleep wondering how I could afford to love two Amouages because I still smelled so darned great.
Wow, MR is tame on you?! This is a scent I have to keep to 3 spritzes to avoid announcing my presence before I come into the room! (As opposed to my preferred 8-9 spritz dousing.) Now I’m wondering if one’s skin can project scents better than other’s might.
It’s probably just my perception. I suspect I suffer from some level of musk anosmia, especially since stinky animalic musks smell cozy and lighter musks smell very sweet to me. I’m skipping the gym and going for a walk by myself, just in case
It’s not just you, I tried it today: emptied 2ml over myself in twelve sprays and within minutes it was a McAvity scent. :^)
I’ll let you know if birds drop from the trees and the grass shrivels as I approach the park.
Lol at that response! I find it tame as well, but then I don’t see Salome and Maai as super skanky either, so I may have a wonky nose
On me, it’s mostly dry spices, and fairly quiet, but I am anosmic to a lot of musks.
I’m wearing a careful (I can be quite sensitive to vanilla, which my skin amplifies quite a bit I think) dab of Tocade from a mini of the late 90s or early 2000s. I might put some more later on, or change for 24 Faubourg (from a sample).
I am adding another to the tally for Musc Ravageur. I love the spices in this one–reminds me of Tea for Two without all the smoke that becomes cloves cigarettes on me too often.
I have got to try Tea for Two.
Dans Tes Bras for me today in both perfume and body butter form. I wish I could afford the Malle body butters– they have such great texture but I’m pretty sure I won’t ever have more than a sample or two
Sometimes, DTB smells like naughty skin IMO, so it was a no-go for a work day.
(Never tried the body butter, though.)
Twin! I only have a sample of the body butter as well, it’s hard to justify $200 for a jar of cream that only goes with one scent since I have so many perfumes.
If I ever win the lottery….. those Malle body butters make my skin so soft and have such a great texture.
I’ve got a sample of the Carnal Flower body butter, they really are so luxurious- a little goes along way, but no, i couldn’t justify buying one, i’ve still got 4 FM perfumes on my to buy list!
No Roucel for me… I’m just wearing Clarins Relax body oil all over. I love this scent! And I’m drinking Bancha Hojicha green tea, from Choice Organic teas.
Have a great Friday!
Ahhh. Sounds like a serene morning you’re having. Enjoy the zen!
I have nothing by MR. Instead, I drained the last of my Osmanthe Yunnan sample. Gosh, this one is gorgeous and unlike anything I own. Fingers crossed that perhaps someone brings up an Hermessence split tomorrow. If not, I’ll have to cave and buy a bottle straight from the source soon (or at least one travel spray the ‘bay).
OY layers beautifully with Rose Ikebana, which I already own. I may add a spritz of that later in the day. Happy Friday!
These Hermes 15 ml sets are genius for splitting – you don’t even have to want the same perfume! And not crazy expensive either.
Ooh, I hadn’t thought about Hermes splits… *eyes wallet*
I would offer to host the split myself, but I can’t take on the logistics right now.
I had intended to wear my sample of Iris Silver Mist, but I forgot! Instead I’m in Gris Clair.
Yum! You smell wonderful.
No MR here either that pleased me today. 8 sprays of aedes de venustas original, and to me, the loveliest of them still.
Very, very nice.
No MRs for me, either, and when I got up this morning I put on some Patchouli from Reminiscence body lotion. It may last all day and become my de facto SOTD. I’m a little embarassed by my enduring love of patchouli, but there you have it–or me. Have a happy weekend, e erroneous (that would be “everyone”).
Have you tried the new Malle? I don’t think it’s for me, but if you love patchouli and don’t mind masculine-leaning scents, this is worth a try.
didn’t want 24 faubourg today, sometimes it is just to pff:)
I put on my new la perla classic restyling today. i only liked the pre reform eau de toilette, and to my big surprise, it’s not THAT different..
only lighter. but, so many niche I have, but this will Always be my number one! I also tried the new bodyproducts and I truly like them!
I’m not a fan of 24 faubourg, honestly. It’s a bit portly for me.
Portly: new word for this non native speaker, had to look it up. Is it more old fashioned than posh?
In a person, it means fat – not VERY fat, but big in a way that makes you a little slower in getting around, maybe. I took Coumarin’s statement as meaning that 24 Faubourg is a little overstuffed with notes – too big and heavy.
You hit it exactly.
It makes me sad that I don’t like it, especially since Mr. Roucel considers it classic. It doesn’t have the chic or elegance of earlier Hermes. I own Caleche in vintage EdT and it is so effortless!
Oh wait, you were asking if the WORD is old-fashioned. Yeah, kind of. Definitely something I’ve read often but rarely/never heard used in casual conversation.
Awkward. I don’t say it often unless I’m trying to be oblique.
Not that I’m getting fussy, of course. I just hoped my meaning would be clear.
Thank you both for clarifying. My dictionary said something along the lines of ‘stately’, or ‘well to do’, ‘distinguished’ which I thought fitted 24 Faubourg as well as voluptuous or (too) rich. Love the English lessons here.
A nice way to say rather fat. It’s not super common, but I thought it nicer than fatty. I wonder if that’s only a colloquial use.
Indeed, it has a fattiness that makes it off putting to me. Almost like a heavy set woman wearing a wonderful dress that she should maybe have bought a size or two larger….
Whereas to me it is like a perfectly voluptuous woman spilling out of her dress in all the right places!
Hee hee.. loving this conversation!
…and to me it is the embodiment of Winston Churchill. (It’s a word I associate with men – never women.)
I’m obviously not a native speaker, but I’m with kpaint – this is exactly my definition, too
I thought of the Monopoly guy – Rich Uncle Pennybags
Musc Ravageur for me too. This is only the second time I’ve dabbed out of my sample, and I was a little trepidatious in the event it would turn into the barnyard that so many have reported. So far it’s playing nice and is just a sort of smokey musk with a little spice on me. Maybe this is one that needs to be sprayed…
PSA: TPC now has the Jo Malone Herb Garden line.
Oooh, I smelled these at Saks just today! I liked 2 — Sorrel & Lemon Thyme and Carrot Blossom & Fennel. I may have to trigger a buy soon as they are Limited Edition. The bottles are GORGEOUS!!!
I only have one Roucel, and after spending the night being violently ill, I was NOT in the mood for anything as elegant as 24 Faubourg.
So my SOTD is M. Micallef Royal Rose Aoud. Much lighter, and yet still intriguing. I quite like it. I wasn’t sure of its staying power, so I brought my Scentbird February pick of Kelly Caleche just in case.
I got my tax return yesterday, and treated myself to the Tauer Discovery pack, and a trial size of Dame’s Gardenia soliflore. I LOVE being able to order directly from the perfumer.
Ugh, hope you are better! And enjoy spending the tax return
Thank you. I’m still feeling pretty queasy right now. I’m 99% sure it was food poisoning, though from what I couldn’t tell you off hand. Sometimes my stomach turns on me for no reason, but rarely with such violence, and it usually passes sooner.
I will! I have to save some of it. I’m going to NYC this spring, in the hopes of scoring tickets from the Hamilton lottery. I’m taking my older brother with me, which will be super fun. We get along really well, and he’s never been to NYC so it’ll be an adventure!
Hope you’re feeling better and that you win that lottery! I really want to see Hamilton. That sounds like a fun trip for you both-NYC for the first time is so trippy
Thanks! Hamilton is amazing. I’ve been listening to the soundtrack almost non-stop since it was added to Prime streaming. It’s so good. And I already loved Lin from his wedding video that went viral.
Yes! NYC is trippy the first time. I was alone the first time I went, and I stayed out in Queens, and it wasn’t until the first morning, when I woke up and turned on the TV and GMA was on and I realized that it was happening live, just a few miles away, and my brain kind of exploded. So many possibilities and so much potential in a city that size. I honestly went solely for an event, and didn’t really expect to enjoy NYC very much, but it utterly charmed me. Plus, this time with my brother with me, I won’t have to be quite as hyper-vigilant as I was last time. I always keep an eye out for myself, but it’s nice to have backup, and my brother makes great backup. Woe betide anyone who is dumb enough to mess with me when he is around.
I rarely feel unsafe here, though I think I may act a bit naive with regards to safety.
I didn’t feel unsafe at all. In fact, I had planned to take a cab back from Times Square because it was after dark, but when the time came, I was perfectly comfortable taking the subway. I felt very welcomed by the city, and the people around me. It was a wonderful experience. One of my favorite moments, actually a stand out from all of my travels, was stumbling upon Trinity church. I knew what it was, but when I walked by, and saw people eating lunch in the graveyard, just enjoying the beautiful sunshine amidst the headstones, it was like I walked into a painting. Stunning.
But there were some things I didn’t do, both due to time constraints and safety concerns. I would love to take a stroll through Central Park without having to worry about being alone, for one.
I suppose not at night, but in daylight Central Park is a-ok to stroll in by yourself, and I say that as someone who is vigilant in extremis about personal safety. (When was your first visit? Maybe things have changed–my parents lived there in the ’70s and ’80s and for sure they marvel at how different things are now.)
Ugh- get better! Stay ion bed and rest!
And congrats at least on the treat!
Thank you! I had to work today, so I’m soldiering on for now. It’s a short day for me though, so it’s not so bad. Plus I have a nice, quiet, dark spot to lie down in over lunch.
Congrats on you new purchases and hope you are back in the swing of things soon.
Thanks Deva! How is T-Rex doing? I love your little updates about her.
You’re so sweet! She’s fab, see my post below. Feel better, and sending healing vibes your way ✌????️
Eek, I hope you feel better. Of course, if you’re up for sniffing, do please let me know!!!
I have various appointments, so nothing until later today. Yesterday I tested Orlov Cross of Asia again, which I am liking very much. I think I need decants of that one, the eponymous Orlov, and probably Flame of Gold.
Looking forward to leather week! *crack of the whip* Knize Ten has been on my mind recently.
I totally forgot about the theme and am trying my new sample of Chanel Cristalle. It’s great!
I also just ran off to Fragrancenet to buy a bottle of Bvlgari Black after reading on Bois de Jasmin that it’s been discontinued! I’ve been wanting it for a while…
Sad. I never actually tried Black but I might need to now.
WHAT
I read this too re: Bulgari Black and thought of all the fans of it on this site. Run, run!
Thanks for the heads-up! What disheartening news.
You know, it’s so ripe for discontinuation that I am both surprised and also surprised it wasn’t already. RIP.
I sort of thought/hoped that the fact it hadn’t been discontinued so far meant it was immortal, or something. Alas.
Oh. I need a bottle, too.
I may have to get a backup to the backup! Stat!
Thank goodness it’s Friday. Forgot keys in apartment, so ugh, must have unresponsive apartment management unlock the door before I come home. But am still meeting up with mortgage broker tomorrow for review of earnings, tax forms, blood type and whatever else is needed to buy a home.
No Roucel- but need something both comforting and to get my butt in gear. SOTD: Lords of Misrule shower gel by Lush, followed by Chanel Sycamore. I washed my hair with Lords of Misrule and despite my Afro lotion it still wafts out from my scalp and hair!
Ouch. I’m sorry Friday’s not behaving for you!
But it’s Friday, and I had homemade black bean soup with avocado and cheddar to comfort me! I am going to a late night Les Mills Grit class, so that will be fun!
But you smell ah-mazing.
Oh, but thank you! It really is a GREAT combo, especially for a grey, cold damp day!
So because of the neon green color, I have not had the courage to use the Lord of Misrule shower cream on hair but you may have just pushed me over the edge!
Caveat:
1) I have dark brown-black hair that is kinky-curly, so the green dye + titanium oxide does not show. You may have different results if you have blonde or red hair.
2) The scent is amazing and you only need a little bit to clean your scalp and hair. Afterwards, use a plain conditioner or a leave in hair lotion (what I did).
I have no Roucels so I’m wearing Bulgari Black, which I just found out has been officially discontinued
No! Glad I have a big bottle of it. You smell great????
What do ya know….I actually own 2 of Mr. Roucel’s creations!
SOTD: DKNY Be Delicious. Because I don’t like the taste of cucumber, this scent is only “ok” with me. Can’t stand that cucumber note! But the scent is fresh and crisp, and I can appreciate it. I actually like some of the flankers better, but we celebrate Mr. Roucel’s original today!
The other Roucel I own is Roberto Cavalli’s Oro. WAY too overbearing for the office, and way too strong for the Spring-like weather we’re having. But I like having it in my collection….
HAPPY FRIDAY!!!
I also hate cucumber!
Oro is a good one. I have so much Roucel I didn’t even get to wear that one this week.
I like the smell of Be Delicious, but can’t stand to wear it for very long. RC Oro is one of my favorites, though.
I remembered I had a bottle of Castelbajac somewhere so I am wearing that, this is a scent I am not too sure about, sometimes i love its cleanness but sometimes i find it too much , I don’t know if this makes sense. I love clean scents though, that’s why I adore Musc ravageur but i wanted to try something different today.
Hi, scent twin! Which one are you wearing, the edp or the edt?
I’m wearing Castelbajac edt from a sample I’ve had for years, unopened in a sealed cellophane packet. The paper insert enclosed lists the following notes: top notes – grapefruit, bergamot, tomato leaf; heart notes: almond, orange blossom, rose; base notes: musk, vanilla, cedar, patchouli. I get a light, clean and lovely soft almond.
I could’ve worn Tocade, which I love and wore yesterday, or 24 Faubourg, which I like but was just ‘too much’ for an unseasonably warm day, so I’m very pleased with Castelbajac as my choice for today.
Hi, I am wearing the edp , I can say that it has lasted the whole day and I also detect some almond which is very nice.
ISM today along with many others. I love these exercises in sharing.
I enjoy the thought of a bunch of us wearing the same thing–“Is that a hint of spring in the air?” “No, it’s just the fumies all wearing ISM.”
Agreed! There is power in a crowd of people doing their best to beautify the world by wearing fabulous perfumes.
It’s also so lovely to think that there is someone in New Zealand or London or Rio wearing the same thing I am. Makes me warm inside.
SOTD = Iris Silver Mist
When I fell down the rabbit hole, i had googled best “something” perfume and ISM consistently came up while the most expensive was Clive Christian.
Despite having access to NYC stores, none of them were carrying bell jars at that time and I resorted to STC because I MUST smell the best iris. It was love at first sniff. Being the practical math person, I did the math and was flabbergasted at the mark up of decants even though it scratched the itch. When Barneys started carrying the bell jars (I think it was in mid-2013), I reserved one for purchase during a Beauty Bag Event. Of course, I also realized then that the mark up was huge as compared to the price at the Paris boutique; however, it was worth it as a plane ticket was way more than the mark-up.
Ah-mazing perfume math for ISM.
p.s. would love to see your list of LT 1 stars.
I have nothing by Roucel. (Where did my bottle of Tocade go?) Testing Stella and Infusion d’Amande today. I find Stella plain unintersting, but IdA is truly delicious, and it lasts!
Maybe it swam off, during the thunderstorm!
Possibly, lol,… We are having another one right now, maybe even bigger. Wearing a dab of Rumba to match.
SOTD: 24 Faubourg.
Beautiful sunshine in a bottle.
I was searching through my samples, but could not find anything by Roucel. I did find a sample of Sous Le Vent I forgot I had, so that is what I went with today. I loved the beginning, but I can hardly smell it 3 hours later…it is very light, a skin scent now…darn my scent eating skin.
As I have nary a one, am in Bendelirious instead.
Oh, Bendelirious is a fun scent. I have a decant in my office desk as an emergency pick-me-up in case I forget perfume in the morning. Good pick for a Friday SOTD!
I reviewed the list of scents by Mr. Roucel and sadly I have none of them. There are some I’d like to try, but not many stuck out as ones I feel I’m missing.
I went with comfort today, wearing the spicy, warm, vanilla, Voyage by Hiram Green. The dry down on this is heavenly.
I love Voyage. I am a little nervous wearing it now, though, as I was accosted by our mail woman a month or so ago because of it. I was waiting in the foyer of our small building for her to finish putting the mail in our boxes, as there was a package at her feet for me that I needed to get. She abruptly turned, opened the door of the building, and told me I needed to leave because my perfume was “just too much.” I explained that I was standing there for a reason, waiting to get a package out of the box at her feet. She then kicked it over to me, still holding the door open and gesturing for me to leave. I was assured by others just after that I smelled great and my perfume was not too strong, but boy, it jolted me.
Should I add that it was pouring down rain outside? So there were all sorts of reasons I might have been waiting in the foyer to my own apartment before going out. On the other hand, she has to work there and it is a public and enclosed space. Ah well.
She needs a lesson in manners for sure! I was brought up to believe it’s quite rude and unacceptable to criticize other’s choices, regardless if its an outfit, makeup, scent, spouse, ad infinitum. This is why I avoid A LOT of people and hang out with my dog. I’m quite sure you smelled fabulous and hope there was a nice treat in that box that you patiently, kindly, and politely waited for.
I am sure it was perfume, although why I would have felt the need to have it right away is beyond me. Your dog sounds much nicer than many people I know, and more entertaining!
Much rather be overwhelmed with someone’s perfume, than the other “city” smells that can overwhelm small enclosed spaces
Ha! That is for sure.
What a charmer! I really want to try Voyage – next winter, perhaps I will…
Wow, she literally went postal!
I know right? I almost felt lucky getting out of the building with only a scolding!
Voyage is a good one. You smell great!
Started with Flying Fox in the shower…no idea why it was discontinued…
And wearing Diptyque Essences Insensees 2015 which is a winning combination.
Friday at last!!!
I bemoan the fact that FF is gone
But I use the Godiva shampoo bar now for hair and body. It’s a nice jasmine bomb.
What, it’s discontinued?!?! I was planning to buy Flying Fox shower gel after I ran out of Rose Jam. Darn.
It was always going to be Iris Silver Mist, and it is. It’s probably the most intriguing of all the Lutens(es) and the most daring iris there is.
I even got complimented on it by a colleague.
I tried Kenzo Air years ago, and enjoyed it a lot, but never got any. More’s the pity.
Oh, I’ve only now seen that we are twins! Lovely.
SOTD is K de Krizia, my signature scent back when I used to have signature scents ;-). Great memories and I’m loving its lasting power!
Yay! I’ve been scrolling to find another K de Krizia wearer. I thought I was going to be all alone
I only discovered it last year but I really do love it.
I almost wore K de Krizia. I have a lovely vintage bottle that I use sparingly… I’m wearing Dans Tes Bras instead.
I think you sent me my mini! I wore it yesterday – great stuff.
I think I did! Glad you like it
.
Kicking myself for not saving some from back in the day. Can’t bear to try a newer bottle bc I know I’ll be disappointed.
I must have used my bottle up, as I couldn’t find it today. Fortunately I have several vintage minis.
I have 2 minis plus some vintage bottles. It’s easy to find and cheap IME (vintage, that is.)
I think I have a vintage mini of this, as yet untried!
I used to have Tocade but threw it away quite a long time ago in a fit of decluttering. My remaining Roucel choices are Reflection, MR, 24 Faubourg, or Oro. None of them are really calling to me this morning, but Oro is light and doesn’t last long (I really cannot do Reflection at all, I only have it as part of a set) so Oro it is. Tomorrow for the Splitmeet I’m listing Salome, I hope there are other people that want some.
Scent twins! But that’s the first time I’ve seen Oro described as “light,” and it lasts a solid 24 hours on me. And I am getting very excited about the Splitmeet.
ISM today, since it’s the only one I’ve got even though it’s a decant. Someday I will be able to get a full bottle.
I don’t think I have anything of Roucel but I’m saving myself for the mail. I ended up using the Aedes sample service to get a sample of Un Lys (hopefully it won’t get subbed out, that would be quite unfortunate…) and it’s getting delivered today. So I won’t have to ruin the integrity of my sealed bottle of Un Lys just in case it’s not for me. And hopefully some of the other samples that are coming are fun too.
Un Lys is so gorgeous. I hope it works for you. Really great in Spring.
L de Lolita Lempicka today. I strongly associate this one with summer and the beach- possibly impressed upon me by the mermaidesque bottle or the salted caramel and citrus smells. I’m enjoying it and wishing it were summer.
I do like it best in summer, in fact.
I think I do, too.
I got a mini of this the other day. Will try it out tonight.
I forgot my Iris Silver Mist at home, but I’m totally going to take it out once I get back. I thought I had a lot more scents by Roucel, but turns out it’s only ISM that remains in my collection. I guess the others were decants that I’ve finished, I’m sure I used to have Tocade and 24 Faubourg. I’m a bit surprised by this – his name always comes up when I think or talk about favourite or most admired perfumers and I only have one full bottle from his whole list!
I’ve got a FB of Iris Poudre and decants or samples of a number of Roucel’s, but decided to go for one as yet unmentioned — and totally forgotten by me — Jasmine 17. It’s very nice as it turns out. There *is* jasmine, so unlike some Le Lebos the name isn’t completely deceptive, but there are other things quietly happening too. Maybe some neroli or bergamot at the top; sandalwood for sure. The sample I’m wearing is the perfume oil, which likely makes a difference.
I also have to eat my words from yesterday. I wrote in one thread that I didn’t love Mohur, but then I decided to try it again last night and I found myself wondering why one would ever wear anything else. It’s beautiful and spicy and warm, with a clear true rose appearing here and there in a wonderful way. I can only imagine how good the extract is! I still love Pichola, but I now want bottles of both. Oh dear . . .
Oops. Iris Pourdre isn’t a Roucel, is it? I was thinking of Dan Tes Bras, of which I have a small decant and don’t love. I *do* love Iris Poudre, so I am not sure why the confusion.
Yep, Iris Poudre is Pierre Bourdon.
Iris Silver Mist is Roucel, and many of us have been talking Iris in that context.
Iris Poudre is wonderful in its own right…
Yes that’s it, and I was thinking I’d wear ISM today but then decided to dig up something I don’t wear often.
I didn’t love Mohur at first either, but after I retried it months later, I ended up buying a bottle. My love for it definitely snuck up on me.
Ha! Somewhat glad you’ve changed your mind about Mohur
L’Instant always puts me in mind of a large meadow of white and purple clover under a bright blue sky. If I listen closely I can hear a faint, steady hum of bees and beyond that the gurgle of a stream. The air is warm and the atmosphere circling the small group of picnickers sitting on the grass is peaceful, broken by conversation and laughter. Eventually one or two people wander off to find shade under a tree, and doze, while others move down to the river to paddle. It’s a nothing spectacular but kind of wonderful scent.
Ooh I’m going to have to try my “new” thrifted l’instant while thinking of this passage…
Lovely landscape you’ve painted. Now I have to try it!
I adore L’Instant. I smelled it on someone else, fell in love and got it for myself. It has a great honeyed aura. I will wear it tomorrow.
Very pretty, both your scenario and L’Instant.
Beautiful day in the neighborhood today- full on sunshine, mild breeze, and about 70F. The cherry on top is no work today, so I can enjoy all this gorgeousness.
SOTD is Dame Perfumery Dark Horse- “The composition is a blend of bergamot, lemon, cinnamon, jasmine, carnation, rose, clove, guaiac wood, vetiver, vanilla and musk.” Yum!
T-Rex journeyed to the dog beach for the first time this morning and had a grand old time splashing about in the waves and playing with all her four-legged friends. I had a wonderful time watching her have a blast ????+????=❤️
Hope everyone has a great day. You all smell like fabulosity itself!
The puppy, the weather, the day and the scent all sound perfect. And I’m going to have to try that scent. Don’t think I’ve heard one person knock it yet.
True, me too, it sounds right up my alley. Don’t know why I haven’t smelled that one yet, I have like most of the Dame offerings I have sniffed. Black Flower Mexican Vanilla is my favorite.
I used up my travel size licketysplit- really nice “no cupcakes today!” kind of vanilla.
It’s a great intro for vanilla-phobes. I love it, too.
I get a lot of carnation, vetiver, musk, and wood with it. The other floral bits are quite understated on me. And I absolutely love the travel size option and the outstanding customer service. Hey Chanel, you might learn a thing or two from Mr Dame????
No kidding. I haven’t purchased anything from him yet, but everyone who has ever ordered from him comments on his kindness and generosity with samples. I’m putting myself on a no buy for a while but I’ll definitely be ordering some samples….eventually.
All you need is a post card. I believe if you mail him a post card with your choice of scent, he will send you a sample for free. Not that I’m enabling in any way! Me? No, never! ????
They provided bagels at my morning meetings and now comes the resultant sugar crash. Can I nap under my desk? This seems like something that should be allowed.
I have my tiny dabber sample of Tocade, the only Roucel I own, but I wasn’t feeling it this morning, and so I went with another sample I’d received – Samsara. It’s a spray sample and I am regretting not having gotten some earlier. The combination of jasmine and sandalwood in this one is fantastic.
Mmmm. Bagels. I’d love one right around now.
Oh, and the Samsara sounds wonderful too!
Next to ice cream, warm bagels are my favorite way of ingesting empty calories-Delish!!
Samsara always makes me think of my younger sister who wore this back in the 90s. You smell great!
You all smell fantastic!
Still on vacation, and no Roucel scents with me. I’ll be in JHAG Vengeance Extreme once I shower and dress. Wishing for 24 Faubourg though.
Hope you’re having a lovely vacation!
Yes, I bet your vacation more than makes up for not having a Roucel handy!
Hope you are having the vacay of a lifetime
Started off the day with Iris Silver Mist and, sigh, it’s already gone, a mere three hours in. I hadn’t worn it in a while and had forgotten how lovely it is, and how violet-y. I really need to acquire a larger amount of this one; my wee sample vial just isn’t adequate.
I’m on a jag of wearing favorite citruses for cheerfulness’s sake (so far: Zeste de Soleil, Blackberry & Bay, Jardin en Med, Honore des Pres Sexy Angelic), but in spirit I am wearing Roucel’s Helmut Lang EDP which I increasingly wish I owned… Am trying to be restrained with perfume spending these days, but there is a splitmeet tomorrow…
Splitmeet….!
Just when I was getting sad about not wanting to increase my last ebay bid, you remind me there’s a splitmeet, and now I have something else to look forward to spending my money on
I didn’t know Helmut Lang edp was Roucel! Thought I didn’t have anything by him, but I do have a sample of that, so on it goes! It is very, very soft on me, which is good, because I feel the edge of a headache coming on, and probably couldn’t handle anything stronger. I think this would be a good work-appropriate scent.
Ah someone should really split the Helmut Lang. If I wasn’t in Canada, I might just…
DANS TES BRAS!! Probably my favourite Roucel scent, and I do like quite a few of them. Actually, probably one of my favourite scents period.
Ohhh, Iris silver mist, how i miss it.
Someday, maybe.
It is noted on my neverending tobuy-list, but I never seem to go all in for it. Ohh, well
I totally forgot about Roucel-friday, early morning today and not really in any fumy-mood. I love Dans tes Bras, and have used it a lot since I got my bottle last autumn. So that would probably be my choice.
I kinda like Musc Ravageur, fun to spritz on now and then. My sample will probably last for years.
My earlybird scent today was Hermessence Cuir d’Ange, just got a sample from a fumie-friend. Very smitten, just perfect this morning. I wanted something quiet and nice, classy (come to think of it, I could just sprayed on some Bottega Veneta.. gosh, I was really really tired, forgot I even had a little bottle). Cuir d’Ange was gone before noon, so my SOTD has since been Papillon Angelique. Perfect!
I’m very fond of Cuir d’Ange and it is one of maybe 3 or 4 perfumes that I have *ever* been complimented on. But as you say, it is short-lived. I ordered the Papillon set after being wowed by Anubis so will be trying Angélique at some point, so long as it’s not terrifically feminine. :^)
Wow, such compliments are the best! Rarely get them often here too, but when I do.. live very long on those
Such fun!
Yep, would love some more longevity, but it lasted at least a good 4 hours from normal 3-4 spritzings. I can live with that. But I’m not sure I dear to look up what a bottle would cost me quite yet. I wonder if they would let you buy two or more in those travel sets. Now that would be intriguing.
Cool, hope you will enjoy the Papillon set!
I don’t find Angelique so very feminine, but I guess that may have more to do with what I feel comfortable to wear or not.
I get a kind of quiet, rich, mildly rooty, buttery iris with lovely violet nuances. Understated, elegant. Quite lovely.
I love Angelique!
Me too. Effortless, classy, quiet and so lovely to wear. I feel completely put together in Angelique.
And it is not the one I thought I would love so much from the line. I had all my bets placed in Tobacco Rose. And by now, it is my least favorite in the line.
Sunny Saturday morning here, wonderful when the weather fines up for the weekend. I’m following the trend with ISM and 24 Faubourg, wearing a tiny drop of ISM now before my shower (I’ve got a small decant from STC).
It will be 24 Faubourg after my shower, I have a hair appointment this morning, so will endeavour for a balance that counteracts the smell of bleach (yes, my blonde hair is completely the result of chemicals), but doesn’t suffocate my hair stylist.
24 Faubourg is the only Roucel that I have – at least in a sampler. I was not able to find it this morning. ;-( So sotd is some of my Chanel No 5 Sensual Elixir. I’ll have to find the 24 for the weekend! It will glam up my routine for sure.
I went with Musc Ravageur today.. yum.
Also yay for leather Friday.. I think I may have enough to do a leather week.
Me too!!
I have at least 7 Roucel perfumes and went to bed thinking I would wear the 24 Faubourg. This morning I overslept and was running late for work and completely forgot. I picked up the first bottle I saw and spritzed it…it was Tauerville’s Rose Flash.
Very late today. I had several appointments that kept me hopping. Like many others, I chose Iris Silver Mist. TGIF!
Hi, late twin :)!
???? Hi Annikky, I posted last evening and was so tired from the day that I fell asleep early!
OT, but Robin – will there be another splitmeet later in the year, or is it just an annual event? Thanks ~
There will be another in the fall…last year it was in September, probably will be the same this year.
New Haarlem. I was wearing it when I met Mr. Roucel, briefly, at a sniffa. I was hopelessly tongue tied. He was wearing Nautica Vouage I think.
How cool! And hey, you smelled better than he did!
Wearing Roberto Cavalli Oro, which I love. It’s my only backup bottle, too (so far). Warm, spicy, floral-apple wonderfulness. (Why does auto-correct want to capitalize Apple? See? Does it take its orders from Gwyneth Paltrow?) Now off to see if I have any scent twins.
I’m so late, but better late than never, right? Yesterday, my Roucel fragrance was Roberto Cavalli Oro, a new-to-me delight that I purchased last year, and then bought a backup bottle. It must be love!