It's our same old open thread poll. Talk about anything you like — the fragrance you’re wearing today, the last fragrance you almost bought but decided not to, whatever.
Or, ask a question about fragrance, then see if anyone else has asked a question that you can answer…
Note: top image is water [cropped] by darren price at flickr; some rights reserved.
SOTD is the long neglected Un Bois Vanille. I think this was my first niche purchase and still one of my favorites. Non-foody, sugar free, woody vanilla goodness that has served me well for several years. Works in the stifling heat and frigid cold equally well. Also, PSA: frangranceNet had some SL at a ridiculously good price…!
Running around completing last minute chores and happy to be hitting the road tomorrow. Hope everyone has a fab weekend! ✌????
I saw that earlier this week and snagged a bottle of Chergui bc I’m almost out. Was contemplating FdB too, but had to cut myself off. ????????
That’s one of my faves! I was contemplating a BUB too, but the bottle I have is 3/4 full. Very tempted since Uncle Serge is going through changes. Enjoy your bottle!
I recently got to try that one for the first time…it is fantastic and I really liked it..passed it on to a younger family member who is a vanilla fiend. IT is probably my favorite of all the SLs I have tried thus far.
I availed myself of that deal, along with some Bas de Soie!
Eau de Magnolia on this beautiful summer morning! This week I got to try TF Sole di Positano. For the most part, I’ve avoided the Neroli Portofino collection. But the chatty SA persuaded me into a skin test. Verdict- really nice! It’s a bit more floral than Neroli Portofino.
I have not tried any of the new ones — glad to hear it is really nice.
Happy Saturday, everyone! I’m looking for ideas: a friend is visiting Japan and has offered to bring back perfume or other scented treats! What should I ask for?
I’ve been researching this question on the Black Narcissus, Bois de Jasmin, and others blogs. I know NSTers have also visited Japan and would love to hear your suggestions.
If you like incense: Shoyeido incense. I know they have a US online store but if I remember correctly the prices in Japan are more reasonable.
The Premium line uses high grade agarwood and sandalwood, and they smell gorgeous.
They have stores all over japan.
I visited them in Kyoto and Tokyo.
http://www.shoyeido.co.jp/english/stores/index.html
Thank you so much, Jiji! It must be wonderful to visit one of these shops!
It was wonderful indeed and the visit to the Tokyo store was quite funny. I was the only visitor and there where 4 sale persons all dressed to the nines in suits (in an incense store…) and all 4 of them very accomodating/eager to help.
And so polite and so correct. It was almost hilarious.
Oh and if you like fancy origami paper….that stuff is also a bit cheaper in Japan. I brought some with me and now I feel its almost too fancy to use hahaha.
And the beautiful writing paper – I’d never be able to use it!
Le Labo Gaiac 10!! Sure, you can buy it outside of Japan every September now, but this one would say “compounded in Tokyo” on the bottle!
That would be something!
One of my favorites!
Check Parfums Satori brand
Thank you, Lucas!
I love Satori’s Iris Homme!!! Citrus – iris – cardemom –
Sandalwood. But on my skin it was gone within 3 to 4 hours and the price is pretty hefty. Those are the only reasons I am not running to the store for a bottle.
There is are some excellent incense shops in the main shopping area of Kyoto- terramatchi dori
One particular incense that is a stand out comes from the Silver Pavillion in Kyoto, not the more well known Golden Temple.
Also, in Tokyo, Parfum Satori has a small shop. I can send the link if you would like.
Thanks, aspara! I think I’ve found the link, and it sounds lovely.
Check out Shiseido, they have some perfumes only available in Japan. Also, if you enjoy make up, the Japanese make up brushes are the best!
Yes, Hakuhodo!
I love The Non Blonde’s reviews of Hakuhodo brushes!
Thanks, Gabriela!
I don’t remember you to be rose perfumes fan, but if you are, Shiseido White Rose (http://boisdejasmin.com/2013/02/shiseido-white-rose-natural-perfume-review.html ) is available only in Japan and it’s a wonderful rose, to my nose.
I will second that…will have to dig out my sample to retry that one but I do remember liking it.
Thanks, Undina and chocolatemarzipan!
… and don’t forget to ask to bring you chocolates and other snacks! I love Japanese chocolates!
Wearing Amun Re:The Tears of Ra today and I’m so glad to finally have it back in my collection after running out several months ago. Welcome old friend
I’ve been curious about that one after seeing it on ebay occasionally. Are you wearing a vintage or more recent version?
(Now I realize from the rabbitsflower’s comment that you’ve talking about Soivohle and not the European Amun-Ra.)
I got a sample of this with my recent order, and I’m curious to know how it wears for you and what notes you notice most. I dabbed a little on, and I immediately thought “creamy and spicy.” Initially, I thought maybe nutmeg, but it’s not listed in her notes list. I don’t get any of the floral notes! Maybe they add roundness to some of the warmer notes, like angelica, oppoponax, and hawthorn. It’s an interesting one that I’ll have to spend more time with. I love Liz Zorn’s style.
vintage (Lancaster) Vivienne Westwood Boudoir for me today! Wonderful!!
Mmm that’s one I don’t see mentioned much anymore, but it’s so good.
I know that’s too bad, I’m enjoying this so much, this is femininity and sex in a bottle. I’m so over expensive niche fragrances that lasts 20 minutes at the very best and which you never get complimented on by anyone! Two little spritzes last until you take your next shower.
SOTD is Romeo Gigli “For Man”.
Top: green notes, cypress, bergamot, elemi, juniper, currant buds, pink grapefruit and cinnamon;
Mid: nutmeg, geranium, iris, heliotrope and water lily;
Base: oakmoss, guaiac wood, balsam fir, amber, indonesian patchouli leaf and vetiver.
This is a bitter green scent with not a hint of sweetness or warmth. I sprayed extensively as it can disappear fast otherwise. Another person would probably like this one better than I do. It’s (psychologically) cooling on a hot day but I have to admit, I prefer a little more sweetness in my perfumes. It’s really interesting what I’ve learned about myself on this perfume journey. I have to add, it is nowhere near the same class as his older fragrance “Uomo”
In other news, my FB of Ambre Fetiche arrived while I was away last week. Also I bought an FB of Dior “Fahrenheit Parfum” in Duty Free last Sunday. I had the old Fahrenheit in the ’90s and didn’t like it enough to get a second bottle. But the Parfum smells lovely to my nose.
Top: suede, mandarin and liquorice;
Base: violet leaf, rum, coriander and caraway;
Base: vanilla.
Congrats on your FB of Ambre Fetiche, which is deep, beautiful, and long lasting. One of the best relationships you can have.
Dinazad, if you’re out there somewhere, thanks for swapping that one to me a few years back – I wear it often!
Love that scarf!!! those are my colors! ( it is a scarf , right?)
pre yoga- Demeter Incense (really nice…subtle, light , sweet)
post yoga- Red Door ( haven’t worn this one in 30 or so years…brings back memories!)
tested Arielle Shoshana EDP last night! Yowza! Quite a surprising opening :)….and this made me wonder, Robin, have we ever had a Friday community project of American perfumers (Ari, Dame, SSS, DSH all come to mind)? Or how about “United Nations Day”….wear a perfume from your country of origin? Just throwing some ideas out….
I am NOT a fruity perfume person, but I just love the Arielle Shoshanna EDP to pieces. And the opening is FULL of personality.
Oh I do like my fruit
AS definitely has personality! Very unique fragrance.
I’m not a fruity perfume person either, and I also love Arielle Shoshana. It’s that Saffran Troublant inspired creaminess that keeps it sensual.
I think it’s just a pic of a swimming pool’s tiled floor, but I would totally wear it if it were a scarf!
I am only waiting for Arielle Shoshana to be produced in a travel spray…
Ha! I think if we all keep saying it Ari might listen
Oh lordie, my middle aged eyes are as wonky as my nose and I “interpreted” the pic as a scarf
Easily done! Just about anything can be printed now on fabric and that photo would be gorgeous on a scarf. I’m a graphic designer and recently sat in on a presentation by a printing company reporting back on what new products they’d seen at a trade show in Europe. One of the items they showed us was a custom printed dress. It was white, sleeveless and had images of plants and flowers… very tropical. Beautiful!
Yes — it’s a tiled pool!
It is puts the passion in passion fruit
Love the idea of a united nations perfume day. Would be so interesting
I think a United Nations of Perfume day would be a great idea.
I just finished my seasonal swap, where I take out the spring fragrances from the hatbox on the dresser and put them in the bedside cabinet, and do the reverse with my summer-only scents.
I was a little surprised to find that I have so MANY summer-only scents, and that I have only had a few of them out on the dresser before now despite the icky heat. I mean, I hate summer. Maybe I try to compensate with perfume?
The current rotation: Silences pdt, Moschino Funny!, Parfums de Rosine Rose d’Ete, YSL Paris Pont des Amours, DSH La Fete Nouvelle, Hermes Kelly Caleche edp, Hanae Mori Haute Couture, Eliz Arden Green Tea Yuzu (last summer’s $8 TJ Maxx impulse buy), Chanel 1932, Mary Greenwell Plum, Ines de la Fressange (Calice Becker), Carven Le Parfum, and DK Gold edp. Feels like an embarrassment of riches!
Silences!!!! I have a mini of that one thanks to my fragrant fairy…..I should put it up on my dresser (it is in a box in the basement staying cool)
How is the Hanae Mori Haute Couture? I have only worn the butterfly one in the past…I always liked it…a grown up version of Pink Sugar to my nose.
It’s very different from the butterfly one — something like a homemade wine cooler, except fragrance.
Fruity, sparkly, not too sweet. I can’t pick out any particular fruit; the floral part is mostly a greenish jasmine on me although there are several other white florals in the notes. There’s a light touch of aldehydes, too, and a clean-but-not-too-clean woody-musk drydown.
I like the butterfly one too, when I’m in the mood for sweet.
Interesting to see Plum as a summer only scent. I probably wear it more in autumn and winter. Lovely selection.
Actually, I tend to wear Plum year round – it’s not one of the “summer only” ones. Plum, Iris Poudre, Safari, all season-spanning.
Mmm, poor DK Gold. One of my favorite lilies.
Oh the swimming pool view. I finally started swimming regularly again few weeks ago.
Tomorrow is my mom’s birthday. We’re celebrating with a restaurant dinner this afternoon.
I’m testing Memo Eau de Memo today. It’s a pretty and a bottle is an instant lemming. The perfume is light citrusy, with green tea. It also has a warmth of saffron. I just wish it was stronger. I’m still considering a buy.
I miss swimming. Should just bite the bullet and pay the membership fees for the pool…
I went to Saks to buy it today, but they only had 100 ml. bottles. I considered Shams Narcissus as well, but they were out of that. Happy birthday to your mom!
On their website you can also buy a single 10 ml spray of Eau de Memo but it’s not that pretty and it costs 1/4 of a 100 ml bottle price…
I started swimming again, too, only to be thwarted by a sinus infection, and now a virus. It’s now been a 5-week hiatus
This always happens – every time I start a workout schedule, I get sick, then off track…
Tried Dryad today (Papillon perfumery).
I had high hopes for this one but it is not love at first sight…
Will report more later, have to run now for drinks with friends!
I’m looking forward to hearing more!
Oops
my comment ended up somewhere else
So, scroll down haha, or crtl f: dryad.
I’m keen to try this, but haven’t heard a lot yet. Hope you can assist with that!
My comment ended up somewhere down below…scrollll… But I think you really should try it!
I’m wearing L’Air du Desert Marocain from a sample.
Like?
I am going to the Jewish museum today to view Florine Stettheimer’s Painting in Poetry. It got a great write up in the New Yorker magazine.
Went to sephora yesterday but didn’t sniff around and just bought my usual tinted sunscreen and then jetted out into the rain.
Songes SOTD..shocking, I know.
LOL! I am thrilled that one of us has found a signature scent…..and I will repeat myself….tickled pink that your little ones will have a fragrance that they will forever associate with you…I hope you never tire of Songes and drain oodles and oodles of bottles
my problems is not to neglect my oodles and oodles of other bottles..maybe I will put some up on the swap meet or freebie meet
My friend just went to see that and said it was a great exhibit. It’s on my list to see if it’s still around when I get back from vacation. Do report back!
I did the exact same thing yesterday: Sephora for spf cc cream ( “It” Cosmetics- my new favorite since it’s a pretty good color correcter), then darting out in the rain. I did quickly sniff Alien Eau Sublime which is quite nice but didn’t have time to get a sample.
I will try “it” the next time I am at Sephora..I have been a long time Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer fan, but I am always willing to try something new!
I will report back about the Stettheimer exhibit!
Another good one is Bare minerals “Complexion Rescue.” SPF 30 and great at evening out skin tone and blurring pores and lines. Fairly decent color selection as well. Looks good no matter your chosen application method; fingers, brush or sponge.
I love tints with SPF..LM has 20 SPF! Thanks for the recommendation.
Blurring pores, you say? That might be calling my name.
Ditto on what Aparatchick said
It is more full coverage than tinted moisturizer and has mineral sunblock (spf 50) which I need for my face since chemical sunscreens don’t prevent dark patches from getting darker.
My sister swears by the IT CC cream – she lives in CA Central Valley and plays tennis so needs huge spf. I bought the Clinique tinted pepstart mineral spf and quite like it but I also have a small tube of the IT.
I should of consulted with you guys before my purchase of Laura Mercier! Seems like everyone has other alternatives for tinted cream..
Adding to the confusion…
Suntegrity has a great BB SPF 30 cream. I first tried it at Credo. It seems to be easier to apply then the IT
brand which I was using previously.
oh I will second the Suntegrity…..I am not much for wearing make up but my best friend gave me a few large size samples of that BB cream and I love it!
Ok..putting that on my list
I see you can order samples on the website
That It CC cream is my favorite, I’m actually going to finish a tube of it. Good coverage and SPF 50. I have to mix in a little bit of a lighter foundation to get the color right, but I’m good with that.
I bought the travel size and went and got the full size the next day, I liked it that much! Fortunately, the medium matches my skin pretty well.
I forgot to ask a non-perfume related question of my Canadian NSTers or travel perfume smell’n friends. I was thinking of doing either the Thousand Islands or Ottawa with the babies at some point this summer..any suggestions?
Not for perfume.. for a location that would be good to visit
Ottawa is great with kids – my grandchildren love it there, but they are 8 and 9. They have gone twice this year. Thousand Islands has pretty scenery and a boat cruise is nice. Depends what kind of holiday you want, really.
If you decide on Ottawa I can get my daughter to send you all her Ottawa-with-kids info.
Mine are toddlers..but if they have been there twice it means its really family friendly.
Thanks for you suggestion and the info from your daughter.
I am going to do more reading up on Ottawa. I have never been
I have decided on Ottawa..
The photos look beautiful and there are some fun things for the little ones. We will do a thousand islands next year..
We used to go there frequently when our kids were little too. I’ll ask Katrina for any information or suggestions she has.
We finally live near some perfume counters! I sampled Bvlgari The Bleu this week – I think the travel spray will be in my future. It was like a less intense, easier to wear Iris Silver Mist to me… very, very wearable. I do love ISM, but it’s too intense for some days. We’re off to the zoo (and the Saturday crowds) this afternoon. Wish me luck!
That’s exactly how I feel about it too! I have a sample of ISM, but always go for Thé Bleu because it’s not as harsh.
Love Thé Bleu, and the travel size bottle is so cute!
My sotd is Gucci Guilty absolute, and the tar/woods-notes goes very well with the summer evening. My husband is barbecuein beef, tomatoes on the wine and peppers, I’m drinking rose and enjoying the smells.
My latest craving is Mugler Aura. I have to have it, no matter the scent really. When Mugler releases a pillar, I have to own it. I’ve always felt that his scents speak to me, so I’m a loyal customer.
Also, I’ve been contemplating getting my hands on a sample of the Le petit…Black perfecto. I don’t love any of the previous, but this one is Black! And cherries and almonds are among my best notes. So, I’m very tempted. Have any of you smelled it?
I ordered a large sample and I expect to get it after I return from vacation in late July.
No, have not smelled black perfecto….but am awaiting this new mugler fragrance, where is it??? I am in love with the bottle, can’t wait to try it.
Hot today in the Big Apple. In AG Ninfeo Mio. Running errands and then cooking and doing some baking since we will have guests coming over for dinner tonight. Have a wonderful weekend everyone!
You smell great- that’s a beaut!
Thank you! You too smell fantastic in UBV.
SOTM is Santa Maria Novella Eva – I just love its black pepper note. Planning to do some light gardening today, replanting some pots and pulling a few stray weeds. It’s going to be perfect weather today and I’m taking full advantage! Happy weekend, all.
Love that one, you smell great!
SotD = Hiris
I had enough cologne yesterday. Hiris is the antidote.
Happy weekend to everyone!
Hiris is the antidote to many ills
I showered with Lush’s Dirty Springwash, which put me in the mood for mint, so I’m wearing FM’s Geranium pour Monsieur. This and Eau de Magnolia are my favorite Malles.
Happy weekend!
I like Dirty! Almost picked it up a couple of months ago, but others were beckoning too loudly. They had it in the cologne strength, I think, and it was in a spray bottle that looked like a household cleaner. It was cute.
I’ve been tempted to buy some of the spray in the “cleaner” bottle! Do you know if it smells like the body wash?
I don’t have either of them, but I’m sure they would be close. You could ask for samples, the Lush store here is pretty generous that way.
Out on Long Island to visit the in-laws. Picked blueberries, which are abundant, out in the yard. Had a visit from a stray bunny. So cute!
SOTD is LL Ylang 49.
I’m officially on vacation for the next 2 weeks and leave for our trip on Tues. Thinking about what to pack-trying not to bring more than what fits in the small wheely suitcase I have. Will probably just bring a couple of decants: Bergamote 22, OJ Frangipani, and my Ylang 49 roll on thing and that’s it. And maybe a couple of small samples (reminds me of that scene in The Jerk for anyone familiar with that one).
Enjoy your holiday – two weeks is long enough to really enjoy!
Thanks! Yeah, I haven’t taken 2 full weeks off in many years so really looking forward to it.
Have the best holiday! The world needs more holidays and less stress.
Thank you and agreed!
Have a great time! I love samples for travel.
Thank you! Perfect way to use up samples.
I hope you have a wonderful vacation! Thought of you this morning because my bottle of Eau de Protection from the Twisted Lily sale came in ghis morning.
Thanks Petunia! Ha! I wore that last night. Enjoy your bottle ????
Vacay!! Hope you have a great time????
???? Thanks! And good luck with your upcoming travel contract.
Have a wonderful trip! Enjoy and and be happy!
Will do!
Enjoy your vacation! I leave on Wednesday!
Hooe you enjoy yours as well!
Have a great vacation! Don’t forget to pack a sample or two to participate in the upcoming community projects
Good thinking ????
Enjoy! I hope you have great time.
Thanks Jiji!
Have a fantastic trip!
My order of Violaceum 2 (from Luckyscent during the 15% off sale) just arrived today, and to my dismay one of the bee’s little wings had broken off during transit. I have an email in to Luckyscent to see what might be done.
Luckyscent was wonderful to me when I contacted their customer service department about a shipping issue last summer. I’m sure they will make things right for you. Hope you will let us know how it goes.
Another customer service note: I recently bought a full bottle from fragrancenet that was not up to par. I was able to return it for a full refund without difficulty. The bottle I received smelled very different from the bottle I already had at home. It could have been reformulated, manufactured differently somehow, stored improperly or for too long, who knows. But since I received good customer service I would buy from fragrancenet again.
I’m sure Luckyscent will figure something out. Their customer service has been excellent in all my dealings with them.
That’s too bad but hopefully you can work something out with LuckyScent. I also recently placed an order and included the specific samples I wanted. I listed one more than my spending entitled me to and they gave me that extra one anyway!
Thank you all for your reassuring responses! It is such a beautiful bottle and I’m anxious to have a perfect one.
As you should, and surely they’ll make sure you do.
Happy weekend, everyone! I’ll be doing my housework in a generous spray of Jean Patou’s 1000. I bought a 30ml bottle of the EdP along with my BUP of Fille en Aiguilles, and the small bottle is beautiful. A long wait though, it seems to take about a month for tbings to arrive from Fragrancenet these days.
Loree Rodkin Gothic III perfume oil. I love this – gardenia I think. Nice for a hot day.
I have a gardenia fragrance that you might like – Hothouse Flower, by Ineke. It was very gardenia centric and not for me, but you might love it.
I can send you the spray vial if you’d like.
Thank you for the offer. I’ll send you an email ????
Had a great bike ride early morning.
Now trying Encens Chypre from Sultan Pasha attars. It is stunning! Maybe not quite right for a casual summer Saturday, but here I am. Hear me roar (pushing a shopping cart through the grocery store) ????
(Encens cyphre is a beauty btw!)
Sometimes wearing a really awesome, statement perfume makes the daily chores just a little bit better.
Ridiculously cold here. A layer of ice on the inside of my bedroom window. I am at my brother’s house in Central and heating is regarded as an extravagance. I am sitting in bed watching my breath and thinking warm perfume thoughts. Smoked ambergris.. Just the ticket. Tonight we will go skating on the frozen dam in the dark with burning torches. Now that is pretty amazing
Wow, that does sound really cold. I think of perfume as an extravagance but not heat.
Yikes! We are polar opposites weather wise. Somewhere in between is heaven! That night skate sounds like a blast, especially if it entails a hot toddy or hot spiced cider!
The skating sounds fabulous! No heat in the house, not so much.
Yikes! I hope you had layers and layers of blankets to burrow under!
That sounds like torture to me. My bones hurt just thinking about it. But the ice skating with torches sounds fabulous!
Me, too. I would be so pissed off and cranky, I’d probably set my bed on fire. (Or just never visit again.)
And the skating only sounds fun if I were warm before going outside and had a warm place to return to. Under these particular circumstanced, I’d probably have hypothermia (and that’s before hitting the ice. Rink, that is.)
In the last couple months i have become obsessed with makeup again. Particularly drugstore beauty buys. The pickings have vastly improved in the last 15 years – I am having a blast.
Favorites so far:
Cover Girl BB cream, Wet n Wild setting spray, Maybelline mascara (voluminous something or other). And micellar waters! Garnier is my fav. Note: my skin is oily, but not incredibly so. Ymmv.
What are some favorite beauty buys – drugstore and department? Or other?
P.s. not wearing perfume yet, but probably ahould be cause i need to shower…
I love the NYX setting spray- the Dewey one. Not too sure if it extends longevity but it leaves a great finish. Also just discovered a new L’Oréal mascara- forget the name but it’s in a Rose metallic tube- lash paradise or something? I have difficulty with mascara transfer because I have deep set hooded eyes and so far this is working great. Their blushes are also great- I’ve hit pan on two and I have A LOT of blushes.
Lash Paradise, yeah. I also have deep-set eyes and was pretty excited to see that this one lasts more than three hours on me.
I will look for this one!
Thanks for the tip on mascara! I have deep set eyes too and this is why I don’t often wear mascara.
I am a big fan of Hourglass powders and blushes.
Will lool for these, too.
L’Oreal Pro-Matte Infallible Foundation
The only problem is it does not have SPF so I use SPF 50 La Mer sunscreen under it which defeats the “drugstore” make-up concept.
Lol, but on average it’s not bad! You can get something else fun for the money saved on drugstore
Derma-E soothing serum – light, I can almost use this as my moisturizer during the summer. On my 3rd bottle of the stuff, get it at Whole Foods or Ulta
Max Factor 2000 calorie waterproof mascara – have been using this for years, it’s the only thing that holds up in the heat/humidity, and holds the curl from the eyelash curler. It’s on Amazon.
Lancôme Le Lipstique lip pencils – comes in lots of colors, and doesn’t dry my lips out
Wet & Wild eyeshadow palettes in Silent Treatment and Walking on Eggshells – these are dirt cheap, but perform really well with a primer
Jack Black lip balm – use it every night, been using it for years. It’s the only thing that works for my chronically dry lips
I’m sadly of an age where shimmery stuff just emphasizes my wrinkles… So I’ve been on the lookout lately for matte finishes. I’ve had some success with Makeup Revolution — sold at Ulta and really cheap — picked up a couple of matte blushes in wearable colors and a matte eye palette that’s a reasonable dupe of KVD’s Shade and Light. Very nice for the price.
I do wish the matte lip trend would go away, though! IMHO, super-matte lips are only attractive in fashion/editorial photography. IRL, the over-25 crowd just looks desiccated…
I’m there, too. I do avoid matte foundations, though, which make me look cadaverous. And I wear matte lipstick, always in bright colors. I switched to cream/liquid blushes some years back (same with bronzer, luminzer, and eyeshadows when I can find matte cream formulas) as powder anything can emphasize… the things I don’t want emphasized.
Kevyn Aucoin makes great cream (shimmer-free) blushes, as does Stila. I love the NARS liquid bronzer, and am totally in love with Anastasia BH’s Modern Renaissance eye palette. It’s mostly mattes in shades that one rarely sees in matte formulations (warmer coppers, bronzes, orange-y shades.)
Ellis Faas products are really the best of the best, even though the packaging can be a PITA. On the other hand, they have the best, longest wear of any cosmetics I’ve ever used. The matte eye colors and the blushes are fantastic and do. not. budge.
En Passant earlier for me today as we headed downtown for an early lunch with a friend. I’m not sure it lasted on me longer than the wait on the subway platform and the ride downtown.
I’d like summer a lot better if I didn’t have the healthiest, high-functioning sweat glands on my head and neck. My hair looks like I just got out of a pool half the time. TMI, I’m sure. But it is very annoying.
I share your pain. I have fine hair that only looks good for the first five minutes after styling.
Ha, I’m with you on that affliction. Even when I don’t feel hot, one small ray of sun on my head has rivulets forming down my face. So very annoying.
LOL, maybe you can wear one of those personal fans!
I did my housework in Opardu this morning. ???? Then my a new bottle came in with samples so I’m really stinkin up the joint. Well at least until I shower. Happy week all.
Classy!
Kanuka, you need to send me some of that cold, and I’ll send you some of our hot-hot-hot heat.
Wearing Tauerville Incense Flash today. It’s my kind of incense -dry and a tad “churchy” (I guess that’s the frankincense?).
I spent a couple of hours today trying to work with 6 feral kittens, they’ve had no socialization (guy brought them in to the shelter in a garbage can – eyeroll!) and to varying degrees are wary of humans. Two of them turned out to be pretty easy to deal with and were purring away within 15 minutes. One is pretty playful and fairly easily handled. The other three are going to be more of a challenge – one is utterly terrified and hisses and hides (pretty sure he thinks any human is trying to eat him). Ah, well, I’ll keep at it. Wish I knew what scents smell like comfort to kittens!
Ditto on the heat exchange idea! Poor kitties! I’m sure you’ll be hugely successful with all of them????
Try some Feliway and/or Rescue Remedy for the kitties. You smell great, love Incense Flash!
Feliway! I should have thought of that. Good idea.
Take as much ice as you want! It is very beautiful though with hoar frost. The trees look like glittery tinsel. Good luck with the kittens. Poor things
Good luck with the kitten socializing – I’ve been through this and it takes awhile, but is oh so satisfying when they finally start trusting you. In the meantime, you smell terrific!
Maybe you can do kitten gentling.
Fighting off a migraine today, so I’m going commando except for a little bit of LUSH Silky Underwear dusting powder on my legs.
I did manage to pop in to Nordstrom to take a whiff of JM Orange Blossom and Tuberose Angelica to figure out if I like either of them to get the Poptastic bottles and all I have to say is, ooooh boy, I’m in trouble…
Hope your head feels better soon. I already succumbed to the Poptastic bottles…
Thanks! I feel much better today.
YUP…..in trouble is right….I would probably buy both. I like both of the fragrances and the bottles are bottle porn for me !
Ugh, I went in thinking “well, I don’t love tuberose, so this will at least get my mind off of it.”
WELP.
Woke up to thunderstorms, hot and steamy. Wearing a bit of JM Myrrh & Tonka.
You smell nice!
I miss thunderstorms…
You smell great!
Wearing DSH Love. The civet, ambergris, and jasmin are not what one thinks of during the summer, but I found the lovely little bottle and had to wear it.
There was a post earlier this week about shipping perfumes in hot weather. I was concerned about that last year when ordering during the DSH sale. I called and Dawn herself spoke with me. She said to avoid frequent temperature fluctuations and that the heat from one shipment shouldn’t affect the quality of the perfume.
Good to know, WendySue. It still makes me nervous though.
Wearing Seville a l’Aube today, and thinking that I have too many summer perfumes and not enough summer!
I was just thinking I don’t have enough of either!
SOTD = Hermes Eau de Merveilles Bleue…kinda fits the green blue pool colors!
I went to a funeral mass this morning for one of my neighbors; she had been ill for a very long time and she kept up until she can no longer.
I got a huge box from LuckyScent on Thursday and thought What the
h-ll did I order because the only thing I remember ordering was the Viktoria Minya travel spray trio. Well, it was just the travel trio (plus my free dabbed samples) but the box for the travel trio was over the top big for the 3 travel sprays! I ended up not buying anything at Twisted Lily and will add what I otherwise would have spent to my perfume kitty.
Item of the day – Slime! How come I have never heard of this except for the Nickleodeon slime? Oh wait, that’s right – I am not a 13 year old girl or the 23 year old in the article below who makes 6 figures a month selling / marketing slime. When Back to School time comes and there’s a shortage of glue, you know there’s a slime maker who got to the store before you! Someone should market niche perfume scented slime.
https://mobile.nytimes.com/2017/06/23/business/smallbusiness/homemade-slime-becomes-big-business.html
Slime! Over the years I’ve made it, played with it, and cleaned up after kids made a mess with it.
At Target the other day I walked past a mom and teen daughter arguing about white glue in what looked like a 1/2 gallon bottle. The teen wanted two bottles, mom said one was enough. I wondered what the they were up to. I bet it was slime.
I saw that! My children went to a preschool co-op, and we parents had to make “play dough” but I don’t remember why we were told to make it instead of buying it. I think the homemade type didn’t dry out like Play-doh does. Anyhow, the recipe included salt and borax (I think) and cooked on the stove. We added color also. Gosh maybe I can turn that into a business ha!
Well maybe it wasn’t borax – I don’t remember it was so long ago.
Every time I get a box that is too large for the content, I feel bad. The last time I had something like that when one of the big stores (Nordstrom or NM) sent me a lipstick in the equivalent of the large flat rate priority box.
I should have clarified that the manufacturer’s box was huge and LuckyScent did not have a choice but to use a larger box. That said, I also judge fit for size excess based on the amount of packing peanuts that I need to chase since they tend to be staticky and have a way of traveling and sticking to the wrong surface as I try to stuff them into a plastic bag.
That happens all the time with Sephora and Nordstroms, they send me a bra or lipstick in a box the size of a shoebox.
Slime (shudder) – I always hated that stuff.
Amazon is quite guilty of that as well.
Nordstrom is notorious for sending one order in multiple largish boxes even if it means one tiny item per box!
Me today:
https://goo.gl/images/YdcA3H
Another lovely perfume fiend sold me her bottle of 31 Rue Cambon!!!!! I cant believe it!! I own a bottle of 31 Rue Cambon, you guys!!! Gah!!!
Replying to my own comment to say that this should be a Friday sotd project! Wear your “biggest score”; a perfume purchase that made you feel like this:
https://goo.gl/images/YdcA3H (or some similar
Congratulations and enjoy your new perfume!
Eeeeee! Congrats!
Fantastic! Enjoy it!
Fantastic! Love the celebratory link.
Congrats! I wore 31 RC last night…it is wonderful.
Great find!
Late to the party today.
My SOTD is Aqua Universalis by MFK.
Hope everyone is having a great weekend!
New here! My SOTD is one of my favs- L de Lolita Lempicka. I’ve stocked up on bottles since the fragrance has been discontinued
Welcome! LLL is a great scent.
Welcome!
Welcome. You smell great!
The LLs are fun to explore. Does anyone know where to find the most recent releases?
Late today. SORD – Byredo Pylo which held up pretty well has n 100 degree weather we had
…so about my experience with Dryad yesterday.
First moments are glorious with all the green & flowery notes and the narcissus/jonquil upfront. Very pretty!
And it ends with a lovely long lasting warm ambery and furry musky phase I also like a lot.
There is no white musk here. And for people fearing Salome levels of animalics, they are not there either (though I really like Salome, esp the dry down mmm snugly).
But inbetween I sometimes encountered an almost medicinal, slightly toothpasty vibe. I really dont know what causes this, the list mentions some notes I am not really familiar with. Maybe the clary sage. Or costus and/or benzoin?
I read some other reviews and no mention of it there. So I think its my skin chemistry here.
This does not make me a dislike it, by the way (I think its beautiful and well made), but it keeps me from insta loving it.
I will try it again of course. If this is anything like the other Papillon perfumes, i know not every wear smells/feels identical.
Apart from this all, i also had hopes this scent would be more like a ‘dryad’ (or how I picture a dryad..duh…hahaha). Wild, more dirty, and mysterious. But this feels like a nice country girl dressing up as a dryad for Halloween. But thats not a bad thing after all, I also need nice stuff I can wear to work.
Oh whoops, it ended up not where I wanted the comment to be.
Annnnd…I should explain,
I use a toothpaste with lots of herbs in it. Thats probably why I have this association
(So you really dont have to fear aquafresh smells…urgh I sooo dont like that toothpaste)
Thanks for the comments, I really look forward to trying this myself. Sounds interesting. How was the sillage and longevity on Dryad?
I had two sprays from a sample vial on my arm.
I’d say sillage is moderate. Longevity 5-6 hours, then it turns into a skin scent I could smell up close after more than 10/12 hours.
This sounds great! Thanks for the review! I look forward to seeking it out.
Vintage Pleasures on one arm….Liz Taylor’s Passion on the other….just got another package from my perfumista friend and will be exploring the goodies all week
and retesting Tauer’s Un Rose Vermeille and L”air du Desert M…..while both are nice I am happy to report that I don’t need full bottles of either…..
I just tried Passion (new version) a couple of days ago and something wasn’t quite working for me. I checked Fragrantica reviews and someone suggested adding some Kuumba Made Vanilla Bean so I did and it was magical. It became a keeper! I’m thinking I need to seek out the vintage version.
Wearing Zagorsk today. On pins and needles for Prime day to start. I have $15 on my account and there are a couple movies I want to buy.
Barbara Bui Le Parfum this morning. I remember not being impressed the first time I tried it, but it’s working well as a very feminine summer musk scent.
Googling for reviews, I noticed that Amazon has the one-ounce bottles for under $20!
That’s free
Onda EDP from a sample. I like this more and more. Bought a used bottle of Mito VdE on the e bay (blind buy), and the reviews are really good on this perfume. Fingers crossed ????
Last night TOMK treated me to a meal in a Syrian restaurant and a night at the theatre as an early birthday present. The play was the complete works of Shakespeare condensed into 1hr and 40 mins. Pretty funny. :^)
SOTE was a re-try of Majda Bekkali “Mon Nom est Rouge”.
Top: elemi, pink pepper, cumin, incense, geranium and rosewood;
Mid: cardamom, rose, cinnamon and ginger;
Base: cedar, sandalwood, amber, vanilla, musk, tobacco flower, labdanum, patchouli and tonka.
Gorgeous and I chose this as the perfume TOMK will get for my birthday present. :^)
SOTD today is Profumum Romum “Acqua di Sale”, a perfume made for a warm (mostly) sunny day spent in shorts.
Notes: cedar, seaweed, salt and myrtle. On me it smell like skin after swimming in salt water.
Now it’s time to put on my big boy trousers and head for the airport. SOTE will be Jeroboam “Miksado”.
Top: bergamot, labdanum and saffron;
Mid: cedar, guaiac wood and geranium;
Base: patchouli, vanilla and white musk.
Testing Moschino Funny! from a hajusuuri-sized sample I recently ordered. Nice! I can see why it gets love here.
Yesterday I tried Dame’s new scent, Monsoon. Very nice; and I say that as someone who usually doesn’t love iris. But talk about skin scent! Has anyone else tried it? How was the projection on you?
!!!!! Field Trip Alert !!!!!
Clarissa, Oakland Fresca and I are going to Mandy Aftel’s curiosity shop ( http://www.aftelier.com/Articles.asp?ID=256 ) on July 22. We haven’t yet picked the time (herding cats…) Does anyone else want to join us? (why not add more cats to the herd…) Ping me at emc dawt 7 1 1 7 in the land of geemayle.
Sounds like you done good with that sample
I was reading the Monsoon notes and I was intrigued. When I went to try and purchase or get a free sample, I was not able to probably because they’ve run out.
Have fun at Ye Olde Curiosity Shop
I tried Monsoon the other day and don’t remember projection issues. But it did have a note that smelled really synthetic to me and put me off.
I’d love to hear more about Funny! I’ve had a kpaint-sized sample (aka mini) sitting in my ebay cart for ages.
Synthetic as doll head or something else?
Not doll head; something synthetic and out of place.
Lush’s Sikkim Girls today. In her review here, Jessica referred to it as Songes’s hippie cousin and that is on the nose! I love a heady floral and this one really blooms in the heat of summer.
Broke into Tauer’s Majestic Tuberose soap this morning…it is lovely. Reminds me a bit of his Loretta soap he did for a Kickstarter movie several years back.
And I sprayed some Sotto La Luna Tuberose on as well to finish the effect. Fragrantica lists cinnamon but I don’t get that note at all. To me this starts as a dry, menthol tuberose that warms up with time.
I am using this soap right now and it has a nice fragrance and not overwhelming either. The Mandarine one is waiting in the wings although this may be the next one:
https://nstperfume.com/2017/07/04/the-daily-lemming-126/#comments
Love Sotto la Luna Tuberose, you smell great! And the soap is lovely too.
SOTD while performing my totally glamorous task of cleaning out my guest room is Aerin Waterlily Sun…I don’t hate it? But I definitely won’t be running out and forking out the cash for a full-size bottle once my free sample runs out.
Am supposed to be leaving for a friend’s (fabulous and fun) annual rooftop party in half an hour but I’m being nice and staying in. I have a nasty virus (that affects both respiratory and GI systems – I had it a few years ago and apparently it’s making another round, as a friend 90 miles south has it, too) and while feeling okay-ish, don’t need to foist my germs on others (particularly people I like
Instead I’m at home in Guerlain Vetiver that’s all but completely dissipated, and feeling a nap coming on.
Since summer started (July 5th, weather-wise) I’ve been watching a lot of classic movies, which has made me realize there are certain films I associate with, or like to watch every summer: The Seven-Year Itch, Rear Window, The Odd Couple, To Catch a Thief, That Touch of Mink, Pillow Talk, The Thrill of It All!, anything with Esther Williams. I’ve had a realization that I like black & white movies in winter and Technicolor in summer. lol
Kudos to you for staying home with your germs, I wish everyone would do this. Hope you feel better soon!
Sorry about that nasty virus – hope you’ll be feeling better soon.
I go through phases where I love to watch classic musicals – Singin’ in the Rain never fails me, but I also like Guys and Dolls, Top Hat, Meet me in St. Louis, South Pacific, The Band Wagon, High Society, Funny Girl. Pure, lovely escapism.
Those are some of my favorites, too. I’d also add An American in Paris, Hello Dolly, and A Star is Born (anything with Judy Garland, really, but I think she’s at her finest here.)
I hope you are feeling better soon! Catching up on old movies is one of the nice things about being stuck at home
have you ever seen Enchanted Cottage?
I’ve never heard of it! Will look it up. Thanks!
Oh, wait. I do know this one, but I’m not sure I’ve ever seen it.
It is a slower movie, but very charming
Went for a bike ride this morning and am now lounging around in LV Mille Feux.
Also love the movies kpaint referenced. Love Doris Day especially.
Wandering around Village today and stopped in Bigelow after quick stop in Aedes. Don’t get Aedes. Second time I’ve been in there since their latest release. Two empty bottles of it so no ability to sniff. Same experience months ago.
I did buy a Berdoues violet toilet water in Bigelow. It was so fresh smelling! And cheap.
Now we are in an actual line to get into a movie. Klute from 1971. About as far from Doris Day as it gets.
I’m not generally one to buy DVDs, but I got this Doris Day collection since her classic films are so rarely on tv: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ST5TC02/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1.
I record a lot of movies on TCM and store them on my TiVo. They’re playing a lot of Doris Day (and Hitchcock) movies this week!
It’s been years since I went to a revival theater. How fun! 1970s movies can be a blast. One of my faves is An Unmarried Women with Jill Clayburgh.
HELLO ALL : )
This is formerly “TheDistractedPhD.” Still distracted but since I’ve graduated, I thought a more à propos name.
Anyway, I am currently obssessed with Sloane Fine Tea Merchant’s “Heavenly Cream.” It is not cheap and at one point, I kept one sachet in its lovely container, stuck my nose in it, and inhaled until I could afford my next tin.
Now the selection of bergamot perfumes out there are ENDLESS but I would love an olfactory equivalent of this tea that does not have that acidic citrusy bite, if you know what I mean. It’s the combiniation of the creaminess (but not overwhelming vanillic) with a bit of tang and the floral which I love so much.
Here is the profile from the website:
“A divine tea, full of creamy richness and velvety smoothness- heavenly in every way. A beautiful long leaf Ceylon is blended with balanced notes of bergamot and creamy vanilla.”
Any recommendations?
Thanks in advance.
Please excuse grammatical errors, squeezing in some fun while writing an exhibition review. BTW, anyone here from D.C. who had a chance to visit the fantastic Bazille and the Birth of Impressionism show?
Meant to say: “thought I’d change it to a more à propos name”
and “is endless.”
An obvious academic here!
Sadly, no recommendations, but that tea does indeed sound heavenly!