Almost-Friday, at last. Plus, Watermelon Day. What fragrance are you wearing?
I'm wearing L'Artisan Safran Troublant and Arielle Shoshana Eau de Parfum. No surprises because I'd already worn them together, but I'm enjoying it all the same.
Reminder: 8/4 will be Compare & Contrast Friday...wear two perfumes with the same note. Suggested by thegoddessrena.
And for those of you who like to plan ahead, see Scent of the day ~ Friday community projects 2017, where I'll try to always have the next five or six weeks mapped out in advance.
Note: top image is Saffron [cropped] by Steven Jackson at flickr; some rights reserved.
Dame BJ & L
Oh dear, that looks a bit perverse….Dame Bergamot Jasmine and Labdanum…and I resampled quite a few of the soliflores I have at home this morning…they really are lovely, very true to life.
Jalapeno- if you are reading this I left a response to your Dame question in yesterday’s thread
Ha! I would not have thought perverse til you pointed it out.
House twins!
I did see your response, thanks! You included some very handy tips and hints.
If life gives you lemons, scent yourself with them. It’s another insanely hot day, so I picked lemon for Compare and Contrast theme. First I put on Lush limited edition Lemony Flutter body lotion. Then I dabbed Profumum Roma Acqua Viva on my wrists. Then I sprayed Annick Goutal Eau d’Hadrien all over. I am feeling blissfully lemony.
Oh, and I had a glass of Limoncello to add some lemon inisde too. 
pass Love’s a glass of Limoncello. Make it a double. I need it
*pours two glasses of Limoncello and hands them to Lovestosmellgood*
Thank you
Oh you are delicious! And I love your quote.
Thanks!
You smell lovely!
I love lemon, you smell fab!
Ah, that is lovely, lovely, lovely!
Wow. You smell great.
Samsara & AA Orange Magnifica..something smells similar about the two of these..the woods..or jasmine. Or both.
Coffee this morning from culture cup, trying their low acid one. Not bad.
Its humid. ick.
Baby Buddha woke up on the wrong side of the crib. Challenging day. Om.
PSA..I see that Le Labo has its city exclusive event..and they are bringing the one from Dallas and Amsterdam back..haven’t smelled either. No affiliation
I got this email today too, and am very grumpy to note that after almost two years, our D.C. Le Labo boutique has still not merited a city exclusive! Feeling a little neglected here!
What’s the Amsterdam one like?
Nice. I haven’t seen you wear Samsara for awhile, but it made me think of you when I tried it in Ulta because I think you said it made you feel like a queen (or was it a princess) when you wear it? I’m curious if you wear the EDT or EDP? My Ulta has recently rearranged the fragrance section and now the Samsara is gone! I’ll have to try the one on the other side of town.
Uh oh Baby Buddha! Hang in there mama, maybe a nap will help?
Blissful! Samsara is sandalwood bliss
Do you live in the USA? I can send you some, let me know
They are napping , thanks heavens. what a morning
I would love a sample! I’ll email you.
Do try the vintage Samsara, its easy to get on Ebay and its wonderful!
It’s cold and rainy in Manchester, UK so had to be Serge Luten’s Santal Majescule. The sandalwood is both cooling and comforting to wash away the rainy-day blues.
Cold and rainy in South East England too.. Where’s summer gone? ????
Twins! Rose and sandlewood goodness for me on a cold damp winter day.
I can celebrate Watermelon Day, I have some chilling in the fridge, I plan to eat it as a dessert.
Less hot today. Was planning to go swimming anyway but a friend suggested that we go to the cinema.
SotD is Prada Infusion de Mimosa.
Hi!
1) Watermelon is the best dessert in summer!
2) Can you tell me what you think of the Infusion de Mimosa? I am very grateful for you telling me about Oeillet!
It is, especially when served cold. It’s refreshing then.
Regarding Infusion de Mimosa, here’s my review: https://chemistinthebottle.wordpress.com/2016/08/10/prada-infusion-de-mimosa/
Yes! I chill watermelon, cube it and add chopped basil. Or just plain wedge!
Thanks for the blog link!
Yum! It’s also very good with feta cheese and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar.
I had a pairing all laid out for today, but at the last minute, I spied my decant of Vol de Nuit Evasion, and could not resist.
Peachy, woody vanilla.
Why resist
Yesterday I wore Hermessence Ambre Narguilé, to me it opened with a strong medicinal scent, maybe campho pehnique? Then it dried down to a lovely amber – overall it seemed similar to Serge Lutens Ambre Sultan, with a medicinal twist.
Last night I wore Bottega Venetta Eau Legere – received from a very general NST’er! – to bed – such a surprising scent after smelling so many richer perfumes – I didn’t successfully pick out one note, but overall it was lovely.
Today – received from the same generous NST’er
– I am wearing Fracas. Wow! “Tutti-Fruity” comes to mind for some reason, although I don’t smell fruit. I wish I knew what tuberose smelled like before smelling perfume, so I could compare scents. Now, I have a better understanding of some of the reviews I have read. It does not seem very similar to Carnal Flower overall. Going to try this one more before making any rash judgements.
I just smelled Gucci Bloom the other day in Ulta and holy tuberose, have you tried that one?
Not yet, but since it is at Ulta, that is doable, thank you!
If you are still interested in exploring incense I would highly recommend this sampler pack…going straight to the source by trying the essential oils-
http://www.edenbotanicals.com/products/sampler-packs/frankincense-myrrh-sampler-pack.html
great idea, I will look into this, thanks Chocolatemarizpan8!
Speaking of incense, have you smelled anything reminiscent of Chrism oil? The oil they use at baptisms? I looked it up and it is supposed to have balsam in it, but its not like smelling balsam and chrism oil are interchangeable scents.
Another to put on your to try list is Ancient Resins Body Oil by Many Aftel.
Much cheaper to make it yourself
I have been curious about that line, going on the list! And next time I visit my sister in Berkley, I would love to visit the archive.
Second that! I have a bottle of Ancient Resins Body Oil by Many Aftel and it is really good!
I make a bottle of Ancient Resins last a year and use it sparingly but frequently. It is utterly gorgeous and every lover of frankincense and myrrh should not deprive themselves. Order The frankincense infused tea too!
So funny you should ask me this question! a coworker of mine who only wears my essential oil blends is Catholic and she asked me about this several months ago. In my research for her it was my understanding that it is myrrh and olive oil combined. There are other balsams that smell divine as well which you can play around with, such as peru balsam which smells heavenly too.
Yes, that is funny! Well it is such a great scent and the best part of a Baptism
When I smell chrism, I have this running fragrance commercial going through my head, ala calvin klein obsession, white veils and linen wafting through the air, a crying baby in the distance, then the sultry whisper, “chrism, by iglesia….” (or something like that)
Ok, so now I’m adding Peru Balsam to my cart, I need to get to the free shipping threshold
anything else you recommend from the same site?
oh goodness…there is LOTS I could recommend-LOL! The idea of scented body oils mentioned above brought to mind there 10% dilutions-
http://www.edenbotanicals.com/products/essential-oils-pure-therapeutic-grade/dilutions.html
I have tried most of them and quite few are incredibly affordable…you can dilute further with a carrier oil to make a 5% dilution and then use it on your entire body…I have done this with the labdanum (which smells like amber), the rose, the neroli and the fir balsam (which smells like a sweet Christmas tree). I also love the lavender absolute which smells much better than regular lavender to my nose and amyris which is a better version of sandalwood to my nose. The amyris I have also made into a body oil. Dark patchouli is lovely too and when blended with a carrier oil also makes a great body moisturizer (patch is great for that….excellent on the skin) and scents the clothes for weeks! Also, if you are looking to explore certain notes definitely get the sampler packs! and their essence blends are perfumes unto themselves! Osmanthus e.o. is incredibly complex and a perfume unto itself and if you are looking to explore tuberose get a sample of that too. I usually buy the samples and then add a carrier oil to the vial (the more expensive oils come in around 1/4 full vials so you can add unscented oil to it) I also love the immortelle which smells like maple syrup and galbanum which is an uber green scent! The orange essence oil smells like fresh squeezed orange juice. If I think of more I will add to the comments
“their” NOT “there”
and the “agarwood” is oud if you are interested in exploring that note…I made a solid perfume for a younger family member with agarwood, rose and orange essence and beeswax pellets…very very very easy to do…..do let me know how your experimentations go
and oakmoss!! get a sample of oakmoss! it is sticky but oh so worth it…once you smell it you will understand why vintage perfumes that contain it are so divine and why reformulations smell different without it.
Very curious about the solid perfume you made. May I email you?
holyneroli-
yes you may
Fracas is incredible, isn’t it? It’s big, big fragrance and very few tuberoses based fragrances compare.
It is, and it was completely surprising!
I’ve seen tuberose bouquets at Whole Foods, and my co-worker found them at a farmer’s market.
Prefacing statment: I’m not into big white florals and I have a low tolerance for indoles. Having said that, my favorite tuberose perfume is Bubblegum Chic by Heeley. Here is what I said about it in a past NST post “The notes are supposed to be jasmine, tuberose, white musc, and red fruit. I get an insanely happy strawberry-inflected gardenia that starts off with five minutes of a high-quality bubblegum note.” It’s so concentrated (extrait) that I only wear two dabs at a time. It blooms quite nicely in the heat. Good stuff.
this is good information – I’ll try to seek out actual tuberose, and will add Bubblegum Chic to my list of perfumes to try (love the name).
The Eau Legere is so elegant and easy to wear. It’s actually the only one of the BVs that is tempting me.
And so different from its contemporaries!
I’m wearing Vamp à New York to which I had meant to add Fracas for extra power, but I forgot. My co-workers may consider themselves lucky!
☺, love vamp à NY in the summer, just a small dollop of Fracas wouldn’t harm, no?
I will put some on later this evening once I’m back from work.
Did you see that the ordinary is out with a new Vitamin C…
Not crazy about silicones.
Yep I did, I don’t mind silicones that much but I like the 23% well enough so I don’t think I will purchase the new one.
I think it was you who mentioned the Ordinary serum foundation recently? Well I just had to find out all about it ???? It’s winging its way to me right now. I cannot believe the prices of this range!
Inspired by Jalapeno’s Dame discussion yesterday, I dug out my sample of Mate, Heliotrope and Patchouli.
I smell quite lovely if I do say so myself.☺️
That does sound nice!
It really is so nice.
You do smell lovely indeed!
Thanks! It was your comment yesterday that inspired me!
Awesome! I’m probably plagiarizing from some other review of it, but I like to think of that one as my perfect white T-shirt of scent
Smelling great, house twin
????
That was my sleep scent last night. ????
Almost friday!
SOTD: Kelly Caleche on the left, Bottega Veneta eau Legere on the right.
So hot today that I wanted to just sit at home but after scenting my self and feeling “boosted”, I think I will go have some fun window shopping
How do you compare the two? I like both but haven’t done a comparison.
They share quite a few aspects in common, like a citrusy opening and then towards a gentle suede leather with soft florals.
I would say you choose which one to wear mostly by the “colour” of flowers you want that day. Pale pink rose – Kelly or White – Bottega.
Vintage Rocabar by Hermes. I was going to save it until tomorrow to pair with another vanilla-based scent (probably Safran Troublant) but I just couldn’t wait another day. I’ve already applied it three times and it’s not even 11 a.m.: it has lasting power and the surprise vanilla final act is gorgeous but the great-outdoors opening is just so arresting, all spiky evergreen needles and spicy woods, that I want to experience it over and over again.
I need to smell Rocabar again, it’s been years. That sounds lovely.
White musk madness today: Derek Lam Silent St all over, SL Clair de Musc on one hand, and AG Musc Nomade on the other.
The Derek Lam is the coolest and least sweet of the 3 with its vague cucumberyness, making it good for today’s weather. The SL is the most powdery and least clean and the AG is the warmest smelling, with a vegetal muskiness and also the most intetesting to me.
You smell great! Musc Nomade is my favourite of the 3.
The first time I tried it, it made me queasy but glad I retried much later on. I love it now! Probably my favorite of the 3 also.
I’ve tried Silent St a few times because I really thought I would love it, unfortunately something in the drydown kept giving me a headache.
For me it’s the reverse-I’m not wild about the opening and prefer the drydown which is much less sweet. Maybe it’s a tad metallic?
I love Clair de Musc. It was my first Serge purchase…and not my last.
It’s the only SL full bottle I have. The others I’ve owned I ended up swapping away.
Yeah, I blind bought Santal Majuscule, and all it did was pretty much confirm that immortelle is not my friend.
It will be on the swapping block this fall. ????
I’m in OJ Woman today from a new decant that arrived yesterday. I remembered liking it when I first tried it, but really didn’t remember it correctly (apparently). It’s sweeter and less dark than I remember – Mr. G even pronounced it “bright”. And now that a half-hour or so has gone by, some of the remembered forest-y-ness is coming through – just what I wanted for today.
I love Woman. You smell wonderful.
Looove Woman!
It took me a few wears to decide why, and then it hit me: it takes me home. I grew up in northern Wisconsin literally surrounded by trees and that “forest-y-ness” you describe just takes me right back.
Anyway, I digress, you smell incredible!
Raining and windy here, I’m cosied up inside with a cup of tea and some lemon cake, In fact, it’s chilly enough that I’ve just put a vest on under my tee and jumper, and added a scarf!
My house is a complete building site and moving back in with my husband + the small ones on Saturday.
We’ve been lucky enough to house sit for a friend for 2 weeks, just down the road from us on the Batemans estate. From her window is a wonderful view one of Rudyard Kiplings favourite writing spots, it used to be a ring of trees, but some of them were blown down in the ’87’ hurricane. The house is surrounded on all sides by rolling countryside, and sometimes deer, it’s very green and peaceful.
Visited Batemans with a friend yesterday and looked around the beautiful Arts & crafts house, and had a cream tea in the National Trust tearoom, and walked home through the fields.
Comparing Miller Harris Etui Noir and Vetiver Insolent. Both are lovely, both have Iris, but I think Vetiver Insolent is much more special and different from other perfumes I have.
Envious of your Batemans day. We have relatives in Sussex, west of Brighton, but have never made it to Batemans–always just a little too far away.
Oh u should!, and I’d love to hook up and show u around if you’re ever around here! ????
Sounds like a wonderful place…the construction zone not so much.
Yes, it’s going to be a tough week!
Voyage by Hermes, freshly applied it’s like a cool G&T, made with some unusual botanicals, but without the calories ☺, drydown less interesting.
You smell wonderful! I just love that one.
SotD Fou d’Absinthe
I’m wearing Neroli. Annick Goutal Neroli on my left arm, and Yves Rocher Neroli on my right arm. The Annick Goutal has an aromatic twist to it, and smells a little like Eau du Sud or Eau d’Hadrien. it is an EDT, and doesn’t have much sillage. On the other hand the Yves Rocher is sweet, with quite a lot of sillage (it’s an EDP).
You smell great! I need to try the Annick Goutal.
Me too. There is too many from the AG line to try.
I’m wearing OJ Woman on one wrist, and Ava Luxe No. 23 on the other. For some reason, these have a very similar vibe to me, though I doubt that the notes are similar. No. 23 leans more to the incense, and Woman more to the green and woods. I think at some point I wandered through the Ava Luxe line, and remembered thinking that No. 23 reminded me of Woman, and so I purchased some, and then fell in love with it. Unfortunately, I understand that it is now discontinued (insert inner wail here).
What other Ava Luxe fragrances would you recommend? Not that I am looking to sample anytime soon as I have a sea of samples at the moment but the line has always intrigued me…..one of these years I will give it a go! Plus she is an independent female perfumer
I also liked Madame X, and Ambre Tibet. No. 23 was by far and away my favorite of the bunch, though, and one of my top 5 all time favorite perfumes. Cue another wail…. ????
Sorry your favorite is discontinued ???? I got some Ava Luxe samples in the freebie meet-1st time trying them. I really love Bohemian Rose. Olibanum was quite nice, and Love’s True Bluish Light I can see vanilla lovers loving. Mango made me totally nauseous.
Cafe Noir, Creme Brulee, Ambra Tibet, Angel Face are very nice.
thanks all for your responses!!!
For a while now I had been eyeballing Love’s True Bluish Light, Cafe Noir, Angel Face, Milk, Madeline, Heliotrope….my mind is on food whenever I visit her site
But someone mentioned that she also does a really good job with figs (might have been goddessrena?) and hannamom mentioned a mint tea Ava Luxe that she loves and also a vanilla one which she says is a dupe for Tihola. For now this line is on my “to try one of these days” list……I have patience and can wait ….first I need to clear out and use up much of my other stuff…otherwise it gets too overwhelming for me!
Did someone mention Ava Luxe??
Her Fig and Honey are both excellent ( I have the oils) plus The Moroccan Mint Tea ( mine is EDP ) and the Vanilla Musk ( The EDP one is a dupe for Tihota)Milk, to me, was much less than I had hoped for (YMMV, but I got an artificial, sour note) and Portia at APJ adores Love’s True Bluish Light – it was his review that twigged me to the brand.
Jalaine Silk is another wonderful vanilla, and she is also a female, indie perfumer. Plus, her bottles are things of beauty.
Ummm, I may have a perfumed oil habit. Michele Bergman has an amazing Black Gardenia, and Regina Harris makes both an Amber Vanilla and a Frankincense – Myrrh – Rose Maroc Oil. I recommend them both.
Ah! I KNEW you were a big fan! I already have a list started of what to sample whenever I get around to resuming sampling of new stuff..right now I have enough to keep me busy and happy for a long time! But thanks for the info on Milk…removing that one from the list ! which fig do you like? there are four listed including one in the woods section which looked intriguing…..
off to google Jalaine Silk…..
The Opoponax Intense, Nag Champa, Amande, Loukhoum and Tabak Kretek sound interesting too….
I love OJ Woman. You smell fantastic!
I’ve tried to contact Ava Luxe via email a few times but she didn’t respond to my inquiries. Does anyone know if she has a studio/store in Boston, if so, where?
I could be mistaken, but I don’t think she has a brick and mortar store.
I think she may have at one time. Too bad. It would have been fun.
I’ve never ordered from her. IIRC, she doesn’t do samples either.
I believe you can order 2.5 ml spray samples from the second pull-down menu on each fragrance page.
She has samples on the website but she charges like $9 for shipping if IIRC so never ordered samples.
Ha! I emailed her too in 2013 I think and did not even get an email back. How rude. I don’t need Ava Luxe in my life.
Happy Watermelon Day! It’s always been my favorite summer fruit.
My scent theme for today is incense. I’m in House of Matriarch Devotion and some Shoyeido incense powder that I received from a generous NSTer. The scent of the powder stays very close to the skin, but it lasts a surprisingly long time. It’s both spicy and sweet – a little like a chai latte.
Tell me what you think of the Devotion, I would love to hear your impressions. Really want to sample it.
I was kind of a beginner to frankincense when I first tried Devotion, so it took wearing it a few times before I really grew to appreciate it. I’m not very good at distinguishing notes, but it’s a true, long-lasting incense on me. It’s just slightly smoky with a bit of the balsamic pineyness that accompanies frankincense tears. There’s a note in the opening that I can’t identify and is really gorgeous, but it burns off fairly quickly. All in all it’s a slow-burning, meditative scent.
I wish I had more than just a sample myself so I could send you some.
Thanks for sharing that. I love frankincense! I’m up in Canada right now but when I go to California this fall I will definitely order a sample, sounds lovely.
Good morning Y’all!
I’ve been enjoying a week off from work, to take kids to orthodontist and school orientations and back-to-school shopping….I’m exhausted and can’t wait to get back to WORK! HA HA HA HA
Wearing the fresh and crisp Fresh Hesperides Grapefruit. Gotta keep it simple and fresh when mingling with hundreds of other middle school parents and teens at orientation today……
Ha! a parent’s life is always a second job
you are smelling really good…I love that one! and you have been on a grapefruit roll (no pun intended!) this summer!
Acqua di Parma “Colonia Ambra”. Pah!
Just not a fan of the Acqua di Parmas, huh?
I see a trend here
(to be honest, the AdP’s I tried so far where a bit of a let down to me, so I totally understand…)
I haven’t sampled any of the AdP line but I am enjoying your one syllable reviews. ????
I have never had a desire to try AdP, but now I am compelled to actively dislike them on your behalf:)
I liked the Myrhh one, but it was the only one I wanted to try on skin.
Lime Basil Mandarin, perfect for doctor’s appointment and to brighten up shitty weather
Which fragrance did Jeanne Moreau wear?
I wish I knew!
For what it’s worth, from the “celebrityfragranceguide” website, it looks like she favored Annick Goutal—Eau de Charlotte and Folavril.
ah, thanks. I thought of Jolie Madame
SOTD- Amouage Honour.
Finishing my coffee and getting ready for a busy day.
Lovely scent, I need to wear it again soon.
Just got a couple of Lush products and am wearing Kerbside Violet. I also bought some Sleepy lotion, which I was so looking forward to. And I hate it. Reminds me of some breakfast pastry I once sniffed. Uck and boo-hoo.
I thought Sleepy was a bit sweet as well. Just too much ylang for me.
Feel a little more organized and “with it” today. Hoping it’s a continued trend lol. I’ve got OJ Ta’if on one arm and TF Noir de Noir on the other. Roses all day! They’ve both got a rosy saffron thing going on, but I love the vanilla and creaminess of the NdN.
You smell divine!
Vanille Hinoki today, very comforting. I’m nervous, as my niece’s premature baby is having open heart surgery today. He’s so fragile that they are moving the surgery room to him, and doing the operation in his room at the NICU.
Prayers for the sweet baby and your niece as well. My goddaughter went through open heart surgery and brain surgery as well in the NICU. Those pediatric surgeons are amazing…
Love and prayers to the baby and your family.
Saying a prayer today for you and your family, jirish.
I hope the operation goes very well. Best wishes to the baby and all your family.
Sending prayers and hugs to you.
Jirish, my prayers are with the baby and the whole family. I am pretty sure the surgery will go fine and he will recover fast. Hugs!
Very good wishes to all of you!
Prayers and wishes for the tiny little traveler!
Prayers and wishes for the best outcome for baby, family, and you. Hugs!
Sending good thoughts!
oh jirish, hoping things go well, and that you are comforted by your sotd, it’s a lovely choice.
I hope everything goes well.
The tiny one is in my thoughts and prayers, hoping so much surgery is successful, and he begins to gain strength.
Jirish, best wishes to your niece and her little one today! I hope the surgery is smooth and successful.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Stormy and humid today, but that’s OK because it’s not snowing. Right? Right. Heading into work and sexing it up wearing leather Alien. I’m taking She-Ra lead and just spritzing forearms, and stomach.
Right! Amen to no snow…it will be here soon enough
I like to spritz fragrance on my forearms and ankles.
Ankles! Do you smell it all the way down there?
If I’m wearing a sleeveless top I like to spray on my shoulders.
Ankles work for me, though it may depend on the perfume and how tall you are, ha!
Well, my Berdoues sampler arrived last night from the big S, so I’m in Assam of India and Arz El-Rab.
It’s cooler and overcast here, a perfect day for incense and sandalwood.
Do you like them? Arz is incredibly woody on my skin…it is all about the cedar.
I really like the Assam, and can see why you have such love for it during the summer months!
The Arz is woody on me too, but it’s light. I’m looking forward to testing out the other six.
You smell great! Assam and Arz are my favorites of the handful of Berdoues I have tried. I will try them together soon, perhaps one on the left arm and the other on the right.
Ha! That’s exactly what I test drove today.
Thunderstorms are expected in Cleveland today and I love them. I dug out Une Rose Chypree today and loving it. On Luckyscent and Andy Tauer’s website, there’s no Une Rose Vermille. I wonder if it’s discontinued.
I have also been looking for Une Rose Vermielle and I do not find it anywhere. Maybe, someone knows if it was discontinued.
I hope not, even though I don’t wear it often, I like it.
It’s available at http://www.tauerperfumes.com under the Swiss Vault scents.
Wonderful! Thanks for the info!
Une Rose Vermeille is not discontinued, however it is only sold directly from his website now, http://www.tauerperfumes.com. It’s in the Swiss Vault section.
Update…some samples arrived.
Black Gemstone, Stéphane Humbert Lucas
OMG
this stuff is the shizznit! (dont know what words young people nowaydays use to indicate something very good
Reminds me of something I already smelled before, only ten times better…
…777 (forgot to add that)
Geesz why the long name…
Day 2 of Berdoues samples. I went with Selva do Brasil today. So far I like this one. It’s kind of green and grassy but the tonka and guaiac give it a little smoky/sweet undertone. It’s pretty quiet and is staying pretty close to the skin, but so far it’s good.
If I have a criticism, it is that there is a musk or something that is kind of threatening to take it into air freshener territory, but thankfully it doesn’t quite go there. I think if it had more sillage it might, so I’m kind of ok with how quiet it is.
My skin picks up more of the green..something about it reminds me of the d/c AG Eau de Camille but it is definitely sweeter and muskier than EdC…..the bottle is stunning though, no?
I haven’t tried Eau de Camille, so I don’t have that to compare it to. I have wanted to try that one but never got around to it.
Berdoues packaging is really nice.
Bulgari AuThe Vert today, went to Sephora and tried it. Nice but not for me plus it only lasts a couple of minutes.
I agree. It is very fleeting. I finished a full bottle in a couple of months. I always had to overspray. Not for me anymore either.
The Bleu lasts a bit longer, Rouge may too.
Hey guys!
1) Was in the pool until 8 PM, and then went home in relatively cool 100F. Oof. Plus, there is loads of smoky haze because parts of Western Canada is on fire.
2) Powdered down some lavender, thyme and rosemary, and sprinkled this powder in corners of the living room and in the hall upstairs. Then I sprayed lavender-vanilla scented linen water all over the curtains, the couch and bedding. Then I soaked my cotton lawn nightgown in ice water, put it on (Brrr!) and sat in front of a fan. I got cooled down enough to sleep.
3) SOTD: Showered in Rose jam shower gel and put on Infusion d’Oeillet. Very rosy- carnation.
4) It is supposed to be 106F today. Am drinking Iced coffee + a handful of morning oat crunch cereal+blueberries. Save me.
Hope you can stay cool today. Lavender and herbs are wonderfully refreshing, I love them in the heat.
The herbs + linen do give an impression of coolness and light, so that did help. Plus calming, so that helped the us sleep in the house.
Your house must smell divine
Hope it cools down for you soon!
It really does smell like an idealized Provence, honestly!
Another hot one in a small room, so keeping it quite in homemade body oil from a swapped perle de mousse sample.
Quiet! ;-p
Stay as cool as you can!
Sample of the morning is a big dab of Bogue Mem.
So far it’s a swirling melange of deliciousness – heady florals, a bit of green, a light herbaceous touch – floating over a rich swath of coconut. Such a surprise. I am reminded of Amoureuse, there is a similar density and depth.
Lavender? An NST pal said she might forward a sample for my lavender yens. Doesn’t sound like lavendery… are you getting any lavender notes?
So far not smelling lavender in Mem, though I think I am getting an impression of lavender, something like a diffusive lift under the florals. I’m just a few hours in. I will try it again this evening when the air is cooler, the lavender notes may show up then.
I love the herbal-resinous-raspy-cool smell of lavender buds and essential oil. MEM does not go in that direction for me. I am enjoying it all the same.
I tried MEM again last night when things were much cooler (me included), also dabbed much more, then I was able to smell the beautiful lavender top notes for about an hour or so.
Ooh, sounds lovely! Definitely high on my sample list.
Had to get up really early today and it was freezing. So in Saufs Voix Humaine to warm up. Im really enjoying these this week. May go for incense too tomorrow but will see whats inspires me.
That is a great one…I tried two from the brand and really loved them both.
Hope your day warms up and incense is a good idea. Do you have good access to perfume stores where you live?
Santiago doesnt do niche unfortunately, but Sao Paulo has more choice and I have another trip to Europe coming up in September ☺
It’s summer citrus chypre day for me. I am wearing Eau de Rochas and Eau de Soir.
EdR is more natural smelling, a bit sweeter and much more fleeting. EdS is more polished with a gin and tonic vibe. I sprayed both around 7 AM. Eau de Soir is still going strong. I borrowed from She-ra and Robin and sprayed on my forearms only and agree that avoiding the neck and chest areas may alleviate olfactory fatigue.
Also, I finished my bottle of Eau de Rochas today. It was only 30 mls but it is the first that I’ve emptied since falling down the rabbit hole.
Woo hoo! For a finished bottle!
I’ve finished plenty of decants but this feels like more of an achievement!
I even have a hard time finishing a 5ml decant judging from my collection. So ditto on the woo hoo!
????
Eau de Soir is incredibly tenacious and it does stand up to heat. I have several samples of this and I have been able to go all day with just a couple of spritzs.
Hurray for a finished bottle!
Sandalwood attar (feel-oud) again.
Dying to try this. But samples are not cheap.
Have you tried any of the other Feel Oud attars?
Yes, I tried the other sandalwood, which is amazing!!! I also tried Trat Selvagio – this one is more of a traditional oud but has a great floral aspect.
Weird grey day outside. Coolish and overcast. I can hear mourning doves hooting in the trees out back. Strange light for summer. Anyway! I’m in Unter den Linden which seems perfect just now.
Has the smoke from the Canadian forest fires made its way down to you? Vancouver is currently smokey, with partial sun, and highs of 30 degrees.
Probably not the Canadian forest fires… but I definitely smell smoke. We’ve had a raging 20+ acre fire in the hills above Oakland/Berkeley that brings back bad memories of the Oakland Hills fire in 1991. Latest tweets from the Oakland FD say the hot spots are out.
Risking TMI, here’s a news story for anyone familiar with the Bay Area: http://www.berkeleyside.com/2017/08/02/crews-respond-wildland-fire-east-bay-hills/
Hang in there, Oakland!
It has down here in Portland! Plus, we are now under a air quality advisory.
Public service announcement.
I just spotted the new Serge Lutens 100 ml bottles on Essenza Nobile’s webshop. It says they will be available from sept 11….
(boohoo for 100 ml
Noticed that. Plus, you can see which ones are left!
Hello everyone! I have a question for all the essential oil experts. I am sorry for my ignorance, but I have never used them. I have some dry body oils that I wear in my whole body once in a while. A friend of mine gave me a nice box with essential oils, 30 ml each: Rose, coffee, chocolate, saffron, jasmine, orange blossom, frankicense. Do you need to mix them with other type of oils or you just wear them directly? They smell divine and the idea is also to wear them like the dry oils. Help!!!
yes, definitely dilute in a carrier oil! you can use jojoba, grapeseed, sweet almond, apricot kernel, etc. For full body application I usually do a 5% dilute. Technically all oils should be diluted but I am a naughty girl and will apply e.os directly to my skin as one would a perfume extrait. the more advanced and experts on e.os will tell you this is a big no-no!
Thank you CM8! I don’t mind applying them directly from the bottle, so they last longer. Does the skin absorbe them like the dry oils or they leave any residue? I will try and report back. Something new for me to explore.
it depends on the oil and your skin type…I am really really dry so most oils absorb quickly on me…and I really slather it on! I don’t usually use dry oils but I would imagine that they are not as oily as essential oils so best bet is to rub in good and then wait a minute or two before getting dressed. Also, play around with layering as you have a nice collection…you’ve got mid and base notes…if you can get your hands on some top notes (any citrus e.o.) you could make your own perfume!
I have a combination skin. So, I will apply them lightly after the shower and wait to get dress as you recommend. I will definitely get a citrus one to experience. The layering idea is fantastic! Looking forward to it! All this info is really great and so helpfu! Thanks a lot!
Given the volumes of what you have, if they are actually natural materials, I’d guess they may already be diluted in a carrier of some sort. 30ml of many of the listed materials in their pure essential oil (steam-distilled) or absolute (solvent extracted – common for rose, jasmine, orange blossom, probably saffron too) form would be extremely expensive. Are the bottles labeled in any way? Any brand names or other information?
I agree. All the EOs I have are already diluted in jojoba oil and I apply them directly. The scent for the florals and even some of the woods, only lasts for about an hour or less so I can imagine if I diluted them more, there wouldn’t be much scent. You may want to experiment and try using them straight or diluted, even un one of your dry oils and see what happens.
Thank you Elisa P. It is a good idea. I will try them directly if they do not last that long. Let’s see how it works. Glad to experience something new!
Thank you! It is good to know. They might be diluted already? No materials in the label. The brand is Skylara Essentials. I do not even know if it is a good brand or not. They just smell amazing! I went to the website and it says their oils are 100% pure essential oils, natural and orgánic.
If you read their list of ingredients it would indicate if they are already in a carrier oil.
Thanks for the info. I’d never heard of that supplier before. I looked at their website, and I gotta say… it’s making me skeptical.
Not to be Debbie Downer or anything, but I see several things on their site that make me think their stuff is not what they say it is.
One is the prices. 30ml of jasmine should not be $10 unless *very* highly diluted. That’s just one example but rose and orange blossom were about the same.
Which brings to me the second point: the lack of information about whether products are diluted at all, which should absolutely be specified, percentage and carrier.
The third thing to look out for on essential oil sites is products that cannot be real. If you see “honeysuckle essential oil” or “lilac essential oil”, or “gardenia essential oil” that isn’t tiare absolute, these are not real, and this is not a trustworthy supplier.
If what you have smells good, though, I will say it’s probably fine to use for perfumery experimentation. I just wouldn’t try to use it for any kind of therapeutic purposes or whatever because for all we know it might just be fragrance oil. Which is fine, nothing wrong with that. It just shouldn’t be called “essential oil” or “absolute” if it’s not.
Wondeful information! As you said, the lack of information is strange and made me very confused, since I did not know what to expect. I will wear them anyway and I will eventually get my hands on a nice and trustable brand for a full experience. Thanks a lot Sweegrass!
Daim Blond and Amouage Journey for osmanthus/apricot and a hint of suede. Sounds wonderful and it is….though In my case the reality it would be spilling a bowl of stewed fruit on my trousers through not paying enough attention while reading and eating at the same time. Another dark, miserable day, with the wind battering the windows.. Was thinking of buying Lush Sleepy which made me wonder if it would just be ‘comfort buying’ ( as in comfort eating/ food craving) …luckily I am too lazy to give the problem much thought.
Those two sound like a great combo. I am laughing about you being too lazy to indulge in comfort buying.
Today I’m testing You or Someone Like You. I was going to wear JM Jasmine and Mint to compare and contrast, but completely forgot.
You smell nice. I sampled You or Someone Like You yesterday. I quite like the garden-y notes of citrus, mint, and flowers.
fYI- the JM is d/c
Good to know. I like J&M, and You or Someone…but not enough to spring for FBs.
Well, after the question about Dame yesterday, I was reminded that I have a sample of the Gardenia oil – and, also, the label is coming loose! So better try to get through it while I can remember what it is. Also, I enjoy it very much. No companion so far.
It’s Rhubarb Day here in Phoenix…er, Portland, where the temperature is supposed to hit 105F (41C). I’m wearing Aedes de Venustas on the left arm, CdG Rhubarb in my cleavage, and Hermes Rhubarb on the right arm. Sillage and projection decreases from left to right.
Holy Krakatoa Batman! Those temperatures are CRAZY!! Hope you can catch a cool breeze soon…
That is shockingly hot for the pacific northwest. Hope you get a break soon! I imagine hardly anyone up there has air conditioning as traditionally it isn’t needed.
cinq mondes eau du bresil
and
iunx eau qui pique
no notes in common, but they work so nicely together
SOTD = CdG Red Carnation and DSH Oeillets Rouges
Today, it is Karnation vs. Karnation (hopefully some of you know why I deliberately spelled the flower with a K). Red Carnation is so anemic on me that it was overpowered immediately by Oeillets Rouges. Not a fair comparison for sure but I am the boss of my perfumes
What I Learned Today:
Staticky balloons will stick to glass but not to a whteboard. Maybe a science geek can explain why this is so. We celebrated a colleagues birthday and the ballona were just piled on top of the conference room table. I decided to be creative and rubbed a balloon against my leg, the Instuck it to the whiteboard and the. balloon just crawled down the.board – nice effect. I then just switched tonsticking it to glass and then voila!
The DSH is my favorite carnation. You smell great!
Thank you! It has atomic longevity.
This sounds like a great one to sample!
They are for sure!
Glass will carry/hold an electric charge, while the whiteboard probably does not. The opposite charges between the balloons that are staticky and glass make them stick to each other.
Oh good, a science geek to the rescue!
Best of days to you, NST. I have a busy day ahead, and I thought I’d get in the zone by wearing something business-like, but unfortunately, I can’t think of a single perfume I classify as ‘business-like”. And, actually, though I have to get heaps of STUFF done, I’m really not that bothered about it, so instead of “business-like”, I’m wearing an aspect of grey: Iris Ukiyoe. I love this scent. It’s not rooty or floral or romantic. It’s not even particularly pretty, if you think about it too much, but it somehow manages to be greyly elegant (or vice versa) and it suits my mood today. It doesn’t match my clothes (black jeans, red jersey and the red boots), but I don’t care. It will adapt, or I will.
On the purr front, Dakkie has declared an armed truce, and the Tiny Terrors are thinking over the terms, in between pelting furiously up and down the length of the apartment, climbing the bookshelves, raiding Dakkie’s supply of knitted mice and other acts of kitten domesticity. That is to say, they haven’t given the truce any thought at all: they expect the world to adjust to them. It probably will.
I have missed the last couple of days but it sounds as if there have been some new arrivals! Things will smooth over eventually, I’m sure. Hope Dakkie Cat is not in a kitty snit at the big changes in his small world????
Kittens are not noted for having much of an attention span. It sounds like Dakkie-cat is slowly adjusting to having his world upended, though.
Good grief, how’d it get to be Thursday already?!
SOTD is Anna Sui.
Hmm, have I identified a hole in my collection? Do I need a scent with a watermelon note?
At least it’s closer to Friday!
To get you started-
https://www.fragrantica.com/notes/Watermelon-173.html
Maybe next summer we can do a watermelon community project
Thanks! (I actually meant to do that yesterday but never got around to it.????) That’s a great idea for a project.
Happy Almost Friday Day! I’ve been out and about the last couple of days visiting a friend in Asheville, had pulled out BoE to take with me, then completely forgot it. So. Just got home and have myself a hefty spritz. It never disappoints!
Hot Hot Hot here in Greenville. Asheville was a bit cooler, and had time to catch up with an old friend while there, which was wonderful. Twin 7 year old boys kept T-Rex very busy! She had a blast, and I think they really enjoyed her. She absolutely loves kids but hasn’t really been around them for more than a few moments until now. She displayed exemplary behavior and the boys got a kick out of putting her through all her tricks and especially loved her High 5’s.
Back to reality tomorrow, but the first order of business is a nap????
I have heard that Asheville is a happening place for art!
Art, music, and beer. Not necessarily in that order????
Hello from Friday! It continues to be cold here, so wearing one of my cold weather favourites – Chambre Noir from Olfactive Studio.
You smell great, love Chambre Noire.
One of my favourites too! You smell gorgeous
STODs: ELDO Putain des Palaces in the morning, then Ferragamo Tuscan Soul – Bianco di Carrara as an afternoon pick me up.
First time trying the Bianco di Carrara, from a sample vial that came with a Saks order. I had no expectations, but it’s surprisingly very very nice! Bright but powdery, clean and musky, cocoony. Not really special, but it hits the spot when you want to feel like you took a shower on a bright summer day -preferably using a lemony body wash- and has enveloped yourself in a fluffy towel hot out of the dryer.
What a great description!
I snuck off to the mall in between trainings today and sniffed the Lalique Noir Premier fragrances which an SA was pushing hard. I liked Elegance Animale and Rose Royale the best.
I see these appear to be at the discounters vs. paying $300 retail. I’m not sure how and why some fragrances seem to wind up at the discounters quickly, others take a while and some never do….please chime in if you’re in the know….
No clue about the perfume but you made me realize I have to take an online training course due on Saturday!
It depends on how tightly the brand controls their distribution chain.
SOTD = Jour d’Hermes EdP, from the sample stash. It’s skewing a little masculine on me today (???). Thanks to everyone who chimed in about Dame Perfumery yesterday evening… it is making the decision process a little easier. Now to find out where my postcards have gotten off to!
That is one reason I haven’t done a postcard sample, yet — I have no postcards and rarely see them for sale anymore! Well, I guess that’s more a function of where I generally shop (I love you, Costco, but you certainly don’t carry fun little things like postcards!)
Use a large index card…that can be your postcard
Brilliant!!
SOTD = Love, Chloe on one arm and Shalimar Parfum Initial on the other to compare powdery irises. The day got crazy and I didn’t get a chance to really think about it too much, but I found PI to be a bit more doughy in the beginning and fluffy vanilla in the drydown. Love, Chloe seemed more dry and talc-like – more austere. As a powder lover, I am glad I have both