Happy Compare & Contrast Friday! (Plus, it's Louis Armstrong's birthday, International Beer Day and Coast Guard Day.) Our community project for today: wear two perfumes with the same note. Thanks to thegoddessrena for the idea!
What fragrance did you pick? As always, do chime in with your scent of the day even if you’re not participating in the community project.
I'm going with fig today. I've got good old Diptyque Philosykos (so calming!) on my left arm and Vilhelm Purple Fig (so exuberant!) on my right.
Reminder: on 8/11, wear a fragrance with vetiver, if you have one.
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 a r t d e l a f i g u e by Mon Œil at flickr; some rights reserved.
Can’t sleep so browsing NST. With all the talk of heatwaves etc. i’m going to do a week of weather themed perfume: all the soleils, pluies and vents.
Will start with Miller harris La Pluie.
Forgot to say I compared Poison Girl with Mon Guerlain for vanilla and volume…ears and nose both ringing
Great idea – element themed week!
Very fun idea!
Lovely idea, have you tried Angéliques sous la Pluie?
No, unfortunately.
I strongly recommend it, it’s really wonderful in a quiet way. A good companion for the outdoors.
I love your community project idea!!!!!
Excellent idea, actually!
What fun!
Cool idea! I hope you catch up on the lost sleep.
Jasmine: vintage (1999) Guerlain Samsara edt on the backs of my hands, Lush Lust on the inside wrists. Samsara (even in edt) is predictably much smoother and plusher than the bright, brassy Lust. I still like ’em both.
That’s exactly how I feel about my 2 figs
Love Samsara vintage, best jasmine and sandalwood. Ever. Soooo feminine.
Happy Friday everyone! Wearing Dyptique Philosykos and L’Artisan Premier Figuier Extreme for the fig. Philosykos is the winner for sure!
Last year I wore Philosykos a lot, even bought a bottle of the edt. This summer I am neglecting it. And I feel kinda bad about it, because its a great fragrance!
When I tried Philosykos I was sold immediately, did not even bother to check out other fig scents. Haha, Yeah kinds silly.
S…how is the Figuier Extreme compared to Philosykos?
For me the Premier Figuier Extreme has a sharper green note, milkier. It disappears in less than 2 hours. I does not move my heart much. Philosykos is the whole tree: leaves, fruit and it is woodier. It lasts much longer. I also like Thierry Mugler Womanity a gourmand fig-caviar scent that many people do not like, but I enjoy greatly. Hermes Un Jardin en Mediterranee and CSP Coco Figue are also good. I still need to try Carthusia which has great reviews. I hope you get back to Philosykos. It is my favorite so far of all the figs I have tried.
I think I did a good thing sticking with Philosykos
I also have a small bottle of un jardin en mediterranee!
Womanity did not work for me.
Ichnusa (profumum roma) is also a lovely fig imo.
Two nice perfumes. Good choice
Thank you!
YES — I just never fell in love with either of the L’Artisan figs, although I do know some people prefer them to the Diptyque.
Philosykos is really nice. The Premier Figuier Extreme is just ok. No sillage and the longevity is really poor.
I’m doing fruit as well. Melons to be precise. Le parfum de Thérèse and Emotionnelle. Melon Hell to some, ultimate Melon Paradise to me. They do rather well together actually, the DelRae is kind of smothering Thérèse. I might add some Mousson later on, just to round things off
Saw my first daffodil of “spring” and thought of you yesterday
I envy you, daffies are the best!
ACK. I do love Therese, though, and have not worn it in ages.
I knew you would not be best pleased with me, just think of Thérèse and all will be well
Glad I’m not the only one who likes melon!
Twins with the Le Parfum de Therese, from a decant.
I hesitate to say it, but I really liked Apres la Mousson….
I think it’s the most distinctive of the Jardins, but for a lot of people the melon destroys it.
I did not like it first time i tried it
But when i tested it in warm weather it suddenly started to make sense!
I am not a fruit/melon fan but in Apres la mousson it does not seem to bother me anymore.
It’s also my favorite of the series, and while some melon notes can make me queasy, I find it refreshing-I think it’s more watermelon which I prefer over other melon smells.
Do not like fruit notes but love Mousson and often wore it in winter. Go figure
It’s very abstract fruit, not like Emotionnelle at all.
That might be it! Its the really realistic ones I have to scrub.
Melon it up!
It’s another very hot day here. (Why there’s no Air Conditioning Day? Whoever invented AC totally deserves to be remembered and honored! Especially in August. Oh, I looked it up: the inventor’s name is Willis Carrier)
I chose mint! Triple mint: Eau de Guerlain, Carthusia Mediterraneo and Guerlain Aqua Allegoria Herba Fresca. Plus, all three also have lemon, Mediterraneo and Herba Fresca share the tea note, and Mediterraneo and Eau de Guerlain have bergamot. However, in hot weather Eau de Guerlain mostly smells of green patchouli, oakmoss and spices to me. Herba Fresca has the strongest mint note, but it’s also the most fleeting. Mediterraneo is fresh and gorgeous as usual, and it has an excellent longevity.
If you get the chance, try CdG Sherbert: Peppermint too.
One of my summer favourites!!!
Thanks for recommendation! Based on reviews on Fragrantica, it’s indeed very minty!
I keep that one in my gym bag. It’s just the thing for after a workout, hot shower and whirlpool. So refreshing!
Air Conditioning Day is celebrated annually on July 17th. Willis Carrier really deserves it!
Excellent. Yes, he does!
What a coincidence – just moments ago I was checking our furnace/AC for what size air filter I need to purchase… it’s a Carrier! Surely the same family. And yes, he deserves his own day. Heck, I celebrate him all summer!
Vetiver for the Compare and Contrast Friday. Both from sample vials.
Vitrum, by Sammarco, on my left arm and in my neck.
Smokeeeh! This is 4th wear, still love it. Sample is almost empty
Liquorice Vetiver, by Sven Pritzkoleit, on my right arm.
First wear. Very interesting! Really grabbed my attention. Not love at first sniff, but wow…if you are looking for ‘something else’ when it comes to vetiver, this is it. And I am really warming up to it…
Also
Turns out to be a nice combo, these two!
I am intrigued by the idea of combining liquorice and vetiver. Is liquorice strong in Liquorice Vetiver?
First minute it was like I opened a bag of liquorice. Very soon it calms down, and it is balanced out by vetiver and a bunch of woody/green notes.
But now after 7 hours in i can still detect some of the liquorice. It is such an interesting combo!
Thanks for reviewing. Sounds like something I’d enjoy!
I really recommend trying it if you like somewhat dry vetivers. Today I had to work and focus on other stuff most of the time. so I probably missed some details in its development. I hope to give it more attention next time.
Oh! That combination of notes sounds wonderful. Does it lean very masculine?
No. But I always have a hard time labeling for gender!
Maybe if I categorise it like this: Liquorice Vetiver is somewhere in a league with Fat Electrician, or Vetiver tonka. I hope that makes sense
Liquorice Vetiver sounds right up my alley. I’d never heard of Sven Pritzkoleit either. I’ll have to check it out.
I read about this brand and this scent for the first time in this great list from Claire Vukcevic (i had to laugh out loud when i read that title…).
http://www.basenotes.net/features/3482-summer-fragrances-for-people-who-hate-summer-and-also-summer-fragrances
Thanks for sharing this.. I like the title too.
Did the same but with Sycomore (edt) and Guerlain Vetiver, mostly to try and figure out why I like one and not the other. There’s an herby soapiness to the Guerlain that does nothing for me, whereas the Chanel is just deliciously straightforward smokiness. I would really like to try Liquorice Vetiver though.
I prefer Sycomore to the Guerlain as well!
Sammarco’s Vitrum takes the concept of ‘vetiver and smoke’ to the max though. But it is less dry than sycomore. More sappy.
I really should try Vitrum and Sycomore together one day!
Liqurice Vetiver was sweeter and lighter next to Vitrum.
But i think it would be mysterious next to Guerlain.
Ha, i think I can do a whole week of vetiver comparisons
The Liquorice Vetiver sounds wonderfully unique. Thanks for the mention! Since I’m still on a vetiver kick, I think I will join you in your week of comparisons. I blind bought the one from Zegna, my newest love, after reading many great reviews on BN. It is almost perfect.
Yes please! A week of vetiver frag comparisons would be great!
Good morning, folks! Friday is here and my body is ready.
Not content to wear just two perfumes with the same note, I am wearing a veritable fragrance force field of *five* nerolis and one orange blossom:
Sarabecca Neroli oil
4711
Atelier Cologne Grand Neroli
Atelier Cologne Bois Blonds
Mugler Cologne
Love & Toast Mandarin Tea
Watch out, world!
Wow! You smell great!
Citrus queen for the day!
LOVE THIS
Holy Neroli, holyneroli!! You smell fantastic!!
Oh wow
I think i can smell it from here
Wow! Amazing!
I would love to catch that sillage!
Holy-freaking-moly there, holyneroli! Way to go for it! I bet you smell phenomenal.
TGIF!
SsOTD: Uncle Serge’s Rahat Loukoum on left and Keiko Mecheri’s Loukhoum Parfum du Soir on right.
I smell positively edible and boy, do I crave some dessert now!
Drinking: Taiwanese Magnolia Oolong. Tea leaves were first mixed with magnolia blossoms to obtain the delicate fragrance and the flowers were later removed.
Yum — where did you get the oolong?
I was very lucky received it from a generous Taiwanese friend. I found this place where you can get it and they stated that their Magnolia Oolong is made through the method I mentioned above: https://teaave.com/products/magnolia-oolong?variant=1152572987
Enjoy!
Thank you!
How are you liking the Keiko Mecheri? I got to try it just once in Germany last summer and am kicking myself for not getting it. Recalling it as gorgeous, sweet, powdery with just enough rose not to be cloying. Luckyscent has it on back order. Thinking of ordering a decant just to make sure my memory is correct?
Wow, bet that Oolong smells and tastes amazing
Two Tobacco scents, both by Santa Maria Novella for my compare and contrast today.
Acqua di Cuba – a beautiful, spicy, tobacco and honey scent that has shot to the top of my must buy list.
Tabacco Toscano – much sweeter, but with an interesting malt note. I may need a larger decant of this one too.
Adding both to my to-try list.
Comparing sweet leathers with Bulgari Black on one wrist and Evening in Paris on the other. Similar but Black is much more rubbery and EiP is more tonka.
It sounds really good!
I’m sampling 2 jasmines, neither of which I’ve tried before. On my left wrist I have Soivohle Jasmine Summer which has a lovely effervescent top over a gentle jasmine while on my right wrist I have Grandiflora Madagascan Jasmine which is a skanky, indolic JASMINE that has a teensy bit of green in there
Jasmine Summer is so so pretty….I really like what I have sampled from Soivohle and I enjoy wearing the three travel sizes I have at night.
I have been wearing jasmine at night, too – right before I go to sleep. I am starting to believe that it effects me more deeply than I anticipated, because I’ve noticed over the past week that the two times I’ve worn jasmine to bed I’ve had great sleep sessions. Gonna drag out some more jasmine scents (I’ve been using Yin Hao) and keep experimenting!
Pacifica used to have a fragrance called Tunisian Jasmine (not the same as their current Lime Tunisian Jasmine) which was jasmine with almond notes…I used to spray that one on my pillow and I swear it helped me to sleep better…sadly it had been d/c and was replaced with California Star Jasmine (which was also really good as a day time fragrance but it also got d/c!!!!!)
Yeah, what’s up with that? Pacifica had d/c a number of things I liked. I guess I need to buy a bottle of Malibu Lemon Blossom while it’s still around. I think they’re concentrating on makeup more now.
So many of my very favorite Pacificas (Egyptian Bergamot Rose, Avalon Juniper, Bali Lime Papaya, etc etc) have been discontinued…they are replacing them with fruitier and sweeter fragrances….and yup, the make up line and skin care line has grown much larger…definitely stock up on Malibu Lemon Blossom!
Morning & happy Friday!
Had a weird week where I kept thinking the next day was the next day — Wed. I was operating as if Thurs. was really Friday. Did this two days in a row with not good consequences. Must be summer brain.
I’m wearing Vetiver Tonka with dabs of Fève Délicieuse on my wrists – tonka Friday!
I don’t think it gets better than the way you smell! Perfect!
It’s lovely! Thanks!
You smell great! Love those 2.
You smell like a Tonka dream
Those are two beauties. And summer brain must be what I’m suffering from, as well.
I went with iris today. Infusion d’Iris on one arm and Hermes Hiris on the other.
Iris here, too. Also Infusion d’Iris on one arm. The other is FM Iris Poudré. I am struck most (just 30 minutes after application) by how SIMILAR they smell. Still, Infusion feels a bit fizzier and more sheer; IP is smoother and richer and the powder smells like something wonderful, vs. Infusion, where I get powder as, well, powder. (But not an unpleasant powder — and in general, powder turns stale on me very quickly. This one doesn’t.) I hope that makes sense; my nose and my vocabulary are still in the novice phase.
just came back from a nice walk around the reservoir in central park.
Compare and contrast Beige and Songes
Breakfast is 2 hard boiled eggs and Ful Medames and Egyptian breakfast dish. I made the bean dish last night, it tastes better this morning. According to an Arab saying: “Beans have satisfied even the Pharaohs.”
Happy Friday!
Today I have my day “off” and I am going to Maison Kayser for lunch and Cha An teahouse for dessert and tea.
Enjoy your day off!
It makes me very happy just ordering their bread basket with a cup of coffee and a good book. Enjoy!
Oh, you smell gorgeous!
I’m wearing Dior Escale a Portofino sandwiched between Carthusia Mediterraneo soap and Mediterraneo sprayed. I never think of Mediterraneo as sharp (and the soap is definitely NOT), but when sprayed and compared against the Dior it is, a bit. In any case, a very refreshing duo.
Sounds perfect for hot weather!
Happy Friday!
SOTD- Bergamot, Jasmine and Labdanum
I really like that one. You smell great!
Ok, I think I may have to try this one! It really sounds amazing.
Hi everyone, today I am participating by trying out two different sandalwood scents. On my left wrist is Aesop Marrakech Intense which I bought while I was in Australia. (Really enjoyed the Aesop store experience!) On my right is SL Santal Blanc. The Aesop is much more dry and spicy (It includes clove and cardamom), the SL is more creamy and sweet. They are both really nice. Still I would have to say neither quite lives up to my favorite version of this note which is Santal de Mysore.
Aesop shops are great and so are their products. Hope your trip went really well.
It was fantastic–thanks!
If you are ever in NYC —
https://www.aesop.com/usa/article/aesop-greenwich-avenue.html
That shop looks so beautiful! It turns out we have one in Houston. I hadn’t known about it but they looked it up for me while I was down under, and it is near where I live, so I must go visit them soon!
After a ton of rain, we are stuck in the 60’s today. I decided to compare leather notes. On one wrist is Cuir Impertinent, on the other is Cuir Amethyste. These are so different. The CI, I get mostly tobacco, and CA, mostly smoky violet. From prior experience I know that Amethyste will last me all day, and ends up with a slight Cabochard feel. I think that Impertinent is the more masculine of the two. I don’t get much similarity really. I do love them both.
Violetty Cabochard? Sign me up!
It took me a long time of wearing Cuir Amethyste in very small doses and in cool weather to appreciate it. It really is quite wonderful.
Adore Cuir Amethyst! Bought it for my hubby. ????
Is there a typo? o vs. u?
Uhmmm, buying perfume is my hobby. But I actually bought CA for my husband. ???? His perfume purchases annoy me, i. e. Oud Wood, TF Patchouli ????, Virgin Whatever Water…
Oh, I wish the guy I’ve been dating smelled like Virgin Island Water. He almost never smokes around me, but often smells faintly of cigarettes. Payback, I guess, for how I reeked in my youth.
I’ve got Smoked Ambergris on my right wrist and Eau des Merveilles on my left. One thing this combo makes whompingly obvious is how very citrusy EdM is! And my stated goal of triangulating to learn to identify ambergris is, I think, definitely working. EdM is not for me, not matter how much I want it to be, but I’m definitely appreciating its delicate composition next to the Smoked Ambergris (which I actually prefer wearing).
Smoked Ambergris is quite raw, but still interesting, isn’t it
Participating today with Heeley Sel Marin on one arm and Imaginary Authors Mosaic on the other. All of the IA scents have an odd musky note in the base that my skin seems to amplify, so it’s pretty easy to tell them apart, even though both are otherwise similar, with salt and citrus notes. They’re taking turns being the most fruity at the moment.
Do you like the musky note?
I’m going all tuberose this morning with Moon Bloom on one side and Carnal Flower on the other. Love them both and finding them very similar today. I think that is mostly because the air is filled with smoke today and I’m smelling that more than anything else.
The atmosphere is quite close, isn’t it? I might need to decamp to a delightfully air-conditioned mall today, even though I really don’t need to do any shopping.
Caron Pour Un Homme on one wrist and Chanel Boy on the other.
It was downright chilly when I left for work this morning! 53 degrees! In august!
I love the Caron!
It’s gorgeous!
I’m on the fig bandwagon today. One one side, I have Philosykos, and on the other Pacifica Mediterranean Fig. The Philosykos is a little greener and earthier and the Pacifica a little sweeter and a little fluffier, but it’s really not a huge difference.
And the Pacifica is a fraction of the cost
Yes, Pacifica is terrific value in cost-per-sniff.
This is true. But I got my bottle of Philosykos in a swap, so it was a pretty good deal too.
In Atelier Cologne Clementine California today. Not comparing it with anything.
cause its good on its own
Couldn’t agree more
Needs nothing else. Excellent.
Yes
Double incense with Falling Trees and Kyoto.
Tomorrow, Brazilian soul music diva Elza Soares will be playing in NYC at the Brazilian Summerfest. Elza is a giant and I heartly recommend her concert.
I wish I was back home, just for this!
You wouldn’t be disappointed, the woman is a legend.
Fig is one of my favorites notes, so I had planned to do fig today. Then I just couldn’t choose two – a case of too many choices. So I changed course, and I’m now sitting here with Berdoues Assam of India on one arm (very much like my morning cup of Earl/Lady Grey tea) and Jacomo #8 on the other (spicy, chai tea). I’m going to be sniffing my arms all day!
Yowza! if I were near you I would be sniffing your arms all day too
Oh, you must smell wonderful!!
Yummm
Happy Friday!
1) Woke up to a Red Dawn- literally of course. The sun was a searing red disk in the sky, alien to the yellow bright sun we had earlier this summer. The air quality is horrid and I had to take allergy meds for teh first time in a VERY long time.
So movie in an a/c theatre- I think The Dark Tower, because Idris Elba.
2) SOTD: Jasmine notes. Molinard’s Jasmin on one arm, and Lush’s Lust on the other. Molinard’s is light, rosy fresh and with a light musk finish. Lush’s is richer and oilier, much more indolic and heady. They agree with each other, but then again I applied very lightly.
3) No outdoor public pool tonight due to air quality!
that sun rise sounds exquisite but I am sorry to hear about your horrid air quality
Enjoy your movie and stay cool!
I have learned to attached a negative view to a Red Dawn, because it is a marker of severe air pollution and being surround by wildfires. The beauty is marred.
I think we should be having winds to sweep it away next week! *crosses fingers*
Thanks for reminding me to take an allergy tablet!
Hey girl! Yes, for the next few days it’s really gonna suck, so please do. And don’t even bike outside for more than 10 minutes- air quality is that bad.
Also- we need to hang!
Ede, I’d love to! Drop me a line sometime at anniea at shaw dot ca…
Mmmm Idris Elba…
“Seems to me it ain’t the world that’s so bad but what we’re doing to it, and all I’m saying is: see what a wonderful world it would be if only we’d give it a chance. Love, baby, love. That’s the secret …”
Thank for you for this song reminder!
Participating with tea. Demeter Baihao Yinzhen Tea on left arm. Jasmin Perle du The on other arm and back of neck. I admit it was mostly because I wanted to wear the Jasmine tea scent, which I enjoy during the summer. Jasmine can be too heady for me sometimes, and the tea cuts that headiness nicely.
What is the Demeter like? I’m so curious about their tea scents
This particular one is citrusy. Like a very hot tea with a lot of lemon / orange.
Comparing two ambers: Profumum Roma Ambra Aurea and Agonist Black Amber. Black Amber has more incense, but they both smell absolutely gorgeous.
I sampled Profumum Roma Ambra Aurea and it is so lovely, but very close to the body. Luscious.
Ambre Aurea is such a lovely amber, one of my favourites. It is quite potent to me so I wish they offered it in < 100 Mls!
Today it seems I went for maximum Contrast: ELO Eau de Protection and Guerlain Rose Nacree du Dessert. I don’t smell any rose at at in EdP, just citrus galore, and RNdD smells like expensive bath oil, very soliflore. Hmm, maybe I need to try Edp against a citrus scent.
EdP is a dead ringer for Agent Provocateur. If you smell them side by side, you’ll smell the rose.
I decided to face off my “biggest” jasmines–Montale Jasmin Full and Lush Lust. They smelled identical the first half hour, but now Lust has calmed a bit and there is a little more ylang coming through, along with an underlay of burnt plastic. The Montale overall smells better to me. Strangely, the Montale (if purchased at a discounter) is about 1/3 cheaper per ml than the Lush.
That is a powerful lot of jasmine! I salute your bravery, foxbins.
Oh! Scent cousins (of a sort)!
I find lush to be much more indolic and heavier- I think that must be the influence of the ylang-ylang. I have wondered about Montale’s Jasmin Full and will keep an eye out for it.
Goodness, sounds like a battle of the heavy-weights.
Well, that combination beats my two jasmine choices today in the power category! Kudos on rocking them. (Lust is a blaring foghorn of indole on me!)
“Blaring foghorn of indole” is right! Foxbins is indeed very brave.
After I shower, my SOTD will be Highland Lilac of Rochester. If I can find my Pacifica French Lilac, then I’ll put it on the other arm. Then, I’m off to see Wonder Woman. We were in Costa Rica recently, and we saw ads on the backs of buses for the movie that called it Mujer Maravilla. Hooray for alliteration! Nerdmaste (Google it for a laugh).
Oooh, update please! I just got some French Lilac, and I’ve been eyeing the Highland Lilac as well . . .
Highland Lilac is full-bodied, rich, and spicy and smells closer to real lilacs than the Pacifica. The Pacifica is soapier and not as spicy. I they are both great deals at their respective prices, IMO. You can buy samples via Highland’s web site.
I honor the divine awkward in us all.
Hope you enjoyed Costa Rica! It’s on my list. We have a friend that lives in Nosara so another motivator.
We saw Twister in Peru back in the mid 90s and it was called Tornado and was dubbed in Spanish. It was pretty entertaining to watch it that way.
Costa Rica was awesome! I hope that you get to visit your friend there soon.
It was a birding tour, but it covered all manner of flora and fauna — two species of sloths, poison dart frogs, eyelash vipers, Baird’s tapir, rhinoceros beetles, elephant beetles, cool mushrooms, and so many hummingbirds. The Fiery-throated Hummingbird has a purple cap and a RAINBOW-spangled throat! Be still my beating heart. The Resplendent Quetzals were resplendent (one must say “resplendent” in the same voice as Shelley Duvall’s character said “transplendent” in Annie Hall
)
Our tour guide fed us several different award-winning chocolates whenever we were in our shuttle bus. Nice.
That sounds like a feast for the eyes and palate! Yes, truly transplendent (“Yes, there’s God walking out of the men’s room”. Love Annie Hall)!
You smell lovely.
Lords of Kobol, kindcrow, thank you for introducing me to “nerdmaste”!
You’re welcome!
I thought the Highland Lilac might be on my list, but no–adding it now.
And I looked up the eyelash viper and the fiery-throated hummingbird. I really enjoy traveling vicariously through all of you!
Another leather duo: Bottega Veneta and Boxeuses. They work nicely together. Boxeuses doesn’t last too long on me, but spraying it over the BV body cream really helps it stick. I would wear this again.
The plum and licorice in Boxeuses give BV an interesting twist!
I went for leather today too. I began my day with the floral Cuir de Lancome on one arm and the natural hay-like leather of Cuir Pleine Fleur on my right. I can barely smell CdL but the Heeley is completely gone. My third SOTD is Love in Mist which I will be applying momentarily. This is a natural perfume so I am sure that I will be applying a forth scent tonight.
Please report back on Love in Mist…that is one of her newer ones, right?
I don”t get tbe lilac opening in LIAM. For me, it is more of a peppery carnation note in the opening. The peppery note softens but is present into tbe heart. The heart is a soft meadow-like floral and the dry down smells like softly sweet dried grass which I guess is the clover. It’s a very pretty natural smelling floral.
thank you!
???? I think that Charna introduced LIAM last year. She has at least one other scent that is newer but I haven’t kept up.
I will have to take a peek at the website
Oh and I have both of those leathers at my fingertips!!! I should join you
The more the merrier!
i did join…which means technically I am now participating in the community project
Yay!
I really like the Heeley…and it has managed to survive on my scent eating skin!
I think I’m the only persin who smells no flowers in CdL. Still love it and half of you smells great (never tried the other). And LIAM sounds lovely. I like meadowy/dried grass/hay.
It’s a really pretty natural floral. It’s not rounded at all.
I don’t smell flowers either ..but I am known to have a wonky nose
Me too. Steeling shamelessly from Deva when I say that my nose is a blunt instrument. (I have allergies)
I think the Lancome is more floral in cooler weather. It was much less floral today than when I wear it in spring.
Coolife LeSixieme on one arm, Iris Nazarena on the other as well as Iris Cendre. The latter two smell really similar to me, smoky and rooty. Le Sixieme seems fresher and more powdery which I prefer but we’ll see how this goes ????
I just recently sampled Iris Nazarena and Iris Cendre. Both are lovely but I prefered Iris Nazarena over IC. Guess I like my iris more rooty than smoky. ????
I think I prefer Iris Nazarena as well. But the winner is Coolife. Havent checked the prices but with my luck it will be the most expensive one ????
That brand hasn’t even crossed my radar. It’s impossible to keep up. Hope it’s the cheaper option.
SsotD = Apres l’Ondee + Hiris
Soft cologne-ish floral versus woody aromatic floral make nicely contrasting irises. I adore them both.
I sampled MEM again last night. There is a lovely lavender top note that I missed when I tried it earlier in the day. Wearing lots more MEM seems to make the difference. I can smell it on my wrist this morning.
Happy Friday, NST
I think MEM is great!
That makes me smile.
MEM really is a great, grand perfume, a work of art, and absolutely enjoyable to wear.
Yess! One of the best things I smelled lately.
Dont know yet if I need a bottle of it. But enjoying the heck out of my sample.
I think there is ambergris in it. My skin seems to amp it up. Not complaining btw.
(I am also a big fan of MAAI, something completely different though)
Nice Figs!
SOTD = Chanel No. 5 Hybrid
Walk into the mist of L’Eau
Back into the mist of Eau Premiere
Hair Mist
And the winner is Eau Premier – L’Eau smells very similar but Eau Premiere is fuller and has more depth. The hair mist ended up smelling like “unscented” Aquanet. I need to wear the hair mist on its own to give it a fair chance. I was originally going to wear vanilla-centric perfumes and I am glad I didn’t because No.5 is more appropriate for the damp ozone-heavy day we’re having.
Love Eau Premiere! You smell good.
Thank you! I lucky to snag an original formulation 40 mL in one of last year’s swapmeet
Nice! So happy for you. She-ra gave me a decant of her EP from her older bottle. It was really gorgeous but I’m not sure how old it was. Heck, even the newest formulation is lovely.
I think regular scented Aquanet could overpower any perfume! Interested in how the hair mist performs on its own.
I will. The bottle is pink frosted!
You smell soooo good!
Thank you and I am in extreme dry down
Eeek, did not finish my thought — lovely extreme drydown when vanilla and sandalwood play really nicely together!
**whispers** i like the smell of hairspray, it happily reminds me of my mum and grandmother.
Hope you will let us know how the No. 5 hair mist performs solo.
I will report back on the hair mist solo!
You smell(ed) wonderful!
I’ve yet to be hooked by this hair mist thing–I just spray my hair with regular ‘ol perfume. I mean, it’s not like it has that much more alcohol than your average hair product, and I’ve never had a problem with it. …That said, I can see how the Chanel (or similar luxury brand) packaging would be appealing!…
Orris for me! OJ Orris Noir on one arm and JM Orris and Sandalwood on the other. As much as I love OJ, Orris Noir is not my fav of the line and I think I much prefer the Jo Malone today.
Was it shreaky on you? I’ve tried the OJ Vanilla Iris, 2 of my favorite notes, and did not like it. Luckily, I got in on a split with an NSTer. If I find it by swapmeet time, it will go into the pool.
Yes it is. It’s just “too much” and that is coming from someone who loves Shalimar and such lol. The Jo Malone is nice though and lasted linnet than most Jo Malone.
That OJ Vanilla d’Iris is a tricky one. Agrew with others— it is entirely too much. But then… I totally love the smell of it on a shirt the next morning. I don’t like it, but I keep wearing it at night. I have a strange desire to figure it out!
LOL, have tou tried the Elimination test to figure it out?
I ❤️❤️❤️ Orris and Sandalwood! It’s longevity is fantastic for a JM. The OJ didn’t do much for me either.
Yes! It lasted much longer than some of the other JMs have on me. I can still catch light whiffs of it this evening.
Had big tuberose plans this morning: Carnal Flower and LAP Nuit de Tubereuse but I had so many work calls while getting ready that I forgot the perfume.
My Friday work site is near a Le Labo so I popped in their to ogle the city exclusive sample set. I have on some Mousse de Chene, and grabbed a small spritz of Ylang 49 so 2 chypres. The MdC is way more abstract and I couldn’t tell you what the notes are. And I wouldn’t have thought “chypre”. Maybe something mossy in the drydown? Maybe some spice? Iso E or some woody amber is noticeable but not irritating me as it might. I like it but don’t love it.
Ylang49 is golden and glorious as I always find it
I had given up in Le Labo but your decription of Ylang 49 sounds really tempting. Have a nice weekend!
Description…ugh can’t type on this phone.. ????
I was always mostly underwhelmed by the line, especially with those prices. But I love, love and own the liquid balm of Iris 39 and Ylang 49. Have you tried the Iris? I suspect you’d like it.
I suspect you’re right. ????
LOL about forgetting about the big plans.
Isn’t it kind of early for the City Exclusives to be out and about. When I first went into the rabbit hole, the timing was mid-Sept to mid-Oct.
They have the sample set and individual samples for sale(it’s the Elizabeth St store I was at) and testers behind the counter. The full product range is September. I asked if I could try the MdC on skin but she said it was against their rules but then conceded since no one else was in the store. Whatevs.
Testing on skin against rules?
Or just this specific fragrance?
Either way…stupid rules!
They’re really ridiculous about keeping their exclusives ultra exclusive. Maybe that’s a marketing draw for some people. It’s a turnoff for me. She was actually quite nice. Explained they were actually sent the (unlabeled) testers by mistake so they were behind the counter but will be out when they have the whole range next month.
Yet to read everyone’s comments, but I’m wearing two incense perfumes to see how they compare – Bois d’Encens and Cardinal. I’ve been meaning to do this for ages and I’m relieved that they are quite similar. I agonised for ages over which incense perfume to get, before deciding on Bois d’Encens and am relieved I’m not thinking I now need another
I LOVE Cardinal……
Ooh this is really good to know since Ive been meaning to try Cardinal. But I already own Avignon, like Bois d’Encens and am in love with Sauf…..
Grapefruit for me in this hot weather today! Rummaging through my summer collection, I came upon Hermes Concentré de Pamplemousse Rose and JM Assam and Grapefruit (LE).
Verdict: a French victory. The Hermes surprised me by a musky rose coming up right away with the grapefruit. I had thought that the “rose” in the name referred only to the pink of the grapefruit, but no, there is definitely rose in there. Not enough to weigh down the lightness of the fragrance, and I love the effect.
The JM is typical of the line, rather delicate and fleeting. The grapefruit only lasts about 5 minutes before it is overpowered by a sweet rose. The tea hangs in there, but not for long. Really pretty for about 15 minutes, though!
Love that Hermes but even the Concentree only lasts like an hour on me.
Is that a new gravatar? Very pretty and the green keeps grabbing my attention!
Yes, even the concentré doesn’t last very long, but it’s so great while it’s there!
Yes, it’s a new gravatar. The narcissus was feeling too somber. So trillium it is! One of my very favorite flowers, possibly because they do not grow well in captivity. ????
Love the new avatar!!!
Ahem, if it is not too much trouble, would you mind bringing back your edible three-eyed owl back for a spell? A bunch of people have not seen it
Wasn’t it actually a fancy plate of cookies? It really did resemble an owl.
I am a bit ashamed to admit I had lurked so long I remember the 3 eyed cookie owl!! I second the motion to bring it back! My son’s special lovey is a stuffed owl and owls have become a bit of a thing in our house
The owl is back. I SEE you!
Thanks!
Hi Ann!!!
Hi Laura, hope you’ve been well! All of a sudden, I was hit with the realization that I promised to send something and forgot. Oops! I’ll make another note to self. ????
Not to me???? Maybe to someone else?
Hey AnnE! I’m sure glad I met you last year. Were I to be out in the PNW, I would have melted in the heat. I hope you are keeping cool.
Thanks, dear. I am blessing my DH, who insisted on installing AC last year. Ha, he won that one!
He’s a keeper
Comparing two vanilla/tonka confections–Bois 1920 Notturno Fiorentino and Reminiscence Vanille. The Notturno started out with a lot more of a peppery character whereas the Vanille was more cherry/almond. They started to converge a bit more in the drydown, but still have their differences. The Notturno has better longevity today. I drained a sample of Cuir Beluga some time ago and wish I had a few drops to compare…the Vanille seemed VERY similar, to my recollection. I have noticed them compared on Fragrantica, and I think the comparison is accurate!
Oooh did I see mention of Cuir Beluga??? Just lovely but for me, a cooler weather perfume. If you are in the U.S. I can send you some when the weather is cooler. Click on my name to get my contact info.
Thank you, hajusuuri! That is so incredibly kind of you! I actually have a whole bottle of the Vanille so perhaps I shouldn’t compare the two and end up disappointed. But you know, research and all! I’ll be in touch
For science!
International Beer Day??? Oooooh, I’m in! I have something in the fridge chilling as I type.
Note of the day: vetiver. SOTDs: ELdO’s Fat Electrician and Chanel’s Sycomore EdT. The ELdO is a bit sweeter and greener to me, while the Chanel is drier, with a hint of smoke. Both are fantastic for a hot, humid day in my neck of the woods.
Vetiver is PURRfect for today!
My cats agree with you. I had originally considered comparing roses, but the weather report this morning had me rapidly reconsider that idea.
Perhaps the coincidence of International Beer Day and Coast Guard Day is not the best idea ever. I’m just sayin’.
I chose jasmine for my compare and contrast pairing. I’ve got Dior Addict on one arm and the brand-spanking-new Pacifica Dream State Aromapower Micro-Batch Perfume Oil (lemon and jasmine) on the other. Not surprisingly, they couldn’t be more different. The Dior is big, sweet, and indolic; The Pacifica is quiet, crisp, and non-indolic. The Pacifica doesn’t seem to be long lasting, but that makes sense since it’s more aromatherapy than straight-up perfume. I think it would also be good as a base under something like N°5. I caved and bought it.
I’m also testing the new Pacifica perfume: Himalayan Patchouli Berry (grapefruit, “sugar notes”, “white patchouli”, and geranium)–definitely not a dirty patchouli. I’m not a big patchouli fan, but I’m digging it. So it might be of interest to patch phobes as well as lovers.
Hang in there and take care of yourself if you’re in a crazy heatwave! Have a wonderful weekend, all y’all.
I tried the Himalayan Patchouli in Ulta last week…it was really pleasant and wearable… (had younger family member who is a patch-a-holic smell my wrist and she liked it) . I am a huge patch fan and will wear it straight up in e.o. format so I will wholeheartedly agree that the Pacifica would work well for patch phobes and patch lovers alike.
It’d make a good summer patch too, imho.
Im waiting for this to arrive in Chile. Might take awhile but it will be worth it ????
Are the other Pacifica scents already there? How’s the price?
I bought several of those Pacifica Aromapower perfume oils today
I was only going to get the one with cardamom, but …
They’re pretty much impossible to resist if you like the scents!
Color me surprised about jasmine in Addict? I think this establishes that I am anosmic to certain types like whatever type is in Parfum Sacre.
It’s the mid/heart note in the 2014 reform (EDP), but it looks like the earlier formulas did not have it, so maybe that’s the explanation? In the 2014, the vanilla is definitely most prominent, but the jasmine is there with orange blossom underneath…
I liked that Pacifica Himalayan Patchouli Berry a lot, too. Strongly considering the $12 for a roller ball.
Get it! It’s too good a value to pass up.
Lavender: Jicky and Gris Clair. Jicky is richer and longer-lasting.
You smell fabulous! Gris Clair has a funny fishy thing for a while at the beginning on me, so Jicky definitely wins in my book.
I’m comparing tea fragrances today: Caudalie The’ des Vignes (jasmine tea, OB, grape-ness and ginger) and Hermes Osmanthe Yunnan.
Both are lovely, quiet and easy to wear. They don’t last long, but I’m fine with that. The Caudalie is especially nice – I’ve been using it off and on as a sleep scent.
This has been a fun week!
Oh, the Caudalie sounds pretty! I had a sample of something else of theirs ages ago, and liked it very much. Of course, I can’t remember the name now.
Well yesterday was summer but today is fall. The temps hovered in the 50’s all day. (That’s 30+ degrees lower than yesterday. ????) This gave me the opportunity to compare Angel Cuir with Angel Muse! I was waiting to compare them in the cooler temps. The Cuir flanker is Angel with all the (annoying) sweetness toned down. The leather is assertive and so is the patchouli. Angel Muse is a sweeter, softer Angel flanker. I can smell the family resemblance, but it’s second cousin status. ????
ELDO’S Rien on one wrist and Bandit EdP on the other. My cat does not approve LOL.
Loving it so far though. Bandit opens very green whereas Rien is smokier more resinous. Should be an interesting ride
Great combination for those of us who do not fear perfume!
It actually surprised me how enjoyable it was to wear them together. I will probably do it again.
Hello and good evening NSTers!! I’ve only commented a few times, still building my scent knowledge – y’all are awesome assistance with that! And only a wee touch enabling – mmm hmm.
For today in the hot humid south I chose Lemon – By Kilian, Lemon in Zest and Farmacia SS Annunziata, Perla. I confess to loving them both, even though they are quite different.
The Kilian is bright and a bit boozie, but still much less sweet than the Perla. Perla is still lemon, but with vanilla and creamy where the Lemon in Zest I guess I would say is drier.
The Kilian lasts longer and people are more prone to ask what I’m wearing with that one, but again love them both!
Welcome, and nice to hear about lemon this evening. Helps me feel cooler thinking about it! Love your beautiful rose avatar.
mmmm those sound wonderful!! Your description of the Perla is making me want to try it!
Nice to hear from you, and about two perfumes I knew nothing about. Thank you for helping build my scent knowledge!
I went with orange blossom. Penhaligon’s Anthology Orange Blossom on my right arm, and Elie Saab L’Eau Couture, which just arrived yesterday, everywhere else. (I know, in the midst of a heatwave is a terrible time to order perfume, but I had a little disposable income, and I disposed of it.) L’EC is a little quieter than I remember my sample being, but still quite pleasant. It’s warmer than the AOB, with almond and some not-too-sweet musky vanilla, but not heavy at all. I think I need to re-apply it. The Penhaligon’s is more straight-up orange blossom, fresh-smelling without any headachy aquatic notes. Well worth trying if you liked Houbigant Orangers en Fleurs but wished it were less heavy on the jasmine. Have a great weekend, everyone.
Mmmmmmm orange blossom.