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Browsing by tag: modern chypre

Diptyque Eau Capitale ~ fragrance review

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It’s February, and Diptyque has launched a new fragrance named Eau Capitale for its permanent collection, as well as a new limited edition scented candle called Paris en Fleur. All these products (Eau de Parfum and solid perfume for Eau Capitale, candles and scented wax oval for Paris En Fleur) are decorated with truly beautiful Art Nouveau-inspired patterns that feature “emblematic roses.” I have to admit, this launch is all very well-timed for Valentine’s Day, yet it’s not your average candy-sweet throwaway treat.

Eau Capitale is an homage to Diptyque’s hometown…

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Jean Paul Gaultier Scandal ~ fragrance review

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Jean Paul Gaultier Scandal brand image

The basics: Scandal is the latest from Jean Paul Gaultier, and it purports to be a honey chypre combining an ‘elegant aura’ with the ‘spirit of Pigalle‘, and reflecting the designer’s “vision and feeling about femininity”.1 It’s the brand’s first pillar under licensing arrangements with Puig.

The backstory: Like many feminine fragrances on the market, Scandal purports to reflect the dichotomy in the lives of women — they might want to do responsible things during the day, like hold down jobs and whatnot, and then feel sexy at night. Quelle surprise, right? In this case, Scandal tells the story of Madame La Ministre, who stays out all night partying, gets into her limo, cuts off her evening clothes with scissors, scooches into her business wear, and then steps out of the car at work, where the press is already waiting for her…

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Calvin Klein Deep Euphoria ~ fragrance review

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Margot Robbie for Calvin Klein Deep Euphoria

I really don’t consider myself a perfume snob. Yes, I do favor quite a few fancy niche fragrances, but my tastes still run the gamut. Case in point: I’ve loved Calvin Klein Euphoria ever since its launch in 2005. I remember making a visit to Lord & Taylor during a lunch break, spraying some Euphoria on my arm, and swooning in delight. I couldn’t wait to describe my reaction on MakeupAlley that evening: “Oh my! I felt as though I’d been kissed.”

So now, more than a decade later, we have the latest Euphoria flanker: Deep Euphoria, described as a floral chypre with a “signature of sensuality and modern femininity” and “a smooth, sensual texture.” (Whatever that means.) …

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Friday scent of the day 5/13

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Azemmour, Georg Braun

It’s Friday the 13th, but also Chypre Friday! (And surely a good chypre will save you from anything.) Our community project for today: wear a chypre fragrance of any sort — classic or modern or post-modern. (And a quick reminder: don’t forget our yearly Haiku challenge is tomorrow!)

What fragrance did you pick? As always, do chime in with your scent of the day even if you’re not participating in the community project.

I’m wearing Parfum d’Empire Azemour Les Orangers. Tea at the moment is a meh Assam — I am still working on clearing out tea samples.

Reminder: on 5/20 we’re doing The Art of the Understatement…

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Ys Uzac Satin Doll ~ fragrance review

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Ys Uzac Satin Doll

A “spicy iris modern chypre” that “exquisitely mirrors Duke Ellington’s unforgettable masterpiece”? I adore iris, chypres, and Duke Ellington. Sign me up! At least, this is what I thought when I read the launch announcement about Ys Uzac Satin Doll in July. Satin Doll’s PR copy included another teaser, saying that the iris was “embraced by a bitter and dry tuberose.” I adore tuberose, too, but often it doesn’t sit right on me. Maybe a bitter and dry tuberose would be just the ticket. The rest of Satin Doll’s notes are entrancing, too. Besides iris and tuberose, they include pink pepper, elemi, pepper, rose, jasmine, myrrh, incense, patchouli, opoponax, and benzoin. Really, doesn’t this perfume sound perfect?

Sadly for me, although Satin Doll is nice, it doesn’t communicate the beauty, swing, and freakiness of Ellington’s song…

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