Nearly a decade ago, I sampled Parfums DelRae Bois de Paradis at a big city chi-chi perfume boutique. The person helping me sniffed my forearm and shook his head. “No. Not for you.” And that was it. I figured Bois de Paradis and I suffered a chemical mismatch. So, I moved on.
Last week, I stumbled over my Bois de Paradis sample vial and decided to ignore the long-ago opinion and give it another try. I loved it…
It’s April, and we ought to be having spring weather, but so far, it’s been elusive at best, at least in my neck of the woods. After a warmer than usual winter, we’re having a colder than usual spring (I’ve got my heat on today, again). All the same, it’s time for the spring vetiver list (I’ve already done summer, fall and winter, and I’m now accepting votes in the comments for what note, fragrance family or style to do next). As always, the line between the seasons is perhaps a bit arbitrary and/or personal, but for spring we’re looking for versatility: not so heavy as winter, not so light as summer, able to work in nearly any weather, perhaps a bit more lighthearted than the fall list? And as always, do add your own picks in the comments!
Parfums DelRae Panache: I think of Panache as a kinder, gentler riff on Serge Lutens Chêne, with vetiver mingling with the oak and rum…
Iris is one of my favorite perfume notes, but some versions are arguably too earthy and deep for really hot weather, to say nothing of really hot humid weather. Here are five that won’t overwhelm when the mercury climbs:
Prada’s Infusion d’Iris: The gold standard for a summer iris perfume is probably Prada’s light-as-air Infusion d’Iris, which many of us wear year-round…
At last, spring! It’s taken long enough, and if your local weather has been anything like mine, you might be wondering if winter is not quite done playing games with you yet. Here are 10 perfumes (and another 10+ alternatives, because everyone needs choice, right?) to cover the full range of (crazy) spring weather, from boots to sandals and back again. As always, do add your own picks in the comments, or go read the lists at Bois de Jasmin, Grain de Musc, Perfume Posse and The Non-Blonde.
Sonoma Scent Studio Forest Walk: When I reviewed Forest Walk, I said you could wear it year-round but that the outdoorsy blend of earthy notes and pine-y woods was perfect for chilly fall evenings. Turns out it suits a brisk spring night just as well…
This month marks nine years — !! — that I’ve been reviewing fragrance for Now Smell This. At, say, 50 reviews a year, that’s a whopping 400 fragrances I’ve written about. After all those perfumes and reviews, I thought it was time to talk about the fragrances that have stuck around in my perfume cabinet, those whose decants I drain and bottles I turn to again and again.
Chanel Cuir de Russie: At least three times a week, I wear Cuir de Russie. I started with a 10 ml decant, and when it was finished I thought I’d be fine relying on one of my many other leather scents. Not. Cuir de Russie stands alone…