Lazy Friday poll ~ your “out of character” perfume loves

Kai products

My bottle of Hermès Un Jardin après la Mousson arrived yesterday and I am still puzzling over it. I will review it on Monday Saturday; meanwhile, check out Victoria’s review at Bois de Jasmin. Also coming up soon: reviews of Baby Phat Fabulosity, the new Diptyque Colognes, Givenchy Vetyver, Cuir de Lancôme and Parfums de Nicolaï Eau Turquoise.

For anyone who is keeping track, Mousson makes my sixth (!) bottle purchase of the year, and the first I bought unsniffed. Perfumista rule no. 4, as we all know, says “Thou shalt not buy unsniffed”, but Robin’s corollary to perfumista rule no. 4 says “unless the perfume is by Jean Claude Ellena“. I also bought 3 bottles in the first quarter, and then I bought a bottle of the sadly discontinued Donna Karan Black Cashmere, and then I caved on Jo Malone Dark Amber & Ginger Lily. Given that today is only May 2nd, it is hard to see how I’m not going to exceed last year’s total intake of 7 bottles.

Enough blather, on to the poll. We all have our own likes and dislikes, but I’d guess that many of you, like me, have at least one or two exceptions to your own “rules” about what sorts of perfumes you love. My own biggest “exception” might be Kai. Generally speaking, I don’t like laundry-clean musk, and by extension, I don’t like the ubiquitous “sweet tropical florals over laundry-clean musk” scents that I think of as “the California Perfume Oils” fragrance family. Kai fits into the mold perfectly — it’s a simple little blend of clean musk and green-ish, sweet-ish, gardenia-ish florals. Like many of it’s compatriots in the California Perfume Oils market, Kai makes much of it’s “cult status” and “celebrity fan base” (Oprah loves the body butter! Tommy Lee buys the candles!).

But I love Kai! I could not defend it against anyone who said it was not an interesting fragrance, and there are way more impressive tropical florals to be found (Ormonde Jayne Frangipani, say, or Annick Goutal Songes), but Kai is so darned cheerful. I’m wearing it right now, and I smell great.

Ok, spill — what are your out of character perfume loves?

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112 Comments

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  1. Anonymous
    Posted on 2 May 2008

    Miller et Bertaux no. 3.

    I usually like sex bombs, warm spicy things or skanky musky things, and the word “green” generally sends me running. For some reason, I like this one, though.

  2. Anonymous
    Posted on 2 May 2008

    Mine is similar to yours – Monyette Paris. I don't care for gardenia, coconut or tropical scents in general, but I love MP. A very generous MUAer sent me some in January, and every time I wore it through the long winter, I felt like I was sniffing some beach paradise. The incense note makes it perfect.

  3. Anonymous
    Posted on 2 May 2008

    I love MB3! Of course, for me, it is not an exception at all since I love green. You just gave me an idea and I've spritzed some on over the Kai, we'll see how that works out.

  4. Anonymous
    Posted on 2 May 2008

    See, and you'd think if I was going to pick one of these oils as an exception that I'd pick MP, but no. Can't wear MP. Everyone loves it though, and it has *way* nicer packaging than the Kai.

  5. Anonymous
    Posted on 2 May 2008

    Most of my favorite perfumes are florals, but I love Tabac Blond. I wear it to channel my inner Marlene Dietrich as Lola Lola in The Blue Angel. :)

  6. Anonymous
    Posted on 2 May 2008

    I don't generally wear citruses or very “summery” scents. I mean, I love how some of them smell (Pamplelune, Eau du sud, Un jardin sur le Nil, Eau d'Italie smell gorgeous) but never feel like wearing them (more like drinking them I suppose) and never felt compelled to have a full bottle. But I'll soon make an exception for Mugler cologne, the only one I don't feel somewhat alien wearing.

    Another category I don't often see myself wearing is florals, but I love Fracas and am planning to buy next month Frangipani absolute.

    PS: Have a nice weekend and thanks for always being an eagerly awaited afternoon appointment (I'm from Italy, so that's when I read your posts)

  7. Anonymous
    Posted on 2 May 2008

    Hey, good for you — Tabac Blond is a way more “respectable” exception than Kai, LOL…

  8. Anonymous
    Posted on 2 May 2008

    I spent all winter anticipating what I would wear in the spring…En Passant, Hiris, maybe SL's Fleurs de Citronnier, and then spring arrived, and all I have been wearing is Osmanthe Interdite. So not me, and yet immensely enjoyable! Feels like a little ray of sunshine.
    And then I finally did get my hands on a sample of L'Ombre dans l'Eau yesterday….a bit greener than is normally my style, but have been loving it. For some reason, a little bit of blackcurrent leaf and Bulgarian rose is making it a lot easier for me to write up my (overdue) research project. Who knew! ! ;)
    Are you enjoying the Mousson?

  9. Anonymous
    Posted on 2 May 2008

    If a fragrance is described as a 'sweet pea' I will instantly grimace and give it an automatic ranking with Bath and Body works Body Splashes. But… I love Antonia's Flowers 'Floret.' Sweet and clean and a lil green…

  10. Anonymous
    Posted on 2 May 2008

    Actually, I once felt compelled to buy a bottle of Un jardin en Mediterranee (though it was an impulse purchase, the shop was having a closing-down sale), but it turned out as a mistake! Live and learn…

  11. Anonymous
    Posted on 2 May 2008

    Frangipani Absolute — one of my all time favorites and a very worthy impression. Try using the JeM as a room spray, that is what Kevin does with his “mistakes”. Or maybe a linen spray?

    And thank you for the kind words :-)

  12. Anonymous
    Posted on 2 May 2008

    The very words 'white' and 'floral' give me a headache. But somehow I enjoy EL Tuberose Gardenia. Even on skin, all day!

  13. Anonymous
    Posted on 2 May 2008

    The Mousson was a big surprise, and so I've got to readjust. It is not love at first sight, that is for certain.

    I really liked Osmanthe Interdite — I'd like to have a bottle but not sure I'll spring for it this year. And adore the L'Ombre — great scent. But go finish that project!

  14. Anonymous
    Posted on 2 May 2008

    That is a great scent, but a surprising exception for a white floral hater given how big the sillage is!

  15. Anonymous
    Posted on 2 May 2008

    Floret is so pretty! Love the AF bottles too.

  16. Anonymous
    Posted on 2 May 2008

    Midnight Fantasy by Britney Spears. I would not wear it–it smells like mango soda, but I notice myself liking it everytime I smell it on someone. It is such a fun blend, almost a flavor, rather than fragrance.

    As for something, I actually own and wear that is out of character… Maybe, Light Blue.

  17. Anonymous
    Posted on 2 May 2008

    Um, BS MF must fall under “MASSIVELY out of character”, LOL! You've surprised me, V!

  18. Anonymous
    Posted on 2 May 2008

    Every so often, in very hot weather, I find myself drawn to fresh, aquatic, and even “ozonic” scents – normally *not* my thing. I confess I love me some Acqua di Gio in the summer! Also am not typically a fan of overtly floral scents that don't have a lot of spices, mosses, or greens in the mix as well (for example, Fracas, the tuberose-bomb that so many people adore and is a classic among classics, has never done a thing for me) but I *adore* Joy. It's nice to wear fragrances that fall outside of your comfort zone sometimes.

  19. Anonymous
    Posted on 2 May 2008

    I'm not a big fan of patchouli but I love Gucci by Gucci.

    And I thought I couldn't wear any creation of JCE at all (most of them develop a strange note of dissolver on my skin) until I tried TDC Divine Bergamote. Yeah!

  20. Anonymous
    Posted on 2 May 2008

    Joy is so amazing, everyone should love it, seriously!

  21. Anonymous
    Posted on 2 May 2008

    Beyond Love by Kilian. I cannot stand tuberose anything. But on a whim, I ordered a sample of Beyond Love from LuckyScent and my oh my, what an awesome animalic, dirty but beautiful tuberose soliflore. LOVE IT.

    This is the only Tuberose perfume I will ever, ever own.

    Dawn

  22. Anonymous
    Posted on 2 May 2008

    Great topic!

    Easy: FM Parfum de Therese. Aldehydes are my fragrance KOD — there's a new one for you, Robin: Kiss of Death!!! — and this is the first (and so far, ONLY) aldehyde-laced scent I don't turn, gag and RUN from. (Well, I do get a bit queasy, but I'm hoping I'll adjust.) Also, Carnal Flower: usually those loud, heady, in-your-face tuberose/white flower monsters send me scurrying, but this one has me almost hyperventilating, I sniff my wrist so much!!!

  23. Anonymous
    Posted on 2 May 2008

    I really like the GbG too, and I'm not usually a patch fan either.

  24. Anonymous
    Posted on 2 May 2008

    Wow, and that is a BIG tuberose! Impressed. You never know, maybe another one will sneak up on you ;-)

  25. Anonymous
    Posted on 2 May 2008

    That's a VERY worthy exception, as you know. And FKOD, maybe? Or PKOD?

  26. Anonymous
    Posted on 2 May 2008

    Hi Robin! Great poll. Funny that you mention Kai. I lean heavily toward oriental scents, and have never cared much for florals (though I do own Marc Jacobs, which I love). After two trips to Hawaii in the past 6 months, though, I've suddenly developed a passion for tropical floral scents (which with the gardenia in Marc Jacobs, makes some sense). I ordered numerous samples – the three Saffron James' scents (you have to try these…love, love, love them…they're all beautiful!!!), Frangipani Absolute, Just un Reve, Montale Intense Tiare, Chantecaille Frangipani, Andre Gas Ensoleille Moi, Kai, and Monyette Paris. Oh my. Floral overload!!!! I think I like Ensoleille Moi the least, and I fell in love with Monyette Paris the second I opened the vial. But my husband said, “Eh” with a shrug of his shoulders when I asked him what he thought of it. Darn! I was ready to drown my credit card in the MP shower gel, lotion, body oil, perfume. Ha! I need to try them all again. I've only worn each one once, except for the Saffron James scents. I actually think these may be my favorites (besides MP)…

  27. Anonymous
    Posted on 2 May 2008

    Voluspa Vanity!! I am an amber girl, deep rich smoky frags are my weakness. Usually I wear things like SL Amber Sultan, Daim Blonde, or Guerlain Shalimar, Vol de Nuit. And then there is my secret frag Vanity. Sweet, flowery so not me and yet I love it. I also have the GIANT bottle of bubble bath.

  28. Anonymous
    Posted on 2 May 2008

    Good 'un, either way! FKOD might have the edge; just those first two letters together might twig us on the acronym, as in “too effing odd!!” Oops, hope that's not too risque for NST; I don't want to cross any lines, R.

  29. Anonymous
    Posted on 2 May 2008

    I wish I could say that Baby Phat Fabulosity was my out-of-character secret vice, but I can't. Of course, never having smelled it, I might love it. In lieu of that, I think liking Chanel Allure Sensuelle is out of character for me.

  30. Anonymous
    Posted on 2 May 2008

    BTW, I used to HATE gardenia. I remember walking into Macy's when they had this huge display laden with gardenia scented potpourri. BLEH!!!! Overwhelmingly potent and headache inducing. So, loving Marc Jacobs is a fluke. And now with these others…perhaps instead of “out of character”, I'm turning a corner and am becoming a tropical floral convert!

  31. Anonymous
    Posted on 2 May 2008

    I adore Kai–I received some as a X-mas present, having hoarded several samples over the years; but it is worth noting than I love that “genre” of musky-tropicals: Monyette Paris, Coquette Tropique, China Rain and EL Bronze Goddess are all favorites of mine. Sometimes, I just want to smell nice.

  32. Anonymous
    Posted on 2 May 2008

    Mine–White Aoud. Roses are not my thing (typically I run screaming from them)–but I bought it unsniffed-(yeah, I know), mostly because I love all my previous Montales. It is one of my winter comfort scents. I also think it is amazing how what we like changes over time–(or is it age)? In my 20-30, I was all about chypres and detested floras. Then in my 40's I kept yearning for more Hawaiian visits (like Karin) and got into tropical florals, then white floras. Still love my chypres, but know I love florals as well.

    Leather, yes;spice sometimes; violet and iris–bring 'em on- I adore thee. Roses, peonies, freesia – my scrubbers–perhaps they may be future loves. Anyone else find their tastes have developed over the years?

  33. Anonymous
    Posted on 2 May 2008

    I usually run when I hear the word “green”, but I love Bandit. It must be the leather…

    I prefer white florals like La Chasse aux Papillons, EL Tuberose Gardenia etc, but also racier stuff lite Agent Provocateur. Never in a million years did I think I'd love something remotely similar to Bandit.

  34. Anonymous
    Posted on 2 May 2008

    I was into all the big 80's scents when they were in vogue, but now that I'm in my 40's I like more ambery, sweet and florals. I love Kai, must try the White Aoud. I also had a couple of weird summers lately where all I wanted to wear was Gucci Envy Me II, Gucci edp II and Missoni Aqua – totally out of character for me.

  35. Anonymous
    Posted on 2 May 2008

    Rosarita, me too! Gardenia and lily of the valley are not my fave florals by a long shot, but the vanilla and incense somehow make MP more than the sum of its parts.

    Bluebell is another out-of-chararter perfume for me, much more ladylike than most of the scents I wear.

  36. Anonymous
    Posted on 2 May 2008

    My out of character fragrance is Khiel's musk. I normally wear florals. White florals, green florals…florientals. Iris, gardenia, tuberose, violet, rose, Cristalle, Flowerbombe, Kai, 2000 et Une Roses, etc etc. However, when hanging out at home I love Khiel's musk. I love it when I am lounging around taking a cat nap under my favorite blanket. Sometimes I sneak my nose in under my teee and take a deep whiff.

  37. Anonymous
    Posted on 2 May 2008

    I was just thinking of this subject this week…

    I'm most definitely not a gourmand perfume lover — my tastes run to every subset of chypres, fruity, green, floral, aromatic — and to big white florals, with a smattering of aldehydics. But I succumbed to a full bottle of Guerlain Attrape-Coeur, formerly Guet-Apens, which just drips with vanilla and sandalwood (I can't detect the iris and violet reviewers talk about on this one). It's got a smattering of oak (or wood) moss I believe, but it's a far cry from Bandit, though somewhat distantly related to Mitsouko. And it's totally not a spring scent. Yet there I was, sampling and craving… Gourmands, the new frontier?

  38. Anonymous
    Posted on 2 May 2008

    Since cultivating this addiction over the past year and a half or so, I've been surprised at how eclectic my tastes can be, though I do have a bias toward citrus and green scents — one thing I love is discovering how wonderful different categories of scents and notes can be, and trying to see the beauty in a lot of them while suspending my biases for at least a little while in the interest of “learning” and appreciation.

    Still, I'd probably say that somewhat out of character is how much I love Voleur de Roses. Also, I think I might be tempted to invest in some PG Tubereuse Couture, against all odds.

  39. Anonymous
    Posted on 2 May 2008

    Wow, you are on tropical floral overload! Have you tried Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess, or the Filles des Iles line?

  40. Anonymous
    Posted on 2 May 2008

    Hey, that is sweet & flowery! Voluspa does such lovely packaging, I wish Kai did the same.

  41. Anonymous
    Posted on 2 May 2008

    Hey, now you HAVE to try Fabulosity. Don't think it is going to end up being your secret love though. It is SWEET.

  42. Anonymous
    Posted on 2 May 2008

    HopeB, glad to meet another fan! And you know, agree w/ sometimes you just want to smell nice. EL Bronze Goddess fits that score for me too.

  43. Anonymous
    Posted on 2 May 2008

    Bandit is such a cool scent! Another “worthy exception”.

  44. Anonymous
    Posted on 2 May 2008

    CindyN, My tastes have definitely changed, even just over the last 4-5 years. In fact, I keep waiting for the day I put on Kai and say “what did I EVER see in this?”. But so far, it is still making me happy.

  45. Anonymous
    Posted on 2 May 2008

    You know, all I really cared about wearing last summer was PdN Eau Exotique! And I don't usually wear the same thing over & over. And glad to see another Kai fan.

  46. Anonymous
    Posted on 2 May 2008

    Abt UJALMousson, I have read very mixed not so positive reviews about that one sofar. Look forward to what you will write about it.

    I love L'air du desert marocain and I really like Borneo 1834. These are very much 'outside my box' but I just love them.

  47. Anonymous
    Posted on 2 May 2008

    Hey, have you tried layering the KM with any lighter florals? Wonder how it would do if you used just a tiny drop.

  48. Anonymous
    Posted on 2 May 2008

    The cedarwood is so well used in desert marocain, not too harsh but very pleasant.

  49. Anonymous
    Posted on 2 May 2008

    Mousson is interesting, and very different from the other 2 in the series. It might turn out to be “outside my box”!

  50. Anonymous
    Posted on 2 May 2008

    Either I have the sixth sense or you do because today I decided to wear my Kai oil roll on and the body glow spray which by the way lasts just as long and is only like $28! In fact today I had to help out at my sons preschool and one of the teachers says “you are wearing Kai, I love that!” I thought wow I have never received a complement for Kai. I just love it!

  51. Anonymous
    Posted on 2 May 2008

    Joe, I started out only caring about citrus & green, so we're not all that far off — although my tastes have not yet expanded to include VdR ;-)

  52. Anonymous
    Posted on 2 May 2008

    Yay, another Kai fan!

    I loved that Body Glow! Unfortunately it lost its scent after about a year, which bummed me out. My perfume oil, which is much older, is still going strong.

  53. Anonymous
    Posted on 2 May 2008

    Glad you told me I will try to use it up fast then! My “out of character” scent has to be DK Black Cashmere which I just bought since hearing the news, and Hillary Duff WIth Love. I normally wear florals.

  54. Anonymous
    Posted on 2 May 2008

    Maybe you'll have better luck than I did. Guard that DK BC, it is precious!

  55. Anonymous
    Posted on 2 May 2008

    I'm a newbie, so there's little discernible pattern to what I like (so far: orientals, greens, and white florals, in that order). The one thing I'm clear on is I hate powdery scents; nor do I care much for strong rose.
    But then I love White Aoud and want to wear it all the time this spring. /shrugs/

  56. Anonymous
    Posted on 2 May 2008

    Funny, I bought the Kai oil today.
    I normally do not wear citrus or green scents. Lately I have been attracted to some such as Cristalle and No.19 and have been wearing those quite frequently.
    I usually wear white florals or woody orientals.

  57. Anonymous
    Posted on 2 May 2008

    flirt! glamourazzi (because it has a drugstore feel to it), body by victoria (because it's just so….common and typically floral), and heavenly by victoria's secret (it reminds me of a happy christmas a few years ago)…..love this topic! i wish my “out of character” scent sounded exotic and interesting like some i've read above……

  58. Anonymous
    Posted on 2 May 2008

    About Black cashmere, I have a small bottle and find that it really much resembles – to my nose at least – CdG Jaisalmer, which I also love. In fact I was looking for a spare bottle in the shops here around last week, but I stopped my research as I tried them both one on each wrist.

    Maybe my nose is just crazy: as a huge Black cashmere fan you are fully entitled to insult me :-)

  59. Anonymous
    Posted on 2 May 2008

    I actually got three 1.7oz bottles for $70 on EBay, I thought it was a great deal! I am all about deals!

  60. Anonymous
    Posted on 2 May 2008

    Wow, that is a fabulous deal, congrats!

  61. Anonymous
    Posted on 2 May 2008

    That is interesting, because I think of the CdG J as my least favorite of the incense scents. Will have to try them together!

  62. Anonymous
    Posted on 2 May 2008

    I used to hate powder too! Now I just dislike it, LOL…seriously, I have a few powdery favorites at this point, and if it's subtle, I hardly notice it.

  63. Anonymous
    Posted on 2 May 2008

    That is funny! Surprised by how many Kai fans are showing up. I love Cristalle too…

  64. Anonymous
    Posted on 2 May 2008

    I never manage to get to Kohls so have not tried the Flirt scents…and yes, think the people above who mentioned respectable things like Tabac Blond were cheating. (just kidding Elizabeth!)

  65. Anonymous
    Posted on 2 May 2008

    Every once in a while I spritz myself with Gendarme. For some reason, the scent reminds me of the family beach house in Galveston. There is something salty & funky under the clean musk.

  66. Anonymous
    Posted on 2 May 2008

    I pretty much run from anything modern and clean but I did succumb to Trend by Les Copains. I wear it if I want to feel, I don't know, corporate.
    So not me – lol
    Kai is more my style but my skin sucks it up in 2 seconds. You guys made me get out my gardenia samples (most of which have turned ugly) and I got some on my nose. I think it was the Terra Nova. Nice but not what I wanted right after Mexican food.

  67. Anonymous
    Posted on 3 May 2008

    I got the strange urge the other day to steal a spritz from my sister's tester of Paris Hilton's Can Can. Thank goodness I resisted.

    My out of character scent:

    SG Chypre Rouge….something about me loves it like mad, but it's not me at all, at least not what I thought I was. I'm still a perfumista-in-training (There's another acronym waiting to happen) so I have no idea what's me and what isn't, but I can't get over the fact that I love the combined smell of wine, deep fruit, and pine on me. Strange. I haven't had the courage to spritz it again since my grandma smelled it on a card and told me not to wear it to church because it smelled like hangover.

  68. Anonymous
    Posted on 3 May 2008

    Ack…brain problem….SL Chypre Rouge.

    Duh.

    This is what I get for blogging in the wee hours of the morning.

  69. Anonymous
    Posted on 3 May 2008

    I'm not a fan of sweet and will flee when vanilla scents are brought out. So exactly why I like Montale's Amande Oriental is beyond me. But on brisk days, I will rock myself to sleep with this stuff.

  70. Anonymous
    Posted on 3 May 2008

    My two are Ghost Serenity, by Tanya Sarne, and Cucumber de Bai, by Fresh.

  71. Anonymous
    Posted on 3 May 2008

    I love gardenia, but gardenia potpourri makes me feel like vomiting in my mouth a little. The only time I can stand potpourri is when my mom goes crazy with generically “Christmas” scented potpourri displays.

  72. Anonymous
    Posted on 3 May 2008

    Hi Rachel, another P-I-T here, so like you, I am not entirely sure yet what is out of character for me as I seem to like a bit of everything. But I would probably say that Ormonde Jayne Woman and Black Cashmere would be two “outside my comfort zone” scents that I do like. OJ Woman strikes me as the perfume equivalent of the Blair Witch Project, ie the opposite of a snuggly scent like Bois des Iles. Though funnily enough, both involve trees.

  73. Anonymous
    Posted on 3 May 2008

    Yes! I own Bronze Goddess. Purchased it a few months ago. Also have Bobbi Brown Beach. :-)

  74. Anonymous
    Posted on 3 May 2008

    Oh, and haven't heard of Filles des Iles. I'll check it out!

  75. Anonymous
    Posted on 3 May 2008

    AC/GA is such a lovely scent! Enjoy your bottle :-)

  76. Anonymous
    Posted on 3 May 2008

    Ah, I love Comptoir Sud Pacifique Aqua Motu for similar reasons — reminds me of Southern California.

  77. Anonymous
    Posted on 3 May 2008

    I don't even know that scent — the Les Copains!

    IIRC, and perhaps I don't, the Terra Nova is much sweeter than the Kai.

  78. Anonymous
    Posted on 3 May 2008

    A hangover, LOL! That's pretty funny.

  79. Anonymous
    Posted on 3 May 2008

    I've never tried either of those, but that sounds intriguing- the perfume equivalent of the Blair Witch Project….wow. :) That could be either really good or really bad. Haha…The only scent that I would define as really disconcerting would be POTL Luctor et Emergo, but it's also a bit of a comfort scent and one that I love like crazy. It's just so…wierd.

  80. Anonymous
    Posted on 3 May 2008

    Normally I am a spice/woody woman. The big exception is in the springtime when I am so hungry for a big floral. I had asked for Fracas for my birthday. Dear Husband smelled it and said, ” Are you SURE you like this?” YES. That was years ago. Now I'm crazy for a bottle of Carnal Flower and I rationalize that it would make me a better person, with the strength to face anything! Scent as solution to my problems–un huh.

  81. Anonymous
    Posted on 3 May 2008

    I don't have any specific out of character perfume.. Just anything fruity sweet.

  82. Anonymous
    Posted on 3 May 2008

    It is good to have at least one cozy scent to wear to bed. Have not tried that one though!

  83. Anonymous
    Posted on 3 May 2008

    I have not tried either!

  84. Anonymous
    Posted on 3 May 2008

    Agree — Carnal Flower will make you a better person!

  85. Anonymous
    Posted on 3 May 2008

    That's out of character for me too.

  86. Anonymous
    Posted on 3 May 2008

    My out of character scents are Estee Lauder Private Collection and Fracas. I think because they both what I classify as heavy scents and I tend to think of heavy scents and cloying and imposing. But these feel quite beautiful and exotic instead. My husband is asthmatic. Although my perfume wearing has never bothered him, I am careful to stay away from certain scents. I saw one the other day that promised to smell like 'newly mown hay' and I thought that would certain cause a rift in my marriage!!!! LOL.

  87. Anonymous
    Posted on 3 May 2008

    Sweeter, STRONGER, and a little truer to the flower, I think – most Terra Novas I have smelled have been pretty true – I have Pikaki. I got out the samples to smell Monyette but it had turned. I had also liked To Twirl All Girly from that bunch (I got a gardenia sampler from ebay) but it had also turned. I let things sit around too long.

    I got the Les Copains at Sephora, IIRC (took me a minute to figure that out, lol).

  88. Anonymous
    Posted on 3 May 2008

    My son is asthmatic so I try to be careful too, although perfume rarely seems to bother him. New Mown Hay might be a bit much ;-)

  89. Anonymous
    Posted on 3 May 2008

    As a man I always try to avoid strong sillage.

    I fear Vanilla as I can.

    But since now 2 years there is a big exception in this rules

    Comptoir Sud Pacifique … all the Vanille line … that I found wonderfull.

    Vanille Extreme is exactly what I hate in perfume, strong, vulgar. But it is also simple.

    I like also Vanille Banane … do you beleive you can love a perfume with banana ? yes unfortunately for me :)

  90. Anonymous
    Posted on 3 May 2008

    Vanille banane.. really..?? I cannot imagine that those two do well in a perfume.

    Does that combination come from a fragrance by Comptoir Sud Pacifique?

    Will ask CSP for some samples then. Hope that they are willing to send some.

    L'Artisan Parfumeur has just sent me three samples and they were Tea for Two, Passage d'Enfer and Dzing. I just asked them for samples without specification and I got those. Still have to try them but their names sound ominous…

  91. Anonymous
    Posted on 3 May 2008

    Benoit, you're on a real vanilla kick! I will have to give Vanille Banane a real shot — I have to admit that the name scared me.

  92. Anonymous
    Posted on 3 May 2008

    Normally “white floral, gardenia and tuberose” make me run. Usually anything described as such just gives me a headache and doesn't play well on me.

    However, I must admit to LOVING Kai, Monyette Paris, and FM Carnal Flower. All 3 are beautiful, wear nicely, and I receive constant compliments.

    The Filles des Iles line isn't bad either. I like all of them. And this is VERY out of character. Exotic, sweet, florals are something I've until recently “poo poo'ed”

  93. Anonymous
    Posted on 3 May 2008

    i think kai would fall under that category for me too. im so not a white flowers girl. maybe its springtime that does it to me, but i am all over them right now. weird

  94. Anonymous
    Posted on 4 May 2008

    That celebrity list is unintentionally funny–Jennifer Garner seems like the perfect face for Kai, but Tommy Lee & Pamela Anderson!?? Who knew Tommy Lee has an inner Joel Cairo under all those tattoos?

  95. Anonymous
    Posted on 4 May 2008

    I have never seen CSP samples

    I hope they have.

  96. Anonymous
    Posted on 4 May 2008

    Well in order to disgust me I have tried many times all the vanilla from CSP.

    At Printemps (Paris Department Store), CSP corner is right against Lutens Corner. Beleive me I always stay at CSP, what a shame for a perfumista :)

    (Goutal, Killian, Creed, Caron, TDC, L'artisan, Dyptique, … are all at less than 5 meters, it is a kind of paradise, but I am still attracted by CSP)

    Hey I am not Turin. I dont like in perfume to much composition.

    I like simplicity like a music lover who likes to hear only piano sketch and not a philarmoinic symphony.

    So lets come back to CSP

    I taste them in order of presentation, Vanille Extreme, Vanille Abricot, Vanille Canelle, Vanille Coco, Vanille ambre, Vanille Amande … and so on

    And the last one on the desk difficult to reach is …. Vanille Banane

    Ah ah ah … you are right Robin ; “Vanille banane” for a Flagrance, what a stupid name. With such a name, with such a concept, be sure to be discontinued in the year.

    Ok I take my breath so I taste again Vanille Banane,

    the start is ugly, ice cream like.

    But after 2 minutes, there is something that I like

    According to CSP site :

    Top note : Orange, Banana cream.

    Heart note : Banana cream, Clove.

    Base note : Vanilla pod, white Rhum.

    In the world of perfumista it is easy to cleam being a Lutens Fan or a FM fan … yeah but who will confess to be a CSP fan … me, never :)

    PS :According to the nice SA, Vanille Extreme is a men top seller. So I am not alone … but others prefer to keep silence

  97. Anonymous
    Posted on 4 May 2008

    Benoit, looking at the list, I might ask the people of CSP for samples of Vanille Canelle, Vanille Amande and Vanille Banane…

    A man smelling like Vanille? Nice !!

    To link men to food (like LTurin): I would love it if a man smelled like warm apple pie with canelle and vanille..

  98. Anonymous
    Posted on 4 May 2008

    Oh good – have just ordered a sample of that from Nancy at Fishbone – based on a steer from a work colleague whose descriptioin of it appealed. I am hoping it will be more approachable than that other “beachy” scent, Fleurs de Sel, which struck me as the oddest of the Miller Harris range, though it is apparently Lyn Harris's and Turin's favourite of hers!

  99. Anonymous
    Posted on 4 May 2008

    Must try that Luctor et Emergo – a disconcerting comfort scent is an interesting stunt to pull! Which Black Cashmere was for me, in fact. More disconcerting even than Ormonde Jayne Woman was OJ Tolu, Apparently this is supposed to smell like a “little bourgeois dress”, but I am getting acrid sap – and on a good whiff, the stuff you chuck over hot coals in a sauna.

  100. Anonymous
    Posted on 4 May 2008

    If it hasn't already been done (and as a newbie, I couldn't say), what about a poll on bottles we have purchased unsniffed and whether they turned out to be just what we had hoped for or a horrible let down! I bought a bottle of Balenciaga Le Dix recently, fearing it was a classic that was about to be disontinued, and having read great reviews on this site and Boisdejasmin. I think this could shape up to be an “out of character love” – in the sense that it is probably too grande dame for me, but who wouldn't aspire to be Gene Tierny!

  101. Anonymous
    Posted on 4 May 2008

    Bath and Body work Vanilla body splash. Has to be the original–just vanilla nothing else added to it and a body splash. It reminds me of summer. I also preferred the original packaging, probably too plain for them now. I don't know even know if they make straight vanilla anymore.

  102. Anonymous
    Posted on 4 May 2008

    You know, I didn't use to like white florals either — now I love them.

  103. Anonymous
    Posted on 4 May 2008

    Once you like them though, you like them — or at least, that is how it worked for me!

  104. Anonymous
    Posted on 4 May 2008

    Isn't it though? Assuming it's even true….

  105. Anonymous
    Posted on 4 May 2008

    It is true, many of us have “secret perfume loves”, LOL…and hey, agree that sometimes simplicity is best. I do have a few CSPs I like: Aqua Motu, Eau Gouverneur, and Bois de Filao. Most of the vanillas seemed too sweet for me, but admit I have not tried all of them or given them much of a chance.

  106. Anonymous
    Posted on 4 May 2008

    If that doesn't work, maybe try one of the beachy scents from CB I Hate Perfume: Mr. Hulot's Holiday and At the Beach 1966. I didn't like Fleur de Sel much either, although it probably is one of her best.

  107. Anonymous
    Posted on 4 May 2008

    Kevin did something like that once, but maybe we'll do another.

  108. Anonymous
    Posted on 4 May 2008

    The BBW line is so huge now — I can't keep track of what is discontinued either.

  109. Anonymous
    Posted on 5 May 2008

    Okay, thanks! I can certainly relate to “At the beach 1966″ – bucket and spade holidays in Ireland, wearing a gold seersucker halterneck swimsuit… Am intrigued to know what such a blast from the past would smell like!

  110. Anonymous
    Posted on 5 May 2008

    Tommy Girl. I love it. End of story.

    Hugs!

  111. Anonymous
    Posted on 5 May 2008

    It has lots of Coppertone (and apparently, the way Coppertone smelled in the late 1960s), so depends on whether or not your beach memories include that particular smell :-)

  112. Anonymous
    Posted on 5 May 2008

    Doesn't need any more story than that, does it?

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