The usual open thread routine: talk about anything you like — what perfume you’re wearing today, anything wonderful you tested lately, the last scrubber you encountered, whatever.
Or, ask a question about fragrance, then see if anyone else has asked a question that you can answer.
Note: image is object #1: poppy by asja at flickr; some rights reserved.
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What, exactly, does a vintage perfume smell like when it has “turned”? I just bought some old Le Galion samples, and the Lily of the Valley didn’t smell much different from nail-polish remover. Nothin’ but solvent. A few hours after I scrubbed it off what was left sort of smelled like lily of the valley, so the bottle probably wasn’t filled with nail-polish remover. I wonder if it had turned, or whether this was a case of disliking an old perfume style.
I think ‘nail polish remover’ or ‘paint thinner’ is a pretty common for the opening on old perfumes. I think because the top notes are the most unstable, they tend to turn first, so they go bad, but the base of the perfume should remain.
It varies, but solvent is not an unusual description. I am guessing it has turned…if you’re lucky, if you get that solvent smell, it’s only the top notes that have degraded, but sounds like yours is beyond hope. So sorry!
Thanks! Now I know; older but wiser.
Speaking of perfume turning, it seems to me that Thierry Mugler’s Angel turns very quickly. I bought a bottle last year and enjoyed wearing it. This year it smells “off” to me. I don’t know if my tastes have changed or if the perfume changed. I kept it in a cool dry place so I was surprised this happened. I had a bottle as a teenager that I kept in the bathroom and the perfume turned greenish so I knew that had turned.
Greenish! That is alarming.
Yes, and you see it has happened twice to me with an Angel product. I ordered a bottle of Angel Innocent once from Fragrance Net. It was green when I opened it. It must have been old and stored in a hot place or something. I am a wine drinker and the same thing happens if a wine store is keeping their wines in a warm place.
I’ve also noticed my By Kilian samples changed color in about six months time, maybe less. The smell seemed ever so slightly changed on some, not others. It’s enough to make me a little leery of buying an FB or even a decent-sized decant.
They’re right on the topnotes – over-aged citrus tends to start smelling like polish remover or something like that. I’ve been pretty lucky with my many vintage minis – most of them have been wearable after fifteen minutes or so.
Fath de Fath – nail polish remover, then Serious Chypre, skank underneath.
Jolie Madame parfum – one bottle is gorgeous; one bottle is nail polish remover for ten minute and then Serious Leather.
Victoria by Victoria’s Secret (the original) – weird combo of swimming pool, acetone, and maple syrup for 25 minutes, then very lovely floral chypre. And it can’t be more than 20 years old… weird aging top notes may be why it was discontinued. (It’s not just one bottle. I have three now, and they all smell the same.)
Caron’s Infini – either it’s completely ruined, or I just really hate lactones. Which is possible – I think it’s the lactones in Mitsouko that I dislike.
The rest of them have been great. My rule of thumb with vintage is, if you get annoyed waiting for the weird topnotes to be gone, it’s ruined.
The same with my beloved Joop Berlin. Unfortunately they do not produce it anymore since 2002. On ebay I got a bottle with 25 ml rest (from 30 ml). The start smells like nail polisher, after approx. 15 ml it becomes better, but the dry down is also not so as it has to be. Something is gone. It was worth a try, it was not expensive.
I’ve also had things that have this smell that’s sort of a cross between celery and badly burnt brown sugar. Usually that wears off, though. Sounds like nail polish remover accord does not.
Hopefully at least the bottle was pretty?
Oh, this is a great question! I just got a mini-bottle of what appears to be the original formulation of Balmain’s Vent Vert and when it blasted me off my feet, I wasn’t sure if that was the effect of the galbanum or if it had lost integrity (based on what I read, I *think* it’s the galbanum). I don’t know enough about fragrance notes yet to really assess that kind of stuff, but the “nail polish remover/paint thinner/solvent” description will help. It’s kinda fun at any rate, so long as I don’t spend a fortune on any particular vintage purchase.
Relatedly, have any of you tried fragrance note kits that you would recommend for those of us still in the early stages of scent education?
Scroll through these posts:
http://www.nstperfume.com/tag/kit/
Galbanum can be difficult for sure. It might smell like off topnotes to you if you didn’t recognize it. For a cross-reference, see if you can get hold of some/all of the following (most are classics, not too hard to find): Chanel No. 19, Guerlain Chamade, Goutal Heure Exquise, Bandit, Ralph Lauren Safari, Lauder Private Collection – the original, not Tuberose Gardenia or Amber Ylang. It should be one of the first things you smell – cold and green, not like cut grass but like the air inside an underground cavern, say, all fresh and chilly and windy.
Thanks, Robin and Mals! Mals, I don’t have any of those you mention, but I appreciate the list and will definitely make a note to check some of them out! It was a very aggressive top note, but I *loved* how ballsy and different that was and can’t wait to get to know Vent Vert better. I couldn’t really smell any of the drydown because I had that initial blast stuck in my scent receptors, so there’s definitely more to experience.
Estee Lauder’s Aliage is another galbanum-heavy fragrance.
To me, it gets the paint thinner smell-very sharp.
Uh-oh, I finally took the plunge today and splashed out on a bottle of 31 Rue Cambon. I’ll consider this an early Christmas present for myself.
The SA also threw in sample of Cuir de Russie so I’m wearing that right now.
I’m dying to try the 31 Rue Cambon!
oh drat! did I forget to put 31 Rue Cambon in your package? sooooo sorry! I will be sure to slip some into the Bois des Iles. You shall have some to try in a few days!!!
Super [wonderful] enabler Daisy to the rescue! teehee
super, wonderful, FORGETFUL enabler……sigh….
31RC AND BdI, what a treat! Boi des Iles is also beautiful but it doesn’t last as long on me. 31RC on the other hand lingers for days.
I can’t wait to try both of them!
OHHHHHH!!!! So jealous!!!! Very happy for you, too, Abyss. It’s on my wish list, and I’ve been working on how to justify purchasing a bottle…
I’m finally back in the loop. fNot that I can freely spend, but after six months of not spending a cent on perfume (or anything else) I have made a few purchases perfume-wise. Today I’m wearing one of them–CdG Red Carnation. It’s a different kind of scent from what I usually wear, but I am really enjoying it. I also bought CdG Kyoto and SL Muscs Kublai Kahn, as well as several samples. That will be it for me for a while–unless some of the new samples I ordered will be irresistible. I’m still lemming for Chanel’s Coromondel and/or Sycamore, but they would be an investment.
Good for you Filomena! Umm – some wonderful choices there.
Filomena,
I just tried CDG Carnation for the first time yesterday and it is really lovely. I am considering buying with the 20% BH sale. I’m glad you like it.
There’s a sale?
coupon code INSTYLE 20% off at Beautyhabit !!! woohooo makes me feel like splurging ….again!!!!
Lalalalala …. I swore I’d pass on the BH sale, but darn! that CdG carnation is sounding so good, and I’ve really been craving carnation …..
Daisy – is there anything left that you even want?!? JK. But seriously, have you done a Coromandel split. I’m sort of lemming some since the Nobile 1942 is not on our shores.
Hi Rapple!! was wondering how hard they are working you today since you haven’t dropped in for even a minute!!
I haven’t done a Cormandel split….it reallllly is good stuff….maybe we could get that started in a few weeks, drop an email at the scentsplits and see if anyone is interested. Meanwhile I just posted asking if anyone is interested in Havana Vanille….so that’ll probably be next. I am such a glutton for punishment!!! gah!
Yeah, they’re working me pretty hard. I’m not even supposed to be in on Friday! But as you can see, I finally ended my day and found the party.
You’re a glutton for perfume pleasure!
yep use code “instyle” I think it’s till 11/30….
Thanks Daisy & Tara. Looks like the credit card is going to be beaten to a pulp this month. (see my entry further on down…)
I’ll second that! Do Tell! I’m on the BH mailing list and haven’t received any announcement….
I saw several online specials in the latest issue of INStyle-the one with Reese Witherspoon on the cover. Toward’s the back of the mag, there were several online makeup/fragrance specials, with a variety of 10,15, and 20% off coupons.
Thanks!
OMG, Sycamore. So beautiful.
Too bad you missed the Coromandel split! Although I still can’t stand to wear it after all that, so I’m half-tempted to pass it on.
oh don’t do that!!! You’ll be sorry in the end. Just let your home continue to air out and in a couple of months you will be ready to wear Coromandel again. Trust me, after splitting Lubin Idole (and almost being blinded by it) in another week I’m sure I’ll be ready to wear some (just not on my corneas.)
Ok, I’ll listen to you. You’ve never steered me wrong before.
Oh I love my Coromandel. Wish I had know about the split though. I’m trying to move some decants, as 200oz is going to last until I’m 92! HA! My wazamba is still looking to be adopted.
OH! you are trying to unload some Wazamba? Someone was saying they wanted some just the other day—-scurrying off to send email…..
Daisy – I think you’re referring to me wanting Wazamba. I need to check my email. But I don’t think I need a bottle, but maybe we need to talk Carlos.
okay—you are here! Yup–I just emailed you a few minutes ago.
I’m here…let’s talk?
ok, I sent an email to her…..how do I contact you? oh wait! I bet Joe has your email……
Thanks….you can find me at the alley Carlos319.
Oopsie 200 ml
Yummm CdG Red Carnation is the most amazing carnation scent! So big and spicy! love the stuff! MKK scares the begeezus out of me though….you’re a brave woman!
Uber fem floral would you say Dais?
Well, *I* wouldn’t say uber fem. More spicy than floral, IMO. I’m always looking for that perfect balance between spices and fresh carnations, and I thought the CdG was firmly on the spicy side.
you know, I never really thought about CdG Carnation in terms of feminine or masculine….to me it just stood out as a great big carnation…I think anyone could wear it.
I agree about the CdG Carnation. I just tried it for the first time and was pretty wowed. It smells like the real thing — does for the carnation what Velvet Rose does for the rose, IMO.
I certainly wear it. I agree that it doesn’t read either masculine or feminine: it’s just this big, aggressive, boot-wearing carnation (amplified with rose and clove). It’s the kind of carnation you wear when you mean serious business.
If you want a slightly nicer carnation, the newest iteration of Coup de Fouet is just the thing (I wear that, too), and if you want a pretty carnation, you have Bellodgia and probably a whole bunch of others as well. But CdG Carnation is the real deal.
I love it! —-Boot-wearing carnation !! That pretty much says it all!
Great choices! I am curious about that Red series. Kyoto and MKK are definite favorites (bought bottles of those, too), and as far as the Chanels go, they’re wonderful. Coromandel inspires eyes rolling back in my head when I smell it, and let me tell you, smelling it on your clothes a day or two after is just as wonderful, if not better! I’m still on the fence concerning Sycomore though…vetiver seems to be vetiver no matter what….
Hey Jared – does this mean that MKK has already been released into the export line then?! Damn, christmas may have to come early for me this year…………
Butting in to say yes, you can get MKK in the export line now.
Woah, I’ll hold-off on that TPC sample order I was preparing to splash out on……thanks Robin!!!
I know The Perfume Shoppe has it (and w/ the exchange rate it might be cheaper there) and probably somebody else does too, I haven’t looked around.
What I want desperately to be wearing is Bvlgary Jasmine Noir. I just found a bottle on Overstockperfumes for $35. And now I’m cruising said site for Guerlain fragrances. God help me.
Ooh, let us know what you find!
i was checking out overstock yesterday for fragrances – they have a very large and odd collection of stuff. i also found that demeter makes the fragrance i had been looking for – hot toddy!
LOL did you look back and see I left you that note? Or did you stumble on it yourself?
So funny! I didn’t check back until I saw it on overstock – I figured somebody probaby commented about it. I don’t know why I didn’t think of Demeter in the first place! Now to decide what other ones to get and place an order. Gingerale, bourbon, thunderstorm, wet garden. Such fun!
I love both gingerale and ginger cookie, and sawdust is a fun one too.
Drat! I’m so sorry that I read down this far! It was a real effort not to buy that bottle of Jasmine Noir – just scooted over to overstock.com on your say-so and there it was. Only $1 shipping too!
Horrible bad luck, as I just today tried my sample of this for the first time and I quite like it. Horrible.
(My purchases of late have been rather… unrestrained.)
Oh, and I’m looking for a good Cuir De Russie scent. I’m pretty sure I’m going to have to sell a kidney and buy the Chanel version – has anyone smelled the one by Creed? I’ve read that it’s very salty – is that true? If it is, I will buy it, as I LOVE salty skin scents.
Doesn’t Chanel sell the smaller version pure parfum version? I believe that’s affordable. And it last quite a while because it’s so concentrated. To my mind, Creed is overpriced.
I hadn’t seen a smaller size in the Exclusifs line for Chanel, but I’m one of those people who can open a refrigerator that contains a gallon of milk and nothing else and ask “Hon, where did you put the milk?”
Creed… yeah, don’t know why I was under the impression that they were somehow cheaper.
LOL! I thought that was a strictly male trait.
LOL!!
hi,
I can guarantee that they do have 15 ml of pure perfume for sale, however, that only applies for bois des iles, no 22, and cuir de russie. It does not call an absolute fortune, but still a lot. I bought it for 115£ last time, it might be 120£ now. I bought it in London. They do not advertise or display them (that is why you have not seen them) you just have to ask. If they do not have it in stock, insist on it, and they will deliver it for you. Also, I like it more in this concentration, plus I am not a big fan of huge bottles, they require a lot of storage place.
Good luck.
As for creed, I am not so impressed.
Have you tried Cuir by Lancome? It’s a lovely plush leather. It’s been discontinued but you can buy it very reasonably online still.
parfum1.com had it at a good price last I knew and they frequently have coupon codes.
One of my favorites too!
I didn’t realize that there WAS one by Lancome. Thanks! Will check.
I tried the new JM Vanilla Anise and it was a total scrubber!!! I found it loud and cloying, although I know others have loved it. The anise was just too much..
I’m sure to be in the extreme minority, but I find a lot of JM scents to be too loud. Don’t know what makes them so…some of them even seem crass to me…
If so, I’m there with you. I love the Dark Amber/Ginger Lily, but nothing else has wowed me. And Tara, opposite reaction…I got no anise at all, just a dry, dull vanilla.
That was how I got my Bois des Iles split…I got a FB (unsniffed) of JM Pomegranate Noir and hated it. Traded off thru MUA for the Chanel. You never know.
Yup, me too. The only two I liked were DA/GL and LB/WL; all the others seemed riffs on men’s aftershave styles (no offense to good men’s aftershaves). And a lot of the drydowns have way too much patchouli for me, although four molecules is too much for me. I liked Sweet Lime and Cedar, but it was very raw smelling.
Isn’t that funny: I wanted more anise, LOL…
I’m experiencing Lubin Idole for the first time today and I’m lovin life. What a perfect foil for all this dreary gloominess happening weather-wise. This improved my state of mind considerably. I was fortunate to get in on a split with this and one of these days I’ll have to get one of those COOL full bottles. My next sampling will be layering Theorema w/Mitsouko. Squeee!
Idole is so great! And the bottle makes me almost as happy as the juice.
I agree love the juice, love the bottle!!
If you decide you need a coooool half bottle…I’m still trying to find a split! I like it enough to want 1/3 to 1/2 bottle, but not the whole thing; nor do I need the actual bottle.
Oh cool Boojum, let’s do that sometime. My budget doesn’t allow right now – but soon. [FragranceNet has it for $79.19 and they always seem to have a coupon available.]
everyday—- basenotes = 15% off
Oh, that’s even better than getting it at the BH sale. I was thinking of ordering it this weekend and hoping I’d find someone to split with later, but now there’s no rush.
Something to look forward to!
Boojum, I think I’m interested. I’m at MUA, same name.
Likewise.
It looked like fragnet has Idole in stock now. All I can tell you is that I don’t think they keep very many in stock at a time and when I went to order some a few weeks ago it was out of stock. So maybe patience is the key.
And as usual, she’s right folks. Already out of stock again.
Nice! I recently bought a bottle of Idole on sale. Blind buy no less, but it was not a disappointment! I love the saffron/hay kind of smell in it. Plus, I see it as a “hot” scent…it really seems to radiate heat, so it’s kind of nice to wear lately. I wonder what it would be like in the summer?
Jared – this is definitely a cooler weather scent for me. Isn’t it luscious?!
It is! And it has enough of the element of “strange” in it to keep me interested.
I just bought a full bottle of Agent Provocateur; not because I’m particularly interested in the fragrance itself, but because the reviews are so polarized–anything that generates so much love and hate is a must have!
Have any of you bought a fragrance just because it induced love/hate in others???
oh, and today I’m wearing Boadicea the Victorious “Delicate,” which I cannot decide whether to love or hate. My cat loves it.
One of my cats loves any perfume with amber or woods. A combination will send her into a catnip-like frenzy.
I admit it. I’m a sucker for a compliment. I work in an office where I am one of only 2 women. The other 37 are males. Without fail, whenever I wear PdN’s Fig Tea to the office, a good 75% of those males stop by and tell me how nice I smell. It may be politically incorrect, but it’s enjoyable all the same. So I make certain to wear it once a week. I love it, too, so it’s no real burden. But I probably wouldn’t wear it that often just for myself.
oh that does it!!! Now I’m so gonna have to get some Fig Tea !!!
WHO WANTS TO SPLIT A BOTTLE????
haha You are the personification of self control Daisy – NOT. lol
I don’t think I’m ready for a split
– but I sure want to sample it!
Rapple – I can pass mine on to you…I didn’t care for it at all.
Thanks Boo!
Now if you had said, split a bottle of MH Figue Amere… I’d have to jump on that bandwagon.
ooo, is it yummy??? it’s on sa-aaale…….
Sublime Balkiss does the same trick in office
I also have Fig Tea and loooooove it
How is the Balkiss? I’ve wanted to try it, but have been afraid of the raspberry note. My skin amps sweet/synthetic notes.
hi Rappleyea,
i’m not really good at recognizing notes, but for me berries were not that dominant at all. top notes usually fade away so quickly on me. and after that it is such a beautiful green thing, even at first sampling i had the feeling we were relatives. i try not to torture my colleagues with my stage 1-2 parfum mania, so I’m really careful when chosing perfumes in the morning but i’m positive it is an office-friendly scent, furthermore I get so many compliments when wearing, it is really worth a try.
Thanks Ami!
I have TDC’s Sublime Balkiss too. I don’t get anything so specific as raspberry out of it. I get a bit of a berry scent followed by green followed by very clean patchouli. It’s delicious and I often get compliments when I wear it.
There’s also PdN’s Balkis which is supposed to be raspberry-based but as I haven’t smelled it, I can’t say for sure.
Walking down the streets in New York City, I face at many street vendors selling perfumes for five dollars.
I suppose they’re “fake.” But in what respect? Are they more dilute than the originals? Or are they completely different formulas with imitated name and packaging?
Some of my friends insist that they’re real original perfumes but stolen ones.
I would be willing to bet you find all of the above!
Sometimes they’re grey market (real but diverted goods) but at those prices, I’m guessing they’re fakes.
Is “diverted” the new politically correct term for “stolen”?
Well, they’re not always stolen: sometimes they’re just sold to people that the brand doesn’t want them sold to (not “authorized” retailers) and sometimes they’re goods meant to be sold in one area but being sold in another.
Thanks for clarifying!
I’d be leery of them, unless you don’t mind taking a chance and wasting your money. There are so many vendors selling knockoff handbags, etc., that it wouldn’t surprise me if the fragrances were fake too. Even if they were the real deal, you have no idea where or how they were stored (extreme heat or cold conditions, for example, which can affect the juice) and for how long.
Today I layered Delicious Closet Queen with Se majeste la rose SL.
DCQ gets so much deeper and a little sour , it’s really nice. Do you have some perfume layering sugestions??
I layer my favorite vanilla with Demeter Mulled Cider. I smell good enough to drink.
Yesterday I layered Laurence Dumont Crème Brulée (brown sugar) with L’Occitane Eau des 4 Reines (rose). The result was pretty and unsophisticated, but not loudly immature like Pink Sugar. I could imagine Diana Barry of Avonlea, PEI, wearing it all her life.
This is random and weird, but would anyone want to go in on a split of Bandit? Apparently I ordered a bottle of it, which is a little nuts, because I don’t like it. I was tempted to have it shipped back, but thought if anyone was interested I may go pick it up and at least keep a little for myself, should I ever change my mind about it.
Holy Cow! I was just thinking about Bandit this morning. The Lovely Angela sent me a sample of Bandit—I know this is practically heresy, but I had never, ever sniffed it! —and it is sooo cool. So Ms. Keetee, I would be willing to trade you something or buy a decant or whatever, but I only need about 10ml…….it seems to be “powerful” and I wouldn’t want anyone to try to choke me over lunch……
How do you ladies go about trading? Do you know each other? I’m curious because I’m interested in doing splits (not that I necessarily have anything awesome to trade, but who knows?), but… I mean, do you know each other personally?
I think most of us “met” here, Andrea. I think the typical method of contact is for somebody to mention they’d love to smell X, for somebody else to say, “Oh, I can send you some, send me a private message at MakeupAlley, I’m Mals86 there,” and for there to be a succession of emails, followed by swappage and hilarious comments.
Yep, that’s the way it starts…. a slippery slope after that! LOL!
yup, we’re just a bunch of co-enablers! And a number of us have , much to the detriment of our piggy banks, joined the google group scentsplits, where there is ALWAYS someone splitting something…
Yeah, that happened to me. I was minding my own bizness and now I’m waiting for a Daisy Enabler special in the mail! DOOM…
THERE’S A GOOGLE GROUP??!?!? Oh, God, I am dooooomed.
Weird, I searched for a Google Group and it doesn’t come up.
I hadn’t joined Makeup Alley so as to avoid having to quit my job and spend the ENTIRE DAY ON THAT SITE, but looks like I will have to.
I think it’s http://www.scentsplits.wikidot.com for the site…
if you are interested in the google scentsplitting group, drop me a line at Daisyloo82 at gmail.com and I can give you the contact info.
Daisy – I joined the Google group (and am embarrassed to admit this) but I can’t find it again either! Would you please email me the link? Thanks!
Suzanne– wiki is a great site—bottles sold or traded, decants for about a zillion perfumes . The google scent splits group is different, it’s not profit driven. Of course both with suck the money right out of your piggy bank as fast as you can blink.
silly me, I forgot to say that I’m daisylu at MUA if I ever mention something you’d like to split or trade about.
Found it! Thanks!
Hi Andrea – you can make contacts fairly easily once you jump in the pool. I think for a bunch of us it began last spring with the put up or shut up Lyric split. And it grows from those initial contacts.
hahaha –and I don’t think any of us are the “shut up” type!!
Hmm…we will have to talk, Daisy. If anyone else is interested I wouldn’t see a problem with 10 ml. (Oh, and I can be messaged by interested parties on MUA. Same stupid name, all one word.)
Miss Kitty, I’ll be in touch via MUA — I think I’d be interested in 10 ml as well! Part of my galbanum education (hey, an educational expense, that should be tax-deductible…NOT).
Did somebody say…galbanum?
OMG. Now that I have joined, I’m in VERY. SERIOUS. TROUBLE.
You so are! I joined a couple of weeks ago and I don’t even want to think about how much money I’ve spent!
Ohh, I tried Bandit today, first time. Liked it very much, too bad I am in Europe
.
Anyway, I also tried AG Musc Nomade and SL Feminité du Bois and I love them both from first sniff. Strange thing is that for some reason Musc Nomad is giving me a clean, just showered feeling. Definitely not what I expected, but quite lovely….now I have a problem… should I buy the 50ml or the 100ml bottle?! And I love the FdB as well (different fragrances for different moods is the excuse here ;-D). How is it compared to Shiseido’s original? Did anyone here ever purchase Shiseido’s FdB from eBay?
I bought my FdB EDP and parfum from ebay without problems. They smell fantastic!
Thanks Dixie!
I got a Seiseido FdB from a perfume shop awhile back before they ran out. It is one of my favourites. Not sure about comparison to the SL one though.
I love Bandit, what is the concentration?
I’m wearing Bois de Paradis (Parfums DelRae). I think this is my favorite of the DelRae line, but I’m really enjoying the whole sample pack.
Just did a “best offer” thing on eBay and got a nice-looking bottle of Crepe de Chine vintage perfume for less than the seller was asking. We’ll see if it smells as good as it looks!
Bois de Paradis is heaven!!!
I’ll second that! It’s been in my top 3 ever since I sniffed it. If I can’t take ‘Paradis’ to ‘Paradise’, I may just refuse to go. lol
My latest choice in hand lotion that doesn’t clash with my taste in perfume–Desert Essence Vanilla Chai! It has a light, slightly sweet and spicy scent that fits in well with the incense/amber/gourmand things I like.
SOTD: SL Amber Sultan with a dash of Esteban Sensuelle Russie to combat the rain and gloom.
We must be in the same weather. It’s a leather-woods-resin day for sure! (I’m wearing Bois Des Iles).
I’m in Portland, OR under a giant cloud of green on the weather radar.
Crow, you must be in a different part of town than I am.
Same here, but beautiful chamber-of-commerce weather here in Florida (need it to get the tourists). It’s finally cooled off so SOTD: Bois des Iles…it’s wonderful.
Daisy: I lurve Chinatown too. It was my first really big frag purchase, so I put the bottle out to just look at it. Of course, I keep buying more.
Now stalking some Havana Vanille…..
well, well, well….I was thinking of splitting up a couple bottles….. bwa-hahahahaha!!!
Will be in touch, Daisy!
Ambre sultan and a bit of Aqua di Sale is also nice !! But when you layer it with a leather perfume (for example cuir amethyst) it turns to sg very very exciting……
I’m wearing Santal de Mysore layered with Chinatown, and obsessing over perfume reformulations. I need something else to distract me!
oooooooooo….Chinatown….my SOTD too. Just got my bottle yesterday and could hardly wait for a new perfume day to douse myself!!! ahhhhhh…..yummmmmm
I envy you having a bottle of Chinatown — I still haven’t sprung for a bottle, even though I adore it. It may go on the Christmas list though …
That would be nice for Christmas! I got mine of *Bay. The seller said she was out of it, then emailed me again to say she had some and asked if I still wanted it. Fell off a truck, I guess. It was new-in-box, as they say, and very nice. Never saw the seller again but I kept watching. Hm.
I will have to check there for it! Congrats on your successful purchase. Chinatown is just divine!
beautyencounter “usually” has testers of Chinatown but is currently out of stock….but today I see there is a notice up that they will have them available again before Christmas….might be worth checking into.
Thanks Daisy! Will check that out.
Cazaubon – I swore I wasn’t going to obsess over the reformulations, just try to find some newer scents to love. The more I tested, the more I loved the OLD scents, which of course has led to obsession and a *bit* of stockpiling.
SOTD: SSS’s reformulated Jour Ensoleille, a cheerful scent for a gloomy day as a hurricane passes over the Mid-Atlantic shores.
Just ordered FBs of Timbuktu for my SO and Montale’s Taif Rose for me this week – early Christmas purchases. Credit Card in pain, but myself contented…
Oh, that reformulated Jour Ensoleille is just divine! I think it is the best newly made chypre to come along in a longggg time. It has the gorgeous classic structure. I am patiently waiting for some holiday funds to get the small 5 ml bottle.
Haven’t tried that one yet, but most of the SSS scents are beautifully done. And inexpensive – a big plus, although they sure don’t smell cheap!
It’s a cloudy, dreary November day here, and I’m recovering from the lovely (presumed) H1N1 virus. Happily, it left my nose out of it. SOTD: my newly discovered comfort scent(s): a little dab of SDV with just a smidge of Bois de Paradis. Yes, I smell like dessert, and no, I don’t mind a bit!
I’m glad you are feeling better. WOW BdP with SDV!! Now I think I have to buy SDV at the NM online trunk show, just to try that amazing sounding combo !!! UGH..I need a second job for my “habit”!!!!
Or a good splitting network. Both mine are samples passed on by a kind NSTer, so if you wanted to, ahem, defray some of the cost… I could take some off your hands.
So glad you like the SDV! Why am I always so pleased when someone else loves my precioussss???
Hope you’re feeling better soon! Good thing your nose is okay though – at least you can enjoy smelling good!
because you want more shiny stones for your enablers pin….
And I wonder who sent me the pin in the first place?!? LOL!
oops!
Get better soon! I had it in the spring & it was misery.
I’m wearing Parfums DelRae Debut (which just arrived yesterday – yay!)
My last scrubber was something that made me want to saw my arm off, but I can’t place it right now – Bond No 9 Little Italy maybe? Oh, now I remember – Bond No 9 Saks 5th Avenue for her with its lovely magnolia-dipped-in-fecal-matter accord. It lasted through a thorough scrubbing and a shower, too – which reminds me that I need to buy some of that poison ivy soap before I do my next round of sampling.
Did you try Tide? I do swear by Tide.
I think I picked this up from you, Robin, but the unscented antiperspirant/unscented detergent combo hasn’t failed me yet.
Ooh… I’ll try that next time. I always have some Tide in the house.
SOTD = Terre d’Hermès. I’m down to the last drops of my second 50ml bottle in two years.
Amaranthine will be waiting on my doorstep when I get home from work! Woohoo! As will a box of stuff from Daisy, including some Lubin Idole.
Received some nice stuff from the generous Cynthia yesterday and really enjoyed the L’Occitane Labdanum de Seville. It’s nice, and I’m tempted to call it “the pauper’s version of Jubilation XXV”, though it gets a little dodgy for me in the drydown. Check it out.
soooo, do you actually knock people down in your scramble to get to your mailbox each evening??? You know I was just thinking….maybe I should use MORE TAPE when I send things……***snicker***
You don’t feel the slightest bit guilty at the possibility of Joe’s fingers in shreds, do you?? Mwah-ha-ha…
don’t we all attack a padded envelope in a glassy-eyed frenzy??
I keep a pair of scissors in the car…
haha I even get tempted to use my teeth to rip through those pkgs and I’m a germ-phobe.
Oh, and having scissors does not prevent glassy-eyed frenzy.
Speaking of eagerly awaiting a padded envelope…. my bottle of 180 Ans STILL hasn’t arrived, and was shipped something like ten days ago! AAAARRRRGGGG!
oh no! Rapple—is there a tracking number or something to search it by??? Too spendy to go MIA!
Get this – because it’s coming from Eng. with Royal Mail, when I put the tracking number in, they say they can’t tell me anything until the package has been delivered! And that is helpful how???
Joe’s not the one who sprained his thumb snatching packages from the mail person yesterday…. just sayin’.
hey! my thumb heard that and was not amused!
Cynthia – do tell! This sounds like a great story – one which my dear friend Daisy has neglected to share with me!
Hmm… I unfortunately, I’ve just remembered that Daisy also knows some stuff about me…. so I’ll have to let her decide if she wants to share the rest or not.
LOL ! yeah—you better watch it there Thelma!
Oh Rapple, it’s not like I actually “tackled” the postal person or anything….sheesh, Cynthia makes it sound like I’m out of control or something (stop yer laughing!) just because in my excitement I actually met her at the bottom of the driveway…..she handed me a stack of 6 boxes and I wasn’t quite expecting such a stack and had my right hand at a funny angle and my thumb sort of twisted back. Naturally I wasn’t going to drop those boxes so I gritted my teeth all the way to the house! And I just want to say that 3 of those boxes were not even for me! I suspect it was the “5 full seasons of House” dvd’s that J is getting for Christmas that did the damage. “House” is heavy! Oh and the injury didn’t deter any of my glassy-eyed frenzied pawing to get into my box of Chinatown but by last night I could hardly move my thumb….decanting today has been a slow business.
*gasp*
Not the decanting thumb!
I was thinking that the glassy eyed frenzied tearing into the packages followed by decanting was physical therapy for the thumb!
I’m so curious about the Amaranthine with all of its supposed thigh-ness. Did you sample it first? Can’t wait to hear more people weigh in on it.
Penhaligon’s kindly sent me a sample recently and it’s very nice indeed (especially if you forget the whole silly thigh thing). A floriental, with a dash of spices and creamy sandalwood. Great lasting power too.
That sounds right up my alley (sigh; gets out credit card)
Mine is on the way. I’ll let you know my verdict.
Love to have your opinion before plunking it down!
Miss Kitty – definitely let us know what you think of it. I haven’t had great luck w/Penhaligon’s.
SOTD: Lavanila Vanilla Spice. Sounded perfect for me since I love vanillas, love their Vanilla Grapefruit and have been looking for a slightly spicy fall fragrance. Unfortunately, it’s mostly powder on me. Which I’ve been noticing a lot lately. I bought a bottle of Marc Jacobs Amber unsniffed from Marshall’s recently and it is a nasty powder bomb on me. I know I know – I figured I could unload it pretty easily if I didn’t like it since its MJ. But there are tons and tons on ebay and not a single person on MUA has it on their swap wishlist. : (
But I did stop into the Gap yesterday and they were having a crazy fragrance sale on their individuals (?) line – $6.99 for the big bottle, which i think is usually $30 or $35! So I got the Lover for me and the Original for the bf!
Wow, thanks for the tip — those are great prices.
SOTD – Mitsouko extrait. I am “treating” myself for special occasion…
Here is my question to you devoted readers: I generally don’t like vanillas b/c a lot of them smell like cake (too sweet or gourmand) or too much like very nice candles. I have Mauboussin which is great, and Shalimar which is also great. But I am on a quest for another vanilla – something with that lovely dry powdery opoponax — that I can wear for day. I would really appreciate any recs you may have!
Special occasion?
I thought tomorrow was the special occasion…
Well, I can’t confess to any new old age causing me to forget what day of the year it is!!
My loving hubbie doesn’t know that I already spent significant funds on the Misty extrait for my gift to myself… we’re just going out to dinner tonight!
Happy birthday! And you enjoy the heck out of that Mitsy.
I tried it again (edp) day before yesterday, thinking the cold rain might jolt me into loving it… NO. Not a scrubber, but I keep waiting for it to go away.
Happy Birthday Ann! Have a great one.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANN!! This is a very special occasion! Have a lovely dinner out tonight!
Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday!!!
Ann – Have you tried the PdN Vanille Intense? I wore it to sleep last night and drifted off happily. It doesn’t have that foodie vanilla smell. Not sure about the Opoponax, but I think that’s definitely in the Vanille Tonka.
a:)
PDN Vanille Intense –WANT WANT WANT!
No money in perfume budget at the moment, alas!
Hi Operafan- it’s funny you should mention that b/c just last night as I was drifting off to sleep running through perfume houses in my head, I did recall that PdN has a good vanilla. I’ve not tested it, but it seems like a good place to start! Thanks for the tip!
Oh, and here I was sure you’d tested that one! I just got a sample of it in my last LS order, and it’s one of the nicest (non-cake, non-candle) vanillas I’ve smelled.
The VT, that is, not the VI (which I haven’t sniffed).
You’re welcome. I think VI is supposed to be an “intensified” version pf VT. I think the biggest difference is the light touch of insense in VI. I got the info about opoponax in VT from reading one of Divina’s blog post from her visit to Nicolai in Paris this past summer. For me, personally, VT is very similar to Sacrableu. Hope you like it!
OMG, I love love love Vanille Intense! I just got a nice size decant of it, and will spring for a full bottle once it’s gone. The only thing stopping me from buying a full bottle now is wanting to spend some $$$ on Amaranthine as well.
Hi Ann,
How about Olive Flowers by Madini? It’s lovely, dry and powdery. It does have opoponax in the notes.
Thanks for the tip, I’d not heard of that one.
And Happy Birthday Ann! Hope you had a nice dinner tonight!
Vanilla – my favorite! Though I’m not sure how many of the ones I like would be too “foody” for you…
Vanilla Extasy from Montale – rather fruity but not foody to my nose;
By Kilian Back to Black – in the honey and the tobacco, I smell vanilla, but it could just be me;
Organza Indecence, if you can score a bottle – not the least bit foody and gets me compliments every time.
I feel like there must be more but I’m forgetting them…
Oh, perhaps Citrine? from Ava Luxe. Not cakey, I think.
Happy Birthday! Have you tried Voile d’Ambre? I think it’s a lovely everyday fragrance, light amber/vanilla/incense combo.
Like some of you, I too have gone on a fragrance purchasing frenzy recently. I don’t know if it is the colder weather or what but I just can’t stop thinking about fragrance. I did have a little holiday spirit and bought Prada Infusion D’Iris for my mother for Christmas. Macy’s had a nice gift set with a lotion and a travel size. For myself I have returned as many perfumes as I have bought. I always feel so much pressure to buy when the nice sales-ladies are hovering around me. I bought Lolita Lempicka and returned it. When I returned it I ended up buying Kenzo Amour and kept that (speaking of Kenzo Amour, It has a lot of insence on me but I remember reading the posts here and not everyone could smell it). I went to Lord and Taylor and was pressued into buying D&G L’imperatrice. I returned it the next day because an hour after having it on I felt neauseated by the smell. Then I went to Sephora at one point and returned to finally give in to my long-lived desire to have Kelly Caleche. I bought the EDP because I usually think buying an EDP is preferable to an EDT, but it smells different than the EDT sample I have. Much more floral! And the leather doesn’t come out for almost an hour. I’m still happy with it though.
Well, those are my confessions for now.
Say two Hail Marys, spritz yourself with Prada, and your sins will be absolved.
Yes, I think their are worse sins, and I think I will be forgiven. But would perfume obsession be considered Lust or Gluttony?
LOL! Buy an indulgence and maybe we can get a split decision!
Minnie – I think it straddles the fence of insanity and genius.
Hmm . . . Genius, I like that.
hehehehe, i so much love your sense of humour, you always make me laugh
Love your Pandora’s Box avatar! And love Kelly Caleche. Good choice!
Thanks Jill! I’m new to posting on NST (or any blog really for that matter). I chose that picture because I am naturally very curious. Yes, I agree, Kelly Caleche is lovely. I’m now trying to find a fragrance to buy my sister for Christmas.
Welcome Minnie! I actually have that Pandora picture hanging in my apartment … I love it.
I’m lucky on one hand because I don’t go to malls, so I’m not subjected to pressure from SA’s. But on the other hand…. I seem to be perfume buddies with some gold medal, record setting, champion enablers!
coughdaisycough
along with others….
hmm…funny how those coughing spells seem to come and go….
Isn’t it though? cough!
I much prefer the EDT of Kelly Caleche to the EDP, although it is nice. I didn’t realize I had samples of both and when I first put it on, I was “what the..?” so I probably need to try it again when I am not expecting something else.
Finally, finally we got some cold weather this week! So I’ve broken out the winter stuff: Kenzo Jungle l’elephant yesterday, Femme today.
In the you-never-know-what-will-bring-compliments department: I wore CJScents Nag Champa while out shopping Wednesday and got compliments from two sales assistants and a fellow shopper!
Oh, how nice!
SOTD: Teo Cabanel Oha. Dark spicy rose, very pretty. Don’t feel like I need it, though. Shhhh, a secret: I think I’m kind of played out on exploring rose frags for awhile. I don’t figure that attitude will last very long, but still. A new direction – exciting!
I sort of hijacked a post (the Swedish ladies fighting over perfume) with random comments, sorry. It was accidental. Well, sort of accidental… you know, like you’re dying to tell SOMEBODY and the situation isn’t really appropriate but you say something anyway because keeping your mouth shut is like making yourself not hiccup…
ANYWAYS. The Northern Star of my sniffies has always been that I Hate Opium. Hate it, hate it, always and forever, resniff it occasionally to make sure that my nose hasn’t snifted and always confirm that, yes, I still hate Opium. Well, I did try half a nanodrop of Jungle L’Elephant last winter, and that was sort of Opium-ish but I liked it anyway. Yesterday tried a sample of Teo Cabanel Alahine (freebie with my sample order), and now am freaking out because it is GORgeous and it sort of reminds me of Opium. It’s obsessive-gorgeous, too – I don’t know whether to bless Abigail or curse her, because I just want to keep sniffing it. Worse, it feels like one of those “ME” scents.
Aargh. I don’t need to lemm anything else! Still have not sniffed Havana Vanille, awaiting some decants*, awaiting a bottle of Tabac Aurea, SO don’t need anything else, but I.Want.This.
Maybe somebody should take my temperature. Or look for the aliens inhabiting my body…
* Ooh, Joe, the Amaranthine showed up!!! yay.
Oops, that should be “my nose hasn’t SHIFTED.”
we can check out behind the cow pens for an alien pod if that’ll make you feel better…..but sometimes just the difference of one note can take a scent from “I can’t take it anymore ” to “hey, I really like this” so just because it shares some qualities with Evil Opium, that doesn’t mean it’s the same….go ahead and lemm away! We won’t schedule you for electroshock (or exorcism) quite yet.
To think I always discounted the idea that hate is close to love. Obviously, I was wrong… I wonder how much the overdosing of Opium has to do with my hate? Alahine was much more polite, and that’s pleasant.
In art (including perfume and food and music), I’ve felt for a long time that the unspeakably horrible is often very close to the unspeakably beautiful. Just plain bad or just plain pretty are nowhere near each other, but I think that sometimes there is a very narrow line separating the extremes of both good and bad.
MALS – Alahine IS beautiful so I don’t blame you for your dilemma. The drydown reminds me of Bal a Versailles, so maybe you can find a way to dress up the opening of BaV, you won’t have to buy Alahine?
Anyway – I read your comment about PdN’s Le Temps d’une Fete on LS. Do you still feel the same about it now? I get a “furry” smell when it gets to the drydown stage. Guess that’s the animalic aspect of it. Not sure whether I like it or not.
Gosh, ADDING to Bal? If anything, I’d want to TAKE AWAY from Bal – the florals are sometimes a leetle too much for me, but the drydown is beautiful.
Yep, still love Le Temps. Love love love it. That “furry bit” you mention is probably the narcissus… turns out that I adore narcissus, and it doesn’t read “dirty” to me so much as animalic in the sense of horse+hay, very dusty and pleasant. Ever stick your nose in your cat’s fur? Dusty and sweet like that.
Wow! Le Temps was bitter green floral on me – and not in a good way either! Chemistry is so strange.
Forgot to say – I love narcissus. Wish I had gotten that!
Funny you should mention cat fur. Indeed I have and it’s exactly what I thought when I said “furry!” Thanks for clarifying about the source. I love smelling my cat’s fur, just not sure I want to smell the same way! I really like the opening, though.
I have heard this NM Trunk Show mentioned several times….how do you find it? I can’t seem to find any trunk show with deals on perfume! Can anyone direct me? (practically panting Daisy)
Deals? Not really. Just online availability. Hope this looonnnng URL pastes correctly:
http://www.neimanmarcus.com/store/catalog/templates/P6.jhtml?itemId=cat21290731&parentId=cat000308&masterId=cat350735&cmCat=&page=&view=all&filter1Type=&filter1Value=&filter2Type=&filter2Value=&filterOverride=&sort=&icid=viewall
Much as I love ZOMG Mitsouko, I think I’ll pass on the $7000 Baccarat bottle.
ah, I see….thanks Joe and Boo….
fortunately…or unfortunately as the case may be….I’m darn handy with a phone and a credit card….and of course it helps that Jason at B&G’s now recognizes my voice (***sheepish grin***)
Lovely bottles….mustn’t look at pictures!
Got my roving perfume eye focused firmly on Havana Vanille right now.
Oh I am also eagerly awaiting Havana Vanille!
stand next to me Carlos….that way our collective drooling will be less obvious…..or at least no one will say anything to us about it because we’ll look infectious….
Snort! Recognizes your voice!
All hail thee, Queen of Bottle Splits!
Daisy – I think, in my new quest for a vanilla, that I’ll need to get a sample/decant of that HV!
LOL! Whereas…I like my sample very much, but not nearly as much as I expected to, so a little 5-10ml decant is really all I’d need of it.
Daisy – have we talked about Guerlain’s Vetiver Pour Elle? Next spring maybe….
oh, you mentioned it a while ago and I just got a sample…haven’t even given it a cursory sniffaroo yet.
how does it compare to the men’s? I have a mini of that and think it’s quite nice.
Believe it or not (and I’ll probably lose my Guerlie Girl status over this) I’ve never tried the men’s! But the Pour Elle is much more floral – to the point that the vetiver is hard to find. A green, spring type of floral.
I’ll hang out with you two. We could end a drought with our collective drooling.
it’s just so hard to wait for some releases….perfume distribution should be need -based……and we NEED that Havana Vanille here!
With you on that!
I have nearly finished a sample of Havana Vanille and it is lovely. I am going to order a second sample alongside a sample of Vanilia for a death match to decide which Vanilla scent will be mine.
Please report back. I’m a big L’Artisan fan, yet I’ve never tried Vanilia.
Daisy – I’ll email you the link.
I picked up a mini bottle at a thrift shop that has no lable on it. It’s an almost square bottle, slim from front to back, with a black plastic cap and a black plastic rectangular “collar” which is just half as wide as the bottle, and centered, and only 1/3 as high as the bottle. HELP! Identify this perfume for me please!
Wow, no idea.
hmmm the only thing that comes to mind here is Narciso Rodriguez for her….black square bottle, thin back to front, top like you described ….but the atomizer neck/collar while black, is not rectangular…..
What if you google images of square black perfume bottles? or something like that?
Marc Jacobs? (Hi Jan!
)
oh, darn – it is very simliar to the Marc Jacobs bottle in shape, but the cap is smaller and the collar is more like a “dicky” . . . aarggh, and naturally, I would love whatever is in this bottle ! !
Is anyone here familiar with Balmain’s Miss Balmain?
I tried it first about 15 years ago when i still lived in Russia. I bought a small vial of it (couldn’t afford more) and it smelled so good, so French, so sophisticated. I used it in a very little amounts.
15 years later in USA I saw it on-line and bought (it is very affordable). And now it smells …. like turpentine. I can’t wear it… Even in the small amounts
(((
Oh, what a shame. I’m sure it’s been reformulated.
Recently fell in sort of love with 2 tea scents..SL 5 o’clock gingerbre and LaP Tea for Two. Also, Montale Boise Vanille. Speaking of Vanille, sniffed a new Creed exclusive for Bergdorfs…forgot the name, but the 8.4 oz can be yours for the small price of $475! YIKES!
I like your taste in tea! Both of those are on my eventual acquisition list.
Ack. No Creed is worth that.
Well, rephrasing — no perfume is worth that.
But especially no Creed. I’m not a fan, though there are one or two that are “okay.”
Oh, but for 8.4 oz? That’s not even $2/ml…not *so* terribly unreasonable. I just wouldn’t want nearly that much. I really liked the one I tried (SMW), but wouldn’t pay full price, and after one bad ebay attempt, won’t likely get it at discount either.
Good point. It is a vat of perfume.
Also, liked the new UL Nightscape.
I liked it too, but I smelled it in the middle of a massive sniffing orgy and can’t remember anything about it other than my ever-so-helpful notes: “Nice!”
Hi all,
SOTD is Hermes Eau des Merveilles-I love it. It’s one of my new faves, it has that vetiver/salty/ambergris notes. I also tried and liked the ElixirdM- the beginning was gourmand, but in the end the drydown was the same. I decided to swap on MUA for the edt version which lasted several hours (8-10). I went on to smell more salty/ambergris scents. I tried Heely Sel Marin, absolutely lovely, very soft fragrance. It has medium staying power-I could not stop smelling my wrist.
I loved The Different Company’s Sel de Vetiver, but have Hermes EdM, and on me they smelled very similar, especially in the drydown, so not worth a purchase.
Also tried Miller Harris Fleurs de Sel and Vetiver Bourbon and adored both, but Vetiver Bourbon more. It has a great boozy note that I fell in love with. Both MH frags lasted over 14 hours and a shower on me. I ended trying Mandini’s Ambargris. Very exotic, dry smokey and long lasting. I’m not sure how I feel about this one, so I will retry in cooler weather to see how it develops. Excellent staying power and it’s an oil so the sillage is low/moderate.
I love both the Fleurs de Sel and the Vetiver Bourbon. Have you tried Miller Harris Geranium Bourbon? It has that same great boozy note as Vetiver Bourbon, but I can’t get it to last on me the way Vetiver Bourbon does. If you’re interested in getting a full bottle of Vetiver Bourbon, I saw they had it at Rei Rien for something like 30% off full price. I just ordered a full bottle of Fleurs de Sel there. I’ll have to try the Heeley — I’m also a big fan of salty scents.
Thanks for the tip about the coupon! I’ll try the Geranium Bourbon-I totally love the booze notes. I was so good on my scent budget through last quarter. This quarter is just hopeless. Sigh.
SmokeyToes – thanks for the mini reviews! Boozy vetiver sounds fantastic – another one added to the to sample list!
I need to try Eau des Merveilles — I have a sample of the Elixir and I really like the drydown but the beginning is too — something. I love its saltiness, though.
Eau des Merveilles is on my “to buy” list. I am also curious about Ecume de Rose which I plan to sample in the near future, it is supposed to have the same ambergris salty vibe but with Rose!
Tamarind, who makes the salty rose frag? I’m interested!
Parfums de Rosine is the name of the company. I got the recomendation right on one of these threads from a couple weeks ago. I just know that this German site First in Fragrance sells it and samples, which is cool as I am in Europe. I am getting sample with the next batch I order as right now I feel an obsession with Rose starting.
It really is a nice one! The rose is straightforward, but subtle, as if you’re smelling it on the wind from a distance.
together with Ecume you should give a try to Un Zest de Rose as well. wonderful (summer) scent
So many things….
a) Finally bought some Vol de Nuit parfum. OMG. Love.
b) Bottle of L’air de Rien on the way. Again. Love.
c) Vetiver. So, I got a sample of Sycomore, which for me rests between Encre Noir and Vetiver Extraordinaire. For some reason, just not wowing me. Encre Noir still gets the trophy.
d) Sampled The Party in Manhattan and Jubilation 25, both of which are a bit on the skanky side for me, and I love it. Party in Manhattan has a bit of L’air de Rien mixed in there, along with oakmoss and some other floral elements. Nice. But did anyone else get that full on skankiness in Jubilation 25? Right off the bat it was hello cedar, which reminds me of Rose Poivree, but then it takes a turn straight into MKK! Does anyone else smell that??
So envious of your Vol de Nuit parfum… Someday…Christmas is coming…
I have a travel size bottle of Jubilation 25 on the way. Can’t wait, hope it’s as snanky for me as it is for you!
Um, that would be skanky…
Yeah, that was really surprising for me. I had heard descriptions of a chypre, but I didn’t really get chypre from it. Tell me what you think!
Gilty – I don’t want to be Scrooge, but VdN extrait has been reformulated! I ordered some last summer for my birthday and it was totally unrecognizable. I hated it and sent it back. The interesting thing is that just this week I sampled the Cartier XII and kept trying to figure out what it reminded me of. Then I got it – the reformulated VdN. I liked the Cartier, so obviously the new VdN doesn’t smell “bad” just not at all like VdN.
I am using the shield of ignorance. I don’t even want to know what pre-reformulated Guerlains smell like, since all I know of them are their current versions. I am going to stay blissful, because I know if I got my hands on vintage, my world would probably be shattered.
I know what you mean. I’ve opted out of the race for vintage Mitsouko but I can’t quite give up yet on VdN.
The problem is Jared – I’M vintage! LOL! And I’ve worn VdN since high school (not extrait, just the edt – the extrait was a more recent love) so of course I know how it is I *supposed* to smell.
Thanks for the warning. I would be devastated to spend all that money and be disappointed. I’ll have to keep my eyes open for an older bottle and hope the moment coincides with a significantly low credit card balance! There are Guerlain boxes which are all gold and those with a black panel at the top. I think the ones with the panel are older, is that right? Or is this not a reliable indicator?
Actually I love my VdN edt but that just makes me think I’ll love the extrait even more!
Gilty – yes the gold box with the black at the top is the one you want. Or even the white box with the black zig zag design all over it. That one is even older yet. The all burnished gold one is the newest box. I think the extrait is similar to the edt, richer of course and I get a bit more floral in the heart.
Oh hey well I feel better now- I bought my VdN parfum at the Neiman’s in Detroit, and my box is the gold with the black at the top. It was the last one they had in stock…maybe it’s an older version they’ve had around for a while? The box inside is the case with the black and white pattern all over it, so maybe I got a good batch? I hope I hope….
Treasure it Jared! You’ve got a good one – although if you’d like to sell 1/4 or an ounce or so to help finance it, you know who to call!
This may never get read, since I’m so late in reading this thread… but, I have to ask about the gold boxes with the orange labels for the Mitsouko EDP? Are these pre-reformulation do you think? thanks!
I get that huge burst of cedar based skank at the opening of Jubilation 25 but in a few moments it settles down to moderate hotsy-totsy skank which is bearable and then continues to mellow and the floral aspects pick up some strength….lasts forever and as long as I can get thru the first 10 minutes—then it’ LURVE.
I’m assuming that’s how Celine Dion would say “love” lol At least that’s how my friends and I imitate her French-Canadian accent- that “r” sound creeps into all the vowels- hilarious.
Vol de Nuit parfum?? So jealous! Enjoy!
I know, that’s fabulous stuff. I’ve got a few drops and savor them sparingly.
SOTD is Bvlgari Black. I finally bought a bottle unsniffed because I read so many good things about it, and at any rate, it’s practically free it’s so cheap. Really liking it! Does anyone notice a similar between it and L’Eau d’Hiver?
So glad your unsniffed purchase worked out! I don’t usually think of those two together, but now I wonder — I should try them.
I find both to have a light powdery aspect that is similar, so I can see what you mean…but will have to try together, since I don’t have either committed to memory.
It’s that powdery, almost honeyed quality that seems similar to me — but I definitely find L d’H the more delicate of the two.
I ordered the Violet Tendencies from Smell Bent and loved the combo of violet and leather, but not the lack of staying power. Other than Jolie Madame, can anyone tell me of scents that have this combo that I should sample?
CB I Hate Perfume did one: Violet Empire.
Why oh why do I waste my $ on dreck and not save my pennies for the good stuff? Wearing Parisienne today, and I swear, it’s gone, completely GONE in 10 minutes! Love that initial berry blast, but after it disappears, I’m left with absolutely NOTHING! Anyone else try P. and find the same result? Is it a case of anosmia? Can’t believe they’re actually calling this an EDP. Love the bottle, and the association with Paris and Sophia Grojsman, and all that jazz, so was really excited to get this. But oh woe, SUCH a disappointment!
So sorry, Karin… there are a few things that do the disappearing trick on me, and I think it must be anosmia to something in the formula (a musk, probably) that blocks my perception of the scent. I always feel like I can tell there’s something there, it’s different than unadorned skin, but I can’t actually smell it.
You could probably swap it, or sell it, and get something else. Like a big sign to stick on your credit card, saying “NO UNSNIFFED BUYS!” (I need one of those, too… grins.)
Ha! Yeah, I’ll never learn on that unsniffed thing. I did sniff it in a magazine strip! But I guess that doesn’t count! Never had this problem with a scent before, though – that it completely disappears. Really has me stumped. Guess I stumbled onto an anosmia I didn’t know I had! From reviews, sounds like the scent DOES actually last more than 10 minutes on some. And I SO wanted to love this one…being a true Parisienne once removed (my dad is from Paris). Ah well. I may have to get the original YSL Paris instead!!! I have to say, though, I love Rive Gauche – one of my favorite scents of all time, though I wish I still had a vintage bottle. Anyone out there have one they want to get rid of?
I tried it last weekend at Macy’s, and before I could decide whether or not I liked it, POOF! Gone. Fragrance usually lasts longer than I want…
They should re-name it “20 minutes in Paris!”
I think you’re anosmic to that musk, really. It is not that light a scent, I don’t think.
That’s interesting … I’ve been wearing Parisienne quite a lot lately and it’s pretty long-lasting on me and I like it quite a bit. I get that “vinyl accord” and some patchouli throughout the drydown, after that initial rose/berry blast. I have the same experience with Omnia, though — after a bit of spice, it’s like nothing on me! Sorry Parisienne isn’t working for you!
SOTD is, once again, Bois des Iles. Can’t help myself. Every chilly fall day calls out for it.
My favorite recent trial has been Creed Acqua Fiorentina which I wore in protest of the end of summer and found it oddly suitable for a sunny fall day. It’s mixes pretty floral softness with a tart pluminess and a reassuring measure of woods. For a light, ethereal scent the lasting power was pretty darn good too.
Bois des Iles is perfection, why mess with it
SOTD: Barbara Bui le parfum. Does anyone find an VERY strong resemblance between this and EL Private Collection Amber YlangYlang? My nose is still not discerning enough to pick up individual notes – don’t know if I’ll ever get there
– but they seem almost interchangeable on me.
Interesting! I liked the BB but not the EL…wonder if it’s the addition of incense in the BB?
Today I am wearing Ruemer by Lanvin. It has that solvent smell in the top note (like acetone), so I don’t know how old it is, but I’m sure it’s up there. The base is rather woody.
You mean you’re wearing the vintage Rumeur?
I am thinking it is. I ordered a sample of it on-line and it smells vintage, due to the solvent top notes, which quickly fade, while the middle and base are still evident. It has an amber-wood base.
Well, the new one had what I would call a “purposeful” solvent-y top note.
This evening I’m wearing Lys méditerranée, which has just reminded me of something. Some sort of spin-off of the old signature scent question, that I’d like to submit to you fellow perfumistas.
Some people, though conceding that it’s normal (if one wants to) to own and wear more than one fragrance, seem to think that liking many and/or very different scents means having no personality and that some fragrances are incompatible with each other and couldn’t possibly share the same space in a perfume cabinet.
An example: two weeks ago, while I was buying my bottle of Lipstick rose as a self-offered birthday present, I told the shop owner that, in case he had run out of LR, I would have to “make do” with Lys méditerranée, something I will certainly buy in a few months, though at the moment it was a less “urgent” purchase than Lipstick rose (I still have half of their 5ml sample). The shopkeeper gave me a perplexed look and explained to me substantially that those two fragrances were so different that, he thought, someone who wears LR wouldn’t/couldn’t wear LM.
I for one love and wear both, though I wear LR more frequently and though they satisfy different needs/moods.
As perfume lovers, I think we all have some fragrances that are not really “us”, but that we want to smell and own all the same, though maybe we don’t really wear them that often. But talking about the fragrances that we DO wear frequently, do you happen to love AND wear many different scents from different “families”?
And, according to your experience, what do you think about this whole personality/incompatibility thing?
Oh, a big fat raspberry on the fragrance typecasting! I change my scents like I change my shoes! In fact, I probably have fewer shoes.
Looking at the 20-or-so “I don’t want to live without these” scents I love most, I could probably fit them into a few categories: Floral, floral oriental, floral chypre, aldehydic floral, woody oriental. Basically florals and orientals, so that’s not all that widely divergent. For example, there’s not a single citrus scent I couldn’t live without. And there’s one fruity floral I adore, and one woody-chypre-oriental…
But gosh, Lipstick Rose isn’t all that different in feel from Lys Mediterranee. They’re both florals, although one’s a powdery floral and one’s a white floral.
I think the more you get into the perfume staff the more you wear different perfumes cause you develop your taste and knowledge, and your craving for finding new perfumes out of the boundaries of your imagination. At least that’s happening to me.
I beg to differ with those who say if you wear many fragrances, you have no personality. Au contraire, I think that means that you have an interesting, multi-faceted personality! How boring we would be if we were the same all the time. If you love the notes in a fragrance, whether floral, leather, green, spicy, etc., I think it reflects some aspect of “you”.
Depending on how irritated I was at his perplexed look, I probably would have gotten some big ole attitude and just said:
“It’s interesting that you feel that way. So does that mean I should just wear this Lipstick Rose for the next 12 months, and not pop in again in three months to buy a bottle of Lys Med, and another bottle of something wildly different three months after that?”
sounds to me like they were short staffed in the perfume department and borrowed an SA from large appliances to fill in. What an idiot.
The ignorance of some SA’s will bring tears to my eyes. You work here and you obviously don’t care at all about the subject matter. (not like me crazy person who will ignore loved ones to read this blog every day! Or frantically check’s her blackberry under the table during work meetings to see if Daisy has posted news on that Chanel split yet!)
You are just doing your job, trying to sell me the latest release that was ‘focus gouped into banality’ as someone else put it here.
Before finding this community of like minded devotees, I was afraid that not having a signature fragrance was some sort of character flaw – a fear of commitment. Now I know that the best you can do is find your top 20, 30 or 100 . What a relief.
Maybe he’s brand new to the whole idea of fragrance? It sounds to me like he’s trapped in the signature scent idea and hasn’t thought, not even a little bit, about the implications of owning more than one scent.
If he were selling clothes, he wouldn’t take a look at you in a crisp linen little-black-dress and try to talk you out of a pink angora sweater – he’d understand that you have a wardrobe of clothes that express different aspects of your personality.
I’d bet that he’s thinking of perfume as being more like toothpaste or laundry detergent – you pick your product and that’s that until it goes away, at which point you try to find the product that’s closest to the previous one.
That’s interesting. He’s one of the best perfume sellers where I live, and the shop is beautiful, but you are right, he’s “trapped” in the signature fragrance idea. This reminds me of another, hilarious, adventure in perfumeshopland. It happened last year. I was visiting for the first time this old perfume shop in my city. I asked to smell some Nicolai fragrances I hadn’t had the chance to smell yet. She sprayed them on a card for me, but she pulled a face and told me it was no good, that with my strong personality (???) I should wear something bold, which in her opinion was tuberose or incense.
Being the object of such a summary classification, by someone who had known me for like 3 minutes, made me feel so embarrassed that since then I have rarely walked again into that shop.
A couple of questions:
1) for those living in the New York City area, are you familiar with the numerous discount perfume shops in the West 20s and 30s? Ever been in them and tried their wares? They have a lot of product, but I’m wondering if they are knockoffs.
2) having been a perfumista for all of 1-1/2 years, I am curious to know from others: how have your tastes changed from your beginnings to now? Were there notes you used to hate and now love, and vice versa? Did you have a signature that seems “meh” to you now based on your changing tastes?
And my SOTD: Prince Matchabelli Coming Attraction EDC, which I picked up at a flea market in one of those large crown bottles. Still good. Starts out floral, then adds a little leathery skank. Slightly spicy powder drydown. I know it’s been mentioned before in blogs, but that touch of skank seems to have been de rigeur in older fragrances. That is, before fragrance companies thought we all wanted to smell of water or laundry detergent. I’m also impressed by how long a cologne lasts. I splashed some on this morning and am still getting nice wafts of fragrance mid-afternoon. I’ve used modern EDTs that poop out after a couple of hours.
Yep – vintage EdCs usually have a decent percentage of perfume oils, and might last like a modern EdT.
I used to love fresh florals and now find them rather insipid.
Same here – in the beginning I would have identified myself as a Flower Girl, period. Who’d have thunk I’d wind up loving leather, barnyards, and tobacco?
Congrats on your vintage score! And to answer your question – even though I’ve been a Guerlain lover for years and years, I always hated L’Heure Bleue because of the anise note. I resniffed my sample last spring (why do we all do that?) and I loved it. I have no idea what changed my feelings on the anise, but I now own a bottle.
Figures…that’s the only “classic” Guerlain (ie, one w/the Guerlinade) I like.
And of course, I really like a good anise note.
LOL! You need to remember to email me your recent scrubbers! And I’ll do the same. I suppose that ends up being a strange sort of enabling. BTW, I really like the Heure Exquise (sp?). Thanks!
Let me know if you need more, then…I have a FB of it!
I called the edt “medicine cabinet of hell,” but really like the parfum.
In fact, I snapped up a 1 oz bottle of parfum for really cheap on the bay about three months ago. Turns out the seller was getting divorced, and turning bad memories into cash…. anyhoo, I have way too much l’heure bleue. Wanna swap?
Mals – was this to me or Boo? If me, I’ve got 2 bottles now of L’HB, and will probably swap/sell one (especially if I go after the Wazamba!). Umm… how old is the one you got?
Could be anybody! It’s not old, though it is nice.
Does anyone else here remember and enjoy jean Marc Sinan V.O. for men? It’s one of my HGs
I don’t know it, sorry!
SOTD: Daim Blond. For me it started out as freshly cut grass, *complete* with lawn-mower exhaust! Then it turned into the apricot-suede I’ve been reading about, but I was wondering for a few minutes. Anyone else get this?
Also: I’ve looked through the perfume storage articles and have a quick question: right now I don’t have a cupboard to store my bottles in. They’re not exposed to sunlight or heat at all, but they are naturally exposed to the room’s overhead lamp when I’m in there. Is that terrible?
That all depends on how many bottles you have…the more you have, the slower you’ll use them and therefore the more you need to worry.
So I’m way late to the party folks, and it seems like a few people above touched on an earlier topic that I’ve been curious about. Namely, splits. It seems like the only game in town if you’re trying to bolster your collection/experience without taking out a second mortgage.
So, how does one go about arranging such a thing? Is there specific protocol to follow? A lower limit on how expensive something must be to be worth it? Or is it just a spontaneous arrangement between perfumistas drooling over the same perfume?
Check out these two sites:
http://scentsplits.wikidot.com/
http://groups.google.com/group/scent-splits?hl=en
The first one is mostly just people offering decants of stuff they own, at varying markups, while the latter is a Google group (you need to join it to participate) where people go in on splitting bottles with pretty much no markup.
Yesterday, I finally bought a decant (12ml) of Guerlain Vol de nuit. I was in the elevator, on my way to work and eager and impatient to spray it on and trying to pull the decant out of the paper box, it slipped from the paper box and fell onto the elevator floor and before I was able to do anything, it rolled and fell into the elevator shaft…lost forever. I couldn’t believe my eyes. I’m so clumsy and soo angry at myself. for being impatient.
SOTD: kilian – straight to heaven
Oh no, so sorry! I know how you feel, seems this sort of thing always happens to me. We perfumistas are impatient, and can’t wait to tear open a new bottle and start spraying!
On the other hand, the building’s maintenance men are going to smell great…
Agreed. I don’t think there’s a perfumista out there that hasn’t ripped open their package long before they’re anywhere “safe” so that they could start spritzing.
OH NOOOO! That’s terrible….how many floors? Does the elevator shaft smell? I wonder if by some miracle it survived the drop? I don’t know if you are in a huge city or a huge office building but I’d certainly contact the maintenance department and see if they could “check” at the bottom of the shaft for something that dropped.
You know you’re an addict when take the elevator to the basement, crouch down and try to sniff through the little crack in the door track.
what are you implying?? that would be silly, that’s why she should ask the maintenance guy to do it….
Believe me, the situation is heartbreaking, and if it were me, I probably would be so beside myself that I’d have a hard time waiting for the maintenance man: I’d have gotten a piece of fishing line and put some chewing gum on the end and tried to retrieve the decant from the bottom of the elevator shaft myself by the “fishing” method. If one of my decants ever rolls into a storm drain on the street, I’ll be in real trouble.
LOL —Joe—oh the mental image of you , burlap clad hiney in the air, one arm jammed up to the shoulder in the storm drain ,groping blindly for your errant decant with an expression on your face of extreme concentration mixed with horror …… I know I should be more sympathetic but it’s just too funny. (although it wouldn’t be funny AT ALL if it was me with my burlap clad hiney, fishing around desperately for my decant. ) :O
Oh my…LOL! Seriously LOL! Followed by a coughing fit. You two!
ROTFL, Joe!! When I first read your comment, Joe, I thought you were talking about Daisy going to HER basement to sniff!
Oh Zara – that made me cry for you, it’s so awful! I’m so sorry!
Oh poor Zara – how unfortunate!! So sorry for you!
Thanks to all you guys for your compassion!
Zara, that might be the most impressive spillage story I’ve ever heard. So sorry about your VdN!
A question that’s been nagging me: Is there any particular kind of paper that’s used for blotter strips?
I don’t know, but I don’t like them, as I think they have their own smell that interferes with the fragrance you are testing. Honestly, it seems everything smells alike when I test it on paper. The only other choice is skin, and you run the risk of getting a scrubber, but for me there’s no other way of gettiing the true nature of the scent.
I have no technical answer, but it’s clearly more absorbent than regular old copy/xerox paper (because I do stoop to that sometimes).
to me it just appears to be a looser bond of probably acid free paper. But I don’t “know” for sure.
Does anyone get these olfactory hallucinations where you “smell” a particular fragrance even though you’re not wearing it or no one around you is? It’s like something is triggered and the scent is in your nose but there’s no physical basis for it. It’s like my brain is misfiring and the scent-memory is experienced! Crazy! Does this happen to anyone else?
That’s been happening to me on a regular basis lately with Wazamba!
I managed to track down some Lolita Lempicka Midnight Stardust on ebay! Still waiting for it. I’m really pleased, I had given up on it.
Now I’m enjoying Midnight Poison elixir. It’s the only scent I own which I still dream about sometimes. Usually it only happens when I’ve discovered a new one.
Anyone else dream about scents?
I haven’t in a long time, but I certainly have in the past. I’ve dreamed about buying perfumes, stumbling on amazing deals at yard sales (I blame that on Angie) and smelling impossible to find things…and can even remember the smell when I wake up.
Usually these dreams are vague.
The strange thing is that a scent can fascinate me so much even though I’ve got it.
The Midnight Stardust has arrived! It’s gorgeous!
Ladies, on the way home tonight, I reached down for my favorite “in the car” scent. That would be Gucci’s Rush. Mmmm, it’s a wonderful cold weather scent. The only reason I call it my “in the car” scent is because it smells amazingly rich, warm, and potent in the personal safety of my car with the windows rolled up tight. I give myself two squirts, put the red little square bottle back into its shell and switch to the high speed lane. Nothing smells better on a Friday evening heading home ready for the weekend.
What fun! Hope you didn’t get a speeding ticket
Today it is forecast to hit 39 deg celcius in Adelaide and I am wearing YSL Paris Eau de Printemps. I bought this last year and I love to wear it in the hot weather. Light and floral.
I recently bought a sample Citron Citron by Miller Harris. At the first test, it had a sharp opening, then I couldn’t smell it anymore. So I tried again last night, spraying on both wrists, and yes, the sharp opening again. I let it settle for 30 minutes then it was quite lovely – still sharp with bergamot zinging about, but underlaid by a faint creamy floral goodness. It hadn’t exactly disappeared but I am wondering about is lasting power. I haven’t read the notes yet for this scent.
Anyone have any thoughts on Citron Citron by Miller Harris?
Oops! Forgot to say that the Eau De Printemps is a YSL Paris flanker, been released annually for some years now.
And yesterday I tried Jean Paul Gaultier Classique’s summer limited edition on my skin and it’s opening smelled like cellotape!
I have exactly the same problem – I want to love it, but it disappears so quickly I don’t have time to get acquainted. My fave MH is Jasmine Vert – more staying power and depth, almost but not quite reminiscent of Diorissimo, with lots of indole. Clean, almost sweet and fresh.
Thanks Jillie! I’ll put the Jasmine Vert on my next sample order
Apologies if someone has already asked this question and had it answered, I am running short of time and can’t get past the first 10 posts today – meeting a girlfriend for lunch – my bedroom has been heating WAY up this past week and when I come back from work, my perfume bottles are warm to hot to touch. I am thinking of keeping them in the fridge. Has anyone tried this and the perfumes have been OK? Thanks!
I keep mine in the fridge in zip lock bags. I keep them on the door (where you’re NOT supposed to keep eggs because it’s warmer there) and they’ve been fine.
Thanks for the tip Rappleyea!
I definitely agree with Rapple….if your home is getting that warm during the day, I’d keep my perfumes in the refrigerator…keeping them in ziploc bags prevents your food from absorbing perfumey flavors. I think the alcohol content will prevent anything from freezing but in the door is best if you can spare the room. some fragrances will become cloudy when they are cold—don’t worry, they clear up as soon as they reach room temp.
Thanks Daisy!
One of my “perfumelover” dreams is to get a bottle of Le Parfum de Thérèse. Has anybody got a bottle?
I have 2 decants, but no bottle!
I love that one too. The three of us should split a travel set. HA!
Ooh… how many little vials in a travel set? Only three or are there four? *Not* that I need any more perfume – by this time next year, I may be looking for a 12 step program for perfume addicts.
I think it is 3? But actually, I do have 1 of those…I think of it as a decant because it’s only 10 ml.
Yep, it’s 3. I’ve been dreaming of a 3-way purchase and swap with the FMs…but that requires finding 2 other people who want the same 3 scents.
Hey all, i’ve been trying to find something relatively light for summer use (Australia.. where’s winter gone?) but the fact that i’m 17 means the only things the SA’s will let me near are CK1, diesel and Aqua Di Gio. Speaking of which, can a perfume be ‘Too old’ for you (i.e. Terre d’Herme). Anyway, suggestions and comments required : )
Gabriel
Gabriel, there is NO WAY that Terre d’Hermes is “too old” for a 17-year old! I’m a bit older, but it’s one of my favorites. There is absolutely nothing old fashioned about it.
You may want to check some of the older articles on here labeled “Top 10 Summer Fragrances” — many are unisex. You may also consider signing up for the Monday mail.
Just briefly, other summery scents you might consider are L’Artisan L’eau de l’Artisan, Sisley Eau de Campagne, Annick Goutal Mandragore, or Hermes Un Jardin Apres la Mousson.
I’m seconding Joe – plus, why should you be limited to stuff that you don’t want because of age. And what’s the deal with the SAs not *letting* you buy something? I’ve had SAs try that with me before – especially classic scents – by saying something like “oh, you don’t want that, only grandmas wear that”. At which point, I either leave and take my business elsewhere or give them the stink eye and ask them “are you or aren’t you in the business of selling fragrance?” After getting a very confused “Yes” – I then tell them “then I would very much appreciate being able to try and/or buy the perfume that I would like to buy”. Or you could just tell them that it’s a gift for your dad and buy what you want.
You are a perfect candidate for monday mail!! And Cynthia is absolutely right—who are they to say what you should or could wear! grrrrrrr….but it probably is easiest just to say it’s for your dad, then they’ll probably fall all over themselves to help you out. Have you ever tried Prescriptives Calyx ? I love that in hot weather and I think it’s good on guys too.
Eau de Givenchy
PdN Eau d’Ete
Gucci Envy
All my favorite perfumes have patchouli in them. Unfortunately I’m allergic to patch
I can’t tell you how much this bums me out. I’ve started breaking out in rashes where the perfume is applied (even if I take a claritin). I have to wait for the rash to go away before I dare wear it again.
How am I to get “noir” and “depth” without patchouli?
Dixie, I am a ‘noir’ lover and am full of chagrin at your patch-plight. I just did a quick search through of all my fave scents, and yes, they all have patchouli somewhere. However – and don’t quote me on this – I have a funny feeling that Ormonde Woman has no patchouli. At least, none that is listed. If you like the scent, you could always contact Linda herself and ask.
Thank you!
Hi Dixie, i can’t answer your question, but just wanted to say you can put a fragrance on your hair. I’m allergic to perfume, too, except I’m allergic to ALL the fragrances in the world: old, new, reformulated, pre-reformulated and no matter what ingredients they have. Some of them give me more rush and some of them less, but it’s always there. So i just put them on different parts of my body and when i don’t have “clean” place anymore i put them on my hair. The smell also remains for a VERY long time on hair, normally till you wash it.
I thought I was the only one who looked for a “clean” patch on my skin! I will try your and Blimunda’s idea of spraying perfume in the hair. I’m so sorry to hear you are allergic to all perfumes!
Have you ever heard of NAET to get rid of allergies? It’s an alternative medicine technique to get rid of allergies. It worked for my friend’s kids. I wondered if it would work for this.
No, i haven’t heard about this, and i googled it, but sorry, i’m very skeptic about alternative medicine… These concepts of “strong energy creation” and “energy flowing” – i just can’t take such things seriously, i don’t believe in it. So, thank you for your consideration, but i feel this methods are not for me. Besides, i tried Chinese medicine methods for another health problem, a long time ago, and they didn’t help at all…
Dixie – vetiver will also give you a great “noir” feeling in a scent. Don’t give up!
Oh, Thank you!
You could also try scents with dark woods, like gaiac wood or oud.
SOTD – Maroc Pour Elle.
Latest testings – Success is a Job in New York (that is a BIG-ASS perfume. Kinda liked it though)
CdG + Artek (love it, not sure why)
Les Nez Unicorn Spell and Manoumalia (okay but need to try again).
Definitely need some Back to Black. I’ll probably go for the travel thingie.
Revelation of the week:
Although the Artek has no incense in the notes it kind of reminded me of Incense Extreme, which I don’t like. So I tried the Exteme again, and voila! I like it much better. Andy was glad to hear it. Funny how the nose grows.
I like the Artek too! Reminds me of Hinoki, I need to try them together.
I’m both surprised and very sad that I don’t like it. On me, it comes across as very sour BO.
My 5 yr old loves it though, and as she is Finnish and has the middle name Linnea, that is appropriate. 
That’s sweet! But it’s too spendy to buy for a 5 year old.
Yep, but a little sample will last her a looooooong time.
Hello all, newbie here….this is my first comment on the blog…but I’ve been lurking for a while now. Not sure what stage of perfume addiction I’m on LOL, but I’ve been so fascinated with the whole thing for years. Let’s see….I was wearing Tokyo Milk’s Honey and the Moon today, a comforting casual scent, at least according to my nose (hah!) Am waiting for my decant of Parfum de Nicolai Vanille Intense and samples of Ormonde Jayne Ormonde and TDC Osmanthus in the mail. Best sample I tried in the past few weeks: Penhaligon’s Amaranthine. I’m dying to get my hands on that one. Worst, but very intriguing sample: Montale’s White Aoud….gorgeous drydown though. But man, that opening was rough….even after a few days of trying. So anyway *waves to everybody* glad to meet you all!
Hi perfumegeek, and welcome! I’m dying to try the Amaranthine, glad to hear it’s worth waiting for. And I’ll have to try that Tokyo Milk, that sounds nice.
Hiya Robin, awesome blog by the way. I’m so glad I found it, you guys make me feel less crazy. I’m the only one amongst my friends who is a scent snob so to speak
. Please post a review of Amaranthine when you get your hands (and nose) on it. I keep reading that it’s so sexy and sensual, but oddly enough, I think because I grew up in the tropical rainforest it smells….homey to me.
Tropical rainforest?? So did I!! I will have to get a sniff of Amaranthine now!
Thanks for the kind words! And I’m sure we’ll review Amaranthine eventually.
I bought Honey & the Moon recently and I think it’s great! Glad to see you enjoy it too.
Welcome to NST – it can get addictive (I should know, I drop by for my fix almost every day)
Thank you, thank you!
I’m glad you like Honey & The Moon too. I think it’s a more office-friendly, casual scent than others I own, without being too common. I love the violet and sandalwood in it. If I have my way I think I would love to change my scent throughout the day, at least once…..a calming spritz after a stressful meeting (Diptyque Tam Dao?), to a pick-me-up (?) in the afternoon…..one can only dream.
I am having major issues updating my list at the alley. Hope posting my blog is acceptable http://carlosbfl319.blogspot.com/
Pretty boring…as I can’t describe my LOVE of scents like most of the bloggers here. Ciao!
Perfectly acceptable!
Hello NST friends – has anyone heard of the brand L.T Piver? Les Senteurs sells them, and they are extremely well priced and have a Cuir de Russie!! I’m going to order a sample, but thought I’d pick your brains first, since this is THE perfume community to ask about such things!
On a more random Friday Poll note…….I’ve been examining my relationship to florals recently. It has become increasingly clear that I am a Bandit / Tabac Blond / Incense kind of a girl and I like my heavy-hitters and skank-fests. I’ve been searching for a floral that will suit me enough to purchase. I assumed that I would like similarly ‘heavy-hitting’ florals that have elements of skank and darkness. However, I’ve been noticing that the ones I like are delicate and subtle, and a more of an abstract rendering of the floral note they are based on. I own Ta’if, which I adore. I love En Passant, which is the olfactory equivalent of a Singer-Sargent painting for me (specifically the one of the two girls hanging chinese lanterns at dusk). I also love Frangipani as it is unabashedly bright and bold, simple and joyful. Perhaps because I wear such heavy, skanky fragrances normally, when I reach for a floral I want it to be lighter, more subtle and delicate.
Anyway – this is a long-way of asking for any suggestions of such similarly interesting florals that I should try?! (I’m thinking L’Artisan might come up trumps. I havn’t sampled their florals at all yet……)
And have a great weekend everyone.
Due to my patch allergy, I’ve been exploring my lighter fragrances. Beige is worth trying, Apres L’Ondee, Love in White (I know Creed is not well loved on this blog, but I adore this fragrance-it just clicks with my chemistry), Diorissimo, Idylle for starters.
On the noir theme, have you tried MFK Lumiere Noir? It’s to die for? I’m waiting for my skin to calm down so I can wear my decant again.
Good Luck!
I have heard of Piver, but don’t really know anything about them. Do report back if you try the Russie!
Try Artisan’s La Hai Fleurie for the floral rush….I know you said not dark and skanky, but have you sampled FM’s Une Rose? One of my all time favorites for just about anything.
How about PdN Odalisque? That’s a beautiful floral that doesn’t hit one over the head. I’m also curious to try the Eclipse, but haven’t made my way to that one yet.
Hey, if you like incense and own Ta’if then you might also like Amouage Epic. It’s a mix of spicy yet fairly sheer rose reminiscent of Ta’if and incense.
Last scrubber – so sad, CB I Hate Perfume – November.
I usually love this line, but I found November actually bordering on sickening
I just tried my first one – Burning Leaves. I thought it was *terrific*, except for that maple syrup note. I mean, I GET it, it’s maple leaves – but it was way sweet.
I like Burning Leaves, but I find it much closer to burnt sugar than leaves.
November has an opening which sets both my nose and teeth on edge. I’ve tried it a number of times, thinking there is something I need to learn…but that note haunts me, and not in a good way. Still figuring out what it is.
hello everyone so excited here i bought my first hermes yesterday sooooooooo nice i got vetyver tonka and is lovely (also got a bracelet,sadly unscented LOL!!!!) , i really like it i find it so wearable fresh yet warm ( does that makes sense? ) , i was between rose ikebana and vetyver tonka , i hope i made the right decision !!!!
what do you think ? : )
I think you made an excellent choice!
Absolutely the right choice!
Yes, absolutely awesome choice! Vetiver Tonka is amazing.
Great choice. Rose Ikebana is perfectly lovely (it reminds me of YL’s In Love Again, another Ellena creation which I used to wear a few years ago) but Vetiver Tonka is gorgeous. It’s one of my favourite Hermessenses too.
Another “very good choice” agreement. Rose Ikebana is lovely, and I enjoy the top notes more than those of Vetiver Tonka, but it doesn’t satisfy me for nearly as long. Vetiver Tonka is more challenging, in the good meaning of challenging – it shifts, changes, makes you mentally chase it around to nail down what you’re smelling. It’s much more interesting, IMO, and therefore more enjoyable. (And my decant is empty! Now I have to get more.)
thank you to everybody i was really nervous because they are sooooooooo expensive , but now i feel in heaven since i now i made the right choice , thank you so much , send you love and wishing all a great day and rest of weekend !!!!!
xoxoxoxoxoxox
I went into Cartier today looking for their new line and was told they probably won’t have them for another year. Another YEAR! I’m guessing I’ll be throwing samples of these into my basket at TPC very soon.
BTW I’m in Vancouver and the SA told me that only the Beverly Hills and New York Cartiers have the new scents. Has anyone seen them anywhere else?
I don’t know which Cartier stores have them, but I do know that some Saks stores in the US have them too…but have not looked for them personally so don’t know which ones. I’m not much help!
i have the same problems with so many brands i live in mexico and is really hard to get samples , let alone from niche lines , i am still desperately crying over not being able to smell any lutens !!!!!!
but internet is great i can get full bottles trough the net , sadly not samples , but i am sure in canada is easier to get samples i have heard some cartier frags are wonderful , i have tried only the ones they have in the boutiques here but i am sure not the most recent ones ! good luck !
I know Saks in NYC has them, not sure where else…
They are at the Cartier in Chicago. (Michigan Ave.)
My last scrubber was Creed Acqua Fiorentina. The first sniff was lovely – if I were a buy at first sniff person, I might even have bought it. I sprayed some on, and the nice SA gave me a sample vial and all was well.
And then a few minutes later it was just nice. Then just OK. Then eh. Then cloying. Then it was Night Of The Living Dead Pink Happy Fruit. I sat through it until I got home, and scrubbed it off frantically.
And then the smell was _still there_, and after more frantic scrubbing I discovered that it was coming from the unopened vial. So I isolated the vial in two layers of Ziplocs, where it now sits in my decanting supplies drawer, waiting for a chance to waft at me.
Twitch.
I won’t be buying it.
I’m so late to the party….
I just bought extra bottles of Shiseido Feminite du Bois and Fendi Theorema because I don’t want to run out of these discontinued scents. I know that SL has re-launched FdB, and I have some of it, but I really like the original better. The only other things I have multiple bottles of are Shalimar, my HGP. Funny that my HGP is something that has been sitting in front of me for years but took a while for me to appreciate. My street is Shalimar Drive and I really wanted a bottle of it when we moved in, but never bought one because it smelled “too powdery and old-lady” to me. I have grown as a person since then. I also have a couple of extras just because Marshall’s was practically giving them away.
How cool that you live on Shalimar Drive! Enjoy all your new bottles.
I am reaaally late to this one!!
Any suggestions on how to open up an unopened vintage bottle of Shalimar that is stuck? Alcohol with a dropper?
I tried knowing, on one hand and beautiful, on the other and wanted to SCRUB them both off …should have stuck to the feeling of the week, bois de isle or attrape!!!
Try putting it in the freezer for about 5-10 minutes, then see if you can’t gently ease it out. That usually works.
oh thanks so much!
Great tip, Robin! I recently acquired four bottles of vintage Shalimar and thought I would never get the stopper out of the rosebud bottle. I never thought to put it in the freezer for a few minutes. I’ve opened two of them, one rosebud and one urn shaped, and I did clean around the top carefully with a little alcohol on a swab. The necks were encrusted with grime and I didn’t want that getting into my perfume. They smell so good! All of them came from estate sales or church bazaars and I’ve researched the bottles and stamps and I think they range from the late 40′s to the early/mid-sixties. Somebody told me that it was a shame to open them and I really disagree. Their previous owners probably thought they were “too fancy” to wear then put them away and never enjoyed them. I use this same reasoning in many areas of my life which is why we use our silver utensils every day. I want to enjoy what I have now. I say purchase and wear what you love, don’t save it for later. Life is too short to wear crappy perfume!
“a shame to open them?!?” Heresy!!
4 bottles, lucky you! Might be wise to leave 2 of them sealed until you finish the other 2.