Savvy Thinker » Greens http://savvythinker.com thinking about life, playing with makeup Sun, 12 Feb 2012 10:15:26 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Comparing 3 green perfumes http://savvythinker.com/comparing-3-green-perfumes/ http://savvythinker.com/comparing-3-green-perfumes/#comments Mon, 06 Feb 2012 20:44:08 +0000 Karin http://savvythinker.com/?p=6613

I've been hankering for greens in fragrances lately, so I thought I'd do a comparison of 3 that I particularly love. I wore one on each wrist and the third on my forearm. I wanted to see how they wore throughout the day, how other people perceived them, which lasted the longest, and which was my favorite among them.

Chanel # 19 was introduced in 1970. (I have a mini bottle from one of the sets, so this was dabbed.) It's notes include (and I don't smell the tuberose):

bergamot, neroli and tuberose, vetiver, leather and musk.

or

* With floral and green notes of Neroli from Grasse and Galbanum from Iran
* Combines with May Roses and Irises from Florence
* A cypress tone with a subtle and woody note of Vetiver

Vent Vert by Balmain was created in 1947. I have both the vintage version and the more modern version, but for this comparison I used the vintage. It is a spray.

Original:
Top Notes: Galbanum, Citrus, Gardenia, Peach
Middle Notes: Rose, Muguet, Hyacinth, Orrs, Jasmin
Base Notes: Oakmoss, Vetiver, Styrax, Musk

Top Notes: Greens, orange blossom, lemon, lime, basil
Heart Notes: Rose, galbanum, lily of the valley, freesia, hyacinth, tagetes, ylang-ylang, violet
Base Notes: Oakmoss, sandalwood, sage, iris, amber, musk

Ma Griffe by Carven was introduced in 1946, but to me, it still is timeless. At one time it was close to a signature fragrance for me. The gardenia and other florals in it are not particularly strong. In many ways it reminds me of Guerlain's Chamade, perhaps because of all the galbanum. This bottle is also vintage and a spray.

Top Notes: Gardenia, greens, galbanum, aldehydes, clary sage
Heart Notes: Jasmine, rose, sandalwood, vetiver, orris, ylang-ylang
Base Notes: Styrax, oakmoss, cinnamon, musk, benzoin, labdanum

Over the course of several days, I applied the fragrances in the same manner and refreshed throughout the day.

My take
They sure are similar!

Which lasted the longest?
Between Vent Vert and Chanel No 19, the Chanel was longer lasting. I tried to apply the same amount to each wrist, though they were in different formats. Both started out essentially the same, equally strong, and both had odd top notes, because both are vintage. But that burned off quickly. I was surprised that even in the beginning they were alike.

I applied more of the Ma Griffe because I applied that to my forearm and transferred it to the other forearm. It lasted about as long as the Vent Vert, maybe a tad longer.

What do they smell like?
Vent Vert and Chanel No 19 are both crisp greens. Ma Griffe is a bit softer.

I brought some fresh flowers into the house this week and cut their stems before putting them in water. I had all 3 of my girls smell the cut edges of the stems because that is the scent that most fragrance houses are trying to put into their fragrances to capture the real essence of cut flowers. Honestly, I could have worn the stems, they were so fragrant, though I bet people would have wondered about me!

Who liked what?
Book Girl didn't like Ma Griffe. She felt it smelled 'old.' I told her it wouldn't as soon as it settled down. It is grownup, though. By contrast, Cathy's favorite was Ma Griffe, which is also mine. None that I asked could smell a lot of difference between the Vent Vert or Chanel No 19.

So there you have it! If you are looking for greens in a fragrance, you can look into these, and you won't go wrong with any of them. It all depends on what you like best on you and the price point.

Have you worn any of these?
Is one your favorite?

Karin
www.savvythinker.com

Originally posted 2010-05-03 06:12:23.

Online Stores ]]> http://savvythinker.com/comparing-3-green-perfumes/feed/ 0 Scents that Sing Spring http://savvythinker.com/scents-that-sing-spring/ http://savvythinker.com/scents-that-sing-spring/#comments Mon, 26 Sep 2011 19:19:58 +0000 Karin http://savvythinker.com/?p=6594

Spring is in the air! Once again Ayala has gathered us together to share our faves for this season.

We have experienced a wonderful, prolonged spring which will segue into heat and humidity all too soon. I wish we had tulips and daffodils, and crocus and hyacinth -- and iris, don't forget iris! I look for those notes in fragrances: Bond No 9 Chelsea Flowers; Nohiba; White Linen (and flankers), Estee (for those who can wear it like my mother-in-law) ...

Today I hear my wind chimes, the sun is shining, and the weather is perfect. For the last week or so, I've been digging out my spring perfumes and enjoying them immensely.

When it's spring, I reach for:
Sweet Orange Fragrances (not orange blossom which I don't wear well, even though it is definitely a spring scent.)

Grapefruit scents or greens
I reach for these too. They are light and refreshing. Just yesterday (and just now) I spritzed Bath and Body Works Grapefruit Jasmine. I like that it is somewhat fleeting so I can enjoy another scent later.

Pomegranate or raspberry scents

Lily of the Valley -- It's surprising how many fragrances list this as a note.
Diorissimo or Caron's Muguet du Bonheur -- I don't have any Guerlain LE Muguet, but I'm betting it's terrific -- I just did a search on the fragrances I keep track of, and I'm guessing there are a 100 or more that have this note in them. I wish I had an easy way to print a list. Later today I will try to compile and link to this. Looking down the names, many are ones I wear this time of year. Who knew! But the lily of the valley in them is not as predominant as in Diorissimo which is very bright and green, almost too bright for spring here, but somehow went well with spring up north. (I think the scents in the air and the degree of humidity affect what we wear and how it smells on us.) Only a couple on the list are too heavy/heady.

Earthy Fragrances, such as Demeter's one note fragrances, like Dirt or Wet Garden or Rain. Anything that smells like a flower shop or the inside of the flower shop's cooler.

I've set aside my beloved orientals, but I will reach for them again once I get my fill of orange...

What do you reach for?

Karin
www.savvythinker.com

Check out other participants:

Katie Puckrik Smells
Perfume Shrine

The Non Blonde
I Smell Therefore I Am
Notes from the Ledge

Scent Hive
Smelly Blog
Roxana's Illuminated Journal
Perfume in Progress (Sonomascent)

All I Am A Redhead

Ambre Gris
Olfactarama

A Rose Beyond the Thames

Originally posted 2010-04-16 09:33:02.

Online Stores ]]> http://savvythinker.com/scents-that-sing-spring/feed/ 1 Bond No 9 Andy Warhol Union Square http://savvythinker.com/bond-no-9-andy-warhol-union-square/ http://savvythinker.com/bond-no-9-andy-warhol-union-square/#comments Sun, 31 Jul 2011 11:37:29 +0000 Karin http://savvythinker.com/2008/03/27/bond-no-9-andy-warhol-union-square/

Union Square is a lovely fragrance. Billed as a seductive green floral and The Sweet (and Cool) Smell of Pop Art it sneaks up on you as you wear it.

I am sampling it from a vial, so I am not spritzing it.

I think the idea of sweet and cool in fragrance is today's trend. I don't want to call it a modern trend, because other fragrances which I would consider modern, don't always have this dichotomy of sweet with cool. It's as though sweet is too sweet and cool is too cool, but combining the two together, so long as they don't cancel each other out or end up a mishmash, gives a balance that those who desire neither alone (or at least on particular days) find intriguing.

When I first wear it, it reminds me of Miss Dior Cherie which also has a sweet and cool thing going on. Or M by Mariah Carey.

The notes are:

Lily of the valley (in a deliciously impudent frame of mind, they write), green stem notes (uncorruptible), sweet blue freesia (having it's 15 mins of fame); white birchwood (our very own Nature Girl); Amber (decadently mellow); Silver-Cloud Musk Accord (that's sultry on the outside, cool and collected on the inside).

Lily of the valley and greens give it the sharp coolness. The fragrance has movement, but still the notes are distinct, yet blending. My kids like it on me. That is always a good sign.

The bottle is fuchsia, red and yellow, popping from a two-dimensional plane. I quite like it.

For those wishing to recycle their bottles, Bond No 9 or anyone else's, they can be recycled at either SAKs or the NY Bond Boutiques. (As a way of thanking you, they will give you a refillable pocket spray with any purchase.)

There is, however, a niche for those who are bottle collectors. If bottles are kept long enough, are interesting enough, or are rare enough, empty (or not) bottles can fetch a pretty resale price.

I think Bond No 9's concept of the same bottle, but different designs is clever packaging. I only wish they were refillable, that would be really going green. I could see a shelf full of these empty lovelies as a design theme -- or still filled with fragrance if kept from light or heat.

Karin

Originally posted 2008-03-27 13:21:27.

Online Stores ]]> http://savvythinker.com/bond-no-9-andy-warhol-union-square/feed/ 3 Review: Greens http://savvythinker.com/1000-perfume-mini-reviews-greens/ http://savvythinker.com/1000-perfume-mini-reviews-greens/#comments Fri, 08 Apr 2011 05:14:01 +0000 Karin http://savvythinker.com/?p=4864

This is another sample that was gifted to me.

The Taj Mahal's Eternal Love edp - Les Grandes Amours du Taj-Mahal by Romea d’Ameor; Perfumer Pierre Bourdon.

Notes: grapefruit, bergamot, melon, black currant, green notes, lily of the valley, sea water, lotus, rose, jasmine, iris, vetiver, raspberry, peach, vanilla, musk;

This is part of a collection of seven perfumes, inspired by famous women who left their mark on history: The Princess of Venice, The Grand Inca Priestesses, The Mistresses of Louis XIV, The Sovereigns of Egypt, The Great Empresses of Japan, The Secret Heroines of the Tsar, The Taj Mahal’s Eternal Love.

I don't need to repeat the story of the Taj Mahal. It is known the world over, but did you know that the Shah created a perfume to remind him of his wife?

This fragrance evokes the feeling of the gardens and the water.

To me, it is mostly green, and even a bit salty and sharp. I really don't catch nuances of anything else, though I imagine they play off the central theme. It is definitely not sweet or particularly floral. After several hours, it is softly green.

It might be the grapefruit that makes it sharp, but it doesn't smell citrusy.

If you like greens, you would likely like this. 100 ml Eau de Parfum; $135 each.

Have you tried this one?
What did you think?

Lucky Scent carries the fragrance and samples.

Karin
www.savvythinker.com
don't steal my posts

Originally posted 2009-09-23 22:07:17.

Online Stores ]]> http://savvythinker.com/1000-perfume-mini-reviews-greens/feed/ 0 Neil Morris fragrances, part 4 Dark Earth http://savvythinker.com/neil-morris-fragrances-part-4-dark-earth/ http://savvythinker.com/neil-morris-fragrances-part-4-dark-earth/#comments Sat, 15 Jan 2011 22:58:22 +0000 Karin http://savvythinker.com/2008/01/23/neil-morris-fragrances-part-4-dark-earth/

Dark Earth is one of my favorite fragrances of Neil's. It is the note I was looking for when I was looking for, yes, an earthy fragrance, similar to what you get after a rain in your garden. A little green, mostly earth.

I actually purchased one from another house, but it is more strident and bright, more like the notes in the cooler of your florist. I wear it only occasionally. By contrast, Dark Earth is the fragrance I was seeking for when I first dreamed of wanting to smell it. It has the ability to transport you to a place and time.

It is subtle, but long lasting. The notes twine around each other, coming full circle more than once. You sense movement in the fragrance; it isn't static. Every time you take a deep whiff, you can capture a subtle difference, the development of the idea...or the progress of your walk.

The notes are:

Myrhh, patchouli, sandalwood, musk, earth, frankincense, and green forest note.

He told me he used golden musk, which he said is

lush, gorgeous, resinous, deep and tenacious. It holds to the skin very well, acting as a fixative to the other notes.

He created the earth note --

like a damp-walk-in-the-forest note, like the spring is here (or a deep summer day) after everything has melted, almost like loam.

The green forest note is very specific

like the smell of a broken leaf.

I'd say he captured it very well, as I smelled all of this before he told me the notes. Again, sweet patchouli runs through it, which adds to both the darkness and the earthiness of it all.

I do not smell the musk. I have trouble with some musks turning on me, but not with what he is using for his fragrances.

Remember all of his fragrances are true perfumes, not edp or edt. They are $150 for 2 oz for these particular ones.

Karin

Originally posted 2008-01-23 13:19:11.

Online Stores ]]> http://savvythinker.com/neil-morris-fragrances-part-4-dark-earth/feed/ 0 Review Puredistance Antonia http://savvythinker.com/review-puredistance-antonia/ http://savvythinker.com/review-puredistance-antonia/#comments Tue, 05 Oct 2010 20:13:58 +0000 Karin http://savvythinker.com/?p=7209

I was delighted to be asked to review Antonia, if I wished, and I was provided with a sample which was packaged just beautifully. I've taken a couple of pictures in hopes that you will see how lovely it is presented.

IMG_4558 IMG_4559

Annie Buzantian created Antonia as well as the original PUREDISTANCE signature fragrance Puredistance I and many others. You can get a feel for how talented she is when you read the following that she says [click here for full interview]

My first creation was called, ‘Love’s Musky Jasmine’. Since then, I have created or co-created fragrances like Clinique’s Happy for Men, Armani’s Acqua di Gio, Victoria’s Secret’s Pink, and many others. Among the most rewarding experiences in my career, have been my collaborations with my dear friend and colleague, Alberto Morillas. Together we have created several fragrances that have been regarded as ‘American Classics’ like Estée Lauder’s Pleasures, Safari pour Homme, and Tommy Hilfiger’s Tommy. Some of them are particularly dear to my heart in that they symbolize the “American Dream,†which I had when I arrived in New York.

Antonia is a rich, distinctive, traditional, but modern perfume classic. My first feeling was and is that it is in the grand tradition of Caron, but it is distinctly its own. It doesn't have the Caron base, but it is equally as rich, warm and smooth.

Fortunately or unfortunately, Puredistance is not providing us with the notes, at least at this point in time. I suppose, then it could be all things to all people -- or what you feel is what it is to you. OTOH, for many of us, we'd like to at least have a hint of the direction a fragrance is moving in, because we know that certain things disagree with us, so we might not give this lovely fragrance a chance.

It is not gourmand, yet a bit of it sneaks in on me, at least when it is on my skin. It is dissimilar to Guerlain, for example, because it is not based on the Guerlinade underlying base. There's no vanilla at all (at least that I can discern.)

It does have movement, as it is worn throughout the day. I always like that! It isn't boring.

On me, it starts out briskly green, with a tad of what I might call sunflowers (but it is not like Arden's Sunflower.) There is a hint of powder, but it is not sweet or overwhelming. Then it moves into a stage which reminds me of heated milk. That is the only gourmand moment. It is that which makes it a warm, comfort scent. Ultimately it comes down on me to a sweeter green with just the smallest hint of spice -- and only at times.

And it stays visible all day. I don't have to reapply. Greens are some of my favorite fragrances, so it is no surprise that I love this one.

In comparison, Puredistance 1 is brighter and greener. Antonia is as if they took a dream of Puredistance 1 and made it visible. It is softer and warmer and even more floral, in the beginning. Puredistance 1 starts out brightly green.

If you'd like to see my review of the first Puredistance fragrance, go here.

Just as the Puredistance I perfume spray, Antonia perfume spray fits perfectly into the beautiful Crystal Column which is handmade by Swarovski exclusively for Puredistance. Antonia, like Puredistance 1, is available separately. The retail price is 165 euro for 17.5 ml pure perfume (25%) (without the crystal column.) It will be available in November 2010 at selected retail outlets, as well as online directly from Puredistance.

Both fragrances are superb. The concentration of pure purfume is lush and long lasting. It really is an extrait.

Karin
www.savvythinker.com

Online Stores ]]> http://savvythinker.com/review-puredistance-antonia/feed/ 0 Comparing perfumes — Vol de Nuit Evasion with Attrape-Coeur/Guet-Apens http://savvythinker.com/comparing-perfumes-vol-de-nuit-evasion-with-attrape-coeurguet-apens/ http://savvythinker.com/comparing-perfumes-vol-de-nuit-evasion-with-attrape-coeurguet-apens/#comments Sat, 04 Sep 2010 08:19:38 +0000 Karin http://savvythinker.com/2008/06/21/comparing-perfumes-vol-de-nuit-evasion-with-attrape-coeurguet-apens/

I promised yesterday that I would compare these two.

I came across a site where you can compare fragrances. If you like one, what else might you like (or vice versa.) You can see it here.

When I went there, while waiting for my sample of VdNE to arrive, I was surprised to find they listed VdNE like this:

VOL DE NUIT EVASION 2007 (ATTRAPE-COEUR)

I had a bit of AC, so I wondered if I had simply bought the same thing with a new name. But checking further, the answer was no, these are two different fragrances.

However, when I wear them, comparing them, as I did yesterday afternoon and again today, there isn't enough difference in the two of them on me to warrant having both, unless I wanted one for daytime and one for evening.

The notes for VdNE are [Fragrance Family - oriental woody] : peach, rose, jasmine, amber, iris, woods, vanilla.

The notes for AC/GA are [Fragrance Family - Floral, Amber, Musk]:
Top: a burst of spell binding green notes
Heart: generous, floral/fruity notes (rose, jasmine, peach and tuberose)
Base: leather, powdery and dry wood notes (Amber, Sandalwood, Vanilla and Musk)

or: green, fruity, rose, jasmine, peach, tuberose, amber, sandalwood, vanilla, musk, leather.

It's only fair to say that those who love AC/GA do not, for the most part, like VdNE. I am testing vials; I am not spraying, so there is very little sillage and I have to smell up close to smell either one.

I asked all 3 of my girls to smell both fragrances on me several times. Without exception, if they smelled AC/GA (or VdNE) first, they could not smell the other one. (I had no problem.)

AC/GA is much richer and deeper. College Girl said it smelled more musky. I don't notice that at all particularly. I notice the leather and amber in it, especially the amber. The leather is completely wearable. It is not musty. It certainly smells very good. VdNE is lighter and more powdery, though both have some powder essence to them.

I asked CG again just now which she preferred on me. I have not reapplied since this morning.

She smelled VdNE first, then AC/GA. She said she preferred VdNE, "the deeper one." I said, "No, the other is deeper." She said, "Then VdNE has lasted longer." I think it is again, because she smelled the one first. To me, AC/GA is the deeper, fuller, more exotic one, and has lasted longer. But I like them both. Earlier in the day, my younger girls picked VdNE because it was "lighter."

There you have it. It appears to be a toss up, on me. I would think a man would prefer to wear AC/GA. But hey, give both a try! As I said, I like them both, and I would love to drench myself in spray to get a feeling for when they have heavier sillage.

AC costs EUR 130 for 125 ml. VdNE (edt) is EUR 46 for 50 ml.

Where to buy it?
Call (702-732-7008) or email Claire (GuerlainPalazzo.STORE@lvmhuspc.com) at the Guerlain boutique in Las Vegas. And if he's not there, the others will treat you right too. Even better, stop in when you are in Las Vegas. You'll see I'm right.

Tell them I sent you!

Karin

Addendum: the plot thickens! Evidently, according to French Guerlain sources, VdNE is the edt version of AC/GA edp version. Why on earth would they not keep the same name, AC/GA! No wonder they smell so similar, but one is lighter.

Originally posted 2008-06-21 15:59:29.

Online Stores ]]> http://savvythinker.com/comparing-perfumes-vol-de-nuit-evasion-with-attrape-coeurguet-apens/feed/ 3 Review: Cuir de Russie candle by Le Jardin Retrouvé http://savvythinker.com/review-cuir-de-russie-candle-by-le-jardin-retrouve/ http://savvythinker.com/review-cuir-de-russie-candle-by-le-jardin-retrouve/#comments Sat, 24 Jul 2010 05:12:24 +0000 Karin http://savvythinker.com/?p=5799

Photobucket

I received this Cuir de Russie candle from Le Jardin Retrouvé so that I could review it and share my impressions with my readers. I loved the silver look of it, and I lit it, the minute I got it out of the packaging.

Cuir de Russie is one of my favorite Le Jardin Retrouvé fragrances. I reviewed it as a guest blogger at Cologne Perfume Fragrance.

In reviving this forgotten perfume, …Le Jardin Retrouvé has created a brand new interpretation of RUSSIAN LEATHER. While it still follows the strict traditions of French perfumery-making, it is distinguishable by its originality stemming from the various flowery and green notes, diffused and long-lasting, exhalting the the richness and warmth of the Jardin Retrouvé's RUSSIAN LEATHER.

I love the green notes in it, which are not over powering, but add dimension.

The candle

The candle is very elegant looking. It is a dark silver color. The candle pictured online is different than the one I received. I do not know which packaging is the current one. Each candle will burn for more than 50 hours, and the fragrance will last until the end.

Cuir de Russie (Russian leather), a complex composition, very "warm" and powerful, containing ingredients evoking the smell of leather in a rather "impressionist" interpretation. It is constructed around harmonies of AMBER - SPICE - WOOD, with a light FLORAL touch which "rounds off" the composition and gives it a stronger diffusing power.

Scented air

The fragrance diffuses nicely into the air. It is exactly the right strength. It is filling the room, without being too strong, and I have moved it from one room to another.

My take

I rate this 4* out of 4*. If you love fragranced candles and want something that is a true perfume, not ordinary run-of-the-mill, this is for you. There is no candle wax over-scent. The candle burns true to the fragrance. They are moderately priced at 19 € each.

I cannot speak for the other fragranced candles, but judging from the qualities of the perfumes that I have sampled, I expect them to be every bit as lovely.

Have you tried any of their candles?

What do you think?

Have you tried any of his fragrances? (If not: Ask Them for Free Samples - Tout autour du Monde - All around the world.) Do you have a favorite?

Karin
www.savvythinker.com

Originally posted 2009-11-24 16:55:51.

Online Stores ]]> http://savvythinker.com/review-cuir-de-russie-candle-by-le-jardin-retrouve/feed/ 0 Review Pure Distance perfume http://savvythinker.com/review-pure-distance-perfume/ http://savvythinker.com/review-pure-distance-perfume/#comments Sat, 08 May 2010 20:57:58 +0000 Karin http://savvythinker.com/?p=6635

Let me say right up front that Pure Distance is a lovely fragrance.
It is bright and happy -- and adult. And let me also say that it is GREEN in the best possible way -- and if you've been reading my blog, you know that I love green fragrances, especially in spring.

I was very happy when I was contacted and asked if I would like to sample their fragrance. Of course I said yes! At that point in time I knew nothing about their fragrance. It had not come across my radar, though several blogs that I read regularly have talked about it. Somehow, I missed them all!

Here's a bit about its pedigree:

The company
The company is small, but its fragrance is big. Jan Ewoud Vos is the owner and visionary. He is joined by two others. The fragrance was composed by Annie Buzantian, who originally created the perfume for herself, but realized how Vos' concept matched her own. This reminds me of Coco Chanel who is said to have shared her own personal fragrance with the world.

Who is Annie Buzantian?
She is a Master Perfumer originally from Romania, now from New York. In addition to this fragrance, she has created or co-created fragrances including ‘Love’s Musky Jasmine’, Clinique’s Happy for Men, Armani’s Acqua di Gio, Victoria’s Secret’s Pink, along with many others. Together with Alberto Morillas the two have created Estée Lauder’s Pleasures, Safari pour Homme, and Tommy Hilfiger’s Tommy.

In 2003, she was honored for the body of her work, when she won the American Society of Perfumers’ ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’.

The fragrance
Pure Distance is meant to be sophisticated, exclusive and classic. I think they have won on all counts.

If you prefer to be unique, to wear a fragrance that is not found everywhere nor worn by everyone, yet is modern, classic and uniquely your own, look into this fragrance. It has an expensive price point, but it is made more easily affordable by the smaller size.

It is 32% perfume strength, extrait or parfum category; it is not edp. This likely accounts for its longlasting aura.

The notes
Quite how they get such a luscious green out of these notes is surely a mystery! Only the perfume composer knows how to wend her magic wand to create perfection.

Top notes: tangerine blossom, cassis, and neroli bigarade.
Heart: magnolia, rose wardia, jasmine and natural mimosa
Base notes sweet amber, vetiver and white musk.

Their online brochure
The online brochure has understated elegance. Gabriel Conroy, fashion designer and illustrator, drew the accompanying illustrations. They are exquisitely beautiful! Folks have commented on the marketing materials, which read like an elegant sophisticate. I suspect this is because English is not their first language. It reads like an earlier time, but the fragrance itself is very modern -- a modern interpretation of an earlier time.

My take
I was curious to know how this fragrance would wear. I'm not always successful wearing florals, but I eagerly awaited its arrival. I didn't want to read other blogs. I just wanted to capture my own sense of it.

As I said, it starts out bright and happy, very green, but not cold. It is reminiscent of the fresh cut stems I had this past week. In a way, it reminds me of walking into a florist's cooler -- where the scent of flowers mingles with the scent of the water they are kept in; the cool, brisk air in the cooler; and the scent of the green stems. What could be better!

It smells real, not artificial or plastic.

When I start to test a fragrance, I take the smallest spray, because I have known some scrubbers in my day. I did the same with Pure Distance. One spray was delightfully strong and heady. It enveloped me in the scent -- and lasted for several hours.

While wearing it, I'm not aware that it moves through various stages, though it does. It keeps me company and changes in subtle ways, until I suddenly notice that it no longer surrounds me. Instead, it lays very close to my skin, maintaining its central essences. At this point, it becomes floral, but the greens are still evident. I have, on occasion, refreshed with a second spray -- or not, depending on the day.

It doesn't bore me. And it might even keep me from being boring. (I'm sure those of you who know me, will attest that I am anything but boring.)

The packaging
The packaging is both minimalistic and luxe. You can see Nathan Branch's excellent photos at his blog.

First, there is the quite beautiful, simple, and utterly functional 17.5 ml bottle.

Then there is the option of sheathing the bottle in a Swarovski crystal column, either clear or black. Each is handmade in limited numbers, engraved with a serial number on the cap and on the bottom. In black it is reminiscent of Chanel No. 5's metallic black packaging, though Pure Distance is crystal.

• The retail price of the 17.5 ml. PUREDISTANCE I PERFUME spray is priced at 165 euro.
• The retail price of the Crystal & Gold’ Limited Edition including two PUREDISTANCE I PERFUME
sprays is 2.750 euro.
• The ‘Crystal & Steel’ Limited Edition including two PUREDISTANCE I PERFUME sprays is 1.750 euro.

All are encased in a beautiful white presentation box.

Where can you buy it?
In keeping with its luxe reputation -- and to show you that it really is an excellent fragrance -- you can find it worldwide in well respected perfumeries that are known for giving excellent customer service -- Roja Dove's Haute Perfumerie in Harrods in London, Quartier 206 in Berlin, Tsum in Moscow and soon Maria Luisa in Paris, to name a few. It can also be found in the flagship store in Vienna.

You can buy samples or the full sized fragrance from their Pure Distance online store.

Have you ever tried this fragrance? Do you wear it?
Are you fortunate enough to have one of the crystal containers?

Karin
www.savvythinker.com


Online Stores ]]> http://savvythinker.com/review-pure-distance-perfume/feed/ 0 A Madame Rochas kind of day http://savvythinker.com/a-madame-rochas-kind-of-day/ http://savvythinker.com/a-madame-rochas-kind-of-day/#comments Sun, 13 Dec 2009 12:08:24 +0000 Karin http://savvythinker.com/2007/04/16/a-madame-rochas-kind-of-day/

Madame Rochas was introduced in 1960. It used to be one of my favorites for spring and summer. It's a floral aldehyde, but it has more zing than Chanel No. 5. The vintage fragrance was potent, but not over-powering. The modern version is different than the vintage -- no wonder that whenever on whatever rare occasions I found it and spritzed it, it wasn't me.

Original:
Top Notes: Hyacinth, neroli, aldehydes, greens, lemon
Heart Notes: Bulgarian rose, jasmine, iris, lily of the valley, violet, orris, narcissus, tuberose
Base Notes: Amber, cedarwood, sandalwood, moss, vetiver, musk, tonka bean

Well, I didn't think it was me for a long time. I gave it a couple of decades long break. It had been one of the bottles I had felt I'd had to use up before I could buy another one. Doing that, I always really tired of it. Ha! if I hadn't done that, I'd have my own vintage bottle, and it would still be in good scent condition.

Sometime in the last year I found vintage spray parfum on ebay, minus the decorative outer case/bottle. Never having worn the perfume, only the edt (I think) version which was as strong as edp, I thought I'd spring for it, if it were inexpensive enough, which it turned out to be. It certainly smelled fine, but again it wasn't me. I hated to use it up as room spray! So, I decided to wait...and try again.

Today with spring in the offing, loads of wind and plenty of sun, it just felt like a Mme Rochas kind of day. Plus it conjures up plenty of happy memories and moments. No sense whatsoever wearing anything with bad vibes, LOL!

Yep, I was right. Given the right atmosphere, it is just as beautiful, rich and full-bodied as it ever was, complete with lovely woods.

How to describe it....similar to Chamade in some respects, but brighter. Heavy on rose and jasmine but blended into the woods and iris so it has a green aspect to it. There is more moss in the base than there is musk, which is a good thing for me. I picture myself walking through the woods towards a companion seeing bits of bright green spring grass and moss, with sunlight dappling through the trees, after a rain or with dew or mist on the ground. Each of those things bring me joy; having them together is a bonus.

It is long lasting and makes you happy. What more could you want! I'm glad it worked today.

Do you wear it? have you ever worn it? Why, oh why, do they tweak with perfection!

Karin
www.savvythinker.com

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Originally posted 2007-04-16 11:54:13.

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