Savvy Thinker » Incense

Comparing incense and patchouli and woods

Karin — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 14:58:08 +0000

I promised I'd get to my incense/patchouli fragrances and that's what I've been doing the past few days.

I always recommend trying a fragrance more than once before buying it. And I also recommend comparing it to things that remind you of it that you are either considering buying or already own. That way you know if it is FBW or more or less a duplication, or if in comparison, you either really like it or you really don't. I learned this through trial and error. Sometimes the right combination of scents if you are doing a mini sniffa makes a fragrance smell better than it really does. Ditto for the weather or hormones or whatever. I find if I can't trust a fragrance to smell pretty much the same always, it makes it iffy for me to use it. Because while mostly I might like it, there are days when it can be a scrubber, so it's not one I'd reach for as often as ones that are always beloved.

I compared Le Baiser Du Dragon By Cartier with Lâ€™air du dÃ©sert marocain by Tauer with NEW BLACK ORCHID by TOM FORD .

Notes for Le Baiser Du Dragon, introduced in 2004, a woody oriental:
Amaretto, Neroli Blossom, Gardenia, Cedarwood, Iris, Bulgarian Rose, Vetiver, Patchouli, Amber, Benzoin

Notes for Lâ€™air du dÃ©sert marocain: The elegant head note is based on typical spicy scents of the Maghreb; coriander and cumin, joined with petitgrain. The warm heart note surprises with the fragrance of rock rose and a hint of jasmine. The body note is full of warm woods such as cedar wood, vetiver brilliantly joined with a fine amber background. Tauer Perfumes

Notes for Black Orchid: top notes of Black Truffle, Ylang, fresh Bergamot, Black Currant.
middle notes of dark florals and rich fruit accords, deepened with Lotus Wood.
base notes of Patchouli, Incense and Vetiver, Vanilla Tears, Balsam and Sandalwood.

The first day I compared BdD with DM. I bought BdD when I was on an Alaskan cruise. I probably tried it 25 times before buying it, because it was so different for me. I also wanted to know that those around me liked it. Re-spritzing does not make it too heavy. At the same time I wondered if it was the combination of the sea air and the cold that made it so delightful.

I found that sometimes I can smell it, and other times, I can't smell it as well, but because it is so heady until it dries down a bit, I always go easy on it. Plus, it has good sillage, so others can still smell it. I wear it on days when I want a kick as& fragrance. More recently, it didn't hit me really well, so I set it aside until this trial between fragrances. The two blended together in a nice way in wafting, but if I wanted to smell either separately, I just smelled one arm or the other. I like to do that anyway. It's more interesting. DM is much sweeter, but also drier, as you'd expect with a fragrance that has the word 'desert' in its name.

My husband's first comment to me that day: you smell good! (And I did.) I will likely do some layering with these two, as I prefer DM, but not to waste the BdD.

Yesterday I compared DM to Black Orchid. I've wanted to like Black Orchid. It has many notes that I like in other fragrances. But every time I had tried it, it went odd on me. (Tom Ford, ever crude, has said he put the scent of a man's crotch in it, and perhaps he did. That funky note is either nearly absent or totally present depending on one's chemistry.) Nordstrom's is newly carrying it, and they had samples, which NM did not have when they first debuted it. This is one that I would not buy without making sure, sure, sure. I thought, good! now I can really try it.

I have to say the first time I really liked it was when comparing it to DM. In comparison, Black Orchid (BO to some, pun intended) smells sweeter than it does if I'm not comparing it. I quite liked it. But when I asked my dh which he preferred, he picked DM. So, there you have it. The Black Orchid bottle is elegant. I think I'll get it anyway and wear it with DM.

I have BdD and Black Orchid on this morning. I asked a friend which she preferred. On first sniff, she liked them both. On second sniff she liked BdD better. On third sniff, now that's it's dried down, she said Black Orchid smells better than it did, but she still prefers BdD.

Looks like I'll have to get a bottle of DM. My decant is not going to be enough. It will be a nice treat for me. I do love the fragrance.

The SAs at Nordstrom's were really talking about Black Orchid. I agree, in many ways it is a lovely fragrance, especially if it is wearable for you. It would smell great on a man, likely all the time. On me, I'd have to be careful, but that bottle is calling to me.

Do you wear any of these? Which is your favorite? Is one calling to you, but you haven't decided?

Karin

Originally posted 2007-04-25 09:29:34.

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The joys of perfume

Karin — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 04:37:08 +0000

I've been thinking how much I enjoy the perfumes I have in my stash. I might not have worn them for a while, but when the mood hits and the weather is right, they are just delightful.

The temps are expected to dip 30 degrees over night here. And it is nice to wear more of the wintery fragrances that I own.

Lately I've been enjoying amber fragrances, nearly everyday, and then I snuck in Baisir du Dragon, which I adored the day I wore it. The incense just hit the spot.

I don't think I've worn any of these for a year. The last time I wore each, it wasn't the right day. I even wondered what I had seen in them the first time and if I should continue to keep them.

It's obvious the answer was Yes, I should have kept them. And wow, they are great, when they are great.

What is your favorite fragrance? And what are you wearing right now?

Karin
www.savvythinker.com

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L’air du desert marocain by Tauer Perfumes

Karin — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 16:58:28 +0000

I've heard a lot of good things about Andy Tauer fragrances, originating in Switzerland, and I was excited to finally be able to try several of them thanks to a friend at POL. I will add my reviews as I try each of them. I have added links to both his blog and his website at my link section.

Perfumes are pictures, painted with scents. Tauer Perfumes

I think for my first foray into Tauer Perfumes, L'air du desert marocain was a perfect choice. It is said to be a unisex fragrance, but it is not like any other unisex that I have tried. Tauer Perfumes says it is for 'him or her.' They do not call it unisex.

In general most unisex fragrances on me smell too masculine. It might be that most unisex fragrances are really neither masculine nor feminine which is why I do not like them on me. They have a certain nondesript quality to them, on me, as if one set of notes cancels out the other.

On the other hand, there are men's versions of fragrances that I prefer on me (and maybe I just prefer them on anyone) over the women's (Guerlain's L'instant for men is one of them.) Many fragrances can be enjoyed equally by men or women if the categories of men's or women's are forgotten and one only goes by the scent and how it smells on oneself. I know several men who wear women's fragrances as part of their fragrance wardrobe.

So I was intrigued to see how I would feel about this one. I find it a winner for either a man or a woman, but I would not classify it as unisex.

The scent of desire. Inspired by the fragrant world of the Maghreb desert. Powerful, sensual and pure. Tauer Perfumes

I find this scent to be wonderfully evocative. For me, it does paint a picture with fragrance. It is very paradoxical -- it is both warm and dry; both sweet and non-sweet; incensy and clear; a sensual scent and an intellectual one... I am transported as I wear it.

And the wonderful thing about it is that no note cancels out any other. Each note stands distinct, yet blends with the others in a dance of joy.

I have never been to the Maghreb desert, but if it smells anything like this, I am ready to go. In one sense that is similar to Hermes Un Jardin Sur le Nil which evokes the area around the Nile.

I was careful my first try to take only the tiniest spritz, because I didn't know what to expect. Not to fear, it is delicious. The dry down is sweet, but not too sweet, full of spicy incense and woods. And the journey from the beginning to the dry down is a lovely bit of travel. The opening is distinct from the drydown. It is not a fragrance that would bore one with sameness in all three stages. A little goes a long ways, and it lasted on me very well. Twelve hours later, it was still strong on my wrists.

For those who fear a cumin note, it is not negative at all.

The elegant head note is based on typical spicy scents of the Maghreb; coriander and cumin, joined with petitgrain. The warm heart note surprises with the fragrance of rock rose and a hint of jasmine. The body note is full of warm woods such as cedar wood, vetiver brilliantly joined with a fine amber background. Tauer Perfumes

Today I tried a bit more, and it is every bit as good. I think of this more as a skin scent, as I don't know if I would want to apply for sillage. Let those who come close to me partake of the pleasure.

It is very sensual, but soothing. I think it is full bottle worthy. It goes for $65 for 1.7 oz at Luckyscent in the US. It is also available in NY.

Have you tried it? do you own it?

Karin

Originally posted 2007-02-17 14:14:56.

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Review puredistance M

Karin — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 18:06:12 +0000

puredistance M is the newest in the puredistance line and equally scrumptious if you wear leather fragrances. I've had it to review for a while, but wanted to try it several times and in different climates. I was given a small vial by puredistance.

Top Notes: bergamot, lemon,
Middle Notes: jasmine, rose
Base Notes: Cinnamon, patchouli, mosses, cistus, vetiver, patchouli (that's right, listed twice), vanilla, leather, musk [or: carnation, cinnamon, cloves, vetiver, patchouli, French cistus labdanum, oakmoss, musk, woods, and leather]

This fragrance packs a punch, because of its high concentration of perfume oils (25%); because it was created by Roja Dove; because it is reminiscent of earlier incarnations from other lines where oakmoss was predominant; because it is marketed for both men and women. It even has a bit of an incense feel to it.

It smells like something I should remember, if that makes sense. Perhaps Bal a Versailles -- not that it shares many notes, but because of the punch factor. Perhaps vintage Shalimar -- though no vanilla or that sweetness. Maybe it is Cabochard by Gres.

On me, it goes through 3 distinct stages: First, the punch (in a good way) -- gorgeous, full bloomed, leathery chypre, with loads of oakmoss; second, a rich leather; third (the drydown) leathery cloves.

I love the fact that it moves through stages as I wear it. I find myself catching hints of it and asking myself if I have a favorite point in wearing it. I think, for me, I love the drydown -- but then again, the first is very striking.

Wear this if you want to be seen as a powerhouse, but be careful how much you use. A few drops are potent enough.

I rate it 4**** out of 5***** because there may be points that lean a little more to the masculine than I usually wear, but for a man, it is definitely 5*****.

Have you tried it?
If you are looking for a new, but vintage, leather, this may be what you are looking for. It is both luxe and wearable.

You can find the fragrances here.

The price point is expensive, but worth it, and the sleeves are crystal, or leather, though you can get away with just the insert.

You can find my other puredistance reviews here.

Karin
www.savvythinker.com

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Le Baiser du Dragon by Cartier

Karin — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 05:11:43 +0000

Today's posting is a joint effort by Ida (Chaya), Elena (Helg), and me. Thanks to both perfumistas for writing!

I asked them to speak to the perfume version of this, because I had not tried it when this post was first written. Now I own it too.

>>>>>>>>>

Le Baiser Du Dragon By Cartier , or Kiss of the Dragon, or Dragon's Kiss, alternatively Dragon's Breath, is about what you would imagine from the name. It is not warm and fuzzy, but it is warm. It is the temptation of an adult lover. It is not the kiss of innocence.

On me, it is both smoky and incensy, though neither note is listed. I have smelled at least two fragrances in which the smokiness smelled like burnt ashes, which is a negative to me in a fragrance, but this smokiness reminds me of the smoldering look of smoky eyes, a come-hither from the dragon...

Top notes: bitter almond, neroli orange, and gardenia. Heart notes: Woody, powdery: iris, cedar, and muskomes... Earthy base notes of vetiver, patchouli, and benzoin.

This one is another beautiful bottle, with Chinese overtones. In China, of course, the dragon stands for many positive things, unlike Biblical references, and once was the symbol for the emperor. It is one of the signs for the Chinese Zodiac. No one knows the origins of the Chinese dragon, but it likely pre-dates written history. It shows up in art, songs, poetry and literature, as well as architecture.

I bought it as much for the Chinese influence (my youngest two daughters are from China) as I did for the fragrance.

The Chinese dragon (spelled Long in transliteration), is a mythical Chinese creature that also appears in other East Asian cultures, and is also sometimes called the Oriental (or Eastern) dragon. Depicted as a long, snake-like creature with four claws, in contrast to the Western dragon which stands on two legs and which is usually portrayed as evil, it has long been a potent symbol of auspicious power in Chinese folklore and art. Chinese dragons control water in an agricultural water-driven nation. This is the contrast of the western dragon, which controls fire to show its mythical power. The dragon is also the embodiment of the concept of yang (male) and associated with the weather as the bringer of rain and water in general. Its female counterpart is the Chinese phoenix. wikipedia

I chose to purchase the edp. Right now, I can't remember if they even had a tester of the parfum. I know I chose the edp over the edt, and there must have been a good reason, I just don't know what it was. Many of my Guerlain's, I have in edt and in parfum, not the edp, so I'm not an edp-purist by any means.

I first tried this -- and tried it and re-tried it -- on an Alaskan cruise. I wondered if it would smell the same, taken out of the ship, away from the sea air and the cold...into the heavy heat of tropics. I'm wearing it today in 98 degree weather. I don't notice that I love it more, or less, depending on if it is cold. It's my mood. Maybe if I'm in a cold mood, this is the right fragrance, or conversely, if I'm warm and want to be cooler. It's a chameleon. It is classified as an Oriental fragrance, but it is not like Opium or Obsession, no, no, no, it is not sweetly warm and spicy, this one has a kick to it.

At first spritz, it blasts away at me with a kind of interesting bitterness, that is the incensy/smoky time of it (it is definitely not sweet almond)...then it softens down to something sweet and patchouli-y but with a twist. On the cruise, I'd find I couldn't smell it, and could barely smell it if I put my nose to my arm. Then, I'd re-spritz it again, passing through the perfume shop to retry it. And, of course, because the rooms were huge, the perfume was never too large for the space. This is one my family likes on me, though no one ever compliments without my asking. And scent lingers on your clothes for the next day, so it is long lasting.

Today, I'm not having any trouble smelling it. If I want to renew the first blitz, I re-spritz, then let it soften again. If I want the softness to reign, I do not respritz. (Interestingly enough, the only other fragrance that I know of that I cannot smell at all is Passage D'Enfer by L'Artisan. I can wear others of their fragrances, but not Passage. Those that like it describe it in terms similar to Dragon, so there might be a common note in them that makes them difficult for me to smell.)

I'm sure most people would say to wear it only at night, but what fun is that! If you can carry it off, wear it (or if the Dragon can carry you away, fly with it)...Let your imagination take flight.

Karin

Chaya adds:

Le Baiser Du Dragon, by Cartier, is one of those fragrances that possesses a different character in the parfum. My supposition would be that it was originally created as one, and that
the other forms followed in turn...

I base this on one of the lessons the amazing Liz Zorn** taught me, a few months back. She said that each fragrance is created by the perfumer with a particular strength or form in mind; that is why, when one experiences something that really 'sings' , it was likely created for that purpose, originally.

This would explain why many eschew all but the parfum in Baiser. For one thing, the wearer rapidly becomes anosmic, even though the notes listed are potent in their raw forms. For another, the notes aren't necessarily situated where you'd normally expect to find them.

Top: Neroli, Gardenia, Amaretto accord
Heart: Cedar, Iris
Base : Vetiver, Patchouli, Amber, Benzoin

The opening is fleeting, with neroli barely nodding, and gardenia lasting a bit longer...Amaretto accord? Slightly almondy bitter/sweet, the heart lasts only a few beats as well. We are more accustomed to having iris and gardenia in the middle, but not cedar- and it's pretty hard to find that. Sometimes you pick up more patch, sometimes more vetiver- but the base is very smooth, a satiny base.

Dragon is a strange choice of appellation. This is a smoky whisper, not dragon breath. Rather snuggly, I find. [Dragons are supposed to represent the union of Heaven and Earth, so, in that sense, it's plausible] The unctuous body cream makes this last a lot longer- layering it helps a lot.

-I/C

** who is Liz Zorn?

Liz Zorn is an indie perfumer of great talent, from Ohio- Parfume Moderne was the name of her store- now it's called Liz Zorn Perfumes. She is extremely generous about sharing information- like Ayala Sender, Anya Mc Coy, and Jenny van Veenen [or Andy Tauer]. An Aquarian with a dry sense of humor. I love her. I/C

Now I have to hunt up more about her! Karin

And Helg/Elena weighs in:

When dragons and kisses mix, courtesy of jeweler par excellence Cartier, the red Chinese-style box resembling a calligraphy set reveals a prism of notes that combine to make a smooth oriental of unexpected elegance and poise.

The bottle alone with the single black wick immersed into the ambery fluid as a sketchy line amidst a Chinese ideogram is enough to captivate the fantasy.

Contrary to its name that would suggest a pyrocaustic feral gust of sulphur Le Baiser du Dragon (=the dragonâ€™s kiss) in parfum concentration reveals a calculated whisper of deep and velvety tones humming at a low, seductive frequency. In contrast to eau de parfum which explores the quite bitter notes of almond contrapuntal to amber and cedar, in parfum there is no pronounced bitterness but only sublime smoothness and opulence.

The earthiness of wood and vetiver project immediately from the skin allied to sweet ambery tonalities that do not reveal the floral heart too much. Indeed neither is there a distinct top nor heart as proclaimed by official notes that list neroli, gardenia and iris. Instead I would hazard the statement that a candied hesperide peel accord is hiding under the resiny richness providing the element of classicism in the oriental tradition and offering the slightly piquant much needed â€œairâ€ that a rich perfume would require.

As the parfum dries onto skin there is sensuality, smokiness, and a flight of fancy on a red carpet that transports you to mystical places where benzoin is burned in chalices. Close your eyes and inhale deeply, knowing that your lips will not get scorched by the fiery kiss.

Thanks again to both!
Karin

LE BAISER DU DRAGON CARTIER EAU DE PARFUM 15 ML MINI

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MINI Cartier Paris Le BAISER DU DRAGON MINI e.d.p. 0.25oz ** 80% full **

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CARTIER LE BAISER DU DRAGON Perfume 1..6 oz EDT ~ 100% AUTHENTIC

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LE BAISER DU DRAGON by Cartier 0.5 OZ EDP MINI PERFUME

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CARTIER Le Baiser Du Dragon Eau De Parfum Spray Perfume, 30ml, Brand New in Box!

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Cartier Le Baiser Du Dragon Mini Parfume Women .25 oz Full Bottle

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CARTIER LE BAISER DU DRAGON 50ml EDP PRESTIGE EDITION

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Originally posted 2007-07-18 12:22:55.

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Prada Infusion d’Iris

Karin — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 22:02:52 +0000

How many iris scents can one person own? Judging from Prada Infusion d'Iris, there is always room for one more, even if the bottle is gigantic.

I fell in love with this on the first spritz. My only complaint is that it is very light. Compared to the original Prada, it seems lighter yet, as Prada packs a wallop. I have not tried layering the two yet, but I bet they would work nicely together.

Top Notes: mandarin, orange blossom,
Heart notes: iris,
Base notes: galbanum, incense, benzoin, cedar, lentisc and vetiver.

On me, I don't smell the orange blossom, which is as well because it doesn't agree with me. It begins with iris and mandarin, the iris lasting as it gradually comes down to the base notes and ending with a sigh (or a punch, depending on how many times I've layered it) of woods and iris. I've re-sprayed more than once in a day, which is unusual for me, liking it each time through the stages. Tonight, I think I will layer Prada into it just for kicks.

I don't notice any sillage after the first few minutes, and when it is finally really settled down, I can catch a whiff only if I sniff where I sprayed. I can see how it is possible to go through the bottle far more quickly than I usually go through a bottle.

I tried it first in a hot, dry climate. I live in a hot, humid climate. The feel I get of it is not a spring fragrance, but one that gives me a hint of autumn in a climate that has no autumn. It is perfect for this beginning of fall period in which we have no true fall. I'm guessing different notes would pull out if it were spring...or the notes would linger differently because of the scent already present in the air.

This perfume does not mimic any current trends in perfumery. It does not follow any olfactory or descriptive stereotypes of what a woman should smell like, but rather expresses itself through its contrast between a great freshness and apparent lightness and a type of tender veil, sensual and strong, that envelops the body and the clothing of the woman who wears [it]. Daniela Andrier, the nose, who worked with Miuccia Prada over a two-year period.

It could as easily be worn by a man as a woman. The bottle is elegant and hefty, even masculine without it looking like it were made exclusively for a man. Really, I hardly think masculine or feminine applies to many fragrances anymore. They are crossing over nicely. If it smells great on you, wear it!

This fragrance has a feel of casual elegance to me. I should dress up a bit and take a tramp in the woods. I definitely would do it, if there were woods near me, as you know I love trees.

Have you tried this? How does it wear on you?

Karin

Daniela Andrier fragrances that have won Fifi awards: Lancome Attraction (European Fifi, 2003), Armani Prive Pierre de Lune (2006). See a very brief profile of Daniela Andrier on the Lancome website. Perfumes created by Daniela Andrier include:

Giorgio Armani Emporio Armani He (1997)
Giorgio Armani Prive Pierre de Lune (2004)
Gucci Eau de Parfum (2002)
Gucci Rush for men (with Antoine Maisondieu)
Guerlain Angelique Noire (2005)
Lancome Attraction (2003, with Christian Biecher)
La Perla Io La Perla (1995)
Prada Amber Pour Homme (2006)
Valentino Very Valentino (1998)
Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche (reformulation, 2003) [I will attribute this to the website I got it from when I figure out where it was. I had it in my files.]

-Karin
www.savvythinker.com

100% AUTHENTIC~NEW PRADA MILANO INFUSION D'IRIS LADIES EAU DE PARFUM 6.75 FL OZ

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Prada Infusion D'iris by Prada for Women Eau de Parfum Spray 3.4 oz (Unboxed)

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Prada Infusion D'Iris by Prada for Women 1.7 oz Eau De Parfum (EDP) Spray

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2 New Samples Prada and Prada Infusion D'Iris

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NEW Prada Milano ~Infusion D'Iris~ Mini Perfume Vials x

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Prada Infusion D'Iris EDt 2pc Sample Set

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Infusion D'Iris, Prada TYPE, Perfume Oil Roll-on, 1/3 oz bottle

0 Bid

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Originally posted 2007-09-13 10:33:01.

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Review: Guerlain Mon Précieux Nectar

Karin — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 10:57:56 +0000

I consider myself very fortunate to have had the opportunity to sample and review Mon Précieux Nectar. It's no secret that Guerlain is probably my favorite perfume house, though I have others represented in what I wear, as you know if you've been reading my blog.

Mon Précieux Nectar, is for the true perfumista, the true collector. It retails for (are you ready!) $9,000 for a 1 liter extrait in an Imperial Fountain, a gorgeous hand-made crystal fountain. This picture hardly does it justice.

It is paired with a silver-plated refillable atomizer, all offered in a black leather presentation box.

For the woman who relishes being unique and strives to set the trends instead of following them, Guerlain has created an extremely limited fragrance offering appropriately titled Mon Précieux Nectar. Only sixty-two women in the world will be privileged to wear this scent, all but ensuring the wearers will never cross paths.

Yes, I truly am unique, and I do tend to set trends rather than follow them...ahem...this is true!

Randa Hammami is the nose who worked with Sylvaine Delacourte on this one. Hammami also collaborated with Delacourt for Guerlain's Cruel Gardénia and L’Instant Magic, as well as the two limited edition fragrant oils inspired by Delacourte’s trip to the Middle-East.

Here's a little info:
Mon Précieux Nectar is a floral gourmand with notes:

Top: petitgrain and bitter almond,
Heart: jasmine and orange blossom
Base: sensual woods, incense, vanilla and white musk.

My take:
I find myself saying to myself, "What is it that smells so wonderful?" And then I realize it is me -- this fragrance that I am wearing. It is just enough different than anything I own that it intrigues and surprises me in equal measure. It reminds me of L’Instant Magic, which should come as no surprise, since it revisits the almond-musk of that fragrance. But it is richer and fuller, not powdery. It is altogether more luxurious, as well it should be. It is certainly a way to cushion oneself from the world's negative vibes.

I applied it with an atomizer, so there is some sillage. Even so, it lays close to my skin.

I think it smells heavenly. My 23 yo daughter just said it smells delectable. Did I mention that I love it? If you would like to give me this for my upcoming birthday, I would be very appreciative.

Why did I hesitate to try this one, outside of price?
I expected I would be unable to wear it well, because of the white floral in it, but I underestimated the power of almond, which I love. The almond is paired with orange blossom, reminiscent of Middle-Eastern pastries, but the over-all effect is not the sweet gourmand of Iris Ganache which I found unwearable for me. And it isn't the sharp floral of Jardin de Bagatelle or Champs Elysees.

No, this is a completely lush rendition of floral with just enough sweetness, incense, and Guerlinade accord to balance the various elements, bringing it into a totally modern fragrance with classic inspiration. I'm sure these aspects are what make one think of vintage L’Heure Bleue which is reported to be Ms. Delacourte's favorite fragrance, though almond notes are reported to be her favorite note. Perhaps MPN is her favorite fragrance now!

How and when should you wear it?
This is a fragrance, that if you are lucky enough to own it, you should drench yourself in day or night. I don't think you could overdo it.

Then, if someone admires it on you, as they assuredly will, tell them with a twinkle in your eye what it is. If you are feeling especially open that day, you might offer them a spritz -- after all, you have plenty more where that came from.

OTOH, if you are not feeling friendly, mention the price, with a dismissive, airy wave of your hand. (Eat your heart out...that will teach them not to be nice to you.)

But by all means enjoy it! After all, you are worth it!

I recommend calling or emailing Claire at the Guerlain boutique at the Palazzo in Las Vegas for all your Guerlain needs, including Mon Précieux Nectar. Be sure to say you heard it from me. (702) 732-7008 or GuerlainPalazzo.STORE@lvmhuspc.com

Did I mention that I love it? and I have a birthday coming up?

Karin

Originally posted 2009-08-17 12:00:28.

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Layering or mixing Guerlain Bois D’Armenie with Cuir Beluga

Karin — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 22:00:45 +0000

Sometimes the sum of two perfumes is greater than its parts. Such is the wonderful new mix that Claire Young from the Guerlain store in the Palazzo in Las Vegas came up with, when he was looking for a fragrance suitable for a woman who really doesn't care for flowers.

I'd like to think that our trying to layer something with Iris Ganache sparked him to think of various combos. But that might be wrong.

He hit upon a winner: Bois D'Armenie mixed with (or layered with) and Cuir Beluga.

Here's his description:

In my little fragrance lab of a boutique, I've found a new concoction I'm now adoring. It's a combo of Cuir Beluga and Bois D'armiene...a mix of Chinese incense with vanilla notes...I've been wearing it a week now and adore.

He sent it off to me to see what I thought. It's terrific!

Here are the notes:

Bois D'Armenie, an oriental woody fragrance for men:
Top notes are iris, pink pepper and incense;
middle notes are coriander, benzoin and guaiac wood;
base notes are patchouli, white musk.

Cuir Beluga:
fragrance notes include:
Leather, Mandarin, Everlasting Flower, Amber, Heliotrope, Vanille

He tells me he's sold several of them (which, of course, involves two bottles.)

If you are lucky enough to have both on hand, try them. Or, if you own one and try the combo, you only have to buy the other one.

The one I have is an equal mix of both in one container. (I have done this with Chanel # 5 and Coco.)

What I think
This is a match made in heaven. Let me know if you try it -- and how you like it. It certainly works for a man or a woman. And let me know if you love it! I am steeping in it now and enjoying every breath.

Where to buy it?
Call (702-732-7008) or email Claire (GuerlainPalazzo.STORE@lvmhuspc.com) at the Guerlain boutique in Las Vegas. He's the man. He'll take good care of you. 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! You heard it from me.

Karin

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Layering that works (fragrance)

Karin — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 14:40:40 +0000

I'm a day late in reporting what works when I wear fragrances, since the past two days I've reported what I wore the day before not the day of.

I like to layer up my fragrances, starting with one thing in the morning and generally layering to something different as that wears down, and so on until evening. I'm limited by how quickly what I wear dissipates. But that way I can respond to the time of day or my moods or a change of clothes, or whatever.

I've hit on some favorites simply by trial and error -- one of which is Chanel No 5 with Coco. I now have a mix (1/2 and 1/2) in a spray bottle.

More recently the combination of NU By YVES SAINTLAURENT edp with Shalimar By Guerlain edp was mentioned at POL. Since I had both and rarely wear Shalimar, I thought it would be worth a shot. As you can see the notes are different for Nu edp vs. edt. You can find it quite reasonably. The edp is deeper and richer with more spices and woods. The edt is brighter, but just as long lasting. I've tried layering with both. It's a softer layer with the edp. It is sharper with the edt.

I find the Nu is more dominant than the Shalimar, but the Shalimar warms up the Nu in either form. I think I prefer the layering to either of the single fragrances. At least it is newer feeling, pun intended.

The first time I tried this, I used the edp version of Nu, and I loved it. It was rich and warm. Yesterday, I used the edt version of Nu and it was very incensy. The incense dominated but it was softened by all the other notes. I think this will be one of my favorite ways to enjoy incense. More on that subject later. If you wish to see other things about incense, check out the posts that Helg posted around Easter. And if I'm in an incense sort of mood later, I might report some also.

I ended up layering into a sample of Tom Ford's Black Orchid last night and that is incense that will knock you off your feet. I want to try comparing that to Le Baiser du Dragon. Maybe later today or next week. Either are a definitely later in the day sort of fragrance, at least now in spring.

Karin

Nu edt notes:
Top note: neroli, bergamot, cardamom
Middle note: White orchids, jasmine, iris absolute
Base note: vanilla, incense absolute, musks

Nu edp notes:
Top Notes: Bergamot
Middle Notes: White Orchid
Base Notes: Incense Absolut, Woody Notes, Spicy Notes

Shalimar notes:
Top Notes: Bergamot, lemon, hesperides
Heart Notes: Jasmine, iris, rose, patchouli, vetiver
Base Notes: Vanilla, incense, opopanax, sandalwood, musk, civet, ambergris, leather

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Perfume — one of the pleasures of life

Karin — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 13:37:22 +0000

One of the things I enjoy in life is perfume, though sometimes I go for a few days without consciously wearing any. I like to layer up, so the perfume I start the day with is not the one I end up with, usually. I'm careful how I wear it. Too much bothers me, and if I have it on my wrists, sometimes it can be too much even for me, so I spray a stronger perfume -- or one that might be iffy -- on my ankles, and it wafts up at a better level. I enjoy it for me, though it is part of the atmosphere that is me.

I have a friend who is bothered by almost any degree of perfume, but it is rare that anything I wear bothers her.

Well, along with that, not wearing it in copious quantities, I rarely use a bottle up, and I rarely get either negative or positive comments from the world at large. Only those close to me comment.

Years ago, I used to force myself to finish a bottle before I bought another one, but that got old, and it also took the pleasure out of wearing it. And now, I wish I had some of my own vintage bottles back because many perfumes have been re-engineered for a variety of reasons and they are not what they used to be, even in memory. I keep mine out of the light, so none of the ones I own have ever gone bad.

One of my favorites is Kenzo Amour Perfume .

Here are the notes: Notes: frangipani, cherry tree blossom, thanaka wood, vanilla, incense, Chinese white tea.
Karin

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