Savvy Thinker » Perfume review 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 incense and patchouli and woods http://savvythinker.com/comparing-incense-and-patchouli-and-woods/ http://savvythinker.com/comparing-incense-and-patchouli-and-woods/#comments Sat, 28 Jan 2012 14:58:08 +0000 Karin http://savvythinker.com/2007/04/25/comparing-incense-and-patchouli-and-woods/

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 L’air du désert 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 L’air du désert 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.

Online Stores ]]> http://savvythinker.com/comparing-incense-and-patchouli-and-woods/feed/ 0 Gucci by Gucci http://savvythinker.com/gucci-by-gucci/ http://savvythinker.com/gucci-by-gucci/#comments Fri, 27 Jan 2012 14:30:29 +0000 Karin http://savvythinker.com/2008/04/09/gucci-by-gucci/

Gucci By Gucci edp is an interesting new fragrance.

It took me a long time to decide on this one -- and I had bought it. I thought I was going to end up swapping it away.

The first few times, it really didn't strike me -- or maybe the weather was off, who knows. My 12 year old liked it every time I spritzed it -- and I didn't spritz near my face.

But in the last day or so, it is smelling really good. It reminds me of a lighter version of PRADA .

It just goes to show you, don't swap away too soon.

The notes are:

· Top Notes: Pear, guava accord, chamomile.
· Heart Notes: Lily of the valley, Tiare flower, orange blossom.
· Base Notes: Patchouli, musk

For the record, I used to like lily of the valley fragrances and would wear them in the spring. I have never done too well with orange blossom, though I love sweet orange. And I generally love anything with sweet pachouli. Musk can be iffy on me, but usually it is the only-musk that I can't wear. When musk is an ingredient, but not the whole, I do fine.

Today, it is smelling like sweet patchouli with some interest thrown in. I've re-spritzed a couple of times already today, knowing that I don't have to be careful with it today.

The bottle is interesting also, with tiny handcuffs. The ad campaign is just silly, as far as my kids are concerned.

Try it, you might like it. My favorite SA at Nordstrom's said she loved the dry-down. That made me seriously try it again. I think it is one that does better as you use more of it vs. tiny amounts.

There is a new edt version, but I haven't tried it yet, or seen it in my local stores. The notes are supposedly the same, so I don't know if they tweaked any of them to be stronger or lighter in this version than in the edp. The edp isn't too strong, so I'd likely go with it again.

Let me know what you think. Have you tried either? Do you like it/them? Do you own either?

Karin
www.savvythinker.com

Gucci Pour Homme II for Men 3.3 oz / 100ml EDT Tester TBOX Gucci Pour Homme II for Men 3.3 oz / 100ml EDT Tester TBOX Paypal US $67.98 1h 20m
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gucci guilty for men 3.0 /3 oz 90ml great valentine gift sent in heart bag GG gucci guilty for men 3.0 /3 oz 90ml great valentine gift sent in heart bag GG Paypal 6 Bids US $42.02 4h 55m
Gucci BY GUCCI pour homme eau de toilette EMPTY bottle size for 50ml 1.7 fk.oz. Gucci BY GUCCI pour homme eau de toilette EMPTY bottle size for 50ml 1.7 fk.oz. Paypal 0 Bid US $.99 5h 24m
Gucci Sport Pour Homme - Eau de Toilette - 50ml Gucci Sport Pour Homme - Eau de Toilette - 50ml Paypal US $53.54 5h 54m
Gucci by Gucci for Women 2.5 oz Eau De Parfum (EDP) Spray Gucci by Gucci for Women 2.5 oz Eau De Parfum (EDP) Spray Paypal US $69.79 6h 1m

Originally posted 2008-04-09 09:53:17.

Online Stores ]]> http://savvythinker.com/gucci-by-gucci/feed/ 2 Scentiments (perfume store) http://savvythinker.com/scentiments-perfume-store/ http://savvythinker.com/scentiments-perfume-store/#comments Thu, 26 Jan 2012 02:12:45 +0000 Karin http://savvythinker.com/2007/08/04/scentiments-perfume-store/

I've enjoyed looking through the website of Scentiments. They have a huge selection and very good prices. I've been completely satisfied with all my dealings with them. I managed to take a bit of time recently when I was out of town to amble over to their kiosks in the Festival Mall on Sample Rd in S. FL. Evidently they have another store on the west coast of FL.

This mall is a flea market, and the good thing is that it is air conditioned. There is too much to see and take in unless you happen to either need something or through happenstance wander into one of the little shops and hit a jackpot. Loads of jewelry (much of it costume) (I'd want to know which one-s- to browse), some clothes, shoes, and several perfume shops.

I think people-watching was as much fun as shopping. Deliver me from looking like some of the women when I am the same age. Please. I once said to my hair dresser never to let me look like a caricature of myself.

One of Scentiments kiosks was a bit bigger than the other. The merchandise I looked at was in perfect condition, and they had testers for sale of some of the fragrances. Some of their stock looked older, but it could be the color of the glass counters. I told them I was a customer of their website and the prices at the kiosk matched the website prices, with no shipping.

Have you purchased from Scentiments? You owe it to yourself to see what they have.

Karin

Originally posted 2007-08-04 15:01:05.

Online Stores ]]> http://savvythinker.com/scentiments-perfume-store/feed/ 2 Review Tova perfumes http://savvythinker.com/review-tova-perfumes/ http://savvythinker.com/review-tova-perfumes/#comments Sun, 15 Jan 2012 09:46:17 +0000 Karin http://savvythinker.com/?p=6896

Recently I deliberately decided to use up some of the fragranced body lotions that I have, one at a time until they are used up, and my hand reached for Tova Nights (I had already used up the Tova lotion a while back.)

That brought these fragrances to mind again, and I went on a search to find my bottle of Tova Nights which I wanted to wear in conjunction with the lotion, but not in the same spot on my body. I was sure I still had it, hadn't swapped/sold/given it away, but couldn't find it. I have recently reorganized my fragrances, and I needed to put my hands on it in one of the various places I put perfume to keep it away from light and heat. I finally found it! And I'm enjoying wearing it again.

I first became aware of Tova, the original fragrance, when Tova, married to Ernest Borgnine, had infomercials before she was connected with QVC. She is a classic beauty and knew even then how to market her cosmetics and fragrances. The original fragrance has sold millions and millions of units and was definitely a hit. Her cosmetics line is based on the cactine plant. I've used a number of them, and they are very good.

Tova (original)
This floral scent was introduced in 1982. This is her signature scent. According to her, men would follow her when she wore it, asking her what it was. According to her buyers, it happened on a regular basis with them also.

Top Notes: Bergamot
Heart Notes: Jasmine, lavender
Base Notes: Sandalwood

My take: It was not for me. I think there was too much lavender in it, as I remember it. Or not oriental enough. Or too much floral. I ended up swapping it away. If I hadn't heard so many of her customers tell the same story, I would think she made it up to sell it.

Evidently it has been reformulated, and people claim it is not the same scent. I don't know if I got the earlier one or a reworked one. It's possible it has been reworked again and is closer to the original. I couldn't determine that for sure.

Tova Nights
Tova Nights is categorized as a floral oriental, which I usually don't wear well. But I like this one, and I like it better than the original Tova.

Notes:
Top: Leafy greens
Mid: lilac, rose, and peony
Base: sandalwood and patchouli with musk. Classy and sophisticated, Tova Nights is pure magic.

My take: it's not so sophisticated as to be a night time only fragrance. I wear it during the day. It's not particularly strong. I don't smell patchouli as a major factor. It's nicely blended. I don't know if it has been reformulated. People seem to still like it.

Tova Body, Mind and Spirit
Body, Mind, and Spirit is totally different, brighter, with a fruity aspect. Nice for a change of pace.

Notes: bouquet of living osmanthus, white cloud rose, apricot, spices, and amber.

Tova Nirvana
Tova's experiences throughout India and China are said to be reflected in this scent. I thought I would love it. I'm not sure if it is still available. It isn't what I expected. I will have to try it again. It seemed a little too warm and heavy for me, one that isn't easy to layer up, as I like to do.

top notes: of white pepper (pimento) and nutmeg, tempered by subtle sweet notes of pineapple (lychee)[lychee is different than pineapple] and ylang-ylang.
middle: beautiful bouquet of freesia, jasmine, violet, rose, and green tea.
base: patchouli, sandalwood, ebony, and rosewood.

Tova Flankers
I have not tried any of these.

Ambre D'Oro Her newest scent

Notes:
Tova Ambre D'Oro is a multifaceted, modern scent with musky and floral notes. Sicilian lemon, peony peregrina, asiatic lily, and plum blossom are among the captivating notes that make up this rich scent. Both fragrances have the power to draw attention. QVC

Signature Platinum and Signature Elixir.

The legendary Signature Platinum eau de parfum has been enhanced in an effort to recapture the mystique and allure that made this a fragrance unlike any other in the world. [my emphasis] Signature Elixir is a luxurious, thick, gel-like version of Tova's Signature fragrance. ...

At 32.5%, Tova Signature Platinum has a high concentration of fragranced oil in an eau de parfum. ...

The legendary, almost mystical Signature eau de parfum has been artfully enhanced to create two new fragrances. Signature Platinum recaptures the allure that made the fragrance unique, but has a higher level of musk notes to set it apart. [my emphasis] QVC

Autumn 1

Signature Autumn, inspired by the rich lushness of fall, is infused with cedar, peony, and golden amber. QVC


I would love to know if you have tried any of these fragrances and what you think
Do you have a favorite? or a favorite story? were you followed and asked what you were wearing? Be careful if you are looking for the original original. These may or may not be it.

Karin
www.savvythinker.com


Originally posted 2010-05-28 13:57:10.

Online Stores ]]> http://savvythinker.com/review-tova-perfumes/feed/ 5 Ayala Moriel Parfums, part 1 http://savvythinker.com/ayala-moriel-parfums-part-1/ http://savvythinker.com/ayala-moriel-parfums-part-1/#comments Mon, 02 Jan 2012 17:33:18 +0000 Karin http://savvythinker.com/2007/05/24/ayala-moriel-parfums-part-1/

Ayala Moriel offers a lovely array of natural fragrances. Each one sounds tempting, if you love fragrance. She encourages you to try her samples so you will know what you really like before you buy a larger size.

Since I had been hearing good things about her perfumes, how could I go wrong! She also has a blog that you would find very interesting for the expertise she offers.

A visit to her website begins with an email consultation. After she receives your answers, she will email you with her personal recommendations for you.

Based on my experience, I think you could trust her choices for you. I'm very satisfied with the ones I've sampled. I highlighted the ones I decided to try. If I weren't trying to pare down the samples because of costs, and if I had known how well I would have liked them, I would have ordered samples of all of them.

She recommended the following to me:

Based on your answers, you seem to be drawn to perfumes from the Chypre family, as well as spicy and ambery orientals. (I think she's right about what I'm drawn to.)

I recommend you try the following perfumes from my collection:

Ayalitta
Charisma
Espionage
Fete d’Hiver
Megumi
Palas Atena
Razala
Schizm

Additionally, on my own I chose a few that sounded good to me by the notes. They also were favorites of some of my online perfume friends. (The only exception was Black Licorice. No one else sad they wore it.)

Autumn
Black Licorice
Film Noir
Finjan
Indigo

Then the only trouble was to pare down, but what to eliminate...that was a tough decision. Since they all sounded good to me, even others beyond the ones above, I figured I'd have to start somewhere. Maybe her recs would be better than my own process of elimination.

I ended up choosing 8 samples, all of which I like very much. I've worn them in rotation for about a week. They are very well blended and seamless in character. Each one holds close to the skin (as they are perfumes.) I find them comforting, perhaps because they have notes that I know I like. I expect that her choices for you would be equally comforting to you. Because they are naturals, have no aldehydes and are not sprayed, there is no BLAST that you have to get past before you really begin to enjoy it.

I thought it would be fun to give a review.

Palas Atena

Just like the Greek Goddess of Wisdom it is named after, this perfume radiates masculine strength and power alongside a feminine mystery. Its spiciness is solidly laid on a rich ambery-woody base with exotic, sensual heart of champaca flowers.

Spicy ambery oriental with the exotic champaca flowers at the heart

Top notes: Sweet Orange, Lavender, Neroli
Heart notes: Champaca, Jasmine, Cinnamon
Base notes: Amber, Patchouli, Sandalwood

I think this may be my favorite, but then I think that of each one I try. Generally I do not like lavender or neroli, so I hesitated to try this one. But I do like sweet orange, cinnamon, amber, patchouli and sandalwood. In for a penny...I took a plunge to try it. When I put my wrist to my nose, I smell sweet orange and spices, but it does not smell like Constant Comment. I'm not sure I would recognize Champaca if I smelled it, though I've tried Ormande Jayne's. The patchouli is very well blended, not dominant, but likely would change the character, if it were missing.

All in all, a very good choice for me. If I close my eyes, I can almost picture myself back in Greece. Truly.

She also does signature or bespoke fragrances. I bet they'd be very good! For me, I'm happy enough with the ones she's already done, and I'm sure I won't run into them all around town, so they are exclusive enough for me, as is.

More later today or tomorrow.

Do you wear any of hers? Have you sampled any?

Karin

Originally posted 2007-05-24 14:58:25.

Online Stores ]]> http://savvythinker.com/ayala-moriel-parfums-part-1/feed/ 0 Review: Boudicca Wode (Scent) http://savvythinker.com/review-boudicca-wode-scent/ http://savvythinker.com/review-boudicca-wode-scent/#comments Thu, 29 Dec 2011 04:01:41 +0000 Karin http://savvythinker.com/?p=4942

Boudicca Wode edp (Scent) is an interesting fragrance. Not to mention that the edt starts off bright cobalt blue on the skin, then disappears.

It is said to start off smelling green, but I get serious leather underladen with green. Then Black Hemlock is supposed to kick in, ending with some tuberorse, though neither are listed in the notes. (Both Ormande Jayne for men and Ormande Jayne for women have Black Hemlock, the only other fragrances I know that do. I like both of them.) I get no tuberose, thankfully, as that usually takes over everything.

Wode (Scent) Notes
Juniper, Cardamon, Nutmeg, Clary Sage, Corriander, Angelica Root, Saffron, Tonka Bean, Styrax, Amber, Treemoss, Musk, Leather

The Price all from Lucky Scent
edp sample $4 for .7 ml or $165 for 150ml or
Wode (Paint) - edt - with disappearing Blue Paint $140 for 150ml -- the juice is bright cobalt blue when applied, then the color vanishes. Sounds a bit fun! I'd like to try that before I bought it, though.

My impression is walking on a windy night in a dark forest after the rain has passed through in a fierce rush, leaving sparkles where moonlight touches beads of water on the leaves. The scent mingles with wet leather gloves and walking boots. This is an airy scent; it is not shimmering with heaviness the way Neil Morris' Gotham, Dark Season or Dark Earth hit the senses.

It continues to soften as it is worn. The leather is still apparent.

Do you wear this one?
Which form did you buy?

Karin
www.savvythinker.com

Originally posted 2009-10-02 08:06:53.

Online Stores ]]> http://savvythinker.com/review-boudicca-wode-scent/feed/ 2 A couple of Serge Lutens http://savvythinker.com/a-couple-of-serge-lutens/ http://savvythinker.com/a-couple-of-serge-lutens/#comments Sat, 17 Dec 2011 00:05:44 +0000 Karin http://savvythinker.com/2007/04/02/a-couple-of-serge-lutens/

The last few days I've been enjoying wearing two Serge Lutens, Chergui and RAHAT LOUKOUM. Christopher Sheldrake is the nose for both.

While they seem very different, in some sense they comfort me at the same level -- they both are evocative and at the same time soothing. They transport me to a different place and clime.

Before you know it, you are addicted.

The only saving grace is having a lot of fragrances to choose from in your arsenal, because they are fresh every time you come back to them. I have decants of both, but they are both FBW.

RAHAT LOUKOUM's notes are

white almond, cherry kernel, white honey, musk, vanilla...plus throw in some crushed cherry pits, hawthorn, heliotrope, Turkish rose, balsam, tonka bean, and aldehydes.

Somehow the way they come together is a modern classic.

While based on the Turkish candy, it isn't as candyish, say, as Pink Sugar. It is more sophisticated than that. Even from the first moment, the notes blend together as well as hang in the air individually. While it has both almond and cherry, and both are prominant right to the end, it does not smell like the original Jergens. In a way, it smells the way Smith cherry cough drops taste. It begins very gourmand, but ends with a sort of honeyed rose, while edges of the cherry and almond are still around.

There are some who like Keiko Mecheri's Loukhoum, but it is too sweet and powdery to and on me, and I tire of it easily, compared to RAHAT LOUKOUM.

RL reminds me in some sense of Cartier's Delices, but whereas Delices also has cherry, it is much sharper and lacks that bit of comfort that I especially like in RL, because of its brightness. Perhaps it is the pink pepper that gives it the dissonance, or it is the kind of cherry note that is used.

I suppose the reason I'm drawn to Chergui along with RAHAT LOUKOUM, is that they share the honey note. But that is about all.

Chergui's notes are

honey, hay sugar, incense, tobacco leaf, musk, amber, iris, rose,sandalwood and leather.

It's been called an elixir and those that fall under its spell are bewitched by it.

In the South of Morrocco, before the wind Chergui blows it is preceded by little tornadoes called Djinns - they pick up from the ground insects and vegetations- then comes Chergui with its red sand curtain effect - "Violente ouverture d 'un opera fantastique" It aspires more than it blows, raising vegetation, insects, brushwood up in its irresistible rise. Its persistent gusts crystallize the flora. Bushes, bays surrender their ultimate ransom, unaware treasures of saps and resins. When Chergui withdraws, followed by its sandy fires, the night descends on the still burning memory leaving place to olfactive ambered, spiced, crystallized savours created by an alchemist called Chergui.

It is considered an oriental, but it is not like Shalimar, for instance, because it has a hot, dry feel to it. It is sweet and smokey and reminds me a lot of L'air du desert marocain by Tauer Perfumes which I reviewed earlier. I will have to do a more in depth comparison of these two on another day.

It is interesting to me that both Chergui and Bigarade Concentree have hay in them. I seem to like that note. It keeps them fresh and modern, to me.

Do you wear either of these?

Karin

Originally posted 2007-04-02 11:12:24.

Online Stores ]]> http://savvythinker.com/a-couple-of-serge-lutens/feed/ 0 Review: Just Cavalli Her http://savvythinker.com/review-just-cavalli-her/ http://savvythinker.com/review-just-cavalli-her/#comments Sun, 11 Dec 2011 22:29:37 +0000 Karin http://savvythinker.com/?p=3754

Just Cavalli Her by Roberto Cavalli was introduced in 2004 for Women. It is considered an oriental floral.

When I wear it, I don't get too much from it except for sweet vanilla -- and the vanilla lasts through the entire fragrance. Getting stronger, if that is possible, which of course it is, because it is one of the base notes, which means it shows up at or through the end.

Top: Sicilian Bergamot, Ceylon Cinnamon, Bamboo Leaves,
Heart: Wild Lily Of The Valley, Apricot Tree Flower, Sambac Jasmine,
Base:Golden Amber, Madagascar Vanilla, Lebanese White Cedarwood, Powdery Musk

It is one of the nicer vanillas out there, but I have to be in the mood for it because it is vanilla.

This is not the sultry vanilla of Shalimar, and it isn't a particularly gourmand vanilla, like white cake.

On the whole, it is sweet. I prefer it not so close to my face. I should have spritzed my leg, not my arm.

As soon as I could, I switched to another fragrance -- to Light Blue -- to get away from the sweetness. I needed a little tart to go with it.

Is this a fragrance that you wear?
When do you wear it? I think it would have served me better on a fall night, not a summer morning. I was engulfed in a vanilla dream. I don't think I'm quite that sweet!

Karin

Originally posted 2009-06-17 07:27:14.

Online Stores ]]> http://savvythinker.com/review-just-cavalli-her/feed/ 0 Lily of the Valley Fragrances, for spring http://savvythinker.com/lily-of-the-valley-fragrances-for-spring/ http://savvythinker.com/lily-of-the-valley-fragrances-for-spring/#comments Tue, 06 Dec 2011 20:43:22 +0000 Karin http://savvythinker.com/2007/04/03/lily-of-the-valley-fragrances-for-spring/

When I was in college, spring in Michigan was synonymous with breaking out my lily of the valley fragrances. I kind of got away from it with the heat of the deep south where spring lasts only about 10 minutes. Plus it just smelled too bright in the south, minus the brightness of a crisp spring day surrounded by the bright greens, real lily of the valley, tulips and other spring flora, and the scent of cold dirt blending with the fragrance....Never let anyone say: where we wear a fragrance and the climate we are in does not affect how it smells.

Diorissimo by Dior
What I used to wear the most for a lily of the valley fragrance is Diorissimo by Dior.

Introduced in 1956, Edmond Roudnitska was the nose. It is considered to be Floral - Fresh.

Top Notes: Greens, bergamot, calyx
Heart Notes: Lily of the Valley, jasmine, lilac, boronia, rosewood, ylang-ylang
Base Notes: Sandalwood, civet

On me, the greens and lily of the valley are far more prominant than any sandalwood, which I don't catch at all. In recent years, it has not been a scent I've worn, because it isn't a good fit for me any longer. On me, here and now, it seems to get brighter and stronger, not settling down.

Edmond Roudnitska described Diorissimo, saying, "This is a pure lily of the valley scent that also has the odor of the woods in which it is found and the indefinable atmosphere of springtime."

Woods of Windsor
By contrast, another fragrance lover passed Woods of Windsor to me that she wasn't wearing. I knew it would be lovely for spring.

It's notes are: Green Muguet, Jasmine, Rose, Orange Blossom and Citrus.

I wore it today, and even though it's been hours since I applied it, I still get momentary whiffs. To be on the safe side, I sprayed my leg, not my arm. I didn't want it around my face, in case it didn't match my mood or ended up being a scrubber. But it is quite lovely, and more wearable for me now, than Diorrisimo is.

Caron Muguet Du Bonheur
Then again, nothing beats Caron's Caron Muguet Du Bonheur with notes of:

Lavender, Jasmine, Rose, Carnation, Lily of the valley, Cedar, Tonka, Musk, Sandal...
Jasmine, Lilac, With Hints Of Musk.

It is said to honor the French tradition of offering sprigs of the bloom on the first of May.

Comparing it to the Windsor LotV, it is much sweeter at first application. Windsor in comparison, and only by comparison, picks up a sour (citrus) note, but now a couple of hours later, that part is much softer.

Likely if I still had Diorissimo, I would wear it to compare it also, because I'm in the mood for muguet.

So there you have it. Unbiased. Take your pick.

Do you like muguet? do you wear it?

Karin

Originally posted 2007-04-03 18:56:44.

Online Stores ]]> http://savvythinker.com/lily-of-the-valley-fragrances-for-spring/feed/ 0 Review: Amaze by POTL http://savvythinker.com/reviews-amaze-by-potl/ http://savvythinker.com/reviews-amaze-by-potl/#comments Sun, 04 Dec 2011 19:47:55 +0000 Karin http://savvythinker.com/?p=5166

Continuing to work thru the samples given to me by a generous POLer:

AMAZE edt by People of the Labyrinths is available at Lucky Scent $170 for 90ml or $4 for .7 ml.

Notes: Henna, Saffron, Taif Rose, Orange Blossom, Wardia Rose, Agarwood, Sandalwood, Musk, Civet.

The notes
What the heck does henna smell like? Once upon a time I used henna in my hair, but I don't remember that it had a particular scent at all, at least not compared to other hair dyes.

Taif Rose
I love Ormande Jayne's Ta'if, but this is just pulling rose on me.

Ta'if Notes
Top: Pink pepper, saffron and dates
Heart: Rose oil, freesia, orange flower absolute and jasmine
Base: Broom amd amber

My take
I expected this to be far stronger than it is based on my experience with Luctor et Emergo, which I love for it's complexity and sensuality.

The rose in Amaze is dominant on me, and that is not a good thing, as rose and I do not agree. Ditto for orange blossom, but I'm not getting much of that, just rose. ROSE ROSE ROSE

What kind of rose?
Do you remember the smell of rose water? This is not that sweet rose scent. This is more pungent and sharp. Lucky Scent says it softens, but it doesn't on me. LS says one of their staff who swore to never wear a rose wears this well.

So you can see there are mixed views. If it softens on you, it might be great, or if it went into a sweeter rose. This is the rose I do not like in a fragrance, it is not the sweet rose of a rose in your garden.

However, and this is a big however for me, the longer it is on, the more wearable it becomes. But it doesn't do it fast enough for me, and considering how many great fragrances there are, why wear one that you dislike the opening notes? It makes no sense to me. Wear one you like from the beginning, unless the dry down is absolutely fantastically sensational.

What do you think?
Do you wear this one? Do you generally wear rose? Do you like Ta'if? How do you think it compares? Do you agree with me or not?

Karin
www.savvythinker.com

Originally posted 2009-10-21 07:45:22.

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