Fragrance Reviews by vintage*red

This is the ultimate in fruity, floral fragrances! It is so fruity, in fact, that it begs the question, "Do we really want to smell like fruit?". The floral accords save this from being a pedestrian, however. So, if you love this sort of thing, you really need to keep plenty on hand. Badgley Mischka is the apex of this genre. PS This is being phased out because of the new regulations, so I purchased a bottle for nostalgic reasons. It really IS the best of the bunch in this genre and is composed of high quality materials. Allure & Chance can't hold a candle to this! Buy up before it's gone...

Another beautiful perfume from PdN! It is a kind of oriental floral gourmand with a spicy vanilla incense drydown that rivals Shalimar. In spite of that description, the scent is not too heavy-handed. I always receive compliments when I wear this and I always am eager to recommend Parfums de Nicolai. I like it best in the intense concentration. It isn't stronger; it simply lasts longer. PS Sadly, this has changed. It is no longer spicy and it has no incense in the drydown. It also has very little of the initial, sweet jam note. Still pretty but not what it once was...

This is one of the most beautiful floral/chypre perfumes I can think of. Parfums de Nicolai references muguet...and I do detect that...but this is not an "old lady" floral. It is moody but not sad like Apres L'Ondee. It is mysterious but not outragiously so like Bandit. It stays with you for a reasonable amount of time, but it is not loud in any way. The drydown smells of woods and incense. The opening notes remind me of Spring and the closing notes remind me of Autumn. How perfect is that! PS I regret to report that the "new" Odalisque in the large bottle is a ghost of its former self. It is a lateral leather...period. There is no bright top note, no salty oakmoss middle note and no incense drydown. The old was a masterpiece; the new is a ho hum yawn.

This has been on my "to try" list for some time. I found this fragrance at TJ Maxx for under $15, so my "to try" turned into "to buy". What a beauty! This is the first fruity floral that I can embrace. It starts out with a blast of bergamot which quickly fades to a citrus vanilla rose. The cedarwood bottom notes make this yummy concoction work well for women of all ages. In fact, it worked so well for me (an anti floral, anti gourmand consumer) that I went back to TJ's the next day to buy another bottle. Grab some while they last...I suspect that the selloff at TJ's means that this fragrance joins the ranks of the "endangered species".

Chergui pays hommage to some of the greats of the past, especially to Habanita, and is more classical in structure than most of the other Lutens orientals. It starts out a spicey sweet jam and finishes a wonderful tobacco amber. "The Guide" claims that the bottom notes are due to hay absolute, and if this is true, I LOVE hay absolute. Florals are present, but they are blended so well that it is difficult to point out any particular floral scent. This fragrance is expensive, but it smells expensive. It is tradition with a beautiful twist. Sillage and longevity are great, as one would expect. I cannot wait to own a bottle of this juice. It plays a familiar tune, but it marches to a different drummer.

This starts out as a bright lemon-lime bergamot Earl Grey tea. Its sunny top notes end quickly and, on me, evolve into a slightly skanky "l'eau". I love lime in fragrances (see Sensi), but that note does not last long enough in this perfume to make it worthwhile. And the drydown is quite unpleasant. I find myself buying L'Artisan fragrances even though I know that I will not wear them, but they are so compelling and so interesting that I must occasionally take a whiff (see Dzing). This is not one of those fragrances...

I agree with Trebor. This does not strike me as a unisex fragrance. It starts out very sweet gourmand and morphs into a sweet, nutty vanilla tobacco...with the emphasis on sweet and nutty and not on tobacco. This is a pedestrian fragrance especially since it comes from L'Artisan. I usually find that the L'Artisan fragrances (not the Serge Lutens fragrances) are harder to wear, but this one is a cinch! There is no sillage and the longevity is lacking.

Coze starts out as a very green, unsettling patchouli. At drydown, it is warmer and sweeter and quite ordinary. I wanted to love this one, but I don't.

Definately a relative of Premier Fig, Premier Fig Extreme is not extreme in any way. It is less green and more creamy coconut than its predecessor and wears much closer to the skin. It has less longevity than the "premier" fig fragrance, which I still prefer to this newer version. Premier Fig Extreme should have a long list of fans in spite of this drawback. It's a nice, unisex scent that should wear well in all seasons.

If only I could wait through the very disturbing (what is that?) opening! It's all about the drydown for me. Vanilla and fruit keep this very beautiful patchouli wearable. And, yes, there is a "hippie" element that keeps this patchouli scent honest. If you are going to wear a perfume called "Patchouli Patch", it should smell like the herb which I grow every summer. And this one does... PS I find myself thinking about this perfume all the time. The patchouli is incredible when it finally surfaces. I may need to buy a bottle...PPS The opening note that disturbs me is osmanthus.

A la Nuit is reference jasmine. It is an astute study of the jasmine flower from opening bud to decaying blossom. It is in no way "death by jasmine" as The Guide states; it is a true jasmine fragrance with a bright start and a dark finish. Longevity is moderate. At Serge Luten prices, this is for the jasmine lover (not the "jasmine liker"). There are so many lovely jasmine perfume oils and fragrances (La Haie Fleurie) that I probably will never make a purchase of this one to satisfy my occasional jasmine craving. But, in my opinion, this is the epitome of jasmine and a must for those who are passionate about jasmine.

Because of the review in "The Guide", I avoided this one until curiosity got the better of me. This is a very soft oriental in spite of the rubber (tea?) notes that remain throughout the progression. After the initial rubber smell (this is NOT unpleasant), the fragrance turns to a light, sweet, slightly cinnamon jasmine which quickly morphs into a musky vanilla. I need to try this in summer, because I find the notes are almost too soft, and the sillage & longevity are minimal. This is seductive in a very nice, pretty way. I can see this as unisex fragrance in spite of that pretty softness. However, I don't see this as one of the "greats".

Maybe my nose is out of whack. I don't get a big oriental experience here. The thing that this fragrance has going for it is the way it puts on the brakes. It starts out a pretty citrus vanilla and ends up a soft amber. Very understated, very unisex. Not too elegant, not too beautiful. This is a transparent fragrance for people who don't like orientals but want to wear one anyway. PS I am trying to like this one, but I cannot get through the camphor. This reminds me of being sick!

The only positive thing that I can say is that Dzongkha is different. It's not different in the way that Dzing is different. It's not complex; it's schizophrenic. It can't decide whether to be a soft leather tea or to be a gourmand or to be a study in woods & herbs. The juxtaposition is unpleasant. I'm glad for the adventure in sampling this scent, but I would not wear it in a million years.

I have avoided reviewing this because initially my reaction is very positive. This is a beautiful bright floral blend, one of only a few floral fragrances that I love right away. Then, like so many florals, it becomes soapy (I can live with this). However, it is in the drydown that this bright & pretty fragrance turns ugly & sour. Very sour. I purchased the pure parfum hoping that, in a different concentration, the sour note would vanish and I would be left with that beautiful blend. Nope...still sour. What a shame!

Love at first sniff . This leather is more beautiful than elegant. It starts as a proper leather fragrance and then it morphs into a wonderful warm floral. Yes, floral ! I always am amazed by this transformation. The drydown, however, is true to the overture...a soft suede that stays close to the skin. There is little sillage and, unfortunately, limited longevity, but this fragrance is so compelling that it IS worth the bother of reapplying often. This is definately not a masculine in any way, which is a strange thing to say about leather. But it is so beautiful, so wonderful that anyone who loves perfume should try it. I cannot believe that the venerable Cuir de Russie could be any better, although I am anxious to try it. (Is Chanel ever going to sell less than a gallon of the stuff? When (if) they do, I will be the first in line to give it a go.) PS This is a very deceptive juice. When I thought that the scent had vanished from my skin, I found myself detecting something wonderful "in the ether". It was me! Did I get some on my clothes? Is this some sort of magical perfume? I think so...

After an initial burst of aldehydes, this marine white floral centers around lillies. The drydown is ever so slightly spicy and the lilies stay intact. Although not original, this fragrance is a nice example of this sort of thing and it is priced right. Worth a try for lily lovers; I would wear it in a pinch.

This is a boozy, fruited osmanthus with a rich musky drydown. Although there are rose & jasmine notes, osmanthus is the star. I really don't care for osmanthus, so I appreciate the supporting cast. All of the bells & whistles help with the longevity, too.

This is a very appealing peachy, milky osmanthus without the slightest trace of sugar. It is exactly what I thought Osmanthe Yunnan would be. (Jean Claude Ellena created both.) Here's the problem...it doesn't last and I can barely smell it even when first applied. It lasts even less time than Osmanthe Yunnan. So although this scent has a modest appeal, it is almost pointless. Maybe it would last a little longer on clothing.

After several tries, I finally get it. This is a bright citrus, barely there, osmanthus tea with a milky drydown. It really is pretty in a "skinny runway model" sort of way. I detect no florals & no smoke, however, and I can just barely make out the notes after an hour. I give this 4 stars for originality and 2 stars for longevity, so I guess that I give this one a thumbs up but only 3 stars.

This is a transparent floral that boasts citrus (I get that), peony (where?), rose (what?), osmanthus (I get that), patchouli (surely you are kidding!) and sandalwood (mmm maybe). So this is a kinda citrus osmanthus that drys down to...not much. And it is sweet, really sweet. In some ways, this reminds me of the spineless friend of Chaos by Donna Karan. It's not bad, really, but it's not that good, either. (I should disclose that I am not an osmanthus fan. And if you are, try Osmanthus Interdite by Parfums d'Empire. It does the same thing, only better.)

I just pulled out my untried samples and Chaos is among them. This is a very exotic woods (padukwood & agarwood) and exotic spice (saffron, coriander, chamomile, cardamon) scent that leaves me a little cold. I don't smell the amber and I smell just a bit of the clove. I can understand why this has reached cult status because it is unusual and complex. For me, it is not beautiful, elegant, compelling or fun...things that make me want to buy a particular perfume. I understand that it, along with some other discontinued Donna Karan fragrances, will be (maybe already is) reissued.

I thought Allure was bad until I tried this ugly fruity floral. I cannnot give a further assessment, because I ran to the faucet to scrub off this wretched stuff.

After an initial blast of watery notes, HUGE nondescript fruit notes overpower this juice. Thank goodness, the drydown returns to a more marine fragrance with a metal edge. Not bad. Could be unisex. But Cool Water remains the epitome of this sort.

Dune is to orientals what Apes L'Ondee is to florals. It is a contradition within itself. Dune is a thin, dry, arid perfume (vetiver?) not unlike the desert that the name implies. Yet, at the same time, it is warm like the sun on that desert (amber!). I have been searching all winter to find an ambery scent that is not as heavy as Shalimar (a favorite), but one that radiates warmth. How could I have forgotten Dune? Turin and Sanchez call it "the bleakest beauty in all of perfumery". They are so right!

After many years since my first spritz, I tried this again. What a bright little floral! It is like putting your nose into a bouquet of wildflowers without any of the greenery and "do-dads" that go with those bouquets from the florist. It is an uncomplicated, light & airy affair for those who are young or who are young at heart. Don't pass on this one because of the inexpensive price or the overexposure! Only a genius knows that sometimes less really IS more. And this fragrance has remarkable staying power for such a quiet little thing. In a word...Beautiful. PS I tried this on a hot summer day and I love the lily-suede notes in the drydown.

This is such a beautiful fragrance...much like Shalimar, but with an earthy edge. It's such a shame that Guerlain makes this in EDT only, because this scent would be far better served in an EDP or pure parfum. It lacks staying power, so the wearer never has an opportunity to experience what could be a wonderful drydown. I'll save my money to buy Shalimar instead.

Another winner from PdN! A straightforward vanilla, rich and powerful, and without the cheap, sweet notes that make so many vanilla scents unwearable. Lovely citrus top notes and a modest incense drydown. This is done in the Jicky/Shalimar tradition but it is pared back. If you like either of those but feel that they wear you instead of your wearing them, you might try this one.

This one breaks my heart. I love this from start to finish. I prefer it to Maharanih. It reminds me of a refined Jicky (because it is missing those bright citrus top notes). It also reminds me of Jicky because it's longevity on me is almost nonexistant. I love lavender and patchouli...I grow both. Can anyone tell me why lavender scents are so fleeting?

I have a serious case of "Lily Love", so I tried this. There is no mediterranean here as there is with Malle's creation, but there is a lovely, linear lily soliflore. I love the idea of niche, but I must admit that this lily just isn't as good as Anais Anais. It lacks the complexity (yes, complexity...try it in summer) and the beautiful suede drydown. Anais Anais still is my favorite lily.

I love the top note of gingerbread. This is a gingerbread that is strong but not in a bakery sort of way. Unfortunately, the following notes go downhill and the wearer is left with a nondescript, slightly woody perfume.

This starts out "31 Rue Cambon" (promising) and ends up "Allure" (disgusting). This fragrance has amazing sillage and longevity. It took an entire day of scrubbing to rid myself of this cheap smelling fruity, floral mess.

Initially, I loved this fragrance. The simple structure (lily, aloe, musk, incense) was very appealing. Having learned my lesson (I hope) concerning impulse buys, I applied all the rest of my sample before I went to the L'Artisan website to buy. Wow! Today I smell pine and only pine. Little dabs of this juice smell heavenly; spritzes of this smell like pine air fresheners. I guess I need to rethink my rating and my purchase and my way of applying perfume. PS In spite of this review, I kept remembering the day I experienced the most beautiful white lily, so I purchased a bottle. I'm still waiting for Miss Lily to show up!

This is IT, folks... true vanilla. Un Bois Vanille is deceptively simple smelling. It verges on smelling too much like baked goods, but it is saved by "that Lutens transparency" on the drydown. This is comfort food at its best...nutty, sweet and warm. I have been looking for a wonderful, straight up vanilla and this is IT. Unlike "The Guide", I find this to be very wearable and definately unisex. I love it and plan to save my pennies so that it can become part of my permanent rotation.

This stuff is sooo good that I tracked down the scent at work. A young man came forward and admitted that it was he who smelled great! Everyone else (women) agreed. Something about this fragrance makes me think of Mitsouko. OK. It is not Mitsouko (what is?), but it has just enough sillage and staying power to make my day! It is one of those fragrances that may not be inspiring, but it is pleasant and certainly appropriate for the work environment. Not too sweet, not too tart, not too mossy...it hits that dead center that is comfortable. I know that I will be buying this as Christmas gifts. Maybe I'll get some for my husband so that I can occasionally spritz myself. He doesn't know it yet, but he is also getting Bulgari Black!

I don't know what to think of this fragrance. On my mother & on a friend, this stuff is a 4 star beauty. On my sisiter & me, it's a 2 star heavy handed oriental. It doesn't sicken me the way that Youth Dew does, but I can think of at least a dozen other over the top spicy juices that I prefer. If you like spicy oriental scents, it is worth a try. But don't get your hopes up...

Coco is one smart lady! After her initial slug of aldehydes gets your attention, Coco manages to be refined and elegant. She is spicy but not too warm; she is bright but not too arrogant. She goes everywhere with ease and grace. Although she is related to No 5, she has a shine all of her own. I can detect a bit of fruit, a bit of clove, a bit of flowers but no one scent takes center stage. And the sandalwood is of a fine quality that I have missed for decades. I always loved sandalwood, the kind that came close to smelling like dirt but pulled back just in time. I never tried Coco before because I was afraid that she was a loud 80's sort of girl. She's not. PS The pure parfum (too fruity for me) is not at all like the edp.

As most makers of potpourri know, one of the best, least expensive ways to achieve a rose scent is to use crushed or bruised rose geranium leaves. And that is precisely what I detect in Nahema. Nothing extraodinary, nothing exotic...just the leaves of this widely grown herb. Having said that, I can only recommend Nahema to scent your home. Once again, I am truly disappointed in Guerlain. This house is in great need of something beautiful or at least something interesting. In the past 25 years, Chanel may have given us Allure (ugh), but Chanel also gave us Cristalle, Coco and the reissue of many of their great, classic scents. Guerlain has given us Samsara (the last incarnation of this used cheap sandalwood which smells unpleasant) and Insolence (cute, but not great). May I take back my Basenotes vote for best perfume house?

I wore Rive Gauche when it first was introduced, and believe me, the new version is not "it", not even close! This is the only fragrance on any of the Turin & Sanchez best lists with which I find fault. The new reformulation is horrible. Period. PS Now I understand why Calandre smelled so familiar to me when I first tried it recently. It's more like Rive Gauche than Rive Gauche! Do yourself a favor. Buy Calandre!

This is a remarkable, unusual fragrance. The notes on the L'Artisan website are leather, musk, toffee, iris & saffron. I would never dream of such a wild mix, but Olivia Giacobetti did dream and her perfume is a stroke of genious. This creation is wonderful and full of contradictions. After a rich, sweet opening, the drydown is exactly that...dry, tart and beautiful. No one on this website (or elsewhere) can give an example for comparison because there is no other like Dzing. Unique! PS I tried this in the summertime and I definately can smell the circus in the very seductive leather notes...never got the circus reference until now.

A sticky, sweet affair...In theory, I should like this, but I cannot discern any of the notes because I am overwhelmed by the sugary caramel (?). I cannot understand why perfumers think that the majority of their customers are under 18yrs old and that they want to smell like cheap candy. This Dior creation is not terrible, but it is pedestrian. It is no Diorella. Having said that, I bet it sells even though the idea has been overdone for some time. For me, Lolita Lempicka is the best of this new breed, but I must admit that I am growing tired of her. My first and last bottle will be around for a long time.

Not really a perfume but more of an impression, Ormonde Woman is the clearing in a dense forest and the bubbling spring in that clearing. It is fresh and green without a hint of bitterness. It is as transparent as air. It astonishes me. I am smarter for the experience. Yet, I probably will never make a purchase, because the impression is too fleeting. To get any longevity would diminish the beauty. A truly amazing, but impracticable beauty!

I bought this with my sister in mind. She is younger, bolder and maybe braver than I am. For me, Bandit is too strong (did I say that?), too green at the start and way too "perfumey" at the finish. I can't believe young people like this stuff. I hate it and it gives me a headache... and I know that my sister will LOVE it! PS Having said all of that, I tried Bandit again. While it is not a leather fragrance that suits me, I have learned to respect what it is...an unapologetic leather perfume of depth & quality.

I cannot get my arms around Fracas. It's way too big for me to handle! I have never smelled a bigger floral in my life. After the initial blast of varnish, I get a big whiff of gardenia.And then there is the tuberose which goes on forever! I am bowled over, literally, by this fragrance. This ode to flowers which went into wristlets of my youth seems a bit old fashioned. But I do understand why it creates a Fracas!

I never had the pleasure of trying the original, so my review is for the new version which, I understand, was inspired by but not like the original. This new version is a fruity, but not too sweet, suede. The opening is all fruit, with an emphasis on pear. The second waive of fragrance reminds me a little bit of Dune, thin & arid. Next comes the suede, definately not leather, but a wonderful soft suede. And then, poof, gone! A little less fruit, a little more suede and a lot more longevity would make the new VISA a blockbuster! Order one of the Piguet reissues at robertpiguetparfums.com and get free samples of all of the reissued fragrances, including Cravache. Free shipping, too.

Once again in my search for the perfect summer fragrance, I purchased this, untried, from the Chanel website. My first reaction was TOO strong, a sentiment that I rarely express. Immediately I put this in the "give away" box. Curiosity got the better of me, so I tried it again. Nope! Back to the box. (Will I ever grow into anything but No 5 from Chanel?) On the third try, I began to understand. This is like some people...hard to love. Yet there is something that keeps me coming back. Cristalle is definately a chypre but it lacks the beauty of Mitsouko and the complexity of Diorella. However, anyone who is serious about perfume should try this once...maybe three times. PS I have gone through yet another bottle of this stuff. I cannot imagine a summer without it. A true classic!

If Diorella and Cristalle met, married and had a child, that child would be Paloma Picasso! A very lovely floral chypre that goes on forever. It smells so much more expensive than it's sensible price! This, along with Anais Anais and Calandre, is probably the "biggest bang for your perfume buck" . I was very impressed and I like the idea that this scent comes in lotion & bath gel, also. PS Normally I prefer EDP to EDT, but this is one of those exceptions. The EDP is very "in your face". The EDT is refined and beautiful with very good longevity. 4 stars for the EDT; only 3 stars for the EDP.

I was surprised to discover that I really don't like this. It starts out fruity/floral a la Badgley Mischka and then morphs into Lolita Lempicka minus the anise. Interesting, but not compelling, inspiring or beautiful enough to purchase.

I made a "blind" buy of this on Ebay last winter. At that time, Baghari smelled very much like bitter hay to me. But knowing the character of many chypres, I waited until warmer weather to try again. This fragrance starts as a beautiful, unusual orange chypre and drys to a lovely powdery floral. The tart opening is so refreshing and remains somewhat intact for the drydown which is (dare I say it?)...pretty. I admire Bandit; I understand Fracas; but I love Baghari! PS robertpiguetparfums.com carries the entire line of Piguet fragrances. Free shipping and generous free samples. I think I'm in heaven...

Insolence is a cheerful L'Heure Bleue with raspberry over, under & sideways notes. It is sweet yet bold...and I like it! My husband gave this to me as a gift and I was a little unsure at first until I wore it for the first time and received lots of compliments. Yes, people can smell you coming, but they seem to like what they smell! The iris and violets tone down the raspberry to a wearable fragrance. This is for those happy, carefree days (or days that you would like to feel carefree).

I really expected to love this scent, but I don't. I like it, but I don't love it. Sometimes I detect something in the drydown that "puts me off". It is the same odor that I find in the bath products of Myrrhe Ardente by Annick Goutal. Is it the musk? Is it the tonka? I love the smell of tonka which I grind and use in potpourri, so I doubt that the occasional bad smell is tonka. For such an oily type of perfume, the staying power is only moderate at best. I'm still searching for the perfect pure vanilla. Until I find it, it's back to Vanille Tonka by Parfums de Nicolai. I can't say enough good things about the creations of Patricia Nicolai. PS Now that I have tried this on hot summer days, I need to edit my review. While this scent may never be a part of my permanent rotation, I find it quite compelling. The rich, thick vanilla smoke is a great "change of pace" fragrance for summertime.

I love the remarks of Vibert! Although this really is a pretty little vanilla/floral scent, it is not particularly unusual or inspiring or long lasting. I prefer Parfums de Nicolai Vanille Tonka, a similiar scent but one with a little more backbone. I wish that I could detect the lily in this fragrance, but all I perceive is a vague floral. (I think that part of my indifference to the Hermes fragrances is the aloof staff at Hermes stores!) Definately a fragrance for those who do not like fragrance!

When I was in Boston this summer, I entered a very pretentious Hermes store where the staff was so posh that they did not bother to approach me. So I charged behind the counter for a try at a couple of fragrances. Un jardin is a flimsy, fruity affair with little staying power. If only it were as pretentious as the sales clerks...

A simple little jasmine, almost a solefleur, not too sweet, not too dry. Normally L'Artisan is complex and (sometimes) confusing. This little white floral is neither. It is among the best of the lot of jasmines, although I have never tried Lutens A La Nuit. The drydown is quite linear and the longevity is adequate. Nice.

I'm impressed. After an initial blast of hairspray (bergamot), a slightly sweet herbal (sage, maybe lavender) iris accord follows. The drydown is a dry, musty powder. This is L'Heure Bleue on a budget or Lolita Lempicka on a diet. It is truly a unisex fragrance. It has decent longevity and sillage. Will it become part of my regular rotation of fragrances? Probably not, but it does deserve at least 3.5 stars. And I know that I will finish the bottle...

Thanks, again, Basenotes. On the recommendation of many in one of the forums, I purchased this on Ebay at a remarkable price (5.99). This is a true leather chypre that I can live with. It has attitude, but unlike Bandit, it is not rude. I think that the lovely florals tone down the leather so that I can wear it, not simply appreciate it. It's not often that I'm into leather, but when I am, this one does the trick!

I tried this in a little shop and I remember smelling patchouli, but after a couple of tries at home, I get lemon...pepper...mandrake (I think). The good news is that the edp actually stays with me for quite some time. Most of the other Goutals are gone in a flash. The bad news is that I am not crazy about this. It should be refreshing (abrasive?) for summer.

I purchased this because I had worn it and liked it in the past, and I heard that it was going to be out of production soon. The opening is much more ORANGE than I remembered; the drydown is a pretty floral which doesn't last on my skin. This is not the scent that I remember from the 80's. That scent was long lasting and had a metal note which I really liked. And that scent was all about the florals, not all about the orange. OK, but disappointing.

As a lover of most things Guerlain, I am appalled by this effort! This fragrance is to Guerlain what Allure is to Chanel...an embarrassment. Soapy cherry powder is about the best I can say. The only similarity with the noteworthy Insolence is the revolving (and in this case revolting) spiral of notes. This is pricey junk. Stay away...

Thank you, Basenote folks! If you had never blogged about Habanita, I might have missed out on one of the "greats". This scent is NOTHING like I expected. I expected a heavy on the kaboodles Oriental fragrance from the 80's (not my favorite perfume era). Instead, I discovered an abruptly green opening followed by a thick jammy spiced-fruit accord. Next come the florals. Then the drydown is all vetivier & vanilla...very dry hay with just a touch of vanilla. Yes, there is amber but the final star of this show is the vetivier. I can see this as a masculine if you put it on early and go out for the drydown. Bravo!

wjlamp is sooo lucky to have discovered a vintage bottle! I used to wear this in the sixties before it was "permissible" for unisex fragrances and I loved it! There was a very rich, sexy-sweet quality about the leather note that is lacking in any of the leather fragrances that I have tried lately (although I have not tried the new Chanel). The new versions of this scent are adequate but not special. 5 stars for the old; 3 stars for the new.

I admit that I suffer from "Lily Love". Un Lys is a beautiful, lean, dry lily fragrance with moderate sillage & staying power. I would have liked more Casablaca lily and less lily of the valley, but this stark lily is a lily that I could learn to love.

I have avoided writing a review because I am old enough to remember the original Emeraude. It was a lean, mean Shalimar at a far better price! The new junk that Coty is putting out these days is a disgrace to the company's former greatness. You could always depend on Coty to give you wonderful quality for your dollar. Now you can depend only on cheap junk, which has no value regardless of the price. **** for the old Coty products/ *for the junk today

Along with my order of No 5 (arguably the best floral fragrance ever created), Chanel sent a sample of Allure. Bravely, I spritzed it on my arm and I was SHOCKED. This stuff is nasty, cheap and vile. It makes Badgley Mischka (a far superior fruity floral) seem like a stroke of genius. I do make fragrance concessions if a line has bath/lotion products to layer, but I would not wear Allure even if I had a free supply. I admit that many Chanel fragrances are for a mature audience. I admit that many Chanel fragrances are hard to wear. But this horrible pandering to a younger market is ridiculous! Whenever I wear No 5, young women come over to find out what smells so clean and pretty. One said that she was going to treat herself by making a purchase and she did just that, proving that young women know quality when they smell it. And Allure is a no class. low quality fragrance. Shame on Chanel...

When it comes to florals, I am a purist. I like uncomplicated scents that smell like the real thing. This fragrance is all about orange blossoms. It's refreshing and, well, just pretty! I'm sorry that it is not longer lasting. Yet, for a cologne, it's longevity is decent. I suspect that any attempt to improve the staying power would spoil the thing that makes this so special.

Weak tea with lemon...that's it for me with this one. I don't dislike it; I don't like it. I guess I should say lukewarm weak tea with lemon. It is one of the only disappointments from this really good perfumery.

A beautiful white floral that is saved from being pedestrian by the addition of pink pepper & linden. Decent sillage and staying power. What more could you want?

If you have ever had the pleasure of burning the now defunct Aromatherapy of Rome figuier candles, you will know exactly this great fragrance from L'Artisan. It is a green fig and creamy candle wax fragrance that is refreshing and comforting at the same time. No adolescent, syrupy, fruit...just the beautiful scent of fig leaves on a sunny day.

Wow! I can't believe all of the folks who like this. Smelled like my basement after the hot water tank burst. The only one of this incense series that has any merit to me as a woman is Jaisalmer...the slightly sweet pimento opening was interesting and kinda nice!

This was my favorite fragrance of the three fragrances reintroduced by Faberge (then owned by Cary Grant) in the 60's...Woodhue, Tigress and, I think, Aphrodisia. Woodhue was a warm, woody and somewhat sweet concoction. Cheap, yes, but very nice. Maybe I should try the new version, because the old version was truly memorable!

I wore this back in the 60's when Cary Grant (yes, THE Cary Grant) took over Faberge. What a smart business man! The marketing campaign for this and two other old Faberge scents put Faberge back on the map. I remember this as a fun, cheap oriental. Tons of amber and spice! Ah, the good ol days...

This is Dune with an Avignon drydown. I love the opening... a dry, not too sweet, citrus amber. But the moldy, damp basement smell that comes next really makes this one a scrubber for me.

I have very mixed feelings about Maharanih. It's a lean Shalimar with an extra big shot of orange. There is a brightness about this that reminds me of the old Shalimar, but the heavy orange peel really "puts me off". If you are a man who likes Shalimar but wants something a little more masculine, Maharanih might be for you. If you are a woman, just buy Shalimar!

This is the first fragrance from PdN that I don't like! A high- pitched white floral with middle notes that remind me of urine (possibly an attempt to lessen the overly sweet white florals). I thought that I would really like this and I discounted the review in The Guide because their dislike of white florals is evident. But, to my nose, they were kind in their review.

Another beautiful, classical (not "old fashioned") fragrance from PdN. Nothing done to excess...just a lovely, not too green floral with a soft, powdery drydown. As pretty as this is, it does not compare to the unusual Odalisque. (Don't let the reference to muguet on the website keep you away from Odalisque. I assure you that the lily of the valley note is just a fraction of the total effect.)

My search for a straightforward incense fragrance is over! After experiencing the wonderful incense drydown of PDN "Sacrebleu", I wanted more. Myrrhe Ardente is beautiful & elegant with a vanilla syrup start and a smokey myrrh finish. Having burned actual myrrh resin at Christmastime, I can tell you that Annick Goutal has captured that essence in a bottle. No flowers here to distract; No sugar to appease. This fragrance wears close to the skin... a soft vale of a perfume. And if a man wore this, I'd follow him anywhere!

Wow! I really like this one. The fragrance is sweet, but the ivy & anise add great balance to that sweetness. The bottle is sexy. The name is melodious. My reaction to this is very visceral as opposed to my usually cerebral approach to perfume. The weather is so cold here today, but I am warmed and comforted. I will be adding "Lolita Lempicka" to my ever growing collection. P.S. Not for those who dislike black licorice...

I was really disappointed in this fragrance. It is sugary beyond belief and the white floral accords smell cheap and dated. Possibly in an attempt to appeal to a younger market, Annick Goutal has made a mess of a perfume. I only can hope that her new incense fragrances (which I will be trying soon) reflect her past triumphs. The only up side is that this perfume is affordable. And, unfortunately for me, this one has longevity.

This is an inexpensive, but in no way cheap, fragrance. After an initial, almost startling, burst of aldehydes and bergamot, the roses take the stage. Then the oakmoss and the lilies chime in. ( Yes, oakmoss in the upper notes!) Just when you think that this is just another floral-chypre, a strange & almost unpleasant metal note appears. The metal quickly morphs into shimmery lily rose with sandalwood and oakmoss humming softly in the background. I find that those who wear Calandre always discover the notes that THEY like the best in this symphony. Well done, and at a reasonable price!

Ah, lilies! For me, this is still better than Donna Karan's "Gold". The scent of lilies blends so much better with the salt water component that it becomes one accord. With "Gold", I cannot get by the cucumber smell. (I seem to be one of a very few who have this reaction.) Don't wait for the drydown, because what you experience initially is pretty much IT. Very nice, but a little pricey as are all of Malle's creations. P.S. I am waiting for summer to give Serge Lutens "Un Lys" another try. To me, it is a much more literal oriental lily fragrance, but it doesn't seem to stay with me. And the drydown is a little too sweet.

I used this once in the 70's and now I know why I never went back for more. It is Giorgio's Red (which did come later) on steroids! After a jaw dropping, headache inducing open, this fragrance drydown is all hay (vetivier). After a horrible day, night and next day, I could not get rid of the smell in spite of several scrubbings. (Now I won't wear Red, either.) I purchased the lotion & shower gel which is usable, but I can't imagine who wears this stuff. So much for Turin and Sanchez...

I have waited with anticipation for my sample of this fragrance which has received rave reviews. I tore open my prized package, dabbed the precious liquid on my hand and...OLD SPICE...with amber. Sorry, folks, but I remember the Old Spice of yore and this is it! The drydown is prettier and more floral, but nowhere is the brightness of No 5 or the steely resolve of Cristalle. What a disappointment!

What I have been using, liking & buying all that I can find is the citron & orange blossom (yes, combined into ONE fragrance) shower cream & body lotion. I have been using this with Mitsouko EDP & parfum, and I love them together. The scent is uncomplicated, sweet (but not too sweet) citrus with an earthy neroli blossom finish.

Initially, a sweet little floral. Ah, the orange blossom! And then something a little TOO sweet happens. While I do not dislike the fragrance (Turin & Sanchez really tore into this one), it is no L'Heure Bleue, the ultimate floral oriental perfume. It is similar to the oriental sweetness of Sacre Bleu but lacks the maturity and smoky incense drydown.I think that Code was an attempt to be all things to all people, and instead it is a little too sweet for mature women and a little too oriental for young women. I give this one a reluctant thumbs up.

Out of all of the "oldies but goodies" that ended up in discount stores, Tabu has probably suffered the least. It is still sweet and warm with a patchouli drydown. Even though it doesn't smell the same, it doesn't smell cheap like so many (all!) of the Coty perfumes. If it's cold outside and you're low on cash, give this a try. You might be surprised!

Whatever happened to the REAL Coty perfumers? L'aimant (alot like Chanel No 5, but with more punch) was a great perfume. Maybe it wasn't for everyone, but there was a real quality to it. Now it just screams, "I'm cheap and strong". Same for Emeraude, which was similar to and almost as beautiful as Shalimar. I never had the pleasure of Chypre, but I can only imagine the quality of a perfume that defined an entire new classification of scent! Four stars for the old: no stars for the new.

I love the lavender top note (reminds me of Jicky for just a moment) and the lovely vanilla amber drydown, but those middle notes prevent my giving this one 4 stars. It's a little too sweet gourmand (too much coffee with sugar, maybe?). However the price is right, so I say give this one a try. It is much more "modern" than those old Guerlains which I adore, so maybe this one is for a younger crowd. And it does last quite a while, which is a real plus.

Don't let the offensive name, gawd awful bottle, or the fact that it comes from Avon stop you! This is a complex white floral with more than a hint of Orange Blossom. It has great staying power and sillage without being overpowering. Somehow this fragrance walks a fine line between modern and "old fashioned". I've been searching for a sophisticated yet friendly orange blossom scent, and I think I've found just that!

Guys...women like this! There is nothing wrong with "hitting to center field" and this scent hits dead center. It is not too strong. It is not offensive. It does not smell "cheap". Driven is a slightly sweet and very pleasant herbal fragrance that can be worn anywhere, anytime. Even though I rarely like Avon fragrances (the last one I purchased was Tamarind for men), I like this one and I DID buy it for my husband. Don't tell him that I spritz it on myself occasionally!

This is a nice, light inoffensive floral...not as terrible as "The Guide" states but not very inspiring, either. The new formula lacks some of the more subtle fragrance notes that I could never quite define but were obviously important. Those notes made a "little" fragrance much more interesting. Another problem...this fragrance does not last! It seems to evaporate before any kind of drydown. If you are looking for a nice, light floral, save your money and buy Tommy Girl instead.

What happened to the wonderful, wistful white floral that had great sillage and staying power while remaining transparent and soft? Diane Von Furstenberg thought enough of this one to name it after her daughter! I can only guess that it suffered when it was sold for mass marketing. I do know that she tried to buy back the fragrance line because of what had been done to it! For those who never had an opportunity to try this back in the 70's, I am truly sorry. It was a triumph. I give the old one five stars. I would not give two cents for the new one.

Tresor is one of the only rose based fragrances that I like, although I have not tried Nahema yet. It is a little "victorian" in nature (what else could a true rose fragrance be?), but it is not old fashioned in any way. I compliment people when they wear this and people compliment me when I wear this. So why don't I buy another bottle to keep around? I guess the reason is that I just don't LOVE it. It doesn't inspire me in any way. It lacks the brightness of No 5, the almost Gothic moodiness of L'Heure Bleue or the sheer joy of Insolence. But it really is a very nice rose scent...if you like that sort of thing.

A warm, pretty, uncomplicated scent. I used to wear this one exclusively in the winter, until I read a comment that wearing this in summer was a refreshing change. On a summer night, there is something sexy yet comforting about it. While not inspiring, this is a safe choice for a gift and a safe choice for any situation. Just like my old cotton nightgown, Sensi is a fragrance that I like to keep around.

The reviews of this are interesting. Some think that this a warm fragrance. I got just the opposite impression. I could really pick out the basil, coriander and petitgrain and there is something very fresh about that combination. Also, I felt that, although this perfume was long lasting, it wasn't too strong. A very versatile and unusual scent. Even though it is not a scent that I can't do without, I like it & will probably buy it again.

A good perfume that gets a bad rap, possibly because of the price (inexpensive) or possibly from the overexposure. I bought this when it first came out just because of the name. I loved it then & I like it now, especially the price. I use the bath gel, lotion & perfume for staying power. It is a warm, spicy scent that is perfect for cold New England winters. If this one is too much for you, try Sensi. It has staying power but it is much more subtle.

I first smelled this on a co-worker and I loved it! I ran to the store, bought the EDT and was so dissappointed. This is a BIG fragrance that deserves to be worn at least in the EDP if not in the pure parfum. If you love Giorgio's Red, you will love this. It is so spicy and so warm. It is more complex than Red. But it also is more expensive. There are two things that I have learned over the years: one is that you usually get what you pay for; two is that perfume doesn't always need to be expensive to be good.

Not the best effort that I have come to expect from the House of Guerlain! I find this a little pedestrian and a little too sweet. I should state the disclaimer that I am not a fan of sweet florals, even though I like Insolence. My sister, on the other hand, IS a fan of flowery scents and she loves this. My advise...get a sample before making a purchase. I have never smelled the original formulation, so maybe I am judging unfairly.

A truly elegant floral/oriental in traditional Guerlain fashion! It is far richer than Heure Exquisite but it is similar in that smoky, dusky twilight way. I never appreciated the sensous beauty of this scent when I was young. To me now, it symbolizes the scents of spring...thawing earth and sulking, hardy blossoms. This is not a fragrance for everyone, but I love to wear it on cool damp days. It keeps my thoughts warm and my attitude hopeful. If you love Mitsouko, you will probably like this "sister scent".

I could never understand the popularity of this fragrance. My introverted (at the time) daughter wore it; my extroverted (and slightly older than me) boss wore it. I thought that it was gawd awful and yet it was everywhere! How could the folks who brought us Diorella do such a thing? In my humble opinion, Poison really IS poison...to be avoided at all costs. Dior did redeem itself when it introduced Dune, a unique beauty.

I had to try this because of the obnoxious pink box. It is a cheerful, fruity floral if you like that sort of thing. It doesn't offend and does not reflect in any way that box! I thought that my daughter would love it, but she only gave it an "eh". My nose must be failing me, because I thought this one would have a mass audience. To me it is one of the better new fragrances for young women. Although it lacks the pizzazz of Insolence and the beauty of Tommy Girl, I still think that it is a very, very nice perfume.

I tried this in 1969 when it was introduced and was wildly popular with young women. So many years later, I tried it again because I had no memory of it. Now I understand the reason. To me it is a nice but unremarkable floral. I know "The Guide" says that it is a masterpiece, but to me it is a fragrance that doesn't take any chances. It just doesn't stand out in any way, good or bad. It's pretty but I'll pass.

Apres l'Ondee is anything but "the sunshine after the rain". It is painfully beautiful and whispers ominous news to anyone who will listen. This is the only Guerlain fragrance that should be sold in the EDT only (a disturbing trend in fragrances such as Vol de Nuit). I am not a huge fan of florals, but this one should not be missed. It is such a mystery...it relays the impression of Spring that will never become Summer. It's cool aloofness makes it unusual for a Guerlain. A truly unique experience!

In a search for the perfect summer fragrance, I bought Diorella without even trying it. Upon my first whiff, I thought...nice, but I probably won't buy this one again. As the day progressed, I was amazed at the beautiful drydown. Every note of the EDP is given an opportunity to take center stage until the earthy, patchouli finish. (I never guessed that I would like patchouli in the oppresive summer heat!) And Diorella has good staying power without giving me or anyone else a headache. When I don't know which perfume to wear, I reach for this. Just the fact that there is not one negative review should make anyone thinking about trying this one to run to the department store.

What a pity that such a lovely fragrance has such a terrible name! My daughter brought this home from a show in NYC where Tommy Hilfiger was a guest. I never would have tried this & probably will never buy this; yet it is a light, not too sweet floral with some staying power. In spite of the fact that I am not a huge fan of most florals, this one is just different enough & complex enough to recommend. I put this and Juicy Couture in the same category...pretty, unoffensive and perfect for young (and maybe not so young) women.

I have a love/hate relationship with this one. When the drydown gets no farther than watery cucumbers ( a scent better for the kitchen than actually ON someone), I hate it. When the drydown gets through the cucumber to amber lily, I LOVE it in spite of the fact that I am not passionate about many florals. Long lasting and especially good for summer, Gold doesn't seem common to me. It's really kinda nice!

Givenchy loved Audrey Hepburn and that fact is evident in his perfumes of that era. Le De and L'Interdit are a little thin, but very beautiful! Soft, feminine floral scents that speak simply in spite of being very complex...Givenchy III has a slight edge to it, but never looses that soft, almost transparent feeling. This fragrance is great to try if you are a little unsure about wearing a chypre. This trio is a great for the perfume novice. In fact, these are great fragrances to try again.

I am a Guerlain girl and Shalimar is the reason. This is really a simple perfume, especially by today's standards. Citrus, spice, vanilla...and the Guerlain magic! I have searched for another like this, because Shalimar was a part of a sad time in my life. Samsara is nice but loud.(If I want a nice loud Shalimar, I reach for Giorgio's Red. It's nice and loud and inexpensive). I haven't tried Serge Lutens Ambre Sultan yet, but I bet that it is no Shalimar. So after many years of searching, it is back to Shalimar. The new reformulation is different than the original, not quite as rich yet somehow deeper.

Where have I been all my life? I have been a Guerlain girl since the sixties when a little Guerlain cologne went a long way. But, until recently, I had never experienced Mitsouko. Did I try it and not like it? Did I try it and then forgot about it? Not likely! This is serious perfume. This is something like no other. Every time I wear this, I detect something new. One day I smell ripe peaches; another day I love the bergamot or the spices or the woodsy oakmoss. I embrace the jasmine, even though I am not a fan of flowery perfume. This is my "go to" girl. I wear this anywhere and everywhere. I have searched for another chypre that rivals this one. I have been to Dior and I love Diorella. I am learning to love Cristalle. (My goal is to grow up and appreciate Chanel, but I'd better hurry.) But Mitsouko remains my favorite. If you think that you don't like Mitsouko, try the EDP. It is so much richer and fuller than the EDT.

Where do I begin when the different concentrations of Jicky don't seem related? The EDT is the brightest citrus; the EDP is the best lavender; and the pure parfum is pure Guerlainade! I love them all in spite of the fact that the EDT last about 20 minutes; the EDP lasts about 30 minutes; and the pure parfum last about 45 minutes. Normally, I would give up and try something else, but this stuff is wonderful! I spray the EDT on my pillow and I spray the EDP on myself. I'm in love with this Jicky guy, but I only wish that he would stick around longer.

I had not smelled No 5 since my grandmother's death in 1970. This was her favorite, but I had not given it much thought until I was thumbing through "Perfumes: The Guide". I rushed online and ordered the EDT, EDP and parfum from the Chanel website. When my package arrived, I quickly sprayed the EDP and suddenly was taken back in time. In spite of the reformulations, I immediately recognized that beautiful scent! No "old lady" smell, no pretense of the eighties, just a wonderful, bright floral that could go to a grand wedding or to a baseball game. If you have never tried it (which I would find hard to believe if you are on this site), please do. It's perfect! It has just enough sillage to be pleasant but not overpowering. And it stays with me for a few hours which is unusual except for some very loud fragrances. Thumbs way up for this one!

Another one of those "Big Eighties" (REALLY BIG) scents! It is powerful, long lasting and complex. From the notes in this, I should really like it, but it is ALL perfume and no heart.

Thanks to all who reviewed this perfume! This is one of the "Big Eighties" perfumes that I just don't understand. It's nice (my sister...younger...loved it), but it is not at all memorable.

This is a very rich, sophisticated combination of citrus & woods which would work for anyone, anywhere. Yet, in spite of it's reputation for lasting a long time, this is "Gone in Sixty Seconds" with me. I wish that was not the case with this line, because I like most of the fragrances (they are complex) and would purchase them frequently if they had more staying power.

Of all the Annick Goutal scents that were available when I visited one of the shops in Paris, this was the one that I chose for myself. It is truly beautiful, a bit nostalgic but not sad. Unfortunately, as with all the fragrances from this line, it does not last with me.