 | Un Matin d'Orage by Annick GoutalThis is the most realistic gardenia scent I have ever encountered. A dry, gentle lightly powdery green gardenia that instantly takes me to a greenhouse or steamy tropical setting. It is supposed to be about a Japanese garden after a storm. I wouldn't know about that. I don't think they are big on gardenias. Bonsai trees, evergreens & sculptural elements as I understand. Nevertheless, it is a gorgeous hothouse experience and I have never enjoyed a gardenia scent before this. In fact, I usually avoid them. They are always too synthetic, overbearing & sweet for me. If you love the real thing, heightened with some dry powder for longevity, this is quite lovely. Perfect for spring. A good wedding scent, too. 27th January, 2011. |
| | Jubilation 25 by AmouageAmazing throwback to chypres the way they used to be made. It must be the tarragon, something that is not in many frags I have tried. It imparts a golden rich herbal quality along with the usual suspects of floral & spices, I have absolutely no complaints. This is heady stuff and just gorgeous. I notice there is a reference here to L'Heure Bleu, but this is misleading as there is no heliotrope. And Jubilation is not sweet or even very floral. This is closer to a mossy chypre such as Balenciaga's Cialenga or vintage 'Cabochard' - just to compare, not exact you understand, but more in that vein, I feel. This is really pretty if you like a skin /herbal scent with golden highlights... that's the feeling it gives me when I put it on. 27th March, 2009. |
| | Neroli by ProfumumI am usually repelled by the artificial neroli and it's association with suntan products. Often there is a plastic after-note that accompanies neroli. Not so in this masterpiece. The first time I tried this it was love. Fresh citrus flowers and pure sunshine in a bottle. It sounds corny, but I can't think of anything else when I'm wearing this. It is a bit floral and sweet, but not sugary in the least. Just delicious. Siliage is excellent. 24th February, 2009. |
| | Acqua Viva by ProfumumPure, intense lemon. This is comparable to Eau D'Hadrien, only without the cypress. In addition, it is much stronger and has fantastic silliage. It's just lemony lemons with a bit of sweetness (vanilla) but mostly tart lemon. You have to really like lemon to wear this one. The unusual thing about it is, you don't get any harsh cleaning fluid, furniture polish, or alcohol notes at all. And there is no overkill in the sweetness category either. It really does put one in mind of a lemon grove & a freshly made batch of lemonade. So refreshing & glorious! 24th February, 2009. |
| | Dulcis in Fundo by ProfumumThe 1st 2 times I didn't like this, 3rd time was the charm. It grew on me. A little daub will do you. This is sweet, orangey/creamy with a bit of apricot down under, layered deep & succulent fruits. This is a surprise for me. I don't dig too sweet, or overly vanilla gourmands. I don't think this is one, at least not for me. Try first, though because this is just one that you may like or it just might rub you the wrong way. I find it intoxicating! 24th February, 2009. |
| | Quelques Violettes by HoubigantThis is very pretty and floral. I like the original Q. Fleurs with its slightly dry floral bouquet. I didn't care for the flankers. If you like sweeter scents, especially violettes, this is beautiful. Violettes, Roses & Ylang Ylang in an aldehyde that is not to dry. The lotions that go with these scents are wonderful, too. 24th February, 2009. |
| | Paestum Rose by Eau d'ItalieGloriously complex. A rose for the non-traditional rose fan. I don't care for sweet tea rose. This is the spiced rose made dense and intense with incense & myrhh. The vetiver gives a snappy lemon-like freshness that lingers. I feel I'm getting my money's worth with this one. One spray and I'm in a cloud of this fascinating scent for hours. Very uplifting. 2nd May, 2007. |
 | Badgley Mischka by Badgley MischkaThis reminds me of CK 'Euphoria'. Just another take on cranberries. There is a lingering basenote that catches in my throat. Over-all, too sweet, too expensive not at all distinctive and disappointing. 2nd May, 2007. |
 | Bulgari Black by BulgariLilly-of-the-Valley and new tires. Odd combination. At first I liked it's smokiness but then the rubber settled in. Definitely masculine, not unisex as I first thought with my sample. 2nd May, 2007. |
| | Salvador Dali by Salvador DaliI was pleasantly surprised by the complexity of this scent. The bottle is suspiciuosly clever, but actually well done. The floral top notes are very good. I like jasmine anyway and the citrus is fresh and zingy. It's the cedar and myrrh that give it its personality. All in all a real keeper. I found mine at a bargain $35 for 3.4 oz. not expecting much. I really think it wil get a lot of wear. 27th April, 2007. (Last Edited: 13rd January, 2011.) |
| | First by Van Cleef & ArpelsThe opening is harsh jasmine & aldehydes. The drydown is light, sparkling & aldehyldic. The black current tempers the sweet narcissus. It helps keep it fresh and doesn't let it get too heavily sweet. I don't find it complex, but it is pleasant and pretty. Slightly green floral. 26th April, 2007. |
| | Infini by CaronThis feels a lot like my other favorite Caron; 'Fleurs Des Rocailles'. The notes are shared although the overall effect of the L'Infini is of FDR combined with champagne. It has a lighter greener aldehyldic treatment. Less amber than FDR. It has a beautiful bouquet, never too sweet or strong. 26th April, 2007. |
| | Chypre Vanille by MontaleChypre Vanille--This has a split effect difficult to imagine...green and vanilla. The two are distinctly together yet separate.It reminded me of something, then it hit me--cream soda with mint leaves. Kind of nice but not my favorite. Definitely male. 23rd April, 2007. |
| | Blue Amber by MontaleBlue Amber--Another one I changed my mind about. I like the simplicity here. A sweetness from the amber tempered with depth. It has to cook on you for the full effect. A gourmand but not the annoying salivating kind. 23rd April, 2007. |
| | Soleil de Capri by MontaleSoleil di Capri--I'm reminded of Dolce & Gabana Light Blue at first, but then there is less sweetness and none of the green apple. As it turns out, this is definitely a fresh clean male scent. It gets smoky and the balsams or sages kick in at the end and seal the deal. Great for men who like a smoky grapefruit. Very sunny. 23rd April, 2007. |
| | Patchouli Leaves by MontalePatchouli Leaves--This was the best and biggest surprise. I tried this a while ago and didn't leave it on long enough. This is yummy and different from every other patchouli I've tried. The bergamot and lime forms a fresh green opening that unfolds as they're fused with the amber and musk. There's probably something else holding them together but whatever it is, the effect is mesmerizing. I couldn't stop sniffing my arm. A fresh gourmand effect without the hunger or overly sweet feel. 23rd April, 2007. |
| | Oud Cuir D'Arabie by MontaleCuir d'Arabie-- Fresh leather with a bit of hay. There's a light mint, maybe vetiver? This goes flat on me and reminds me of those red erasers on top of yellow pencils. Weird. 23rd April, 2007. |
| | Aoud Roses Petals by MontaleRose Petals--Tea Roses with some green which gives a lifting sensation. this isn't a favorite rose of mine. I think this kind of rose is best in small doses and this is too over the top for me. If you love the sweet girlie rose, you'll flip for this. Very sophisticated but dangerously strong. 23rd April, 2007. |
| | Powder Flowers by MontalePowder Flowers--Almond is strong out of the gate, then it turns more powdery. I'm talking big powder! It is like Johnson's Baby Powder but then it gets better and reminds me of Chanel #5 without the aldehydes. 23rd April, 2007. |
| | Orient Extreme by MontaleOriental Extreme--This is also a male fragrance. At first it is very like SL Amber Sultan. However it is less unisex. Less amber and more sandalwood. 23rd April, 2007. |
| | Attar by MontaleAttar--Earthy, warm rose. Sexy and leathery and slightly green. A very reasonable rose. Spicey,not too girlie or perfumey. 23rd April, 2007. |
| | Hierbas de Ibiza by Hierbas de IbizaHierbas de Ibiza ; The lightest touch of cool lavender, combined with sage & citrus along with verbena give a spicy floral note to the fresh herbal citrus. It feels like summer at the beach with fresh flowers in the garden. I just love this one. It might be my new favorite humid weather choice. It is definitely unisex, although on the light side. Good sillage though for this type of scent. 23rd April, 2007. |
| | Vanille Exquise by Annick GoutalOne of the few non-gourmand treatments of Vanilla. Dry & lightly wooded. I found it deep due to it's lack of sweetness. Close to the skin. 23rd April, 2007. |
| | Eau d'Hadrien by Annick GoutalThe first time I applied I thought--Oh,no "Lemon Pledge." Don't let that dissuade you. Let it cook for 1 hour before deciding. If you do like lemon this will hit the spot. The cypress was a new experience for me and a gorgeous combination it is. With the other mediterranean spices and green herbal blast, a fresh warm sunny lemon that cheers me every time I wear it. 23rd April, 2007. |
| | Bijan by BijanBijan--"Be gone!!" This smells like Aqua-Net circa 1972. I can't believe this is considered a classic in some perfume guides. It has a cool bottle. Big deal. 23rd April, 2007. |
| | Anné Pliska by Anné PliskaI'm imediately reminded of a brighter more 'lemony' 'Shalimar'. It must be the bergamot since lemon isn't listed. That accounts for the cool green in the opening. A lovely scent. On me it's an improvement over 'Shalimar' due to the less powdery aspect which I prefer. 18th April, 2007. |
| | Black Aoud by MontaleBlack Aoud-- This reminds me of Paestum Rose by L'Italie but it is a bit cooler, with an almost mint or menthol effect which may be due to some pine or resinous base. It ends a little more musky and I think I'm getting myrrh and balsam. I think I prefer Paestum. This is higher pitched , in general a leathery damask rose with musk. 17th April, 2007. |
| | Fleur D'Interdit by GivenchyVery sweet melon scent to my nose. I have seen raspberry included in the notes for this. It dries down to a pleasant dry musk. When I wear this everyone asks me about it. I lke the fact that it is so different from anything else. The jasmine and cyclamen must be the top notes. A green aspect keeps it from being too sweet. 12nd February, 2006. |
| | Verte Violette by L'Artisan ParfumeurThis is a most unusual scent. It is both green and floral. I agree it is pretty subtle and probably would be great in a parfum. This has such a strong sense memory for me of playing in the garden in spring as a child. A very innocent kind of scent. Gently sweet without being cloying. 10th February, 2006. |
| | Rive Gauche by Yves Saint LaurentI have always loved this. I wish I could remember how I found it. I never knew it had rose in it. It seems like such a non-floral to me which is the main attraction. It is fresh without the ubiquitous freesia ala Calvin Klein. There is also a kind of quirky citrus tang. I am remembering the old version and have not tried it lately. I just hope it still works for me although I'm very afraid. Haunting! 10th February, 2006. |
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