Fragrance Reviews by New San Antonio Rose

Like another reviewer, I received Beautiful as a gift with purchase from Estee Lauder. I avoided this scent during its time because it was very popular and I was brainy and different and wore Calyx (no regrets, btw. A wonderful perfume, and, incidentally, another Sophia Grojsman.) So I was surprised to discover how beautiful Beautiful is. On me, a floral bouquet (I can pick out the rose) anchored by a slightly musty (hello, grandma) velvety green mossy base. Just the kind of perfume the mature New San Antonio Rose loves. Look, I think Beyond Paradise is sublime, the last word in florals, etc., etc. But it's not "me" like Beautiful is. When I put on BP, I'm dressing trendy, and in Beautiful, I'm classic and totally self-assured. No question, I would wear Beautiful on a date, or just when I want to feel, you know.

An addictive affair, Angel breaks my fragrance rules and fascinates me to no end. I hate sweet, gourmand perfumes...except Angel. I hate patchouli (the dreaded head-shop scent of my Free to Be You and Me childhood)...except Angel. There is a marked progression, from candy-sweet top notes to an over-the-top burnt caramel midsection, to basenotes that last two days on me. Deep, dark chocolate and, yes, high-quality patchouli. I want to roll in it like catnip. And I am a cool, reserved blonde. Angel is, I think, the ultimate love it or hate it scent. Try it and see.

I try to keep an open mind--far be it from me to hate something because it is "different"--but this fragrance makes me physically ill. It is very strong, and the burnt rubber smell is very strong on me, inducing headache/nausea. Occasionally I get flashes of mellow vanilla and smoky tea, which are nice, but overall, this fragrance is completely unwearable on me. I have yet to smell this on another woman or on a man, but believe me, if I caught a whiff of the "tire fire" on someone else, it would be a one-way ticket to Queasyville all over again. Approach with caution, IMHO.

This is the smell of Twin Peaks, my favorite TV show. Walking in the woods at midnight, to the eerie themes of Angelo Badalamenti. When I go to visit my relatives in the Pacific Northwest, I get this strong smell of clean, clean air with the pine woods all around. Violet weaves in and out of Ormonde Woman (and I am no violet lover, but it is not candied or sweet in this fragrance.) The drydown is a soft amber, not terribly interesting, but I will still give it a thumbs up, because no other perfume I have tried has reproduced the "head-space" of the Northwest like this. It is rather addictive.

Ormonde Jayne has a lovely sample kit that they will ship anywhere in the world for free. It comes in a beautiful presentation box. A class act all around.

"If you go out in the woods today, you're sure of a big surprise..."

All I can smell is bug spray. Like the exterminator was just here. For four hours straight, in the pure parfum concentration. Please don't let this stop you from trying from trying this classic scent. But if you do smell bug spray or any other weirdness, try Guerlain's Liu. It's a beautiful floral aldehyde that's not from the House of Chanel. Not that I'm hating! Cuir de Russie is beautiful. Just not No. 5. Not to me, anyway.

Sigh. Undoubtedly a classic, but not for me. I tried the pure parfum--the ingredients and craft are beyond reproach (and it lasts as long as the other Guerlains), but it's just not my thing. I'm no oriental lover, and this definitely comes across as a spicy oriental to me, rather than a dry chypre, as other reviewers have found. I agree that gender distinctions are especially meaningless when it comes to the classic Guerlains. I have tried them all at this point, and my favorite is unquestionably Habit Rouge!

Vol de Nuit is absolutely worth a try. Maybe I will come around to it someday.

I'm with ubuandibeme on this one...I think I understand why some call this a masterpiece (the straight-from-the-get-go warmth and complexity), but then there are times when I all I get from it is fabric softener. I'll stick with Beautiful as well...guess I'm just a sucker for a mossy base.