Basenotes - Reviews by Antaeusintheair

United States

Showing 1 to 11 of 11.

Sheherazade by Jean Desprez

A soapy aldehydic slap in the face followed by a soothing fresh chypre accord (citrus, labdanum, moss--but none too noticeable individually) and a spicy carnation heart. The drydown is a powdery oriental vanilla. Quite invigorating, lovely, and unique!

Here's what The Perfumed Court has to say:

"Sheherazade Parfum by jean Desprez is a stunningly sultry fragrance classified as an aldehydic chypre that is impossible to find. Top notes ofAldehydic, Bergamont, and Rosewood Middle notes of Rose, Carnation, Jasmin, Ylang Ylang, Orris, and Cassia. Base notes of with notes of.... Vanilla, Sandalwood, Benzoin and Opoponax creating a powdery sweet sensation"

12nd April, 2010.

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Shalimar by Guerlain

Thank goodness I stuck with this and kept sampling.

I tried a small sample of modern edp and could not get over a dirty diaper note... that ugly/beautiful of vanilla powder and civet. Thumbs down. Three stars just for historical appreciation.

Months later I tried the modern edt at a department store. To my surprise I really liked it. A fabulous vanilla with just a smokey hint of civet and flowers. Other vanillas I like, but this was outstanding. Four stars.

Then I found a cheap vintage edc and wow, this is the best, for me. Long lasting, beautiful. I hope to never be without it. Five stars. A vanilla that is not a gourmand. Brilliant.

10th December, 2009.

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Tom of Finland by Etat Libre d'Orange

Absolutely brilliant citrusy opening with a kinky leather but disappeared after two hours (a generous sample test). I'd love an edp or parfum concentration.

18th September, 2009.

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Un Jardin sur le Nil by Hermès

Masterful. This reminds me of Hermes Concentree Eau d'Orange Vert, but a dry grapefruit citrus rather than an orange one, but it still sparkles. Then that wonderful green mango that makes this a standout. I think the mango stays longer than the citrus. Perfect summer frag.

In the fifth chapter of James Joyce's _Ulysses_, Leopold Bloom imagines a relaxing soak in Dublin's Turkish Baths. Not only is this chapter known as the Lotus-Eater episode for its Homeric correspondences, but the sensual, orientalist reverie evokes this scent for me.

"Enjoy a bath now: clean trough of water, cool enamel, the gentle tepid stream. This is my body.
He foresaw his pale body reclined in it at full, naked, in a womb of warmth, oiled by scented melting soap, softly laved. He saw his trunk and limbs riprippled over and sustained, buoyed lightly upward, lemonyellow: his navel, bud of flesh: and saw the dark tangled curls of his bush floating, floating hair of the stream around the limp father of thousands, a languid floating flower."
[James Joyce, Ulysses]

24th June, 2009.

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Concentré D'Orange Verte by Hermès

Effervescent (sparkling, vibrant, exhilarating, and fleeting) citrus. Somehow it captures the richness of the oil from citrus zest along with the clarity and acidic freshness of the first fruit squeeze. It's almost like extra virgin orange oil with limes and an herbal dry down. Not terribly long lasting, but long enough. It's extremely bright and hypernatural.

24th June, 2009.

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M7 by Yves Saint Laurent

Cherry cough syrup to start, then a warm and woody mulled wine, but leaner. A more stark and less luxurious alternative to Chanel's Egoiste when that masterful powerbomb might be considered excessive.

24th June, 2009.

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Yatagan by Caron

Wolverine wears this. No doubt in my mind. Awesome and sexy... almost too much mansex, but then it dries down to a comforting and clean whisper of its earlier growl.

24th June, 2009.

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Lolita Lempicka Au Masculin by Lolita Lempicka

A marvelous scent that reminds me of being enveloped by the breath of someone who has been chewing Black Jack licorice gum... or passionate kissing after a Pastis bender.

24th June, 2009.

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Égoïste / L'Égoïste by Chanel

Majestic! A masculine rose in glorious decay surrounded by over-ripe citrus and spicy vanilla. The sandalwood background makes this almost regal. Seethes with power and confidence.

24th June, 2009.

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Eau Sauvage by Christian Dior

Lemongrass.

Lemon.

Grass.

Classic and classy and incredibly refreshing.

24th June, 2009.

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Antaeus by Chanel

So far my favorite frag (I'm new to serious collecting). Ridiculously sexy, but just an aura of lasciviousness--lusty and arousing--never lewd. I do not care for the herbaceous opening (too medicinal), but the sandalwood patchouli middle excites and calms simultaneously. Great longevity.

24th June, 2009.

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Showing 1 to 11 of 11.