Basenotes - Reviews by Tortola

United Kingdom

Showing 1 to 10 of 10.

L'Heure Bleue by Guerlain

I almost bought a bottle of L'Heure Bleue unsniffed because I loved the listed notes and adore Mitsouko and Shalimar. I am so glad I got a sample instead! This is the first time I've encountered the "old lady" vibe that others have got from the classic Guerlains. It is so incredibly powdery that the orange blossom and carnation don't shine through and - to my nose - the overall effect is far from edible. I just get the impression of violet soaps wrapped in waxed paper that have been left in a drawer for years. There is also helliotrope snaking through the whole thing which I can't abide so that's a major turn-off for me. After a while it starts to give me a headache which is the final straw. However it's obviously a melancholy masterpiece to many and far from a bad scent, it's just not for me so giving it a neutral. Do try before you buy if you're not a fan of "cold", musty scents.

10th January, 2010.

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Lonestar Memories by Tauer

For me, Lonestar Memories conjures up a biker rather than a cowboy. It brings to mind motorcycle grease, a lived-in biker jacket and a whiff of petrol fumes. It's quite "dry" and not in the least flowery or sweet, with good longevity. I love smoky scents and was eager to try this one but it's just a bit too macho for me. I think the more feminine leathers are more my style (such as Cuir de Lancome and Cuir de Russie). It's very well done though and I'd love to smell it on a guy, so giving it a neutral.

6th January, 2010.

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Borneo 1834 by Serge Lutens Les Salons du Palais Royal Shiseido

I was looking forward to experiencing the unusual patchouli/chocolate combination but the camphor note just killed this one for me. On my skin it was just overpoweringly medicinal, with an earthy background and no noticeable chocolate. I would imagine this one is better encountered at a distance but I couldn't wear anything that I didn't like up close. Definitely not one to purchase unsniffed or on impulse.

6th January, 2010.

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Sarrasins by Serge Lutens Les Salons du Palais Royal Shiseido

It mystifies and saddens me that Sarrasins does not get more love. For me it is perfection; intoxicating jasmine petals floating in red wine-like inkiness with a swirl of smoke.

Personally I think the jasmine is wonderfully indolic but I'm not a fan of the "skanky", animalic kind of indole that some people love. The apricot sweetness is more fermented than fruity and yes, the leather is light but what would be the point if it just overpowered the stunning jasmine? Although not a typically heavy SL scent, this is a good thing in my book and the sillage is still great. It's not a squeaky clean white floral either, or else I wouldn't be ordering my first bell jar. I can't get enough of this stuff.

12nd December, 2009.

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Envy by Gucci

I wore Envy a lot in my 20s and to me it is a sexy green tea scent (if such a thing is possible!). It oozes money and sophiscation and just doesn't smell like anything else, which is always a good thing as far as I'm concerned. I wouldn't wear it now but it's still great. Gotta love Maurice Roucel for this one.

12nd December, 2009.

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Dzing! by L'Artisan Parfumeur

I love leather in fragrances but with Dzing! I am just overwhelmed with the impression of aninal droppings in sawdust. Seeing as it's supposed to be inspired by the circus I guess that was the aim but I can't imagine leaving the house wearing it. To me Jicky is animalic whereas the note here is more "dung". Wish I could get what others are getting here because it is wonderfully unique - hence the neutral rating. I will continue trying with Dzing! a bit longer, but it's been 4 or 5 times now so don't think I'm going to get past it. Shame.

7th December, 2009.

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Iris Silver Mist by Serge Lutens Les Salons du Palais Royal Shiseido

I agree with JessicaGrace below, I think you need to be a fan of "cold" scents to like this. For instance I love Mitsouko and Shalimar but cannot take to L'HB or Apres L'Ondee. To my mind ISM is a linear, rather flat iris root scent with lots of chilly earth. I'm giving it a neutral because I can see that if you do love this kind of scent you will no doubt adore ISM. A distinctive fragrance which matches it's name perfectly (and by the amazing Maurice Roucel), it's just not me. Guess I am more an iris flower - rather than earthy iris root - kind of person.

7th December, 2009.

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Number One by Parfums de Nicolaï

This one was a dissappointment for me. It's a rather powdery floral with nothing to get excited about. It's not terrible, just rather "blah".

7th December, 2009.

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Aromatics Elixir by Clinique

I wore AE on a regular basis about 15 years ago and it is still the fragrance that I have had the most compliments on (excellent sillage obviously). To me it is a wonderful, up-lifting, mossy chypre which is more than the sum of its notes. Unlike many mainstream scents AE is so utterly distinct and well structured from top to bottom. When I started wearing it my sister, mother and work colleague all bought a bottle.

7th December, 2009.

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Mitsouko by Guerlain

My first reaction to Mitsouko was "weird", but definitely a GOOD weird. I wanted to get to know it better and bought a bottle of the edt. If you like resinous, chypre scents (or even if you don't) you have to give this one a try at least a couple of times. I was worried that it would be too spicy but luckily I can detect just a little in the background mix. Don't expect a modern day fruity peach note though, this is more of a smooth, "fuzzy" peach which sweetens the resins perfectly. I did not find it remotely musty or old lady-ish - thank goodness! - which I got from L'HB. To me it is timeless and quite addictive. Mitsouko edp is currenly my default perfume - the one I turn to when I don't know what to wear - and it never dissappoints. If you find the edp overwhelming but interesting at first sniff, start with the edt and take your time. It will be well worth it.

6th December, 2009.

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Showing 1 to 10 of 10.