Fragrance Reviews by RoseAmber

I love to smell Mitsouko. I have a tiny parfum, and I take it out to sniff it every now and then. But I cannot wear Mitsouko. It's beautiful, but it creates a dark and withdrawn mood that I don't have time to deal with. Someday I want to take time to write poetry again, and then I'll actually wear Mitsouko and let it influence my thoughts. This is the fragrance of Changelings wandering in mossy forests at twilight. It takes you with it into its hauntings.

I've tried and tried to wear this, but it just doesn't work. Instead of the rich, sweet, heady fragrance others get with Angel, I smell like rotten melon preserved in cheap patchouli. My sister's signature fragrance for many years has been Angel, and I never tire of how lovely it smells on her. It smells like vanilla, chocolate, and caramel on a base of woods with just a hint of flowers. Many wearers of Angel seem to apply too much, and this really ruins the fragrance, as it becomes sharp and pungent.

Sparks reminds me quite a bit of Obsession, which I love. LizClaiborne.com claims that Spark is the "elixer of love. A sensual blend of rose petals, champagne, caramel honey and exotic orchids wrapped up with warm woods." I definitely smell caramel honey notes beneath powdery gentle rose, and the whole thing seems enveloped in white vanilla. The "champagne" notes, to me, are evoked but not definitely smelled. This is sweeter than Obsession, but really very much like it on my skin. Those who like Sheer Obsession, or Organza Indecence, will enjoy Spark. For the price, it cannot be beat - it's a very enjoyable, warm, long-lasting fragrance.

Promesse reminds me of Hanae Mori Butterfly. Initially it's fruity but the sandalwood and cedar save this from being too sweet. This is no Anais Anais, but it will probably sell well, because the current fragrance market seems to have an insatiable taste for fresh and fruity scents. I truly cannot fathom wearing this as a bride, though. It's not at all in line with my visions of romance. This is the type of fragrance one can wear in a crowded office and be fairly sure no one is going to complain about it.

This is the truest jasmine I've ever worn and it doesn't turn sweet, but stays fresh and heady. Others have commented upon the similarity of Blush and Kate Spade, and I definitely see this. But Kate Spade has unmistakable gardenia notes, and Blush is jasmine to the core. I've been searching for a jasmine fragrance that makes me feel like I'm standing next to blooming jasmine, and this is it!

I fell for this upon first sniff. It reminded me of a sweet Allure at first, but now it's become an amazing and unique fragrance. This isn't like Coco Mlle on me in the least (nothing against CM, which I love as well); it smells like light citrus-florals and powdery vanilla with the slightest hints of sweet musk and patchouli. It smells elegant and evokes being pampered at a spa in the morning and wearing jewels at night. It beautiful. I would guess that lovers of Allure would like this as well. Flowerbomb is a fragrance that makes me want to get body wash and lotion so I can lavish myself in this scent!

Gloria is a warm seductive blend of hibiscus, Rosa Damascena, Malagasy white pepper, grey amber, vanilla, cedarwood, and Amaretto. It's the perfect fragrance for a romantic evening by a fireplace. The amaretto note makes this fragrance unique and so attractive.

The bottle is silly (but pretty), takes up too much room, and is constantly covered with smudged fingerprints; but the fragrance is so worth it. Parfum d'Ete smells like a fresh summer breeze with jasmine, peach, and green leaves. This is one of the lovliest summer scents to me because it is distinct and original, yet very wearable. It's been a fragrance wardrobe staple the last 4 years, and I'm still enjoying this heady-yet-fresh fragrance.

I cannot imagine why this fragrance isn't dazzlingly popular. It's gorgeous - you just want to melt into your own skin when wearing this. It's a chypre with a delicate touch, and there's a bohemian feel in the coffee-like and gentle patchouli notes that makes Noa anything but simple or ordinary.

Allure is one of the sexiest, most beautiful scents in the world. It has perfect vetiver-vanilla warmth, with just enough feminine powdery notes to make it good for day or night wear, elegant wear, or casual wear.

Named for one of the most sensual and hypnotic writers of the 20th Century, Anais Nin, Anais Anais is a romantic, feminine, and utterly beautiful fragrance. It is crisp and flowery in its top notes, and conjures the delicacy of white lace and just-picked summer flowers. The drydown has warm cedar notes that evoke an attic in a Victorian house on a humid summer day. This fragrance is One Of A Kind, and I believe it will live in our olfactory hall of fame with Chanel No. 5, Quelques Fleurs, Opium, Angel, and other perfumes that rocked the sensory world. Judy Chicago wrote: "History has not been kind to Anaïs Nin. Within a year of her death, Cacharel produced a perfume called "Anaïs Anaïs," as if all that was left of her life and work was the exotic odor of a memory." But I disagree with this negativity. I think Cacharel was honoring the memory of Anais Nin by immortalizing her with a fragrance.

This is a beautiful, alluring, STRONG perfume that I have to be in the mood to wear, or it disturbs me. I enjoy the fragrance, and I think it's an extremely fine, precious perfume; but it can affect a dark side of my moods. The heavy incense drydown is mysterious, but sometimes seems, well, sad. No. 22 is one of the most interesting and fascinating perfumes I've ever purchased.

This is not a scent one can smell from the bottle and even slightly predict how it's going to react on one's skin. I sniffed the bottle, thought "interesting," applied the fragrance, waited an hour, and SWOONED. Nothing I have ever smelled comes close to the mood of this one - completely takes my mind to other places...haunted, beautiful places. The vanilla/amber drydown is simply intoxicating, and sensual. I don't find this fragrance to be dark, but it is mysterious and hypnotic.

The lasting power and the strength of Cabaret is unmatched. It's a dramatic, scene-stealing, sexy fragrance. The darker, duskier patchouli and spices are the waiting backstage - the dust on the scenery, the anticipation while listening for a cue...and then the bright red rose layers are the stage - the catharsis, the audience response. Cabaret is NOT a rose scent like a Rosine, or Stella, or Bulgarian Rose. It's a fragrance blended through rose, the way Shalimar is blended through vanilla and Chanel #5 is blended through aldehydes. I don't sniff Cabaret and think "yum, roses." I think "Oh my what a fragrance!"

This is a rich, warm, sexy, winter vanilla. It's gorgeous from the first sweet, almost chocolaty spray to the hot, spicy drydown. Heavy bourbon vanilla is present throughout all stages of the fragrance; which is incredibly long-lasting. I feel surrounded in heat when I wear this. Unfortunately it gives me a migraine. Notes: Silk Tree Flower, Mandarin Leaf, Orange Blossom, Night Queen Flower, Bulgarian Rose, Bourbon Vanilla Absolute, Mysore Sandalwood, Tonka Bean.

Almost 20 years ago I stayed with a friend in central Florida, in early Spring. The house was a huge Spanish villa c. 1928, built around a courtyard filled with flowers. We arrived late at night, wide awake, and decided to walk around the lush, haunted neighborhood. The air was heavy and balmy, and its scent was the most beautiful, intoxicating smell I've ever experienced. I've carried this olfactory memory with me - searching for the smell - but it had not been recreated, until I got my first whiff of Fleurs d'Oranger. This is the scent of paradise.

A very pretty but incredibly sweet raspberry-rose. Initially, the fragrance is seductive, warm, and pleasant, but after some time it becomes, as others have stated, syrup-sweet, and then it disappears.

This is a pretty scent, but completely wrong for my personaltiy. It's not something I can sniff all day and feel comfortable in. It reminds me of garish, unnatural makeup - bright pink lipstick and painted-on eyebrows(circa 1950s)...which works for some people, but not me. Lipstick Rose smells a great deal like Lancome lipstick; it's rose-scented, not at all the scent of rose.

Enchanting! Notes: arabic gum, rose petal jam, and white almonds, Buglarian Rose absolute, noor dates, Hawthorne blossoms, precious woods, Comores flowers and vanilla, musk. Loukhoum is a rich, warm, honey-melting scent that is sexy, cozy, and comforting. It evokes the excited smell of childhood holidays and vacations; sweetness and bright happiness. This is one of those scents that makes me maniacally sniff myself to refresh the lovely mood it inspires!

Fleur de ThÈ Rose Bulgare is a work of fine art. It's hard to describe how absolutely pure and beautiful this scent is. If one pictures extracting juice from a newly opened, bright Double Delight rose and somehow managing to capture this elixir as the first rays of morning sunlight begin to warm the dew, you can almost imagine this scent. I am at a loss for words to describe this perfume (which shows anyone who knows me that this is one heck of a complex reaction)! The scent is not that of a dark, red rose; it's a bright, cheerful orchestration of the most intoxicating and vivid rose fragrances one can encounter. This is a perfume that actually captures one of the most beautiful smells a human can experience. Outstanding. Will upstage and overpower any tea rose fragrance that would attempt to smell like a living rose. Every rose lover must smell even just a drop of this fragrance!

This is an incredibly interesting fragrance; fascinating to smell because it transports you to somewhere steamy and sensual. It smells hot, exotic, somewhat food-like, and powerful. I could have loved this fragrance had it not been for the sharp clove aroma that upstages every other note. It's not that I don't like the smell of clove in many fragrances - it's that in Arabie the clove doesn't blend into the other notes as it melts into my skin. It makes me smell like clove cigarettes, which I despise. Arabie was really close to being wonderful, but just didn't get there on my skin.

Allure is one of the sexiest, most beautiful scents in the world. It has perfect vetiver-vanilla warmth, with just enough feminine powdery notes to make it good for day or night wear, elegant wear, or casual wear.

Coco is powerfully seductive and very beautiful. The scent for the Woman of Mystery who fascinates everyone who sees her. Coco smells like liquid art from the first sniff, and becomes part of every woman who wears her. This is not a fragrance for lovers of light floral or citrus scents. Coco is a heavy oriental; spicy, heady, and full of presence.

When I wear Chanel No. 5 I feel elegant, confident, and extremely feminine. This fragrance doesn't have a defining note that screams out proclaiming it's presence, rather, it melts into my skin, surrounding me in a sensual cloud of beauty. Even if I'm not dressed to the nines with perfect lingerie and fishnet stockings, No. 5 makes me feel like I am! The drydown is incredible, and the lasting power, even of the edt, is very good. Chanel No. 5 is wearable art.

What a pretty, sparkling floral! Gentle notes of peach peek out of the floral topnotes, and the drydown is warm and sensual. I have the edt and the lasting power is incredible. Even after washing my clothes, I can still detect hints of Champs Elysees.

No review I write could describe this fragrance more perfectly than the Christian Dior website does: "Mysterious and mesmerizing, extravagant and bewitching, Hypnotic Poison is a magic potion for modern times. Audacious and profoundly feminine, the fragrance is an unsettling harmony, and fusion of contrasting olfactory facette." Notes: Bitter almond, caraway, jasmine sambac, moss, jacaranda wood, vanilla musk. Absolutely stunning and mysteriously sexual.

I love Chance! This has become one of my most-reached-for fragrances. It goes with everything, and it's so uplifting! I have this in edt, and the staying power is great. The comparisons to the scent of Coco Mademoiselle have me completely stumped. Chance is a fresh, bright floral, very warm and inviting fragrance. Chance reminds me of a lighter, more floral Allure; (if it must be compared with another Chanel). A couple of people have pegged it as Allure when complimenting it on me. Chance is lovely, and happy and very, very audience friendly. I've found a permanent addition to my fragrance wardrobe! This one gets me compliments each time I wear it, truly!

I have fallen deeply in love with Chanel Gardenia. It's jasmine, grass, green leaves, and a dry vanilla drydown...stunnning! Chanel fragrances always amaze me, and I am particularly drawn to the earlier fragrances. Chanel Gardenia brings to mind 1920s nostalgia and mystery...it smells delicate, yet full-bodied, and it's pretty and sweet, yet confident. It's a scent Jay Gatsby would have purchased for his beloved Daisy (or Scott would have purchased for Zelda!) It doesn't smell like gardenias at all, which is a good thing, because gardenia perfumes and I don't get along well. I truly admire and appreciate its beauty, perfect composition, and timeless appeal! And it makes me feel excited, and happy...it smells like "spring fever."

Cristalle was my very first Chanel fragrance. I wore it when I was in my early 20s, so I have a plethora of scent-associations with it! Some memories are good, some are painful, some are beautiful, and Chanel Cristalle is the perfect incarnation of these emotions. Cristalle smells young and fresh, but it has a very stable base that is elegant, refined, and timeless. Cristalle can accompany a woman through all stages of her life, and remain lovely, positive, and utterly striking.

Dark, dewy, heavy, beautiful, romantic rose and amber perfume that reminds me of Black Baccara roses!

I love this - and it's so special because it's available only once a year. To me, Wrappings smells like skiing in sunshine through huge pine trees on fresh powdery snow. I think of it as a winter scent, probably because of its seasonal availability right before the winter holidays, but it could easily be worn year-round. Of all Clinique fragrances, I think Wrappings is the most imaginative and evocative. It's deep, yet fresh and clean; unusual and distinctive. Wrappings is a feel-good fragrance in a carefree-airy way.

I'm having a hard time finding words to describe this fragrance -I just know that it is by far one of the most beautiful and outstanding scents I've ever smelled. It's exciting, daring, provocative, and confident. The aldehydes in Bois des Iles seem to be present mostly in the drydown, and they're not powdery as much as they are warm. I smell lots of balsam, and definite fresh sandalwood, and green, dewy leaves. I think this is my favorite fragrance of all time. It just seems to fit me, and it makes me feel utterly fabulous! I feel like I've always been searching for it...and I've finally found it. Oh - I'm so in love!

Bright, fresh, uplifting, and great for any day, any mood. I liked this upon first spray, and I enjoy its unique blend of grapefruit and dry accords. Don't let the cheery citrus fool you into thinking this is a simple scent...it's not. It's complex, extremely well-blended, and just plain delightful. Gorgeous warm vanilla drydown with hints of patchouli, and the grapefruit sweetens as the fragrance blends. It's an antidepressant in a fragrance!

Coco Mlle is gorgeous! It is honestly one of the lovliest fragrances I've ever worn and I'm certain it's a permanent part of my fragrance wardrobe. Coco Mlle impressed me so much that I CLEARLY remember the very first time I tested it; in Sephora at Downtown Disney two summers ago! I have this in edt, and it lasts longer than most edps I wear. I would love to own the parfum one day, but even the edt lasts all day and all night, and I wake up smelling Coco-ey, and sensual. Luckily Coco Mlle isn't so sexy that it cannot be worn all day long, in any environment (unlike her bodacious big sister Coco, who is definitely a lady of wild nights). I detect slight grapefruit and floral topnotes in the edt, but the essence of the fragrance is a warm, creamy bourbon vanilla-patchouli blend. Does anyone else think some chocolate sneaks in here and there? When worn with a leather jacket, I detect chocolate in Coco Mlle. It's so multi-faceted! Chanel's secret ingredients (something magical about the patchouli and vetiver combination maybe?) emerge fully in the drydown and the fragrance becomes utterly incredible.

Chanel No. 19 is a "green" fragrance, but it's not citrusy or conventionally fresh. It's remarkably sweet on my skin. In color language it smells like a jasminy, galbanum-covered green sapphire or a neroli-soaked, powdery very light emerald. In art mood it's Impressionist; mysterious, and impelling. It's almost other-worldly. I feel like Coco's ghost somehow permeates its essence. I can't say anything that other reviewers haven't said as far as describing the notes, but I must say that Chanel No. 19 is strikingly beautiful. No. 19 creates its own, provacative and stunning atmosphere.

Deep Red is, upon first sniff, a fruity-floral, but its mellow, woody basenotes make it unique and beautiful. I've read some reviews that compare it to Hypnotic Poison, which is a favorite of mine, but my chemistry doesn't produce even a slight resemblance between the two. I smell fresh orange and cassis. The bright fruity notes linger throughout the layers of the fragrance, and it dries down with gorgeous cedar and cashmere notes. I also smell hints of ginger flower; NOT ground ginger used as a spice, but ginger flower which I associate with leis in Hawaii. What with the pittosporum and white ginger this is a bit of a tropical fragrance, really, and it mellows into a lovely, warm woodiness with just a hint of vanilla that tells me I'll be wearing this one a lot. It's sure to be a great year-round fragrance for me.

Why does Red have to be a limited edition? It's a deep, sexy, spicy rose fragrance, and it feels warm. The Gingerbread- Patchouli-Benzoin-Vanilla-Sandalwood base is utterly irresistible to me. Brit Red is a must-try for those who love Boucheron, Ginestet Botrytis, Chanel Bois des Iles, JPG Classique, and Sage Jade!

Mania is a warm, romantic, woodsy fragrance. My husband was immediately attracted to it because it is clean yet sexy. For some reason, I love the name "Mania" , but it doesn't suit the mood of this "new version" of the Mania fragrance. It did suit the original darkly spicy Mania (2002), but this review is for the "reformulation" of Mania (2004). I don't understand why Armani didn't just give the Mania 2004 fragrance its own name? I suppose there are hints of the original Mania in this blend, as it is a mysterious sandalwood-amber-vanilla fragrance, but its overall personality is strikingly different. Fortunately, I much prefer the new Mania. To my nose, two differences in the fragrance are that the saffron and the vetiver present in Mania 2002 are now gone. The older version became too masculine for my chemistry, and it was a dark, esoteric George Sand/Arabie-type Oriental. The new Mania is brighter, prettier, and has a Bay-leaf accord that brightens the heavy wood notes. Mania smells like a light version of JPG Classique (minus the rum and rose). Mania (2004) is a very feminine fragrance that warms into sensuality, yet is comfortable enough for daytime wear. Its staying power is incredible on me, and it lasts through washings on my clothing. I highly recommend this for lovers of amber-vanilla fragrances.

Paris is a gorgeous, classic fragrance. I adore the rose notes of the edt with their bright and sparkling drydown for day wear, and Paris edp is a fabulous romantic evening fragrance. I get so many compliments on Paris that I've often wondered if it should be my signature scent! However, I love so many fragrances I could never continually wear just one. Paris does remain in my top 10 favorites because it's so easy for me to wear, and it seems to go with any mood. It will always be a staple in my fragrance wardrobe. I can see Paris continuing on in the fragrance world with the same type of popularity as Fracas, Chanel No. 5, Opium, Shalimar, and Arpege. It is a truly fine, beautiful, unique fragrance.

I really love this fragrance. It's not one I can regularly wear anymore, and on some days the carnation comes out too much and I don't enjoy carnatiion...but when Opium works, it works like nothing else. Something in this fragrance stimulates me and energizes me. It makes me feel ALIVE - even on gloomy dark days. It's sexy, warm, classic, and forever beautiful.

While I love the bottle with its interesting colored squares and slightly twisted shape, it does not fit the liquid inside. The bottle makes me think of Rothko, and this fragrance makes me think of Matisse. The name, Apparition, however, does fit this warm and mysterious woody-oriental fragrance. When first sprayed, it smells of rich Chambord Liqueur but it warms into a woodsy soft floral with a fabulous raspberry-patchouli drydown. This fragrance is uplifting to me, and I love to repeatedly sniff it on my skin. The lasting power is quite good, as is any patchouli-based fragrance on me. This is a unique one - not an "Angel" or "Happy" knock-off! Lovely and unusual. Those who love Hanae Mori Butterfly will probably love this as well.

Sweet, pretty, feminine, elegant, and classic...I love Butterfly edt and it's a staple in my fragrance wardrobe. Whenever I want a "pink and white" mood, I spray Butterly Pink! It's a sweet fragrance, but its woodsy drydown keeps it from being cloying, and gives it depth.

Wonderful Tonka Bean-Vanilla-Amber Fragrance with a blast of tart lime when initially sprayed. This is really lovely, well-rounded, and so appealing! I think it's one of those easy-to-wear fragrances that I can spray when I'm in any mood without fear of irritating anyone with it. In fact, it gets lots of praise.

My favorite Guerlain. This is now one of my favorite fragrances, as well. Something in it makes me crave it and I love to smell it on my skin. This is stunning. L'Instant is not something I identify with specific flowers or accords. It has shades of L'Occitane Eau de Miel, but I can't think of anything else that comes close. It's a beautiful, sweet fragrance with notes that are blended so incredibly well a unique scent is created in and of itself. It makes you feel like you're dressed to the nines even if you're wearing jeans and tennis shoes. It's elegant and very special.

Cinema isn't unusual in that there are many fragrances on the market with similar notes; but this serves as proof that this type of fragrance brings enjoyment to a lot of people, (and sells well). Cinema is a light, flowery, feminine clementine-jasmine-vanilla-musk blend (like hundreds of other fragrances), that doesn't get too strong or powdery. It's a pretty fragrance that can be worn just about anywhere without fear of offending anyone or being sued. As an artsy composition, no, it's not Opium or Paris, but it's a reasonably priced very wearable fragrance that smells lovely and fresh. My older son says it smells "kind of like candy." I don't smell even a hint of amber in Cinema - it's a clean floral with a tinge of vanilla.

This fragrance is the epitome of my romantic expectations of fine French perfume. It was my first real perfume (in parfum form); given to me as a gift when I was a teenager in the 1980s. Its mysterious, elegant, and incredibly beautiful fragrance still haunts my memories, and when I wear it, I feel like a ghost of Chopin's dreams. Even though this was launched in 1981, it has a haunting, classic quality that I associate with 1920s fragrances (such as Chanel Gardenia). Notes: Orange, Aldehydes, Orange Blossom, Jasmine, Rose, Tuberose, Ylang-Ylang, Vanilla, Sandalwood, Vetiver, Musk.

This is the epitome of the summer floral of fragrance lovers' dreams. It's perfect. I don't know why I love PoupÈe, because it's everything I usually avoid in fragrance: it's a HEADY floral and the gardenia notes are pronounced. PoupÈe has rich, heavy orange blossom, smooth jasmine, and sweet gardenia notes. On my skin, I do not detect pineapple or hazelnut or anything other than strong, pure florals. There is no synthetic feel to this fragrance; it smells like perfectly fresh, huge flowers. If I sprayed this heavily it would knock me into unconsciousness, I fear, or, worse, give me a migraine...yet...this fragrance is fabulously uplifting and smells amazingly beautiful. This is a fragrance that would stop me in my tracks and search for the fresh blossoms that I'd assume were surrounding me, if I didn't know that heavenly aroma was coming from my own skin.

The fragrance for Gothic romantic intrigue... This scent brings to mind haunting novels where mysterious heroines wander throughout huge mansions while seductive gardens bloom outside, sending their smells through lace curtains to hang heavy in the air...Boudoir is all about atmosphere, and it creates its own like a complex work of art that has to be analyzed deeply, but impacts you immediately. I wish I'd found this scent years ago - I will always love this one! I can't even describe how much I love it, or what it does to me when I smell it. It's one of those fragrances I feel like I've searched for my whole life.I find such joy in its beauty! I'm not sure whether or not to wear this often because it's so special I don't want to take it for granted!

I will never get over the fact that Ralph Lauren discontinued this fragrance. I remember the first time I smelled it, in 1991, like it was yesterday. I was powerfully affected by its beauty - I just swooned! It was my signature fragrance for many years. After some major life changes, Safari went away too, and when I was ready to wear it again, I discovered it was discontinued. Unbelievable. And Ralph Lauren's newest efforts are so dull. The bottle for Safari is just gorgeous and the fragrance itself is slightly powdery, feminine, green, orange blossom, almost chypre, and has a distinctive note that I've only found in one other fragrance: Vivienne Westwood's Boudoir. I've searched for years to try to figure out what Safari's magical note is, but so far I've been unsuccessful. I just hope that some day Lauren will decide to resurrect this beautiful fragrance that was so much a part of the younger me. If you can find this anywhere, don't miss out on giving it a try.

I get strong notes of warm,heavy rum intermingled with sweet roses when first sprayed. The edt doesn't seem to have the same "rum" aroma, and I think this is what makes me slightly prefer the edp over the edt (both are fabulous, though). The rose lasts throughout the layers of the fragrance, which drys down to amber-vanilla-tonka heaven. The lasting power is unmatched. I own the bottle dressed in black lace, and it really adds character to my collection of fragrances. JPG Classique is, to me, a truly fine perfume (even though it's not a boutique fragrance) that I believe will grace the fragrance world for a long, long time.

Pretty fragrance, but I don't wear it much since I've acquired Brit, which is much nicer to me. I utterly despise Eclix's bottle. I keep it becaues I'm a collector, but it's sort of the court jester for my conglomeration of gorgeous bottles. Eclix's bottle looks like something from the 1970s science fiction movie Logan's Run.