Fragrance Reviews by Tovah

It's quite similar to Light Blue, minus the cedar, and Eclat d'Arpege, minus the apple, but the lily note makes it distinctive. This is an extremely lovely, uplifting fragrance that exudes joy. Lovely bottle, too!

When I see the name, all I can think of is Leather Fish Eggs...so it's no wonder it took me so long to try this. Actually, trying it wasn't even my idea. A friend gave me a generous decant after I sniffed from her bottle and nearly fainted. This fragrance is absolutely stunning! The prominent notes for me are amber, aldehydes, vanilla, and what I think of as a "cashmere" accord. Cuir Beluga has a vintage feel, calling to mind classic, womanly aldehyde scents like No. 5, Shalimar, Emeraude, Arpège, Bois des Iles, etc. Cuir Beluga is a soft, gentle, airy scent even though it's so warm. I don't smell a bit of leather in this, and the most prominent note on me is "burnt sugar", not unlike the burnt sugar note I get from Flowerbomb. Cuir Beluga is romantic, gentle, and almost snuggly. I sniff myself and swoon.

What a boring, trite name. I love the eponymous Vera Wang fragrance. I think Princess smells adorable for a young lady. Even though neither Sheer Veil nor Truly Pink work for me, I appreciate their lovely, elegant femininity. I was excited to try Bouquet, and my first impression, on a scent strip, was positive. So, I sprayed some on my skin, and waited to see what the scent would do. After a few minutes, it smelled like crisp, tart, cool green apple. That's it. Maybe it was the day, maybe it was a bad tester bottle, maybe I'm going nuts, but Bouquet smelled like a pungent green apple cologne. I'm going to test it again, and update my review. After reading the list of notes, unless "dew drops" smell like green apple, I'm sure I missed something!

Midnight Poison, on me, bears a striking resemblance to DKNY Delicious Night, if I layered Delicious Night with Mentholatum. I like Delicious Night on its own better. This Poison has none of the striking originality and creative genius of the original Poison, or the unusual cedar seductive sweetness of Hypnotic Poison. The bottle is beautiful, but the scent disappoints me. No intrigue or attraction for me from this Poison, even after several tests, (but at least it's not as awful on me as Pure Poison, which makes me appreciate my memories of Primo).

Pretty in a predictable, polite way. Very ladylike and subtle. I love the first Marc Jacobs (gardenia & white ginger), but Daisy is not for me. Daisy is a nice daytime fragrance that can be worn with ease in any workplace. It's fresh, clean, and flowery, but it's not distinctive to me. It's very "safe" for young ladies, and women who enjoy discreet, unlikely-to-cause-reaction fragrances. If you like Amazing Grace (I love it) you may want to give Daisy a try! I'm not sure I'll recognize Daisy when I smell it again, even though its sales statistics indicate it's everywhere. The lasting power is okay, but not great, and the bottle is adorable.

That ugly, unsuitable bottle put me off for way too long...but recently, while desperately trying to find a fragrance that seemed remotely interesting, I tried this at Kohl's (of all places). I fell for it immediately...it may even be love. Rush is confident, elegant, sensual, and, best of all, distinctive. Many fragrances smell so similar that I get bored with them. I love fragrance beyond reason, so I truly appreciate a fragrance that intrigues me. Gucci Rush is great with my chemistry, and, based on compliments it receives, it seems to be attractive to people of all ages. It's truly radiant. I cannot imagine why it comes in the plastic, bright red, tacky bottle that gives me '80s nightmares. If it were up to me, I'd put it in an Opium-style bottle, and make the liquid amber colored. Rush makes me think of a desert night, illuminated by a bright moon, redolent of hot, dry air and lush white flowers. Purplebird7 hit the nail on the head with her analysis of the base-notes. And it's the same for me; whatever unpronounceable chemical concoction it is that rounds out Rush, it really works with my chemistry! This fragrance is exciting, and uplifting.

Way back in the 1970s my mother got free purse-spray bottles of Lauder fragrances when she purchased her Estée Lauder makeup. She'd give these bottles to me. As a child, I was already fragrance-crazed, so being gifted with a Real Woman's Perfume was thrilling. Over the years I'd been given cast-off EL minis of Youth Dew, Private Collection, Azurée, Estée Super Cologne, and Cinnabar,etc. I loved having the little bottles, but it never occurred to me to wear any of these fragrances. I believed they were obviously for Older Sophisticated Women. I was 12 when White Linen was launched. I remember watching my mother test it by spritzing the purse-spray she'd gotten with her makeup. She crinkled her nose, and claimed it would give her a headache. I recall that when she smelled White Linen on me, she was astonished at how pretty it was. "You wear perfume well," she said. I agreed happily. I was thrilled with White Linen. I thought it smelled like lilac and crisp green leaves. None of the familiar woman's fragrances had smelled so natural, and summery. I treasured my White Linen because it made me feel vivacious, and quietly elegant. As a scent, it was like wearing a white eyelet blouse, and fresh flowers in my hair. I think White Linen was the groundbreaking forerunner of many popular clean-floral fragrances, but it doesn't smell outdated to me. The aldehydes in the top-notes give it a timeless refinement, and add sparkle to the unique blend of flowers, and the dewy-yet-airy feel that makes White Linen a classic. If you like YSL Paris, Calèche, Clinique Wrappings, Calandre, and/or Nocturnes de Caron, you should not miss giving White Linen a test run.

If you liked Miami Glow, Dianoche Ocean is definitely worth a try for you. Dianoche Ocean is a bright, fruity, flowery mix that smells like a summer vacation on a tropical beach. The attractive bottle is really two bottles that snap into each other like Legos. The top bottle is the "night" fragrance, and the bottom bottle is the "day" fragrance. The "day" fragrance is candy-sweet, with lots of sugary vanilla and pineapple. It's a little too heady and cloying if over-sprayed. However, the "night" fragrance is deeper with dry coconut, and rich with amber and light patchouli. When layered with the "day" fragrance, the "night" version tempers the whole blend into a very wearable, extremely long-lasting, classic "beachy" fragrance. It's a feel-good scent that's full of fun, and highly unlikely to attract the attentions of the Fragrance Sensitives. It's sold at Kohls, reasonably priced, and in a very pretty bottle. The ridiculous sounding notes listed on the Kohls website are: "Day"- mojito accord, bitter orange, "watery splashes" (??), orange flower, jasmine sambac, tiare, sandalwood. "Night" - bergamot, bitter orange, "dewy greens", vanilla orchid, jasmine sambac, gardenia, "beach flower" (?), "unique merinque accord" (?), coconut water, amber, patchouli.

This is a very rich and sensual amber-vanilla-incense perfume. At first it smells so much like Shalimar parfum, I'm not sure I could tell the difference between Olive Flowers and Shalimar on my skin. After it sinks into my skin, however, Olive Flowers develops in a very different way from Shalimar, and it eventually becomes enchanting, with no need of comparison. Olive Flowers starts out lemony and sweet, and hints at seduction. As it dries down the warm, slightly powdery amber notes get deeper, and enhance the haunting incense notes, adding drama and unabashed sexiness. The price is incredible. I'd expect to pay much, much more for such a beautiful, high quality perfume.

I fell for this within the first 1/2 second of a sniff. It's a jewel of a perfume in an amazingly attractive bottle. When I fall for a fragrance I often read blogs and such for reviews, and the reviews I've read so far about West Side are fascinating. West Side seems to bring out a lyrical spirit and a poetic aura in its reviewers.

Aside from feeling kinship to the artistic air of the analyses, one review made me giggle a bit. The reviewer feels that West Side smells like the "child" of Tocade and Organza Indecence. The reason for my smile was that the thought was so similar to my own reaction: West Side seems like of "child" of Tocade and John Paul Gaultier Classique. I think West Side will bring many, many new fans to the Bond No. 9 line.

Alma de Alma is the epitome of how I imagine the alluring fragrances of antiquity. It's the consummate fragrance of seduction: deep amber, dry vanilla, skin musk, and resins. It's sensual, exotic, and evocative of a middle eastern desert. This perfume oil is very beautiful.

Kinmokusei, like all of Moriel's fragrances that I have tried, is outstanding, and unique. I own Kinmokusei, and I enjoy it very much. Moriel describes Kinmokusei as an "osmanthus soliflore", but this comes across on me with a complexity that is extremely rare for a soliflore. Konmokusei is a citrusy green tea fragrance which has a strange, alluring tobacco-like drydown. It begins in a zesty and summery way, but the drydown has a darkness that adds melancholy and quiescence. The deep base notes cause this fragrance to split from bright and light into a heavy, resiny scent. When I am in a contemplative mood, this fragrance works perfectly. It's fascinating.

If this was a body spray or lotions at Bath & Body Works, I'd probably buy it. There is no way I'd pay $110.0 for an ounce of this stuff, though. Virgin Island Water is so much like Ananas Fizz on my skin, that I've actually confused them. Virgin Island Water is heavy on the coconut, though, while Ananas Fizz highlights pineapple. Virgin Island Water has fabulous lasting power. It's a refreshing, sugary, coconut-citrus, rum cocktail of a fragrance. This is nice for men and women, especially in hot, humid weather. If I didn't already have a huge bottle of Ananas Fizz I might be tempted by Virgin Island Water, but I doubt I'll be purchasing this scent.

Maybe the problem is that I don't get ANY gardenia, and I wanted gardenia. The "cruel" thing about this gardenia, it its absence. It's as though the base of the scent shows up, but the heart never appears. Cruel Gardenia reminds me of vintage face powder, Coty Airspun, maybe? I smell aldehydes, powder, musk, and aluminum. I don't know how to classify this fragrance in my mind...it's not a floral...it's not a chypre...and it's not sweet...It's subtle, and musky, and talcum-y, and metallic. If it's supposed to give the "impression" of gardenia, rather than the scent of it, it misses the mark by a mile for me. With a dramatic name like Cruel Gardenia I thought this fragrance might be, at the very least, interesting. For me, it's, well...boring.

Alluring, sexy, and magically tropical. If you love HEADY gardenia and tuberose with dry, woody coconut, you will love this. It's a fabulous, head-turning, hyperconfident floral with outstanding lasting power and striking sillage. The bottle is fabulous, too.

WHEN will this return? I am so excited to purchase a full bottle! This is utterly gorgeous. It's warm, elegant, feminine, sensual, and it doesn't develop the mothball accord on my skin that inevitably emerges from Chanel No. 5 edt. Instead, the basenotes radiate a dry vanilla that works beautifully with the lush topnotes, and balances the aldehydic notes. Eau Première smells the way I've always dreamed Chanel No. 5 would smell on my skin. It melts into it, and becomes something magical, and irresistible.

Chanel No. 5 may be the classic fragrance of fashion, but Shalimar is the quintessential fragrance of LOVE. Shalimar is probably the finest vanilla-based perfume of all time. I've never met anyone who doesn't find it to be dreamy and alluring; whether it conjures up Roaring 20s haute couture, 1950s glamour, or 21st century independence, it's one of the greatest perfumes ever concocted. Elegant, sensual, and unforgettable, Shalimar is the fragrance by which I rate any other romantic scent I wear. I like this best in parfum, but it's lovely in all concentrations. This is a scent of mystery and warmth. I've loved it for as long as I can remember, and it's an olfactory treasure. It's one of the finest, most beautiful, and deeply complex fragrances ever made.

An iconic classic, which has become the supreme tuberose fragrance, by which all other tuberose fragrances are compared. It's confident, lush, and daring; a heady pungent tuberose with a strange woody-mossy drydown. It seems like a happy scent when first sprayed, with bright citrus, and orange blossom notes. This is deceptive, though, because Fracas quickly becomes a bolder, dark fragrance, that can be downright disturbing. It's like the DeChirico painting, Melancholy and Mystery of a Street, where the carefree girl is unaware of the dark shadow that is about to cover her. Don't expect Fracas to be pleasing to others at work, and when wearing it, don't expect to be stopped in the street and complimented for how clean and fresh you smell. It's not going to happen. But do expect Fracas to add drama to your life, and make your moments wearing it, into adventures. Everything is intensified within the bizarre and hypnotic atmosphere created by Fracas!

I bought this at TJ Maxx for around $12.00, and that price suits it. It's an extremely light floral that smells very pink and clean. To me, it's actually hard to smell unless I spray a lot of it. It's pretty and very "Avon-ish" in a mass-market, never offend anyone kind of way. If it had a little more "oomph" in the basenotes, it would be a very nice fragrance, but, on my skin, it smells like it's missing something. The marketing for this scent calls it "beachy" but I don't get this at all. More like "Miss Marple's Garden." A certain element of Matthew Williamson reminds me a lot of The Pink Room (which I adore). They do share many similar notes, but MW has none of Pink Room's drama or presence. If you want a pretty clean scent to wear to the office, Matthew Williamson is one you'll want to try.

I have edp, edt, lotion, and leg shine. I love this fragrance. It smells of tropical tuberose, and it creates a feminine, joyful atmosphere. I don't think it's heavy, nor do I think it has much sillage. Actually, I wish it was a bit stronger; it fades somewhat quickly and I have to refresh it during the day. The incense notes are very, very faint on me, as well. I don't mind, because this is a beautiful, elegant, and radiant take on tuberose, and this fragrance suits my chemistry perfectly. It's a very "me" fragrance, that I'm sure has a permanent part in my fragrance wardrobe. The bottles are gorgeous, too.

Tuberose-Gardenia is one of those fragrances where I say, "This is beautiful. But it hates me." I got a decant of this, and the day it arrived my 17 year old goddaughter was visiting. I've turned her into a Perfumista, so she couldn't wait to try my newest prospect. We applied the Tuberose-Gardenia in the same places on our arms, at the same time. On her, the scent started out very green, became a full, rich gardenia, and disappeared within the hour. On me, the scent smelled like the freeway air in August, with a touch of carnation. (I hate carnation). It lasted all of two hours on me; an unpleasant two hours, because it gave me a headache. I love tuberose, and gardenia, and I wear as many fragrances with these notes as my chemistry will tolerate (not all at once), but something about my skin brings out the piquant smell of asphalt from gardenia and tuberose essences. So this one's not for me. It's too bad, because this is reasonably priced and in a very pretty bottle.

L'été en douce is shockingly, perfectly beautiful. If I could make the perfume of my happiest summer memories, it would smell like this. L'été 's most striking note is linden, which crowns a blend of heady orange blossoms and freshly cut green grass. I know it's melodramatic, but this fragrance makes me hear birds singing and bees buzzing in still, warm summer air. L'été en douce is quite similar to my beloved D'Humeur Réveuse (Lazy Mood from the Sautes d'Humeur coffret). Also, it has the unique linden note of the beautiful D'Orsay Tilleul, with elements of limpid air and lush land. The lasting power is fabulous. Its scent becomes a part of my chemistry and radiates for hours and hours. This tenacity is surprising in a scent that comes across as soft and relaxed. L'ete en douce is one of Olivia Giacobetti's masterpiece fragrances; it does justice to the beautiful smells in nature.

My testing of this was with the body lotion, not the edp. Sometimes scents in different forms react in different ways on my skin; so this review could be inaccurate for the edp. Anyway, I like this smell, but it's not something I would wear. I don't mind smelling it on others, but it gets overwhelmingly sweet on me. And it smells so...clean...definitely has that infamous "dryer sheet" accord to me. I was hoping it would have a mysterious air, or something that connotes "night" to me, but it smells like a berry fruit smoothie to my nose. Berry fruit smoothie + Tide Laundry detergent. The drydown is sugary, and light patchouli, and is, by far, my favorite part of the fragrance. At the beginning, it's the kind of fragrance smell I've noticed when chaperoning my son's junior high dances; not what I've smelled in NYC clubs. But when it dries down, it's good enough that I would consider purchasing it. I really like this after it develops into a creamy, seductive, but still very sweet scent. It's interesting because, where I'd expect to smell vanilla, there is patchouli, and possibly amber; giving this a similarity to Flowerbomb. Delicious Night's color is gorgeous and the bottle, like all the "Delicious" bottles, is adorable. If you like juicy-fruity, sweet scents, you may enjoy this very much, and you should give it a try!

A sparkling, lush floral bouquet that leaves a lovely sillage of stephanotis jasmine. Great for daytime and evening and a husband-pleaser! Feminine, and all-around beautiful.

Whew! The notes and description of Sands of Aqaba made me imagine it as a very different scent. I was expecting a dry, vetiver-green, floriental (probably because the name called to mind "Dior Dune"). I wanted it to solve the mysteries hidden in the deserts of the Holy Land. Instead, Sands of Aqaba is a heavy, strong, powdery floral that, oddly, reminds me of that old drugstore favorite, Jontue. I don't mean this as a put-down; every once in awhile I used to wear Jontue in high school, (it was a gift), and I have very happy memories of it. I haven't smelled it in over 20 years, though, so don't think Sands of Aqaba smells like Jontue, based on my shaky memory. Every once in awhile a hint of Sands reminds me of Chanel No. 19 (the original masterpiece), as well. (If it happened more often, I'd probably have to purchase this.) Sands of Aqaba is a beautifully crafted perfume of obvious high quality and the finest ingredients. I was hoping it would be more exotic, and, frankly, sexier. Heavier on incense. This is a very formal fragrance, that I cannot associate with any romance, let alone an ancient secret romance. I think I dislike Sands on myself because I'm not a fan of iris, (now I'm dodging bullets!). Some notes of Sands are Florentine Iris, Vetiver, and Tuberose. I was hoping for lots of Tuberose, noticeable Vetiver, and a mere hint of Iris. Alas, that's just not how this works on my skin. Even though I won't be pining for Sands of Aqaba, I recognize that it's a very fine fragrance.

The seemingly endless assembly line of fragrance flankers, poised to sell because of a previously successful name, made me apprehensive about trying Aqaba Spring. I was afraid it would be some nasty "light:", "fresh", "summer", "purple", "pure", "white", or who-knows-what version of Aqaba. It is, indeed, a version of Aqaba, but it's brilliant! Anyone who knows Aqaba would recognize it in this heady, spicy blend. The addition of bright, flowery notes makes this a Spring fragrance...at first. As it dries down, it's sultry Aqaba, maybe a little less potent. I prefer the drama of Aqaba, but this is a thoroughly beautiful, enjoyable, fine perfume.

Upon first sniff I thought, "Wow, this is too MATURE for me." Then I cackled a bit and reminded myself that I'm 42 years old. So I dabbed on a drop from my sample. And then I dabbed it again. Before long I was wearing it again, and again. Wearing Aqaba, for me, is a fantasy of playing the part of The Queen of Sheba with all the excess of Elizabeth Taylor as Cleopatra, Vivien Leigh as Blanche Du Bois, Lauren Bacall as Vivian Sternwood. Opulence, mystique, intelligence. The key player in a dangerous game. Mirani's website lists Aqaba's notes as Eqyptian jasmine, Bulgarian rose, cinnamon, clove, cardamom, damask rose, frankincense, peach, tea leaves, white cedarwood, and oak moss. As it blends into my skin the basenotes are almost chocolatey; lush and tempting. Aqaba is deeply beautiful, and incomparably elegant. It gives off the air of having been created especially for someone very powerful, and exceptional. This has dramatic sillage, and outstanding lasting-power. If you are a fan of Biagiotti's Venezia, Chanel Coco, MPG George Sand, EL Cinnabar, and/or deep, incense fragrances, you will probably want to swim in Aqaba.

Exquisite, elegant, and strikingly gorgeous. This fragrance definitely satisfies my romantic hopes for the Aqaba line. Midnight Sun is the sexiest out of all the Aqabas, and it's also sensual, and mysterious. I definitely associate this fragrance with Mirani's themes as the olfactory evocations of the ancient secret love of King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba. The first blast of Midnight Sun reminds me (oddly) of Passover wine, which may not be something one would want to smell like. However, it connotes festivity, and appreciation of life, for me. This initial blast of booze doesn't last more than a few seconds, and then the fragrance becomes its unique, seductive self. Midnight Sun has sandalwood like the classic Bois des Iles (parfum) sandalwood, which stays throughout all stages of wear, and enhances all the other notes. A spicy gardenia blends beautifully with a deep, dark rose, and bright, heady orange blossom. The tuberose haunts in unison with the sandalwood, making this unusual perfume irresistible. A beautiful creation. Like all the Aqabas, the packaging is exquisite: a woven cane box containing a tinted glass, jeweled bottle; a collector's delight.

Juicy and summery, yet deep. The topnotes, unmistakably, are sweet peach nectar, and fleshy, syrupy apricot. Pink pepper (rose de mai) adds a very subtle kick, that doesn't come through for very long. The heart of the fragrance is a calm, very "blue" smelling jasmine, not unlike Ralph Lauren Blue. Please don't think I'm suggesting Blu smells like RL Blue; it's just that its jasmine is watery, and cool. Jewels of Blu is far more complex than RL Blue, and instead of being a soft floral, it's sultry and exotic. Vanilla and patchouli are blended so perfectly, and are integrated so exquisitely into the other notes, that they remain secretive. If patchouli isn't to your liking, you will never know it's in Jewels of Blu; it's used to support the other notes, not to take the stage. A sensual musk rounds out Jewels of Blu, ensuring that it cannot be a cheerful fruity floral. This is an intriguing perfume that's bound to get many comments and compliments. Like all the Aqabas, the packaging is exquisite: a woven cane box containing a tinted glass, jeweled bottle.

A beautiful, clear, pure gardenia that doesn't get sharp, and lasts a long time. If you love creamy, not peppery gardenia, you should try Gardenia Musk. Kai is one of my favorite fragrances. Gardenia Musk doesn't smell like Kai, but it satisfies my need (caused by Kai) for more tropical gardenia in my fragrance wardrobe. Gardenia Musk is a very lovely, well-blended, fresh floral. It's refreshing and uplifting.

Completely wonderful smelling, fun fragrance. My 13 year old son compliments it (and Be Delicious). Red Delicious is a definite pick-me-up that can be worn day and/or night. It smells airy and juicy, yet classy, and the bottle is adorable. I don't find this scent to be "sexy" or even particularly sensual. The overall smell is what I can describe only as "sparkling" and this must come from the champagne note. The apple note is definitely red apple, like a McIntosh; sweet and juicy. The drydown is dry vanilla bean and soft amber - warm and inviting. This is a fruity fragrance for cozy winter holidays and it makes me think of hot cider and fresh cool air.

I've gone through several bottles of Falling in Love, and I will continue to repurchace it. I feel feminine, pretty, and cuddly when I wear this sweet, light fragrance. It's been my younger son's favorite fragrance for years (he's now 8), and he still asks me to wear it all the time "for him." Falling in Love is a burnt-sugar-blackberry-vanilla-musk that somehow manages to be fresh and lovely in the summertime and warm and cozy in the winter. I can't stop smelling my own wrists when I wear this! I also love the body wash, especially before bed. Falling in Love is a comfort scent in a soft, natural, pretty way. It's a great, easy daytime scent, but it's wonderful sprayed on bedsheets, too

A fun fragrance that comes in a precious little apple-shaped bottle with a chain of silver leaf charms (1.0 oz. bottle). It looks adorable with my other bottles. This is a creamy, slightly syrupy sweet fragrance that is the kind of thing I wear when I take my kids to Disneyland. It's pure sugary fun and brightness. If you're looking for something seductive, don't look here. Nina is for those times you want to smell sweet and bright, and natural. It's clean and cuddly and feminine, but not little-girlish. Nina starts out with a citrus burst, but the toffee apple notes (mostly toffee, the apple is weak on me) emerge very quickly, and stay put. Nina is by no means unique, but it's enjoyable, and if, like me, you're crazy for bottles, this is worth the asking price on discount fragrance sites. I've read some reviews that say this calls to mind the original Poison, and, as far as a note in the drydown goes, for some fleeting moments, I agree. There is definitely a note, or a feeling I get that calls Poison to mind. Nina, however, has none of the darkness or cloying oddness of Poison, and the impression doesn't last long. But there's some sort of juicy note in there that brings back a very old memory..The lasting power of Nina is very good, and the fragrance stays close enough to the skin that no one in the workplace will be reporting their perfume allergies to HR because of you.

The sample I tried is called Un Parfum d'Ailleurs & Fleurs, which gives a completely different meaning to what the fragrance is supposed to evoke (flowers, rather than leaves). I can't find a fragrance with the name listed by Basenotes, so I think the name is a typo. Un Parfum d'Ailleurs & Fleurs is a very pretty, watery fresh floral, but it's pedestrian. I was expecting a dewy, haunting floral that might last awhile, but it's weak on me. This fragrance has a beautiful rendition of orange blossom, but the tuberose and other florals never quite emerge. The drydown is a gentle musk; the kind that's perfect for crowded elevators and allergy-sensitive co-workers. I'd love this if it had more "oomph" but it smells like it's trying to be careful not to offend anyone. In my opinion, tuberose fragrances should never do this. This is a pretty fragrance, but it doesn't beg me to buy it, and the bottle is boring.

For years, I've been reading negative reviews about Aqua Allegoria Pamplelune's "b.o." and "cat urine" notes. Well, I've found a fragrance that evokes such odors for me. Smiley, of all things! I found this revolting; like cheap, obnoxious aftershave. I try to be open-minded about fragrances, but this one just repulsed me. (Please don't be offended if you love this. It just hates my particular chemistry, unfortunately.) On me, Smiley's blend of notes is cacaphonous and utterly annoying. I'll try it again in six months...maybe I've having a negative hormonal reaction or something. Sadly, I can't smell any orange, chocolate, praline or Curaçao. I get bergamot and patchouli, and something incensey. These notes sound good, but they're not good on me. In fact, Smiley smells okay when I sniff the sample. The positive thing (for anyone else) about this scent is that it's as strong as pure patchoulli oil on a hot humid day. I could not wash the stuff off.

To me, Voile d'Ambre smells classically beautiful, sensual, and elegant. It's a very "womanly" fragrance, like Chanel No. 5, Obsession, or Must de Cartier. If you like warm, ambery, seductive fragrances, do try this one. It's of very high quality, and its lasting power is excellent. It reminds me a lot of Estee Lauder Intuition, but Intuition gets a "maple sugar" note sometimes on my skin, and I don't like it. Voile d'Ambre just stays warm, ambery, and smooth; it smells like amber-colored silk would smell, if it had a fragrance. Yes, in the past Yves Rocher has had some downright "cheap" products, but this is not one of them. Even though the price is reasonable, there's no mistaking the quality and craftsmanship in this sexy and lovely fragrance.

*Updated review* Light Blue is an energetic, positive, lovely fragrance that manages to be uplifting, fresh, and sexy at the same time. It works well in hot weather, but it's a perfect pick-me-up on a cold gloomy day. Oddly, it starts out with heavy cedar notes on my skin and seems to get more apply and citrusy as the day goes on. When I wear it, I continually get whiffs of something that smells fantastic, and then I smile, because I realize it's me! Love it!

Artemisia is absolutely exquisite in a delicate, ethereal, very feminine way. It smells like a Victorian garden, filled with pink and white and yellow flowers, and white wicker furniture, on a soft, warm day. It's very summery, light, and sweet. I wish it were a bit stronger and had better lasting power, but it's so pretty it's worth applying a lot. Notes are nectarine, jasmine tea, lily, green foliage, vanilla, woods, and amber. The tea-vanilla-amber drydown is especially wonderful.

If you love Chanel Gardenia, you're sure to love Ellenisia, (at least, if your chemistry is anything like mine). Ellenisia is a lovely, feminine gardenia-jasmine-dry vanilla concotion that smells like a warm summer breeze in a garden filled with white flowers. There's a tiny hint of white rose as the fragrance develops, but the drydown is similar to the white floral opening, with stronger dry vanilla. Ellenisia is somehow "happier" than the Gardenia, regardless of their similarities. Chanel Gardenia's garden has a ghost, but Ellenisia's garden lacks all haunting, despite its otherworldly name.

Wearing this is like crawling into the branches of a big fat fully blooming gardenia bush and getting intoxicated by the beautiful fragrance that's surrounding you. I have 3 kinds of gardenia in my yard, and YR Gardenia manages to smell like those pure gardenia flowers. I can honestly mistake it for the scent of gardenia in the air in my garden! Terrific stuff!

Coco Mademoiselle has been a favorite of mine for years. I used to wear only edp, but lately I've switched to edt, and I prefer it. This is, to me, the best bourbon vanilla based perfume I've ever worn. It's so rich, and enticing. I think Coco Mademoiselle is seductive, sweet, and very classy. It always gives me a boost of confidence and it collects compliments everywhere I go. Coco Mademoiselle smells very different on individual wearers, and I've noticed that it has different "moods" in cool weather and hot weather. The spices come out in cool weather, while the burnt-sugarlike bourbon vanilla just radiates from my skin in heat. I love this, and it, along with many Chanels, will always be part of my fragrance collection.

Guerlain Insolence is the scent-embodiment of Hamlet's beautiful but doomed lover, Ophelia; doe-eyed, filled with passion, overcome by madness. Gertrude adorns Ophelia's grave with violets, saying, "Sweets to the sweet"; a simple phrase that, combined with the symbolism of the violets, manages to evoke both love and tragedy. Insolence is a watery, very sweet violet fragrance, with notes of tart raspberry, pink and red roses, very blue iris, and a balsamy drydown. In 2007 I wouldn't expect or want Guerlain to release a L'Heure Bleue or Après l'Ondée, but, dare I say it: Insolence calls both to my mind. There is a romantic, melancholic beauty to Insolence. It's not apparent in the light, fresh topnotes, but give Insolence an hour, and you'll find yourself with an intricate, deeply emotional fragrance. The name and the marketing seem so "off" that I wonder if Guerlain came up with the concept and the "face" before Roucel actually presented this unusual, unique creation. I find the marketing for this fragrance almost hilarious: "The irreverent scent of youth, daring, and freedom..."?? Velvet Rope may fit this description, but the nearly fragile Insolence simply does not. Insolence is more "Mélancolie dans le printemps," or "Féminité aigre-douce". This fragrance is an extremely feminine, graceful scent; delicate, and almost ethereal. If I'd smelled Insolence, and then been told that Hilary Swank was going to be the "face" for this scent, I'd have laughed and thought it was a joke. Nothing against Swank, but her persona is just not the embodiment of this haunting, crystalline perfume. Diana Vishneva as Giselle would have been perfect for the Insolence I know and adore. (I'm no marketer, obviously. I'm just thrilled that I gave this fragrance a chance, because I would have missed out on something truly beautiful if I'd overlooked Insolence based upon its advertising. Plus, it is a Guerlain, after all!) My husband says he loves Insolence on me, which makes it extra special. The color of the jus, and the pretty bottle suit this fragrance well. Insolence is absolutely lovely.

Sultry, hauntingly beautiful, perfect redition of the air of a dry desert wind! I love, love, love this evocative, sensual fragrance. It's beautiful: dry, spicy, warm, elegant, and extremely long-lasting. It reminds me a little of POTL Luctor et Emergo sans cherry liqueur...because it has that outstanding "dryness" that must be terriby hard to capture. I am a lover of the desert, so smelling like desert air never fails to transport my senses to a place of happy moods and energy.

Rich, sensual, confident...gorgeous! I love it better than original Allure - and that's saying a lot. This is one of the most perfect cool weather perfumes, ever. It's a sexy, slightly spicy vanilla-patchouli that has that special Chanel sweetness. It's so warm and inviting, and as it develops on my skin, the fragrance becomes more sultry.It's just bewitching. This collects compliments constantly. The lotion is fabulous as well

A clear, spicy rose; reminiscent of Frederic Malle Une Rose. Cinnamon topnotes are delightful, and the overall rose is pure, and very natural. This isn't a sweet rose scent, nor is it powdery. It's rich and elegant, and quite distinctive. Some perfumes just smell expenisve, whether they are or not, and Rose Absolue smells expensive. It's obviously of high quality, and masterful blending. It's alluring, and the lasting power is excellent. Don't let the "rose" scare you away if you're normally not a rose fan - this is not a violet-rose, or a powdery-rose, or a rosewater rose...it's along the lines of Gres Cabaret, or a spicy Stella...sensual, and striking.

Oh how I wish this one was around when I got married. It would be a perfect wedding day scent. Eclat d'aprege is the ultimate feminine, bright, refreshing, uplifting perfume. To me, it blows Vera Wang right out of the water. Notes of lemon leaves and lilac blend beautifully into florals of wisteria and orange blossom. A very slight cedar drydown rounds it off perfectly. It's gorgeous. The lilac- colored liquid and the beautiful rendering of mother-and-daughter on the bottle make it perfect for bottle collectors as well as those who love the juice inside. This fragrance can be purchased relatively inexpensively on discount sites, so it's more than worth every penny. If you enjoy scents like Bond No. 9 Scent of Peace and D & G Light Blue, you will certainly love Eclat d'arpege.

A gorgeous, elegant gardenia...Even if you hate gardenia (which I don't), there's a chance you'll like Marc Jacobs - it's so rich and smooth. There's no peppery note here for me; the gardenia is mellowed by a fresh clear honeysuckle, and light, yet sultry ginger. This blend is tempered beautifully and never becomes a harsh, loud floral. It's feminine, warm, and very sexy. I think this is one of the finest fragrances of the 2000s, and I feel it's a classic in its own time.

Délices frustrates me! I'm a bottle collector, and I want that bottle. But I haven't been able to rationalize purchasing a fragrance that bluntly refuses to be cohesive with my chemistry. (At least, in its current price range...when it gets cheaper...I'll probably cave). Aside from my attraction to the bottle, the fragrance itself is very weird for me. Upon initial spray it smells terribly familiar, but I can't call to mind what it's reminding me of. Then I get a blast of Baie Rose (pink pepper), afterwhich I get a tonka-ambery feel, and then a cherry drydown that smells similar to Grenadine...but at no time does it all blend together on my skin. The Grenadine note is odd for me, because my chemistry usually highlights deeper notes, especially tonka, therefore the cherry note winds up smelling artificial; overtly synthetic. The lasting power of Délices is mediocre, too. I'm in my third trimester of pregnancy right now, so my hormones are wreaking havoc with my scent chemsitry. I plan to try Délices in about six months, just to see if I still perceive its notes as cacaphonous. I want to like this fragrance because that bottle is really lovely.

Cashmere Mist, for me, is one of the most outstanding fragrances that has emerged in the last 15 years. It's immediately recognizable, but always impelling. I bought my first bottle when it was released in NY (1994?) and it was unheard of here in CA. When I wore it, it seemed like everyone I encountered was mesmerized by it. Cashmere Mist sales distribution caught on quickly, and, although the fragrance became ubiquitous, its ability to personalize kept it from becoming cliché. Cashmere Mist doesn't smell like a "fresh" or "airy" fragrance on me. And, fortunately, it's never once brought to mind baby wipes, (I must buy the wrong brand of wipes!). Upon first spray, Cashmere Mist has airy qualities, but it quickly becomes an ethereal woody scent, with gentle sandalwood and suede notes. It smells mysterious, and balmy. This fragrance is absolutely beautiful, and its exquisite bottle is the perfect compliment for its luxuriousness. For me, this is not a fragrance that suits working out at a gym, or grocery shopping, or other mundane activities. I wear it when I need touches of beauty and elegance to boost my confidence and calm my spirits with lovliness.

Gold is a beautiful fragrance; very much along the lines of Marc Jacobs, with lily instead of gardenia. It stirs my imagination into thinking its a penthouse-in-Manhattan-then-weekend-in-the-Hamptons kind of scent. I'm wearing Gold right now, and as it develops, I'm smelling less lily, and more of a smooth, somewhat spicy "gold" smell that's warm and sensual. The bright lily notes are great for morning rush, and the spicier, golden tones are perfect for evening...and the morning after. The bottle is gorgeous - truly a perfume-bottle-work-of-art. To me, this fragrance comes across as a well-done, feminine, sultry fragrance. It smells "high quality" and it's very classy. I love that it's a lily-woody-musk, because that's refreshingly unique and so creative. This fragrance is suitable for a work environment, but it makes me envision it in an office with a panoramic view, solid cherry furniture, and Italian leather chairs. The Gold-wearer sits behind a large desk in this office, the view of the city at her back. At dinner-time, the Gold wearer has a table reserved for her in an exclusive restaurant that most people don't know exists. In the evening she goes home to a scented bath that has been drawn for her, and a bed that has been turned down. The mood of this fragrance is that of a highly independent, very successful woman who shows no vulnerability, but can be quite sexy when and if she chooses to. Gold brings to mind Glenn Close's character, Patty Hewes, on the TV drama, Damages, or Linda Fairstein's dynamic DA, Alexandra Cooper. Gold embodies the kind of woman that NEVER loses any game she plays, and when (not if) she wins, she has record-breaking scores.

Exactly as the name implies, this is a very light musk that's clean, and fresh, and it's great for those days when you can't decide what fragrance to wear. It's also a lovely bedtime scent.

Stunning! This is one of the best chypres I've ever worn. Silk truly smells like silk feels; smooth and elegant. A gorgeous spicy accord, a sort of secret surprise, develops as the fragrance dries down. This is a perfume for a strong, confidant woman.

Appropriately named, Vamp is a luxurious, elegant, complex fragrance that's irresistibly beguiling. Notes: Oriental spices, Amber, Sandalwood, Labdanum, Vanilla, and Cashmere Musk. If you're a fan of Coco, Bois des Iles, Opium, and sexy Orientals in general, be sure to give this gorgeous scent a try!

This is a great, refreshing citrus fragrance that has great lasting power and smells irresistible!

Gorgeous! Sweet Amber Wood is a rich, resiny amber fragrance that projects sensuality and elegance. Notes are sandalwood, patchouli, spices, and benzoin. It smells expensive, and it's beautiful!

Opoponax is a nice fragrance, but I was hoping for something with a striking resiny accord. This is a very, very sweet Oriental with a light woodsy base. I get hints of a subtle spice, kind of peppery, as the fragrance dries down. I enjoy this fragrance, especially in cool weather, but I prefer Ava Luxe Opoponax Intense when I crave opoponax.

Citrine is a soft gourmand with vanilla, cream, and citrus. It reminds me of 50/50 bars, but, instead of the sugary synthetic orange smell, the topnotes come across as a tangy citrus blend. Citrine is lovely and alluring all by itself, but it's also great for layering with musks and ambers. Another nice thing about this warming perfume is that it would never be confused with candy or body-spray fragrances. It's tempting, and sweet, and works well as a daytime scent.

This is a beautiful, unique, oceany fragrance. The notes aren't uncommon, but this fragrance is one of the most outstanding marine-type perfumes I've ever smelled. It's perfect for inspiring an excited, adventurous mood. It doesn't smell like a sweet cocktail, and it doesn't smell like ocean water... somehow it manages to smell like both, yet it's alluring and womanly. Overall, a wonderful fragrance for celebrating life!

Mmmm...dreamy. Perfect Veil is an alluring, sweet musk perfume that smells serene, and provocative. I've seen it compared to Sage Pearl, but it's distinctly different on my skin. Pearl and Veil are both considered to be "skin" scents, and Pearl is sweeter, and delicately feminine, while Perfect Veil is muskier, with a deeper essence. It makes me think of a sweeter, lighter Narciso Rodriguez For Her. Perfect Veil is a warm, yet mysterious, fragrant temptress...who doesn't intend merely to tempt. It's long-lasting, and it stays close to the skin, making it very personalized, and perfect to wear in crowds. A wardrobe staple for perfume Shangri-La.

I've heard this compared to Après L'Ondée, and I definitely understand the comparison. Lullaby is a dreamy, light, violet-heliotrope fragrance framed by powdery dry vanilla. I don't smell the topnotes on this one, at all, which is a compliment to the balance of this composition. It's rare for me to find a fragrance with heliotrope that continues to smell like heliotrope if it's not a soliflore. Lullaby is the outstanding exception: it's definitely a heliotrope gem - heliotrope is the violin soloist and the rest of the blend is the orchestra, in perfect harmony. Lovers of Après L'Ondée must try this.

Rich, gorgeous, sensual. It's somewhere between Obsession and Shalimar...but better. This is truly an unforgettable fragrance. It makes me feel special; elegant, rare.

Sage is a rich, fresh, leafy fragrance that smells like the stunning smell of blooms that suddenly permeates the air with the first rush of Spring. The sage note is distinct, but it's sweetened and mellowed by the sweet pea. The base of musks and tonka is the perfect enhancement to the intensity of the floral-herby greens. I've read that this is Sage's best-selling fragrance, and, although it doesn't top my love of Pearl, I had to own it.

Sahara is a beautiful, sensual ambery fragrance with a warm, slightly powdery feel. There's a hint of spice on my skin, too, and a gorgeous resiny note that just melts me. Sahara reminds me a lot of both Dune and Addict. It's almost as though each of those contains Sahara in their ingredients. I prefer this to Dune, or Addict, or even Shalimar. This is a unisex scent in the way that Musc Ravageur is unisex, and it smells just as complex and irresistible.

In a nutshell, Sage Amber is the silkiest, richest, sexiest amber I've ever smelled. Absolute luxury.

Lovely! Soft, pretty, and feminine, with pink rose, caramel and Egyptian Sandalwood. I ordered this unsniffed, based on the notes, and I was completely prepared to be disappointed. Exactly the opposite occured, and I'm thrilled with this gossamer scent. It reminds me of poems of Emily Dickinson because it has delicate rosebud topnotes and a deep woodsy base. U is a lovely summer scent that's ethereal yet tenacious. I really enjoy U and I'm looking very forward to exploring the rest of Lily Lambert's fine line of perfumes.

I have a feeling that Voluspa's Victorian Collection perfume oils are going to be a huge hit, and I predict that Pink Fatale will be the superstar of the line. Pink Fatale's notes are pink grapefruit, mandarin, and arum lilies, on a base of sensual cashmere musk. It's hard to imagine anyone being able to resist Pink Fatale. This is an enchanting, magnetic scent, if ever there was one. It's very feminine, and while the notes may suggest a scent for young girls, Pink Fatale is womanly and provocative. The cashmere melts into the citrus and flower notes, making this a very sexy floral; perfect for a date on a warm summer night, or a Honeymoon evening. If you can't try all the fragrances in the Victorian Collection, do try Pink Fatale. It shouldn't be missed. It really smells divine!

Vanity is a lovely, refined, seductive perfume oil. It has notes of mimosa, amber resin, sugar cane, and raspberry. I rarely purchase a fragrance on-the-spot. I like to try it on my skin, let it soak in, and see what it does to my mood. That didn't happen with Vanity. After one sniff from the bottle I knew I had to have it, and I was paying for the pretty little bottle as the liquid from the Tester developed with my chemistry. Vanity is a jewel in my collection; it's elegant, feminine, delicate, and it smells expensive, (even though it's not!). It reminds me a little of Chanel Chance, but it's very reasonable price makes it a fragrance I'm comfortable with applying to my heart's content, knowing I can replace it at any time.

If you like Mediterranean-inspired fragrances you must try Voluspa Corsica perfume oil. Corsica has notes of frangipani, orange rind, white peppercorn, and musk. It's a bright, sparkling, citrus fragrance that warms to an exotic floral. The price is great: $19.95 at Planet Beauty! Voluspa's Victorian Collection bottles are lovely and look great with my other perfumes. The lasting power of the oil is very good, too, and it moisturizes my skin. Corsica is a mood-lifting, sun-filled scent.

Fans of Sage Pearl, Perfect Veil, and Etro Heliotrope may adore this beautiful fragrance. Cult of Helios has notes of heliotrope and buttery vanilla musk. Its a warm, sweet, skin scent with sexy hints of night-blooming heliotrope. In Greek mythology, Helios is the sun god, and a real Cult of Helios existed on Rhodes. My knowledge of Ancient Hellenist cultures is quite limited, so I have no idea what inspired the name for this feminine, soft perfume oil. The price is great: $19.95 at Planet Beauty! Voluspa's Victorian Collection bottles are lovely and look great with my other perfumes. The lasting power of the oil is excellent, too, and it moisturizes my skin. I keep thinking I smell something sweet, soft, and mysterious, and then I'm thrilled to realized it's me!

Fans of Kai will adore this beautiful fragrance. Tuberosa Agave has notes of tuberose, orris, coconut milk, musk, and vetiver. Its heady topical fragrance is romantic and intriguing and the price, ($19.95 at Planet Beauty!), can't be beat. The Victorian Collection bottles are lovely and look great with my other perfumes. The lasting power of the oil is great, too, and it moisturizes my skin. I keep thinking I smell something seductive and hypnotic, and then I'm thrilled to realized it's me!

There is no vanilla fragrance more perfect than Midnight Orchid. This is one of my all-time favorites, ever. It's a stunning, bright floral vanilla with pure fresh tropical floral topnotes, and a warm, dry vanilla drydown. The lasting power is fabulous, and this scent layers well with every other fragrance I own - seriously! If I didn't own this one I'd think it was too good to be true. It's a permanent member of my collection. Midnight Orchid is beautiful, but it's also a kind of comfort scent. It provides a relaxed kind of aura; the one that surrounds you on a happy day, when everything feels just right.

The Pink Room has become one of my favorite perfumes. It's elegant, and complex, sweet, yet confident, and utterly lovely. At first it reveals a deep heirloom rose aroma, and minutes later it becomes a bright, citrusy, rich rose blend. Just as it seems to center on rose, pink and white jasmine flowers and leaves make a grand entrance and, eventually, the Pink Room seems to create an aura of pink - like smelling the world a rose-colored scarf...This pink is not cotton-candy pink. It's the velvet, blushed pink lilac of a Pompon de Bourgogne rose. The Pink Room is a truly stunning and much too obscure perfume. If you have the opportunity you must try it.

The patchouli and tendency toward "heaviness" that is characteristic of Angel suggests that it would work best as a Winter scent, yet, I much prefer wearing it in the Summertime. I'm not sure I even like it in the Wintertime. When my skin is warm and my body temperature is high, Angel is one of the most beautiful fragrances I could ever imagine. It's dreamy, feminine, magical, and comes across as a vanilla with light florals (a la Susanne Lang Midnight Orchid). In the Winter...well...I have to agree with some of the previous reviewers who find this fragrance to be, ahem, unpleasant. Angel needs to be applied with DISCRETION and it helps if it's worn where there's a lot of ventilation or some nice strong breezes. I worked with a woman who wore Angel heavily, every day and I swear the smell of it, ignited by indoor heating, used to seep through the walls. People would think she was in a room she'd vacated 1/2 hour before because her sillage was so...potent. But applied with just the right touch (too much is nauseating), Angel is really, really beautiful. I find La Rose Angel to be easier to wear, and much more versatile. I'd love to own it as well. In the meantime, Angel is such a classic, her beautiful bottle deserves to adorn my collection in all its groundbreaking glory. Works of genius aren't always enjoyed, or understood, but they can be admired and appreciated. Angel deserves this from me, at least. And I love wearing it, lightly, on a warm Spring day.

Perfect Nectar IS the perfect peachy, blossomy, heady, hot-weather blend. It smells cheerful and rested, and conjures the feeling of a summer day spent outdoors.

Love's True Bluish Light (I adore that name!) is a sensual, vivid amber-vanilla that gets compliments every time I wear it. It's one of those irresistible scents that makes you feel cuddly, and sexy, and beautiful, simultaneously. If you're a fan of La Maison de la Vanille, Comptoir Sud Pacifique, Des Filles a la Vanille, etc., you must try Love's True Bluish Light!

It's been many years since I've worn original Angel, so it's hard for me to compare La Rose with its inspiration. I can definitely say that La Rose is unmistakably Angel, and that I utterly love it. The difference I notice in La Rose vs. Original is that upon initial spray, and for the first hour or so of wear, there is a noticeable rosy warmth amongst the familiar Angel accord. As the fragrance develops, La Rose does not have a certain "melon" note that always turned unpleasant on my skin. Also, La Rose seems to be much lighter on the patchouli as well. I may be inaccurate about the melon and patchouli, because, as I stated previously, it's been years since I've worn Angel. I may understand it in a different way at this time. (Actually, I love Angel and I think it's one of the most superb perfumes ever formulated - I didn't like it on myself). I've always wanted to be able to wear Angel, but I felt it didn't work well on my skin. Well, La Rose Angel works like it was created for me! It's just gorgeous.

This beautiful perfume seems to have attained legendary status in the world of perfume addicts...and most deservedly so. To put it simply, there is nothing, absolutely nothing, like Sage Pearl. It's a warm, soft, vanilla-sandalwood-musk that somehow manages to shine like crystal and glow like the moon (both in the olfactory sense). It's enchanting, addictive, and superbly sensual. This perfume is lovely at any time of day or night, but I know for a fact that it's perfect for romantic encounters.

Hamptons is great on my husband and very good on me. I want to buy a Bond for my husband's upcoming birthday and I'm torn between Hamptons, Bleecker Street, and Wall Street. Of the three, I think he likes Hamptons the best because it's so clean and outdoorsy. It's perfect for wearing while playing golf or relaxing by the pool. I catch a whiff of Hamptons and can't stop myself from slinking toward that sexy smell...wearers - don't say I didn't warn you!

Sage Onyx is a rich, sultry perfume that's nothing like your ordinary coconut fragrance. It doesn't evoke island vacations or the beach, but it does transport me to a blissful state. This warm scent centers around dry, almost bitter coconut, that's sweetened with a luscious, yet dry vanilla, and resonant, mellow tobacco. I love to wear this as a sexy evening fragrance, but I have to be careful in public places, Onyx makes me unconsciously, compulsively sniff my own wrists! Anyone observing me must surely think, "That crazy lady smells amazing."

To me, Fire Island is the ungainly monster that Dr.Frankenstein created from my Coppertone suntan lotion childhood memories. It's toooo much; strong, and headache inducing. The worst thing about it, is that it has a note that reminds me of the smell of the lubricant used in doctors' offices. After sniffing a scent strip at the Bond No. 9 counter, I thought Fire Island smelled summery and warm, like orange blossoms and the beach. I sprayed one squirt on my arm and I was stunned at how suddenly it became oppressive. After about 5 minutes it became an extremely heavy, musky, siliconey scent, and the pretty orange blossom note turned into a piercing, unnatrual white floral accord. As luck would have it, I couldn't quell this stuff for anything. At the counter, I sprayed testers over it with nearly every Bond I like. Nothing subdued it, and nothing outlasted it. I smelled Fire Island on my arm for at least 34 hours, even after scrubbing with Noxzema, isopropyl alcohol, coffee grounds, and Zest. This one's not for me.

Absolutely stunning tuberose! I love tuberose deeply, so my appreciation of this soliflore is immense. To me, there isn't another fragrance house that captures the true essence of florals as well as Jo Malone. Jo Malone Tuberose smells exactly like sultry, rich, white tuberose flowers. These flowers bloom at night, giving the Tuberose fragrance a signature air of sultry enchantment. I love to wear this Tuberose at any time, in any place. It makes me feel adventurous, intense, and confident that exciting days are coming soon.

Velvet Rope is interesting. It's not unpleasant, but on me it becomes sickly sweet. At first it smells like a Gin & Tonic that somebody spiked with vanilla liqueur and topped off with a few mint springs. After about an hour it smells like a whiff of cold air when you're skiing while chewing peppermint gum, and wearing cherry chapstick on your lips. Then it smells Juicy-Fruit gummy and musky-sweet, and very slightly powdery. I don't get any tobacco, smoke, or sex from this one. It's a fruity-vanilla musk with an initial unusual note that smells minty. This fragrance is okay, but I get tired of it really quickly on my skin. It loses its initial spark in the way the gum loses its initial flavor, and then just tastes sweet.

Purple Water is a fabulous fragrance for refreshing the mind and spirit on a very hot day. It's mostly a soft floral, and the notes I detect are blossoms of citrus trees,(lemon and orange), white ginger, and aromas of the sharp, bright juices of lemon and orange fruit. Purple Water has a note of the purest, most true-to-life Lemon Blossom that I've encountered thus far in a fragrance. My dwarf lemon tree happens to be in bloom today, so I sniffed it to make sure the comparison isn't just wishful thinking. (It's not). Jacaranda flowers are a vivid lilac purple. They grow everywhere around here, and their scent carried on a breeze is zesty and linen-like. I haven't yet stuck my nose into a blossom, so this scent association may be inaccurate. The jacarandas aren't in bloom yet, or I'd have climbed up one today to smell the flowers. Purple Water is extremely clean; neither sweet nor sour. I've worn it all day and it still smells fresh and outdoorsy. I'd buy it in a heartbeat if the price was reasonable, but this fragrance isn't complex enough, or unusual enough, to seduce me into spending $75.00 on a 1.7 oz. edt.

Bryant Park is a flirty, bright fragrance that's positively enticing. This clic concoction begins with a bright burst of fresh, tart raspberry. The raspberry becomes juicier, but not syrupy or sweet, as the fragrance warms with rose, white blossoms, and rhubarb. It sustains a tart feel, which is quite unusual on me when a fragrance has any type of berry. Bryant Park is clever, and radiates an aura of confidence. Even with heart notes of patchouli base, it's light, with an airy, amber silkiness. The raspberry note is prominent, and lasts throughout wear, but this never comes across as a run-of-the-mill fruity-floral. Overall, Bryant Park is a summery, feminine, stylish fragrance that I'm sure will be one of the stars of Bond's prolific line.

I LOVE Park Avenue. I sampled it at the Bond counter at Saks last Saturday, and then sampled it again, and then again...and finally I had to admit this fragrance had completely captured my heart. I purchased it on the spot. Park Avenue is an elegant, perfectly lovely, hypnotic balance of fresh blossoms on a subtle vanilla base. I sense what I call a "tea" note, but that's probably my personal reaction to the chamomile. Park Avenue has the rare, and extremely desirable trait of smelling "alive". It has great lasting power, and satisfying sillage. I adore it.
Park Avenue is special to me for another reason: it was the catalyst of one of those serendipitous, surreal life occurences that seem to be impossible, statistically. At the Bond counter, another woman was bewitched by Park Avenue just as I was. We sniffed, and oohed and ahhhed to each other for about 20 minutes. We each decided to purchase a bottle at the same time. While the SA was ringing up our purchases (and overloading us with samples), we began a converstation. After several minutes, we were simultaneously stunned into silence as we...recognized each other. It turns out she's an old dear friend with whom I used to communicate via another fragrance board; several years ago. We'd never met in person, but we'd always wanted to. A tragedy in my life took me away from my fragrance hobby for awhile, and, unfortunately over the years, I'd lost touch with this friend. Yet, across time and space, there we were on Saturday - buying a Bond and reviving a bond! Yet another amazing Perfume Moment. So...Park Avenue is lovely, and if you like to smell like a new garden on a balmy day, this one's for you.

This is the most radiant and happy scent of any vintage fragrance I know. Its orange blossom is bright and sunny and its amber kick is timelessly sexy. I love the roll-on deodorant as well as the fragrance spray. Something about Chantilly always cheers me up, and I think it's lovely, feminine, and summery.

Christiane Celle Calypso Violette is one of only two violet fragrances I've tried that I can wear well; the other being Penhaligan's Violetta. Others smell syrupy-sweet after about 10 minutes and give me a headache. Calypso Violette is a fresh violet, and it's the least powdery violet fragrance I've ever smelled. It has a deep rose undertone that emerges as the initial airy violet notes warm into my skin. The beginning has a raspberry note as well, which transitions to dark violets and dewy leaves, and a hint of white tea. Violet scents usually smell innocent and sweet to me, (possibly because the first fragrance I ever owned, at age 6, was Devon Violets), but Calypso Violette is sexy! The lasting power isn't great, but it's not bad for an edt. In cool weather I refresh it after about 4 hours of wear, and it lasts about an hour longer in hot weather. Violette is quite lovely, and I recommend giving it a try even if you despise violet. It's a really intriguing creation that's also priced reasonably for a boutique fragrance: $55.00 for a 3.4 oz. bottle.

Coquette Tropique is a fun, happy tropical fruity-floral that lets you wear the mood of a California beach in the summertime. Very enjoyable, but I wish it lasted longer on my skin.

This smells pretty in the bottle and it smells pretty for about 1 minute on my skin. Then it smells exactly like a cheap gardenia candle, wax and all, masking the smell of stale cigarettes. I don't enjoy this smell. Fortunately the lasting power is awful on my skin, so I don't smell like a bad memory for long.

Amazing Grace smells like feeling good. It's just a wonderful, clean, bright fragrance that creates a pleasant aura. My husband thinks its sexy!

I adore Rose Essentielle, and I rather like Voile de Jasmin, however, it doesn't particularly like me. When I sniff the liquid it smells lovely, but there's a strange note in the air when I spray it (dare I think "hairspray"?) and the fragrance is somewhat bitter on my skin. It's also remarkably light and pithy. I like Voile de Jasmin very much as a layering fragrance, though. It works nicely with Rose Essentielle, and it's pretty with Jo Malone Orange Blossom, and also Kai. Maybe I don't wear jasmine soliflores well, because I haven't found one yet that works for me.