Basenotes - Reviews by

Showing 1 to 14 of 14.

Hiris by Hermès

I cannot express how wonderful Hiris is. At first, the blast of carrot flower shocked me - when it settled, I was seduced by the earthiness of the iris note, which is so dry it's almost metallic. It also works marvellously well as a layering scent - I use it to "tone down" for example L'Heure Bleue (when I'm feeling less daring!). It's become a real comfort scent for me, there's nothing like it. Olivia Giacobetti has made another masterpiece!

5th December, 2007.

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Le Dix by Balenciaga

Le Dix is one of the things I sometimes CRAVE - like Jicky, chocolate and erm, spinach! I think it may have something to do with the animalic leather note in it. Wonderful.

5th December, 2007.

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Greenergy by Givenchy

Very pleasant green chypre - I got this very cheaply in a taxfree shop. Although it's supposed to be for men it worked very well for me as a refreshing vetiver scent for the summer.

30th May, 2007.

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Philosykos by Diptyque

I would SO love to love this one – and if all these reviews on Basenotes are anything to go by, I should! I tried this one when I was looking for a fig-based alternative to my beloved Premier Figuier by L'Artisan, and Philosykos starts off pleasantly enough – strong, fresh and woody. However, after about half an hour on my skin it turns absolutely SICKENING and sour, very "off". Like when you empty out old water from a vase! Maybe it's just my chemisty... :-(

21st May, 2007.

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Parure by Guerlain

head note : bergamot
heart notes : plum, lilac, rose, jasmine
base notes : wood, earthy forest note, spices

Kim Cattrall (Sex in the City-Samantha) wears this, and it would seem like a very good choice for her. Parure is a very sophisticated scent, and is one of the Guerlains that shouldn't be allowed to wear until you're at least 35 ;-)! Initially is is fairly sharp, which I would put down to the bergamot, but quickly deepens into a very warm, intense, mouthwatering plum, combined with a heady dose of (primarily) lilac and jasmine. It has a great staying power and works fabulously on its own, or it can be layered with soliflores for a "calmer" scent – I use Aqua Allegoria Pivoine Magnifica with it!

21st May, 2007.

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Les Météorites by Guerlain

I think of this as L'Heure Bleue's younger sister – if the former is full-bodied, sophisticated and sensual, Météorites is more on the sassier, fresher, simpler and brighter side of violet and iris. Think of Cathérine Deneuve in the Umbrellas of Cherbourg compared to Belle du Jour! Whereas I would never dream of layering L'HB, M works very well with other less complex Guerlain scents, such as the colognes and some of the citrusy Aqua Allegorias. On me, it smells of slightly powdery (suitably, considering it is originally the scent of Guerlain makeup), sugared violets, I can detect a hint of vanilla and the heliotrope is almost heady if applied generously. The staying power is not particularly brilliant. I remember falling in love with it while sniffing my mother's friends Météorites jar when I was a kid!

26th January, 2007.

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Marc Jacobs Autumn Splash Violet by Marc Jacobs

I was SO disappointed with this one – forever looking for the perfect violet fragrance, I was hoping this one would be a modern, fresh take. Instead, on me it begins at the worst end of sweet, even musty and slightly sweaty, and only gets a little more pleasant towards the end of the drydown, when it has almost disappeared (maybe that's why?). I love a good violet scent, really detest this one. Shame!

23rd January, 2007.

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Eau du Coq by Guerlain

Eau du Coq is a light refreshing cologne. The bergamot and citrus notes are fairly dominant – my boyfriend very accurately says it smells like Earl Grey tea! Comparing it with Eau Imperiale, its much "rounder" thanks to the tonka (which I prefer). I especially like it layered with Guerlain florals from the Aqua Allegoria series.

11th January, 2007.

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Vent Vert (new) by Pierre Balmain

This fragrance, allegedly worn by Brigitte Bardot, is way too sharp for me. If you're a lover of lily of the valley and jasmine, you will probably love it, but it is so intense it almost gives me a headache. A green not for the faint-hearted!

1st December, 2006. (Last Edited: 29th January, 2007.)

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Aqua Allegoria Pivoine Magnifica by Guerlain

I love Pivoine Magnifica. It starts off with a whiff of tangy citrus which quickly settles down to a rich peony with more than a little hint of violet and iris. As with all Aqua Allegoria scents, it is not very complex, but then sometimes that's exactly what you want. I often layer it with sharper Guerlain fragrances (especially Parure and Eau Impériale) in order to 'soften' the bergamot or citrus in them, which works beautifully! Mmm...

10th November, 2006.

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Eau de Cologne Impériale by Guerlain

This fragrance was, in fact, (according to the official Guerlain website): "Inspired by the beauty and elegance of Empress Eugénie, the master perfumer Pierre-François-Pascal Guerlain composed Eau Impériale in her honour.
The glass flacon, engraved with a motif of bees recalling the coat of arms of the imperial family, was a homage indeed.
Delighted by the refined Eau de Cologne, the Empress ordered that Guerlain be awarded the title of "Appointed Supplier of Her Majesty", which was at the time the highest imperial warrant."
Being an Eau de Cologne, it is not surprising that it disappears completely after about half an hour. The top and middle notes very quickly give way to the base, woody notes.

29th September, 2006.

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Héritage by Guerlain

Quite interestingly, being a woman, as a budding Guerlain fanatic – this was my first Guerlain! I'd sniffed my way through the extensive Guerlain shelf during the lunchbreaks of my first (mindnumbingly boring) job and decided this was the one for me. As long as you don't overdo it it smells lovely – a very deep, sexy wood base with lavender top notes, which add softness.

22nd September, 2006.

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Carolina Herrera by Carolina Herrera

To me, this is a nearly anonymous scent – every time I've been wearing it, it has just disappeared almost completely after less than half an hour, the only trace remaining is a very sweet and uninteresting jasmine. It is certainly not offensive or foul-smelling, just plain boring.

19th September, 2006.

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Insolence by Guerlain

Much too sugary sweet and simple for me to appreciate it – I think it's a bit of a disappointment considering I love Guerlain. I know they have tried to create a fragrance for young women, but on the 'lighter' side of Guerlain, Apres L'Ondée is so much more preferable and interesting to me.

14th September, 2006.

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Showing 1 to 14 of 14.