Not only did I get my complete Andy Tauer sampler set today, but my 3 "free" Malle samples arrived as well. 10 Euros to Germany is not exactly cheap. I'll grant them it may be a necessary kind of self-protection. But other companies do send out free stuff generously.
Anyway, having and loving Musc Ravageur and Noir Epices, and knowing Bois d'Orage (nice, but not bottleworthy) I went for Carnal Flower, Une Rose and Eau d'Hiver. And what do you know, none of them worked for me. Surprisingly, since I am anything but an Ellena fan, his was ultimately the best. The winter fantasy holds up for a short while, but what Turin calls "almonds-and-water" becomes too much of a typically light and transparent synthetic floral note of violets mixed with bitter walnuts and a little sweet powder. Some may call it a bold juxtaposition, to me its ETRO Heliotrope as homeopathy. Not inspiring.
Une Rose by Fléchier was very promising. A green, wet, ethereal rose, treble rather than bass, with slightly spicy aspects. Beautiful and very wearable. Then I discover that I am, to quote Turin, one of a "small subset of women" (?!) who perceive the synthetic amber Karanal as urinious. Judging from the latrine that grew on my arm I'd be ready, in fact, to belt out "I'm every woman (of that subset)." This abruptly ended my promising relationship with Une Rose.
Speaking of women: Carnal Flower is so über-feminine it begs to be worn by drag queens. There's no way a man can wear this and not send a decidedly gender-bending message. In fact, I was more comfortable with Nasomatto's Narcotic Venus then with this, because, for whatever reason, Carnal Flower on my skin really came on strong with the ylang ylang and even more so the coconut, the result being that it smelled like a high end version of the synthetic-coconut reeking Hawaiian Tropic bronzing spray I once bought. It got to be so unbearable - from half a spritz - I had to scrub.
Well, I guess that's what happens when great perfumers can go on and do their thing. They very much do their thing - and in two cases I enjoy the result very very much. I will definitely pass on these three offerings, however.
Anyway, having and loving Musc Ravageur and Noir Epices, and knowing Bois d'Orage (nice, but not bottleworthy) I went for Carnal Flower, Une Rose and Eau d'Hiver. And what do you know, none of them worked for me. Surprisingly, since I am anything but an Ellena fan, his was ultimately the best. The winter fantasy holds up for a short while, but what Turin calls "almonds-and-water" becomes too much of a typically light and transparent synthetic floral note of violets mixed with bitter walnuts and a little sweet powder. Some may call it a bold juxtaposition, to me its ETRO Heliotrope as homeopathy. Not inspiring.
Une Rose by Fléchier was very promising. A green, wet, ethereal rose, treble rather than bass, with slightly spicy aspects. Beautiful and very wearable. Then I discover that I am, to quote Turin, one of a "small subset of women" (?!) who perceive the synthetic amber Karanal as urinious. Judging from the latrine that grew on my arm I'd be ready, in fact, to belt out "I'm every woman (of that subset)." This abruptly ended my promising relationship with Une Rose.
Speaking of women: Carnal Flower is so über-feminine it begs to be worn by drag queens. There's no way a man can wear this and not send a decidedly gender-bending message. In fact, I was more comfortable with Nasomatto's Narcotic Venus then with this, because, for whatever reason, Carnal Flower on my skin really came on strong with the ylang ylang and even more so the coconut, the result being that it smelled like a high end version of the synthetic-coconut reeking Hawaiian Tropic bronzing spray I once bought. It got to be so unbearable - from half a spritz - I had to scrub.
Well, I guess that's what happens when great perfumers can go on and do their thing. They very much do their thing - and in two cases I enjoy the result very very much. I will definitely pass on these three offerings, however.
I own one of those travel sprays of UR and as yet haven't noticed anything of that nature developing on my arm.
