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Which note is most schizophrenic on you?

post #1 of 21
9/21/10 at 2:54pm
Thread Starter 
This thread was inspired by yet another attempt to win over (be won over by?) a fragrance with (on me) a dominant iris note: Dzongkha.

Sadly, it's a no-go with any of these fragrances, not because they give me a headache or make me nauseous -- just because they smell terrible on me:

Guerlain Attrape-Couer (Guet-Apens) and L'Heure Bleue
Creed Irisia
Montale Aoud Lime (though, truthfully, it's the oud as much as the iris on this one)
Serge Lutens Gris Clair, and, regretfully
Dzongkha.

Oddly, though, the iris stays in the background on these and I love all of them:

Serge Lutens Chergui, Daim Blond, and Clair de Musc
Guerlain Apres l'Ondee

Which note gives you guys fits?
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post #2 of 21
9/21/10 at 3:00pm
I assume you mean, which note has 'multiple personalities'?

Cardamon seems to be at two ends of the spectrum for me. Sometimes it's a total barf fest in perfume, but sometimes it is elevated, earthy, and magical.

Honorable mention goes to ginger and cinnamon.
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post #3 of 21
9/21/10 at 3:05pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hillaire View Post

I assume you mean, which note has 'multiple personalities'?

Multiple personalities, yes -- a much more precise description! (Since I don't imagine fragrance notes tend to hear voices....)
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post #4 of 21
9/21/10 at 3:18pm
Patchouli
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post #5 of 21
9/21/10 at 3:26pm
Cumin! It can be hidden and work its magic, but if I detect it all bets are off. To me it smells like curry in the best case scenario (which isn't how I want to smell) and horrible, fetid body odor in the worst.
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post #6 of 21
9/21/10 at 3:50pm
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Vetiver, vetyver
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post #7 of 21
9/21/10 at 4:22pm
Patchouli and cumin
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post #8 of 21
9/21/10 at 4:24pm
Aldehydes. More like Jekyll-and-Hydes on me. (aldehyde either soars and sings or screeches and attacks)
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post #9 of 21
9/21/10 at 4:28pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by actiasluna View Post

Aldehydes. More like Jekyll-and-Hydes on me. (aldehyde either soars and sings or screeches and attacks)

I have no illusions about me and aldehydes. We are mortal enemies.

I wish that weren't the case, though, as it means I miss out on so many of the Chanels. Sigh.
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post #10 of 21
9/21/10 at 4:45pm
Jasmine - sometimes it's wonderful, sometimes it makes me queasy, which is probably due to any number of factors.
Sandalwood - sometimes it seems suffocating to me, at other times it's wonderful. It's probably the synthetic version that turns me off, but I'm really not sure.

ETA - LEATHER! It makes my skin smell like a poorly tanned hide.
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post #11 of 21
9/21/10 at 5:40pm
Civet, how I loath thee. I cannot abide fragrances with a strong civet presence.
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post #12 of 21
9/21/10 at 9:31pm
jasmine and civet for me
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post #13 of 21
9/21/10 at 9:34pm
LEATHER! For some reason about 60% of all leathers and a few unrelated fragrances have this appalling soapy note, but only once applied to my skin ( it'll be fine on another ).

It's a shame, as leather is one of my favorite accords.
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post #14 of 21
9/21/10 at 9:36pm
Various white musks. Sometimes hauntingly beautiful and clean (in the context of a blend), other times shrill or soapy monsters.

Have to agree with aldehydes, too. I rarely like them once they are prevalent enough to be readily noticeable. Occasionally though, they really work wonders.
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post #15 of 21
9/21/10 at 10:09pm
Tuberose. Most often, especially when teamed with gardenia (possibly the worst note ever!) it's responsible for the dreaded Attack of the 50 Ft. Killer White Flowers effect which sends me running for my life.

But in some scents (like AG Passion, Etro Magot and SL Cèdre, Datura Noir, Fleurs d'Oranger) it doesn't bother me, I even enjoy it.
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post #16 of 21
9/22/10 at 12:10am
Quote:
Originally Posted by actiasluna View Post

Aldehydes. More like Jekyll-and-Hydes on me. (aldehyde either soars and sings or screeches and attacks)

Me too! Also l think patchouli might be one. l used to like it, but l tested Black Amber by Michelle Bergman this week; it's mainly patchouli & actually made me feel a bit sick.
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post #17 of 21
9/22/10 at 2:08am
I often find jasmine cloying when it's very noticeable - Alien almost killed me the first time I tried it - but I love and wear plenty of fragrances where it plays a more understated role, and I'm beginning to appreciate a heavier jasmine presence. Jasmin et Cigarette is quite enjoyable.

Heliotrope is a difficult one, too.
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post #18 of 21
9/22/10 at 10:49am
Cumin and Immortelle. Sometimes wonderful, sometimes absolutely hideous.
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post #19 of 21
9/22/10 at 11:26am
Cumin and civet. Cumin is sometimes fine is well blended. Civet is just a very tough one for me, as are all the skankies.
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post #20 of 21
9/22/10 at 3:45pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lessa View Post

Cumin and Immortelle. Sometimes wonderful, sometimes absolutely hideous.

Thanks, Lessa, for the reminder. Immortelle is another one for me also. So far, I can only take it in Chene, and even then I have to really be craving Chene to pull it off.
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post #21 of 21
9/24/10 at 6:44pm
Lavender. Sometimes it turns downright rancid or sour on my skin. A shame too. It is one of my favorite scents. I just can't wear it on my skin most of the time.

Patchouli. If it's subtle and in the basenote, it can be heavenly. Any more than that and I usually start gagging.
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