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Habit Rouge

post #1 of 37
5/6/12 at 1:23pm
Thread Starter 
Hello all,

This fragrance is one that I was really intrigued in and after finally testing the current EDT, I have to say....... I love it! Pretty sure I've read on here someone referring to it as his signature scent, I can see why.

My brother recently purchased the L'eau version. How does that compare to the current EDT? Is it similar?

Also, is this the vintage cologne:



If so, how does the cologne compare to the current EDT?

Thanks!
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post #2 of 37
5/6/12 at 4:12pm
I have an EdT that is at least around 7 years old and I had an EdC that was more recent, so I will speak to those. The EdT has a more textured, herbal quality, whereas the EdC has a massive blast at first, which I guess is some citrus blossom/verbana/petigrain kind of thing along with "dirty jasmine," but then after an hour or so it is very weak. The EdT is better balanced and is much more consistent in terms of strength. I enjoy the EdT but would not wear the EdC.
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post #3 of 37
5/6/12 at 10:05pm
L'eau Habit Rouge, has nothing to do with Habit Rouge EDT, I personally prefer the Former as no flanker has up to now managed to keep up with this Masterpiece - Habit Rouge EDT For the summer, Habit Rouge EDP for the winter.
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post #4 of 37
5/7/12 at 4:32am
If you like the EDT, you've gotta try the EDP. It is fantastic.
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post #5 of 37
5/7/12 at 3:26pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chasing the Dragon View Post

If you like the EDT, you've gotta try the EDP. It is fantastic.

Absolutely agree.
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post #6 of 37
5/7/12 at 4:26pm
Then try the Pure Parfum. OUT OF THIS WORLD.

It costs 400usd a 50ml bottle and, believe me, it worth EVERY PENNY.
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post #7 of 37
5/7/12 at 4:32pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the input guys. My friend will be sending me a sample of the EDP so looking forward to that, more so after the comments here!

So, is the bottle pictured of any worth or sought after?
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post #8 of 37
5/7/12 at 4:45pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sufyaan View Post

Thanks for the input guys. My friend will be sending me a sample of the EDP so looking forward to that, more so after the comments here!

So, is the bottle pictured of any worth or sought after?

Yes, that picture you posted is vintage Eau de Cologne and I happen to think it is the **best*** version of HR, and I have tried ALL of them. If you can get it at an affordable price, I would say go for it!
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post #9 of 37
5/7/12 at 7:15pm
This is one fragrance that smells good no matter what version You try!!!
Gary
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post #10 of 37
5/7/12 at 7:21pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by d4N13L View Post

Then try the Pure Parfum. OUT OF THIS WORLD.

It costs 400usd a 50ml bottle and, believe me, it worth EVERY PENNY.

The flames of hell are leaping as I type these very words. I am so tempted. . .
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post #11 of 37
5/7/12 at 7:33pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mrcologneguy View Post

The flames of hell are leaping as I type these very words. I am so tempted. . .

Our very own friend billyD has a split (i got mine from him). Half the retail price.
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post #12 of 37
5/8/12 at 8:35pm
The ultimate DANDY fragrance - Habit Rouge - I really really really tried to like this sh_t, but I just get a sharp floral note that combined with the just as sharp light citrus accord simply makes me nauseous from minute 1 to 6-8 hours into the fragrance - I can't stand this fragrance, sorry I really tried to give it a chance on several occasions.

I have 96 ml left in my 100 ml EDT bottle from December 2011 - I'll donate it away to a happy Habit Rouge fan living in Europe, if you pay for the shipping !
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post #13 of 37
5/8/12 at 11:20pm
I totally agree that the EDC is the best I've tried. Wonderful citrus and vanilla. I have two very old bottles and I treasure them!
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post #14 of 37
5/8/12 at 11:33pm
I enjoy Habit Rouge on others, but on me it completely fails to be pleasant. So strong, almost strident. I dislike the combination of citrus and vanilla, too - it produces a 'curdled effect'. But I have smelled the EDC on others, and think I prefer it to the modern EDT.
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post #15 of 37
5/9/12 at 8:39am
it took me a year or so to cozy up to Habit Rouge (first encountered in the 1980s-era EdT), but now I can safely say it is one of my favorite fragrances of all time.

I own that variation of the EdC you've pictured, and it has more weight in the middle and base than the later EdC (which is discontinued?), but every single variation of EdC, EdT, and EdP (I CAN'T WAIT TO OWN the extrait) is stellar. Each of them a masterpiece. The flankers? meh.
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post #16 of 37
5/9/12 at 9:20am
I absolutely love HR; my favourite varieties are the vintage EDTs with the golden cap.
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post #17 of 37
5/9/12 at 5:30pm
Huge fan of Habit Rouge as well. To the OP, the cologne has lime and is more citrussy on top ( to me, anyways) than the edt. I sort of prefer the cologne a bit more, but to be honest, I think the EDT is great anyways.
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post #18 of 37
5/9/12 at 7:14pm
I wear Habit Rouge about half the time, and I have most versions and vintages of it now. It's close to being a signature scent for me.

The current EdT is nice, although the vintage (gold cap) is better, richer. I think the EdC has only recently been discontinued. I have one that's in the newest all red box with the line part way down the front. With the EdC, older is better, but the 60s vintages don't have great longevity in my experience.

The EdC bottle in the pic is 70s or 80s vintage, I think. I love that bottle design, and its a great vintage. If you can get it for a reasonable price, go for it. I have found that vintage HR can go off if it hasn't been stored in the box, though. I've gotten 2 bottles with bad top notes, and that pretty much ruins it for me. I don't buy vintage bottles that come without a box anymore.

The EdP is sweeter and denser than the EdT. Sort of halfway between the EdT and YSL's M7. A better choice for the evening, I think.

The extrait is gorgeous, much more complex, but crazy expensive and has surprisingly poor longevity - worse than the EdT on my skin. Pretty typical for modern Guerlain parfums in my experience.
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post #19 of 37
5/9/12 at 7:32pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by rubegon View Post

The extrait is gorgeous, much more complex, but crazy expensive and has surprisingly poor longevity - worse than the EdT on my skin. Pretty typical for modern Guerlain parfums in my experience.

I recently tried the extrait from a sample sent to me and was surprised by its relatively poor longevity, thought there was something wrong with the sample. I guess there is an issue here, after all. Thanks for the great info on different HR reincarnations.
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post #20 of 37
5/9/12 at 10:11pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by fjord View Post

I recently tried the extrait from a sample sent to me and was surprised by its relatively poor longevity, thought there was something wrong with the sample. I guess there is an issue here, after all. Thanks for the great info on different HR reincarnations.

No, it really is that bad - I got mine new from the Guerlain counter at Galeries Lafayette in Paris. I thought it might be my skin, but I guess not if you had the same issue. It's amazing while it lasts, though.

It doesn't project much either, not that I like to fill the room. After about an hour, no one can smell it on me unless they are very close (only my wife and kids get that close). I end up spraying it on just to experience it occasionally as an indulgence - it's not really usable as a fragrance for me. My skin is more absorptive than most though, so my experience is probably at the extreme.

When I want that rich, complex feel from Habit Rouge, I use the vintage EdT and then one blast of Shalimar parfum to the gut (credit goes to my friend Mouchoir de Monsieur for suggesting it). That gives the effect that I think an HR extrait should have. You have to carry around some HR EdT though, because the Shalimar outlasts it, and will leave you smelling like a sexy goddess if you aren't prepared.
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post #21 of 37
5/10/12 at 12:14am
I get good longevity from the extrait, in fact it's one of my go-to scents if I've a long day ahead. It needs about 6 sprays though and, in common with many more concentated perfumes, it does wear close to the skin. I generally don't have longevity problems, so perhaps I'm at the other extreme to Rubegon.
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post #22 of 37
5/10/12 at 1:55am
Habit Rouge is a very special fragrance that not many people are acquainted with. Those that are generally love it or, like Rubegon and me, it's their favorite men's fragrance!

I own the EDT and vintage EDC, and I'm going to be obtaining both versions of the EDP and a modern EDC as soon as I can. It's just fantastic.

Quote:
Originally Posted by rubegon View Post

No, it really is that bad - I got mine new from the Guerlain counter at Galeries Lafayette in Paris. I thought it might be my skin, but I guess not if you had the same issue. It's amazing while it lasts, though.

It doesn't project much either, not that I like to fill the room. After about an hour, no one can smell it on me unless they are very close (only my wife and kids get that close). I end up spraying it on just to experience it occasionally as an indulgence - it's not really usable as a fragrance for me. My skin is more absorptive than most though, so my experience is probably at the extreme.

When I want that rich, complex feel from Habit Rouge, I use the vintage EdT and then one blast of Shalimar parfum to the gut (credit goes to my friend Mouchoir de Monsieur for suggesting it). That gives the effect that I think an HR extrait should have. You have to carry around some HR EdT though, because the Shalimar outlasts it, and will leave you smelling like a sexy goddess if you aren't prepared.

I thought I agreed with you on the extrait, but when layered it seems to be the most prominent in sillage and last the longest on me regardless. It seems for me it was just very easy to develop anosmia to it; on you it's probably still your skin, though. A little of the extrait goes a looooonnnnggggggg way on me. I plan on buying it if I can ever get a good job, if only for completeness!
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post #23 of 37
5/10/12 at 7:17am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Marais View Post

I get good longevity from the extrait, in fact it's one of my go-to scents if I've a long day ahead. It needs about 6 sprays though and, in common with many more concentated perfumes, it does wear close to the skin. I generally don't have longevity problems, so perhaps I'm at the other extreme to Rubegon.

Out of curiosity, what batch do you have? Is it from the original limited 2009 run of numbered bottles, or the later non-numbered one? I have the later. I wonder if there's a difference. Would you say that you get better longevity than with the EdT?

Also, how do you apply it? All to the chest or do you spread it around?


Quote:
Originally Posted by lovingthealien View Post

Habit Rouge is a very special fragrance that not many people are acquainted with. Those that are generally love it or, like Rubegon and me, it's their favorite men's fragrance!

I own the EDT and vintage EDC, and I'm going to be obtaining both versions of the EDP and a modern EDC as soon as I can. It's just fantastic.

I thought I agreed with you on the extrait, but when layered it seems to be the most prominent in sillage and last the longest on me regardless. It seems for me it was just very easy to develop anosmia to it; on you it's probably still your skin, though. A little of the extrait goes a looooonnnnggggggg way on me. I plan on buying it if I can ever get a good job, if only for completeness!

The are those that hate it, LTA! That's crazy to me, but everyone is different.

I ended up getting a bottle of the modern EdC recently. It's pretty good. The vintage is better, as you might guess. I'll just keep my eyes open for more old boxed bottles - they pop up every so often.

I need to experiment more with the extrait. Maybe there is some olfactory fatigue involved. I think I'll try a heavier application lower on the torso to see if that makes a difference.
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post #24 of 37
5/10/12 at 7:45am
Quote:
Originally Posted by rubegon View Post

Out of curiosity, what batch do you have? Is it from the original limited 2009 run of numbered bottles, or the later non-numbered one? I have the later. I wonder if there's a difference. Would you say that you get better longevity than with the EdT?

Also, how do you apply it? All to the chest or do you spread it around?

It's batch 8U01, which CheckCosmetic says is from July 2008, one of the numbered run (596).

I apply 4 sprays to the upper chest immediately before the shirt goes on (so it gets on fabric too) and then one spray to nape of neck and one to hair.
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post #25 of 37
5/10/12 at 9:38am
The EDT and the EDP are great! Avoid the flankers: they are completely superfluous and inferior efforts to make an extra buck!
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post #26 of 37
5/10/12 at 10:00am
I have a sample of HR Light/Legere coming soon. Has anyone tried it and/or the new L'Eau? What I've ready about HR Sport has not piqued my interest at all, but the light//'eau flankers sound more interesting. Also, I would love to get my hands on the old Habit Rouge Dry flanker from the 60's - I've never seen it in the wild, though.
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post #27 of 37
5/10/12 at 10:21am
Quote:
Originally Posted by rubegon View Post

I have a sample of HR Light/Legere coming soon. Has anyone tried it and/or the new L'Eau? What I've ready about HR Sport has not piqued my interest at all, but the light//'eau flankers sound more interesting. Also, I would love to get my hands on the old Habit Rouge Dry flanker from the 60's - I've never seen it in the wild, though.

I got a sample of Sport and found it disappointing. Rather flat and underpowered. I have a pre-release 'lab sample' of HR L'Eau which I liked but I'm not sure if this is identical to the finished product as the few comments I've read here don't tally with my impressions. I thought it a 'modernised' version of HR with the powder toned right down. I'll get a bottle when it goes on wider distribution. I got a bottle of Legere a couple of months ago and it is very good, much better than Sport and quite suitable for summer; it seems like the 'top half' of HR, mainly bright, fizzy citrus; very cheerful but of course longevity is not as good as the deeper versions.
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post #28 of 37
5/10/12 at 11:14am
Quote:
Originally Posted by rubegon View Post

I have a sample of HR Light/Legere coming soon. Has anyone tried it and/or the new L'Eau? What I've ready about HR Sport has not piqued my interest at all, but the light//'eau flankers sound more interesting. Also, I would love to get my hands on the old Habit Rouge Dry flanker from the 60's - I've never seen it in the wild, though.

HR Sport sucks sooooooo bad. The others I have yet to try.
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post #29 of 37
5/10/12 at 12:46pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by rubegon View Post

I have a sample of HR Light/Legere coming soon. Has anyone tried it and/or the new L'Eau? What I've ready about HR Sport has not piqued my interest at all, but the light//'eau flankers sound more interesting. Also, I would love to get my hands on the old Habit Rouge Dry flanker from the 60's - I've never seen it in the wild, though.

I hope you end up liking the Legere. I like it, personally. Not a fan of Sport. Its not that I find it weak, I just find it upsetting to smell. Just the combination of notes and the proportions did not sit well with me.
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post #30 of 37
5/12/12 at 4:37am
Thread Starter 
This thread seems to have developed more than I expected. Thanks for all the input, very interesting. I have finally recieved a sample of the EDP, currently have M7 on so will give it shot later. Anyone know where I can purchase a sample of the extrait? Although it has been mentioned that it doesnt last as long, I just have to try it now! lol.

Habit Rouge is one of those acquired taste fragrances. You either love it or hate it. I love it..... and its different too

Has it proved to be a compliment getter for anyone?
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post #31 of 37
5/12/12 at 7:07am
I tried the Edt several times and was always on the fence with it. I really liked it, yet somehow I felt I couldn't wear it regularly, given its a bit old time feeling (to my nose at least). Now, with the new L'Eau version I'm hesitating, I'm tempted to buy it blind. What I've read about it on the net it's a very good flanker, with a fresher feeling. I would appreciate also someone's opinion here about L'Eau.
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post #32 of 37
5/12/12 at 8:52am
I usually get less than positive remarks about Habit Rouge from everyone but my girlfriend.
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post #33 of 37
5/12/12 at 12:42pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by lovingthealien View Post

I usually get less than positive remarks about Habit Rouge from everyone but my girlfriend.

Do they tell you it smells like a Dandy frag/Old ladies perfume

The vibe I get from it is exactly that - either an old old lady frag or a very dandy gayish frag - it takes guts to wear this, I would wear it if I could stand, which I just can't, unfortunately I find it gross........maybe it's just my skin, or the fact that I just have very poor bad taste - I enjoy Cool Water more than GIT and Chez Bond (own all 3), I do like all 3 frags highly, but Cool Water is my preferred out of these 3, if I have to be totally honest.........

Feminine florals make me gag.........Habit Rouge has that feminine floral vibe.......I respect the persons who enjoy HR - because I can definitely see that it is a high quality made fragrance - but same as with Dior Homme/Intense - high quality frag, that I just Hate with a capital H.
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post #34 of 37
5/12/12 at 4:34pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by lovingthealien View Post

I usually get less than positive remarks about Habit Rouge from everyone but my girlfriend.

Kinda the same with me - my wife loves it, but I only occasionally get comments from other people on it. It's almost never a "compliment" - usually someone curious what it is because it is so different from typical men's fragrances. If you really care about getting positive comments, your best bet is to wear something popular - Acqua di Gio or Chanel Bleu, etc.

I wear it because I like it, and don't really think about whether anyone else does. My general attitude about fragrance and personal space is that I don't want to wear anything too loud - it shouldn't be detectable to anyone not within arm's reach. I like big sillage on women (depending on the perfume) but not on me.

Quote:
Originally Posted by CHSeifert View Post

Do they tell you it smells like a Dandy frag/Old ladies perfume

The vibe I get from it is exactly that - either an old old lady frag or a very dandy gayish frag - it takes guts to wear this, I would wear it if I could stand, which I just can't, unfortunately I find it gross........maybe it's just my skin, or the fact that I just have very poor bad taste - I enjoy Cool Water more than GIT and Chez Bond (own all 3), I do like all 3 frags highly, but Cool Water is my preferred out of these 3, if I have to be totally honest.........

Feminine florals make me gag.........Habit Rouge has that feminine floral vibe.......I respect the persons who enjoy HR - because I can definitely see that it is a high quality made fragrance - but same as with Dior Homme/Intense - high quality frag, that I just Hate with a capital H.

Most of the people I work with report to me, so they probably wouldn't tell me even of they did think I smell unmanly.

I like Dior Homme too. I think these girly-man perfumes are just not suited to Vikings like you, CHS!

I like CW better than GIT also, by the way.
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post #35 of 37
5/12/12 at 8:25pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by rubegon View Post

Kinda the same with me - my wife loves it, but I only occasionally get comments from other people on it. It's almost never a "compliment" - usually someone curious what it is because it is so different from typical men's fragrances. If you really care about getting positive comments, your best bet is to wear something popular - Acqua di Gio or Chanel Bleu, etc.

I wear it because I like it, and don't really think about whether anyone else does. My general attitude about fragrance and personal space is that I don't want to wear anything too loud - it shouldn't be detectable to anyone not within arm's reach. I like big sillage on women (depending on the perfume) but not on me.


Most of the people I work with report to me, so they probably wouldn't tell me even of they did think I smell unmanly.

I like Dior Homme too. I think these girly-man perfumes are just not suited to Vikings like you, CHS!

I like CW better than GIT also, by the way.

Ahhh another one who prefer the old CW over the older GIT and newer Chez Bond

Actually I just sampled two of my cheaper designer frags just now - as I'm a crazy blender layer freak I always test out frags constantly when at home - and just now had Burberry Brit on my left arm and Moschino Uomo on my right arm and the top notes of Moscino Uomo is fantastic for a $20-$25 fragrance but the after 30 minutes the mid notes start to remind just a little bit of the dry down of Habit Rouge - just with the floral more in the background still.
Burberry Brits dry down reminds me even more of Habit Rouge - still not as floral and sharp as HR, but definitely has that vibe going, especially Burberry Brit - I wouldn't call them close, but Brit definitely has that vibe, not enough for me to dump it, because I like Brit and like Moscino Uomo even more - but I never thought I had a fragrance in my collection that gave me that special Habit Rouge vibe, but I do......Brit has the HB vibe going in the dry down, a milder subtle Habit Rouge vibe on my skin at least......

Maybe if I actually tried Habit Rouge Cologne version I would enjoy it better than the very sharp in your face EDT version of HR I currently own (not for much longer though)
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post #36 of 37
5/13/12 at 7:38am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by CHSeifert View Post




Maybe if I actually tried Habit Rouge Cologne version I would enjoy it better than the very sharp in your face EDT version of HR I currently own (not for much longer though)

Hello there,

So the Habit Rouge has been taken?
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post #37 of 37
5/13/12 at 8:49pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by CHSeifert View Post



Ahhh another one who prefer the old CW over the older GIT and newer Chez Bond

Actually I just sampled two of my cheaper designer frags just now - as I'm a crazy blender layer freak I always test out frags constantly when at home - and just now had Burberry Brit on my left arm and Moschino Uomo on my right arm and the top notes of Moscino Uomo is fantastic for a $20-$25 fragrance but the after 30 minutes the mid notes start to remind just a little bit of the dry down of Habit Rouge - just with the floral more in the background still.
Burberry Brits dry down reminds me even more of Habit Rouge - still not as floral and sharp as HR, but definitely has that vibe going, especially Burberry Brit - I wouldn't call them close, but Brit definitely has that vibe, not enough for me to dump it, because I like Brit and like Moscino Uomo even more - but I never thought I had a fragrance in my collection that gave me that special Habit Rouge vibe, but I do......Brit has the HB vibe going in the dry down, a milder subtle Habit Rouge vibe on my skin at least......

Maybe if I actually tried Habit Rouge Cologne version I would enjoy it better than the very sharp in your face EDT version of HR I currently own (not for much longer though)

I've been playing around with blending and layering some, but I haven't gotten too creative yet.

You may like HR EdC. It has most of the same top, but more citrus. What it lacks is some of the sweetness in the drydown. HR EdT get very sweet - ambery and vanillic - in the drydown. The EdC fades away much more, with a much more understated drydown. That sweeter base is there throughout of course, so it makes the EdT sweeter from the beginning.

I was going to send you samples of the EdC and EdP after an earlier HR thread - I've had the package in my backpack for weeks now! The only reason I haven't sent it yet is that I have to go to the post office to send any international package, and that is a major pain in the ass. I think I have to go this week anyway, so I'll finally get it on its way to you.

On the subject of the longevity of the extrait - I did an experiment. I tried 6 sprays, all to the mid and lower torso while wearing my shirt. I got much better longevity than I remember - maybe 6-8 hours or so. Still not big sillage, but I would get a whiff of it occasionally. I think the poor longevity I had before was partly olfactory fatigue from wearing it too close to my head and perhaps the weather - it's been warmer lately than at any time since I bought it last Fall. I take back what I said about it not being wearable as a fragrance. It's still damn expensive though, especially considering that it's not particularly potent.
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