Mini Pass: The Three Tuberoses of Histoires de Parfums

[Ozjon701]

Dear Ozjon701, it's so nice of you to drop in and share your opinions with us. Of course you may! Thanks!!! . And I actually shared SOTD with you yesterday - I also wore Capricieuse! I didn't have a chance to try Tubereuse Criminelle, unfortunately. Is it stronger than these three? I have tried original Vie de Chateau, but not the intense version; I don't remember picking up on tobacco, maybe the intense version has more of it? Is a full bottle of either Capricieuse or Animale is in your future ? I think I am asking too many questions...

Tubereuse Criminelle is certainly denser than these as you might expect from Serge Lutens and a harder wear I would say. VdCI is not a tobacco prominent scent either by any means but it lurks in the shadows. When I put Animale on it brought VdCI to my mind immediately but I couldn't say which note is doing that, possibly the grass. Can't see any of these being a purchase as nice as they are though, I'm happy with TC for my tuberose fix.

[PerfumedLady]

Thanks for dropping in, Ozjon701, really enjoyed reading your thoughts! I think you're right, these scents are not really for those who want a tuberose fix. There are plenty of whoppers out there that probably do that better. But these are fantastic for people like me, who really have no desire to be anywhere near a tuberose! Still can't believe how much I can enjoy this note when smoothed out by other notes. What a learning experience!

There, there, Whitefluffy, don't let Virginale get her feelings hurt! I do think it's just as good as the others even though the notes are not my preference. You know coming from me, that's a huge compliment! And I suspect cn may like it even better than I did. Love your description of it as "bridal"; I totally agree. Wouldn't it make such a pretty wedding scent? How come the brides at the weddings I've attended never smelled like that?! Would have been an enormous improvement in some cases!

[Whitefluffy]

Thank you PerfumedLady, for defending Virginale! You read my mind - I do have high hopes for Virginale to appeal to CN (No pressure there, CN ). I have a distinct feeling that Virginale just might be my next purchase, I think Capricieuse can take care of itself...Though in the end I will most likely have all three

CN - don't be afraid...it will be alright...sending you enabling vibes. Unfortunately, I am just too selfish and can't let you spare us your detailed and wonderful descriptions.

Ozjon701 - I think I understand why Animale made you think of VdC, it might be the grassy note. And as I understand it, TC is a tuberose powerhouse - for most of us ("tuberose challenged" folk) it might be a bit much. But I will have to try it one day, nevertheless.

[Diamondflame]

Congrats, PerfumedLady on your purchase. I coudn't agree more with your description - the iris/tuberose combo is a knock-out! I have a 14ml bottle of Capriceuse which I've been jealously guarding. Just the other day when I had it on my wife told me I smelled wonderful. Now I'm itching to get a 2 oz as the half empty bottle is making me anxious.

[PerfumedLady]

Thanks so much, Diamondflame! Completely understand why your wife was compelled to compliment you, she must have gotten a whiff of that gorgeous sillage! Had a peek at your wardrobe and we seem to like the same types of iris scents, a happy discovery! You already have quite a beautiful HdP collection going; this one will be an excellent addition! Would think Capriceuse should be fantastic on a man's skin. And it's been a long time since I've smelled a scent I found as original as this one.

[Whitefluffy]

Hello everyone! I have two announcements to make:

First - Lovely Foustie will be joining us on this tuberose ride. Yay!!!

Second - I will be beyond reach of Internet and civilization this week, but please feel free to post and discuss. I am mighty itchy to read CN's impressions .

PerfumedLady - I believe Diamondflame is fellow Iris admirer - I remember his kind suggestions when I set out on my Iris adventure. We both also waiting on the split for Iris 39 to fill up, which is taking forever unfortunately. I agree that Capricieuse would be fantastic on a man's skin - it also dries down beautifully on clothes. I was doing laundry the other day and one of my shirts had Capricieuse on it - I couldn't bring myself to toss it in a wash. Next time...

[kalli]

Now what's this talk? Lol..sorry, I just don't do tuberose. I got a bottle of Poison a while back mainly cause I used to wear it all the time in the 90's but I noticed the scent isn't what it used to be for me..for some reason. Something about it was really putting me off each time I sprayed it on..then after sniffing tuberose scents, it was, in Brad Pitt's terms, inevitable, lol.. I realized I can't stand tuberose. Honestly, I've noticed I've hardly touched my Poison bottle. Last time I wore it..I noticed those white flowers even more and wanted to wash it off. But it's still a little more tolerable than Fracas(at least for a little while, lol) to me cause of those other notes that are strong to my nose..like honey, cinnamon, smoke and anise. But ya, I don't have the love I used to for it. I tried telling myself..it's the classics of all classics and maybe it's not that bad but ya..I couldn't deny..the tuberose, gosh, I can't stand it. It's just awful. It's way over the top and I want to wash it off after a bit. lol. LOL, it's like Christian Dior even knew how bad tuberose is and blended 20 other notes in it to try to make it not as bad. LOL. They did a good job..cause I get a lot of smoky, spicy, honeyed licorice and plum..but yes, there is something on top there that is really strong that puts me off and won't go away, that tuberose. I think the only reason I am keeping the bottle is cause, well, it's Poison and a classic.

But I don't mean to be a tuberose troll, lol..you all have fun sniffing.

[Whitefluffy]

Oh, Kalli, you are missing out. These three are not your usual tuberose at all, at all, at all. Aren't you even a little bit curious?

[kalli]

Not really, LOL! But thanks though!.

[Plaisir]

#3 Animale- do like the blond tobacco here. Immortelle is not as heavy or sweet as in some immortelle scents I've tried and makes a striking and curious blend with the at times rubbery tuberose. Don't usually like that aspect but here I do. I could see this becoming quite animalic on me in the hot weather. Absolutely love the honeyed, woody, leathery drydown. Could not stop sniffing this one.

And finally, the one that surprised me the most- and I surprised myself by buying!:
#1 Capricieuse- powdery iris tuberose heaven! What an amazing work of art. Don't pick out the saffron, unless it's the elementary school "tub o' paste" note darkdreams referred to. I get that, too and strongly. Sounds weird and up close, it is a bit strange. It's in the sillage that this shows it's true beauty. Sampled this on a very active day and glad I did, body heat puffs out the most incredible wafts of vaguely spicy, iris tinged tuberose and lightly cocoa dusted suede. Iris here is excellent quality; at times doughy, at others make-upy and powdery. Tuberose is plenty prominent to my nose and I love it. I think cn and jujy will like this; also made me think of Foustie. And even though Mimi can do some whopping white florals, I think this could impress her as well. I can see this becoming a BN darling if enough people try it. So, totally out of character for me to jump so soon but yes, I ordered a bottle! On its way now. No guilt, either; this is unlike any scent I own and now I have something for those days that perfume-wise, I have "nothing to wear". When I need to step out of my box, Capricieuse will be there for me.

These are all so masterful! Unique compositions to be sure, I've never smelled anything quite like them. Never dreamed I'd own a scent called Tubereuse Anything. These are all just so unbelievably good!

I have been thinking about sampling these three Histories de Parfums for a while now, but this thread - especially Perfumedlady's post above - has pushed me over the edge: my next sample order from FiF will definitely include Capricieuse and Animale!

[PerfumedLady]

That's fantastic, Plaisir! This thread just keeps on claiming victims! Come on back and tell us what you think once you try them! More opinions in these sample pass threads is always better!

Welcome, Foustie, my darlin'! I'm so excited to hear you're joining us! Whitefluffy says when she first tried Capricieuse, she thought of me. Then my first sampling made me think of you! We shall see if I was right!

[cestrum nocturnum]

Hello! I am sorry for the delay in reporting back! All sorts of things have kept me tied up lately. Here are my impressions on Tuberoses 1 and 2… moving on to number 3 shortly and popping it in the mail in a few days.

Capricieuse seemed misleadingly named to me, as it did not give a sense of something fickle or flippant. To my nose, it opens like a warm, maternal hand, gloved in soft leather and scented with makeup and perfume, lovingly proffering goodies on a cold day. The immediate cloud of iris, in its rooty, powdery glory, dusted lightly with cocoa and vanilla, was very reminiscent of the drydown of the original Dior Homme. There is a slightly oily and coniferous resin atop the beautiful aroma of soft kid leather. It vaguely reminded me of L’Heure Bleue, but not at all of tuberose! After a few minutes, the tiniest hint of something floral became apparent. In combination with the powdery iris and leather, the scent began to take on the delicious scent of makeup in a leather purse. The fragrance grew a little sweeter, and fruity, perhaps like plum or stone fruit, tempered with an herbal element, like anise or absinthe. The herbal dryness and sweetness had a dry, candy dust feel. After about 5-10 minutes, the scent was so very faint on my skin. I was feeling disappointed and sad, wondering if I had grown anosmic from oversniffing or if my skin ate it, when a beautiful floral scent began wafting up from my wrist, surprisingly like a tuberose, and faint but growing sweeter and stronger. The tuberose was beautiful, like fresh flowers on the stem on a sunny day. The leather miraculously reappeared (or my nose sensed it again!) and there was also the tiny, acidic bite of citrus. An inky note popped up, and there was also something like the salty inedible starchiness of playdough. Some saffron colored the leather, giving a drier, warmer feel. The tuberose continued to gain strength and was glorious wafting up from my wrist. The heart continued as this wonderful tuberose, made more tropical by some ylang ylang, yet not too sweet or heavy. The scent retained some dry, dusty, herbal elements as the leather softened a bit. It reminded me of something that I could not place—perhaps s little like Gardenia Passion or Ysatis, but still different. The tuberose felt a bit 80’s, and it took on a harder edge, an element that I can only describe as a hairspray like note. This was not too strong or offensive, and as the drydown began, a greenness became apparent. The drydown was gorgeous, a soapy, slightly sweet green galbanum.


Virginale did not strike me as very virginal—the immediate blast of sweet, gummy fruity, floral, over a smattering of cleaned up patchouli made me think of Allure Sensuelle, and girls clubbing wearing more layers of makeup than clothing. There was some sort of spicy, sweet vanilla giving an oriental feel. The opening was actually rather nice for the fruitchouli/floriental genre. As with Capricieuse, there was initially no discernible tuberose at all. On my skin, the scent started to change into something sharp and synthetic, like the scent used to disguise the chemical stench of hair permanent solutions. This unpleasant scent was thankfully transitory and some white flowers, perhaps orange flower and tuberose finally became apparent. The florals were nice and sweet, with a tiny bit of powder and perhaps anise. It reminded me of the hard shell of a licorice jelly bean. The sweet, almost hard candy like scent continued and then became a bit waxier, but still remained a little synthetic. This seemed to comprise the heart of the fragrance on my skin. It was nice, but ultimately the traces of a synthetic, hair product like note make it less than enjoyable. It reminded me again of some 80’s scent that I cannot place. After about an hour or so, it was very light and had a bit of fruity grape or something similar. The drydown was mostly a light baby powder like scent; I am not very fond of the smell of baby powder.

Of the two, I definitely enjoyed Capricieuse more. I found it interesting that they seemed so misnamed to me. To me, Capricieuse was not capricious in the slightest, but more a solid and comforting scent, while Virginale struck me as a flaky little thing with too much hairspray after the cute initial impression. I am interested to try Animale! To my nose, it seems like the Tuberose of HdP has similar elements, such as the herbal or anise note and the hard, chemical smell to differing levels. In Virginale, this was definitely not my favorite take on Tuberose! And here I was shaking in my boots that I would have to fight off the urge to make three impulse buys! Lol! However, I do find Capricieuse *is* FB worthy, but for the lovely iris and leather woven throughout this interesting tuberose.

[lucasai]

I'm looking forward to sampling them each time I visit this thread!

[PerfumedLady]

Aww Whitefluffy, we guessed wrong about cn and Virginale! That's ok, still more samplers- it can find love yet!

Excellent sniffin' and reviews as always, cn! I'm curious to know why Tubereuse 1 is called "Capricieuse", I've wondered if there's an angle I'm not considering. I have to agree, it doesn't seem capricious at all to me! I guessed right about this one; I just knew you'd like it! And I did think the iris and leather specifically would get to you. It is a very original leather scent.

My bottle arrived and I note some differences in Capricieuse when sprayed vs. dabbed. The elementary school paste note we talked about is not nearly as pronounced when sprayed and the suede much more so. In fact, it's mainly suede to me throughout the opening stages when sprayed. With dabbing, I could sense the florals much sooner. Same beautiful sillage either way. I like and will probably use both application methods. I'm a happy girl!

[lucasai]

Aww Whitefluffy, we guessed wrong about cn and Virginale! That's ok, still more samplers- it can find love yet!

Excellent sniffin' and reviews as always, cn! I'm curious to know why Tubereuse 1 is called "Capricieuse", I've wondered if there's an angle I'm not considering. I have to agree, it doesn't seem capricious at all to me! I guessed right about this one; I just knew you'd like it! And I did think the iris and leather specifically would get to you. It is a very original leather scent.

My bottle arrived and I note some differences in Capricieuse when sprayed vs. dabbed. The elementary school paste note we talked about is not nearly as pronounced when sprayed and the suede much more so. In fact, it's mainly suede to me throughout the opening stages when sprayed. With dabbing, I could sense the florals much sooner. Same beautiful sillage either way. I like and will probably use both application methods. I'm a happy girl!

Enjoy every dab and spray of it honey!

[PerfumedLady]

Thank you, lucasai- let's hope I don't dab and spray so much that my bottle goes too fast! I love the progression of this scent, which of course tempts me to keep applying so I can enjoy the ride all over again!

[Whitefluffy]

Aaaawwww, indeead. I had such high hopes for CN and Virginale, but I agree, at come across as less serious and mature than other two. To me Virginale is innocence, while to the others it reads as immature airhead . But it's OK, more for me...

I agree with all of you that Carpicieuse is not a fitting name at all, for this is gorgeous scent with plenty of class and character. It also reads as belonging on a lady of very fine breeding and impeccable manners who also has a lot of heart (ahem, I think we all know whom I talking about ).

CN Thank you so much for your reviews, they are a great asset to this thread! Your impressions of Capricieuse almost moved me to run to my closet and apply it generously. However, I am just freshly out of the Shalimar cloud, and Shalimar does not deserve such treatment. But when I will wear it next time, I will relived it together with your review!

PerfumedLady - I noticed the differences too in Capricieuse when sprayed vs dabbed. When dabbed I get more Iris, but when sprayed, just like you, I pick up more suede. Thank goodness for decants, where we can experience it both ways!

[PerfumedLady]

Whitefluffy, your words are sweeter than I deserve but I will take them and thank you anyway! Just for that, I'm making you a little roller ball of Capricieuse so you can dab to your heart's content!

[iivanita]

I adore tuberose
Its so exotic flower, so full and rounded, the best for me so far is in Sacrebleu, because its not just tuberose its about all others too:-) so perfect mix for me and top notes orange,mandarins and fruits its so refreshing sweet, and woody nothing irritating at all

But Poison, is also so so sooo good:-) , rich complex heavy yes but you have to endure 2 hours then it gets so very nice, yumie, thats only for going out :-)

[Whitefluffy]

Hi, iivanita, thanks for dropping by! You have no idea how bad I wanted to try Sacrebleu, I would be even willing to buy it blind; but unfortunately we have here in US only the intense version, and I really want to try the original. In my experience, original is usually the best. I also noticed we have a lot on common, AND I met very nice girl from Croatia while camping at the hot springs and she was so nice as to give me the first pomegranate from the tree she planted with her (boyfriend, fiancee, husband?) to me. It was so sweet! I feel terrible for not asking her name and contact information. Damn, I regret that!

PerfumedLady - my words are exactly what you deserve, if not more and I am wearing Capricieuse tonight in your honor. Thank you for your kind offer, that's very sweet of you! Please don't short yourself on Capricieuse, but I would appreciate the roller ball bottle, thanks!!!

[iivanita]

hey Whitey!! i can send you a sample to try it!!

...i have tried both fragrances!! i tested Sacrebleu Intense but the sales guy did not tell me this, and i was thinking i tried Sacrebleu, then next day i came to the shop to buy it, and only then i found out i tried the intense version!!

i thought the same as you that original is better then i could not decide, i fell in love with Intense version, but was reading all about Sacrebleu....and in the end i bought 1st version (was also cheaper ) and compared them.....

Intense is really more intense at the beginning, its more sweet, more vanilla or tonka bean, while Sacrebleu has more fresh mandarin citrusy opening, and thats where i liked it better ....right after that it felt much "woody" and "thinner" in a way...but in the end i saw they converge after 2 hours Intense becomes the same as 1st one, or maybe even lighter ....

and after wearing my Sacrebleu i got used to it, and like it, and think Intense would maybe be too much at the beginning .....but when i bought it i was thinking i should have gone with the intense becasue thats where i fell for it hehe

so now i think whichever you have is the same , becasue that characteristic smell i did not sense anywhere else! its not like all sweet perfumes, whate amazed me there is that unusual smell of sweat thing but its not giving headache....

[Whitefluffy]

Thanks for the info, iivanita! And thank you for your generous offer, but judging by your descriptions I can get an Intense version and should get a pretty good idea. Don't worry about sending me anything, that's a long way!

[cestrum nocturnum]

<popping head into the doorway, looking sheepishly at the party> I’m so sorry that I have been the slowest sniffer with this pass! Ugh! I wish I could think of a way to make it up to you folks. This week was unexpectedly brutal, and I just got to try Animale tonight. I’m sniffing right now as a matter of fact! It’s very yummy…. I’ll write up my notes more coherently and post again soon.

Anyway, my lovely WF and PL, after sniffing Virginale, I was disappointed a bit too! I was so excited about it, as you are both right, and I *do* love pure, girly florals like the various Goutals and also many of the relatively unpopular Aqua Allegorias… I think I bring out the weird chemical note in perfumes sometimes; that, and cumin! Anyway, I really liked the fruitchouli beginning, and I must disclose that I *do* own a partial bottle of Allure Sensuelle! And, just to clarify, I’m not bashing the club girls either! I had a fun group of girlfriends in college who probably fit that stereotype. .. that’ just not where I am at this point in life.

I’m still trying to figure out the logic behind Capricieuse’s name. I guess if I had to argue it, I would guess that the switcheroo from the beautiful iris/leather to the wonderful enveloping tuberose with soapy green drydown might justify the name?

Ok, more soon on Animale! I’m really enjoying it so far!!!

- - - Updated - - -

I am truly an Animale lover! It was definitely love at first sniff with Animale. (Hmmm, that sounds kinda gross actually…lol!) The sweet, “old fashioned” richness of the scent bowled me over. It reminded me a little of Arpege, but at the same time, modern with a gummy, fruity, grapelike scent blended smoothly into the classic, creamy florals—perhaps rose, jasmine, ylang ylang? The tuberose became apparent more quickly than with the other two, a lovely, green iteration of the flower. Despite the name, the civet note was woven in lightly, and married nicely with a soapy clean element too. Some powdery notes and the slightest bit of leather rounded out the scent further. It grew sweet and balmy but never became cloying or sticky. The civet note strengthened a bit and a cool, sharp note emerged that I later realized as the “plum” in the fragrance. (I don’t know why this sort of plum always escapes me and at best I sense the coolness/sharpness!) Some wonderful dry grassy herbs, and tobacco made a lovely appearance. Buttery, exotic white flowers (tuberose, ginger flower, jasmine?) and leather were amplified a bit. As it evolved, something light, familiar and delightful struck me and I could not place it immediately, but then recalled reading earlier that immortelle was one of the notes, so perhaps this was the source of my pleasure. The fragrance maintained a very classical, old fashioned feel throughout and the dry down was just as beautiful as the opening and heart; it carried a dry, spicy tobacco, “clean” civet, and warm, amber inflected creamy tuberose until the very end. Longevity on this one was best of all three, and lasted well over 4 hours, though was very light and had no sillage at that point.

I did not get any citrus at all, though various are mentioned in the notes. This is definitely my favorite of the bunch, and it is moving to the top of my buy list. It feels very “me” but I also think this would be fabulous on a man. It is really, really delish.

Thank you, Whitefluffy, for sharing this very interesting and unique trio, and for this wonderful opportunity! I think I am really going to have to add Capricieuse and a big bottle of Animale to my collection sooner rather than later… Animale also seems back-up-bottle worthy!!! I wonder if Animale will get some more love from a few of the other sniffers coming up… I’m thinking of two in particular!

These lovelies will be in the mail ASAP.

[Whitefluffy]

Oh, I am so glad that at least one of the three got your attention! I should have guessed from your love for Fumerie Turque that you might prefer Animale above others; and no, it's not gross at all to be in love with it. I don't think it smells particularly animalic but I love its darkness, richness, but at the same time surprising coziness contributed most likely by tobacco and immortelle.

On a subject of immortelle (wearing off again) I have been drinking tea with its flowers since my childhood, but I discovered that it's quite difficult to find in the States .

Thank you, CN, for your wonderful reviews, I am extremely happy that you found a new love here as well!

[cestrum nocturnum]

Update: USPS seems afflicted with the usual problems. Delivery confirmation has not updated and only shows the initial entry. This has happened multiple times recently, and most times the package arrived safely and updated somewhere along the way... I expected Jujy to receive the lovely samples last week; when that didn’t happen, I hoped for a very small “miracle” today, (in the spirit of the holiday!) but alas that has not occurred either. Hopefully, the package was just delayed by the holiday mail crunch, on top of the usual USPS issues and nothing worse. I don’t know what else to do, but if it does not find its way soon, I will do whatever I can to replace everything. (I am not sure where I can find such an adorable box, though, so WF may need to advise on that aspect.)

[Whitefluffy]

Hi, CN! Don't worry, I am sure the samples will show up soon. With all these holidays, it might take longer than usual .

[cestrum nocturnum]

WF, you were right! The package surfaced/re-surfaced at the local USPS and the horrid sorting center (aka mail purgatory) and shows that it is out for delivery today to Jujy!!! I only hope that it is none the worse for the wear... I'm anxious to hear Jujy's report on the condition of the package.

...and no, it's not gross at all to be in love with it...

Oh, WF, you are so sweet. I meant that my phrasing in my review, "love at first sniff" in conjunction with the name Animale sounded gross-- but I do go to the dog park a lot, so it conjures certain images, if you can imagine! LOL! Animale is wonderful and not gross in the least!

[jujy54]

cestrum n, the package arrived! As it happens, I picked up Elizabeth Taylor Gardenia at TJ Maxx today for $14.99, all green stems and butterscotch, most alluringly. Tomorrow I will start in on this beautifully packed sample pass. Thank you!

[Genie Jeanie]

cestrum n, the package arrived! As it happens, I picked up Elizabeth Taylor Gardenia at TJ Maxx today for $14.99, all green stems and butterscotch, most alluringly. Tomorrow I will start in on this beautifully packed sample pass. Thank you!

So glad to see this thread is still alive! This trio was a real game changer for me on tuberose scents. Looking forward to your reviews!

[Whitefluffy]

Yay! I am so happy that samples showed up and this thread is revived. My deepest sympathy to CN and her stressful dealings with USPS. But all is well that ends well, it will take a lot to stop a tuberose pass.