Fragrance reviews
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free skin care · Thu Nov 30, 2006 5:17 am

eSquire415 wrote:

I need your recommendations. I'm buying my mom a perfume gift for Christmas. I've bought her Diorissimo before which is a fresh floral scent and she enjoyed that. This time I want to send her something different. Also floral and fresh with top notes of Ylang-Ylang that she can wear during the daytime but not overpowering and no hints of musk (that Sampaguita and Champaca mentioned earlier sounds like something she would like). What do you think of the following:

Imagine by Ellen Tracy
Organza First Light by Givenchy
Classique Summer by Jean Paul Gaultier
Curve by Liz Claiborne
Aqua Allegoria Ylang & Vanilla by Guerlain
L'Instant by Guerlain
Songes Perfume by Annick Goutal
Gardenia Passion by Annick Goutal

BTW, she is over 60.

As soon as I read ylang-ylang, I thought Songes by Annick Goutal where it is set up with a whisper of vanilla, creamy tuberose and uplifting jasmine.

I will have to try Caron next time I come across it, as this fragrance sounds beautiful.

I am a great fan of BPAL and will probably review their Dana O'Shee some time soon.

free skin care · Thu Nov 30, 2006 10:25 am

sportygirl wrote:

ParisTroika wrote:

sportygirl wrote:

ParisTroika wrote:

ooh sounds fabulous!

Here's hoping I get something like that!!!!

xoxo!

Hi Paris - just a little update - I received the perfumes about five minutes ago and the little vials are actually spray bottles, so very easy to use, and enough for about a week in each, at least for me anyway!
It will take me 8 or 9 days to try them all out so will update when I've "graded them all".
I have the frangipani on, but right now... undecided! Laughing

sportygirl...I hope you are enjoying the samples as much as I am! If you post a review on all of them in a thread, I'll add mine when I've completed them all (I'm doing one a day...I'll be done by Saturday).

I'm beginning to understand more what attracts me to fragrances...I've been reading the compositions of each fragrance as I try them out, I think I'm starting to be able to narrow in on which "notes" I like and which ones I'm not crazy about. It's very interesting!!! I never knew fragrances could be so complex...granted, one of them smells rather flat to me, but I'm starting to be able to distinguish between different notes and pick out certain elements. Which I couldn't do before with my run-of-the-mill fragrances.

This has been one of my best purchases in a long while!
Very Happy

ETA: I'm most looking forward to trying Ta'if (maybe it's because I'm a Middle Eastern studies major, being the heart of this fragrance is found there), Tolu, and Ormonde Woman.

I just adored Isfarkand...still my first choice...I'm actually kind of hoping to fall in love with a different one, as this one only comes in the EDP (no lotion, which I'm now totally willing to save up for and purchase in order to make the scent last longer) since it is a man's fragrance. Linda should really consider adding a lotion as I know I'm not the only woman to like it...

Hi Paris,
I'm really enjoying trying these fragrances out too, although so far, I do have a least favorite and favorite! I liked the frangipani the least and actually had to wash it off before the initial dry-down time of 20 mins. to get to the "bottom" notes. I like the Tolu the best, but unfortunately have not really fallen in love with any of them so far. Sad

I have Orris Noir, Champaca and Sampaquita to go, so we'll see.... Very Happy

Oh my GOSH sportygirl...Tolu is TO DIE FOR. I'm fighting the urge not to order right this very minute. I almost don't want to try the remaining ones because I'm so afraid it's going to get even harder to decide. If I like any of the other ones I have to try (Ormonde woman, and Orris Noir) I might have to save up even longer and buy two bottles.
I've been keeping a detailed diary...I'll be posting my results on Saturday. What a journey it has been, Very Happy

!

free skin care · Thu Nov 30, 2006 12:06 pm

Hi Paris,
I totally agree. I'm actually done now and still the Tolu is the one I was most drawn to. The Ormande Woman was a close second followed by Ta'if. I am still undecided on a puchase though, because although I really liked these ones , I didn't fall in love with any of them the way I have with other fragrances. I'm going to try the Tolu again for a couple of days before I make a firm decision, but right now, the "magic" just is not there for me. Let me know what you decide and I look forward to your review. Very Happy

free skin care · Fri Dec 01, 2006 1:38 pm

So can the way something smells change with my hormones? I'm about to have that time of the month and I've been revisiting some of the Ormonde Jayne scents today.

Isfarkand smelled totally masculine to me today...and Tolu, which I just wore yesterday and was in love with, was almost too cloying today.

Weird! Embarassed

free skin care · Fri Dec 01, 2006 4:13 pm

ParisTroika wrote:

So can the way something smells change with my hormones? I'm about to have that time of the month and I've been revisiting some of the Ormonde Jayne scents today.

Isfarkand smelled totally masculine to me today...and Tolu, which I just wore yesterday and was in love with, was almost too cloying today.

Weird! Embarassed

I'm not sure about the hormone thing, but what I am finding with these fragrances, is that they're not feminine enough for me. I couldn't quite put my finger on it at first, but I realized last nite that thay all seem to have similar, almost masculine undertones, at least for me anyway. Most of them have a lot of the usual notes that I normally go for, but are just "lacking" that sort of sexy, romantic feminine quality. They're very unique and complex blends, but unfortunately are not for me! Sad

free skin care · Fri Dec 01, 2006 4:41 pm

I can totally see what your saying about all being masculine. I think that might be why I like some of them. I'm not into super floral-y scents (probably also why I didn't like some of the OJ scents).

I've settled on re-trying three of them again, Champaca (I love this, hands down, but it seems like more of a summer scent to me), Ta'if (didn't like it as much at first, but over the course of a day it really grew on me), and Ormonde Woman (didn't like this at first at all, but as the day progressed it developed a wonderful quality).

I'm going out tonight so I think I'm going to wear Ormonde Woman and see what unfolds.

I really think this sample programme would be a great gift though, for someone like me who loves fragrance!
Right now I'm catching whiffs of Ta'if and it's wonderful.

Tomorrow I will be posting my entire Fragrance diary in a review and my conclusions. Smile

It'll be hard not to keep spritzing these babies. I really want to save them for when I'm on my trip, as I won't be taking a bottle of perfume or anything.

free skin care · Fri Dec 01, 2006 5:41 pm

[quote="ParisTroika"]I can totally see what your saying about all being masculine. I think that might be why I like some of them. I'm not into super floral-y scents (probably also why I didn't like some of the OJ scents).

I've settled on re-trying three of them again, Champaca (I love this, hands down, but it seems like more of a summer scent to me), Ta'if (didn't like it as much at first, but over the course of a day it really grew on me), and Ormonde Woman (didn't like this at first at all, but as the day progressed it developed a wonderful quality).

I'm not into super floraly scents either, esp. sweet florals. Nor do I care much for fruit, candy or loud vanilla or patchouli notes.(Angel comes to mind.) Another one that I had to scrub off after 5 mins! That's why I was surprised that I didn't fall in love with any of these, but I guess I am just not drawn to the masculine-type scents. I prefer more spice, and flower notes that invoke a little more romance, sensuality and femininity, without smelling like a flower shop, if that makes any sense!

free skin care · Fri Dec 01, 2006 6:05 pm

It does! What are your favorite fragrances? I'd love to investigate those to! I'm not going to be ordering something from OJ, first off until I decide, and second, until after I get back from the holidays. Last thing I want is for a bottle of OJ to sit in my mailbox for ten days in this wacky weather. I'm also going after a scent on the Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab website...I'm very intrigued by that site. Overwhelming though...sooo many scents to choose from. The forum has helped a bit....I hear they take FOREVER though to ship...bummer. I'm torn if I should order yet because I'll be heading out on my trip in three weeks and it can take that long before they even process it. Then again, it could arrive when I get back and I'll be glad I ordered now...haha. Decisions!!!

The one that I washed off right away was the Orris Noir. I kinda had a feeling that it might be one I don't like, especially considering some of the fragrances that folks mention and compare to it in their reviews.

One spritz and I was like "oh HECK no...off with ye!"
Laughing

free skin care · Fri Dec 01, 2006 6:31 pm

ParisTroika wrote:

It does! What are your favorite fragrances? I'd love to investigate those to! I'm not going to be ordering something from OJ, first off until I decide, and second, until after I get back from the holidays. Last thing I want is for a bottle of OJ to sit in my mailbox for ten days in this wacky weather. I'm also going after a scent on the Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab website...I'm very intrigued by that site. Overwhelming though...sooo many scents to choose from. The forum has helped a bit....I hear they take FOREVER though to ship...bummer. I'm torn if I should order yet because I'll be heading out on my trip in three weeks and it can take that long before they even process it. Then again, it could arrive when I get back and I'll be glad I ordered now...haha. Decisions!!!

The one that I washed off right away was the Orris Noir. I kinda had a feeling that it might be one I don't like, especially considering some of the fragrances that folks mention and compare to it in their reviews.

One spritz and I was like "oh HECK no...off with ye!"
Laughing

Oh God... the Orris Noir had a very loud patchouli note that I couldn't handle either! Laughing

It lasted about 15 mins. and off it came! Same with the Osmanthus. Strong cedar note that smelled like pine needles or Christmas trees or something! Confused

At the moment my favorites are Opium summer, Amarige, Arabie, Nocturnes D' Caron and Bellodgia.(This one's a little "florally" but has some spice, which brings it down a little, so it's really nice!)
I would like to make Songes or Grand Amour my next purchase. Nice light oriental florals. I'll try to get samples first, or at least the purse size's, just in case...... Laughing

free skin care · Fri Dec 01, 2006 6:35 pm

If you score samples, let me know from where.

I've always wanted to try Arabie...it sounds fabulous.
I just got to score a sample from somewhere...the website that had samples (earlier in the thread) took away their sample option when I went to order. boo. I just get an error message.

I'll try again though. I just put in an order for 4 samples from Black Phoenix Alchemy. For some reason I'm very drawn to their descriptions of their "Funereals"..haha. Maybe I have a dark side I don't know about Laughing

free skin care · Fri Dec 01, 2006 6:55 pm

ParisTroika wrote:

If you score samples, let me know from where.

I've always wanted to try Arabie...it sounds fabulous.
I just got to score a sample from somewhere...the website that had samples (earlier in the thread) took away their sample option when I went to order. boo. I just get an error message.

I'll try again though. I just put in an order for 4 samples from Black Phoenix Alchemy. For some reason I'm very drawn to their descriptions of their "Funereals"..haha. Maybe I have a dark side I don't know about Laughing

Well, you could always wear them on halloween! Laughing

I'll let you know if I can get the samples, if not, I'll probably break down and buy a full size of one of them anyway.
Arabie is kind of an oriental/wood. It's really deep and sensual, but still feminine. Right up my alley I guess. Laughing

free skin care · Fri Dec 01, 2006 7:03 pm

sportygirl wrote:

ParisTroika wrote:

If you score samples, let me know from where.

I've always wanted to try Arabie...it sounds fabulous.
I just got to score a sample from somewhere...the website that had samples (earlier in the thread) took away their sample option when I went to order. boo. I just get an error message.

I'll try again though. I just put in an order for 4 samples from Black Phoenix Alchemy. For some reason I'm very drawn to their descriptions of their "Funereals"..haha. Maybe I have a dark side I don't know about Laughing

Well, you could always wear them on halloween! Laughing

I'll let you know if I can get the samples, if not, I'll probably break down and buy a full size of one of them anyway.
Arabie is kind of an oriental/wood. It's really deep and sensual, but still feminine. Right up my alley I guess. Laughing

ooh it sounds lovely. I must get a hold of this before I commit to buying anything.

free skin care · Fri Dec 01, 2006 7:10 pm

ParisTroika wrote:

sportygirl wrote:

ParisTroika wrote:

If you score samples, let me know from where.

I've always wanted to try Arabie...it sounds fabulous.
I just got to score a sample from somewhere...the website that had samples (earlier in the thread) took away their sample option when I went to order. boo. I just get an error message.

I'll try again though. I just put in an order for 4 samples from Black Phoenix Alchemy. For some reason I'm very drawn to their descriptions of their "Funereals"..haha. Maybe I have a dark side I don't know about Laughing

Well, you could always wear them on halloween! Laughing

I'll let you know if I can get the samples, if not, I'll probably break down and buy a full size of one of them anyway.
Arabie is kind of an oriental/wood. It's really deep and sensual, but still feminine. Right up my alley I guess. Laughing

ooh it sounds lovely. I must get a hold of this before I commit to buying anything.

Serge Lutens has a flair for the far east. Most of his perfumes are Oriental, Egyptian or Indian. They're beautiful as well as exotic. I don't think you could go wrong with one of his scents! Very Happy

Fri Dec 01, 2006 11:26 pm

Wow this is an excellent thread. I am delighted that I came across this thread! I love trying out new perfume, but usually in Sephora or Macy's so most of the fragrances are pretty common (like Lacome, Estee Lauder, Calvin Klein...). Smoothskin, you are truly amazing! I wonder how you got to know so many exquisite frangrances (I don't think I've seen them anywhere in shopping stores)?

My favorite fragrance is Bvlgari Rose Essentielle. This one is only sold in Sephora, but you can get it online. Quite pricey but worth it. It makes me feel so feminine and youthful and sophisticated everytime I wear it. On my second date with this particular guy, he said "You smell like a beautiful rose, which you are" Embarassed

It's one of the rare fragrances that are both sophisticated and youthful at the same time, which is great for a 22-year-old girl like me. Its top note is amazingly uplifting, you can be easily attracted to it right away.

Fri Dec 01, 2006 11:47 pm

Forgot to add some other fragrance that I like too:

- Allure Sensuelle - Chanel: This one was a bit strong for my nose at first, but after a few hours wearing it, its base note of vanilla emerged and I couldn't stop smelling it. It was wonderful! If you love vanilla, I suggest you try this one, or Allure (this one is under the Oriental-Vanilla family). As with most of Chanel perfumes, Allure Sensuelle make the wearer radiate an aura of sophisitication and luxury. Quite many people told me that I smelled luxurious wearing this one.

- Herve Leger: This perfume is an Oriental-Woody type, smell wonderful and sophisticated. But from my point of view it's more for women in their mid 20's or above (aka I think it's too mature for me, haha Laughing

)

- Victoria's Secret Angel Heavenly: Oh God this one does smell like Angel from Heaven, very suitable for times like now, when Christmas is coming. This fragrance reminds me of Christmas every time, probably because I wore it exclusively during last Christmas.

- Emporio Armani She/Elle/Ella: for people who love vanilla! This one is very sensual and intimate. It is not as festive as Angel Heavenly, or luxury as Allure Sensuelle, or sophisticate as Herve Leger, or feminine as Rose Essentielle, but it is simple, sweet and especially attractive. Picture a cozy evening in a nice candle-lit Italian restaurant that is not so crowded where you and your man enjoying an intimate conversation... This scent usually spurs this imagination in my mind.

free skin care · Sat Dec 02, 2006 9:08 pm

Posted my Fragrance Diary over in the Product Reviews...

haven't decided on one yet, I'm going to re-try a few of them. I'd love to have a bottle of some of them, but considering the cost, I want to thoroughly do my research first. I also have a sample of Serge Lutens Arabie on the way from a really awesome ebay seller. I bought it last night and they shipped it today (on the weekend!) I was hesitant to buy off of ebay, but this seller has over 4000 reviews and 100% positive feedback (very rare!) so I figured she'd be good.

Thanks soooo much Smoothskin for alerting us to this wonderful sample set from Ormonde Jayne...I loved it Smile

free skin care · Sat Dec 02, 2006 10:33 pm

One of my favorite frangrance is Philosophy's "Falling in Love". It is a sweet smelling unique smell.

free skin care · Wed Dec 13, 2006 9:12 am

sportygirl wrote:

ParisTroika wrote:

If you score samples, let me know from where.

I've always wanted to try Arabie...it sounds fabulous.
I just got to score a sample from somewhere...the website that had samples (earlier in the thread) took away their sample option when I went to order. boo. I just get an error message.

I'll try again though. I just put in an order for 4 samples from Black Phoenix Alchemy. For some reason I'm very drawn to their descriptions of their "Funereals"..haha. Maybe I have a dark side I don't know about Laughing

Well, you could always wear them on halloween! Laughing

I'll let you know if I can get the samples, if not, I'll probably break down and buy a full size of one of them anyway.
Arabie is kind of an oriental/wood. It's really deep and sensual, but still feminine. Right up my alley I guess. Laughing

I must say, I received my Arabie sample and I'm not really liking it all that much! Embarassed

I wore a sweatshirt that I guess I didn't wash (eek) but I kept smelling Ormonde Woman on it (I think I wore it the day I sampled it) and am more and more enjoying Ormonde Woman.
I will go back and try them again, I'm in no hurry since it would be such a large purchase anyway, and decide after that. I also have fragrance oils on the way from BPAL...so excited. I'm really getting in to just sampling fragrance, I'm always looking for decants! One website that has really helped me iswww.basenotes.com They have descriptions of fragrances and reviews on many of them, though I tend to find that even though I adore a scent, it doesn't get reviewed very highly, but still a great way in picking out fragrances. I just need to learn more about what I like and what I do not like in the fragrance world.

free skin care · Wed Dec 13, 2006 10:32 am

Hi Paris - sorry to hear your not liking Arabie that much, I think we're probably just drawn to different scents. Thanks for the great site though, I think the reviews will really help determine my next sample purchase! Very Happy

free skin care · Wed Dec 13, 2006 10:44 am

ParisTroika - What a shame about Arabie. I love it! It's quite heady, though, and perhaps not to everyone's tastes because of that.

free skin care · Wed Dec 13, 2006 2:39 pm

At least I'm only out 8 bucks for the sample with shipping...and not over 100 if I had bought an entire bottle.
Le sigh.

free skin care · Sat Dec 30, 2006 4:10 pm

Sisley Soir De Lune
I lifted the beautyful sculptural bottle stopper and found myself in a fragranced vertigo, not knowing if I was stepping back to the past or into the future of fragrance. This exquisite floral chypre is at once true to the chypre family yet it owns a modern softness which makes it in my nose a masterpiece. The fresh top notes of mandarin and lemon quickly reveals the intensly rich heart of may rose, mimosa and jasmine. The base notes of moss, sandalwood and patchouli softly support the floral heart which beats steadily throughout the dry down. There is never just a whisper of the fragrance left, it changes after around twenty minutes and then stays the same for six hours. From the beautiful bottle, to the evocative name and the raw ingredients used, this fragrance which took seven years to make is pure perfection. It makes me feel confident, glamorous and proud to be in the presence of its beauty.

free skin care · Sun Jan 28, 2007 3:36 pm

So if I were to go with Ormonde Jayne, I go with Ormonde Woman. Seriously, the black hemlock is so exquisite...and so unique.

I just ordered a sample of Tiffany, as I just found my Trueste sample from years ago...while it's turned dark, and I'd never wear it, I was instantly taken back my days in Ann Arbor...it's so nostalgic. While it's discontinued, I'm curious to experience the original fragrance. I know I could track down a bottle...but having been discontinued so long ago, I doubt the bottles would be very good, but I don't know.

Anyway...I've continued my quest. Tiffany would be more affordable...though I might treat myself to OJ once I get a full time job within the next 6 months. I adore Ormonde Man and Isfarkand on my husband. Wonderful.

I also got a sample of Estee Lauder Beautiful...I really like it (surprise!) and...dirty confession here. I really loved the first Paris Hilton fragrance (I know I KNOW!) and I really like Heiress...<hangs head in shame> so if Tiffany doesn't work, I do have others to follow up on.

I wouldn't have come to appreciate fragrance as much as I do now without this thread Smile

free skin care · Sun Jan 28, 2007 3:59 pm

Oh Paris, never hang your head in shame for loving a fragrance. Laughing

I've actually liked a few perfumes in days gone buy that other people hated! Confused

I wore them anyway.
I like Beautiful too. My sister got it for Christmas, and we were all spraying it on us. It's really quite nice, and please let us know how it goes with Tiffany. I'm curious about that one.
Kind of nice to see this thread revived. I love perfumes.

free skin care · Sun Jan 28, 2007 4:08 pm

ParisTroika, I think you should treat yourself to one of these fragrances - you deserve it! I found two bottles of my favorite fragrance and they had been kept in cold storage for nearly ten years and they were in great shape.

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