Caron • Parfum Sacre • Fragrances

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*TOP REVIEWER* SandraWS on 10/24/2002 8:31:00 AM more reviews by SandraWS

Age: Unknown   Skin: Normal   Hair: Red   Eyes: Green    

I worked my way through my little sample vial of this and I've concluded, that it's pleasant, but not very exciting. If a scent is described as incense-y, well, let it be that. I did not get that impression from this one on me. Just kind of pale and floral. End of story. Not for me.

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*TOP REVIEWER* jjff on 10/12/2002 3:32:00 PM more reviews by jjff

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Blue    

Parfum Sacre is complex, unique and redolent of Oriental spices...wearing it is like being transported to a Hindu temple with aromatic ritual smoke wafting in the air or a majestic Saudi mosque. Perfect for those special occasions when depth and mystery are called for in a fragrance.

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sweetpea2392 on 10/2/2002 2:47:00 PM more reviews by sweetpea2392

Age: 36-43   Skin: Other   Hair: Other   Eyes: Other    

Parfum Sacre is the one fragrance that, if it were to be discontinued, I would take out a loan in order purchase a lifetime supply. From the moment I first tried it and went into catnippy raptures, it has been my all-time favorite scent. Created in 1990, Parfum Sacre is one of Caron's modern offerings, but I consider it as much an enduring classic as any of the redoubtable urn fragrances. The assertive top notes of cardamom, lemon, mace, cinnamon, and pepper segue seamlessly into the floral heart notes (carnation, rose, jasmine, orange blossom, and ylang ylang), but do maintain a presence throughout. The rose is slightly more pronounced in the parfum strength (which is being discontinued; get some NOW), but I find the edp quite acceptable. A soft Oriental base of musk, myrrh, amber, cedar, civet, and vanilla infuses the gentle remnants of spices and flowers with the mystery of incense. Many feel that Parfum Sacre is a "mood" or "occasion" scent, or best suited for cold weather; I myself revel in it quite indiscriminately. And don't be misled by the name: this is a lushly sensual perfume, as evocative of the profane as it is of the sacred. In MUA parlance, a Big Girl perfume. Update: I just spoke with the Caron Boutique in NY and they are now forever sold out of the parfum strength.

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*TOP REVIEWER* Naiad on 10/1/2002 10:06:00 PM more reviews by Naiad

Age: 25-29   Skin: Other   Hair: Other   Eyes: Other    

I made a recent trip to the Caron shop in NYC as the descriptions of the perfumes were intriguing me to no end. I went in anticipating trying Parfum Sacre the most and it was indeed the Parfum Sacre which turned out to be my favourite. I love how the fragrance so gracefully flits back and forth between smelling of incense and then of a lovely perfume. An exquisite combination of both secular and sacred! ***EDITED TO SAY*** Well, I went and ordered a full size bottle and all I can think of is that when I sprayed the Parfum Sacre at Caron, it mingled with whatever I was already wearing and tricked me into thinking it worked with my chemistry. As is, I'm now out quite a few pennies as the bottle sits on my dresser collecting dust.

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*TOP REVIEWER* manon on 9/29/2002 7:29:00 PM more reviews by manon

Age: 25-29   Skin: Other   Hair: Other   Eyes: Other    

In the few short months that I have been wearing Parfum Sacré, it has become one of my all-time favorite fragrances. This is the spicy Oriental for those who do not like Orientals, and is also the incense fragrance for those who do not like incense fragrances or those who merely want a soft incense fragrance. It opens with a billow of black pepper, the imperative Caron clove, and a faint but noticeable lemon. Lest you think that the spicy top notes are sharp or jarring, I must mention that even from the beginning, there is a creamy background that softens the top notes and allows them to meld beautifully into your skin as sweet and spicy coriander and nutmeg continue to warm the faintly floral heart of rose and orange blossom. The floral notes are well-blended and quite faint, or at least, my skin does not bring them out, but they are unmistakably present to balance the spicy accord and the warm, incense-y base of frankincense, myrrh, amber and vanilla. Fortunately, the vanilla is not pronounced at all, in fact, this is one of the best composed fragrances that I have tried. The effect is deeply sensual yet intimate and feminine, for as others have noted, it does indeed stay close to the skin and invites further investigation.
The parfum version of this is even richer and more subtle, and stays even closer to the skin than does the eau de parfum. I actually prefer the EDP for daily use, but I treasure the parfum, and it is indeed a shame that Caron discontinued the parfum.

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PabloHoney on 9/25/2002 12:45:00 PM more reviews by PabloHoney

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination   Hair: Red   Eyes: Blue    

I am a total novice at describing fragrances, but I must say I wholeheartedly agree with the reviews that have already been posted. This fragrance is lovely - feminine without being too demure, sexy without being brassy, sophisticated without being inaccessible. It lingers warmly, making more of an overall impression rather than stating "I'm wearing perfume." It really is difficult to describe; it seems to mix really well with the skin, becoming part of the skin's scent rather than lying on top of it. The blending of spices and a touch of floral, along with the ambery base, is perfect. No element is overpowering of any other. My husband liked it immediately too - and actually had a positive reaction rather than his usual ambivalent opinions on fragrance: quite a feat indeed! I think I will use my sample up quickly, and then it will be a must-have!

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*TOP REVIEWER* AmandaMPC on 8/4/2002 12:16:00 PM more reviews by AmandaMPC

Age: Unknown   Skin: Combination   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Blue    

What an amazing, stunning, incredible knockout of a perfume. Just the combination of notes -- from lemon, pepper, mace and cardamom through to a variety of florals including rose, rosewood (beautiful note) and orange blossom down to a base (of vanilla, myrrh, amber, musk, civet and cedar) that is just as complex and riveting as the other stages -- gives you some idea of the temperament of this fragrance. It's spicy, smoky, dry-florally, and rich -- all qualities that I love, and with just a very small, graceful touch of sweeter floral and vanilla to keep it from being overly extreme. If you try it, prepare for a wallop of an opening that moves into a more floral stage before settling, with all notes balanced elegantly on the base, into a scent that stays with you beautifully but does not invade or overtake. Magnificent!

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