Fragrances -Chantecaille - Frangipane EDP
LipstickLil 5/2/2005 11:11:00 AM
This fragrance was a big disappointment - it just did not work with my chemistry. On me it had a very dry, bitter, green leafy quality. There was not a hint of vanilla or anything sweet and although there is supposed to be jasmine in it, on me it smelt more like lilac - not a note I enjoy. I really did not like Frangipane, although I'm sure it can smell divine on the right person!
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Fragrances -Diptyque - Olene
LipstickLil 4/29/2005 8:28:00 AM
Olene is a very heady, sweet white floral. It opens with a burst of honeysuckle that can be overpowering at first, unless one sprays with caution! After a while the other elements come into play, but although wisteria, jonquil and narcissus are listed, I can really only smell the jasmine, which tends to dominate the other notes on my skin. The lasting power is average - about 3 hours on me. This scent is just too sweet and heady for my liking.
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Fragrances -Unlisted Brand - The Different Company - Bois d' Iris
LipstickLil 4/29/2005 6:02:00 AM
This iris was not quite feminine enough for me, although certainly it is a true-iris note. Bois d'Iris as a whole is a dry scent, earthy smelling, spicy and woody. There is cedar and vetiver in it, but I could not discern any narcissus. The lasting power is not good either - only 2 hours on my skin.
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Lipstick -Giorgio Armani - Sheer Lipstick #6
LipstickLil 4/28/2005 10:09:00 AM
Despite being a very scary bright red in the tube, this goes on a beautiful sheer pinky red on my blue-toned pigmented lips. It is quite a neutral tone, neither too cool nor too warm, and really fresh-looking. It certainly livens up my whole face. There is just the right degree of shine, no annoying scent and it is a very comfortable feeling lipstick. The only reason I don't give it top marks is that, although it doesn't bleed over the lipline, it needs to be reapplied frequently. Still, my new favourite - and I'm *very* fussy!
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Fragrances -Les Parfums de Rosine - Une Folie de Roses
LipstickLil 4/28/2005 9:31:00 AM
Une Folie de Rose is a rosy-chypre, and one of the more unusual Rosines in the line. It starts off with a big kick of bergamot and coriander and these two notes are certainly evident for a long while on my skin. The floral elements - I think it's the ylang ylang I detect and not much jasmine - are rendered tangy and spicy, and this phase of the scent is too masculine for my liking (aftershavey.) When the tearose finally appears it doesn't really have a chance to shine as it is almost spiced out of the picture. This is not a light-hearted rose. It's unusual, but not for me. Maybe one for the boys?!
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Fragrances -Annick Goutal - Ce Soir Ou Jamais
LipstickLil 4/28/2005 7:49:00 AM
Ce Soir ou Jamais is a warm, beautiful, sensual rose scent. It opens with a distinct burst of pear that is gone within a few minutes. After that the scent is quite linear on me, but very beautiful nonetheless - an astonishingly realistic red rose note with almost a winey quality. It is very soft and elegant, and I love wearing it, but, sadly, it only lasts 2 hours on me so I cannot give it full marks! Edited: After wearing this for a few days I discovered Ce Soir does actually last longer than FdTRB on me - at least 4 hours, so I have upgraded it to a 5!
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Fragrances -Annick Goutal - Eau de Camille
LipstickLil 4/27/2005 11:28:00 AM
The opening notes of Eau de Camille were so unpleasant on my skin that I nearly washed it off immediately. It is very green, with a definite tomato-leaf note combined with leaves and stems - ivy? After a while it did tone down, but I did not get any floral notes, rather a sweet, honeyish, grassy scent which seems to be present in a number of AGs I have tried. Fortunately it didn't last long - about 2 hours. Won't be buying this one.
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Fragrances -Creed - Fleur de The Rose Bulgare
LipstickLil 4/27/2005 11:18:00 AM
This rose soliflore is amazingly true to life - a freshly cut deep red rose with no other notes discernible to my nose. It is a linear fragrance, but with a rose as wonderful as this who wants distractions? Although the staying power is not as good on me as on some other reviewers, it still lasts 4 hours, and is never strident or 'perfumey'. A soft, mellow, deep, pure, tearose - just exquisite! Now to start saving! Edited: Have taken off one lippie as sometimes this is slighly too stemmy for me.
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Fragrances -Serge Lutens - Clair De Musc
LipstickLil 4/26/2005 9:42:00 AM
This started out with a sharp burst of neroli that disappeared within minutes to leave a soft, sweet, powdery musk. There was no iris or jasmine evident on my skin and the scent soon turned soapy. All in all it only lasted about two hours. While it was pretty enough, I certainly did not find it anything out of the ordinary and will not be purchasing a full bottle.
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Fragrances -Rochas - Femme
LipstickLil 4/25/2005 5:40:00 AM
This warm, sensual scent used to be one of my cold-weather favourites. It is extremely potent so needs to be applied with caution otherwise it will follow you everywhere! The first spritz is extremely fruity, mainly peaches and plums, but after a few minutes the scent softens into a blend of spiced fruits, interlaced with a floral bouquet (some jasmine, I think), sandalwood and the orris note, which I love. I can't detect any cumin on me and not much amber either, although they are included in the notes. This is a classic French chypre, but not a 'shy' fragrance!! Edited: I subsequently took off one lippie as I seem to be getting a whiff of something harsh in this on occasion - the patchouli, I think. Femme has definitely been reformulated since I first wore it years ago and now is less rounded than it was formerly. What a shame.
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Mascara -Lancome - Amplicils
LipstickLil 3/26/2005 4:49:00 AM
This is another excellent mascara by Lancome - in my opinion they have the best overall line of mascaras. The Amplicils formula has a great consistency which does not weigh down my fine, medium length, fair eye-lashes. It gives great thickness, curl and length at the same time; not quite so much length as Definicils, but it is much easier to apply and never clogs. It has a deep black colour, lasts all day without smudging or flaking and comes off easily. Perfect!
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Fragrances -Yves Saint Laurent - Paris-Roses des Bois
LipstickLil 3/19/2005 7:53:00 AM
I do not like the original Paris, but Paris Roses des Bois is absolutely enchanting and one of my favourite roses, not at all cloying or sweet, but still a very true rosebud note. It is a fresh-smelling blend of young roses and blackberries on a faintly woody, musky base. Paris Roses des Bois lasts very well on me - 4 or 5 hours - and is ideal for spring or summer. Unfortunately, it is a limited edition, so you will need to buy it quickly before stocks run out! I must add that it is my 11-year-old daughter's favourite scent too - she has good taste!
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Fragrances -Guerlain - Shalimar
LipstickLil 3/18/2005 6:49:00 AM
This Guerlain classic was truly awful on me (edt.) It must be down to my skin chemistry because there are so many wonderful reviews for it. It was so dry it was like vinegar, earthy and smoky. I actually couldn't believe it *was* a perfume as there was something almost industrial about it! Really the patchouli completely dominated the fragrance on me and then there was a sour note I couldn't identify and finally a dirty, smoky vanilla. Not for me. Edited: Recently tried the parfum, and this was better. The smoky quality was still there but eventually cleared to leave a heavy vanilla. Still not one for me, though!
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Fragrances -Annick Goutal - Eau du Sud
LipstickLil 3/18/2005 6:39:00 AM
This was far too strong and masculine for me. It started off with a great blast of bergamot and then heavy citrus notes - mainly tangerine and orange on me - followed by a hint of mint. This is too harsh and bright for me to wear, and I don't think I would like it on a man either. Surprisingly it didn't last long.
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Fragrances -Nina Ricci - L'Air du Temps
LipstickLil 3/17/2005 7:43:00 AM
This was the first fragrance I ever bought at the age of 16 and I still love it. It is a fresh, airy, romantic floral scent, not at all musty or musky on me, and with just the right degree of sweetness (i.e., not too sweet!) Although many people find the carnation note spicy, I can't really detect any spices, and I find the predominant notes on my skin are rose, jasmine and iris. I have the edt and it lasts about 4 hours before I need to respray. I think this beautiful scent can be worn all year round, although it's particularly suitable for spring and summer. It does not get the attention it deserves in my opinion!
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