Fragrances -Serge Lutens - Chergui
msp12 1/30/2003 2:36:00 AM
Cheerios, Pilpul? I find that marvelous. On me, however, the base is remarkably similar to Santal de Mysore, which I adore, and this is married to an explosion of cinnamon, which reminds me a bit of Addict. Whereas Addict reminds of holiday hustle and bustle (I could be influenced by its popularity this past holiday season), Chergui possesses a richness and warmth which seems to characterize many Lutens orientals. A human quality I find incredibly endearing. Speaking of warmth and caring, I profusely thank my fairy godmother Manon for painstakingly decanting these Lutens samples for me.
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Fragrances -Serge Lutens - Vetiver Oriental
msp12 1/30/2003 2:23:00 AM
For the chocolate drydown alone...
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Fragrances -Guerlain - Nahema
msp12 1/30/2003 2:21:00 AM
Hmm, why is it that Nahéma instantly inspires in us visions of the Loose Woman? There's a scene in the film version of Cabaret when Liza Minelli (in her only 'divinely decadent' role IMO) answers the door to find a bright-eyed Michael York inquiring about a room for rent. She attempts to respond in bad, halting German, gives up, and reverts to her loud, American English to beg for a cigarette. York obliges through the crack in the door and as Sally (Liza) takes her first drag and exhales, she swoons against the door jamb: oh, English cigarettes! Now, Nahéma is of course far superior to any cigarette, but upon first whiff, you, too, will swoon with utter delight, a pleasure made even sweeter because deprivation and disappointment have been long-time companions of yours. This is the fragrance that transcends the degradation of the casting couch, the garish green nail polish, the fact that daddy never keeps his engagements with you. Still, Nahéma is more than a sedative: it is glamour you have tasted before, desire without bounds, the renewed promise of a marvelous, dashing future. It is luxuriant femininity without apology or shame. Is it narcissistic to be so in love with a fragrance? Ah, who cares. Many thanks, Victoria, for helping me to discover a worthy obsession. (This review refers to the parfum version, which, like many Guerlains available in parfum strength, is incomparably superior to EDT.)
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Fragrances -Parfums De Nicolai - Petit Ange
msp12 1/26/2003 4:38:00 AM
While I still have reservations about the need to perfume the little ones, Petit Ange is a unique soft scent that can be worn by children and adults. The combination of tangerine and lilac is strange to me, a bit like black licorice, which I'm not fond of. Lilac softly emerges to become the dominant note but remains tethered to a faint tangerine base. If you're tired of children's scents which smell like baby powder or sickly sweet candy, you might give Petit Ange a try.
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Moisturizers -Olay - Total Effects-Fragrance Free
msp12 1/24/2003 7:28:00 PM
Since California's winter is a short one, I am happily back to using OoO's Total Effects. It provides the perfect amount of moisture for my combo skin and reduces the little bumpies that occasionally appear on my forehead. My face does become a little shiny after a few hours of use, but this has been my experience with most creams containing sunscreen. It is pricey for a drugstore cream; however, since it works well and is less costly than those in dept. stores, it is worth it IMO. My local Price Club/Costco carries it in a size twice that available in drugstores and for the same price, so it is a good value for a product that lasts me almost one year.
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Tinted Moisturizer -Laura Mercier - Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20
msp12 1/23/2003 3:37:00 AM
Tan is not an exact match for me year-round: its warm tone works best in late spring and summer. LM certainly would benefit by expanding the tinted moisturizer color range to match that of her foundations. This product also requires a moisturizer underneath, as it is a bit drying. Nevertheless, this mattifying quality makes it a great product for warmer months.
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Tinted Moisturizer -Neutrogena - Healthy Defense Tinted Moisturizer in Medium SPF 30
msp12 1/23/2003 3:29:00 AM
An ill match for my coloring, even after spending a week in Mexico. My forehead broke out, and the formula severely stung my eyes. Terrible product.
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Liquid -BeneFit Cosmetics - I Am Rebel
msp12 1/23/2003 3:16:00 AM
While Benefit's product names are about as sophisticated as a Delia's catalogue, I have to admit that "i am rebel" delivers the goods. As many reviewers already have noted, this product will not work for everyone, and frankly, I have never understood the bronzing phenomenon. Since I am a click darker than J Lo, this tinted moisturizer works perfectly with my coloring, warm with some cool undertones. And unlike other tinted moisturizers on the market, this one is truly moisturizing and seems to endow my face with the softness obtained from a sauna session. I wish my daily moisturizer worked as well. My face shows a bit of shine after some wear, but it is nothing that blotting papers can't fix.
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Fragrances -Unlisted Brand - Parfums Delrae- Amoureuse
msp12 1/20/2003 6:42:00 PM
If I may, this is a review of the latter stages of Amoureuse, as I am extraordinarily sensitive to even the tiniest presence of aldéhydes, which are well-blended, albeit still detectable in the top notes of this fragrance. It saddened me to have missed the beginning of this fragrance as a result, which the Art & Parfum website lists as tangerine and cardamom. After two hours of letting the aldéhydes run their course, I am finally beginning to enjoy a soft, shy mélange of tuberose, jasmine, cedar moss and honey. I would love to find a fragrance which is exactly this latter half of Amoureuse; in the meantime, I will enjoy smelling this on others.
Update: After *12 hours* I can still sniff delightful traces of honey on the back of my hand. Astounding lasting power for such a 'shy' EDP.
Update #2: Thanks to dear and generous Robin (mreenymo) I have a good deal of Amoureuse to enjoy... First, the aldehydes are not at all overwhelming with light application. Very faint, in fact. (I think I did overkill by trying on all 3 PDRs at once!) Second, I could detect tangerine and cardamom notes quite clearly in the intial blast. The combination is still not the most pleasant to my nose and it takes a full 2 hours for this stage to disappear on my skin. Nevertheless, the wait is still worth it, and the first part of my review still stands from this stage on.
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Fragrances -Unlisted Brand - Parfums Delrae- Eau Illumine
msp12 1/20/2003 6:41:00 PM
This smells exactly like Boucheron Pour Homme without the rosewood accords. According to the Art & Parfum website, notes include bergamot, basil, lavender, wild aromatic herbs, vanilla and tonka bean. On my skin, a hint of coconut and lime (think Dolce and Gabbana) emerges after the first hour, and the dry down is a clean, faded version of the opening citrus accords. I suppose if one thinks the floral accords in Boucheron are not masculine enough, one might give Eau Illuminé a try. I happen to like roses, however, and since Boucheron Pour Homme is easier to find and less expensive, I’m going to stick what that.
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Fragrances -Unlisted Brand - Parfums Delrae- Bois de Paradis
msp12 1/20/2003 6:40:00 PM
With Noir Épices as my first introduction to parfumeur Michel Roudnitska, son of Edmond Roudnitska, I was immediately intrigued when I learned of his collaboration with Delrae Roth to design fragrances which would evoke the mood of San Francisco. According to the press release, three fragrances debuted in November 2002: Bois de Paradis, Eau Illuminé and Amoureuse. Whilst I do not pretend to understand what makes these fragrances peculiarly San Franciscan (for me, nothing can be as evocative of the fog and romance of the city by the bay as L’heure Bleue), they are nevertheless fine examples of harmony and subtle elegance. To my amateur nose, the top notes hold together so well for the first hour that I cannot distinguish among them. In the dry down, the middle and base notes begin to diverge and melt away in a pleasant and delicate manner. Overall, these are well-crafted fragrances, however, I must take away a point for their price: $125 for 1.7 oz. Subtlety should not cost this much. Bois de Paradis is by far my favorite of the three, both for its scent and lasting power. The initial burst is so much like passion fruit that I was surprised to read that the top note is bergamot and the heartnotes are French rose, cinnamon and blackberry. Only after an hour or so does a delicious blackberry scent emerge supported by the most subtle woods and a little amber. If you are interested in fragrances like MPG’s Fraiche Passiflore or Rose Muskissime, but do not enjoy their prominent sweetness or musky dry down, I would recommend sampling Bois de Paradis. For more information, go to http://www.art-et-parfum.com/delrae.htm
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Fragrances -Serge Lutens - Santal de Mysore
msp12 1/16/2003 5:36:00 PM
A surprising fragrance which has convinced me that none of Serge Lutens’ creations can be dismissed simply on the basis of their descriptions. On my skin, dark caramel, cumin, and many a C-spice unfold in turns atop a bed of warm sandalwood. Previously, I was certain I could not wear anything with sandalwood, and the idea of a discernable cumin note in a fragrance was highly suspect. Nevertheless, Santal de Mysore is unlike any dessert or entrée I have tasted. I cannot even say whether it is more appropriate for a man or a woman. Santal is simply my private little pleasure. Many thanks, Mayra, for the pleasure of my first swap and introduction to Serge Lutens!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No