Fragrances -Serge Lutens - Fleurs D' Oranger
fcappy 9/7/2003 9:09:00 AM
Having sampled a few Serge Lutens - I understand the drydown is part of the experience. There are so many different levels to his fragrances - normally. I found Fleur d'Oranger to be too sweet on my skin. The surge of orange blossom - or rather his rendition of it -wasn't true or even close. Perhaps it wasn't meant to be but the other notes were obscured by my desire to wash it off as soon as possible. If you want jasmine try A La Nuit. Fleur had none of the complexity of other SL or dare I say Caron and Guerlain. What was surprising was it's lack of edginess as if it were made for a more mass audience. In other words - an ordinary floral composition. The reason for two lippies is the quality of the ingredients are still there - I could smell it even after a shower. Test before you buy.
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Fragrances -Lulu beauty - Lulu Guinness EDP
fcappy 9/7/2003 8:57:00 AM
I think there is a girly girl in all of us and Lulu Guinness definitely brings this 'youngun' out in me. The lily notes are obvious but once that softens the apple blossoms and sweet pea emerge to sweeten the mix. This wears lovely on my skin and I want to wear it when I wear pink. Perhaps I should have waited until Spring but my SA at Nordies took such care of me and threw in a purse sized parfum spray. I couldn't pass it by. Definitely warm but not as sophisticated as Diorrisimo or Muguet Bonheur and you know what, that is fine for me b/c sometimes you just want to be a girl. And please - by no means am I asserting this is a teen scent although it would work for someone of a younger age - I mean it is a flirty, playful scent. You can tell the quality difference between this, and say a Caron, but that is what makes fragrance wonderful - there is quality on all levels. I think this is a lovely daytime fragrance and the packaging is SO much fun. Definitely worth a try.
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Fragrances -Chanel - Bois des Iles
fcappy 9/4/2003 11:11:00 AM
To find this fragrance you must explore - it isn't mentioned with all the other Chanels and for good reason. This is not a commercial scent but one that perfectly represents the classic style that is Chanel. Warm, woodsy and incredibly sensual Bois is just lovely. The EDT stays on my skin for an amazing 8hrs. I can only imagine the power of the parfum (which will be on my holiday wishlist). This is sophistication in a bottle and possibly my winter signature. Thank you MUA for this treasure.
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Fragrances -Serge Lutens - Douce Amere
fcappy 8/24/2003 7:38:00 PM
First I must admit I love anise/licorice/pastis to drink and to eat. So the initial burst of licorice was enjoyable and then I smelled - chocolate? There is nothing in the other reviews that indicates chocolate but I swear I smell it. So my second thought was - uh oh - foody but this is so much more. Sweet but not cloying, sexy and subtle - I smell earth as it dries down - it must be the marigold but this so far feels wonderful-like when the desert wind blows hot across your skin. There seems to be amber and sandlewood (?)which are two of my favorite notes and for sure, the vanilla. Having lived in the Middle East and having many bittersweet memories - I find that Douce Amere brings me back to when I was first married and living in Riyadh and I smile. A beautifully composed fragrance that melds well with my chemistry. I feel sexy when I wear this and look forward to sampling more Serge.
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Fragrances -Serge Lutens - Arabie
fcappy 8/24/2003 7:27:00 PM
I realize I may be a dissenting voice here but I did not like wearing this fragrance. I have shopped in the Souks in Riyadh and sat with Bedouin women at camel auctions in the middle of the desert and Arabie perfectly embodies these memories, the smells - the culture. It is an incredible sensory experience encapsulated in a bottle - perfectly blended cinnamon, clove, cardamom, cumin with a fruity/sweet drydown. Arabie is a beautiful composition of spice and sweets but I think better to flavor food than wear as a perfume.
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Fragrances -Diptyque - Opone
fcappy 8/5/2003 10:24:00 AM
Bleck...the lovely rose topnote with spicy pepper developed within minutes into an astringent medicinal mess. I couldn't wait to wash this off and spray on something else. I give it two stars only because of the lovely first minute or so. Perhaps it is just my chemistry - so try before you buy.
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Fragrances -Diptyque - Philosykos
fcappy 8/3/2003 1:01:00 PM
First I must admit that I love to eat figs - there is such sweetness to them when they are ripe that is exquisite because it is unlike other sweet fruits. There is an earthiness to the fruit that complements and cuts the honey flavors. This is the same with Philosykos - hence my problem. I really love the fragrance but can't help wanting to eat proscuitto when I wear it. My Italian friends think this is hilarious - btw - they love the scent both the men and women. I want to eat right now just thinking about it. There is such a warmth and earthiness to Philosykos that makes this fragrance so different from other sweet/vanilla and/or fruits enhanced scents. I find it enchanting. I will probably buy a bottle soon and a pound of proscuitto.
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Fragrances -Frederic Malle - Le Parfum de Therese
fcappy 8/3/2003 12:05:00 PM
This is destined to be a classic. What can I say about this fragrance that hasn't been well described below. This is a marvelous composition of love. As a fragrance this must be worn with confidence and strength b/c this is not a timid scent. Yes it is a floral melded with melons - usually not a favorite of mine -that starts off classically feminine until the spice and leather arrive to bring out the wanton woman in all of us. Therese is truly a sexy fragrance.
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Fragrances -Frederic Malle - Noir Epices
fcappy 8/3/2003 11:58:00 AM
Since joining MUA I have discovered a few things about my fragrance style. One of these is that I love spicy florals and not florals with a tiny bit of spice as a basenote. If this is a newly discovered quest for me - Noir Epices is one of my answers. I originally sampled this with my DH in mind but quickly stole it back. This starts with a burst of bitter orange, much like Bigarade, and then develops into this heady meld of rose, cloves, geranium (?), pepper and something that is elusive. This clings to my skin and becomes incredibly sensual. I used to save this for the winter only but the other night I put a touch on during a hot evening - and pow - an instantly sultry experience. I could still smell it in the morning. I would suggest you try a sample if you can get your hands on it - - it is not classically feminine but distinctively womanly.
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Fragrances -Christian Dior - Diorissimo
fcappy 7/24/2003 10:00:00 PM
Thank you E. Roudnitska - from the creator of Parfum Therese comes this amazing classic. A beautifully complex and ever-changing floral that hints at the sexiness of every woman. This should be sampled by all women who love florals esp those inspired by lily of the valley. A classic, beautiful and elegant fragrance that just makes me smile.
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Fragrances -Caron - Muguet du Bonheur EDT
fcappy 7/24/2003 9:53:00 PM
Sharp lily of the valley melds with other white florals for beautiful clean scent. Distinctly different from Diorissimo nevertheless one worth trying. The soapy drydown is so fresh for the humid summer. Not as sophisticated as other lilies but one worth trying. An absolute winner for those of us who love the little white flower that could.
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Fragrances -Caron - Parfum Sacre
fcappy 7/24/2003 8:00:00 PM
I really wanted to love this. Having been a member of this board for a few months has been an enlightening experience. The expertise here is overwhelming - hence Parfum Sacre. After reading the reviews and seeing the buzz on the board I purchased this unsampled - I will never do this again. I paid $15 on parfum1. com for the EDP so I am thrilled at the price point. Unfortunately, it is an overwhelming sweet mess on me - no incense or roses to be found at the drydown. I much prefer Passage 'Enfer for an incense-inspired fragrance. I do agree with others that is is a sophisticated fragrance but it isn't sexy on me. The drydown was too powdery without any creaminess. I will probably give this away or swap it as soon as I can. The upside is that I also got Muguet de Bonheur (unsampled, based on recommendations from the board, and I loved this Caron. Certainly, a lesson learned. UPDATE: I have found I LOVE this when I layer it with a rose-based scent. Sacriledge to some but it is working for me beautifully. Upgrade this to 4 lippies.
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Fragrances -Frederic Malle - Cologne Bigarade
fcappy 6/2/2003 2:58:00 PM
So this is Love! Do you remember as a kid eating oranges and then smelling your fingers? Or making the mother's day gift by putting cloves into oranges? Those warm smells and memories are completely personified by Bigarade Concentree. I love that this fragrance evokes childhood memories but still elicits the womanly confidence in me. Not bad for a perfume huh?! My my this reminds me of so many wonderful memories and the absolute complexity of the bitter orange,spices and rose is heavenly. The longer this blends with my chemistry the more it changes and becomes distinctively a woman's scent. Sexy without being overt. Completely different from Noir Epice or Therese which i find EXTREMELY sexy. I can't stop smelling my arm and am finally at a loss for a signature fragrance. With the Frederic Malle collection I have found three that have personified me at various times in my life. They are right when they say fragrance should be personal, evoke a memory of a wish...and for me Bigarade reminds me that I can be a woman and still remember with such fondness, the child.
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Fragrances -Frederic Malle - Angeliques sous la Pluie
fcappy 6/2/2003 11:24:00 AM
There are fragrances that "wear" you and then there are fragrances that you own and make yours. This is one of those exquisite blends. My first thought when I sprayed this is EWWW - gin and tonic...I don't want to smell like someone spilled a drink on me - then I waited and heaven for me appeared. This scent settled into a fresh, herbal slighly floral note that lingered on my skin for hours just waiting for someone to lean in. Not overtly sexy like Therese or even Bigarade but one that seems to rise from you. This is truly an organic fragrance that a woman will either embrace or hate. Nothing ordinary here!
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