Fragrances -Unlisted Brand - Parfum d'Empire Ambre Russe
rnornan 3/28/2007 12:08:00 AM
Really not that interesting. I suppose if you love amber and that's it, this might be your scent but it doesn't last long and it doesn't develop. A snooze for me.
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Fragrances -Parfumerie Generale - Ilang Ivohibe
rnornan 3/27/2007 11:44:00 PM
I love and covet this scent. It is simply fabulous in all respects except maybe the lasting power. However I always hesitate to judge a scent unless I can spray it. I find that this will somehow make it cling better to my clothes and skin--finer mist perhaps. This scent is soft, dusty and lovely--a gentle whisper of a scent--BasiaS describes the feel better than I could but it's feminine in a way that isn't sticky sweet or haughty. It's equally good for a picnic or a cozy night by yourself. To me it is not a dressy scent but a natural girl scent--it's how I wish to be. I think it suits freckles, wind-whipped wispy hair and sun and perhaps a bar of ivory soap.
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Fragrances -Chanel - Coromandel
rnornan 3/26/2007 11:27:00 PM
Coromandel is great but not my thing or image but a lovely amber with a topnote of a musk that's similar to Kiehl's. I smell vanilla bean in there too. T'would be great on a man. I would be able to handle this in my vicinity for sure. The only one (so far) I'd consider buying for myself is No. 18, but I really am impressed with the line so far. Well executed and complex. This was certainly not a thrown together collection.
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Fragrances -Chanel - 31 Rue Cambon
rnornan 3/26/2007 11:25:00 PM
31. Lovely, strong and bold and deep deep deep!!!, refined and mink coated. Trouble is, I love the start but the finish smells a lot like M7 which is in the cabinet at my house (hubby's collection). I don't get any nuttiness at all. It is wonderful, and would be great on a man.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Chanel - Chanel No 18
rnornan 3/26/2007 11:24:00 PM
No 18 is amazing though I can't say that about its lasting power. The scent is unlike anything I've smelled before yet it does smell familiar. I cannot place it, but perhaps it is a smidge like Apres L'ondee and something else. Reminds me of a crisp clean alcoholic drink, a stiff aromatic one, but not a girly drink. A unisex drink. There is a smidge juniper berry in there, and a slight medicinal whiff of menthol, could it be? Then sometimes it smells like clean laundry. What? Then there seems to be iris or violet but can't be sure. It is simple and elegant and ageless. I love it.
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Unlisted Brand - Parfum d Empire Cuir Ottoman
rnornan 3/26/2007 11:18:00 PM
I really do like this leather, but as someone below stated it's a lot like Daim Blond--well, without the apricots. That part I miss. I might entertain buying a bottle at some point, 1) because it's highly affordable compared to other scents of similar lasting power and uniqu-itude (like my new word?), and 2) it's a leather hater's leather (I am a leather hater typically). I am not a big fan of heavy whip leather smells...I like it soft and subtle. This is indeed soft and cosy. Minus one point for not stopping me dead in my tracks which happens with the ol' Daim, but I'm finding this might outlast her in longevity. Worth a try.
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Fragrances -Bulgari - bvlgari femme
rnornan 3/26/2007 8:12:00 PM
A very nice violet. If I had come across this before I got out of my violet phase I would have really sprung for it. It smells a lot like Lipstick Rose by Malle, but without the candied appeal that LR has. That to me, means LR is more unique and I would probably buy that if money were no option. But right now, I am not in the mood to buy violet scents though I do highly recommend this to someone else. It does not have any green in it--leans more toward the powder side than green. Also, similar to the feel of Devon violets.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Guerlain - Chamade (Extrait)
rnornan 3/25/2007 8:03:00 PM
Chamade extrait is a powdery woody rosy chypre to my nose-did I just make up a category? I feel it's similar to Jil Sander No 4 but with more powder. Think refined ladies and you've got it. In any case, it's quite nice and sophisticated, lasts a good long while (of course it's parfum!). It doesn't knock my socks off as anything terribly earth-shattering, but on the right person I'm sure it could be stellar. It's a bit on the too-powdery side for me but once upon a time, I would have just gone ape-Sh@t over this.
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Fragrances -Juicy Couture - Fragrance
rnornan 3/25/2007 2:20:00 AM
Really do like this upon first spray and for the next hour or two. Then it dries down and loses the tuberose that was initially what I loved so much about it. Creamy tuberose and not gardenia thankfully. Pretty decent lasting power and honestly not a bad price. I might not buy this but I'll write yes b/c I do love a sweet creamy tuberose-but I've long left my tuberose phase behind. The only one left standing was Noix de Tubereuse by Miller Harris. All others just bored me. For the record, just because I like this doesn't mean I want anything to do with their ridiculously priced 'non-fashion' terry-cloth tracksuits. To that, I say UGH and roll my eyes.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Salvatore Ferragamo - Incanto Shine
rnornan 3/25/2007 2:16:00 AM
Fresh indeed but fresh scents tend to turn sour on my skin. This one does too for the first hour or so, then softens up and becomes tolerable. But its too generic smelling for me to ever purchase. Kind of a more floral Aqua Di Gio for women.
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Fragrances -Unlisted Brand - Missoni
rnornan 3/25/2007 2:14:00 AM
At first spray I nearly lost it, because I smelled chocolate and there is not much I like about chocolate in a fragrance. Not bad, but it doesn't seem particularly unique. To me it smells like the first time I got a whiff of Paul Smith for women. It has that musky rose powder thang going on, which is quite appealing in a generic way. I just think I'd get sick of it in no time at all, but for those of you who love that idea, it lasts really well, and has a lighter fruity top note that softens it unlike Paul Smith which starts off strong musk right away.
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Fragrances -Montale - Ambre Oud
rnornan 3/25/2007 2:12:00 AM
Fabulous fabulous! I love it so much, on the one hand it doesn't seem like me at all, so i'm not entirely sure I'd buy it, but if I had to pick any Montale, this would be it. Wonderful staying power for this sexy confident woody/rose combo. A lovely deep strong perfumey scent in the best way possible. I am fond of strong scents that don't whimp out on me and I look for lasting power as one of the top 3 qualities in a scent. This is a nice take on a CDG incense, with a bit of Andy Tauer Le Maroc pour Elle feel to it. This doesn't seem as exotic as the latter, since it has no medicinal topnote but it evokes a toned-down yet similar middle eastern feel.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -NARS - First Bite
rnornan 3/18/2007 3:04:00 AM
Damn I look good! I never buy stuff new and/or on the spot for full price but I did with this. I was tired of nudeish lipsticks for work and I want color in my life, specially in this new cloudy environment I've just moved to. This is perfect perfect perfect! NARS, you've really done it. Lovely color, not too red, not orange, not copper either. No flakes of glitter just a YLBB look that isn't neutral a la JLo but warm and inviting and yes, ready to be BITTEN. Meow. Oh, and the important stuff, I'm a red head with hazel green eyes and yellow undertone. NC 25.
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Fragrances -Viktor & Rolf - Viktor and Rolf Flowerbomb
rnornan 3/18/2007 2:59:00 AM
Interesting that the reviewer below says she's not into mass marketed scents? Uh, this is on the shelf at Nordstroms. If this ain't mass marketed I dunno what is! I despise this fragrance. The bottle gives me a chuckle though, especially when it closes down subway lines and aiports. Sweet, cloying and generally forgettable, just like a million other sweet fragrances, Hillary Duff's, Hanae Mori, and Pink Sugar. I wish this genre of fragrance would spontaneously combust.
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Moisturizers -DHC - Extra Nighttime Moisture
rnornan 3/18/2007 2:47:00 AM
Dude. The package says this is for everyone's skin (but mine apparently). Eegads, the oil slick on my face is tremendous. I need moisture even after washing with something as benign as olive oil or the equivalent of DHCs product but this? Sure am glad they provided a sample because I should use this on my hands not my face. Oil slick indeed. I don't know what's in it but it feels like the primary ingredient that makes the cream thicker gets absorbed but the lighter oil that's blended in it just floats on top. Yuck!
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