Product Reviews by Wyrmiax

Fragrances -Annick Goutal - Eau du Sud
rated 4 of 5
Wyrmiax 7/9/2011 10:52:00 PM

A lovely herbal/citrus chypre, but its performance on my skin is so hit-or-miss that I can't in good conscience give it a 5. At its best, after the sharp snap of bergamot and grapefruit, it takes on a wonderful gray-green, dusty quality. But it's just as likely to turn into an acidic poison-green sort of smell that reminds me of 7-Up. I realized I was actually becoming reluctant to spray it on--never a good sign.

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Fragrances -Jo Malone - Lime Basil Mandarin
rated 3 of 5
Wyrmiax 6/9/2011 5:14:00 PM

I love basil, and was hoping this would be similar to Eau du Sud. It isn't--it's very masculine to me, which is surprising, since it's sweeter than EdS, and I find EdS to be a "true" unisex, equally appropriate for men and women. LBM is like a fainter, less well-done version of Frederic Malle's Bigarade, which is again puzzling, because I love Bigarade and it doesn't seem aftershavey to me, either. So let's call LB&M a faint citrus with aftershave accord.

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Fragrances -Unlisted Brand - Jovan - Woman
rated 5 of 5
Wyrmiax 5/7/2011 4:49:00 PM

I'm a fan of chypres from way back, so when a Walgreen's ad offered to "find a fragrance to suit your personality!," this is the one I tested. Lots of patchouli and oakmoss in this one (maybe more moss than in some high-end scents these days!). Reminded me a lot of Paloma Picasso, and a little bit of Prada. If you like either of these, but don't want to pay department-store prices, definitely check this one out. Hey, check it out, anyway. I've been impressed by the quality of all the Jovan classics. They're definitely your best drugstore deal.

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Fragrances -Annick Goutal - Grand Amour
rated 4 of 5
Wyrmiax 2/27/2011 11:04:00 PM

A lovely bouquet. What I noticed most was the wonderful hyacinth note. I'd definitely recommend this to any hyacinth-lovers out there.

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Fragrances -Annick Goutal - Matin d'Orage
rated 2 of 5
Wyrmiax 2/5/2011 9:46:00 PM

The previous reviewer mentioned a cold zingy metallic note, and I got the same thing, except at the opening of the fragrance instead of at the end. I found it extremely irritating, in a dentist-drill sort of way. The fragrance quieted down a little bit as it developed, but was still an annoyingly high-pitched white floral. EDIT: Correction on that screechy opening note--it's more like mothballs.

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Fragrances -Annick Goutal - Musc Nomade
rated 5 of 5
Wyrmiax 2/3/2011 7:13:00 PM

Lovely pearly musk. My husband wrinkled his nose and said, "It smells not quite clean," but he says that about any musk other than the starchiest white ones. On the dirty-to-clean musk spectrum (with 5 being filthiest and 1 the most immaculate), I'd give this a 2.

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Fragrances -Annick Goutal - Rose Absolue
rated 2 of 5
Wyrmiax 2/3/2011 7:08:00 PM

Turned sour on me immediately.

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Fragrances -Annick Goutal - Encens Flamboyant
rated 5 of 5
Wyrmiax 2/3/2011 7:04:00 PM

Magnificent. It does not make me think of church, but of the olibanum tree itself, and the arid landscape it grows in. The other notes are there merely to accentuate the frankincense. Rough, outdoorsy, exhilarating.

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Fragrances -Annick Goutal - Myrrhe Ardente
rated 4 of 5
Wyrmiax 2/3/2011 6:59:00 PM

This is like "starter" myrrh--if someone wanted to know what myrrh smells like, I'd recommend this. A bit more resinous than Ambre Fetiche, but like AF, a little too heavy to suit me in the long run.

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Fragrances -Annick Goutal - Ambre Fetiche
rated 4 of 5
Wyrmiax 2/3/2011 6:57:00 PM

A pleasant amber, if you like yours sweet, as I do. However, I eventually found it too heavy and rich to suit me. It's listed as unisex, but I can't imagine a man wearing this.

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Fragrances -Annick Goutal - Mandragore
rated 5 of 5
Wyrmiax 2/3/2011 6:48:00 PM

A strange but pleasant fragrance, difficult to describe. I didn't get individual notes so much as an allover impression. It seems introverted but cheerful--similar to the impression Shaal Nur gave me. It is dry without being astringent. A spicy/herbal citrus, but not as bright as that description would indicate. It would also make a great room fragrance.

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Fragrances -Annick Goutal - Ninfeo Mio
rated 2 of 5
Wyrmiax 2/3/2011 6:31:00 PM

My husband's most-hated fragrance note is what he describes as "green hairy vine," and for once I agree with him . After the galbanum opening, which lasted for 2 breaths (it is ever thus with galbanum, alas), it was all downhill with this one. Extremely astringent and bitter, especially in the heart notes. The drydown was utterly un-sweet fig, so I'd recommend it for someone wanting an un-sweet fig scent. But it was a scrubber for both of us.

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Fragrances -Estee Lauder - Azuree
rated 5 of 5
Wyrmiax 12/11/2010 2:55:00 PM

The first perfume I fell in love with, and an under-rated masterpiece. An old-school leather chypre that hasn't been eviscerated by reformulation, for a bargain price. They keep it hidden under the EL counter, so you have to ask for it. I'm guessing the SA's are hiding it so no one will ask to test it, since it doesn't appeal to today's tastes, and they'd end up having to smell it in the air for a long time (great lasting power for the money, too). It is still available on the Lauder website, at any rate.

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Fragrances -Creed - Spring Flower
rated 5 of 5
Wyrmiax 12/11/2010 2:44:00 PM

Fruity floral done right--crisp, juicy, delicious. It's a little sweet for my personal wearing pleasure, but I love catching a whiff on someone else.

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Fragrances -Chanel - No.19
rated 5 of 5
Wyrmiax 12/11/2010 2:38:00 PM

I previously reviewed this under username snakeskin. This review is for the reformulation. To my nose, all the essential elements of No. 19 are still present--the green, the iris, the leather--but are "paler." I prefer the vintage, but the new EDT is still Chanel 19, still unique, still beautiful. As the 70's ad copy said, "Witty. Confident. Devastatingly feminine."

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