Fragrances -Donna Karan - Gold
lilypaddles 11/21/2008 3:03:00 PM
This review is for the EDP version. I love the scent of lilies. They are my favorite flowers. The notes list casablanca lilies, and they are the star of this fragrance. Casablanca lily is type of oriental lily, in the same category of the Easter lilies (big and white), my favorite. Serge Luten's Un Lys also uses the oriental lily in his scent, but the supporting players (other notes) are different in these 2 fragrances. I haven't reviewed Un Lys yet, but I would say that the base notes on that scent (vanilla, musk) seem to clash a bit with the feminine nature of the lily. The notes in DK Gold seem to meld around it, no sharp edges and very well composed. On me, the lily scent remains the highlight throughout. Feminine and girly. Leans sweet, but not overly so. Lasting power is excellent (day into the night). Official blurb: "Features Casablanca lilies combined with fluid amber, sparkling acacia, white clove, jasmine templar, golden blossom and East Indian patchouli."
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Gels/Soaps -Bath and Body Works - Frozen Daiquiri 3-in-1
lilypaddles 4/8/2007 1:04:00 PM
According to BBWs Spring booklet, this scent includes a blend of strawberries, citrus and rum. To me, it's mainly a strawberry scent, but I can smell the rum while showering. The rum goes away after, leaving a light sweet strawberry scent that lingers for a few hours. What I like about this 3-in-1 is that it is more moisturizing than Philosophy's. Philosophy 3-in-1s have always dried my skin. Their scents go poof after stepping out of the shower also. I think BBW will be giving Philosophy a run for their money, if they can expand their scent selections.
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Fragrances -Guerlain - Shalimar Eau Légère - Light
lilypaddles 3/30/2006 7:58:00 PM
Shalimar Light is supposed to be a lighter version of Guerlain's Shalimar. I cannot wear regular Shalimar, but do enjoy Shalimar Light very much. The notes in Shalimar Light are high tech bergamot, jasmine petals and vanilla. This is a comfy scent on my skin, similar to Bath & Body Works Jasmine Vanilla in their Aromatherapy line. Shalimar Light lasts longer than the BBW Jasmine Vanilla and is a bit sweeter and more lemony to my nose, with a slightly powdery feel. I like both. This is a cute bottle, with a top that you twist open, spritz and twist close.
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Fragrances -Caron - Parfum Sacre
lilypaddles 3/29/2006 4:24:00 PM
Caron classifies this scent as "oriental spicy", listing notes of myrrh, musk, vanilla, rose, jasmine, pepper, cinnamon and coriander on their site. I'd classify it as a rose scent "with a kick", having an overall powdery and slightly spicy feel. I am a big fan of Caron scents. They are very well blended, and not your run-of-the-mill department store type scents. Parfum Sacre fills a gap for me when I want to wear something different, so it's not something I'd wear every day ... but is enjoyable in the right mood.
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Fragrances -L'Occitane - eau de miel (honey gentle water) [DISCONTINUED]
lilypaddles 8/20/2005 5:20:00 PM
When I want a light and sweet lilac scent, this is what I pick up. Yes I said lilac!..on me, it is mostly a white lilac scent, with sweet honey undertones. Very easy to wear, very girly, light ... and the lasting power is great.
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Fragrances -Jean Patou - Vacances
lilypaddles 8/20/2005 5:16:00 PM
Another lilac scent (my 2nd favorite floral) that seems almost impossible to obtain at the moment. I managed to get a mini of it, and it is very nice indeed. One of these days, I will get a full bottle. This is not a true lilac soliflore though... I can definately pick up on the hyacinth in this. That gives it a cleaner/clearer feel I think. Unfortunately, this scent is very fleeting... only lasts a few hours on my skin.
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Fragrances -Unlisted Brand - Highland Lilac of Rochester
lilypaddles 8/20/2005 5:13:00 PM
Living in Rochester for the past 12 years, there are 2 things about the city that outside people seem to know about: Kodak and the annual Lilac Festival. This city has great climate to grow lilacs, and in the center of town is Highland Park, dedicated to (but not limited to) lilac varieties. I love lilacs! To me, they smell heavenly. I received Highland Lilac, the perfume, as a gift. It is a very true lilac scent to my nose, but a bit on the "green" side. This scent would be more of a dark purple type of lilac scent, rather my favorite ... the white (more delicate and sweet). You can get a free sample (for the cost of shipping) and read more about the history here: http://www.highlandlilac.com/store/viewitem.asp?product=2
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Fragrances -Jo Malone - Vintage Gardenia with Cardamom and Myrrh
lilypaddles 8/1/2005 3:58:00 PM
When I first joined MUA, before trying 100s and 100s of samples, I thought I liked gardenia, but changed my mind ... until this rendition. It is mostly gardenia, but has other ingredients blended in to give it a kick, that make this a very pretty and soft scent. Very wearable, very dainty. This is my favorite Jo Malone scent (so far).
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Fragrances -Yves Saint Laurent - Opium Fleur de Shanghai
lilypaddles 8/1/2005 1:23:00 PM
Don't be fooled, when you read the notes for this: Mandarin orange, chinese magnolia, star jasmine and vanilla. Sounded good to me, but was a bit cautious, since the original Opium is very patchouli dominate on my skin. This version is very much the same ... the patchouli is still there in full force, along with Opium's other spices. Not sure why the descriptions omit this fact, but I do find this version a bit more wearable (lighter) then the original, which is such a "in your face" scent.
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Fragrances -Bath and Body Works - Imagine Happiness Perfume
lilypaddles 8/1/2005 1:12:00 PM
A tiny bit of citrus at the beginning, and then this ends as a straight lily of the valley scent. Ok, but nothing special.
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Fragrances -Serge Lutens - cedre
lilypaddles 7/31/2005 3:40:00 PM
Admittedly, I like my fragrances soft and delicate, or on the sweet side. I love Serge Lutens Bois series, and for some reason, that is what I was expecting out of Cedre. NOT! I did detect the tuberose on a second test, but this went very masculine (overpoweringly so) quickly. Bitter, harsh amber is what I think I'm smelling (with some vetiver thrown in?). I know Serge doesn't like to classify his scents, but IMO, this is not even close to unisex, and most likely intended for the male gender. Nope, just can't do this one at all.
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Fragrances -Chanel - No 5 Sensual Elixir
lilypaddles 7/31/2005 3:34:00 PM
Lovely scent! Very delicate, feminine and simply gorgeous. I do not care for regular No. 5, as it turns into an overpowering mess on my skin. Elixir is totally different to me, with the florals dominating (mainly iris to my nose). I was told that the notes are supposedly "reversed" in this version (whatever that means).
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Fragrances -E. Coudray - Jacinthe et Rose
lilypaddles 7/30/2005 4:36:00 PM
I shouldn't like this scent, since I am not a rose fan, but for some reason, it grabbed me (thank you raspsberryswirlgirl for the sample). This is more of an old-fashioned rose scent, with an almost creamy quality too it. Not terribly complex on my skin, but I've not smelled any other rose scent like it. I like Stella Sheer also, but this is a totally different rose scent, with a predominately sandalwood/vanilla drydown instead of amber (like Stella). Comforting. Notes include top notes of bigarde, hyacinth, vineyard peach ... heart notes of rose, peony, orange blossom, jasmine, ylang ylang ... base notes of cedarwood, sandalwood, vetyver, vanilla, transparent musks. Available at parfum1.com for $37.95 (plus shipping). See the reviews for "hyacinth rose" also (same scent).
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Fragrances -Valentino - Valentino V 
lilypaddles 7/30/2005 3:59:00 PM
This is the newest fragrance by Valentino, with notes of mandarin, fig, orange blossom, rose petals, frangipani, cedardwood, sandalwood and amber-like notes. On me, this scent has a very boozey quality at first, and then dries down with mostly sandalwood dominating (salty). Not fruity or floral. Did not care for it, but it is different then many new ones I've tried. If you love sandalwood, give this one a try.
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Fragrances -Pilar & Lucy - Tiptoeing thru Chambers of the Moon
lilypaddles 7/29/2005 4:05:00 PM
On my skin, I'm only getting a buttery tuberose and a very slight hint of amber ... no incense. I prefer my florals a bit more complex then this.
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