Fragrances -Guerlain - Shalimar Ode a la Vanille Sur La Route De Madagascar
potionsandlotions 1/15/2013 3:13:00 PM
Launched in 2012 with top notes of citruses, mandarin orange, cedar, bergamot and lemon; middle notes of iris, patchouli, jasmine, vetiver and rose; base notes of leather, sandalwood, opoponax, musk, civet, vanilla, incense and tonka bean. I have tried both the previous Ode a la Vanille and the newer one. I wasn't very impressed by the previous release. However, I ended up with a bottle of this 2012 Ode. I have never been able to make Shalimar work on me this well. People claim that this is very similar to the previous Ode a la Vanille. However, the previous Ode was more powdery on my skin, which I dislike. The opening is very Shalimar although it doesn't have as much opoponax as say Shalimar EDT. That said, it's the same familiar citrus with carshop background opening that we are used to. I find that there is in fact more vanilla in this newer release. The citrus notes are still there a couple of hours later, and some incense resurfaces during the dry down. This is a softer version of Shalimar in the sense that it seems rounder than the modern EDP, better done. There is no overwhelming powder (I find the modern EDP too powdery.) I don't buy many bottles these days. But this was very well worth my money. This perfume smells fantastic on me, it has great projection, and it lasts all day. That said, if you don't like Shalimar, don't rush out to buy this.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Guerlain - Shalimar Ode a la Vanille
potionsandlotions 11/17/2010 11:30:00 AM
I have never really been able to wear Shalimar. I find the new EDT a little bit more wearable than the new EDP (too powdery for me), and I recently even found myself sniffing and re-sniffing my wrist after sampling the EDT at a department store. That said, Shalimar is too powdery for my liking. I can appreciate it, I know it's beautiful in all its formulations, but I am just not a Shalimar kind of girl. While I can understand that many are thrilled that they can finally wear a version of Shalimar, if forced to choose, I prefer the old one. Ode a la Vanille has outstanding staying power when you compare it to the EDT, and that's about the only thing it has going for it. In the end it, it is as powdery as the modern EDP and much too similar to the modern Shalimar in the dry down for me to pay what they want for this. This is simply just not as beautiful a creation. This lacks the beautiful bergamot opening (granted, that may be a plus for some) and incensy opopponax/vanilla dry down that makes Shalimar a favorite amongst perfumistas. For those who love the parfum and EDP, I find this lacks the beautiful prominent tonka note that appears as the bergamot fades to the background. As I said before, this is simply not as beautiful a fragrance. I am not castigating Guerlain with this review for messing with a classic. I happen to own and love Eau de Shalimar.
9 out of 10 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Christian Dior - Hypnotic Poison Eau Sensuelle
potionsandlotions 11/17/2010 8:56:00 AM
I really enjoyed it wearing this fragrance. This turned out a beautiful surprise rather than a boring flanker. I think people are being harsh in comparing it to her older more voluptuous sister. I thought about giving this perfume four stars, but I enjoyed it too much. I actually haven't enjoyed a perfume this much in a while and here is why- While I was almost certain that spritzing this on me had been a mistake, I was already too late for work and had to head out the door. The first hit was very sweet. My first thought was "what are you thinking? you hated the original for being tooth-achinly sweet. This isn't going to go well" Well, I headed out the door smelling of very sweet vanilla musk (tempered down by some synthetic smelling white flower poorly resembling ylang ylang). This facet lasted a good half an hour, but it became more bearable. I don't know where you work, but since I work in hell the temperature is always kept at a nice warm and cozy 80 degrees during winter. It seems like they hate us as much as I hate it there, and they have figured out yet another way to torture us. Back to perfume! I found myself sniffing around trying to find out what smelled so good around me, only to find out it was my perfume! This developed into a very pretty floral-vanilla-musk that I enjoyed for hours at work and beyond. As you can imagine, anything that can make 8.5 hours of paperwork in 80 degree temperature (while wearing a sweater) deserves five stars. This is a little bit woody, sweet, vanillic, and not too floral. The almond note is faint, but present. It's as if it was only there to impart a dry note to contrast and temper down the sweet vanilla musk rather than to make it powdery. At some point during the day I could swear I smelled a bit of suede here.
7 out of 7 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Montale - Patchouli Leaves
potionsandlotions 12/28/2007 9:56:00 AM
This is an earthy and dirty patchouli with a boozy opening and a rich resinous dry down with a hint of amber. Montale's Patchouli Leaves is very unisex, but not after-shave-y on my skin. I think the white musk and the vanilla save this from being too masculine for my taste. Note that this smells totally different when spritzed, imo, and that I prefer this one spritzed and not dabbed on. Also, note that this is somewhat sweet, but definitely not a sweet patchouli per se. Therefore, even if vanilla and white musk are listed in the notes, do not think this will be Jalaine's Patchouli's smell alike in EDP form. This is not as dry and masculine as Mazzolari's Patchouly, not as watered down as Les Nereides Patchouli Antique (and with better staying power), and not as gourmand as Jalaine, Borneo or Cocoon (no chocolate note here). The amber in here is not a dirty amber. I am amazed that while the patchouli here is dirty and deep, and while the opening is somewhat boozy, the amber doesn't turn to barf on my skin-- which is a problem I have with a lot of boozy/dirty amber scents. If you tried this scent from a vial, you'll probably find Patchouli leaves too masculine and after shave-y for a woman. If you spritz it on, you are more likely to find it a little sweet and strong. Think wet dirt, think dark patchouli clouds and a hint of sweetness. I think this scent is meant for those of us who truly love patchouli, love the power houses, adore the somewhat masculine scents that are not quite 'manly', and can pull off wearing a big cloud of power sillage and a power scent without having said scent wear us. This is not for the faint of heart and it's definitely a cold weather scent.
9 out of 9 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Givenchy - Organza
potionsandlotions 12/25/2007 3:24:00 PM
I have one very important thing to point out and that is that you must try to get an older bottle of this if you really want it. The new stuff is not good. Try to get the older Organza with the red-ish/orange-y juice. This should smell lush, floral, and well rounded. This is mostly Ylang Ylang on a vanilla base on my skin. Remember to spritz this one on very lightly and responsibly. Organza is very different from Organza Indecence. Organza Indecence is a woody vanilla and Organza is a lush white floral on a vanilla base. The only thing these two scents have in common is that they must be applied lightly because they are both growers (they get stronger after a few minutes and can become overpowering if you over-spritz them). Organza's notes are: sap, bergamot, cassis, orange flower, rosewood, gardenia, tuberose, honeysuckle, ylang, ylang, peony, mace and nutmeg on a base of vanilla, amber, cedar, guaiac wood, sandalwood, orris, and musk. The only reason I am giving this 3 (and a half) lippies is because the vanilla in it is a little on the artificial side to my nose. However, this is one of the best readily available and easily obtainable -not to mention fairly inexpensive compared to the new releases we are seeing these days-- scents out there. This has a bit of an old fashion vibe to it and will not be your cup of tea if you are into lighter and fruity scents exclusively or if you are looking for a gourmand/foody vanilla scent. I am of the opinion that this is better suited for early Spring weather and not for the dog days of Summer.
8 out of 8 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Fendi - Fendi [DISCONTINUED]
potionsandlotions 12/14/2007 7:55:00 AM
Be very afraid of a woman who wears this well and pulls this one off because she isn't afraid of you or anyone around her. She'd probably do just about anything to get what she wants. This is the scent of a leader, of a woman in charge. This is how a woman who is in control and is not afraid to speak her mind smells. She is a little greedy, very sexy, a sharp dresser, and a lover of classic elegant outfits. You won't see this lady wearing jeans often. She loves black and red and a sexy pointy toe heel. This woman is smart and knows this scent needs a very light hand or a quick dab. With a personality like hers, she doesn't need her perfume if she really wants to suffocate you.
14 out of 17 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Santa Maria Novella - Hay
potionsandlotions 11/19/2007 10:49:00 PM
This is a soft, slightly sweet and powdery fragrance. I like it a little, but I don't love it. It has a sweet herbal note to it that I like. I have no idea how much this costs, so I can't comment on that or on the packaging quality. I agree with the reviews below though- this isn't hay. I am giving this 2 lippies because it doesn't smell like hay, it's very powdery, and it's fleeting on my skin.
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Fragrances -Montale - oud Cuir d'Arabie
potionsandlotions 11/13/2007 9:19:00 PM
You have to love raw animalic leather notes to love this one. This is very smoky and very strong and potent. The Aoud is not as strong as it is in most other Aouds. This is a nice leather scent. It's very unisex, verging on being masculine- more so than Piguet's Bandit (I'd take Bandit over this Montale any day). This scent is not something I necessarily want to smell like. There are no soft edges to this, yet it is much better --to my nose-- than Chanel Cuir de Russie. This one smells more like a brand new expensive and buttery soft leather purse to my nose than Cuir de Russie ever did. Cuir d'Arabie is for the true leather lover who likes them dark and smoky. I think I would have loved this one if it had a powdery floral note to soften it a bit. However, this is not bad. In fact, this is very well executed. But Cuir d'Arabie is not exactly my cup of tea. Leather is not a note I can easily pull off or love though.
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Fragrances -Christian Dior - Poison
potionsandlotions 11/12/2007 6:54:00 PM
Sorry, but one spritz of the EDT is not enough for me. I love this too much so I wear it when I am home alone or when I know I won't be in enclosed spaces with anyone. I wouldn't want to choke anyone to death. The EdP is glorious too, but it has less sillage, and it doesn't have the Opoponax note that I love so much in the EDT. The Espirit de Parfum is spicier and plumier-- and gorgeous. If you love the EDT, you should try the EdP(Espirit de Parfum). It comes in handy for those occasions when nothing but Poison will do but you don't want to walk around in a cloud of Poison Sillage. I prefer the EDT, personally. The EDT is Opoponax and sweet berries to my nose. The EdP is honeyed berries, plum, spices and amber. The EdP is richer and wears closer to the skin. The EdT can be a dangerous weapon if over-applied.
5 out of 6 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Serge Lutens - La Myrrhe
potionsandlotions 11/11/2007 4:53:00 PM
This opens up smelling like that pink dish soap. After that a couple of even more chemical and artificial notes surface on my skin. MKK is dirty and musky and La Myrrhe is MKK's nemesis. This perfume is soapy (in a bad way), astringent, and sweet. I don't want to smell like I just drenched myself in all my household cleaning chemicals. This smells so much like bleach and almonds in the dry down that if it wasn't because of the soapy opening it could have been named Secretions Magnifiques.
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Fragrances -Serge Lutens - Borneo 1834
potionsandlotions 11/6/2007 10:02:00 PM
This has a chocolate note to it, but this is no Serendipitous. If you like Prada and YR Cocoon, you must sample this. This is a little heavier than Cocoon and much darker than Prada. Borneo is not as sweet as either one of those two, but it is more balanced than both of those. If you like Chanel Coromandel, but didn't like that it's only offered in a somewhat fleeting EDT then you might want to try this perfume. I don't smell any mothballs here, so I suppose there is a chemistry factor in play. Also, this is most definitely a cool weather fragrance for me. I remember trying this when it was warmer outside and not liking it a lot (or at all). This is deep dark unsweetened chocolate and dry dark patchouli on me. There is supposed to be Cardamom in this. I get a note that might be Cardamom, but it only surfaces on me sometimes (and goes undetected other times).I love Borneo, but YR Cocoon remains an easily attainable watered down substitute for it. I would get a bottle if the rare opportunity to get it presented itself, but I wouldn't go out of my way and overpay for a decant or overspend to get a bottle (This doesn't necessarily mean I don't want one). The late dry down of this reminds me of the sweet boozy tobacco in Ambre Narguile. This is fabulous.
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Fragrances -Thierry Mugler - Angel
potionsandlotions 11/1/2007 9:40:00 PM
Behold the power of Patchouli! This one should come with instructions. Too many people over spray this one and end up making themselves --and everyone around them-- sick. One full spritz of this is too much. Lightly press the spritzer and get a few drops on your wrist, cleavage, and belly. More than a few drizzles of this is too much and ruins the fragrance for you --if you can still smell it and haven't gotten too used to it-- and those around you. Please use this responsibly :-D
4 out of 6 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Hermes - Kelly Caleche
potionsandlotions 10/26/2007 9:07:00 PM
This fragrance hates me. I was hopeful at first. I could only smell the iris note. A beautiful iris note. I thought I had just spritzed on a winner. Then a grapefruit note started surfacing, and I thought that the fragrance wasn't as good, but Kelly was still ok even with that juicy grapefruit note. Then the grapefruit note totally annihilated the iris note- Kaput. I wasn't totally disgusted yet, and I wouldn't have rated this a 1 lippy fragrance just because it was citrusy, BUT a HUGE sweaty man BO note started surfacing on me and competing with the citrus note until they blended and morphed together. Together they produced a rather disgusting blend of harsh and bitter grapefruit (a note that then stops smelling juicy and fruity) and a BO note, transforming this perfume into a manly musk and a rather skunky smell on me (and all this in about 7 minutes).
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Fragrances -Givenchy - Organza Indecence
potionsandlotions 10/26/2007 12:15:00 AM
If you like FM Musk Ravageur, get this. If you like Hermes Ambre Narguile, you should sample this. If you are looking for patchouli and vanilla, this 'ain't' it (can't really pick patch up as a note here although there is plenty of vanilla). I simply don't remember when was the last time I enjoyed wearing a fragrance this much-- and I wear tons of fragrances, some of which are way pricier than this! This is what I wanted Musk Ravageur to smell like. This is ten times better than FM's Musk Ravageur and can be found for much less on the Internet. This has cinnamon, jacaranda wood, patchouli (supposedly because I can't smell it here), vanilla, musk (barely there), and amber. The patchouli is not very evident on me, it simply doesn't surface on my skin. The amber is not dirty and it's well in the background. I get mostly a woody vanilla and a cinnamon note from this perfume--- with a hint of musk. This is sexy, but not as aggressive as Musk Ravageur. Instead, this is warmer and more pleasant. This, in my opinion, is more comforting to the wearer than MR. Indecence will make it to my top favorites this winter. I have to warn you that this must be sprayed on with a very gentle light touch. Don't give yourself a full spritz of this. Instead, lightly tap the 'spritzer thingy' and aim a few tiny drops of juice on each arm, cleavage and wherever else you apply your fumes. You might not smell it much at first, but this scent is a grower. Once this starts opening it can be overpowering and cause you a headache if you overdo it with the spritzing. A few tiny spritzes is all you need. Also, this is most definitely a cold weather scent for me.
8 out of 9 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Unlisted Brand - Fifi Chachnil
potionsandlotions 10/24/2007 4:18:00 AM
Fifi is a darn flirt. She will enter your home, demand the best spot on your dresser, seduce your man and make him follow her sillage around the house. She is the center of attention wherever she goes. Fifi has a little something for everyone- some tobacco, a bit of fruit and a little spice. Throw in the amber dry down with a tiny bit of dirt and heck! Who can compete with a girl like that? Oh well, life isn't always fair.
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No