Fragrances -Annick Goutal - Grand Amour
tecumsum 3/26/2013 8:06:00 PM
This is the only fragrance that I have found that smells so much like honeysuckle that it is almost jarring to my memory bank. I used to sit on the library steps and read when I was younger and it was surrounded by honeysuckle bushes. Wow... this captures that perfectly. Long-lasting. I don't wear this often as I prefer rich orientals to florals, but this is definitely a gorgeous fragrance that I will always have a bottle of. Kudos to Annick Goutal.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Hermes - Hiris
tecumsum 1/18/2013 5:39:00 PM
Love this. When first applied, it does remind me of carrots covered in earthy dirt. But it is oh so nice once that fades away. It smells sophisticated and richly feminine. Others complain that it doesn't last long, but for me it does. Try this if you like Prada Infusion d'Iris. This one willl knock that one right out of the water. It is quietly reserved, but elegant at the same time. It makes me smile when I wear it. The gorgeous blue frosted bottle with the golden cap is perfection. I will always have some of this concoction on hand.
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Fragrances -Unlisted Brand - Juliette has a Gun Midnight Oud
tecumsum 1/18/2013 3:38:00 PM
This is a warm and sensual fragrance. After I got over the initial medicinal smell of the oud, the fragrance dried down to something so warm and calming. The rose is heightened by the oud. The combination is unbeatable and really lasts a long time on me. The bottle is absolutely perfect in all it's gold glory. The amber, sandalwood and oud are really pronounced, with a somewhat leathery accord mixed in. Once it dries down, then it becomes a night vixen waiting to pounce on somebody! I would classify this as a chypre. I am not wearing it today, but I get heady just thinking about it in all its glory!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Montale - Patchouli Leaves
tecumsum 1/2/2013 11:11:00 AM
This is the first Montale that I have tried and I am in love. The patchouli in this fragrance is sexy and haunting, which seems so unlike most other patchoulis that I have experienced. The vanilla, musk and amber nicely round out the patchouli, even softening it up a bit. The drydown on this is creamy and soft, while at the same time intense. What a contradiction! Whenever I am close to someone, I get lots of compliments and questions asking what I am wearing. Kudos to Montale. Love at first smell!!
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Fragrances -Serge Lutens - Une Voix Noire
tecumsum 11/12/2012 12:57:00 AM
Beautiful fragrance that quite literally took me by surprise. The gardenia is nice, but it is overpowered, in my opinion, by the tobacco, which is so realistic, that it smells almost as if you've been in the company of smokers in a bar. The rum is faintly discernible to my nose. Dry down is nice, soft and soothing. Just have to get past the strong tobacco smell in the opening. Overall, if you're a gardenia lover, this is full-bottle worthy, albeit expensive as it only comes in the bell jar. I'm not usually a lover of gardenia, but this rendition is somewhat subdued, but very realistic at the same time. Gorgeous.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Serge Lutens - Muscs Koublai Khan
tecumsum 11/9/2012 5:39:00 PM
This is the only fragrance that I was actually afraid to put on once I received the newly acquired bell jar from an E-Bayer. This is definitely NOT the behemoth that others say it is. I found it to be very distinct in its animalic qualities, somewhat sweet in the drydown. Smells incredibly earthy and downright sexy. Love it, but still prefer Malle Musc Ravageur to it. Fortunately, it agrees with me...yippee!! Only drawback for me is the price and that it doesn't seem to last long on me...I fear reapplying though as I don't want to overdo it. Those who haven't tried this one based on reviews (and boy, they are so graphic and scary), do yourself a favor and give it a try. I'm glad that I did. Surely worthy of another bottle when this one is finished.
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Fragrances -Thierry Mugler - Angel
tecumsum 7/27/2012 4:37:00 PM
This is for sure a love it or hate it fragrance. I love it in moderation. I think that most people who wear this one overdo it and then complain about the strength of it. If you use it sparingly, then it can be quite alluring. It has a sinful chocolate smell that is mesmerizing. However, only wear this one in cold weather. It is not a summertime fragrance at all. Someone who works with me over-uses this and also uses it in the summertime, and it can be quite killer!! OMG...strong enough that you don't need to pair it up with matching body products. So that I don't become a sillage monster, I always wear this one by applying sparingly with a Q-Tip. The bottle is so cute. Love the star that lays down on my dresser. Makes a nice gift for someone too with that presentation of the star.
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Fragrances -Bond No.9 - Chinatown
tecumsum 7/27/2012 4:21:00 PM
This smells so sophisticated to my nose. I tend to like oriental fragrances. Not particularly fond of floral scents. Chinatown immediately won my heart in that it smells like a floral concoction with a base of incense. Not familiar with all the notes in it, but I detect a hint of peach and can definitely pick up on the patchouli..., which is fantastic without smelling like some hippee. A smooth blend of deliciousness. Worthy of a full bottle. Speaking of which, the bottle design is very nice. P.S.: If you note, I usually give my reviews five stars and that is because I usually only purchase smells that I cannot live without.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Andy Tauer - Une Rose Vermeille
tecumsum 7/27/2012 4:12:00 PM
This is a wonderful rose scent. Very unlike anything that I've smelled before. The berries are what make the rose stand out even more and become such a gourmandy, delicious experience. It is long-lasting on me and I've even found myself spraying it on before bedtime just so that I can go to bed with a smile on my face! Since it is kind of pricey, I guess I'll have to soon stop that practice. The bottle is gorgeous with the glass beads too, but does render the fragrance to only be 30mm instead of the usual 50mm. I will definitely purchase this one again once it's all gone.
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Fragrances -Andy Tauer - Andy Tauer's Incense Extreme
tecumsum 7/27/2012 4:08:00 PM
Just when I thought that Andy could do no wrong, I receive this as a sample and boy, oh boy, does it pack a punch. More like a sucker punch. This smells exactly like some sort of cleaning solvent on me (think Pine Sol). The strength and sillage really has a stranglehold once applied. Could not scrub this off fast enough. Contact me if you want this full sample that I received from Tauer himself. Maybe you'll have more luck than me with it.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Andy Tauer - L'Air du Desert Marocain by Andy Tauer
tecumsum 6/28/2012 1:13:00 PM
Exceptional, devine. Words simply escape me. I love, love, love this fragrance. Smells like fresh air in Moroco. Not for everyone, but I absolutely bow down to Andy Tauer. Such a gracious man too.
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Fragrances -Frederic Malle - Portrait of a Lady
tecumsum 5/18/2012 6:09:00 PM
What a shock! I have always absolutely hated rose scented fragrances. This one has wholeheartedly won me over. It is an intense rose fragrance that doesn't smell like somebody's grandmother. Long lasting. Wonderful whiff of fresh berries add to the allure of this fragrance. The body creme is just to die for because it is sinfully rich and fragranced with that wonderful Turkish rose scent. OMG, this could end up being my holy grail!! Sophisticated and so decadent. Expensive is an understatement. Body butter retails for $200; fragrance even more.
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Frederic Malle - Musc Ravageur
tecumsum 5/18/2012 6:03:00 PM
Ordered some of this from Frederic Malle with quite a few other untried goodies. Of them all, this one captured me. It is downright smoldering sexy musk. Last a long time too, so a dab will do you. It smells unlike anything I have ever tried (although for some faint reason, it reminds me somewhat of Chergui). This fragrance is suited more for the colder months than the summertime as it is quite strong. I am definitely going to buy a full-size bottle as it is worth every last penny.
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Fragrances -Clinique - Aromatics Elixir
tecumsum 1/19/2012 4:24:00 PM
If I were stranded anywhere and could only have one fragrance, THIS IS THE ONE!! AE is the serious holy grail of all of the fragrances that I have (and I have a shocking lot). It is not for the meek, timid, shy gal. It is a full-on, sex in a bottle deal. You either love it or hate it...no in betweens. Strong chypre that can compete with any fragrance of any price (french included). Goes on strong, but dries down to a soft, sensual, even spiritual experience. Patchouli, sandalwood and vetiver make for a dangerous concoction that will have men following you around in a stupor. AE is an absolutely brilliant, complex fragrance. Very unlike mainstream floral, candy-sweet fragrances on the market nowadays, it is a stand-alone, distinct goddess all its own. Love the body smoother as well because of the concentrated fragrance and feels very smooth and silky once applied. The price of AE is also fabulous. If Clinique ever discontinues this...OMG...perish the thought!!
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Jean Paul Gaultier - Classique EDT
tecumsum 1/8/2012 9:40:00 PM
Intriguing, full-on sexy smell. This fragrance is certainly a weapon in my arsenal!! Amber and sandalwood make this one overtly sensual and down dirty. Long lasting too. EDT and EDP are too different animals. While I own the EDP, I do prefer the EDT. Only purchased the EDP because it seems to last longer. The bottle is so ingenious. Looks great on my boudoir dresser. A lusty, busty woman figure, just like me!!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No