bergamot, mandarin, mint, pepper, ginger, frankincense, patchouli and vanilla.
Every so often there comes a fragrance unlike any you've experienced. When I was searching for a new vanilla fragrance, I came across this one and couldn't find many reviews on it. The notes sounded intriguing and a little bit confusing. I ended up buying a bottle unsniffed.
I wore it for the first time a few days ago. The initial blast was one of heat and a lovely, creamy (read: creamy, not bakery) vanilla. Almost like someone had made a weird condensed milk sorbet with a hot ginger, mint and fruit. In a few minutes the ginger, citrus, pepper and frankincense combines to create a delicious, sweet yet hot melange of yumminess. You can sense the heat through the fragrance, which is so interesting, as I find that spicy usually doesn't really translate into anything but nutmeg or cinnamon, but in this fragrance the heat is almost tangible and I am reminded of incense and Christmas at church. The vanilla becomes more like extract lingering on the edges of the dancing spices and fruit, but it's definitely still there. This phase lasts about an hour and I love every minute of it. Finally, a spiced scent that I can wrap my head (or nose) around.
When the scent finally settles, a lovely, sweet, vaguely creamy vanilla is lingering, with the vaguest touch of patchouli. The frankincense is still there leaving a vaguely incense-like trace.
This is a truly beautiful fragrance, and I feel that as more people try it it's going to be very popular. I'm surprised that I haven't seen it mentioned more but it's definitely worth a try, and in my case I am thrilled to own a full size bottle. Gorgeous!!!!!!
Friday, January 6, 2012
Marc Jacobs Curacao : A review
blood orange, bitter orange, lime, mandarin, violet, pear, apricot, white moss, amber, musk, and sandalwood.
Marc Jacobs splashes were something I wanted to try for awhile. The Perfumed Court had some great sales over the month of December and I figured it would be a good time to try them, so I purchased some (and managed to get a huge bottle of Pomegranate at Marshall's for 22.99). Curacao was intriguing to me, because I'm a big fan of the liquer, and the color. I'm a sucker for any blue scent.This fragrance gives the impression, at first, of just being another fruity-floral. At first I was afraid. Very afraid. I got a big, fruity disastrous mess that singed my nose hairs. Is it citrus? Is it pear? Where is this going???? What is going on? *panic* I need some soothing tea.
I didn't get orange at all. My skin amps anything pear so mostly I was getting this weird cloying fragrance. I decided to ignore it and went back to it a half hour later.
At this point, it was mostly pear and apricot with some violet-ness. Violet is one of those notes that can take over completely, but it does add balance and in this case I was grateful that it was tempering the pear.
When this fragrance finally burned off its top notes, the result was shocking. The lasting impression of Curacao is a lovely, slightly mossy aquatic with an appealing musk base. It's not heavy at all and has turned into a quiet skin scent.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
L'Eau des Hesperides by Diptyque : Review
I go through spates where I try to find the perfect 'x' fragrance. Most recently it was a search for my perfect vanilla, but just prior I was looking for my perfect citrus which resulted in a frenzy of citrus decant purchases. L'Eau Des Hesperides by Diptyque was one of these decant purchases. Bitter orange and lemon, thyme, rosemary, peppermint, immortelle, musk and wood. Far be it from me to be seasonal....I decided to spray it on this morning, as the post-holiday season is upon me and all I'm feeling is lethargic, so a peppy, zingy fragrance is on the menu.
L'Eau Des Hesperides opens on a bright, true citrus blast with almost a peppery green-ness, which quickly mellows to a....dare I say it?........lemon Razzles gum scent. Luckily, this nostalgic trip to 4th grade fades quickly as well. It doesn't disappear completely but it quickly tempered by the herbs which gives the scent a vague aura of very expensive soap. I love the thyme as it adds a 'dryness' to the scent and keeps it from becoming too run-of-the-mill.
A half hour later all obvious sweetness has dissipated and I'm left with the faintest whisper of floral underneath tame, dry wood and still, thankfully, citrus.
This is a lovely scent. I love L'eau de Tarocco, and it's obvious that these two scents share a common lineage, like they started on the same train and then at a common stop they both got off and went to different destinations. Whereas Tarocco is warmer due to the saffron and is scent that I could easily see wearing in cooler weather, Hesperides has a definitive warm-weather vibe to it due to the bitterness that the Mediterranean herbs impart. Definitely unisex, and in my eyes, a bargain.
L'Eau Des Hesperides opens on a bright, true citrus blast with almost a peppery green-ness, which quickly mellows to a....dare I say it?........lemon Razzles gum scent. Luckily, this nostalgic trip to 4th grade fades quickly as well. It doesn't disappear completely but it quickly tempered by the herbs which gives the scent a vague aura of very expensive soap. I love the thyme as it adds a 'dryness' to the scent and keeps it from becoming too run-of-the-mill.
A half hour later all obvious sweetness has dissipated and I'm left with the faintest whisper of floral underneath tame, dry wood and still, thankfully, citrus.
This is a lovely scent. I love L'eau de Tarocco, and it's obvious that these two scents share a common lineage, like they started on the same train and then at a common stop they both got off and went to different destinations. Whereas Tarocco is warmer due to the saffron and is scent that I could easily see wearing in cooler weather, Hesperides has a definitive warm-weather vibe to it due to the bitterness that the Mediterranean herbs impart. Definitely unisex, and in my eyes, a bargain.
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
LUSH Sympathy For the Skin : Review
Ahhhhh, LUSH. I have had an on again/off again, non-committal relationship with them for a long time now. There are a few products that I find myself returning to: I love the Olive Branch shower gel, as well as Happy Hippy, and their Godiva solid shampoo is amazing. However, there is one product of theirs that has always been a standout for me, and an absolute staple in my cabinet.
My heart is palpitating just saying it:
Sympathy for the Skin.
SYMPATHY FOR THE SKIN!
This lotion has it all. From its very subtle, barely there vanilla bean scent that layers beautifully with just about everything to its smooth, velvety, moisturizing-yet-light texture, this cream is perfect. It's a great hand lotion, fantastic for making my desert-dry legs look smoother, wonderful for all over moisturizing...I've even been know to use a dab of it to de-frizz my hair and when I'm out of my Celestial moisturizer I use it on my face with great results.
Every so often there are rumors that it might be discontinued. I find that hard to believe. However, if that ever occurs my life will be over as I know it.
Price is rather high, but a jar tends to last me about 5 months which is fair. I love the little vanilla bean flecks in the lotion....it looks so delicious!!!! I also love how it never overpowers anything.
SYMPATHY for the SKIN!
Hooray!!!!
My heart is palpitating just saying it:
Sympathy for the Skin.
SYMPATHY FOR THE SKIN!
This lotion has it all. From its very subtle, barely there vanilla bean scent that layers beautifully with just about everything to its smooth, velvety, moisturizing-yet-light texture, this cream is perfect. It's a great hand lotion, fantastic for making my desert-dry legs look smoother, wonderful for all over moisturizing...I've even been know to use a dab of it to de-frizz my hair and when I'm out of my Celestial moisturizer I use it on my face with great results.
Every so often there are rumors that it might be discontinued. I find that hard to believe. However, if that ever occurs my life will be over as I know it.
Price is rather high, but a jar tends to last me about 5 months which is fair. I love the little vanilla bean flecks in the lotion....it looks so delicious!!!! I also love how it never overpowers anything.
SYMPATHY for the SKIN!
Hooray!!!!
Humiecki & Graef Clemency : Review
Notes: Rose, linden blossom, sweet acacia, woods, leather, milk
Clemency opens on a pure tea rose note, tempered by a soft wood and the brightness of linden. I'm afraid of rose notes in general, my skin amplifies it like nothing else and many a rose sample has been thrown in my trash bin (even the good ones like Ta'if and Lyric). Surprisingly, this rose stays in check which is no small feat, and the linden never becomes loud or obnoxious. I'm surprised by the pairing of linden with wood and leather. It turns linden into a refined, year round type of note instead of one that screams SPRING!
This scent stays linear for quite a while.....the rose and linden eventually give way to a smooth, light acacia with the wood strengthening to become the dominant element, but then the milk starts making an appearance. This is not condensed milk, but a light, ethereal sweet note, like the foam on a cappuccino, lending a light airiness to the composition. As a reflection of motherhood....well, I don't know. This is a very elegant mom, not one you'd really want to hug. but definitely intriguing and worldly. It's the mom that takes you to the opera for your 6th birthday. Memorable, but not necessarily fun. Overall impression is that it's a lovely scent, but maybe not one that would be reached for on an everyday basis. It's restrained and elegant, but different and almost sharp. I'm reminded of shell pink linen and an expensive gold compact with light face powder in it.
Clemency opens on a pure tea rose note, tempered by a soft wood and the brightness of linden. I'm afraid of rose notes in general, my skin amplifies it like nothing else and many a rose sample has been thrown in my trash bin (even the good ones like Ta'if and Lyric). Surprisingly, this rose stays in check which is no small feat, and the linden never becomes loud or obnoxious. I'm surprised by the pairing of linden with wood and leather. It turns linden into a refined, year round type of note instead of one that screams SPRING!
This scent stays linear for quite a while.....the rose and linden eventually give way to a smooth, light acacia with the wood strengthening to become the dominant element, but then the milk starts making an appearance. This is not condensed milk, but a light, ethereal sweet note, like the foam on a cappuccino, lending a light airiness to the composition. As a reflection of motherhood....well, I don't know. This is a very elegant mom, not one you'd really want to hug. but definitely intriguing and worldly. It's the mom that takes you to the opera for your 6th birthday. Memorable, but not necessarily fun. Overall impression is that it's a lovely scent, but maybe not one that would be reached for on an everyday basis. It's restrained and elegant, but different and almost sharp. I'm reminded of shell pink linen and an expensive gold compact with light face powder in it.
A surplus of scents.
New year, new blog. I was going through my stash of fragrances the other day, trying to categorize, where I had that moment of enlightenment that I have way too much, and I haven't even worn many of them. It's time to start wearing and reviewing. When most of the shelf space in your closet is taken over by bath and body products, it's time to start using and reviewing. When most of the shelves in your laundry room are taken up by candles, it's time to start using and reviewing. So, here I am.
I have this 'thing' about fragrance. I hate smelly things. Not that most people like them, but I really don't like truly offensive odors and it can take over my whole experience in a very negative way. I started buying perfume regularly in 2005 when I realized that I connect so many memories to smell (which I know is not unusual), but I started realizing just what a visceral reaction some scents had for me. Then I started realizing that there were many beautiful, little-known fragrances in the world and I had to experience them.
As a side note, I have a son with Asperger's Syndrome. He, too, loves scent, which I appreciate. Many children with AS find most scents to be too strong........he does if he doesn't like the scent, but if he likes one he really likes it, so this journey has been fun for me and it is for him as well. How many 10 year olds with Asperger's request Lush Glogg shower gel? And my 4 year old has already decided that his favorite scent is Bond #9 Wall Street and tries to steal his Dad's. I love that my kids have inherited my weird obsession with scent. It's a bonding ritual.
Anywho, here we go. I am not super-educated in the world of fragrance but I can put across my impressions. This blog is mostly for me to remember what I've tried and what I think about a fragrance, and also to chat about daily things, but I hope that maybe some people out there can relate to this and give me feedback or thoughts on things I haven't tried. Happy New Year!!!!!!
I have this 'thing' about fragrance. I hate smelly things. Not that most people like them, but I really don't like truly offensive odors and it can take over my whole experience in a very negative way. I started buying perfume regularly in 2005 when I realized that I connect so many memories to smell (which I know is not unusual), but I started realizing just what a visceral reaction some scents had for me. Then I started realizing that there were many beautiful, little-known fragrances in the world and I had to experience them.
As a side note, I have a son with Asperger's Syndrome. He, too, loves scent, which I appreciate. Many children with AS find most scents to be too strong........he does if he doesn't like the scent, but if he likes one he really likes it, so this journey has been fun for me and it is for him as well. How many 10 year olds with Asperger's request Lush Glogg shower gel? And my 4 year old has already decided that his favorite scent is Bond #9 Wall Street and tries to steal his Dad's. I love that my kids have inherited my weird obsession with scent. It's a bonding ritual.
Anywho, here we go. I am not super-educated in the world of fragrance but I can put across my impressions. This blog is mostly for me to remember what I've tried and what I think about a fragrance, and also to chat about daily things, but I hope that maybe some people out there can relate to this and give me feedback or thoughts on things I haven't tried. Happy New Year!!!!!!
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