Project Random
July 19th, 2006
March from Perfume Posse recently did a project for Marina at Perfume-Smellin’ Things where she blended different fragrances to create three separate “viles”, as she called them. So I got inspired to do some spontaneous layering myself. I picked out several of my favorite perfumes and embarked on Project Random. Here’s what I came up with (completely random, mind you):
Hermes Parfum des Merveilles and Ambre Narguile - wow, this is good! The caramel-rum-cinnamon really softens the rough edges of Parfum des Merveilles. The overall effect is like a sweet cognac.
Parfumerie Generale Brulure de Rose and Delrae Bois des Paradis - um, weird at first. This becomes very gourmand in character, almost edible right off my skin. Like cinnamon bread pudding.
Guerlain Attrape Coeur and Chanel Bois des Iles - smells like sour peaches. But wait… it gets better. A sultry floral with a liquor-like quality. This would make a knockout evening scent. P.S. I just found it on Marina’s blog that apparently Luca Turin said that Attrape Coeur “has the mulled-wine effect of Chanel’s Bois des Iles, but in the Guerlain manner, i.e., based around an amber accord”. Wow! This was a totally random pick! Man, I’m good.
Fifi Chachnil and L’Artisan Safran Troublant - OK, I confess. I stole this one from Sara, my friend on Makeupalley. She’s our Layering Queen, and lately I’ve seen her experimenting a lot with Safran Troublant, and now I know why. This is killer spicy goodness! Saffron, coriander, vanilla, amber, tobacco. Heaven!
Kolnisch Juchten and Montale Jasmin Full - this can rival Bandit! Stinky and gutsy. Come closer if you dare. I’ll eat you alive, baby. Come and smell the jasmine in my dirty leather boots.
Parfums de Nicolai Balkis and Armani Bois D’Encens - raspberry incense? Yep. Surprisingly decent. Velvety, peppery raspberry - dark and mysterious. This actually has major potential. I think this is my favorite so far!
Frederic Malle Musc Ravageur and Hermes Rose Ikebana - I know, I know. What can one possibly add to Musc Ravageur? It’s perfect in its entirety (redundancy intended). But, hey, what the heck. The grapefruit really softens that wild animalic note and accentuates the floral-citrusy aspect of Musc Ravageur (bergamot and tangerine). The end result is sweet, powdery grapefruit. Not bad!
Serge Lutens Fumerie Turque and Dior Eau Noire - at fist this smells like something out of my grandma’s medicine cabinet (good timing for I’m about to pass out from this olfactory overload). It sort of has too much going on but, strangely enough, it’s appealing. Pass me some of that lavender tobacco, will ya? I picture myself in the Turkish smokehouse. Folks, I think we have something really good here. Wow, this is a winner. (Don’t forget, Fumerie Turque will be part of the export range this fall).
I have no room left on my arms, so this will be it for now. It’s been total fun! I highly recommend you do this type of random layering yourself. If you have already, please share some of your favorite combos!
Image source: www.allposters.com
Entry Filed under: This and That
19 Comments Add your own
1. Elle | July 20th, 2006 at 5:37 am
My first thought as I was reading this was to stop after the second one and race off immediatedly to try the first two combos. But I summoned up self restraint (very unusual) and read on till the end. By then my main concern was for Mr. Aromascope until I remembered he was under the weather and his sniffer is probably shut down. Phew! Well, not that he’s ill, but that could have been tough on him otherwise. Sadly, my boss is in today and his sniffer is working just fine. Sob! I want to try them all. Now. I think you could add Master Layering Consultant to your resume. I’m going to have to go for the AN and Merveilles and the Balkis and Bois d’Encens. And hope Mr. Aromascope is feeling better today!
2. March | July 20th, 2006 at 7:08 am
I am laughing, laughing — OMG, you did this in one DAY?!?! I wish you had gone for, say, a long subway ride at the end just to see if anyone looked at you funny… OK, several of these sound VEEERRY tempting and I will have to change my fragrance plans completely today. I think first the A/C and Chanel, and then the MR and the Rose Ikebana. But I have to pace myself because tonight I’m meeting Sariah at Art With Flowers for a scent bender…
3. Marina | July 20th, 2006 at 7:34 am
Man, you are good!
Guerlain Attrape Coeur and Chanel Bois des Iles- that sounds wonderful.
4. Judith | July 20th, 2006 at 7:39 am
Wow and LOL! (WOL?) Some of these sound just wonderful! Parfum des M. and AN (swoon)! And I NEED to try the KJ and JF combo, because for some reason Jasmin Full doesn’t work on me; litte shot of KJ ought to fix that (or practically anything:)!
5. Sara | July 20th, 2006 at 8:25 am
Wow! I must try some of these combinations! Today I’m wearing Montale Aoud Queen Roses + Safran Troublant–ST is great on its own but terrific for layering. Serge Lutens Un Bois Vanille is also great for layering. Here are a couple I like:
UBV + Prada
Cuir Mauresque + SL Fleurs d’Oranger (stolen from the amazing Victoria of Bois de Jasmin fame)
6. Patty | July 20th, 2006 at 8:31 am
Musc Ravageur and Rose Ikebana? Wow, this could make MR work for me.
Somehow, amongst you guys, I don’t feel like the only weirdo that goes through 10-12 samples a day in my office, only to open the doors with my freakish sillage and have all the boys in the house give me one of THOSE looks.
7. Ina | July 20th, 2006 at 9:11 am
Elle, yes, thankfully, Mr.Aromascope was completely oblivious to the whole thing. I guarantee you’ll love Balkis and Bois D’Encens combo. Who should talk? I learned to layer from you, missy. Ha!
8. Ina | July 20th, 2006 at 9:13 am
March, you put me to it, woman! And, no, I didn’t do it all in one day. I did it all in one EVENING. I went to bed all fragrant, and today I woke up with NO desire to wear any perfume. LOL! Have fun with Sariah and report back!
9. Ina | July 20th, 2006 at 9:13 am
Marina, you must try that combo!
10. Ina | July 20th, 2006 at 9:15 am
Judith, LOL at WOL! Yes, definitely try the KJ and JF combo. (I love how we’re talking in code here).
11. Ina | July 20th, 2006 at 9:16 am
Sara! Thanks for your ideas! I’ll be sure to try them soon. Hugs!
12. Ina | July 20th, 2006 at 9:17 am
Patty, it might really work. Yes, you have all my support here.
13. Judith | July 20th, 2006 at 10:27 am
I don’t believe it! That nasty Jasmine ate my KJ! (why am I the only one JF doesn’t work on??) Only one solution: more KJ! more KJ! (or, as March would say, “more cowbell!)” Ahhhhhh–that’s better! Just a hint of jasmine in my dirty leather boots:)
On other fronts: I heartily endorse S (and V’s) CM + FdO combo, and am eager to try all her ST mixes.
Another one from V that I like a lot: A la Nuit + Santal Blanc (or Mysore, or really any wood).
Acronymically yours,
J
14. Ina | July 20th, 2006 at 10:29 am
Judith, LOL at your experiment! I know, that Jasmin is pretty potent. Thanks for your ideas! I remember layering Chergui with something but what was it? I know it was good.
15. Judith | July 20th, 2006 at 10:56 am
Chergui and Chene works really well, I think. Here are some more SL suggestions (all originally from V):
Fleurs d’Oranger + Vetiver Oriental
Fleurs de Citronnier + Vetiver Oriental
Cuir Mauresque + Chergui
A La Nuit + Sa Majeste de la Rose
Fumerie Turque + Fleurs d’Oranger
Fumerie Turque + Un Bois Vanille
Un Bois Vanille + Chergui
I also like MKK and any rose (Rose de Nuit or Sa Majesty), and Gomma with the rose aouds.
16. Ina | July 20th, 2006 at 10:59 am
Judith, thank you!!! Yes, it was Chene and Chergui. Divine combo! Must try the others. Yay!
17. violetnoir | July 20th, 2006 at 12:59 pm
Whoa nelly! I have to try the PG one with Bois de Paradis, as well as Attrape Coeur with Bois des Iles.
Thanks, Ina! I think you are becoming a layering master, too.
The only “successful” layering concoction that I have created is layering Coco Mlle. EdP over Coco EdP. Try it if you can…it’s wonderful. It sort of smells like Allure Sensuelle, only so much better.
Hugs!
18. Ina | July 20th, 2006 at 1:06 pm
Thanks, Robin! I’ll be sure to try it.
19. Madeline Binder | June 25th, 2007 at 11:44 am
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