Mini Sniffa
I did my own little sniffa yesterday. I swear the folks at Saks, Neiman’s and Barney’s know my face by now, and secretly freak out when they see me come in the store. Because I often wear a stern expression and never really buy anything (well, I do but it’s very rare). So I wonder what they think when they see me because I swear I go to smell things at least once a week. Helps a lot I live within walking distance from major shopping areas. Anyways, so I went to show my persona again and sniffed a few things. My first stop was the Hermes boutique that had a tester of their new Elixir des Merveilles. I believe it’ll be officially out in stores in September. Elixir des Merveilles was a much anticipated fragrance since it’s another version of my beloved Eau des Merveilles and even more beloved Parfum des Merveilles. Elixir comes in a bright orange bottle (shown in the picture), and it’s the eau de parfum concentration. So what does it smell like? It’s really not much different from its predecessor. It’s said to feature the notes of mandarine, orange pulp, chocolate, tonka beans, vanilla, oakmoss, balsamic incense, ambregris, sandalwood. So picture Eau des Merveilles with orange marmelade and powdered sugar accord. It’s syrupy and jam-like in top notes and much less bitter in the drydown. It’s a gourmand version of the original that’s softer and more rounded, with outstanding lasting power and sillage! It has my name written all over it, so a future purchase it shall be for sure.
At Barney’s, I smelled Love by Sarah Horowitz – “a seductive blend of clove, carnation and rose with warm base notes of Tunisian amber, French vanilla, clean musk and Indian sandalwood” (Barneys.com). Created by Sarah Horowitz, the nose behind Creative Scentualization perfume line. In spite of being heavy on spicy carnation, sandalwood, and amber, it’s very much a linear scent. By that I mean it pretty much just sits there without much development. I do find it very wearable, though, in a cozy kind of way. I imagine wearing it on those chilly fall days like you’d wear your favorite sweater. I doubt it’ll be a purchase (the price is hefty!) but I wouldn’t mind having some around at some point.
During my brisk walk through the Saks beauty department, I got a brief test of the new scent for men by Viktor & Rolf called Antidote (mint leaves, bergamot, black pepper, cinnamon, sandalwood, ebony, patchouli). Much ado about nothing, it seems, in similar fashion as with their Flowerbomb. I was rather underwhelmed but a further proper test is still in order.
At Neiman’s, I remembered to smell Vintage Gardenia with Cardamom and Myrrh by Jo Malone (gardenia, tuberose, cardamom, sandalwood, incense, myrrh). I’m rather indifferent to gardenia but the cardamom and myrrh had me intrigued for a while, so I gave it a proper sniff. Sadly to say, I found it rather cloying. If it wasn’t for tuberose, it’d be quite all right. Tuberose and gardenia just don’t get along. Even my beloved cardamom can’t help here. Oh, and there’s no incense to my nose – had there been more, it could have turned out better, methinks. It’s a soft pretty floral – if you’re a lover of such, you should give it a try.
Oh, and Comme des Garcons Guerrilla 1 and 2 – I mention them last for a reason. Big fat meh. That’s all I’m going to say.
Image source: www.profumonline.com
19 comments August 29th, 2006