Mini Sniffa
August 29th, 2006
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
Entry Filed under: New Perfumes, Perfume Reviews
19 Comments Add your own
1. chaya ruchama | August 30th, 2006 at 5:30 am
Howdy, Ina-
Glad you liked the Elxir!
Antidote is preferable to Flowerbomb [SO aptly named!], but, so what? who cares?
I find that folks either go wild for SH or not- for us, not.
I don’t mind that they’re linear, as much as all that oceanic PU stuck in there- I’m so tired of that note, especially if it seems gratuitous…
And, do mine ears deceive me?
you didn’t like Skank1 and Skank2? Shock of shocks!
Me neither.
Oh,well.
The teensy Elixir bottle is all we plebs can afford, anyway…
Love to you, and a good cup of coffee, too…
2. Judith | August 30th, 2006 at 6:15 am
I know what you mean about the perfume SAs; there’s one at my local NM who USED to give me samples. . . .The folks at Hermes still like me, though, so I need to get myself over there to smell some Elixir! I don’t know that I need a gourmand Merveilles, but you never can tell. Interesting what Chaya said about the SH: some people with similar tastes to mine really liked it, so I was excited to smell it–but it did absolutely nothing for me (or nothing good, anyway).
3. Elle | August 30th, 2006 at 6:28 am
Walking distance from Saks, Neimans and Barneys. Sigh. Deeper sigh. I *wish* SAs could grow tired of me here. Well, SAs other than those at the Indian, Chinese or Mid-Eastern markets.
Will have to try Elixir, but I’m pleased to know I can give the rest a pass. Phew!
4. March | August 30th, 2006 at 6:39 am
Ina, I feel your pain — I keep joking that they’re gonna put up an Unwanted poster of me at Saks and NM, I’m in there so often… the SAs mostly ignore me now, except one at Saks and one at NM who know I’m there to sniff and play with me if they have time. I asked once at NM, and she told me there is a lady who comes in every day, and plenty who are like me (1 or 2x a week), so don’t feel too bad. Last time I did think the Armani SA at Saks was gonna grab the Amethyste bottle out of my hand in fury, though… I bought some mascara, which I carried around CONSPICUOUSLY in the bag — “look, I bought something!” Am considering stashing it in my purse and carrying it around on future visits.
That Merveilles sounds wonderful! French Lime Blossom is the only one of the Jo’s I like, they’re all bitter, soapy and nasty. And those Guerillas — puh-leeze. The SMN Nostalgia reminded me of one of them (NOT the abbatoir one!) but Nostalgia’s actually… you know… wearable.
5. Marina | August 30th, 2006 at 8:55 am
Want Elixir des Merveilles!!
6. Jenn | August 30th, 2006 at 12:01 pm
So very true about me and the Nordstroms counter (the only fragrance counter where I live that continually gets new perfumes, unlike the Sephora which is slower than molasses in winter in getting new shipments, and rarely gets anything interesting), one of the SA’s knows me and if has time goes through it will chat about the fragrances, and the other SA I love is shockingly at our local Perfumania, and really loves going through the fragrances with me.
7. Robin | August 30th, 2006 at 12:27 pm
Very much looking forward to Elixir so glad to see your review! A bit of orange marmalade might be just what I need to make me love Merveilles, which never quite captivated me.
8. Ina | August 30th, 2006 at 3:34 pm
Chaya, I’m going to be stalking online discounters and ebay for Elixir.
P.S. Your Miss Balmain went out today.
9. Ina | August 30th, 2006 at 3:34 pm
Judith, I think you’ll love Elixir. It’s not that gourmand. I mean, it’s mostly gourman in top and middle notes.
10. Ina | August 30th, 2006 at 3:35 pm
Elle, I want to live next to Indian, Chinese or Mid-Eastern markets!!
11. Ina | August 30th, 2006 at 3:36 pm
March, they still give me samples if I ask. Phew!
12. Ina | August 30th, 2006 at 3:36 pm
Marina, you will love it!
13. Ina | August 30th, 2006 at 3:38 pm
Jenn, it’s a rare thing to find a nice SA. There’s one at my local Nordstrom’s who’s just a sweetheart and always helpful and friendly.
14. Ina | August 30th, 2006 at 3:38 pm
Robin, you might very well like it!
15. benvenuta | August 30th, 2006 at 4:23 pm
So far both Merveilles versions didn`t work on me, although I wanted to like them. I`m looking forward to trying this one.
16. Ina | August 30th, 2006 at 4:24 pm
Benvenuta, have you tried the parfum? It’s just gorgeous. I highly recommend!
17. Patty | August 30th, 2006 at 6:17 pm
I totally NEED that Elixir. Do you know what date in September they’ll be selling it?
18. Ina | August 30th, 2006 at 10:40 pm
Patty, Hermes stores already have it, so you should call one. Not sure when in September it’ll be out.
19. Stephanie Pinsonat | September 28th, 2006 at 9:01 am
I have sniffed the sample page in my Saks catalog until there is no scent left! I love the Elixer de Merveilles! Will purchase today….September 28.
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