Mini Sniffage
September 22nd, 2006
I got together with my friend from Makeupalley again yesterday, and we did some moderate sniffage. Always fun to find a kindred spirit and much more rewarding to go smell perfumes with someone who has an idea of what it’s like to be a perfume maniac. Plus, you can proudly face all the sales assistants. So, off we went to Barney’s, Hermes, Neiman Marcus, Saks, and Nordstrom’s. Today is Friday, so I’m chilling (although, what difference does it make when you’re unemployed?) and will just share with you some of the highlights of our sniffage.
At Barney’s, we played a little with the L’Artisan Parfumeur line, and this time I really fancied Premier Figuier Extreme. It’s an intense version of their best seller Premier Figuier, a fig scent, which I quite like but never really found bottle worthy. The Extreme version grabs me by its cozy, coconutty milkiness extremely appealing and not quite so figgy in chilly weather. We also experimented with some scent layering: Safran Troublant (vanilla, saffron) with Piment Brulant (pepper, cloves) that turned out excellent.
At Hermes, we had a nice chat with a man who generously sprayed the Hermessence scents for us to test (Ambre Narguile, Vetiver Tonka, Poivre Samarkande, Rose Ikebana, and Osmanthe Yunnan – if you haven’t had a chance to smell these, I highly recommend you do) as well as experimented with some layering again. My favorite combo: Ambre Narguile and Poivre Samarkande. I also asked about the new Paprika Brasil that’s supposed to come out this year, and he said it was good but really sweet and should be in the boutique by the end of the year. Sweet is not always bad, considering harsh Midwest winters.
The real shock came at Neiman’s where I retested the Missoni fragrance (bergamot, magnolia, peony, rose, mandarin, bitter orange, chocolate, amber). I actually got quite a bit of really yummy chocolate – had it not been for the overpowering, peony-dominated floral bouquet, it could have won me over. We also played with the Creed line, and I gave a proper sniff to Love in White (orange zest, jasmine, daffodil, sandalwood, rise husk, iris, vanilla) which I found to be a pretty, light-spirited floral that supposedly layers well with other scents (which I’ll have to do at some point). The new Marc Jacobs autumn splashes were in – Amber (ginger, anise, cassia bark, amber, lily, tonka bean, benzoin), Ivy (nutmeg, cardamom, mandarin, orris, tonka bean, vetiver, sandalwood), and Violet (bergamot, peony, violet, orris, cedarwood, vanilla, musk). I didn’t give them a proper test, so won’t judge yet but I did quite like Amber, Ivy left me underwhelmed, and Violet was way too heavy on vanilla.
At Nordstrom’s, we camped at the Giorgio Armani counter, and I once again confessed my love and devotion to Pierre de Lune (violet, green notes, cassie flower, iris, woods, amber) and became a happy owner of yet another lip shimmer (#12, for the record).
If you’ve sniffed anything new or exciting recently, please share in your comments. Happy weekend to all!
Image source: www.gettyimages.com
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12 Comments
1. March | September 22nd, 2006 at 6:28 am
The Saks bonus thing is kicking in here next week — I have to figure out where to spend $100, which shouldn’t be too hard…;-) I like the new V&R Antidote a LOT, my guess is a lot of women are buying it (the bottle is great, too) but I still like Prada PH better, and the patch makes them a lot alike… sort of anti-male men’s frags. Those MJ things — the ivy is bitter and nasty, I didn’t get a proper sniff of the others. The Elixir de Merveilles smells like a chocolate-covered orange to me — it’s pretty enough but IMO misses the weird pt of Merveilles in the first place… my newest love is Baghari. Will try the PFE on your recommendation!
2. Patty | September 22nd, 2006 at 6:55 am
I really want that Paprika Basil to sniff, and I sniffed the MM from Serge this week, which is pretty interesting, and I should get hold of the new Dzonkha and the limited run from L’Artisan too. So much going on this fall!
3. Marina | September 22nd, 2006 at 7:42 am
Somehow than vanilla heavy Violet sounds good to me. Gourmand violet? I find Bois de Violette to be vaguely gourmand and Cuir d’Amethyste too. Is the MJ one anythign at all like either of these?
4. chaya ruchama | September 22nd, 2006 at 7:53 am
Hey, babe-
I’m a teensy bit envious of Patty, who gets to sniff all this great stuff- party pooper ! [only joking- I love ya! ]
Funny that we love to layer the same ones…
DO try Poivre S. with Eau de Merveilles- you will fall in love big time…the PS also adds a nice zing to Avignon !
What do I love?
Anything that smells like fine wine- Patchouli Leaves from Montale [ kiss, kiss, Prince Vijayji, my subcontinental sweetie!],
Botrytis from Ginestet [ many will bitch that it's too honeyed, but me likee, anyway], and Frapin 1270- a cognac-y EdP that starts out sweet, turns dry and earthy in a few minutes!
Just shoot me, ok?
I’m a tad defensive [you think?!] because DH has become minorly traumatized [ he has post-sillage stress disorder] from my fragrant forays- but I’m not backing down , along with Tom Petty…
I’m sure that you’ve encountered similar beefs from your beloveds.
I should know, by now, that you won’t persecute me for my fragrant excesses…
Forgive your dumbass friend for the rant- and have a lovely w/e…
Oh, and:
May you all be inscribed in the Book of Life for a sweet, healthy, and beautiful [fragrant !] New Year-
L’Shanah Tovah !
5. Teri | September 22nd, 2006 at 11:33 am
I just got my first bottle of Botrytis and like Chaya, me likee muchee too. I’ve used the Perlier honey bath and shower products for years and putting on the Botrytis after a shower full of honey products, I can only think it would be unwise to take a walk in bear country! lol Winne the Pooh would find me irresistible.
I tried out a sample of Ciel Mon Jardin from Le Prince Jardinier this week and although a fruity gourmand with patchouli is light years away from my usual taste, something about this just grabbed me and sucked me in. It may be the rhubarb, which is a note I was previously unfamiliar with. It is quite bright in this composition. I never would have thought you could happily blend rhubarb and patchouli (let alone make me like it), but I’m so strongly drawn to this that I ordered a bottle immediately.
6. Ina | September 22nd, 2006 at 12:17 pm
March, what’s the bonus at Saks? I really like the Baghari, too.
7. Ina | September 22nd, 2006 at 12:18 pm
Patty, please say more about the Mandarine! Pretty please!
8. Ina | September 22nd, 2006 at 12:18 pm
Marina, not, it’s not. It’s more along the lines of Violet Angel but I need to do a proper test.
9. Ina | September 22nd, 2006 at 12:19 pm
Chaya, I’ll have to try that layering combo! Thanks! I do like Patch Leaves, too.
10. Ina | September 22nd, 2006 at 12:21 pm
Teri, Botrytis is awesome and a great layerer, too! Ciel Mon Jardin used to appeal to me more than it does now but I agree, the rhubarb in it is just perfect. It does dry down sort of Angel-like on my skin, though.
11. March | September 22nd, 2006 at 12:42 pm
You spend $100 and you get a black patent leather bag with a bunch of product in it (La Mer, Michael Kors, etc.) Starts Sept. 28, I believe.
12. Elle | September 22nd, 2006 at 12:53 pm
Nutmeg and cardamom and you were still underwhelmed by Ivy? Sigh. The notes sounded so good.
*Must* try both of those layering combos – the poor man’s way to have the rush of new fragrances.
Happy New Year!