Olfactory Radar - Spring
March 11th, 2007
The last few days have brought the first whiffs of much longed for spring to the Midwest. Besides turning the clock an hour ahead, I also turned my olfactory radar to Spring, i.e., I have now officially switched from heavy, woodsy, amber-laden perfumes to lovely floral blends. Yesterday I dug out my beloved Orris Noir by Ormonde Jayne that fit absolutely perfectly. Then it was Ta’if, another wonderful scent by Ormonde Jayne, a sparkling saffron rose. Then it was Ambre Sultan by Serge Lutens. Yes, I can imagine what you’re thinking now. What? Spicy amber? Didn’t she just say… ? Let me explain. I smelled Ambre Sultan on a woman at work, and experienced slight pangs for abandoning my ambers (I think the King of All Ambers was channelling it), so off I ran to douse myself with it. The result: an excruciating headache. I got the message.
In view of the above-mentioned circumstances, my review of the new Parfumerie Generale scents, Bois Blond and L’Ombre Fauve, is to appear tomorrow. In spite of the above-mentioned unfortunate circumstance, I will remain true to lovely florals on my skin and spicy ambers - in my heart.
Image source: corbis.com
Entry Filed under: This and That
16 Comments Add your own
1. Marina | March 12th, 2007 at 7:14 am
I hope your headache is gone!
The last couple of days I’ve been using Barbara Bui and basically nothing else. It is just so…comfortable. It doesn’t even bother me when I have a fever of 220 and a sinus headache of the century.
2. chayaruchama | March 12th, 2007 at 7:25 am
Poor Marinochka !
Ina, my love, how does the poem go ?
“I have been true. to you,….in my fashion?”
Fickle, fickle perfumisats we…like the bee, from flower to flower.
But man, it feels so goood !
3. newproducts | March 12th, 2007 at 9:37 am
I’m still enjoying my heavier scents despite the fact that today, like you, I finally smell spring in the air. I wore Fifi and such all summer-long last year, so I think I’ll just introduce the spring-y scents into my wardrobe without putting the heavier scents away.
4. Tamara | March 12th, 2007 at 9:47 am
Sure! Light florals and some heavy amber, why not? Hehe. Our fickleness can sometimes get us in trouble. I hope you feel better, Ina. Marina, you take care of yourself too, woman. Bon Jour to every one!
5. Kelley | March 12th, 2007 at 11:03 am
Chaya…like a bee (I am rolling on the floor!). I hope everyone feels better soon! It has been Spring here for over a month and I was missing my heavy orientals after reading so many reviews here and elsewhere (Ina, I am not a traitor just a voracious reader). Anywho, my experiment was to wear the heavies in the heat, this past week.
Successes: Kingdom - lovely and got some compliments, Chergui - a little sweet but very long lasting, Lempicka Au Masculine - with a light application this was refreshing. The biggest surprise was M7 which really blossoms in the heat! I have worn this for several days in a row because I am falling in love all over again.
Failures: Only Yatagan. Yikes! In the heat it kept bugging me and screaming for attention. It was very earthy. I did get a compliment but then I am concerned that if someone else can smell my fragrance…then I am wearing too much!
OK, back to the light, citrusy eau de colognes for a while…..
6. winterwheat | March 12th, 2007 at 12:54 pm
Oh, I’m right there with you. In fact, it was at Barney’s in Chicago that I bought Tiempe Passate 3 or 4 Marches ago, after trudging through a foot of snow to get there. I don’t wear it much the rest of the year, but its salt-tang freshness is perfect for spring.
Looking forward to your reviews, especially of BB.
7. Ina | March 12th, 2007 at 1:12 pm
Marina, Barbara Bui is indeed comforting. Feel better soon! Remember what I told you.
8. Ina | March 12th, 2007 at 1:13 pm
Chaya, exactly!
Oh,so fickle…
9. Ina | March 12th, 2007 at 1:14 pm
Minsun, Fifi is perfect year around, agree. I’m not putting mine away per se, just trying to forget about them for a little. Of course, once we get another snow storm (which is a given), I’ll remember them again.
10. Ina | March 12th, 2007 at 1:15 pm
Tamara, we tend to get in trouble a lot, don’t we?
11. Ina | March 12th, 2007 at 1:17 pm
Kelley, “the heavies” - LOL! As for M7, agree! It works best in heat, it seems. The same goes for Chergui, on my skin. For the life of me, I cannot wear Yatagan - it’s so vicious! But I like your experiment.
12. Ina | March 12th, 2007 at 1:19 pm
Kris, Tiempe Passate is the ultimate “spring is here!” scent for me as well. When I owned a bottle, that’s when I wore it.
A little sneak peak: Bois Blond is really nice.
13. carmencanada | March 12th, 2007 at 5:28 pm
Spring is throwing my scent-choosing software off-kilter. Somehow, I prefer my chypres in summer, and my big white florals in winter (they make me feel like a hothouse). I’ve been off the orientals for a little while.
So right now, I’m gingerly venturing into seasonal flowers territory — after all, I also prefer to eat fruit and vegetables in seaon…
So it’s Une Fleur de Cassie : the warm, animalic drydown is just perfect in the cooler evenings, while the wet, metallic topnotes mesh with the first spring sun. Diorissimo, of course. And a very strong hankering for Frédéric Malle’s Une Rose which has also got the smell of damp earth to it.
14. Ina | March 12th, 2007 at 6:59 pm
Carmencanada, love your choices! Another damp earth scent is Rose de Nuit.
15. Juliana | March 12th, 2007 at 8:36 pm
I have problems with strong scents and headaches too…Maybe that’s the reason of all these light florals in my collection (and of course the hot hot weather).
16. Ina | March 12th, 2007 at 9:08 pm
Juliana, I usually love my heavy scents but in cold weather.
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