All I seem to be able to think about these days is spring and cherries and flower gardening. It´s way too early to actually go shopping or excavating in my backyard (needs a total flower garden overhaul), so I´m going excavating through some perfumes that have crossed my desk lately. I have the attention span and memory of a gnat, so quick little reviews like March does have won me over.
Hermessence Osmanthe Yunnan – yes, this one is as ephemeral and light as a little tart fairy with dusty wings, but does that make me like it any less? Nay, I say. Tea, orange, freesia, osmanthus and apricot are the notes. I´m not sure it´s FBW, though I did get the Full Bottle anyway, but I believe these are now available in the Discovery Set from Hermes boutiques, or will be in the next month. This is the summer fragrance that is not too sweet, not too tart, not overbearing. It doesn´t exactly disappear quickly, it´s just very subtle. Definitely one you could spritz with abandon go to the office or a wedding or just go relax in the hammock with some PBR in a Coozie. Review at NST and review at PST
Chocolovers by Aquolina spray and lotion — A little dark violet tossed this bon-bon at me, and though I love chocolate, I normally don’t like it on me. Serendipitous I like for about five minutes, and then I want a full hose-down. Chocolovers did NOT start out well, there was all sorts of coconut-like smells that are probably hazelnut or something else, and I was whining like an orphaned pup trying to get it off, but I just closed my eyes and waited, and then sniffed again in about 15 minutes, and it wasn’t staying that strong and it was turning into a rather nice vetiverish, smooth mocha kinda thing. This is so not horrible, it’s pretty likable, even for a nonfoody scent s*ut like me. With summer coming, I probably wouldn’t wear it, but by next fall and winter, it should fill a space on those days when I just want to feel like I fell into a lovely cup of hot cocoa.
Serge Lutens Chergui — Since March just did this one and then sent me some, I’ve just got to say this one is like The Nazgul without Sauron’s interference. In short, I like it. Rich, spicy, smoky — a jacked-up, sweet Fumerie Turque.
BTW, when ordering from the Hermes boutique, don’t call Ambre Narguile by its True Name, their SAs really don’t have a sense of humor.
See, to me, Chergui is the evil one, Sauron and Saruman all in one. Ambre Narguile is sweetness, warmth and wonderfullness.
I’ve never been abbreviated before! PST! pst pst pst- I like it!
Patty–all three of these fragrances are winners in my book. They are all so different, and I love each of them.
So true what you say about Chergui–it is a sweeter FT, which I do not like at all.
I am so glad you hung in there with Chocolovers, as the rooty vetiver drydown elevates it to something quite special.
Hugs!
Dear Patty,
The best part was imagining you calling Ambre Narguile by its true name. It’s hard for most people to purvey luxury with a sense of humor. You, my dear, are among the few, the fabulous who have the range to do that!
Yes, I have been musing lately on the transparency and complexity of Ellena’s creations. The Different Company Osmanthus is one of my top three right now, even though :crying: I have come to the end of my little sample vial.
I agree that heavier formulations of certain scents are totally exhausting. That detracts from their greatness, to me. They (who shall remain jammily nameless) don’t match my idea of elegance
Victoria, I very much agree. You did review this, didn’t you? For some reason, I didn’t find it when I googled. I wind up just sniffing my skin when I wear it. I would love a lotion in this scent, I think that would be amazing.
I do enjoy Osmanthe Yunnan very much as well. I do not care if it is sheer, because it remains complex and interesting. Never boring.
Maybe I’ll do it with some Passage D’Enfer, that will likely cut it just enough so it doesn’t wear out my nose. Some perfumes are just exhausting!
Pabst Blue Ribbon in one of those little foam things that keep it cool!
Ok, I have to ask…what is “some PBR in a Coozie”???
I’m wearing Chergui this morning. I’m pretty sure this won the Gold in my Skanky Serge search, although I still need to try Borneo and MKK. The perfect balance of incense, leather, tea and whatever that Serge juju is. Did you try it with the Armani Encens? Or Avignon. Nice way to cut the sweet.