I brought three samples of new things with me to Texas, so like them, hate them, bored by them, doesn’t ‘matter, you get them reviewed. All are available at Luckyscent.
Montale Chocolate Greedy — What is that note? I’ve hated it in every candle that has it. But I’m never sure if it’s a chocolate piece or vanilla piece or a combination, and this has both notes. Notes of moka bean, bitter orange, cacao cream, vanilla from Madagascar, it starts off slightly bitter with not much orange at this point. The drydown actually improves it, as it softens and some of that sharp yuk note goes away, it never goes over to the sickening sweet chocolate or vanilla side of the boat, but goes a little, um, flat. Well, for me, but I’m not a fan of chocolate scents generally, and I don’t need this one, but for those that like the gourmand scents, it’s probably worth at least sampling to see if it will work. $95 for 50 ml at Luckyscent.
Profumum Olibanum — Perfection. Notes of incense, myrrh, orange blossom, sandalwood. Starts off sharp, rich and pungent and softens a bit, but maintains a rich incense wood smell. The orange blossom is backgroundish, but I can smell just a little trilling around the incense. My favorite Profumum to date — worth trying for incense lovers, definitely and emphatically. $215 for 100 ml at Luckyscent.
Profumum Acqua Viva – Lemony and refreshing, nothing to hate here, except the $215 per 100 ml price tage. What else? Um…. er…. nothing. The end.
Texas is hot, but green, a weird state of affairs for August. My dad always said if he had a house in Texas and a home in Hell, he’d sell his house and go home. The recent rains down here have worked a green summer miracle. The other miracle is my nails. If I had a a way to get a camera picture loaded in, I’d show off my China Glaze Lubu polish, which is a takeoff on the Christian Laboutin shoes with the red soles, so they have a red-black with sparkles in it and a more reddish red with sparkles. My nails look spectacular. I quit biting them recently, fo reasons that are unclear, and they grew and grew and grew! Which brings me to my new (waves to R!) passion for nail polish. If you like dark, rich colors on your nails, check out the Russian Collection for fall from Opi. Amazing rich, vibrant hues that will make your nails happy. Available at Head2Toe Beauty.
Oh man! Profumum is on my drool list! I’ve tried Amber Aureum and Patchouli, and Olibanum seems definitely something to try for me.
I would’ve had a collection of this by now if it weren’t for the dang pricetag!
Would the Olibanum be too strong in the heat and humidity of Texas? I live in NYC but I am heading there for a family reunion in September.
howdy from hellishly hot and humid texas. it’s true, it’s only been totally nasty this past week – the rains really kept it almost pleasant until then. the highways are now dipping and buckling, apparently because of the rain/heat combo. someone called texas the armpit of the country – funny, that’s how i always think of orlando, florida – another hot, humid place with no seabreezes to help. why do people always try to live in swamps, bayous, and other places no rational person would want to live?!
the olibanum smells lovely – but oy, the price!
I just got back from the Montale boutique in Paris (my second visit this week), and it/they were amazing. Incredible service, nice folks, very open and generous. I bought several that I hadn’t heard of in the states, and the prices were definitely better. As for the Chocolate, the SA told me that it is really only the Americans that buy it much. I find it just OK, and really like my chocolate much nastier-as in Borneo (sorry March!).
The olibanum does sound good-I wonder how it wears?
Louise, for chocolate, you need to walk over to Rue St. Honore, just down the street from Colette, and visit Michel Cluizel. The chocolate their is edible, lol!, and amazing! While you are there, take in all the wonderful chocolate smells and admire the chocolate fountain that graces the back wall. Simply beautiful!
Louise, skin twin, while you’re in Paris, try a few for me. Are you going to Serge’s? Do let me know what smells beautiful on you. 🙂 And enjoy!
Oh, Lord, I hate Texas. Nothing against Texans themselves, of course, because they seem like very lovely people. But the state itself is like the armpit of America. Hot. Wet. Smelly. And there are some nasty bugs buzzing around, too.
The only thing that saves is the Mexican food, which is better there than even in Mexico.
I am currently kinda obsessed with nail, ahem, varnish (it does have a classy ring to it) and will have to scoot over to the local salon for the OPI Russion Collection. Last time I went, it was on display but not available for purchase yet, so I hit up the Night Brights collection instead. Ink makes a fabulous pedicure. I want the Catherine the Grape shade, despite the name.
I very much believe that OPI recycles lots of colors and assigns them different names, but I think the wacky names are fun (yeah, I need to get out more.)
Perfume price points in general are pretty depressing. It would take a while to save up my perfume budget for anything major, so it would have to be deep, intense love, usually reserved for maybe my husband? not to give in to cheapie perfume gratification in the meantime.
I broke out of the rurals and lived in Houston throughout my 20s. Never got used to the humidity or the fire ants, but February was bliss 🙂
Yes, OPI is notorious for re-cycling their colors, maybe making them just a touch lighter or darker or a tad more shimmery or creamier.
That said, I do love the Night Brights Collection, especially Light My Sapphire and Ink (which looks like mimeograph ink from elementary school. Any of y’all remember that ink and how it smelled on paper?).
But, you have to love the names OPI gives their colors. Catherine the Grape indeed! 🙂
Hugs!
Olibanum sounds like something I need, thanks! The Profumum line hasn’t wowed me so far either.
Waving back at ya, babe! Mwah!!! Your nails look gorgeous, dahling. 😡 Isn’t that Lubu Heels polish hot??? I’ve got mine right here in my desk and plan to break it out next week.
In the meantime, I’m digging the new Downtown collection from Zoya. Just ordered Suvi (emerald green), Kotori (shimmering blue), Rea (shimmering foiled orchid) and Freja (shimmering stone grey). Zoya is not sold on H2T, but they have their own website. Once you get into Zoyas, P, there’s no turning back. Check out Yasmeen (which I wore on my toes for our ooh-la-la vacation, and I looked hot if I must say so myself, yuck, yuck!) and Roxy (hint–it has fun sparkles like the lubu, but is a gorgeous fuschia/orchid!).
Not convinced about the OPI Russians yet, because I feel like some of those colors have been done before, but I need to see them in person.
Oops, almost forgot this is a fragrance blog, so before I forget: Yes, Chocolate Greedy is for chocolate lovers. It reminds me of Serendipitous, but with a little less orange and a touch more sophistication, if you will. Maybe I will wear my sample this weekend. just for fun. Acqua Viva is very fresh and lemony, but for the price, one may want to stick with Love’s Fresh Lemon, lol! Hey, do they still make that drugstore wonder fragrance?
Hugs and love to you from LA all the way to the heart of Texas! And, remember: Don’t mess with it!! 😉
Oh Yeah Violet-it’s the Zoyas that really rock this fall-I ordered the downtown series, and some of the uptown. Also-if y’all become addicted to, er, varnish, China Glaze has some hot new ones in their X collection-several great vampies and dark plums. Oops, another addiction revealed!
I know, I know! China Glaze totally rocks, doesn’t it, Louise? I just ordered a whole bunch including Blk Bila Bong (I love this! Black with blue sparkles), Awakening, Crystal Ball, Orange Pacific, Aqua Baby (goes on my toes this afternoon, hooray!), X (or Ten), and of course the Lubu Heels.
I am on the fence about the new ski collection they just issued, but all in all, I am very pleased with the quality of their products.
Hugs! So happy that you met Lee and had an amazing fragrant adventure with him in swingin’ London. I could live in that city!
Oh, Patty, you’ve taken me down memory lane to the time when I was able to retain polish on my nail for at least three days. OPI had a beautiful dark bluish red called Russian to the Party (or something close to that). Essie Orchid Oasis is still around, and it’s a beauty. That was back before I took up gardening seriously. The problem with gardening and nail polish isn’t the dirt–it’s the chipping. Stick your hand in a clump of dirt and off comes the polish. Maybe around Christmas I’ll get my nails done. Not as much gardening then, though here it never stops altogether.
Olibanum is going on my Perfumed Court wish list.
I’ll have to try the Olibanum, though up until now I’ve disliked every Profumum I tried. But, you said the magic word: incense.
The wonderful world of nail polish… I love everything OPI, but my choice for the coming season is Chanel. Tulip Noir is so gorgeous. I only stop staring at my nails so I can sniff my wrist.
Really, you haven’t liked any of them? I’ve found a couple I like well enough, but Olibanum is love. 🙂
Tulipe Noire is gorgeous, but I really, really hate that Chanel price tag, and I think the reds in the new China Glaze Anniversary collection are as pretty. Have you seen those. Red Pearl and another red… can’t remember the name.
I’m addicted to deep, red nail polish, it’s the only color I wear. For the past year it’s been OPI Got The Blues For Red (Chicago collection, I think). Before that it was Essie Leave It To Diva. Time for a change! I realize a different red would only look different to me, no one else can tell, but I’m now all curious about this Russian collection. :d
Reds, I haven’t seen the reds in the Russians, but the Lubu is gorgeous — well, see my recommends above for two great reds.
Love the dark beauty of the Russians, though I prefer China Glaze for staying power on nails.
Rather predictably, I want those OPIs, although the names are as lame as ever. 🙂
I kinda like the Opi names. 🙂 If you like reds, try that China Glaze Lubu or the China Glaze Red Pearl, they are just stunning on. And both of those suit my pale to ruddy skin tone.
Stares down at unpolished nails. I think I’ve used polish maybe twice in my life. It seems so attractive, but between painting and gardening, just something not something that would work for me. Although, that Russian collection is tempting!
*Must* try Olibanum. Chocolate Greedy reminds me intensely of the original (10 years ago) CSP Amour de Cacao.
But think about it, dark polishes would hide that dirt that sometimes wants to become permanent. 🙂 maybe they will make a gardener’s polish, something that is gardening friendly and suits the gardener.
I remember having Amour de Cacao and despising it, and I didn’t despise the Chocolate Greedy as much, less sweetness, but a similar angle, I do agree.
OPI Russian collection has “Catherine the Grape”! =))
P — well, thank goodness you have a new obsession.:d Reading you and these comments really makes me want to get busy and start coloring my nails again. The Russian collection sounds great, and I really need to dig up the Lubu, because I lurve that color.
I still haven’t tried a single profumum — is Olibanum worth $215? Seriously. You’re the volume buyer — is it that good? I think you decided the Thebes were worth it.
You actually made my stomach lurch with chocolate greedy. :-&
And, actually, I really need to ban the words “really” and “actually” from my vocab.
The Lubu would look GREAT on you. It’s really the perfect shade of red. Chanel has a new one, Tulipe Noire, that is also pretty perfect for you, but I hate the prices on the Chanels — $19 for polish! Yuk, not getting more of those, unless it’s super unique.
I have a new obsession often, but I stay true to my perfume love. It’s weird, because both of my boys have the same OCD’ness about new things as I do.
Is olibanum worth $215? I don’t know. I keep thinking not, but I’ve decided Bois d’encens is worth the $180 for 50 ml, so I don’t think I can say it’s not because I think it’s well made and smells great. I’d recommend sample first, it may not fit your tastes, though I suspect you will like it, even if it’s not love, but it may be love.
Thebes is just in a whole different class, and I still keep thinking nothing is worth that much regardless, until I spritz it again, then I change my mind. 🙂 BTW, didn’t you want some of the EDP in a split? I can’t remember!
Thebes is wonderful and sooooo expensive!
I SO did not need to hear that about the Olibanum. Arggggh! Forgot (or didn’t know) you were away. Sent an email you might not have received: the Fier is here!!!<:-p
Snooping — AG Fier? Oh, Do Fear? Or some other fabulosity?
Yeah, the AG. I was supposed to get it for Patty in Paris. They gave me the wrong fragrance by mistake and I didn’t realize til I got home,:( and. . .well, it’s a long story, but the conclusion is positive.
I saw, wheeee!!! I’m home tomorrow night, so I’ll get back with you on Sunday, once I catch up from the 3 million orders I have to do when I get home. Yikes!!!
No hurry–I know you must be crazily busy! Just wanted you to know!:)>-
Hehehe, your nail varnish obsession reminded me of when I also had the same a few years ago and went online to research Jessica nail products (great base and top coats btw). I was at work, typed Jessica.com and hit this porn site that refused to be shut. New obscene windows kept popping up and I thought I was going to get the sack on the spot.
Never tried any Profumum…must add Olibanum to my Perume Court wish list.
Have a great w-e everyone !
Great story!
If you like woody incense, the Olibanum is definitely good. I’m still not crazy at the price tag, but that range seems to be the new norm for niche scents, so I think I’m just getting used to it? The malles are close to that, and rumored to be having a price hike soon, at leasts at Barney’s. Horrible price point.
Mmm Texas. Dallas. Aldehyde 44. Dreaming[-o< Love OPI for fall. I have my eyes on Russian Navy, a beautiful dark navy blue. Must have.
Hey, that’s what I put on today!!!
yeah, the blue and the grape ones are calling my name, but there’s a number of others that I can’t wait to see in person. I had to order the whole collection. 🙂
Hiya Patty,
Welcome to Hell!!Errr..I mean Texas >:)
Actually, it’s only gotten hot this week. Up until about 3 days ago, we’d only had maybe two days above the 80’s all summer. I was literally beginning to believe that Hell had frozen over!
My issue with all these ‘fumes is price. I don’t mind a chocolate perfume when I’m in the mood(which is seldom), but I’ve smelled this and it’s not worth any more than CSP’s Amour de Cacao or CdG’s Spicy Cocoa IMO. And I haven’t smelled a Profumum yet that was worth the money. Most of them, I couldn’t stand!I can ignore these and try many other new ones!
Another Texan here. Yep, summer is finally here;I laughed out loud when I read Patty’s dad’s advice on Texas real estate! We’ve been in East Texas for 16 years now and this was the weirdest, coolest, and wetest summer yet. I figure that to make up the balance, next summer it will be so hot that my grass will literally burst into flames! 🙂
Yeah, that’s what we heard, we should have been here a week or two ago. Argh!!! At least we are stuck inside the biosphere (Gaylord) so we never have to see the heat of the outside, but I’m claustrophobic in this thing. I hate it as much as I do the Gaylord Grand Ole Opry hotel.
but I’m wearing aldehyde 44 for my stay:)
I’m not a gourmand person either, especially not chocolate or vanilla, though I do still greatly admire Indult Tihota, one of the few vanillas I really do like, despite my own tastes. The chocolate greedy just didn’t strike me as something unique, but I still think those who like gourmand scents would find it interesting because it doesnt’ fit into the really sweet or the really bitter category. Maybe I’m wrong, but I’m clearly n ot a fan. 🙂
Hey, I stayed in the Gaylord last April! It was pretty nice until the Miller Beer convention people got there the day before I left. Couldn’t get into any of the restaurants! But room service was good!
It’s nice enough, but my rooms is looking into the interior of the biosphere, and at night there’s always some celebration or another, which isn’t really good for sleep, so I’m the walking dead today. Greeeeaaat!
I can’t believe… You say they aren’t great, and I still thinking about trying Olibanum.
Have a nice weekend !
Oh, I think the Olibanum IS great! I’m still torn on the price tag, but it’s the best Profumum I’ve smelled to date, at least that fits my tastes perfectly.
It’s nail VARNISH fer sure!
Ooh, the olibanum sounds good!
I forgot to ask Tom about that. nail varnish, for reals? Who says that? Is it a British thing or a period thing?
For real! It’s British!
And, let’s be rational here, makes a lot more sense than polish (a product rubbed on to make a surface shine, as opposed to a product painted on to do the same. I rest my case. :-b )
Well, I am not big on nail polish (although I am old enough and New England enough to call it nail varnish, which means that I am 100 years old), even though every girl I know HATES me for the fact that my nails grow about an inch an hour and have the the tensile strength of rolled carbon steel.
My guy friends hate me because I have the same deal with my hair.
Do I need to write that I don’t need most of these scents? Consider this a thank ou note for saving me money.. 🙂
Okay, so I hate you too now! My hair and nails usually grow really fast, but my nails are always weak on the sides. For some reason they aren’t right now, not sure why!
I am glad to perfume perfume Public Services. The only one one of the three that I need is the Olibanum.