Comments on: Department Store Dystopia – By Nava

By: Shelley

Shelley — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 14:01:47 +0000

And to note Tania’s point, I would say that perfumes like the Eisenberg are for me like a PBJ sandwich; highly serviceable, pleasant, sometimes with a twist (ever use lemon curd or a good marmalade for the “J”?), but nothing monumental. Artisan breads, fresh ground peanut butter, and brandy-infused jam notwithstanding. (Again, tasty beyond expectations, but not ka-zam!)

Hmm, did I clarify, or confuse??

By: Shelley

Shelley — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 13:55:55 +0000

Marianette,

You are the first person I have seen (other than myself) to mention the Eisenberg. I think that here in the states, you cannot really get the Eisenbergs–I found mine on eBay. I really like the Jose as a reasonably priced comfort scent…kind of along the lines of Organza Indecence, if you know that one.

By: Shelley

Shelley — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 13:52:15 +0000

I am catching up on some of the posts due to travelling earlier this week…for some reason, I guffawed at your closer, Musette. “Katy, bar the door!” indeed!!!

I, too, am shifting focus to samples and decants…I was telling myself all through the crazy acquisition that there would be a “settle in” time when I just went through and tried and tried again. I have enough larger decants and FB’s to keep me scented for a while…and the pennies must be hoarded for Chicocoa!

By: Mitsouko

Mitsouko — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 22:20:20 +0000

BTW, I forgot to say that after reading about SJP’s scent, I was of course curious about it. So I went to Macy and asked for a sample. I tried it on and … nothing. No, really. There was nothing there. I asked my husband to smell my wrist and to tell me how he liked the scent. He asked “What scent?” Now I usually have a very “receptive” skin. But like I said, these new perfumes have NO staying power.

By: Mitsouko

Mitsouko — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 22:12:52 +0000

Well, I can understand Nava’s disappointment with department store perfumes, but not all of them are bad. My greatest peeve with any perfume these days is their – especially in some cases – almost non-existent staying power. What’s with that? I don’t know about you, but if I’m going to shell out $50 – $120 (my beloved Serge Lutens), I want something in return for my money. Which is why I always go back to the oldies: Opium, Ms.Dior, KL, and others like them. And since some people consider them “old ladies’ perfume,” at least I know I won’t smell like everybody else. I too love niche perfumes … but being truly middle class, I can seldom afford them. Which is why I’m glad to find some good choices in dep stores now and then.

I’m now reading Burr’s book and it is interesting (especially if you can get past his huge ego and all the sycophantic adoration for Ms. Parker – I mean, I’m sure she’s a nice person and all that, but come on …). I’ve always had great respect for perfumers and I was horrified at the way their arduous work is sometimes treated. Just comes to show how classless jerks can be found even in the poshest environments.