Summer Lovin’

I´ll preface today´s post with a thanks to Matt for giving me food for thought on the subject of wearing orientals in summer. Not only do I wholeheartedly agree with him that you should spray on whatever darn pleases you, I´m also a staunch supporter of the idea that oriental, spicy perfumes are made to be worn in summer. Why? Well because they, as we perfumistas fondly like to say, bloom and meld with our skin amplifying nuances and accords that can seldom be experienced in the dreary cold of hateful winter. What´s more, I love summer. I live for summer. Nothing in this world compares to the feeling of being hypnotized by the breath of hot desert air that muddles your senses and benumbs your limbs; of walking barefoot on the scorching beach sand; of having an unexpected, mischievous gust of wind tickle you undershirt and dry your sweaty brow as you lie in the cool of a linden bower; of your sun-taut skin sizzling when you splash into the sea…

So, in the spirit of Matt´s post, I spritzed Fumerie Turque on before going to work and waited for it to weave its magic. Sure enough, the winter-specific punch of tobacco ash burnt off in a matter of seconds leaving behind a breathing layer of spicy leather dipped into honeyed rum. Not for a minute did it feel heavy or overbearing, not even during my bus ride. In fact, it was perfect. L´Air du Desert Marocain, one of my desert island perfumes, is another favorite that will not reveal all of its secrets unless you let it blend with your skin at an egg-boiling temperature.

But then, there are sweltering days when the air is so humid your clothes will cling relentlessly to your body and the sweat will drip from your every pore. On such a day I wouldn´t be caught dead wearing an oriental. Let me put it this way: I´d rather have my nipples pierced and my nether bits dry-shaved by a drunken, freshly jilted cosmetician than brave say, Chergui. I rather choose to battle the icky heat with greens and aromatics. A summer staple in my collection is Emporio Armani White, a widely underappreciated gem. White´s opening is a burst of juicy citrus and rosemary and is the equivalent of a refreshing herb-spiked lemonade, if such a thing exists. Cardamom and thyme appear in short order, the whole soon being overlaid by soft, white skin musks. White is a simple scent, really, but it´s the only one I´ve repurchased in the 100ml bottle and that says a lot, no? Reading comments on Basenotes, you´ll find however that many have longevity issues with this scent. Thankfully, I don´t have this problem as 3-4 spritzes last forever on me. A word of warning, though: if you´re a fan of White´s top notes, be sure to reapply it from time to time rather than overapply – instead of creamy musks, you could end up smelling like hairspray. Another green aromatic that appeals to me this time of the year is Calvin Klein´s Truth for men. I´m not much of a fan of the line, but this one seems to be the odd one out. Lovers of the scent of freshly cut grass, take note – the first few minutes of Truth will make you feel as if you were rolling in dewy grass, preferably with your loved one (sadly, my girlfriend hates the smell). Truth then gathers warmth from basil and cardamom and ends on a note of dry cedar, all the while keeping its natural vibe. An even better experience than Truth is its feminine version. I hear that the Lush flanker is more wonderful still. Do comment if you´ve tried both!

If aromatic citrus isn´t exactly your thing and you prefer your summer scent to leave a trail of transparent elegance, Eau de Cartier should work like a charm. It is easily my favorite natural´ of the bunch. Eau de Cartier feels like… a spring shower on your skin, a smile, a crystalline marriage of violets, greens and lavender. I am surprised by how little it moved me the first time. Yes, it can be a ghost of a scent, but if you´re patient enough, at the right time and the right place the ghost will cast its shadow, and if you´re quick enough, you´ll step on that shadow, just like I did.

Sometimes though not even these will do. The title of yesterday´s post, August(e) in June, is so true of the kind of weather we´re having this week. Only, we´re talking humid August, and the one that comes as an assault on your senses after a long spell of shy spring weather. You can well imagine how I felt the other day after a lengthy mid-afternoon tutoring of a group of listless two in a non-AC room, not to mention the toing-and-froing in buses from hell. All I could manage when I got home was a quick shower (didn´t help much, btw) after which I crashed on the bed, nekkid and still comatose, my head pounding. And then it hit me – what little I had left of my sample of Guerlain Vetiver I dumped all over. Ahhhh! Instant Cooling. Dee-vine. Should Be Prescribed As Medicine. Lying there in the dark with a moronic grin, I remembered reading on one of the blogs about someone who keeps their bottle of Vetiver in the fridge. Isn´t that cool or what? I´m going to do the same as soon as my bottle arrives, hee.

  • Devon says:

    I am putting my Guerlain Vetiver in the fridge now. Excellent idea. The drunken freshly jilted cosmetician comment completely cracked me up =)) !

  • Dusan says:

    Hey, 98.7% of people will agree with you, my sister being one of them! ๐Ÿ™‚ But have you actually tried wearing FT in warm weather or you just feel you wouldn’t be able to stomach it?
    Scent of Peace sounds awfully nice to this blackcurrant fan.
    And thanks! xo

  • Dusan says:

    Hey, lookie at that – comments aplenty! Just got back home, had a nice shower and switched from my SOTD to Fumerie Turque. And now am ready to get back to all of you my lovelies <:-p

  • cathleen says:

    The strangest thing happened when I put on Fumerie Turque on a particularly warm day…it turned into loukhoum! That NEVER happens in the cooler months. Chergui does not smell at all heavy, but it can really work my last nerve in the summer since it doesn’t seem to fade on me. I, too, like the green and floral scents for this time of year. My current favorites are A la Nuit, Un Lys, Fleurissimo and Marina by Mazzolari.

    • Dusan says:

      Love your picks, especially (surprise, surprise) A la Nuit and Un Lys. I think we have the same problem with Chergui: when it chooses to misbehave, and I never know when that’s going to happen, it’s always the musk.
      The strangest, no, make that worst experience I’ve had with FT was when it turned into wet ashtray that hasn’t been emptied for days. You guessed it – that was in winter. ๐Ÿ˜‰

  • Nava says:

    Great post, Dusan!

    I wish I could join you and Matt in celebrating my heavier winter scents (I adore Fumerie Turque)in the warm weathter, but I just cannot do it. As I said last week, they’re like wearing a fur coat on the beach!

    I’m braving the Toronto humidity today with Bond Scent of Peace. Mind you, I never wear my summer scents in winter, and today, this one is so perfect: juicy blackcurrant and grapefruit. Doesn’t get any better for me. :d

  • Kim says:

    I totally agree with you – it’s so interesting how the humidity changes the perfume. Lauder’s Azuree is what I have on today and it totally loses it’s sharp edge in the humidity. When I go outside from the cold AC rooms, I can smell the difference within a few minutes. I also love heavy white florals in the heat – they somehow are less cloying.

    • Dusan says:

      Mmm Azuree, it even sounds mellow. You are absolutely right, some days I will totally forget what I’ve put on that morning until I come in an AC room. I’m also likely to overlook the fact that citrus from M7 *will* eventually move onto a not-exactly light territory of oudh, vetiver and amber so I spray heavily – and regret it deeply afterwards.
      Which white florals do you like to wear in summer?

      • Kim says:

        Luten Un Lys, Chanel Gardenia, Guerlain Chamade (I think it counts as white floral), L’Artisan Chasse aux Papillons, Lutens Douce Amere (does that count as floral?) – okay, now I have to spritz and go outside for a does of white florals! any other suggestions

  • AngelaS says:

    Great post, D. Today is supposed to get to 90 so I was thinking I’d go with Eau de Rochas or PdN Eau Exotique, but I’m going with Fumerie Turque instead.

    I bet Eau de Cartier would be great kept in the refrigerator, too.

    • Dusan says:

      Angie, it’s so lovely to see you here!! ๐Ÿ˜ก
      Would you believe it, I was thinking of you when I wrote about Eau de Cartier. The thing is, I know that you are a Patou fan, right? Well, recently I got ahold of a sample of Eau de Patou that to me feels very much like a soapier, floral version of EdC and of course, I fell deeply in love with it. I was naturally disappointed to hear that it had long been discontinued, but found comfort in the fact that at least EdC isn’t. Do you see a similarity between the two or am I just in dire need of a nose therapist? ๐Ÿ˜•

      • Dusan says:

        Um, nose theraPY. It is, after all, 2 am here. :d

        • Erin T says:

          Dudes, we are so on the same wavelength. Just hustled me up some Eau de Patou. Very interesting, though I won’t die when it runs out. I suppose I’ll just get some Eau de Cartier, which I’ve been meaning to do anyway. In the meantime, a splash of my Eau de Rochas from the fridge (thanks Angie!) and I’m on my way…

  • Divalano says:

    Revelation! You’ve just taught me something so simple I should have sussed it out myself. I couldn’t understand how everyone was having magical experiences spritzing FT in summer heat when just the idea made me gasp for breath. Humidity, of course! I’m here in Murky Manhattan. I need a hot, DRY day for Chergui rapture, duh! That makes sense.
    Today’s another hot & humid one. I can’t stand herbal or green so my choices are limited to citrus (very eh on me) or dry woods & soft vanillics for evening. I’ve been loving Tam Dao & Let Me Play the Lion for heat … with Cuir Beluga being my go to for when it cools off.

    • Musette says:

      Divalano,

      I don’t know if you like Cuir Ottoman but it ROCKS in the humidity, just like this Creed Cuir de Russie I’m wearing today. It’s blooming but not cloying…and all the notes I miss in the fall are slowly unfolding…

      and another option: if citrus is ‘meh’ on you, try Agraria Bitter Orange. I stumbled upon this via the lovely Nancy and…well, it’s totally different. It’s got the orange…but it’s a bracing, spicy orange that smells exactly like Constant Comment Tea – iced. Only better.

      I’ve done Manhattan in the summer, many times, and the only thing worse than Manhattan in August is Manhattan in the subway in August (haven’t done the bus, thank Floyd). I think Bitter Orange would work for those days, if you’re thinking citrus.

      xo

      • Divalano says:

        I love Cuir Ottoman & you’re right, I do wear it on hot summer nights, I’d totally forgotten about it on this post. Was surprised to find I don’t love it as much in winter even tho it “feels” like a year round scent to me. Last year I wore Datura Noir on humid rainy days a lot, just not calling to me this year. I will have to try the Agraria. I don’t usually like orange on me but I do like spices … Wearing Bois et Musc today. Thought the sweet bits might be too heavy but so far, very nice.

        • Kim says:

          If you like Datura, try Lutens Un Lys and/or Douce Amere in the heat/humidity. Wonderful – and I play with layering them as well. Un Lys is just incredible in the heat/humidity ๐Ÿ˜ก

          • Divalano says:

            Ohh no, can’t do Un Lys. Too Big White Flower for me, & I don’t like lilies anyway. I think Datura Noir is saved for me by the almonds & vanillic notes. I can do Jasmine tho … Annick Goutal Le Jasmine works nicely on me.

          • Louise says:

            I adore Jasmin de Nuit in the summer heat :d/

        • Musette says:

          Divalano –

          This post inspired me to spend the last few days spritzing a whole host of things I would’ve recoiled from in the heat – one of them was Montale’s Cuir d’Arabie. I thought I really didn’t like this (I got it in the chilly, early spring)…but I decided to spritz it last night after a hot shower…and wow! Totally different scent, as it unfolds on my shower-warmed skin..and continues to unfold in the heat! I thought it would be pukey but instead there’s this nice, floral (not leatherfloral this time) undertone that is very seductive.

          ๐Ÿ˜• this could be the start of a whole new approach to summer scents!

    • Dusan says:

      Let Me Play the Lion, OMG the poor soul has been languishing forever in one of my unorganized sample stashes, thanks for the reminder! Oooh that also reminds me I could wear Unicorn Spell one of these days, yay! ^:)^
      Anyway, what just came to mind – citrus + dry woods (+incense) = Light Blue for men. Seriously, have you tried it?

  • Musette says:

    Dusan,

    Great post! You inspired me to retry a scent I’d nearly discarded – Creed’s Cuir de Russie. In the cooler weather it smells a little harsh and razorlike…so I thought ๐Ÿ˜• “Dusan says…” it’s about 75F here right now, will soar up to about 90, with 100% humidity (it’s raining – again.

    ๐Ÿ˜ฎ Dusan is a genius! It opened up lush and full and, dare I say it? ….leatherflower? Not floral. Sort of like a new pair of Manolo boots made out of leather petals…(I’m making no sense here)…anyway, notes I’d not previously detected are shyly coming through..and I am really enjoying it. That razor opening, which is so irritating in the fall, provides a nice clean touch in this humidity. It’ll be interesting to see how it holds up later in the day, when the sun starts baking us in our skin.

    Thanks for the inspiration. I’m going to try some other, ‘non-summer’ scents and see what they do!

    xoxoxo@};-

    • Shelley says:

      Behold, fashionistas–there’s a new trend on hip feet, and it is Manolo boots made out of leather petals. We already know what perfume to wear with them (and in what weather)…now I am imagining the leather halter up top… =d>

      • Musette says:

        Not on me,you ain’t=))

        That would just be…..well…that would just be b-(

        but I can rock the boots and the scent.

        xo

    • Dusan says:

      Hello gorgeous! I see you guys are having a private party downstairs – can I come? I’ll wear my leatherpetal thong if you promise to don that halter… b-)
      Darn, I haven’t smelled Cuir de Russie! is it anything like Cuir Ottoman? That one I adore – in fact, I’m going to take it out for a spin tomorrow, so thank YOU for the inspiration! ^:)^

      :x:x:x

      • Musette says:

        My halter days are over, alas. Heck, it’s almost time for my granddaughter to get into them (she is into them but she’s 5 so it doesn’t count:-)

        Cuir de Russie – Chanel. I think there are lots of woods in there as well but the leather is pure class but not oily. You would probably love it for summer. I like both the Creed and the Chanel though I think the Chanel is more complex.

        Cuir Ottoman is actually more interesting now than it is in autumn. Hey! Maybe leathers, like your orientals, are made for warmer weather, where they really unfold….

        Corfu for the holiday sounds divine. I used to go to lovely places like Corfu. Now I go to Milwaukee :-< Get some sleep! I can't believe you're blogging at 2am!|-)

    • Dusan says:

      Let Me Play the Lion, OMG the poor soul has been languishing forever in one of my unorganized sample stashes, thanks for the reminder! Oooh that also reminds me I could wear Unicorn Spell one of these days, yay! ^:)^
      Anyway, what just came to mind – citrus + dry woods (+incense) = Light Blue for men. Have you tried it?

  • rosarita says:

    Wonderful writing, Dusan! I’m glad to see some love for CK Truth. I’d been lemming this for some time and was fortunate enough to be able to swap for a big bottle from MUA about a month ago (women’s). I don’t get the heaviness mentioned above, just a really nice combination of slightly bitter greens (bamboo, I think) and light woods, with a skin musk finish. I’ve really been enjoying it, and would love to try Truth Lush. You’ve intrigued me with Armani White, sounds perfect for the steamy heat. I too like my orientals year round, but I can’t handle the heavy fruit ones very well; tried Fendi Asja during a heat wave last summer and I smelled like rotted Christmas fruit cake :-&

    • Dusan says:

      Yeah, fruit in the heat is perhaps not such a good idea ๐Ÿ™‚ Isn’t Truth lovely? I think I even prefer the bitter notes to the vanilla dry down but as I said to Erin above, I haven’t tried Truth in summer so don’t know if it’s heavy or not. OTOH, I wear much heavier frags year round that make Truth seem like a baby in comparison.
      While you’re at the Armani counter, do try White for her – the musks are even softer and if you like blackberry (leaves) and fig, you’ll be in for a treat!

  • Olfacta says:

    Okay, I’ll try my L’Air. Even though I live in the southern US, where the humidity melts the makeup off your face and sticks your clothing to your body, and that’s at night; no one who can help it even goes outside during the day. I’ve been going to Maax and buying the full bottles unsniffed (I know, I know) because here, you’ve gotta have FB’s so you can spray it all over yourself. Made some good discoveries that way (Paloma, Oxygene by Lanvin) at $14.99. I’ve been saving the L’Air and other orientals for fall.

    Incidentally I just got back from Alaska, where I found that Guerlain Vetiver helps with the mosquitos there. Alaskan mosquitos are big, dumb and slow, compared to ours here, who are biting you before you even know they’re nearby. And it smells much better than Off! Not sure if this is true for everybody or just me, the mosquito magnet.

    “…nether bits shaved by a drunken, freshly jilted cosmetician…” Brilliant.

    • Shelley says:

      Oxygene? You like? I have a FB (minus 3-4 spritzes) to swap…on me, it wears like the emperor’s new clothes…and that certainly is NOT the spirit of today’s (or Matt’s) post. It sounded like the right idea…just doesn’t work that way for me.

      Mosquitos, while not Alaska size, are TERRIBLE right now in the Great Lakes region…what a great reason to run get some Vetiver! (And more exciting than the old Skin So Soft remedy…)

    • Dusan says:

      I bet you smell wonderful in Paloma, it’s an amazing perfume! I wouldn’t be too scared of wearing L’Air in any kind of weather since its sharp notes take their time (at least on my skin) to dry down to golden, solid amber.
      What an amusing story about the mosquitos! I wonder if it applies to all varieties cos I’m going on holiday in Corfu where apparently they are ruthless. Do I need to bring my Vetiver over there? ๐Ÿ˜‰

      • Olfacta says:

        Thanks Dusan — I do love the Paloma. I must admit that I saw it at Maxx and remembered the 4-star review in “The Guide,” so plunked down the cash for it posthaste. I keep hearing about the vintage extrait though. Need to hunt that down (after the Alaska bill is paid, which will be sometime in 2010 maybe).

        Perhaps we should all do an experiment with the Vetiver and mosquitos. I’m still not sure that our stealthy Southern mosquitos are repelled by it, but will take steps to find out this weekend. The Alaskan ones tend to hover in groups while they decide where to land. Ours aren’t as particular, or as social, it seems, and God knows they’re quick!

        It does make a certain kind of sense, since vetiver is a grass that grows in places where the little vampires are a problem…hmmm…maybe we could be on to something? Are there any natural perfumers familiar with the history of vetiver’s use out there?

    • Vasily says:

      From a posting at http://www.vetiver.org: “It has a healing properties, aseptic properties (which kills germs, bacteria and other virus), flavouring and deodorant properties i.e. it scares away some harmful insects such as mosquitoes. For example, people in India and elsewhere have been using vetiver roots in protecting clothes from moths, heads from lice and bedding from bedbugs. The oil repels flies and cockroaches as well and may make a useful ingredient for room refreshers. Presently, the author uses the roots to repel rats and cockroaches in his books shelve at Mbingo.”

      Not surprising the mosquitoes run from vetiver in terror. ๐Ÿ™‚

      • Olfacta says:

        Aha…I knew it…thanks Vasily! Now I know what to wear to those early-evening outdoor gatherings. I won’t have to carry a citronella candle everywhere with me or douse myself with Jungle Juice. And what a wonderful excuse to buy a FB of Vetiver. Problem is that the DH doesn’t like the Guerlain version…any suggestions, anybody?

  • Lara says:

    I tend to disagree about Chergui. I wore it yesterday with no problems- and the temperature here in the Tampa Bay area was close to 90, at least until the afternoon rains. I tend to avoid some of the more overpowering chypres (such as Aromatics Elixer)when the heat and humidity are oppressive.

    • Dusan says:

      Oh I believe you on the Chergui alright! I wore it last summer myself and lived to tell. The thing with Chergui is that on my skin it tends to either blend perfectly or develop a high-pitched musk note that once made me get off the bus way before my stop. Tricky!

  • Debbie says:

    My sympathy on the heat. We’re not too bad here, except for one midnight tornado warning. The weather was bad enough on that one (and the reports of what had been sighted) that we actually did spend 15 min in the basement.

    This summer, I was treated to how Lorenzo Villoresi’s Incensi opens up in the heat. (Or was it Spezie?) It was SO beautiful!

    • Dusan says:

      A tornado – yikes, whereabouts are you?! Suddenly I feel I should stop being such a wuss over a mini heat stroke.
      Incense is another note that seems so out of sync w/ summer heat, but actually it works quite well. Take for example Andy’s Incense Extreme, which I originally dismissed as being nice but not great. Now I want to try that Villoresi!

  • Louise says:

    Welcome back, Dusan >:d< I've always been a fan of orientals in the heat, since for a long time I didn't know that there were other fragrances...so, yes, FT is great in the summer (less sweet on me), and L'Air can't be beat-even with the extra vanilla I tend to amplify. But this year I have been yielding more to vetivers, and oddly, powdery things-the new China White has both to my nose, love it. Onda's been coming out to play, too. This weeks re-discovery-Giannia Campagna Scilla Cariddi-perfection in tart bergamot, dry spice, vetiver and woods. This may need to be mine :d/

    • Dusan says:

      Thanks, it’s great to be back!
      Hey what’s that hard-to-pronounce number you’re talking about, it’s got all my favorite things in it. Have never heard of the line but have a feeling the fume’s gonna be mine (that was sooo lame, hee)
      ๐Ÿ˜ก

      • Louise says:

        Darling-it’s another nice one by Gianni Campagna, the Italian designer that is the daddy of Vento Canale-one of my fav comfort scents. They have it at First in Fragrance-got my sample there ๐Ÿ™‚

  • Patty says:

    Hey, guess what I put on after I read this!? FT, of course. It’s not as hot here, has been pretty decent, but it is just perfection, my friend.

    • Dusan says:

      Another vote for FT, yay! Guess what – a storm’s brewing as I write. Love ya!

  • Elle says:

    FT and L’Air – they truly do bloom in the heat. Wore FT last week when it was 100 and w/ nearly matching dew points and it was just bliss. But…yikes! I have some serious summer scent homework to do since I don’t think I’ve ever even sniffed EA White, Truth or Eau de Cartier. ๐Ÿ™

    • Dusan says:

      L, of your three homework assignments I’d seek the Eau de Cartier out first ๐Ÿ˜‰
      I forgot to mention in my post that White changed its name to Red but it’s basically the same (white) bottle with a red pattern of sorts. Don’t let SAs convince you otherwise!

  • Erin T says:

    L’Air in the egg-boiling weather – wit ya, man. (Hey, and that chaya is soooo clever – I’m gonna go get me some 3ieme Homme.) If you could wear Truth for women in the sticky days, though… as Ali G. would say, Respect! Am intrigued by that one, but it is *opaque*. It’s two perfumes at once: it has all these soapy, fresh-faced notes, but WHAAAAP – underneath are the big, dense, synthetic oriental notes. Like some perfumes with Iso E Super, it seems like it is written in 72 point font. Will have to try the Truth for Men – it seems more up my alley. Thanks!

    • Dusan says:

      My fav Canadian gurl! Just so you know, Nicolai PH saved me today from keeling over while I was running some boring but necessary errands. To be honest, I’d originally reached for the 3eme Homme only to find out there was none left ๐Ÿ™
      As for the women’s Truth, I’ve only worn it outside once a few months ago so have no idea if it would turn against me in this weather. What you say makes sense though, it isn’t nearly as ‘fresh’ as the men’s one which you could spray with abandon and not worry about being clubbed on the head with lumpy vanilla. But I’m too curious now to pass up the experiment with the Opaque One. I’ll let you know how it went. If I live to tell, that is. :-s

  • chayaruchama says:

    I’m with you, with the swelter.
    Like Matt, I’ve been Jickying , Mouchoir de Monsieur, and 3ieme Homming it up.
    Many vetivers, too.

    I recently retried Hypnotic Poison and Lolita Lempicka in this heat- and found that they were great, not cloying.

    Lovely to see you posting again !
    MWAH !

    • hvs says:

      i thought your comment said: “gimme swelter.” hee hee!

    • Dusan says:

      Liebchen, you smell gorgeous!
      Do NOT get Hypnotically Poisonous around me or else I’m not responsible for my actions b-)
      Ljubim!

  • MattS says:

    Lovin’ it, Dusan. The crazy coincidence is just yesterday I ordered a bottle of Fumerie Turque, just in time for summer. It made all the sense in the world to me. :d

    Yesterday was 95 degrees and humid as hell; I wore Jicky in the extrait and had the best day. L’Air du Desert Marocain is one of my favorite hot weather scents. I never fully appreciated it until spritzing it after soaking in a hot bath. Then everything came into bloom.

    • Elizabeth says:

      Agreed on the LDDM. Lovely in hot, but also in cool weather. Actually, you can’t go wrong with it, IMO. And FT is my next purchase, I hope! You’ve got good taste. ๐Ÿ™‚

    • Dusan says:

      Hey, congrats on the bell jar! Wish I had some Jicky left, although I did wear it last summer and it was heavenly. Why of why don’t I own bottles (at least 30ml ones) of all the scents I adore? :((
      I wonder if Andy’s ever considered a lineup of ancillary products for his perfumes. Just imagine L’Air in body lotion or RaJ in shower gel…

  • dinazad says:

    Great post, Dusan! I might have to give Vetiver another try. Or buy that Montale Red Vetiver I tried the other day. Absolutely gorgeous!

    • Dusan says:

      Thanks! Definitely try Guerlain’s Vetiver (the flankers aren’t as nice tho) and, if you like liquorice, Kenzo Air.

  • carmencanada says:

    There have only been about four days of true summer weather here in Paris so far, so I haven’t been able to do my favourite white-florals-in-the-heat trick this year: usually Serge Lutens Fleurs d’Oranger or Un Lys. Among orientals, I do wear Attrape-Coeur… But vetiver fragrances seem to be ideal in extreme, searing heat: Chanel Sycomore is my current contender (the Guerlain belongs to my ex). There’s something about that combination of citrusy-smoky-sweaty that I love in vetiver.

    • Dusan says:

      Sycomore sounds fabulous, it’s on my list to try as is the Armani Prive Vetiver. D, since you like vetiver, what do you think of Annick Goutal’s Eau de Monsieur? It’s a lovely smoky chypre with lots of vetiver, sadly discontinued. Love your summer picks, btw. ๐Ÿ™‚

  • hvs says:

    just curious – where are you that it’s so nasty hot? it’s europe somewhere, right? what’s the right scent for summer rain? that’s what i’ve been seeing!

    • Dusan says:

      Yep, Europe alright. It just started to rain but we had a week of tropic heat wave (95+) here in Belgrade, Serbia.

  • Bryan says:

    Dusan,
    OK, I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again…me…big crush..you. My boyfriend is laughing at me….You have always implied I’m a romantic…which I am, but your words are poetry. OK, enough of this. I love the idea of wearing Fumerie Turque in the heat….I will be trying this tomorrow…as it is like 92 before factoring in humidity. I love a romantic straight man…….thank you for the suggestions, not to mention the picture of you naked and smelling of Vetiver. Love you D.

    :”>

    • Dusan says:

      It takes one dreamer to know another, no? I believe we’re sentimates, you and I (scentimates?). And you know how much I love it when you drop by… So, how’s FT faring in the heat?
      Love you back, sweet fella! >:d< P.S. I assure you that whatever mental image you had of me is SO MUCH better than reality ;))