Heat busters

heat bustersAye, Mother Nature, you tricky lass, you. (Can you tell I’ve been reading/watching too much “Outlander”?) Just when we think we are out of the woods for a devastatingly hot summer here, sliding by with temps in the 80s for the most part, you come out of left field with a mid-August wallop of high 90s and even higher heat indexes. Not that I’m complaining, mind you, as I’ll take whatever relief we can get, but I just wish that the moderate temps had lasted. For a while there, I was thinking I wouldn’t need this post or the scents, but I guess it’s finally time for the heavy-duty heat busters.

I had wanted to test a new scent or two to chat about, but drat and double-drat if in the midst of this heat wave I haven’t come down with a nasty little summer cold (waves tissue box at the Posse’s Tom along with much sympathy). Arrghh …

So please do share with me what your favorite heat busters are this summer. I do enjoy the traditional eau de colognes as always, and the usual hot-weather suspects (Calyx, Escale a Portofino, etc.), but lately I have been wearing the dickens out of Frederic Malle’s Eau de Magnolia. It has the refreshingly crisp, citrus-y open which I adore, as well as a lovely ribbon of magnolia in it, but the green, woody, mossy drydown is what I’m loving most. It has an oddly cooling, soothing effect on me which is most welcome. And there is something in there that reminds me a bit of Cartier’s La Panthere, so when my sniffer gets unstuck, I think I might try layering the Malle with a bit of the La Panthere body lotion, to see how that works.

I really can’t afford it, or even think about affording it right now, but the Magnolia is edging into full-bottle-worthy territory for me. Although ideally, I’d rather get by on samples and decants, wait it out, and hope that Mssr. Malle will do the three-piece travel set in this one that I could split with someone. I’m sure a couple of you would be interested, right?

  • john says:

    I’m loving this as well, it’s such an unusual but refreshing take on the cologne accord, the lasting power is also phenomenal as well.

  • Laurels says:

    Jour d’Hermes has been my go-to lately–I have to force myself to try new samples. I found a tester, cheap enough to make me worry, but it seems right and I’m happy. It even has decent longevity on me, conking out after about six hours, leaving me free to try something new at night (or reapply). Maybe you’ll find a great deal on the EdM–it happens! And if not, maybe you’ll get tired of it anyway. I’ve been trying to spend less time agonizing over how to spend my little perfume budget, and rely more on serendipity, and I think it’s paying off.

    • Ann says:

      Thanks, Laurels! And you’re right, if I can’t get some EdM on the cheap, something else extremely crave-worthy will be coming along soon enough to take my mind off the lemming. I like that Hermes as well; I just saw that they’ve come out with a Jour d’Hermes Absolu. Have you tried it? I hope to, very soon.

  • Beth says:

    Ann, you are making me want to try a decant of this!!

    I am wearing the heck out of my decant of Amouage Journey. Going through it like gangbusters. It’s sophisticated enough for work, but something about it is light and easy to wear in the heat. At the beach on vacation I was wearing MDCI Peche Cardinal every day. I still love that on the weekends, but I’m not sure if it will make it to the FBW after I drain the 15ml decant. Etro Royal Pavillion also works well for me on those steamy days. Heavy in the rotation for the summer: 1932, 28 La Pausa, Jersey, Chanel No. 5 Eau Premiere, Bel Respiro, OJ Woman … and for the sultry date nights I wore a ton of Organza indescence.

    • Ann says:

      Go for it, Beth! You can get a little spray at Surrender to Chance and give it a whirl. You’ve hit on several of my favorites there, particularly the MDCI and 1932. I need to get my Journey sample out and revisit; I think I tried it during some stressful work days and it got swallowed up in the chaos. But hearing you rave about it perks up my ears. Thanks!

  • Suzanne says:

    Ann, you make this sound so pretty!! I can definitely picture you wearing and enjoying it, being familiar with your tastes.

    No heat-busting perfumes for me, I mostly like to wear big perfumes even in the heat. As far as softer colognes go, though, I do like Jo Malone Saffron Cologne Intense. It’s not a heat buster, but it wears well in the heat.

    • Ann says:

      Howdy, sweet Suzanne! You must try the magnolia; I think you would enjoy it, too. I can’t believe I haven’t tried that Jo Malone, but haven’t been to the big city in ages, so must do as I really like saffron. Is it full-bottle worthy for you?

  • Di says:

    I have been told by a sales associate that a travel set is likely to be released some time this fall.

  • monkeytoe says:

    The Kenzo Eau de Fleurs are really good in the heat. I have bottles of the The, Magnolia (my fave), and the Yuzu.

    • Ann says:

      Mmmm, those sound nice. I need to get on the stick and try them; I’ve always had good luck with Kenzo. Thanks!

  • Kandice says:

    I love the FM Eau De Magnolia! It’s sadly out of my price range as well but would be really interested in sharing a bottle. My other new favorite is Pear, Waterlily, and Amber by Dame Perfumery. Extremely affordable and so pretty! If you haven’t heard about the launch of Jeffery Dame’s new line, it’s well worth checking out!

    • Ann says:

      Mine, too, Kandice! I’m living off a couple of samples and a small-ish decant, stretching it out as long as I can. That perfume house rings a bell — did they launch a year or two ago with a leather scent? Or am I confused?

  • Musette says:

    I saw the black cap and thought “oh! My cooling scent! Geranium Pour Monsieur” (I have the perfume and the body lotion – perfect after a post-gardening shower. But everyone seems to be LOVING that Magnolia. Gonna try it. xoxoxoA

    ps. it’s elebenty-billion degrees here, after a Saturday deluge. Everything is still soaking wet. Except now it’s soaking wet and steaming hot. Yay.

    • Ann says:

      Hey, sweetie! You need to getcha some o’ that Magnolia, darlin’ ASAP. Sounds like you’ve got your cooling scent recipe down pat. We’ve got the blistering temps, but send us a bit of that rain, won’t you, dear? 🙂

  • Dina C. says:

    Ann, Eau de Magnolia sounds gorgeous! I live in magnolia country, so that sounds very appealing to me. I just wore Bulgari’s green tea scent yesterday for the first time this summer. That’s a great heat-buster for me. Today it’s cooler and less humid, so I’m rockin’ the Gucci Envy extrait. Last week, I also did a green fig (LAP Premier Figuier Extreme), and SL Bas de Soie (green hyacinth) so you can see that I’m loyal to my greens, any way you slice it.

    • Ann says:

      Me, too, Dina; in fact, when I’ve been out and about and spied the blooming trees, it was all I could do not to pull over and clip one or two of the gorgeous saucers. But I behaved myself. Ooh, the power of suggestion: I’m craving my BdS now, and am envying you your Envy extrait, you lucky girl!

  • Jaime says:

    During the two weeks of *actual* hot weather over in my neck of the woods, i ended up craving green scents like L’Ombre Dans L’eau or even simple ole Al Rehab Green Tea oil. A new ‘refresher’ of mine is Korres Iris Lily of the Valley Cotton, which is light & soapy. Eau Magnolia sounds beautiful, by the way!

    • Ann says:

      Jaime, do try a sample of it soon, I think you’ll like it. I like your suggestions but need to try that Korres; it sounds so nice. Now I need to figure out where around here carries the line. P.S. I’ll share a couple of 90-degree-plus days if you’re hankering for some heat. 🙂

  • Diana says:

    Olympic Orchids Elektra (formerly Midsummer Day’s Dream) has a greenish fig smell that really says “summer!” to me.

    • Ann says:

      Diana, can you believe that I have never tried anything by Olympic Orchids? Yikes! I will have to remedy this soon, thanks to your lovely suggestion.

  • Jennie says:

    Calvin Klein Truth is my go-to humidity scent. Light and cool all the way.

  • furriner says:

    Following a fairly cool summer, it has finally gotten hot and humid here in Chicago (as Musette has recounted). My favorite heat buster is sadly discontinued: L’Artisan’s L’Eau de Jatamansi. An alternate cheapie: Domenica Bay Rum. It’s now only available as an after shave…. just keep reapplying!

      • Musette says:

        It’s the Trifecta of ick, innit? Cold/wet/BLISTERING HOT! And you…you patient love, you! I am submerged in work (Hallelujah!!!) so I’ve not been able to go further than Peoria – on Saturday morning. But HALLELUJAH!

        so I will see you soon…….xooxA

      • Ann says:

        Hi, Furriner! Oh no, I’m sad that your Jatamansi is gone; I hope you have some to enjoy at least for a while. I guess I missed out on that one 🙁 But glad that after-shave is helping keep you cool.

  • stina says:

    CdG Avignon does a great job of counteracting the Midwestern humidity; I’ve also been wearing 28 La Pausa and Sous le Toit de Paris.

    I’ve heard lots of good things about Eau de Magnolia, but I’m almost afraid to try it because of the price tag! As you say, though, there are always splits and travel sets; guess I’ll have to add it to my next Surrender order.

    Sooner or later the lemming always wins… (I should know this by now.)

    • Jennifer Smith says:

      For a cheapo layering option with CDG Avignon try several spritzes of Lady Stetson. Gorgeousness .

      • Ann says:

        Yummo on the Avignon, ladies! And let’s hear it for the affordable Lady Stetson, Jennifer. I’m desperately and unsuccessfully trying to derail several lemmings now, ha!

      • stina says:

        Avignon + Lady Stetson sounds lovely, thanks for the tip! [runs to dig out bottle of Lady Stetson from back of perfume cupboard]

  • Heather F says:

    I’m with you 100% on the Malle, Ann–my small decant is going fast, which is very rare for me. And I’m also with you on the heat…I thought TN was bad, but our new state of FL makes the heat back there look like it’s not even trying (I just looked at the weather predictor for all of September…it seems 90 is the daily average every day…omg what have I gotten myself into?!?!) The Different Company’s De Bachmakov is another one of my go-to, it’s too hot to step outside but I gotta go out anyway, scents–very bright citrus, and lasts a few hours, which is pretty good w/ me and citrus. Also L’artisan’s L’eau de l’artisan–very light, but stays for a freakishly long time (until I manage to sweat it off, basically).

    • Ann says:

      Howdy, Heather! So happy to hear from you and glad you got moved OK. I’m excited to see that you are crazy about the Magnolia as well — it really does help cut the humidity. Nodding along to your de Bachmakov mention as well; I enjoy that one and should have listed it but it fell through the cracks. Stay cool, dear! (You’ll be having a laugh at the rest of us when our Jan.-Feb. snow and ice hits.) 😉

  • cookie queen says:

    I bought a large bottle and absolutely love it, every single second. It last for hours. Not to be undersprayed, You miss the rich beauty otherwise. xxx

    • Ann says:

      Yay, so glad to see another Magnolia fan! And lucky you for having a big ol’ bottle of it to spray with abandon. I love it!!

  • JanLast says:

    Those Fairy people among us may recall when my cousin, who was “helping” me while I was at work, took all the samples from all the boxes, tested or not, and put them in a gallon ziplock bag. That bag has been taunting me since it became the unknown.
    Today, I’ve tested and liked perfumes from Sweet Anthem, Blooddrop, Black Phoenix, and a bunch of En Voyage. Makeda was a real winner, and my notes say “flutters on to your body and hovers, weightless”. Yes, I’m getting carried away. Nectars des Iles
    says “and the crowd breaks into wild applause because this tropical doesn’t smell like sun tan lotion!”.
    I wouldn’t mind going in on some of the Malle, myself, since I just had to purchase a new washer and dryer.

    • Ann says:

      Jan,you are too funny! I just love your descriptions. I, too, feel your $$$ pain, as we just had to get a new dishwasher. Think of all the wonderful ‘fumes we could buy with the appliance money, ha!

  • Atest Ter says:

    Montale’s Soleil de Capri