This post was inspired by some retail binge-sniffing over the past couple of weeks. Let’s start with the new…
erotic or kinda creepy?
Tom Ford Figue Erotique, a “floral fruity gourmand,” notes are fig leaf, bergamot, pink pepper, mandarin, fig, ylang, salt, brown sugar, patchouli, vetiver, licorice. A perfectly adequate woodsy-green thing from which I get no fig whatsoever. I love fig fragrances, so: sadface.
Byredo Vanille Antique — freesia, plum, amber, cashmere woods, Madagascar vanilla, cistus. This is … $465 for 70ml?!?! Did I read that right? For that amount of dosh I’d expect more than a dull hit of vanilla enveloped in what smells like a knockoff DK Cashmere Woods, seriously. Has anyone else tried this? At least the Tom Ford smelled expensive; I am shocked. Maybe my nose was malfunctioning?
Byredo Mixed Emotions – have I really ignored this since its release five years ago? Apparently. Notes: black currant, mate, tea, violet leaf, birch, papyrus. That name is spot-on because the top combo of blackcurrant and tea was reading faintly bitter/sour to me, but I loved the birch-tree drydown. Maybe try a sample if you like things a bit weird. Lasted well on me, too.
The Snifs – I wrote about Crumb Couture awhile ago when it was having a TikTok moment, I still think it’s fun. There’s so many of them now at Ulta I didn’t sniff them all, and Hot Cakes was a hard pass, but I really enjoyed Soda Snob, notes are Coca-cola, citrus, caramel, cinnamon, vanilla. Less sweet (I swear!) with a fizzy cola open, more cinnamon-citrus-spicy, and a lot of fun. I didn’t whip my MasterCard out, but I do want to try it again.
that bottle tho
Kylie Jenner Kosmic (oops, Cosmic) Intense – look, I picked it up because of that molten red bottle, which is heavy and fabulous in the hand. “Ignite your senses with … an ambery-gourmand scent featuring a sensual blend of vanilla, star jasmine and benzoin…” I don’t know what’s in that bottle. Hair spray? Window cleaner? A mix of both? The only sense ignited was one of disgust that lingered, along with the smell, until I managed to scrub it off with MAC wipes, thank you Ulta.
NOYZ Only Human – I think this is also having A (TikTok?) Moment. “A skin-hugging gourmand that evokes the warmth of connection.” Notes: vanilla bean, Ambroxan, Moroccan cedarwood. I get why this is popular, it’s the skin scent you’d expect and it’s got good lasting power, but it’s been done before and I’m not the target audience for this which is just fine.
In other news, I bought some A Drop d’Issey about five minutes after reading Portia’s review. I bet some of you did too, it’s on plenty of discount sites, so that’s coming up, along with an oldie that surprised me.
images via Pexels
The Byredo was sitting there going “look at me,” but then Kylie came out with The Blob. Not going out of my way to find these, but oh my..
The Blob! I’d like the blob with something else in it, if you can arrange it. Mixed Emotions would be worth a sniff if you ever run across it somewhere.
That was an entertaining read. Thanks Musette. The photo of the fig was very creepy to me. I don’t like the look or taste of figs, just the scent. My husband loves Fig Newtons — you’d have to pay me a LOT of money to eat one of those nasty cookies. Anyway…the Byredo Mixed Emotions sounded interesting. The Drop d’Issey did sound good. I may have to search out a bottle, too!
Oops, sorry, March!
Ha, no worries! Drop is all over the discounters, you could find it pretty easily. I like fig perfume, fig jam, fig newtons, fig spread … just don’t ask me to eat a raw fig lol, I think they look like alien babies.
BUMMER about the Tom Ford Figue, not that I need another fig March.
Did get two things on my body in Singapore airport yesterday. One of which I bought because you reviewed it J’Adore l’Or (OMG! It’s so freaking amazing) and am yet to open my bottle but have spritzed four or ten times in store. The other, which is also a love Tom Ford Bois Pacifique. Nothing groundbreaking but it does get my eyes rolling in heavenly rapture.
They were fun to wear on the flight home.
Portia xx
I’m heading to a short form of Civilization today – there’s an Ulta.
I’mma try it if it’s available – the original J’adore surprised me ( in a good way)
Fingers crossed!
“Short form Civilisation” hehehe!
If ya see Kris……. RUN!
LOLOL Yes run!
Hehe I feel your pain girl! Although we do have a Cos Bar where some of this nonsense happened.
Oh, the J’Adore! You smelled FABULOUS. So glad you are enjoying it! Bois Pacifique I really like, along with the Soleil one … Blanc? They’re both very easy (yes, if not groundbreaking) lovely scents.
l’Or! ?o good.
Of the Tom Ford Soleil series I have Soleil Brulant. FULL swoon.
Portia xx
That Cosmic bottle reminds me of something CDG did an eon ago. That bottle was renown for shattering if anyone looked at it wrong.
I’m guessing the Cosmic bottle will outlast humanity being a Kardashian/Jenner. Kris, the undead, will likely be grasping it to kill her prey post apocalypse.
OMG “Kris, the undead, will likely be grasping it to kill her prey post apocalypse” laughed out loud. You may have won the internet this week Alityke.
Yes. Yes. She. Does.
::I’m Still HEAVING at that!!::
OMG hysterical………..and true!
Oooh I wish I’d written that..
Huh, which CdG was that? I’ll have to google. A lot of their bottles have been pretty darn weird. Ah, Kris, what is going on, are you a vampire?
Possibly, maybe even probably, but NOT the side of the vampire that is intriguing and mysteriously otherworldly and wears SL Iris Silver Mist! 😉
Booked a space in Hades already LOL! Or sold her soul?
That bottle is the star. How gorgeous. Alas, there’s really no way of getting rid of strong perfume smell by draining and cleaning multiple times, but if there were I’d buy that for the bottle and put something else more deserving in it.
I thought about that after my “wish it were a flacon” vague thoughts. Honestly I don’t think there’s any getting rid of that smell.
I ordered the Issey as well, I am a sucker for lilac. Hoping it’s good!
Mine’s not here yet, excited to try it!
Mine finally says it will arrive Friday.
Maybe they have to ship ground bc they’re worried it’ll explode? (insert eyeroll) I dunno, I feel like sometimes it’s 2 days and sometimes 2 weeks before frags arrive.
Got it as well tho I have a cold now so it’ll have to wait til I can sniff properly again!
I also send thanks for taking those hits. I like the Kosmic/Cosmic bottle and had a good laugh at your description of the actual perfume in it! I’m very curious about Frederic Malle’s latest fragrance, Contre-Jour. I have no idea whether I would like it or not.
I haven’t been able to try it yet but it’s on my radar! I think I saw a review in drafts so stay tuned…
you did.
That Bottle is EVERYTHING I didn’t even know I wanted. Damb shame the juice sounds… well, like nothing I would ever want.
I, too, succumbed to Portia’s siren call. Can’t wait to try the Issey!
Thanks for taking those hits for the team, March!
xoxox
Isn’t that bottle gorgeous?!? I wish it were a stoppered flacon, I’d dump that dreck out and fill it with something wonderful.