olfactory pleasures | the perfumes, eau de toilettes & colognes that infuse my life... and clothing
Sections
4
Parfum Pour Elle
Parfum Pour Homme
Top 5 Notes & Their Friends
Parfum De Mes Rêves
Parfum Pour Elle
women's fragrances
Cacharel NOA - my absolute favourite women's scent. I got my first bottle as a wedding present and have 4 backups because it has been, or being, discontinued.
Cacharel NOA Eau de Toilette
Cacharel Anaïs Anaïs - divisive as it comes on strong and it depends a lot on the correct body chemistry
Cacharel Anaïs Anaïs Eau de Toilette
D&G Pour Femme - the original red box was so lush; the reboot doesn't compare. They added raspberry and marshmallow which pushes it straight into sweet territory. I like to wear this one in conjunction with Fahrenheit.
D&G Pour Femme Eau de Parfum (ORIGINAL)
Thierry Mugler Limited Edition Leather - the one that got away. This scent was… perfect. There's no other word. The gourmand of Angel wrapped in leather was absolutely sensual.
Thierry Mugler Angel Fragrance of Leather Eau de Parfum
Elizabeth Arden Green Tea - fresh and uplifting, I don't care how much disdain it receives. It's light enough to spritz on clothes if you need a pick me up.
Elizabeth Arden Green Tea Scent Eau de Parfumee
Narciso for Her
Narciso Rodriguez For Her Eau de Toilette
Narciso Poudree
Narciso Poudree Eau de Parfum
Valentino Valentina Pink - sweet like strawberries
Valentino Valentina Pink Eau de Parfum
Prada Candy - deliciously sweet but not cloying. The top broke off of my bottle and there is NO WAY to get the perfume out :((
Prada Candy Eau De Parfum
Ralph Lauren Romance - feels cold and wintery to me, very much the opposite of romantic. But look at the notes: rose and pink pepper, two of my best!
Ralph Lauren Romance Eau de Parfum
Stella Stella - we should be together
Stella McCartney Stella Eau de Parfum
Le Feu D'Issey - the holy grail that i've been chasing ever since i first tried it in the 90s. It's loaded with rose, sichuan pepper, and the very unique middle note of… milk. A bit niche, but if it work on you, you'll be addicted!
Le Feu D'Issey Eau de Parfum
Mugler Angel Eau de Parfum
Mugler Angel Eau de Parfum
Paloma Picasso Mon Parfum - honey and cigarettes (/that/ mom)
Paloma Picasso Mon Parfum Eau de Parfum
Guerlain Flora Nymphea - divisive (i love it)
Guerlain Aqua Allegoria Flora Nymphea Eau de Toilette
Valentino Valentina Poudre - soft and enveloping, without being a pushover. Like petting a panther.
Valentino Valentina Poudre
Ralph Lauren Ralph - a bit basic but fantastic for hot climates
Ralph Lauren Ralph Eau de Toilette
Lise Watier Vent du Sud - smells like the essence of a summer holiday
Lise Watier Vent du Sud Eau de Toilette
DKNY Pure - light and pretty
Donna Karen DKNY Pure Eau de Parfum
Michael Kors Glam Jasmine - jasmine can be tricky, this one gets it right
Michael Kors Glam Jasmine Eau de Parfum
Michael Kors Sexy Amber - sexy in name, sexy in nature
Michael Kors Sexy Amber Eau De Parfum
Givenchy Amarige - This is floral floral floral and more floral, and yet it's wonderful. My skin doesn't like Givenchy, but makes an exception for Amarige.
Givenchy Amarige
From Fragrantica: Aphrodesia was launched in 1938. Top notes are Fruity Notes, Neroli, Bergamot and Lemon; middle notes are Ylang-Ylang, Jasmine, Rose, Cloves and Honey; base notes are Amber, Oakmoss, Vetiver, Civet and Musk. In a word - HEADY. Tip: ...
Song of India - Aphrodesia Perfume Oil and Solid in Carved Sandstone Container
Parfum Pour Homme
men's fragrances
Dior Fahrenheit - makes me think of motorcycles and leather jackets
Christian Dior Fahrenheit Eau de Toilette
Guerlain l'Instant Pour Homme - smells like sunshine in an orange orchard
Guerlain l'instant Pour Homme Eau de Toilette
Armani Eau de Cedre - leather and wood and sexy
Armani Eau De Cedre Eau De Toilette Spray
John Varvatos Dark Rebel - wood and leather... again
John Varvatos Dark Rebel Eau de Toilette
Paco Rabanne 1 Million - men's fragrance with rose and leather
Paco Rabanne 1 Million Eau de Toilette
Halston Man Amber - VERY sharp, but warm on me (and wouldn't you know it: geranium). Maybe I don't know what amber smells like, but that's not what I get. Quite masculine. Not for every day, but when I need to feel like I have claws.
Halston Man Amber
Versace Versace Pour Homme - The overwhelming impression I get from this is lavender. Soft and herbal, I feel like it's unisex.
Versace Versace Pour Homme
Top 5 Notes & Their Friends
the notes that draw me in
1. Rose. I love rose and rose loves me. I am a little old lady in my soul.
Rose
2. Leather. The scent of leather is irresistible! Memories of my grandparents' workshops
Leather
3. Sandalwood. My grandmother would burn sandalwood incense almost daily.
Sandalwood
4. Pepper. As with food, it seems to enhance everything, and adds a little spice that I miss in the sweet floral scents.
Pepper
5. Violet. Memories of lying in beds of crushed violet in the cool shade of old trees..
Violet
Rose Geranium (also called Sweet Geranium) is native to my native soil. It really smells like both of those scents, especially in an oil, or skincare.
Rose Geranium
Carnation has an almost acrid scent, and carnation water absolutely putrid - two qualities which I think make it perfect for balancing sweet fragrances. Carnation, geranium and violet are the golden trio.
Carnation
Lavender. Further evidence that I am a little old lady.
Lavender
Jasmine at night, after warming in the sun all day. Almost oppressive in how sensual it is - much like orange blossom - there is still a hint of untouchable disdain under it. Jasmine HAS to be done right.
Jasmine
Considering my tastes favour ‘darker’ notes, it is stupid how well I wear strawberry, and enjoy it!
Strawberry
Parfum De Mes Rêves
discontinued +/ $$$$$ dream scents
Le Artisan Parfumeur - A rose garden after a storm. Scents of humid earth, broken branches and petals.’ ie. my dream scent. Reviews say it's more patchouli than rose, but I'll pretend I never read that. The loan and decay come through though. Sigh.
L'Artisan Parfumeur Voleur de Roses
Amouage Ops X - Rose, rose, rose, rose, leather, and geranium. Apparently has metallic and petrol-like varnish notes which sounds like my favourite parts of Fahrenheit.
Amouage Opus X - Library Collection
Frederic Malle Rose Tonnere - One reviewer described it as ‘a red rose wilting’. I swoon. Once again, rose paired with geranium - the perfect partnership of soft and sharp.
Frederic Malle Rose Tonnere
Diptyque Geranium Adorata - Two words: Rose. Geranium. I've tested a few Diptyque scents and the ones I like, I really like! The men's especially - they are quite unisex.
Diptyque Geranium Odorata
Rose and geranium again (hello!) joined by vetiver should be an interesting combination. Reviews say the notes work side-by-side, rather than taking turns, which makes perfect sense, since this fragrance comes from the Olsen Twins!
