Ava Luxe is a super surprise package of fabulous frag gems. The great news is that for a micro niche brand the prices are extremely affordable and sizes are also kept small so you can try 4 or 5 Ava Luxe frags for the cost of a mainstream offering.
Kashmir Spice by Ava Luxe
Photo Stolen Fragrantica
From the Ava Luxe site:
An alluring blend of exotic spices, cashmere woods, and incense. Turkish Rose absolute weaves it way through this sensual scent.
Featured Notes: East Indian spices, frankincense, myrrh, Cashmere woods, Turkish Rose Absolute, gaiacwood, amber.
WOW!! Kashmir Spice goes on hefty and gourmand, it’s a big fat glorious wander through one of the fabulous spice stores in Northern India. There is even the dry, throat raspy feeling of intense heat and spices in enclosed spaces during an Indian summer. Totally edible and smelling like a sweeter version of the first moment the spices hit hot oil in a pan Kashmir Spice is an assault on your senses that is both enticing and memorable. The amber, frankinsense and myrrh give a lively resinous counterpoint that is sweet, balmy and dusty (The dusty may be the spices actually) at the same time. The woods and rose play only background on my skin but on Jin the rose is quite prominent, maybe you have to be further than I can get to smell it, on him Kashmir Spice’s Turkish rose absolute is like honey and rosewater baklava. MMMM! I even get a hint of ginger through the body of the fragrance and it works in the heat and the cold. I’m thinking of taking it with me on my holidays next week, that’s how much I love it.
Photo Stolen ToshaliTours
I get a medium life span of around 4 hours of fragrance but after that my skin still smells better than reality, just ever so slightly vanillic, for another couple of hours and then gone. Way too perfumed for close working, borderline for dinner and cinema but perfect for all other moments when smelling gorgeous is important. At these prices you can afford to wear it as your daily after hours go-to frag, Kashmir Spice would be on a current short list for my 10 Desert Island frags.
Photo Stolen ABC.net
I have worn Kashmir Spice to my work a few times and it is a guaranteed compliment gatherer and people want to get in for a big ole snuffle of you, then they ask what it is that you smell of and where can they get it. Every time so far! It has also seen some fairly intense wear on my skin over time, there’s quite a lot of air in my 15ml and I will soon need to replace it.
Further reading: I could only find reviews on Make Up Alley and there is love and hate in equal measure
AvaLuxe site has 15ml EdP/$30 and 5ml extrait/$27
Take care of yourselves,
Portia xx
Disclaimer: This is a repeat post. If you have been a long time reader and this twigged your memory. I was halfway through writing a new post about Kashmir Spice when my brain asked me to check, and yes, this was originally posted on December 30 2012. I have given it a couple of tweaks but it really is the same post.
Australian Perfume Junkies 
Thank you for this one, Portia!
It’s been awhile since I’ve used Ava Luxe. I actually drained a few small bottles several years ago and have not replaced them. I used to love her Incense and Incense Noir. I’d forgotten about them and must check them out again (as well as try Kashmir Spice) and see what else is new on her site. Also, her original graphic art and photos are stunning.
Azar xx
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AZAR!!
I’m so glad someone else has heard of this stunning little outfit. Have you tried her Tubereuse Diabolique? To Kill For! I have EdP & Parfum Extrait. Disgustingly good.
Portia xx
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Hello again, Portia,
If Serena created Tuberose Diabolique before 2006 I probably did try it. I just checked out her site. I hadn’t realized that she had moved to Boston. The last time I ordered from Ava Luxe she was still in California. Also, she used to offer sample packs. I didn’t see any on the new site but maybe I was looking in the wrong place.
Azar xx
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I originally found her through a sale on Surrender To Chance and then went to her site, I didn’t see a sample pack.
Portia xx
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She announced last year sometime that she isn’t selling samples anymore. I have, more than once, had a full cart of blind buys and changed my mind at the last second because I have a tendency to be so very wrong about what I think I will love. Her prices are reasonable, as are the sizes but I still can’t afford to “sample” at $30 each.
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Hi Liz,
Interesting. Surrender To Chance has a small stock of her fragrances still, they are the parfum strength.
Portia xx
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I love Ava’s perfumes and have a few of them, my faves being Kretek, Tuberose Diabolique, Kashmir Spice (it has a 10 out of 10 for me in terms of loving it and longevity – though I don’t own it, just from a sample) Opoponax Intense, Teakwood, Royal Parvati, No.23, Frangipani, Cafe Noir and Amber Essence and the famous and long discontinued Midnight Violet, which is considered by many violet lovers as about the best violet solifiore out there.
Until recently Ava, was really helpful and generous with her sampling and service and prices were extremely reasonable.
The last time I contacted her by email was back in October last year, and have had no response. I don’t know if she is still in the business and haven’t tried to use her cart, but I thought she might have gone bust, as there hadn’t been any updates other website for a couple of years….I have just gone back to the website and found that she has a Facebook page updated in Sept, 2013, hmmm, don’t know.
Are you able to update us Portia? Donelle xx
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I have sent serena a message Donella,
Let’s see.
Portia xx
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I haven’t tried her yet, though much of what I have heard about her is positive. I was on a hunt for violet scents when she came to my attention. Her Midnight Violet was supposedly beautiful, but sadly discontinued.
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Yes, I keep hearing about Midnight Violette Maya, sad when the good stuff disappears before we get to it.
Portia x
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