Hello Gorgeous APJ Family,
It’s Top 10 Spring/Autumn Fragrances time again, my favourite seasons are Autumn and Spring, the mid seasons. I love that in both these seasons the weather can be remarkably similar, sunny and warm on one day, freezing or blustery on another, nights are cool to cold and so the overall wearings are quite similar. Yes, we can grab a white floral to really ring in Spring or remember Spring in Autumn but then it’s also nice to spritz a heavy amber on those super cold nights and a sweet fizzy citrus will work almost anytime. These fragrances are on my desk and within easy spritz reach and they only stay on the desk while they are getting regular spritz time, if they’ve been sitting there for more than a fortnight without attention they go back in the cupboard.
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Photo Stolen Pixabay
Top 10 Spring/Autumn Fragrances 2014 Perfume Reviews
24 Faubourg EdT – Hermès: White flowers and fruit that melt into ambery goodness. How can you resist this lovely gem from Hermès. Every time I spritz it I wonder why I don’t do it every day. I love the bottle, that it’s Hermès and that I smell fantastic for 4-6 hours.
Anyway – Juliette Has A Gun: ADDICTIVE!! Beware Anyway. Nothing like I’d ever thought I wanted to smell. A citrus and, though it doesn’t say it anywhere, pineapple concoction that heads into woods and oudh territory throughout its life. the ultimate drag queen fragrance, so feminine and butch at the same time.
Futur – Robert Piguet: The ungreenest green ever. Sappy, sweet, green and extremely wearable all year round. Futur has been out of the cupboard and on my skin quite a bit lately and it fits any occasion.
Liberte – Cacharel: A screaming, sizzling, BarBQ’d orange that is so sugary and ends up in a vanilla/patchouli/orange finale. I’ve loved it for years and now that it seems to be discontinued I’ve had to grab a couple of back up bottles.
Mohur – Neela Vermeire Creations: The headiest, most complex and wonderful rose there is. Surrounded by interesting other notes and accords but it is the rose that shines through for the whole of Mohur’s life. I am crazy for this fragrance and can’t wait to have a Mohur Extrait bottle.
Shalimar EdP – Guerlain: My old faithful. Shalimar fits every season, every mood and every event. From it’s citrus gelato opening to the resinous, vanilla and leather dry down I love Shalimar through and through. If I had to pick a fragrance to be my one and only Shalimar would be it.
Sharp – Andrea Maack: A new entry into my life in FB. I am enjoying Sharp a lot. Weird, synthetic orange blossom packed tight with musks and an ambery vanilla, all washed over by an unearthly metal/marine accord that is both enticing and repellent. Sharp is both the freshness of Spring and the coming darkness of Autumn.
Skin on Skin – L`Artisan Parfumeur: Skin on Skin is an interesting fragrance, poo poo’d by many of the fragrance intelligentsia because of it’s similarity to Traversee du Bosphore. I have now spent time wearing both, though not simultaneously, but I like the plastic saffron edge and the cool suede. There are more similarities between Bottega Veneta and Skin on Skin to my nose and Iris Prima has some too. I spritz Skin on Skin a LOT.
Vanille & Narcisse – L’Occitane: So you want something cheap and cheerful? Something that has the narcissus of spring and the vanilla of autumn? Look no further. Vanille & Narcisse is wearable, pretty, inexpensive and a great wear. This is one I would recommend as a gift for any non perfumistas and many who are. LOVE LOVE LOVE.
Wild Ginger Chai – SOIVOHLE: The sweet, spicy, ginger and milk opening. The dry, black tea smell and the memories of India. I love Liz Zorn’s work, she captures my imagination every time and her prices are so freaking reasonable for fragrances that are world class. Yum.
So there they are. My current mid-season Top 10. They will probably be changed by next week but right now these ten fragrances are getting good skin time and working extremely well in the changeable conditions that the mid-seasons hand us.
Loads of love to you all, wherever and in what ever weather,
Portia x
Photo Stolen Wikipedia
Australian Perfume Junkies 
Nice list, Portia! I’m with you on the Shalimar. I feel reassured to have a full bottle in the house once again. I would like to check out more of Neela Vermeire Creations – on the list!
xx Tina
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TinaG,
How have I let you leave my home without trying Neela’s masterpieces. When am I seeing you?
Portia xx
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Oh I’d happily be a test bunny anytime! Will chat during the week about catch ups. 🙂 x
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Portia, I’ve always known spring was my favourite season but you’ve made me realise I love autumn almost as much. They are the best smelling seasons too!
I love your interesting choices. You’ve given me lots to think about – Futur, Skin on Skin, Vanille and Narcisse. Must try.
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Hey Tara,
I think I need to send you a care package. Could you PM me your address please on FBook?
Portia xx
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That’s so kind, dear Portia but it’s just impossible to send perfume to or from the UK now. Poor Birgit tried to send me a bottle of Traversee du Bosphore and it got returned to her! Thanks for the kind offer though, that means a lot.
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24 Faubourg only lasts 6 hours on you? I get ~12 hours and bomb sillage. Your skin must devour fragrance 🙂
Skin on Skin is the worst thing I’ve had on my own skin in months. I didn’t know it was poo poo’d by the community before trying it and after having it on my skin I lost any interest in any second opinion.
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Hey Elia,
I have the 24 Faubourg EdT and yes it gets eaten, my skin is notoriously hungry. A bit like me really.
Wow! You really didn’t like Skin on Skin, have you tried Traversee du Bosphore, Bottega Veneta or Iris Prima? Do you find any correlation? I’m wondering if there is something in the crossover?
Portia x
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Ah hunger is another issue, you almost sent me on a trip to the kitchen there lol.
No, I’ve not tried any of them, and they’re not exactly on any list. I have other L’Artisans to preferably work through. My interest in Penhaligon’s has overall been watered down. I’d emailed about acquiring a scent library before shipping restrictions and never got a reply, and later when wandering about London, entered one of their stores and asked a simple question and pretty much got ignored as if I didn’t exist from one of the snootiest bitches I’ve ever come across. Still I persisted and smelt a few, eventually, and I’d like to re-smell Endymion, but despite an ongoing Iris quest, Iris Prima just doesn’t excite my anticipation. I’ve probably wondered what Bottega is like, but with stuff that inaccessible I need more to motivate me. It’s something I’d hope to come across in one of those trips to lands where perfume is more plentiful and where I start ravenously spraying everything until those around me wonder if I’ll ever stop 😛
Links to Skin on Skin don’t help 🙂
With Skin on Skin I was reminded of the time I pumped gasoline onto myself instead of into the car, only worse, as if I then made a stop at some work-site and got splattered in paint, and for a finale ducked and rolled in an ocean of talcum powder.
Is there a perfume equivalent for the Raspberries?
I’ll lay my nomination down now :):P
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futur. this one i must experience. i’ve heard everything from green dish soap (how does green dish soap smell different than yellow dish soap?) to your must more approachable description!
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Yes,
I can see how many peoples skin would throw super soap from Futur, they probably are describing it how it smells on them. On my skin, creamy, sweet, green and sappy. Try it and see how it works for you Einsof.
Portia xx
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Oh how I like your list Portia! 24 Faubourg is fabulous. I really must find my sample of Futur now. You make it sound perfect for spring. Spring is here and i am starting to rotate the autumn winter perfumes out – in come Iris Ukiyoe, Beloved, Liaisons Dangereuse, Terrasse a St. Germain and Stilettos on Lex.
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Hey Sandra,
Ukiyoe? By whom? What’s it like?
The others I know but that one escapes me completely. I know I could look it up but I’d rather read it from you.
Welcome to Spring, has the vine started to grow at your house? The windowboxes?
Portia xx
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Hey there! Iris Ukiyoe – Hermes. A wonderful watery earthy iris watercolor that lasts all day long. yes, the vine is starting and will be full leaf in about 2-3 weeks. Flower boxes will be filled beginning of May since the evenings are still too cool. I will send you a pic. xoxo
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Could you also tell that young man Sean that we had a Bush Turkey and her babies in our back yard recently. They were adorable and one of the babies has come back a few times to check and see if nesting around our yard would be a good option. Cool huh? Here is a link to the Wikipedia entry on Australian Bush Turkeys so you can show him. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_Brushturkey
Hugs and bussis all round,
Portia xx
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Love this list. I really need to get a bottle of 24 Faubourg. Sigh. I’m with Elia, while I don’t get quite a sillage bomb, it does last into day two on my skin. I suppose it might last longer if I wasn’t so keen on showering every 24 hours. Never tried Skin on Skin because of it’s supposed similarity to Traversee du Bosphore. But the way you describe it, it sounds much more appealing to me now. I definitely need to try Soivohle Wild Ginger Chai. I always think of Shalimar as a winter scent and since we didn’t have much winter in this part of the country I just haven’t worn it in a while. Guess I need to dig that one out and try in this weather.
Have a lovely week!
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Hi Tatiana,
WOW! You guys are so lucky. 24 hours from Faubourg!! I wish. No, I don’t really wish. I like being able to wear 2 or 3 frags a day with no overlap.
You MUST try Wild Ginger Chai, so good. Skin on Skin I like very much and for some reason it is an incredibly easy wear on me.
Portia xx
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Portia, I feel the same way about 24 Faubourg. It’s so beautiful that I wonder every time I use it why I don’t wear it more often…it tends to get forgotten for some reason. Have you tried the EDP? That’s what I have, and it lasts a long time. (My skin eats a lot of the lighter/softer and EDT fragrances too.)
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No kandice,
I bought my bottle from a friend and didn’t know there was a huge difference in lasting quality in EdP at the time. Still I like the EdT so much, find it a gorgeous wear and am very happy with my purchase.
You should remember it this week.
Portia x
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Hi Portia:
I have been busy with perfume salons and shows, so I apologize for not writing to you sooner. Love the article, of course and the selection of fragrances.
Take care and be well
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Thanks Jane Cate.
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Hi Portia,
Very interesting list! Your idea that Spring and Autumn are similar intrigues me. I usually focus on Winter and Summer, as they are extreme, distinct and long-lived here. I ordered Vanille & Narcisse body milk. Can’t wait to sniff the Narcissus note. We’ve had a few popping their yellow heads up in the last few days. Futur has been on my shopping list for some time. I like your word sappy; want to check that out. Usually not into sweet flowers, surprisingly craving bouquets these days. The Oscars that arrived today are really filling the bill, especially Mi Corazon.
Big smile, J
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Hey there Jackie,
Aha, we get 4 very distinct seasons here in Sydney, though to be fair Winter is really just a slightly cooler Autumn, no snow or frozen water. We are lucky to get frost.
Are these the Oscar de la Renta’s? I like the look of that set very much.
Portia xx
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Yes, the Oscar de la Renta set. I’m wearing Mi Corazon for a second day and on the other arm Oriental Lace. Will take the whole set to LA later in the week and sample them in warmer weather, too. The spring in Santa Fe is quite cool, some might say cold, with bright sunshine and dry, strong gusty winds: most people’s least favorite season, because of the winds. I love the light and the changing skies, but it is a kind-of crazy-making time here. The Mi Corazon frag from the set is a beautiful antidote to harsh wind and at the same time a harmonious bouquet to celebrate the sense of newness that just budding here. The Oriental Lace is a quickly changing gourmand ride of vanilla, almond and honey. All very interesting and a wonderful change of pace. Thank you so much for this marvelous treat.
love, J
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Glad you mentioned 24 Faubourg Portia. Love it, especially this time of the year. And the slightly cooler weather is a good excuse to get out L’Ambre des Merveilles. Speaking of longevity, I applied 3 spritzes L’AdM at about 7.30 this morning and can still smell it quite clearly. And yet I know for certain that it s sillage is not going to flatten the people I share an office with. L’AdM is a miracle.
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YAY! A super spritzer? We will definitely be buddies AnneMarieC,
Those Tauers are tenacious. Extraordinary. I gave my BFF L’AdDM and she rocks is so beautifully. I bet you do too.
Portia xx
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A couple of my favorites are here: Mohur and 24, Faubourg. I’m loving jasmines now, too. A La Nuit and the DK Essence Jasmine are favorites for spring days. Later in the summer, I like them a little more sultry.
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Hey FeralJasmine,
Are you a DK Gold lover? I find that it ALWAYS hits the spot, any season.
Portia x
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Currently, I’m rocking… Serge Lutens’ Fleurs d’Oranger & De Profundis, Shalimar Ode… Madagascar, otherwise known as Shalemur, FM Lys Mediterranée, vintage Dioressence & Fidji and DSH Passport à Paris. This orange blossom trollop has got to get her hands on a full bottle of 24, Faubourg – it is absolutely stunning! I have another one coming that if memory serves me right – I tried it at the Pitti last fall – will be absolute heaven for spring – Andy Tauer’s Noontide Petals, and I can’t w-a-i-t! Here’s to adding the va-va in our voom whatever the season – or the reason! 🙂
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Any more Va Va in your VOOM and you may get arrested Sheila.
How is the DSH Passport à Paris? Do you reach for it often? I can see you rocking Shalemur, I bet you stop traffic in it.
Portia xx
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Passport à Paris is a bit like a love affair between Houbigant’s Fougère Royale and Jicky – as plush as a Fortuny velvet caftan. (My review is forthcoming, but since Jicky was my first ever proper perfume, this was a shoo-in!). I reach for it as often as I dare, given I only have a sample and a review to write! 😉
Shalemur… what can I say? It slays ’em everywhere!
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MMMmmmm delicious Spring and Autumn scents. Love both seasons equally, also. Faubourg LOVE, Shalimar SUPER LOVE. Keep the great posts coming!
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Hey there My Perfume Samples, great to se you. I have been using your decant supplies and touches recently. Excellent and great value.
Portia x
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