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Portia
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Hello Fellow Fumies,
At APJ we have a Saturday Question. Everyone gets to chime in with an answer, chat with other responders and it’s a fun event each week. Taking sides never means taking offence and everyone keeps it respectful and light, even though we can sometimes trawl the depths.
The idea is you’ll see it on the weekend or chime in through the week. Hopefully you will come back regularly and see if anyone has responded to your comment and you can reply to them. The aim is to generate real conversation and connection even though we are scattered around the globe.
Over 100 responses I will draw a Secret Scent Sample Pack (from my collection)
Last Weeks Winner: Brigitte
eMail me at (portia underscore turbo at yahoo dot com dot au) with your address please
Saturday Question: What Is Your Vetiver?
Vetiver is one of the most low-key-popular fragrance ingredients. Loads of people really love it but it rarely gets talked about on the scentbloggosphere. I really like the plant and its attributes. They grow in on pontoons in them,ically poisoned rivers to suck up the toxins, apparently the roots leech all the bad stuff out and hold it in the plant. This gives vetiver its often metallic or oily qualities. It’s also used on hillsides as a soil and hillside stabiliser.
Vetiver is also versatile in perfume, only, metallic, smoky, green, woody and a slew of other variations depending on what you pair it with.
I’d really like to delve a bit deeper into vetiver and would love to read about your favourites in the comments below.
My Answer:
Whenever I think I’d like to wear a vetiver I immediately go to Eat Libre d’Orange Fat Electrician. I love that zingy electrical-short smell and the sweaty, greasy, overalls worn for a few days too long, green woodsiness. It has multiple changes and stories running through its wear but also never leaves the vetiver, just shows different aspects. So wearable yet still slightly weird I find Fat Electrician an interesting and comfortable adventure.
No hesitation. Encore Noir.
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Jeez I love autocorrect. Not! Encre Noir.
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And of course I only read the first part of question. The why – it’s incredibly versatile, and doesn’t smack you around the head but has a definite presence. It has a slight citrus vibe which makes it perfect for warm weather while the woodsy base can carry you through winter. And the quality is fantastic for its price point. Haven’t got any at the moment but that’s easily remedied😏
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Wohoo Brigitte, congratulations 🍾. Now you have to say those four words. In full😈
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LOLOLOLOL!!!!!
and thank you cassie 🙂
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Congratulations!!!
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Thanks Diana!
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🙂
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DO NOT ENTER ME (unless you are wearing First Cut)
(cassie made me do it!!!!)
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AND your name is Mr. Marzipan 😉
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🤣🤣😀
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💥 And there it is. My work is done for today☺️
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😉
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Good question Portia. What is my vetiver. Well, I don’t have one and this must be corrected. I may lift my sample ban for the purposes of discovering my vetiver. After all, it would be for research/educational purposes. I’ll tell you what I’m aching to try. Aeon 001. The perfumer is Antonio Gardoni. I’m pretty sure this is one of Crikey’s favorites and her choices are always interesting and appealing. Gardoni also did MEM and MAAI which means I should try those as well.
To the point. I don’t have any vetiver forward fragrances, but I love Dryad in which it is included. Interesting Saturday question on an intriguing perfumer’s note.
And congratulations Brigitte! The perfume gods clearly love you. Waiting on those famous words 😉
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See above…I took it up a notch…but hey I am old and say it like it is now…for a good laugh…hope Portia doesn’t kill me!!!!
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Naughty girl 🤣
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More like “naughty old lady” LOL! 🙂
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Grow old disgracefully is my motto.
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OOO I like that!
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Trust me on this: DO NOT HUNT FOR AEON. It was a very limited release a few years ago, is sold out everywhere, and loving it will *kill* you if you can’t find more. (but, if the rumours of re-releases of some of Vero’s Voiles and Extraits are true… do try Onda.)
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Yeah. I would have to go with Onda for vetiver. I do really love the Chanel vetiver base in frags like the N°18 EdT, the LP28 ……. And there is wicked green vetiver in the Hermès Cardamusc.
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oh, yeah, but MEM and MAAI should be on your sample list for sure, as you are digging the complex. I’m just sorry I can’t send you any to try.
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Thanks for the heads up on Aeon 001. I’m laughing cuz I’m reading your post this evening after spending a frustrating 30 minutes searching out a sample of it! I did order both MEM and MAAI, so I’m excited about that. Hopefully someone will post of there’s s reissue of the Kerns. I don’t follow perfume news so am only likely to get wind of it here. I had a decant of Kiki VdP. After the second wearing it dawned on me that it was spectacular!
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The best lavender.
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Oh yeah! Just like that.
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Oh Marcella,
Antoniuo is an excellent perfumer. He creates the most lavish fragrances that reference the darker side of scent. All very immersive and multifaceted. I think you’ll love them. Gardelia is my favourite from his oeuvre.
Vetiver is a really fun note to follow because its users are so diverse, can’t wait to hear about your testings,
Portia xx
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I flipping ❤️ Gardelia.
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Not surprised Cassie. It looks to be a big tuberose-y white floral. That stuff’s really up your alley from what I can gather.
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I just wrote to Antonio to see if there was any AEON 001 left in the world. Let’s see.
Portia xx
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Wow. That’s totally cool 😎
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I will report as requested!
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I’ve got Guerlain Vetiver. In India, where Vetiver is harvested the villagers weave mats and hang them in the doorways of their homes.They then damp them down and when a breeze wafts the mats their homes are filled with a lovely aroma.
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I never knew that Matty,
What parts of India does this happen in?
Portia xx
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I don’t know. I read about making the mats etc a long time ago when I was reading up about Vetiver.They make other stuff as well. Nice idea about wafting the smell through the house.
Wiki is your friend Ha Ha
XXXXX
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Yes, this is true, such a lovely idea. My sister brings textiles from India and found vetiver bath mats, imagine the smell when you stomp on them after a shower. She never gave me one. 😦
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I think my only vetiver dominant fragrance is Phlur Greylocke which pairs it with an apple blossom note (I think…will have to look that one up)….I cannot tell you how many compliments I get whenever I wear that one…it’s both refreshing and chewy if that makes any sense to anyone???
I like my vetiver as a supporting player and realize that some of my most beloved fragrances contain vetiver- Reglisse Noire and Tibetan Mountain Temple are two that come to mind for current and vintage Chanel Cristalle for old school.
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Well this is what the site says-
Greylocke’s notes of distinction are sea salt, bergamot, birch leaf, silver vetiver and pine resin
Although I thought I had read on fragrantica that there was an apple note in this one
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Yup I wasn’t hallucinating (at least not THIS time)
This is what fragrantica says-
Greylocke by Phlur is a Aromatic fragrance for women and men. Greylocke was launched in 2016. The nose behind this fragrance is David Apel. The fragrance features pine tree and apple tree.
The bottle is amazing, by the way…very thick and heavy and opaque with a solid magnetic cap….very aesthetically pleasing to me…and if you line up three bottles they spell Phlur in very large letters…..
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You have created a vicious lemming Mrs. Marzipan!
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Sorry!!!!!!
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Yes ☹️
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ooo I just thought of another one (hajusuuri will kill me if I don’t mention it!)
Solstice Scents Estate Vetiver ..which honestly is more about patchouli and deep dark vanilla on my skin than vetiver…and one of the few scents that can stand up to my scent devouring skin.
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Reglisse Noire has a vetiver note. Ooh must see if i can sniff it out. Its one of my favorite perfumes!
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Mariann- Reglisse Noire is in my top five of all time!!!
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OOOH sounds so interesting Brigitte,
Portia xx
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Congrats Brigitte XXXXX
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Thank you Matty!
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Usually i don’t like vetiver-centric perfumes very much. I hated Vetiver Extreme, don’t like Encre Noir. The one vetiver is sometimes wear is Fat Electrician, because its more a gourmand variation of the vetiver theme on me.
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YAY! We snap Tanja,
Portia xx
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My go to vetiver is Armani Prive Vetiver Babylon. It is fresh and bright rather than dirty or metallic.
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I never smelled this one Tussah,
Is it new?
Portia xx
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I bought Hemingway by Masque Milano this fall, and find it to be an interesting vetiver. Even though there is a lot of vetiver in it, it isn’t harsh like so many can be.
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Aha! Sadly Hemmingway didn’t sing on my skin but I have smelt it on people it does. YUM!
Portia xx
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I love vetiver, especially when it plays a lead. My favourites are Guerlain Veitiver, Etro Palais Jamais (a vetiver with birch tar and jasmine) and Bois d’Encens. Encre Noire has too much iso e super so I finally decided against getting a FB. A friend sent me a bunch of vetiver-centric scents last years, I need to revisit them. I remember liking Tom Ford Grey Vetiver but again, nothing beats the simple yet perfect Guerlain.
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Oh yes, the TF Grey Vetiver is a good one also. Slightly creamy aspect to it.
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I need to retry it, Cassie.
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I forgot Sel de Vetiver which I love but don’t own (yet). This one is salty indeed, and the vetiver itself is on the oily side.
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The cool wash of Guerlain Vetiver is hard to beat for a clean soapy look at the grass. I love it also Diana but it rarely gets a wear. I think I’ll get it out again.
Portia xx
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That’s exactly what I did. Found mine and sprayed…lavishly..
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I wish it were warm enough for me to wear it today but alas, I’ll have to wait a couple more months
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Guerlain Vetiver is my fave. The Soft Lawn is interesting. Tauer Vetiver is my least fave. I like vetiver as a note. I love Tauerville Vetiver and Pettitgrain! I spray it on my pillows.
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oh I forgot ! I have that tauerville!!! I use it to scent my office at work! It really is fantastic!
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Expensive office freshener!
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🙂 🙂 🙂
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Isn’t Soft Lawn the best name for a fragrance Gina?
So cool.
Portia xx
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Guerlain Vetiver Pour Elle is a beautiful summer perfume and it changed my mind about vetiver. I previously found it too masculine to wear.
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Aha! The elusive VPE. Lucky you AnnieA.
Portia xx
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SL Vetiver Oriental and Vero Profumo Onda are my favourite vetivers, although I did love the Solstice Scents Estate Vetiver sample Brigitte shared with me too. I like my vetivers thick and chewy. That said, I enjoy Etro Palais Jamais a lot in summer, I would call it my summer vetiver vs. the others which are better on me in cool weather.
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Tara, I also prefer wearing Palais Jamais in summer, it works better in the warm/hot air.
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Aha! Vetiver Oriental! Good call TaraC, it always slips my mind because I don’t have a bottle. Might be time to remedy that.
Portia xx
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I know that I like vetiver (why does autocorrect transform it into “beriberi”?!) but as I think about favorites I realize that with most of my perfumes I do not consider them vetiver-centric unless “it says so on the label.” So, I’m with TaraC on liking SL Vetiver Oriental: a decant of it was given to me by a dear friend without which I would have tried this perfume only years later, and then probably wouldn’t have bought a bottle. But I enjoy wearing it from time to time, and for some reason it makes me feel “really grownup” (as if I need any props for it at my age 😉 ).
My second favorite not mentioned in the thread yet (unless I missed it) is Hermès Vetiver Tonka. But I get unexpectedly tired of it sometimes (can you believe anyone could say it about Hermessence perfume? 😉 ).
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Beri-beri! Now THAT sounds interesting …
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Hey there Undina,
YOU love Vetiver Oriental too. RIGHT! I think I’m definitely going shopping next month.
HA! A few of the Hermessence range do linger well, especially on clothes. I lose all ability to smell Cut d’Ange but continue getting sporadic compliments on it hours and hours later.
Portia xx
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So far my absolute favorite is unfortunately Guerlain Vetiver pour Elle. I also enjoy Vetiver Tonka and Vetiver Extraordinaire though the latter doesnt last on me. But still on the hunt for one with floral notes and I really need to finally try Fat Electrician!
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Can’t wait to read how you like Fat Electrician Mariann,
Portia xx
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My favorite vetiver is Nishane’s Sultan Vetiver which is so rich and deep without any of the harshness I usually associate with vetiver. Also, I saw someone mention Onda by Vero Profumo which, I also love but never really thought of as a vetiver scent before but, it definitely is. Maybe I like vetiver scents more than I realized.
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HA! Isn’t it nice to be surprised by things we love Dubaiscents?
Portia xx
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I heart vetiver.
Top of my list is Aeon 001, which I am quite boring swoony about on a regular basis. But it is closely followed by Onda VdP and extrait, which also feel like they were made just for me. (Don’t you love it when you find scents like that?) Sycomore makes me happy and the odd note of damp corrugated cardboard I get from it keeps it from being boringly beautiful. The Guerlain Vetiver is another big love–though obviously it’s the other end of the scale at the clean green end–but these days it’s mostly worn by mr crikey instead. Vetiver Extraordinaire, yes thank you, that’ll do nicely. Le Labo Vetiver 46 isn’t really a vetiver, but I’ll count it, even though it’s more an incense with vetiver that is an easy, pleasurable wear. I don’t have any of Heeley’s Vetiver Veritas. Yet. I will.
I am not as keen on sweetened vetiver (I swapped my Vetiver Tonka away), or in milky versions (srsly, whut? like vetiver moloko.)
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MILKY vetiver? Where do I find it? Sign me up Crikey.
Are there more than one?
Portia xx
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The only milky one I’ve encountered is that Ex Nihilo scent, vetiver moloko. Hmm… With the vanilla in it, it seems like a cousin of fat electrician. You might get a kick out of it. (Argh, wish I could send you my sample!!)
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Not a huge vetiver fan. I certainly do not seek it out.
Oliver & Co’s Vetiverus is my favourite. I hardly wear it, but I do find it brings a very different spin on the note.
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O M G! I completely forgot about Vetiverus. Now THAT is a fabulously freaky vetiver. Good call Kate.
Portia xx
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A vetiver osmanthus? Ooooh, that sounds delicious from the reviews I just went and looked up.
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It is a surprise entry. I didn’t expect to be bowled over by it, but I was.
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It’s not vetiver-dominant, but Chanel No. 19 has a strong vetiver note, and I love No. 19! Right now, my favorite vetiver scent is the one I created myself at a perfume-making workshop at Parfum et Vous, in Nice: https://scentsandsensibilities.co/2019/02/01/fragrance-friday-parfum-et-vous/. It’s an amateur effort, but I like it.
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WOW! Creating your own must be incredible special OH, Do you smile every time you spritz?
Portia xx
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Yes! It’s unisex, so I plan to give it to my husband for Valentine’s Day!
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I have a N°19 edp from, hmmmm early 80s maybe older. It has a shit ton of vetiver in the base. Too vetivery for me. Maybe I should try it again though. Sat in my cupboard for years.
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OMG you have a no 19 from the 80s? I am swooning over here! Please DO try it again and report back!
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Ok. I’ll try it again. Maybe I’ll like it, who knows? 🤷🏼♀️
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Even if you still don’t care for it report back please 🤣🤣
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It’s ok. Kind of of its era? Am I a total heathen? I think I prefer the EdT. And I had a few drops of vintage Extrait and wore it all. So all in all, you can have it. But you’ll have to come and get it. ☺️
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ha! You know I would if I could 😉
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Do pull it out! I’m curious to know what you think of it now.
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Most of my favorites have been mentioned: Onda, which I love wearing when I am outside in nature; Sycomore, which for inside meetings and general spine-stiffening, like most Chanels; Hemingway, which is delightfully spicy and good for nighttime. But also a shout out to Bruno Fazzolari’s Vetiverissimo, good anytime, quiet vetiver and incense.
I also really like Miller Harris Fleur de Sel, which seems vetiver-heavy to me. It’s summer in a bottle.
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oh, yes. Fleur de Sel is lovely! But that’s another that’s been hijacked by mr crikey. Vetiverissimo is very much on my want-to-try list.
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YOur mr. crickey sounds like my mini marzipan!
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I remember people talking about Bruno Fazzolari’s Vetiverissimo but never smelled it Amy, Thanks for the reminder.
Portia xx
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There are three I like even though vetiver perfumes are not my favorite category. Tom Ford Grey Vetiver for adding freshness to vetiver, Lalique Encre Noire for its inky elements, and Malle Vetiver Extraordinaire for being a sophisticated vetiver. I have vintage guerlain vetiver as well as vintage carven vetiver but I am mostly keeping them for their historical significance rather than appeal to my personal tastes.
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Hey Fazal,
I never even think of Malle Vetiver Extraordinaire. It completely passed me by in my testings. Maybe because I feel that my vetivers are all sorted I don’t continue to look. That will be remedied soon.
Portia xx
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I think if you want proper vetiver, you can afford to skip malle vetiver. Probably Malle Vetiver appeals to me because it is not hardcore vetiver like vintage guerlain vetiver and carven vetiver.
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Vetiver Extraordinaire, and all Chanel’s drydowns (19, Cristalle). And I received a sample of Onda VdP which I am going to try asap.
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Ooooh! A sample of Onda! How exciting Hamamelis.
Portia xx
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I’m not a vetiver fan at all, I try to avoid it but there is one that I really enjoy wearing and that is Serges Vetiver Oriental.
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Aha! Why is that Sue? Is it the treatment? The creator? The other notes around it?
Portia xx
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Well, I don’t really have a vetiver. Im sure this can be corrected though.
I really enjoyed the Terre de Hermes vetiver, and can see a bottle of that in my future. I also really enjoyed the Annick Goutal Vetiver we tried at Michael’s. Other than that, I am a blank slate and happy to let the sampling begin 😛
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Oh yes,
That TdH Vetiver is excellent.
We need to organise a vetiver sniff fest.
Portia xx
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I don’t have a lot of vetiver experience, but I quite enjoyed my sample of Atelier Cologne’s Vetiver Fatal, and I do love No. 19, so … that’s all, folks. I would take up sampling, but my future buys (FBs? hmmm) are already planned!
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Hey Empliau,
Thanks for the Atelier Cologne’s Vetiver Fatal reminder. I’m sure there’s a sample of that around here somewhere. Useless to look but hopefully it will turn up.
Portia xx
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When it comes to vetivers, i do enjoy a lot the Vetiver from Dior Privee collection, the only sad part is that i have only a 16ml decant and the fragrance has been discontinued 😦 I have one more nice vetiver that i enjoy pretty much and that is Bal d’afrique from Byredo. If the vetiver note is very well blended, it smells simply amazing.
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Bal D’Afrique is the one Byredo I haven’t tried but would like to. I have heard that the vetiver is nicely done in that one.
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It’s really an exquisite take on the vetiver. You definitely must give it a sniff, great stuff 👌🏻👌🏻
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Will do 👍👍
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Hey Alen,
I never knew Bal d’afrique is a vetiver fragrance. Thanks,
Portia xx
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Congratulations to Brigitte as winner this week!
I’m curious reading the posts regarding this question, because I don’t think I like Vetiver. and definitely don’t seek it out. Then I realized I don’t know Vetiver fragrances at all, but reading posts, of course I’m familiar with No 19. However, it is one of the few Chanels I don’t own.
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Thanks Kathleen. I should have thought of no 19 as well for I did wear it many decades ago. It’s a good one!
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And I am wondering if there’s vetiver in Niki de Saint Phalle. I loved that one as well in my very distant past. Portia or Diana would know.
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I don’t think vetiver is a listed note in Niki de Saint Phalle Brigitte.
Portia xx
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Niki doesn’t strike me as a vetiver scent but then again, a perfume must have heaps of it for me to be able to discern it 😉
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I have quite a few vetivers in my collection that get wheeled out, mostly in the spring. I like Turtle Vetiver Front, Guerlain Vetiver, Atelier Vetiver Fatal, MP&G Racine and Creed Original Vetiver. I have samples of Vetiver Extraordinaire and Heeley Vetiver Veritas that I really should be digging out and wearing too.
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Hey Greg,
Did you buy a bottle of the Turtle Vetiver? I loved those frags but never bought and of course now they are gone.
Portia xx
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I’m not seeking out vetiver, I am afraid of developing an allergy, since I’m already very allergic to other grasses. Not a big fan of the note, but Iike Hèrmes Vetiver Tonka. Other green notes have a stronger appeal for me.
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Oh yes, be careful if you are already grass averse Ingeborg.
I doubt there’s much real vetiver in the Hermès, just a dream of it.
Portia x
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Loved Lush Smugglers Soul shampoo bar so decided to blind buy the perfume, unfortunately the moment I sprayed I quickly regretted it – it went totally nuclear on my skin! Have been shy of the note ever since. I do however own one fragrance with vetiver as a lovely supporting background note and it’s one of my favorites – Rosabotanica.
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