Top 10 Spring/Autumn Fragrances 2014 Perfume Reviews

March 23, 2014 / australianperfumejunkiescom / 33 Comments

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.

Photo Stolen Flickr

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

MAC Cosmetics' Maleficent

March 23, 2014 / australianperfumejunkiescom / 11 Comments

WOW!

Can’t wait for the movie Maleficent by Walt Disney and now I can’t wait for the make up range from MAC too. LOVING the ad copy and the cosmetics look killer too. MAC available in June 2014

(source) via art8amby

IMDb

APJ 300,000 Views First In Fragrance Acqua di Parma!!

March 21, 2014 / australianperfumejunkiescom / 55 Comments

WHOOO HOOO APJ!

We have hit 300,000 views. An incredible landmark

THANK YOU to everyone who has been involved in any way in our very special family of fragrance freaks. Readers, Writers, Commenters, Contributors, Frag houses, Perfumers, Curators, Marketing people, Friends, Family: every one of you have made this one of the most enjoyable experiences of my life. I am proud to be part of something so fun and global, you who are my friends through Cyber, the ones I’ve been lucky enough to meet, my besties and Jin. THANK YOU.

Photo Stolen ArtRock

When Michael & I were meeting the crew at First In Fragrance in Germany. Beate and the crew (Shane, Sabine, Margit, Katharina) were so amazing that they wanted to do something special for the Australian Perfume Junkies blog. I was saying “No No No, You’ve done so much, Been too generous already” but Beate decided that she was going to gift me with €165 worth of Colonia Intensa Oud by Acqua di Parma to use as a giveaway when we next did something exciting at APJ. It doesn’t get much more exciting than 300,000 views.

Also, did you know that a First In Fragrance sample is around 3-4ml and comes in a spray atomiser? They are very reasonable priced and send to the world. Go check their stuff.

www.ausliebezumduft.com
Aus Liebe zum Duft
Wuchsa
Bahnhofstrasse 10
D-76646 Bruchsal

Photo Stolen DreamHost

Colonia Intensa Oud by Acqua di Parma GIVEAWAY

Photo stolen Fragrantica

Fragrantica gives these featured accords:
Top: Citruses
Heart: Oud, Russian coriander, amyris wood
Base: Musk, leather

WHAT CAN YOU WIN?

WINNERS WILL ONLY BE ANNOUNCED AT Australian Perfume Junkies<<JUMP Facebook Page

This week we will have 1 Major Winner and 4 Mini Winners who will receive:

Major Winner
100ml Bottle of Colonia Intensa Oud by Acqua di Parma (missing the other prizes)
P&H Anywhere in the world

4 x Mini Winners
1 x 10ml decant of Colonia Intensa Oud by Acqua di Parma
P&H Anywhere in the world

HOW DO YOU WIN?

Open to everyone worldwide who follows AustralianPerfumeJunkies via eMail, WordPress, Bloglovin or RSS. Please leave how you follow in the comments to be eligible. I must be able to check that you follow so if you have an email address on your gravatar that’s different to your follow address then please email me so I know. Yes, you can start following to enter, in fact it’s encouraged.

You must tell me how you follow APJ

and

Go to First In Fragrance <<<JUMP and find me a fragrance and one of its notes. NO DOUBLE UPS!!

Extra Chance?
Tweet: @OzPerfumeJunkie OUD by Acqua di Parma GIVEAWAY http://wp.me/p3PURw-2wf #Perfume #Giveaway @Acqua_di_Parma

HOUSEKEEPING

Entries Close Sunday 23rd March 2014 10pm Australian EST and winners will be announced ONLY ON FACEBOOK so go LIKE Australian Perfume Junkies<<JUMP Facebook Page.
Winners will be chosen by random.org
The winners will have till Thursday 28th March 2014 to get in touch (portia underscore turbo at yahoo dot com dot au) with their address or the prize will go to someone else.
No responsibility taken for lost or damaged goods in transit.

Photo Stolen FanForum

First In Fragrance + Bruchsal, Germany Photo Essay

March 21, 2014 / australianperfumejunkiescom / 24 Comments

Hello Lovely APJers,

During Michael & my recent travels we made a special detour to go meet the crew at First In Fragrance in Germany. Beate and the crew (Shane, Sabine, Margit, Katharina) were so friendly and helpful. Wec learned so much about fragrances, the broad ranges that are now available and I personally got to make up some samples to be sent out to the world with orders! It was totally fun.

First In Fragrance

Also, did you know that a First In Fragrance sample is around 3-4ml and comes in a spray atomiser? They are very reasonable priced and send to the world.

www.ausliebezumduft.com
Aus Liebe zum Duft
Wuchsa
Bahnhofstrasse 10
D-76646 Bruchsal

Later today you can come back and join in our spectacular GIVEAWAY! First In Fragrance has given APJ a bottle of Acqua de Parma Oud for a very special giveaway. See you later.

Bruchsal, Germany Photo Essay

Here is a small selection of photos of our time in Bruchsal with the First In Fragrance crew and some of it’s highlights and heritage.

Arriving in Bruchsal by train

Meeting one of my Childhood friends Stefanie for dinner
ONE of First In Fragrance’s sample walls

Portia annoying the girls with questions

Michael overwhelmed by choice

Evening falls and Michael still sniffing

The girls put me to work, I filled about 9 orders

Day 2 and our lovely hostess Lisa

Beate, what a lovely lady. Took such time for us. SO knowledgeable.

Bruchsal Palace (Schloss Bruchsal)

Bruchsal Palace (Schloss Bruchsal) is the only Prince-Bishop’s residence on the Upper Rhine. It is famous for its opulent staircase constructed by Balthasar Neumann – known as the “crown jewel of all Baroque staircases”. It was constructed in 1720 as a residence for the Prince-Bishops of Speyer. The then Prince-Bishop, Damian Hugo von Schönborn, an avid art collector, played an important role in planning the complex. The three-wing palace is built of sandstone. The collection of exquisitely matched buildings, along with the carefully laid out garden, make up an extraordinarily beautiful ensemble. DON’T arrive till 10am because the gorgon won’t let you in, even if it’s 9.45 and you can’t stay. GRRRRR Bruchsal Palace Online

The Church of St. Peter is especially important to the people of Bruchsal. Not only is it the work of the famous Baroque architect, Balthasar Neumann, but it was also the only church in Bruchsal to survive the Allied bombing of the town in March 1945 unscathed. The Church of St. Peter online

59 Things To Do In Bruchsal site

We had an incredible two day stopover in Bruchsal. I wish we’d had another two so we could really get to see the city. Bruchsal, you are on my list for next time.

Loads of love to you all and special thanks to www.ausliebezumduft.com (First In Fragrance).

Portia xx

Oriza L. Legrand GIVEAWAY WINNERS

March 21, 2014 / australianperfumejunkiescom / 5 Comments

Oriza L. Legrand GIVEAWAY WINNERS

WHAT CAN YOU WIN?

This week we will have 3 winners who will each receive:

1 set of 7 x 2ml Oriza L Legrand samples
P&H Anywhere in the world

HOW DID YOU WIN?

You must tell me how you follow APJ

and

Go to Oriza L. Legrand<<<JUMP and find me a fragrance and one of its notes, or another of their products and it’s fragrance name. NO DOUBLE UPS!!

HOUSEKEEPING

Entries Closed Thursday 20th March 2014 10pm Australian EST
Winners were chosen by random.org

Photo Stolen markmontanoblogs

LEANS12 (via Twitter), BEC, CHRISTINE W

CONGRATULATIONS!!
The winners will have till Monday 24th March 2014 to get in touch (portia underscore turbo at yahoo dot com dot au) with their address or the prize will go to someone else.
No responsibility taken for lost or damaged goods in transit.

Photographs Stolen from Oriza L Legrand site and taken by Roberto Greco©

Bottega Veneta Essence Aromatique: New Fragrance 2014

March 19, 2014 / australianperfumejunkiescom / 9 Comments

Hey there APJ,

You are probably aware, or sick to death, of my love for Bottega Veneta’s original EdP and Parfum. It has become Jin’s signature scent and whenever I smell it now I think only of him. The rest of their offerings are quite good but sadly none has caprured my heart in any where near the way of the original beautiful fragrance. Now we have a new one and though I haven’t tried it, I can’t wait. It looks lovely in the ad, let’s hope it lives up to it originator.

Bottega Veneta Essence Aromatique: New Fragrance 2014

Photo Stolen Fragrantica

Fragrantica gives these featured accords:
Top: Bergamot, coriander,
Heart: White rose, tonk, vanilla
Base: Patchouli, sandalwood

(source) via art8amby

Experience the original Bottega Veneta Parfum mini movie

Jardins d'Armide by Oriza L. Legrand 1909/2013

March 16, 2014 / australianperfumejunkiescom / 61 Comments

Hello you Gorgeous Frag Geeks,

During out European Frag Tour 2014 Michael and I made a point of going and seeing the boys of Oriza L Legrand at their 18 Rue Saint-Augustin, Paris store. We organised a date and expecting to be given a mini tour of the range and their history, which I had read a fair bit about and then forgotten, we walked to the store. Michael was excited to discover a new fragrance house and I was very interested to meet two men who were able to bring their dream of owning a fragrance house to life.

Turns out that Franck & Hugo are the sweetest men in the history of the known universe, they explained the history, the ideas, the fragrances and a whole lot else. Charming, amusing and extremely dedicated to perfumery and their brand I foresee great things for them. If the quality of their product and service remain at these standards then I can see no reason why not. Today I am going to introduce you to the Oriza L. Legrand fragrance that rocked my world more than the rest.

Photo Stolen Oriza L. Legrand Facebook

Jardins d’Armide by Oriza L. Legrand 1909/2013

Photo Stolen Fragrantica

Fragrantica gives these featured accords:
Top: Rose, orris, powdery notes, orange blossom
Heart: Iris, violet, carnation, wisteria
Base: Honey, almond, tonka bean, musk

Interestingly I bought the fragrance that quite a bit of the scentbloggosphere has either not loved or actively disliked. When Michael and I were being taken through the range it was all touche spritzing until we got to Jardins d’Armide and withing 10 minutes of it being spritzed on a card I was asking to see how it lived on my skin. A little over an hour of fragrance, fun, good humoured banter and the super great story of the company’s inception and reincarnation I was asking for some Jardins d’Armide. Hugo thought I wanted a sample and had already done me a 10ml to take with me (SO kind and thoughtful) but it was a bottle and some of their delicious soaps that I was after. The boys were even so sweet that they posted the bottle back home for me at a very small extra cost, and they put some sample packs in for me to do a giveaway on the blog!

So, what does Jardins d’Armide smell like when it hits my skin, and during its lovely long life? The first thing I get is a funky Musk Stick smell that is both super sugared and soapy, like a sweet rose jam soap. It’s fun and neon bright and it stays for around 5 minutes before receding slightly to let a very breathy, indolic, orange blossom play along and here is where we really get to see the full blown spicy fruit rose bloom. There is an accord that I’ve come across lately and Michael and I decided it was the Hairspray and Nail Polish accord, I FREAKING LOVE IT! Jardins d’Armide has this accord in spades and I think it may have something to do with violet and iris together.

Well into the second hour I think I’m getting a little saffron but it could easily be the violet & iris and honey all smooshing around together. The almond and honey take over somewhere around the 4-5 hour mark but still there lingers a lovely powdery sweetness. It wafts around for a while then slowly fades to nothing. A beautiful ride and I enjoy it immensely. Maybe it’s my skin but I find Jardins d’Armide to be an extremely wearable fragrance that is noticeable, has good sillage and low to medium projection after the first hour. I definitely made the right choice because even here back in Sydney I am reaching for Jardins d’Armide more than almost everything else in my collection.

Photo Stolen Oriza L Legrand

Oriza L Legrand Online Boutique has €120/100ml and send worldwide
Oriza L Legrand Online Boutique also has Sample Sets only €9/7 x 2ml spray samples of their line

Have you tried any of the Oriza L. Legrand fragrances yet? Did you know that their Horizon has been nominated for an Olfactorama Award?
Portia xx

Photo Stolen myprettypaints

Oriza L. Legrand GIVEAWAY

WHAT CAN YOU WIN?

This week we will have 3 winners who will each receive:

1 set of 7 x 2ml Oriza L Legrand samples
P&H Anywhere in the world

HOW DO YOU WIN?

You must tell me how you follow APJ

and

Go to Oriza L. Legrand<<<JUMP and find me a fragrance and one of its notes, or another of their products and it’s fragrance name. NO DOUBLE UPS!!

Extra Chance?
Tweet: @OzPerfumeJunkie Oriza L Legrand GIVEAWAY http://wp.me/p3PURw-2z9 #Perfume #Giveaway

HOUSEKEEPING

Entries Close Thursday 20th March 2014 10pm Australian EST and winners will be announced in a separate post.
Winners will be chosen by random.org
The winners will have till Monday 24th March 2014 to get in touch (portia underscore turbo at yahoo dot com dot au) with their address or the prize will go to someone else.
No responsibility taken for lost or damaged goods in transit.

Photo Stolen Oriza L Legrand

Maison Oriza L. Legrand – History

March 16, 2014 / australianperfumejunkiescom / 3 Comments

Hi there Perfumed Peeps,

Later today APJ will look at one of the fragrances from this house but I thought it might be good for you all to read the history of the company beforehand. The story presented here is from the Oriza L. Legrand website, and gives a very nice potted history that will have you up to speed in a couple of minutes.

Portia xx

History of Maison Oriza L. Legrand

In 1720, during the reign of Louis XV, Fargeon Elder Parfumeur Distiller of the king and his court (known in Europe as “The Perfumed Court”), gives birth to Oriza House. In 1720, Oriza House enjoyed the trust of the most illustrious and especially King Louis XV of France.

The company was the official supplier of the King and the Fargeon were famous as the perfumer of Queen Marie-Antoinette.

The creams and powders Fargeon created were also destined to the eternal youth and beauty of the famous courtesan, Ninon de Lenclos.

Since the beginning, the House received the royal warrant as the official supplier of toiletries and fragrance of the Royal Courts of France, Italy, England and The Imperial Courts of Napoléon III and Russia.

The name of the house originates from Oryza Sativa, the latin name for rice, which was part of the ingredients for rice powder, make-up and wigs.

Michael at Oriza L Legrand with Franck & Hugo (Photo donated by Michael)

Then in 1811, Louis Legrand took over the house as he understood its potential prestige. With its fragrant creations, he developed it to its full extent. Legrand led Oriza to its fame and set his boutique on the famous rue Saint Honoré in Paris. He created the most refined, the most exquisite and the most complex products. Legrand was a true fragrance artist.

Some time later Antonin Raynaud joined the house as an associate. Legrand then sold him the house, and he renamed it Oriza L. Legrand as a tribute to its first two owners and the story of the famous house of perfumes.

In 1887 the company Oriza L. Legrand patented and produced the world’s first solid perfume (Essence Oriza Solidifiée). The whole manufacture, from the distillation and maceration of perfume ingredients to labelling, from soap making to grinding rice for powder, was concentrated in the factory of Levallois-Perret. Oriza L. Legrand was one of the rare houses that provided the Courts of Russia, England, Italy and France. The house was also one of the firsts to turn its fragrances into lines of products.

For most of its perfumes, Oriza L. Legrand had a perfume, a powder, make-up, soaps and lots of perfumed items.

The factory employed over 200 staff at the end of the 1800s. It ran at full capacity and Raynaud put his financial means at the service of the house. He created for instance his own, very refined package boxes. He also turned to Baccarat, who created bottles for prestigious editions. And he left Faubourg Saint Honoré to set up to shops on 9 boulevard de la Madeleine and on 11 Place de la Madeleine, where Baccarat currently stands. this provides an indication of how important the house had become by then.

Company Oriza L. Legrand successfully participated in international exhibitions and has been regularly awarded prizes, from the bronze medal at the Universal Exhibition in Paris (1867) to the Grand Prix in 1900. At the turn of the 20th century, 90% of the production went abroad.

Today Oriza L. Legrand is still made in France and works with small companies all over the country. Raw materials of the highest quality are still used and the apothecary’s artisanal processes followed.

We are very proud to open 4 centuries of archives and present to the world a part of our prestigious history.

All Photos unless otherwise specified Stolen Oriza L Legrand

Epic Body Lotion by Amouage 2009

March 15, 2014 / australianperfumejunkiescom / 38 Comments

Hiya Perfume Junkies,

I love most forms of scent: Fine fragrance, Lotions, Bath products, Home fragrance etc etc. Obviously spritzing perfume is a joy all by itself but for real, no holds barred luxury give me a fabulous Body Lotion, I love the whole experience and also that it is a good frag base. Body Lotion is another thought re-railer, if I find myself heading towards bleak or morbid thoughts something as simple and fun as applying a lavish body lotion can be exactly the thing to send my mind in another direction.

Epic Body Lotion by Amouage 2009

Daniel Maurel

Photo Stolen Fragrantica

Fragrantica gives these featured accords:
Top: Caraway, pink pepper, cinnamon
Heart: Rose, geranium, jasmine, tea
Base: Amber, vanilla, incense, orris root, patchouli, agarwood (oud)

The fragrance notes are repeated pretty closely in the Body Lotion but with less of a story, basically the lotion goes on and smells like it does for its whole life. A very pretty mix of caraway, rose, amber with the rest in background roles. What is does do though is smell fabulous, pumping out a perfect dosage of fragrance and leaves my skin looking and feeling lovely, even rubbing it on it feels great and my body absorbs it super quickly which is great when leaving the house in a hurry, you don’t have to wait to put your clothes on.

I have an admission to make. I did have a decant of Epic woman that I was totally going to buy a bottle of. Then I grabbed this bottle of Body Lotion and the Body Lotion and fragrance together are amazing but so HUGE that ever since I wear the Body Lotion by itself and feel that it is completely fragrant enough for around 5-6 hours. After that Epic Body Lotion makes an incredible base for almost any fragrance I choose to spritz over it and gives that fragrance extra life length too with a lovely depth that only Amouage can bring.

Libertine Parfumerie has this to say: The body lotion contains glycerine, shea butter, aloe vera, almond oil, silicone and a protective film leaving the skin supple, smooth, silky and radiant.

Photo Stolen Libertine Parfumerie

There are plenty of places to buy your Amouage Epic Body Lotion if you’re looking for a bargain but I buy mine from Libertine Parfumerie where it may cost a few dollars more but I know that they have new and fresh stock and SHIPPING IN AUSTRALIA IS FREE!

Libertine Parfumerie has $107/300ml pump pack including shipping in Australia
Beauty Encounter has $75/300ml

What are your favourite fragrant indulgences? Is there a lotion that really makes you feel special? Do you find a self application of something lavish can be a mood changer?
Portia x

L`Heure Mysterieuse XII by Mathilde Laurent for Cartier 2009

March 14, 2014 / australianperfumejunkiescom / 3 Comments

Hello my lovelies,

You may remember that last year in Prague I bought L’Heure Convoiteé II and at the time Jin quite liked L`Heure Brilliant VI and so I have been trying to get him a sample of it from a Cartier store for over a year now. Yes, I know I can buy a sample at Surrender To Chance but I really wanted him to have the full Cartier sample experience. In the hopes of finding a sample at the source Neela Vermeire took me to 13 Rue de la Paix, Paris on my recent visit. Sadly there were none but the gentleman who manages the store was extremely affable and gave me a couple of other samples, there was also the most gorgeous security guard I’ve ever seen, quite a movie star.

L`Heure Mysterieuse XII by Mathilde Laurent for Cartier 2009

Les Heures de Cartier

Photo Stolen Fragrantica

Fragrantica gives these featured accords in one line:
Jasmine, patchouli, coriander, elemi, incense, nutmeg

A patchouli bomb where the patchouli and nutmeg get together with everything else and make me smell bitter chocolate at the open, then the elemi and coriander take over giving me bitter, sour, green that is both intriguing and slightly disgusting, not like Secretions Magnifique but there is something mildly revolting that I can’t stop sniffing. You know when a fit and healthy person sweats at the gym? Though you know it’s sweat so kind of yucky, yet still to cuddle up with them if they’ve arrived home unshowered can be very darn sexy and it doesn’t matter if you muss them up because they are heading for the shower anyway. L`Heure Mysterieuse XII is that kind of scent, a nod to the sweetest of scents, healthy sweat. Before, during and after.

“An invitation into secrets, the scent of a whisper, heady and lascivious.” Mathilde Laurent, Cartier perfumer.

Yes, that’s what I’m getting, a breathy invitation to entanglement over coffee. This is a sexy scent that sometimes during its story can smell a bit ripe, over ripe even, humanity about to go nasty. Then not too far into the heart it changes completely, still humans in the picture but now the smell of a wood fire, the warmth and woods, smoke and cooking, the herbs & spices are playing lovely counterpoint and still this lovely sweatiness floating in and around. Do any of you get this clean skank? I would never have believed that L`Heure Mysterieuse XII was a Cartier if I didn’t get it straight from the shop in Paris. Amazing, fun and NAUGHTY! I have worn this now 3 times and every time I am astounded at the implied raunch.

L`Heure Mysterieuse XII stays pretty linear and does more of a fade than a change after it hits the smoky woods with spicy, sweaty humanity breath overtones except to add more patchouli and a hint of leather onto the pile. Lasting power is good at 9+ hours of fragrant, sillage soft and scent projection quite close but very discernible and towards the end it’s only the softest and most subtle suede, gorgeous. I think I now need to make Jin wear it to see if it has the same feral overtones on another body that I’m not sniffing up so close to.

Photo Stolen WikiMedia

Further reading: Pink Manhattan and Bois de Jasmin
Cartier stand alone stores and some Cartier counters in department stores carry the range
Surrender To Chance has samples starting at $6/.5ml

I have enjoyed my L`Heure Mysterieuse XII wearings immensely and if it wasn’t so damn expensive in Australia at AUD $405 I would have rushed down to Cartier and grabbed one already, maybe next holiday.

Have you yet tried any of Les Heures de Cartier? Did you have a favourite? What about the elegant aesthetic? Would you love a bottle?
Portia xx