Adam Levine for Women by Yann Vasnier 2013

June 11, 2015 / australianperfumejunkiescom / 11 Comments

Post by Poodle

Yes, I’m back with another celebrity scent this time by Adam Levine. I found it at a discounter so took a chance on a blind buy. I couldn’t name a Maroon 5 song if my life depended on it but I now know Adam Levine is the lead singer. I respect him for putting his name on a pretty good fragrance.

Adam Levine for Women by Yann Vasnier 2013

Photo Stolen Fragrantica

Fragrantica gives these featured accords:
Top: Saffron, citruses, marigold, spices
Heart: Indian jasmine, Australian sandalwood, rose petals
Base: Benzoin, vanilla

Before we even talk scent, how fabulous is the bottle? It’s inspired by a microphone. It’s young and fun and I wish I had it when I was 14. I am completely honest when I say if I had this back then I’d be dancing around my room singing into the darn thing. (I might even do that after I finish writing this.)

Photo Stolen Wikipedia

At first spritz I smell sandalwood and for a moment I think 10 Corso Como. It’s a fast burst and then other notes come into play. The note list makes me think warmer, spicy, heavy perfume, but on my skin this is not heavy at all but bear in mind not much is. I don’t smell marigolds (which smell a bit skunky to me) but rather a touch of saffron and I’m not sure what. I keep thinking coconut. I’m not a huge fan of coconut in perfume but I do like this suggestion of it. It could just be my nose distorting things. There is a brightness to the perfume but I never think “citrus” at any point during the development. Whatever the spices are in here they’re not dominant at all.

Sandalwood is always humming in the background and the jasmine, roses, and base notes are blended beautifully. No sour roses here. It’s not a beachy perfume yet somehow it makes me think of the beach on a cool summer evening. The jasmine is a little dirty. Maybe it’s the saffron and spice but there’s the smell of warm skin which is surprising to me. It’s not sweaty or skanky just a little sexy. I have to admit this is much better than I thought it would be. It’s not overpowering or long lasting on my skin but where it does get mileage is on clothing. Whatever I’ve been wearing while wearing Adam Levine for Her smells fabulous the next time I pull it out of the closet. The sandalwood and vanilla are really nice in this perfume. They’re probably completely synthetic but no matter, they smell great.

Photo Stolen Twitter

Further reading: Ca Fleure Bon
FragranceNet has $18/50ml before coupon
Surrender To Chance has samples starting at $3/ml

Adam Levine for Her is easy to wear and I could also see this as a cuddle up scent. I’m pleasantly surprised by this perfume and find myself reaching for it when I want something that just smells good. Or when I want to sing into the microphone bottle.

Are you an Adam Levine fan?

Hugs
Poodle

S-ex by Christophe Laudamiel for S-perfume 2004

June 10, 2015 / australianperfumejunkiescom / 13 Comments

Post by Trésor

“Im a Barbie girl in a Barbie world. Life in plastic, it’s fantastic.”

If you just so happen to be a 90s kid like me chances are you will recognize those lyrics from Aqua’s Barbie Girl, a song which was essentially the soundtrack to my childhood. Much like the synthetic starlet herself this Danish bubblegum electropop anthem immediately calls to mind one of my absolute favourite fragrances, a composition by Christophe Laudamiel for niche concept house S-Perfume called S-ex. Perhaps one of the most terribly fascinating and unconventionally beautiful fragrances in my collection.

S-ex by Christophe Laudamiel for S-perfume 2004

Photo Stolen Fragrantica

Fragrantica gives these featured accords in one line:
Oxygen, salt, camellia, willow, skin musk, strawberry, baroque musk, white leather, black leather, pepper, nutmeg, bergamot, wheat, woodsy notes, malt, birch, patchouli, sandalwood, jasmine

I will admit, the opening sequence of S-ex was not an immediate affection for me and I can remember so vividly the very first time I sprayed it on my skin. A glacial surge of metallic ozone bursts forth from the atomizer, illustrating so viscerally a hyperborean landscape of frigid metal and ice. Soon though, this frozen thalassic vista begins to recede into the distance and the breathtakingly sensuous aroma of buttery leather begins to unfold and lend an unusually beautiful tactile, skinlike quality to the composition.

Photo Stolen DeviantArt

Beneath this narrative is where my reference to Barbie truly translates as the underpinning of this sumptuous leather is an accord not unlike the aroma of our darling doll’s trademark plastic. It’s an instant rush of nostalgia for me, and I’m certain for anyone else familiar with this particularly iconic smell. The nostalgia factor is only further reinforced by an rather curious note that to me smells of strawberry flavoured chewing gum that I was terribly fond of as a child. Though this combination sounds rather dissonant and peculiar, something about it is interesting and has kept me coming back again and again for years now. The longer the composition has to develop on the skin the more an astoundingly exquisite kaleidoscope of synthetic skin musks seems to develop and it is within this olfactory symphony that I find my greatest affection for the fragrance. The only way I can can think to explain this is to imagine dancing rays of lambent sunlight refracting haphazardly though the facets an intricately cut diamond. They seem as if they are ricocheting off of each other, ebbing and flowing into infinity. It is within the magnetism of this lustrous symphony that S-ex fades into the skin completely, leaving only delicate whispers of gossamer light in its wake.

Photo Stolen Pixabay

The sillage on S-ex is respectable but not particularly loud and longevity is significant, closing out on my skin at around 10 hours. I will say, this is not a fragrance I would recommend buying blind as those anosmic to particular synthetic musks might not smell much of anything at all. S-ex also happens to be a fragrance I would wholeheartedly recommend every honest-to-goodness fume head try at least once for I genuinely believe it is a masterpiece in its own right.

Further reading: Bois de Jasmin and Perfume Shrine
LuckyScent has $155/50ml
Surrender To Chance has samples starting at $4/ml

What fragrance would you recommend everyone try at least once?

Until next time!
Tresor xx

Pichola by Neela Vermeire Créations 2015

June 9, 2015 / australianperfumejunkiescom / 26 Comments

Post by Val the Cookie Queen

I inherited three beautiful diamonds and an emerald and diamond ring. They are pieces of great beauty.

Writing about perfume is challenging and can be surprisingly difficult. It is all so subjective. Then add that to the fact that it is impossible to know what something smells like without physically smelling it. Nevertheless some writers prefer lists of notes and go onto describe them. Which is just fine unless they get it wrong. This can have a knock on effect with perfume people deciding, predicated upon what the writer says not to try it. This is extremely disheartening for the perfumers. So if you are waiting to have each and every note of Pichola dissected and discussed, move on!

Pichola by Neela Vermeire Créations 2015

Pichola: composed by Bertrand Duchafour for NVC under Neela´s eagle eye

Photo Donated Neela Vermeire Creations

Parfumo gives these featured accords:
Top: Cardamom, Cinnamon, Saffron, Juniper, Magnolia, Neroli, Clementine, Bergamot
Heart: Orange blossom absolute, Rose absolute, Tuberose absolute, Jasmine sambac, Ylang-ylang
Base: Benzoin absolute, Sandalwood, Driftwood, Haitian vetiver

All of the Neela Vermeire Créations are jewels in a sea of paste. Pichola is no exception, indeed it may be the diamond in the collection. Like my own diamonds, Pichola is for special occasions or social events. (I must add that my daughter aka BlondesWunder does not agree at all and has worn it on many days using up at least half of my stash, and even wears it to the gym)) I hear through the perfumista grapevine that Pichola wears close to the skin, with an average sillage. Which is exactly what I mean with perfume being subjective. Pichola is an absolute spicy, floral bombshell and develops and lasts for many hours, leaving a soft and elegant sandalwood as its last breath – to me. Notes do include cardamom, clementine, and bergamot, orange, rose, jasmine, sandalwood and vetiver. Pichola is in perfect symmetry with Bombay Bling, Mohur, Ashoka and Trayee. That Bertrand Duchafour has achieved this with Neela Vermeire is formidable and speaks highly of their relationship.

Photo Donated Neela Vermeire Creations

In the manner of the reflections off of Lake Pichola in Rajasthan from which it is named – Pichola reflects and diffuses each of its many notes. As light moves through a diamond, it is scattered and fractured, creating the sparkle that diamonds are known for. A diamond is evaluated on on its ability to reflect and refract light in all directions. Pichola glimmers and sparkles and changes with the light. Flawless.

“It’s hard to be a diamond in a rhinestone world.” Dolly Parton.

Further reading: Australian Perfume Junkies and What Men Should Smell Like
Neela Vermeire Creations has €205/60ml
Surrender To Chance has samples starting at $7/.5ml

Shimmering Bussis.

Pet Fragrance, Taylor Swift's Incredible Things

June 8, 2015 / australianperfumejunkiescom / 28 Comments

Post by Azar

No matter how much we love our furry and feathered friends, most natural pet odors (with the notable exception of Pionus Parrot Perfume) can sometimes be challenging to deal with.

That being said, Fender the dog is usually not a stink bomb. Even damp from PNW rain he maintains a pleasant furry scent with an intimate doggie sillage. There are times, though, for whatever reason, when he is quite ripe. On those days an immediate in-home bath or a trip to the groomer is in order.

Pet Fragrance

I have discussed doggie odors, as well as pet and people perfumes, at length with Fender’s stylist, “L”. Most dedicated pet parents know that perfumes made for people are not meant for dogs or cats. Some of the ingredients in our favorite fragrances can actually be harmful to pets. “L” has introduced me to several lines of pet perfumes and colognes. Some, like the offerings from Nature Labs, smell like designer fragrances. Her favorites for her clients include Arfmani, Aramutts, Ms. Claybone, CK-9 and Tommy Holedigger. I was also surprised to learn that Juicy Couture has come up with dog colognes and beauty products, the Juicy Crittoure line.

My preferred perfumes from Fender’s small collection include a discontinued seasonal beauty entitled Holiday Berry Kiss. HBK is, in fact, one of my favorite raspberry fragrances – for dogs or humans. Notes include sweet, tart raspberry, unripe pear, jasmine, rose and fresh water notes. I also enjoy Espree odor neutralizing Rainforest Cologne. This dog perfume is reminiscent of the gardenia and the other white florals in My Life by Mary J. Blige. While Fender rarely puts up with a lot of frou-frou, once in awhile he will tolerate a little spritz of Pucci.

Incredible Things by Elizabeth Arden for Taylor Swift 2014

Photo Stolen Fragrantica

Fragrantica gives these featured accords:
Top: Pink pepper, grapefrui
Heart: Vanilla orchid, passion flower, suede
Base: White amber, creamy musk, Madagascan vanilla, Haitin vetiver

A couple of months ago “L” was living through some very frustrating experiences. What better way to help a fellow perfumista than a gift of her favorite fragrance? She loves the perfumes of Jennifer Aniston, especially the first one, sometimes called Lovalie (2010). I believe that the clean, light soapiness of Lovalie must be a much-needed respite after long hours surrounded by heavy-duty animalic odors. I easily found this first Jennifer Aniston online but the second one, J introduced in 2014, was a bit of a challenge to locate. I finally tracked it down, on sale at my local Target store and purchased the last one in stock. Prominently displayed above the Jennifer Aniston section was Taylor Swift’s new fragrance Incredible Things (2014). I bravely gave myself a generous spray and was surprised and impressed by a beautiful, livable coconut and an eye-popping grapefruit spiced with pink pepper. The circuitous route to my discovery of Incredible Things reminded me that I never know where or when a new fragrance adventure will come my way!

Azar xx

Photo Stolen Kesha&Co

Celebu-Pet GIVEAWAY

WHAT CAN YOU WIN?

This week we will have 1 winner who will receive:
1 ml decants of four of the perfumes mentioned in this post. Here they are in the order of my personal preference:
1) Fender’s Holiday Berry Kiss
2) Fender’s Rainforest Cologne
3) Taylor Swift’s Incredible Things
4) Jennifer Aniston Lovalie
(Hmmm…I seem to prefer pet perfume to celebuscents!)
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 (portia underscore turbo @ yahoo dot com dot au) so I know. Yes, you can start following to enter, in fact it’s encouraged.

You must tell me how you follow APJ

and

Please tell us about your favorite pet perfume, celebuscent or most recent fragrance adventure!

HOUSEKEEPING

Entries Close Thursday 11th May 2015 10pm Australian EST and winners will be announced in a separate post.
Winners will be chosen by random.org
The winners will have till Sunday 14th May 2015 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.

DIOR Giveaway Winners

June 8, 2015 / australianperfumejunkiescom

Hiya APJ Frag Family,

Seems we hit a jackpot with a giveaway you all really loved. I’m glad.

Let’s see who scored.

Portia xx

DIOR Giveaway Winners

WHAT COULD YOU WIN?

This week we will have 1 winner who will receive:
1 x Fève Délicieuse + Cuir Cannage + Oud Ispahan DIOR manufacturers samples
P&H Anywhere in the world

HOW DID YOU WIN?

You must tell me how you follow APJ

and

Please tell us a favorite DIOR fragrance, from any of their ranges and any vintage

Extra Chance?
Tweet: @OzPerfumeJunkie Christian DIOR Privée GIVEAWAY http://wp.me/p3PURw-330 #Perfume #Giveaway @Dior

HOUSEKEEPING

Entries Closed Sunday 7th June 2015 10pm Australian EST
Winner was chosen by random.org

Photo Stolen HighestSelf

TIM

CONGRATULATIONS!! The winner will have till Thursday 11th June 2015 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.

Portia’s 15 Must Smell Fragrances + Coupon Code!

June 7, 2015 / australianperfumejunkiescom

Hey Hey APJ,

It would make me extremely happy if you’d jump on over and check out the newest post on My Perfume Samples. Writing for My Perfume Samples has given me a really great new outlet for fragrance writing and this fortnight we decided to think about some of the most important, or best in category, fragrances that have maintained a lot of what they were originally famous for. Obviously some have changed a bit over time due to cost, availability and regulation of components but here are 15 fragrances we believe that are still excellent reference points.

There is also a huge $15 DISCOUNT CODE

Portia’s 15 Must Smell Fragrances + Coupon Code!

So please jump across and check the list out on My Perfume Samples<<JUMP. Leave a message with something you think should be there or a favourite from the group so we can have a bit of a natter about it, I’ll be dropping in regularly over the next week to answer any and all comments.

Be well, waft on.
Portia xx

Rumba by Jean-Claude Ellena and Ron Winnegrad for Balenciaga/Ted Lapidus 1988

June 6, 2015 / australianperfumejunkiescom / 13 Comments

Post by Anne-Marie

Got a spare $20 or $30? Spend it on Rumba. Stop reading this review and go do it. Tell them Anne-Marie sent you.

Still here? Want the full story? Well, Rumba is a complicated fragrance to review. Although it was released by Balanciaga in 1988 (or 1989, according to some sources), the rights were later bought by Ted Lapidus and the fragrance is now packaged (identically) under that name. I don’t know when the switch occurred; less than 10 years ago, deducing from various online reviews.

Rumba by Balenciaga/Ted Lapidus 1988

Rumba by Jean-Claude Ellena and Ron Winnegrad

Photo Stolen Fragrantica

Fragrantica gives these featured notes:
Top: Bergamot, plum, basil, peach, orange blossom, raspberry, mirabelle
Heart: Honey, jasmine, tuberose, carnation, heliotrope, magnolia, gardenia, lily-of-the-valley, orchid, marigold, rose
Base: Ambergris, vanilla, leather, tonka bean, patchouli, musk, sandalwood, cedar, plum, styrax, oakmoss

I’m reviewing the Lapidus version. The notes are almost identical (mirabelle, ambergris and rose are added). I have not smelled the Balenciaga, so please comment if you have compared them. From reviews, it sounds as if the Lapidus team opened a window to let some fresh air to circulate between the notes. I’m glad of that, because even the Lapidus is one helluva fragrance.

Photo Stolen Wikipedia

Spraying Rumba is like letting the 1980s out of a bottle. Hop over to Spotify and pull up a 1980s playlist. That. At opening, intensely cooked fruit is modified – very interestingly – by a damp herbal accord (bergamot and basil). The next phase is not so pleasing. I get a harsh and, well, vulgar white flower accord, tuberose in particular, typical of the era. Oakmoss is supposed to be a basenote, but dear God! Here it is already.

Eventually Rumba calms down, and although it’s been fun, I’m glad. I can’t listen to Bonnie Tyler and Def Leppard all night, sorry. Vanilla is NOT a note I love unreservedly but here, unsweetened, it is wonderfully balanced with dry, smoky, leathery notes. So it’s goodbye to the 1980s, and hello to today’s niche/experimental style of fragrance. (And how much of that can you get for under $40?)

Photo Stolen WikiCommons

Rumba is an unsubtle scent; not a morning fragrance at all, really. Apply it in moderation in the afternoon, well before leaving the house, and it will take you into evening and on until the following morning.

Further reading: Now Smell This and Bois de Jasmin
FragranceNet has $23/100ml before coupon

I suspect that Rumba is often treated as an historical curiosity, more talked about than worn. Because yes, it was co-developed by Jean-Claude Ellena, famous now for his elusive, delicate etudes for Hermes. But give Rumba some skin time, judge it on its merits, and have fun!

Anne-Marie XXX

Fragrance Inspired Cocktail Recipes #1

June 6, 2015 / australianperfumejunkiescom / 6 Comments

Post by Ainslie Walker

Fragrance Inspired Cocktail Recipes

Hope you have a lovely weekend planned. I have some scent inspired cocktail recipes to help you on your merry way!

These delicious cocktails I tasted recently in Melbourne at Galerie de Parfum’s Cocktail and Perfume Masterclass in Myers Melbourne. Mixologist Justin Ryann Forsyth has been extremely generous giving me access to the recipes for his own scent cocktail creations.

Fragrance Inspired Cocktail Recipes #1

My recent APJ post shared with you the Empressa cocktail, inspired by Penhaligon’s new fragrance for the season

Today I will share some lovely winter warmers, perfect for a cozy evening:

Photo Stolen Fragrantica

1270 by Frapin

You can read Portia’s APJ 1270 review, which first alerted me to one of my now favorite fragrances

30 ml Drambuie
15 ml glenmorangie 10 yr scotch whisky
15 ml Lillet Rouge
3 dashes plum bitters

Add all ingredients to mixing glass, and then fill up with ice. Using a bar spoon, begin to stir the drink quickly, being careful not to break any ice. Stir until desired dilution is reached, then double strain into a coupette or similar short glass. Garnish with a dash of orange bitters or orange peel if desired. We didn’t do this for the presentation, but as a cocktail itself, the orange really brings it together.

Photo Stolen Fragrantica

Loukhoum by Keiko Mecheri

I fell in love with Loukhoulm during the Myers/Galerie de Parfum masterclass evening (and the moment was photographed, unbeknownst to me). For me it is smooth, sensual and womanly. Summed up, it is vanilla-almond-honey-rose notes, inspired by Turkish delight, which is far from my usual fragrance choices. However Loukoulm is much more than a sweet mess, having depth, warmth and providing some immediate comfort. The “comforting” component may be down to an almost Johnston’s and Johnston’s baby powder/oil-esque note….but far more deluxe. Loukoulm hugged close to my skin and was still there many hours later. Much creamier and deeper than other Turkish delight inspired fragrances such as Jo Malone Rose Water and Vanilla Cologne. There is the hint of the rose and iris smells of makeup -now so trendy with the release of Chanel’s Misia-but this is rounded and less screechy in its rose notes. Mixed in with almond nuttiness, the smell of hawthorn, one of my favorite cool weather notes. Something motherly and beautifully warm.

I would love to wear this on a date, as I am sure it would be perfect for an intimate candlelit dinner for two….followed with the following cocktail for dessert:

15 ml Crème de Cacao (or desired chocolate liqueur)
15 ml Cherry Heering liqueur
15 ml Amaretto
10 ml Monin Orgeat Syrup
5 ml Campari
2 dashes Fee Bro’s orange bitters
Egg white (optional)

Combine all ingredients in cocktail shaker, and shake hard until all ingredients have combined evenly. Double strain into a chilled coupette or similar short glass. If using egg white, wet shake as above, then double strain into another shaker, then shake without ice to create a thick white foam. When finished, garnish with a cherry and 3 dashes Bob’s chocolate bitters.

Enjoy your weekend!

Xx Ainslie

DIOR: Fève Délicieuse + Cuir Cannage + Oud Ispahan

June 5, 2015 / australianperfumejunkiescom / 62 Comments

Hi there Perfume Junkies.

The other day Ainslie Walker trotted into DIOR flagship store in Sydney, while there and chatting to our fave DIOR SA Jolanta they started talking about APJ and Jolanta asked where I’d been hiding. So between them they cooked up an idea to get me the newest DIOR releases in their fabulous miniature bottles, which are scale to the real deal. I think they hold 5 or 8ml which is heaps for becoming addicted to their delicious juices. When I went to see Jolanta myself a couple of heavy duty DIOR shoppers came in so we didn’t really get to say more than Hello & Goodbye but I’m going to go in very early one day and have a natter.

DIOR Privée

Francois Demachy has created these beauties for the Privée range. Though not astoundingly new or highly envelope-pushingly-original what I love about the DIOR Privée range is their cool and classic classiness, beautifully blended and nuanced fragrances that fit into my life seamlessly. Sometimes I wish I was a one frag kinda guy so I could purchase an enormous DIOR Privée bottle and drain it to the dregs. I have a fewof the smaller bottles and now that Granville is discontinued I really want to grab some of that too.

Photo Stolen Fragrantica

DIOR: Oud Ispahan

Fragrantica gives these featured accords:
Top: Labdanum
Heart: Patchouli
Base: Sandalwood, rose, agarwood (oud)

Oud Ispahan is a slightly boozy sweet floral leather. A toffee coated leather opening that blooms beautifully into a brand new, extremely luxe handbag smell drenched in roses and a light dusting of oud. It feels like a very posh version of a 1980s fragrance marketed to men. Totally wearable and yummy. I have a bottle of Oud Ispahan bought in Paris, every time I wear it I am transported back to Winter Paris.

Photo Stolen Fragrantica

DIOR: Cuir Cannage

Fragrantica gives these featured accords:
Top: Orange blossom, ylang ylang
Heart: Leather, jasmine, rose, iris
Base: Birch, juniper, leather

Cuir Cannage is leather, sweet leather. A gorgeous creamy leather that pays as much homage to flowers as it does to the treated skins of dead animals. The iris, ylang, white flowers create a sumptuous bouquet that is brilliantly offset by the dry rasp of leather and birch and the sharpness of the juniper. This softly, softly leather approach is quite prevalent in modern perfumery and I like it very much. If I owned a bottle of Cuir Cannage I think it would see a lot of skin time.

Photo Stolen Fragrantica

DIOR: Fève Délicieuse

Fragrantica gives these featured accords in one line:
Venezuelan tonka bean, vanilla, caramel, cocoa, pralines, woody accords

If DIOR were trying to out-Guerlain Guerlain then Fève Délicieuse is what I would dream they could accomplish. I’m talking about Old School Guerlain, where you could smell a beautiful growling beastie hiding beneath the sweet bakery. Here we have all the sweetness of modern gourmand tempered by tonka and woods, which serve to create a lovely baseline that hints heavily at animal. I’m surprised honey isn’t one of the featured notes. This is exactly how I would like to smell.

DIOR Giveaway

WHAT CAN YOU WIN?

This week we will have 1 winner who will receive:
1 x Fève Délicieuse + Cuir Cannage + Oud Ispahan DIOR manufacturers samples
P&H Anywhere in the world

HOW DO YOU WIN?

You must tell me how you follow APJ

and

Please tell us a favorite DIOR fragrance, from any of their ranges and any vintage

Extra Chance?
Tweet: @OzPerfumeJunkie Christian DIOR Privée GIVEAWAY http://wp.me/p3PURw-330 #Perfume #Giveaway @Dior

HOUSEKEEPING

Entries Close Sunday 7th June 2015 10pm Australian EST and winners will be announced in a separate post.
Winners will be chosen by random.org
The winners will have till Thursday 11th June 2015 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.

Gabriella's Three New Fragrant Favourites

June 4, 2015 / australianperfumejunkiescom / 11 Comments

Post by Gabriella

Hi perfume lovers,

It’s so easy for me to fall into a perfume rut. My white floral adoration and Mr M’s penchant for dark, spicy roses can sometimes mean that I rarely go outside of my comfort zone of the two genres when it comes to wearing scents.

Maybe I’ll get samples or decants just to sniff something different or for the purposes of writing a blog post, but it’s a very rare occasion indeed when I find not one, but three perfumes that don’t fall into either category, but feel utterly perfect to me.

But that unexpected moment has happened and today I want to share with you my three new favourite NON white-floral/dark-rose perfumes

Gabriella’s Three New Fragrant Favourites

Photo Stolen Fragrantica

Eau de Magnolia by Carlos Benaim for Frederic Malle 2014

Fragrantica gives these featured accords:
Top: Calabrian bergamot
Heart: Magnolia, vetiver, patchouli
Base: Cedar, mos, amber

I’m not one for colognes and magnolia isn’t my favourite flower, but this to me is just utterly magical. A sharp burst of bergamot with a verdant twist of lime morphs into a subtle green and mossy magnolia underscored by the dryness of vetiver. It’s an easy to wear, yet utterly elegant and sophisticated chypre that have me craving spring.

Further reading: Australian Perfume Junkies and Perfume Posse
Mecca Cosmetica starts at $59 for 10ml
Surrender to Chance starts at $7.59/ml

Photo Stolen Fragrantica

Misia by Olivier Polge for Chanel 2015

Fragrantica gives these notes in one line:
Violet, iris, orris root, Turkish rose, Grasse rose, Laos benzoin, tonka bean.

Rose and violet is a combination that usually has me running the other way. I didn’t expect to like Misia, let alone love it, given the myriad of comparisons with Lipstick Rose and the like, but I do. The difference for me is the sharp opening of iris, which lends the rose violet accord a little dryness and fizziness. There’s a powdery, candied vibe as the iris veers into the rose-violet accord while berry notes lends a sweet vibe to the rose without veering too much into the dreaded fruity floral territory. Misia is just such a pleasure to wear, it absolutely sparkles on my skin and has enough Chanel sophistication whilst feeling completely modern and different to the rest of the Exclusifs line.

Further reading: Australian Perfume Junkies and Grain de Musc
Misia is available at Chanel boutiques, US$280/AUD$350/300ml
Surrender to Chance starts at $3.99/ml

Photo Stolen Fragrantica

Wit by Yann Vasnier for Parfums DelRae

Fragrantica gives these featured accords:
Top: Lemon, mandarin orange, angelica, laurels
Heart: Jasmine, narcissus, mimosa, ylang-ylang
Base: Amber, vanilla, musk

Wit surprised me, given that DelRae’s creations, whilst completely beautiful to sniff, never really work on me skin wise. Plus, the lemon element scared me a bit, given citrus can turn overly sharp and cloying on me, but Wit had me at hello. The opening is bright creamy lemon, softly sweet and also lemon curdy in nature, with a decidedly tactile and almost edible quality. The citrus notes sparkle and yet are softly sweet before segueing into the jasmine and daphne which is all bright yellow and tempered by the soft green of the laurel and angelica. Wit is a surprisingly different floral, with a brightness and richness I haven’t found in the genre for quite some time.

Further reading: Colognoisseur and Now Smell This
Luckyscent has $150/50ml
Surrender to Chance starts at $3.99/0.5ml

What three fragrances are your favourites at the moment? What fragrances do you love that are outside your comfort zone?

With much love till next time!

M x