Thursday, January 12, 2012

Current fragrances I'm really liking!

I'm really picky when it comes to fragrances. Not so much body lotions and mists, but every time I'm at a department store and I test out fragrances, I always leave empty handed, with a headache, smelling like I rolled around in old potpourri. I rarely receive a fragrance sample I like, or find a good scent in a magazine.

I'm not really a pro at reading the descriptions for fragrances, and I'm not familiar with all of the different notes- "soft, sensual silk with a twist of shimmering goldenrod, embracing and captivating blah, blah, blah". Plain English please?

Haha, with time though, I'm sure I'll get the hang of it.

Anyway, I haven't owned many perfumes throughout the years. I alternate between Chanel Chance Eau Fraiche and Versace Bright Crystal. My kind of fragrance is something that's a little fruity, slightly floral and fresh/clean. I also kinda like amber, and a little musk never killed anyone, right? I said a little, by the way.

I don't like vanilla - and by don't like, I mean I can't stand it. I don't like anything sweet (unless I'm eating it). Examples: Cupcakes, Chocolate, Cookie, Sprinkles, Brown Sugar, Vanilla Bean, Cotton Candy. I despise it all in a fragrance, air freshener, candle, etc. Too synthetic to me. I also don't like anything too powdery - I don't like the smell of baby powder, and high woody/tobacco notes actually make me feel nauseous.

So, you can imagine how flabbergasted I was, when I liked all of my recent samples!

Narciso Rodriguez For Her Eau de Toilette


The first time I smelled this perfume was a few years ago from a friend that worked at Sephora. Apparently, it was one of their top rated/best sellers at the time. It wasn't much my taste, but seeing the good reviews, I decided to give it a second chance. It's quite strong and very musky at first, but once the musk softens up, it's a beautiful fragrance that I absolutely love smelling on myself all day long. It's very warm, with a spicy and sweet musk that is slightly powdery. It has a touch of floral and fruit that emerges a couple hours later. Even though it contains notes I'm not that keen on (ehem, vanilla), it's perfectly balanced. It's a very classy and luxurious/expensive scent, and reminds me a little bit of classic Chanel.

Notes: Honey Flower, Solar Musk, Orange Blossom, Osmanthus, Amberlyn, Vanilla, Tactile Musk, Tactile Woods, Vetiver.

Givenchy Play For Her Eau de Parfum


This type of fragrance reminds me a bit of my Mom when I was young. She wore Nicole Miller and Privelege and whenever she walked past me after her morning bath, I always smelled the honey floral. Play for Her is a very soft, sensual and feminine fragrance that smells a bit like sweet honey, carnations and a slight powdery wood - possibly a hint of Amber? Although it's not listed in the notes. Maybe bitter orange? A very playful scent that I think anyone can enjoy.

Notes: Bergamot, Sweet Pea, Amyris Wood, Tiare Flower, Sandalwood, Musk.

CONTINUE READING!



Gucci Guilty Intense Eau de Parfum


I really like this one. It's a little step up from the highschool Bath & Body Works Sweet Pea & Victoria's Secret Lovespell, it's something a little more mature. By mature, I'm not talking about your grandmother. Mature like a sophisticated business woman in her mid to late 30's wearing her Dolce & Gabbana skirt suit and stilettos. It's warm, sexy, very feminine and never overpowering. I can't put my finger on the notes, but I do smell the hint of amber which I really enjoy.
  
Notes: Mandarin, Pink Pepper, Peach, Lilac, Geranium, Ambery Notes, Patchouli.

Issey Miyake Florale Eau de Toilette

It smells a little like alcohol at first, but once it settles on your skin, it's a clean, fresh, slightly bitter/tart fruit scent. It's like a field of tropical flowers after the morning rain. In some ways, it reminds me of Clinique Happy, but a little less citrus with hints of floral. Perfect for the Spring/Summer.

Notes: Mandarin, Lily, Rose, Musk, White Wood.



DKNY Be Delicious Fresh Blossom Eau de Parfum


I'm not a fan of any of the DKNY Be Delicious perfumes, but I love this one! It's a very young fragrance - something I could have seen myself wearing in high school. Or the pretty 23 year old student teacher that all of the boys were crushing over. It has the sweetness of fresh, fruity citrus, fresh flowers and cool waters - a little rose, but not obnoxious rose. It's a good balance between the two. It's not overly citrus or overly floral.

Notes: Grapefruit, Cassis, Apricot, Muguet, Rose, Jasmine, Apple, Blond Woods, Smooth Skin Accord.

* I apologize if any of my descriptions sound inaccurate, describing a fragrance isn't easy for a newbie!

Rocky had to get in on the act. He was barking at me and scratching my back the whole time I was writing this post.
"Hai!"

19 comments:

  1. I was a total fragrance hound until I turned 30. Then I just shower.

    Be Delicious does smell good though. I also like the original version.

    http://www.thegirlieblog.com

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  2. Haha! I'm now just getting into it. There's a note I don't like in the original, unless it just doesn't agree with me. To me, it smells really good at first, and then it has a woody after-smell that I don't like at all! :\

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  3. Oh good on you for tackling a fragrance post, I find describing scents way too tricky! Narciso Rodriguez perfume is one if my favourites but I've found it pretty heavy and usually reserve it for night time!
    S xx
    Http://www.belfastbeautylove.blogspot.com

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  4. I got a sample of Givenchy Play For Her Eau de Parfum and didn't try it yet! I can't wait know,lol.
    Thanks for the reviews, very helpful!
    Like Sara said, it's hard to describe scents, but you did an awesome job! I'm french and I understood every word :)

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  5. I also don't like vanilla scents. Thanks for the review...DKNY Be Delicious Fresh Blossom has been batting its eyelashes at me for quite some time now. BTW, Rocky is by far the best part...

    Anca
    http://coralista-xo.blogspot.com/

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  6. I have Gucci Guilty and love it

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  7. Ange Ou Demon Elixir (in the purple bottle) by Givenchy sounds like a perfect match for you!!! It seems like you and I have the same taste and this perfume is just amazing! The Ange Ou Demon Le Secret is very nice also

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  8. Hahahh sounds like we have opposite fragrance preferences! I'm crazy about sweet smelling perfumes, and vanilla especially! My favourite scents are LaVanila Vanilla Grapefruit, most of the Vera Wang Princess collection, Aquolina Pink Sugar and Viva La Juicy. I don't really dislike any perfumes, these are just the types I prefer to smell like - that's what I love about fragrance though, there's so many options for different personalities so everyone can find what expresses their personality the best!

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  9. i loved eternity ck, love in paris nina ricci, chanel nº5... Natalie, have u ever used the concealer TimeBalm of The Balm? i only hear good things about it... xo

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  10. I think we have the same preferences when it comes to perfumes. I like scents that are clean, but not too fruity or floral. Have you tried DKNY Pure? It smells so good, I can't imagine anyone not liking it :)

    XO

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  11. I wear Versace Bright Crystal all the time, it's my go to perfume, but if I'm going out somewhere at night during the winter I always wear D&G Rose the one. Rose usually makes me think of grandmas but this is so subtle and sexy, that's NOT what comes to mind when I wear it!

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  12. i looooooooove narcisco rodriguez for her its my new fave!

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  13. I am not so into perfumes but the DKNY I think they are very nice and soft! thanks for sharing

    http://silviaquirosblog.com

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  14. By the description of your preferences ("a little fruity, slightly floral and fresh/clean") it sounds like we have identical tastes in fragrances! Going on that, I think you would like Marc Jacobs Daisy Eau So Fresh & the Poppy fragrances by Coach (Poppy & Poppy Flower), you should try 'em!

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  15. nice post. Now you can use this Wholesale directory to promote fragrances & attar products import & export business.

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  16. You are my fragrance twin!! lol I too am very, very picky about fragrances and the ones I do like, you mentioned (Versace Bright Crystal and Chanel Chance eau Tendre) lol I also dislike vanilla, sugar cookie scents because I agree that they do smell fake. I don't like candy scents at all. I will check out the other fragrances you mentioned since we have similar tastes.

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  17. I love Givenchy Play! It smellz amazing!


    http://www.shellzdoll.com/

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  18. I am not really into vanilla scents as well. My room is filled with perfume and you will not see a hint of vanilla in all of them.

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  19. To say the truth I am very impressed by what you told. You share tons of interesting info, neat and excellent design you’ve got here. It’s certainly one of the most informative stuff on this topic I’ve ever read.

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