It's been a week of quick sniffs. Last night took me to Harrods and Harvey Nichols. Infinitely more tricky shopping there than any other department store. The staff will not leave you alone. At the Miller Harris counter in Harrods the beautiful assistant asked me if I would like any help. 'No thank you', I said, 'I'm just looking'. However, she continued to talk incessantly spraying samples and handing them to me. Really - I just wanted to have a good look, but no, that's not possible it seems.
Anyway, what did I try?
Beyond Love by Kilian
Sadly this one is not for me. I was sampling quite happily, when I noticed on the description that Coconut is the first note that's mentioned. If I was on holiday in Hawai, I might consider smelling like a coconut. Otherwise, no thank you.
Next, Tom Fords' White Suede
Caz asked me to review this after I had written a review of Black Orchid. So I tried it in Harvey Nichols yesterday. After I smelt it, I thought, no, no, no. That just can't be right. So in Harrods I asked the lovely assistant there to give me a test paper too. And it was the same. It smells of creosote. That's more or less all I get. Sorry Caz not to be more positive. But if you like it - you should just go ahead an get it. It probably smells entirely different on your skin.
In Harrods, the Miller Harris assistant insisted I try Citron Citron
Initially all I got was lemon curd. But it dried down to something much greener and much more interesting. Great to have a citrus with some depth.
As I was leaving the Harrods fragrance hall, I was handed a test paper of Emilio Pucci's Vivara. Not sure what I feel about this. I will have to try it again.
In Harvey Nichols I tried Eau Mega by Viktor & Rolf.
This week is the first time that I've tried anything by Viktor & Rolf. From what I've seen, this should be a popular brand. Flower Bomb is a great sugary fragrance, and manages to reign in the sweetness before it gets annoying. Eau Mega is a very wearable fruity floral, in the style of Gucci Flora or Armani Code. Not sure about the Viktor & Rolf gimmicky bottles, but at least they are memorable.
Finding the Bond No 9 counter in Harrods just bowled me over. I didn't know it was there. As Chinatown and West Side are the only two I've tried, and I love both of them, I didn't know what to pick next. The assistant just kept on spraying samples and handing them to me until I was thoroughly confused. I tried High Line (which just arrived in Harrods yesterday) but was handed so many in such quick succession that I really don't know how it smelt. Will go back with a testing strategy.
Lastly I really wanted to mention two fig fragrances I tried in Liberty earlier this week.
Le Labo Figue 15
A great fig fragrance is a 'must have' for any fragrance lover. I've tried lots of figs and there are some good ones around. Nothing by Le Labo has particularly grabbed me before, but Figue 15 is definitely worth a try. It's fresh and beautiful.
Finally, and on the same theme - Philosykos 'Creme pour le corps' body cream by Diptyque. I could use a tub of it every day. Truly fabulous.
9 Lovely comments:
am a big fan of miller harris but I don't understand why they plug citron citron so much- but then I'm not a big citrus lover- though I like it when it's truly great- like say a Monsieur Balmain or Carthusia Mediterraneo
Oh, I'm really interested in the new Bond No 9 - will be interested to read your thoughts on it.
I am very interested to try all of these on your list, except the V&R-- I am forever scarred by "Flowerbomb." And I've never heard of the "Vivara"-- I don't know anything about the whole Emilio Pucci line, in fact.
Hi Rose - I agree about MH. It's always Citron Citron that you hear about. Funny as in general citrus fragrances don't seem to be that popular/successful.
Hi Grace - will go back to Harrods soon and have a proper sample of High Line. Am frustrated that I didin't smell it properly yesterday.
Hi LCN - I can see why you didn't like Flower Bomb. My initial reaction was - eeeewwww. But funnily enough it grew on me.
I don't know anything about Pucci either. Probably that's why the fragrance didn't make an impressionn on me.
Great to hear your thoughts, Citron sounds lovely. I didn't like Eau Mega - I find it rather bland :(
Good morning! I love your blog!
So how does the Le Labo Figue compare with Philosykos and L'Artisan's PF? I have a fb of PF. Love it. Sadly, I don't reach for it enough...
I can't wait to hear your thoughts on High Line. Though Bond frags haven't worked for me, in the most part-- they're just too big and overstated. But I do love Fire Island, and for some reason, I think that High Line sounds right up my alley.
And you know... the new Hermes frag launches today in the UK/Europe. :) I'm jealous. Since I'm in the US, we still have to wait.
I don't know why they push Citron Citron either! I find it a bit sharp. Eau Mega had rather a monster synthetic pear note, but conversely I LOVE White Suede and got a soft skin scent with saffron and woods and musk - maybe it is the olibanum which disagrees with you? That is a type of resin and creosote is resinous... But I don't like resinous scents myself. Perhaps your nose does to resin what mine does to civet!
: - )
Hi Stef - Can see why you might have found Eau Mega bland. But, sometimes bland fits the bill. It's for those days when you just want to smell 'nice'.
Hi Gator Grad! I love Philosykos, but sadly it's very short-lived on my skin. Haven't properly road tested Le Labo's Figue - but am hoping for something more long lasting. Haven't tried L'Artisan's fig yet.
Although I'm not usually into big, overstated fragrances I do love the Bond No 9 series. Will make sure that Fire Island is on my list to try when I'm next in Harrods.
Been looking for the new Hermes fragrance everywhere. Interesting that you've heard it launches today in the UK. I will make it part of my shopping trip next week. Hermes never disappoints.
Hi Flittersniffer,
Thanks so much for the tip on Olibanum. Sometimes it takes months to work these things out on your own so you've saved me a lot of leg work. Thank you! Will try a few other Olibanum fragrances to see if I get the same reaction.
Post a Comment