Frederic Malle Perfumes

Posted on May 6, 2022 by Henna

Two Frederic Malle numbers I’ve been wearing this year. I bought Portrait of a Lady because it’s a rose/patchouli number with a bit of spice and I’ve always loved a good rose-patch combo.

TextCarnal Flower is a calming white floral number that I wouldn’t have tried myself. I really thought I’d wear Portrait of a Lady everyday, but it is so intense and one spray lasts for so long (it’s on my sweaters and clothes for days), that I didn’t reach for it as often as I thought I would. I do think that it’s a forever scent for me – I’ve never smelled anything that even comes close to it, and the spiciness is intoxicating.

Carnal Flower on the other hand is super chill and always settles me down. It’s like walking into a cool damp garden before nightfall, and enjoying the air by yourself. Again, a forever smell for me – the more white florals I smell, the more I appreciate the subtlety of Carnal Flower. It’s impossible to find a coconut note in scents that’s not too fake or too sweet, and this savoury take on it is refreshing. This is a green damp Tuberose garden.

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Chanel Cuir de Russie

Posted on May 5, 2022 by Henna

TextFound a little used vintage of Chanel Cuir de Russie a little while ago and it was worth taking a chance on. I bought it to use and now it’s almost done.

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Tom Ford Champaca Absolute Perfume Review

Posted on May 4, 2022 by Henna

This was one of the early Tom Ford fragrances so it’s a little different from everything else that’s out there now. It’s a bright floral soapy juice.

TextIt smells like a tropical vacation at an isolated resort. It’s clean and sandy. A place where every fruit tastes sweeter.If you visit a Tom Ford counter and ask to smell Champaca Absolute you’ll hear that story about Tom Ford never wanting to run out of champaca flowers for this perfume and so he’s planted them behind his house in his garden.Stories like this one are why I prefer to shop alone. Anyway, the news is that they are discontinuing this so maybe there’s no more garden? I saw it at a local Tom Ford counter earlier this year so it’s still available.

The jury is still out whether this smells like real Champaca or not – some people say that it does and others say that it really doesn’t.  I think it does.  But it also reminds me of juice.

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Panning: Nars Laguna Bronzing Powder

Posted on May 3, 2022 by Henna

This was the most-liked post of mine from 2021, a little pan showing from my Nars Laguna Bronzing Powder. I’ve used a lot of Nars Laguna bronzers and I’m sure that they change the formula for each package that they make.

TextThe formula in this little mini was definitely more powder and easier to blend than any other Laguna bronzer I’ve had and that’s why I reach for it more than any other bronzer. It’s on the neutral side (at least more neutral than other bronzers k own) instead of being too warm and I use it to contour or with sunscreen that’s too pale. Hot pan because it’s so soft and powdery but also because I like using it.

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Dolce and Gabbana The One EDP

Posted on May 2, 2022 by Henna

TextI’ve been dipping into my sister’s Dolce and Gabbana The One EDP the past week, and it’s super pretty! I’ve seen this perfume everywhere but never bothered to try it on. It’s a warm vanilla synthetic musk number. I found myself going back to sniff my wrist now and again. I didn’t get much in the way of projection or longevity but I’m using a rollerball which isn’t my preferred method of application. If you see this in the store, give it a try and tell me what you think.

People have said that the original version was stronger and longer-lasting.

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Serge Lutens Fleurs d’oranger Review

Posted on April 29, 2022 by Henna

My dad’s review: (thumbs down) smells like an Indian lady.

Me: you’re married to an Indian lady. Dad: it smells like an OLD Indian lady.

Text

My mom: wow it smells wonderful!

Bought this about a year ago, worn here and there. Let’s see what the next year brings.

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Bottega Veneta EDP

Posted on April 28, 2022 by Henna

This is a scent that’s not expensive, not niche, but was probably at Shoppers Drug Mart at one time and wasn’t really appreciated for what it is.  It’s really a very soft and wearable leather perfume that I love to wear.  So much that when I decluttered my fragrance collection, I held on to this.  It has been in my collection for many years and I enjoy it so much!

TextI put on this Bottega Veneta edp the other today and it hit me: this smells a LOT like Armani Prive Cuir Amethyste, so much so that when I realized it, I couldn’t help but remember being 20 and bugging the Armani sales associates for samples and Cuir Amethyste is one I wore a LOT!

Turns out that they have the same perfumer, Michael Almairac, so the similarity isn’t imagined. That one is definitely more intense and this is softer and easier to wear. Sweet sueded woods, a bit of powder, make this a cuddly warm scent. I’m so happy to wear Cuir Amethyste without paying Armani Prive prices.

Now I just need a Bois d’Encens dupe.

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Empties: Reversa, Vichy, XO Treatment Room, Lanolips, Bite Beauty

Posted on April 28, 2022 by Henna

TextEmpties this week and what I thought of them.

XO Treatment Room Cool Cucumber Cleanser. Effective and smooth. Smelled delicious. @reversa_canada Micellar Water. Non-greasy and effective. I always tell people to find the cheapest Micellar water they can find to take off makeup. It works and… it doesn’t need to be fancy.

Vichy Laboratories Prebiotic Hyaluronic Acid. Honestly, quite useless in my routine since almost everything else I use has some Hyaluronic acid in it so I wouldn’t ever add another one to my routine.

Lanolips 101 Ointment. This is an AMAZING lip balm and I loved using it. I would absolutely repurchase.

Bite Beauty lip pencil from ages ago. It was the perfect medium pink colour and I used it daily. Just couldn’t sharpen it anymore.

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L’Artisan Parfumeur Coeur de Vetiver Sacre EDT

Posted on April 27, 2022 by Henna

TextNever a bad day for L’Artisan Parfumeur Coeur de Vetiver Sacre. It’s got this tarte note right at the beginning that really reminds me of tamarind and it works well paired with the tea. I love this when I’m working from home because I just keep respraying it to get the top notes and it’s still never too much. The tea in this is more green than black and this is more summer than winter. Wear it on sunny days. Discontinued ages ago, but if you see it pop up for sale somewhere, you’ll know what it’s supposed to smell like.

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Fracas

Posted on April 26, 2022 by Henna

TextName a famous perfume that doesn’t work for you, I’ll go first: Fracas. I actually remember when they used to sell this at Sephora and I’d go in and spray it hoping to fall under its spell, but no, I never did. What’s yours?

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