Il Mondo di Odore

Lemon, Rosewood, Orange Blossom, Mandarin, Bergamot, Melon, Peach. Cyclamen, Rose, Jasmine, Osmanthus, Orris Root. Cedar, Musk, Amber, Moss, Sandalwood. Sunflowers by Elizabeth Arden is a bit difficult for me to really get a bead on. I've worn it numerous times in sample wearings and each time I walk away somewhat indifferent. On the flip side, Sunflowers is a light and easy wear that smells pleasant. I guess it boils down to me finding it unremarkable, yet there's nothing wrong with the scent whatsoever. Sunflowers opens with a bright and shimmery citrus that immediately reveals earthy undertones. The Orange Blossom is tuned in such a way that it doesn't permeate the entire accord, but rather plays off the floral accord. As soon as the opening subsides, Sunflowers shifts into polite mode and tempers its volume and throw. The blending is surprisingly good for a bargain fragrance. I really do experience hints of fruit, flowers and the suggestion of soil. There...

Rose, Tuberose, Mimosa, Melon, Green Notes, Coriander, Aldehyde. Jasmine, Patchouli, Orange Blossom, Orris Root, Muguet, Laurel, Cedar, Cardamom. Oakmoss, Vetiver, Sandalwood, Amber, Musk, Patchouli, Orris Root, Spices, Civet. Jean Kerleo is the nose behind Knowing by Estee Lauder. He also happens to be responsible for what I consider to be ( quite possibly ) the best masculine designer fragrance of all time. For the few that don't know what I'm referring to, it happens to be the venerable Patou Pour Homme. Lauder is a house I normally don't care for that much, but exceptions are a general rule that we all must adhere to. Knowing is more substantial than I thought it would be and although a feminine, this is strong willed and determined not to be your garden variety, sexy chypre. Extremely woody from Cedarwood oil, the earth and green tones lend enough masculinity to have me considering wearing this or at least layering it. You simply don't smell anything curr...

Cake Flour, Dark Cacao Bean, Osmanthus, Bronzed Musk. No.83 by Tokyo Milk is yet another quirky, but likable fragrance. The "commonality" I mentioned in previous reviews regarding this series is evident once again. However, they've managed to put just enough of a twist in all of them ( so far ) to give them personalities all their own. No.83 is the most "foody" of the four I've tested. This is because the cocoa is very dominant on my skin throughout the life of the wearings and the longevity is surprisingly good. What I don't experience is a bittersweet quality in No.83. The dusty cocoa is on the dry side and slightly bitter. Nothing ever comes to fruition to add a legitimate sweet aspect to the accords, but the absence of it doesn't take anything away from this scent. It's still full, rich and long lasting. It simply leans more "bitter" than anything else. In sampling the "darks" of Tokyo Milk, they all have valid...

Gardenia, Freesia, Clementine, Watermelon, Kiwi, Mango, Cardamom. Pimento Leaves, Daffodil, Tuberose, Jasmine, Peony, Lotus. Musk, Plum, Vanilla. Recently, I found a 7.5ml. spray bottle of this perfume at a local store and picked it up unsniffed. To be more accurate, I found quite a few minis of rather interesting feminines and bought them all. I admit that I didn't expect much from this De La Renta and decided to try it yesterday. Like the listed accords, it is extremely foral with just enough fruit to give it a sense of balance. What So De La Renta doesn't do is subjugate you with old school overkill. It only takes this fragrance a few minutes to settle down into a comfortable wear. For whatever reason, this is reminiscent of releases from the 1980's instead of later 90's, but not where presence is concerned. I'm grateful that it's not a sillage monster because it would simply be too much. So De La Renta is a controlled scent and because of the note ...

Rose, Geranium, Peach, Plum, Galbanum, Bergamot, Anise. Violet, Jasmine, Rose, Tuberose, Heliotrope, Ylang Ylang, Carnation, Tarragon, Myrrh, Nutmeg. Gray Amber, Sandalwood, Moss, Patchouli, Vanilla, Musk, Coriander, Civet, Cedar, Tonka Bean. Jill Sander No.4........an exercise in luxury. Michel Almairac has managed to create a Tuberose dominant fragrance that regally sits astride the likes of 1980's sillage bombs such as Poison, Giorgio and Lou Lou and the more sparkling Tuberose scents from the noughties ( Carnal Flower, Michael Kors, Beyond Love ).  No.4 is admittedly in very good company. The fantastic Blonde is from this era, as is Organza and Amarige. All are wonderful Tuberoses and lest we forget the fab Fragile, which came shortly thereafter. These, to name but a few, are extremely enjoyable representations, yet No.4 seems to rise above these. It plants itself firmly in the senses and remains to me, unforgettable. Ever since Germaine Cellier created a Tuberos...

Rose, Apricot, Muguet, Peach, Pineapple, Bergamot, Lilac. Iris, Heliotrope, Rose, Jasmine. Musk, Amber, Sandalwood, Vanilla, Peach, Apricot. Tresor seems to run the gamut according to reviewers. I assumed I would find it a bit polarizing, but after wearing it for a few days, it leans more toward the conventional, Fruity-Floral genre than anything. Tresor is a substantial, feminine perfume and that, in itself, will cause some to enjoy it and others to shun it. Most opinions that I read voiced their satisfaction or dismay with the rendition of Peach and Apricot. I, on the other hand, realize a dewy rose at the very core of Tresor that is accented by fruit and floral notes. Rose is the focal point ( for me ) and all the accompanying embellishments are a bit better than I had anticipated. Tresor opens with what I perceive as Aldehyde and Bergamot. It shimmers momentarily before revealing the percolating Rose and Fruit combination. Throughout the Intro and heart accords, Tre...

Absinthe, Vanilla Salt, Cut Greens, Crushed Fennel. I get a kick out of artistic liberty. Not only for naming creations, but the ingredients as well. I'm looking at the accord listing, then smelling what's on my skin and wondering who, but the parfumeur actually knows what the hell I just spritzed on my person. In this hobby, it all boils down to whether or not it smells acceptable. So far, this lineup from Tokyo Milk is better than I could have anticipated. I can add Arsenic to the list of winners, although it is a bit unconventional. The name is foreboding, but in reality, No. 17 is nothing more than an eclectic combination of ingredients that are tuned to smell good, but a bit different. Like the others I have tried, Arsenic has gravitas without weighing the wearer down. Substance sans heaviness is an enjoyable aspect for me when I'm wearing a fragrance. I don't care for being bogged down if I can help it. Arsenic starts out a bit cool on me, but begins t...