My Top 25
 The Fragrance Board of Makeupalley, of which I am a loyal member, is in the midst of voting for the Top 25 Perfumes of 2007. The 2006, 2005, and 2004 results are fun to read...the Evil POTL was Top 1 scent twice; hopefully its cloying, ambery reign will end this year. I submitted my Top 25 yesterday and decided to share it with you, because I want you to share yours with me, because I think that Lists Are Fun, and because I hope that posting my list will prevent me from rethinking, editing and resubmitting it. It was very hard to rank the scents, they are all No 1 in my heart.1. Dzing by L'Artisan. The number-one-est of them all. Sweet Circus Leather, it reminds me of the most wonderful time of my life, and just generally... completes me. 2. Diorama by Christian Dior. Supreme elegance and shocking dirtiness. Everything I love in perfume, everything I admire about Roudnitska's creations. 3. Messe de Minuit by Etro. My savior, the keeper of my sanity, the loyal companion of my moody days. It soothes, centers me...It also layers fantastically well with many, many scent. My favorite combo is Messe plus Yatagan, I call it my I Hate The World combo. Messe de Minuit is also great layered with dark rose scents like A Maze, and with pure-white floral blends like Casablanca. 4. Le Jasmin by Annick Goutal. Jasmine Champagne. Sparkling, effervescent, intoxicating. One of the most beautiful jasmine fragrances I know. 5. Guet-Apens by Guerlain (or Attrape-Coeur, I am not fussy). Soft glamour, golden shimmer, warmth and comfort. 6. Eau Noire by Christian Dior. Like Messe de Minuit, this, to me, is comfort scent extraordinaire. Meditative, tranquil, and, as a bonus, very elegant. 7. Muscs Koublai Khan by Serge Lutens. Animalic refinement. Refined beast of a musk. Sex in a bottle. 8. Casablanca by Antica Farmacista. The one lily scent that is not cold, Casablanca is creamy, warm, slightly spicy and enveloping. 9. L'Eau du Navigateur by L'Artisan. Soft and husky, elegant and wild...my sexy, comforting pirate of a scent. 10. Diorling by Christian Dior. Auster and sensual, this dry, leathery chypre is probably one of the most refined scents ever created. 11. Miss Dior. When I don't know what scent to wear, I wear Miss Dior. Like Dzing, it completes me. 12. Chanel No. 22. If I could turn back time, I would have gotten married wearing Chanel No 22, this breathtaking aldehydic white floral with an unexpected, wonderful incense accord. 13. Chanel No. 18. Another scent that feels absolutely "right" when I put it on. It is "my" scent, it feels like "me", it is about about me, it was created for me. Sorry, everyone else who loves it, No. 18 is all mine. 14. 31 Rue Cambon by Chanel. Complex, indescribably, utterly gorgeous and soft. Divine. 15. L'Arte di Gucci. My "Rich Bitch" scent to wear with very high heels, diamonds, furs and an attitude. 16. Daim Blond by Serge Lutens. The softest and most expensive of all suedes. Absolute elegance. 17. Flowerbomb Extreme by Viktor & Rolf. So pretty, so sweet, so smooth, such a hit with Mr Colombina. Adore it. 18. Cashmere by Cristiano Fissore. Warm and cold, soft and a little "scratchy", this is my favorite bedtime scent and a perfect fragrance to wear with a ladylike cashmere twinsets in tasteful pastel colors. 19. Jasmal by Creed. Cold, breezy, intoxicating. I crave it so much I could just drink it or swim in it. 20. Rousse by Serge Lutens. Rousse went from "meh" to Top 25 in a couple of short months. Its understated, dry spices, its soft, enveloping woods are extremely attractive. Serge, I take back what I said before. I was wrong. 21. Black by Bvlgari. Annick Menardo at her absolute best. Vanilla that is not fluffy and sweet. Leather that is not in the least harsh, but actually soft and very comforting. 22. Black Orchid by Tom Ford. I realize that I am one of, oh, 5 or 7 people in the world for whom this striking, complex, sultry blend works like a charm. Dark, enveloping, exotic, luxurious, Black Orchid is a stunner. 23. Cuir Ottoman by Parfum d'Empire. My sexy biker-sultan. Gasoline, leather and orris, tres chic! 24. Vacances by Jean Patou. Spring, bottled. Lilac, mimosa, heartbreaking, fragile beauty. 25. Passage d'Enfer by L'Artisan. Cold, aloof incense. When I wear it, it envelopes me like a grey cloud that protects me from the worldly troubles. Honorable mentions go to Frederic Malle Une Fleur de Cassie, Jean Patou Colony, MDCI FK3/ Enlevement au Serail, Hermes Parfum des Merveilles, Parfum d'Empire Ambre Russe, Parfums de Nicolai Vie de Chateau and Vanille Tonka, Parfumerie Generale Psychotrope, Guerlain Muguet, Annick Goutal Le Muguet, Christian Dior Diorissimo and Juozas Statkevicius. It is your turn now, please share your favorites! |
posted by Marina |
12:03 PM
62 Comments:
1) Serge Lutens Musc Kublai Khan Smells like afterglow. I adore this.
2) Perfumerie Generale Querelle Please, please, PLEASE keep this one, PG. Sexy rooty vetiver.
3) Andy Tauer Reverie du Jardin tune in next week to learn why.
4) AG Hadrien revisiting it this week reminded me why this may be my desert island scent.
5) LesNez l’Antimatiere Like wearing my fantasy boyfriends cashmere sweater, still smelling of his skin, over a freshly laundered shirt.
6) CB I Hate Perfume Musk Reinvention Naughty little berries. Yes, I do wear it on its own. Layered with others is nice too...
7) Caron Tabac Blond Where has this been all my life? Gorgeous leather with that slightly threatening Caron base.
8) Le Labo Aldehyde 44 The champagne wishes opening is nice; it’s the flop-sweat base that for me makes it interesting.
9) Juozas by Juozas Statkevicius Another lovely incense, unafraid to be old-fashioned gorgeous.
10) Parfum d’Empire Cuir Ottoman I can’t have a vintage Aston Martin and the leather luggage made to fit the trunk. I can have this.
11) S Perfume S-ex so s-exy, touches on that accord that the evil puddy tat goes for, but without the dead body part of it. Thank goodness!
12) Botrytis by Ginestet Based on Sauterne wine, with a rich honey accord.
13) Serge Lutens Chene Wonderful woodiness. I can't get enough of this.
14) Montale Aoud Ambre Kelley, I blame you! And I can't find it anywhere!
15) Patou Cocktail Fizzy beauty: transports you to old Hollywood glamour.
16) Le Labo Patchouli Has shot to the top of my list of great patchoulis, not that I can actually discern it amongst the (wonderful) birch tar.
17) Serge Lutens Rahat Loukoum boozy cherries and toasty almonds with just the tiniest bit of skank. Love this.
18) Annick Goutal Sables Out there immortelle, in all of its peaty, syrupy glory.
19) PG Aomassai Caramel and hazelnuts- just when it’s about to be dessert, woods and musk come in and make the candy indescribably sexy.
20) Caron Yatagan Smoke and musk and leather and.. celery? Yes, and I am hooked forever.
21) Patchouli Antique by Les Nereides So perfectly blended: earthy patch, creamy vanilla and gorgeous musk.
22) Christian Dior Eau Sauvage A true classic, which I can never be without.
23) Acqua di Parma Colonia Cary Grant wore it, Do you need to know more?
24) Robert Piguet Fracas No, I won’t wear it myself, but I love smelling it on ladies. Heady tuberose, when applied with a light hand it’s like a secret sexiness.
25) Joy de Jean Patou Another in the I’ll never wear it sweepstakes, a wondrous banner of heady femininity, at the time waved in the darkest times. Economic Ruin? Rise of Fascism? Chin up, stiffen that upper lip and dab on this brave French f-you to hard times. A little “let them eat cake”? Not in the least. I want more women to wear this, right now.
This is before my second cup of coffee, but I love lists too, so, in no particular order:
1) Chanel Cuir de Russie, the essence of what haute perfumery should be.
2) Chanel 31 rue Cambon, for its elusive, chic mystery.
3) Chanel N°22, where was this all my life? My conversion to aldehydes.
4) Patou 1000, for the complex, stately procession of its notes, osmanthus to sandalwood.
5) Patou Sublime for its golden columns of sun and shadow.
6) Patou Colony for the irrepressible wit of its pineapple top and gorgeous floral heart.
7) Dior Diorling, for hiding its floral beauty behind the curtain of its bitter leather attack.
8) Dior Diorissimo, dirty debutante with earth on her feet and grass stains on her white dress.
9) Guerlain Jicky, androgynous cool warm beauty.
10) Guerlain Sous le Vent for its intriguing, impossible to pin down nature.
11) Serge Lutens Un Lys, garden of sensual delights in a bottle.
12) Serge Lutens Santal de Mysore, for its skin-tinged warmth.
13) Serge Lutens Fleurs d'Oranger, for its tainted, sex-crazed purity.
14) Serge Lutens Muscs Koublaï Khan, you guys have already said why.
15) Frédéric Malle Une Fleur de Cassie, sun reflecting in puddles of spring.
16) Frédéric Malle Lipstick Rose, for its utter, vampy playfulness.
17) Frédéric Malle Carnal Flower, the tuberose coloratura in a mellow mood.
18) Robert Piguet Fracas, the coloratura at her most expansive.
19) Robert Piguet Bandit, the rogue of chypres.
20) Lanvin My Sin, another scent that epitomizes the art of perfumery for me.
21) Rochas Femme, the sweat of a goddess fed on spices.
22) Bulgari Black, powder spilled in rubbery, smoky Lapsang Souchong.
23) Frédéric Malle Le Parfum de Thérèse, because it makes me irrationally happy.
25) Annick Goutal Grand Amour, for its serene, embracing loveliness.
Honorable mentions go to : Chanel N°18 and N°19, Annick Goutal Le Chèvrefeuille, Guerlain Métalys, Patou Sira des Indes... and more.
I have a bunch of samples on their way to me. Who knows if one of them will make my top 25 next week? This is today's list:
1) Guerlain L'Heure Bleue: Perfect for me in every way.
2) Tauer Orris: Achingly lovely.
3) Tauer Reverie au Jardin: Beyond words' power of description.
4) Tauer Le Maroc pour Elle: A femenine, exotic beauty.
5) Fendi Theorema: Creamy and comforting.
6) Molinard Habanita: I feel elegant and right when I wear it.
7) Caron Tabac Blond: I should get a sports car to go with it.
8) Comme des Garcons Avignon: Some of my most significant moments have been spent in churches.
9) Caron Nuit de Noel: It has everything in it.
10) Caron Alpona: I imagine myself in an opera house balcony.
11) Guerlain Shalimar: It loves me back!
12) Frederic Malle Musc Ravageur: A comfort blanket (and I enjoy its take on Shalimar).
13) Serge Lutens Chene: My walking forest.
14) Serge Lutens A la Nuit: Pure jasmine.
15) Parfums de Nicolai Sacrebleu: L'Heure Bleue for my lighter moments.
16) DelRae Parfums Eau Illuminee: It has basil in the topnotes and tonka bean and orris in the base. What's not to love? (I haven't tried Bois de Paradis yet.)
17) Guerlain Jicky: Mrrreow.
18) Caron Poivre: Hotchacha.
19) Crazylibellule and the Poppies Encens Mystic: Love that creamy incense and the price.
20) L'Artisan L'Eau d'Ambre: It feels right any time.
21) Parfum d'Empire Ambre Russe: Love that richness.
22)Chanel Cuir de Russie: I can like a Chanel! I really can!
23) Parfums de Rosine Ecume de Rose: Roses and ocean.
24) Le Labo Patchouli 24: I can't believe I'm putting this down, but I'm drawn to it.
25) L'Artisan La Haie Fleurie du Hameau: I struggled with this last entry, but it belongs here.
Honorable mentions: Serge Lutens Fumerie Turque and Parfum d'Empire Cuir Ottoman.
At least that's what I can think of. I'll probably kick myself in the morning for having forgotten something.
Lovely list! I can't wait to try Dzing - a sample is supposed to arrive any day now. Your list also makes me want to get out there and sample more Diors and Chanels. Which CF Cashmere do you prefer, the men's or women's version? I think of all the fragrances I've ever tried, the women's CF Cashmere is the longest lasting. I sprayed my sample on a clean sweater, hung up the sweater at the end of the day, came back to wear it again a few weeks later and the scent was still lingering like I had applied it the night before. Now that's lasting power!
The sad thing is I could never even come up with 25. I'm really one of those people that wants to find their HG and be done! And the frustrating thing is I know it's probably out there just waiting for me to stumble upon it. The one I am completely enraptured with right now, strangley enough is Lolita Lempicka L. I hated the first one, but this new one is highly addictive! Out of my 30 or 40 bottles i've been reaching for this twice a day! In my opinion it is the female counterpart to Musc Ravageur. The PG13 version:-) I love the box it comes in, the bottle, and even the inspiration behind it; mermaids and the sea. I live on an little island in Florida so the weather does not work well with all the orientals i'm usually drawn too. But there is alot of warmth in this one along with a soothing salty little bite. Can you tell I've fallen? I just ordered the parfum version hoping it will help it last longer. It's the sleeper hit of the year, I think. Sorry Serge!!
I submitted my Top 25 the day I made the list. I didn't want to have to think about it anymore. But truth be told, if I made the list today, it would be different. My list has two matches to yours--Dzing! and Chanel No. 22. I see yours doesn't include Cuir de Russie, which is a new love of mine.
Oops, I mean three matches, including Messe de Minuit.
Here are some thorns and some roses (with lavender on the side:)
I am running to catch a train, so no commentary. I know you will be sade abpit some of the ones I left off--so I am.
My personal rule: no vintage or discontinued, or else I would go crazy. The order is very arbitrary, and I still may change the whole thing.
1. Mitsouko
2. Caron Poivre
3. Chanel Cuir de Russie
4. Caron Tabac Blond
5. The Different Company Rose Poivree
6. Molinard Habanita
7. Serge Lutens Fumerie Turque
8. Serge Lutens Rose de Nuit
9 Frederic Malle Musc Ravageur
10. Andy Tauer Orris
11 Creed Angelique Encens
13 L’Artisan Fleur d’Oranger
14. L’A Fleur de Narcisse
12. Regence Kolnisch Juchten (also exists in a discontinued form by Farina Gegenuber)
15. Etro Messe de Minuit
16. Guerlain Jicky
17. Serge Lutens Encens et Lavande
18. Parfums de Nicolai Vanille Tonka
19. Parfums de Nicolai Mahradjah
19. Miller et Bertaux # 3, Green, etc.
20. The Different Company Sel de Vetiver
21. Le Labo Patchouli
22. SL Muscs Koublai Khan
23. 10 Corso Como
24. Santa Maria Novella Nostalgia
25. Montale Aoud Rose Petals
Honorable mention:
Dzing, Joesf Statkus, PG Querelle, Passage d’Enfer, French CanCan, N’aimez que Moi, Kyoto, Montale Aoud Cuir d’arabie, Geurlain, Bois d’Armenie, GA Bois d’Encens, Le Labo Rose, Cuir Ottoman
perfumes that would be here if they weren’t discontinued or not readily available in the vintage form I love (no order: Doblis, Djedi, Lanvin Scandal, Lanvin Rumeur, Dior: Miss Dior, Diorama, Dioressence, Diorling, VG Nuit au Desert, Guerlain Fol Arome Czech and Speake dark rose
Oh, and Parfum des Merveilles, near the top of the HMs.
I did my list, posted it, then wrung my hands for three days at the ones that got left off. Some of my perfumes are *still* not speaking to me. Anthropomorphize much?
I like your list. Tom's list is scary.
Tom,
What a list! Utter, heavy-lidded sensuality and dirtiness...and the utter, sweet innocence (Rahat! Botrytis!). Fascinating. Loved your list, would wear practically everything on it!
D,
Looove your list! Would you believe, I either don't remember or actually haven't tried Patou Sublime. Shame on me. I'll get a sample today. The rest of things on your list are either HGs or scents I like very much.
Fantastic list! I started to make one. Really tried. But it will take more thought and soul anguished editing before I can whittle it down to just 25. And putting them in order?? Oh, God. That just seems too cruel. I have 10 at least that are all vying for 1st place. I'm afraid I will have a trillion "honorable mentions" to try to compensate for those I didn't include. But I will say this - I think vintage Diorling parfum actually does top my list (right now 9 shocked and jealous perfumes are gasping and starting to sob).
Maria,
Your whole list is Hotchacha! Love it! :-) I am hoping Le Jasmin will make your list too.
I am suprised that atleast 50% of your list isn't dominated by Serge Lutens considering that most MUA'ers are big fans of SL! :p
Amy,
I love both Cashmeres, but probably reach for the women's one more often. Love this one, constantly crave it :-) It does last very well.
C,
I love L de Lempicka too, and I also detest the original LL. I think L was one of the best new releases.
M,
Those 3 are probably the most favorite favorites of mine :-) Yeah, Cuir de Russie had to move over to give way to the new Chanels :-)
J,
I counted 9 (!) matches, but I was including the discontinued and the HMs.
And People of the Labyrinths Luctor et Emergo voted as the best scent by MUA'ers for the past 3 years ? I mean seriously ...
(i used my other gmail account previousl!)
Patty,
Yes, they are like that, the perfumes, very sensitive, easily offended. I heard from Chanel No 22 that Bois des Iles said she'd never speak to me again. :-D
Tom list IS scary...scary good, that is :-)
L,
Tell them to deal with it! :-) However great they are they ain't Diorling parfum :-) Unless of course "they" are Diorama. Or Dior-Dior...
Faizan,
:-D I bet you were also surprised to see a Creed on my list, eh? :-)
I agree about POTL's continued success, mind boggles.
Please share your list! Maybe not 25, but a couple of favorites?
It will take some time to come up with a top 25, but I can list some which are current favorites in the rotation:
Creed Santal Imperial (the most authentic mysore sandalwood note )
Serge Lutens Encens et Lavande
Serge Lutens Iris Silver Mist (iris king)
Creed Aubepine Acacia
Montale Black Aoud
L'artisan Dzing
Frederic Malle Carnal Flower
Czech Speake no. 88
Creed Vintage Tabarome
YSL M7
I dont really get all those animalic claims about SergeLutens MKK...on my skin its a musky floral, with hints of dirtiness..smells a lot like Spanish Leather.
Faizan,
Great list! ISM is definitely iris king. And I love No 88 very much, it is on my list to purchase asap. And of course Dzing is a holy grail for me. I do get the animalic thing in MKK, but a lot less than I used to when I first got to know it. I think I am becoming more and more immune to "dirt" in perfumes :-)
You know, Bois des Iles isn't speaking to me either (but she's just a weeny miniature), Joy has just thrown a hissy fit, Quadrille and Le Dix have threatened to hurl themselves off the shelf. Mahora is busy plotting with Mitsouko, Vol de Nuit and Derby for a Guerlain takeover. And all my Cotys are looking very somber indeed.
Do try Sublime, it's a masterpiece.
D,
So, bascially, as Tolstoy would say, "All was confusion in the Oblonski house." :-) Yes, same here. And even those that made the list, are still pouting, because they weren't ranked higher.
Love your list!! Will have to think about mine when I get a chance to breathe after my trip.
Ina,
You must never leave again. All the hell broke lose without you. :-)
1. Tauer's Lonestar Memories. I love the smoky birch tar at the opening but the drydown is pure heavenly incense.
2. Montale Royal Oud. There is something so seductive and glorious about this combination of oud and amber and...
3. Creed Fluers de Bulgarie. Roses and ambergris.
4. L'artisan Premier Figuier. I put this on when I need to feel grounded.
5. L'artisan Bois Farine. I get lots of compliments with this one. Iris and cedar and musk.
6. L'artisan Navegateur. MMM, smoky coffee and patchouli and spices.
7. Caron Yatagan. This is another grounding fragrance for and conjurs of visions of standing in a forest. Thanks Marina and Tom for convincing me to buy this one.
8. Hermes Eau Des Merveilles. Oh, you lovely wonderful thing! I love it's ambergris and beachy goodness.
9. YSL M7. I didn't like this for a long time what convinced me was wearing it in the heat. It's a mysterious combination of Oud and vetiver and bergamot.
10. McQueen Kingdom. Pure sex in a bottle (for the first hour anyway). I love the drydown of myrrh and sandelwood.
11. Malle's Bigarad Concentree. Smells exactly like pure bitter orange but better. Wish it lasted longer but wonderful.
12. Malle Carnal Flower. I NEED a full bottle of this!
13. CSP L'eau du Governeur. Pepper and bergamot and vetiver. This is a Summer must-have.
14. SL Santal de Mysore. This reminds me of Egypt where I got my first bottle of pure sandelwood oil. This is heaven.
15. SL Chergui. For me this works in all weather at all times.
16. Montale Greyland. Pure spices and sweaty, sexy goodness.
15. Escada Casual Friday. As I type this, the tears are welling up because my bottle is slowly running out...
16. PG Querelle. This is a summer cologne on steroids. Oh how I love this one. It's juicy with sweet citrus and vetiver but it lasts all day and into the night.
17. AG Hadrien. This was one of my first true loves. It is pure sunshine in a bottle and could cheer anyone up.
18. AG Sables. Thanks Tom for this one. I didn't get it at first but now I smell artist's turpentine and flowers and a sexy musky...something. I must have a full bottle of this.
19. Dunhill Edition. Loads of nutmeg and lavendar.
20. Bulgari Pour Homme Extreme. Citrus and rosewood and musk.
21. Lolita Lempicka Au Masculin. A very green gourmand.
22. Hermes Eau D'Orange Verte. I could drink this it's so fresh.
23. CDG Avignon. I like to put this on when I have been naughty. Pure church in a can.
24. Parfum d'Empire Ambre Russe. This lasts forever on me and may be my favorite amber...ever.
25. L'artisan Incroyable. Never heard of this one? Well, it was my first ever niche purchase (it was $90 at Stanley Korshack in Dallas). It was composed of blonde tobacco and ripe plums and leather. I can't find it listed anywhere! I have searched the internet and asked the experts. I was beginning to think that I had dreamed up the love affair with this glorious scent until I heard my uncle still has a bottle of this in his collection! I would never dream of even asking to see it because I know I would break down and cry like a little boy/girl. (sigh)
Kelley,
Love your list! You bought Querelle unsniffed if I remember correctly? So glad you like it!
I will now see Incroyable in my dreams :-) Please describe how it smells!!
Just 20, not 25, and they're personal favourites, of course, not all Classics with a capital "C". I can't rank them, exactly, but they're in the order they occur to me:
Gucci Rush
Chanel Bois Des Iles
Frederic Malle Parfum de Therese
Ormonde Jayne Champaca
Guerlain Habit Rouge
Serge Lutens Chene
Guerlain Apres L'Ondee
Rochas Femme
Rochas Tocade
Caron Third Man
Chanel 31 Rue Cambon
Serge Lutens Douce Amere
PdN Nicolai Pour Homme (or New York? Help!)
Mauboussin Histoire D'Eau (topaze)
Chanel No. 22
Tauer L'air desert du marocain
Patou Que-sais je?
Dior Eau Noire
Bvlgari Omnia
Ormonde Jayne Ormonde
Hmmm, Sublime and Jicky should probably be in there somewhere. I have some favourites from my new samples, that may yet make up the rest of the 25: Caron Aimez Moi, CB IHP Cedarwood Tea, Hermessence Osmanthe Yunnan, Diptyque L'Eau Trois, Ginestet Le Boisee. I also need to try vintage Chant D'Arome and Bandit before I can commit further.
Erin,
Great list! I see some huge favorites there: Therese, 31, 22, Eau Noire. ...I also see one that is not...um, not especially loved by me, but I am not naming any names :-)
I couldn't believe they made people rank their choices this year! I threw up my hands in despair immediately, LOL...not even going to attempt such a thing.
R,
It was hard. But I felt it was my duty to submit a list, just to try and knock POTL off its No 1 spot :-)
Oh dear, just 25? And in order too? No, I refuse the order, but here's my everchanging 25:
1. Caron: Tabac Blond - steel cutting through skanky musk.
2. Chanel: Cuir de Russie - the softest, most ladylike and floral leather, and still clearly leather.
3. Comme des Garcons: Sherbet Rhubarb - this tart rhubarb in the green makes my mouth water and me happy happy happy!
4. Etat Libre d'Orange: Jasmin et Cigarette - May I rename it Encenes et Cigarette? A pretty, soft jasmine with refreshing, peppery incense smoke.
5. Etro: Mess de Minuit - Who doesn't like a murky crypt?
6. Guerlain: Jicky - the best lavender ever (I don't even like lavender) over a base of skanky musk. Fresh/animalic, cool/warm, masculine/feminine, elegant/comforting and just so very me.
7. L'Artisan Parfumeur: Tea for two - Mmm, smoky tea with a refreshing citrus topnote.
8. Montale: Black Aoud - My femme fatale scent, my intoxicating dark rose on a kinky leather base.
9. Parfumerie Generale: L'Ombre Fauve - the cool of a dark cellar on a hot summer's day, cold stone walls, cool dirt floors, warm darkbrown velvet, sunheated dark wood...
10. Parfums d'Empire: Ambre russe - My best amber too, festive with booze and tea and leather.
11. Profumum: Fumidus - somebody has to love this smoky freak of a scent. And once when I wore it it was even... pretty. A dark, juicy green vetiver.
12. Serge Lutens: Fumerie turque - to sit in the shade and cool of a stone house with the heat of the desert outside, eating Turkish delight and smoking a hokkah pipe.
13. Tauer Perfumes: L'air du desert marocain - Maybe this is my best amber? Powdery and dry like the desert, with a hint of his signature tar note and slightly sweetened by rose.
14. Yves Saint Laurent: Nu - Just beautiful. Sheer incense, light florals and soft musk.
15. Miller Harris: L'air de rien - The slightly musty scent of an adventurous old lady's apartment, exotic yet comforting.
16. The Different Company: Sel de Vetiver - The only beach scent there is. The sweetness of sunheated water (not salt, maybe brackish), driftwood and skin drying in the sun and green vegetation.
17. Robert Piguet: Bandit - The scent of hayfever: green straw, dandelions and warm bodies, yet elegant, not quite rural.
18. Juozas Statkevicius - the perfect marriage of sweet amber and dry peppery/woody incense
19. Donna Karan: Wenge - the most wonderful musky/woody/ambery scent, comforting and enveloping like a golden aura. And it has throw! Woho, I never get throw!
20. Knize: Ten - Tabac Blond's escorting gentleman, steel cutting through leather and a chic hint of soap, without the dirty musk and sweet drydown of TB.
21. S-Perfumes: Lust - More dark, murky crypts, but with added warmth. An odd comfort scent, smelling of old places and old memories.
22. Histoire des Parfums: 1740 marquis de Sade - Leather, with an oddly sweet-and-sour fruit note. Intoxicating.
23. Comme des Garcons: Quarzazate - lovely spice scent with nose-tickling pepper. I always had a weakness for pepper...
24. Parfums d'Empire: Cuir Ottoman - It's MY sexy biker-sultan! MINE!
25. Serge Lutens: Chene - the forestiest forest scent yet to be made (or smelled by me).
I just realized I left Angel off my list - I know its presence wouldn't have thrilled you, c, but it was the perfume that started my obsession and so I owe it a lot. I just don't wear it anymore, because it is so ubiquitous.
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Solander,
Ah, the list after my own heart! I must try that Profumum Fumidus. And sorry, no, CO is MINE :-)
Erin,
I actually like Angel very much and really love Angel Le Rose :-)
V,
It is very hard! :-) They are all No 1s for me.
Columbina, Solander:
Ladies! There's more than enough CO for the both of you! There's a whole bunch right over there!
(surrepticiously palming the bottle and quickly exiting stage left)
i would never list my preferences this way... seems so "vulgar" (another word for common)... c'mon kids where's the mystery?... the tease?... whenever anyone asks what i'm wearing i simply say "i can't remember"... i also think it's rude when someone asks where i bought this... or that... oh well... call me old school but i think it's cool to not give too much of one's "self" away
Personally, I find it frustrating when you ask a person what they are wearing and then you don't get a straight answer. I say...let's be honest! However, when it comes to "The List", I reserve the right to change my mind at any second.
I just adore Chanel No 22!
My Mom always wore Chanel No 5 so I started wearing the No 22 to be different from her. I posted my list today on MUA.
LynetteB
Tom,
step away from that Cuir Ottoman or I will spray Secretions Magnifique...come to think of that, you might even enjoy that, Skank God :-)
Ghostranchguy,
Ouch! :-) I think lists are fun, and they are of course not written in stone and subject to change at any given moment.
Kelley,
I agree. Being coy about what one is wearing is kind of silly and petty. But lists do change, indeed they do.
Lynette,
Both No 5 and No 22 are wonderful choices!
1) Diorling by CD
2) Diorella by CD
3) Passage d'Enfer
4) Piment Brulant
5) Tea for two
6) Fleurs d'Oranger
7) 31 Rue Cambon
8) Chanel No.18
9) Bois des Iles
10) Coco
11) Eau de Jade
12) Eau d' Hadrien
13) White Musk by Montale
14) Fifi
15) Ambre Russe
16) Iris Poudre
17) En Passant
18) Lys Mediterranee
19) Rahat Loukoum
20) Le Parfum de Therese
21) Mitsouko
22) Spring Flower by Creed
23) Millesime Imperial
Nez,
Love your list!! See lots and lots of favorites there!
It's Friday, the 13th, so after work I decided it should be a good day to buy Kublai Khan... - and then I came home with Rousse from Lutens and Cashmere from Fissore... What a day!
BTW, Colombina, I'm so happy about all the L'Artisans on your list...
Lady Jane,
Oh well, no MKK, but such great two purchases instead! Love both. Congrats!!
Your list is so incredibly refined, colombina!! Fantastic taste you have, my dear. And so many that just hate my chemistry. Here is my opulent white floral list:
1. Chanel No. 5
2. Bond No. 9 West Side
3. Serge Lutens Un Lys
4. Tocca Florence
5. Annick Goutal Les Nuits d'Hadrien
6. Serge Lutens Fleurs de Citronnier
7. Frederic Malle Carnal Flower
8. Jo Malone Vintage Gardenia
9. Annick Goutal Songes
10. Annick Goutal Quel Amour
11. Chanel Bel Respiro
12. Anne Pliska
13. Molinard Un Air de Molinard
14. Escada Collection
15. Il Profumo Vanille Bourbon
16. Cristiano Fissore Cashmere
17. Jean Patou Enjoy
18. Eternity Summer 2005
19. Zenadora Paris
20. Chanel No. 18
21. Creative Scentualization Perfect Kiss
22. L'Artisan La Chasse Aux Paupillons
23. Hillary Duff With Love
24. Bvlgari Omnia
25. Kai
Tamara,
Yours is so beautiful and feminine, love it! Many favorites there. *waves to Cashmere*
LoL yea colombina I was suprised to see a Creed on your list ..I would like to keep the house hush hush at your blog and keep it the way it is (i.e, that not a lot of people wear their stuff) ;)
Faizan,
Sorry, can't be hush hush about a good scent like Jasmal. :-)
Well, to save time I will just mentally cut and paste your fab list, and add a few more old favorites and recent discoveries:
1. SL UN Lys - unique and daring, icy cold but sexy too. Nothing like it anywhere.
2. Lucien Lelong pour Femme - warm, sensual and unusual - mandarin, bergamot, Kadota fig, lilac, magnolia, 3 different orchids, jasmine, rose de mai....magnificent, but not for the faint of heart. From 1999 but feels vintage.
3. Rochas Absolu - like wearing a cashmere blanket with nothing underneath, in front of a cozy fireplace. Oriental to the max but somehow not too sweet for me. Men like it for a reason.
4. Frederic Malle Carnal Flower - it is nothing short of stunning.I would get married in it just to have an excuse to buy a bottle.
4. Frederic Malle En Passant - it broke my heart with its beauty. I would get married in this one if I knew it was going to last.
5. Tauer Perfumes L'Air du Desert Marocain - the sexiest "unisex" fragrance EVER.
6. Max Mara - if it lasted longer on me I would buy it by the jeroboam. This was a real surprise for me. The birch sap is just wonderful. I hear some of you saying "WHAT!?" but I stand by that statement. :-D
7. Amouage Gold for women - I may never be able to afford this again, but it's a true classic, untouchable and elegant.
8. Amouage Ubar - unforgiveably discontinued, but only because the ingredients of the high quality required are becoming unobtainable. If you ever have the chance to try it, you will understand my obession. It defines Chypre perfectly for me.
9. Annick Goutal Gardenia Passion - gardenia with real class, and still sexy as hell.
10. SL A La Nuit - the most perfect Jasmine I have ever experienced.
Flora,
OK, so I need to try Lucien Lelong pour Femme *makes a note*
I started my list Friday (how I love lists!) then got distracted by the ebay nonsense...Anyway, here it is though not in order of preference (Brain. and. Nose. Wouldn't. Work. Under. That. Rule. Temporary Meltdown.)
Mitsouko (parfum)
Vol de Nuit (ditto)
Tabac Blonde (ditto)
Femme (anything I can get my hands on)
Cristalle EDT
31 rue Cambon
Hiris
Eau d'Hermes
Diorella
Bandit
Bulgari Black
Musc Ravageur
OJ Frangipani
Rose de Nuit (SL)
Kingdom
Chanel Cuir de Ruisse
Dzing
Sublime
Songes
Fleur de Narcisse
Ambre Narguile
Noir Epices
Rousses
Mystere de Rochas
Fendi
and many HMs.
Nicola,
That is a beautiful list! So many favorites there, Dzing, Black and more!
Can't think of 25 I love...here's 15
In random order:
1) Ormonde Jayne Frangipani: because it reminds me of family vacations growing up.
2) Ormonde Jayne Champaca: just makes me think of floaty easter-egg colored dresses.
3) Le Labo Rose: would not have chosen this based on the strip but it smells AMAZING and dirty on me.
4) JAR Bolt of Lightning: if only I had $750. Like nothing I've ever smelled.
5) L'Artisan: Passage d'Enfer: cool, composed, confident.
6)L'Artisan Dzing: that salty sweetness + smell of petrol hmmmmm
7) Bond No. 9 Chinatown: Seriously the perfume that was made with my chemistry in mind. It just sings on my skin. It manages to be warm/woodsy and fresh and clean and sexy at the same time.
8) Caron Parfum Sacre: I imagine Jane Russell or Joan Crawford wearing this.
9)Crazy Libellule Encens Mystique: It just comforts me. Milky incense.
10) L'Artisan Dzongkha: sweet, spicy tea tinged incense.
11) Serge Lutens: Un Lys...a little "off" smelling...but incredible.
12) Dolce and Gabbanna Light blue: just so fresh and fun for summer.
13) Miller Harris En Sens de Bois: bitter, woody incense.
14) Estee Lauder Azuree Body Oil: just warmer and more skin-like than the Edt.
15) Jalaine Patchouli: dirty chocolate.
Ofcourse I haven't tried the Commes De Garcons incense series or the Parfums d'Empire Cuir Ottoman or Ambre Russe. Given my obsession with Leather and incense, I'm bound to love them both.
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