A Sample Bonanza!

Mini reviews by Marla As a reward to myself for successfully hauling my household (including 2 bunny rabbits) across the Atlantic to our new tropical home, I purchased a modest group of samples from Luckyscent. I’m enjoying every single one on some level or another (from cerebral appreciation to “Grr, Cavewoman WANT NOW!”) Here are some of my not-very-organized-or-aesthetically-sophisticated thoughts on the whole smelly lot: 1. Atelier Cologne- Vanille Insensee- Why don’t perfumers use English or Spanish for names sometimes, I mean, what’s wrong with “Insane Vanilla” or “Vainilla Loco”? For those sick of French, try saying the Spanish, it’s fun! And this is a fun perfume, gorgeous, but a little weird and frivolous. I don’t care for gourmand vanillas, and this one is perfect for me. It’s lovely in tropical heat as well, and I don’t think for a moment I’ve spilled my ice cream cone down my shirt. I’m very impressed with this fairly new niche brand. 2. Atelier Cologne- Orange Sanguine- Well, the name’s all right for this one, I guess, but “Naranja Feliz” is better. Are you listening, Atelier staff?? The most realistic orange cologne I’ve ever tried, it reminds me of a new Brazilian orange essence that came out recently, very substantial, no bitterness, long-lasting. This would be the perfect cologne to spray on before going for a morning run, it really does induce happiness and amp up my energy level. 3. Tauer Perfumes- Orange Star- Andy’s perfumes don’t always play nice with my skin, the Tauerade can go very soapy on me. This is a lovely, oriental, antique orange, the polar opposite of Atelier’s, and I like it very much. I’d wear this one in winter, though. The soap note appears, then hides while the deeper woody amber smooths everything over. This is what I thought “Baume de Doge” was going to smell like, that whole antique wood/spice chest thing is here. I agree with the UK Fifi judges on this one, it’s brilliant. 4. Tauer Perfumes- Zeta- For those perfumistas who want to own a Tauer but can’t wear the Tauerade, Zeta really parts with tradition and delivers a beautiful, radiant and feminine floral. Wow, do I feel girly in this one! Please do not wear this around bees. 5. Parfums de Nicolai Weekend a Deauville- Well, Denyse really nailed this in her review on Grain de Musc, all I can say is “YUM!” Green, floral, a little odd, terminally classy, light yet substantive. My current Nicolai favorite. 6. And now, drumroll, my Numero Uno of the group: The Different Company’s De Bachmakoff. If I hadn’t just moved and spent large portions of my bank account on boring new appliances that work in the New World, I’d buy a liter of this. I’m the Queen of Mean Green scents, and this might be my ultimate perfume thrill. It’s Scandinavian forests, Slavic bathhouses, icy spring flowers, Russian 19th century poetry, the notes don’t matter, this is a piece of true olfactory art, and I’m sorry it’s Celine Ellena’s swan song for the line. Come back someday, Celine, OK?