Budding perfumistas walk this way- Part 2 of the Worst Perfumes ever

[shoeprincess2]

As the first thread is nearly full, I've set up Part 2

Sycomore is too dry on me. Every time I wear it, I get so thirsty... it feels like parching desert air on me (I used to live somewhere where it got painfully hot and dry during the dry season, and Sycomore reminds me of hot, dusty, smoke-filled air combined with extreme heat feel like).

This is really interesting, because I totally get the dryness and dust and the smoke is very strong, but I perceive it as cold - something like a dusty attic in winter with the ashes of an old fire in the grate, maybe some dried flowers hanging around. I sort of admire it but I couldn't wear it.

NotTodayThankYou its so disappointing, isn't it? I went earlier in the week and they have totally castrated Opium and Paris too. Why? just why?

I've just tried Montale's Sweet Oriental Dream again (StC sample) and still don't like it. It smells really plasticky on me.

This (reformulations) is happening all the time now - mainly due to new regulations that restrict the use of potentially allergenic substances in perfumes. Nearly all perfume formulas will change or have already changed. For this reason, many perfume lovers are looking for older, pre-reformulation bottles on eBay. If you find something and love it now, buy it - perfumes will keep changing. YSL have rereleased a bunch of older favorites - you can bet everything has been retouched.

Haber Sycomore is more cool than warm per se, but it reminds me of those suffocating hot 9% humidity days. It is a great perfume and many connoiseurs love it - just not right on me. I generally love vetiver though.

Coffee I wore a lot of Bal a Versailles and Shem-el-Nessim when lindenflowers were at their best in Rome - and I felt those perfumes blended in with the trees. Zeta didn't - linden extract smells a bit different. The general rule: if you use methods like steam distillation to extract naturals, instead of oranges you get marmalade. (This us why steam-distilled rose absolute smells like rose jam, not like fresh, dewy roses.) Zeta is worth trying though!

So, testing the second of my samples, following a thorough wash to remove the headache-inducing Sycomore.

Lonestar Memories. I am LOVING this. It starts with a really medicinal tang which is reminding me of something like root beer, only that's not quite right - it's saltier than that. I don't know what it is, but I like it. And the TCP that MsArseBiscuit mentioned is there, too. This is smoky, as well, but so warm in a good way. There's a sort of hint of old leathery books in there, too, and something a bit tarry. I don't think I would wear this often but it is absolutely gorgeous. It's very soft, softer than I had imagined from the description and there is something a bit green and outdoorsy in there, too, maybe even some kind of flower. Absolutely bowled over by this. It's an amazing smell, the very opposite of headache-inducing. I cannot stop sniffing myself. It's deep and rich and sort of floaty all at the same time. Amazing.

I'll give Bal a V. another try, I remember smelling and liking it long time ago.

Lonestar memories - that might be something when my Eau du Fier runs out. Can't believe they stopped making it. It's a crime.

Yep, another reason why you need to buy anything you really like now. There are too many niche lines now, many of them will fold - and slow sellers may be axed too.

Yep, another reason why you need to buy anything you really like now. There are too many niche lines now, many of them will fold - and slow sellers may be axed too.

Haber I hear you! Tauers get me this way too. I may not wear them every day but I think about them a lot. Lonestar is tarry and unforgettable and taps into my childhood memories.

Now it's definitely time for some Miriam...

It is LOVELY! I am still sniffing myself like a loon. I really want to try the green Pentachord one, now. Which others should I get samples of?

The others I really like are Miriam (a modern take on aldehydic classics), Une Rose Chypree, Incense Rose - plus lots of what you already have. Verdant good and unique too.

Thanks very much. I will look those up. I love the sound of Verdant and Miriam.

Something very sweet and warm and fruity is coming through with Lonestar Memories now. It's almost like ice cream. Er, warm Neapolitan ice cream. Maybe hot strawberry sauce on vanilla ice cream or something. Wafer biscuits. Crumble. Something edible, anyway. I love it (and I don't normally like that kind of thing).

Haberdashery - very tempting description!

My eBay package arrived today; unfortunately the Serge Lutens Un Bois Vanille sample had smashed in transit, and it was a damp but fragrant package I opened. But what a lovely smell, smoky vanilla. I'm looking forward to trying it properly (the seller immediately offered to replace it) and am planning a good sniff session tomorrow with the rest of the samples (once my hands stop smelling!)

At the other end of the scale, we had an Avon representative in the office today, so I picked up a couple of samples. Who knows, there might be a gem in there somewhere?

And, having been given a £20 Amazon voucher by lovely MN, I just treated myself to the Turin/Sanchez Perfume book. I have only read the first few pages, but it is completely absorbing.

That perfume book is never put away in my house. I look in at alamost daily and have written on almost every page. Its great.
I love un bois de Vanille. Really lovely smokey vanilla taht is not too sweet. I love the soundmof lonestar memories too!

Cointreau my favorite perfume (prior to discovering this thread and all the gorgeous perfumes herein), is an Avon perfume, little black dress. I never tire of wearing it. Such a lovely perfume

oh man, I'm dying. I put on some Cuir Mauresque Serge Lutens. I put on far too much of the sample I think and I feel like I'm in a leather coffin. Don't think I'll be buying this one ...

I have asked DP for the Turin/Sanchez book for Christmas (I sent him the link), so quite excited to read that. I adore all of the Tauers which I ordered from Scent & Sensibility. I spent the whole day in love with Loretta. I then had a betime date with L'air du desert marocain. Incense rose is beautiful- not at all cloying and more of an experience than a fragrance. In fact, as Dona has said, they evoke emotions and memories. They are just so much more than a scent. I am so pleased to have tried them. Pentachord White is amazing, so now I'm going to try the Auburn and Verdant. Oh and thanks to you haberdashery, I'm going to have to try Lonestar Memories

Today, I will be having an afternoon with Une Rose Vermeille. It'll be once I'm back from baby massage. I don't think a room of mums and babies is ready for Tauer. Will report back.

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Is linden the same as lime blossom/tilleul? am confused

LOL at leather coffin

I also have the Turin Sanchez book but on my Kindle - fascinating stuff!

Think I dreamed about perfumes last night...waiting for my next chance to try some more. Meanwhile it's old faithful No19 EdT for today.

BTW, is anyone else here on Basenotes.com?

It is the same.
Lime blossom is often confused with the citrus lime blossom and tilleul is bugger to spell.

I am on basenotes but hardly ever post. Its a mine of information

I don't post on Basenotes either but it's fun to compile your "scent wardrobe" or whatever it's called and track what you own/used to own/want to sample etc.

Argh just lost a long post - no time to retype it. Sorry. Loving all of your experiences, codes, Tauers in general. And yes, Cuir Mauresque is too much for me too. If you like strong leathers but do not want a spicebomb leather, try to get hold of Dior's Leather Oud (the other Dior boutique perfumes are worth knowing too - recommend them!). DH was wearing it this morning, perfection, and great sillage.

Linden is the same as tilleul.

I have a Basenotes profile but am not active there. Read their fragrance library reviews every day though. And have Turin/Sanchez on Kindle (and hence on my iPhone - very handy for shopping).

Have worn No. 19 for the morning part, will switch over to Loretta! Yay!

Welcome to the world of Tauer Shoe! It's like a secret society... You are an initiated member now.

Oooh, I've very excited to be an initiated member of the Tauer club. Dona- you asked me for my thoughts on Une Rose Vermeille. It began very citrussy and a little cloying- I have to be honest, I was concerned that it would induce a headache. However, it quickly passed and I got some hits of raspberry and rose. It has now settled on my skin and smells- this is the only way I can describe it- like a victoria sponge cake. There is a jam and vanilla buttercream smell to it and it isn't as "loud" as other Tauers, but still beautiful. It isn't "the one", but it is far superior to any other gourmandes that I have tested and I will enjoy wearing this one.

I am itching to wear Loretta again however.... enjoy your date with her this afternoon Dona

kiwi- have you escaped your leather coffin yet? Or is it one of those fragrances that will not wash off, no matter how much you scrub and scrub?
ThatsNice- YY to Little Black Dress. I also bought Little White Dress and Little Red Dress. Good everyday fragrances. Their gel eyeliners are pretty good too!

We're hosting the Christmas lunch this year. I'm thinking of little favours for people. Normally it would be a little box of chocolates, but I think I am going to order fragrance samples for everyone

Yep, Loretta is like crack cocaine Others on the thread, do not try it, it can be addictive and cause withdrawal symptoms

I get a similar love/hate relationship with Une Rose Vermeille. It's really OTT, really teetering over the edge ( I have slight fruit/berry phobia), but sometimes I really love it - the jammy, luscious, dense, edible sweetness. I keep a sample in my travel makeup purse just in case (very few perfumes get to travel with me). Definitely not one for the baby group though...

If Lady Gaga knew anything about perfumes, she would have asked Andy Tauer to do her perfume - can you imagine anything more ballsy than Lonestar Memories? Une Rose Vermeille reminds me of her bacon dress - so crass it's actually quite good.

Ooh a terrible dilemma now - should I wear Une Rose Vermeille or Loretta?