Happy Understated Friday! And a very happy birthday to Cher, who probably won't be participating in today's community project: The Art of the Understatement. That was suggested by Anniky, and you can interpret it howsoever you like.
What fragrance did you pick? As always, do chime in with your scent of the day even if you’re not participating in the community project.
Ya'll knew I'd be in Hermès, right? I went with Cuir d'Ange.
Reminder: on 5/27, wear a fragrance by Alberto Morillas, if you have one.
And for those of you who like to plan ahead, see Scent of the day ~ Friday community projects 2016, where I'll try to always have the next five or six weeks mapped out in advance.
Note: shown is a Hermès Torana elephant bracelet. I don't think these are made anymore.
For once I love the bracelet. It’s beautiful. I’m not in Hermès, but close enough. Wearing TDC Osmanthus, which I love. It fits today’s theme perfectly, and was created by one of my favourite noses.
I think tomorrow will be dedicated to olfactory overstatement; I plan on wearing Ubar.
I don’t wear any bracelets, ever, and wouldn’t wear any of the ones I posted this week. And could not explain why I did a week of bracelets, either.
And ha…Ubar is the perfect plan!
I’m not a that fond of jewellery myself, although I do wear earrings when I remember to. I didn’t like any of the stuff you posted earlier this week, but this one is so pretty.
The alternative would be to layer Amoureuse with Emotionelle.
Ha, Amoureuse with Emotionelle might kill someone with a weak constitution…
You crack me up!
I love rings, and happily wear a watch. But I hate bracelets and never wear them.
I love this bracelet, too. And would happily wear a Cartier nail as well.
Alexander Julian’s Womanswear. For those who wonder who Alexander Julian is-
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Julian
I have enjoyed coming back to this community project…forced me to dig out some of my old bottles and wear some of my discontinued loves like this one. I bought Womanswear in the early 1990s because I loved the bottle- a muted glass in turquoise blue with a lavender cap- and I grew to love the scent.
fragrantica lists it as a fruity floral with oakmoss in it….my nose smells NONE of the notes listed…rather, my nose smells a powdery, milky mix with heliotrope, lilac, mimosa, violet and if I had to associate the scent with a color it would be lavender…..it is a soft and understated but beautiful fragrance.
Wow, nice that it’s still wearable after all these years!
Honestly, the initial blast is a bit off putting but once the top notes fade it is so pretty!
Wow. I would never had remember Alexander Julian if you had not brought him up. But I do remember his fashion line for men in the early 1990s–preppy pastels that seemed so sophisticated! I cannot imagine why his line made such an impression on me??!? Weird.
Apparently he is quite talented…if I am not mistaken he was the youngest designer to win the Coty award? And subsequently won many others…honestly, I knew nothing about him until I began wearing Womanswear! And I am sure that he had his hand in designing that gorgeous perfume bottle! And it is funny that his perfume brings to my mind pastel colors!
Wearing Lonesome Rider today, which is understated . . . for a Tauer. If I had any Mythique left, I’d be wearing that, since it is understated enough for me to be able to wear it even when I have a migraine.
“For a Tauer” lol!
Feuilles d’Oranger
My favorite orange blossom and so sad it’s discontinued ????
Tea at the moment is a cappuccino from Oslo (those that live in NYC will be familiar) and sharing a croissant with my toddler before heading to the park. Working this weekend , so not a happy Friday for me!
I’m almost positive it was Oslo my sister and I stopped in on our way to Sotheby’s – good coffee … and I was tempted by the chocolates but stopped myself because I got a ton during the last swapmeet.
Sorry about the work this weekend 🙁
Working the weekend is the pits
Cuir d’Ange is lovely, you smell great.
My SOTD is L’Eau d’Hiver. I’m not sure how understated it actually is – it’s soft but quite strong with the anise. I love it though, and wanted a break from woods and vetiver after overdosing yesterday (Jovoy Private Label).
Hey, we are cousins for sure!
L’Eau d’Hiver is a great understated perfume! It is subtle but persistent. It was my in top choices for today. You smell wonderful.
I considered this one as well, I think it fits the theme perfectly.
I wish I had an Hermes, it would be then thing for today. So I went for under the radar in that Chanel 5 permier is common enough it doe snot get noticed so much. Oh, for a bottle of Osmathus Yunan.
Doe snot? I love autocorrect!
🙂
You smell great!
Cuir d’Ange, understated?? That one hits me over the head with a frying pan!
I am also in a scent as understated as a tsunami, basking away in the remnants of Rose Flash.
That is a gorgeous bracelet, but I’ve got to say, you can probably get something 90 % as beautiful for 0.09 % of the price in India.
CdA hits me the same way, Koyel. One of the only Hermes fragrances I’ve encountered that doesn’t work for me.
Nice to know I’m not alone 🙂
You’re paying 99.91% for that 10% though! And to leave the little people trailing in your wake. ;^)
Its those iconic Hermes elephants in enamel… (I’m one of the little people for sure!)
I suppose I am one of those little people 🙂
Must go to India for bracelets!
Yup you could probably get something very similar to the Hermes for a couple of bucks.
Every time we go to India, we feel like we’re buying up the whole country. Every time we come back, we gaze sadly at our suitcases and wish we had gotten twice as much stuff.
Kenzo Air Intense, which may be the most misnamed of any “intense” fragrance. It is too bad that the original Air and Air Intense are discontinued as they are the perfect fragrances to give the over-sprayer in your life.
I am still deciding on which tea to brew for my morning cup.
I still regret not getting a bottle of it. I’m only familiar with the original, and that was great.
You smell fantastic, of course!
You zig, I zag.
Amouage Gold Man.
😉
You smell fabulous. 🙂
Thanks cazaubon !! It was/is pretty fantastic !! 🙂
Cuir d’Ange is very lovely but I webt with Iris Ukiyoe. I find it very calming and lovely, and definitely not a showstopper. I would love a bottle, should it commence raining perfume bottles.
I would be standing inthat storm too
With a big net to catch those????
Twins!
Voile d’Ambre by Yves Rocher. It’s the most understated, sheer, transparent amber I know. It’s an amber for amber haters. Lovely stuff and one of Yves Rochers best.
Well, I love amber but I also love YR Voile d’Ambre. I agree, it’s a lovely sheer amber, I like it in early fall when the weather is still quite warm and anythng heavier would be absolutely suffocating.
You know, I’ve come round to straight up ambers. Didn’t really care for them when I started this journey.
BobH, I’m starting to enjoy them too, and never used to.
Hi scent twin! I’m an amber fan myself, but agree this is a perfume anyone can enjoy. Really balanced and comfortable to wear.
YR do some really nice stuff. Love Neroli too and as soon as I get the right offer, Cuir Vetiver and Rose Oud will be mine!
Triomphe (Rancé). Had some difficulty coming up with understated today. TGIF! 🙂
And you found one with a name to match!
Lovely sunny day here, I went with Silver Iris, which is soft and lightly sweet on me. It was my wedding scent as well, so nice associations with it. 🙂
you smell lovely.
You smell wonderful! Silver Iris soap is on my shower soap dish!
An understated fragrance to me is one that is quiet, unobtrusive and undemanding, yet provides a great deal of scent pleasure to its wearer. Most often for me that is a skin scent. And that’s my choice today, Skin, Trussardi Skin, that is. Although its bottle, with its luminescent yellow to green modern columnar shape is anything but quiet and unobtrusive, its lovely scent hugs my skin for hours with its fresh yet warm presence. Perhaps its that anchor note of cedar that makes it one of my favorites, a note I love and smells good on me. Getting ready to leave for a weekend of hiking and bird-watching, today’s community project has me leaving my usual Wrappings home and takng Skin along this time instead.
You describe it beautifully. Enjoy your energetic weekend! :^)
I did the mandatory Hermes yesterday 🙂 I’m wearing Iris Cendre and slowly recovering from work-induced coma. All the people to whom I owe an e-mail or two can expect it soon – I really am sorry.
Iris and vetiver often seem understated to me, unless interpreted in a particularly flamboyant way. Iris Cendre is a great example of a quiet scent with lots of personality. Beautiful stuff.
You smell great!
Which iris do you think is flamboyant? I have not encountered a mile-long sillage of iris at all.
I don’t think it’s flamboyant, exactly, but Iris Silver Mist is not understated – it is clearly created to make a statement, almost to shock. The other type I don’t find understated is the lipstick-y iris, like in Misia or even Equistrius.
Ah, those are more towards violet and roses already. For pure iris, I agree with you, that it is never going to be described as opulent.
You smell very cosy- and great!
You smell lovely. Hope you have a relaxing weekend.
love this one. you smell wonderful.
Twins! Sort off at least
Upon rereading Angela’s post about revisiting Chanel no 5, I unearthed an estate sale find of an OLD splash bottle of the EdC. Didn’t care for it initially, but upon re-test, I find it’s excellent–top quality materials, and far longer-lived than the current edt or edp. Absolutely qualifies as understated but warm and comforting.
Had to mention something that caught my attention earlier this week: was reading the NYT article about TSA delays at airports, and one of the commenters’ online moniker is Thierry Guerlain—guess we perfumistas are everywhere!
We are everywhere! I have quite a few very vintage bottles of No 5 and they really hold up. One of my extrait is from the 20s, and after a few moments of burned top notes, there are wonderful interesting mid and base notes. There is a remarkable quality to the dry down that is unmatched in any of the current versions of No 5, no matter how good they are in their own right.
No5 EDC blows the current EDT and EDP out of the water. It’s really really really (really) good.
I agree, though I’ve never tried the extrait so I can’t say the EdC is the best iteration. Just very very good.
Having worn the EDC in the late 70s I would agree…and I have owned and have worn EDT, EDP and the pure perfume over the years….
Can’t speak to how vintage smells now , though, as when I wore them all they were not old enough to be vintage !
Understated for most of the day in L’Artisan Jatamansi. Then I got cold and blew off the theme with Ambre Narguile.
Hehe. It’s cold here, too. Fall has finally arrived for good.
Today I’m wearing Jicky in edperson. It’s my understated skank.
😉
Ha, perfect!
Kyoto again, the ne plus ultra of understatement. I’ve been wearing it all week so why change now?
You smell great. Need to wear that more.
Kyoto is so contemplative and quiet for me. It’s like walking around in my own meditative cloud. It’s great. (BTW, if you dig frankincense, I just tried Himalaya, and it hits me with that same vibe.) Be well.
I’m in Van Cleef Collection Extraordinaire Bois d’Iris. Delicious and a wafter. Like Hermessence, there’s more to it than the wearer receives. Love this, Gardenia Petale and Lys Carmine. Other choices for today were L’Artisan Jour de Fete, Safran Troublant and Mimosa et Moi.
VCA Bois d’Iris is one of my favorite Iris’s! You smell wonderful..
Serge Lutens Fleurs de Citronnier which smells like summer and happiness!
So happy to see FdC mentioned. I really love the bright lemon blossom combined with the fabulously dirty (in the best way) musk. I do think I must be unusually sensitive to the particular musk(s) used in this perfume, though, because no one else seems to notice how skanky it is!
I haven’t worn it in so long (nor Fleurs d’Oranger) but I love those two elements of bright lemon and dirty musk! Thanks for reminding me to wear it!!
I thought about wearing that today but discovered my bottle is in my other home, so no access. I need to get another one, it is so nice.
I am wearing La Chasse aux Papillons. To me it is understated though it is a BWF.
I dropped the tester of this since I made the mistake of picking it up from the cap. I broke it in the posh mall of Printemps in Paris. Needless to say that I was so embarrassed and apologised profusely. The SA didn’t want me to pay, though. Now the scent of tuberose and white flower reminds me of that epic moment.
That is funny. Does that mean you don’t like tuberose or white flowers?
On the contrary, it has left a strong impression 😉 After all, one never really gets to splash 100 ml of white flowers for testing!
Oh gosh, I would be so mortified. I was there a few years ago and their display of department store fragrances on lit shelves reminded me of Sephora.
Hi, buddy!
I’d intended to wear this as an understated scent, but I have one of those tiny splash bottles and . . . well, my hand slipped a bit.
LOL. Oh, well.
Showered with Gentiane Blanche today for some gentian, iris, incense, and musks. I like the green, peppery, tannic accent lingering on skin afterwards!
Going to the post office later to collect my order of Sables. I could not find it anywhere, and even the local niche shop was telling me that it would no longer be produced. I had to write to the Annick Goutal for this purchase — will see if my purchase of this year is worth it. Unsniffed!
Speaking of which, Robin, we should do the Art of Opulence: wear your most opulent perfume!
Sables is very interesting and beautiful. I hope you like it. Just a drop is fragrant for hours and hours…
I arrived at the post office which smelled of — you guess — Sables. They thought something must have leaked inside my parcel. To my horror, the whole 100 ml of Sables had spilled out from the snapped neck of the nozzle!
That’s just terrible! And what a potent smell for it too.
Oh no! How frustrating. Grrr. I hope you can get a refund.
They will send me a new one, I suppose. I do hope so! Anyway, my apartment reeks of curry, maple syrup, and tobacco.
Oh no! I had that happen with a bottle of Jovoy. Fortunately Luckyscent was great about sending me a replacement. I hope you can get a new bottle!
Sables is wonderful. I hope you will enjoy it.
Great shower gel!
I save it for when I feel tired and need some of them. That way it feels special 😀
Yay I’m back! Decided I need to get back into the swing of actually posting on NST, though probably only on Fridays.
Love this Friday’s/weekly challenge. Today I’m in 7 sprays of Cuir de Russie (the amount of sprays probably defeats the purpose for the challenge, but I’m enjoying it too much to care 🙂 ). Normally CdR turns into a skin scent after and hour or two, but I find the main notes linger longer if you spray with abandon.
Ah the fantastic Cuir de Russie! Liberal application is the only way for it!
I agree!
You smell great. Hope work is going ok.
Thank you, work has been much more reasonable. Still working over 40 hours every week, but I’ve managed to keep from working on the weekends! I’ve also started taking on more responsibility (mainly because my supervisor and coworker both have baby daughters sapping their energy), so work is surprisingly going well. 🙂
You smell WONDERFUL.
Thanks! 🙂
you smell great.
Understated or not, you smell fabulous!
For a leather, it’s understated!
I am testing Smell Bent Commando, as reviews made it sound kind of understated. I really like it! On me it is a gentle musk with a hint of honey. I don’t have much musk in my collection so… but I must use up my sample before buying! 🙂
I’m glad it’s working for you, though it didn’t for me. I was expecting that understated clean-skin effect, but I got the opposite: a gigantic ancient locker room stuffed full of sweaty men. Whoa. It’s probably still my benchmark for “surprise! not what you expected!”
“Gentle musk with a hint of honey” sounds perfect. Even though I’ve seen just as many people who found it filthy, the good reviews make it sound so enticing!
I’m understated today in Chanel’s Bel Respiro. So pretty, yet so fleeting.
I love the Hermes enameled bangles and elephants and would buy this one if I could find it discounted in the second-hand market. Since it is no longer being made, that would be the only way I could get it!
Ohhh, LOVE Bel Respiro! So unique.
I love Bel Respiro. You smell amazing. That truly is a wonderfully understated perfume.
Bel Respiro is definitely understated!
I went through a bottle of BR but never wanted to re-purchase.
Funnily enough its one of the few that last quite a bit on me and not fleeting on me at all.
Great choice.
Still gray and gloomy today, but they promise it’s going to clear out this afternoon.
SOTD is Bvlgari Omnia, which I’m finding I like more than any of the flankers.
None of the flankers live up to the original.
Wholeheartedly third that!
I could have gone with Jour d’Hermes or Eau des Merveilles today (or Cuir Pleine Fleur, or …), but in the end was in the mood for Gucci EDP (the orange blossom-cumin one from 2002). Don’t know if I’d call it understated, exactly, but it’s so gorgeous and my husband pronounced me delicious when I came downstairs a few minutes ago, so I’m happy with my choice. Happy Friday!
“my husband pronounced me delicious” – love this quote!
I love those compliments. 🙂
Robin, I somehow knew you’d go with that one. I almost did, but pulled out Infusion d’iris instead.
Yay for Friday! Looking forward to some tea time with girlfriends this weekend.
Last night I bought a pull-up bar to add to my strength routine. Holy cow am I weak! I could not do one and failed several times trying. Looks like I’ll be doing many more deadlifts, overhead presses, planks and push ups until I can do a pull up.
Congrats! You are very determined! I found the best way to succeed at pull-ups is to do pull-ups. I got that advice from a friend who’s a personal trainer. Pull yourself up as far a you can and just stay there for about 30 sec. Even if it’s only an inch. If you do this regularly you’ll eventually be able to do a full one. That’s how I did it.
Thanks. I have been reading up on what muscles are used (lats) and how to improve them with other exercises in addition to simply doing the pull ups themselves. I may do timed hanging tomorrow and some other exercises. (Today is cardio day.)
Of course, I am so predictable! And you could even predict I’d say that 😉
And good luck. I wish I could do a pull up.
I have that Hermes elephant bracelet. Mine is about 12 years old and is Hermes orange. Bought in Hermes shop in the peninsula in hong kong
I love it.
SOTD is CdG Black
8 sprays
Nothing understated going on here.
I don’t suppose you are up for a swap of bracelet for perfume 😉
Love those bracelets.
Nice try!!
I also have the Hermes click clack bracelet with black and red elephants, which I will no doubt be buried with since they don’t make them anymore.
Nope, not understated at all- and you smell fantastic! Also, I envy your bracelet!
How cool! You smell fantastic, I love Black.
Jour d’Hermes Absolu from a sample. It’s so understated on me that it is gone in an hour!
Which is pretty darned understated.
I’m in L’Heure Fougueuse, hoping it will make me feel a bit more elegant than I look. I think someone mentioned it yesterday, and it just seemed perfect for today’s theme. I was planning on Iris Cendre, but I prefer it in cooler weather than we are to have today.
We have to go out and do some shopping and I spent half the night chasing tom cats away. Somebody has either moved in with or dumped three huge unfixed brutes that are determined to claim the yard and keep stopping by to rough-up the outside girls (who are fixed, so not a draw). I hope they don’t come around while we are gone, because all of our cats are small and not a match for them.
Hooray L’Heure Fougueuse!
Have you considered getting some motion-activated water sprinklers to keep out your unwanted visitors? Or would your kitty girls also get soaked?
The girls would get soaked, but the bigger problem is that we have to keep the outside water shut off at the pump unless we’re using it. There’s a fairly major leak in the back yard that, due to my late father being the only one who knew where water lines travel since the plans were lost in a fire, can’t be fixed without digging up the sidewalk and French drain. There’s no shelter in the county to speak of and everyone has all the barn cats they need so they’ll probably end up shot or eaten by something, which breaks my heart.
Wow, that’s rough. Hope you can find a solution that keeps your kitties safe.
Almost twins then ????
Cuir d’Ange is fabulous!
I burned myself on my flat iron this morning and couldn’t focus on choosing the right scent. I *wanted* a scent that was an understatement in the sense that it was more extreme than it suggested. However, I ended up in Narciso, which I think fits anyway because it’s relatively understated.
you smell very pretty. and I think it qualifies!
It was on my list, too.
Ooh, take care of that burn! You smell fab!
Ouch, hope it is not too bad!
Gorgeous bracelet. I’d love to find one at an antique store.
I chose 10 Corso Como as my SOTD. I only had a dabber sample and accidentally spilled about three-quarters of it on me. After the initial mushroom cloud, is has lightened up considerably. I love sandalwood scents and can’t help but wonder what the vintage was like? The current version is quite pretty.
Has it been reformulated? I drained a sample of it in the late 90s when if first came out…..what I remember was heavy incense, vetiver and agarwood? Don’t remember it being dominantly sandalwood..curious about the current version as I also enjoy sandalwood scents……..
Now that you mention it, I never researched the notes. A good friend of mine loves this scent and told me it was sandalwood so I took her word for it. I only had a small dabber sample and tried it quickly once and tossed it aside.
According to Fragrantica, it does have sandalwood in the top notes.
good to know! I should revisit it 🙂
The vintage was pure magic, it must have had real mysore sandalwood in it. The sparkle is gone but the reformulation still smells good.
I am probably almost anosmic to iris, so any iris-centered fragrance only registers as an echo of a smell. I thought that’s only me, but it is interesting that quite a few people chose to wear iris. As for me, I am wearing the least understated for me (but still understated) and most yummy iris perfume Orris Ochre by Soivohle.
Great name — I should try that one.
It’s discontinued. I could make you a sample; I never made one, but there is always first time.
Ormonde Jayne Ta’if. Is it considered to be understated or not? I can’t decide. It certainly doesn’t announce itself in a 10-metre radius. But at the same time it’s hardly a shrinking violet of a scent.
I would say that Ta’if is very elegant, but not understated. Unless you are just wearing a dab in your cleavage or behind the neck. Ta’if can say a lot without saying a word.
I’ve a liberal hand when spraying perfume, so I guess Ta’if on me is fairly shouting form the rooftops. But it’s probably reading a sonnet or something refined like that.
I’m seeing Maria Callais with a raging sunset ……
Jacomo’s Silences.
Mmmmm.
I saw your comment earlier about considerin 28 La Pausa. Coincidentally, I almost chose Silences for both its name and understatedness!
I love bracelets and have a few of the Hermes bangles, although not the one shown.
SOTD = Chanel 28 La Pausa
Understated yet elegant. To last all day, spray x 8 and despite the number of sprays, you can’t gas yourself or others around you.
Question – Has anyone tried Aromaflage as a bug repellent? Effective?
1) You smell great!
2) LOL
Thank you 🙂
That was in the running for me!
We’re twins in thought as Silences was in the running!
I have the same question. I’ve been wondering if it actually smells nice and if it works. Either would trigger a purchase for me, but especially the efficacy against mosquitoes. Since I watched two mosquitoes attack me through a freshly applied layer of DEET yesterday, I have my doubts that anything will work.
Yikes! I am concerned about the Zika virus for all the damage it could cause to adults, not just to developing fetuses (feti?)!
28 La Pausa was on my short list for today.
I read your ELDO Cologne experience – I will cross that off the To Try list the next time I’m at Twisted Lily.
Maybe cautiously spray it on paper? Perhaps my sample has gone off.
Wore it earlier this week. And I’ve learned from you to spray liberally (I am a liberal sprayer anyway, but just didn’t go far enough with this one). Thanks!
There are only a few perfumes I can overspray and not have a toxic cloud around me. Besides La Pausa, Safran Troublant gets the 8 spray treatment ( to last 4 hours).
I’m in Infusion d’Iris today, but I over-applied as usual, so I can’t say that I exactly met the challenge.
Close enough 🙂
I’m in Marc Jacobs Daisy today. I used to actively dislike it a few years ago when it seemed to be all the rage, but recently received a couple of samples with other purchases. Surprisingly, I’ve grown to enjoy its dewy lightness since.
I like Daisy, and am not ashamed of it. 🙂
I recently got a sample of Clean’s Blossom (maybe from Birchbox?) and I enjoyed it. I am ashamed.
No shame! I loved Clean’s Provence…..
That is interesting as I used to dislike it too and then started wearing it a few years ago and like it a lot now. Funny how our tastes change.
Or maybe it got reformulated for the better????
I don’t think so. However, it could be possible.
Daisy Dream Forever keeps calling my name.
Clair de Musc by Serge Lutens. So understated I can barely smell it on this smoky, rainy day in Alberta.
That is a great understated choice. I have a sample, and have used it when I want to smell good, but not overwhelm others (hospital visits). It’s a bit of a stealth perfume, as though you just happen to smell nice ;D
Grey and a bit chilly- we will get some rain i think later on and Saturday!
SOTD: Anthropologie’s EAUDE Verte (discontinued)!. Minty/mossy/flowery, super light and fleeting. It disappears- but then you will catch here and there. Perfect for the office.
OOTD: Black cotton tunic, skinny jeans and kitten heels. Pinned up hair. A large hot chai tea made with soy milk at my side!
I’m completely, totally understated today: I forgot perfume altogether! LOL 🙂
Hysterical!
LOL! Now that is understated!
You win!
😉
#ZeroStatement 🙂
Yep, that is understated. ????
I guess you win.
I’m in Dune today. It’s quietly evocative and a bit wistful. I’m always reminded how much I love this one when I wear it.
Oh you smell fabulous. Wistful is spot on. Luca Turin’s description of Dune, “the bleakest beauty in all of perfumery,” is so apt as well. Sillage manages to be understated yet so present in its uniqueness that it still garners attention, of the best kind, when worn. Grabbed a 1994 bottle of the bay recently, dark ambery-orange liquid, but find myself liking the current version at least as much if not more. CD has certainly done far worse with reformulations. Hopefully, this will be one landmark fragrance CD will never discontinue. Never ever. Again, you smell divine and happy Friday!
Wow! Thanks! Nice to see fans. I think it’s my most complimented perfume. Good to hear your take on older bottles, since I’ve been curious to try a “vintage” version. But I’m more than satisfied with this version so I won’t hunt too hard. And happy Friday to you, too!
Another one who appreciates Dune here! But it does require me to be in a certain mood to wear it.
Every time Dune is mentioned, I wish I still had a bottle. I am a huge oversprayer and have to remember less is more with this beauty.
Love that one. I have an older bottle of edt, the drydown is so fantastic.
Not sure if it’s understated, but I’m wearing Equistrius. It’s one that I reach for when I’m not sure what to wear and it rarely feels wrong.
I think of Equistrius as understated and almost wore it today. You smell great!
Second that!
You smell delicious! It’s definitely present(and very long lasting) without being a power house.
Beautiful choice. ????
Wearing CK Be. I’m pretty much the queen of understated whatever I wear. If it’s strong, I literally wear a toothpick sized drop. It’s just what I prefer. I’m excited to get some possible new ideas from this poll for understated fragrances.
I LOVE bracelets. My favorite form of jewelry. However, none of the bracelets this week (though beautiful) have been to my taste. I prefer very simple and delicate. Understated in my jewelry choices also, I guess!
Happy Friday, all!
I am exactly like you. I prefer understated perfumes, even though I sometimes like bigger perfumes, I wear them very little, like for example FM Une Rose.
I wear very tiny sprays or just a dab of heavier fragrances too. I think that is why I will have bottles for many years and also why I can get away with wearing “big” fragrances like Chanel Coco to work, etc, and no one gets upset about it.
I like my fragrance bubble to be as small as possible and don’t want to arrive after my scent or leave traces after I depart from a room.
Parfums Delrae Wit. I’m not sure it is that understated, but it was staring at me as I rushed to go to the airport. I think it is so lovely that judiciously sprayed it will be uplifting to me as I wait several hours, just to be cautious about the time required in security lines.
Completely opposite is Bruno Fazzolari and Antonio Gardini Cadavre Exquis. I got the sample the other day and they didn’t make a lot, which is why I’m mentioning it. I like to try Fazzolari’s fragrances, although to me this is closer to Bogue Maai. The Non- Blonde calls it an “adult gourmand”- emphasis on the adult!
I think it is worth testing – it took me a while to sort through the civet to appreciate the floral and fruity notes and maybe a hint of chocolate.
I love Wit. You smell great!
So is Cadavre Exquis FB worthy?
I didn’t think you liked animalic notes and it is pricey. To me it’s an ” intellectual”
fragrance- deserves study, but price per wear , if you dare, is high. Could be something to split with a few daring collectors 🙂
I don’t like animalic but with the right combination of other notes, I may be able to tolerate it. This one is definitely small sample before buying 🙂
This is a great one!
Sublime Vanille by Creed is my understated scent today. I love this one, the vanille is just gorgeous and the citrus is really intense.. very simple scent but with high quality ingredients.
Happy Friday, friends!
I have never tried this one and will do so when I get a chance.
Have fun with your family!
Thanks!
Poor things they’re stuck in traffic. I’m hanging at the hotel waiting for them. 🙁
I had a productive day, however. Did a little shopping and found a shop that sells the Kerosene brand and finally got to try Black Vines, Unforsaken and a few others. BV is an awesome scent, but tough to pull off.
Pretty Machine is my favorite of the Kerosene line. Unforseen did nothing for me. I also wear R’oud Elements from tone to time.
Wearing Demeter Condensed Milk today– faint milky sweetness, the subtlest scent in my hoard.
Is it true to life? If it is, how to you resist the urge to nibble yourself?
It’s pretty close… and yes, Im feeling pretty yummy. ????
You smell great!
Thank you!????
I should have been on my way to Indigo now except that I thought I had a morning flight when it was an evening one. At least it wasn’t the other way around. So Petit Cherie seems to be the most understated sample in my emergency purse backup stash so I’m in that. Had breakfast in a fancy hotel restaurant so I can at least feel like I’m on vacation.
Oh no! When will you get to Indigo? Have fun in your college reunion!
I’m on stand-by for an afternoon flight but it will still get me in too late. Might try tomorrow unless I’m hanging out with friends….
Oh no, I sympathise with your flight mixup. I arrived once at the airport 12 hours too early. We wanted to get home, and I paid a small fortune for my mother and me to get on the next flight.
Sotd: Bottega Veneta. Classic understated elegance.
This one is gorgeous and perfect for today’s theme. You smell fantastic. Happy Friday!
That was my other choice for today. It is elegant. You’re smelling great!
Good choice! So elegant and soft but not too soft.
Gorgeous & perfect. I think that is true about BV – it’s an elegant fragrance for someone who wants to be subdued yet very sensual.
Wearing Abdul Kareem’s Egyptian Musk Oil. Slightly more understated than I prefer but lovely nonetheless.
Hmm. Hmm. How can I say this? Understated SOTD, supposed highlight of the understated week, is Chanel “Bois des Isles”. I’ve emptied 2ml of it in the course of the day. It’s not working for me. It’s not doing anything! Now how do I say this to the fanatics on NST? They will tear me limb from limb.
It’s the modern EDT. The fan club can mutter about Extrait and mumble about vintage. I’ll just nod politely. There are plenty more perfumes out there. :^)
I’m impressed that 2mL isn’t making an impression! Anything with sandalwood is HUGELY amplified on me, so like a half a dab could kill anyone near me. 🙂
The EDT of BdI is beautiful but fleeting. I usually wear the extrait layered with the EDT making sure to spray it in hair or on my clothes too. It lasts fine that way.
We wouldn’t literally tear you limb from limb. Maybe revoke your perfumista card for a day. We’re a pretty forgiving bunch. Happy Friday! 🙂
I first tested an older but not *really* vintage EdT of Bois des Iles and thought it was wonderful. Then got a split of the Les Exclusifs version, and was terribly terribly disappointed in how fast it disappeared on me. You’re not alone.
Earlier today I spoke with a Saks SA regarding the new Chanel Boy due out in June. When I asked why it was so much more expensive than the others in the Exclusif line, she told me it was an EDP instead of an EDT as were all the others. However, come the Fall, all the Exclusifs will become EDPs. Thus, as pricey as the EDT’s were, the line will be even more expensive. So if any of your are craving one of the EDT Exclusifs, order it now because they will all be gone in the Fall.
I guess I’m also in the minority with the EDT. It lasts all day on me. And it’s not faint.
Ditto this.
On me too, it lasts all day, better then the extrait.
If you are looking for a much richer more tenacious (albeit missing that “Chanel-aide”) then you should try the Diptyque Tam Dao, which is a dead ringer for the deep sandalwood that is in the BdI extrait. I like BdI edt, but I only wear it when I want something “low key”.
Tam Dao is the boss!
That is interesting. When I first wore it I felt the same way. Then after that first time every time I wore it I felt like I could smell it all day. Maybe try it again sometime.
Have you tried SSS Champagne de Bois? Wonderful sandalwood and it lasts all day.
The EDT disappears on me too, although when I smell it it’s nice. Tam Dao is too much. Champagne de Bois works the best for me among the sandalwood perfumes I’ve tried. I feel like goldilocks on this note!
Extrait! Just a dab will do ya.
I don’t own much that I consider understated, but in very small quantities, all the warm base notes of oriental scents can seem as if they’re part of you, as if they’re emerging from your skin rather than having been applied to it, so I’m wearing the smallest possible spritz of Tabu. After the fiery carnation burns away it’s very subtle and beautiful. (I almost wore Spellbound, which has that same my-skin-smells-like-this quality, but Tabu kind of lunged out of the cabinet and into my hand.)
Tabu as understated! Love it! (This from the woman who keeps thinking about changing her moniker to Skankincense) Your choice shows that almost anything applied very lightly can be understated. Now I’m curious as to what would be your air horn fragrance. That would be a fun day here at NST 😀
Osmanthus Yunnan. I sprayed it 7,5 hours ago, and it is still there being a beautiful scent. I suppose Ellena=understated (most of the time).
I almost wore that today too. OY is the epitome of understated. You smell lovely.
Loved this challenge! I wan’t sure I had understated scents, but then remembered half a mini splash bottle of Lutens L’Eau. It is barely there. When it is there, it is the same old lemon/lime fresca, department-store-men’s-fresh-aquatic-sporty scent that I never really know what to do with. But it’s so subtle as to be barely noticeable. Understatement AND a reason to wear this thing, what a great day!
Great pick – Lutens isn’t usually one for understatement.
Wearing Malmaison, beatific but not very subtle carnation. Whatever- it’s FRIDAY! 😀
Definitely not subtle but fabulous
Yes, carnation perfection! Wish I could find a gardenia perfume that was Gardenia perfection…
Ah, but wear it while it still exists in the world, right?
Yes, every time I wear it, I feel that pang of pending nostalgia!
I don’t feel like being subtle today – I wanted Silences pdt, which is such a big green blast that I can’t call it understated. (Shrug.)
Having bought the new mattress yesterday, I am suddenly having second thoughts. (It won’t arrive until Tuesday anyway, so I have time to change my mind and cancel the sale… Sigh. I’m just not at all sure I’m going to get along okay without my 1991 Beautyrest.)
And I like bracelets, but pretty much the only one I wear is my silver charm bracelet, because it’s meaningful to me. I am bummed, though, that I lost my tiny nutcracker charm.
That is sad, as you have that nutcracker collection
We had to buy a new mattress last fall, and I was freaking out about it b/c it’s just so much money to get a good one. But every night I am so glad I did. I didn’t realize how droopy my other mattress had become. Don’t change your mind!!!
Must agree with Ann that you should move forward with the new mattress! And if you want to extend its life (and the life of the old Beautyrest, for that matter), get an inexpensive memory foam topper. The 1st one I got was from Costco, I think about $100. Recently replaced it with one that was marked down at Sam’s Club to something ridiculously low like $38. They’re great for my back/hip issues, and the 1st one lasted 10 yrs.
Well, yes, I agree that we need a new mattress (even though neither one of us have back problems)… I’m just not sure we bought the right one. I’ve been reading all kinds of horror stories about people who slept on their mattress for a month and then decided it was terrible. I hope this one lasts.
Then we’re twins! (Although I’m claiming it’s understated. 😉 )
Well, I think the edt (this did come in edt, right? or was it edp?) was lighter and perhaps more understated. The pdt is a frkin powerhouse.
I’m wearing the edp, which is much softer than the pdt. I don’t think they did an edt, must go look! I know there’s parfum, too (cuz of course I have it 😉 )
Are you having problems with the old Beautyrest? If it’s still good, then why replace it ?
I made a mistake on my replacement mattress – didn’t have both of us lie down on it at the same time. Turns out that since he weighs twice as much as I do, it sags on his side and I roll towards the middle. Need to do better next time but it is so expensive I feel obligated to use this one for a few more years.
Wearing a combination of elixir and l’amber des merveilles. I’m only wearing a smidgen here and there so it qualifies as understated, right?
gah. l’ambre. more coffee.
Sure they qualify and you smell lovely.
Yes, even a small amount of a large scent can be understated. 🙂
I am wearing vintage No.5 voile parfumé. I love this version of No.5, it is like a skin scent on me.
I almost wore No 5 sensual elixir today b/c it is understated and always just perfect, IMHO. No 5 is always a good choice!
Yes, I think I love every form of No.5
Yves Rocher Voile d’Ambre. Not really muted, but compared to Profumum Ambra, Ambre Sultan or vintage Sublime, hey it’s kind of understated.
(Cheated so much this week. Shame on me. On overstated week I’ll do better, I promise.)
Have a great weekend, evefyone!
I need to try that Yves Rocher. Are we having overstated week then?
We kind of did, didn’t we? Which has to be good for the balance of the Force.
I think you’ll have a sweet surprise with Yves Rocher. They are the least aspirational brand out there, and when they are on sale, everything is super affordable. I think their moisturizers are really good and there are quite a few nice frags, made with good ingredients, some even composed by Monsieur Kurkudjan himself!
My choice today is not understated, but it’s certainly elegant! It is such a perfect sunny spring day and we haven’t had many of those so I chose vintage Chamade pdt.
Chamade is such a beauty. I need to explore other versions. I’ve only tried the parfum and EDT. The current parfum is stunning to me.
I have also some Chamade edt (the tall “refill” bottle) and extrait that are both from about the year 2000. They smell glorious too. Chamade is one of my HGs and just so symphonic!
Beautiful!
😉
You smell lovely AnneS.
Thank you!
The vintage PdT is gorgeous! You’re lucky to have some.
Chamade is wonderful and I also think of Chant d’Aromes in springtime. Both gorgeous. I hardly hear about Chant d’Aromes from anyone…
Oh, Chant des Aromas is wonderful!
Chamade is gorgeous is the current formulation. Haven’t smelled any vintage, so it must be something exquisite.
Gah! “In the current formulation”.
SOTD is T42. I unintentionally played along with the community project, according to most folks perception of this fragrance. For me, I get some pretty loud smoke action with a bit of incense. I don’t get any variety of tea from it at all. It lasts several hours on me, but I guess I’m the odd man out in that respect.
Thank god it’s Friday! I’m thrilled to see the back end of this week in my rear view mirror!
Gosh, I never thought of it as understated either! And likewise, does not remind me of tea.
I was going to do Hermes today, but I wore Kenzo Flower last night and decided it fit the theme for today too, so I’m wearing it again.
Happy Friday Everyone!
SOTD is Un Matin d’ Orage by Annick Goutal. Such a nice, clean -smelling spring scent. I never really hear much about this one. I received a bottle of this from a very generous NST community reader. I really like this one. Have a great weekend everyone!
With the warming weather, I am just about ready to pull out my bottle of Un Matin… as well. Looking forward to it.
You smell lovely. Un Matin d’Orage is one of my favourites for spring.
As was not at all my plan, nor in any way understated, I am now wearing Tuscan Leather, as a result of having collected a sample for a friend. I spilled really very little and yet now it’s all I can smell. Unfortunately I hate it. I very often like fruit in my perfume but.
Ugh, that’s no fun (and sometimes, downright sickening, depending on the scent). 🙁 I hope it wears off quickly
So appreciate the sympathy, and hoping TL will soon bend to your good wish that it should wear off quickly!!
Someone mentioned TecNu to get rid of perfume oils on skin and I’ve been looking for ot. My Walgreens only has the scrub so I may need to order online.
Oh that is good to know–will be curious to hear if you find it effective!
Had a hard time deciding this morning, but went with iris.
So infusion d’Iris and because I wanted to compare them, Iris Cendre on one wrist and Iris Nazarena on the other :). They have some similarities to my nose, but I think I prefer the Cendre.
All lovely although your Iris Cendre wrist is my favorite!
I like both very much. You smell great.
I do too, Iris Nazarena skews a bit masculine on me.
Avon Persian Wood EDC. Very similar to my nose to vintage No 19 EDT. Leathery iris with possibly vetiver and with wood notes at the end.
PW doesn’t open with a massive green galbanum note, though, but it’s nicely skanky. Unfortunately it’s a skin scent on me and not particularly long-lasting. 2-3 hrs max.
My theme of the week seems to ‘something lost, something found’. I really need a better method of organization.
Wanted to wear Chanel 18 but my sample is MIA (or did I finish it?) so went with Ieis Ukiyoe instead.
Much like No 18, it took some time for me to come around but now appreciate its subtle charm.
*Iris Ukiyoe
Terre d’Hermes for me. I’m at a conference today, so understatement is just right!
My understatement SOTD is Dilys from Laura Ashley. I can’t believe I still have it! I thought I’d finished it or accidentally thrown it away, but I found it yesterday behind some other other perfumes. My bottle is at least 20 years old, but the juice still smells the same as far as I can tell. Floral-sweet and not overpowering.
Happy Friday, everyone!
No.19 Poudré…so glad it is Friday!!!
You smell beautiful. And I feel totally ripped off…I ordered samples not too far back from Ormonde Jayne but I got the pack of 4 and it was 40 bucks. I would have paid what you did for 12 in a heartbeat, but as far as I know that option wasn’t available!
I am surprised that I’m the only one so far in En Passant. I put on eight sprays and it’s just barely noticeable. Also, my computer is acting wonky today, lots of lag between keystrokes and many spinning circles when nothing should be loading. I hate that.
Lilac twinseys! You smell like a rich lady who hires gardeners!
It’s smelling like a rich lady that keeps me from hiring gardeners! Priorities, right?
PSA for folks interested in Songes body oil–ShopLondons has the glittering body oil on sale for 40% off.
🙂
Prada L’Eau Ambrée today. It is so stealthy and understated, I start to think it wore off…then it’s back again.
I have some L’eau ambree – I don’t wear it very often, but when I do I am always struck by how different it is from any other kind of amber or powder or anything. It is really a very unique fragrance. I love how dry and warm it is.
I forget to wear it too, and it really is a great scent.
In Gris Montaigne. Happy Friday!
Lovely and chic.
Thank you for offering to mail the peach chicken recipe. I looked up the cookery book and I am going to buy it. It seems like the perfect combination of no too complicated and very tasty recipes. Always happy to find cookery books that I will actually use!
Hope you enjoy it! Nothing revolutionary, but it gets me out of menu ruts.
Perfect choice!
Just landed back from Spain and decided a small spray from a sample of Kiehls Vannila and Cedarwood is understated, and in the airport added some Grey Vetiver- which smells rather quiet on me I think. When I get home might spray some Mimosa and Cardamon which I hink of as delicate certainly. Really enjoying reading everyone’s choices for today.
I have a much loved understated fragrance: Guerlain Ylang & Vanille. It’s kind of what I imagine the Guerlaide to be. The underlying goodness of a Guerlain without any of the intrigue. Though I normally love the challenging/intriguing beauty of my classic vintage Guerlains, sometimes I just need something simple and pretty that makes me feel good. I believe ylang ylang is an antidepressant, so maybe that’s why this one is very comforting and uplifting to me.
I actually love to wear bracelets and wear one almost every day, even in frumpy old Berkeley. And I’d definitely wear the bracelet of today if someone gave it me, even though I’m not the Hermes type.
Had an awful, awful day yesterday. I went back on my dog walking hill with Park staff and together we located and removed twenty five gin traps. Six had live possums caught by a leg. As we approached these traps the possums panicked and struggled to escape, twisting and tugging at the traps, making a heart rending screech. We killed all of them. I thought I was okay , thinking at least we got the traps etc, but when I got home I just burst into tears. I was completely shattered and kept replaying the scene. So, that was my day. Better than the possums, i guess.
When i went to bed last night I sprayed Lale and remarkably the scent soothed my nerves.
Oh so sorry. You are a compassionate person.
Oh, Kanuka! That’s pretty horrific but very brave of you. Not sure I could have done that.
There is nothing worse than the sound of a living creature screaming in pain and fear. It makes me nauseous. So sorry you had to experience that horror.
My God, that truly is an awful day. I am so sorry and dearly hope the Lale or whatever else you feel moved to spray can gently wash away those images.
Oh, that is heartbreaking. Who wouldn’t be brought to tears by such an experience? Thank goodness you all found and removed those traps, though, before any more animals were hurt. Good on you! Sending you hugs!
I am so sorry to hear this. 🙁 You’re a good person and so brave for doing that.
That is so horrible, Kanuka, and I join the chorus of those who say you are so brave and kind to have done this. And of course it was traumatizing. I am so sorry.
That’s a very brave thing to do. I was horrified when I read your comment yesterday about gin traps. Possums are a pest, but no animal should suffer like that. Gin traps were still in use when I was a child and I remember hearing awful stories about pets being caught in them.
So sorry you found something that horrible, but you totally did the right thing in making sure those traps were removed.
My heart breaks for this experience. You are a wonderful and strong person.
How dreadful. That would definitely be traumatizing. Bless you for making the effort to go back and get those traps. Gentle journey vibes for the poor possums who went to the rainbow bridge. I hope whoever laid those traps gets bitten in the ass with some seriously bad karma.
Thank you so much everyone. I really appreciate your kindness.
En Passant from you know who (prostration, we are not worthy and so on.)
I’m secretly pleased to smell like someone in a higher tax bracket who sprays the good stuff with reckless abandon.
Have a great weekend everyone!
😀
SOTD = ELdO’s Cologne. Understated in the sample vial, but not on me. I get a distinct note of “Auto Repair Shop”, complete with a hint of metal and something solvent-ish in addition to lots of citrus-scented laundry detergent. Guess it doesn’t like me much.
Tea of the day = Strawberry Oolong from Capital Teas in Annapolis, MD. Not affiliated, just a happy customer of theirs.
Rejoicing in a day of glorious sunshine and warm temps before we get at least 2″ of rain tomorrow…. started the day in Wood Sage and Sea Salt, and now that it’s gone I have chosen California Reverie as a suitable replacement. Happy Friday everyone!
Perfume math: Does understated x 2= statement?
(It definitely equals suitable!!)
🙂
Both lovely and great for a sunny day!
Agreed!
I wore the very understated L’eau de l’air for most of the day, but am now trying Nuit Magnetique. I like it. It’s very smooth and hard to sort out, but good.
Bergamot, benzoin, and something nicely sweet. I don’t get the basil and ginger, at least not yet.
No perfume for me yet, I’m having a nice gentle start to Saturday morning. Probably some generous sprays of Tea for Two, as my bottle arrived on Thursday.
Following someone’s suggestion here, mythique, which is definitely understated after the first 30 minutes… Might put on another non bold fragrance later, I was thinking nu might be a good mix with the end of this one…
Well, I really wanted to participate today, but woke up fifteen minutes before I had to leave for work! I don’t know how my children let me sleep, because they are the LOUDEST children ever! I ended up grabbing Hanae, by Hanae Mori. Pleasant enough. Happy Birthday to Cher! When I was a child people would often comment that my mother looked like Cher, and she did! ( seventies style ) I just love Cher, music and style.
SOTD is Divine by Divine. It feels like understated elegance- as does the Divine perfume house as a whole. I think I need a FB of this.
I think you are spot on about the house, although Divine by Divine might be the least understated in their line up. I’m always glad that the house has fans, as I think they do a great job.
Have you tried the extrait?
Violetta di Parma.
Angel!
j/k. SOTD = Parfum de Nicolai’s Eau d’ete.
You got me! Have you tried Angel Muse?
Not Aparatchik, but I have tried Angel Muse and quite liked it. Unfortunately my husband did not. He is not an Angel fan and could smell it lurking.
Haven’t tried Angel Muse. True confession: I’ve only ever smelled Angel on other people; never tried it myself.
Hermès Le Jardin de Monsieur Li! I didn’t care much for it when I first smelled it but it has quickly become a favorite. So meditative/serene. To me it really is evocative of a small spring garden with a pond and wet stones.
Jo Malone Orange Blossom, about the most understated perfume I own. I bought it at the flagship Nordstrom in Seattle, so every time I wear it I think about our trip there, which is full of good memories.