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Browsing by tag: spicy

Comptoir Sud Pacifique L’Eau du Gouverneur ~ fragrance review

Posted by Robin on 30 January 2009 33 Comments

Comptoir Sud Pacifique launched L’Eau du Gouverneur in 1993 under the name L’Homme — a clue, perhaps, that it isn’t one of the sweet fruity vanillas that now comprise much of the Comptoir Sud Pacifique line. If, like me, you’re a woman who prefers dry to sweet (see: the best [fragrances] for borrowing), you might find much to love among Comptoir Sud Pacifique men’s offerings*, which are quite different in character than the women’s and which can be found at very reasonable prices.

The notes for L’Eau du Gouverneur include verbena, bergamot, lemon, clary sage, allspice, nutmeg, black pepper, clove, cedar, vetiver and musk. If that sounds like a dense, heavy spice-fest, think again: like many of the Comptoir Sud Pacifique fragrances, L’Eau du Gouverneur is more transparent than not…

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L’Artisan Parfumeur Aedes de Venustas Eau de Parfum ~ fragrance review

Posted by Robin on 9 September 2008 45 Comments

Aedes Eau de Parfum by L'Artisan

I said yesterday that the gods are not pleased with me this year, but they must not be entirely angry — Fleur de Liane is not my only chance for joy from perfumer Bertrand Duchaufour at L’Artisan this year. Next month also sees the launch of L’Artisan’s new signature fragrance for the West Village perfume boutique Aedes de Venustas*, and this one is right up my alley.

Kevin reviewed the L’Artisan Aedes de Venustas Parfum d’Ambiance room spray back in 2006, and noted that he used the spray on his skin as much as in the air…

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Spice wars: Frapin Caravelle Epicee & Biehl eo01

Posted by Robin on 20 February 2008 19 Comments

We’ve had a mild winter here for the most part, but the last week or so has been bitter-nasty cold. I’m keeping myself warm by road-testing two recently launched niche spice fragrances:

Frapin Caravelle Epicee perfume

First up, Caravelle Epicée by the French Cognac house Frapin. Caravelle Epicée starts with a veritable explosion of spice notes, and while I find it glorious, I can see someone less enthusiastic about spice being a bit overwhelmed…

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Givenchy Organza Indecence ~ perfume review

Posted by Robin on 20 September 2007 54 Comments

Givenchy Organza Indecence fragrance

If you have too much activity with simultaneous launches, the customer is overwhelmed and very few products will actually break through to become successful.

That’s Robert Brady of Givenchy, speaking in 1996 about his company’s decision to delay the US launch of Givenchy Organza so as “to avoid a packed playing field” (via Women’s Wear Daily, 10/25/1996). Strictly speaking, it has nothing to do with today’s fragrance, Organza Indecence, which launched in 1999 as Organza’s “vampy little sister” (Ibid, 5/28/99), I just couldn’t help cracking up when I read it. There were around 200 fragrance launches in 1996; this year, we’re expecting some 800. Enough said…

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Serge Lutens Rousse ~ fragrance review

Posted by Robin on 15 March 2007 31 Comments

Serge Lutens Rousse

Rousse is the latest addition to the export line from Serge Lutens. It was created by perfumer Chris Sheldrake, and the notes are mandarin, cinnamon, cloves, spices, floral & aromatic notes, fruit, cinnamon wood, precious woods, amber, musk and vanilla.

Early reports that Rousse was based on cinnamon and inspired by Serge Lutens’ memories of his grandmother “baking and making jam” (via osmoz) suggested that it might turn out to be a spicy gourmand, but it is no such thing, in fact, it is less foody than Cèdre (spiced apple cider) or the many from the line that start with heavy doses of stewed spiced fruits (Chypre Rouge, Santal Blanc).

To be sure, cinnamon is the star of the show here…

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