Givenchy Rouge Interdit 39 Absolutely Irresistible Red Satin Lipstick Limited Edition

Because there can never be enough perfect red lipsticks.

Givenchy makeup deserves to have brand ambassadors that are better than the average bored Sephora SA. The luxurious formulas and rich colors are lost in the general chaos and tackiness of the stores. Rouge Interdit lipsticks are especially fabulous- an almost glossy-creamy texture with a beautiful satin finish and impressive tenacity (very little if any transfers to your glass and some of the pigment is still visible after dinner). The lipstick glides on effortlessly and applies like a dream with or without a brush (do use a brush if you're getting a dark shade). It glosses over any imperfection and feels comfortable and a little moisturizing.

Absolutely Irresistible Red (#39) is as classic as they come, all Hollywood in its golden age. It has a pink(ish) base that doesn't come across in the tube but can be noticed in the swatches- both on paper and on my arm. I find it incredibly flattering and sexy. And quite irresistible.

Bottom Line: bold and beautiful.

Givenchy Rouge Interdit 39 Absolutely Irresistible Red ($28) is a limited edition and exclusive to Sephora, in store and online.

All photos are mine (and let's keep it that way).

Givenchy Phenomen'Eyes Effet Extension Blue

Here's some more blue mascara love. I'm on my third regular black Givenchy Phenomen'Eyes mascara, so a new addition to this range and a blue one at that was very welcome. Phenomen'Eyes Effet Extension has the same spheric brush of the original Phenomen'Eyes, but the formula is noticeably different. It's a bit thinner and is decidedly more lengthening than volumizing. The result is less dramatic, especially in this muted blue shade, but quite sophisticated.

I find that I might actually prefer the original Phenomen'Eyes formula because I like the extra volume, but since it doesn't come in blue and this shade is lovely and elegant, I can deal. I have a feeling that Effet Extension Formula might not perform as well for those with sparse or fine lashes, because it would not have enough hold, thus resulting in smudging. It's just a hunch, though, and I can't prove it. My sister has similar lashes to mine and I suspect the husband wouldn't be thrilled if I used him as a test subject this time.

On my lashes there are no longevity or performance issues. The mascara holds from morning to night, responds well to curling and looks fabulous. I'd be happier if they offered this blue color in the original Phenomen'Eyes formula that gives a lot more visibility and volume, but on the other hand it makes Effet Extension daytime appropriate, so that's something.

Givenchy Phenomen'Eyes Effet Extension Blue ($29) is a Sephora exclusive.

Photos are mine.

Givenchy Insensé

When Insensé was launched by Givenchy in 1993 the typical perfume shopper (be it the man or the woman who buys his grooming products) was not ready for it. Of course, that was before the niche perfume scene exploded- Serge Lutens has only opened his Salon a year earlier and Frederic Malle was still seven years away from launching his Editions de Parfums. A decade later, a men's fragrance in the style of Insensé might have been easy to accept from a smaller house, but in 1993 when designer scents started to be all about air and water, a big aldehydic fougere with a side of oakmoss had absolutely no chance.

Insensé is too complex for its own good. The aldehydes, lavender, bergamot and assorted greens make the top notes sharp and assertive. Insensé and its wearer are here to be noticed, and those sensitive to aldehydes are likely to recoil right away, especially if they associate this fizzy note with traditional and very French feminine fragrances. To keep things masculine there's quite a bit of greenery and balsamic resin. They are probably the reason Insensé was never fully embraced and adopted by women, unlike Givenchy Pi. Insensé, marketed as a masculine, has probably been perceived as neither here nor there and just too weird to have a mass appeal.

The thing is, Insensé might be one of the best scents of the early 90s. It's beautifully done, multifaceted and interesting. It has a quiet, confident elegance that comes from the fougere (lavender and green) accord, the dark gravitas of oakmoss and a very smooth, suave base. I wear it, masculine or not, because I like it and think it smells good on me. I recently decided it was time to share with the husband, who without knowing anything about it said the opening was borderline feminine. He thinks it's nice but is not (yet) a convert. More for me.

Givenchy Insensé was repackaged, most likely (though unconfirmed) reformulated and its current production status is unclear. The EDT in the original blue and yellow packaging can still be found here and there. Don't confuse it with the many flankers that came out under the name Insense Ultramarine.

Image: Givenchy Insensé 1994 ad- couleurparfum.com

Givenchy Midnight Look Le Prisme Eyeshadow Quartet

Josephine, the kitten in the photos, is not the only one enjoying Midnight Look, the new Givenchy Le Prisme Eyeshadow Quartet. I'm completely enamored with the sheer colors and the silky smooth application. Givenchy Le Prisme eye shadows have a way of having enough pigment to give a beautiful veil of colors without ever looking painted or harsh. Blending is quick and easy, so even a novice can get a sophisticated look with minimal effort. 

The swatches on my arm don't do justice to the color or texture. They're prettier and look far smoother (with no debris on skin, though there is some crumbling in the compact) on the lid. The colors in Midnight Look are cool toned and shimmery. They include a soft not-quite white pearl (1), light silver (2), gray (3) and midnight blue (4). They are fabulous for evening but I've worn 3 and 4 during the day (light application, of course, over a non-shimmery nude base) and liked the look.

Bottom Line: I'm already considering adding a Le Prisme Quartet in Khaki Egerie to my collection. You can see it in Karen's review here.

Givenchy Midnight Look Le Prisme Eyeshadow Quartet ($56) is a new addition to the permanent line. Exclusive to Sephora.

Photos, arm and kitten are all mine.

Givenchy Le Prisme Blush Blooming Fuchsias Fall 2010 Limited Edition

The limited edition Givenchy Le Prisme Blush Blooming Fuchsias arrived at Sephora just as I thought I was all covered when it comes to blush colors for the new season. But the pretty shade, nice packaging and overall loveliness won me over, so here it is. Givenchy makeup suffers from the Sephora syndrome. It's a great line with high quality products and gorgeous colors; yet many potential customers pass on it since it's a Sephora exclusive. Those of us who avoid the store because of its broken, missing or cootieful testers, horrible loud music and general atmosphere of a high school on the Jersey Shore can always order online, but in many cases (like with this Le Prisme Blush) the photos aren't accurate. I guess that's what beauty bloggers are for.

Blooming Fuchsias blush comes in the quilted Le Prisme format in a special compact that includes a mini brush in the bottom compartment. The brush is much better than those that usually come with blushes- it's wide enough to cover the skin without streaks, so it's usable if you're stuck without a real blush brush. The texture is sliky soft and has no shimmer. The pattern is this abstract splashes of colors, more peony pink than fuchsia, but I'm not complaining. It combines two shades of pink and two shades of beige/tan, so the final result  is a natural warm pink, quite sheer but buildable to the level you want- one side is darker than the other, so you can customize and balance the amount of pigment you pick.

I swatched with the brush that came in the compact, and only swiped it once before taking the picture, so you can see that the lightest application is still visible on my pale to medium olive skin. I think the color would look flattering on most because it is a very natural shade (seriously, ignore the photo on Sephora's website. It made me question both my eyesight and my sanity), but it's probably too sheer for very dark skin.

Givenchy Limited Edition Le Prisme Blush in Blooming Fuchsias for Fall 2010 ($48.50) is a Sephora exclusive. Thankfully it's available online.

Bottom Line: Lovely.

All photos are mine

Givenchy Gloss Interdit (14 Sensual Chocolate)

I originally intended to buy the limited edition for summer 2010 Pop Gloss Crystal Sun in Island Cocoa (474), but the amount of glitter has put me off, but since I really like Givenchy lip glosses I opted instead for Sensual Chocolate from the regular Gloss Interdit range. The full name of this Givenchy product is Gloss Interdit Ultra-Shiny Color Plumping Effect (try saying it three times), and if you're familiar with the line you already know not to expect any burning or tingling sensation because the plumping effect is not through irritation but through the extra moisturizing from skincare grade ingredients (hyaluronic acid micro-spheres and cameline oil). The comfortable wear and beautiful shiny finish have made the Gloss Interdit line a favorite.

Sensual Chocolate is a brown based rosy plum. It's not too purple and not too brown, especially if worn lightly (the color and coverage are buildable). It's a little shimmery and works well with a (fake) bronzed summer face as well as when I opt for a pale look, and is neutral enough to be paired with aqua and turquoise eye makeup (such as Givenchy Le Prisme Island Lagoon). The staying power is average- it fades after a couple of hours and a drink, which means reapplying and dealing again with the cloying fruity scent.

Bottom Line: Like.

Givenchy Gloss Interdit ($25.50) is a Sephora exclusive. Available online and in store.

All photos are mine.  

Givenchy Le Prisme Eye Shadow- Summer 2010 Island Lagoon

Givenchy Summer 2010 collection offers two limited edition Le Prisme eye shadows- Island Lagoon and Island Sand (a gold/bronze combination), two shades of Le Fleur de Frangipanier bronzer/illuminating powder and two Pop Crystal lip gloss colors. I looked at all of them and was instantly enamored with little piece of tropical vacation dream, Island Lagoon.

The eye shadow compact has several shades of rich blue in a splash pattern that is lovely but a little too gimmicky to be useful. Properly separating the colors would have been less visually appealing but easier to apply  if one wants a particular shade for contouring or highlighting. It's perfectly fine, though, if what you want is to swirl your brush and collect a little of each and you can control how much to get of the dark or light shades.

The eye shadow is very finely milled and looks silky smooth on the eyelid. One of the best things about it is that while the color is buildable and you can get some serious blue intensity if you insist, in normal use (1-2 brush strokes) the color looks sheer, modern and very flattering. My swatches show what you get from one brush swirl over the darkest and the lightest parts of the compact. I used a smaller and denser brush than I use on my lids to collect the colors and show the difference. It's more subtle when you you use a regular eye shadow brush.

Bottom Line: Not as striking as it seems in the compact but surprisingly good and wearable.

Givenchy Le Prisme Eye Shadow Island Lagoon ($29) and the rest of the Summer 2010 collection are available from Sephora. For some reason, givenchybeauty.com is still stuck in the spring collection and doesn't yet have the newest items. So much for launching spiffy new e-commerce.

All photos are mine. Let's keep it that way.

Givenchy Prismissime Eye Shadow Poetique Blues & Browns

I admit I blind-bought the two Givenchy Prismissime eye shadow compacts. I saw the Poetique Blues and Poetique Browns on Sephora's website and had to have them. The jewel-like appearance and the many color options were impossible to resist.

Both palettes are full of subtle shimmery colors. You can wear each one by itself or mix and layer them together. The shadows are sheer but surprisingly pigmented and it's a lot of fun to play with the different hues. It can also make you late, if you're getting too absorbed in adding just a little of this or that, but the compacts are also perfect for just a quick wash of color on the lid or in the crease. If you're pale, the darker blue shadows wold also make a beautiful eyeliner. I just use them close to the lash line for extra depth.

The Prismissime texture is very fine and smooth. Both sets last a lot better over an eye shadow primer- they stay on from morning to night, even in this humid weather. Take note that the individual pans aren't big, so the widest brushes might not be the best to use here, unless you're swirling over several colors. Speaking of brushes, it's really a shame the brushes that come in the compact (there's a lower compartment) are so thin and crappy. The product itself is high quality and elegant, it deserves better.

Prismissime Eye Shadow Poetique Blues and Poetique Browns ($53 each) are a limited edition Sephora exclusive (at least in the US).
All photos are mine.

Givenchy Gloss Interdit

I'm not a big believer in universally flattering makeup colors (and I have the skin tone to prove it), but Givenchy Gloss Interdit in Rose Taboo is as close as they come. It's one of those "not too pink, not too purple, not too brown", which work for just about everyone in a different way.

I wear it as a natural, neutral color, a polished "my lips only better" look. It would look gorgeous against pale skin without going to vampy territory. I guess the key word here is elegance, which is something Givenchy makeup often has in spades (stay tuned for a review of Prismissime Eyes).

The texture is smooth and thick but not very sticky. It wears comortably and gives lips quite a bit of moisture, the plumping effect is there, but isn't very significant (unlike the Bella Donna gloss I reviewed last week). The gloss has a lot of shine but not obscenely so and the staying power is light to moderate. Re-applying would have been a lot more pleasant if Givenchy would get rid of that berry-litchi scent.

Givenchy Gloss Interdit Ultra-Shiny Color Plumping Effect ($24.50) is available from Sephora online and in store, which is where I bought it.

Photos are mine.

Tilda Swinton, this mascara may change your life

Not that the fabulous Ms. S needs much help: She might not have eyelashes, but a) she has a polyamorous relationship that includes a husband and a younger man, and b) she knows George Clooney.

Those of us with less interesting personal lives can, at least, get some amazing lashes with the new Givenchy Phenomen'eyes mascara, even if it requires some adjusting.

The good: It delivers. The hedgehog brush really does what it promises: No lash left behind. It reaches the furthest corner and the wispiest hairs and coats them with a very thick, very black color. It has some thickening agent and lengthening polymer, and somehow it also curls. I got the longest, most doll-like lashes I've ever had and haven't touched my Shu curler since started testing this mascara.

The bad: The mascara is so thick you get a little clumping that you need to untangle with the brush. You also need to re-think and relearn you application technique, and because the brush covers much less surface, it takes quite a bit longer to apply, compared to a regular mascara. It also takes more work to fully remove it, and if not cleaned thoroughly, you'd find yourself with a walk-of-shame worthy residue the next day (I use two Almay pads for each eye and then follow with Bi-Facil).

Staying power: While the mascara mostly stays in place (even for 16 hours), there is some flaking. You won't notice it on your lashes, just under the eyes, so you need to keep some cleanup supplies with you. It doesn't smudge, unless you accidentally rub your eyes, which is a really bad idea.

The mascara is an overachiever, which for me makes it a problem if it gets on the lower lashes (which happens if you work the brush into the corner of your eyes). It's so dark and thick it gives me a too wide-eyed look that borders on the bovine. I had to learn to work with a lighter hand to avoid it. When applied right, the effect is just stunning, to the point I'd suggest to save it for date night. There's a brown version coming out soon, which I hope would be more meet-the-parents friendly.

Givenchy Phenomen'eyes mascara ($27) is available from Sephora. I ordered it online.

In which I go to sephora...

...and save you the trouble.

I'll start with the non-perfume findings, because those are way more positive. And also because it's my turn to add a cent or two of my thoughts to the much talked about Wall Street Journal article. Since it relates nicely to my Sephora visit, I'll get to it shortly.

Bath and Body
There are more and more Korres products. I've been a fan for years, while the line was still a bit obscure and hard to find (now it seems to be everywhere) around here, and the only product was the Guava body butter, which was superb once you figured that it's best to use it right after the shower, while the bathroom is still steamy and your skin absorbs it right away.
The line has grown, adding more scents and more products. I was very eager to try the newish fig scent, but while the products' texture is as great as always, it doesn't smell all that figgy and rich as I hoped. I'm not sure exactly what it smells like. Something herbal but sweet, maybe. I wasn't all too impressed with the Quince, either.

The good news is that there are more products in the Korres Yogurt range, and just like the famous cooling gel, they feel great on the skin. There's a yogurt buddy butter and I couldn't be happier. The very delicate scent might be my favorite of them all.

I was very interested in the Ren line. It sounds promising, the packaging is modern and unisex, and most of all they declare "clean, plant-based ingredients—and free of all unfriendly ones like petrochemicals, synthetic dyes, and parabens" and claim to be eco-friendly and socially conscious. Looking at the ingredient lists of the products, it seems they actually deliver on the promise. I only quickly sampled a few creams and lotions, and while the textures seem nice, the scents are off-putting. Very surprising to get such an unpleasant "pharmacy" whiff from something that is made of plant extracts and oils.

Makeup
The Union Square store now has a Guerlain stand. This is a great improvement considering the increasing floor space that is given to brands that cater to the glitter-loving demographic. You'll find the Terracotta line and all the gorgeous lip and face products.

I mostly skip the holiday collections because they tend to suck almost as bad as the spring ones (too much glitter in the former and a pink orgy in the latter). But there are a couple of notable limited edition items that are available right now that are quite interesting, holiday or not and it is worth checking them out:

Smashbox has a new Sephora exclusive limited edition kit, Platinum Surge, a $110 value for $39. It's not part of the official Beyond Beauty Holiday 2007 collection, but with the super-shiny glosses it might as well be. The two lip products are the weak part of this kit, if you ask me. I was far more impressed by the eyeshadow quad and the SoftLights compact, both are quite classy and elegant.

Dior's Detective Chic Eye Palette is a gorgeous collection of six eyeshadows, most are dark, deep but muted and wearable colors, all are very pigmented and fine-textured. The quality is superior, as always with this brand. The case is stylish and as Dior as it can get.

Perfume
Insert deep sigh.
It wasn't that long ago that Sephora's perfume section had quite a few interesting brands and larger selection within each of them. It also wasn't always cotton candy central.

I went through several new and newish releases, most I've already tried once or twice and dismissed, but wanted to give everything another chance. I used every piece of skin I could expose without getting arrested, with a couple of cleansing breaks in between. Here are the highlights:

L.A.M.B by Gwen Stefani- It's not the worst I've come across, which is a lot for a fruity floral. The combination of greens and a non-candied pear is pleasant. It's girly, inoffensive and unoriginal (notice how many negatives in one short paragraph? That's exactly the problem: a scent that's defined by what it isn't instead by what it is).

Fendi Palazzo- Why bother? The top notes are almost interesting with a sweet and peppery touch, but every time I tried it on hoping for the best because of my love for the house of Fendi, it dried down to a musky nothing with a hint of cheap smelling woods. And we know it won't last: In a year it'll be available from all the discounters and then discontinued and replaced with another nondescript scent and a big marketing blitz. Bring Theorema back.

At the recommendation of Dain, I gave a good try to Givenchy Hot Couture. It's quite different than most other Givenchy offerings (all those Very Irresistible flankers). It's sweet, girly and much more pleasing than most fruity florals, despite the raspberry note. From what I can gather, there has been a reformulation somewhere along the lines, and the old EdP is superior to the current EdP. What else is new?

Maitresse from Agent Provocateur is far less provocative and daring than the original. Instead of a saffron-laced chypre, here we get a musky floral. Easier on the nose? Maybe. Also boring as hell.

Midnight Poison (Dior)- Good intentions and a synthetic ambery rose do not a good perfume make.

My Insolence (Guerlain)- What's a Guerlain perfume without the Guerlinade base? Yes, I get that they're trying to reach a young audience whose biggest fear is to smell like an old lady and biggest desire is to smell like fruit. I don't have to like it, though.


It's sad, really. Sniffing and looking at all these perfumes you just know that most of them will not survive five years on the market. Even sadder to me is remembering that most of these come from houses that stand for luxury, but there's nothing even remotely upscale and special in these products (I'm reading Deluxe by Dana Thomas and it's worth discussing here soon, for this very reason).

We didn't need the WSJ article to tell us that the designer market is in trouble. We can smell it. The best perfumes Sephora has to offer right now may be the Chanel and Hermes scents, but all of them are cheapened reformulated EdTs, far inferior to the original extraits, bottled and boxed to sell many and quickly at the expense of quality and integrity.

Ayala Sender in her SmellyBlog is saddened and appalled to learn that there's no artistic vision even behind the exclusive ranges some of these big houses are launching. Only a cold calculation from a marketing point of view. I'd still take those, as long as they truly are made to be of better quality and with an actual intent to create an excellent perfume, but I do know what Ayala is talking about: Why should we even bother with Armani Privé , Tom Ford Private blend or Chanel Les Exclusifs when we can get the real thing, made by real artists and visionaries? Serge Lutens, Andy Tauer, Frederic Malle, Pierre Guillaume and many others (including Ayala herself) still love what they do and are putting everything they can into their bottles. The article doesn't mention the niche market at all, probably because it's such a small one that it doesn't really count in an $18 billion market. But there is an alternative to those ladies who spray us at the department stores, and I hope more and more perfume lovers realize it and go niche.

Love Child- Givenchy Organza Indecence

What would have happened if Tam Dao (Diptyque), Rousse (Serge Almighty) and Kenzo Jungle L'Elephant had a love child?

The answer is Givenchy Organza Indecence.

While the original Organza is an annoyingly floral concoction, this younger sibling is very unique and should have been given a different name, one that doesn't suggest a flanker but can stand alone. See, Organza Indecence has no floral notes whatsoever and it's also very different than any other Givenchy offering, except for maybe the masculine Pi.

The opening notes seem sharp and a bit overwhelming for the first few minutes. There's a blast of sweet cinnamon with a scary hint of candied fruit. But as soon as the Christmas cake tones down a bit and the cinnamon is left to play with heart notes of Jacaranda wood (fancy Brazilian name for rosewood) and just a little patchouli, the fragrance takes a turn for the wonderful. It's sweet, warm and definitely of the "yummy" category (same school of perfumery thinking that unleashed Angel on us), but still feels grownup and, dare I say it? Complex and sophisticated.
The dry-down on my skin is equal parts of vanilla, gorgeous wood and soft amber. Despite the sweetness, the overall feel of the scent is very dry, warm and incredibly sexy. These qualities, together with its strength, make this a very good winter scent. It blooms quickly, and body heat makes it into a serious sillage powerhouse, so careful application is highly recommended. Don't say I didn't warn you.

Organza Indecence was launched in 1999 but discontinued about five years later. Its cult of followers has made its eBay price to soar as high as no modern Givenchy perfume should ever go. However, it seems like this perfume is once again in production. With little fanfare and no marketing effort, Organza Indecence can once again be bought at sane retail price, though the eBay market has yet to catch up on this. You can find the EdP at Dillard's (and also on their website), and if you search long enough, some online discounters are offering it even cheaper.


Image: Okadi.com

Fly Me to the Moon- Givenchy Pi

Four or five years ago I decided that I've had enough of smelling the Blond's favorite sillage monster, Givenchy Pi, and banished the bottle to one of the back cabinets, never to be used again until a couple of months ago, when I rescued it from oblivion.

The memory of what it had smelled like on my husband was still as sharp in my mind as its green opening notes, so I wasn't going to let him wear it. Instead, I tried it on my own skin, v-e-r-y carefully. After all, while the list of notes sounds just my thing (green herbs on top, vanilla, tonka, cedar and Benzoin at the base and somewhere in the middle there's a promise of anise, geranium and neroli), on the wrong man it is a powerhouse of sweet, powdery vanilla and a big (big!) amber-like drydown, of the kind that would earn its wearer a reputation as "the guy who bathes in cologne".

I like this so much better on my skin than on his. The top is still as loud and sharp as I remembered, but it tones down quickly into a sweet and warm wood-vanilla base that is nicely spiced with anise. It's a great cold weather scent that has both sexy and comforting qualities. It doesn't develop much from the moment the vanilla becomes prominent and on the scale that runs from "yummy" to "sophisticated" it's much closer to the yummy end. Still, it's a fun scent to explore and I enjoy wearing it. The staying power is amazing for an EdT, and I find that clothes must be washed to get rid of it. Otherwise it'd live in them for days (lesson learned the hard way with a dry-clean only sweater).

All the vanilla and powder action makes Pi very female-friendly. It's interesting that whoever makes marketing decision has chosen to declare it a masculine scent (with no girly version). Also of note are both the name, appealing to math geeks around the world (as well as to this retired math teacher) and the sci-fi ads. Pi in the sky? I'm not sure how this sweet, big scent goes with the image. Though that astronaut in the original 1998 ad sure is yummy...

Givenchy Pop Gloss

A couple of months ago I was very happy to find a full range of Givenchy makeup at my favorite Sephora, the one on Union Square. I'm all about DIY and prefer to avoid the department stores sale assistants.

(Insert a petition to bring Chanel back to Sephora)

I'm fond of Givenchy and love their choice of spokesperson. Liv Tyler can sell me anything and everything. Except of some of those Givenchy scents.

I first looked at the eye shadows. The quartets are pretty but too light for me. The singles offer more drama and pigments and I'll have to give them more attention very soon. My favorites of the collection are the lip colors. There's a lot to choose from and the colors are fabulous.

Pop Gloss is a shiny, creamy product. No shimmer or glitter, just glossy color that goes on smoothly and has a lot of pigment, almost like a liquid lipstick. It isn't sticky and lasts for several (food-less) hours, keeping the lips comfortable and well-moisturized. After the shine fades there's still enough color left on the lips without flaking. I have one complaint about this gloss: I don't like its scent. It's some unidentified synthetic fruity concoction. Thankfully, it disappears quickly, so it's not a real issue. But a product as good as this deserves better.


My color of choice was Violine Vitamine, which lives to the promise of being a vibrant plum. It's flattering and brings out my natural color. The pale lipped/skinned amongst you would probably find it a bit too much (try Flashy Fuchsia or Exciting Coral, instead. I'll wear those colors in my next life), but the rest of us can wear it well into the fall.

A Few of My Favorite Things (that are not whiskers on kittens)

I was going through my little collection of favorite perfumes, trying to figure out if there was some common denominator or if there was a way to tell what kind of fragrance I would like and what I wouldn't. I can't say that I've found a definite answer, but I decided to list all of my current favorites. I'm not linking to other sites this time, because there are just too many. What I can say is that I buy my fragrances offline and online at LuckyScent.com, Sephora, Neiman's, Saks, Bloomie's, FragranceNet.com and Perfume1.com. For what's categorized as "department store perfumes" I highly recommend checking the last two first, as their prices are significantly lower. I always go for the EDP, as I like the smell to linger. This list doesn't include everything I have or things I used to love but fell out of grace, just the most favorite ones, for now.
Reccomendations based on this would be gladly accepted.

Kingdom by Alexander McQueen- This is an odd one. I think I bought it because in a way, it reminded me (don't laugh) of Colors by Benetton, that I wore at 18 for special dates with my boyfriend. Those are some bittersweet memories and so is this fragrance. It's drier than what I usually go for and requires a certain mood. I usually wear it at night and only recently discovered that it's actually better in hot weather than it is in winter. Heat brings out a very sensual element in this one. Decent lasting power.

Tiffany (the original one, by Tiffany, of course)- I was introduced to it about 14 years ago by my friend E, who has since moved on to other fragrances. I bought it for myself in the summer of 1993 just before I met my husband, and have been wearing it ever since. It used to be the one I wore for our special dates and has stayed as a special favorite of us both. I know that many think of it as an "old lady smell", but for me it's anything but. It was perfect when I was 22 and it suits me just as well today. It's become so much a part of me that I can't even analyze the notes or anything else about it. It's one of my signature scents and I wear it easily both days and nights. Excellent staying power.

Eternity (yeah, Calvin Klein)- A favorite daytime fragrance that I've been wearing on and off since 1993. It's a sunny and happy scent, lasts for many hours.

Panthere (Cartier)- Another signature scent that seems to have been made especially for me. Like Tiffany, it's an ambery floral, but it's very very different. It's both elegant and sexy (very), I prefer it as a night time fragrance and has been wearing it since late 1995 or early 1996. It's the perfume I wore for my wedding and all through my honeymoon, which is probably why my husband adores it.

Neroli by L'Occitane- This is a much maligned fragrance (just read the reviews on makeupalley.com and see what I mean). People either love it or hate it with a white hot passion. I used to be obsessed with it, now I just love it. I never fail to get compliments when I'm wearing it. The first notes are indeed pretty harsh, but it soon changes into a spicy-sweet beauty. I wish it had more sillage, but whatever does stay close to the skin is wonderful, and my only complaint is that I wish that it lasted a lot longer.

Jil Sander No. 4- I've been wearing this complex and very layered scent for special nights during the last 6 years, and can never get enough of it. It's deep, rich and sexy, the florals are subtle and the woody-oriental base has both a lovely, lingering sillage and a strong staying power. I love the elegance and sophistication. And it calls to be worn with black, well-cut clothes. It's one of my most beloved signature scents.

Sensi (Armani)-I've heard that it's being discontinued, but I can't get it confirmed. I'd be very sorry if it's true, because I love this jasmine, wood and vanilla combination. It's sensual and elegant. A cute cold weather scent with excellent staying power.

So Pretty (Cartier)- I'm quite sure that this one is on its way to be discontinued, which is a shame. It's one of those classics, a beautiful floral with an almost animalic base. Impeccably elegant, needs to be worn with something fabulous.

Le Baiser du Dragon (Cartier)- Very different than my usual fare, not even a hint of vanilla. Very woody, but with a hard to describe twist. It's bold and rich, full of vetiver and patchouli. It's one of the few reasons to enjoy colder weather, as it's so perfect for fall. Stays on for hours.

Grand Amour (Annick Goutal)- Though different than Cartier's So Pretty, in my mind they are grouped together. Classic elegance, very French. It works for me both for day and for night, but never in jeans. Moderate staying power, lovely sillage for as long as the scent is there.

Quel Amour! (Annick Goutal)- A surprising choice for me, as the fruity element is quite prominent. But those are lovely red fruit (yet I dislike Goutal's Petite Cherie), the official notes says something about currants, but to me it's pomegranate beautifully blended with rose and peony. It's an intoxicating sunny fragrance with an incredible staying power on my skin.

Eau d'Hadrien (Annick Goutal)- Lemon and Cypress, fun and uncomplicated. Wonderful to wear first thing in the morning before doing stuff around the house. It has no staying power unless layered with something else. My little discovery is how good it is combined with Serge Luten's Un Bois Vanille.

Nuit du Hadrien (Annick Goutal)- Hadrien's grown-up, wickedly sexy sister. It's definitely very ambery and lasts much longer. I think I'll be wearing it quite often for fall mornings.

Black Cashmere (Donna Karan)- A fairly recent discovery.

Lea St. Barth Extreme- My journey with Lea is documented here and here.

Loukhoum (Keiko Mecheri)- Again, I've already raved about this one.

Monyette Paris- Everyone is more beautiful when wearing this. One of my staples this summer, as I've predicted here.

Serge Lutens- Un bois Vanille and Cedre. Another new love. Both aren't very summery, yet I'm already wearing them often. I foresee many more Serges in my future.

Valentino V Absolu- I wore the original Valentino when I was 20. I loved it despite the no staying power (it was most likely the EDT. I didn't know better in those days). V Absolu doesn't have the greatest staying power ever (I dread to think how long the regular V would last on my skin), but what is left close to the skin is a heady mix of sweet and citrusy wood, enriched with delicate vanilla. It's a day scent, especially because of the citrus and fig top notes. I love the way it reacts with my skin on a sunny day.

Sage Machado perfume oils: Onyx, Moonstone- A very recent discovery. I have yet to buy them, but for now I'm relishing the samples. They are very similar, but Onyx has more pronounced coconut note. There's something about those two that reminds me of a favorite shampoo from my childhood- Flex by Revlon. It was crap on the hair but I was addicted to its smell. I need to decide if I really love this or if it's a passing summer whim. Wonderful staying power, and for now I'm enamored.


The Heart is Deceitful Above All things (Yosh)- A stupid name for a very beautiful scent. Wood, something earthy and vanilla make this one indescribable. I'm still using the sample, but the decision has already been made. I need a full bottle.

Goldmund by Dorissima - Another very new discovery. My Luckyscents order is going to include this one as well. It's soft and complex, has some of my favorite notes (rose, vanilla, sandalwood and soft musk), doesn't resemble anything else that I have or even know and makes me feel pretty. That alone is a good reason to wear it year round. Moderate staying power, as far as I can tell, but haven't tested it enough yet to know for sure.