Currently wearing: Chanel's Gardenia

/
Chanel's Gardenia

Chanel's Gardenia

The camellia flower is native to Japan and various parts of Asia, it's also the chosen flower of Chanel. The only thing is the camellia flower bares no discernible scent; turns out this was a sticking point for such a notable couturier and perfumer. Fortunately the gardenia's physical attributes and geographic location made up for what the camellia lacks, a scent.

And this is how Chanel's Gardenia, part of the Les Exclusifs De Chanel perfume collection, came to be.

Gardenia starts out very robust, but it quickly quiets down. Chanel describes the scent as exhibiting "green notes, its creamy heart, and a trail full of fantasy." Yet when I smell it, call me crazy, I think of the colour purple.

This particular bottle is a major investment, as a result I read loads of reviews and boy are they mixed. One reviewer said, "Even the best sometimes fail and, here, Chanel failed. A harsh and cheap plastic/coconut white floral that would be an awful choice even as a freshener for a dog's basket. Meh..." His commentary made me smile and it reaffirmed we all don't have to like the same things. I also found that Gardenia was repeatedly compared to Dior's Poison, perhaps an affordable dupe?

Others complained about Gardenia's longevity or lack thereof and I'd have to agree. Gardenia is unfortunately one of those perfumes that requires reapplication throughout the day. It's even suggested by layering Gardenia over freshly applied moisturiser will help with its lasting power.

Gardenia is exclusively sold online and at Chanel Beauty and Perfume Boutiques.

A sensory moment with Calvin Klein's Downtown

/
Downtown

Downtown

Calvin Klein's latest scent, while pretty, soft and floral, has left me wanting more. I had high hopes since getting reacquainted with Calvin Klein -- for years Obsession was my Dad's staple scent. A tiny dab would do after allowing us (my brothers and I) to doodle upon his shaving cream covered face.

Calvin Klein's masters of spin state... 

 "a signature classic for a real woman, sophisticated, distinct and unique…with attitude, this fragrance empowers with a classic brightness"

While I do get that captured essence of "classic brightness"; it is, however, a fleeting moment which fades in an instant. Initially, I gave myself two spritzes, because I wasn't sure of Downtown's gusto. 

Hey, I don't ever want to smell like I got hosed down at a perfume counter.

With Downtown I don't think it matters how many times you spray yourself. Word to the wise, grab a tester and test its longevity for yourself.

*Notes:

Neroli Tunisia, Fresh Green Pear, Watery Plum, Gardenia Petals, Pink Peppercorn, Violet Leaf, Texan Cedarwood, Vetiver, Benzoin Laos Orpur, Musks. 

*Style:

Urban. Original. Real.

What I get: 

Understated. Quiet. Forgettable. 

In the meantime, I'm the weird girl sticking her nose inside her collar in order to catch just one whiff.  

The Bagful breakdown:

Total amount for Calvin Klein's Downtown (50ml/1.7 fl oz):

Value for money spent (performance and quality):

  • 3 out of 10 bags — points for the scent itself, but not for its strength

Would another purchase be on the horizon?:

  • Can I trade my bottle of Downtown in for Euphoria, please? 

*PR sample provided –  Thoughts and ramblings written here are completely my own

 

//source* 

Sensory Moment - what I wear

/

I am often asked which perfume I wear - twice I was asked this very question on Friday.  I take my perfume choices seriously and will only commit once I've tested it on a few occasions or I've taken the time to read in-depth reviews.  These days you can easily spend at least $100 or more on a decent scent and you really don't want to throw your money into the wind on just anything.

On any given day you can find me regularly wearing (not at the same time, of course):

There are a few samples floating about, but I haven't fully invested my energy with respect to testing them out.  With it being summer, I've been reaching for Sur Le Nil and Giulietta and these just happen to be the scents I get asked about the most.  I once had a woman have such a positive reaction to the former, she went and googled Hermes just to see which notes were in it.

Sur Le Nil means a lot to me on an emotional level, because of when and where it was purchased. Scott and I were amidst a post-proposal high; we had just visited the shop where my ring was purchased to tell them I said yes.  After a walk through Vondelpark, we then ventured off to De Bijenkorf (The Beehive) to try to find a bottle of Sur Le Nil in order to replace the sample I finished that morning.  I didn't want to lose the scent I was wearing on that hot July day - I was tired, jet-lagged and unwittingly ambling towards a very special spot. These happen to be the thoughts that rush through my mind whenever I spritz this light floral scent on in the morning.

I had long blond baby soft hair that would knot up from running around and playing all day.  After taking a bath, my mom would spray  on my hair in order to tame the insanity.  For me, Giulietta reminds me of my youthful innocence and the scent of No More Tanlges.

A few other favourites I've worn over the years are Burberry Brit, Clinique Happy, Philosophy Amazing Grace and Fruit and Passion Pink.

What sort of scents are you drawn to?