January | 2013 | The Scented Hound

January 27, 2013
by The Scented Hound 22 Comments

Patchoulissime by Keiko Mecheri

WHAT I SMELL: The opening of Patchoulissime is a flash of strong minty coolness, its sharp and fresh and a little biting and unfortunately it last only for a few seconds. What starts of bright, quickly turns more earthy and warm. There is no hippieish patchouli here, but instead a soft ambery and sandalwood patchouli that is tinged with rose. In all it’s pleasant. But you know what; it’s very hard to write about “pleasant.”

Patchoulissime Notes: patchouli, benzoin, rose, jasmine, sandalwood and amber.

WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME: A sweet unsophisticated maiden, let’s call her Inga.

THREE ADJECTIVES THAT DESCRIBE PATCHOULISSIME: safe, easy, calm

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT PATCHOULISSIME: I Smell Therefore I Am, WAFT…What a Fragrancefanatic Thinks

BOTTOM LINE: Patchoulissime is nice enough. For a patchouli fragrance it’s surprisingly clean and fresh. I could see this as a good summer scent, but overall it just seems a bit dull.

Bone Rating: 3 out of 5 possible bones
Scent: Oriental Woody
Classification: Feminine – but easily worn by a man
Expense: $115 for 75ml EdP

January 21, 2013
by The Scented Hound 18 Comments

Elixir Charnel Oriental Brulant by Guerlain

Maybe it’s the time of the year or maybe it’s because I have the winter blues; in any case, I seem to be reaching out for comfort scents. Thankfully, I had a large sample of Oriental Brulant to keep me company this past week.

WHAT I SMELL: Oriental Bulant opens with a warm and spicy balminess. The top note are listed as tangerine, but I got that for about one second as it turned balmy. There is a hint of soapiness (which I typically abhor), but here it’s very light and reminds me what my mother’s bathroom smelled like right after she took a bath. After a bit, the vanilla’d almond comes more to the front. This is not an overly sweet almond, but one that is rounded and warm. Oriental Brulant is pretty linear and sits close to the skin. It’s about as ethereal a fragrance that is to my liking as it’s a warmish vapor that rises so slightly above your skin.

Oriental Brulant Notes: top note is tangerine; middle note is almond; base notes are tonka bean, styrax and vanilla.

WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME: Maybe it’s the pink color of the juice, but I think of pretty cirrus clouds backed up to a lovely pink sky.

THREE ADJECTIVES THAT DESCRIBE ORIENTAL BRULANT: wispy, pretty, peaceful

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT ORIENTAL BRULANT: Perfume Shrine, Olfactoria’s Travels, AustralianPerfumeJunkies

BOTTOM LINE: For the time being, I am in love with this fragrance, but I think come the spring I could grow tired of its lovely balminess. This is a vanilla for non-vanilla lovers and leans feminine. I have to admit though that this is the perfect “bed-time” scent for me as it helps to create those pretty pink clouds in my head that the sheep can jump over.

Bone Rating: 4 out of 5 possible bones
Scent: Oriental
Classification: Feminine
Expense: $260 for 75ml EdP

January 17, 2013
by The Scented Hound 18 Comments

And the Winner Is…

Thanks to everyone who joined in on The Scented Hound’s one year birthday draw and celebration. I appreciate the support and all of the encouraging words. But I know what you’re really looking for and that’s the winner of the 100ml bottle of E. Cordray Ambre et Vanille from Penny Lane Perfumes. And the winner is:

Kevin

Congratulations Kevin ! Please send your shipping information to thescentedhound@gmail.com by Monday, January 21, 2013 (otherwise we’ll pick another winner) so we can send you your prize. And even though Kevin won the grand prize, the celebration continues with the $25 off offer at Penny Lane Perfumes. To claim your special savings, all you have to do is enter 2013 as the coupon code and 25% will be taken off of your total! This offer is only good in the U.S! But what a deal!

And I would like to give a special thanks to the folks at Penny Lane Perfumes for their very generous support. They offer an incredible selection of perfumes and provide the best and friendliest customer service. Be sure to check them out at pennylaneperfumes.com!