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 21, 2013 at 5:47 pm
Aw is sounds like this, is what Rahat Loukoum is to me – similar too: vanilla/almond. Perfect for bed time.
Sounds like this has clicked with you a little bit – and it’s wierd because after reading your description of it I was waiting for you 2/3 bone score. Meditative scents that relax you are so hard to describe with great enthusiasm. This sounds quite charming though.
Lovely write up Houndy.
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January 21, 2013 at 7:26 pm
Thanks. No, it’s definitely a 4 bone, but it’s not something I would wear to work, to the grocery store, etc. I just like wearing it around the house as it makes me feel dreamy and pretty! LOL. Guerlain and sweatpants, pretty picture huh?
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January 21, 2013 at 6:17 pm
Eeeek, another Guerlain I may like! Have you tried Gourmand Coquin in the same family, including the pink juice? It was instant love for me and I am trying hard, so very hard, not to succumb. At the very least, I HAVE to wait until February before seriously thinking about a FB — hah…only 11 more days….
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January 21, 2013 at 7:28 pm
I have not tried Coquin, but I would like to as there is something about the pretty juice in those bottles that acts as a siren song to me. I know about spending the money. Damn credit cards make it just too easy!
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January 21, 2013 at 9:37 pm
Oh how lovely it sounds. My bed time scent is sometimes Michael by Michael Kors for it’s soothing rich plum. Other times it is Donna Karan Gold for it’s rich thick waxy lily that is just about to turn to the rotting smell but never does. I know that sounds gross but believe me it is so soft and enfolding.
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January 22, 2013 at 7:47 pm
Next time I’m at Macy’s I’m going to have to check out DK Gold!!! Thanks for the suggestion on a bedtime scent!
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January 22, 2013 at 10:25 pm
Yay!! If you can’t find it at Macy*s check online. That is where I got mine.
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January 22, 2013 at 5:32 am
Sounds like a lovely gourmand. From Elixir Charnel collection I tried Gourmand Coquin only and it was nice. Sweet choco praline
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January 22, 2013 at 7:48 pm
I have not tried that. You’re the 2nd person to recommend it. I’m not usually into sweet gourmands, but that’s the nice thing about OB, it’s sweet, but subdued.
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January 23, 2013 at 3:22 am
I’m not into gourmand either. Got a sample of GC from a gourmand loving friend
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January 22, 2013 at 9:25 am
Yummy! I love this stuff Steve.
Portia xx
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January 22, 2013 at 7:49 pm
Of course you do my dear P, because you have exquisite taste!
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January 22, 2013 at 11:40 pm
Another thing we share Steve
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January 22, 2013 at 1:45 pm
I want to curse Guerlain for making this one because I want it badly! I tested it once, I’m wrestling over whether I want to spring for a full bottle or get a sample and do a proper review so I can stew on it for a while longer. I love the almond note, the slight sweetness that makes it pretty, but not silly.
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January 22, 2013 at 7:49 pm
Kay – I love your statement pretty, but not silly… that’s a perfect description!
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January 31, 2013 at 6:48 pm
(catching up with posts I missed earlier)
I still haven’t (re-)tried Oriental Brulant. I’m sure I tested it last year in Guerlain boutique while I was looking for the first bottle of Guerlain to buy for my collection but it didn’t leave any imprtession on me – positive or otherwise. So I’ll need to try it again. Your review makes it sound appealing.
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February 3, 2013 at 6:51 pm
“It’s lovely balminess” is a great description, and you’ve hit on exactly what I didn’t like about it; it just seems to become very boring to me after a few hours.
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February 5, 2013 at 8:48 am
Hey Natalie – I can see that it’s not the most exciting, but it’s perfect for bedtime..but at that price I’m not sure it’s worth it as a “bedtime only” scent.
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