floral | The Scented Hound

June 8, 2015
by The Scented Hound 13 Comments

Iniezione di Morfina by Peccato Originale

WHAT I SMELL: Iniezione di Morfina (Injection of Morphine) opens up light and ethereal, yet somehow deep in floral warmth. It’s full-bodied, but very close to the skin in the beginning and the mysterious florals are blended with the lightest of vanilla. After five minutes, the scent feels like it’s fading from my skin; it’s there, but the projection is so muted and subtle. There is something completely intoxicating about the perfume as it wraps it light tendrils around me as it begins to grow. It’ also quite sexy without being overtly so. After 10 minutes, the projection is still close to the skin, but a light soapiness reveals itself, but like the rest of the creation, it too is muted. Soon the soap exits and a powder enters. That, combined with a floral sweetness dries out the perfume. I find Iniezione di Morfina intoxicating and strangely hypnotic. After 30 minutes, the perfume introduces a light puttiness that wraps itself around the florals. After some more time, the vanilla and labdanum come to the front to blanket you in their morphine inspired lullaby.

From the Peccato Originale (Original Sin) website:

L’Elisir based Opium is the source of inspiration. Paracelsus called it Laudanum which means praise. Established quickly addictive and habit forming. Charismatic and enterprising. A debut with white and delicate Jasmine and Lily of the Valley from which bloom Rose Petals and a touch of Iris. The bouquet clear and elegant finishes in White Musk and sensual vanilla.

Notes: Iris, Rose, Jasmin, Lily of the Valley, White Musk, Vanilla

WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME: A Victorian angel.

THREE ADJECTIVES THAT DESCRIBE INIEZIONE DI MORFINA: unique, intriguing, genuine

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT INIEZIONE DI MORFINA: CaFleureBon

BOTTOM LINE: I have not been intrigued by a perfume in a long time. The opening with this perfume is like a dream and I wish it would have stayed in that realm through its entire life. The drydown is comforting, but makes me long for the top notes. This may be a full bottle for me, but I think I need a few more sample injections before I commit to this incredible morphine.

Bone Rating: 4 out of possible 5 bones
Scent: Floral
Nose: Silvia Monti
Classification: Unisex
Expense: $155 for 100 ml Eau de Parfum, exclusively available at Twisted Lily in the U.S.

June 4, 2015
by The Scented Hound 13 Comments

Armani Prive Pivoine Suzhou

WHAT I SMELL: Pivoine Suzhou opens with a sweet, fresh, juicy and mouth-watering fruitiness, with just a tinge of pepper. The florals are front and center with the peony as the star and it’s bright and easy and gracefully light. After a few minutes, a light ambery warmth brings a radiance to the mix. A layer of musk also comes into play which unfortunately takes the pretty florals into a more artificial stage that feels as though the perfume has been created in a lab rather than in a garden. It also adds a slight “bathtastic” edge to the perfume even though there is nothing soapy about it. In the end, Pivoine Suzhou doesn’t wow, but instead maintains a quiet beauty that is easy to wear and is perfect as a light spring breeze.

From the Armani website:

With Pivoine Suzhou, Giorgio Armani has reinterpreted the Eau de Toilette, combining elegance and freshness with soft, lingering sensuality.

It is the first Armani Privé fragrance to be inspired by the legendary gardens of Asia.

Pivoine Suzhou Eau de Toilette is also a celebration of China’s most beloved flower – the peony. The symbol of the ancient Chinese empire, the peony represents happiness, grace and prosperity.

Pivoine Suzhou is an ensemble of great beauty, balancing art and nature. For Giorgio Armani, creating a couture or fragrance collection requires this same harmony of elements.

From Fragrantica:

ARMANI PRIVE PIVOINE SUZHOU opens with notes of juicy mandarin, pink pepper and raspberry which when blended, ensures a spicy-fruity introduction. Floral notes of peony in the heart are enhanced with essences of rose and May rose absolute, followed by amber, musk and patchouli.

WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME: A beautiful Geisha

THREE ADJECTIVES THAT DESCRIBE PIVOINE SUZHOU: fruit-kissed, airy, delicate

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT PIVOINE SUZHOU: Sandra’s Closet, AustralianPerfumeJunkies

BOTTOM LINE: I don’t love this perfume, but I rather like it. There’s a delicateness about it that is rather comforting and overall the light and pretty aspects are enticing. But a little goes a long way and too much of a good thing will reveal a heavy sweetness so it’s best to apply with a light touch.

Bone Rating: 3 out of possible 5 bones
Scent: Floral
Nose: Cecile Matton and Julie Masse
Classification: Feminine
Expense: $165 for 100 ml Eau de Toilette

May 13, 2015
by The Scented Hound 7 Comments

Eau de Givenchy by Givenchy

WHAT I SMELL: Eau de Givenchy opens with a lovely opening of bright bergamot which melds into a minty, soapy, light orange. The perfume is clean and minty fresh and pleasingly uncomplicated. After a few minutes the mint begins to dissipate to reveal a more floral heart that’s still light, but is also warmed and radiant. The white and slightly soapy florals that feels somewhat green are the stars here in this simple and easy to wear pretty perfume. There’s not much to say about Eau de Givenchy except that simple sometimes makes perfect.

From Fragrantica:

Eau de Givenchy opens with the sparkling notes of grapefruit, accompanied by sweet and fresh notes of mandarin orange and bergamot, mint and red fruit. The middle notes add luscious and intensive scent of ylang-ylang, honeysuckle, pure jasmine, narcissus, tuberose, lily-of-the-valley, rose, cyclamen and orris root. Base notes introduce warm sandalwood, musk, cedar and oakmoss.

WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME: A pretty, easy to wear, simple summer dress.

THREE ADJECTIVES THAT DESCRIBE EAU DE GIVENCHY: easy, effortless, pleasing

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT EAU DE GIVENCHY: I couldn’t find any on this quiet and unassuming 1980s launched perfume.

BOTTOM LINE: What’s interesting about Eau de Givenchy is that it was created at the time when perfumes were big, bold and over the top just like the fashion of the time. Eau de Givenchy is the antithesis of all of the excess and that’s probably why it continues to be in production. It’s just that light and easy.

Bone Rating: 3.5 out of possible 5 bones
Scent: Floral
Nose: Daniel Moliere and Daniel Hoffmann
Classification: Feminine
Expense: Varies greatly online for Eau de Toilette