The Scented Hound

Perfume blog with abbreviated perfume reviews & fragrance reviews.


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New Release: Vanille Rêve by Shalini

Shalini Vanilla ReveWHAT I SMELL:   Vanille Rêve approaches the wearer with a warm deep tobacco laden vanilla that’s not sweet, but which is grounded in a sensuous mix of spices of nutmeg, cinnamon and anise.  From the very beginning, Vanille Rêve is very serious and deeply rapturous.  As the perfume develops, the mix of spice and vanilla begin to dry, leaving the wearer to feel is if they are on a journeyed path through the markets of Morocco prior to starting off on an adventure heading to the South Seas where its secret wisdom will be unlocked.  After some time, the deep and dark begins to slowly lift and the perfume moves toward the more gourmand.  Here the perfume radiates the most comforting of baked good delights.  You can almost envision the spiced, caramelized and frosted creations emerging from the oven as they entice you as they’re put out on display.  Continuing on, Vanille Rêve begins to reveal its quieter side with the addition of creamy white florals.  Here the perfume begins to soften and bloom with the tiare flower lilting lightly on top of the vanilla.  And this is where the perfume makes its final journey’s end amidst the intoxicating and exotic islands of the South Pacific.

From Shalini Parfum:

Vanille Rêve parfum captures the alluring sweetness of desire and ineffable dreams without limits. The parfum is an embracing composition of warm sensual Vanilla Absolut, aromatic Anise, voluptuous Tuberose, Jasmin and the Tahitian Gardenia – Tiare blossoms.

WelcometotheSouthSeasWHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME:  An exotic journey to the South Seas.

THREE WORDS THAT DESCRIBE VANILLE RÊVE:  mysterious, gourmand, exquisite

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT VANILLE RÊVE:  Colognoisseur

BOTTOM LINE:  Vanille Rêve is a gourmand lover’s dream where the vanilla is the star at the center.  Never too sweet, the perfume is beautifully serious in the most wonderful of ways.  Once again, Shalini and Maurice Roucel have added another beauty to the exceptional Shalini collection of perfumes.

  • Bone Rating: 4 out of possible 5 bones
  • Scent: Floral Gourmand
  • Nose:  Maurice Roucel
  • Classification: Unisex
  • Expense: Cubique glass bottle with the glass stopper $500 for 50 ml, Cubique glass bottle with black bulb atomizer $500 for 50 ml,  Small spray bottle $150 for 7.5 ml.  Byzantine glass flacon $1,100 for 100 ml.  White Lacquer and Gold Plated Travel Spray, $415 for 12.5 ml.  All parfum extrait.


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New Release: Amorem Rose by Shalini

WHAT I SMELL:   I guess I should not have been surprised, but I was pleasantly so as the opening of Amorem Rose is warm, deep and incredibly rapturous with a beautiful saffron topped by a mentholated rose.  This rose is not one of playful and sweet frivolity, instead, it’s a rose wrapped in abundance of mystery and intrigue.  The mentholated opening gives way to a grand rose that lingers in smokiness making the perfume feel as if it’s smoldering off the skin  For the privileged wearer, the perfume resides in this most exquisite place like a queen holding court.  There’s power in Amorem Rose in the way the rose holds the wearer captive revealing its infinite wisdom.  After considerable time, the perfume’s smokiness is met with a warm ambered wood which adds even more depth to this royal treasure.  Amorem Rose is beautifully calm, but beautifully serious.

From Shalini Parfums:

Amorem Rose is an ode to love, the greatest love…

The Rose has the highest love energy of all the flowers, often referred to as the Queen of Flowers, the symbol of the divine feminine love.

Amorem Rose is the most opulent rose parfum with an element of smoke.

Lalique crystal flacon “Les Hirondelles

The smoke brings a sense of mystery and intrigue reminiscent of a great love… the love that touches your soul deeply and alters your very being.

The parfum is a glorious composition of Bulgarian rose, Saffron flowers, Baltic amber and Mahogany wood.

The Damask Rose which grows in the magical “Rose Valley” in Bulgaria is considered the most fragrant, exquisite and opulent of all roses. It is the “heart” of  Amorem Rose.

Saffron flowers bring a golden light to the parfum, and are reminiscent of the orient and grandeur.

Baltic amber and  Mahogany wood bring the element of smoke and intrigue while creating a balance to the beautiful floral of the Damask rose.

WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME:  The most luxurious royal rose-colored textile…exquisitely lush and fit for a queen.

THREE WORDS THAT DESCRIBE AMOREM ROSE:  rapturous, mysterious, deep

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT AMOREM ROSE:  CaFluereBon, Now Smell This

BOTTOM LINE:  Shalini and Maurice Roucel once again make beautiful magic with this dramatic creation.  If you’re looking for a rose that makes a grand statement, Amorem Rose is for you.

  • Bone Rating: 4.5 out of possible 5 bones
  • Scent: Oriental
  • Nose:  Maurice Roucel
  • Classification: Unisex
  • Expense: Cubique glass bottle with the glass stopper $500 for 50 ml, Cubique glass bottle with black bulb atomizer $500 for 50 ml,  Small spray bottle $150 for 7.5 ml.  And for those who want the ultimate in luxury, limited edition Lalique crystal flacon “Les Hirondelles” priced at $3000.  All parfum extrait.  Available at Bergdorf Goodman and Aedes De Venustas.


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New Release: Jardin Nocturne by Shalini

WHAT I SMELL:  Jardin Nocturne opens with a soft warm enveloping jasmine with a mildly spicy and intoxicating saffron.  The perfume moves deep into your lungs with a spellbinding sensuality.  A quiet oud meditates in the background as if it’s a secret veil moving oh so gently under a moonlit sky; and combined with the saffron it creates an effect of the lightest of leather.  A facet that I love in this perfume is that the oud is used in such a perfect and elegant manner, never coming to the forefront to overcome the perfume.  Instead, front and center is the night-blooming jasmine which radiates like the beaming moonlight.  As Jardin Nocturne develops, it weaves itself slowly down a garden path.  Each step along the way the perfume continues to unfold its mysterious secrets.  Its lightly wafting tendrils rise and tease the wearer and those she seduces as the warmth vibrates of the skin as if it has a pulse, enveloping the wearer with a carnal aura.  Jardin Nocturne is a magical perfume.

“Le Tourbillions” Lalique flacon

From Shalini:

Moonlight reflecting upon the water.  A night garden filled with night-blooming flowers, ponds, waterfalls, fountains, winding paths, discreet garden benches where lovers meet under the stars.

The peace, beauty and the light of the night in full bloom…

The soft sounds of the night, the fireflies lighting up the atmosphere…

Jardin Nocturne reflects the nuance and poetry of such a garden…

Jardin Nocture is inspired by the night air.

Notes: Night Blooming Jasmine absolute from India, Assam Oud, Saffron, Mysore Sandalwood, Musk

The Music of the Faun, Ferdinand Keller, 1910

WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME:  Ferdinand Keller’s – The Music of the Faun

THREE WORDS THAT DESCRIBE JARDIN NOCTURNE:  seductive, serene, sublime

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT JARDIN NOCTURNE:  CaFleureBon, Colognoisseur

BOTTOM LINE:  Good things come to those who wait.  Over 10 years after introducing her debut perfume Shalini, designer Shalini, once again in a collaboration with Maurice Roucel has created a perfume that lives up to her debut perfume.  I loved Shalini for the fact that is was supremely feminine it all its white floral quiet beauty.  With Jardin Nocturne, the perfume is unabashedly sensual.  It’s a fragrance that fills the room with seductive mystery that will beckon anyone towards its heavenly refrain.  Jardin Nocturne was definitely worth the long wait.

  • Bone Rating:  4.5 out of possible 5 bones
  • Scent: Oriental Floral
  • Nose: Maurice Roucel
  • Classification: Leans feminine, but easily unisex
  • Expense:  $500 for 50 ml parfum or $2,400 for the Lalique crystal flacon “Le Tourbillions.”  Available in November at Aedes de Venustas.