The Scented Hound

Perfume blog with abbreviated perfume reviews & fragrance reviews.


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Juliette Has a Gun Lust for Sun

WHAT I SMELL:  Lust for Sun opens with a soft bergamot and a sweetened freesia that becomes intensely sweet with the inclusion of ylang ylang.  In short time there’s a light coconut that seems to hover beneath the florals and which seems to add more oomph to the overall heady sugared flowers.  Soon after, a hazy musk like puffs of cotton joins in to draw some of the sugar out.  And there’s an undercurrent of some soured note that combined with the sweet and cottony reminds me a bit of a dirty pee filled diaper.  Thankfully, after a bit, that soured note dissipates and you once again are left with the cottony sweet.  After quite some time, the perfume begins to mute with the inclusion of a buttered finish which helps bring it back to earth a bit but leads it to the realm of a Zara Home-like room spray.  But overall, musks, flowers, sweet, etc.; well, with a light spray it may just work.

From the Juliette Has a Gun website:

In Juliette’s trail, bursting with light, her perfume’s sillage is nothing short of a caress.

Floral, with notes of Ylang-Ylang, Monoi and Coconut, a splash of Lust For Sun immerses you in the summertime. A sensual fragrance reminiscing of the rays of sunshine on a warm and golden skin.

Top notes:  Bergamot, Coconut, Freesia

Heart Notes:  Gardenia, Monoi, Orange Blossom, Ylang Ylang

Bottom Notes:  Musks, Ambroxan, Vanilla

L.O.L. Sour Sweetie Doll

WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME:  Soured sunshine.

THREE WORDS THAT DESCRIBE LUST FOR SUN:  too much, indulgent, artificial

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT LUST FOR SUN Musings of a Muse

BOTTOM LINE:  Lust for Sun would probably be perfect for a 15 or 16 year old who likes their perfumes on the sweet side.  A little goes a long way with it and I have to say that I am having a hard time seeing how this would work on any adult.  But that said, I held my arm up to my husband’s nose and he said “well that’s nice.”  Go figure.  I will say this…don’t overspray, Lust for Sun is meant to be put on with a mist like ease to ensure that you don’t overwhelm yourself or those around you.

  • Bone Rating: 2.5 out of possible 5 bones
  • Scent:  Floral Fruity
  • Classification: Leans feminine
  • Expense: $110 for 50 ml eau de parfum. Also available in 17 & 100 ml sizes.


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New Release: Puredistance Papilio

WHAT I SMELL:  Papilio opens with a soft and serene warmed magnolia that immediately hugs the skin.  It’s enchanting, rather demure and very inviting.  The soft florals blend with just a hint of the vegetal which brings the earth towards the ethereal bouquet.  Blended so incredibly, the perfume at this point is less the sum of notes and is more of an expression of peacefulness with an added layer of fresh dewiness.  Papilio slowly builds in a radiant warmth that seems to born in a soft breeze emanating from the skin as it moves and lifts to the nose.  The perfume then begins to settle in to a light leathered wood that is covered with a hazy powder that sits above the warmed base.  Overall it’s pretty, delicate and light as a feather.  Papilio goes straight to the heart with its endearing beauty.

From the Puredistance website:

PAPILIO is multifaceted, lively and vibrant. Created by Nathalie Feisthauer in Paris. ‘Embrace your true nature’ is the concept of PAPILIO (Latin for ‘Butterfly’). Butterflies come in all shapes and colours and accept themselves as they are – in each phase of their life..

Top notes: Bergamot Oil.

Middle notes: Magnolia Oil, Neroli oil, Carrot oil, Orris, Lily of the valley, Hedione HC, Heliotrope.

Base notes: Cedarwood, Vetyver oil, Amyris oil, Intense woods Ambroxan, Opoponax resinoid, Benzoin resinoid, Vanilla, Touch of Peach, Leather Ambrette, Cashmere, Muscenone.

WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME:  Butterflies in flight.

THREE WORDS THAT DESCRIBE PAPILIO:  soft, uplifting, comforting

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT PAPILIOCaFleureBon 

BOTTOM LINE:  I think I should be tired of saying that Puredistance has once again graced the perfume world with another magnificent creation.  But here we are again and it’s a wonderful addition to the Puredistance collection.  Sometimes a beautiful perfume is hard to put into words, but instead describing its persona is the best way to give it life in words.  Papilio is incredibly soft and somewhat demure and unassuming, but at the same time it embodies strength and beauty.  And most of all, it’s absolutely gorgeous!

  • Bone Rating: 4.5 out of possible 5 bones
  • Scent: Floral Woody Musk
  • Nose:  Nathalie Feisthauer
  • Classification: Unisex, but leans feminine
  • Expense: Starting at 175 Euros for 17ml parfum extrait (25% perfume oil).


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New Release: Maison Crivelli Neroli Nasimba

WHAT I SMELL:  Neroli Nasimba opens with a warmed cardamom and petitgrain that feels as if it was dried in the grassland sun.  In short time, a light sweetened neroli begins to make itself known.  It’s very subtle as if it was brushed on top of the dried grass.  The perfume buzzes with a light vibration of sun and wood.  And after a bit, a light puttied labdanum and vetiver help to create a semi-soured covering over the wood.  Very slowly, a sweetened note of orange blossom returns to lighten the perfume.  It sits radiantly above the woody base although it remains somewhat elusive.  And just when you think the perfume’s development has ended, the orange blossom blooms above a light leathered wood.  Here the perfume remains with an ethereal mix of sun and earth.  Neroli Nasimba is really lovely.

From the Maison Crivelli website:

4:30 am: tangerine awakening, orange savannah. Step by step: pink dust, acacia shadow, tawny wood. A distant roar. Slender stripes, spotted leather. Feline neroli.

The experience: a discovery of orange blossom during a walking safari

The surprising contrast: orange blossom essential oil (neroli) and a leather accord

Top notes are Pink Pepper, Cardamom and Mandarin Orange; middle notes are Neroli, Orange Blossom and Petitgrain; base notes are Saffiano Leather, Labdanum and Vetiver.

WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME:  African straw mask.

THREE WORDS THAT DESCRIBE NEROLI NASIMBA:  calming, natural, semi-arid

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT NEROLI NASIMBA: CaFleureBon

BOTTOM LINE:  Maison Crivelli has captured the essence of the savannah.  It’s a peaceful perfume that feels modern, yet at the same time feels like it was created at of the vast edges of the earth where time stands still.  Neroli Nasimba is a perfume that will create a sense of calm whenever you wear it which is perfect for slowing down our complicated lives.

  • Bone Rating: 4 out of possible 5 bones
  • Scent:  Floral Leather
  • Nose:  Paul Guerlain
  • Classification:  Unisex
  • Expense:  Starting at $120 for 30 ml eau de parfum

Sample courtesy of Twisted Lily Fragrance Boutique and Apothecary.