In the past I’ve created holiday shopping suggestions for perfume, perfume related items and just some other fun random things thrown into the mix. And every year, coming up with gift suggestions becomes harder, partly because of living in Mexico and being away from shopping in person. But mostly as I get older I don’t actively seek out the new and exciting because I’m not the target market and because at this stage in my life getting a lot of presents just doesn’t matter. OK, so now I’m sounding like Scrooge. Far from it. I do have wishes and wants, but they are fewer and farther in between. So this year, my suggestions are comprised of a listing of perfumes that I think are amazing and of which I obsess over because they are what my perfumes dreams are made of. Some are in my collection and some I hope to be in my collection in the near future. So here we go…
Click on each title for the full review.
Hera by Papillon PerfumesHera is a perfume that I have completely obsessed about since first sniff. It’s a new fragrance with the soul of a vintage perfume and it’s absolute perfection.
No. 12 by Puredistance Perfumes
Puredistance can do no wrong as far as I’m concerned. Their collection of 12 perfumes consists of modern classics that deliver incredible beauty to the wearer. To me, their crowning glory was the introduction of No. 12 which is so absolutely breathtaking that it’s the one perfume that I reach for every time I need something special and spectacular to wear.
Shalini by Shalini ParfumsOnce again, the house of Shalini along with Maurice Roucel has created a collection of perfumes that stand out above the rest. However, the original Shalini to me is the best of the lot. It’s quiet beauty makes my heart sing every time I wear it. To me, it’s absolutely unique and absolutely beautiful.
Chanel BoyWhen I first wore Boy, I really liked it. But as time wore on, I found it to be a wonderfully easy fougere to love. It’s lavender heart isn’t too bold which makes this a perfect perfume to wear on any occasion. Boy has fallen into my “I don’t know what to wear today, so I’ll wear something that is a perfect fit every time” group of perfumes. To me, Chanel makes some of the best clean and fresh scents that are excellent for every day wear.
Enslaved by Roja ParfumsUnfortunately, I found out that Enslaved has been discontinued by Roja Parfums. This modern take on Molinard’s Habinita is big, bold, thick and heady and completely rapturous. I do believe there are still bottles to be found out there and if I was not living in Mexico I would buy myself another since I have just a few drops left in my bottle.
And for those of you who love vintage perfumes (you can find them all on eBay and Etsy and the current formulations can be found via other sources)…
Caron Narcisse BlancI have had this perfume in my collection for years, but for some reason it has once again become an obsession and I wear it constantly. It’s thick, creamy and completely joyous and you can’t help but love it. Narcisse Blanc seems to fall to the wayside of it’s more famous sister Narcisse Noir, but this brighter narcissus fragrance is to me, a much easier wear.
Ysatis by GivenchyThe 1980s are alive and well in this over-the-top beauty. You can’t help not be noticed when you’re wearing it. I don’t really wear it out, but sometimes when I’m sitting around the house it transports me back to a time when big perfume, big hair and big shoulders were the norm. This is one time that bigger is indeed better.
Magie Noire by LancomeRich, creamy, big and unique, Magie Noire is a special perfume in a category all by itself. It’s a haunting perfume that is pure magic.
Happy Holidays to you all. May all your perfume dreams come true!
WHAT I SMELL: Oh my; Hera opens up with a sweet orange blossom that quickly moves to a warmed jasmine and ylang, ylang. It’s thick, rich, intoxicating and absolutely breathtaking. From the beginning, Hera is beautifully all woman and has a persona that feels all-knowing with its golden glowing countenance. As the perfume develops, the florals become more creamy as the Rose de Mai begins to bloom from the center. The rose is rapturous without dominating and it helps to create a dream like aura in its wake. After some more time, a hint of incense whispers in, but I am guessing its the narcissus that I am smelling vs. incense, but in any case it adds a dimension of mystery to this rapturous beauty. In slow and graceful development, Hera begins to powder and dry and a wonderful oakmoss note appears. And a bit later, the perfume once again becomes a bit more creamy with what seems to be a hint of violet. Here, the perfume is so soft and enticing and lyrical in nature. It’s strange, because Hera seems to quietly move, meld and morph at every slow turn so it’s quite hard to pinpoint any development in a chronological order. And as a result, every time it’s worn it feels completely different, but no less beautiful. Hera is a gift from the gods of which this mere mortal is not giving it justice in my description, because it’s just to hard to put rapturous beauty into adequate words.
WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME: Perfectly named, Hera is indeed “Queen of the Gods.”
The Scented Hound 