review | The Scented Hound

August 11, 2014
by The Scented Hound 24 Comments

Peche Cardinal by Parfums MDCI

WHAT I SMELL: Peche Cardinal opens with a muted berry that’s sweet and fruity and lightly tropical. It’s really pretty and soft and could easily have gone big and garish, but instead it is pure innocence. There’s a light creaminess that lends itself to a light peach freshness. It’s as if there are peaches and plums in a beautiful bowl, tinged with sun that’s met with a gentle breeze coming through an open window. Plus it’s cottony soft, like a baby’s blanket; all comforting and secure. After around 20 minutes, the warmth of the sandalwood comes in along with this restrained tuberose, making this even more comforting if that’s possible. After the 30 minute mark the fragrance begins to grow and increase its projection. But once again, it does so without making it loud. The final drydown is a just a little spicy, but a lot of peach and muted tuberose. Peche Cardinal is one majestic beauty.

From the Parfums MDCI website:

A fruity floral From a palette of raw materials by the famous Fragrance House Robertet, Amandine Marie imagined for MDCI a very bold, young and vivacious composition: daring at first, but with soft and silky tones in its development. A dazzling start: peach, blackberry, blackcurrant, Davana and coconut make it a true fruity fragrance, full of exuberance. After this grand opening that feels like the triumphant arrival of spring and awakens the senses, lily and tuberose and a touch of plum enter the composition, softening it into a smooth fruity floral. These floral notes are a prelude to the round and velvety final accords of the base: sandalwood, cedar and musk bring soothing calm, body and lasting power.

Girl with a Kitten, Jean-Baptiste Perronneau

WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME: The story of a girl’s transformation from beautiful innocence to a sophisticated and charming woman.

THREE ADJECTIVES THAT DESCRIBE PECHE CARDINAL: glorious, comforting, cultured

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT PECHE CARDINAL: Olfactoria’s Travels, Another Perfume Blog, Perfume Posse

BOTTOM LINE: Peche Cardinal translates into Cardinal Sin. There is NO sin involved with this fragrance. Instead, it would be a sin not to enjoy it. I’m not a fan of peach fragrances…but I am a big fan of this.

Bone Rating: 4.5 out of possible 5 bones
Scent: Fruity Floral
Nose: Amandine Marie
Classification: Feminine
Expense: $250 for 75ml EdP without the beautiful bust. $375 for 60ml EdP with the iconic bust.

August 8, 2014
by The Scented Hound Leave a comment

A Hound CaFleureBon Post: Perfume Review – CARON Paris Or et Noir Fountain Fragrance (1949) + A Fierce and Classic Chypre Draw

Ever since Perfumer Ernest Daltroff first opened the doors at 10 rue de la Paix, Paris, Caron has been creating masterpieces of French classic perfumery that continue to enthrall fragrance aficiandos for over a century. From the mysterious Narcisse Noir (1911) the androgynous Tabac Blond (1919), the iconic Nuit de Noel (1922) to 20th century classics such as Parfum Sacré (1993) and Aimez Moi (1996) the House of CARON is legendary. However, there are a few lesser known gems in the collection. Or et Noir is one CARON gem that deserves greater recognition. Classic, yet modern, Or et Noit is a fierce rose that never disappoints. For the full review on CaFleureBon and to enter in a draw for a 7.5ml bottle of parfum extrait, click here.

August 4, 2014
by The Scented Hound 6 Comments

Estee Lauder Private Collection Jasmine White Moss

WHAT I SMELL: Jasmine White Moss opens with a zesty bergamot and tangy juicy mandarin with flecks of berry. Pure yumminess. The mandarin really stands out making it rather luscious and gourmand. It is so pretty and happy that I feel like Snoopy when he’s doing his happy dance. After a few minutes that zesty opening starts to break for a more serious, but equally pretty floral cacophony. The mandarin seems to retreat, then come full force again, as if it’s taking turns with the white florals like a Tilt o Whirl ride weaving in and out. After around 15 minutes, a slight soapiness makes an appearance taking the fragrance into a more traditional white floral territory. Thankfully those white florals don’t get out of hand by going over the top. Instead, a sweet patchouli joins in to make the florals lighter and more radiant only to then lead to White Moss Mist which adds a sheer dryness over the entire floral composition along with this everlasting brightened green.

From the Estee Lauder website:

Radiant greenness and white floral richness in a passionate yet elegant blend of modern and classic ingredients…the shared creation of both Aerin and Estée Lauder.

The fragrance, the third in Aerin Lauder’s Private Collection, is an intensely lush green floral chypre scent. An opulent white bouquet surrounded by delicate moss, rich woods and fifteen natural fragrance Absolutes.

Jasmin White Moss Notes:

Top Notes: Mandarin, Black Currant Bud Absolute, Galbanum Absolute, Bergamot Absolute, Jasmine Sambac Absolute, Ylang Ylang Absolute, Violet, Organge Flower Absolute, Orris, Patchoui Heart Absolute, Vetiver Absolute, White Moss Mist

WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME: I am having a hard time moving past my first visualization of a dancing Snoopy, so I can resist using it. However, it should be noted that Jasmine White Moss is incredibly feminine, mature and beautiful…but it’s Snoopy and he must dance because Jasmine White Moss makes me happy.

THREE ADJECTIVES THAT DESCRIBE JASMINE WHITE MOSS: rich, vibrant, sparkling (OK, so it’s from the website, but they did such a good job of providing three perfect adjectives!)

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT JASMINE WHITE MOSS: I Smell Therefore I Am, The Scented Salamander, Perfume-Smellin Things

BOTTOM LINE: This is what I wish my mother would have been wearing when I was younger. I would have followed her around and have done anything that she told me to do. Jasmine White Moss is sophisticated without being stuffy and it radiates confidence and a positive energy. Loveliness all around!

Bone Rating: 4 out of possible 5 bones
Scent: Chypre Floral
Nose: Jean-Marc Chaillan
Classification: Feminine
Expense: $90 for 1 oz. EdP