Yann Vasnier | The Scented Hound

WHAT I SMELL: Blondine graces the skin with a smooth buttery cream that’s deep without being heavy. Unlike many breezy top notes, It feels like a base is being built for something amazing that is about to come. And just as I suspected, soon enough the depths of the opening begin to lighten and a floral element appears. There’s a dreamy quality that embodies the perfume and it seems to hover over you as if it’s part of your natural aura. As the perfume continues to develop, the florals start to bloom until they’re front and center. The exotic flowers feel as if they’ve just been plucked from the jungle, but they don’t have an overwhelming sweetness to them. Instead, it feels like they have been ripening in the hot rainforest sun and have been dusted with the lightest of cocoa. I have to admit that Blondine to me is a hard perfume to describe because it seems to continually morph as you wear it….sometimes more floral, sometimes a bit more gourmand and at times, a lovely musk. But in the end it’s easy for me to categorize it as incredibly unique and absolutely exquisite fragrance. I love this perfume.

From the Frassaï website:

A seductive and playful fragrance crafted to intrigue the senses, inspired by the 1920’s French fairy tale. Innocent sensuality is revealed through notes of sacred Ashok flower, spicy Tiger Lily and the seductive allure of cocoa, salted butter caramel, and vanilla in a base of irresistible blond musks.

A few notes: Salted Butter Caramel, Pear Leaves, Ashok flower, Cocoa, Blond Musks

WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME: Hammock dreaming in a sun kissed jungle.

THREE WORDS THAT DESCRIBE BLONDINE: dreamy, creamy, stunning

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT BLONDINE: CaFleureBon, Colognoisseur, Undina’s Looking Glass

BOTTOM LINE: Blondine is a perfume that is beautiful and easy to wear. One reason it’s so wearable is because there’s an incredible depth to the perfume without it being weighty. That’s great for someone like myself who lives in a hot and humid environment as Blondine blossoms on the skin in such a wonderfully graceful way. What’s not to love?

Bone Rating: 5 out of possible 5 bones
Scent: Floral Musky Gourmand
Nose: Yann Vasnier
Classification: Unisex
Expense: $130 for 50 ml eau de parfum via the Frassaï website.

WHAT I SMELL: Le Quatrième Parfum initially opens up smoky warm only to be quickly met with a boozy, but green sharpness. Almost gourmand at first, the perfume rapidly begins to lighten as the air meets the perfume; as if a genie had been let out of the bottle. For being so balsamic, the perfume is rather light and ethereal. As the perfume continues to develop, there’s a light sweetened honey that appears as a layer to the smoky notes. After a bit, the patchouli makes it way to the center, but it’s ever so soft and it feels as if it’s wrapped within a fruited tobacco and incense. After some more time the patchouli continues to grow along with a coating of vanilla, but it always remains contained, subdued and at peace. Le Quatrième Parfum is a perfume that will help you to believe that all is right with the world.

From the Coolife website:

Designed to engage with the root chakra, our most physical energy center, Le Quatrième Parfum is the fourth fragrance created by Pauline Rochas and Carole Beaupré. In homage to our ancient connection with earth, Le Quatrième is grounding, erotic, and lush. It captures passion and draws out that exquisite moment of connecting with our roots. Known as Muladhara in Sanksrit, the root chakra is the border between animal and human consciousness. Like the deep and sturdy roots of a tree, the root chakra is the stem of life, the smoldering origin of our sexuality, seated at the basal end of the spine. Le Quatrième conjures the scent of rum, an invigorating liquor blended in the heat of the islands, intertwined with smoky, organic tobacco leaves. This deep, Oriental fragrance stimulates the body at its base, with essences of Myrhh and Resinoid, Indonesian Patchouli, and Peru Balsam. Heady top and mid notes of aphrodisiac honey, vanilla, and plum intoxicate the senses, stirring a tempest within the body. Muladhara is the chakra of scent, our most primal sense. Le Quatrième manifests the power of fragrance, entrancing strangers and rapturous lovers to linger in your presence, luxuriating in romantic union. With a balanced root chakra, you are at once sensual and instinctual, magnetic and in control. Surrender to the allure of Le Quatrième and, with the energy of the earth surging through your body, you hold the key to the realm of desire.

WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME: serenity

THREE WORDS THAT DESCRIBE LE QUATRIÉME PARFUM: calming, warm, peaceful

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT LE QUATRIÉME PARFUM: None to be found as of yet.

BOTTOM LINE: If you’re looking for a perfume that really puts the ease in easy, Le Quatrième Parfum is an incredibly relaxing and centered perfume that doesn’t try to be anything more than it is. And what it is, is a beautiful and peaceful perfume full of positive and calming energy.

Bone Rating: 3.5 out of possible 5 bones
Scent: Oriental
Nose: Yann Vasnier
Classification: Unisex
Expense: $175 for 50 ml Eau De Parfum

Sample courtesy of Twisted Lily Fragrance Boutique and Apothecary. Opinion my own.