PRINCESS

Vera Wang's Princess is the Swan Princess

This gentle, pleasing and graceful scent of a lovely swan begins as a duckling.  When I first inhaled this fragrance on my wrists, I wasn't too keen on the tangy after smell that resided in my senses.  It was tangy and too strong.  I rolled my eyes thinking, 'oh great, another day worrying about how bad I smell', that is until I raised my arm to take a book off my shelf.  A tender, sweet smell lingered in the air from where I retrieved the book.  The scent was smooth, mild yet noticeable.  I brought my nose to my wrists again, this time expecting the same fragrance, a reasonable expectation, right? Reasonable and rational but not a reality.  My nose received the same scent it did when I first smelt it, tang.  Waving my arm back and forth in the air a few times, trying to figure out the trick then, tah dah, the sweet and gentle fragrance resurfaced.  Throughout the day, I was constantly checking my wrists discovering that the better half of Princess started to exist on my wrist as it did on the air.  I then immediately researched the notes and was amazed how Vera can combine many different notes to create this beautiful scent without exposing the various notes it contains.  Pink Frosting, Vanilla, Amber and Woods are at the base, the feet constantly swimming.  Guava, Tiare Flower, Tuberose and Dark Chocolate rest comfortably, on the water without breaking a sweat.  While Waterlily, Lady Apple, Mandarin, Meringue and Apricot frames the pretty face of the swan, sitting tall and proud.  The Princess bottle is the shape of a transparent heart with several edges, purple coloured liquid inside and of course, a gold coloured crown as a cap.  The container  is a girlie one but at least it's not pink.    

Nicely done Ms. Wang, you've managed to mix a great amounts of elements together to form your perfect swan.

"There's a double beauty whenever a swan swims on a lake with her double thereon."

-Thomas Hood

VIVA LA JUICY - 10TH ONE

Long Live Alluring Viva La Juicy by Juicy Couture

This fragrance is a winner.  It has all the elements of attracting the opposite sex, even the same sex.  I received so many compliments wearing this scent, I started to feel like a celebrity.  At first, this powerful perfume demanded attention from all, making it impossible for anyone to pass me without giving me a double look or a tribute.  The container is just as attractive as the scent.  The cap resembles a large, inexpensive crystal wine stopper, with two different gold coloured charms dangling from it.  One charm consist of the letter 'J', the other is similar to a chain with the word Couture.  The liquid is held in a practical, transparent square with Couture's gold logo in the middle.  The look is completed with a huge, fuchsia bow at the neck, not a fan of fuchsia or the bow yet it seems to benefit the appearance.  Viva La Juicy has all the ingredients that I love, however I was oblivious to the notes when I first got a whiff of this stimulating  aroma.   Knowing half of these notes are the main ingredients for a tasty cookie, Amber, Caramel, Vanilla, Sandalwood and Praline compliment themselves impeccably as the base notes. Honeysuckle, Gardenia and Jasmin convene in the core cajoling and holding down the base as Wild Berries and Juicy Mandarin gently fall on top carrying out this exquisite scent.  As I continued my day thanking numerous strangers for telling me how nice I smelt, discontent started to kick in as I searched for this marvellous scent when praises were brought to a halt half way through the day.  I could still smell its delight, sadly, it just wasn't creating the controlling, scented bubble anymore.

I love this fragrance, just would have loved it more if it stayed as potent as it was when you first spray it on.

"Women are never disarmed by compliments.  Men always are.  That is the difference between the sexes."

-Oscar Wilde 

 

L.I.L.Y. #9 - WISH I HADN'T

Stella Mccartney's L.I.L.Y - Should be called Dandelions

Unfortunately, I had the privilege of wearing this odour at a bar-b-que.  Okay, let me back up a bit.  The bottle... the bottle is remarkable.  I couldn't stop caressing the smooth bumps on the lilac circle carrying the fragrance, surrounded by a thin square leaving its corner open for a look out.  The cap if formed with equally shaped triangles, alternating from being upside down and right side up.  When I took a sniff from the container, the scent was actually decent and smelt a little like the flower lily of the valley, that is until I found myself encircled by many others at an outdoor bar-b-que and felt subconscience about the way I smelt.  The more I smelt this stench, the more I thought it resembled unwanted weeds in a manicured lawn.  Seems like the top notes of Black Truffle and Black Pepper along with Pink Pepper and White Musk took over the middle notes parting from Lily of the Valley into a different lawn.  Oak moss and Patchouli, not sure if they play any part as base notes but they said it does.  It's also said that L.I.L.Y stand for, Linda, I Love You.  Maybe if Stella focused more on smelling lie lilies and not different colours of peppers, it might have actually smelt like lilies.
Very sentimental meaning, very attractive bottle, very disappointing smell.  

"Few people even scratch the surface, much less exhaust the contemplation of their own experience."
-Randolph Bourne

PARISIENNE - 8TH PLUCKED

Delicate Parisienne by Yves Saint Laurent

Parisienne caught my eye with its beautiful shade of pale purple enclosed in an oval yet dimensional bottle with a gold cap.  Yves Saint Laurent's initials match the fragrance's cap on a jet black rectangle, forcing all eyes to gaze upon its beauty.  As soon as I took a whiff of Parisienne, I was sold.  Told the lady to wrap it up and I gave it a new home.  Still oblivious to the ingredients, I generously sprayed myself in this new found aroma.  The purple liquid delighted all my senses with its soft, graceful and wanted touch.  I happily started my day with an extra step in my feminine confidence knowing I smelt as good as a mini botanical garden set beside a waterfall surrounded by berry bushes.  Sitting in a restaurant for a late lunch, I began checking for Parisienne all over my arm and was disappointed when I couldn't locate my garden, until the server came over.  She told me that she kept smelling my perfume everytime she came by, loved the scent and stated that she was going to purchase one for herself.  Her comment created a domino effect.  For the rest of the day, I received similar remarks from other people.  It appears that Cranberry and Blackberry harmonizes seamlessly together as top notes, while Damask Rose, Violet, Peony and Leather flourish in the garden as Pathouli, Vetyver, Musk and Sandalwood holds it all together at the base of the waterfall.  Parisienne is in a class by itself. 
You might not be able to smell it but others definitely can.

"The sharp thorn often produces delicate roses."
-Ovid

CANDY - 7TH CHOSEN

Candy by Prada will hurt your teeth

As soon as I heard Prada came out with a fragrance with caramel, vanilla and sugar, all my favourite tasty ingredients, I couldn't wait to shower in it.  The design of the bottle caught my attention.  The sleek cylinder shape of pink and gold stands proud with a cap of what looks like Moe's hair cut from the Three Stooges, attached to a very skinny neck.  The perfume releases a decent amount of imbue with an effortless pump.  Holding the container, a tantalizing odour was seeping out and I was lost in my own sweet reverie... that is of course until I mist it on myself.  The sweetness was so pronounced making it seem that you just ate a whole bag of sugar.  That would have been great if the  syrupy scent subsided, but it didn't.  I was confused if I should brush my teeth due to a sudden twinge or take a tylenol for a growing headache. Caramel being the only top note is quite evident, yet there's still a powdery notes of Cocktail of Musks in the mid section and Vanilla and Benzoin as the base whom all help with the illusion of giving you a cavity.  The aroma wasn't horrible, but it wasn't delightful either.
For the sweet candy addicts out there, remember too much of a good thing, isn't good.

"A celibate, like a fly in the heart of an apple, dwells in a perpetual sweetness, but sits alone, and is confined and dies in singularity."
-Jeremy Taylor

VERSENSE - 6TH SELECTED

The clean, crisp fragrance of Versense by Versace

The fresh and delicate citrus sense envelopes simultaneously making Versense a great summer and day scent.  The bottle is a handy, transparent square with a oval, silver cap matching the Versace logo located front and centre.  The liquid inside is a pale green, evoking the shade of warm occassions.  Bergamot, Green Mandarin and Fig engage to linger as top notes, at the same time, Lily, Cardamom and Jasmin are the heart of the perfume. Leaving Olive wood, Sandalwood, Cedar and Musk as the base completing this Mediterranean scent.  After 10 hours of wear and tear on a hot summer day, Versense was still present.  However, the Mediterranean quintessence began to fade, leaving your nose as the predator annoyingly hunting notes on any division of your body.  
Versense, is as nice as waking up to birds singing, yet you will need to carry a small bird with you for the 10 hour mark.

"Always first draw fresh breath after outbursts of vanity and complacency."
-Franz Kafka

L'EAU THE ONE - 5TH PULLED FROM BAG

L'eau, The One by Dolce & Gabbana, The One & Only

This delicious fragrance is passionate and tender.  It also has all the elements of romance, love, seduction with everlasting stamina.  Oh, I undeniably love this scent.  As if gracefully blends into your skin, the subtle aroma is appreciated as you have to put your nose directly on the spot for its intoxicating bouquet smell, although with every stir of the wind or reposition of your limbs, this one & only perfume is noticed by all in your proximity.  L'eau, The One commences with Amber, Musk, Moss, Vetyver and of course, vivid Vanilla as the base notes.  Plum, Exotic Fruits, Floral Muguet, Jasmin and Madonna Lily all act as the heart notes in order to enthral your own heart.  The notes that leave you wanting more are beguiling Bergamot, Mandarin, Lychee and Peach.  These factors cooperate flawlessly together in a smooth, sophisticated, transparent and silver container.  The silver cap is nestled on its silver neck, attached to a clear, square bottle.  The liquid has it's own compartment within the square allowing you to see how much you have thus, you'll never run out.  
This is the scent you want to drench yourself in with your one & only loved one.

"Romance is everything."
-Gertrude Stein

ISLAND KISS - #4 of the 20

Escape with Escada's Island Kiss

This is indeed a kiss from the islands.  Island Kiss perfectly memorizes the essence of the beach without any notes overpowering each other.  Being from the Island of Trinidad, Escada transports me back with one spray as all my senses embraces and seizes every note not wanting to let go of the trance.  The base is packed with Red Fruits, Wood and Musk playing at the shore while Magnolia and Peach swim together forming a ripple as Orange, Passion Flower and Mango are released with every crashing wave.  Since Island Kiss is the best replica of the beach I ever smelt, it's the ideal summer scent.  This magnificent fragrance lasts all day and through the night.  The subtle citrus is noticed along with a sweet breeze of fruits and a fresh yet gentle floral combination.  The bottle begins with a metallic silver tall hat seated comfortably on a matching ring.  The crest of the body is sky blue gradually fading to a transparent bottom.  A sketch of a skinny tree, in a similar shade of sky blue is located on the front along with it's name and brand written in the same shade as the bottom of the bottle.  To complete the design a pink ribbon tied to the neck of the bottle with a sliver palm tree charm hanging from the side. 
Island Kiss is a must in the summer, on vacation or if you merely want to escape.  All you have to do is close your eyes and let the scent air lift you to any island your little heart desires.
Island Kiss is one to add to your dresser.

"I feel we are all islands - in a common sea."
-Anne Morrow Lindbergh

IDOLE - 3rd Exposed

The disappearing act of Idole d'Armani

When I originally pulled this scent out of the bag, the corners of my mouth formed a smirk because it was, the one and only Armani.  Oh yes, Armani.  Armani has provided me with nothing but sugary compliments from charming men with long lasting appeal all tucked away in a sensible packaging.  That is, of course, until I was exposed to Idole.  The base notes consists of Styrax, Patchouli and Vetiver.  Rose Loukoum and Jasmine with Saffron Absolute, stay cozy in the middle while Orange, Pear, Ginger and Davana notes settle at the top.  My nose and I were warring when I first sprayed this on my newly showered body.  The scent resembled too much to liquor with a bang of spice.  However, after purposely keeping my senses away from the tequila spots for 5 hours, Idole became bearable.  The frangrance sank into my skin, for a warm, captivating scent.  Alas, Armani doesn't disappoint... until another 5 hours had passed.  No matter how much I rubbed my nose up and down my arm, the scent wasn't noticeable.  It's as if I had never put it on, as if the scent went through its own mood swings.  From a violent scream to a soft whisper.  

Planning to take on the scream?  Just remember to apply it at least 5 hours before heading out and take the travel size with you.

"We live in a moment of history where change is so speeded up that we begin to see the present only when it is already disappearing."

-R.D. Laing

    

FLORA - 2nd pick

Flora by Gucci does not live up to its name

I personally don't favour any Gucci perfumes, nor do I want to at this time, but the bottle does seem simple, classic and practical.  The hexagon black cap, which matches the shape of the bottle, has a short, black bow with a goldish looking bead at each end.  The front of the fragrance displays the name and brand of its scent in gold, matching the beads, on a square, black label.  So far, we know Gucci knows their shapes and colours but not too much about flowers.  This wanna be floral fragrance begins at the base with White Cedarwood (yup, smelt the cedarwood) and Rock Rose (should have just said rocks).  Tuberrose, Orange Flower and Rose are suppose to compliment the base notes leaving Violet Leaves and Peach to gracefully caress our noses yet, it seems like they forgot to add the top notes.  Although it has 5 types of flowers in it, I barely smelt one.  The only time I may have smelled a petal is when I deeply inhaled the skin on my wrist, for the 8th time desperately trying to smell out a rose.  Unless you're planning on walking around with your wrists in the air, leave this one on the counter at the store. 

"It's discouraging to think how many people are shocked by honesty and how few by deceit."
-Noel Coward