Adisaster

Recently, while sniffing through the new spring fragrances and finding nothing that appealed to me, I wandered through the shelves. There it was, trying to hide next to its siblings Code and Code Luna: Armani Code Summer 2013. The bottle is, in my opinion, very beautiful, just like the rest of the series. It fits well in the hand and is also easy to handle with 75ml.

At first test, it seemed very similar to the regular Code, but upon closer inspection, they differ quite a bit. Code Summer 2013 starts off lightly citrusy, but already has the wonderful orange blossom note that unmistakably characterizes the Code line. The scent quickly becomes warmer, yet remains light and pleasant. It lays like a delicate veil on the skin, and the warm wind carries a breeze of the fragrance to my nose… Wonderful!

In the heart note, the orange blossom stands out strongly, while jasmine and alpine violet round off the warm yet light scent impression. I perceive the ginger as a fresh and "zesty" component. It prevents the fragrance from becoming too heavy for summer. Those who find the regular Code too overpowering might enjoy Code Summer, as it is not as intrusive.

After a while, the scent begins to become woodier and closer to the skin. Even though the pyramid sounds as if the base would be heavy, that is not the case. I perceive it more as the logical continuation of the preceding development. Of the Code line, I find this base note the most balanced; while the honey in the classic Code bothers me extremely on some days and Code Luna with its vanilla is almost banal, here you find a harmonious blend of the scent notes. Certainly, with wood + vanilla + musk, no groundbreaking formula has been discovered, but it works nonetheless. At least for me!

By the way, the nice saleswoman (whom I had to call over because the fragrance was not yet labeled) explained to me that the scent is so light that one could apply it more generously. Essentially as a bodysplash, as the fragrance is said to also provide moisture (though I haven't read that anywhere else). However, I can only advise against that, as the sillage is quite impressive! The longevity is also commendable at 7-8 hours. What the lady also revealed to me was, of course, the price: €38.95 for 75ml! She mentioned that in recent years, the summer editions were around €70 and that they didn't sell well, which is why there is now this bargain price. Naturally, I couldn't resist and had to secure a bottle immediately…

-> Who is the fragrance worth testing?
- anyone looking for a light yet warm summer scent
- anyone bothered by the honey note of the classic Code
- anyone who finds Code too intrusive or is looking for a daytime version of it
- everyone who would like a middle ground between Code and Code Luna
- lovers of orange blossom fragrances


-> Who can skip the test?
- anyone who does not like orange blossom fragrances
- anyone who absolutely cannot relate to Armani Code will not like this one either
- anyone looking for citrus-fresh summer fragrances

During my last shopping trip at Douglas, I received a sample of the new Tommy Hilfiger women's fragrance "Hilfiger Woman Flower Violet." The scent is exclusively sold by Douglas, where 30ml costs about €35.

Flower Violet starts fruity-sweet; I smell the juicy mandarin as well as some artificial raspberries. Already right after application, the violet comes through and gives the whole thing a floral touch. I don't know how Ionone is supposed to smell or what it actually is - in any case, the violet becomes increasingly dominant over time. Rose and gardenia are perceptible but rather inconspicuous compared to the namesake violet. The raspberry can still be detected during the heart note and provides a subtle fruity note that blends pleasantly with the flowers. A beautiful, sunny day in spring, one of the first days when you can go out in a T-shirt. A walk in the park, freshly in love couples, the first daisies sprouting from the deep green grass - that’s what I associate with this scent. It is fresh, slightly fruity-light, and very feminine, but you have to like violets. I don't find it as terribly bad as the sillage is rated here (currently 19%). I sprayed the fragrance on my pulse points and in my hair, and now and then the wind brings a pleasant whiff to my nose... You certainly won't make everyone turn their heads, but people nearby will notice it. In my opinion, it is therefore also suitable for the office or similar settings.
However, after about 4 hours, the scent becomes weaker and simultaneously warmer. I can't pick out sandalwood directly, and the vanilla doesn't come through strongly either. Unfortunately, Flower Violet also becomes somewhat generic now and resembles many other fragrances in its base. Nice, but not really new. Five hours after application, it is unfortunately completely gone. What a pity!

I really like the bottle - it's very simple, a rectangular clear glass bottle with a slightly thicker bottom (but not a club like La Vie est Belle), in which the perfume is embedded in gentle wave movements. The fragrance itself has a light violet tone and fits very well with the scent. The whole thing is adorned with a large fabric flower, striped in the typical Hilfiger colors of blue and white. Really pretty!

I liked the smell of Flower Violet very much, but it felt strongly familiar after a few minutes. It then occurred to me in front of my perfume shelf: it bears a strong resemblance to "Daisy" by Marc Jacobs. Looking at the pyramids, it’s not surprising: a hint of fruit, gardenia, many many violets, woods, and vanilla. Could Mr. Hilfiger have drawn inspiration from Jacobs' flagship? The suspicion is close, as the two smell so similar.
However, there are clear differences: while the Hilfiger (EdP) was completely gone for me after about 5 hours, Daisy (as EdT) lasts easily 8 hours on me - and with significantly stronger sillage.

If you like violet scents, you might want to check it out - I’ll finish my Daisy first!

Yesterday, I was able to test the new "Neon" line from Superdry. This is exclusively available at Douglas and consists of 4 women's fragrances (Pink, Blue, Orange, and Purple). On the homepage, Purple is described as: "Superdry Neon Purple is for sexy nights. Purple is the color of passion and extravagance. The color of magic, devotion, and sensuality."

Well, typical advertising slogans. The target audience is clearly a younger crowd, for whom the 4 fragrances aim to offer the right perfume for every occasion. The bottles are essentially all the same and only differ in color. Overall, I find the simple, straightforward design quite nice, but the spray head is so awkwardly placed that it's not exactly easy to perfume oneself with it. The large cap is flipped to the side (here's a photo: http://www.nstperfume.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/superdry-neon-purple.jpg); this happens not elegantly like with Cartier's Baiser Voile, but rather like with a storm lighter. Then the sprayer is right in the middle, but the bottle is so large that I can hardly reach it with my admittedly very small hands! Unfortunately, the whole thing also feels very, very cheap, and it gets even worse because the cap slams shut with a loud bang. I was almost embarrassed in the perfume shop. At home, my neighbors would probably think I shot someone!

The scent, on the other hand, is quite nice, but it immediately reminded me of another fragrance: Toni Gard Woman by Toni Gard. This is also exclusively sold at Douglas, so I quickly sprayed it on my other hand to compare the two directly (I own the TG myself).
Although there are many fruits listed in the pyramid for Toni Gard, I don't smell them at all. On the contrary, both fragrances start with a certain freshness, which also has a warm note. Very pleasant, I find the scent to be elegant and unobtrusive. Later, a powdery, woody nuance follows, which I perceive as "crumbly." For TG, I think the marzipan is responsible for this, while in Superdry it is likely due to the coconut. I hope you can imagine what I mean by "crumbly"... With this scent, I always have a crumbling mass in mind, somewhat dry, sweet, but not sticky - although it also has a pleasant creaminess! That the scent is supposed to be for "sexy nights" I don't see. It's too crumbly, too nice, and also too soft for that. I would rather consider it an everyday scent or office scent. Perhaps Superdry is also assuming the excessive dousing of many young girls, then it might indeed be better suited for the night ;-)

In the dry down, the two fragrances still remain quite similar; I really can't detect a significant difference. This is largely because neither of them undergoes any noticeable development beyond the top note for me (Superdry doesn't list any individual notes...). Toni Gard has always fully developed for me after 30 minutes and then just becomes a bit warmer, and that's how I perceive Superdry as well. Aaaaand: with Neon Purple, an unpleasant plastic smell develops over time, which really bothers me.

The longevity of Neon Dry is quite impressive; there's no reason to complain there. It holds up very well both on the skin and on the test strip. However, I must say: many purple spots formed on the test strip, so one should be careful with their clothing when applying it! (I'll post a photo in my album)

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Conclusion: a quite nice scent that is suitable not only for young girls, but unfortunately, its quality cannot convince.

Le Bain Soft Moments I saw at Douglas at the end of 2012 and was surprised not to find it here. So I suggested it and then... forgot about it for a while. In the meantime, I finally got to test it (the first time my arms were already occupied ;-) )

Well, what can I say: I unfortunately cannot share the enthusiasm of AlienRose. I like the original Le Bain (even though I am "only" 25) both in the current and the original version and appreciate it as a cozy warm scent. Therefore, I was confused by the name "Soft Moments" from the beginning, because Le Bain IS exactly that for me. A scent for cozy, homely moments when I just want to wrap myself in a warm blanket.
Moreover, I find the blue color of the perfume not really corresponding to the name. When I think of blue, I automatically think of a summery, aquatic-fresh scent - but I do not associate that with "soft".

Anyway, finally to the decisive part: the smell.
Le Bain Soft Moments smells like watered-down orchid. I don't know if anyone can imagine what that means, but that's how I perceive it. The orchid is there, but somehow it doesn't come through properly; it seems to be standing behind a curtain of water. There is also a note that vaguely reminds me of licorice, more specifically licorice candy. Sweet, somewhat woody, and unfortunately also quite penetrating. Yet, it manages to keep the sillage incredibly weak. The scent is really very, very close to the skin.

Unfortunately, it doesn't develop greatly either. It gets weaker and weaker, but the licorice candy-orchid-water remains. There is sadly no trace of warmth and delight. Over time, this "licorice-like" aspect starts to really annoy me. Nevertheless, I believe I could find it quite pleasant in spring. For the current weather, it is too cool for me, not strong enough, and simply too watery. To pick up on my title again: it somehow reminds me of fabric softener. I once had one that smelled somewhat similar. It also had something to do with orchid and sea... It doesn't bother me, but nobody needs it, especially not as a perfume.

Conclusion: not a delightful cozy scent, rather a mild breeze for spring that unfortunately has the wrong name and is completely misplaced as a flanker of Le Bain.

I came across this fragrance from the brand Eisenberg when I was indecisive about what to test and was advised by one of the ladies at Douglas (by the way, I was looking for a vanilla-powder scent, and this one has nothing to do with that). Until now, I had ignored the plain and unadorned bottles of the brand; the outer packaging didn't appeal to me either, so it took a while before I tested my first Eisenberg.


With Tentation, I think back to my school days: I was in 11th grade, and we had a rather "special" math teacher. She was certainly once an enthusiastic person, but with our class (28 boys and 4 girls), she was hopelessly overwhelmed. So we spent most of the time doing everything but math. Once, we watched "The Matrix." But the fight scenes were fast-forwarded; it was all about the math behind the film!
And at Christmas, we made gifts for our parents. Wine boxes and rum balls, "Only with Rumaramo, of course!"
Of course, we didn't care, so we stood there with rum bottles in the chemistry lab, mixing something together that could only be given to the blind - the things didn't look appetizing at all.

But the smell... Hmmmmmm!!! In my memory, those rum balls smelled exactly like "Tentation"! I don't know where this note comes from, but Tentation clearly smells of rum and chocolate, from beginning to end.

Alongside the sharp, almost piercing rum aroma, I can definitely perceive pink pepper and cypress in the top note, but only if I concentrate hard. It's a lovely blend of the green spiciness of cypress and the mild sharpness of pepper. Quite soon, a delicate vanilla note can be discerned in the background, which becomes more dominant as time goes on.
Violets and deep red roses join in, but I can't (unfortunately) make out the jasmine. The scent becomes fluffier, warmer, and softer. The sharp aroma of the pepper and the rum dissipate, and now I can perceive tonka bean and a hint of patchouli. After about 5 hours, the fragrance fades into a gentle base of tonka bean and vanilla, supported by a touch of musk, but it still retains the rum note!

I have to say, this fragrance excites me! After the first test, I sat in a lecture and had to keep sniffing my wrist. I had never smelled this special note in a perfume before, and so the first Eisenberg ended up on my wish list. A very beautiful perfume, but I really find it hard to categorize it.
Sweet? Yes
Gourmand? Definitely!
Oriental? Hmm, yeah
Fresh? I would rather call it "sharp"
Powdery? No
Fruity? Minimal
Spicy? Yeah, not for long, but yes
Aquatic? If the captain has once again looked too deep into his rum barrel, definitely!

By the way, I don't know the Lalique listed here as a twin; unfortunately, no one in the area carries it, and I've had enough of blind purchases for now... Maybe someone has a sample for me, I would be happy :-)

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edit: I was able to test the Lalique now ("Thank you" again, dear Jifat!)
The two are definitely similar, but in Tentation, the rum note is more dominant and sharper. The Lalique is softer, a bit cozier, and more vanilla-like (probably due to the heliotrope).
If I had to choose between the two, I would probably take the Lalique now - simply because the bottle is prettier ;-)