Imperia

Eyewitness report. Crime scene: Constance - in a large M-store, perfume department. First of all: Yes, I admit, I am one of those Swiss who occasionally visit Constance. However, not to stock up on cheap meat like others (I don’t eat meat at all :-)) but because the little town by Lake Constance is beautiful for strolling and the people are all so lovely...

Now back to the crime scene: I try to get my hands on a tester, but on a Saturday, that’s a very difficult task. A young couple, around 20/23, appears in my line of sight, stopping in front of the Armanis. He (handsome, tanned, leather jacket, teddy bear type): “Why don’t you try the Armani Code…”. She (pretty, blonde, high heels, type… well, never mind) ignores him, grabs the Eros by Versace… He: “The Armani Code is really nice…” She: “mhmhm” continues to ignore him and reaches for the golden one by Paco... (I think she likes gold) He tries again, holds the bottle out to her and says in a tender voice: “I really like this one the most…” She finally looks at him - angry, very angry, turns around and struts away. Really, I know one shouldn’t eavesdrop on strangers, but what was I supposed to do? I was still trying to get my tester… The poor guy stands there like a drenched poodle, glances briefly at me and I have to bite my tongue (my mouth sometimes works faster than my brain) to not express my sympathy. So I just give him a slightly encouraging look...:-) Well, you never know what the issue with the fragrance was (was it the scent of his ex? Is she allergic? Or whatever…)

Anyway, it’s a pity she didn’t try it, because to put it simply, this scent is dark - but in a fresh way, mystical - but not gloomy, erotic - yet not in an animalistic sense but like a romantic tête-à-tête in a mysterious place where only orange blossoms bloom. These envelop you, inviting you to cuddle and dream. On me, it lasts up to 8 hours, developing not a sticky - rather a smoky sweetness, which I really like. The combination of oranges or orange blossoms with warm components, especially vanilla, is very well received by men - that’s my experience...:-)

Well, I hope the two of them found each other, with or without the code…

No, the fragrance didn't exist back then, but many years ago I got married in white. This year, my husband and I traveled to Carinthia, just like almost every year, exactly on our 15th wedding anniversary. For the first time, we took the route through Munich and decided to take a break in Rosenheim. But there was a deeper reason for this: as confessed crime fans, we wanted to walk in the footsteps of the Rosenheim Cops…:-)?

Well, we didn't meet Michi or Mrs. Stockel, and we didn't drink a mass beer with Korbinian either. We were all the more disappointed by the police station, which looked so different from the one in the series! What do we do now? The spring weather was beautiful, Rosenheim is definitely worth a visit, and there is a well-stocked perfumery. Only - it was Sunday… But - they had Sunday sales! Now that's what I call fate! In we went to test until our ears wiggled, because my husband thought it would be the ideal wedding anniversary gift. How right he always is…

Love in White clearly won the race, both for me and my husband. It is a lovely, unobtrusive fragrance, romantic and playful. The orange peels that form the opening immediately spread good cheer. When the flowers, especially the magnolias, show up, it becomes softer, more herbal, slightly powdery, really beautifully cozy. I think this little scent won't overwhelm anyone, and it doesn't stand out negatively either. The only downside is the longevity; after 3 - 4 hours, it has evaporated. The bottle is very heavy and beautiful, really great quality. Cucumbers? Ammonia? Cleaning products? No, I encountered none of those just like I didn’t meet the Rosenheim Cops in Rosenheim…:-)

In hindsight, I think I would have probably chosen Love in Black, as it suits me better, being spicier and warmer. But then again, there’s always a birthday...:-)

P.S. Oh, and what did I gift him? Psssst... don't tell anyone... Aventus!! :-)))

I've been itching to write this comment for a long time because Eau Glacée is one of my absolute favorites!

I stumbled upon it by chance; I wanted to test another Guerlain that they didn't have in stock that day. My favorite saleswoman consoled me by holding this beautiful bottle in front of me and said it was very special, as it contained frozen fruits... Oh really? But they don't smell like anything? When I smell a pack of frozen raspberries, I just smell cardboard and nothing else! Well, I was mistaken; one never stops learning: Once again, I had a vision:

I am sitting in a violet meadow, surrounded by delicate violet flowers that are releasing their intense fragrance. I feel a bit like Dorothy in the magical land of "Oz." However, there it was poppies that were snowed upon; here, it’s the violets, and the snow is sprinkled with powdered sugar... But wait, there’s something else... cooler... slightly sweet... Someone has placed a fruit ice cream sundae in front of me, just the way I like it, without the annoying whipped cream and little ice cream, but with plenty of fruits: raspberries, blackberries, strawberries... Mmmmhhh, delicious! But as I want to taste it, I realize they are still half-frozen, tiny ice crystals shimmering in the light of the gentle sun rays... I have to wait for them to thaw, enjoying the scent that enchants me, that lulls me, and lasts so long...

Waking up from my vision, I eagerly sniff at my wrist. Amazing what a fragrance can show you in pictures! I can't detect the apple and lemon peel; they probably reveal themselves more in the light freshness. Only after hours do I perceive the woody notes, but I find them rather cool and powdery, like musk snowflakes falling onto a sun-warmed wooden beam...

If I had to describe this fragrance in three words, they would be: cool, sweetish, and powdery, but all in a balanced ratio. It lasts a very long time on me, 6 - 7 hours, and I can still smell it on my clothes the next day. It seems to suit me like a glove (or rather a violet) because it has already garnered numerous compliments. For me, it fits every occasion and every season. Unfortunately, it’s not so easy to get anymore, which is why I’ve stashed away another bottle as a reserve... :-)

To stay healthy and fit, I do quite a bit, which is why I eat a grapefruit every day… after all, it's supposed to be healthy. Apparently, it works because I am hardly ever sick. There are huge differences in the taste of grapefruits; sometimes they are so sour that my whole face scrunches up, and other times they are almost as sweet as an orange.

Yesterday, I received my 4th Micallef, which I was able to bid on at a good price. I was quite curious about the fragrance, as there are also significant differences in quality...:-)

The first spray… Oh yes, grapefruit and what a grapefruit it is! In the opening, it's citrusy, fresh, not too sour, my facial features remain relaxed… Only when the tangerine joins in does a slightly sweet note come into play. However, it does not take over; the grapefruit remains dominant in the foreground. I find the scent development here really fascinating, as it becomes creamy soft through the jasmine and rose, but not musty. Fortunately, the berries have hidden from me. A light freshness remains, despite the powdery and woody notes. I can confirm the comparison with a very fine body lotion, but I find the feeling very pleasant on days when I don't want to overwhelm anyone with a scent, not even myself. I perceive it on me for about 4-5 hours, on clothes a bit longer.

No, I do not associate fragrance trees with this; instead, at the beginning, one of my other favorites came to mind, Femina by Alberta Ferretti. Pomelos, however, is softer, not as bitter and green as this one.

The blind purchase was worth it, a beautiful scent for spring/summer, but for winter, it might be a bit too weak for me.

Yesterday I had my monthly tarot evening and for the first time, Shanaan was allowed to accompany me. Until now, I had only worn it in my own four walls, in winter to plant myself on the couch or to test it on various people. So yesterday was the big day and I was very positively surprised. I have, of course, used incense for smudging before, and you really have to like it to endure it there; otherwise, the scent can be overwhelming.

However, this one is completely different… I still remember when I first timidly sprayed it on my wrist: I was blown away! Even now, it knocks me off my feet every time I use it! Right from the start, the incense kisses me, but it is a cold, fresh, very clean kiss, nothing to do with smudging. The patchouli screams: I want to join in! But no, it can only dance in the background and make way for the slightly woody notes. Something happens in my consciousness; I have a vision of the High Priestess, one of my favorite cards in the tarot… She represents, among other things, the unconscious forces that lie within us. But what does that have to do with Shanaan? He awakens a power in me and at the same time gives me an inner calm; I can concentrate better on what is essential. Yes, it would definitely be suitable for meditation. Even after hours, the cool (completely unsweet) incense note remains, though gently embedded in musk and amber.

As I mentioned, I have also tested the scent on other people. Neither on my priest husband (who usually can't stand incense but likes this one) nor on my mother or dear friend did it remain so cool. On all three, it became sweet and I didn't like it as much as on myself.

For me, it is definitely not an everyday scent; it is too precious for that. But when I need an extra dose of power and calm, it comes with me - no matter the season or time of day…

PS. I have never had such meaningful cards as yesterday - and that says something... :-)