MadameLegras

Artemisia has indeed conquered me in a storm, if one can say such a thing about fragrances.

I encountered it while inquiring about a special musk scent at my favorite perfumery in my holiday destination. A very nice lady from the already very competent staff recommended it to me, immediately noting to give it a little time.

Right after spraying, I perceive it as a bit bold and bitter, which is surely due to the green leaves that indeed appear somewhat biting. However, this settles very quickly, and soon it exudes a wonderfully sweet note of jasmine and vanilla. I don't smell the indicated nectarine or green apples, but it has a slightly floral tea note that never drifts into the "sweet-nice" territory. In the base, it then transforms into a dreamy musk scent with a woody foundation, tender, powdery; the flowers and tea have bid farewell, leaving behind this unmistakable dream of wood, musk, and vanilla. Amber remains very discreet in the background, perhaps giving the fragrance a bit of depth, while I do not perceive oak moss.

In contrast to many other commentators, it fortunately lasts quite well on me; I can still perceive it very well hours later, without overpowering my surroundings - just to my taste. However, I have never worn it in winter, but I can well imagine it in the colder season, as it is a wonderfully warm, powdery companion.

All in all, an absolutely feminine fragrance, unmistakable, enduring - I simply feel completely comfortable with it. Of course, after a second test in the aforementioned perfumery, the bottle immediately moved in with me.

Once again, I wonder why such a beautiful fragrance receives so little attention here. Admittedly, it is a relatively new brand, with the oldest scent from Maison Incens dating back to 2014. The fragrances are all rated fairly well here, but still, only a few perfume enthusiasts own them.

I received a sample of this as part of a fragrance swap, and now I own a bottle. After the holidays with my oriental scents like Coco or Must, Santal Tislit was a welcome change on the first working day of the new year.

It starts with a zesty opening that quickly fades away. I don't notice much rose or jasmine. A smoky wood note follows, which lingers quite a while. Fortunately, it doesn't smell too much like smoke, but rather cozy. And it continues like this once the initial smoke has dissipated. Then, in the wake of the sandalwood, a wonderfully creamy and cuddly base emerges, resting on a woody, gentle sweetness. I can faintly detect the incense in the background. The scent is never intrusive or overpowering; instead, it conveys an absolute cuddle factor, especially now in this uncomfortable season with dreary weather. It is suitable for indoors and outdoors, and of course also for the upcoming freezing temperatures. I probably won't reach for it in spring or summer.

I categorize it less as floral-powdery and more as woody-sweet. The scent is harmonious and balanced - one searches in vain for sharp edges. Some may find this boring, but it doesn't bother me. In my opinion, definitely a recommendation for sandalwood fans to test!

I gifted myself Oranges Bigarades last Christmas. It was a blind buy based on such an enticing description that I simply had to treat myself to this fragrance - albeit only the small version.

And it did not disappoint me, quite the opposite: I didn't wear it much last winter, but this year it has become one of my absolute favorite winter scents! Yes, that's right, I don't see it in summer and not necessarily in spring either, but rather in autumn and winter. However, during those seasons, it suits me perfectly!

I also cannot fully agree with the classification as citrus-fresh. Citrus yes, fresh only to a certain extent, rather spicy, in that regard I definitely agree with the description from Duftsucht in their comment.

The opening features a very prominent, juicy bitter orange, which, together with bergamot, offers a wonderful citrus-herb fragrance experience. A slight sweetness becomes perceptible in the background as it develops, but really just a hint, so the scent never comes across as overpowering. After a while, the aroma of black tea joins in, and the fragrance becomes spicier. And so it remains relatively long-lasting for me, enveloping me in a lovely, warm veil. It is a truly wonderful composition with a high recognition value, perfectly balanced, nothing is too much and nothing is too little.

If you are looking for a winter fragrance that smells of oranges and completely avoids gourmand notes and Christmas baking - here it is!

I wonder why this wonderful scent receives relatively little attention here, as it is for me one of the most successful vanilla fragrances that has no prominent counterpart in its composition.

At the start, the bergamot flashes briefly and then a warm and dark vanilla note joins in. A little sip of plum liqueur makes it a bit calmer. Like a delicate veil of smoke, it envelops the fragrance, and I perceive it for quite a while. After some time, the scent becomes sweeter, more intense, and heavier. The sweetness takes on a wonderful aroma, as if a splash of rum has been added. Amber is noticeable but stays beautifully in the background. The sweetness is never overpowering or syrupy, but is perfectly balanced by the woody notes. And so it remains perceptible to me for a very long time.

I find this one of the most beautiful vanilla fragrances I have had the pleasure of experiencing so far. I perceive it only slightly gourmand - which is good for me. Likewise, the plum is not dominant; I’m not very fond of fruits either.

For the cold season, it is a perfect scent, as long as you like sweet (not sticky) vanilla fragrances. When dosed discreetly, it is also suitable for everyday wear. Unfortunately, it is currently no longer offered on the Estée Lauder homepage - hopefully, this is not a sign that it has been discontinued!

By the way, the name fits perfectly. The golden vanilla is truly a winter dream! Now we just need the cold and the snow...

I discovered Vanilla Patchouli through a sample here from the Souk. I really appreciate subtle vanilla as a fragrance note, while I only like patchouli in a light, not so earthy-musty variant. Therefore, I certainly wouldn't count patchouli among my preferred fragrance notes, but the combination makes it work. For example, I also have Moonlight Patchouli or Fashion Decree in my collection, where patchouli harmonizes wonderfully and very pleasantly with rose.

Now here with vanilla. Vanilla can also tend to be overwhelmingly sweet or very artificial/synthetic. Or vanilla scents can come across as very one-dimensional. In the combination presented here with patchouli, a wonderful interplay has been achieved for my taste. The patchouli gives the fragrance more depth and substance and never becomes intrusive or syrupy-sweet.

The scent starts for me with a slightly sour mandarin and some spicy notes, which are quickly covered by a light veil of smoke. Then, quite soon, vanilla and patchouli make their appearances. The rather light patchouli tames the vanilla, which never comes across as truly sweet or even overpowering. As the scent develops, I also perceive a slightly woody background, which for me is truly a perfectly balanced combination!

Vanilla Patchouli is a wonderful companion in the winter season, it warms and envelops me like a soft scarf, both outside in the cold and inside on the sofa. In spring or summer, I probably won't reach for it - for me, this is clearly a winter fragrance with very decent longevity - and a beautiful bottle!