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Probably the bougiest perfume I’ve come across
I don’t have much experience with concentrated perfume oils besides the roll ons you get from the African stores around NYC, a few of Nest’s perfume oils, and more recently, Solstice Scents’s extrait rollerballs. Perfume oils are a great way to wear fragrance, especially if you have sensitive skin, or when you want to keep the scent closer to you, but still have it to last all day.
Vanilla Barka is a resinous vanilla scent, that is about 90-95% similar to YSL’s Babycat to my nose and on my skin. The major difference between the two is that YSL has a more noticeable spice to it and the suede note gives it a bit of rubberiness. VB is just straight vanilla with a potent amber accord from the olibanum. It’s really beautiful and strong from the first application, and a little goes a long way.
The only major downsides to this fragrance are that (1) it doesn’t project well after about the first 1-2 hours of wear and (2) it retails for over $500. It is of the highest quality though, so I can understand why it’s so pricey. However, because I already own and LOVE Babycat, this is redundant to have. While I’m really glad to have tried this, I don’t think it makes sense to keep in my collection.
Vanilla Barka is a resinous vanilla scent, that is about 90-95% similar to YSL’s Babycat to my nose and on my skin. The major difference between the two is that YSL has a more noticeable spice to it and the suede note gives it a bit of rubberiness. VB is just straight vanilla with a potent amber accord from the olibanum. It’s really beautiful and strong from the first application, and a little goes a long way.
The only major downsides to this fragrance are that (1) it doesn’t project well after about the first 1-2 hours of wear and (2) it retails for over $500. It is of the highest quality though, so I can understand why it’s so pricey. However, because I already own and LOVE Babycat, this is redundant to have. While I’m really glad to have tried this, I don’t think it makes sense to keep in my collection.
Very beautiful, but not my style.
To be honest, I’m not and never was the biggest fan of the Shalimar line (don’t come for me). They’re all a bit too vintage, and not in the best way. I tend to like vintage florals, not really sweet ambers and animalics. They end up smelling very dirty on my skin and the Shalimars are no exception. However, Millesime Iris is a gorgeous take on the original Shalimar with orris root as the lead actress (or so I thought)…
Although the orris is prominent, the caramel note in this is pretty intense and sitting right next to the caramel, is vanilla. Together, they make the scent sweeter than expected, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing but could be annoying for someone who is looking for an iris bomb with this. It’s floral gourmand that leans slightly more gourmand. Although, I love the bright bergamot in the opening. Millesime Iris is a well composed scent that pays homage to the original in a very classy and gentle way.
While I think the fragrance is absolutely gorgeous, I don’t think the scent itself is for me/fits my aesthetic (I’m not crazy about powdery frags) and I don’t know how much I’m actually going to reach for it. The longevity and sillage are moderate.
Although the orris is prominent, the caramel note in this is pretty intense and sitting right next to the caramel, is vanilla. Together, they make the scent sweeter than expected, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing but could be annoying for someone who is looking for an iris bomb with this. It’s floral gourmand that leans slightly more gourmand. Although, I love the bright bergamot in the opening. Millesime Iris is a well composed scent that pays homage to the original in a very classy and gentle way.
While I think the fragrance is absolutely gorgeous, I don’t think the scent itself is for me/fits my aesthetic (I’m not crazy about powdery frags) and I don’t know how much I’m actually going to reach for it. The longevity and sillage are moderate.
An unexpected love?
I’m learning that I’m a big fan of chypre scents. I absolutely adore the combination of florals and fruits, but especially when you add a patchouli or moss note. Even though I’m not crazy about moss, I’m seeing (or smelling rather) that when done right, it can add such beauty and grace to fragrance.
The composition of Honeysuckle & Davana is very simplistic and the scent stays linear from start to finish, but it has a gorgeous depth. The davana is both aromatic and fruity, while the honeysuckle offers the bulk of the white floral/green scent that this has. Then the moss comes in and adds the gentlest touch of earthiness. It’s actually so stunning. I tried this at my friend’s place the other week, and I was shook as I continued to sniff it on my skin throughout the afternoon.
It’s giving effortless beauty, old money, and quiet luxury, and I think it’ll be an absolute stunner in spring/summer heat and for cooler rainy days. Performance isn’t too bad either, especially for a Jo Malone. It’s not a huge projector, but it stays well on the skin for a good 6+ hours and carries beautifully with the wind. I’ll definitely be getting a 30 ml / 1 oz when it gets warmer out.
The composition of Honeysuckle & Davana is very simplistic and the scent stays linear from start to finish, but it has a gorgeous depth. The davana is both aromatic and fruity, while the honeysuckle offers the bulk of the white floral/green scent that this has. Then the moss comes in and adds the gentlest touch of earthiness. It’s actually so stunning. I tried this at my friend’s place the other week, and I was shook as I continued to sniff it on my skin throughout the afternoon.
It’s giving effortless beauty, old money, and quiet luxury, and I think it’ll be an absolute stunner in spring/summer heat and for cooler rainy days. Performance isn’t too bad either, especially for a Jo Malone. It’s not a huge projector, but it stays well on the skin for a good 6+ hours and carries beautifully with the wind. I’ll definitely be getting a 30 ml / 1 oz when it gets warmer out.
Ummm… it’s a no for me dawg.
The absolute pandemonium this scent has been causing has been amusing to witness in real time and finally, I had a chance to sniff it in Sephora yesterday.
I want to start off by saying this is a scent you NEED to test on your skin in order to really get the full picture. This rule really applies to every fragrance, but especially TF fragrances. Luckily, I had my honey with me when I went to smell it and was able to use the back of his hand to test. From first spray, you get a very sour, pungent, chemical smell that’s is extremely repulsive. Very unforgiving and disorienting, not at all sweet or delicious, just straight chemicals. After about 15 minutes of settling on the skin, all that’s left is a vanilla-almond scent that isn’t too bad. It’s kind of comforting and soft, but still unfortunately has a chemical undertone that’s not appealing and it stays like this for the rest of its wear.
For the price, it’s obviously not worth it at all and I really don’t know what TF was going for when they released this one. Maybe I sniffed a bad tester or something, but I’m glad to be “safe” from this fragrance. Definitely a hit or miss. Make sure to sample for yourself.
I want to start off by saying this is a scent you NEED to test on your skin in order to really get the full picture. This rule really applies to every fragrance, but especially TF fragrances. Luckily, I had my honey with me when I went to smell it and was able to use the back of his hand to test. From first spray, you get a very sour, pungent, chemical smell that’s is extremely repulsive. Very unforgiving and disorienting, not at all sweet or delicious, just straight chemicals. After about 15 minutes of settling on the skin, all that’s left is a vanilla-almond scent that isn’t too bad. It’s kind of comforting and soft, but still unfortunately has a chemical undertone that’s not appealing and it stays like this for the rest of its wear.
For the price, it’s obviously not worth it at all and I really don’t know what TF was going for when they released this one. Maybe I sniffed a bad tester or something, but I’m glad to be “safe” from this fragrance. Definitely a hit or miss. Make sure to sample for yourself.
The scent of pure comfort
Wow, what a fragrance. I used to be someone that was pretty indifferent to woodies, but as my nose is “maturing”, I’m finding myself being drawn to them. That being said, Paragon is definitely one of the best woody aromatics I’ve ever smelled.
As the review below said, I wasn’t expecting to get such a large dose of the plum, but it really balances the forest of woods and herbs surrounding it. To me, it’s unisex leaning ever so slightly masculine, and it’s absolutely so gorgeous. It’s the perfect scent to wear literally whenever because it doesn’t shout, but it stays present and reminds you it’s there. It’s clean, cozy, and comforting, but also kind of sensual? It has this smoothness that draws you in, and the sweet touch of plum just adds a bit of cheekiness. I really enjoy it a lot. I blind picked this one in a raffle-type contest that I won and I’m so glad I took a chance on it.
The projection is really strong at first, but it settles down after about two hours and gradually dwindles into a skin scent by hour 7-8 and onward. My fav so far from Initio and I can’t wait to test it in the warmer weather.
As the review below said, I wasn’t expecting to get such a large dose of the plum, but it really balances the forest of woods and herbs surrounding it. To me, it’s unisex leaning ever so slightly masculine, and it’s absolutely so gorgeous. It’s the perfect scent to wear literally whenever because it doesn’t shout, but it stays present and reminds you it’s there. It’s clean, cozy, and comforting, but also kind of sensual? It has this smoothness that draws you in, and the sweet touch of plum just adds a bit of cheekiness. I really enjoy it a lot. I blind picked this one in a raffle-type contest that I won and I’m so glad I took a chance on it.
The projection is really strong at first, but it settles down after about two hours and gradually dwindles into a skin scent by hour 7-8 and onward. My fav so far from Initio and I can’t wait to test it in the warmer weather.
