ScentedSalon

Among the typical scents you find at the mall, Elie Saab scents are right in the middle between the sugarbombs of regular department stores and the haughty niches from high-end boutiques. This is due to the parfumeur Kurkdjian and his incredible skill. Though I disliked his new Pluriel releases, he has impressed me countless other times.

The ES parfum and parfum intense are excellent scents that display his talent in the mainstream market. I like both but the intense version is more appropriate for winter as it is a bit more syrupy and dark. Though I don't like orange blossom, the way it has been treated with honey here works for me and the amber drydown is very pleasant.

It is extremely sweet and so should be used sparingly, applied to the lower abdomen for a waft of scent to rise up once in a while. The staying power is fair and the sillage is good. I especially like the bottle as it is heavy glass and looks like some perfume bottles from the past. This is a safe bet that most will find appealing and I recommend it.

Crabtree: so British. The brand puts out famously-delicious scents and bath products. I could not do without their creams and scented drawer papers. One of my favorite scents in Rosewater. It is a clean and fresh rose tempered by just the right hint of violet. There are other notes there that blend beautifully but I cannot isolate them. This is one of the best perfumes I've ever smelled and is easy to wear. One can even spray the linens with it. Highly recommended for rose lovers and even those who have not found a rose they could love yet.

I can see why this perfume received such a low rating: it is overpowering and strange. But that's what I like in perfumery: something totally different than everything else. Bay Rum is pungent and full of natural smells. The bay leaf effect is intensive and lasting. I would recommend applying a small drop. There are so many spices here, and of course, the soaking wetness of the rum. It smells like a seafaring man after two months of being on a ship with rum coming out of every pore. I know that sounds unappealing but there is an image created by this perfume and with more wear, it can become quite intriguing. Don't give up too quickly!

When I sampled Vanille Bourbon, I was taken by its simplicity and comfort. So I decided to choose one of the vanillas to buy (there are many versions to choose from). The price is very reasonable but unfortunately, this vanilla was not for me simply because the lasting power and sillage were nonexistent. The vanilla is a bit synthetic with a creamy balance. I do not detect much boozyiness in terms of this being bourbon. The problem is that the scent disappears right away. It did not last on me even for 15 minutes. If you overspray, however, the scent becomes very unpleasant. There is just no way around it: my vanilla search continues.

Ah, Dyptique. I was unimpressed by your offerings before and now more than ever, continue to be so. Why is your wonderful vanilla/frankincense composition so very weak? When I first smelled the EDP, I was mesmerized by the church incense note. The burnt vanilla was soft and wonderful. But after a few minutes, there is nothing at all! I wish it were different but this is not for me.