SoulVerve
Reviews
SoulVerve
Santal de Mysore--Strange opening!
Serge Lutens is where I started and got my inspiration for perfume. I like the uniqueness of this brand. Today, I received a 5 ml decant of Santal Mysore (blind buy) and sadly, thus far, I have to say that I’m a bit disappointed. Where I live, it was early spring like temperatures today, so it may not have been ideal wearing temps for this fragrance.
First whiff: takes me to a beach somewhere, and I’m smelling a peculiar cocktail drink and sunscreen. In the opening, there’s warm sweetness drizzled over the multi-scented spices. Then, strong scent of pencil shavings, caramel, and glazed carrots. The longer it sits on my skin, I’m warming up a bit to the scent—not to say I approve of it! It’s not the Santal Mysore that’s the problem; it’s my nose. For some reason, my nose and Santal aren’t jiving to the same song. So, in my little experience, I know it’s helps to get a second take on the fragrance—probably wait a couple days for the temperatures to reach burrrrr, it’s cold again. So many things can affect your reaction to a scent—so don’t give up the first smelling!
Okay, 45 minutes later I’m in first grade again. Spiced cookies, crayons, and pencils. It’s weird, and I think maybe I like it—I don’t for sure. It smells like candied spices. Very woody-spicy on the dry down. For me, the spices and perhaps the sweetness cloud up the sandalwood a bit. However, I’m beginning to like the scent okay now. Not great, but okay. I won’t be purchasing a full bottle of the juice. Many people love this fragrance, and I think that’s great—Serge Lutens is a great brand/product.
I definitely like this fragrance better on the dry down. Also in the opening, you get a good dose of curry. That may be my dislike---curry. Curry is not one of my finest spice scents. Once I let my guards down from my dislikes and the dry down begins, Santal Mysore is actually a comforting scent overall. Then there’s ginger, cinnamon, and caraway, and Vanilla, all simmered in butter. Benzoin. Benzoin is just gorgeous. The longer I wear this fragrance, it becomes more sensual and luscious. My first impression of this frag was about 2.5 or 3 stars out of 5. Now, it’s about a 4.5. Now you know why I’m fond of Serge Lutens. It’s brilliant how his fragrances can change over time, and in this case becoming more seductive. That’s how I see it.
There’s another one by Serge called Santal Majuscule with sandalwood, rose, cocoa that I would like to try. Serge Lutens, Cedre is phenomenal. I wish it was edible. My favorite SL is Chergui. Diam Blond is great too. Most of SL fragrances are unisex.
To sum it up: I like this scent. Obviously, it’s not the best SL fragrance in my opinion, but I like it and will wear it. The 5 ml Santal Mysore purchase will not go to waste, that’s for sure! I’ll discover more interesting things about Santal Mysore the next time I wear it. It’s always an experience wearing SL fragrances. I do recommend getting sample first—that goes for all (or most) fragrances. This is a wonderful fall and winter frag. Good for many occasions.
First whiff: takes me to a beach somewhere, and I’m smelling a peculiar cocktail drink and sunscreen. In the opening, there’s warm sweetness drizzled over the multi-scented spices. Then, strong scent of pencil shavings, caramel, and glazed carrots. The longer it sits on my skin, I’m warming up a bit to the scent—not to say I approve of it! It’s not the Santal Mysore that’s the problem; it’s my nose. For some reason, my nose and Santal aren’t jiving to the same song. So, in my little experience, I know it’s helps to get a second take on the fragrance—probably wait a couple days for the temperatures to reach burrrrr, it’s cold again. So many things can affect your reaction to a scent—so don’t give up the first smelling!
Okay, 45 minutes later I’m in first grade again. Spiced cookies, crayons, and pencils. It’s weird, and I think maybe I like it—I don’t for sure. It smells like candied spices. Very woody-spicy on the dry down. For me, the spices and perhaps the sweetness cloud up the sandalwood a bit. However, I’m beginning to like the scent okay now. Not great, but okay. I won’t be purchasing a full bottle of the juice. Many people love this fragrance, and I think that’s great—Serge Lutens is a great brand/product.
I definitely like this fragrance better on the dry down. Also in the opening, you get a good dose of curry. That may be my dislike---curry. Curry is not one of my finest spice scents. Once I let my guards down from my dislikes and the dry down begins, Santal Mysore is actually a comforting scent overall. Then there’s ginger, cinnamon, and caraway, and Vanilla, all simmered in butter. Benzoin. Benzoin is just gorgeous. The longer I wear this fragrance, it becomes more sensual and luscious. My first impression of this frag was about 2.5 or 3 stars out of 5. Now, it’s about a 4.5. Now you know why I’m fond of Serge Lutens. It’s brilliant how his fragrances can change over time, and in this case becoming more seductive. That’s how I see it.
There’s another one by Serge called Santal Majuscule with sandalwood, rose, cocoa that I would like to try. Serge Lutens, Cedre is phenomenal. I wish it was edible. My favorite SL is Chergui. Diam Blond is great too. Most of SL fragrances are unisex.
To sum it up: I like this scent. Obviously, it’s not the best SL fragrance in my opinion, but I like it and will wear it. The 5 ml Santal Mysore purchase will not go to waste, that’s for sure! I’ll discover more interesting things about Santal Mysore the next time I wear it. It’s always an experience wearing SL fragrances. I do recommend getting sample first—that goes for all (or most) fragrances. This is a wonderful fall and winter frag. Good for many occasions.
Leather Oud Dior
Leather Oud by Dior
This is a unique fragrance by Dior. For me, I don’t get much of the top note Bergamot as it jumps right into the heart notes which are easy to distinguish; clove, cardamon, Jasmine, and geranium. In the base notes it has somewhat of a peculiar note which grows on you after repeated samplings—it’s the note of beach sand (this is what makes it so unique I think). I love Agarwood. This one is great too, along with leather, smoke, and Amberwood. I have to admit at first smelling from the sample vial, I wasn’t sure if I liked it. But as you know, never judge a scent from a vial or bottle.
ON the dry down: the cardamom and clove really start to warm and become less medicinal. I think I smell a little Bergamot now which makes it fresher, cleaner. I’ve heard people say this scent is rough one. Maybe a little in the beginning-but only for about 10-15 minutes. It’s totally friendly. So, if you try it, let it wear on your skin a few minutes before throwing in the towel. It does change scent quickly and dries down beautifully. I would say it’s a little classy, masculine (not overly), and bit animalic-very little in my opinion. I can see it being versatile for many occasions. The longevity is good. It becomes extremely sexy the longer it wears on your skin. Positively good!
This is a unique fragrance by Dior. For me, I don’t get much of the top note Bergamot as it jumps right into the heart notes which are easy to distinguish; clove, cardamon, Jasmine, and geranium. In the base notes it has somewhat of a peculiar note which grows on you after repeated samplings—it’s the note of beach sand (this is what makes it so unique I think). I love Agarwood. This one is great too, along with leather, smoke, and Amberwood. I have to admit at first smelling from the sample vial, I wasn’t sure if I liked it. But as you know, never judge a scent from a vial or bottle.
ON the dry down: the cardamom and clove really start to warm and become less medicinal. I think I smell a little Bergamot now which makes it fresher, cleaner. I’ve heard people say this scent is rough one. Maybe a little in the beginning-but only for about 10-15 minutes. It’s totally friendly. So, if you try it, let it wear on your skin a few minutes before throwing in the towel. It does change scent quickly and dries down beautifully. I would say it’s a little classy, masculine (not overly), and bit animalic-very little in my opinion. I can see it being versatile for many occasions. The longevity is good. It becomes extremely sexy the longer it wears on your skin. Positively good!
Synthetic but a nice scent
I only like 2 (maybe 3) designer/mall perfume brands. Dolce & Gabbana being my favorite. It just is. It’s nothing outstanding, it’s simple and it works for me. I first tested K by Dolce & Gabbana EDT in a store and instantly liked. Then I compared to the EDP to the EDT, I and definitely like the EDP better. The opening is deep freshness with Blood Orange, lemon, and cardamom. During the first 45 minutes, you get fiery hot peppery note that becomes less intense. Also, the juniper berry starts off loud and tones down after about 45 minutes, but still very noticeable. I like the creamy fig note—it could be a tad creamier in my opinion.
Lavender, Geranium, and clary sage are in the heart notes that support the fragrance and gives it that fresh aromatic scent, especially the lavender having a fresh, clean scent. I’m going to stray off and say that “lavender is under-appreciated by some folks”
I haven’t put K to the ultimate test, but I believe the longevity is going to average at best. I’ve been wearing EDP K on my wrist for 2 hours. I’m going by the 1-spray on the wrist analysis. So, we’ll see. I’m not disappointed in my purchase of a 50 ml bottle. I love the scent. Overall, I think it’s a bit under appreciated. I do understand why people think and say what they say about this fragrance. It’s fair. I still like the fragrance.
Lavender, Geranium, and clary sage are in the heart notes that support the fragrance and gives it that fresh aromatic scent, especially the lavender having a fresh, clean scent. I’m going to stray off and say that “lavender is under-appreciated by some folks”
I haven’t put K to the ultimate test, but I believe the longevity is going to average at best. I’ve been wearing EDP K on my wrist for 2 hours. I’m going by the 1-spray on the wrist analysis. So, we’ll see. I’m not disappointed in my purchase of a 50 ml bottle. I love the scent. Overall, I think it’s a bit under appreciated. I do understand why people think and say what they say about this fragrance. It’s fair. I still like the fragrance.
