Jbells
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Complex floriental
If I had to sum up Vintage in one word, it would be "complex". There's so much going on all the time, which I did not expect from the comparatively limited number of notes listed.
Vintage opens as a floriental who's gone for a little dip in aldehydes (even though aldehyde is not listed). The word that pops into my mind is "fiery", but not exactly because it is a burning fragrance, but because if it were a person, it would be the kind who would look at you with piercing eyes that never quite leave you alone. Carnation is strong and kind of spicy here, letting you know she's a lady with grit and determination. (Side note: it's less intense if you apply less of it, but I'm sure you already figured that out)
As it settles in a couple of minutes, a creamy, almost vanilla-like deep floral takes over. It's a jumble of florals that I can't tell apart, but there's definitely a zesty ylang-ylang backing this.
Almost 2 hours later, jasmine is the predominant note. At this stage, it's just so creamy with a lightly honeyed nut note. Almost yummy, but not quite gourmand. Florals are still there, still feminine, but she's balanced out some of that grit with a delicate touch.
This lasted around 12 hours on me, which is quite a feat! Towards the end though, Vintage exchanged a bit of that creaminess for something airy and sweeter. Imagine burning caramel on a stove, then letting it cool into a flat sheet, and dipping that into honey and allowing the aroma to waft across the room so that you only just pick up a hint of it. That's pretty much what the drydown is like.
Projection was good for the most part. I'd say this is worth a try if only to see how you would perceive it. It's one of those that grow on you the more you wear it.
Vintage opens as a floriental who's gone for a little dip in aldehydes (even though aldehyde is not listed). The word that pops into my mind is "fiery", but not exactly because it is a burning fragrance, but because if it were a person, it would be the kind who would look at you with piercing eyes that never quite leave you alone. Carnation is strong and kind of spicy here, letting you know she's a lady with grit and determination. (Side note: it's less intense if you apply less of it, but I'm sure you already figured that out)
As it settles in a couple of minutes, a creamy, almost vanilla-like deep floral takes over. It's a jumble of florals that I can't tell apart, but there's definitely a zesty ylang-ylang backing this.
Almost 2 hours later, jasmine is the predominant note. At this stage, it's just so creamy with a lightly honeyed nut note. Almost yummy, but not quite gourmand. Florals are still there, still feminine, but she's balanced out some of that grit with a delicate touch.
This lasted around 12 hours on me, which is quite a feat! Towards the end though, Vintage exchanged a bit of that creaminess for something airy and sweeter. Imagine burning caramel on a stove, then letting it cool into a flat sheet, and dipping that into honey and allowing the aroma to waft across the room so that you only just pick up a hint of it. That's pretty much what the drydown is like.
Projection was good for the most part. I'd say this is worth a try if only to see how you would perceive it. It's one of those that grow on you the more you wear it.
Creamy Orange Swiss Roll!
Flori d'Arancio smells exactly like creamy orange swiss rolls! I tried this out of a dab sample vial, and right from the beginning, there's a gentle blast of creamy, sweet, oranges that is soo uplifting and fresh. I would say that a honeyed vanilla is in there somewhere, too.
There are a couple of citric notes in this, but it is a lot more rounded that some other prominently citric fumes can be. As it progresses, it just becomes smoother as a white floral note pops up.
This doesn't have much progression, and for the most part, comes off as a bit linear, but boy it is good! It smells absolutely edible, but at the same time green and fresh. It's a very happy fragrance, and absolutely worth trying if you like cake!
I looove this. I just wish projection and longevity were better! On me, it only lasted 2 hours before becoming a skin scent, which was barely noticeable.
There are a couple of citric notes in this, but it is a lot more rounded that some other prominently citric fumes can be. As it progresses, it just becomes smoother as a white floral note pops up.
This doesn't have much progression, and for the most part, comes off as a bit linear, but boy it is good! It smells absolutely edible, but at the same time green and fresh. It's a very happy fragrance, and absolutely worth trying if you like cake!
I looove this. I just wish projection and longevity were better! On me, it only lasted 2 hours before becoming a skin scent, which was barely noticeable.
Just like an Indian temple
I am reviewing this based on a tiny sample that was sent to me in a split recently.
On me this starts very warm - slightly heavy smell of burning incense, laced with powder and an almost unnoticeable sweetness. It bears an uncanny resemblance to Indian temples and the incense that they would burn all day long, which clings to your body and never quite leaves.
Stopping to think and disconnect myself from the memory of temples, I smell a spicy floral with a hint of zest, on a background of benzoin and resins. I get ylangylang in later stages with what seems to be an almost boozy twist, interestingly. The warm powder just lasts throughout, but I think it feels a tad lighter after a couple of hours.
I especially liked the end where opoponax (which I think is like a myrrh) comes through more, because it is more creamy with a dash of sweetness to lighten things up just a tiny bit.
This just did not work for me. It's not ugly by any means, but I couldn't rid myself of the association to Indian temples, and I'm not sure I want to smell like that. That just goes to show how well done it is as an insence-y, resinous frag (IMHO), which is also kind of floral, zesty, and powdery. A shapeshifter, to some extent.
Definitely worth a try if you like deeper fragrances. I am also of opinion that this might wear differently in different seasons. Is this a strictly feminine scent? Probably not, although it is prominently feminine at times when the smoke-laced floral really comes through.
Sillage was good throughout, longevity was so-so, about 4 hours on me.
On me this starts very warm - slightly heavy smell of burning incense, laced with powder and an almost unnoticeable sweetness. It bears an uncanny resemblance to Indian temples and the incense that they would burn all day long, which clings to your body and never quite leaves.
Stopping to think and disconnect myself from the memory of temples, I smell a spicy floral with a hint of zest, on a background of benzoin and resins. I get ylangylang in later stages with what seems to be an almost boozy twist, interestingly. The warm powder just lasts throughout, but I think it feels a tad lighter after a couple of hours.
I especially liked the end where opoponax (which I think is like a myrrh) comes through more, because it is more creamy with a dash of sweetness to lighten things up just a tiny bit.
This just did not work for me. It's not ugly by any means, but I couldn't rid myself of the association to Indian temples, and I'm not sure I want to smell like that. That just goes to show how well done it is as an insence-y, resinous frag (IMHO), which is also kind of floral, zesty, and powdery. A shapeshifter, to some extent.
Definitely worth a try if you like deeper fragrances. I am also of opinion that this might wear differently in different seasons. Is this a strictly feminine scent? Probably not, although it is prominently feminine at times when the smoke-laced floral really comes through.
Sillage was good throughout, longevity was so-so, about 4 hours on me.
Wooden fruit basket adorned with flowers
It took me a couple of tries to love this, and I'm glad I gave it another shot.
The first time I tried velvet flowers, I was rather unimpressed. Perhaps it was the weather that suppressed the notes? Maybe I just wasn't receptive enough? For whatever reason, I brushed it off. Luckily, I was going through my samples box and decided to try this on again.
It opens as a watery fruit basket before it starts to settle a bit and becomes more heavy. It's sweet and very fruity (straight up peaches), almost sharp (perhaps from the tiniest bit of saffron that is detectable), but not intrusive. Right from the start, I also pick up a lot of musk playing around in the background, but it's a light girly musk, not a very mature one, if that makes sense.
A sniff closer to the skin reveals the rosy notes that never really take flight. This is the only part of the entire fragrance that lives up to its name, "Velvet Flowers". It is definitely the smoothest part of the entire fragrance, and is so incredibly feminine and mildly intoxicating - so well rounded and addictive, with beautiful musky wood notes backing it. It's a shame it sits so close to the skin, but I suppose one could see that as an added dimension.
As the fragrance develops, it gains an almost syrupy texture and a bitterness that I find rather confusing. The first thing that comes to mind is jasmine, but I have not known jasmine to be bitter on my skin. It's not unpleasant though; if anything, it simply contributes another facet.
It ends with airy musk and a faint fruity floral sweetness, with a hint of spice and wood. This stage is very much a skin scent on me.
Is this fragrance exquisitely different or unique? Perhaps not, but for the fruity floral enthusiast, this is worth trying.
Projection was noticeable throughout, and total wear on me was about 5.5-6 hours.
The first time I tried velvet flowers, I was rather unimpressed. Perhaps it was the weather that suppressed the notes? Maybe I just wasn't receptive enough? For whatever reason, I brushed it off. Luckily, I was going through my samples box and decided to try this on again.
It opens as a watery fruit basket before it starts to settle a bit and becomes more heavy. It's sweet and very fruity (straight up peaches), almost sharp (perhaps from the tiniest bit of saffron that is detectable), but not intrusive. Right from the start, I also pick up a lot of musk playing around in the background, but it's a light girly musk, not a very mature one, if that makes sense.
A sniff closer to the skin reveals the rosy notes that never really take flight. This is the only part of the entire fragrance that lives up to its name, "Velvet Flowers". It is definitely the smoothest part of the entire fragrance, and is so incredibly feminine and mildly intoxicating - so well rounded and addictive, with beautiful musky wood notes backing it. It's a shame it sits so close to the skin, but I suppose one could see that as an added dimension.
As the fragrance develops, it gains an almost syrupy texture and a bitterness that I find rather confusing. The first thing that comes to mind is jasmine, but I have not known jasmine to be bitter on my skin. It's not unpleasant though; if anything, it simply contributes another facet.
It ends with airy musk and a faint fruity floral sweetness, with a hint of spice and wood. This stage is very much a skin scent on me.
Is this fragrance exquisitely different or unique? Perhaps not, but for the fruity floral enthusiast, this is worth trying.
Projection was noticeable throughout, and total wear on me was about 5.5-6 hours.
Uninspired and unimpressive
In my sample vial, I smell a rounded rose and lotus, but when I first spray it on, I get a light waft of bitter mandarin oranges and bergamot zest. Strangely, while I can still detect that bitter citric note close to the skin, I pick up on a light airy but powdery, sweet rose and iris floating around.
Sadly, this never developed anymore on me, and I found Lotus Rose to be very disappointing. There is so much potential for it to be a beautiful, sparkly scent, instead it ends up being a linear sweet floral with bitter undertones that I cannot get over. To top that off, its projection is barely noticeable and it only lasted about 3 hours on me.
While this did not hold a candle to many of the other PdR creations, its full potential might be realized on you, so Lotus Rose is still worth a try.
Sadly, this never developed anymore on me, and I found Lotus Rose to be very disappointing. There is so much potential for it to be a beautiful, sparkly scent, instead it ends up being a linear sweet floral with bitter undertones that I cannot get over. To top that off, its projection is barely noticeable and it only lasted about 3 hours on me.
While this did not hold a candle to many of the other PdR creations, its full potential might be realized on you, so Lotus Rose is still worth a try.
