MariaS
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MariaS
It smells like Christmas!
I blind bought this perfume from the ratings and the reviews...In Greece we dont have Serge Lutens ANYWHERE to test them, so I was like "how wrong can 1175 ratings be"??
It is a difficult and complex perfume and a mature one. Its not easy going or mass appealing. The first smell got me confused...I thought I was smelling lavender which I hate in perfumes and didnt know what to think. As it settled on my skin, I realized that it smells like Christmas. I remember when I was younger and we were preparing for Christmas holidays, we unpacked the Christmas decorations that we stored in boxes filled with cloth flower scented sackets, that had a bit of dust from the cellar they were stored, the fireplace was warming the atmosphere, rose candles were burning and Christmas sweets with honey were always on the table. This is the picture I got on my mind when I realised how this perfume smells.
I would characterize it as a honey dusty tobacco - rose scent. It is a very mature and atmospheric scent, for experienced noses! I wouldnt recommend a blind buy unless you are into niche perfumes. Its totally unisex and for cold weather only!!
My bf said that it smells like Fan your flames by Nishane combined with Angels share by Kilian and I believe it is also a great way to make someone understand how it smells.
Hope my experience helped you understand how beautiful this perfume is.
Be safe smell great!!
Maria
It is a difficult and complex perfume and a mature one. Its not easy going or mass appealing. The first smell got me confused...I thought I was smelling lavender which I hate in perfumes and didnt know what to think. As it settled on my skin, I realized that it smells like Christmas. I remember when I was younger and we were preparing for Christmas holidays, we unpacked the Christmas decorations that we stored in boxes filled with cloth flower scented sackets, that had a bit of dust from the cellar they were stored, the fireplace was warming the atmosphere, rose candles were burning and Christmas sweets with honey were always on the table. This is the picture I got on my mind when I realised how this perfume smells.
I would characterize it as a honey dusty tobacco - rose scent. It is a very mature and atmospheric scent, for experienced noses! I wouldnt recommend a blind buy unless you are into niche perfumes. Its totally unisex and for cold weather only!!
My bf said that it smells like Fan your flames by Nishane combined with Angels share by Kilian and I believe it is also a great way to make someone understand how it smells.
Hope my experience helped you understand how beautiful this perfume is.
Be safe smell great!!
Maria
1 Comment
I do like the idea that there’s a little starlight in each of us
“Aristotle taught that stars are made of a different matter than the four earthly elements— a quintessence— that also happens to be what the human psyche is made of. Which is why man’s spirit corresponds to the stars. Perhaps that’s not a very scientific view, but I do like the idea that there’s a little starlight in each of us”. Lisa Kleypas.
I recently smelled this perfume and I was amazed!! From the first impression you will say “too simple for Xerjoff” but it’s not. I believe it is a great perfume and I ll explain!
At the beginning you get a very intense bergamot scent which reminded me of Nio regarding the sourness and made me think “is it a freshie”? Coz I don’t like freshies…or at least I don’t like to pay a lot for freshies coz they don’t last long! As time goes by and after almost half an hour, this sourness fades and the spices are becoming more prominent. The cinnamon adds a sweetness to them but they are all so beautifully blended together. After some hours, the balsamic notes appear and it becomes a smooth sweet almost bubblegum spicy scent which is incredible! The drydown where base notes appear reminds me of Decas base which also is a bit bubblegummy. Maybe it’s the balsamic notes at their base! The scents overall are not similar but If you told me that they are from the same collection, I would believe you!
To sum up, the scent is spicy balsamic sweet and it changes as time goes by. It is not linear! The longevity is very good but I dont find a great sillage! I am waiting for my bottle to come but from the decant I have and tested it about 4 times, I don’t get it much in the air! If I needed something in this perfume to be perfect 10, would be a dense vanilla at the base to give a more solid base to all the spices!
I tested this perfume because someone told me that it is similar to changing Constance by Penhaligons which I love but haven’t bought, because it doesn’t last long. The truth is that they are quite similar after bergamot fades in starlight but Changing constance is more sweet and gourmand because of caramel and vanilla. Taking into account the similar smell, the quality and longevity of Xerjoff perfumes, it works as a perfect alternative and that’s why I bought Starlight immediately! They have the same price by the way…
Also, I saw some people comparing Starlight to Vanilla Diorama which is my favourite perfume! It kind of has similar vibes, they are both spicy sweet, elegant, discreet, versatile. Like they are from the same family! Vanilla diorama is very boozy because of the rum and more gourmand because of the cocoa and vanilla. You can say Starlight is a virgin Diorama…you know…without the booze!
I believe I helped you understand this perfume! It is amazing, easy to wear, I think versatile (I bought it now on November so haven’t tested in in summer but I believe it works), elegant, discreet, unisex and for all occasions!
Thank you for your time! Be safe smell great and believe in the starlight inside you!
Maria
I recently smelled this perfume and I was amazed!! From the first impression you will say “too simple for Xerjoff” but it’s not. I believe it is a great perfume and I ll explain!
At the beginning you get a very intense bergamot scent which reminded me of Nio regarding the sourness and made me think “is it a freshie”? Coz I don’t like freshies…or at least I don’t like to pay a lot for freshies coz they don’t last long! As time goes by and after almost half an hour, this sourness fades and the spices are becoming more prominent. The cinnamon adds a sweetness to them but they are all so beautifully blended together. After some hours, the balsamic notes appear and it becomes a smooth sweet almost bubblegum spicy scent which is incredible! The drydown where base notes appear reminds me of Decas base which also is a bit bubblegummy. Maybe it’s the balsamic notes at their base! The scents overall are not similar but If you told me that they are from the same collection, I would believe you!
To sum up, the scent is spicy balsamic sweet and it changes as time goes by. It is not linear! The longevity is very good but I dont find a great sillage! I am waiting for my bottle to come but from the decant I have and tested it about 4 times, I don’t get it much in the air! If I needed something in this perfume to be perfect 10, would be a dense vanilla at the base to give a more solid base to all the spices!
I tested this perfume because someone told me that it is similar to changing Constance by Penhaligons which I love but haven’t bought, because it doesn’t last long. The truth is that they are quite similar after bergamot fades in starlight but Changing constance is more sweet and gourmand because of caramel and vanilla. Taking into account the similar smell, the quality and longevity of Xerjoff perfumes, it works as a perfect alternative and that’s why I bought Starlight immediately! They have the same price by the way…
Also, I saw some people comparing Starlight to Vanilla Diorama which is my favourite perfume! It kind of has similar vibes, they are both spicy sweet, elegant, discreet, versatile. Like they are from the same family! Vanilla diorama is very boozy because of the rum and more gourmand because of the cocoa and vanilla. You can say Starlight is a virgin Diorama…you know…without the booze!
I believe I helped you understand this perfume! It is amazing, easy to wear, I think versatile (I bought it now on November so haven’t tested in in summer but I believe it works), elegant, discreet, unisex and for all occasions!
Thank you for your time! Be safe smell great and believe in the starlight inside you!
Maria
"The earth laughs in flowers"
Not sure who said this, but this quote came into my mind when I smelled this perfume and it could be an alternative name for it. Why? Because its a dusty earthy floral scent...not an ordinary rose scent.
Generally:
I am not fan of rose fragrances even the most known as oud satin mood, atomic rose, etc. Its just not my taste... I believe that because I am used to smelling rose in other things at home, like cloth detergent, closet scent sachets, room diffusers and other things we use at home, that I am bored of this scent and I just dont want it on me. Or at least I dont want it when it has the main role in the fragrance. All those home stuff are most targeted for women so most of them has a rose scent.
Lately, I was obsessed into getting a rose fragrance so I started testing the most known and high rated rose fragrances such as portrait of a lady, rose d arabie, rose de mai, a la rose, intense cafe, wardasina, radical rose, etc , but none of them made me reach my wallet for it! Desperately, I decided to blind buy one. Une rose de Kandahar. I have read all good stuff about this fragrance even that its a gourmand (I love gourmands) so I decided to make the move.
About the fragrance:
When I first sprayed it, I wasnt blown away like "OMG. this is awesome", I was just "hm...ok...not bad...". This scent is the type of scent that gives you headaches with its intensity that I believe its coming from the bergamont, the bourbon geranium and the patchouli. From its notes, I dont get any cinnamon, vanilla, vetiver and tonka. It is a very dusty, dirty, powdery rose enhanced by geranium and patchouli in a beautiful well blended way. It is a sweet scent but I would not characterize it as Gourmand. Its not that sweet because of the intese dustiness.
Most common questions:
How will you characterize the scent?
It is a powdery dirty sweet rose scent.
Is it a safe blind buy or a gift?
No to both. Its a diffiucult scent, not an ordinary mass appealing scent. You need time to understand and appreciate it.
Is it for women or men?
This scent is totally unisex and I must say that I will love it more on a man.
Is it for summer or winter?
Definitely a scent for cold weather.
What occasions can I wear it?
It is not an everyday scent that you can wear at the office or to chill out with friends. Its a scent that you can wear in formal occasions with a dress or a tux.
Does it reminds you of another rose fragrance?
No. Une rose de Kandahar, is far from an ordinary rose scent and this is what I loved in it and kept it. It has the Tauer DNA, its like Au Cuer du Desert or L air du Desert but with rose...
Thank you for your time, hope I helped you understant it.
Stay safe and smell great!
Generally:
I am not fan of rose fragrances even the most known as oud satin mood, atomic rose, etc. Its just not my taste... I believe that because I am used to smelling rose in other things at home, like cloth detergent, closet scent sachets, room diffusers and other things we use at home, that I am bored of this scent and I just dont want it on me. Or at least I dont want it when it has the main role in the fragrance. All those home stuff are most targeted for women so most of them has a rose scent.
Lately, I was obsessed into getting a rose fragrance so I started testing the most known and high rated rose fragrances such as portrait of a lady, rose d arabie, rose de mai, a la rose, intense cafe, wardasina, radical rose, etc , but none of them made me reach my wallet for it! Desperately, I decided to blind buy one. Une rose de Kandahar. I have read all good stuff about this fragrance even that its a gourmand (I love gourmands) so I decided to make the move.
About the fragrance:
When I first sprayed it, I wasnt blown away like "OMG. this is awesome", I was just "hm...ok...not bad...". This scent is the type of scent that gives you headaches with its intensity that I believe its coming from the bergamont, the bourbon geranium and the patchouli. From its notes, I dont get any cinnamon, vanilla, vetiver and tonka. It is a very dusty, dirty, powdery rose enhanced by geranium and patchouli in a beautiful well blended way. It is a sweet scent but I would not characterize it as Gourmand. Its not that sweet because of the intese dustiness.
Most common questions:
How will you characterize the scent?
It is a powdery dirty sweet rose scent.
Is it a safe blind buy or a gift?
No to both. Its a diffiucult scent, not an ordinary mass appealing scent. You need time to understand and appreciate it.
Is it for women or men?
This scent is totally unisex and I must say that I will love it more on a man.
Is it for summer or winter?
Definitely a scent for cold weather.
What occasions can I wear it?
It is not an everyday scent that you can wear at the office or to chill out with friends. Its a scent that you can wear in formal occasions with a dress or a tux.
Does it reminds you of another rose fragrance?
No. Une rose de Kandahar, is far from an ordinary rose scent and this is what I loved in it and kept it. It has the Tauer DNA, its like Au Cuer du Desert or L air du Desert but with rose...
Thank you for your time, hope I helped you understant it.
Stay safe and smell great!
1 Comment
Where have you been all my life??
“I've been everywhere, man, Looking for someone, Someone who can please me Love me all night long…” ok enough with Rihanna!
All I want to say is that this is what I feel about this fragrance!!
I don’t like summer fragrances or citrusy scents or aquatic scents which are more appropriate scents for hot weather. I sure enjoy coconut and fruity scents but everything I have found has some disadvantage which is usually the performance. I mean I know it can’t smell all day on my skin with 40 degrees of Celsius outside , but at least let me reach work place smelling it!!! If you have any suggestions for summer scents that last a decent amount of time, please feel free to leave me a comment and I would be very grateful!!
This fragrance is a gourmand creamy scent with dominant peach and coconut that has a great performance! It can even last all day on my skin and clothes if I spray a bit more than usual! If you like peach, you will love it! It’s very well blended and gives a summery vibe without being a typical freshie scent.
I remember I loved la nuit tresor but I haven’t smelled it for a long time in order to compare it with this. I usually don’t smell releases like this because they are copies of the original but this one didn’t remind me of something I ve smelled before!
Since I started this hobby with fragrances, I don’t have a signature scent because I can’t stick to one fragrance for long! But this one I believe it will be my signature scent for summertime! If you love gourmands and peach you should definitely try it!
Thank you for your time!!
Be safe and smell great!
Maria
All I want to say is that this is what I feel about this fragrance!!
I don’t like summer fragrances or citrusy scents or aquatic scents which are more appropriate scents for hot weather. I sure enjoy coconut and fruity scents but everything I have found has some disadvantage which is usually the performance. I mean I know it can’t smell all day on my skin with 40 degrees of Celsius outside , but at least let me reach work place smelling it!!! If you have any suggestions for summer scents that last a decent amount of time, please feel free to leave me a comment and I would be very grateful!!
This fragrance is a gourmand creamy scent with dominant peach and coconut that has a great performance! It can even last all day on my skin and clothes if I spray a bit more than usual! If you like peach, you will love it! It’s very well blended and gives a summery vibe without being a typical freshie scent.
I remember I loved la nuit tresor but I haven’t smelled it for a long time in order to compare it with this. I usually don’t smell releases like this because they are copies of the original but this one didn’t remind me of something I ve smelled before!
Since I started this hobby with fragrances, I don’t have a signature scent because I can’t stick to one fragrance for long! But this one I believe it will be my signature scent for summertime! If you love gourmands and peach you should definitely try it!
Thank you for your time!!
Be safe and smell great!
Maria
Innocence in a bottle
I am a casamorati fan, but I havent tested this one because when I ordered the samples I was confused with the name, and I asked for pikovaya dama instead of dama bianca...Yeah what? There both damas and xerjoff...So when i tested this one, i was searching for a sweet floral feminine scent for everyday use and I found it.
Kumquat which is listed on top notes of the fragrance, is a citrus fruit (originated in China and Japan) that we use in Greece especially in Corfu, to make liquer, jams and sweets. So, despite the fact that the fruit is slightly acidic in taste, the products of it are quite sweet ( you must try them)!!!! I get the kumquat jam scent in this perfume which together with all the florals the vanilla and musk, are resulting in an extremely super duper overdosed sugary sweet floral scent. The scent is linear and doesnt change with time, so dont expect surprises.
As for the performance, i bought it in July when temperatures here are between 30-40 degrees of Celcious and I wore almost the whole 30ml bottle. The scent stays on my skin for long (more that 8 hours) but it doesnt have a good sillage. I havent heard a single compliment with this one whereas with Dolce amalfi and Lira I ve heard a LOT. I believe this is not a summer scent but it needs some breeze. I would say its better for spring, fall and winter, or at least a time of a year that is not very hot. I kept some MLs to test it then and correct my review if needed.
I love this scent but I dont know if I will go for a bigger bottle. My favorite from the collection remains Dolce amalfi, 1888 and then comes Lira but this one sure gets a high rating from me!
Thank you for your time!
Be safe and smell great!
Maria
Kumquat which is listed on top notes of the fragrance, is a citrus fruit (originated in China and Japan) that we use in Greece especially in Corfu, to make liquer, jams and sweets. So, despite the fact that the fruit is slightly acidic in taste, the products of it are quite sweet ( you must try them)!!!! I get the kumquat jam scent in this perfume which together with all the florals the vanilla and musk, are resulting in an extremely super duper overdosed sugary sweet floral scent. The scent is linear and doesnt change with time, so dont expect surprises.
As for the performance, i bought it in July when temperatures here are between 30-40 degrees of Celcious and I wore almost the whole 30ml bottle. The scent stays on my skin for long (more that 8 hours) but it doesnt have a good sillage. I havent heard a single compliment with this one whereas with Dolce amalfi and Lira I ve heard a LOT. I believe this is not a summer scent but it needs some breeze. I would say its better for spring, fall and winter, or at least a time of a year that is not very hot. I kept some MLs to test it then and correct my review if needed.
I love this scent but I dont know if I will go for a bigger bottle. My favorite from the collection remains Dolce amalfi, 1888 and then comes Lira but this one sure gets a high rating from me!
Thank you for your time!
Be safe and smell great!
Maria
