...I have never smelt the Caldey Island fragrance that Luca Turin favours but I thought I should mention it. Who knows it? Is it good?

...My husband has about twenty frags. My son, who is 33, checks them out when he is visiting. I listen to their banter.On my husband Azzaro's Acteur is a smouldering rose. It's different and I like it on him. I am always surprised when he wears Quasar, it's a binge thing, almost too much but you go back for more. There's the usual suspects, Terre, DHI and Eau Savage etc…. and then there's my old friend that still makes my knees wobble. Devin.

...I layer Sa Majeste with Gres Cabaret

...Sorceress:Omni:I am trying harder. I am now layering both Chanel No 5 and L'Heure Bleu with Apres l"Ondee as per the suggestions. Does Parfumo have a layering suggestions thread? If not, shall we start one?This is a thread about layering perfumes, Omni.http://www.parfumo.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1355Fantastic! In the meantime, for TriffidCOMBINATIONS CREATED BY “REAL” FRENCH WOMEN – PUBLISHED IN ELLE MAGAZINEIris Silver Mist (Serge Lutens) + Bouton d’Or (L’Artisan Parfumeur)Aromatics Elixir (Clinique) + Mitsouko (Guerlain)Aromatics Elixir (Clinique) + Blenheim Bouquet (Penhaligon’s)Aromatics Elixir (Clinique) + Tea Rose (Perfumer’s Workshop)Source: Bois je Jasmin and Elle Magazine

...I am trying harder. I am now layering both Chanel No 5 and L'Heure Bleu with Apres l"Ondee as per the suggestions. Does Parfumo have a layering suggestions thread? If not, shall we start one?

...Triffid:I'm still coming to terms with Clinique "Aromatics Elixir". I own a small bottle, based on the lovely dry down, but the opening is still very difficult - like Brondecon cough elixir. It doesn't improve with repeated wearings either. Just has to be endured to get to the more pleasant bits beyond.I have researched this problem. On Bois de Jasmin, her section titled Layering Perfumes (1) there are suggestions from Jean Claude Ellena and others. One of them is to layer Aromatics Elixir with Un Zeste d'Ete,-(L'Artisan) a lemon, lemon blossom perfume according to the notes, with some similarity to Eau de Hadrien. I'm thinking that a bright zesty eau de cologne will transform Aromatics Elixir for you. Here's hoping

...Sherapop:Yesterday was so warm and springlike that I threw a gardenia party:Marc Jacobs Gardenia (splash)Marc Jacobs Marc JacobsAnnick Goutal "Gardenia Passion"Yes, I do find gardenias springlike! 8)Autumn here Sherapop but plenty of lovely days left to enjoy Songes, AG Passion and Cristalle

...Some of us, though, struggle with anglo saxon guilt at the waste of money these failures represent. Triffid, I wore some Aromatics Elixir from a tester bottle whilst on holiday and totally understand how spellbinding the dry down is. The application phase doesn't have much to recommend it, I agree. But neither does Mon Parfum Cheri par Camille for which I have parted with big dollars. There simply has to be a long driveway to walk down or dog crap to be picked up to take one's mind off the intro.Did I mention the dog coughed his guts up? Just joking, barnyard humour, sorry.

...I love Apres La Mousson. Hugely unpopular.

...MiaVonTrost:Lovely theme, Dulce. I second "Lyric Woman" and add "Lyric Man", the latter features a more prominent rose but both are terrific. Also "Portrait of a Lady", "Nahéma", "Incense Rosé" and possibly also Villoresi's Musk, spring to my mind. How about exploring the Rosine range? Oh, and since you also like a good patchouli, do check out ELdO's Eau de Protection. :)Wham Bamm, thank you Ma'am. These are the best suggestions in my book. Lately in love with ELdO's Rossy de Palma AKA Eau de Protection.

...I love Eau de Sud, my third bottle arrived the other day and I said 'Baby I've missed you' Now, how can you get that attached? My bottle came in the male shape because it was half the price-and why? Yes, I know, but the subject is probably best left alone

...Tessa:Yes Omni , I tried and am trying hard to make Decennial- Lys du Desert talk to me and it does not work. And I have a FB.ooh, I had a look at the perfume and wish I could suggest something to layer it with. A the moment Bois de Jasmin is running a 'suggest me a perfume' thread. There is a wealth of experience there (that I'm sure will come to Parfumo in time) and I bet one of them could help you out. Here's hoping. Don't let it go to waste!

...Triffid:Last year I bought a 7.5ml pure parfum of the discontinued Versace "Blonde", exquisitely and ornately boxed, from my local online discounter for about $40. They still have this in stock. It was a blind buy and unfortunately made me realise I very much dislike tuberose soliflores. Gave it away to my sister. Nevertheless, a good buy for fans of this style and in parfum concentration.I very nearly did the same and think that the outcome would have been the same. I bought the tiny bottle of "Vivid' Liz Claiborne for parking money and found it too retro. I bought the solid perfume of Fracas in a little 2gram compact and had a win with that one; it's lovely and delicate in that form, but I wouldn't wear the perfume when I have Songes anyway. Watching your prowess with the "Guess that Scent' and in awe of your skills. Cheers my dear

...Is it me? Have they changed? I recently purchased L'Heure Bleu in an EDT. Previously I had only attempted the EDP and we didn't get along. L'Heure Bleu is supposed to be Apres L'Ondee's older sister but I kept thinking I'd used Mitsouko instead. Has my brain found the Guerlainade and amplified it? Funnily enough I'm enjoying it more. Mona Di Orio (rest in peace) gave her heart to L'Heure Bleu. After she died I decided I would try harder. Have you tried harder to like something and has anyone got any clues as to why I smell Mitsouko in L'Heure Bleu?

...Chopard make a Noble Vetiver and a Noble Cedar. My husband tends to wear the latter, very strongly featuring vetiver anyway, on beach walks, where traces of it whip around in the wind. Very nice, but not at all strong in terms of sillage and projection.

...I have ordered another bottle of Apres L'Ondee. As we know the parfum was discontinued and there is only EDT in the marketplace. I think it will be discontinued too. One wonders if the resurgence of interest in antique perfumes (such as Oriza L Legrand) will keep ALO from the firing line.

...Madkat:Addict here.. Since it is extremely rare for me to spend more than $25 on a perfume there aren't many I can sample before hand.Worst: FB "Loulou" - sorry folks this smells like an urinal cake to meBest: mini "Kenzo Jungle / Jungle l'Elephant" - love the fresh spices, totally different from anything else I ownI detest Loulou. I bought it in a moment of insanity when it was first released so I can't even blame a reformulation. What was I thinking? After a couple of wears I thought it was nothing more than fly spray. Luca Turin thinks it is just wonderful. We live and learn….or do we? Twilight zone music

...Coutureguru:Strangely enough my favorite from this man is Green Tea for Elizabeth Arden … and of course Rose Barbare for Guerlain is a masterpiece. I have the full collection of samples from his own house, but find the musk he uses in Narciso's fragrances all too prevalent in his eponymous collection … it's quite laundry-ish … but having said that, a bottle of Absolue Pour le Matin would not go amiss in my collection. I also love what he's done over at Elie Saab … 'le parfum extreme' is truly beautiful!! It really doesn't hurt that M.Kurkdjian is easy on the eyes :) … but as far as his talent goes, that's through the stratosphere!!A great and astute assessment there CG Is he easy on the eye? I'm sure I hadn't noticed (screams with laughter)

...SystemeD:I am stunned that no one has mentioned the house of Balmain yet. Their line of fragrances are always of quality, and always affordable. My favorites:"Jolie Madame""Balmain de Balmain:4910f223ab]Yes! and I would add "Ambre Gris"I am kicking myself for giving away my 100ml bottle of "Balmain de Balmain", which I got online for under $40. I loved the bottle, with that retro looking label on the corner. Classy!Ambre Gris is an absolute steal. There are bottles of Apres L'Ondee to be had (FRA NET) very cheaply. These may be the last people, get one now

...Guusje:Spray a good 40 times or so. So all old perfume is gone from the sprayer and the little tube.Then try again: chances are the perfume is fine after that :)I have done this, but not 40 times. I will try again with more abandon and hope that it clears. Thanks a lot