Ambre Sultan - Serge Lutens

Happy Halloween, personally, my favourite holiday of the year!!!

Today is a sunny day, thick layer of frost, but getting warmer as the day goes on.  I thought it would be a great day to review Ambre Sultan by Serge Lutens. I have to say, I typically don't wear this on it's own, but instead apply a top sweeter accord to it. Typically a bright and sweet honey accord to brighten up the rather intense aroma, but in the interest of my reviews, I am testing it as a singular perfume.

The images that strike up immediately on application is a dark, but opulent tent somewhere in a foreign region. Instead of bringing to mind a desert, this one actually brings a vision of a dark forest, somewhere in Romania. Rich fabrics, and thick clouds of incense, coupled with a warm wind. Someone smoking a tobacco pipe and drinking a strong black tea laced with honey. 

I find as you wear this, it loses a bit of the initial smokiness, and gets a little sweeter.  The lasting power on this one is incredible. It really packs a punch, which is simply lovely on cold winter days. I would not recommend wearing this in the summer typically, however, I've found a quick spritz to the bare stomach before dressing can do the trick, as it's not quite as over-powering on skin as it is laying on fabric.

Amour De Cacao - Comptoir Sud Pacifique

Warmer today, not quite as biting cold. Not a very good day on a personal level, but the day is over now, and things can only get better tomorrow. As I got home quite late, I decided to review something mild, and not quite as strong and heavy as my previous reviews.

Amour De Cacao - Comptoir Sud Pacifique

This is one of my champion 'go to' fragrances after a tough day in the cooler weather season. For me, this is a completely relaxing foodie fragrance that isn't so sweet it'll give you a toothache. 

I've read many other reviews on this myself, and have found many people liken it to cocoa puffs, I have to say I disagree personally.  To me, this is like a s'more. A delicious s'more that you roast on a chilly, early autumn evening. Although I do detect a slight fruit/citrus note, it is so faint, you can barely notice it.

This one is all about comfort for me, it is not something I would ever consider wearing on a night out, or a date. It's a yummy chocolate treat, mixed with an almost gooey marshmallow vanilla. It makes me want to curl up on the couch in a cozy sweater with a big glass of milk, which frankly, I am doing at this very moment.

The One (For Men) - Dolce and Gabbana

Absolutely freezing!! When you exhale outside,your breath comes out like a huge waft of smoke. 

In fact, one almost feels like a smoke breathing dragon on days like today.

The One (for men) - Dolce and Gabbana

This one was given to me by a perfume rep who thought I'd love it more than the feminine version, and she was 100% accurate. I definitely prefer wearing the male version of this.  In the interest of painting a picture of this perfume, I think it would be best to give you a picture of the type of man I would think would be  wearing it, and it certainly is NOT Matthew McConaughey (though he is a rather attractive specimen) 

Personally, I feel that the actor that I could most relate this scent to (by looks and apparently personality in interviews and films) would be Clive Owen. 

In my opinion this could just as easily be worn at a black tie event, or curled up at home in a cosy sweater and jeans.  It's a lovely soft fragrance (if worn as intended - in moderation). It would not be overbearing during a meal, and a keen one to snuggle up to later on. It would be certainly nice to smell this one a fella while enjoying a nice cognac.

It is also a lovely choice for a female, and again, if used in moderation, would likely even be appropriate at the office. I have worn it many times myself at various business functions and conferences and received tons of compliments from men and women alike. Every time, they are always stunned when I say it's actually a masculine fragrance. You've got to love keeping folks on their toes.

Rousse - Serge Lutens

Quite chilly today, yet not as cold as yesterday. Still a bite to the air though. 

Rousse was a perfect choice for today. It's quite spicy, a strong vote of cinnamon, but not a sweet as I had expected. It's quite dry, and aromatic. It almost has a note of plum to it.  There is definitely the accords of mandarin there, but they are very slight. I notice the clove and amber more than anything else.

The image this one bring to mind is a christmas party at the winter palace in Russia. Boughs of fresh greenery everywhere, red berries, dark juicy plums on the table, and small spice cakes at every table. The mandarin brings to mind the old fashioned pomanders with cloves stuffed into it's skin. Classical music is playing and people are dancing around, smelling slightly of sweat and their chosen perfume de jour.  

Again, another first time with this one. I have no personal memories attached to this one, though it slightly resembles Cinnabar, which tends to remind me of my mother.

Black Cashmere - Donna Karen

Todays Weather -

It's cold outside, and there is a thin layer of snow on the ground. The air is dry and crisp. It's quite warm, but very dry inside. 

Todays Perfume -

This fragrance has a sweetness I can't quite put my finger on. The scent of the carnation comes through quite strongly on me. The spices are quite mild. I had expected more spice to be frank, however there is an inherent spice that comes with the carnation, so I can't really complain.

This fragrance brings to mind, an image of a personal library in the late 1800's, likely belonging to a literary figure, from the romantic period in literature. Dark wood shelves stacked with books, and with antiques from all exotic parts of the world. Fresh flowers on the window sill. Snow gently falling outside, a cold crisp day, much like the one I'm experiencing. The dying embers left from a ferocious fire on their way out. Ink splatters all over a desk. A steaming cup of a buttery black tea - no lemon, just milk. A warm, and soft leather chair. 

This is the first time I have worn this fragrance, so I have no real memories associated with it, but the imagery I've suggested above is from the mental image I have from this fragrance.