Tresor

Tresor by Lancome has been a timeless classic since I could remember. I remember its lingering soft fragrance from my grandma and aunts’ collection. So when I managed to get a sample of it, all I could think of is its intense floral notes combined with hints of fruity notes. Given the subtlety of the notes, I could manage to identify rose, peach, sandalwood and perhaps vanilla and musk. The base was deceptive though. So to summarize Tresor notes are made up of the following -

• Top – Lilac, Rose, Peach, Bergamot, Pineapple, Lily of the Valley, Apricot Blossom
• Middle – Orris, Rose, Heliotrope, Jasmine
• Base – Vanilla, Sandalwood, Vanilla, Amber, Apricot, Musk, Peach

As for the perfume, I noticed that its top and middle notes linger on for a bit longer blending well with the base notes. Tresor’s mild composition coupled with its golden honey tint makes it ideal for evening times with a hint of breeze or even winter time when the perfume can stay on longer to leave an impression.

Gharam – An Arabic Oud Oil

There were 2 significant perfume purchases in Dubai which I believe are some of the best in my lil collection – Woody and Gharam. Having already blogged on Woody, I now introduce Gharam in this post -

My specs to the salesman were floral with lots of rose, soft, feminine…and lo behold he presented me with Gharam. Of course I didn’t bother asking for the name because I was completely enamored by the heavenly aroma that filled my senses. The perfume left a lingering smell of edward roses mixed with the arabic roses that lasted a long time. The composition though has a lot more than roses -

• Top notes – Apple Blossom
• Heart notes – Rose, Jasmine, Lilac
• Base notes – Himalayan Balsam Flower, Musk

The intricate designs, the antique finish and the careful packing of the bottle and its miniature version on pendant in satin completes the fragrance’s tale. Its a beauty, one that must sit amidst your collection…something that you’d want to cherish wearing forever. This fabulously feminine and elegant perfume is sure to sit in my collection for a very very long time! Best worn in the evening and again on the heavy rainy evenings when the scent can last longer!

Arabic Oud – Woody

Dubai is a place for shopping and pampering yourself in luxury. A desert paradise for the rich and the famous, its also notable for its 6 major malls. I suppose it was in the Wafi city mall that we shopped for perfumes especially for the Arabic Oud spray called Woody along with a Rose Perfume oil of course.

Woody or the Arabian Oud Woody EDP imparts a rose mixed woody fragrance settling into sweet mild tone. An interesting aspect of this perfume is its layered packing, the cylindrical perfume bottle is encased in a wooden box looking akin to a log which in turn is packed in a jute bag. Unfortunately, luggage restrictions forced me to behind the wooden case.

The notes composition is as follows -

• Top notes – Rose, Saffron
• Heart notes – Sandalwood, Amber, Musk
• Base notes – Java Oud, Musk

In any case, this perfume is deemed unisex and is ideal for both day and evening wear but reserve it for rainy, cloudy days or nights when the air is cool. More on arabic perfumes can be found at - http://snique-peek.blogspot.com/2009/07/fragrance-arabian-oud.html

Rediscovering Paloma Picasso

Rediscovering Paloma Picasso at Costco was a total surprise and rather an unforgettable experience. Here we were rummaging through the designer fragrance section for some nice perfumes which lead us to buy Paloma Picasso, Champs Elysees and Polo Black.

A whiff of Paloma Picasso invoked memories for me…that of visiting one of my aunt’s home in hyderabad wherein entering my cousin’s rooms were like entering a perfume store. She used to have Paloma Picasso among others on her vanity table. So when I wore this after a decade or so…I could sense the spiciness of the perfume with strong undertones of patchouli, wood/moss, clove perhaps with a hint of rose and a faint whiff of tobacco, Amber & sandalwood. For reasons unknown I thought of spices. Now Raks who hadn’t used any fragrance by Picasso was quick to point out that it was a pure floral perfume although a strong one. And he was bang on correct!

Designed in 1984 by the house of Paloma Picasso, this classy spicy fragrance for women features the following notes

• Top notes – Bergamot, Neroli, Clove, Jasmine
• Heart notes – Coriander, Rose, Patchouli, Ylang Ylang
• Base notes – Sandalwood, Tobacco, Oak moss, Vetiver, Amber, Civet

Although many websites seem to vary on this info, I added notes which I could sense as well. As they same, a fragrance can contain more than 10-20 notes but only the main notes are listed.

Although recommended for anytime use, my experience strongly hints that this is suitable for evenings and nights. Funny thing is this perfume was too strong for me a decade ago but now seems to blend with my skin tone quite well. Its a perfume that grows on you!

Euphoria by Calvin Klein

A perfume that Raks introduced me to…Euphoria by Calvin Klein is yet another intense perfume that leaves a lingering note/after-thoughts to an evening outing. This one got added to my collection last evening while we were out perfume shopping for my folks.

Bottled in a orchid styled bottle with the hues ranging from light to deep purple, this perfume is intense with a deep fruity and woody notes to it. First whiff gave off hints of orchid and violets. It also seemed to have a hint of musk and amber to it but I was quite sure caught up as I was with Givenchy’s magic which clouded all else.

Notes are as follows -

• Top – Pomegranate, Persimmon, Green Accord
• Middle – Lotus Blossom, Champaca flower, Black Violets
• Base – Amber, Cream Accord, Mahogany wood

Again here, I have to quote Robin’s review from www.nstperfume.com

“Euphoria starts with sweet fruits; the pomegranate and persimmon are liberally sugared, and the “lush green accord” adds a kind of synthetic freshness that floats above but does nothing to temper the syrupy sweetness. It moves quickly into the dry down, which is blended floral notes mingling with now-indistinct fruits, the whole doused with a warm vanilla cream laced with patchouli, amber and a hefty dose of musk.

It is a deep, voluptuous fragrance, vaguely edible, and rather dark although not overly so — it smells decidedly modern, and there are none of the “musty bits” of a classic oriental.”

A quick fact - Launched in 2005, this perfume won Fifi award for best luxury perfume in 2006.

To sum it up, Euphoria puts all other CK perfumes to shame! The best deal that we got with this perfume is a set of Champagne flutes and gorgeous milk chocolates that just made the whole package alluring. As for the perfume, its truly gorgeous and alluring, and very ideal for evening/night wear as is Givenchy L’ Intense!