Wow, if only you could! I have recently been on a Great Fragrance Quest and have had some fantastic recommendations from you all on what where and when to buy. After finding a candle whose scent I was completely intoxicated with way back in 2004, I had to find a wearable fragrance that made me just as week at the knees. The candle – Havana by the Ritz Carlton, is made up of Cuban Tobacco, Ylang Ylang and Bergamot – a heady combination by any account. But searching for a fragrance containing these three notes has proven to be rather a difficult task. I’ve visited numerous online perfume purveyors and have only come across two fragrances that contain all three, and are only available to me as sample vials. Still, I have ordered them to wing their way to me and satiate this lust. But because I am impatient at the best of times, I also made a trip into the much recommended Kleins Perfumery in Brunswick Street Melbourne.
The staff were both friendly and knowledgeable, so when confronted with my request, they understood just how difficult finding a solution could be. However, they did their darndest and understood what I was seeking. Unlike so many other stores where they had felt that the best approach to solving my problem was to completely change what I was asking for! So the lovely Klein’s ladies, fragrance notes in hand, gave me a spritz of all the top shelf stuff until I knew I had struck sensory gold. And this is what I smell like…
L’Artisan’s Tea for Two
smoky tea, bergamot, cinnamon, ginger, honey, vanilla
It may not have the Tobacco or the ylang ylang, but it does have that strong sensual quality of the smoky tea. It conjures up thoughts of midnight trysts on the Orient Express, traveling in a dark cloak and being swaddled in thick cashmere. Delicious.
How did I know this was THE ONE? Well, let me say that when you feel like taking yourself out for a few drinks then back home for a nightcap, you know you’ve found your signature scent.
Excuse me while I buy myself another cocktail.
It’s just perfect. Dark, spiced and a...
-drool- omggggg that sounds so good! Send me a sniff!
XXASAB
Oh you finally found it! hooray!
Have fun lol
My two perfumes are Clinque’s Happy and J’adore by Dior. Happy for when I’m in a more bubbly mood, and J’adore for when I’m feeling a bit… vixenish. Oddly enough… J’adore has notes of bergamot, roses and jasmine. It’s love at first sniff!
Sounds gorgeous! How does the price compare with the perfumes found in your standard department store? Interested to know…
Amber – It is a tricky one to find, you’d have to go to a specialty store.
Uselesslines: hmm about 2x the price of your average.
Fyre: Do you think they’ll remain your signature scents?
Bec: Such a rewarding quest!
ASAB: Next time I see you, I’ll come prepared.
Sounds gorgeous! I’ll have to keep my eye out for it when I visit some perfume shops to see if I can steal a whiff!
You should definitely check out CB I Hate Perfume (http://www.cbihateperfume.com/) too if you haven’t already. He makes incredibly unusual perfumes, based on experiences and feelings.
I have ‘In The Library’ which does what it says on the tin and smells of wood and leather and dusty books. There’s also one called Russian Caravan Tea which, by the sounds of the above, would be right up your street.
Fiona: that sounds simply divine, Russian Caravan! And I haven’t seen that site you mentioned so I’ll add it to the list of must reads. thank you!
Grant: I suppose it is all a matter if you want to smell good for yourself or for those you are receiving the compliments from? I’d suggest your search out this one of mine and have a sniff as it is apparently worn by more men than women and is oh so dark and sexy. hmmm
Esz: Yes, thank you! Their range of those hand poured candles in the bell jars are A Maz ING!
Lisa: Make sure to take the notes of your old favorite on your search.
Ah ha ha ha!!! Taking yourself out for a drink!
Splendid!
I’ve just purchased a new cologne and while I get compliamented n it frequently I’m not overly fussed on it. I think I will need to go hunting for something new very soon…
Welcome back BTW!
Xx
I’m really glad you found something at Kleins!
It’s the best store – can browse in there for hours and it’s not even a big shop.
I think the extra price you pay is worth the great service you get and they truly are unique scents.
Yay!
Congratulations on finding your scent! I just found out my favorite is being discontinued, so I’ll have to begin the search again.
i really love l’artisan parfumeur.. i do own their “thé pour un eté!, which is very fresh jasmin and tea. i love it so much! tea scents are the ones i like most, and the one you got is still on my “to try”-list.. the latest one i got is dior’s new “escale a pondichery”, which my boyfriend got me for our aniversary…
Lena: I tried all the Artisan ones they had in store and your was also lovely. I was looking for something much more… sinister.. than light and fresh and tea manages to achieve that without hitting you over the head.
Jaede: Oh it is!
Rosie: Most excellent.
Floraposte: *claps with glee* Samples!
Meream: You betcha doll.
Hammie: I was thinking the same thing when writing this post, but then again it is probably safe that they don’t as I could see it being seriously misused by 10 year old boys. Ewww…
Sounds divoon !!!!
You have inspired me! I must find a perfume, one that is totally me.
I love L’Artisan Parfumeur, such original and unusual scents! I am on something of a quest myself at the moment, I have a load of samples on order from Les Senteurs – can’t wait!
Haha that is one effective measuring stick. I’ll try that out.
oooo, delicious! What a pity itunes don’t have a smell App?
xx
I’m excited for you. Finding one’s signature scent is such a wonderful experience. Don’t forget to scent your letters and notes too with a quick spritz before you start writing (so the ink will not run).
Happy day!
Hi SKM,
I know this is a rather old post and you have found your signature scent but based on the notes you were after i thought you should look at the Tom Ford collection: http://www.tomford.com/#/en/beauty
He uses tobacco and ylang ylang in Black Orchid which is one of my favourites!
Lita xoxo
Lita: I’ll have to hunt them out, sounds lovely!