Opens with a nice splash of black currant liqueur, then grows some vague purple flowers that I thought might be wisteria, but the ad copy says is iris.
There’s a drop of rose and jasmine underneath, but after a few minutes, it all fades to patchouli woods on the skin.
Doesn’t last long–maybe an hour–but makes a reasonable berry refresher, without being too tooty-frooty.
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Mýa is so cool.
The copy on the sample card is ridiculous–springtime on the Champs-Elysees does not awaken the spirit of love, unless you are turned on by sour sycamore trees, car exhaust and urine.
Also, African Violets have no fragrance.
Violette opens leafy green, with some sharp spice in a dinner salad gourmandish way, and a hint of black currant, (so perhaps they got the Paris pee right.) The ginger gets powdery sweet on the skin, with an odd note of pine tree, then it all disappears after 20 minutes.
If you’re collecting Tocca bottles (which are rather adorable), go for it, but don’t bother hunting this one down for the scent.
LUSH’s Kerbside Violet has ten times the urban violet vibe for the same price, and any of Marc Jacob’s Daisies are sweeter and longer lasting.
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Paisley Park produced J.J.’s first album–Prince’s stamp is all over this song.
“Nice flowers,” she said, batting her lashes. “Juicy, too.”
“Rosy citrus,” came the reply, with a knowing smile.
“A sweet bottom, too,” she teased back. She didn’t bring up the feminine wood–they were already gone.
Flirtatious, but not much more.
Stays at elbow length for an hour, then fades to the skin for another two.
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More Gia Woods.
Uninspired pink lemonade and pale florals (that try really hard to be roses and lily of the valley) at first, but soon turns into a nice citrus musk with a cool metallic edge–a bit like Nestea iced tea in a can.
Young and safe–a good first date scent.
Stays in personal space for an hour, then drifts down to the skin over the next two. Gone by curfew.
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This update of Anita Ward’s disco hit is NOT appropriate for a first date.
There’s a very surreal vegetarian tea-party thing going on with Liliana.
Opens with pretty peaches and juicy florals, then turns to watermelon curry. After an hour or so, settles to woods and canned spinach liquid in personal space, and leaves a smudge lemon curd on the skin the next morning.
The vibe actually works, in a foodie in Fluevog witch boots kind of way.
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Pop-goth strings crack me up–here’s one for a garden party, Bridgerton style.
This comes out of the bottle like a shaken Orangina. Sugary tangerine and fig nectar, with a hit of creamy green that turns to sweet white flowers.
It’s got a fresh 4711 vibe, only sweeter, and lasts twice as long–which means about half an hour. I’d hose myself down with this in summer.
Bright and cheerful wake-me-up citrus that settles down to baby aspirin and Yankee Candle Freesia & Musk.
It’s oddly comforting, in a Cracker Barrel breakfast kind of way.
I always order the Uncle Hershel’s Favorite platter.
A bite of bergamot and green apples, then huge gardenias, the kind my grandmother used to grow, big waxy white flowers with shiny green leaves that took over her living room.
Florence grows that big–one roll on the wrist and it’s all through the house.
I like it better after an hour, when it settles down to light woodsy musk on the skin.
Florence, of course.
She sits close, with powdery lemon cake for an hour or two.
A white cotton dress perfume, worn for afternoon tea and croquet, or sweet iced tea and horseshoes.
Pretty, but shy.
Colette Magny was a French blues singer and activist. I love this cover. It’s a little shy, too.
I get berry lemonade at first, then a mild iced jasmine tea. Two hours later there’s a trace of sweet patchy citrus musk on my skin.
Cleopatra is pretty, but a bit thin for the name–the Queen of the Nile conjures power and seduction, not summer drinks.
kira a. gold 