For the last few days, the atmosphere at Maison Persolaise has been filled not with the scents of lilial, isobutyl quinoline and phenyl ethyl alcohol, but melting chocolate, hot butter and vanilla. Yes, I’ve been avoiding my lab and spending time in the kitchen baking cookies. Sometimes I just need to indulge in activities that produce near-instant results. At least that’s what I tell myself as I feast on the calories.
In less fattening news… those of you who’ve been kind enough to ask when I’m publishing my review of the final part of the BBC Perfume documentary will be interested to learn that it should appear here on Tuesday. In the meantime, please click on this link to be taken to Grant Osborne’s Basenotes interview with the series’ director, Ian Denyer.
I’m very excited to inform you that Escentual.com – one of the UK’s leading online perfume shops – have selected me as their Beauty Blog Of The Week. I’m grateful to their team for the flattering write-up.
And finally, I’d appreciate it if you could help me with some research for a future article by answering some or all of these questions. What do you make of the annual crop of mainstream summer scents? Do any of you buy the flankers from the likes of Calvin Klein, Issey Miyake, Joop, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Boss et al? Are they utterly redundant or, bearing in mind that they tend to be pretty affordable, are they handy for a quick, refreshing spritz on warm days? What are some of your favourite hot weather fragrances?
Thanks in advance for replies… and enjoy the rest of your weekend,
Persolaise.
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Congratulations, Persolaise! Nice to hear you become the blog of the week!
And what about flankers… Well being honest I almost don't notice them anymore. With a risk that I might miss something interesting there – so I notice that only if a blogger pays attention on this subject 🙂 I wouldn't call them always affordable – sometimes they might have a nice scent inside, but not always give a feel they worth the money. Unless bought on outlet…
Have a nice Sunday too. And… waiting of the comments on BBC.
AromaX, it's always great to see a comment from you here.
Was there ever a time when you did buy a summer flanker? Or have you always viewed them with suspicion?
Thanks 😉
Well, have to think hard on this one 😉 I used and liked original Hugo Boss. Tried its different colors in funny ball-shaped bottles (but it was only original Boss I bought and used more than one bottle). It was in times when I believed to marketing gurus and images they created. A time when Boss was a kind of "our" brand together with my friend. I also tried Joop flankers as we both liked the original but never bought any.
Bought three 15 ml miniatures of cKone – one original and two flankers. More as curiosity on outlet to have the iconic fragrance and compare them to its flankers. Liked the fruity version, but never used any of three.
Lately I try flankers occasuinally when have to write a review for a Dutch beautyblog. Tried Aqua Fahrenheit and Mon Jasmine Noire by Bvlgari and Weared both of them so I could write a review. The next one is Pi Neo tropical paradise. My choice of the first two was determened by bloggers I trust 😉
Oh, btw – tried Issey Miyake new floral creation, because the advertising posters were so beautiful. But was disappointed in the scent.
Chanel Cristalle eau vert and No. 5 eau Premiere are the different stories – I was really anticipating them. As well as No. 19 poudré and Coco Noir. The last "flanker" I ordered was the Frozen Vetiver by Guerlain. But ok, we are talking different level here now 😉
I don't generally get too excited by flankers. I hope that doesn't make me seem snobby but they seldom bring something new to an original, in my opinion. I'll probably be proved wrong…
I think the summer flankers are fine. They serve a purpose and give the brand some rejuvenation at a time when business is slow more-or-less.
Personally, they're not overly inspiring, but nice to grab a bargain that will do when you can't reach for something complex. I'm sure the odd diamond in the rough pops up now and again.
Oh and well done on the blog of week! Looking forward to the documentary write up too 🙂
How can I find your scents and sample some?
I'm not against flankers, I try to keep an open mind. I loved Shalimar Parfum Initial, and think it's a sparkly and wonderful gourmand/oriental for summer. Normally, I don't go season-specific for my perfumes, but we're having a heat wave so I'm trying to keep it light. Lots of Ormonde Jayne, Odin, and naturals. I also happen to think Esprit d'Oscar is a fabulous flanker AND warm weather scent. 🙂
Like Carrie, I'll list Shalimar PI and Esprit d'Oscar as recent favorites that happen to be flankers… and of course, the new Chanel 19 Poudre, which I'm very much looking forward to.
In general, flankers don't appeal to me. I liked the original Stella perfume (**ducks***), and meant to try some of the flankers, but never got around to it. If I crossed them, I'd sniff them, but certainly wouldn't go looking for them or any others.
AromaX, thanks for all that. From what I've read elsewhere, it sounds as though CK One flankers tend to ba fairly popular.
As for the Chanels and the Guerlains, yes, I suppose they're marketed in a very different way from the CKs, Joops etc.
Michael, that isn't snobby at all. I agree that flankers are seldom better than the originals, but I was just wondering if there's something about the lightness/freshness of the summer versions that might make some of us reach for them.
Liam, thanks very much. Have there been any summer flanker purchases you've been pleased with?
Clean And Green, as soon as my work is ready to sample, I'll make an announcement on this blog.
Carrie, thanks very much. I wonder what Guerlain would think if they discovered that you see SPI as a light summer creation… 😉
deeHowe, thanks for that. The Chanel certainly seems to be one of the year's most anticipated releases.
I'm absolutely smitten with No 19 Poudre. I don't know if it's a "summer" scent per se, but it came out during the summer, that's as good enough for me lol
Reminds me lots of Untitled by Maison Martin Marigela, half the reason I think I fell for it.
Liam, Poudre is pretty high on my current 'Must Try' list… but I'm not crazy about Untitled.
Oh yeah? Did it miss the mark on you? Definitely give Poudre a try when you see it. I tried No19 EDP on my left hand today, and Poudre on my right. I have to say, they're very very different. Poudre is much more green, and less floral.
Congratulations on the blog of the week thing.
I never buy flankers. I made an exception for Chanel No.19 Poudre and will have to see about Coco Noir if the rumors about its release prove to be true. But then I do not buy most of those "originals" either.
Liam, thanks for the info. I'll try Poudre as soon as I can.
Undina, I must say the name 'Coco Noir' fills me with dread, but let's see. If it's a genuine release, it may well turn out to be very good.
summer scents are not my favourite, I wish they were, I think I just prefer darker smells… but there are a few I love- they are Un Jardin Sur Le Nil, Monsieur Balmain, La Chasse Aux Pappillions and my favourite of all is Philosykos- green fig cream heaven
Rose, thanks for that. Lots of people seem to go for fig in the summer…