Perfume Reviews by lauermar

Fame Couture by Rabanne

I saw this at my local Ulta store and had to have it. It is expensive at $160 USD. I can relate to the black faux fur coat and sunglasses on the bottle because I dress like that in winter. It was a blind buy. I already had the original Fame perfume, which has strong opening notes of mango like a tropical cocktail. This is completely different. It's softer. Iris, powdery but not strong. It is close to the skin. There is frankincense, patchouli and amber to help it last. This can be worn all year round and at work without offending anyone.

Turquoise Stone by Surrati

The Surrati perfume house is in Saudi Arabia and has been making perfumes since 1920. They sell them online at affordable prices on their website. They also sell on Amazon for faster delivery and a little more money. I tried their Turquoise Stone. It comes in a beautiful turquoise bottle with an artificial stone on top that resembles the bottle of Armani Prive Bleu Turquoise. Like Armani, it's a woody floral with vanilla but has more notes: incense, Carmel, Moss, milk, cream, pepper, salt, ylang-ylang, aquatic. It's similar to Le Vie Est Belle or Angel but without heavy patchouli. It stays close to skin but you can smell it on clothing hours later. They make many other perfumes at affordable prices. Due to tariffs, some of us are seeking quality perfumes at prices that don't break the bank account.

Violet Eyes by Elizabeth Taylor

This one gets me compliments every time. One lady followed me into a store to ask me what it was. It has been compared to Dolce and Gabbana Light Blue. I have both. Yes, they share some ingredients, but D&G's top notes seem like sour apple to me. Liz's top notes are romantic florals, which I prefer. Liz's perfume is also a bargain. You get twice as much for half the cost.This lasts me all day.

Bombshell Passion by Victoria's Secret

This version of Bombshell is less sporty than the original. It is a romantic fragrance that I can get almost a full day out of. It has roses and peonies, two of the flowers in my backyard, which is why I bought it.

Tigress by Fragrances of France

I'd give Tigress 2 thumbs up if I could. I'm reviewing the modern formula I bought from Vermont Country Store in 2024. I was a teen in the 70s during its heyday, but had no money for it. By the time I got a paycheck in the 80s it was discontinued. I have no scent memory of the old one. This version is great! I'm getting compliments all day. Sillage is moderate and longevity is all day. It's a floral oriental with amber, Carnation, powder, aldehydes, musk and spices. Every now and then there's a suggestion of incense. This is a bargain compared to expensive offerings from Gucci and Prada that don't last 5 minutes on me and smell awful.

Night Eau De Parfum by Victoria's Secret

I like serious fragrances, so I try those that have night or dark in the name. This one is less frivolous than others in the VS line, but I do not get the same longevity as with VS fragrances of the past. Rapture, Heavenly, Basic Instinct, and Body used to last all day. This plum scent is not especially memorable, but I will keep buying it to layer with other fragrances.

Bare Rose by Victoria's Secret

I just received this as a gift today. To me, it smells the same as the original VS Bare, except for the added rose note. I like it. It is a good everyday fragrance for work. My guilty pleasure is a dramatic perfume like Poison or Giorgio, but I know I can't wear them in daytime. The point of this perfume is to rekindle consumer interest in 1990s fashions, makeup and perfume. Bill Blass Nude came out in 1991. It promised to be a fragrance that blends with your skin in a unique, personal way, and that everyone will wear it differently. This is the same tag line that VS is using with Bare and Bare Rose. There are some similarities between them. Both are woody floral musk scents. Nude used rosemary and bergamot in the top notes instead of pear. Both have a rose middle note and musk in the base notes. Bare has some cedar, and Nude used sandalwood, orris and vetiver. Nude is more complex than the VS.

Black Pearls by Elizabeth Taylor

I have the notes from online reviews so I'll post them. Black Pearls by Elizabeth Taylor is a floral scent launched in 1996. Top notes are Peach, Gardenia and Bergamot; middle notes are White Rose, Water Lily and Lotus; base notes are Amber, Sandalwood and Musk. It is another creation by my favorite perfumer Sophia Grosjman. It's a powerhouse that a rich elegant lady would wear. Sillage is moderate and longevity is high. It remains on clothing the next day. It's better in cool weather.

It opens with a strong, sweet gardenia subtly livened up by bergamot and peach. The middle notes are softer lotus and water lily. These aquatic elements impart a fluid, serene character with a faint suggestion of white rose.

The base notes are musk and sandalwood as counterpoints to the sweet, floral aspects. Amber imparts an additional sweet and resinous edge.

Overall, Black Pearls reminds me of Lancome Tresor, primarily a floral and powdery fragrance, accentuated with fruity, woody, and sweet nuances. The scent profile is predominantly characterized by gardenia and musk, with secondary accents of aquatic florals, stone fruit, hearty wood, and resinous amber.

I remember a fun Christmas vacation when my daughter and I went to a scent outlet and purchased this along with the rest of Elizabeth Taylor's Diamonds perfume collection.

Agent Provocateur by Agent Provocateur

I have been wearing this for at least a decade. The online AP store doesn't sell it anymore. I adore it because it is off-putting. The first time I wore it, I was reminded of day old panties. It's musky, skinlike and lasts forever. It's incredibly sexy in a Mrs. Robinson way.

Cashmere Mist by Donna Karan

I have this in the EDP and EDT. There is a difference. I prefer the EDT because it takes me back to the 1990s when my daughter was a toddler and I'd get this for Christmas. The suede note I love is either missing or toned down in the EDP, and it wears off sooner on me than the EDT. I tried them separately on my arms. This is the first time I've experienced a stronger long lasting scent with the EDT. The sales associate told me that the EDT is the original 1999 formula. The EDP is produced by a different company that altered the formula. If you are nostalgic like me, go for the EDT.

Donna Karan Signature by Donna Karan

I second Claire's entire review. It's my suede jacket from the early 2000s which I won't part with. It's cigarettes and bad girl even though I'm the opposite. Mostly it's happy memories of being 30 again in the 1990s with the birth of my daughter. I love the spice lip liners, I'm too sexxy Revlon makeup, grunge, Curt Cobain, Units jumpsuits, and H20 Plus at the mall. I hunt down vintage bottles on eBay and some sellers are charging Tom Ford prices. Soon I won't be able to find any for less. Has anyone tried the fragrance replicas of this? Are they any good?

White Suede by Tom Ford

I sampled this in a department store years ago. Back then, it gave me a mental image of a dame in red lipstick who smokes cigarettes and covers it up with perfume. She crushes her lipstick-stained butts in an ashtray and leaves this scent behind. I adore this scent, but cannot afford it. I just bought a carded sample on eBay that smells like plain alcohol and disappears without a trace. At first I worried I had lingering olfactory nerve damage from the pandemic, so I went to Neiman Marcus to test it. Thankfully their tester was exactly as I remembered, so it's not me. The seller probably tampered with my sample. While I'm disappointed at the rip off, I'm happy knowing I have no residual nerve damage.

Black Orchid Eau de Parfum by Tom Ford

The base notes may seem similar to Angel, but this is not Angel. It is closer to Stash by Sarah Jessica Parker. This is the perfect unisex scent. Lots of musk and patchouli guaranteed to last 2 days with one spray. I wouldn't classify this as a floral. It's a spicy oriental to me. I tried another TF, White Suede, and I loved it but it's so weak I barely detect it. I want my perfume to make a statement and this does. I used to shy away from Black Orchid, thinking it was too strong, Gothic and masculine. Now that I'm used to it, I am completely obsessed with it. It's incredibly sexy.

Very Sexy Orchid by Victoria's Secret

I loved VS Seduction Dark Orchid 10 years ago. It's discontinued. I loved the mixture of fruits and oud with Black Orchid. This version is less formal because the pepper keeps it cheerful. It has the blackcurrant and basenotes of the other, which gives it longevity. The current orchid fragrance is more affordable than the older one. Whenever a past fragrance gets discontinued, resellers double the price.

Into the Night by Bath and Body Works

It's a lot like other dark berry scents on the market and since the brand is owned by Victoria's Secret, this resembles what you'll find there. But it has a bit more longevity on me than others. I can get the next day without reapplying. Must be the amber keeping it going. Good value for a low price. Not groundbreaking.

Bombshell Oud by Victoria's Secret

This version of Bombshell is not like the original citrusy one. It is more sensual and intriguing, a luxurious and glamourous version with an exotic twist. I am reminded of La Vie Est Belle but softer. It opens with spicy pink saffron, followed by zesty mandarin and earthy violet leaf for texture. The heart is peony which is the signature note of the Bombshell collection. Oud, complex and smoky, is at the base. It appears within an hour. Overall, this is more complex and smoky than regular Bombshell. I like Black Opium, Tom Ford and vintage Donna Karan Black Cashmere. If you like those, you might like this. It lasted for at least 4-6 hours on me, longer than I get with other VS fragrances. It's not heavy or cloying. You can wear it to the office. It is signed by perfumer Clement Gavarry. He enhanced the peony by creating a new sueded peony. With the addition of white suede, it is rich and opulent.

Rush by Gucci

One reviewer said it is addicting and that is true. I crave this fragrance throughout the day and my scent memory kicks in even when I'm not wearing it.

Vanderbilt by Gloria Vanderbilt

I think Aquila's review is spot-on, and it describes me perfectly. I haven't worn this perfume in a long time but it's my new best friend. If you're into seasonal color analysis, Carole Jackson put this on the Winter list. It's especially good if you're one of the bright, clear Winters with Spring influence. The pineapple and Bergamot add that touch of lightness. It also works well if you have Romantic or retro style as I do.

Ciara by Revlon

If you're into seasonal color analysis, Carole Jackson had this on the Winter list. It's especially good if you're one of the brighter, lighter Winters because the opening fruits give it a splash of Spring influence.

Love by Victoria's Secret

Awww I like this one. It is perfect for work and sports, casual outings. It lasts a few hours then fades away gently. It does smell like fresh cotton. Anybody can wear this. You don't have to be a Millennial.

Pepe Jeans for Her by Pepe Jeans

Just like a tropical cocktail. I smell pineapple although it's not on the note list. Almond milk, Madagascar vanilla, amber and musk. Mine came in a bottle shaped like a martini glass.

Glamour by Gale Hayman

If you like Youth Dew or Tabu, you will probably like this. It is mature and spicy in that retro way. This is what I was hoping for when I sought out Tabu in the drugstore. But I'm afraid the quality of Tabu has gone down to the point that it is unbalanced and over the top.

Geminesse by Prism Parfums

I remember having the original as a teen. This seems modern to me but in a good way. The powdery dry down is still there and it has a certain retro nostalgia that other floral leathers like Kelly Caleche do not have. I have a sample of Kelly but I'm glad I didn't spring for a bottle. I prefer this one and I'm hooked.

Body by Victoria by Victoria's Secret

Freesia, Water Hyacinth And Stephanotis. The freesia is the first thing you notice. I have so many memories of putting this on after a bath right before bed, and spraying some on my daughter who was a toddler then. This would be 1999 or so. It lingers in a good way. My husband would say he'd come home from work and smell this on us when he turned in for the night.