Those who know me would agree that I can hardly resist a new bottle of perfume. I do believe that a perfume bottle should always reflect what it encapsulates. Simply said, a beautiful perfume requires a beautiful bottle. I sometimes think I love a perfume display just as much as the fragrances themselves. That said, I also like the selection and being able to choose a different fragrance depending on what I feel like that day.
I really love Carnal Flower from Les Editions de Parfums par Frederic Malle available at Mecca Cosmetica in Australia ranging from $260 for 50ml or $370 for 100ml. It's also available from Barneys New York in the US and from Frederic Malle's website in Europe. As it's a very expensive perfume, I have not yet purchased it, but believe I have found a lovely and elegant alternative: Tuberose Gardenia from Estee Lauder's Private Collection. Both of these contain Tuberose. I'm generally not a fan of the overly sweet Tuberose perfumes such as Fracas. It's much too sickly sweet for me. That's why I fell for Carnal Flower, it was much greener and felt like you were in a real garden. Estee Lauder's is much less green, but more of a soft floral. It doesn't smell synthetic and the gardenia notes really add to the mix. Estee Lauder's version is much more dainty and Carnal Flower is more seductive I would say. Both have amazing staying power. When I spray Carnal Flower the fragrance lingers on my jacket for days and the same can be said for the Private Collection.
The website says its notes are as follows for Tuberose Gardenia:
- Top Notes: Neroli, Lilac, Rosewood
- Middle Notes: Tuberose Nature Intact, Gardenia, Orange flower Nature Intact, Jasmine, White Lily
- Base Notes: Carnation, Vanilla Bourbon
Next time you're in a department store, stop by the Estee Lauder counter and have a smell. While I tend to buy from local department stores as I like to support local and I'm very untrusting of online stores (selling old and fake products), I did find it on Strawberry Net for much less. I have purchased from Strawberry Net and have been very happy with my orders. In Australia, a 75ml bottle of Tuberose Gardenia goes for around $250, while on Strawberry Net it was $160...a decent difference. If I can find something at David Jones, Myer or Mecca Cosmetica, I always purchase from these places, but when there is a huge difference as above, I look for alternatives.
Here is how I display my favourite bottles of perfume. There are many other bottles that are not displayed as they do not fit. Given my slight addiction to perfumes I have a rule that I must finish a bottle before buying another! Now what shall I finish so I can justify buying Carnal Flower....
Best wishes,
N Xx
No comments:
Post a Comment