SPOTLIGHT: Fragrance Miniatures Part 2...

Here we go with round 2 - Part 1 is available here.

Estée Lauder Pleasures, Eau de Parfum

This is another one I should get my hands on in a full size. I've had this bottle for around 3 years and in that time, there's been no change to the fragrance, or my opinion of it - still very much a fave, but for some reason or other I keep forgetting about it and how much I enjoy its playful and pretty freshness, and that's the only reason why there's still some left! The very first perfume I ever owned in my pre-teens was by Louis Feraud - Justine was it's name, and it was responsible for kick-starting my now (almost) lifelong passion for fragrance. Production ceased many many years ago, but Pleasures is the closest match I've ever come across, and yet it is unique in it's own magnificent way. A beautifully balanced fragrance, floral through and through, but with a tinge of green crispness that stops the flowers from taking over the whole show. Sophisticated and light, the name is very well chosen. The bottle is curvy and understated, and what's inside encapsulates the essence of Spring - white lily, peony & rose, with a tinge of jasmine (according to the blurb), although I can't pick any particular one of these ingredients because the formula is so well blended. There are two other varieties available - "bloom" and "intense" which I must get around to sampling, but it's hard to imagine any improvement on this delightful scent. Oh and while it has excellent staying power, it's one of those fragrances that seems to stay within the immediate body vicinity so I doubt it would offend anyone, even when stuck in the close confines of an elevator. My beautyheaven review of it is here. 

Lancôme La Vie Est Belle, eau de parfum

I have a few of these stashed away for a rainy day - scored several with some GWP's, LOVE discovering fragrances that way. The name translates as Life is Beautiful, and apparently this fragrance took 3 years to develop, and all up 5000 versions were created before the final was released last year - phew, that's a lot of refinement! What a divine bottle, and the little ribbon around the neck gives it an extra touch of class. I find the simplicity of the design so appealing, and love the way the pale pink liquid is cradled so lovingly in the glass semi-circle. What's inside is equally elegant and very special - it's incredibly sweet, almost like black forest cake, so I wasn't surprised to find that it has vanilla, praline & tonka bean as it's base (along with patchouli). According to my research, the main note is iris, together with orange blossom and blackcurrant. This is one of the longest lasting fragrances I have ever experienced - I can still smell it on my skin at the end of the day. Because of it's potent sweetness, I think you will either love it or hate it. I love it, but in my opinion it's not for the faint-hearted, and probably wouldn't be suitable for anyone prone to developing headaches from perfume. Being so heady, it's more of a cool weather fragrance, but I've found myself regularly reaching for it this summer because it radiates utter femininity with the minutest drop...

Calvin Klein Truth, eau de parfum (discontinued)

Do you ever find that quite a few in the range of perfumes from a particular fragrance house are just your thing? I went through a Guerlain phase many years ago, but these days, it's Lancôme and Calvin Klein for me. I've had this bottle for over 4 years and sadly it's past it's prime, but I remember my first impressions were of Autumn, like walking through a mossy forest when you kick up the leaves (lol I've just read it contains "wet woods" whatever that is), comforting and calming in a way, and yet spicy and quite different from anything else I've ever smelt from CK, or any other manufacturer for that matter. A pity it's been discontinued so I won't spend any more time on it, but I can see it's still available from e-bay and various clearance houses.

Miracle by Lancôme, eau de parfum

Already covered here, this miniature is almost empty, but I have a large bottle that I decant into a purse spray, so I'm not panicking yet ha ha. Can't imagine this fragrance not being a part of my life in the near future. Uplifting and refreshing, it smells SO different on my friends, but that's another of the reasons why I love it - this used to be the signature fragrance of the gal who gave it to me, but even she has trouble identifying it when I wear it :-)

Part 3 coming soon...

Take care of you,

kats xxx