Marc Jacobs Decadence EDP...

Don't you just love surprises? I have to admit I had quite a bit of stuff on my Christmas wish-list this year, but dear Santa came through with something I hadn't dared to even dream about - Marc Jacobs Decadence EDP, in the most stunning gift box that included the 100ml EDP, a 10ml Rollerball, and 75ml Lavish Body Lotion. Holey guacemoley - I teared up when I opened the parcel because it's something so totally indulgent that I would NEVER EVER buy for myself, and isn't that just the perfect kind of gift? ♥...

In the past, Marc Jacobs has delivered some stunning fragrance bottles, from Lola to Daisy to Dot, but I reckon this design is a masterpiece in the fragrance world - everything about it is exquisite, extravagant and well, decadent lol! You have to hold it in your hand (it's so heavy!) to appreciate the quality and workmanship involved in the creation of this presentation extravaganza. As you can see my camera fell in love with it too, and I couldn't stop snapping it from any and every angle - the combination of emerald glass, teal green snakeskin lid, rapper gold chain and black tassel forming a glamorous evening bag ensemble is simply to-die-for ♥ The lid even attaches firmly with magnets so you can carry it around by the chain (can't help myself lol!)...

What made this gift even more special was that I'd only sampled the actual fragrance a week before - it's so potent and distinctive I remember thinking that while I was certainly captivated by it's boldness, could I even carry off such an intense and head-turning scent? Well, I basked in her sensuous embrace for the rest of the day (SO long lasting) and filed her uniqueness away in the "maybe one day..." cabinet in my brain, little suspecting she would be in my life so soon ♥...

Honestly, I could rave on all day about the packaging, but I need to save some superlatives for the perfume itself. I'll start by saying this is NOT a scent for anyone who wants to blend in with the crowd, or has concerns about making a very loud statement with their fragrance. This is big, and I mean BIG, mega - it says "I'm here and I'm not shy - are you ready for me?"...

Note-wise, this sexy elixir opens with plum, iris & saffron exploding into life like nothing my olfactory senses have come across before ♥ There's also Bulgarian rose, jasmine and orris root in this heady mix, and interestingly the dry down is quite a long way off in the distance. When it does eventually happen, the amber, vetiver and papyrus woods ensure this lavish fragrance will be with you for at least 10 hours straight. It's quite a challenge for me to express how I perceive all of the contents listed above because everything is blended so masterfully, but what I can say is that for me it is green and woody with a potent hit of plum, and the rose & jasmine content is tempered with a touch of spice. It has the warmth and earthiness of a mulled wine, but there's also a distinctive freshness to it, like being in a forest of pine trees...

For sure, this is one of the most difficult perfume reviews I've attempted. It's one of those scents that you just simply have to try for yourself as I can imagine individual skin chemistry will play a big part in whether you love it or not (some folks say on them it smells like dill pickles!). If I can stop incessantly spritzing myself with this delight, I will save it for extra special occasions and cooler months when I'll relish expressing a sultry, sexy and supernally confident attitude, together with a devastatingly bold red lip. Right now I'm staring at this opulent bottle on my shelf feeling...totally decadent ♥...

Have you tried this luscious fragrance? What's your favourite Marc Jacobs perfume?

Take care of you,

kats xxx

P.S. Happy New Year lovelies! Wishing you a brilliant 2019, and may it deliver your hearts' greatest desires ♥...

SPOTLIGHT: Winter Fragrances (Part 1)...

With winter (finally!) here, it's time to catch up with the rest of the fragrances in my collection, and the ones I either save for the cooler weather, or those that I find work for me all year round (but didn't reveal in my Summer Scents series - Part 1, 2 & 3). All of these tend to be more intense, and therefore a bit OTT for hot and steamy days. My winter collection is smaller than my summer one, but hey, I'm fussy when it comes to those perfumes that totally envelop me in an aromatic cloud...

Britney Spears Believe...

Confession time again - I bought this for a friend for Christmas 2014, and for one reason or another (more like 10!) we haven't been able to organise a reunion, and it's definitely non-postable. So I made an executive decision, and treated myself to it's delights. The solid glass vial weighs a ton, and will no doubt make a fabulous paper weight once I've used the last drop! But oh what a STUNNING bottle - I've included several photos because the flacon looks quite unique from any and every angle, and nothing like any of the other packaging in Britney's range. It's also the only one I like from her collection, and while the pale green liquid looks summery, I find this too potent to wear on warmer days. 

At first it smells kind of juicy sweet, almost tropical (well that'll be the guava content), but then the patchouli starts to emerge, closely followed by a fresh blossom burst that skips playfully down a spicy amber path. I just ADORE it because it seems to smell different on my skin every time I wear it - just the ticket for a gal like me that craves constant variety. 

After a few hours it starts to remind me of La Vie Est Belle, and a little bit of research reveals it contains praline, so that explains that, but the ever present fruit clearly distinguishes it from Lancome's creation. Lasts for at least 5 hours, which is amazing for a "celebrity" perfume. I'll be buying this again, for myself as well as the friend who missed out (sorry hon!)...

Rochas Byzance...

A most unusual one for me - this was a gift from a very special someone who knows me well, and yet I would never have chosen this for myself. It's classified as a Chypre Floral, but with a base that includes sandalwood, musk and cedar, how could I resist it's charms? Encased in an exquisite sapphire blue bottle, I've been making this beauty last and last by only wearing it on exceptional occasions. 

First impressions are whoa, this is a heady mix with a potent fruity aldehyde blast, but after 15 minutes or so it transforms into a captivating spicy floral with a kind of woody powder tinge. Lol, what? Reading this I'm giggling because my description is starting to sound like one of those pretentious wine labels, but hey, this is what it smells like to me. Two carefully placed squirts behind my ears is plenty - anything more than that, well I can't smell anything else for the rest of the day, which is probably why I've had this bottle for over 5 years, and the blend hasn't altered one bit. 

I remember sampling it more than two decades ago in an airport store in Athens, asking the lady if I could try some "Bye-zance". She looked at me for a good five seconds as if I was speaking Swahili, and then said "Do you mean Bee-zonce?" Ok so perfume pronunciation was never my strong point...

Marc Jacobs DOT...

Darling DOT came in my beautyheaven Blogstar box, and we've been inseparable ever since. I won't rave on too much now because she's already starred in her very own post here. Summer or winter, she's my gal ♥

Calvin Klein Obsession...

This beauty has been my signature winter fragrance for nigh on 14 years. I first discovered this sensual scent on one of my return visits from London. It was love at first whiff, and I scored the pure essence for an absolute steal at the Duty Free - the bottle lasted me till I came home for good, and I've had the eau de parfum in my collection ever since. 

The above curvaceous bottle is a brand spanking new purchase I treated myself to at the recent Chemist Warehouse sale ($30) - a whopping 100ml of spicy yet creamy oriental that lasts from morning till night with one spritz. Ahh yes, Calvin knows about women, and this aromatic amber elixir is elegant and comforting, yet achingly exotic and alluring. The ingredient list is massive, but the notes that lure me like a siren's song are vanilla, bergamot, sandalwood, cedar, amber, musk and vetiver. 

Forever a classic, I can't recall the last time I smelt it on anyone else - thank goodness it's gone out of favour with a lot of gals because it's truly MY obsession ♥

(Stay tuned for Part 2)

What perfume is blowing your skirt up this winter?

Take care of you,

kats xxx

REVIEW: Marc Jacobs DOT...

After doing a bit of googling, I've come to the conclusion that this is probably the most photographed fragrance in the perfume world! Having lusted after it for at least 9 months, and finally scoring a bottle as part of my Blogstar prize, here's my contribution to the plethora of pictures of DOT - and why not, she is after all a work of art :-)

Interestingly I've read that some gals loathe the packaging, but I am in awe of the design, and can't stop looking at the bottle. The ruby red glass is quite breathtaking, and the flower adornments are as cute as can be. However loving the bottle as I do, from a practicality point of view there's no way I would (could!) take this bottle with me to work for re-sprays, so I've decanted the toilette into a Travalo. These photos don't do her proper justice either - I found her multi-dimensional girly bits extremely difficult to capture all in one shot...

As for what's inside, this fragrance is a gem - I'm disappointed that it only lasts a few hours on my skin unless I keep spritzing, however it's also available in a more potent eau de parfum which I'm keen to try (Santa please take note). In my personal dictionary, this is a "fruityental" with a musky floral base that is only revealed once the fruit has faded (takes about half an hour)...

On first spray, my nose gets melon, melon and...melon lol - interestingly it doesn't contain melon (!) so I guess it's the dragonfruit and red berries I'm picking up on, but what a refreshing delight on a hot summer day, and a welcome change from the usual citrusy tang of warm weather perfumes. Having said that, for me it's a seasonal all rounder that's equally wearable in warm or cool weather. Other ingredients include honeysuckle, jasmine, orange blossom and coconut, plus there's vanilla and driftwood in the musky base...

She even looks cute from behind!

The only other Marc Jacobs fragrance I know well is Daisy, which to me is the young ingenue, whereas DOT is her sophisticated and highly fashion-conscious older sister :-) I just adore this fragrance ♥♥♥

Have you tried DOT? What's your favourite Marc Jacobs fragrance?

Take care of you,
kats xxx