Guerlain Shalimar

Originally created by Jacques Guerlain in 1921 as a classic soft amber (oriental) parfum.

Inspired by the love of an Indian Emperor for his magnificent wife, Mumtaz-Mahal – for whom the Taj Mahal was built – Shalimar is named after “The Gardens of Shalimar,” where their love grew. Shalimar means the ‘Temple (or abode) of Love’ in Sanskrit.

It was then re-released in 1925 in a bottle designed by Raymond Guerlain and made by Cristalleries de Baccarat and launched at the Decorative Arts Exhibition as an antidote against The Great Depression.

A subtle mix of flowers and sensual amber-woody accents, Shalimar has become the eternal essence of love and radiant femininity. A deliciously fresh flight becomes hazy and sensual when the vanilla and powdery notes of its sweet, sensual base are discovered.

Notes:

Bergamot, Lemon, Jasmine, Rose, Iris, Incense, Opopanax, Tonka Bean, Vanilla.

Wildly Guerlain, marvelously classic, it continues to fascinate young women just as it conquered every generation that came before.

The top notes are light, invigorating blend of bergamot and citrus, but after a short time the rich heart notes of sweet myrrh and florals come through. Later, the base notes of vanilla and musk deepen the experience, giving an animalic sensuality.

My first ever Guerlain perfume, I was so fascinated & intoxicated by this when I treated myself a bottle, with my first pay cheque, years ago – grown up, nostalgic, prudish yet dangerously animalistic perfume for me.

I am rather drawn to vanilla scent ( remember vanilla coke? I am a sucker for this ). It makes me feel coy, comfortable yet sultry & sensuous.

Check out Jade’s guide on ” Perfume – How to test/choose ” on http://jadepaloma.wordpress.com. Very insightful indeed.

YSL M7

M7 was created by perfumers Jacques Cavallier and Alberto Morillas, and includes notes of agarwood, Haitian vetiver, bergamot, mandarin, rosemary, amber and musk.

M7 is a scent so unique that it empowers any man who wears it.

The seventh fragrance from the YSL perfumery, M7 is formulated as a rich and heavy scent teeming with rugged masculinity.

The fragrance notes features earth-tones &  wood accords. M7 was launched in 2002 and was created by perfumers Jacques Cavalier and Alberto Morillas.

Its provocative campaign stars martial arts champion Samuel de Cubber in the nude. According to creative director Tom Ford, the same virtuoso who designed the bottle, “Perfume is worn on the skin, so why hide the body?”

As M7 is quite a complex and daring fragrance to begin with. A number of perfume reviews were pleased with the scent and their words are telling how impressed they have been with this perfume.

One review from Basenotes says, “Discretion or delirium resides in one’s own hands and is dependent entirely upon one’s approach to this superb fragrance. It has the power to overwhelm. Used discretely, it is a warm enveloping fragrance of ethereal proportion, but, though dangerously tempting for those smitten by M7’s elegant Oriental charms, over use will cause swooning. M7 is appropriately romantic and sensual. I have to curb my desire to keep re-applying it because it has remarkable longevity; the real issue is a kind of intoxication or addiction. I adore it.”

This scent is certain to announce itself in the crowd. Straightforward and powerful — that what makes it distinct among the plethora of masculine scent in the perfumery. The sillage is superb; it mellows into a lasting yet compelling aroma. The sharp, smoky sweetness bites giving it a more pronounced and edgy appeal. M7 suits the cold months of winter. The woody oriental base blankets you with a comforting warmth akin to a familiar embrace.

M7 is a love hate fragrance. It’s heavy and on certain occasions, overwhelms the sensitive noses. But for those who appreciate its beauty, it’s titillating, hypnotic and endearing. You just can’t get enough of it.

Another ultra masculine, ” alpha ” perfume that I adore. If Chanel Antaeus is a suited up banker, YSL M7 would be a bare butcher.

Space NK Laughter

Laughter was inspired by Spain and features notes of bergamot, grapefruit, lime, juniper berry, angelica root, verbena, rosemary, fennel, coriander, patchouli, amber, musk, ginger.

Rooted in Nicky Kinnaird’s personal memories of childhood, Laughter is an uplifting fragrance inspired by the Spanish Mediterranean Costa del Azahar, where the sun drenched orange groves sweep down to the sea.

Fresh citrus top notes of bergamot, grapefruit and lime are invigorated by the tonic effect of juniper berry, angelica root and verbena with refreshing aromatic notes of rosemary, fennel and coriander. The sensual woody base of patchouli, amber and musk is enlivened by a sweet, spicy bite of ginger.

The perfumes and accompanying body products are said to be devoid of ” …parabens, sulfates, petrolatum, glycols, mineral oil, silicones, synthetic colors and other chemical compounds. “

I love the sharp, clean, exhilarating aroma of Laughter, which instantly lift my spirit & brighten up my day.

It’s a morning must have; Refreshing, Energising, Invigorating !

I also got a mini treats bag from Space NK in Harvey Nichols that allows me to sample its bath & body collection. My favourite so far is the bath oil.

The bright & crisply scented shower gel foams up densely, spoiling me with fine bubbles and turns my shower room into a citrus paradise. It simply makes soaping up a heavenly call.

I find myself invigorated by the fresh top notes of bergamot, grapefruit and lime, which intermingle with uplifting herbs such as rosemary, fennel and coriander.

The bath oil is light yet nourishing, leaving a citrusy sillage on my skin that develops into a sensual base of patchouli, amber and musk, a spicy bite of ginger.