Flanker Alert! Dior Addict Eau (not so) Sensuelle

I'm just going to jump right in and say it: this fragrance is a complete deviation from Dior Addict.  There are no hints of the luscious vanilla or the heady jasmine that so enraptured me in the original juice.  I'm not sure why Dior (other than for pure marketing reasons) attached this scent to the Addict line.  It truly is its own fragrance.  But, enough of my ranting.  Let's get on to the evaluating...

Dior Addict Eau Sensuelle is an extremely soapy-clean fragrance.  It opens with light rose aromas that subtly warm into fresh, light, and clean lilac notes.  They blend together flawlessly with the clean dry down of white musk which defines this scent and gives it a powdery-soapy-clean depth.  It triggers memory cues of Ivory soap... Did I mention this fragrance was clean?

If you read Scents n Scentsibility's post on Dior Addict Eau Fraiche, you'll know there's some confusion regarding these flankers.  Reviewers on Fragrantica overwhelming think Eau Sensuelle is only Addict to Life rebottled.*  Or if it's not Addict to Life they are comparing it to then they say it's a reincarnation of Forever and Ever Dior, which they prefer.

As for me, I'm wondering if this is Dior's take on Estee Lauder's groundbreaking 1996 pure and soapy-clean Pleasures.  And now that just leaves you - what do you think?

Have you tried this scent?  Do you love it, do you hate it?  Make sure to leave a comment below!

*I've never smelled Addict to Life, but the olfactive triangle tells me it is a Floral-Musky-Spicy scent (much different to what I've just smelled in Eau Sensuelle)

Flanker Alert! Dior Addict Eau (so) Fraiche

Dior Addict is a sensual floriental which was originally launched in 2002 to great success.  Since then flanker after flanker* has been rolled out and this summer is no exception!  The Dior Addict range has expanded by two, the first of which we'll be looking at today.

Dior Addict Eau Fraiche opens with a delightfully bright bergamot hit entwined with juicy mandarin hints.  It quickly warms and as the fragrance progresses to the heart a vibrant musk and quiet rose character emerge.

The fragrance is quite linear once the citrus dimensions settle.  What remains is the heart, which is a refreshingly luminous (dare I say, fraiche!) citrus-floral-musk aroma.

In truth, I wasn't expecting much from this fragrance, but it's not the first time I've been proven wrong.  Dior Addict Eau Fraiche is simply a great fragrance!

Have you tried this scent?  Do you love it, do you hate it?  Make sure to leave a comment below!

*After doing some research, it's clear that the range of Dior Addict flankers is actually getting quite confusing!  Dior launched an Addict Eau Fraiche in 2004, but, looking at the 2012 Eau Fraiche olfactive triangle, it is a completely different fragrance.  That said, if you compare this review to the 2004's olfactive triangle it appears that the fragrances are quite closely related to one another, if not in fact one and the same!

Also, one comment on NST noted that a salesperson at the Dior counter informed that past fragrances, Addict to Life and Addict 2, have been reconceptualized (new bottle, name, marketing, but same fragrance) and are now Addict Sensuelle and Eau Fraiche.

Do you have clarity on this confusing situation?  Make sure to leave a comment below!

DKNY London Olympics - Oops! Be Delicious

Today begins the quest for gold medals as the first of the Olympic competitions kicked off in the United Kingdom.  Yes, Friday is the official opening ceremony in London, but because the soccer competition takes so long to complete the first women's soccer matches were played today in Wales.  If you're wondering, GB beat NZ 1-0, and the US beat France 4-2.  Not a bad start, I'd say.  Well, that is depending on who you're supporting!

But, does it really matter who you're rooting for?  I'm not sure it does for DKNY's latest flankers in the Be Delicious range - aptly called DKNY Hearts The World.

The DKNY Be Delicious range first came into being with the launch of Be Delicious in 2004.  Since then the apple shaped bottle has graced fragrance shelves in a multitude of variations - Be Delicious Men, Golden Delicious, Delicious Night, Delicious Candy Apples, Red Delicious, Red Delicious Men... The list is long and has not stopped growing; the newest fragrances in the DKNY Hearts The World range all 'heart' a major city: NYC, Paris, Rio, and, of course, London.

So, what does DKNY think London's scent should smell like?  Sweat in honor of the athletes participating in the Olympics?  Rose in honor of England's national flower? Let's find out.

DKNY Be Delicious Heart London opens with a bright sweet citrus scent tinged with the tiniest hint of bubble gum.  It quickly warms to a gentle aroma of white floral and (yep!) rose.  The dry down remains rose-y and settles on the skin well due to its creamy amber and soft musk undertones.

It is an uncomplicated fragrance that is fresh, pretty and a perfect accessory for a sunny summer day... or a rainy one if you're in London!

Have you tried this scent? Do you love it, do you hate it?  Make sure to leave a comment below!

Summer Flanker Alert! Allure Homme Sport Eau Extreme Chanel

Store shelves have been stocked full of summer flankers for months and since it is now officially summer I thought it time we investigate what's out there!

Allure Homme Sport Eau Extreme by Chanel is our first flanker.  It joins the Allure Homme range: the first fragrance of which was launched in 1999.  Despite this scent having a long list of ancestors and being (yet another) flanker, I have to be honest with you.  After I watched the below video I wasn't too upset to be indulging in Eau Extreme!  (yes, the Chanel marketing team has done their job well - I'm sold before I've even tried it!!)

Allure Homme Sport Eau Extreme begins its scent journey with fresh citrus and light mint notes which slowly dance their way to dry dimensions of soft woods and warming tonka bean and musk tones.  Underneath all of this there is a hint of soapiness laying deep in the depths.

Overall it is a pleasant experience even though it's not very 'extreme' (i.e. not venturing from currently popular ingredients)!

Have you tried this scent?  Do you love it, do you hate it? Make sure to leave a comment below!

The new addition to the BVLGARI Omnia family: Coral

omnis omnes omne omnia: each, every, every one (of a number); all (pl); all/the whole of.  (just in case you don't have a Latin background and were wondering the meaning of omnia, a range of BVLGARI perfumes, like I was.)

BVLGARI launched the first fragrance in the Omnia family in 2003.  It was self titled and was a  spicy-gourmand-woody fragrance.  I haven't experienced it for myself and I don't think that I'll be able to because it appears the fragrance is no longer in production.  (Leave a comment below if you know otherwise!)

In 2005 Omnia Crystalline was launched, a fresh-fruity-woody fragrance.  Next in line was Omnia Amethyste in 2007, which was followed by Omnia Green Jade in 2008.  Sadly, I haven't had the chance to smell any of these yet!  But don't worry because...

...this brings us to Spring 2012 and to the latest launch in the Omnia range:

Coral.

(which I've just smelled!)

BVLGARI Omnia Coral is a bright citrus-floral fragrance that immediately catches your attention.  The citrus notes are very fresh and give the sense that you are surrounded by gorgeous bergamots, with maybe a few perfectly ripe mandarin oranges thrown in.  The lily floral notes keep the fragrance light and fresh as the citrus ones wear off, and as it warms there are comforting hints of light musky-soapiness in the background which adds depth (and a sense of fresh-out-of-the-shower cleanliness) to the fragrance.

With spring now in full effect and summer just around the corner, this fragrance makes a great accessory for sunny weather and happy days.

Which Blonde Are You?

Ahh, yes.  The summer flankers have arrived and models with long blonde hair grace the advertisements of all three fragrances now out in your nearest department store.

First:  the ever so seductive DKNY Be Delicious flanker - Golden Delicious.

The fragrance opens with a light floral scent of rose and lily, but underneath the innocent top notes lurk deep woody tones mixed with layers of musk.  The bottom notes give a sensual dimension to the fragrance that keeps it from being a simple, straight floral.

The bottom notes make this a heavier fragrance that would be good for wearing in Fall, at night or (as the poster suggests) when being seductive.

Second: the wistfully sweet and innocent Marc Jacobs Lola flanker - Oh, Lola!

The top is light, sweet and citrus-y with elements of green notes, which lift the fragrance.  It dries into a gentle and inoffensive white floral with small traces of musk.

This is a safe fragrance choice that is perfect for daytime wear.

Third:  the classy, 'au naturel' Pure DKNY flanker - Pure DKNY Verbena.

Top note is verbena, no doubt about that, but the citrus note is quickly balanced out with a Ponds cold cream-esque note of musk and rose.

It is an instantly fresh and comforting fragrance (but maybe that's because the dry down reminds me of my grandmother!)


This is a good all-round scent for anytime wear.

So, what will you choose?  The seductive Golden Delicious, the sweet, innocent Oh, Lola! or the classy, au naturel Pure DKNY Verbena?

As for me, (sorry flankers!) I've got my eye on the new Fall fragrance from Tom Ford - Violet Blonde launching this September.  Stay tuned ...