Top 25 for 2008 - Your Winners

Call me slow because I am, but I finally just sat down this weekend and went through the rest of the ballots to get the top 25 based on your picks for 2008. These are currently in production perfumes, did not need to be released in 2008. 
 There were some surprises for me… well, you’ll see, [...]

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Mainlining

Let’s cruise some of the mainstream releases that I just haven’t gotten around to, since it seems like I’ve done mostly the niche releases recently.
Yves Saint Laurent Elle has notes of cedar, litchi, peony, rose, freesia, vetiver, patchouli and pepper.  I just have no words for the open except, well, yuck.  It’s like bad bathroom spray - [...]

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Vetiver Dance sample winner

This has been a heck of a week - more on that later. First, let’s give away those six Tauer Vetiver Dance samples that Andy sent out.  The winners are:

Sylvia
DPearson
Noyna
Pam
Gretchen
Linda B

Just click on Contact Us over on the left and let me know your address, and I’ll send you the samples!
Now, my excuse for no [...]

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Amouage Lyric and mop-up

The kitty’s attempt to “hide” my Guerlain Femme Fatale Chypre Fatale sample have been thwarted, and I finally found it on the floor hidden behind the leg of the desk.  Notes of White Peach, Rose, Patchouli & Vanilla.  The peach is very pronounced on me, with some really nice underpinnings of patchouli and vanilla. I don’t [...]

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Serge Lutens El Attarine and Dianne Brill

Lee already did a great review on Serge Lutens El Attarine, but I got some different mojo from it, so I just have to comment on my, um, experience.  Am I the only person getting a healthy dose of MKK on the open under the ethereal boisees series?  Yes?  It’s a heady mix, like hot, sweaty [...]

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Guerlain’s Bodice Rippers

Hey, I have three little samples of the new Guerlain Bodice Rippers in my hand, so let’s take a stroll through the smut-section of the perfumarket and see what we have.
 Guerlain Femme Erotique Oriental Brulant - notes of Clementine, Almond, Tonka Bean & Vanilla.  Goes on a very typical well-made Guerlain, smelling similar to some [...]

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Chanel in Beige

First, I want to add my thanks to Anita and Shelley for all of their hard work in planning the Chicago event. It was a blast, rain and all, and such a great group of people in all. Truly a perfect day with some of the nicest, most fun, intrepid perfumistas you could hope to [...]

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Fun Links for Wasting Time

Today is the annivesary of  9/11, and I’m just not quite feeling it for a perfume post, plus I’m packing and trying to get work stuff tidied up before I’m away, so let’s find some ways to waste time with a few of my favorite newfound links.  I promise to be back next week with [...]

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Magnifique and Roadster

Lancome Magnifique has notes of saffron essence, cumin, Bulgarian rose, Mai de Grasse rose, jasmine, sandalwood, nagarmota and vetiver.  Hey, this could work.  Eh, maybe… not.  Fruity’ish on the open, it does improve quite a bit in the first 15 minutes.  The sweetness in the open fades nicely, then it smells just a skosh spicy/earthy, [...]

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What Do We Want This Fall?

As I’m wrapping up my summer boredom with perfume, I’m walking that little line between  needing to still wear lighter summer perfumes and pulling out what I think of as my “serious” perfumes, which makes me think about th upcoming fall/winter season, which is traditionally the time when all the new releases come out that I [...]

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Miller Harris Le Petit Grain

Created by Lyn Harris exclusively for London stores (Harrod, Liberty, at least, not sure which others), Le Petit Grain is based on different parts of the orange blossom tree - oils of peels, fruits, flowers and leaves. Other notes are angelica root, eau de brouts absolute, bergamot, rosemary, red thyme, French tarragon, lavender, petit grain absolute, Tunisian neroli, oak [...]

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Leaving a Perfume Trail

Nothing, but nothing is catching my eye enough to write anything more than a sentence or two about it, so it’s time for just a general march of the perfumes:
Profumum Neroli — This is a pretty great Neroli perfume.  Light, effervescent on the open with some interesting long-lasting depth, while not losing that bubbly, beautiful [...]

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Project Face

 
Hey, look, I have eyes!!!  And without makeup.  Normally when I would smile, my squinting would make my eyes completely disappear. so that they are still visible, even with some remaining swelling, is just outstanding.  The chin has a funky thing on it.  Some scar tissue normally forms around the site where they put in [...]

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Need NYC cohort to snag something

so they only sell Cradle of Light at the CB I Hate perfume store now, not online.  Is some kind New Yorker going to be out on Brooklyn in the next month or so, could I prevail on you to send you money to pick me up a bottle?  I’m hording my last few precious [...]

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Puredistance I Perfume

Puredistance I is a perfume built around exclusivity.  Now, before y’all start sighing and rolling your eyes, it does have those elements if you get the really spiffy Swarovski crystal bottle for a couple thousand euro, but if you just want the perfume, you can get the refill at an expensive price, 165 euros for 17.5 [...]

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One Week Post-Bleph

I am the most unphotogenic person I know, but with no makeup, 6 days post-surgery, this isn’t the most unfortunate picture I’ve ever taken.  Trust me, we did like four of these, and usually my mouth is open, my eyes are half-closed and I look sad/drunk/tired/irritated.  I’m being very brave stupid oblivious posting a picture [...]

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Hair Product Challenge

Hair Product Challenge: Frizz Fighters

These product reviews reveal which formulas tame fine, thick, wavy and curly hair … and which are a waste of money

We painstakingly perused your ratings and reviews of anti-frizz products to find out which ones made your repeat purchase list and which fell short of your expectations. Soak [...]

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Top 10 Makeup Felonies

Top 10 Makeup Felonies

No one is innocent, not even Paris Hilton. Celebrity makeup artist Fiona Stiles tells which beauty crimes to avoid

Before you make up your next face, there are 10 crucial no-nos you need to know. (Chances are you’re guilty of at least one of them.) To ensure that your best efforts aren’t wasted, [...]

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Top 10 Makeup Felonies

Top 10 Makeup Felonies

No one is innocent, not even Paris Hilton. Celebrity makeup artist Fiona Stiles tells which beauty crimes to avoid

Before you make up your next face, there are 10 crucial no-nos you need to know. (Chances are you’re guilty of at least one of them.) To ensure that your best efforts aren’t wasted, [...]

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Orphans Bright Star

First, a plea for some help that a friend sent to me. Nadvirna Baby Orphanage is in Ivano-Frankivska, Ukraine, and is home to approximately 80 children from infants to age 4. Or it was home to those 80 children. The orphanage was completely destroyed by weeks and weeks of torrential rainfall and [...]

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Orphans Bright Star

First, a plea for some help that a friend sent to me. Nadvirna Baby Orphanage is in Ivano-Frankivska, Ukraine, and is home to approximately 80 children from infants to age 4. Or it was home to those 80 children. The orphanage was completely destroyed by weeks and weeks of torrential rainfall and [...]

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Perfume Posse 2008-08-14 03:35:04

First, a plea for some help that a friend sent to me.  Nadvirna Baby Orphanage is in Ivano-Frankivska, Ukraine, and is home to approximately 80 children from infants to age 4.  Or it was home to those 80 children.  The orphanage was completely destroyed by weeks and weeks of torrential rainfall and flooding.  The children [...]

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Running Out

MUA member that many of you know, Candice, has started her own perfume line, CJ Scents. Right now she can be found here  and eventually here, on Etsy, once that store is set up.  I think it’s great when a perfume nut does this because they bring their passion for scent to their work.  I’m particularly fond [...]

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Lemming Stampede!

So about a week or so ago, after Robin at NST announced on her blog that parfum1.com had Balmain Ambre Gris on their website, there was an MUA Lemming stampede to snag a bottle.  I mean, it’s called ambre gris, that just sounds pretty perfect right off the bat.  Did the little Lemming live up [...]

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August in Vanityville

This is me.  I am 48.  I look okay for 48, but with a title of a post like this… y’all know what’s coming.
I’ve been asked, why do I talk so publicly about doing anything cosmetic to myself, and my answer is, why not?  I don’t need to give anyone the illusion that I have [...]

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Van Cleef Feerie and David Yurman

First, winners of the Serge Noire samples are: Pantera Lilly and momlady. Congrats!! Just click on the contact us on the left and let me know your address to get your sample.
Two new scents out this month, as we start to go full-tilt into the fall release season, are Van Cleef & Arpels [...]

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Serge Lutens Serge Noire - Perfume Review

Hey, It’s almost August, so that means it’s time for two Serge releases.
First up, Serge Noire, which joins the export line, available in Europe now and in the U.S. in late August to September’ish.  Notes listed for it are patchouli, cinnamon, amber and black woods.   The marketing hype goes on and on about the phoenix, grey [...]

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No Perfume to Review

Have I mentioned lately how much I hate airports and the whole security process. We were running behind today just a little getting to the airport, and they don’t have a dedicated place to check your bag when you are already checked in, except the kiosk out front where they charge you $3 to check [...]

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Why So Serious?

So, listen…. The Dark Knight, just go see it.  No, no, don’t argue with me, really, I won’t listen to it.  Do it not only because it has my favorite eye candy in it, but because it’s a really terrific film.  It’s not just a comic book film. It’s about honor and betrayal and friendship, [...]

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Patty and March’s Top 10 for Summer

 
Summer’s got us by the bal- short hairs throat, and it’s time to weigh in with our seasonal list of scents that are proving to be summer-friendly.
March’s Top Five
1. Prada Infusion d’Iris – I don’t own this, and I don’t wear it. So why is it on my list? In our crowded, humid, sweaty city, [...]

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Vanilla, vanilla, vanilla

First, the ten winners of the Creed Love in Black samples are:

CC
annie
Matts
Jennifer O
Maura
RHM
Kim
Janet in California
susi
Anne

Just click on the Contact Us button over there and send me your address. Congrats!
So… vanilla. yeah. Love it or hate it, there are a couple of new’ish ones out there that people seem to be loving, [...]

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Creed Love in Black - New Release

I wasn’t a huge fan of Creed’s Love in White. The Magnolia in it is just not a note that I love, and, well, I sorta despise the scent personally. So when I heard about Love in Black being released, I wasn’t exactly hopeful that it might even be remotely something I’d like.
So [...]

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Message Board Not working

Hey, all, to head off more wild rumors than are currently running around, the message board is not working for reasons that I don’t know.  I set it up through a free message board service, I’ve messaged them to see what’s up, have heard nothing back. Since it’s free, I can’t exactly stamp my feet [...]

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Neil Morris discount… & more!

Neil Morris would like to offer a special 15% off discount on their fragrances for Posse readers. Just use the code POSSE from now to August 15 on any full bottle purchases for your 15% off.  Thanks, Neil and David!
So what to review today?  The summer slump over fragrance continues.  Not a lot of new [...]

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Pets, Not Perfume Post

Okay, it’s been a good, long while since we had a Pet post, and my little family of pets are making me insane right now, so…. I’m going to share with you!
That little guy above is Rex.  His name has been changed about 15 times. Nothing seemed quite right until this morning, after a particularly [...]

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Little Break…

Unexpected one, just too many things going on and trips, sorry!  We’ll all be gone for the holiday, see you all on Monday!
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Adori Odori

So… continuing on through my neglected sample drawer of new’ish releases, I reached in for the Odoris - with a sigh.  There are six perfumes for this new (to me/us) line.  Created by the same guy that did the Bois 1920s, which haven’t been a huge favorite for me, my thought:  this will likely be [...]

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Auguste in June

So I got samples of the new Augustes that Luckyscent is carrying, and of course just set them to one side because they are $245 for 40 ml, but they have really super-cute bottles according to the pictures.  But in the spirit of not overlooking anything that is really spendy, let’s take a look at [...]

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Perfume Posse Top 25 - Reader’s Choice

Now for something completely different.
MUA used to do a Top 25 scents list every year, and one hasn’t been done in over a year, and it doesn’t look ike anyone is going to do one…. so!
Let’s do it!  Pick your top 25 Women’s and/or Men’s Scents (We’ll have them separate, but there will be several [...]

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The Highs and the Lows

Registration Information for the Chicocoascentsation event on Saturday 9/13/08 can be found by clicking on this line!
Nose — only marginally better, but thanks for all the well wishes.  I’m still insane with trying to catch up, and I always feel terrible when I don’t have time to respond to comments, but I know you guys [...]

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Perfume Vacation

Now that we are back in the land of the nonvacationing, it’s… allergy season!  I barely hit the U.S. when my throat got sore, I started coughing and my sinuses went nuts.  Apparently it’s big cottonwood and Ruissian Olive time.  My house is now all closed up, and I’m finally feeling …

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Death by Taxi Driver

About the time most of you read this, we’ll be on a plane back for the United States.  Forgive any typos and misspelling because I’m in a hurry to make sure I get this posted!

Where did we leave off?  Oh, yeah, right before we pilgrimmed to Cascia.  St. Rita hums …

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Tuscan Love

The last few days have seemed like a dream. From the overnight train ride from Nice, France, to Firenze, Italy, to staring out the hotel window on the Tuscan countryside wearing low-hanging clouds like a favorite gray sweater, to spending way too much money on a few bottles of Brunello …

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Travel Tips - By Patty

Don’t overpack.  You wind up living on about 1/4 of what’s in your suitcase. I’m only bringing that 1/4 next time and washing it in the sink. It’s not that I packed that heavy, but…. everything weighs more when you are dragging it from train station to rental car agency …

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Castles and Living with Boys

Isn’t there some sort of law that nobody should have to live in hotel rooms with boys?  I’ve somewhat insulated myself from my sons’ messiness with a big house, confining the limits of leaving socks draped over chairs and boxers under chairs to their own rooms. Living in a hotel …

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Hey, Bonjour!

There is something almost soul stealing about long flights. You start the trip so excited… then the excitement gives way to zombie-like lack of sleep and exhaustion from changing planes, schlepping luggage, never drinking enough fluids, meandering around soulless airports, seeing what quickly seems like the same faces over and over …

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Ellie Nuit

About a year or so ago, Ellie D came out, and I immediately fell in love with my first Lily of the Valley perfume - yes, the evil devil flower snagged me.  Since them, I’ve been much anticipating Ellie Nuit, which I expected to be a darker version of Ellie …

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Ellie Nuit

About a year or so ago, Ellie D came out, and I immediately fell in love with my first Lily of the Valley perfume - yes, the evil devil flower snagged me.  Since them, I’ve been much anticipating Ellie Nuit, which I expected to be a darker version of Ellie …

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Burberry The Beat Elixir

So who loves the Burberries?  Every time I smell one, I think they all smell so much alike, I can barely distinguise most of them from the others.  They certainly fit a certain demographic, which skews either young or folks that just like bright, fun fragrances, which almost all of the Burberries …

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Burberry The Beat Elixir

So who loves the Burberries?  Every time I smell one, I think they all smell so much alike, I can barely distinguise most of them from the others.  They certainly fit a certain demographic, which skews either young or folks that just like bright, fun fragrances, which almost all of the Burberries …

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