By Designer

Soleil Neige by Tom Ford

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Soleil Neige is a part of the Soleil line of fragrances from Tom Ford. Released in 2019, it presents a different take on the solar theme, using the impression of snow to create a new scent. I picked up a sample of this one recently and have been testing it out. How does Soleil Neige smell? When should it be worn? Is it worth a try?

What does Soleil Neige Smell Like?

Notes include: bergamot, benzoin, jasmine, orange blossom, lemon, and musk

Click here to try: TOM FORD Private Blend Soleil Neige Eau De Parfum 1.7 oz / 50 ml Spray

My Full Review

Before we get into my review, let’s see how Tom Ford describes it: FRESH BERGAMOT, SUMPTUOUS PALE BLOOMS AND THE WARMTH OF SKIN-GRIPPING MUSK EVOKE A SOJOURN TO AN ALPINE GETAWAY, WHERE WINTER ESCAPADES PLAY OUT UNDER AN IRIDESCENT SKY. A PERFUME THAT MIMICS THE SERENE SHIMMER OF SUN ON SNOW, AND THE COOL REFLECTION OF WINTER SUN BRIGHTENING WITH GLACIAL LIGHT. 

The opening of Soleil Neige does indeed have a cold and snowy like vibe to it. I get the sun shining off of the snow sensation from this and it’s pretty neat.

The top notes are the citrus blend and mix of floral notes, led by jasmine. At first the jasmine, rose, and white florals have a bit of that Soleil Blanc creaminess to it. However, that does shift to having a powdery snowy quality for much of the wear.

When I smell my skin up close, Neige has that buttery creamy aroma, but further away it smells more like a cold citrus perfume. It’s a nice change up going from warm to cold for the duration of the wear.

As it moves further along, the dominant notes become the jasmine and orange blossom. Underneath that, the benzoin and a light vanilla also begin to really come through. Benzoin is a great addition to the base of this scent and prevents it from becoming just another basic floral perfume.

It seems to have more of the powdery quality floating around for the rest of the wear, rather than creaminess. But, it isn’t completely dominant and actually the resinous labdanum/benzoin combination is still steering the ship.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Soleil Neige is a lighter fragrance overall. However, with that being said, it isn’t completely weak. It’s got an airiness to it that will sneak up on you hours after spraying. It’s not something that I constantly pick up on, but just walking around I do catch a whiff of it.

Subtle, not a complete beast, but it isn’t a skin scent for me for the duration. Nonetheless, sillage is not its strength.

As a skin scent, it sticks around for around 7 hours in total. Again, not great. Though, it wasn’t a complete waste, I do wish that it had a little bit more power at this price point. That’s my real complaint, for the price, I do want more out of my fragrance.

Seasonally, it can actually work year round. I know it has the snow in the name, but its balance between cold and warmth allows it to venture into the spring and summer months also. Climate wise, it is very versatile.

It’s a unisex fragrance, that leans feminine, but nothing too girly. You can wear Neige casually or out and about. It has a somewhat youthful scent and probably isn’t going to be a formal wear for most people.

My Overall Impressions of Soleil Neige

Overall, do I like Soleil Neige? I do. This is a very nice and borderline great release from Tom Ford. There are periods when I’m wearing this perfume and it strikes me as being amazing. It’s coldness contrasting with a feeling of bright sunny aromas.

The aldehydes and the citrus notes, come across like an bright lime blossom. Beyond that, there is an underlying creaminess, especially when pressing your nose close to it. However, it also has a powdered quality that’s very enjoyable.

Based on the fragrance alone, I think that Soleil Neige is worth a try. It’s a fairly safe blind buy, but some people may want more from the performance or expect a groundbreaking scent at this price point.

It’s probably a good idea to test it out before committing to a full bottle. Though, I doubt the disappointment would be huge if you did.

What Perfumes Smell Like Soleil Neige?

I cannot think of anything that is an exactly the same. One fragrance that comes to mind is, Anyway by Juliette Has a Gun. The lime, neroli, and musk give it a similar vibe, just as a thinner and more summery sort of perfume. However, Soleil Neige is better, has more depth, and much better performance.

If you want this perfume, you’ll probably have to go with the real thing.

No.5 L’eau EDT by Chanel

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Chanel No.5 is the most well-known fragrance on the planet. As such, its Chanel’s bread and butter and really helped to build the company into what it is today, and it offers multiple versions/flankers to try to maximize sales.

No.5 L’eau was brought out in 2016, as a lighter and somewhat more wearable for a general audience option, versus the higher concentrate and more expensive original. How does it smell? Perform? Is it worth a try?

Please continue below for my full take and give your own score of L’eau in the comments.

What does No.5 L’eau Smell Like?

Notes include: lemon, mandarin orange, orange, aldehydes, rose, jasmine, ylang-ylang, musk, cedar

Click here to try: No. 5 L’Eau by Chanel Eau de Toilette Spray 200ml

My Full Review

The opening of L’eau really gives you those familiar Chanel aldehydes. The usual cool, fresh, and memorable aroma is where you’re going to be most reminded of the parfum version of the No.5 namesake.

However, what really separates No.5 L’eau is the citrus notes that are strong and present throughout. At first, I get a heavier weighting towards the lemon note. Then, as things progress, the mandarin orange and more generic orange note take on a larger role.

As the citrus shifts, the floral notes emerge for a while, but never take on a dominant role within the composition. I actually get more of the ylang-ylang than jasmine and there’s a very light rose for a short while.

What the floral notes do, is to combine with the freshness of the cedar and musk to create its more soapy like qualities. Add to that, No.5 L’eau does have a somewhat powdery aroma for a period with how the notes come together…a light orris root is in here, apparently.

I like it once that tug of war is settled and I get a fresh citrus and soapy fragrance. No.5 L’eau comes across as more of a balanced scent at this point and is an enjoyable wear. Not the most complex perfume, but there is some depth here, while being a lighter warm weather perfume.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Sillage wise, No.5 L’eau is a light to moderate scent. That’s what it’s designed to be, so don’t expect an absolute bomb. That being said, for this style of perfume, the performance isn’t too bad at all on my skin.

I can get detect wearing it for pretty much the entire wear, without having to press my nose right up against where I sprayed. On a t-shirt, I can get a whiff of L’eau from 4-6 feet away, at its peak. Again, not crazy projection, and it’s more airy than heavy.

The longevity is okay for most purposes. 5-6 hours is about what I get. My skin is pretty good at not completely eating up fragrances, so your experience may vary for the worse or maybe the better. Nonetheless, it’d be nice if it could go a full workday at this price point.

Seasonally, spring and summer. It’s actually a great option for the hottest weather because it can hold up and thrive under those conditions.

No.5 L’eau is much more of a daytime sort of wear versus a seductive nighttime scent. Though, within those confines is a very versatile fragrance that’s safe to wear for almost any occasion.

Also, this can be an appealing No. 5 perfume for the younger crowd, who may not yet appreciate or enjoy wearing the original formula.

Overall Impressions of No.5 L’eau

Do I like this scent? I like it well enough, but it doesn’t strike me as amazing. I still prefer the EDP and Parfum versions of Chanel No.5 versus L’eau. The rating score below, is going to be dinged due to the performance, but the aroma itself is fairly nice.

I like the opening blend of citrus and the aldehydes. Also, the final dry down when things are fully settled smells good. There is a period where the citrus, cedar, musk, and aldehydes can feel too sharp. Like, it’s a mix of powder and soapy aromas, and that’s my least favorite part.

The floral notes are light here and give you the usual Chanel jasmine and ylang-ylang affair. Pretty standard issue, like found in Gabrielle and others from this designer.

Is it actually worth getting a bottle? I wouldn’t say that No.5 L’eau is a must have for most folks. Probably, No.5 fans who want a better summertime option or those who just want a lighter more youthful version.

For anyone else, it’s worth trying, but not necessarily one that you want to blind buy. Mainly, due to the fact you’d probably want to see how well it performs on your skin. The scent itself? Pretty safe and will appeal to a wide swath of the population, just give it a test beforehand.

Chance Eau Fraiche by Chanel

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Chance Eau Fraiche is one of the flanker releases by Chanel, after the massive success of its Chance perfume. Eau Fraiche has come to be able to stand alone in its own right, as it has been out for over a decade and hasn’t been discontinued by the designer yet.

That’s pretty good for a reinterpretation of an original fragrance. I had yet to give this one a proper review on the site, and so, I bought a sample to jog my memory and see if it’s still worthwhile.

What does Chance Eau Fraiche Smell Like?

Notes include: citron, jasmine, teak wood, hyacinth, cedar, vetiver, patchouli, and more

Click here to try: Chance Eau Fraiche Eau de Toilette Spray for Women, 3.4 Fluid Ounce

My Full Review

Chance Eau Fraiche opens up with its citron note coming out in full effect. It is joined by the hyacinth note, which is out in its full powdery peak, during the opening act. The powdery quality of this Chanel is what really separates it from other citrus/woody perfume, like Light Blue, in my mind. 

The opening citrus is tart, with the powder of the floral note, and the heightened freshness of a cedar and teakwood combination. What’s great about this opening, is that it doesn’t come across as screeching and unbearable, as it is calmed by the floral notes.

After this beginning, the hyacinth gets weaker and mostly replaced by the jasmine. Also, pink pepper, musk, and some more herbal notes emerge into the periphery.

Compared to the other Chance scents, this one is more focused on that juicy citrus and the floral notes are more just apart of the overall picture, instead of the main highlight.

Very clean, juicy, with a bit of a sporty edge to it. I end up getting the woods, musk, vetiver, and the remaining citron coming through in the final stage of the wear. It has some depth, but this one isn’t crazy complex. 

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

The sillage here is pretty light to moderate. It’s never super strong on my skin, but it is always more than a skin scent for a majority of the wear, at least for me. This is an eau fraiche style EDT, so, you really shouldn’t expect a beast coming in. 

That being said, Eau Fraiche does have the ability to project itself just fine. No major complaints from me about it.

 

The longevity, is somewhere in the 7-8 hour range for me. Keep in mind, during that last hour or so, it is coming through as a skin scent. Before that, I can still pick it up well enough, and it’ll stick to the 3-4 foot range from where I sprayed it.

Seasonally, this is a spring and summer wear. But, within that Chance Eau Fraiche is very versatile and wearable. More of a daytime fragrance. Not really a nightlife, formal, or particularly sexy perfume…but it’s attractive.

Eau Fraiche can also be worn by pretty much all ages. It does have a sweetness to it, but it isn’t a candy-like teenager scent, though it is entirely appropriate for that age range or older. 

Overall Impressions of Chance Eau Fraiche

Overall, do I like this fragrance? I really do enjoy Eau Fraiche. Though, I’d say it’s my third pick from the Chance line.

I love the citron and hyacinth combination. The Chanel jasmine note is absolutely classic and I like the teakwood and cedar blend, instead of a straight up cedar bomb. This one isn’t too complicated, but very appealing, and super easy to wear for a good chunk of the year.

Chance Eau Fraiche isn’t the most powerful scent on the market, but it’s solid enough for me. Plus, I get a nice amount of time to spend with it. If you like the original Chance, this one should appeal to you, and give you something to wear for the summer months. 

Chance Eau Fraiche is in the same style of fragrance as Light Blue or Versense by Versace. However, I prefer this to either of those scents. But, if you’re familiar with this kind of perfume and it fits your style, it’s pretty hard to go wrong with Eau Fraiche.

5 Best Jessica Simpson Perfumes

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Jessica Simpson is not only a famous pop and reality show star, she has also become a branded best seller in the world of fashion. One component of this line is fragrances. The line of Jessica Simpson perfumes are very feminine and also very affordable. For this post, I have selected five of what I consider to be the best smelling scents in this collection.

What are the Best Perfumes by Jessica Simpson?

Most Popular Scent

Fancy by Jessica Simpson 100ml 3.4oz EDP Spray– Fancy was one of the first celebrity fragrances to have a similar smell to Viva La Juicy, but others quickly followed suit. Nonetheless, this is a fantastic option for those who want a sweet scent along those lines for cheap.

However, Fancy isn’t a fruity bomb, it features a delicious almond note, and can have a dry powdery aroma during the wear.  It’s sweet and the berry/almond notes in the beginning, create a distinction between it, and Viva La Juicy. This is when it’s at its fruitiest, apricot and pear, are also present.

Fancy dries down with some light floral touches from gardenia, but mainly, takes on a warm vanilla/caramel mix. Very warm, pleasant, and fun to wear. This is absolutely among her best scents.

Best New Release

Jessica Simpson Fancy Forever Eau De Parfum Spray 3.4 oz– There haven’t been too many new releases from this line over the past 5 years or so. However, Fancy Forever is definitely worth a try and a better scent than Fiend, which is also another newer perfume.

Sweet and full of tonka bean, Forever blends that note with vanilla and some light fruity touches up top. It is powdery and musky, in the latter stages of the wear. For the fruity notes, I mostly pick up apricot but there is some litchi in there, as well.

Solid performance and easy to wear. Good inexpensive option for those who love a vanilla and tonka bean combination.

Underrated Jessica Simpson Fragrance

Jessica Simpson Fancy Love by Jessica Simpson for Women. Eau De Parfum Spray 3.4-Ounce– A romantic perfume from Jessica Simpson full of unique and exotic notes including blush champagne, lotus blossom, goji leaf, and amber.

This one is still surprisingly underrated, especially considering the value you get for the price. It doesn’t seem to get the same level of attention, as others from this line.

Nonetheless, Fancy Love is a great and attractive wear, with very good versatility. Champagne, citrus, and peach blossom open things up for an exciting and fruity start. Then, the creaminess comes in fully with the floral notes, and a warm/salty amber. Really pretty stuff.

Top Springtime Wear

Jessica Simpson Vintage Bloom Women Eau De Parfum Spray, 3.4 Ounce– A fresh and clean floral scent with notes of lime zest, peony, raspberry blossom, sandalwood, and musk. A soft perfume that is bright and vibrant like a spring day.

Vintage Bloom really kicks off with the citrus notes up top, paired with a light raspberry blossom. Peony, will come to be the stronger aroma, during the dry down. However, for much of the wear, it will be flanked by plenty of citrus.

Vintage Bloom is probably ideal for those who want something to wear in the warm weather, that is upbeat, and has a unique vibe. It is very pretty, with more of a floral/musk feel in the latter stage. It is that great blend of fruit notes, which truly set it apart. Wonderful.

Crisp Pear and Apple

Jessica Simpson I Fancy You Women Eau De Parfum Spray, 3.4 Ounce– Fruity, smooth, soft, and floral. Notes include fuji apple, pear, sandalwood, musk, lily of the valley, and tuberose. This is a lighter perfume but still beautiful.

I Fancy You is a crisp fruity/floral fragrance. Pear and apple together, do create that watery sort of aroma. Those together with musk, bring on a sensation of freshness and lightness.

The floral notes here, are lily of the valley and hyacinth, with the latter being the more noticeable. Clean and simple, with a very subtle woody touch, sitting at the base.

YSL Libre vs. Mon Paris Comparison

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YSL has released a ton of perfumes over the past decade, in addition to the classics they’re still selling. Mon Paris and Libre are two of their newer lines, that they seem to be in the process of creating even more flanker perfumes for. Between the originals, though, which smells better? Which fragrance is the one to check out? In this post, I will break down my thoughts and compare these scents.

Tale of the Tape: Mon Paris vs. YSL Libre

Libre EDP

Notes include: lavender, white musks, orange flower, vanilla, orchid

Click here to try: Yves Saint Laurent Libre Eau De Parfum Spray for Women 90ml/3oz, clear

Read my review: Libre EDP

Mon Paris EDP

Notes include: peony, white musk, patchouli, and datura accord

Click here to try: Yves Saint Laurent Mon Paris Eau de Parfum Spray, 3 Fluid Ounce

My Original Review: Mon Paris 

Opening

Mon Paris opens up with berries, pear, and other citrus notes. It’s a floral perfume, but much of the wear is actually pretty fruity in its presentation. Underneath that, are the floral notes of datura flower and peony. As things progress, they will take over more of the composition.

Libre also opens with a bit of citrus. However, it is much more floral from the start. Orange blossom and lavender are the main highlights at the start. The lavender is going to end up being the main focus of this fragrance, though.

Which is better? I think the fruity notes in Mon Paris are more enjoyable than the lavender and orange blossom, that I get with Libre. Libre feels soapier and musky versus the berries and nice datura note, that comes with Mon Paris.

Edge: Mon Paris

Projection

Both of these fragrances have above average sillage. Mon Paris is more in the moderate camp, but towards the upper end of the spectrum. While, Libre is definitely what you could term as strong. Not a monster, but it projects itself a bit better than Mon Paris.

Edge: Libre

Longevity

On my skin, Mon Paris goes 7-8 hours. Libre, again has the greater strength, at just over 9 hours of full wear. Plus, Libre keeps its power up for a longer period of time.

Edge: Libre

Versatility

Neither of these fragrances are going to be best for the hottest days of the year. Though, I think that Mon Paris holds up a bit better there.

Also, neither is very formal. Both are best for daily wear or casual wear and are quite versatile within that setting. I’d also say, both of these will probably skew toward a younger crowd. I don’t see much distinction in this category.

Edge: Push

Overall Scent

I don’t absolutely love either one of these scents. In my mind, they’re both pretty good and have nice performance, but never reach anything all that special.

Libre is an interesting fragrance. It’s a bold lavender fragrance, that dries down into a creamier scent, with its vanilla note. Not super complicated and has an emphasis on the floral notes, including that opening orange blossom.

Mon Paris is fruity, floral, and musky. The opening is pretty, but also a pretty standard fruit-chouli type of fragrance with its prevalent patchouli note. However, it does have a nice datura which separates it somewhat.

Between, them I like the sweetness of Mon Paris just a tad better. Libre is more unique and has better performance. But, it’s nothing mind blowing. Out of these YSL perfumes? I’d give a slight win to Mon Paris.

Winner: Mon Paris