Guilty Pour Femme EDT by Gucci

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Guilty is a name from Gucci which has spawned a ton of flankers in both the men’s and women’s line. The original Guilty Pour Femme was released in 2010, the subject of this review is the updated version of that, Guilty EDT.  How does it smell? Does it last long? Is it worth a try?

What does Guilty EDT Pour Femme Smell Like?

Notes include: mandarin, lilac, pink pepper, peach, raspberry, jasmine, geranium, blackcurrant, musk, amber, patchouli, vanilla

Click here to try: Guilty EDT

guilty femme review

My Full Review

Here’s how Gucci describes it: Freedom and unconventional love inspire the new Gucci Guilty Eau de Toilette pour Femme bottle design and packaging, revealing the notion of women who are truly liberated.

Note: This is a newer version of the old Guilty. As far as I can recall, it’s about the same. But, the older version did have more of a spiced influence. Mostly, it’s just a new bottle.

Guilty EDT starts off with some light fruits and the soft spiciness of pink pepper and some patchouli. The patchouli is a bit more prominent in the dry down, but cedes the stage to the pink pepper early on.

The fruits here are a mix of mandarin orange, peach, and some raspberry. Supposedly, there is also blackcurrant in this one. Though, I don’t really pick up on it at all. Peach is probably the strongest of the lot.

Yet, this isn’t completely juicy aroma. It’s got a nice sweetness and sparkling quality. But, lilac is going to be the star. That floral note is flanked by a bit of jasmine, which blends well with the musk to create a classic soapy undertone.

The was this presents though, is a fresh powder. It’s more of dynamic and warmer powdery aroma than something like baby powder. Closer to a make up smell, but still not exactly that either.

The amber and patchouli notes gives Guilty some greater depth, in the dry down, when the lilac really starts to take hold. Still some of the peach note hanging around and small injection of vanilla.

I feel like the older bottles of this stuff, had more vanilla…but I could be confusing it with something else. A clean musky/powdery floral fragrance with some light warmth and richness is about what you get here.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

The sillage here is pretty moderate. Actually, the initial hour or so is pretty good with how it projects and it does leave a nice scent trail. Thereafter, it is going to be more of a scent bubble that reaches 3-5 feet away from where you sprayed it.

This one doesn’t have the best longevity. It’s somewhere in the range of average. On my skin, it lasts for 5-6 hours. The Guilty line isn’t known for being super long lasting. For an EDT, it’s decent, and some of the others in the series are a bit better than this one.

Seasonally, this one really shows its versatility. Guilty EDT is probably best in the springtime or in the autumn. However, it easily ventures into summer and can even be a winter wear, outside maybe the coldest days. I’d just have another perfume as the winter go to.

This is safe for the office, can go casual, or even more formal. Not the most refined scent, but it doesn’t feel out of place almost anywhere. Daytime, mostly.

But, there is something that is inherently attractive with this one. As such it can be worn on some evenings. Not necessarily the sexiest, but it’s got some beautiful facets.

Overall Impressions of Guilty EDT Pour Femme

Overall, do I like this scent? I do. It’s probably my third favorite of the women’s Guilty line, after Absolute and Intense. But, it’s not that far behind and still a very worthwhile fragrance.

I like the early mix of the fruits and the use of the lilac note. Powdery with a nice peach influence and some amber and musk. Not super complicated, but one that I enjoy having around me.

Granted, the performance is pretty middle of the road, but not terrible to the point that it becomes unusable. Just know that you may have to reapply this fragrance, if you’re going to be using it as a daily wear.

Outside of that, Guilty EDT doesn’t have too many weaknesses. I don’t think it’s the most beautiful perfume ever created, just very nice and one with plenty of appeal.

Irresistible EDT by Givenchy

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Irresistible eau de toilette is another fragrance from this Givenchy series. This edition was launched in 2021. I bought samples of each of the Irresistible perfumes brought to market thus far and have been testing them out. Today’s review entry is the EDT. How does it smell? Does it last long? Is it worth a try?

What does Irresistible EDT Smell Like?

Notes include: blackcurrant, white tea, rose, iris, cedar, musk

irresistible edt review

My Full Review

Here’s how Givenchy describes it: Introducing sparkling rose to tender musky wood, the new Irrésistible Givenchy Eau de Toilette is a bright and airy expression of femininity. It invites you to connect to others and savor the delicious lightness of life.

Like the EDP version, Irresistible EDT starts off quite fruity and with a sparkling quality. In that one, the pear had a great deal of influence, in this it’s blackcurrant.  Joined by a light white tea note that gives it moments of an herbal-like smell.

This, and the greater weighting of the Turkish rose note early on, provides this a sharper/sour and much less juicy/fresh/sweet aroma than the EDP.

It lacks the ambrette and amps up the musk note instead. The rose note here starts off very green, seemingly heightened by the blackcurrant. Plus, the white tea and its scent. However, this will calm down after the first wave.

After that point, it becomes a pinkish rose with musk, a sweeter fruitiness, and the powdery finish of the iris. I get some more iris in this one versus EDP, but still less than the Fraiche version of Irresistible.

The dry down is a fresh musky rose scent with some cedar and iris still hanging around. The iris really does fall off after that middle act and isn’t much of a factor on my skin, thereafter.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

This one has a lighter moderate sillage. Not as good as EDP as far as its projection and how long it leave a scent trail behind. Though, it isn’t all that much weaker than that version with a higher concentration.

With this, I get about 5-6 hours of wear total. The fragrance during that time frame is consistent with its strength and doesn’t just turn into a skin scent an hour in. It will eventually, but you do get a decent period of time to experience the scent of Irresistible EDT.

Seasonally, it has the same versatile use case. Spring and summer, is when this fragrance is at its best. If it’s not too cold otherwise, wearing it will be perfectly fine. Maybe not as sharp in the cold, as EDP. Just not when it is in peak form.

Irresistible is a pretty sort of perfume, that will get complements, and less of something that might be called sexy. But, it’s one that is a crowd pleaser and nothing that should offend.

It’s fairly wearable. Light and upbeat. More of a daily wear, casual, and semi-formal. I’d probably skip using this as a nightlife sort of scent.

Overall Impressions of Irresistible EDT

Overall, do I like this fragrance? It’s fine. In terms of how it smells, it’s actually my least favorite of the series. Though, for some people, you may prefer this to the sweeter EDP. Fraiche also smells better than this one, but doesn’t have the performance.

I do like the iris and the blackcurrant influence here. It does have the rose and a muskier profile, which is fine, just not all that exciting.

The performance is pretty middle of the road, also. None of the Irresistible scents are super long lasting nor do they have heavy sillage.

You get a pretty forgettable aroma, albeit pleasant, with middling performance and not too much about it that stands out. On sale, you could do a lot worse than picking up a bottle of Irresistible EDT. Full price? Probably wouldn’t go for it.

In either case, I wouldn’t go out of my way to obtain a bottle.

Coromandel Les Exclusifs de Chanel

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Coromandel is a fragrance from Chanel that I’ve admired for quite while now. I’ve gone through a few samples of this scent over the years and recently grabbed another to finally give this perfume a full review on the site. How does it smell? When should it be worn? Is it worth a buy?

What does Coromandel Smell Like?

Notes include: frankincense, rose, white chocolate, benzoin, sandalwood, patchouli, neroli, bitter orange, and more

Click here to try: Coromandel at Chanel

My Full Review

Here’s how Chanel describes it: “I thought I fainted with happiness when, for the first time, I saw a Coromandel,” Gabrielle Chanel said. Mademoiselle had a gift for understanding a variety of styles and mixing them with her own. She filled her Paris apartment with precious, floral-adorned Coromandel screens, creating a mysterious aura. The COROMANDEL fragrance reflects this feeling of exquisite enchantment.

Note: This is a review of the Les Exclusifs eau de parfum version of Coromandel. There’s others, like an EDT, and an EDP that wasn’t in the “Les Exclusifs” bottle…though, I believe it’s exactly the same as that one.

Coromandel definitely has a lot going on from the very start. A very deep fragrance. The opening gives you bright citruses, bitter orange, and the floral spices of neroli. But, that is joined by a massive hit of patchouli, along with some other unlisted spices (cinnamon).

The initial blast of spice and some of that citrus will lose positioning. The lovely white chocolate note emerges, which really helps to set Coromandel apart, and make this a scent to remember.

After about 20 minutes, the orris root and the smoky/resinous/amber notes start to play a larger role. Benzoin gives Coromandel that sweetish, almost fuzzy smelling aroma.

The iris aroma is the only distinct floral aroma, I get while wearing. There is also a jasmine and rose here, but not something I pick up on.

There is a warm smoke from incense and the general sweetness from the white chocolate, that can sometimes come across as pure vanilla in this stage (vanilla is a note, also).

Further along, the smokiness/fuzziness smooths out and it becomes more of a traditional amber note. Amber soaked wood, the patchouli note is in control with a rich green aroma, and the white chocolate/vanilla combination.

The citrus is gone. Very little floral influence. Spices to a minimum. Has an earthiness to it that feels refined and not too much like an overbearing patchouli note.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

The sillage here is at the upper end of moderate, at its peak. Not super strong or something that’ll fill a room, but you know Coromandel is there.

7-8 feet from the skin, at it’s max. Then, it’ll move in closer for a consistent level of projection.

On me, this lasts around 8 hours give or take. Sometimes, it’ll hang around a bit longer than that, I just bank on getting 8.

Seasonally, I’d stick to autumn and winter. This one needs to be worn in cooler temperatures for the best results. I’d put it away for summertime and find something else to wear then.

Coromandel is a unisex option from Chanel. Though, one that leans more feminine. It’s elegant and classy, not girly. So, if you’re a man, you can probably wear this without much issue. It just does lean more one way.

Coromandel might not be a daily wear for everyone. It’s not a nightlife bomb or party goer fragrance. It’s really good for more formal occasions, just not exclusively. Wear this one dressed up, to match its high price tag.

Overall Impressions of Coromandel EDP

Do I like this scent? Absolutely, this is a favorite of mine from Chanel, especially from their unisex options.

It’s got spices, amber, wood, smoke, resin, white chocolate, and a patchouli that’s actually awesome. Lots of detail and something that is utterly great on the right cold evening.

Everything here is well done and Coromandel manages to feel modern and classy without being stuffy.

The performance is well above average. Not completely elite or anything, but I’m not disappointed by it at all.

Is this a safe blind buy? I’d say probably not. It is definitely pricey, may not appeal to everyone, or might not fit your personal style at all. This is a Chanel, I’d for sure test out, because it can become a favorite perfume for the right person.

Black Orchid Parfum by Tom Ford

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Black Orchid Parfum is a release that I’ve heard a lot about since its debut back in 2020. The original EDP was one that I liked, so I was intrigued to see what Tom Ford did with this particular version. I grabbed a decanted sample of this a few months back and have been testing it out. How does it smell? When should it be worn? Is Black Orchid Parfum worth a try?

What does Black Orchid Parfum Smell Like?

Notes include: black orchid, ylang-ylang, patchouli, rum, truffle, plum

Click here to try: Black Orchid Parfum

My Full Review

Here’s how Tom Ford describes it: THE MOST LUXE, POTENT VERSION OF BLACK ORCHID EVER MADE, BLACK ORCHID PARFUM AMPLIFIES THE ICONIC SENSUALITY OF THE ORIGINAL FRAGRANCE. THE PERFUME’S APHRODISIAC EFFECT ELEVATES THE RARE, ELUSIVE FLOWER TO SEDUCTIVE NEW HEIGHTS – REVEALING A MAGNIFIED SIGNATURE OF YLANG-YLANG DIPPED IN GOLDEN RUM.

Note: I’m not going to compare this to the original Black Orchid EDP, since I don’t have a sample on hand, and it’s been years since I smelled that one. That may change in future updates to this page. As of now, just focused on Parfum.

Spraying this perfume always gives me a very dark purple impression. That plum note, the truffle, orchid…it just triggers thoughts of that shade of purple.

The opening is actually quite earthy and spicy. Truffle and the patchouli notes are huge here. It’s not my favorite, but I think that this does get better in the dry down. The orchid is apparent with its own spiciness/chocolatey nuances.

Plum is also a prominent note. It’s paired with rum, which gives it a very interesting and further spiced quality. Plummy rum doesn’t sound like it’d taste that great, but the smell is nice.

That opening blast will calm down after 10 minutes or so. The plum feels more defined and the balance of the composition is a lot better to my nose. That truffle sticks around, but the patchouli and rum will back off in intensity.

So, it’s earthier rather than a blend of earthy and spicy. Still, you have that sweet boozy quality and the ylang-ylang really begins to come into play.

At this stage, the orchid is superseded by that ylang-ylang. There is a creaminess to the blend. It’s funny, because it does have a dark chocolate-like aroma, but also an earthy almost dusty touches to it. Parfum strikes me as a very dry perfume.

The end is a ylang-ylang and truffle/patchoui mix. The other notes just sort of blend together into a sweetish dark concoction, that’s really attractive.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Black Orchid Parfum isn’t the heaviest/thickest fragrance out there, but boy is it loud. This Tom Ford is an absolute monster with how it projects.

I can spray it on clothes and smell it in another room. It has a very far reach on my skin, also. Really, it gets a perfect score in terms of performance with just how it essentially takes over. Easy on the sprays, maybe even spray it under clothing.

The longevity is also top notch. I routinely get this one at over 12 hours. I’m not sure when it quits, as I shower and scrub before it dies down. I will say, I sprayed this on a shirt and my closet smelled like Black Orchid Parfum for two weeks.

Seasonally, I’d tend to wear this in autumn or winter. As I said though, it’s not a super ‘thick’ fragrance, so it’s not completely limited. Anytime it’s pretty moderate or cool outside or indoors, this could be used.

This is listed as a unisex. Like the original EDP, this one does skew more feminine with how it presents. Still safe for most guys to wear, but I think there are some who wouldn’t like this one for themselves.

Much more of a nighttime wear. That intensity, the boozy, the dirtiness gives Black Orchid Parfum a sexier vibe.  Nighttime or casual, mostly. You could venture to wearing this in some workplaces, if you go easy on the sprays.

Overall Impressions of Black Orchid Parfum

Overall, do I like this perfume? I do. The opening act almost steered me completely away from this, but it turns a corner and gets more likeable, the further into the wear that I go.

It’s not a complete love, personally. Though, I wouldn’t be opposed to wearing this out on certain evenings. It’s bold, sexy, and a fragrance that commands attention. Not one that everyone is going to enjoy or vibe with, but worth trying out, because you may love it.

Plum is a note that is hit or miss for me. Here, I like it. I think because the tart aspects of the fruit are toned down by the explosion of rum and truffle.

The orchid is around, but it’s not the main focus. Ylang-ylang is more of a floral factor and there is an earthiness here that really dirties up the composition.

Again, the performance is amazing on me. It only requires a few sprays and it indeed takes the crown in terms of ‘potency’, as the Tom Ford description suggests.

With any scent at this price point, I’d suggest getting a bit to try before putting down all that cash. I think this is a fragrance that’s worth the price of admission, but better be safe than sorry, if you don’t happen to click with it.

Woman in Gold by Kilian

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Kilian’s Woman in Gold is a sample that I’ve had for over a year at this point, sort of forgot about, and recently found it stashed away in a box. So, I’ve finally got around to giving this perfume a complete run through, and coming back to it with a new perspective. How does this smell? How long does Woman in Gold last? Is it actually worth a try?

What does Woman in Gold Smell Like?

Notes include: bergamot, vanilla, tonka bean, rose, Akigalawood, freesia, geranium, aldehydes

Click here to try: Woman in Gold at Saks

My Full Review

Here’s how Kilian describes it: The notes conjure, in scent, the delicate gold leafing and play between light and shadow, for which the painting is celebrated. Perfumer Calice Becker was inspired by the fascinating contrast between the painting’s facets, which she describes as “texturized and brilliant, rich and voluptuous. Its zesty luminosity is the fragrant expression of this brightness. 

Woman in Gold opens up with a seemingly perfect balance of notes. Sure, the bergamot and orange note have the lead at the start, but this isn’t a massive citrus explosion.

The floral and fresh notes underneath are there, right from the beginning. Aldehydes give this a bright and cold burst, while rose, and some hints of geranium further bolster the blend.

Both the aldehydes and geranium will move off, however. The aldehydes more so than the geranium. This is especially true on skin.

Nevertheless, the freshness and that beautiful citrus mix gives Woman in Gold an undeniable appeal.

The floral notes is mostly a rose note. With the tonka bean and vanilla notes it comes across as sweeter than usual with more of a powdery finish. The akigalawood note, is basically like patchouli, maybe a bit spicier and intense in the early stages.

As Woman in Gold dries down, the notes begin to separate. Bergamot becomes the dominant citrus. Any freesia is displaced by the rose note. Vanilla really takes over the tonka bean.

The middle act still has the citrus influence and geranium. But, the dry down is a vanilla and rose scent. It’s not actually heavy, more of sweet/powdery cloud with a nice dose of patchouli and general freshness at the bottom.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

The sillage here is never massive. Woman in Gold isn’t going to leave a huge scent trail or have any real massive projection, off of the skin.

But, it is really consistent. It stays in the 3-6 foot range from the skin for almost the entirety of the wear. It’s maybe a little better than average, in this respect. However, I absolutely catch whiffs of it until the end, it’s just not in your face about it.

The longevity is pretty good. I get somewhere around 7.5 hours, on my skin. Not the best out there, just no real complaints. With the lighter moderate sillage, it can be easy to forget that you have it on, until it wafts up again.

Seasonally, Woman in Gold is very versatile. It’s not out of place really any time, except for the hottest days of summer. It’s got enough substance for autumn and winter, while still being light and dynamic enough for the springtime.

The versatility continues with when you can wear this perfume. It’s office safe, it can be worn casually since it’s not too serious, but it has a refinement for more dressy occasions. Signature scent worthy and easy as a daily wear.

It’s pretty, but not a sexy nightlife sort of fragrance, though. Go with something else if you want a nightclub beast.

Overall Impressions of Woman in Gold

Overall, do I like Woman in Gold? Yes, I think this is a very underrated scent from Kilian. It’s not the greatest ever or anything, but it is an extremely enjoyable perfume to me.

I like the balance of the notes. The citrus isn’t to screechy. The rose is tame and just right. The vanilla, doesn’t overwhelm on me, even with the presence of a tonka bean note.

Fresh, light, and cleanish. It’s not a total soapy scent or like fabric softener, to my nose, but it does kind of stray in that direction. So, maybe skip out on this if it’s not your style.

But, I think that Woman in Gold has a mass appealing quality to it. I couldn’t see how this would be offensive to most people out there and is a fairly safe blind buy from the Kilian lineup.