Binxcat's Purrfect Fragrance

Atelier Cologne - Oud Saphir Released in 2015, Atelier Cologne’s Oud Saphir (“Oud”) has been described as an oriental woody fragrance.   But (spoilers) Oud wears more like a woody fruity floral on me. I am a big fan of fragrance that tells a story.   In the case of Oud, Atelier Cologne sets us up with an image of the kind of person who would wear this fragrance, “Her decision was irreversible. She would not continue living a life by others’ rules. To see his deep sapphire blue eyes and feel the calm of his voice again were the only things that mattered now. With him she finally felt ready to write her own history.”   This is a person who has decided to be the master of their own destiny.   It is a person who is self-assured and goes boldly forward into the reality they create for themselves.   And, as also evidenced by the notes and wear of the fragrance, this is a person who has decided to create their own joy. Oud opens with a delightful slightly...

Mancera Paris - Choco Violette EDP Choco Violette (“CV”) is an oriental vanilla offering released in 2016 from Montale.  With its wear on me, it easily slips into the gourmand category. CV opens with a puff of cocoa powder and candy.  The cocoa powder is rich and intense and I can almost feel it on my tongue.  It’s very much as if you’ve opened a jar of a gourmet powder to create a luscious hot cocoa.  The candy note is very reminiscent of a candy necklace or parma violet candies so popular in the UK. After the first initial opening impressions, the cocoa powder note seems to fade back.  In comes an equally delicious orange-bergamot blend.  The floral is stronger than the citrus; which lays back and seems to simply add more sweetness to the perfume.  Underneath this note, I get a hint of hazelnut.  The buttery nut note adds richness to the fragrance.  About an hour and a half into wear, I get a creamy vanilla.  Again, the va...

Atelier Cologne - Café Tuberosa Cologne Absolue Pure Perfume I was anxious to try this newest release from Atelier Cologne.  I’d like to thank Evan Simpkins from the Atelier Boutique in Brooklyn, NY for providing me with a sample to enjoy. Café Tuberosa opens on me with a strong chocolate-tinged coffee and a light tuberose.  It’s heady and lovely at the same time.  The intensity of the coffee begins to fade 20 minutes into wear; although remains present.  There is an echo of a gently spiced floral that begins to emerge.  At this point, I get the feeling of sitting outside at a lovely café on a Spring day, sipping a latte, indulging in a chocolate croissant, while the breeze carries the aromas of my delectable treats and the flowers around me.  As this juice begins its drydown, I get the slight sweetness of the vanilla and the warmth of the musks.  The light cocoa, floral, and slight spiciness remain throughout my wear. Café Tuberosa follow...

Berdous: Vânira Moorea Varira Moorea is an aromatic fruity fragrance from Berdoues. Like with the other few fragrances from the house that I've tested recently, this is fairly linear on me. The best description I have for this juice is that it reminds me of an orange creamsicle without being overly sweet. It's light and playful and pleasant. "Vânira Moorea reveals a wild and sensual vanilla with deliciously addictive notes. A delicate assembly of orange from Brazil, petit grain from Paraguay, and vanilla from Tahiti captures the exoticism of the islands. The fragrance features petitgrain, brazilian orange and madagascar vanilla."