Binxcat's Purrfect Fragrance

Giorgio Armani – Sì Passione EDP Sì Passione (“Passione”) is a 2017 flanker release from Giorgio Armani.   To be honest, I almost did not try this fragrance as I am admittedly not a fan of the original.   Still, the fact that this is a floral fruity fragrance convinced me otherwise. Passione opens with a bright, sparkling pear that is slightly spiced by pink pepper.   I get the original version’s blackcurrent underpinnings.   It is a familiar berry, yet different.   There is an assertiveness to the opening that belies its fruity floral nomenclature.   Abut an hour into wear, I get a rose and jasmine bouquet.   The rose is a fresh blossoming note with no jammy-ness.   The jasmine is clean and clear without feeling overdone.   The addition of heliotrope at this point in development was an inspired choice.   While I get the typical powdery hints common with the note, I get more of a comforting almond-vanilla.   The counte...

Guerlain - Aqua Allegoria Pamplelune Aqua Allegoria Pamplelune (“Pamplelune”) is a citrus fragrance released by Guerlain in 1999.   The Collection, Aqua Allegoria, created the eau fraiche genre in fragrance. Pamplelune opens with an intense grapefruit and lemon accord that is bright and tart.   There is a distinct sunny freshness to it.   Soon after, the citrus is joined by a background of bergamot which, while rounding the tartness somewhat, does more by way of adding a fullness to the scent. As Pamlelune wears, I get a deep berry coming through.   I cannot readily identify this note as blackcurrent but it is clearly a berry.   There is a heavy bitterness that begins to come to light.   The fruity notes are tempered by a smooth sandalwood and vanilla that come through at roughly the two and a half hour mark.   The vanilla does not overly sweeten the fragrance.   In the drydown, Pamplelune is joined by patchouli.   The patch...

M. Micallef - The Art Collection Vanille:  Vanille Marine In 2012, M. Micallef launched the special edition – The Art Collection Vanille.  The collection is comprised of 4 fragrances each pairing sweet vanilla with another specific note.  Vanille Marine (“Vanille”) pairs vanilla with the aquatic fragrance family and creates an aromatic aquatic that shows the “watery” side of vanilla. Vanille opens with fresh, minerally, fruity floral notes paired with a delicately sweet vanilla.  The fruits are bright and sunny in feel.  The often sharp lemon is tempered with a rich juicy blackberry.  The white flowers are sweetened with a slightly boozy vanilla.  The white florals and vanilla are more present than the fruits.  There is a creaminess to the opening that exists despite the light airiness.  As Vanille wears, there is a beachy feel to the notes.  You can almost feel the salty ocean breeze and the sun shining down.  Ther...