Is it just me, or is it really hard to concentrate when the sun’s beaming outside? I couldn’t sit still today and wasn’t getting anywhere with my freelancing, so I hopped across the bridge to San Francisco under the guise of conducting “beauty research.” 🙂
I’ve been on a fragrance kick lately and was itching to find some new scents to break out of the fruity floral rut I tend to get stuck in.
As luck would have it, I found a scent unlike any I’d ever laid my nose on before.
Where? — At the Frederic Malle fragrance counter in Barney’s, San Francisco.
A full-bodied fragrance experience
Early last year I had my first run in with the Frederic Malle line. I was on vacation in Las Vegas and stopped by the Barney’s store.
Frederic Malle fragrance counters aren’t like the perfume counters I’m used to in department stores. They have walk-in scent chambers and climate-controlled refrigerators (similar to ones used to store bottles of wine). Very fancy. The instant you arrive, you know you’re in for something different.
New Frederic Malle summer scent
I was sniffing around for something unusual, and that’s what I found in Geranium Pour Monsieur ($135-200), Frederic Malle’s newest fragrance (released in June).
It’s a men’s fragrance, but I think women might be able to pull it off, too, because of its soft floral quality, something most spicy/sporty men’s colognes lack.
Dude perfumes aren’t my thang, but I like Geranium, even though it’s nothing like the super-femme fragrances I’m usually drawn to.
Minty burst
Geranium starts off with a burst of invigorating mint. Imagine preparing for a big night out, a black tie event with your boo. He’s just finished showering and getting ready for his tux. You give him a big hug, breathing in the fresh scent of his skin, the soap he used, his minty toothpaste and shaving cream.
That’s the greeting I get from Geranium Pour Monsieur and its powerful, masculine top notes.
Whispers of soft musk and geranium
After about 15 minutes, it reveals its softer side. The mint dissipates, and notes of white musk, star anise (a spice), clove, violet and geranium (a flower common in the Mediterranean) appear. The fragrance becomes more feminine, but not overly so — like a whispered invitation or a soft introduction to a slow song. Fresh, yet seductive.
Pricey, yo!
The large 100-ml bottle of Geranium will set you back $200; a smaller 50-ml bottle costs $135. Straight up, Frederic Malle fragrances cost a lot, but I think you’re getting a really original fragrance.
Samples galore!
Luckily, most counters offer generous samples. I walked out of the store with a sample of Geranium and a handful of other Frederic Malle scents I’ve been wanting to try.
Frederic Malle Geranium Pour Monsieur
Price: $135-200
Use: A provocative, unisex scent with notes of mint, musk and geranium
Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: A-
If you’re ever near a Barney’s, drop in and check it out. 🙂
Afternoon hooky
Since I was already in the city, I swung by the Fresh store to take a quick look around. I *finally* got the chance to try Supernova Mascara ($25), which I know a few of you gals swear by, and I do like how thick it makes my lashes look. Thanks for the recommendation! 🙂
What are you up to tonight? I hope you’re doing something fun.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
ines & cha cha says
July 14th, 2009 at 8:11 pmoh god, en passant (lilac with watery notes) and carnal flower (tuberose galore) are my two favorite samples.
very different, but gorgeous perfumes.
you should try etat libre d’orange, they do very interesting ones too. i like rossy de palma eau de protection and charogne by that line.
if you write to frederic malle, they will also send you perfume samples. however, they’ll keep your name on file so they won’t do it twice.
.-= ines & cha cha’s last blog post… Dance Photo Roundup – Winter 2008/Spring & Summer 2009 =-.
Karen says
July 14th, 2009 at 9:41 pmHi Ines,
LOL! Can I just write in using different names? J/K… kinda.
Have you smelled Lipstick Rose? It really does smell like lipstick!
Marisol says
July 14th, 2009 at 8:39 pmThat is a pricey perfume. i have been on a fragrance kick lately too. My two latest purchases were both from Benefit – B Spot & Laugh With Leelee. Really enjoying them.
Today I was indoors for most of the days in my office. Boo! But after work, I drove down to OB and relaxed by the beach for a bit. it’s so nice to be so close to such a great place. After I catch up to my Google reader, I am off to read a book on my Kindle. Have a great night!
P,S. I will send you an email about places in Novato that I would recommend. There are a lot of great places to try.
.-= Marisol’s last blog post… Kindle me this… =-.
Karen says
July 14th, 2009 at 9:42 pmHi Marisol,
Yay! I’m looking forward to getting your list. The only places I know up there are the restaurants near the Safeway in Hamilton field.
How was Ocean Beach? Windy? I miss being able to walk there whenever I want, le sigh.
lexi says
July 14th, 2009 at 8:56 pmi love Barney’s beauty section – there’s a certain randomness to it. i can’t explain it but the flow works – i haven’t been in a while but looks like I should check this out – i’m still saving up for a bottle of Jo Malone fragrance!
Karen says
July 14th, 2009 at 9:43 pmHi Lexi,
I wish it wasn’t tucked in the basement! They need to bring the beauty dept. upstairs.
Which Jo Malone scent do you have you eye on?
Glosslizard says
July 14th, 2009 at 9:08 pmI was sniffing a few perfumes the other day… I tried on the new scent by Caroline Herrera, and I thought the top notes were really annoying and predictable, but the dry-down was very unique! It’s worth a try if you can get through the first few minutes! I also grabbed a sample of Flora by Gucci and replaced my now-empty sample bottle of YSL Elle! Yay for fragrances! I would love to grab some Frederic Malle samples too!
Karen says
July 14th, 2009 at 9:45 pmHi Glosslizard,
You def. have to sniff Lipstick Rose and Carnal Flower. Yum!
I will try and sniff the new Caroline Herrera… I love me a good dry down. 😉
Oh, did you ever get to smell EL Coral White Linen?
Erin says
July 15th, 2009 at 4:41 amKaren,
I just got a sample of Narciso Rodriguez for her perfume. Have you tried it? It is a little similar to Sarah Jessica Parker’s Lovely, but different enough that I like using each.
Erin
Sakura says
July 15th, 2009 at 4:46 pmI love geranium!! I have an essential oil but could never find a good perfume scent. That cologne sounds great, but too pricey. I’ll have to try it first!
Karen says
July 15th, 2009 at 5:32 pmHi Sakura,
For sure! It’s very expensive, so you definitely want to wear it around for a bit to make sure that it goes well with your body chemistry.
I have never smelled a geranium essential oil. I bet it smells lovely. 🙂
Marisol says
July 15th, 2009 at 5:51 pmOcean Beach was so great yesterday. it was like 85 degrees and not very windy at all. Today SF is another day weather wise. it’s windy & cold.
.-= Marisol’s last blog post… Kindle me this… =-.
Karen says
July 15th, 2009 at 5:57 pmHi Marisol,
I love OB on those hot days. Too bad they don’t happen often!