INTO THE WILD FROM BATH AND BODY WORKS

It seems like most people either love or hate this scent. I can see why because its rather unusual and I wasn't expecting Bath and Body Works to come out with something like this. Considering this has aldehydes which I can't stand in most perfumes, I was surprised to see that I thought this was actually a pleasant fragrance. Notes: Juicy Mandarin, Red Apple, Pear Blossom, Pimento Berry, Pink Currant Buds, Fresh Aldehydes, Magnolia Petals, Night Blooming Jasmine , Wild Honeysuckle, Gold Patchouli Leaves, Okoume Wood, Tonka Crystals, White Moss and Warm Musk
The initial note smells very strongly of mandarin and apple. These two pretty much overpower everything else. Then enter the aldehydes which gives it sort of a powder note but not quite(if you tried Chanel #5, you will know what I am talking about). Out of all the floral notes, I really only smell the honeysuckle and a bit of jasmine. I would classify this as citrusy floral which smells rather sweet and elegant once the middle notes make their appearance. There is nothing "wild" about this fragrance so the name is purely a gimmick. I think its pleasant and unusual scent but definately not my favorite. I essentially got this and matching body lotion because I exchanged a gift so it was free for me but I wouldn't repurchase since its a not really "me" kind of a scent. In my opinion, this is not a scent that will do well because its just too different and not generic enough for everyone to like it but such is life.

GODDESS BY BABY PHAT

When it comes to this line, I like every single one of their fragrances. Every single one of the scents is unique, fairly long lasting and has great silage.

Notes: gardenia, and white rosebuds in the top. The middle notes introduce blue lily, hyacinth, and black pepper, while the base unifies seringa, musk and woodsy notes.
Now for the Goddess-I would classify it as fresh floral with woodsy notes. I love gardenia when it’s done right and not cloying and suffocating and here is lovely fresh flower with notes of rose. I do get pepper note but only on the first spray. Its soon disappears and you are left with fresh white floral. Its fresh, sweet and unique-I haven’t smelled anything even remotely similar before. Bottle is gorgeous and lasting power is good. On my skin, it lasted at least 4 hours and light florals do not last long on me. I also sampled the lotion and smell is intoxicating-fresh, sweet and just yummy

BABY PHAT LUV ME

Notes: juicy notes of tangerine, passion fruit and apricot blossom. The heart is ruled by floral notes of frangipani, jasmine and tiger orchid, laid on the sensual base of vanilla, sandalwood and musk.
 I bought this because I loved Dare Me and when I saw this at Walmart, I couldn't resist. This was a blind buy as Walmart has most of their perfumes in these hard plastic shells that will take a nuclear explosion to open but I figured, how bad can this be?
This is COMPLETELY different from Dare Me. Dare Me is very coconutty with subtle floral notes perfume. This one is sweet too but in a very different way. I get a note of passionfruit when I first spray it-mind you, I love the passionfruit so its all good. Frangipani is definately present in this fragrance, it gives it a very sweet, delicate and creamy feel and then the heart opens up with jasmin note which in my opinion, makes it more floral. I couldn't smell musk here but it does dry down to soft fruity vanilla scent. After I thought about it for a while I realized what it reminded me of-Vanilla Passionfruit by Lavanilla which I also own. It is not exactly the same but Vanilla Passionfruit has the same strong passionfruit note so if you own Lavanilla, I wouldn't buy Love Me because its very simular. None the less, I think its a nice scent and suitable for both day and evening.

DREAM ANGELS FOREVER BY VICTORIA SECRET

This is the latest fragrance in the Heavenly line. I love Victoria Secret, I really do, and of course, I have to smell all of their latest fragrances.

The notes listed are blackberry, iris and amber but let me tell you, if you are expecting to smell blackberries, you won't. I can't smell anything even remotely fruity or floral here. This is  sweet and creamy scent, with light powder note. However, if you own their limited edition Heavenly Stardust(from this Christmas), you will notice that it smells pretty much identical. Yes, notes are different but none the less, smell is not really anything new. I own Heavenly Stardust and I couldn't tell the difference between the two. Don't get me wrong, I think its smells good but putting out similar scent with different name is kind of whack but Bath and Body Works and Victoria Secret are known for this.
By the way, this doesn't strike me as "young" scent but rather elegant and sophisticated so if you are tired of teenage fruity stuff that Victoria Secret has so much of, try this and you may be pleasantly surprised. Lasting power is good-it lasted 3-4 hours on my skin which just eats up perfume so unlike lot of others Victoria Secret scents which have terrible lasting power, this one is a winner.

WILD ELIXIR BY ESTEE LAUDER

This is new limited edition fragrance in Estee Lauder lineup.  I sampled it yesterday and its lovely. Notes: Mandarin, Marigold, Purple Freesia and Violet Leaves, Wild Gardenia, Pink Muguet, Blue Jasmine and Dewy Waterlily, Genet Flower, Orris, Amberwood, Musk and Sandalwood.

This is like walking through the garden full of fresh flowers. Its completely unlike Pleasures which i never cared for-Wild Elixir actually smells like real fresh flowers. I don't smell mandarin at all, for me the it all blends into fresh gardenia, freesia and water lily. There is little musk coming through on the drydown but that's it. I think anytime there is gardenia in the floral fragrance, it usually overpowers all and Wild Elixir is no different. I was wearing Marc Jacobs today and Wild Elixir smells very, very simular. No, its not totally the same but there is the same almost aquatic feel to it, and while MJ smells completely and entirely of gardenia and tuberose, in Wild Elixir I do smell a bit more of a variety of florals. None the same, its very close. I already own Marc Jacobs so I won't be getting Wild Elixir even though i was tempted. It a very nice fresh floral that smells like spring walk in the beautiful floral garden. I have to compliment Estee Lauder for creating such a nice fragrance which doesn't smell like anything else this line has. Unfortunately, lasting power is not the greatest. I get less then 2 hours out of it
Bottle is lovely and I actually like it a lot more than MJ bottle which i always thought was too plain and akward shape. I read some reviews that its a fruity scent. While mandarin is in the notes, there is nothing whatsoever fruity about this scent(or generic for that matter)-its all about big lush white florals. I think if you are prone to migraines from florals or fresh green florals is not your cup of tea, this fragrance is not for you. Only fresh floral lovers may apply!
P.S This is what i expected Country Chic from Bath and Body Works to smell like, alas that wasn't it at all

   

CARRIED AWAY BY BATH AND BODY WORKS

Notes: Bergamot, lemon, mandarin, peach nectar, raspberries, freesia, tuberose, jasmine, sandalwood, vanilla, musk.

Based on the notes, I was sure I was going to like it-and I was wrong once again. Once I actually sniffed it for myself and sprayed it on my hand for good measure, here is what I get.

I get a burst of citrus and raspberry, which disappears within couple of minutes and you left with “drumroll”..Sweet Pea.  For anyone who is wondering, Sweet Pea is clean fruity musky scent that is reminesent of fresh smelling body wash, it gives you that “clean, right out of the shower feeling”.  There is nothing wrong with Sweet Pea, per se, but it’s not that interesting to me and I certainly wasn’t expecting another scent that smells almost identical. Are folks at Bath and Body Works getting that lazy? If you like Sweet Pea, I’m sure you will like its near clone, Carried Away. As for me, I’m once again, searching for something a little more original

COUNTRY CHIC FROM BATH AND BODY WORKS

Fragrance Top Notes: Sparkling Lemon, Grapefruit Zest, Juicy Pear, Crushed Leaves, Marigold
Fragrance Mid Notes: Fresh Raspberry, Jasmine Petals, Day Lily, Gardenia, Orange Blossom
Fragrance Dry Notes: Peach Nectar, Vanilla Orchid, hint of Praline & Patchouli, Cedar Wood, Amber Wood, Skin Musk
Looking at these notes, i thought it would be a great fragrance and on the fragrance boards so many women were talking about how great of a scent this was. I was excited to try it. So what is the verdict?

 I smell a bit of lemon and crushed leaves and then the mid note of lily and bit of musk. That's it. No rasberry, no gardenia, no peach nectar, no praline. What a dissapointment.
I think that most generic light scents enjoy great popularity-Country Chic is generic at its best. Very subtle, light flower with hint of citrus. I honestly think that this is the most "meh" fragrance that Bath and Body Works  produced within last few years. Lasting power is terrible, it’s gone within minutes. I seriously doubt that anyone around you will be able to smell it. Just like Secret Wonderland(aka Moonlight Magic repackaged)-great name and list of ingredients, you anticipate something wonderful and get mediocre.
I've liked simple and uncomplicated scents before however this is beyond unremarkable-5 min after smelling it, you will forget what it smelled like to begin with. I think that Twighligh Woods and Forever Sunshine are great new scents that smell unique and last a long time. Country Chic doesn't really smell like wildflowers to me, more like a light floral candle.
If you want simple, unoffensive and something that doesn't stand out of the crowd, this one is for you.

P.S I don’t care for bottle either-I find the plaid design rather plain and cheap looking but that’s just me.

BATH AND BODY WORKS FRENZY

Well, ladies, it is official-the first ever in the state of Hawaii, Bath and Body Works store is now open and let the shopping begin! I do like lot of their products so of course, I wanted to go. I figured that on the opening day(last Monday), there would be crazy number of people there and I was right. I heard that people waited in line since 6 am for 9:30 am store opening. No thanks. I braved it this past Saturday and well, there was still a line outside to get into the store and security guard who was directing the line and taking his duties way too seriously for what it was. None the less, I was finally in the store only to be faced with a wall of people. I elbowed my way in and did some sniffing. After yet another line to pay(15 minites), I was finally out with some purchases. Let's begin!

 

I have read the notes online before and wasn't sure what to expect since judging by the name, I was sure it was something floral and citrusy. Wrong again, not even close. Ladies, if you love gourmand scent, this one is for you!

Top notes: tangerine, golden apricot, sparkling mandarin and exotic berries. Heart: gardenia, freesia and pink peony. Base: vanilla, creamy sandalwood, musk and sweet pralines.

This is fruity gourmand scent that would fall into same category as Viva la Juicy from Juicy Couture. I get a little bit of zesty fruit on the first spray and some berries with cream, then it turns into sweet creamy cakey scent that reminds me of lemon cake with cream and fruit on top. I think its the praline note that give it that extra sweetness. Lasting power is ok, body spray lasts couple of hours but it has to be layered with lotion. Still not bad. I like the scent a lot but I absolutely hate the ugly drawings on the bottle that looks very crude and childlike. Bath and Body Works is really slipping lately with their bottle design which is the one of the most unattractive ones I have seen in a long time