Lily of the valley in the forest

There is a reason why my fragrant wardrobe does not include many florals and why I neither wear them not own them. Every once in a while I will come across a specimen that surprises me and works great with my skin but more often than not, that is not the case.

So you can imagine my chagrin when I finally got my hands on Carillon pour un Ange by Andy Tauer and after a great opening, it went down the path of so many florals and turned very shrill and sinus pinching on me. 😦

I was so very sad to smell that happening. Especially since the first burst of Carillon on my skin transported me straight to a forest after the rain where the lily of the valley grows in dark, wet earth. It is such a true rendition of that place that I couldn’t believe my nose. And I know what that smells like since I used to gather them with my mother (who adores lily of the valley flowers).

And there I was, walking in the woods among lily of the valley when the floral shrilliness hit me. I’ve read enough floral reviews so far to notice this thing does not happen to most people. I am one of the unfortunate ones. I am still not sure though if it’s florals or white musk that makes it happen (or they both work like that)but whatever it is, it hurts my nose.
Luckily, in Carillon it doesn’t last, so after  it’s gone, I’m left with the lily of the valley resting on my desk after I picked it off the wet forest floor. The scent is here but there is no more of that dark wetness of the forest where it grew.

Notes: rose, ylang-ylang, lilac, lily of the valley, jasmine, leather, ambergris, moss, woods

I saw reviewers mentioning hints of leather, I have to admit to not being able to smell it. But I do like the drydown, it’s very soft and makes me think I’m smelling some other perfum  the way it gets tamed. Because you know, Andy Tauer creations practically jump out on you from the bottle, and sparingly applying them is the way to go. They are not for the faint of heart, otherwise they may strangle you. 😉

Pic by: BACKYard Woods Explorer on Flickr

P.S. Yes, I did manage to post this originally without a title. 🙂

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6 thoughts on “Lily of the valley in the forest

  1. Isa September 20, 2010 at 20:25 Reply

    Great review!I'm sorry that you have that headache problem with florals. Sometimes it happens to me, but only with dark, "winey" roses and carnation.I wish I could see forests and lilies of the valley where I live. I have never smelt the actual flowers. Carillon pour an ange sounds lovely.

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  2. Ines September 21, 2010 at 11:32 Reply

    Hey Isa! Thanks. :)It is lovely in the drydown, before that it's more interesting and surprising. I don't know if I'll ever wear it but I will enjoy smelling it every once in a while.

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  3. flittersniffer September 21, 2010 at 21:22 Reply

    I haven't read a review of this yet that makes me think I would like it, and yours is no exception! Thanks for helping me cross things off my "to sniff" list… : – )

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  4. Ines September 22, 2010 at 09:21 Reply

    FS, it's good to know there is stuff out there that just can pass you by and you never feel bad. :)This one feels to me more like a study in perfume than an actual perfume for wearing.

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  5. ChickenFreak September 23, 2010 at 18:14 Reply

    I also get the shrill floral thing in many scents, though it's only about 50/50, rather than most of the time. I have never yet tried a lily of the valley scent; I think I'm going to try this based on your description from before it failed.

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  6. Ines September 24, 2010 at 10:55 Reply

    CF, really? You never tried a lotv scent? :)Those flowers really smell good – honest and child-like. And once you smell them, the smell will remain with you. I wonder what will you think of this once you try it. But you know, you cannot say you really tried a lotv scent until you smell Diorissimo. 🙂

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