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Perfumaniac
New Orleans
Vintage perfume reviews written by Barbara Herman (aka Perfumaniac), an obsessed collector of the old stuff...
Interests: We know what the past looks and sounds like, but do we know what it smells like?, it's been one of the many revelations for me in discovering perfume in a sensual/cerebral manner that I can say as much about it as a book or film that moved me., There is a limbic intelligence that we don't cultivate enough and perfume is the perfect vehicle for exercising this faculty..., curious readers can contact barbara herman at [email protected] or follow me on twitter/Parfumaniac
Recent Activity
Go to eBay: type in vintage Gloria Vanderbilt perfume
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Commented Oct 20, 2016 on What Perfume Did Your Mother Wear? at Yesterday's Perfume
What Perfume Did Your Mother Wear?
The question might suggest that your mother doesn't wear perfume now, but I don't mean it to. I mean — what perfume did she wear when you were little and she was the most important woman in your life? I talk a lot about my mother and her perfume choices, but that's because my mother was — and ...
Ive always had luck with eBay and typing in vintage first
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Commented Oct 1, 2016 on Jean-Louis Scherrer's Scherrer (1979) at Yesterday's Perfume
Jean-Louis Scherrer's Scherrer (1979)
Scherrer 1, Jean-Louis Scherrer's grand '70s chypre has the bitter, green and slightly intimidating tough lady air of Bandit, Cabochard, and later, Paloma Picasso's homage to those bitch-on-wheels fragrances. Spicy, floral, and bitter, Scherrer is tempered by a warmth in the drydown that adds ...
I dont sell
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Commented Aug 27, 2016 on Alyssa Ashley for Houbigant — Ambergris (1975) at Yesterday's Perfume
Alyssa Ashley for Houbigant — Ambergris (1975)
In my first blush of passion for vintage perfume about a year ago, I ordered more vials from the Perfumed Court than my poor nose could keep up with. I'd review several in a weekend, and then spend the next few days in an allergic haze of sneezing, tearing up and blowing my nose. One little vi...
Hi Cathy,
Check ebay. Type in vintage Tabu perfume. Good luck.
Barbara
Commented Aug 14, 2016 on Tabu by Dana (1932) at Yesterday's Perfume
Tabu by Dana (1932)
In the same way that people want to drink a full-bodied red wine or peaty scotch on winter days rather than, say, a vodka grapefruit, perfumistas often veer toward fragrances in the Oriental category when it's cold outside. (I'm in New York City at the moment, and the Weather Channel is telli...
Hi Jessi. Im sorry for your loss. My mother wore Charlie too. I would definitely recommend going to eBay and looking up vintage Charlie perfume. If it is in a box or the seller says it still smells good, its a better idea to look for a decently priced one and get that. That will smell like your mom used to, not the new stuff. Good luck!!
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Commented Aug 2, 2016 on Charlie by Revlon (1973) at Yesterday's Perfume
Charlie by Revlon (1973)
"There's a fragrance that's here today, and they call it — Charlie! A different fragrance that thinks your way, and they call it – Charlie! Kinda young, kinda now, Charlie! Kinda free, kinda wow! Charlie! The kind of fragrance that's gonna stay, and it's here now — Charlie!" Created during t...
Have you tried eBay? Try and try again! I imagine the modern bath gel would be better though. But keep typing in vintage ysatis bath gel.
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Commented May 28, 2016 on Ysatis by Givenchy (1984) at Yesterday's Perfume
Ysatis by Givenchy (1984)
While hipsters in my neighborhood continue to insist on wearing the most hideous of hideous ‘80s fashions (skinny jeans tucked into slouchy boots, weird appliquéd sweaters and ginormous-framed lensless eye glasses), I am having an 80s revival of my own with perfume. Ysatis is not only a plea...
I love this anecdote. More power to you for being bold, and owning it!
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Commented May 28, 2016 on Giorgio by Giorgio of Beverly Hills (1981) at Yesterday's Perfume
Giorgio by Giorgio of Beverly Hills (1981)
It was the decade of Dynasty (1981- 1989), Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous (1984 - 1995), Falcon Crest (1981 - 1990) and other rich-people porn for aspirational types. And it got off to one hell of a smelly start. You know it. You may love it. But once you put it on, you won't be able to g...
Id check against eBay prices
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Commented May 8, 2016 on Bat-Sheba by Judith Muller (1966) at Yesterday's Perfume
Bat-Sheba by Judith Muller (1966)
Bat-Sheba, a honeyed-rose oriental chypre by Israeli perfumer Judith Muller, arrived in the mail in a mini, golden-hued amphora bottle with a tiny screw top and a gold cord around its neck bearing the perfume's name. It looked like something you would see behind museum glass at an archaeology ...
Amazing! Thanks for sharing that! You should buy some on eBay!
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Commented Apr 13, 2016 on Intimate by Revlon (1955) at Yesterday's Perfume
Intimate by Revlon (1955)
"Intimate...the fabulous new American fragrance that even French women are talking about! Initimate never shouts, but oh! how it whispers. Give it for Christmas (see that you get it, too!) $2.00 and $3.59 plus tax." I'm not sure what would qualify as a perfume that shouts if Intimate is one t...
The vintage is potent!
Commented Apr 12, 2016 on Poison by Christian Dior (1985) at Yesterday's Perfume
Poison by Christian Dior (1985)
It's hard to believe that Poison is already 25 years old. This much-maligned and equally beloved 80s scent bomb with a bad reputation still grips my imagination. With its aubergine-colored, fairy tale apple meets vintage apothecary bottle with a crystalline stopper, Poison is nothing if not pro...
Id suggest CB I Hate Perfume Musk Reinvention, Bruno accompara (sp?) musk, or my very own Eris Parfums, Ma Bete.
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Commented Apr 11, 2016 on Skin Musk by Bonne Bell (1975) at Yesterday's Perfume
Skin Musk by Bonne Bell (1975)
"Wear a little something, and a lot of SKIN. SKIN, the Bonne Bell Fragrance for outdoor girls." - 1975 ad for Skin Musk by Bonne Bell* "If warmth had a smell, it would be SKIN." - 1979 ad for Skin Musk by Bonne Bell ...
Ive always wanted to try Straw Hat! Now I want to even more...
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Commented Mar 24, 2016 on Tigress by Fabergé (1938) at Yesterday's Perfume
Tigress by Fabergé (1938)
Last stop on the Fabergé train after Flambeau, Woodhue, and Aphrodisia: Tigress. Given its name, I thought Tigress was going to be an all-out, knock-me-over the head sexy (and maybe tacky?) scent. Just look at this faux-tiger fur cap and tell me I didn't have reason to assume this, or the 70s...
You can still find it on eBay: vintage Must de Cartier and youll recognize the gold bottle. Make sure its not red.
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Commented Mar 18, 2016 on Must de Cartier (1981) at Yesterday's Perfume
Must de Cartier (1981)
It's hard to write about Must de Cartier without first acknowledging Luca Turin's withering and amusing review in Perfumes: The Guide. Referring to the perfume's unusual marriage of fresh green notes atop a "floriental" base that includes jasmine, vanilla and amber, Turin compared Must to an i...
Interesting, Joe. Thanks for your perspective! I know Tabu is beloved by many. The older stuff you were involved with. :-)
Commented Feb 15, 2016 on Tabu by Dana (1932) at Yesterday's Perfume
Tabu by Dana (1932)
In the same way that people want to drink a full-bodied red wine or peaty scotch on winter days rather than, say, a vodka grapefruit, perfumistas often veer toward fragrances in the Oriental category when it's cold outside. (I'm in New York City at the moment, and the Weather Channel is telli...
If you want Evening in Paris to smell like what youre used to -- but the vintage on eBay. Reformulations, Ive heard, arent good.
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Commented Aug 24, 2015 on What Perfume Did Your Mother Wear? at Yesterday's Perfume
What Perfume Did Your Mother Wear?
The question might suggest that your mother doesn't wear perfume now, but I don't mean it to. I mean — what perfume did she wear when you were little and she was the most important woman in your life? I talk a lot about my mother and her perfume choices, but that's because my mother was — and ...
Thank you for sharing!
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Commented Aug 24, 2015 on What Perfume Did Your Mother Wear? at Yesterday's Perfume
What Perfume Did Your Mother Wear?
The question might suggest that your mother doesn't wear perfume now, but I don't mean it to. I mean — what perfume did she wear when you were little and she was the most important woman in your life? I talk a lot about my mother and her perfume choices, but that's because my mother was — and ...
If you get one that was stored properly it should be fine! Boxed on eBay even better.
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Commented Aug 9, 2015 on Halston by Halston (1975) at Yesterday's Perfume
Halston by Halston (1975)
“Halston’s influence on American fashion goes beyond his designs — he took an era, reupholstered it in Ultrasuede, dabbed Halston on its pulse points and made it his own.” - Carina Chocano* At once masculine and feminine, friendly and formal, and chic and sexy, Halston perfume for women embod...
Hi Susan,
Im not sure whether I bought MN edp or edt. Id say try to find vintage edp on eBay that looks like its in good shape. Good luck!
Commented Jul 16, 2015 on Magie Noire by Lancome (1978) at Yesterday's Perfume
Magie Noire by Lancome (1978)
Magie Noire is in the category of perfumes that actually might scare romantic prospects away rather than attract them. But if you aspire to be a retro femme fatale rather than a fruit cocktail-scented Girl Gone Wild, add this to your arsenal to weed out the wusses from the keepers. From its ...
So glad you are enjoying these, Snelly! I like the idea of wandering through an olfactory forest of time...Very poetic!
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Commented Nov 30, 2014 on Ma Griffe by Carven (1946) at Yesterday's Perfume
Ma Griffe by Carven (1946)
A perfume composed by a perfumer who had tragically become anosmic (unable to smell anything) may cause the perfumaniac to pause before sniffing, but oddly, Ma Griffe by Jean Carles is a pretty wonderful scent. Bright and edgy, Ma Griffe ("my claw") smells like the kind of perfume a good girl w...
Shallodgia sounds fabulous. Thank you for sharing that!
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Commented Nov 29, 2014 on What Perfume Did Your Mother Wear? at Yesterday's Perfume
What Perfume Did Your Mother Wear?
The question might suggest that your mother doesn't wear perfume now, but I don't mean it to. I mean — what perfume did she wear when you were little and she was the most important woman in your life? I talk a lot about my mother and her perfume choices, but that's because my mother was — and ...
Hi Terri, thanks for the comment and memories. You could also go to ebay and look up vintage Magie Noire. Its around!
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Commented Nov 23, 2014 on Magie Noire by Lancome (1978) at Yesterday's Perfume
Magie Noire by Lancome (1978)
Magie Noire is in the category of perfumes that actually might scare romantic prospects away rather than attract them. But if you aspire to be a retro femme fatale rather than a fruit cocktail-scented Girl Gone Wild, add this to your arsenal to weed out the wusses from the keepers. From its ...
The review of Metal is in my book, Brigitte!
Commented Oct 1, 2014 on Quiproquo by Grès (1976) at Yesterday's Perfume
Quiproquo by Grès (1976)
Quiproquo by Grès is one of the sharpest, greenest floral chypres I've ever had the pleasure of smelling. It opens like Estee Lauder Aliage (1972), with what smells like a huge dose of galbanum and peach; blooms like Diorella (1971), with fresh florals, aromatic herbs, and a bit of funk; and ...
Hi DeeDee, it wouldnt even need to be sealed. Ideally boxed and kept away from light and heat. Ive had good luck with them. Go to eBay and find someone with a good score. You should be able to find one thats not too expensive. Just shop around, and make sure you type Im vintage..,good luck
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Commented Sep 22, 2014 on Crepe de Chine by F. Millot (1925) at Yesterday's Perfume
Crepe de Chine by F. Millot (1925)
Smelling Crepe de Chine is like meeting a beautiful, funny woman with a Ph.D in linguistics who also happens to speak seven languages, knows how to cook, has a way with children and small animals, composes haunting tunes on the guitar, and smiles at everyone. This is, in other words, one fine...
Get it on eBay if you can, Elin. (Type in vintage.) It holds up even now!
Commented Sep 21, 2014 on Aliage by Estee Lauder (1972) at Yesterday's Perfume
Aliage by Estee Lauder (1972)
As tart as a zested lemon with a drop of musky peach and a greener than green galbanum note, Aliage is a perfume whose initial notes soar like high keys in a musical composition. Like Vent Vert in terms of its citrus brightness and galbanum piquancy, Aliage packs a punch. As you can see from...
Thanks, Andre. I added a link to your post...
Commented Aug 22, 2014 on Quiproquo by Grès (1976) at Yesterday's Perfume
Quiproquo by Grès (1976)
Quiproquo by Grès is one of the sharpest, greenest floral chypres I've ever had the pleasure of smelling. It opens like Estee Lauder Aliage (1972), with what smells like a huge dose of galbanum and peach; blooms like Diorella (1971), with fresh florals, aromatic herbs, and a bit of funk; and ...
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