Alien by Thierry Mugler

Have you ever loved the smell of the perfume you've been wearing so much you were reluctant to shower it off*? This is how I felt this evening with this perfume.

For years I have loved Angel by Thierry Mugler which I still count as my favourite; I love Alien almost as much although I don't have the same sentimental attachment to it that I have with Angel (yet).

The bottle for Alien is lovely and it looks like an artifact you'd find in an alien craft, like a precious, purple gemstone engraved with hieroglyphics carrying ancient secrets. I have read comments where people don't think too highly of the bottles (someone said they looked like penguins); they aren't necessarily to everyones taste as with everything but I think they're fun and the 'penguin' comment amuses me.

The perfume itself was lovely, it has been described as smelling of Amber, Jasmine and Cashmeran, I'll be honest on this I cannot really say too much as I have no idea what cashmeran is, but the jasmine was ever present; if you don't like jasmine, then you probably won't like Alien. Much like the bottle opinion seems to be divided on the fragrance with some saying it is a real 'scrubber' (a feeling I have only had with a perfume once before) and claiming they could smell a chemical element to it, I couldn't smell that and I love this perfume which works well with my personal chemistry.

*I did, however, wash it off.

Black Vetyver Café Cologne by Jo Malone

Black Vetyver Café Cologne by Jo Malone, £34.00 (30 mls), £68.00(100mls)

I hesitated before writing this review as I was convinced that I must be wrong in my intense dislike of it due to the overwhelmingly positive

reviews of it elsewhere.

For a long time I had been desperate to try Jo Malone products as they look lovely and the descriptions sound gorgeous, but as I don’t live near a store I had to buy online. I finally caved and bought a bottle last week. The description sounded lovely and I had the thought of a nice smoke-y coffee scent.

When it arrived I was really excited by the packaging, which is quite simple but sophisticated looking and I received 2 free samples which were nice; when I first smelled the perfumes I was really disappointed that I had paid for the one I had and if I’m honest, I still am.

I applied it as I normally would and within 15 minutes I had to shower it off as it seemed to get progressively stronger to the point where it was offensive and I felt nauseous. I have tried wearing it by spraying it once in to the air and walking through the mist; this did seem to work and it was much more wearable, however, every time I even think about it I feel a bit sick and don’t think I will ever wear it again.

According to the website the main smells are;

Top Note: Coffee Bean

Heart Note: Coriander Leaf

Base Note: Temple Incense

To be honest I can’t smell any coffee and it doesn’t smell anything like what I was expecting. It doesn’t smell too bad, in fact if it hadn’t smelled so strongly the first time I wore it I might have really liked it. The two samples were really nice (Nectarine Blossom and Honey and White Jasmine and Mint) and I might buy one of those in the future or if I can get to a store I might try one of the others but I don’t think I’ll go for this one again.

If anyone wants this one (only been spritzed 5 times) contact me and I might sell it as I don’t see the point in keeping something I know I won't wear again.