Contact Information

Sponsors accepted, please contact us for further details.

Monthly Archives from March 2006

The Buzz

The Buzz

The_Buzz_Logo.jpg

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Scented Salamander Blog

A Culture & Beauty Blog: from Olfaction to Imagination in Perfumes, Movies, Beauty Products, Food, Literature, & Fashion, Mostly.

"Perfumes' & movies' common point: you smell and watch them better in the dark"

Latest Fragrance Reviews

Dior Escale à Parati

 

Prada Infusion d'Iris EDP Absolue

Ferragamo Signorina

Thierry Mugler Miroir des Majestés

Jo Malone Plum Blossom

Madonna Truth or Dare

Roberto Cavalli Eau de Parfum

Carolina Herrera 212 Sexy

8 Best Perfumes to Herald Spring

Stella McCartney L.I.L.Y.

Guerlain Parfum Initial L'Eau: Going Back to the Purer Language of Perfumery

Guerlain Parfum Initial L'Eau: Un Langage Plus Pur pour la Parfumerie

Fragrance Essays

Perfumes & Candies are Kissing Cousins: Anis de Flavigny & Guerlain Anisia Bella

Jicky, The Ultimate Aphrodisiac for Both Sexes?

Jicky, L'aphrodisiaque ultime pour les deux sexes?

Best Rose Fragrances for Valentine's Day: The 2012 Edition

How I Think about Perfume when I Review Them: a Practical-Theoretical Outlook on the Perfume Shopping Culture

Bint el Sudan, The Other, African Chanel No.5 - Interview with Nick Evans of IFF

Smelling Tommy Girl Now: When the 1990s Smell Like The 1940s

White Accords in Perfumery: So Long The 70s

Liberace Wore Perfume, So What? Homosexuality as Given Away by an Indiscreet Fragrance Trail in the 50s

Reviews of New Perfumes

Diptyque Eau Rose

Isabel Derroisné Eclat Eternel

Sisley Eau d'Ikar

Mary Greenwell Plum

Parfum d'Empire Azemour Les Orangers

L'Artisan Parfumeur Batucada

Les Parfums de Rosine Glam Rose

Clinique Aromatics Elixir Perfumer's Reserve

Prada No.11 Cuir Styrax

6 New Celebrity Fragrances to Try Out this Fall

The Body Shop White Musk Libertine

Cartier L'Heure Convoitée (English Version)

Cartier L'Heure Convoitée (French Version)

Karl Lagerfeld Karleidoscope

Maître Parfumeur et Gantier Cuir Fétiche

Estée Lauder Wood Mystique

Thierry Mugler Angel with Bitter Cocoa Powder

Diane Von Furstenberg Diane

Bottega Veneta EDP

From the Archives

Bath & Body Works Warm Vanilla Sugar: An Euro-American Curio

Reviews of Past Fragrance Launches

First Impressions on the Thierry Mugler Coffret Based on the Novel by Süskind.



A Perfume Similar to Bill Blass 1978 {Ask Marie-Helene}

Bill_Blass_1978_perfume.jpgToday, Chelle asks:

I want a perfume that is very similar to Bill Blass 1978 version.  I would be grateful for any suggestions you could offer.  Thank you.

Hi Chelle,

You are in luck because Bill Blass, now redubbed Bill Blass Classic, is inspired by a perfume from the 1930s which has given life to a number of descendants. I will pick only some of the ones which are closest to Bill Blass. I have a few suggestions for you after the jump...

 

When you smell Bill Blass today, it feels like a more active and dynamic daywear variation on the classic Joy by Patou, which launched during the Depression in 1930. The scent wanted to offer the example of a spirit of resilience in the face of adversity to the American customers of the French couturier.

Bill Blass also offers a green edge, which is typical of the 1970s, and that nuance you will find in another relative, Private Collection by Estée Lauder, which made its debut 5 years before it. It no doubt influenced BB. Private Collection feels richer than Bill Blass.

I would also suggest Molinard by Molinard, which resembles Bill Blass, but is somewhat softer and spicier, with a rounder feel. White Shoulders by Evyan is also a floral fragrance in that family. You could also see how you relate to Quelques Fleurs L'Original by Houbigant.

Other candidates are Fleurs de Rocaille by Caron, Jardins de Bagatelle by Guerlain, Wind Song by Prince Matchabelli.

In the artisan, niche category, you might be swayed by 3 Fleurs by Parfum d'Empire, which is inspired by this idea of a classic floral like Joy and which has that strong floral-y musky nuance that makes you think of perspiring flowers under the sun, with bees humming in their corollas. Somehow, it makes me think of what people preferred to refer to politely as the "glow" of women, to refer to women's clean yet noticeable perspiration. It is more tuberose-y though at one point than Bill Blass, but there is galbanum in it too. The drydowns are quite similar.

The first fragrance I would try is Molinard by Molinard, which launched a year later in 1979, resembles it most, and presents the same sweet green note.

Best,

Marie-Helene

Post a comment

Categories

Latest Comments

Cat on Bien-Être Eau de Cologne à la Fleur d'Oranger (2011) {New Fragrance} : I MUST have this! I'm in Australia. Can I order it online?

Elcor on Dior Escale à Parati (2012): The Smell of Success {New Fragrance} {Short Perfume Review} : And have you seen Dior's latest promotional video feat. Depeche Mode music? ...

Vasily on Maison Martin Margiela Replica (2012) {New Perfume} : So basically they're replicating what Christopher Brosius has been doing for years ...

monique bondoin on Estee Lauder Youth-Dew Goes Retro Style: New Packaging = Updated Scent? {Fragrance News} {Perfume Review} : Where can I buy Youth dew in the classic blue bottle ? ...

Sharty on Musk Hall of Fame: A List of the Best &/or Most Talked About Musk Perfumes {Perfume List} {Perfume Short (Reviews)} : Hi just ran across your site. I found a store in the ...

DomesticGoblin on Fragrance News: More on Aura by Thierry Mugler : Did you manage to get your hands on this? I really want ...

Froufrou La Negre on Street Style: What Gendarmes Wear on May Day in Paris {Fashion Notes} : Mimi, that's what the French riot police wear EVERY day.

Mandy Aftel on Aftelier Sepia (2012): Like a Remembrance of Things Past Set in Gold Country {New Perfume} {Green Products} : Thank you so much Marie-Helene, I look forward to your review! - ...

emile edecent on Kiehls Launch New Aromatic Blends Collection of 4 (2012) {New Perfumes} : Really Kiehls???... i am guessing they must pay a royalty to le ...

dan fry on Kiehls Launch New Aromatic Blends Collection of 4 (2012) {New Perfumes} : wow, can't believe that Kiehl's would knock off LeLabo so exactly!! so ...

D.W.R. on Long Lost Crabtree & Evelyn Fragrance: Help Please {Ask The Readers} : Back in 1979 or so my favourite favourite scent which I wore ...

Susan on Zara Rosa Bulgara with Notes on Flor de Azahar, Lirio de Agua (2008) {Perfume Review} {New Fragrances} {Rose Notebook} : I love Zara's Lirio De Agua. I have looked and looked for ...

Flor on Yves Rocher Ode à L'Amour Passionnément! (2008) {New Perfume} : Quisiera saber si tiene el mismo olor de Ode á l'amour (digamos ...

Susan in Florida on Long Lost Crabtree & Evelyn Fragrance: Help Please {Ask The Readers} : While searching the web yet again looking for my long lost love, ...

karen on "Flanker" {Perfume Vocabulary} : I love these vocabulary posts.

Recent Posts

All original content and translations herein copyright © 2006. All rights reserved; reproduction requires the author’s prior written consent.
You are however welcome to provide a link back to the posts on this site as long as you explicitly mention their authorship, recognize the original source of the information you give, and acknowledge the site of origin.

Powered by
Movable Type 4.32-en