After hearing a few of you ladies mention that Giselle was pretty, and that you liked it even better on your boyfriends, I decided I would LOVE that one for myself.

My taste in scents generally runs to those that are deep, rich, spicy, herbal, unusual. I lvoe incense notes, green ones like vetiver and anise, plus citrus. I often choose a scent for Michael based on whether or not I can also borrow it. And I'm a HUGE fan of classic chypres like Mitsouko, Aromatics Elixir, Halston and so on.

Giselle is WONDERFUL. Since she's blended from all natural essential oils rather than synthetic perfume oils, she'll smell different on every body. But on me, this is what I detect.

The geranium comes through clearly - that green, midtone scent you get when you pick a gernamium or rub the leaves -it has a slightly fuzzy quality to it, much like the leaves and stems on the plant.

Ylang ylang is a hard note for many people because it is both very sweet and very pungent. It can often take center stage in blends, but Kristen has really wielded it deftly here. It dances in and out, lends a heady quality that isn't strident or syrupy or thick. Just beautiful.

Calry Sage - this is absolutely gorgeous. On my skin, coupled with the geranium, it lends an almost smoky quality, similar to the sweet smoke you get when you burn a smudge stick to purify the air.

Vanilla - to my this is acting as a cushion for the other oils to rest upon, as the scent doesn't smell on my skin like vanilla at all. But there is a definite gentle sweetness and roundness that must be coming from there.

Pink Grapefruit - this is like a little bit of effervescence. On many people grapefruit can be assertive at first, and against some chemistries it comes out as a slightly "off" smell at first, until it warms up and blends with the skin. I happen to love grapefruit as a note, but I have heard OTHER scents with it in the blend described as having a slightly ammonia-type odor. No ammonia in Giselle at all, at any time.

I spritzed my wrists about 20 minutes ago, and loved it at first sniff. Now that it is warming up and blending with my own chemistry, I love it even more. I just sprayed my decollete so I can sniff my shirt all day long, and look forward to smelling the unfolding and blending of this scent.

It feels very uplifting and warming right now - with a slightly spa-like herbal quality to it.

LOVE.

Mmmm...your scent descriptions are to die for, like all your descriptions, Miss Bridget. Now I've got to go dig out the last of my sample of Giselle, because this review makes me want to try it again, pronto! Even if it is nearly bedtime, what a great way to have sweet dreams...

Bridget,

I'm one of those who has to wait for grapefruit to "warm up to". I don't like Giselle on me for the first 10 minutes or so...after that it smells fantastic!

Geez, Bridget! If you like a product, you sure know how to write a fabulous and detailed review. It made me take out my purse-sized vial of Giselle and try it again today.

It's still too strong on me, but I used less. And I think it's mellowed a bit since I tried it last and wrote a review. And like Melissa, it smells better on me later rather then when I just put it on. I used to really LOVE Donna Karan's Black Cashmere, before I became sensitive to synthetic fragrances. I like more earthy and rich fragrances rather than poofy and floral. This IS an earthy fragrance, really rich. And perhaps even unisex.

Thanks for your review!

Loida

And something else about natural fragrances, too - remember to give the bottle or vial a little shimmy-shake to reblend everything. Some oils are heavier and tend to settle a little bit - a quick shake mixes it all back up, so you get the full intention of the scent.

-b.

quote:

Originally posted by Bridget:
And something else about natural fragrances, too - remember to give the bottle or vial a little shimmy-shake to reblend everything. Some oils are heavier and tend to settle a little bit - a quick shake mixes it all back up, so you get the full intention of the scent.

-b.

Maybe THIS is why none of the grapefruit came through on me. I forgot about shaking the sample before I applied.

bridget ~ i'm so glad you loved this fragrance! i really wanted to but it just did not mix with my chemistry. glad i found someone who liked it though so it wouldn't go to waste. it smells so good on him ~ the little worm!

Just got my Giselle -- and it's LOVE!!!! I think this might just be my signature scent.... it's not too sweet, but not too spicy, either.

It went on strong at first, but mellowed out quickly and by the end of the day there's a faint vanilla-chocolate smell -- I love that it smells different in the morning than after a full day...
--Natasha