Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Norma Kamali Violette

Imagine a sugar cookie done just right. You need to step back for a minute, and not imagine a thick, oversized, slightly chewy discus of every so slightly undercooked dough that is a pleasing lunk of comfort food.

I mean a not too precious in size, just right to the bite, hint of rosewater, dough blended with butter to just the right consistency, shimmer of crystal sugar on top cookie.

Norma Kamali Violette.

There is nothing fancy or tricky about Violette. It is true to the rising sweet note of violet without making it syrupy; it has enough green to give it a little something beyond the single tone. Not much, but a hint.

Clearly, this is a scent that would do well to be layered. But the nice thing is that it smells quality--a silk shell for going under the scarf/shirt/sweater you choose to put on with it.

***

As a side note...if your budget doesn't allow for the designer silk, you might consider Yves Rocher Vie Privee. The violet doesn't ring as clear, in fact there is no single note star...and there is a sharp opening that lets you know you've started clever shopping...but it has a similar effect. A few more notes to catch, all lighthearted; doesn't have the lasting power of the Kamali.

Kamali = $80 for 100ml; Rocher = $18 for 50ml when on sale.

10 comments:

Unknown said...

Okay this review is making me hungry and wanting to go get my decant of Farnesians, which I also describe as having a wonderful doughiness.

The Daily Connoisseur said...

mmmm... sugar cookies! I had a cupcake today- close enough- it was delightful...

ScentScelf said...

Does Demeter have a bread or dough scent? Add that to the Kamali, and you'll have layered yourself the cookie version. Maybe pound cake.

Jenavira, did you mean Farenesia? I need to try that again. In warmer weather, it smelled like sweetened hot cereal on me.

Daily...what kind of cupcake? I saw a number of black and whites consumed at Chicocoa... :)

Aimée L'Ondée said...

Sounds pretty yummy, I must say. How does it compare to Guerlain's Meteorites, I wonder? That was too sweet and powdery for me.

ScentScelf said...

I haven't smelled Meteorites, though I understand it was fairly simple, also.

The Kamali Violette is nice in that it is neither powdery nor cloyingly sweet. Of course, it is certainly "pretty" and on the sweet side...the green involved is just a touch.

Unknown said...

The fragrance I am referencing is Caron's Farnesiana. I've never got hot cereal from it. And I imagine it would be overwhelming it hot weather.

The Daily Connoisseur said...

Ooh- it was a chocolate cupcake with whipped cream frosting and a cherry on top. Delish!

ScentScelf said...

Ah...first signs of aging...must do a crossword puzzle.... ;)

I'm going to leave the realm of whole grain hot cereal and move on over to chocolate cupcakes...

Mary said...

Fabulous review! I love violet and I love Kamali, so this is on my must-try list now.

ScentScelf said...

Hello, Mary! Thanks for commenting. Yes, the Kamali is very nice, in an understated way...and the season has inspired me to dream up a way to either layer it over an incense (Black Cashmere? Nu?), or mix in a hint of Burning Leaves.