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Dronayzer – :
My mom brought this home in the late 60s and generously shared it with me, the erstwhile teenage daughter. She had a spray of cologne and some lotion, from the local department store. I thought it was heavenly and one of my older brother’s friends told me, hey you smell good! I did. I wore it into my twenties and then I seemed to forget about fragrances. But I have many fond memories of this one and my sweet and generous mother.
But that was years ago! I recently bought a vintage bottle of the cologne and, well, it’s a little too sweet for me. It’s still nice, but not heaven. But I’ll always have those memories.
ribokris – :
A lovely, thoroughly retro, silken whisper of powdery spice. These dark brown, syrupy Oriental fragrances are due for a comeback and RS is among the best. One of my mom’s and grandmother’s favorites through the early 1990s, when Germaine Monteil stopped making it & Five Star Fragrances had a go selling a thinner, cheapened version. It absolutely cracks me up that not only is the Germaine Monteil version HUNDREDS of dollars on eBay, but so is the Five Star version that is SO not worth it!!
I did buy the Five Star version when it was being sold cheaply at Perfumania years ago, but found it disappointingly flat and gave it away to a thrift store. I keep a tiny bottle of the Monteil original in my collection and dab it occasionally at bedtime (I’d wear it more often but I know replacing it is financially impossible!) Although Royal Secret juice is a scary dark color, this isn’t at all in the same league as Youth Dew or Tabu. I mean, it’s deep and resinous, but it’s not loud, funky, or dirty smelling. It actually dries down to a rather clean, soapy, powdery sort of affair— but a grown-up powder not Johnson’s!
If you’re feeling sad that you can’t get your hands on this stuff, I recommend Albert Nipon perfume (from the ‘80s) as an affordable substitute on eBay. It is wonderful and very very similar to vintage RS, just a touch more spicy at the outset but otherwise a real spirit animal for RS.
Knibiasmist – :
I have the bath oil and EDT of Eau de Royal Secret by 5 Star. The bottles are really sleek and wonderful but I’m not sure what to make of this scent.
I do not have any knowledge of the vintage. So I don’t know what to compare this to.
This smells kinda cheap? And immediately I get FRUIT. A FRUITY FLORAL powerful “meh” scent. I’m not even sure what I’m smelling. Looking at the original notes I can maybe say I get huge bergamot and lemon. No lavender or galbanum. Galbanum is my FAVORITE green note, and I’ve tried to find it. It’s not here. 🙁 This is so fruity floral. Then I think I get mish-mashed floral (generic?) and maybe sandalwood/vanilla.
I will keep trying, this was a summer test. Maybe I need winter? I have about 6 months full of winter/snow in Upper Michigan- so it’s coming. 😉
All I know is– there is nothing chypre about Eau de Royal Secret.
And 5-star is not a good company. Their version of Lutece Houbigant (Dana?) is CRAP. A sweet candy fruity floral bore-fest.
There are some favorable reviews about the 5-Star Eau de Royal Secret, so maybe it’s just me.
komersant – :
Eau Royal Secret by 5star. Paid $7 at perfumania clearance. It’s a ghost of it’s Iconic formulation but a beautiful warm spicy Chypre takes over for comforting on a cold night.
Herbal notes, coumarin, spicy sandalwood and florals combine into a unique scent. Out of step with modern tastes however vintage lovers will get something nice out of it. A nice buy for the price.
Leasaasa – :
Yes I smell the amber, just picked up a bottle of this, and I’m in Amber luxury. I love Royal Secret, but only get one and a half hours of bliss. I would love this even more, if, this lasted at least a few more hours. That change of cap to clear talks to me that its changed.
Is it still worth it? Of course
rusikkasp – :
This is not a chypre to my nose, but an oriental. Though scents of either category may contain patchouli or vetiver (which this one does), the chypre and the oriental are two, distinct base styles… the former being rather “dry” with oakmoss + labdanum, and the latter somewhat “sweet” with vanilla + labdanum- a bit like the two main categories of wine.
Therefore, there is an important note missing in the above pyramid: labdanum or, simply, “amber”. The base of ‘Royal Secret’ is very much like Shalimar- a little drier and less smoky than its predecessor, but still highly-influenced by it- with amber, vanilla, civet, musk, patchouli, as well as faint vetiver, benzoin, and coumarin. I do not sense galbanum in the least…
serge13588 – :
I purchased the one by 5 star for $3 At Burlington Coat factory . It smells very old school and I love it. The prices online are asking over $200.
armagedons – :
I just want to know why your site don’t have the newest perfume Arabian Nights of Royal Secret. I can not find it anywhere. It’s available in South Africa and it smells amazing. I wants to read about it but no reviews available. Well i got a bottle and very happy about it.
duday12 – :
I just want to know why your site don’t have the newest perfume Arabian Nights of Royal Secret. I can not find it anywhere. It’s available in South Africa and it smells amazing. I wants to read about it but no reviews available. Well i got a bottle and very happy about it.
Lion32 – :
sweet spicy old school scent that is the kind of chypre I like
kotdk – :
More than 399 € on the french version of Amazon !!!
I DO BEG YOUR PARDON ??!!
I just can’t afford this gem’… And it gets me disapointed….
karavaenko – :
but i smell amber in it?! do you agree with me?
ScorpionMC – :
This is an odd one and I need to be in the right mood for it. I have the Five Star version (cologne concentrate).
ROYAL SECRET starts out very strong and highly aromatic, with undertones of a rich, herbal base. (There are times that the initial phase reminds me of Tiger Balm.) With dry-down, it becomes mellower, sweeter and more powdery. Dare I say there are echoes of SHALIMAR? I’ve learned to accelerate dry-down by spraying from at least 6 inches away. Just one spray is plenty. On me, it turns into a skin scent after about 3 hours.
This one needs time and more than one wearing. I don’t recommend it as a blind buy or office scent.
urus – :
Thia fragrance has been discontinued by five star. I wonder if another company bought up rights?
prince1992 – :
My mother’s fragrance. Strong. Unforgettable. Mature. Probably too old fashioned for most people.
uteshydyecy – :
I received this as a gift for my birthday along with the bath oil. I actually used to sell this line years ago, along with The floral Galore, and I remembered liking Galore more at the time. When I opened this, I was not excited, and politely thanked my good friend. I tried it later in the week, and oh my goodness! I fell in love instantly. I did not remember the incense and spices that are in abundant supply here. It is well blended, rich and warm. I love Shalimar, and I truly think this is a beautiful oriental that can hold it’s own against even the queenly Shalimar. There is a powdery note here that is very comforting, and the florals are a bit more noticeable than the lovely Shalimar. I can detect the soft and herbal lavender, and it gives a nice soft feel to this perfume. A true beauty here!
valeriu2101 – :
I was gifted some time ago a decant of some of this in the vintage bath oil version. First, let me say that a dab will do. Its quite strong, and 2, oh boy its fantastic. I was wearing this in the heat of summer and it just felt right. The sandalwood…wow, my head almost exploded. Current sandalwood aromachemicals have NOTHING on this!
There was a slight soapy feel to it after an hour or 2, but it just felt like the best damn thing I ever put on bar none. To which, I was able to score yet another vintage bath oil to add to my cache.
I didn’t get any citrus, but I wouldn’t totally expect to considering the age of the juice. I mainly got sandalwood, vanilla, herbal notes, soapy notes, woody notes. I could not discern a clear rose from this at all.
So lets cut to the chase; how long does it last? well in my case a heck of a long time. Just realizing, if you do like I do and wear in summer, YMMV, but a few dabs is all you need.
Sillage at first was quite strong, but died down to a more tolerable level after about 5 minutes.
I have never tried the 5 star version so I can’t speak to how good or not so good it is.
hot-dog123 – :
I bought Royal Secret but it was by 5 star. I went by the reviews and regretted it! To me, it smelled like perfume gone bad. I am pretty easy to please with scents but this one was really BAD!
игоряныч – :
I have owned the Royal Secret Eau de Cologne version by Five Star for some time. Although I don’t doubt that the Monteil release was something superior; there is just nothing weird, bitter, sour or otherwise foul about the Five Star product. To my nose it’s squarely in the same vein as Toujours Moi or Shalimar. A resinous vanillic oriental.The worst I can say is it lasts like a dud. It putters out to skin scent within 1/2 hour on me.
However, I am so loving the two one oz bottles of bath oil that I bought at Perfumania a month ago. Much better than the Cologne concentrate with more focus and clear cut definition of the individual notes.
It can follow the opening beginning with crisp lavendar, citrus and LOTV , moving straight to the resinous and woody accords. Then it’s on to the sweet and vanillic powdery drydown. Just beautiful!!! A much richer vanilla, spice and amber body. And by far longer lasting!!
Very elegant and woody!!
I highly recommend Royal Secret bath oil, but only if you are into vintage, full bodied Orientals. This is the opposite of the watered down simple concoctions passing for perfume nowadays.
Perfumania sells Royal Secret in its present incarnation.
mvj575speagoessenda – :
Thank you Bigsley, for solving the riddle for me! I just received a vintage EdC, and have been thinking all day about why it is so familiar. Now I realize: it’s a spicier Vol de Nuit!
The opening is a blast of rough leather and spicy resins, it really exploded on my skin and I nearly gagged from the power of it, I almost thought I had to wash it off… But after about 15 minutes, it mellowed dramatically and settled into the most luxurious, floating, nuzzling, mysterious gasoline-vanilla accord with just a hint of the spice remaining, and this is where the similarity to Vol de Nuit comes forth.
The remaining spices have a “fizziness” about them that makes them very bright and delicate. I have never felt this in a spice before. The darkness of the animalic quality in Royal Secret against the sparkling glitter-red of the spices is so addictive and intriguing… How amazing it is!!
I can easily see myself in a film noir detective story on a stormy night in the 1940’s… Soft dark eyes, and with a silver pistol in my pocket… I want more and will be stocking up!
Eralapapslore – :
I got a mini of this on sale, Love, Love, Love, Love It!!! It’s a Spicey Sweet, Heady Alouring and Warm Sent Attracting Attention and Compliments, a bit strong but just a dab is all you need, and it won’t over power you. Case in Point on This One, It doesn’t have an overboard of ingredients to make it smell weird, less is more it has some Patchouli and Galbanum Resin and Sandlewood to give it some va va va voom factor, has some sweet Citrus notes, but it’s swetened by Rose Vanilla, Lilly of the Valley, and The Orange Blossom Sent Really Comes Through, Ok Id call it like Tabu with Orange Blossom, No Can’t Imagine the Queen Mother Ever Wearing It? I’m Certain she wouldn’t want to get noticed like that May Be Diana Would Have!
nefor45 – :
I had this scent in the 70’s. It was so strong and concentrated. Nothing like Five Star! Why, why reformulation! Then they pass it off as original.
LukaMarinko – :
This was my very worst nightmare blind buy. The notes look wonderful, right up my street. I love older classic perfumes. But this smelled like cats pee, it really did. Awful cheap and absolutely nasty. I can only suppose it has been reformulated that anyone could ever have loved it. It is the only full bottle of perfume that I have ever dumped straight in the bin. Should have been in a biohazard bag. Yuk. Yuk. Yuk.
zhorikd – :
I need to get my hands on a reformulated version. I was too young to wear this in the late 70’s early 80’s as this is not for the faint hearted. I did however use the vintage version a few times and it’s good on my skin. Incredible longevity and sillage. I do associate R.S. warm winter comforts and childhood memories with this special fragrance and don’t mind the spice. I’ve spotted the bath oil and it’s on my shopping list. Imagine bathing in this wonderful juice from a bygone era?!?!
krotik – :
My favorite fragrance—ever. My signature. I’ve been complimented on it hundreds of times. Many, many times, I’ve been asked what I’m wearing, usually by men who say they want to buy it for their wife or girlfriend. Over the years, I’ve found a handful of other fragrances that I like well enough to wear, but I’ve never found anything I like nearly as much as Royal Secret. It’s perfect for me. I think I’ll try one of the scent matching companies. Maybe I can get the “real thing” again.
HeadCrash – :
My Mom started wearing this when she was pregnant with me in 1971 and it has been her signature scent ever since. She had worn it so long that it actually emanates from her pores. While some reviewers have referred to this as an old lady scent, I think it has exotic qualities. Maybe I think too much of my Mom,but I always think of musky, sensual, but with a touch of powder. I don’t have the body chemistry for this, but anybody who can successfully wear this has classic characteristics with a “secret” worth discovering. I was able to buy several bottles prior to it being repackaged and there is quite a difference. The new version is artificial and lacks the depth, quality, and drama of the original. Mom was way ahead of her time and the manufacturers have yet to catch up. If you are able to find a vintage bottle and have that personality and saltiness to balance the musk, welcome to your new signature scent. Otherwise, you may have the misfortune of being compared to a shallow substitute who wreaks of cat urine.
Mecvl965InsuffBooni – :
This was the first “designer” fragrance I bought for myself, back in the stone-age 60s! It was only sold in the finer department stores. I thought of it as something a wealthy, older woman would buy for herself. Even though I was in my 20s, I splurged for it. WOW! It was powerful and heavy-handed. Very intense spicy, sweet scent. A little dab will do you. I liked it but it was so powerfully sweet and pungent I never wore it out in the daytime. Only at night. This is for serious wearers only…not the faint of heart!
UrgegreriDeer – :
I have some of the vintage EdC formulation but haven’t tried the recent one. It’s light but rich and it lasts quite a while. There is excellent balance, and it’s natural smelling. The sandalwood is here but light, and there’s a slight vanillic/ambery quality. The florals largely supply a powdery quality and it’s not too “feminine” as far as I’m concerned. There is just the slightest hint of a bitter or animalic element. I’d much rather wear this than many, many others that are marketed to men, actually. So, don’t buy this thinking you are getting an amber scent or a sandalwood one, etc., but rather a nicely balanced “old school” one.
UPDATE: Clearly the notes aren’t exactly the same but the effect is similar to Vol de Nuit (vintage EdC) in the drydown. The rose in RC in particular creates more note contrast.
prosta-wowa – :
02 march 2013
A scent of a cold autumn for a hot woman.
My very first reaction was to write something not pleasing about this fragrance since i have had it for years in my collection, got it as a bonus with some of the purchase and never used it. Mine is “Spary concentree” and not vintage, since there are allergens listed on the box. So i guess the one i am reviewing is a modern version.
I have finally tested it. Just one spray on my wrist. Oh my! This one is very strong! A lot of galdbanum in the opening, very sharp and bitter. Just like a very dry leather that was ruined by letting dry in the hottest sun. I can´t smell nothng oriental, maybe i just have a differnet meaning for oriental. Well, then this is a very dry oriental. Oh! I get the correct comparision. a burned rubber tire, yes, thatś exactly what i get in hte opening, i can´t imagine how anyone could tolerate this smell, this should be dabed on, not sprayed! A good thing is that i smell a very concentrated carnaton as well, but that über-strong galdbanum ruins it.
It stays like that for a very long time and then just turns into a smell of powder. Almost identical to the powdery drydown of wintage perfumes from Weil i have (chunga, zibeline). But this is not the powder you get in the drydown of “Bal a Versailles” for example, no. This is a bitter powder, but still very strong powdery scent.
I see it was launched in the 1930´s, so i cleral see it is as a vintage scent. I guess the composition is typical for that era, but i am not sure how good it fits into modern era.
Now i don´t see it as a bad scent, no. It is just sooooo different from what we are used to, very different from my favorite 80´s and 90´s scents. Foe me it is just untolerable, i can´t see myself wearing it, but somehow i can clearly see a hot brunette wearing it. In my imagination there is a strong connection between this scent and brunette women somehow. I also guess modern ingredients smell not the same as they would smell in vintage version.
Inexpensive, but impressive. Great lasting power by the way and also a great sillage for “spray concentree” whatever it is. And on the clothes i can strongly smell it after a week, so that is something!
gagauz76 – :
What a lovely surprise!
My grandmother had a bottle of this when I was a very little girl, and I had completely forgotten about it until I saw it mentioned on this website. I am into vintage fragrances, so I ordered it on ebay. Since this gets such mixed reviews, I had no idea what to expect.
I LOVE IT! This stuff is beauty in a bottle. There is a very sharp, harsh note right out of the bottle, but it doesn’t take long at all to disappear and reveal the most unusual scent. Soft and feminine, but not too sweet; powdery, but balance by a perfect amount of spice; luxurious, yet very wearable.
I don’t know what to compare it to, but I absolutely would NOT compare it to Timeless; there is no resemblance at all.
asdf7779 – :
HezFairy is right. Back in the day, ‘ladies’ wore the fresh florals, usually as one-note toilet waters, soaps, scented talc. Those scents now branded ‘old lady’ were the new, young, risqué scents that scandalized the elders! Only Scarlet Women wore such things, and one famous scent was created to be ‘the smell of a prostitute.’
One friend of mine put the labeling down as rebellion. Her husband said ”
some perfumes smell *terrible* on some people.”
I said, “But, they wear it anyway.”
He said, “It’s the old ‘*my* s(tuff) does’nt stink’ syndrome.
In general, just calling something, an ‘old lady’ smell is a lazy way of saying they ‘don’t like it’. That said, I find that I don’t care for the new reformulation on my skin. It smells yummy from the bottle, though, and apparently works well on others on this and other fragrance boards, so I shan’t degrade the scent or ‘old ladies’ by making that perforative comparison.
kevnjko – :
The original was indeed a Royal Secret… and way too seductive, deep, dark and mysterious to have anything to do with the majority of ‘old ladies’. I can’t imagine where the ‘old dady’ image came from. It would take a very brave – or delusional – old lady to wear this one! (Don’t they tend to stick to fresh florals like lavender and lily of the valley?)It is certainly not a young girl’s scent; it is very adult and sophisticated.
This is such an intensely sensual, expensive-smelling scent, evocative of the favourite in the harem – Scheherazade herself could have worn this to enslave her king! I can imagine everyone trying to find out the Royal Secret for themselves, and be as alluring as the exotic queen.
Not for the faint-hearted, this is a strong, heady perfume, which lasts and lasts with just a dab. Very exotic, very Oriental, full of promise. Wear it if you dare! Not one to wear on a casual date, it will give the wrong message, saying, “Come hither – if you’re man enough…)
Claliabeelpic – :
Old womanly? Maybe. Bit of a church smell? Kindda.
But something else also. Something different.
I think I’m in love.. Like, REAL love <3
..Soft, luxurious, long lasting and richy sweet! Very comforting. I feel as though I am regarded as having the confidence of a giant when I wear this. I have to say it makes mama proud! 🙂
andrewzcx – :
I never smelled the original of this, but I sprung for 1 oz of the current one. I like it. and the bottle will last awhile. One spray of the scents in this group will last me all day, making it the best value for my money!
NoulgeNem – :
My first grown up scent. Bought it in the winter time. Thought it was exactly how I was going to smell when I was grown up, but I’ve never grown up!
oGenri08 – :
LOVE it! It IS Old Money in a Bottle… On me it doesn’t last long but sooo worth it…
trencho – :
On me this is warm spicy, yet light & conservative. This really does make you smell like a true blueblood.
The bottle is beautiful in its simplicity. It knows it’s an aristocrat so there is no need to shout.
I used to own this one and I’d like to get it again.
Gudfazer – :
I have a sample probably from the old formula, from Monteil. This perfume is rich and of good quality and though it is an Eau de Cologne it is extremely strong.
It reminds my of a stronger Shalimar version. It is equally powdery and ‘depressive’, retro and dark as she is.
I like it a lot but I couldn’t wear it, IMHO it is suitable only for mature ladies over 50, even over 60.
But it’s a really nice perfume!
Iodicyhoridar – :
I was gifted a vial of the Vintage EDC Concentree with a purchase of a masculine fragrance. Another, cheaper (but fresh and light sampler vial was included as well).
I have heard of this and know the scent. While it is clearly a classic women’s Oriental Chypre (which is the correct classification – regardless of what you smell, from the composition), I believe this juice is very unisex on the right man in the right attire. An absolutely gorgeous and intoxicating scent of yesteryear – when a sophisticated woman could seduce a man with a look and her scent.
Earlier today, ironically, I sampled two men’s classic chypres from the 1970’s that are very different on the back of each of my hands – Gucci Pour Homme Original (1976) and Capucci Pour Homme (1967). Gucci is a masterpiece, rich chypre with notes that are more similar to Monteil’s Royal Secret than Capucci (which is more citrusy, with florals and a nice damp moss base). To make things more fair – I applied one full spray of Gucci Pour Homme Original After Shave – 70% volume (that I have decanted) against Capucci! The After Shave is still there and a great, full skin scent after 4+ hours, while the Capucci has faded out. Wow! I wanted to see if the masculine compositions met at the drydown (or late in the heart) – they simply don’t. Gucci is also much stronger, even in After Shave strength, but I still have tremendous affinity and love for Capucci Pour Homme. It simply needs heavier application to pulse points (not back of hand) and to clothes…and it does show better in warm weather with all the gorgeous citrus, although great year-round – just shorter longevity in the cold.
Back to Royal Secret by Monteil – one sniff of the vial and you are immediately impressed of the power and richness! The galbanum, dark floral notes and dense patchouli all sit on a warm base of spicy vanilla. This smells so rich. Just two small fingertip dabs on my skin and the aroma fills the air (EDC Concentree???) – impressive. An old-lady scent only if you feel like you are an old-lady wearing it and I mean that with total respect. It’s a mindset – a paradigm, as a lot of Vintage fragrances are. If one did not know this was a woman’s scent and a man wore it confidently, then it truly is a classic masculine chypre. I got the rich sandalwood radiating with the vanilla right now along with the beautiful, deep florals (including rose). So, I have worn Iquitos, Vintage Acteur by Azzaro and Le3me Homme in the last week or so. All are even more floral than this, with the exception of Acteur. If this was poured into a bold-looking atomizer and remarketed a touch, it would be a masculine floral. And, not for the faint of heart or casual wear.
It will always be a sexy, feminine scent as well – but not even all women could pull this off. This scent is more about “how” you carry yourself, formal evening attire and sensual expression – not one’s gender. I will never try the new reformulated junk, but this is one that I would (as a man) wear. My wife could wear this as well (I think), as she can dress up and be sexy. There is one vial – hmmmm…my boys thought it was a man’s scent (and they have both good sense of smell and are totally honest). My wife, not telling her anything – thought, full-on masculine. She said it was very nice and would smell great on me! I told her it was woman’s scent and she said that it is not her style as she was not a fan of Opium and other vanilla-laden scents. Amber mixes far better with her body chemistry. We have found one bottle of vanilla scent that works very well, but she sprays it on her clothes and only a touch on her skin. Interesting.
I am deep into the dry down now and enjoyed a meal during the course of writing this – all of us smelling it again before I finalize this. Not my wife’s taste for her, but I think it would definitely smell amazing on a classy, sophisiticated woman who carries herself with confidence and enjoys passionate sex – and enjoys being the seducer. Flip it around…it would smell well on a classy, sophisticated man who himself with confidence and wants to offer sensual pleasure to a woman…and not just have sex. That is what this scent evokes.
Excellent vintage juice – I will defer a rating as this is a particular scent, not a “fragrance” and unisex aromas like this are totally subjective. I can feel this and may even seek out a small bottle or buy a few vials just to have…it is that good.
Cheers.
hramcov – :
Royal Secret was my first love. A gift from my Grandmother at 16 years old (ha! Imagine!) I am sure I wore it with a heavy hand but I love the warm, spicy comfort this perfume brings to me. I would love to find it again, not sure if it’s even available in my neck of the woods!
talakhadze – :
I tried it over and over and as much as I appreciate the idea of a woody, smoky composition, the low quality of ingredients just ruin everything. Too sharp and pungent, almost unbearable to tolerate on the skin for more than a few minutes. Maybe the old formula was more graceful and smooth but this Five Star Fragrance company concoction is going down the trash can. I finally found a wearable and beautiful alternative: Cuir de Lancome.
citroautoclub – :
I highly recommend the RS bath oil…this is so richly classic to me…I feel like a step back in time to the 60’s suburbian housewife, who has dinner parties to host and an indulgent successful husband who adores his wife. This fragrance should be applied lightly, especially in the bath oil form. Only had to use a few drops in bath and as perfume. I find this to be a wonderful oriental along the lines of Tabu/ELYDew but with an enveloping incense essence that is very nice and cozy. I also love the vintage looking packaging…clean and elegantly boxed in presentation box. And I may be in the minority, but I like the reformulation by Five Star. I have not tried the original vintage.
lyumen – :
In the late 80’s I was still an Amateur Ballroom dancer (I turned Professional in ’95) competing at Championship level ( the top level for Amateurs in those days) and my partner wore this delicious fragrance as her “everyday” signature. She also wore Opium, but that’s another story! I remember vividly holding her in my arms and being awash with this amazing fragrance! We must have smelled quite the pair, because I was very fond of Lagerfeld back then :o). Her wonderful grandma used to keep us stocked up … she loved us smelling good. This fragrance is a Tango before it becomes a Waltz and then gently subsides into a Matt Monroe Slow Foxtrot.
Update:
In a moment of weakness and for old time’s sake I just looked this up online. WHO THE HELL IS THE FIVE STAR FRAGRANCE COMPANY???? Some Chinese knock off outfit no doubt!!! I guess Germaine Monteil has been sold … this reformulation crap makes me SOOOO mad!!! The juice isn’t even the same color! It’s like these people are stealing an identity.
Another update:
Here I go, having to eat my words again LOL. I tracked some of this down today (by accident really browsing a drugstore fragrance aisle) but anyhow, there it was! I was quite surprised that the same RS logo still appears all over it so I turned the bottle over and lo and behold … this stuff is made and bottled here in South Africa under licence from Five Star. Intrigued I took off the tester’s cap and gave it a good old spray. It’s actually as good as it ever was *munching loudly on humble pie*. This could definitely work on the right guy too! Awesome fragrance if you are into heavy orientals … I have never, remotely seen this as a chypre floral. No need for a vintage … this is still great!!!
bekishv – :
My darling, precious Nana wore this, so it’s hard for me to analyze it for what it is. I can’t remember a time she didn’t smell like it, and everything she owned absorbed this fragrance. The truth is, it’s a very sexy perfume. My Nana was a sexy, classy lady, but there’s no way I’d be able to feel seductive wearing Nana’s scent. After all, this is the woman who made pastries, and crocheted pillows, while listening to operas, as African Violets bloomed on the window sill. Memories aside, this is a daring, slightly animalic amber vanilla that’s really beautiful.
bazacatalogov – :
Winter, I’m thinking 1930s depression era. Cold and lonely, everyone in despair, yet you seem a lot better off. In a vintage shop, you found a vintage tin lamp, at least you thought it was tin. Must have been brought up by the many Arabs coming to America recently. Upon rubbing a patch of dark dust, a hologram comes up. A beautiful, kind looking man with a physique made for sin. Everyone in the store seems preoccupied in their own little world. A child asks for a coin, you give it. There goes dinner. The specter greets you. You think you are insane. You leave with a golden tin lamp, unsure of what the future holds. I know my story happens swiftly. No time to think. You first whiff is just like this. Don’t think.After a while, you make your final wish to be with the genie. The world is too cold. You figure it might be nice to live forever in a nice warm lamp.
You think to yourself, all the food and money you can acquire will not bring the warmth this person has brought. The safety, the boldness. Your wish is granted, and you enter a palace of exotic silks and sheets. You cough at the smoke, so much smoke…All the jewels, the chains, the opium, candied fruit on golden plates. Dried herbs, ambrosia. Sweat, sex, lust, wonder. Dark, candle lit lighting. A plush bed, tall thin candles dripping wax…my genie beside vase of flowers. I am overwhelmed…I will never leave.
This fragrance makes so kinky its sad. I’m not ashamed to admit that. I’m a lady 95% of the time and this just made really want a man when I first sniffed it. Badly. To me it is an overwhelming smoky, juicy bomb, that settles down to rich amber scent. Perfect for cold nights. I know this is aimed at women but this wouldn’t make a bad men’s perfume. It would smell old fashioned