MissWhoever You Are

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Fragrance Review: Bond No. 9

So normally I save all of my fragrance reviews for my Fragrance Friday series...but I can't wait until Friday to share this little gem of mine. Bond No. 9's Bleecker Street perfume has got me swooning. I swear, it is quite possibly one of the best fragrances ever created!

If the name Bond No. 9 rings a bell that's because last week I featured them as part of the MissWhoever You Are Holiday Gift Guide. I feel that Bleecker Street would make a splendid gift this holiday season for any fragrance lover or beauty buff.

For those who don't live in NYC, Bleecker Street is one of the most fashionable 'hoods in the City. I L-O-V-E Bleecker Street itself simply because it has Juicy Couture and Marc Jacobs all within a 2 block radius. And ya'll know of my undying love for all things Juicy. And for any Sex and the City fans out there, yes this is the same Bleecker Street that is home for the infamous Magnolia's Bakery (whose cupcakes are DELICIOUS...if you don't mind the long line out the door). So my curiosity was peaked when I heard of Bleecker Street by Bond No. 9 a few months ago.

The scent itself is superb. A "woody gourmand oriental", it features notes of violet leaf,

cassis, thyme, jasmine, cedar, cinnamon, oakmoss, suede, patchouli, caramel, musk, amber and vanilla. You had me at patchouli and cassis...and obviously the vanilla is a tribute to Magnolia's cupcakes. Bleecker Street starts off very green and the wood undertones are immediately apparent. For the most part you'll probably get hints of cassis and thyme in the initial stages. If you're nose is really good, or you sniff like no tomorrow as I did, you'll get a hint of the caramel and the vanilla. But that's what I love about Bleecker Street...it's not in your face vanilla which I have outgrown).

The dry down is woody-earthy-mossy. It is extremely well-blended and smooth and at this point it's difficult for me to pinpoint which notes stand out. It's just an intoxicating blend that had me keeping my wrist close to my nose. I'm always on the lookout for a fragrance that has warmth and depth without feeling like it's choking me and Bleecker Street definitely fills that criteria!

I even gave my brother my wrist to get his opinion...his verdict: "What is that? It actually smells good" This coming from the guy who HATES all of my perfumes and his idea of cologne is Axe Body Spray. And because I couldn't resist, I also asked his girlfriend for her opinion and judging by the rolling of the eyes and instant "ohmigod"...I think she liked it too.

But back to the perfume...despite the vanilla and the caramel notes, this perfume does not at all smell like some kind of fruit or cupcake...which is wicked awesome to me as I am over the whole I-wanna-smell-like-a-food-thing. And the lasting power on this perfume is simply divine...I tested it out before bed on my wrist and woke up to it (which isn't a bad thing at all).

And for the holidays, the Bleecker Street bottle will be decked out in Swarovski crystals...a limited edition 100ml lime green-chartreuse-amethyst-gold starburst watercolor flacon is studded (back and front) with a checkerboard pattern of matching crystals.

But it doesn't come cheap...this baby's $395 price tag may have your head spinning but think of the look on their face when they open this gift. Or hell...think of the look on your face when you see it on your vanity table. Is it expensive...yes. Bit I feel it is worth every penny!