Cartier Roadster Sport

I am not usually a fan of sports fragrances, and even less so of sports fragrances released almost as a flanker of an original. They are usually generic dross that do little to inspire.

When I received a sample of Cartier Roadster Sport last week from Mel, my friend at Hoopers Department Store, I felt a sinking feeling, certain that it was going to be crap. Well, lo and behold, it is rather good. I did enjoy the original Cartier Roadster, despite my slight aversion to mint in perfume. Actually, Cartier produce well thought out and crafted perfumes in general - I don't think I have ever smelled an outright dud. Roadster Sport is far less heavy on the mint. It does make a muted appearance in the heart, but this is after an extremely citrusy opening, which thankfully does not smell generic and cliched. There is a herbalness evident throughout development that ends in a mild patchouli and woods combo.

The notes from Basenotes include bergamot, mandarin,  orange blossom, sage, rosemary, black pepper, patchouli and gaiac wood.  I wouldn't say that Roadster Sport is staggeringly original, but for what it is, in a mind-numbingly dull stable of sports shite, it is actually very good and wearable and I would recommend it. It also goes to show that perhaps I should get over my sports cologne prejudice, at least in this case!

Image credit - http://cdn1.shopperhive.co.uk/

A visit to Hoopers and thoughts on some samples

Today I felt in a much better frame of mind, and inevitably I ended up wearing perfume that I enjoyed and also managed to pay a visit to Hoopers, one of my local department stores that I have written about on a number of occasions.

True to form, Melanie, my friend in the perfume department at Hoopers, had some samples for me, including Amouage's Opus IV (which I already have, thanks to my friend Persolaise) and Jubilation 25. I'm quite chuffed with Jubilation. It's a lovely, elegant chypre, one of the best in the Amouage Ladies lineup, in my opinion. She also gave me samples of Cartier De Lune and one of the endless Daisy flankers, Eau So Fresh. I'm not so sure about the Daisy. The description on the card says: "Playfully spirited, charmingly fun. A bubbly floral fruity, that radiates a sunny and sparkling energy." Hmm. Do I need a fresh fruity floral? Not sure.

As for De Lune, one can "capture the ephemeral, taste the wonder of a bouquet of white flowers in the moonlight. A rare and delicate sensation, a floral caress suffused with freshness." I generally like Cartier's fragrances - they are usually well made - and will certainly give this one a go.

So what perfume did I wear today? Well I tried Puredistance M for the first time - see my post from yesterday. It's still early days but my initial impression is very positive. It is a leathery concoction that initially starts quite smoky and severe and then mellows into a smooth and suave amber and woods combination, with the leather never far away. Mmm, nice. Very nice and very well done. I also wore Bal a Versailles by Jean Desprez. Woah, this is very good too. And not remotely feminine to me. If you gave me an unlabeled sample I would never have made such a connection anyway. It's rich, skanky, sexy, complex. I love it.