Both Sides of Clouds

ok i personally haven't tried shalimar cologne, but let me tell u what this smells like the best way i can. opening: cold iris, a bit buttery and dense, but fresh. before i read the notes, i picked up on the citruses which hit u almost instantly, but it's more so an orange/tangerine combo. to me this is a true makeup iris scent, not necessarily waxy or like old makeup, but still dense. there are floral hints, but i wouldn't have guessed what exactly had i not looked, specially the narcissus, i was really suprised to find out that it features narcissus and i'm glad bc i find narcissus extremely masculine and if not done masterfully, cheap. this to me kind of goes in the same direction as gris dior and tenue de soiree, same mossy cold dry down, same iris-heavy cold opening. i really appreciate that although u can pick up on the vanillary base, it's not overly sweet or gourmand, it's very well-balanced. the chocolate also elevates it imo, it's really subtle but it's there. the downside is that it really doesn't last longer than 2 hrs with a stretch.

I really enjoy this one. I get a lot of the bright citrus and powdery Iris. I also get a lot of the vanilla and musk in the dry down. It has a slight powdery lipstick vibe but the citrus and musk are most prominent on me. It's sweet but not in a gourmand way. I like it a lot more than I thought it would by smelling it from the decant bottle. I'm going to keep testing it, but this might end up being full bottle worthy for me. Right now I'm not sure.. I need a little time with it. Edit/ the more I wear this, the more I like it. I actually think I love it. That dry down is everything! I can't stop smelling my wrist. I will definitely be adding a full bottle to my collection. Also, I haven't tried Shalimar or any of the flankers so I can't say if this is similar or not. But it's definitely beautiful. Edit 2/ I bought a full bottle. I had to have it.

Both sides of clouds is stunning. Iris and witchcraft. Plus a very subtle dry, kind of powdery vanilla, not sweet and gourmand at all. Really beautiful. The vanilla touch reminds me a bit of the vanilla in Lalique Le parfum, that kind of dry vanilla rather that a sweet creamy one. Love.

From official website: Top: Orange flowers, lemon, bergamot, orange Heart: Iris, narcissus, sandalwood, lily of the valley Base: Tonka, vanilla, oakmoss, musk, chocolate Bergamot, iris and vanilla (it's there but it never takes over as with other vanilla scents). Truly beautiful, with an addictive 'fresh linen' bubble. I can see the comparison with Shalimar, given the scent's structure, but this is a different kind of perfume (in a way a more honest one). It's more in the Delacourte vanilla lane. Average performance, but excellent composition.

If I had to describe what I get without looking at the notes, it will be a very creamy Vanilla, citrus, hay and a touch of a yellow floral. Pleasant and cheerful

I’m here because Joni. Thanks Sarah McCartney for translating Joni’s notes of music to notes of perfume. It’s stunning and heartwarming like her music!