Lune de Miel

I love it, but I can't wear it. It's just a bit too sweet and too powdery. I can't believe I just said that...I love powder! I don't like wearing this lovely perfume, it doesn't feel right on me. But I would love to be in the proximity of someone wearing it. I would certainly compliment it. You have to encourage people to keep smelling good. And I have just a friend for it. When a person wears the right perfume, when they compliment each other, it's magic. It bothers me that there is no freshness whatsoever, no citrus, nothing even remotly aromatic or dynamic. No structure and I like some. It goes straight to this huge, gorgeous, opulent flower bouquet that is layed upon the fluffiest, comfiest woody vanilla blanket. It's delicious ! I understand why some people find it addictive, it's just not my cup of tea. And too good to sit alone and unloved at the back of my closet.

I was in Grasse this past summer and bought many Fragonard perfumes. As I was dashing out the Fragonard store, I spritzed myself with their new Eau de Toilette, Lune de Miel. I spent the rest of the day sightseeing and thinking "Wow. Something smells great! Oh, wait, that's me." (meaning the Lune de Miel) Of course, before I could leave town I had to get a bottle. I was at the shop at opening time. I got compliments on Lune de Miel that day, and everyday that I've worn it since. Even my picky stepmother has asked if I can get some for her. At first, I smell just the fruitiness. The lovely berries make me instantly think of summer. Then, they mellow and the florals come through. I do not get a strong smell of vanilla. Fragonard's expert blending uses the vanilla to make the flowers seem creamy and dreamy. I use this as a day scent.

A very reliable and far more affordable alternative to C. Dior's Hypnotic Poison. As other members have already noted, Lune de Miel has also the great advantage of being much more wearable than its pricey counterpart, which means : a "rounder" quality (if it makes any sense), i.e. softer spices and woods, and maybe a little more fruitiness on top (blackberry) which adds some lightness, juiciness and wearability to the whole package. To sum it up : this is a much subtler interpretation (and not dupe) of CD's big hit. And to me, a big thumbs-up ! :-)

I open the sample satchet and unfold the fragrance-soaked paper. A burst of Hypnotic Poison hits my nostrils. I go get my 30 ml bottle of the current formulation of HP and spray it on my other wrist. I have previously stated that Hypnotic Poison is the best damn perfume I have ever smelled. Lune de Miel blows it out of the water. I look it up online. 200 ml for 39,00 €. This can't be happening.

I tested this side by side Hypnotic Poison a few times now and it's difficult to tell the difference. HP sometimes smells a little sour/bitter to me especially on clothes or my skin if it's too cold. LdM does too but not quite as bad. It smells a little sweeter and juicier and is slightly more interesting because of that. I think I prefer this to HP.