Galore

Is there a single fragrance that, when reformulated by Five Star, hasn't been ruined? I loved the Galoré of the 80s and love the original Norell. I can't figure out what Five Star is doing. Providing classics they're not!

A classic fragrance that would be right at home on the Hollywood glamour queens of the 40's, 50's or early 60's. Aldehydic spicy floral top notes fading into a warm and spicy heart with a strong animalic ambery and leathery base. It brings to mind Robert Piguet's Bandit, Shalimar, Chanel No. 5 and other aldehydic/floral/oriental blends. One site I found lists the notes as: Top: Aldehydes, spices, mandarin orange, bergamot Middle: Jasmine, ylang-ylang, muguet, rose, narcissus Base: Amber, vanilla, vetiver, incense I definitely smell a leathery accord in the base, with perhaps some civet as well I imagine this on a mature woman dressed up for a night on the town followed by a passionate tryst. It most definitely is NOT for young girls or any woman who doesn't have a strong sense of her identity and style.

This is a true floral cologne in the old fashioned genre. There's nothing masculine about it at all. The top does remind slightly of a cola drink but that quickly fades to soft powdery flowers. More suitable to freshening up the sachet in your underwear drawer than wearing as a scent. (Five Star version). Update: CAUTION!! Wear this with a light hand as over-applying (especially in cleavage) may prove dangerous to your senses! My throat hurt for a whole day after inhaling the fumes!

I tried this one because I was interested in smelling perfumes from the mid-1960s, and I think this one likes me. It starts off as a pleasant spicy powder smell with a hint of booze. Drydown is at first floral with a hint of spicy rubber - it could have been a forerunner to Bulgari Black, which I like a lot. It settles into a woody spice (not as masculine as it sounds) and stays there for many hours. I'd put Galore' on my list of perfumes to wear to bed when it's very cold out.

I remember Galore being by Scandia. The one I have is Five Star. Not bad when you get past the opening. Sweet, floral, powdery drydown. Lasts longer on me than most fragrances. I don't know if I'd buy it again, but I do like the sweetness. Very girly!