Onde Mystere

It has been many, many years since I wore this perfume, yet I find myself thinking about it quite often. My bottle ran out terribly fast I'm afraid, as I couldn't get enough of this wonderfully intoxicating scent. That and the fact that, to my eternal disappointment, it disappears far too soon on my skin. This perfume was absolute heaven to me. I remember the moment I tried it for the first time, where I was, who I was with...everything. I bought it immediately. I've even held on to the empty bottle all these years, just to have a (now feint) sniff and because I simply can't bring myself to let it go :( The only reason I have not re-purchased this favourite fragrance of mine is that it simply does not last. It disappears so quickly, it's as if it almost wasn't there at all. The price I paid is frankly ridiculous for such poor performance. I am occasionally tempted to re-purchase just to smell it for my own pleasure, but I simply cannot afford to spend so much for it not to be worn! If anyone can recommend something similar, which actually LASTS longer, then please, PLEASE let me know.

I had tested Onde Extasy, and to compare, Onde Mystery is much stronger, has better fixation and sillage, and is much more stimutlating. Onde Mystery comes on as a strong rush of spices, the spices hit first and as top notes are quite pungent, loud, and thick, Almost offensive and unpleasant. The rose is full, and only a touch sweet. Throughout wear, the spices stay interacting with all the other notes. The benzoin and amber are lush, the musk and vanilla, lighter. I used it on a cold night, wearing some warm clothes, and as my body temperature warmed, the scent would rise up, and I loved every moment of this beautiful creation. I could still smell it the next morning, I just hated to take a shower and wash it away....

What a pleasant surprise! I expected this to be sweet, warm and heavy, like Prada L'eau Ambree. Instead, this is sheer, almost clean and it cuts through the air - Prada L'eau Ambree all cleaned up! Though delicate with conservative sillage, body heat brings out these notes harmoniously. The longevity is deceptive and airy, reminiscent of most L'Artisan Parfumeur fragrances. I love this one and I'm glad to have it. Men should check this one out for sure. Update: Something about this really reminds me of Rouge Hermes... No wonder, this is basically a stripped down version (Rouge Hermes has iris, cedar, ylang-ylang and myrtle plus the notes in this). Still, a wonderful alternative.

Another unique and beautiful spicy-woody discontinued gemstone that has been my signature scent and that is nothing like any other perfume. For me it is more of a 'cool' scent, and I - believe it or not - wear it in the summer/warmer days, it simply disappears in cold weather! I definately smell pepper, rose, amber, and incence maybe, while vanilla is not noticable at all. The sillage is okay-ish, if I spray a lot, unfortunately not a long lasting perfume. I will definately buy a new bottle (used 2 already) if I find it on ebay.

This is a wonderful scent, a hazy spiced amber that is never obnoxious or loud. All the notes are very well blended however, so my initial impression was of an incensey-woody scent with some kind of very light sweetness hidden below the surface. It's a subtle oriental spicy - which is a nice change - and is distinctive. I found the sillage and staying power good, sillage about a foot, staying power 6-7 hours. The names suits this very well, however I do think the bottle is a bit ugly.