LP No. 9

LP9 for women and LP9 for men have one thing in common, and alarmingly, it is a heady overtone in the bottle, of two stroke petrol. No kidding. However, there is less of the volatile substance in LP9 for women, and it rapidly disperses once the juice leaves the bottle. The first burst is citrussy, with a cypress/petrol note, which is absurdly "toppy", frighteningly toppy in fact, enough to put you off at first whiff. Come back to the scent at irregular intervals though, and the notes begin to come to the fore. The florals, a spicy carnation, lily of the valley, jasmine and rose, waltz, vienesse style in big pastel puffy dresses with 30,000 sequins which each flower and her mother sat up all night sewing on themselves, and as the middle notes begin to melt into the darkness, not to disappear you understand, but to sit quietly upon gilded chairs with their tulle arranged about them, the base notes shuffle into the spotlight, in all their spicy, earthy, green glory. There's a glorious cinnamon and vanilla, tonka mix which hints at fresh cherry pie, which is rapidly joined by a deep creamy, buttery note which, once appears, hangs around long after the rest of the fragrant dancers have left the building. A final deep dry down of oakmoss with a vague androgynous hint of patchouli checks it's petticoats before it slips out of the exit doors dusting it's waxed moustachios with face powder. Glorious.

Love potion no 9 is now discontinued ( again). :(( For the second time yet so far they still hold the men's version ? This is a tiny bit similar to dune by Dior but she's her own beautiful fragrance, if dune is arid hot sand dunes then lp is more mystical forest at night. Wow what a beauty she is , at first my nose went all tingling and I thought it was a little weird , I was unsure but a little time later she calms a little and becomes a night or day fragrance. Similar to dune by about 15% to 20% but no more. Just some similar top notes, then a green, cinnamon, lavender and lemon rush which soften nicely.a little more Jasmin on dry down . I'd say this is a weeny bit unusual yet very likeable. A sparkly fragrance very British ! Well penhaligans seem to have royal connections on there site. A love from me. Edit : I changed my mind this is like dunes sister fragrance I thought it was just a bit similar before but actually it's almost half or more like dune. Dune is strong and almost masculine though at least in vintage and I love it so it's not a put down, this LP is slightly softer and more kinda wearable. Someone said this is not pretty but handsome I'd agree with that fully. Green and herbal bright with a lovely dry and powdery feel. Projection and sillage are good too but this is PENHALIGANs ! Good ingredients make this lasting too.

Received this gem today. For me, it is one that cannot be judged on first sniff, I believe that a little time and patience...to let the notes develope on your skin. I got several aspects of the notes. At first, I got a "barbershop" lavender/citrus vibe, then, with further development, the other notes showed themselves.I get a herbal vibe at some point..but then it weaves back and forth with the carnation/rose/geranium flowers. I do wish I could have a little MORE carnation. Sillage and projection are moderate, but to be honest it is enough for my nose. If this was a sillage monster, I may of ended up NOT liking it as much as I do. That being said, I really like this fragrance!! My first Penhaligon purchase, and will not be my last. I was afraid this lines scents led to that typical "barbershoppy" vibe, which usually not my cup of tea, so at first, I was skeptical. A happy blind-buy. I look forward to trying Cornubia next !!! Remember to allow yourself to "get to know/feel the scent" and allow it to "get to know you". Ahhhh....chemistry!!! Scent: 8/10 Sillage 7/10 Projection 7/10 Uniqueness: 8/10 Bottle/Sprayer 8/10 EDIT: Now that I have spent most of the night with this scent.....I have changed my mind .....This is.......................AMAZING !!!!!!!!!!

Wow, a blind buy and what a buy! An inexpensive classic beauty. I didn't know what to expect with this one. It is almost inexplainable and unlike anything else. It goes on like a classic floral aldehyde in the opening. A very dry floral almost like a hyacinth that reminds me of Caron and Guerlain, almost in the family of Liu. But then things happen. Everything is so well blended. Everything is noticeable. I don't get the people who rate this as tarragon and lavender forward. It's not. I have a nose. What I really detect is the geranium and carnation balanced by the sweet florals, a slight herbal note then the patch and musk rise. This has almost a civet quality to it but not that deep and rich. It's the musk. This is a very very dry scent. Like a chardonnay. The oak has sucked the moisture out of the flowers. There is nothing sweet in the drydown. So very very interesting. It has to be smelled. I wish it were a little more powerful and long lasting. But, the nature of Penhaligon is what it is. This is one worth the $40. A hidden gem that can be resprayed as often as you want as much as you want. I took a bath and sprayed it all over my body. I am in my jammies in heaven. I love fragrance. This is one of my favorite recent purchases.

LP no 9 is the first Penhaligon's scent that I really like and appreciate. I tested the renowned colognes ie Endymion, English Fern, Blenheim Bouquet, all are lament due to my weird skin chemistry. I like Quercus and Racquets Formula, the two are respectable but not interesting enough, at least to me, to buy. LP9 is something different, a scent between fourgere and chypre floral. Its herbal green opening turns slowly and smoothly to a light spicy and mossy floral musck heart. It smells strong-minded yet feminine, soft in the heart with a little bit sexy. And the one character I like most is, its slight dirtiness. The cumin, though not in the list, plays important part in LP9. It reminds me of Mcqueen's Kingdom; and here it's often hiden behind foral and musk notes. If Kingdom smells like v**** or ampit of a woman, LP9 is much more "decent" - a charming and vigorous lady in her gorgeous coat, but from the unbottened collar you know she wears nothing else, naked except her coat. This is LP9, a lady teases you with a naughtiness. She knows so well that you can't get rid of the think - her nakeness and sexiness - in your mind, you are drawn by her yet you have to behave, and treat her politely.