Queen by Queen Latifah

I originally got the 2nd scent "Queen of Hearts" 1st as I had found it quicker online. I have this "thing" about testers, which I know is kind of irrational, I mean it's brand new, sealed, and the same, only missing a cap and comes in a OEM box. Yet there you have it, since I store my scents in the boxes on my wardrobe, it just irks me. Everyone has a thing :-). So anyway, after falling deeply in love with the 2nd scent I was desperate to get her first one. After researching I found out why It was so hard to find online, to my near tears, the line was discontinued. So, for the 1st time I was forced to get a new sealed 3.4 tester, and not cheaply at that. It was worth every penny and took me away as I kind of figured it would. This scent is darker than the 2nd but not by much and delightfully so. The opening was amazing, a sultry smoke and exotic wave on some south pacific island at midnight. It lingered and dried down to the most amazing spicy musk. Coming from the same nose as another of my favorite really dark vintage scents (amazingly) Jessica Simpson's Fancy Nights. They aren't the same by any means but both sit in the darkest old school vintage and exotic past. So many celeb scents are just cotton candy awfulness, or cheap synthetic cash grabs, or even "Weak as water" as my Gran would say. But there are a few that you can tell were done with a REAL love of fragrance in mind. Both of Queen Latifah's scents are firmly in that realm. I've been wearing this all night, and have probably buried my face in my arm 40 times through the evening just to get a fresh pass. Nothing more relaxing than a dark sultry scent DONE RIGHT, and this wrapped me in a warm blanket of comfort. Grab some while you can, as like me, you will be finding it harder and harder to locate. I'll be guarding this bottle with my life :-)

I live in the southern US where there is this tradition of comforting foods and drinks that runs deep in our culture. One of those things is what we call a 'Pineapple Upside Down Cake' usually made in a large cast-iron skillet with slices of pineapple, yellow butter cake mix, maraschino cherries, dark brown sugar and lots of real butter. It comes out of the skillet in a this nice round circle.already glazed in a buttery-sweet syrup from the combination of the sugar. fruits and butter. It's good stuff on a cool autumn day. When I wear this juice all I can think about is Pineapple Upside Down cake. It smells SO delicious! This is not a typical sugar-rush gourmand frag, it's more 'grounded' than that, probably tempered by the patch, incense and coriander. Were it not for those notes I wouldn't be able to wear this, but wear it, I do! GLADLY...it's spicy edge and the smokiness of the sandalwood and incense are just enough to keep this sweetish, somewhat boozy frag in my collection. I like wearing this when I'm relaxing with the family, you know in a favorite sweatshirt and jeans or even my comfiest fluffy PJ's. It's comforting but lovely all at once. Whenever I wear this someone always tells me I smell beautiful. It's true! I wouldn't want to wear this around a business associate or to a serious meeting-it's too laid back for that. But for hanging out with my girls on a Saturday afternoon, just being easy going and relaxing, this would be my go-to. Comforting scents and laughter and ease. That's what this was made for...yummy and fun!

Picked this one up today at my good old TJ Maxx for $9.99! What a steal!! Having never tested this one before, I took the chance and bought it anyway, besides, never had a Queen Latifah fragrance in my collection before! With high hopes, I sprayed this directly on the back of my hand, gave it a few seconds, and went in for a whiff. Something about it felt...familiar! Right off the bat, you're smacked in the face with booze (Cognac) and something faintly sweet (Vanilla) And for the first 5-10 seconds... it was almost too much booze for my liking! But then... it softened and warmed up on my skin, the patchouli really comes out in this one, it's thick, rich, and sensual. However, it's the "dirty" kind, not weighed down and mellowed out by all the sweetness, I don't get "fruitchouli" at ALL in this fragrance. I get absolutely NO citrus, and hardly anything "floral". The cognac, vanilla, patchouli, incense, sandalwood, and tonka bean DOMINATE this scent! I get subtle hints of something warm spicy, possibly from the coriander. After it settles on the skin for a good 30 minutes - that same familiar aroma appears! After reading some reviews, I can say I DEFINITELY see the relation between Queen and Angel by Thierry Mugler. And in all honestly, I was perplexed at the fact that Queen had no dark chocolate note! It's slightly sweet, warm, empowering, bold, and confident. It's simply fabulous <3 So excited to wear this one during the winter! It smells 3x more expensive than it is!!! *Edit: Longevity~ About 8 hours on me! :) Sillage~ Moderate

Didn't know if I would like this one or not as it is discontinued in the stores and could not test first, but the ingredients sounded great. I got it at a low price from Ross so figured so what if I do not like it. Well, much to my surprise, I do like it, very much! This fragrance is well made, mixed, whatever you call you call it. It smells great for a long time too. I have my doubts is Miss Latifah wears this one very often but if she does, she must smell beautiful. The notes are listed with a sparkling, sumptuous golden accord, like aged Tequila, citrus notes of Italian Bergamot and Mediterranean Mandarin, rare Baie Rose, Jasmine Noir, Cognac, Moroccan Coriander is the heart of the fragrance. The base note being Indonesian Patchouli and precious Sandalwood enhance the Vanilla and Tonka Absolute. The fragrance completes itself with Egyptian Incense and Musk. I don't drink so I am not too sure what aged Tequila smells like ;-), nor cognac. I can smell the rose, jasmine, incense, and the patchouli right away. I was not so sure about the fragrance having patchouli because it can be very over powering to the rest of the notes, but this is blended lightly and brings just the right amount of 'ole school into the mix. I said yes to buy it again but I do know this has been discontinued. I have a large bottle so I think I will not have to rebuy this one for a long time. I am glad I took a chance on this fragrance. It smells very expensive to me and is well worth adding to my collection.

I think it bears repeating that, though the comparisons with Angel may be plentiful, the perfumes smell nothing alike. To me the comparisons are plentiful because both perfumes are deeply complex and boozy. Dare I say, Queen is the more sophisticated of the two- and I adore Angel! Never in a million years would I have imagined a celebrity perfume (a "cheap" celebrity perfume at that) could be so delicious yet complex and of such good quality. The cognac in this perfume is so rich I'm surprised I have not gotten tipsy after a spray. The patchouli takes a backseat to the rich tonka and sweet incense. This is how a vanilla oriental should be done. I have read many reviews stating utter surprise at this sleeper of a gem. I have heard perfume snobs say its in their secret top 5 scents. I wholeheartedly agree. The longevity and quality of this fragrance amaze me. I sprayed it in my hair and three days later I could still smell that heady, potent mix of booze and sweetness. For a perfume of this quality I would have paid triple what I did, but fortunately this scent is found in discount stores everywhere for under $10. I find the bottle sturdy and nice, the full size fits easily in my glovebox. I have designated this perfume as my BMW's signature scent not because I don't love it, but because I do! Every time I slide behind the wheel I am able to enjoy that relaxing feeling that only comes with being enveloped in a comforting, rich scent.