Smoky Poppy

I don't have a very clear idea of what poppy smells like (it's supposed to be "earthy") but this is smoky indeed. I just bought this one and I'm enjoying it. It's quite different from other "The Body Shop" fragances, which are usually quite linear and "simple" to me (sometimes they're nice even if they're simple though). This one actually smells more complex and, dare I say it, expensive. First of all, when I came here and I read the notes, I was shocked not to see any incense there, because this fragance opens with a very incensy feeling (I'm guessing it's what's listed as "spices" here). This incense smell is strong and "generic" at first, but then this starts to dry and that's where the magic begins. The spicy-incensy feeling remains, but it calms down and then some kind of sweetness appears (these are probably the "floral" notes, but this is not a floral scent to me at all). So this smells like a sweet (not sickly sweet) spicy fragance. I don't get much wood here, but the woody notes must bring some kind of warmness to this. I am really enjoying this one! It smells warm and very very exotic. The only problem is that it doesn't project much after a short period of time, so it stays close to the skin. To me this is a night fragance and I think this is very very sexy. No wonder they released this for Valentine's Day!

Wow, how nice! I was feeling down and stressed and so very very Blah.I had no business sniffing around Marshalls because we are THAT broke right now. Too broke to buy the 13 dollar Gold Sugar that I wanted, but I couldn't feel guilty about the 70 cent clearance bottle of Smoky Poppy with the broken sprayer! I could smell it from the bottle and it instantly triggered something thrilling and happy and oh so comforting from my younger days. I can't figure out if the memory is from being 2 or 20, if it is Noxema cream or a relative's perfume that they wore at Christmas or Dad's aftershave or something I sold at my first cosmetics job, but it thrills me and is just what I needed today. A guilt-free perfume purchase (still had money for the coffee and eggs we needed) on a day that was so blue and aggravating. Lovely, LOVELY balanced spice and not-too-intimate-soapy floral and smoke. Like wind chimes in the background at a cozy comfortable dinner party. THIS is why I like perfume-the power it has to turn my day around! Update:I think there is a note of Dial Soap maybe plus an Avon Rare something perfume? I dunno. I almost hope I don't pinpoint the memory because Poppy is magical to me right now. My brain keeps mercilessly trying to calculate what the memory is though.

To anyone looking for a replacement or substitute for Smoky Poppy (or Forbidden Flower as it was marketed and sold in the Gulf countries) check out Jardin de Parfums Midnight Fire. I've loved Forbidden Flower for over 15 years now, since I first sniffed it and bought myself a bottle. I think it's a beautiful, feminine, sexy warm CRIMSON scent. I don't know why but this fragrance invokes the color deep red to my mind, dry rose petals with dark woods and some spices scattered around. I was bummed out when they discontinued this in the UAE, where I live. I bought my last bottle about 8-9 years ago and I still have it in my collection. I dare not finish it because I still had not found anything that resembles this seductive scent. But my search is finally over, I tried nearly a dozen fragrances from Jardin de Parfums a couple of weeks ago and I sprayed this on the back of my hand, I forgot about it and hours later I sniffed my hand and voila!!! It was my eureka perfume moment. I was so happy and I'm thrilled to tell everyone who's looking for a dupe/clone of this one. I already got myself 2 vials of 10ml of the Midnight Fire and after a couple of wear tests, I'm definitely getting the full size bottle. Love this scent profile!

Intoxicating, resinous, woody, soapy & buttery. Poppy seeds & incense. Nutmeg, cinnamon, maybe licorice? Softens my usually erratic mood. I find it incredibly calming and soothing. Stays skin close for up to 4/5 hours. Reminiscent of my childhood - Fresh from a steaming bath, towel atop my head; rummaging through closets brimming with vintage clothing, laden with the remnants of powders & parfums. Dust hanging rife in the air, sunbeams cutting like daggers through the curtain lace. Edit, 18/8/2015: I must say, a girl walked past me yesterday reeking to high heavens of Smoky Poppy. She must have been doused from head to toe, leaving a muggy fog of it in her wake. Utterly delectable and incredibly distinct. I truly love this scent to death. I've never known anything else quite like it. Edit, 21/06/2017: Maaaan, I just got my mitts on a 90ml 2009 Opium EDT and damn these two scents really are sisters. The opium is a touch smoother and smells more vintage, but they are very close! Amazing. (My previous experience of Opium had been based only vintage EDP versions!)

I just came across this little black bottle a few days ago. I was intrigued by the name and <> ;) and, it is not your typical Body Shop scent. I smelled it and thought "eh not bad" then I sprayed it on. "Eh not bad". I asked if I could return it if I later decide it does not mix with my chemistry - yes was the answer. "eh I will wait" (did not buy) ...walk around the mall and kept smelling my hand (where I sprayed) and noticed I couldn't stop smelling my hand (my son was making of me because if you didn't know, it did look weird lol) a bit later there I was again in the store - "yeah, I am gonna go ahead and buy it" ;) -------- It is oriental just like it states here. I love Opuim and Coco etc. so this was up my alley. Spice! :D I love warm spicey scents... However if you are into florals and clean scents, this may not be for you. BUT you should try it on anyway because the dry down was what got me, not the initial spray. PLEASE DO NOT DISCONTINUE THIS!!!!!!!!! :(