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Fragrance

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Tocca Bianca Eau de Parfum

January 14, 2011


Every now and then I receive a special request to write about fragrances. This is an area I have not explored very much so I must refer you to two fragrance connoisseurs (my go-to resources) for exquisite perfume photographs and beautiful detailed descriptions: The Non-Blonde and Nathan Branch. Both have lists of fragrance and perfume resources on their sidebars which I find tremendously helpful. I have only reviewed one fragrance before, Chloé Eau de Fleurs in Lavande, but today I bring another review of Tocca’s Eau de Parfum in Bianca (1.7 fl oz/ 50 ml, $68).

For perfumes, I always look at the packaging first. If the scent is bottled in a beautiful container then I am more likely to pick it up and smell it. Tocca’s Eau de Parfums come in the prettiest round vintage-like bottles making them beautiful eye candy for my dresser. The box packaging is just as exquisite and has a beautiful inscription inside. The little details make opening it all the more enjoyable.



According to Tocca, this scent is “inspired by Tea time in Italy” with the following notes:

  • Top notes: Bergamot, Lavender, Mandarin and Lemon Orpur
  • Middle notes: Rose Petals, Jasmine and Green Tea
  • Bottom notes: Musk, Sugar
It’s fascinating how fragrances react with one’s natural body chemistry. On the little spray cards Bianca smells very clean and fresh, while on my wrists it smells like soft roses and jasmine. I normally avoid strong floral scents but this one is soft and subtle.

In case you are wondering what my fragrance preferences are, I am the type of person who prefers scented shower gels like Molton Brown Coco de Mer and Fresh Sugar Lychee rather than perfumes, so when it comes to fragrances I look for ones that are very subtle. All of Tocca’s scents fit the bill for soft and pretty. I have my eye on Giulietta next. For more descriptions, check out Karen’s review at Makeup and Beauty Blog.

My two fragrances:

As a side note, in my last survey I asked readers to share their favorite fragrance picks. I received over 500 recommendations, thank you from the bottom of my heart! I have made a list of scents to check out which will keep me busy over the next few months testing a few here and there every time I pass by all the pretty bottles.

I bought my Tocca at Sephora. You can find where Tocca is carried through the Tocca Store Locator on their website (linked for your convenience).

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Chloé Eau de Fleurs, Lavande

April 12, 2010
I am very excited to write my fragrance post! The topic of fragrance is a challenge for me because I typically don’t wear fragrance and have extreme perfume A.D.D. – but I am excited to tell you I have recently found one I have fallen in love with from Chloé: the new Eau de Fleurs in Lavande. So here is my first fragrance post!

My Chloé Experience: I have smelled the regular Chloé on various visits to the fragrance counters. While I loved it on the little spray card, I found it slightly too strong for my liking on my arm. I was thrilled to find out that Chloé recently released a trio of Eau De Toilettes (initially exclusive to Saks Fifth Avenue) in three scents: Neroli, Capucine, and Lavande. I had high hopes that I would fall in love with at least one. My favorites were Neroli (citrusy) & Lavande (like the regular Chloé, but softer) and I opted for the more neutral less citrus-like option, Lavande.

Lavande is described as “feminine and elegant, tinged with citrus, violet leaves and sweetened with musk.” I am horrible at describing fragrances, but I would describe the Lavande as a softer more gentle version of the original Chloé. Those who like stronger scents or want something that lasts a long time might not like these since they are definitely on the softer side. The lasting power of these isn’t the best and fades within a few hours, but I personally prefer scents like that.

The Chloé Eau de Fleurs in Lavande retails for $135 for 3.4 oz. The release was initially exclusive to Saks, but is now offered at other retail locations as well.



A bit of background on my fragrance likes/history: I typically opt for scented shower gels and sometimes a scented lotion, but most fragrances induce a severe migraine for me within 1 hour. After that point, I cannot stand even the slightest whiff of that particular fragrance again. Oddly enough, I love the smell of perfumes and colognes on my friends and especially my husband. I just have a difficult time finding one I can wear myself.

What draws me to a certain fragrance? It’s all in the packaging. I go for the pretty bottles – particularly clear glass bottles. If the bottle is too abstract, too bulky, or a hideous color, I won’t even go near it to smell. For the actual fragrance, I don’t know what I like, I just know what I don’t like which is heavy, highly floral, extreme sweets, rich spices – I think that eliminates most fragrances right there, so you can imagine the challenge for me!

What fragrances have I purchased in the past? Gucci Rush 2, Bobbi Brown Bath, and Marc Jacobs Cucumber Splash. Yet I have never even come close to finishing a bottle. All of these have either been gifted away or tossed. I like Estee Lauder’s Sensuous but hate the bottle so I’ve never purchased it, but occasionally spritz a little bit of my sample on my wrists. I have my eye on Acqua di Parma’s Mirto di Panarea which I tested at SpaceNK before. However, it is very hard for me to find near me, I can find almost all the other Acqua di Parma scents though, just not this one!

What fragrances do you like? I’m open to recommendations of what you all love.

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