Review of Cartier, Delices de Cartier Eau Fruitee

This scent initially screams "RHUBARB!" -- a tart, hot spicy scent you'd be more likely to find in an Asian Mongolian desert tent during a religious ritualistic offering rather than on the streets of Paris. Rhubarb is a plant that's native to Asia, even though it's commonly used in pie. Ok, even though the scent claims to have other included notes such as Bergamot, Mandarin, Rhubarb, Morello-Jasmine Accord, Sandalwood, Amber Accord-- the Rhubarb completely overpowers them, in my opinion. It's the main thing that really stands out! Honestly, I see this more as a unisex scent leaning toward the "male" category rather than female. Don't be deceived by the very female sounding perfume name! This is how it smelled mixed with body chemistry, and I am half Asian... so maybe it would smell different on others, but seriously, they need to go easy on the Rhubarb! It's definitely unique to me, but has a very incense-like smell to it.

Review of Gucci, Flora

This perfume is marketed as being for the sophisticated, classic and refined young woman, who also has a bit of sensuality and elegance. It's also classified as a "floral" scent. PLEASE! The pink pepper, citrus, and a hint of rose stand out the most in this scent...

I really like this scent a lot because it reminds me of this amazing Japanese fruity girls scent that my sister had when we were younger. It was cheap, I think, but it smelled amazingly fruity, spicy and playful. It was also a pink color and amazing. I could never remember the name of it, but I loved it dearly. I was so delighted to find that Gucci's Flora smells almost exactly like my old childhood fave.

It reminds me of carefree days playing with Barbie(R) dolls, and smelling cotton candy-ish after a day of amusement park romping. The featured scents are Citrus Accord, Peony, Rose, Osmanthus Flower, Pink Pepper, Sandalwood, but honestly I cannot really smell the Sandalwood -- it's very much in the background, as it should be, but that is fine with me. I don't think I'd prefer the often musky and rich Sandalwood to dominate this bright and cheery scent.

The only drawback (to me) is that it lacks a solid base-note, one that doesn't overpower it, like maybe a coconut or vanilla. Also, the staying power doesn't seem that great. This is a scent that doesn't seem to "evolve" over time while you wear it (i.e. top fragrance notes (like the fruits) wear out after a while, then the middle notes show up more prominently, and then lastly, the base notes step up). The same fruity scent continues on and on. Which can make some people get a little sick after a while. So, it's a little bit of a one-dimensional or two-dimensional scent... Not much more. Cute, optimistic and cheery, but I wouldn't exactly say "mysterious" or "sensual."

Review of Christian Dior, Miss Dior Cherie

This is classified as a "mossy woods" scent, but I beg to differ. It smells like an island mix of exotic fresh fruits and playful but feminine flowers. Early to mid-20s, but seems too "exotic" and mildly mature for a young teenager. Very unique upon first smelling it, and definitely has a distinct "Wow!" factor (the good kind that makes you do a double-take). Feminine, but mysterious. The young lady in an upscale fusion restaurant at a fashion event, who still has that youthful sparkle while maintaining an air of mystery.

The scents which are wrapped into this beautiful concoction are: Green Tangerine, Violette, Pink Jasmine, Patchouli, Crystalline Musk, Strawberry Leaves, Caramelized Popcorn, Strawberry Sorbet. Amazingly, I can smell all of these quite clearly (except the caramelized popcorn), and it doesn't smell like a hot mess. The scents actually complement each other very well. The musk is just enough to tone down the fruits and florals. This is an amazing scent; not very subtle, but certainly exotic. It smells so unique and exotic without smelling too musky, herbal or rancid...

BUT... after the first 15 minutes or so, the fruits almost completely disappear, and you're left with a unisex-type scent of strong musk with just a hint of flowers. In that case, it would be almost indistinguishable compared to another scent I own which is much cheaper (Danielle Steele's perfume), so I'm not that impressed... I wish Dior would re-vamp this perfume to make the top and middle notes last longer. Otherwise, I am not a huge fan.