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Thursday, January 25, 2007

Cardinal - Heeley - Review

Cardinal is a nice, simple, incense scent. The essential incense note here is similar to the incense note in Etro Messe de Minuit but accompanying it there are no damp and moldy notes; this is lightly smoky, warm and comforting. MdM is the incensey, cold, damp, stone church basement where the ancient scrolls are stored. Cardinal is the church attic where the warm sweet incense rises and the sunlight filters in through the rafters.

I know there will be those of you asking how it compares to the CdG Incense line, to that I will say having tried all those I never liked any enough to buy a full bottle. And other than that, I have no specific memory of them. For what ever reason all fell short of what I wanted. Now the SMN Citta di Kyoto comes closer, but the Citta is more woody and slightly medicinal. I was set to buy Citta when my decant runs out, until Cardinal came along. I much prefer Cardinal, but I guess that will be up to each individual's taste. Maybe those who long for the discontined Matthew Williamson Incense will find solace here.

As some of you know I'm quite a fan of this line. The scents are clean, modern with an uncomplicated straightforward approach. They all have a simple understated elegance about them that makes them so wearable.

Notes:
Incense, cistus, grey amber, patchouli, vetiver

Available from: LuckyScent

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the wonderful review Vic, this one sounds absolutely beautiful.
Terry

chayaruchama said...

We agree on this one !?

I like your comparisons.

What is really a pleasure, is that Cardinal layers very well with lots of other scents, SOooooo-
If you wanted to "amp up " a floral, or amber, or green, you could add a smidge of this- and it becomes verry interesting.

For vanilla lovers, it likes Vanille Amande [CSP]- that's what I did before bed !

Kisses to you, and the lovely Terry...

Anonymous said...

It is marvellous Victoria,

I never tested the perfumes of James Heeley but they will be sold in France in Paris, from February 1.
One will find: “Cardinal”, “Eau de cèdre”, “Eau de figuier”, “Eau d'iris”, “Eau de menthe”, “Eau de verveine”, “Fine Leather”, “Spirit of the Tiger”

I am very interested by Fine leather . Can you tell me Victoria, if you tested this fragrance and what do you think about it ? Thank you very much by advance.
JP

Victoria said...

Hi Terry, you would love this.
:O)

Victoria said...

Chaya, we usually don't? If not, then I justt I still serve a purpose as to instruct you what to avoid. :O)

Victoria said...

JP, no I have not tried the Fine Leather, but I hope to do so very soon!

chayaruchama said...

Oh, most of the time, we're twins...

That Fine Leather is a bit reminiscent of Cuir Ottoman- as if Lonestar Memories and Cuir Ottoman had a baby...

It's sweet and soft, but doesn't last very long.
I would go for the CO, myself- JP, if you're checking in...

priscilla said...

Really? Better than SMN CdK? Because I love that one, which means perhaps I'll love this one even more?! Oooohhhh....

Shannon said...

dang! another one that I MUST try ...

Victoria said...

Sorry to tempt you all so! (Well not really)

Anonymous said...

As you know, it was all pine on my skin and to my nose, not that it's a bad thing. I have so many samples of it that I continue layering it with my Anat Fritz and it's quite good this way.
I'll have to experiment more, according to Chaya's suggestions. They sound interesting.