Question:
So I've been sampling and sniffing diligently and am finding that Caron fragrances seem to agree with me generally, at least in the sense that they smell on my skin as they are described. I may not *like* how they all smell, mind you, but they smell as advertised, as it were. So far I have sampled three, all in EDP form: French CanCan, Parfum Sacre and Tabac Blond. The tobacco smell of Tabac Blond is just not for me, sadly. Parfum Sacre is lovely on me immediately and dries down to something soft and warm and sweet, but not in too-much-sugar kind of way. It is a shade sweeter than I'd like to wear every day, though. CanCan is wonderful--a big explosion that dries down into a light floral with a touch of spice. I'm planning to call today and order several extrait decants to try, and I'd like to limit myself to three...okay, maybe four, to sample. I seem to like, generally, big orientals with a little sweetness and a lot of sillage (Poison, Tom Ford's Black Orchid) and I like a fragrance with a fair amount of complexity (my skin seems to "eat" a certain amount of scent. On me, for instance, Luten's Miel de Bois becomes nothing but a vague, sad whiff of honey). I dislike overtly "powdery" finishes. I would like to stick with the older Caron scents, but am (reluctantly) open to newer ones. I'm currently planning to order samples of Farnesiana and N'aimez que Moi, possibly Nuit de Noel, and I think, based on this morning's sniff, French CanCan. I'd like to get this right, or as right as possible, so that I don't end up ordering a sample of every single urn frag (though that would be sort of fun ), so I'm hoping for some suggestions or guidance, or perhaps dire warnings, from those of you who know the Caron line? Thanks so much for your help!
Magpie

Answer:
Narcisse Noir is one I noticed you didn't mention. As a lover of big orientals, you might just find you fall in love with it - it's got a wonderful burst of flowers in the top (rose and neroli), and a fascinating, dark, drydown with a gorgeous civet in the base. If you can wear Poison, I think you'll have no problem with this at all.
I was going to mention Farnesiana, but then you mentioned it yourself! It's very pretty and less dangerous-smelling than NN, but it's very beautiful. Bellodgia is also worth a try if you've not sampled it yet (carnations - beautiful again), but you may find it powdery.
Down a slightly different avenue, do you enjoy Guerlain's Vol de Nuit? If you do, try En Avion. Hope this helps, and welcome!

Answer:
Try Nocturnes - it's beautiful.

Answer:
Goodness, I thought my skin was a voracious gobbler of poor defenceless fragrances, but even it cannot withstand the pungent assault of Miel de Bois. Of all the fragrances I own, that is one of the most tenacious (and I am also a fan of Poison!)
Seconded on the Narcisse Noir. En Avion will work for you if you really, really like clove. But there's a lot of clove.

Answer:
En Avion is a beautiful full-bodied amber that woks well after at least a 1/2 hour-45min dry-down.I think it is one of the most reliable, yet interesting (not boring) orientals I have found.A bit lighter and more modern floral is Infini. I just tried it and it is my new fall-back frag. It always sparkles and never over-powers.

Answer:
Oh Farnesea big on heliotrope, I love heliotrope.
Alpona every one must try Alpona necter of the gods. This baby maybe what you are really looking for. Lush ripe fruit then oriental/chypre.
En Avion yes, it is similar to Tabac but without the heavy leather note.
N'Aimez Qui Moil lovely candied violets and rose.
Narcisse Noir a must in parfum. Orangeflower and big civet.
Belladgio the kick ass best carnation fragrance ever. Edp or parfum only.
Narcisse Blanc white floral quite metalic.
Nocturnes is quite sweet lily of the valley.
French Can Can in parfum is rich heady creamy floral.

Answer:
Quote: Originally Posted by Indiscreet Goodness, I thought my skin was a voracious gobbler of poor defenceless fragrances, but even it cannot withstand the pungent assault of Miel de Bois. Of all the fragrances I own, that is one of the most tenacious (and I am also a fan of Poison!)
Seconded on the Narcisse Noir. En Avion will work for you if you really, really like clove. But there's a lot of clove. I would agree on Miel de Bois. I've never tried a perfume as tenacious as that one...and how splendidly it changed over time. I found it quite lovely, and I expect it will find a place in my wardrobe at some point.

Answer:
My skin also "eats" Shalimar...it's very sad, really. I shamelessly love a lot of sillage ("I love this scent, and you're going to learn to love it too!") and hate when *I* can't even smell my perfume!
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ACK!
I called...it seems the perfume "sample program" has been temporarily discontinued and may not be reinstated!!!

Answer:
Quote: Originally Posted by Magpie My skin also "eats" Shalimar...it's very sad, really. I shamelessly love a lot of sillage ("I love this scent, and you're going to learn to love it too!") and hate when *I* can't even smell my perfume!
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ACK!
I called...it seems the perfume "sample program" has been temporarily discontinued and may not be reinstated!!! this is very sad news...
rats.
I also heard that the boutique has changed homes...received a postcard in the mail.
perhaps they are cutting back a bit?
My favorites of Caron, you have mentioned, Tabac Blond, En Avion...you may love this is Tabac Blond was too heavy on you, Narcisse Noir, Bellodgia
I think Pepperpatty has some Carons that you can purchase sample vials of.
does anyone know of any other sources for Caron samples?

Answer:
Quote: Originally Posted by Magpie My skin also "eats" Shalimar...it's very sad, really. I shamelessly love a lot of sillage ("I love this scent, and you're going to learn to love it too!") and hate when *I* can't even smell my perfume!
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ACK!
I called...it seems the perfume "sample program" has been temporarily discontinued and may not be reinstated!!! Try 'Anne Pliska' even in the EDP (I haven't tried the parfum but I would love to) it is deeper and richer than 'Shalimar'. It's less salty (that's my take on it) and that intense vanilla is toned down just a wee bit. The opening is a bit more lemony. I really prefer it to 'Shalimar'. It's amazing stuff.