Tempt Me
Cruel Intentions is my new obsession, I've had it on all week and I can't get enough. The perfumer is Sidonie Lancesseur, the same nose who created another favourite By Kilan perfume, Incense Oud. "Tempt Me" is an apt name, as I am seriously tempted to get a full bottle.My new love came as a surprise to me. The sample card and web site told me that Cruel Intentions is about lemony bergamot and the "warm, enfolding, balsamic notes of oud." I've never been passionate about bergamot or oud. But wearing Cruel Intentions is like a twisting story that reveals hidden layers as you go along.
It starts with a fleeting citrus splash, but blink and I miss it. Some light orange blossom is there but almost immediately I smell a dark medicinal wood that leads to the heart of the perfume: smoky wood, bitter green papyrus, and dark earth.
As I wear Cruel Intentions, another side to it grows stronger: something sweet and warm. The base is made of warm animal notes (civet and castoreum), smooth sandalwood, and sweet vanilla. This side of Cruel Intentions is cuddly and sexy and just... hot DAMN! The genius is the way these two sides, the smoky-bitter heart and the sexy-sweet base, are held in balanced tension. A pale, twisting ribbon of floral notes laces the whole thing together like a corset.
Now, if there are two things that I love, it's bitter papyrus and sexy "critter-y" notes like civet. In Cruel Intentions I get to have both. Like a fairy tale where the dangerous, cruel, (yet devilishly-handsome) villain turns into a sweet and passionate lover who hangs around the next morning and cuddles. As if I am Little Red Riding Hood and I can have both the wolf and the woodsman.
Nose: Sidonie Lancesseur
Notes: Bergamot calabria oil, orange blossom oil, violet accord, centifolia rose absolute, agarwood, Indian papyrus oil, gaiacwood oil, Haiti vetiver oil, sandalwood, styrax absolute, castoreum absolute, vanilla absolute, musk
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ReplyDeleteFor some reason, my Wordpress account is acting all wonky, so we'll try that again.....
ReplyDeleteGreat review, Krista. I especially loved your choice of picture, it's the perfect accompaniment and just stunning.
I had a sample of Cruel Intentions at some point. I think at the time it reminded me quite a bit of YSL M7, in the sense that it was quite a sweet oud, rather than all medicinal and skanky. Not sure if you picked that up?
ReplyDeleteHi Michael, you're right, it is more sweet than medicinal, which is part of the reason I love it I suppose. But I am still an Oud wimp I think.
DeleteHi Dionne, thanks. Choosing the picture is a big part of the fun for me.
ReplyDeleteWow, what a gorgeous review! You've just changed this for me from an "I don't much care" to an "I must try." Yes, big bad wolf, I will sniff you...
ReplyDeleteHi unseencenser, I'm glad you are going to give it a try. It continues to surprise me. Today I think I am getting the "violet accord" a little sweetness hiding in the woods.
DeleteLove the picture and love the scent. The By Kilian brand had kind of snuck up on me. But it's spendy.
ReplyDeleteHi Bevfred, you're right, By Kilian is spendy, but they also sell their perfumes in refill bottles. You can skip the fancy bottle and buy the refill for much cheaper, and fill your own spray bottle.
DeleteThis is interesting perfume to own. Thanks for the info! :)
ReplyDeletehuman pheromones
Perfect timing on your review of this perfume! Cruel Intentions was one of the samples in a pkg that came in the mail from a friend just this week. I'll wear it today and the info you provided will make it a lot easier to appreciate what I'm smelling : )
ReplyDeleteWow, Krista! I am SO tempetd...beautiful post! I am a perfume addict as well (you might not be able to tell by my blog, as I have many interests, but I am!) ~ I am a new follower ~ Visit me if you get a chance!
ReplyDeleteBest,
Anne ♥♥