Tuesday, March 07, 2006

ASK MARLEN: For Her vs Lovely

Hi Marlen,

What are your thoughts one SJP Lovely EdP vs. Narciso Rodriguez For Her EdT? I can't decide which one is FBW - Full Bottle Worthy. I want to say Lovely but it may be because I have the lotion. For Her EdT was somewhat off-putting yet strangely compelling (like me!). The fact that I swapped away a 15ml decant might be very telling.

R
Hi R,

Well I have and enjoy both, and have routinely voiced my objection to NR actually being named "For Her" and SJP went all fem with the grey ribbon and "Lovely"... ultimately, I don't give a rat's ass; a rule I wear what I like. That being said, I personaly prefer Lovely's composition due to its sheerness. NR is thicker, heavier, sweeter overall with a more pronounced floral tone, whereas Lovely is lavender, apple, musk and patchouli on my skin. I like NR in colder weather and Lovely, well, any time of year. If I had to choose one to re-purchase, it would definitely be Lovely.

Marlen

What do you think? Weigh in by posting your comment below!

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

hey marlen, i would like to go on the record as a man who really enjoys wearing narisco rodriguez for her. it's not one i wear to work, but on the weekends, at home, to the club. i think it is a very sexy, sensual fragrance... on man, woman or tranny. have say i love the bottle as well. to my eye, not very femme at all. i believe that many of the greatest fragrances a man could wear have been marketed to women.

marlen said...

rutherford - cheers, buddy! I totally agree! Have you tried Lovely yet?

Anonymous said...

only a scent strip in a magazine, but i would like to try the real thing on my skin. i had meant to do this already after For Her and Lovely were reviewed together on the fabulous Bois de Jasmin. so many scents so little time!

i am really appreciating your blog... thank you marlen!

marlen said...

rutherford - thank YOU for reading and posting! I think you'll really appreciate my next Basenotes column!

Anonymous said...

I don't know. I find it works and smells dead-sexy on my husband and just so so on me. However, even though the whole Narciso line 'insults' me, I find it strangely compelling....

marlen said...

rue - which one works on your husband?

Anonymous said...

For Her EDT. Absolutely stunning. Meanwhile I am enjoying my decant of Lovely (grazie bello!) while I wait for my bottle to arrive. :)

marlen said...

Yeah, I love the orange blossom in narciso! But am still partial to Lovely...Wishing for an EDP of Lovely!

Martin said...

I actually went ahead and bought Lovely for me today, but when leaving the store sniffing my wrist I kind of felt bad that I've so far only given my girlfriend samples and small decants of things she might like, so I simply gave it to her. I guess I just have to get another bottle now... Can't wait to give it a full wearing.

And for the Narciso Rodriguez, I guess it is time I try that one as well.

Sali said...

I prefer NR for Her and I think it's a perfect androgynous fragrance, perhaps even leaning more toward masculine because I really don't smell the florals in it myself. I love it and think it's a sexy skin scent (a bit musky for the office) but no one around me appreciates it on me so I haven't worn it these days. I finished the roll-on though. I love the NR bottles! Sleek and modern but has a strong presence--totally my style. Lovely--I bought a mini and thought I'd fall in love with it but I've never finished the mini. I don't like the bottle at all but the mini looked better with a metal cap.

fragrance lover said...

Marlen, I have to say, I have a tiny bit of my sample left of Lovely, and I put some on my husband the other day, and forgot to smell how it developed on him.

He liked it. And I really like it.

Oddly enough, he brought home a sample of NR for me last month, and I have not given the sample a good try yet. I think it is because I really love the Lovely. AND I agree, the bottle is wonderful.

And I have to add, some of my favorite fragrances to wear have been men's fragrances. For instances, I love Lanvin. Just love it. (I'm a female, not that it matters :)