• From: United States
  • Registered: 2011-01-16
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Topic: Samsara & LouLou: kissing cousins?

http://fimgs.net/images/perfume/m.55.jpg Guerlain Samsara http://fimgs.net/images/perfume/m.1276.jpg Cacharel LouLou

I have recently found a new love, vintage Samsara EDP.  (i haven't smelled the v. EDT)   

I'm not quite sure how I missed  smelling LouLou, because I love powerhouse perfumes and the 1980's.   So a powerhouse from the 80's is right up my alley.    But miss it, I did!  It sounds like something i would like, and when I read  our tome, The Guide, I thought LouLou and Samsara sounded like kindred perfumes, and that if a person liked one, she'd likely like the other.

Do you think this is an accurate impression?  Do you LL  lovers adore Samsara?    Do you Samsara lovers have a bottle of LouLou,  too?   gloria

  • From: USA
  • Registered: 2010-10-01
  • Posts: 1,294

Re: Samsara & LouLou: kissing cousins?

I'm sure there are those who like both, but I have had both and they are vastly different. These were both vintage.

Samsara is a alpha frag with loads of Mysore Indian sandalwood (Mind you, this is the vintage) while I found the vintage Lou Lou decant I was sent to be very sweet and I didn't really like it at all. I saw no similarity in them.

  • From: Germany
  • Registered: 2012-01-01
  • Posts: 687

Re: Samsara & LouLou: kissing cousins?

Both of these happen to have been my signiture scents in the past. I used to love Loulou as a very young girl, and Samsara in my late 20's and I too don't find them similar one bit. Note-wise there isn't much in common,

In my opinion LouLou was perhaps more like the Hypnotic Poison of its day. Bit on the Gourmand side, appealed to younger ladies.

The vintage Samsara felt a bit more mature but still a very sensual scent, non linear and very complex, wood and flowers.

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  • From: Indonesia
  • Registered: 2010-11-13
  • Posts: 208

Re: Samsara & LouLou: kissing cousins?

Julia-Caesaris wrote:

In my opinion LouLou was perhaps more like the Hypnotic Poison of its day. Bit on the Gourmand side, appealed to younger ladies.

The vintage Samsara felt a bit more mature but still a very sensual scent, non linear and very complex, wood and flowers.

+1

They're so much different.

Loulou = sweet incense with plum (quirky n fun younger ladies)

Samsara = creamy woody flowery (mature n graceful women)

"When you're getting old, you get deaf, you get blind but you don't lose your sense of smell"
Jean-Paul Guerlain
  • From: Hampton Roads VA USA
  • Registered: 2010-02-27
  • Posts: 2,952

Re: Samsara & LouLou: kissing cousins?

They smell alike to me and so does

http://fimgs.net/images/perfume/m.3555.jpg Bijan Bijan



I have bottles of all three.

  • Registered: 2011-10-26
  • Posts: 172

Re: Samsara & LouLou: kissing cousins?

Julia-Caesaris wrote:

In my opinion LouLou was perhaps more like the Hypnotic Poison of its day. Bit on the Gourmand side, appealed to younger ladies.

The vintage Samsara felt a bit more mature but still a very sensual scent, non linear and very complex, wood and flowers.



+1

They're so much different.

Loulou = sweet incense with plum (quirky n fun younger ladies)

Samsara = creamy woody flowery (mature n graceful women)

++1 my sentiments exactly. 
The only similarity is that they are both powerhouses and I love them both.

"....in every step that I have taken in life, I have been accompanied by an exquisite perfume!”
C. JoyBell C.
  • From: Sydney, Australia
  • Registered: 2012-05-16
  • Posts: 273

Re: Samsara & LouLou: kissing cousins?

http://fimgs.net/images/perfume/m.122.jpg  Aramis Tuscany Per Donna





Kissing cousins? Not to my nose.

I've worn and loved both Samsara and Lou Lou, but to me Samsara is by far the better quality fragrance, with so much more complexity and stages.

That said, I've often confused Samsara with Tuscany Per Donna. Well, at least in the 1990s. I have no idea how each of those smells these days.

Last edited by Jacster (2012-07-24 21:39:54)

Give me the luxuries and I can dispense with the necessities (Oscar Wilde).

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  • From: United States
  • Registered: 2011-01-16
  • Posts: 727

Re: Samsara & LouLou: kissing cousins?

It sounds like I  need to check,  The Guide out of the library again, lol!

Thank you All for helping me.   storstark

  • From: United States
  • Registered: 2011-01-16
  • Posts: 727

Re: Samsara & LouLou: kissing cousins?

Kiku wrote:

They smell alike to me and so does

http://fimgs.net/images/perfume/m.3555.jpg  Bijan Bijan

KIKU:  Is LouLou at all like Femme by Rochas?  The current one, I mean.  I believe that the original FEMME was a different scent than the one I have, which is heavy on cumin & clove & plum.  Kind of like how there are two very different CHLOE'S.  These perfume companies certainly keep us on our toes, don't they?!        (i've just been looking into GUCCI, & it can get a bit confusing  roll)

Thank you!

It's interesting, on the LouLou page here, it says tiare flower is at the center of this scent; and yet there is no tiare flower pictured in the note pyramid!  I had the impression that LL and Samsara were  big jasmine sandalwood orientals...   44



I have bottles of all three.

  • From: USA
  • Registered: 2010-10-15
  • Posts: 1,670

Re: Samsara & LouLou: kissing cousins?

Miss oh!,

Samsara and Lou Lou are nothing alike. +1

I have a large sample at home (I think I still have it) and if I recall, it reminded me of original Poison.

http://fimgs.net/images/perfume/m.218.jpg  Dior Poison

I will go home tonight and do a wrist to wrist comparison.

And maybe in the meantime someone else will confirm or dispute my recollection.

Last edited by candymarie (2012-07-25 13:22:44)

"Rage, rage against the dying of the light!" "(And) always smell as nice as possible."  (From prologue of Jitterbug Perfume by Tom Robbins)
  • From: Hampton Roads VA USA
  • Registered: 2010-02-27
  • Posts: 2,952

Re: Samsara & LouLou: kissing cousins?

@oh! de parfum:  I haven't smelled the current Femme.  As I recall, the original was quite spicy, spicier than Lou Lou.  Here's another I'd add to the trio:

http://fimgs.net/images/perfume/m.3100.jpg Joop! Joop! Femme

Same general scent but sweeter and less complex.

  • From: United States
  • Registered: 2011-01-16
  • Posts: 727

Re: Samsara & LouLou: kissing cousins?

candymarie wrote:

Miss oh!,

Samsara and Lou Lou are nothing alike. +1

I have a large sample at home (I think I still have it) and if I recall, it reminded me of original Poison.

http://fimgs.net/images/perfume/m.218.jpg  Dior Poison

I will go home tonight and do a wrist to wrist comparison.

And maybe in the meantime someone else will confirm or dispute my recollection.

Ooh, okay.  Thank you!

I don't know why I had that idea in my mind, lol.   dumbom

I've tried a couple of "monoi" body products which make me think I don't care for tiare flower, but I do love vintage Poison!

  • From: United States
  • Registered: 2011-01-16
  • Posts: 727

Re: Samsara & LouLou: kissing cousins?

Kiku wrote:

@oh! de parfum: I haven't smelled the current Femme. As I recall, the original was quite spicy, spicier than Lou Lou. Here's another I'd add to the trio:

http://fimgs.net/images/perfume/m.3100.jpg  Joop! Joop! Femme



Same general scent but sweeter and less complex.

Thank you, Kiku;  I haven't smelled JOOP, unfortunately, but from reading about it, I think I'd like it.  Now, I'm even more curious to smell LouLou, so I must get a bottle.   rodna

  • Registered: 2011-09-07
  • Posts: 157

Re: Samsara & LouLou: kissing cousins?

I haven't had chance to smell vintage versions on myself, but reformulated Samsara is still a classy, ladylike scent suitable for many occasions, while LouLou is, if I'm allowed to say, a bit on the vulgar side.

Said this, I do remember liking LouLou on others in early 90s, and despising Samsara for being 'too old' superglad.

  • From: Germany
  • Registered: 2012-01-01
  • Posts: 687

Re: Samsara & LouLou: kissing cousins?

oh! de parfum wrote:
Kiku wrote:

They smell alike to me and so does

http://fimgs.net/images/perfume/m.3555.jpg  Bijan Bijan

KIKU: Is LouLou at all like Femme by Rochas? The current one, I mean. I believe that the original FEMME was a different scent than the one I have, which is heavy on cumin & clove & plum. Kind of like how there are two very different CHLOE'S. These perfume companies certainly keep us on our toes, don't they?! (i've just been looking into GUCCI, & it can get a bit confusing  roll )

Thank you!

It's interesting, on the LouLou page here, it says tiare flower is at the center of this scent; and yet there is no tiare flower pictured in the note pyramid! I had the impression that LL and Samsara were big jasmine sandalwood orientals...  44



I have bottles of all three.



Dear Oh, Loulou is not related to Femme Rochas in any way. I do believe it is a little similar to vintage Kenzo, at least it was to me, but Kenzo being fresh and more floral. I looked at your wardrobe and I think you might like Loulou, but it is quite sharp and not everyone likes it. I used to use it when I was still smoking 2 packs of ciggies a day and almost everyone else around me did as well. Now after quitting for years it is just too sharp and heavy for me, (vintage poison heavy yes) and I actually like that in my fragrances.

I think this is one of those perfumes that you ought to try before buy glad

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  • From: London, U.K
  • Registered: 2009-09-21
  • Posts: 1,741

Re: Samsara & LouLou: kissing cousins?

I have both of these perfumes and while they are both "incensey" kind of perfumes. They are VERY different. My opinion is Samsara is timeless where LouLou is still fabulous but somewhat dated. Samsara more refined and LouLou more "in your face".

Samsara to me is a sensual woodsy exotic perfume and LouLou is much more rounded and blasts you with tons of notes.

It just comes down to trying them but I wouldn't call them "cousins" in any sense. Both powehouses yes but both unique in their own way.

glad

I CAN'T BRAIN TODAY..I HAVE THE DUMB. I now have a perfume review channel on Youtube. http://www.youtube.com/user/ouch110/videos?view=0
  • From: United States
  • Registered: 2011-01-16
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Re: Samsara & LouLou: kissing cousins?

I really appreciate all the useful information.   buga

Over the past few days I bid on, & won, a half- full bottle of LouLou for a good price.  I totally agree that trying LL first would have been the smart thing to do;  but I couldn't resist "going for it!", lol.  But it was within my modest budget, so it won't be terrible if I don't care for it.  But I hope I'll love it!

  • From: United States
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  • Posts: 727

Re: Samsara & LouLou: kissing cousins?

Julia-Caesaris,  Do you wear vintage,, or current Femme?

I have the current version, and I like it, but don't love it.  I've never even smelled the original version, but I'm so curious about it and wonder if it would be more up my alley.  I don't believe it has cumin in it, and I must admit that I find that appealing.  I don't think it smells of body odor, like some people do, but it makes the scent a bit too "savory"  spicy for me.  I like spicy orientals, and have yet to feel that any perfume has too much cinnamon in it, but the strong cumin note is a bit different.   gloria

  • From: Germany
  • Registered: 2012-01-01
  • Posts: 687

Re: Samsara & LouLou: kissing cousins?

oh! de parfum wrote:

Julia-Caesaris, Do you wear vintage,, or current Femme?

I have the current version, and I like it, but don't love it. I've never even smelled the original version, but I'm so curious about it and wonder if it would be more up my alley. I don't believe it has cumin in it, and I must admit that I find that appealing. I don't think it smells of body odor, like some people do, but it makes the scent a bit too "savory" spicy for me. I like spicy orientals, and have yet to feel that any perfume has too much cinnamon in it, but the strong cumin note is a bit different.  gloria

I wear both and I love both. You're right, a lot of people find the cummin annoying or weird, I actually like it, the eau de parfum version has no or very little cumin therefor it's softer and more rounded like the vintage version (the really vintage version) the Eau de Parfum is discontinued a while back, so it may be a bit challenging but if you like the fragrance without the cumin you could look for it on ebay etc. Sometimes you can find a bottle of it for a steal. (I really like ebay's daily search sytem for things like these)

Btw I don't get how cumin is linked to BO, to me it smells like cumin and bo smells like well, bo glad

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  • From: Florida The Sunshine State
  • Registered: 2012-05-11
  • Posts: 3,506

Re: Samsara & LouLou: kissing cousins?

oh! de parfum wrote:

It sounds like I need to check, The Guide out of the library again, lol!

Thank you All for helping me.  tongue ivo:

I have a collection of books. I call it my reference library. I find that if I have to keep checking a book out of the library then it's time to buy that book. I own The Guide. I think it is a must have for perfume lovers. Good books on perfume are hard to find.  They have a very good description of Loulou.

Last edited by Sucarie (2012-08-10 10:43:03)

Variety is the spice of life.
  • From: United States
  • Registered: 2011-01-16
  • Posts: 727

Re: Samsara & LouLou: kissing cousins?

Sucarie wrote:
oh! de parfum wrote:

It sounds like I need to check, The Guide out of the library again, lol!

Thank you All for helping me.  tongue ivo:

I have a collection of books. I call it my reference library. I find that if I have to keep checking a book out of the library then it's time to buy that book. I own The Guide. I think it is a must have for perfume lovers. Good books on perfume are hard to find. They have a very good description of Loulou.

Yes, I think you're right.  I have the library copy in my possession now & when I was reading it last night, I was wishing that I could write in it.   rodna

Well, I got my partial bottle of LouLou, and I DO like it!  It's so different from what comes out new today, & even though I like some newer scents very much, I just  have such a soft spot for the 80's, and the past, in general, that I'm very glad to have some LL that i can wear.  I'm such a nostalgia-phile!   22

I do a agree that Samsara is  the more elegant, timeless & luxurious perfume.    But Lou Lou will be fun to wear.    Isn't perfume a great way to connect w/  our different moods and "characters"?

Thank you, everyone, for your responses!   18

  • From: United States
  • Registered: 2011-01-16
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Re: Samsara & LouLou: kissing cousins?

Julia-Caesaris:  May I ask another question about Femme?   gloria

My Femme has a gold cap & gold-script on the bottle.  On Ebay, I saw the same type of bottle, but with a black cap & black script. It is also an EDT.   Do you know if these contain the same perfume formula?

Or would I be better off trying to get the type of Femme that comes in the Lace designed box?

Thank you!

  • Registered: 2010-07-10
  • Posts: 535

Re: Samsara & LouLou: kissing cousins?

Hi Oh! de parfum

I remember us chatting about Femme a while back and to answer your question, the EDT with black cap is the same newer formula.  If you want the older one, I would suggest the lace box.  I prefer the older version.  I do like the newer one too, but one has to like cumin, I found it quite dominant to my nose.

Good luck. smile

Formerly 'perfumecollector'.
  • From: United States
  • Registered: 2011-01-16
  • Posts: 727

Re: Samsara & LouLou: kissing cousins?

perfumecollector wrote:

Hi Oh! de parfum

I remember us chatting about Femme a while back and to answer your question, the EDT with black cap is the same newer formula. If you want the older one, I would suggest the lace box. I prefer the older version. I do like the newer one too, but one has to like cumin, I found it quite dominant to my nose.

Good luck.  smile

Hello   15

Oh, it is?  Thank you for telling me that.   I came close to buying a bottle!

I have to be patient & wait for a nice deal.  I don't dislike the current version, but I think I'd love the original.  Even a little cumin would be okay for me, but...

I agree w/ you; the cumin strikes me right away, too.  It isn't a bad smell, and I'd certainly take cumin any day over b.o., lol.   tongue

  • From: Germany
  • Registered: 2012-01-01
  • Posts: 687

Re: Samsara & LouLou: kissing cousins?

Oops, sorry dear, I wasn't checking this thread. Agree with Perfumecollector, you'd like the vintage best (lace box) if you avoid cumin in larger doses, let us know how you like it if you do get it glad, funny how we perceive cumin in different ways, I've seen people comment on http://fimgs.net/images/perfume/m.1195.jpg Alexander McQueen Kingdom too saying how it smells like "armpit" ><.

I think it just gives fragrance an exoticly sexy edge! glad to each his own.

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