Monday, August 30, 2010

Donna Karan Cashmere Mist Luxe Edition


Some longtime readers might remember that I used to count Donna Karan's Cashmere Mist among my mortal enemies. It's not that I didn't get why so many people love it: I have a friend who smells absolutely exquisite in it. It's just that on my skin Cashmere Mist turned into a very synthetic musky powder mess. But something has changed some time during the last year. It's not that I started to like this Donna Karan perfume, but I've either softened with age or simply smelled so much real dreck, that a mediocre powdery crowd pleaser no longer annoys me.

This should tell you that I had no expectations, good or bad, from the samples of last year's release, Donna Karan Cashmere Mist Luxe Edition EDP. I was so indifferent I put the samples away and promptly forgot about them. They languished in a drawer until a quick rummage revealed I had enough of them for a thorough testing. That was about three or four weeks ago. I'm down to my last sample and there's very little holding me back from heading straight to Ulta for a small bottle.

Seriously.

First, the main difference between the Luxe Edition and Cashmere Mist (EDT. I don't have a sample of the regular EDP) is that it smells more skin-like and less chemical. It seems like to celebrate the 15 years anniversary of CM, Donna Karan (Lauder, actually, who is the owner of Donna Karan Beauty) upgraded and improved the formula. It certainly feels more luxurious- softer and richer. It's closer to the skin and actually more cashmere like, though I've had no problem wearing it on some hot and humid August days.

More than anything, Cashmere Mist Luxe Edition feels fluffy. It has soft wood and barely sweet vanilla that reminds me of the Whole Foods brand marshmallows- they are soft, pillowy and not too loaded with sugar, making them an ideal adult guilty pleasure. The musk is of the deceivingly elusive kind. You think it's gone but all of a sudden you catch a whiff of a delicate and pleasing skin scent that comes from your neck and/or clothes. There's something sensual about it, I guess, but the perfume is still daytime and office appropriate. The sillage is low but the subtle dry-down survives for at least 8 hours, even if by the end of the day I need to stick my face in my shirt to smell it.

Bottom Line: What's wrong with me?

Donna Karan Cashmere Mist Luxe Edition is available from most department stores and fragrance retailers. Ulta seem to have exclusivity on the 1 oz bottle ($48).

Photo by Charles Gates, 1920

5 comments:

  1. Of all the things you wrote, I got stuck on fluffy and now I want to try it. :)

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  2. I'll have to give this one a whiff. How do you feel about the new Pure DKNY?

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  3. ((laughing over here))

    Your Question: "what's wrong with me?"

    My answer: NOTHING! Cashmere Mist Luxe is good stuff. I don't even mind the regular Cashmere Mist but Luxe is truly good. I've always understood why this unobtrusive scent was popular with the masses but with Luxe I can see this working for even more discriminating noses. I do hate the bottles, though, but the scents absolutely hold their own and I am never annoyed by anyone out wearing these DK scents, even by the gallon, because they can't be overdone and they smell rather pleasant :)

    I love these confessions...when you think something is wrong with you for wearing a fragrance that is so clearly mass market!! Every once in awhile, the masses are on to something (Chanel No. 5, Joy, etc)

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  4. Yes, exactly! I loved when I sniffed this last year or so, at Nordstrom's. It wasn't hairspray chemicalish like the original, definitely the smoother, refined version. Luxe is right.

    SIGH. Now I want to get some too.

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  5. I am a big fan of the original. I really want to get this new edition as I'm sure from your description I'd love it. It sounds like all of the elements of the original that I like but amped up!
    Jane x

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