Donna Karan Gold

 
    Have been absolutely craving lily! Don't know why ~ just have. I know the fragrance is supposed to be protective. Helping to keep evil away! (Hmm, I'll have to plant some more lilies in the yard. chuckle)
   Realized that I don't have much in the way of fragrances that showcase this note, much less any soliflores. Hadn't really ever given it any thought. Rose perfumes, yes. Those I've gone out of my way to look for. But never lily.... that will have to change!
   The only one in my possession that glides up to the front of my mind and whispers to me in a low, soft husky voice is my bottle of Donna Karan Gold. " I shall place small mountains of Casablanca lilies at your feet. Baskets full of heady jasmine. I will bring you precious resins and spices. Wrap you in a cloak of rich floral velvet."    After that, how could I resist?
    Now I'm asking myself why I don't use this more often. And WHY don't I have some back up bottles? Besides being beautiful, I find it very comforting and supportive.
  

   What a fragrance! Its a bouquet of big, lush lilies. Dripping with nectar. With those velvety soft, thick fleshy petals and stems. Pollen dusting my nose ever so slightly. I'd swear there is a hint of myrrh in there. (But can't find it on any list of notes.) Jasmine slowly creeps in.... the sweetest note in the composition.... but at times just a bit indolic. There is a soft amber throughout. Not overly sweet, but with a nice earthy scent to it. This fragrance is almost tactile on my skin. I feel as if I could reach out and actually touch it. And it feels like lily petals. Yes, my brain works that way!
   I find it exceptionally well blended. It creamy and luscious. I'll actually use the word Opulent. Sophisticated, yet sensuous.
    A very strong feminine energy. She is a matron with voluptuous curves, showing off ample cleavage. Long, thick mane of hair and heavy lidded eyes. Eyes that never miss any detail and have the tiniest glint of steel in them. A woman that strikes a bit of fear into men's hearts. A woman that gently tends to and protects the young and those that are in need. A woman that reaches out her strong arms and embraces Life. An Earth goddess with fire hidden deep within her very core.
    All that said, I recommend you sample this if possible. I've read a lot of individual reviews and there seems to be quite a few folks who either find it boring or they just plain don't like it. Once again that could be because of skin chemistry or it could just be one of those polarizing fragrances. Either you hate it or you love it! Obviously, I ADORE it!
    I was also surprised to find so many people making reference to a banana or weird fruit smell.   Uhmm... NO. My best guess is perhaps they mistook that heavy, fleshy smell that the base of a large lily blossom will sometimes take on. That "almost over ripe" scent. At least that's the best way I can describe it. Its just part of the way a heavy lily smells.
    Another thing to mention is that quite a few folks commented that the edt smells more of just lily. My bottle is edp, so I don't know first hand. Of course, this gives me an excuse to find some edt and buy it!! All in the name of good research! hahaha      Also, the edt bottles are clear. They don't have the metal  on the sides.      And by the way, its a nice, heavy bottle. Very attractive!
   

DONNA KARAN GOLD   by Donna Karan

Yann Vasnier, Rodrigo Flores-Roux and Calice Becker    Oriental Floral   2006

Notes (This wasn't easy. I found different versions, but they all have several notes in common.  I'll list two. So I guess only the perfumers know for certain.)
    Version#1: Casablanca Lily, Amber, Acacia, White cloves, Gold balm, Golden pollen, Patchouli.
     Version#2: Casablanca Lily, Amber, Black locust, Jasmine, Cloves, Violet leaf, Patchouli.