I seriously laughed out loud when I read about the back-and-forth perfume beef between Sean Diddy Combs and Mariah Carey. In case you haven’t heard, here’s the silliness.
Diddy declares: “I send out a challenge. I challenge all of my female counterparts that have fragrances, that my fragrance is better than theirs. I’m a man and I know how women should smell.â€
To which Mariah retorts: “I heard about this competition, and I wish Puff all the best with his new fragrance, but I think we’re actually appealing to different types of women. M by Mariah Carey is about being unforgettable, not unforgivable. It’s not about a ménage à trois or a one night stand, it’s for the woman who wants the man to fall in love with her immediately, stay in love, and treat her like royalty.â€
My response? Oh, behave. First of all, Diddy’s quip about knowing how women should smell? Just judging from the track record, I’m not sure that I’d want to smell like his kind of girl. (Um, is that an Unforgivable ad at the top of my site? Yes. Yes it is. So let the record show that I haven’t actually SMELLED the stuff yet. And I stand by my reaction, Diddy’s comment = no thanks, homie). Not that Mariah’s not coming across any better.
Her “intentions” might be sweet on paper, but if really wanted to give that immediate impression, she should have filmed a less risque commercial — I caught it over at funny celeb blog A Hot Mess and it made me shake my head. It’s too Skinemax-y for my liking. I’m halfway expecting to see Shannon Tweed pop up in the next scene. I get it, Mariah — you’ve lost weight, you’re looking fabulous. But showing your bare butt whenever you can doesn’t make you look like “the woman who wants the man to fall in love with her immediately, stay in love, and treat her like royalty.” Just sayin’.
With a penchant for all things fancy and excessive — one needs only look at her infamous MTV Cribs for evidence of that — I had a sinking feeling that I wouldn’t like Miss Carey’s fragrance. But I’m happy to report, I love it! It’s a very non-threatening, easy-to-wear scent that brings out your inner girly-girl.
M sprays on as a light floral, then deepens to fruitier, warmer, spicy Oriental-influenced notes that remain very warm on my skin, and blend well with my body chemistry. According to perfume blog Now Smell This, Mariah created it with perfumer Carlos Benaim, and it’s described as a “floriental”. (Now Smell This reviews the scent here).
Elizabeth Arden describes it like this: “A warm and inviting marshmallow is woven throughout the fragrance, evoking a sense of comfort. This indulgent accord captures Mariah’s fondest childhood memories of being in the kitchen with her father.
The lush floral heart of the fragrance combines a feminine veil of Living Tahitian Tiare flower wrapped in the aura of wet Gardenia petals. This beautiful blend is reminiscent of the fragrant breezes of Hawaii and the Isle of Capri, Mariah’s favorite getaway.
The soul of the fragrance reveals a sexier dimension. Sheer amber, infused with spicy, woody accents of Moroccan incense forms a seductive accord that embodies Mariah’s sensuality, beauty and glamour.”
Ah. So marshmallow is the fruity scent I smell? It is a very sweet scent, with a hint of delicious spice. This is a fragrance that would be the perfect gift for an older teen, or anyone who’s got a forever-young outlook on life. Like Mariah herself, it’s womanly without being in-your-face grown and sexy — it’s perfect for the sensualist whose favorite color might be purple, and who has an unabashed adoration for butterflies. Like me. And hey — like Mariah! I don’t like to show my butt, but apparently we do have some things in common.
M is totally joining the Guilty Pleasures beauty product list, alongside JLo’s Live. And I’m excited to try some of these other celebrity fragrances. I have especially high expectations for Gwen Stefani’s latest, based on the cool bottle alone.
I wanted to end this post with a Mariah video you may noy have seen in a while. So here’s Crybaby, which I love, despite the fact that it continues Mariah’s trend of constant half-nudity. I’m still waiting for her, Toni Braxton, and Janet to realize they’re too grown and too talented to keep relying on that kind of thing.
Bless her heart. Have you tried M, or any of the other celebrity fragrances? What’s your fave?
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October 1st, 2007 at 9:38 am
[...] Sea Eagle wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptTo which Mariah retorts: “I heard about this competition, and I wish Puff all the best with his new fragrance, but I think we’re actually appealing to different types of women. M by Mariah Carey is about being unforgettable, … [...]
October 1st, 2007 at 10:03 am
This was a funny entry. My favorite perfume used to be Chaos by Donna Karan. It is now discontinued and can only be found for 150-200 dollars a pop online.
I’ve moved on to a two heavenly scents, definitely not your average celebrity fare. One is French (of course) and the other is Japanese. I love them both and always have people asking me what they are when they stand a little close to me. I never tell as a wise woman once told me that a woman should never reveal her choice of perfume.
Koreans know how to wear perfume here. You can only barely smell it if you’re standing close to them, like say, on the metro or waiting to cross the street.
There is nothing worse than a perfume walking into the room before the wearer actually puts her hand on the doorknob. Or even worse! The perfume stays in the room long after the woman or man has left the room. So disgusting and tacky.
October 1st, 2007 at 10:20 am
Before someone jumps on me, I only told you about Chaos because it is no longer sold in stores. Ha!
October 1st, 2007 at 10:54 am
Since I have recently been inflicted with perfumania, I will try them both. My favorite perfumes right now are Michael Kors with a touch of Gardenia (my favorite scent), Jean Paul Gaultier’s Classique and Coco Chanel’s Mademoiselle. They are soft and luscious; very grown and sexy scents. Just a touch is enough so that you aren’t doing what TheBeautifulOne mentioned…it is tacky and unattractive to have on ridiculous amounts of perfume; makes you wonder what the person is covering up…..hmmmmm.
October 1st, 2007 at 10:58 am
@Trinichica
You are funny! I love your last sentence. Indeed!
October 1st, 2007 at 12:16 pm
Currently, I have:
Happy by Clinque
Stella by Stella McCartney
Princess by Babyphat (Yes, I hate to admit but I love how it smells)
And for those of you who don’t mind sharing, what are you wearing?
October 1st, 2007 at 12:52 pm
*lol* @ ==>
“Just judging from the track record, I’m not sure that I’d want to smell like his kind of girl.”
October 1st, 2007 at 2:39 pm
Believe it or not, I get so many compliments from people about my $25 bottle of (the original)Exclamation. I think most people would agree that cost is irrelevant as I have smelled some really funky and overpriced perfume, lol! With scents, always go with what works with your body chemistry, not against it, lol!
About Ms. Mariah…this Crybaby song I’ve never heard. Before “The Emancipation of Mimi” came out I hadn’t bought a Mariah CD since she went all “gangsta”. I don’t like her low register which she’s been doing a lot of in the last few years. My twin sis who is a music teacher/vocal coach says Mariah either oversings or sings “lazy” which we both think is shame because she has a beautiful voice.
October 1st, 2007 at 3:39 pm
Well, I have yet to try either Mariah or Diddy’s fragrances. As soon as I get over Sephora I will. The fragrance that I get the most compliments on is Chanel’s COCO MADEMOISELLE. This scent is gorgeous, but after wearing it for all of the years is has been out I am now tired of it. With a half of a bottle still on my dresser I have been going back and forth between two completely different aromas. L’Eau d’Issey by Issey Miyake has recently become my everyday scent, but for the evening going outs I have been wearing Lolita Lempicka. Now this is my fav because it is earthy without being to musky and it is extremely feminine. I also like it because, though it doesn’t work well with the chemistry of most folks that I know (who have tried it), it just smells intoxicating to my man which means it works with mines fine. So hey, I am sticking with it.
October 1st, 2007 at 4:22 pm
Oooh, I forgot to mention DKNY’s Red Delicious and Be Delicious; yes, it is soooo DELICIOUS!…..and I am running over to Sephora in the Time Warner Building tonight to try DKNY’s Delicious Night….
October 1st, 2007 at 6:29 pm
I wear Lolita Lempika too! I have for about 4 years. It doesn’t smell earthy on me though, it smells sweet like candy! I also like sea island cotton as my everday small from Bath and Body. But I don’t wear body splash. I feel I am too grown for that, lol. I but the perfume spray.
October 1st, 2007 at 7:26 pm
Gwen Stefani’s new scent is really nice…my other current favs are Juicy Couture, Marc Jacobs, Stella McCartney and Gucci’s Envy Me. After typing this I’m realizing that I might be addicted to perfumes! LOL!!
October 1st, 2007 at 8:42 pm
Despite myself, I like the new Gwen Stefani fragrance–I won’t buy it because I know my money is going to support her keeping her Love, Angel, Music, Slavery going (harajuku is awesome, Gwen’s appropriation not so much). This Diddy-Mimi back and forth did give me a good chuckle, though.
Personally, I don’t really want to smell like a celb. I prefer spicier women’s fragrances because the set me apart. I really can’t stand smelling like everyone else…It’s like when I walk past A&F and think “Jezz, it smells like high school!” But, of course, to each their own.
October 1st, 2007 at 9:00 pm
Oooohhhh glad to hear that you like M! As a HUGE Mariah fan, I’m dying to buy it! (Although I HATED the commercial…totally cheezy, fake and unsubstantive…c’mon Mariah!)
Currently I own and LOVE the perfumes Paris Hilton and Just Me by (obviously) Paris Hilton. I want to try heiress and her new perfume can can. I love Goddess by Kimora Lee Simmons, but I do not own it (yet). Tommy Girl has been a favorite of mine for years!
One day, I’d like to go and sample all of the perfumes!!!
October 1st, 2007 at 11:04 pm
I used to wear Just Me by Paris Hilton until I saw her little “nigger” tape on Young Black and Fabulous. I promptly tossed it in the trash and will never give that bimbo a buck again. I loove Juicy Couture and I love Micheal Kors. I like the Usher perfume but I’ve only smelled the magazine sample and there is no Macy’s around New Orleans so it will be a while before I get a real whiff. I also like True Star Gold, Beyonce’s perfume but it’s mysteriously dissappeared. I think my sister swiped it. Also Narcissco Rodriguez For Her and Kenneth Cole Black are awesome.
October 2nd, 2007 at 2:05 am
I love Juicy Couture and Cashmere by Donna Karan, I think. I like Happy by Clinique, too. None of which I can afford right now, but a girl can dream. I AGREE, I wouldn’t want to smell like Diddy’s kind of woman, either! :-] Way too much drama tied up in that, of all types. That was funny, the whole unforgettable/unforgivable thing. They are both a trip.
October 2nd, 2007 at 7:40 am
My all time favorite would have to be Groove Eau de Toilette by Carol’s daughter. I wear it and I have had men stand next to me and I can feel them smelling me..lol I also use Lolita Lempicka, Chanel no.5, Chloe Narcisse, Dolce and Gabbana that comes in the red velvet box and Bvlgari. Other than that I also used a lot of body sprays from Bath and Body Works, Victoria’s Secret and Body shop!!
October 2nd, 2007 at 9:56 am
well … anyone who can sexualize a bowl of cereal can certainly sell perfume or whatever she wants. but like tyra put it, ‘you have to look expensive.’
October 2nd, 2007 at 10:46 am
A friend gave me Prada perfume as a gift and I get the most compliments on it esp. from men. I also like Happy by clinque but only women would ask what I was wearing. This could be why I have been rocking the Prada mostly. ha
I have to be honest I’m over the celeb perfume thing. Usher and Puffy have perfumes? Why?
October 3rd, 2007 at 5:18 am
I love ANGELS by Thierry Muegler.
Sweet and hint of chocolate! Men and women always stop me and ask me what I am wearing.
My friend also brings me these delightful and inexpensive east African perfumed oils from Djbuti. And cake like incense that you burn in your clothing closet or stand over so your clothes captures the fragrance yummmmmmmmy!!! She said that is what the women do back home and when their husbands come home and smell that scent in the house they know its their lucky night LOL
October 3rd, 2007 at 1:18 pm
Angel by Thierry Muegler, Michael by Michael Kors and, as much as I hate to admit it, Glow by Jennifer Lopez. I have gotten more compliments by wearing these three scents. Oh and a scent called “Booty Call” which is an essential oil. I hate the name, but men go nuts when I wear it.
I’ve been through with Mariah Carey since I noticed she was always photographed in an angelic glow while her dancers / background singers (black) were in the background blurry. (Check out her old videos). And this was before she left Tommy Mattola. She can sing, but I cannot stand her.
October 3rd, 2007 at 1:19 pm
“I wanted to end this post with a Mariah video you may noy have seen in a while. So here’s Crybaby, which I love, despite the fact that it continues Mariah’s trend of constant half-nudity. I’m still waiting for her, Toni Braxton, and Janet to realize they’re too grown and too talented to keep relying on that kind of thing.”
I meant to add, I agree with you 100% on this statement.
October 3rd, 2007 at 4:52 pm
I have been wearing Angel by Thierry Muegler since I was a freshman in high school. I am now a sophomore in college and it’s my signature scent. I ABSOLUTELY LOVEEE IT. People have come to associate it with me, and I think it smells sooo wonderful. Men and women love it so I would recommend it to anyone.
October 4th, 2007 at 12:38 pm
I am a scent addict and I like to sample and wear new fragrances before I make the purchase on anything above $50–so glad that Sephora gives you a nice-sized sample of anything you want if you ask. I love Be Delicious, Issey Miyake, Miss Dior Cherie (when I’m feeling cute and girly) and good old Liz Taylor White Diamonds (a light spritz is perfect for interviews and work functions). I try everything from the oils they sell at the beauty supply to some obsure scent at a store that no one else is hip to but me. I have smelled Baby Phat Goddess and I adore that one as well, but I will stay far away from Diddy & Usher. I want to try Gwen Stefani and Mariah is my girl, as ridiculous as she can be at times, so I will be on the look out for M.
October 7th, 2007 at 10:58 pm
Prince’s, “3121″ actually smells really nice. I bought some for my girl and she loves it. I even spray some in the car because it smells so good. You should really try it.
February 16th, 2008 at 2:13 pm
[...] a 2 DVD boxed set and comes packaged with a teeny M by Mariah Carey fragrance sample. Which you already know, I LOVE. Seriously, every time I wear it I get raves. If you’re a fool for Ms. Carey and you want [...]
March 14th, 2008 at 10:41 am
[...] of hers that I’ve enjoyed. Ever. But I gotta admit, Live smells like heaven on me. As does M by Mariah Carey. As much as this might horrify a singer’s singer like Mizz Mariah — her perfume kinda [...]
June 13th, 2008 at 11:36 am
[...] Perfume: I think we all know how much I adore Mariah Carey’s M, but I haven’t yet gushed about M Gold, the “deluxe” edition, “the purest [...]