topic Re: Pre-opening Highlights Fragrance Edition 💖 in Fragrance Fans

Pre-opening Highlights Fragrance Edition 💖

pocketvenus — Wed, 30 Jun 2021 03:16:38 GMT

I'm going to repost an old survey @lyravega did back in 2018 🙂 2020 saw fragrance spending tank, and I know it did for me too. But I also relied on fragrance a lot for something to enjoy during lockdown! I thought it might be nice to reflect on the past year and a half and see the kind of role fragrance has played for you as a number of us are getting vaccinated and ready to re-enter the world more.

Here's the original thread, I'm just copy-pasting everything from here, all credit goes to lyravega ❤️ https://community.sephora.com/t5/Fragrance-Fans/2018-Highlights-Fragrance-Edition/m-p/4422143

How fragrant was your 2020-2021? Any special story/experience/moment you want to share? Or you can just answer these questions. Or do both! And then some!

Which 2020 or 2021 fragrance releases were your favorite?
Least favorite/disappointing?
Best packaging according to you?
What amazing new to you fragrances you discovered in 2020-21?
Some exciting re-discoveries?
What new brands/houses you discovered in 2020-21?
What was your most worn fragrance?
What was one fragrance you reached for the most: ~~a) when you went to work, b) when you went out ( social things, dates... ), c) for a lazy weekend at home~~, d) for mood uplifting when you felt down/blue, e) during the Holidays?
Any purchase/s you regret? Why?
Any new fragrant memories made?
What fragrance brand/s would you like to see in Sephora ~~in 2019~~ for when we open up?

Re: Pre-opening Highlights Fragrance Edition 💖

pocketvenus — Wed, 30 Jun 2021 03:19:22 GMT

I really loved Chlorophyllia by Libertine and Fayoum by Jazmin Sarai. The dry downs for them both are stunning. Also, they're both Canadian 🙂
Hm, maybe Rouge by CdG. The reviews were so glowing. I also did not like Hiram Green's Vivacious, probably because I really enjoy HG's other scents and it's the first I've tried that I didn't enjoy. Oh, the new Amouages were a little disappointing, Ashore and Wander.
I love that fancier bottles are coming out again! The new Miu Mius with the colourful prints are so cute! There's also this house called Floraiku that looks cute although it's by the same people behind Memo and I've not tried them as I'm not a huge fan of Memo.
Some vintages, like vintage Opium. Got caught up on some recent 2018-19 releases like Bengal Rouge. Loved the Bogue perfumes I tried.
Reacquainted myself with CdG's Hinoki. I'd fallen out of the habit of reaching for this one but it's so good.
Pekji, Di Ser, Nicolai, Bogue, Scent Trunk. I'm sure there's more, can't remember
I have absolutely no clue! I wore a lot of big florals and what I'll call black tie scents at home. Stuff like Superstitious by Malle, a lot of the heavy ouds, and so on.
I found myself turning to Bengale Rouge by Papillon for comfort. I usually don't like vanilla but I guess it's been an unusual year.
It's not the scents or something I really regret, but I got hit with so many extra shipping charges for my two 5ml travel sprays from Scent Trunk that I probably would not do it again. They ended up costing more than a high end niche fragrance would.
I have lots of memories wearing all this massive scents at home where I didn't have to worry about bothering anyone. In the beginning of the pandemic, I also took time out every morning just to smell essential oils and jot down my thoughts and impressions.
Semi-realistically, I'd love to see Sephora carry Penhaligon's, Diptyque, L'Artisan Parfumeur, Aesop, Goop since they carry Goop already, Boy Smells, Comme des Garcons, Etat Libre d'Orange. Pipe dream brands would be Frederic Malle, Mona di Orio, Dusita, Papillon, Tauer, Roja Dove, Puredistance, Hiram Green, Amouage.

Re: Pre-opening Highlights Fragrance Edition 💖

Titian06 — Wed, 30 Jun 2021 20:01:49 GMT

@pocketvenus - I can't answer any of these questions. What I've been doing over the past year and a half is going through my samples. When I finished the samples from The 7 Virtues, I reused the box and randomly picked 7 or 8 other samples to put in the wells. I rotate through them until they're used up. Then I choose another sample to replace the finished one. It's been fun. Scents I thought I liked, I no longer like; others I still like.

Re: Pre-opening Highlights Fragrance Edition 💖

Samtian — Wed, 30 Jun 2021 20:16:14 GMT

Which 2020 or 2021 fragrance releases were your favorite? I can't remember what came out when. Oh I did love the Jo Malone vintage ones, can't smell them but that packaging!
Least favorite/disappointing? Same. No idea.
Best packaging according to you? I love Guerlain honeycomb ones.
What amazing new to you fragrances you discovered in 2020-21? ...can't smell anything.
Some exciting re-discoveries? MMM Lipstick On!
What new brands/houses you discovered in 2020-21? ...
What was your most worn fragrance? I have just been working through mini samples, not wearing one particular thing for long.
What was one fragrance you reached for the most: My two old mists I've been trying to pan.
Any purchase/s you regret? Why? All of them haha because I can't enjoy them.
Any new fragrant memories made? No 😞
What fragrance brand/s would you like to see in Sephora in 2019 for when we open up? ALL OF THEM!

Re: Pre-opening Highlights Fragrance Edition 💖

Samtian — Wed, 30 Jun 2021 20:18:40 GMT

@pocketvenus On the American side at least, many many years ago, they did carry CdG, Etat, and L'Artisan.

Re: Pre-opening Highlights Fragrance Edition 💖

greeneyedgirl107 — Thu, 01 Jul 2021 00:08:14 GMT

@pocketvenus Great idea for a thread. Unfortunately, I really can't answer any of the questions!

Re: Pre-opening Highlights Fragrance Edition 💖

RavenR — Fri, 02 Jul 2021 06:35:37 GMT

Sounds like fun! But for the most part of the last year, even some of this one, I was just not interested in anything at all. Not even frags. And scents usually always help me feel better. I was not following what was going on and what's new. When I finally perked up, I turned to my own collection and never ending stash of samples. I was wearing ELDO Spice Must Flow a lot as it is super comforting to me. Re-discovered Versace Crystal Noir. And went through a lot of samples. My own stash. Nothing new. I think. Can't even remember. Oh, yeah. I ended up really liking ELDO 500 Years upon testing it again. Didn't really like it at first. And now really enjoying Soul Of My Soul. Somehow it turned out to be all about ELDO. 🤣 I love those bottles, too. They are really pretty. But in general, I am craving something like these Nicolai's, and Lutens' bell jars. And if I think of anything else, I'll stop by to add it. My memory sucks.

Re: Pre-opening Highlights Fragrance Edition 💖

RavenR — Thu, 01 Jul 2021 03:22:37 GMT

@Samtian Love your answer to question #11! And I agree! 😜

Re: Pre-opening Highlights Fragrance Edition 💖

eshoe — Fri, 02 Jul 2021 06:25:37 GMT

Just prefacing this by the fact that I am (embarrassingly) in no way knowledgeable about fragrance houses, perfumers, nor do I have a very discerning nose. But the descriptions here are seriously good reading, and I am learning much from just listening. Also, the past couple of years kind of all blend together, but this was a fun little quiz and I wanted to join in.

Which 2020 or 2021 fragrance releases were your favorite? I am not very up on release dates, only when I discovered a new fragrance! Sometimes it takes me awhile, for example, this week I decided to try Ellis Brooklyn Myth after passing a sample on a couple of years(?) ago. It feels homey and cozy and is like a longer-lasting Glossier You on my skin.
Least favorite/disappointing? I tried Frédéric Malle Portrait of a Lady and feel a bit lost. The initiation and majority of the wearing time, it is overwhelmingly pungent and strong. It is only in after coming back to it hours later, that it is somewhat comforting. Perhaps it is my own inclination for scents that bring comfort make me averse to such a powerful scent. But I feel I am missing out on something important here.
Best packaging according to you? Violette_Fr Avec Amour has a very pretty blue ombré glass bottle, with a heavily-weighted gold topper. The lid is crested with the brand’s signature logo which might make a pretty little wax seal.
What amazing new to you fragrances you discovered in 2020-21? The above?
Some exciting re-discoveries? I think I discovered a couple of individual notes I like. Water Lily, for one. I noticed it as a common ingredient in candles that I have liked, so for now, it’s a hunt for perfumes. I think peach and patchouli would be a nice blend with this. I am not the most savvy when it comes to the olfactory senses, and feel a bit naive in posting this, compared to what I have read here. But it is my best go at it.
What new brands/houses you discovered in 2020-21? 7 Virtues, Violette_Fr
What was your most worn fragrance? Jo Malone Wood Sage & Sea Salt, Commodity Velvet, Acqua di Parma Blu Mediterranean, Glossier You, MM Coffee Break
What was one fragrance you reached for the most: a) when you went to work, b) when you went out ( social things, dates... ), c) for a lazy weekend at home, d) for mood uplifting when you felt down/blue, e) during the Holidays? Anything nearby. I have different travel sprays/bottles in each room that give a little lift. The 7 Virtues Vanilla Woods was used most as it sits in the kitchen.
Any purchase/s you regret? Why? No. I make them work, even if they turn out to be less than I had hoped for, or in a worst case scenario, cause another family member’s sneezing fits.
Any new fragrant memories made? When a friend or family member has given me a GC or $, I like to buy a perfume that I either have had my eye on, or splurge on something new and unknown to me. Both the JM Wood Sage & Sea Salt and Avec Amour were that for me this year. I knew I loved the former, and the later is a more complicated relationship. But as it reminds me of my MIL, it always brings a smile to my face.
What fragrance brand/s would you like to see in Sephora in 2019 for when we open up? I love the idea of Diptyque. I am such a fragrance novice that anything might be appealing.

Re: Pre-opening Highlights Fragrance Edition 💖

Samtian — Sat, 03 Jul 2021 18:43:33 GMT

@RavenR Haha thank you!

Re: Pre-opening Highlights Fragrance Edition 💖

Libellules — Sun, 04 Jul 2021 13:25:54 GMT

Oooh I’ll play! I’ve abandoned makeup some years ago now, but my passion for fragrances has been reignited the past year or so!

Which 2020 or 2021 fragrance releases were your favorite? I think has been my favorite from the past year, which is a surprise to me since Coffee Break was such a disaster (snd truth be told, I haven’t loved a release from them since By the Fireplace
Least favorite/disappointing? … 🤐 the packaging is gorgeous, just stunning. But it doesn’t smell on me how it seems to smell on the vast majority of others.
Best packaging according to you? I’ll go with the Liquors from Kilian. They really are stunning!
What amazing new to you fragrances you discovered in 2020-21? So freaking many! I’m late to the party on both, but 2 “new to me” discoveries that I just love but of course are either hard to find or discontinued are Eau Noire from Maison Christian Dior & Traversee du Bosphore form L’Artisan Parfumeur.
Some exciting re-discoveries? My love for Serge Lutens is truly unwavering 😅
What new brands/houses you discovered in 2020-21? Another “too freaking many!” I tried The Harmonist for the first time a few months ago and found a few scents to love. I also hadn’t really done much exploring of the Dior or Chanel private lines previously and have found a few scents I really love there too. I’ve also recently ordered a discovery set from Masque Milano and am planning to explore that house pretty thoroughly. Oh and I’d also like to try more from Profumum Roma
What was your most worn fragrance? Tossup on Traversee du Bosphore and Rousse from Serge Lutens
What was one fragrance you reached for the most:a) when you went to work, b) when you went out ( social things, dates... ), c) for a lazy weekend at home, d) for mood uplifting when you felt down/blue, e) during the Holidays? Encens et Lavande from Serge Lutens was definitely a calming fragrance, and Eau Noire lifted my mood a lot too. For the holidays, I wore a lot of Rousse, Féminité du Bois and also my A Nocturnal Whisper perfume oil from Gucci’s The Alchemist Garden
Any purchase/s you regret? Why? Tarab from Serge Lutens. I bought a decant and tried it and loved it - I got resinous woods and dark fruits. I ordered it quickly because shiny gold bell jar, but when I tried it again it went pretty animalic 😭
Any new fragrant memories made? Not explicitly since it was such a weird year. I get some really strong feelings from Rousse though.
What fragrance brand/s would you like to see in Sephora in 2019 for when we open up? One day, Sephora US, like it’s Canadian counterpart will start carrying Serge Lutens - someone needs to stock those gorgeous bell jars! I’ve been wishing for this since 2015 though and it hasn’t happened

Re: Pre-opening Highlights Fragrance Edition 💖

Libellules — Sun, 04 Jul 2021 13:31:19 GMT

Floraiku has some brilliant packaging and marketing for sure - it’s a house I’ve been really curious to try, but I haven’t heard anything really positive about their actual scents. I don’t remember if I can link, but Talking Scents did a pretty thorough video on the discovery scent, and I was both entertained and surprised!

ill try dropping in the video here: https://youtu.be/Bm3GhWNJIrI

Penhaligon’s is an amazing suggestion for Sephora to carry in store! It’s so hard to find. Also really like the idea of L’Artisan Parfumeur and Diptyque. But I’ll be honest on Diptyque, if you can find a freestanding boutique they can be crazy generous with the sample. I remember going once to our local shop several years ago and I walked out with samples of pretty much the whole line 🥴

Re: Pre-opening Highlights Fragrance Edition 💖

Libellules — Sun, 04 Jul 2021 13:33:37 GMT

Which ones are the Jo Malone vintage ones?

Ugh why can’t you smell? I’ve been dealing with this too but have finally found a treatment for my issues. What a curse for a fragrance lover 😭

Re: Pre-opening Highlights Fragrance Edition 💖

blackkitty2014 — Sun, 04 Jul 2021 14:25:56 GMT

Omg bravo to you @Titian06 . I have a huge box of perfume samples. Yet I’m keeping buying. I’m so bad. Samples and full size need to be in my project pan 😘

Re: Pre-opening Highlights Fragrance Edition 💖

blackkitty2014 — Sun, 04 Jul 2021 14:36:37 GMT

@eshoe Haha seems liked you have more fragrant knowledge more than I do. I’m completely dumb about this subject even though I love them 😘 #2 I thought I’m the only one who doesn’t like that perfume. Gosh it stinks lol (sorry guys 😂🤣) For #10, I like to do the same too. That way I can say for this x occasion I get this y perfume from z person and I love it 😘 and yes bring on Diptyque. It’s a neat brand.

Re: Pre-opening Highlights Fragrance Edition 💖

itsfi — Sun, 04 Jul 2021 15:16:42 GMT

I delved into fragrances more during the stay-at-home and this was a wonderful way to reflect and reminisce on the good moments of that time. Thank you @pocketvenus for posting this thread and to @lyravega for inspiring its revival. 💖

1. Which 2020 or 2021 fragrance releases were your favorite?

Boy Smells Exploratory Set - my favorite two scents from the scent were Tantrum and Violet Ends. I ended up purchasing a full size of Tantrum (I wouldn't be surprised if Violet Ends makes its way here at some point). While there were a couple of scents that my nose didn't care for, I mention the set here because the whole exercise of testing these new fragrances from Boy Smells was a joy.

2. Least favorite/disappointing?

Maison Margiela REPLICA Under the Lemon Trees - I love lemons and was excited for this one, but alas, it did not work well on my skin. I didn't pick up any lemon scent. Strangely, I picked up a root beer scent. Not a bad one in its own right, but not at all expected. lol.

Ellis Brooklyn BEE Eau de Parfum - There are a couple of Ellis Brooklyn scents I love so I purchased it hoping this would also be one of them. I waver back and forth over liking this one and being disappointed by it. It's heavier and sweeter than I expected or like, but I have been finding ways to pair it with other fragrances that have made the scent more enjoyable for me.

3. Best packaging according to you?

- I like fragrances. I like high heels.

Diptyque Essences Insensees Tiare Eau de Parfum

Serge Lutens Bell Jars (for aesthetics; I can't imagine it's very practical)

4. What amazing new to you fragrances you discovered in 2020-21?

Jill Stuart Eau de Blooming Pear - no idea when this launched but I discovered it early late spring - the fresh, crisp, faintly fruity-floral scent makes me think spring / summer.

Boy Smells Tantrum; Violet Ends

Ex Nihilo Fleur Narcotique Eau de Parfum - summer in a bottle

Diptyque Orpheon - just wish the scent lasted longer on me.

- wish the scent on this lasted longer on me

5. Some exciting re-discoveries?

- this was my Sephora souvenir from my trip to Maui, circa February 2018

Jo Malone Blue Agava & Cacao

6. What new brands/houses you discovered in 2020-21?

Boy Smells (thank you, @pocketvenus!); Kilian (thank you, @sonnydee!)

7. What was your most worn fragrance? ?

Not sure if there's been one go-to; I've been using up samples and rotating through fragrances the last 16 months.

8. What was one fragrance you reached for the most: a) when you went to work, b) when you went out ( social things, dates... ), c) for a lazy weekend at home, d) for mood uplifting when you felt down/blue, e) during the Holidays?

d) Serge Lutens Five O'Clock Au Gingembre

e) or #Jo Malone London Pomegranate Noir Cologne 3.4 oz/ 100 mL Spray

9. Any purchase/s you regret? Why?

Not really. For the most part, I've been able to pick up samples first and it's been a treat carving out time to try new scents at home.

10. Any new fragrant memories made?

Just generally trying out new scents at home, or layering / combining fragrances.

11. What fragrance brand/s would you like to see in Sephora in 2019 for when we open up?

Serge Lutens; Zoologist; D.S. & Durga

Re: Pre-opening Highlights Fragrance Edition 💖

pocketvenus — Sun, 04 Jul 2021 18:58:42 GMT

@Samtian Ah, I remember Etat and L'Artisan for which they even carried little box sets! But I didn't realize they carried CdG at one point. I would love a little travel atomizer set of the incense line and the Monocle line or the pebbles ❤️

Re: Pre-opening Highlights Fragrance Edition 💖

pocketvenus — Sun, 04 Jul 2021 19:12:38 GMT

@Libellules Thanks for the link! It seems like all the reviewers have moved off blogs onto YouTube.

I'll be honest, I haven't read really great things about the fragrances either and I think that is in large part due to the inflated pricing. In Canada, the retail price is $420/50 ml. How can one's expectations not become inflated too? Frederic Malle's Carnal Flower is almost $100 less at $360/50ml and it is an industry legend, widely regarded as a benchmark tuberose soliflore, one of the greats. Are any of the Floraikus going to even come close to that? I mean, for certain individuals maybe one of the Floraikus just works with their skin and will be amazing and totally worth the price to the buyer but overall, this house kind of feels like an exercise in seeing what extremes the current market will bear?

I'm not sure how well Penhaligons would perform at Sephora to be honest but I think if they did the Diptyque candles they would make a killing. I've had mixed experiences with Diptyque counters. Sometimes their SAs are super knowledgable and other times not at all, but I imagine this could be different in an actual boutique. Wish we had one in Toronto. It's funny how different brands are with samples. I've not found Toronto Diptyques to be super liberal with samples until you purchase something while houses like Le Labo are just throwing them at you!

Re: Pre-opening Highlights Fragrance Edition 💖

pocketvenus — Sun, 04 Jul 2021 19:15:35 GMT

@blackkitty2014 @Titian06 Wow, that's really impressive!! I don't think I could make the commitment, plus I'm always buying more samples! Typically I buy a larger bottle before I finish a sample if I really like it so it makes panning a little difficult if you count finishing the whole scent! 🙂

Re: Pre-opening Highlights Fragrance Edition 💖

pocketvenus — Sun, 04 Jul 2021 19:21:50 GMT

@Samtian Oh Samtian, it has been so long - I seem to remember you saying you were able to detect some scents, although not pleasant ones? If I may ask, have you experienced any changes over the months?

I love the Guerlain ones too ❤️