Fragrance Junkie Central

[Mochapj]

I know there are a few of us on BT that are fragrance addicts, so I thought it would be nice to have a dedicated place where we can share our thoughts.

This is not to take away from the lovely What Are You Wearing Today, Fragrance Edition thread, but more a place to post longer reviews, chat about new brands or releases, and just shoot the breeze on anything good and smelly 🙂

For me, I recently acquired 2 new decants that I've been anxiously awaiting.  Ever since Lachaton mentioned that MMM was releasing a new scent called By The Fireplace I've been itching to get my hands on it.  My decant arrived yesterday, so I'm looking forward to marinating in it this weekend.  Secondly, I recently picked up a tiny sample of Shiseido Nombre Noir.  Supposedly it is one of the most expensive failures in perfume history - made by Serge Lutens for Shiseido back in the 80s.  Of course, with a backstory like that, I was dying to get a sniff 😄

What's new on your scent radar?  Do tell!

 

[Samtian]

It's been a while! Started my Pan It! - 2025 Challenge . I do 12 travel size and 12 mini fragrances, one of each per month randomly chosen. Here is a photo of the ones for this year-

First up we have Tory Birch Bel Azuir. Not my photo but I am obsessed with the packaging-

This started off a very dreamy strong citrus scent. Just general citrus nothing particular stood out. It was like the perfect tropical beach scent, I didn't want to stop smelling it. The dry down was a neroli + vetiver base. Lasted about 8 hours. 4/5

Fragrantica notes- Bel Azur by Tory Burch is a Floral fragrance for women. Bel Azur was launched in 2017. Top note is Bergamot; middle notes are Neroli and Peony; base notes are Cedar and Vetiver.

Up next is the Atelier Clemintine California also not my photo. 

Started off with a very sharp citrus and juniper berry scent. I hadn't noticed that pre-covid. I really loved this before I got covid. I did detect all the middle notes, especially the basil and pepper. Dry down was a medical cypress and juniper. I did not like that at all. So of course I could faintly smell it the next day!!!  1/5

Fragrantica notes- Clémentine California by Atelier Cologne is a Citrus Aromatic fragrance for women and men. Clémentine California was launched in 2016. Top notes are Clementine, Mandarin Orange and juniper berry; middle notes are Basil, Star Anise and Pepper; base notes are Cypress, Haitian Vetiver and Sandalwood.

I might start chat gp these so they sound smarter lol. I rotate these and the regular sample vial I use on work days. I have multiple of the Atelier, so for now at least this larger one is going to be destashed. 

[courtneyyyyyyyf]

I LOVE tory burch Bel Azur. It was my go to perfume for so long. I'm devastated that it was discontinued. I haven't been able to find it anywhere. If you don't mind me asking, when did you purchase it and where were you able to find it? 

[Samtian]

@courtneyyyyyyyf It's divine! I actually had a Sephora GWP a few years ago that included it and another one of his. I did see some for sale on Ebay though!

[Margalee]

@Samtian 

Black Tulip *hearts*

[Samtian]

@Margalee I loved that one so much. Hopefully it still smells great. Looks like that one is in October. 

[Titian06]

@Samtian - The Tory Birch sounds wonderful; the notes are right up my alley!  I have the Atelier Cologne Clémentine California.  I can't smell it except briefly when I spray it on.  I get a quick whiff of citrus.

[Samtian]

@Titian06 This Tory Birch is amazing. Bummer about the Atelier not lasting long for you. 

[fatimamummy]

I hope everyone's 2025 is off to a good start. Winter is on full swing so here is a fragrance that I'll call my favourite new discovery of this season. 

Mind Games Opera Mate: This is the most exquisite roasted chestnut fragrance. If you want to picture how it smells,

imagine yourself in a cozy wood cabin, curled up by the fireplace, savoring freshly roasted chestnuts with a warm cup of coffee in hand. Off in the distance, a bowl of crème brûlée sits tempting on the kitchen counter. The soft, comforting scent of sandalwood wafts through the air, blending with the subtle hints of suede from your well-worn couch. Mind Game's Opera Mate exudes just that kind of warmth and charm.

Roasted chestnut was the note that first caught my attention with Opera Mate, and I'm pleased to say it fully delivers. From start to finish, this fragrance celebrates roasted chestnut in all its warm, nutty glory. The opening is more woody, with a subtle creamy sweetness, but soon the roasted chestnut takes over.

There's a hint of smoke with a soft caramelized sweetness that smooths out the scent, adding a creamy feel, but it never veers into full sweet gourmand territory. For me, it's a cozy, creamy, nutty gourmand fragrance resting on a woody base. 

It has a well balanced unisex profile that makes it wearable for just about anyone. As always if you are interested in more in depth review , you can read it on my blog.

When I shared it on other platforms, the most common question in comments and private messages was about it's comparison to Maison Margiela ‘REPLICA' By the Fireplace Eau de Toilette with Chestnut, Vanilla, and Clove Oil 3.4... . Luckily I have By the Fire Place at hand so I was able to compare the two side by side. Instead of cluttering this review, I am going to leave a short comparison in the comments for anyone here who is interested.

Opera Mate is one of the two latest releases from The Mind Games Fragrances that dropped just before Christmas. At this time it is exclusive to brand's own website. 

[Margalee]

@fatimamummy great review btw.

[fatimamummy]

Thank you @Margalee 

[Margalee]

@fatimamummy 

I've tried two Mind Games fragrances in the past couple months and I really like French Defense. It's a warm black cherry fragrance. Not over done at all. More low key lushness. Long lasting. The atomizer gives a nice long fine mist too. Very quality to me. I've wanted to try Mind Games for a while so it was nice to finally get a bit of them. I tried J'Adoube also. Be forewarned this was on my clothing a looong time. It's a bit masculine for me to actually be a favorite but I do enjoy the scent and it's not overboard on the masculinity. I do enjoy Oud-y fragrances. French Defense is more to my liking and I think it's super unisex. 

[fatimamummy]

@Margalee As it happens, French Defense is the only other Mind Games Fragrance that I own ,besides Opera Mate. It was my first from the brand and I also Love it. 

[Titian06]

Opera Mate sounds lovely, @fatimamummy !  I think I need to start a list for a future sample/decant purchase. 😄

[fatimamummy]

I believe roasted chestnut is the note which is calling for the comparison but honestly these two fragrances are quite different. I love them both but they are not quite the same.

By the fire place is more Smokey than nutty and vanilla is very prominent. Chestnut is more subtle and slightly synthetic. While Opera Mate has more authentic roasted chestnut notes and a creamy texture. Sweetness comes from caramel and Creme brûlée which is softly peeking from behind the sandal wood and chest nut and not as strong as vanilla in By the fire place. Roasted chestnut takes centre stage in Opera Mate while Vanilla is the most stand out note in By the Fire Place. 

[fatimamummy]

A fragrance that looks and smells festive, that is what I want to share with you all in the spirit of holiday season. 

Atelier Des Ors Pink Me Up: First the presentation can't get anymore festive. A playful, uplifting and radiant fragrance sprinkled with gold flakes and housed in a work-of-art ombré pink bottle.

It opens with a bright, fruity burst of bergamot and orange blossoms, enhanced by a playful, fizzy sparkle. The rose note takes center stage right from the start and remains prominent throughout, perfectly balanced by the fruity sweetness of blackberry and sparkling champagne accord. As it settles, the rose and champagne linger beautifully, joined by a powdery and earthy base of musk, iris, and patchouli. 

If I am to define it in simples term, I'll call it a Rose Champagne fragrance with the touch of fruity and woody notes. 

It has a great projection and longevity on my skin is very impressive. I could smell it through the day until I took shower next morning. Here I would like to mention that fragrance tend to fade much faster in wrists (at least for me) so when I try a fragrance for review, I also spray it on the crease of my elbows so I can take notes of how fragrance develops and also can get a better sense of longevity on skin.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask and I'll try to answer as best as I can.

               

[Shosh85]

@fatimamummy  Such a beautiful description of this fragrance! The bottle itself and the photos you took are just gorgeous! 🤩

[fatimamummy]

@Shosh85 Thank you! The fragrance profile matches its appearance. Very bubbly and festive.

[itsfi]

@fatimamummy, the notes on this one sound beautiful and what a stunning bottle. Your photos are gorgeous and showcases its marvelous packaging! 😘

[fatimamummy]

Thank you @itsfi It is a beautiful fresh fragrance. One of the very few in my shelf that is youthful enough for my daughter.

[Titian06]

The bottle is so pretty, @fatimamummy ! 😍

[fatimamummy]

@Titian06 I love the overall presentation with bottle and gold flakes.