The Perfume Challenge

[txcatx]

Do you have a box full of perfume vials and/or a vanity covered in perfume bottles? Are you the Goldilocks of perfume, just looking for the perfect signature scent? Do you want an opportunity to post daily about how your perfume of the day smells oaky and smoky with hints of blackberry and currant, like a cigar in a whisky barrel rolling through a Mediterranean orchard on a breezy summer morning?

If you answered yes to any of the above, or you just want to hop on board for the ride, join us for a 31 days of perfume challenge starting January 1st! Some of us from the 25 days of lipstick challenge wanted to continue the fun and exploration, and since many of us have so many perfume samples, we thought this challenge would be perfect. If you don't have 31 perfumes or hate everything that doesn't smell like Meyer lemons and fresh goat cream, that's fine--we're just aiming to use the neglected perfumes we have laying around and incorporate them into our perfume rotations.

And if you want more perfume vials, there's no better time than now to take a peek at Sephora's samples section.

Edit: Anyone can join in at anytime! We're here to support, live vicariously through, and encourage everyone in their olfactory adventures!

[alexasteph]

I really want to try this one, it sounds right up my alley. 

[txcatx]

Day 8: Jo Malone Lime, Basil, and Mandarin cologne. I smell like salad dressing. Or a delicious marinade for chicken or fish.

[pocketvenus]

Day Eight: By Kilian's Vodka on the Rocks

A fresh and rather generic citrus-wood scent. It's a dead ringer for vodka and there's a synthetic aspect of it that's cool (temperature wise) but vodka is just not a very compelling scent. Was excited to try this sample as it's a boutique exclusive but it's not worth the price at all.

If you want a fresh gin or vodka type scent, you're better off with Malle's Angeliques Sous La Pluie - a unisex fragrance. It's chic and has a little sparkle to it. Plus it's half the price!

[WhereYouStand]

Day 8

Narcisco Rodriguez - for her

Notes:
Pink Chypre, Pink Floral, Voluptuous Woods, Soft Amber, Sheer Chypre, Flower Honey, Tactile Woods, Amber Light.

[Titian06]

@WhereYouStand - lol!  I read the second ingredient as Pink Floyd!  Now you know what I was *really* thinking about!  😄

[WhereYouStand]

lol 🙂

[Samtian]

Day 7- Bottega Veneta

Notes-From the very start, the olfactive identity of the brand appears through the original cross-combination of plum and pink pepper, which brings brightness and depth. A strong and charismatic note of sambac jasmine (a variety of jasmine less animal and more floral), reflects in the heart the elegance of the Bottega Veneta woman. Harmonious contrast between modernity and tradition, this fragrance continues to radiate through its specific leather accord, a symbol and signature of Bottega Veneta fashion design.

I didn't even know I had a sample of this. It smells really good and strong. But I know I've smelt something like this before, I just can't place what other perfume it is. 

[angel7594]

Day 8: Thierry Mugler Alien. 

Notes: Jasmine Sambac, Cashmeran Wood, Amber Gris

I love this fragrance for fall/winter, and the pretty purple bottle is one of the few I love to see on my vanity. 🙂

[unfungirl]

@angel7594 i really like alien! it's not as overpowering as angel can be, but is still a really nice woody/gourmand scent!

[ghrelin]

 Day 8: Prada Candy by Prada.

I first smelled this a while back while browsing the fragrance section of Sephora.  I instantly recoiled because it was so sweet!  Too sweet.  I put it in my mental 'nope' folder for perfumes and went about my business.

Fast forward to today.  I ended up with a sample vial of this as a substitution.  I had planned on trying to pawn it off onto someone else, but I decided that I would try it out on my skin for the sake of this challenge.

My first impression was, 'yup, still sweet', but it wasn't as overwhelmingly, headache-inducingly sweet as I remembered it being.  Then I was like, 'actually this smells pretty good' and spent the next half hour sniffing myself as I went about my morning.

Caramel is the first thing I picked out.  Almost instantly.  There's an underlying powdery-vanilla that becomes more prominent upon drydown that isn't nearly as sweet.  I feel like this is a nice, uncomplicated gourmand that would be great for a fun daytime date or activity.  

I don't know that I'd wear it in warmer weather, but it makes a nice cool/cold weather fragrance.  With the caramel, I'm leaning towards fall.

For me, I don't know that I'd buy a full bottle of it.  The top notes are just a little too sweet for me to wear most of the time, but I'll finish the sample and add it to my list of 'rollerball' wants.

[unfungirl]

Day 8: Gucci Bamboo!

i LOVE this!! i might need to purchase. it's one of those scents that makes you want to keep smelling yourself.  The lily is the leading note, but I also smells the sandalwood, but neither note is too strong. So glad i finally tried this!

[Haleyhale]

Day 7 Viktor and Rolf BonBon 

To me, it's a more grown up Prada candy, I'll use my sample vials but wouldn't buy a whole bottle. The hair mist I would love though... 

[k617]

Day 7 - Ann Gerard Rose Cut

Whew...this is a boozy one. I ordered a bunch of rose fragrances (Based on reviews) from a perfume site, and sad to say this isn't my kind of fragrance. DH called it "interesting". I think it's a bit too "grown-up" for me. 😛 I could see myself wearing this when I'm in my 40's (maybe) but even then it's not really my style!

Notes: Rum, roses, pink pepper, patchouli 

Edit: saw someone describe this as "old-fashioned". Completely accurate, probably why I don't feel it's appropriate for me. 

Spoiler

Day 4 - Somethin' Special Sweet Petals (LUSH Rose Jam dupe)
Day 5 - Giorgio Armani Si Intense
Day 6 - Givenchy Dahlia Divin

[txcatx]

This reminds me--one of my college friends owns a niche perfume shop in Hong Kong, and they sell Ann Gérard. I'm going to have to ask her for perfume recommendations!

[HookedOnBeauty2]

Day 7: It started out as a lazy day of just rearranging some stuff in my beauty room so I wasn't going to wear any perfume.

Then my BF came home and said "wanna go shoe shopping" - with no hesitation I got ready and wore:

Wildfox 🙂

[ghrelin]

Love Wildfox!  Sounds like the perfect fragrance for shoe shopping 😄

[Haleyhale]

I I did not know they made a fragrance, I love their baggy beach sweaters, super comfy lounge wear @HookedOnBeauty2

[alexasteph]

Your BF asked if you wanted to go shoe shopping?? Keep him. 

[angel7594]

Day 7: I am struggling with extreme laziness, so I played it safe with with one of my favorites rather than reaching into my sample stash, lol. 😆

Chanel N. 5 Eau Premiere

[Anonymous]

Day 7 Commodity Moss

[blackkitty2014]

Jan 7: Tom Ford Shanghai Lily EDP deluxe sample: if it wasn't the high price, I wouldn't mind to have it in my collection. Lovely scent! Sweet but not super sweet.