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!

[Alicehoopz]

Haha, we twinned today. And had the exact same feelings about this perfume too!

[blackkitty2014]

Jan 10: Aerin Ikat Jasmine sample vial: I can smell a very light jasmine. Quite pretty but I'm afraid it won't last long on me.

[JenniferOhJenny]

Day 10 - So I put on Philosophy Pink Almond Candy body butter after my shower, then sprayed on my new sample of Guerlain La Petite Robe Noir (which smells a bit like cherries) later. Honestly, it smells delicious! (In case it's not obvious, I love sweet scents :).)

[AMHWKI]

Day 10:  Trying another Derek Lam today - Hi-Fi.

Notes:
Pink Peony, French Narcisse. 

This smells very similar to one of the Mary Jacobs Sorbet perfumes.  I dig it!

[JennVA]

Day 10: Nest Indigo (mini)

Notes: Moroccan Tea, Kashmir Wood, Cardamom, Wild Fig

I think this is one of the more unique scents I own. None of the notes stand out to me individually. They blend well throughout the wear.

Spoiler

Day 9: Juliette Has a Gun MMMM.... (travel spray)
Day 8: Gucci Guilty (sample vial)
Day 7: Jo Malone Dark Amber and a Ginger Lily (sample vial)
Day 6: Guerlain La Petite Robe Noire EDT (mini)
Day 5: E&J Nirvana Rose (rollerball)
Day 4: Derek Lam 10 Crosby Ellipsis (sample vial)
Day 3: Marc Jacobs Decadence (rollerball)
Day 2: Derek Lam 10 Crosby 2am Kiss (sample vial)
Day 1: Philosophy Fresh Cream (body spray)

[michelleshops]

Day 10: Stash by SJP

My notes - I adore SJP and think she can do no wrong.  This perfume smells like church to me (some kind of incense maybe?) and I really like it but I think it might be too strong for many.

Real notes - Top - Grapefruit zest, black pepper, sage; Heart - Cedarwood atlas, patchouli, ginger lily, pistachio; Base - Olibanum, massoia wood, vetiver, musk

[greenporchlights]

Ooooh, it's definitely the olibanum that makes it churchy. Sounds very nice!

[michelleshops]

Oh thanks GPL!  I expected to recognize one of the notes but I had no clue!

[txcatx]

Day 10: Maison Margiela Beach Walk. It's not terribly out of season here in the south where it's going to be 78 degrees later today, but this perfume just smells like salt and concentrated sunscreen on me. It's disappointing because I love bergamot and lemon, but the coconut is overpowering all the other notes!

Notes:
Bergamot, Pink Pepper, Lemon, Ylang Ylang, Coconut Milk, Heliotrope, Musk, Cedarwood, Benzoin.

[k617]

At 78F I'd totally be rocking the summer scents!! That's summer temperatures here! 😄

[Libellules]

Day 10: Jasmin et Cigarette by Etat Libre d'Orange. Starts off as a leathery jasmine, but dries down more into just a honeyed jasmine. Starting to get some of the tobacco as I write this. It's nice - not full bottle worthy, but nice.

Notes:

Jasmine absolute, tobacco, hay, apricot, tonka bean, turmeric, cedar, amber, musk

Spoiler

Keeping running tally so that I won't repeat!
Day 9: Chance EDP by Chanel
Day 8: Missed - "Eau de me" :x
Day 7: Ombre Leather by Tom Ford
Day 6: Straight to Heaven By Killian
Day 5: Bapteme du Feu by Serge Lutens
Day 4: Fir Balsam by L'Antichambre
Day 3: Borneo 1834 by Serge Lutens
Day 2: Maison Margiela Replica Dancing on the Moon
Day 1: Tobacco Vanille by Tom Ford   

[k617]

Day 10 - Chanel Allure Sensuelle

This vial has been sitting in my vial storage for probably a couple of years, at least. I was thoroughly intimidated by it as it smelled so strong just from sniffing the vial. I finally went through all of my vials yesterday, threw out ones I knew I didn't like, and sorted the remaining ones by season. I actually don't have that many vials that are best for winter so I'm forcing myself to try all of them. It's -20C and below here, so light florals typically for spring really don't smell right in the frigid air!

This is supposed to be a warm spicy, woodsy floral but all I smell is the patchouli (yay) and floral. There may be some warmth to it likely due to the vanilla but I wouldn't call it spicy. I do like it, and it's not strong or overpowering.

I only dared to spirtz once on my neck, but I think my winter coat and scarf absorbed most of it. I might have to try it again another time!

Notes: bergamot, patchouli, florals, sandalwood, spices, vanilla, amber.  

Spoiler

Day 4 - Somethin' Special Sweet Petals (LUSH Rose Jam dupe)
Day 5 - Giorgio Armani Si Intense
Day 6 - Givenchy Dahlia Divin
Day 7 - Ann Gerard Rose Cut

Day 8 - nothing

Day 9 - Juliette Has a Gun Moon Dance

[Libellules]

I understand your struggle @k617! I'm having the opposite problem - while it is technically winter, and we hit 20 degrees Fahrenheit (-7C), it's going to be 75F/24C today O.O. And most of my fragrances / the samples that I pick up are probably best suited for colder temperatures lol.

[k617]

Whoa! That's pretty crazy!

Sounds like the kind of fall we had! Usually by about September/October snow is not uncommon. But in November we had a week with temperatures > 20C. We were confused.

[Libellules]

Ugh! It is terrible! Totally messing with my sinuses - we've been going like this for weeks, mostly swinging between 40F/80F, but this was the most drastic!

Unfortunately, it is hindering my smelling abilities as well 😄

[k617]

I'm with you on that! What I like about cold weather is I rarely have headaches. When it does warm up, or when the weather is all over the place, I get crazy headaches and shoulder aches! 😞

[Libellules]

That sounds awful @k617! I'm glad for you that you live in a colder climate 🙂

[unfungirl]

Day 10: Jo Malone Pomegranate Noir

Yummy!! The patchouli in this is subtle, but adds a nice woody element and plays well with the pomegranate and berry. I'm loving this!

[jen143xo]

I love Jo Malone, I haven't tried this one yet!  Must check it out next time I am in the department store! Sounds lovely! 🙂

[unfungirl]

It's so nice!! @jen143xo you must check it out 🙂

[jen143xo]

Day 10:

Dolce & Gabbana - Dolce

Notes:
Neroli Leaves, Papaya Flower, White Amaryllis, White Daffodil, White Water Lily, Cashmeran, Musky Notes, Sandalwood.
Style:
Delicate. Joyous. Avant-garde.

Another one of my all time favs!!  😄
(I said I was going to use another one from my Derek Lam 10 Crosby set and I just realized I forgot haha)