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!

[Mcakes]

Day 18: Christian Louboutin Tornade Blonde

Notes:
Rhubarb, Violet Leaves, Ambrette Signature, Cassis, Bulgarian Rose, Jasmin Sambac Absolut, Orange Flower Petals Firnat, Gardenia from Brazil, Ambregris, Cedarwood, Australian Sandalwood, Patchouli.

http://www.sephora.com/tornade-blonde-P411917?skuId=1862572&icid2=products%20grid:p411917

I feel pretty! Oh so pretty! Ugh but seriously I love it and it is way out of my price range. I will savor every last drop of this sample vial lol. 

Spoiler

Day 17: Carven Le Parfum (LOVE)

Day 16: Tory Burch

Day 15: Bvlgari Omnia Crystalline

Day 14: Angel by Thierry Mugler

Day 13: Tom Ford Velvet Orchid

Day 12: Atelier Cologne Collection Azur Sud Magnolia

Day 11: Marc Jacobs Daisy

Day 10: Juicy Couture Viva La Juicy Noir

Day 9: Burberry Brit Sheer

Day 8: Elizabeth and James Nirvana Black and White

Day 7: Stella by Stella McCartney

Day 6: Miss Dior Absolutely Blooming

Day 5: Flower by Kenzo

Day 4: Maison Margiela Replica Lipstick On

Day 3: Commodity Gold (LOVE)

Day 2: Moschino Fresh Couture

Day 1: YSL Black Opium

[k617]

Day 18 - Giorgio Armani Si

Have I worn this already? I think I might have worn Si Intense. My kind of florally fragrance, but grown up 🙂

Notes: Chypre, Blackcurrant Nectar, Airy Florals, Musky Blond Wood.

[Smeegle]

Day 18: Jo Malone Incense and Cedrat. A very nice peppery scent. Isn't lasting too long on my skin though, and dries down to a musky scent that smells more like a men's fragrance.

Verdict: Wouldn't purchase a full bottle for myself, perhaps for my hubby though.

[unfungirl]

Day 18: Tocca Florence 

This is a bit too floral for me, but as it fades Iike it more. The bergamot is more dominant than the gardenia, and I like that. unfortunately that did not last very long on me at all, I can't even smell it after a few hours.

[txcatx]

Day 18: Moschino Fresh Couture. I don't know. For some reason, I just thought about Edible Arrangements when I first got a whiff of it. I suppose it's a bit fruity, but kind of generic? Although, a couple hours later, the fruit seems to have mostly dissipated, and I'm getting more floral notes.

Notes:
Bergamot, Mandarin, Ylang Ylang, Raspberry, White Peony, Osmanthus, Cedarwood, White Patchouli, Ambrox.

[alexasteph]

Day 18: Chloe Eau de Parfum

I love this one. It's a comforting powdery floral. When I wear it I feel like I'm laying in a big bed with fluffy sheets on a warm afternoon and the sun is coming in through the window. Definitely one of my top 5 faves.

Spoiler

Day 1: Alien by Muglar (eh)
Day 2: Estee Lauder Modern Muse Chic (yay!)
Day 3: Atelier Orange Sanguine (yay!)
Day 4: D&G Dolce (yay!)
Day 5: Pinrose Merry Maker (yay!)
Day 6: TokyoMilk Dark Pretty Rotten 33 (no)
Day 7: Fresh snow and a frozen nose
Day 8: Lavender and Peppermint Essential Oils
Day 9: YSL Mon Paris (yay!)
Day 10: Marc Jacobs Daisy Dream (eh)
Day 11: British TV shows
Day 12: Lancôme La Vie Est Belle (yay!)
Day 13: Pinrose Tambourine Dreamer (yay!)
Day 14: Balenciaga B. Skin (double yay!)
Day 15: Pinrose Secret Genius (yay!)
Day 16: Pinrose Pinrose + Secret Genius (yay!)
Day 17: Jose Maran Joy/Sweet Holly (yay!)

[Libellules]

Day 18: Oud Wood by Tom Ford

There's just no way that I'm going to be able to give this one a fair analysis lol. I scammed this from my fiancé - it is his daily scent. 

It's earthy, mossy, hint of leather. It's an oud, but is incredibly well balanced. It's gorgeous, and for obvious (personal) reasons leaves me feeling sexy and comforted.

If your nose likes these scents but enjoys complexity and a journey, you may want to try MMM Replica Soul of the Forest. But, Oud Wood is really beautiful.

Curious how this layers on my skin with Tobacco Vanille (my daily scent), as @luvgloss13 mentioned down thread. Hoping it would bring out some of the spice?

Notes:

Oud, Chinese pepper, pink pepper, cardamom, birch tar, cistus, incense, sandalwood, vetiver, patchouli, cedar wood Atlas, Vanilla, & tonka bean.

Spoiler

Keeping running tally so that I won't repeat!
Day 17: Rahat Loukoum by Serge Lutens
Day 16: Soul of the Forest by Maison Margiela
Day 15: Ombre Indigo by Olfactive Studio
Day 14: Eau de Sens by Diptyque
Day 13: Honey Oud by Floris
Day 12: Panorama by Olfactive Studio
Day 11: PHI Une Rose de Kandahar by Tauer
Day 10: Jasmin et Cigarette by Etat Libre d'Orange
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   

[luvgloss13]

@Libellules Try it! It is awesome the woody and headiness play so nice with the spicy and sweet of TV. It is my staple too! 🙂

[Libellules]

I will! Thanks @luvgloss13

[luvgloss13]

YW! @Libellules I am a TV lover, it is my staple and easy to use and always smell good and sexy.

Lucky your fiance has it to swipe from. lol

[Libellules]

I am too @luvgloss13! It competes with Tuscan Leather and Ombre Leather as my go-to's.

Hah! Well, technically I bought him this last bottle as an anniversary gift, so I guess it's ok that I "borrowed" some.

[heartsmyface]

Well, I finally used up the Armani Acqua di Gioia body lotion and wore Marc Jacobs Daisy today.  I'm not normally a floral lover but I love this and don't know why it has been neglected for so long.  

[Geminichilde]

Day 17: Valentina Oud Assoluto

Top notes – orange blossom, cardamom;
Middle notes – Bulgarian rose, agarwood – oud, leather;
Base notes – saffron, vanilla, woody notes

I didn't realize how many rose scents I had until this challenge. Oud and rose dries down to spicy vanilla.

Day 16: Aerin Evening Rose 

"...Aerin Evening Rose is vibrant with contrast. Juicy Blackberry and rich Cognac unexpectedly blend with voluptuous Rose Centifolia and Bulgarian Rose Absolute in an intriguing, alluring elixir..."

On me this is just a strong rose and I love it, lol. It's a little boozy too, I'm guessing that's the cognac. This is one of my faves.

Spoiler

Day 15: Degree Shower Fresh (missed day!)
Day 14: Ramon Monegal Lovely Day
Day 13: Alexandre J White Leather
Day 12: Rupaul Glamazon
Day 11: Lancome La Vie Es Belle
Day 10: Jo Malone Nashi Blossom
Day 9: Penhaligon's Quercus
Day 8: L'Artisan Parfumeur Nuit de Tubéreuse
Day 7: Besame Cosmetics Decades of Fragrance 1960
Day 6: Besame Cosmetics Decades of Fragrance 1950
Day 5: Besame Cosmetics Decades of Fragrance 1940
Day 4: Besame Cosmetics Decades of Fragrance 1930
Day 3: Besame Cosmetics Decades of Fragrance 1920
Day 2: Besame Cosmetics Decades of Fragrance 1910
Day 1: Cartier Baiser Vole

[Libellules]

Valentina Oud Assoluto sounds really lovely O.O

And I completely know what you mean - all of my perfumes and the majority of my samples seem to err on  woodsy/leathery/oud, tobacco, and white florals @Geminichilde 😄

[LCResz]

Day 17: Terry de Gunzburg Ombré Mercure

A powdery, mature scent, whose irid notes really stand out. Of all the Terry de Gunzburg fragrances I've tried thus far, this one has had the best projection and staying power. I just wish I liked the powdery drydown more.

Notes: Iris, Violet, Rose, Ylang-Ylang, Jasmine, Vanilla, Benzoin and Patchouli.

[Beadshopgirl]

Day 17: Hugo Boss Woman. This smells cheap and tacky. 

[Seymore3]

Day 16- Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium.Ok.

Day17- Dolce Gabbana Light Blue.I really like this.

[blackkitty2014]

Jan 17: Versace Eros Pour Femme EDT: Light and refreshing.

[Alicehoopz]

Day 16: Dolce and Gabbana Dolce - this perfume smells like perfume. Does anyone understand what I mean by that? The pure smell of perfume. pass.

Day 17: Replica Jazz Club - I have mixed feelings on this one. I like that it smells different. But I'm not sure if it's that good kind of different or if it's trying too hard and ends up overshooting the mark

[jemly]

i know exactly what you mean by that. i felt that way about gucci bamboo when i got my nose on it.

[angel7594]

Day 17: Coach Eau de Parfum 

Notes: Raspberry Leaves, Turkish Roses, Suede Musks 

I really like this! I bought my bottle before Christmas and have used it a few times. The staying power is not very long on my skin though; (2 hours) so I will not repurchase for this reason.