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!

[coffeenow]

This week's backlog: 

Day 21: Fresh- Hesperides Grapefruit

I absolutely love this!  It alternates between smelling like fresh grapefruit and candied grapefruit, and it is lovely.  Unfortunately it has poor staying power, which is generally true of citrus fragrance, and of Fresh fragrances, I've found.  I might get the soap, because then I will get to enjoy it in the shower and not worrying about lasting power.  I might buy a bottle- the only thing holding me back is longevity.

Notes: Grapefruit, Amfali Lemon, Orange, Jasmine, Lotus, Bergamot, Rhubarb, Peach, Musk

Day 20: GIvenchy- Dahlia Divin

This is your basic fresh white floral.  I liked it better than some overwhelming white florals (and honestly, from the name and packaging I expected it to be more overwhelming).  I'd use samples of this, but it's not interesting or unusual enough for me to splash out on a bottle.  

Notes: Mirabelle, Jasmine Sambac, White Flowers, Patchouli, Sandalwood, Musk

Day 19: L'Occitane- Fleurs de Cerisier

I like this!  It smells quite similar to the fragrance that is used in the Imortelle skin care line.  It's not exaclty the same, but it's pretty close.  This is a fresh, grassy, somewhat floral an fruity scent.  It's beautiful for spring.

Notes: Cherries, Cherry Blossom, Freesia, Blackcurrant, Lily of the Valley, Brazilian Rosewood, Amber, Musk

[txcatx]

Day 21: Byredo Gypsy Water. 

There's this music festival outside of Austin where the sort of bands that play mid-day spots at Coachella (ie Beach House, Purity Ring, Phantogram) perform in the forest at a venue usually used as a Renaissance festival. This perfume makes me want to dress up in boho festival attire, go to that festival, and camp on site. Never mind that I spent most of my twenties going to festival after festival, but the older I get, the more I hate crowds. And that hassle of dealing with parking or dealing with rideshare pricing surges at that end of the night.

The point is, I totally get a cool, boho vibe from this perfume that's appropriately named Gypsy Water. I sprayed it on several hours ago, and I still get incense, sandalwood, amber, and vanilla.

Notes:

Top: Bergamot, Juniper Berries, Lemon, Pepper
Heart: Incense, Orris, Pine Needle
Base: Amber, Sandalwood, Vanilla

[Mcakes]

I've been dying to try this scent! The name itself is just too cute lol

[Titian06]

Day 21:  Elizabeth & James – Nirvana Black

Notes:  Violet, Sandalwood, Vanilla

I don't really care for this scent.  All I could smell was the vanilla.  Fortunately, it is more of a warm vanilla rather than a sweet vanilla so I managed to escape a migraine.  I doubt I'll wear this one again (sample vial).

Ironically, I can still smell the scent on me 3 hours later, while the 20 other scents have lasted between 5 and 30 minutes!  😄

Spoiler

Day 20:  Giorgio Armani – Acqua di Gioia

Day 19:  Nest – Citrine

Day 18:  Nest – Midnight Fleur

Day 17:  Nest – Dahlia & Vines

Day 16:  John Varvatos – Artisan Acqua

Day 15:  Versace - Dylan Blue

Day 14:  Marc Jacobs - Daisy

Day 13:  Atelier Cologne – Figuier Ardent

Day 12:  Acqua Di Gio Pour Homme

Day 11:  Cartier – Vetiver Bleu

Day 10:  Atelier Cologne - Sud Magnolia

Day 9:  Dolce & Gabbana – Light Blue

Day 8:  Escada – Joyful

Day 7:  Escada – Born in Paradise

Day 6:  Moschino – Moschino Fresh Couture

Day 5:  Chanel - No. 5 L'eau

Day 4:  Elizabeth & James - Nirvana Bourbon

Day 3:  YSL - Black Opium

Day 2:  Pacifica - Tunisian Jasmine Lime

Day 1:  Juliette Has a Gun - Not a Perfume

[alexasteph]

Oh, I'm wearing Nirvana White today! Came to post and saw this. I haven't tried Nirvana Black I don't think, but I have enjoying Nirvana White so far. 

[Titian06]

@alexasteph - I'm glad you like Nivana White!  I got a sample of both Black and White and didn't like the White.  I liked the Black enough that I wanted to try it a time or two more.  I was hoping the other notes would come out, but all I can smell is the vanilla (I'm sensitive to vanilla, so I'm sure that's why).  I definitely recommend you give Black a try!  Too bad I can't just give you my sample vial!

[alexasteph]

@Titian06 I'm hitting the mall today so I'm planning to test out a few, and Black is on my list!

[angel7594]

Day 21: I am taking a fragrance break today, because I have a migraine. 😞

[Titian06]

You have my empathy, @angel7594!  I hope you feel better soon!

[Mcakes]

Oh no! Hope it passes quickly! 

[pocketvenus]

Feel better soon!

[pocketvenus]

Day Twenty-One: Ex Idolo's 33

A dark, velvety rose sharpened with pepper, oud and a hit of citrus. Edgy verging on harsh, but still easily wearable.

[Anonymous]

Wondering if anyone has tried out the Juicy Couture Viva La Juicy Sucré? 🙂

[Geminichilde]

Day 20: Jo Malone Sorrel & Lemon Thyme

"Top Note: Lemon

Lemon opens the fragrance with zesty brightness and accentuates the citrus fresh note of lemon thyme.

Heart Note: Sorrel

Aromatic yet dewy, it suffuses the heart in verdant freshness.

Base Note: Geranium

A refined, herbaceous note, its green and floral facets echoing the crisp vibrancy of lemon thyme, while imbuing the fragrance with classic elegance."

I wish I would have brought a backup of this. Really bright lemon and herbs. Smells fresh.

Day 19: Moschino Fresh Couture

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

It was okay, I don't hate or love it. Another fresh scent.

Spoiler

Day 18:  Penhaligon`s Blasted Heath
Day 17: Valentina Oud Assoluto
Day 16: Aerin Evening Rose
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]

Day 20: Plum Japonais by Tom Ford

The opening of Plum Japonais actually reminds me a lot of Amber Absolute - warm and boozy, but with stone fruit and spice.

I was surprised when it dried down, that while the plum and spice lingered in the dry-down, it really became quite incensey.

Notes:

Saffron, Cinnamon Bark, Everlasting Flower, Sawara Cypress, Ume Plum, Plum Liqueur, Camelia Japonica, Agarbois, Amber, Benzoin, Fir Balsam Absolute, Vanilla Absolute and Infusion

Spoiler

Keeping running tally so that I won't repeat!
Day 19: Rahat Loukoum by Serge Lutens
Day 18: Oud Wood by Tom Ford
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   

[pocketvenus]

Sounds interesting!

[Alicehoopz]

Day 19: Estee Lauder Modern Muse Le Rouge - I'm actually shocked how much I like this perfume. Contrary to what I expected, it doesn't smell like an older woman. It just smells really unique and pleasant. Almost has a sexy vibe to it, while somehow being sophisticated. I think I love it.

[blackkitty2014]

Catching up:

Jan 19: Amethyst Eclat EDP sample vial: I like it. Remind me of some scents that I smell before just can't pin point which.

Jan 20: Nest Indigo EDP mini: i haven't given Nest to much love. I'm glad I use it today. Very pleasant!

[pocketvenus]

Day Twenty: Knize's Knize Ten

This is supposed to be a leather classic - worn by Brad Pitt and the like. It's a very pale leather, much more sharp, soapy and synthetic than I'd expected. Doesn't smell modern which I like - but I tend not to associate leather with a clean, citrusy vibe and so, I'll be reaching for my Cuir de Russie to go out tonight...

[angel7594]

Day 20: Miss Dior Blooming Bouquet

Notes: Sicilian orange essence, pink peony, Damascus rose, white musks

I love wearing this, it smells amazing. Reminds me of Spring! It does not have much staying power, though.

[alexasteph]

The entire Miss Dior line sounds awesome and I definitely need to try every one.