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!

[Libellules]

Definitely don't mind @jemly!

I looked up the word complicit, because when I was trying to gather my thoughts this morning, I had originally thought that the play on words would support what I was smelling (again, on me) with the kind of laying back letting whatever happen mental image - but it does in fact simply mean to be an accomplice to an illegal, or wrong act (and as the name would imply here - a dangerous one, at that), inferring there should be something dark or lurking here.

As I said in my original post - on *my* skin, it is BORING. I just don't have the chemistry for the rum to linger, or leather or ginger or other more interesting notes to develop. This is my 3rd Etat Libre d'Orange fragrance that I've tried, and the 3rd that simply falls flat for me.

[Libellules]

Catching up through the weekend...

Day 23: Sidi Bel-Abbes by Serge Lutens

This reminds me of Borneo 1834, in that they smell similar to me, but also challenge my nose.

On me, it smells like a chypre, which isn't my favorite, though I enjoy this scent. It also feels much more linear than Borneo 1834 (that being said, 2 hours in, I'm starting to smell a hint of smoke - could be oud, could be leather), which is surprising because this is from the collection d'or meaning it is $$$$$$$$$$$.

I like it, but not enough to buy a full bottle. Which is unfortunate, because this is another one that (to me) has a really appealing sounding description:

"From a forgotten time, an erased past, all that remains in our memory is the footprint in the sand of an anonymous love.
A chic, sensual tobacco-based fragrance"

Maybe I'd prefer this on my Fiance?

Notes:

I believe that these haven't been released, but Surrender to Chance lists - tobacco, beeswax, vanilla, tropical flowers, red fruits, Russian leather, cumin, frankincense, amber, benzoin, resins and spicy fougere

Day 22: Black Orchid by Tom Ford

At the opening (again, on me), this reminded me of a more "grown up" version of things I liked in middle school from bath and body works and their ilk..or my signature scent from high school (much loved but WAY strong and sweet) Butterfly by Hanae Mori - gourmand floral.

Strong gourmand floral.

Throughout the day, there were moments that it actually reminded me of Soleil Orchid, with coconut floral coming pretty strongly but...it really just fell flat for me. It wasn't cloying, but I just didn't like it.

Notes:

Black Truffle, Ylang-Ylang, Bergamot, Black Currant, Black Orchid, Black Iris, Black Plum, Lotuswood, Coconut, Cinnamon, Balsam, Vanilla

Day 21: Dangerous Complicity by Etat Libre d'Orange

With such a strong sounding name, I expected a lot more from this fragrance. But instead, Etat Libre d'Orange is in "danger" of me completely losing interest in their brand.

On me: boring light white floral with a hint of coconut and booze (these two only linger for a few minutes). No depth, and completely undetectable a couple of hours in.

IDGI. The description and label even promise something dark:

Every dangerous complicity requires the infusion of something that can endure beyond desire, beyond commitment. Like the bad boy’s leather or the powdered skin of a femme fatale, Dangerous Complicity unveils the passionate pact between fruit, flower, and flesh. The warm sweetness of coconut and rum gives in to the seduction of ylang ylang and the spicy embrace of sandalwood.

Style:
Conflict. Drama. Treachery.

Notes (from Luckyscent, as they are more thorough than Sephora):

Rum, ginger, coconut, bay essence, calamus essence, osmanthus absolute, Egyptian jasmine absolute, ylang ylang essence, lorenox, patchouli essence, leather accord, sandalwood, cashmere woods

Guess it's not for me.

Spoiler

Keeping running tally so that I won't repeat!
Day 20: Plum Japonais by Tom Ford
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   

[michelleshops]

Days 21 & 22: Nothing.  

My notes - the hubs is allergic to most perfumes and since I'm the best wife ever, I didn't wear anything.  

Day 23: Ellis Brooklyn RRose

My notes - I smell roses in the dry down but not initially.  It very floral and almost soapy at first.  It's the kind of scent I wouldn't choose for myself but I would ask a stranger what they're wearing if I smelled it on them.  

Real notes - Sicilian Lemon, Cassis, Pear, Lotus Blossom, Peony, Centifolia Rose Petals, Cashmere Woods, Spring Musks, Vanilla Orchid.

[txcatx]

Day 23: Commodity Magnolia. At first, I was hit with an overwhelmingly strong floral, but the scent mellowed out to a very nice, soft floral. Added this one to my Loves list. 

Notes:
Water Lily, Dewy Greens, Pink Grapefruit, Eucalyptus, Magnolia, Ylang Ylang, White Violet, Rose Absolute, Caramel, Labdanum, Oak Moss, Musk.

[ghrelin]

Day 23: Olympia by Paco Rabanne.

I wore this one a couple of days ago, but I was just feeling it this morning, so there we go!

[Alicehoopz]

Day 21 and 22 go together, so I'll do them together:

Ateleir Cologne Orange Sanguine and Bergamot Soleil. I have had samples of these for a while and knew they smelled citrus; kind of the wrong season for these imo, but good for the challenge. My bottom line is I think these smell the same. They really don't but...They also do. I suppose because they are both unique in the same way. Both didn't last long at all - a couple hours at most. And the initial scent smells exactly like the Florida Welcome centers. I was getting images of Mickey Mouse waving at me.

Anyway, neither of these were a "love", but if I ever want to smell like I just walked through an orange grove, at least I know where to turn.

[alexasteph]

Interesting they both smell the same to you, because I think they are quite different. I LOVE Orange Sanguine and cannot stand Bergamot Soleil haha. Body chemistry I suppose! 

[Alicehoopz]

ah you're right! they went on different, and I agree, orange sanguine smells good from the start whereas BS was leaning toward unpleasant!

[Insomniacmuffin]

@Alicehoopz  I agree, nobody likes it when they smell BS. Best thing to do is just call the person out on their BS and not put up with it 😉

[Alicehoopz]

Bahahaha, you saw an opportunity and went for it! 😂😂😂

[LCResz]

Days 20-22: Vicks Vaporub 😞

I caught the type A flu so I am miserable, but looking forward to being well enough to continue my perfume quest soon.  

[Alicehoopz]

Hope you feel better! 

[LCResz]

Thanks @Alicehoopz !

[alexasteph]

It's that time of year... Everyone's fighting something!

[txcatx]

Oh, no! Feel better soon!

[LCResz]

Hopefully @txcatx by tomorrow I'll be functional again.

[Beadshopgirl]

Nooooo!!! That sucks! If you can get someone to buy you some Sambucol liquid, it's like magic at shortening the flu. It's black elderberry syrup. 

[LCResz]

Thanks for the recommendation @Beadshopgirl !

[HookedOnBeauty2]

Please forgive me, I have to play catch up again. It's been a busy week for me.

Day 22 - Philosophy Giving

Day 21 - Tokyo Milk Dark Novacaine

Day 20 - MMM Replica Lipstick On

Day 19 - Clean Reserve Blonde Rose

Day 18 - Derek Lam Drunk On Youth

Day 17 - Derek Lam Afloat

Day 16 - Atelier Pomelo Paradis

[alexasteph]

Day 22: Nothing today.

I had every intention to head to the mall today (I need a new charger for my laptop, that thing is real dead), but as soon as I got up and started eating breakfast, I started to feel like garbage and have been napping on and off all day 🤢 Methinks I have a sinus infection, because I want to rip my face off. I could sort of feel it coming on, but I have sinuses issues already so I didn't think much of it. Now I'm begging for some antibiotics 😩

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!)
Day 18: Chloe Eau du Parfum (yay!)
Day 19: Dior J'adore (yay!)
Day 20: YSL Black Opium (yay!)
Day 21: Elizabeth and James Nivana White (double yay!)

[txcatx]

Feel better soon!