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!

[Haleyhale]

@blackkitty2014 I have tried it, love that one and also the new Royal Princess Oud! I spritzed it in store and it had amazing power for the full day. My husband has the original Aventus and it's so sexy too! 

[pocketvenus]

Couldn't stay away 😉

Histoires de Parfums' 1740 Marquis de Sade

A burnished, spicy leather with a gourmand touch. Opens with a tangy bitter dark chocolate and becomes more dusty, smoky and slightly sweet in the dry down. One has the impression of a very thick, yet supple hide. Some people find it too animalistic; I personally don't find it overly so. It's uncompromising yet approachable. Definitely recommended to leather fans.

Very different from Etat Libre's interpretation of de Sade which was more refined. It's fun comparing interpretations - maybe I'll try Josephine Baker next (Etat Libre's Remarkable People vs Byredo's Bal d'Afrique)

[AMHWKI]

Based on two words (cherry and almond) in a post by @Libellules in this challenge for Serge Lutens, Rahat Loukoum, I had to find a sample!  I just got my little vial yesterday, and of course,  I'm in love with a $300 perfume now.  Sigh....  Darn you!! 🙂

[lyravega]

If I may ask... Where did you find a sample of it, @AMHWKI ? I'd very much like to try that one, as well! And, yes. It is all @Libellules fault! 😉 ( Childhood memories of yummy cherry ( and/or rose ) almond rahat loukoum plays significant part in it, too. I guess it has this nostalgic note to it for me, as well. )

[lyravega]

Thank you, @AMHWKI and @Libellules !

I've never used The Perfumed Court... Who are they, what are they? And... Why wouldn't it be easy? So many questions! 😄

[AMHWKI]

@lyravega , To be honest, I was so excited to find a sample and I was just wanting someone who looked legit on the internet.  They are a decanting service for the most part.  Pick your scent and they will take it out of an original bottle and pour it into a size of your choosing.  For people like me that are not that close to major retailers in major markets, it worked out great!  Go check them out - lots of goodies!

[AMHWKI]

@lyravega I used The Perfumed Court.  It was easy but I will warn you, it does take awhile.  I guess I'm spoiled with flash shipping :-).  @Libellules is really in trouble now!

[Libellules]

Sorry @lyravega 😉

I'm not @AMHWKI, but Surrender to Chance has this, as does The Perfumed Court!

[Libellules]

Sorry (or sorry not sorry? ;)) to have enabled @AMHWKI! 😄

Perhaps keep an eye on eBay? I snapped up a NIB, still sealed bell jar for $200 last week :x.

Or maybe Barney's will have a higher rebates + GWP soon enough 😉

[Anonymous]

Next CHALLENGE is 25 Days of Eyeshadows! 

Join the Fun here: 2/24- 2/28

http://community.sephora.com/t5/Acne/FEBRUARY-2017-25-Days-of-EYESHADOW-CHALLENGE/td-p/2686483

(though, I will ask a Mod to move it because it wouldn't allow me to pick anything else besides the 'Acne' tab)

@txcatx  Thank you so much for hosting January Perfume Challenge and to all that participated!

People should keep posting here if they are still sampling fragrance!

[txcatx]

Yay! I love a good beauty challenge.

[blackkitty2014]

Wow are we all stop? Noooo! I hope @txcatx would keep this thread alive. I am no where done with the sample vial I'm collecting. Anyway late check in for the last couple days (and hope y'all won't mind I ran over Feb as well)

Jan 31: D&G 3 L'Imperatrice EDT: love love this scent. I wish it lasts longer though 
Feb 1: Jo Malone Red Roses: another favorite. I got many compliments wearing it.
Feb 2: Issey Miyake L'eau D'issey EDT sample vial: don't know why I overlooked it. It is such a lovely scents

Spoiler

Jan 1: Acqua Di Parma Rose Noble EDP sample vial.
Jan 2: Chanel Coco Mademoiselle EDP.
Jan 3: Tom Ford Noir Pour Femme EDP sample vial.
Jan 4: Armani Prive Rose Alexander EDT sample vial.
Jan 5: Hanae Mori Hanae EDP.
Jan 6: Dolce & Garbana Light Blue EDT
Jan 7: Tom Ford Shanghai Lily EDP deluxe sample.
Jan 8: Tom Ford Orchid Soleil deluxe sample.
Jan 9: Atelier Cologne Mandarine Glaciale sample vial.
Jan 10: Aerin Ikat Jasmine EDP sample vial.
Jan 11: Atelier Cologne Pomelo Paradis mini.
Jan 12: Hermes Le Jardin De Monsieur Li EDT sample vial.
Jan 13: Ralph Lauren Midnight Romance EDP sample vial.
Jan 14: Marc Jacob Daisy Dream EDT sample vial.
Jan 15: Jo Malone Nectarines and Honey Blossom.
Jan 16: YSL Black Opium EDP sample vial
Jan 17: Versace Eros Pour Femme EDT.
Jan 18: Tom Ford Cafe Rose EDP deluxe sample
Jan 19: Amethyst Eclat EDP sample vial.
Jan 20: Nest Indigo EDP mini
Jan 21: Lancome La Vie Est Belle EDP
Jan 22: Nada
Jan 23: Atelier Cologne Sud Magnolia
Jan 24: Jour d' Hermes EDP
Jan 25: Gucci Guilty EDT sample vial
Jan 26: Tom Ford Fleur de Portofino EDP deluxe sample.
Jan 27: Atelier Cologne Jasmin Angelique mini.
Jan 28: Tom Ford Jasmine Rouge
Jan 29: Lancome Hypnose EDP
Jan 30: Guerlain Terracotta Le Parfume EDT
Jan 31: D&G 3 L'Imperatrice EDT
Feb 1: Jo Malone Red Roses
Feb 2: Issey Miyake L'eau D'issey EDT sample vial

[txcatx]

Anyone is welcome to continue the challenge, @blackkitty2014! I'm taking a few days off to enjoy my favorites, and then when I get my next orders from Sephora with new samples, I'll start posting again. 

[alexasteph]

Maybe change the name of the thread to "Perfume Sample Challenge" or something of the sort. There is a fragrance thread already though... Hm. But, if you get a sample, post it, wear it, and review it? 

[txcatx]

@alexasteph I already tried. BT doesn't seem to allow changes to the name of the thread. 😕

[Titian06]

I'm out of scents, but I'm also done with my January no-buy.  Thank you everyone for introducing me to perfumes I would never have considered.

I have a couple of sample sets on my Loves list that I plan to purchase post haste.  I also plan to go to Sephora to get a few sample of some other scents as well.

@txcatx - Thank you for starting this perfume challenge, and thank you for continuing it!  I'll rejoin once I get my samples; but in the mean time, I'll still be checking in.

[Titian06]

I'm late to finish!

Day 30:  I stayed home with a migraine so I didn't wear any perfume.

Day 31:  Atelier Cologne - Bergamote Soleile

Notes:  Bergamot, Bigarade, Ambrette, Jasmine, Lavender, Cardamom, Vetiver, Oak Moss, White Amber

Day 32 (makeup for Day 30):  Atelier Cologne - Pomelo Paradis

Notes:  Pink Pomelo, Calabrian Mandarin, Blackcurrant Bud, Moroccan Orange Blossom, Bulgarian Rose Essence, Mint, Haitian Vetiver, Tuscan Iris, Amber

Compiled

Spoiler

Day 29:  Neutrogena – Shower & Bath Gel

Day 28:  Lush – Charity Pot

Day 27:  Atelier Cologne – Orange Sanguine

Day 26:  Givenchy – Dahlia Divin

Day 25:  Nest – Indigo

Day 24:  Atelier Cologne – Mandarine Glaciale

Day 23:  Atelier Cologne – Cedrat Enivrant

Day 22:  Versace – Eros Pour Femme (EDP)

Day 21:  Elizabeth & James – Nirvana Black

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

[txcatx]

Thanks for participating in this challenge, everyone! Feel free to continue with the challenge if you'd like or start over anytime. I just ordered a bunch of fragrance samples and the Commodity cocktail kit due to 3x fragrance points, so I know I'll have plenty of new perfumes to try out soon.

[alexasteph]

I'm totally still going to experiment with fragrances! This was perfect timing in to the different fragrance promos stores hold in February. Last night I played around with my Pinrose rollerball set and read through the booklet to find new combinations. Today I layered a couple of Commodity scents. And to think, just a few years ago I didn't consider myself a fragrance person at all. Now I'm obsessed!

[Libellules]

Thanks for hosting this challenge @txcatx! I'm definitely considering continuing to participate - at least maybe in a few days, after I revisit some old favorites, and others that I wanted to retry :).

[Haleyhale]

Day 31 Creed Virgin Island Water

Tropical vacation in a bottle!