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!

[nikki]

I’m sorry @Titian06 that pillowtalk gave you a migraine, but at least you discovered a new love from the set!

[alexasteph]

@Titian06 I can see how Pillowtalk Poet could bother someone with sensitivities. It reminds me of a lighter Amazing Grace and sometimes that can be really overwhelming. 

[Titian06]

@alexasteph - Yes!  Amazing Grace was also a problem for me.

[alexasteph]

@Titian06 It’s sorta funny, I don’t really like Amazing Grace on it’s own, but I LOVE Amazing Grace Ballet Rose and am actually wearing it today. The musky powder is what bothers me with the original, but the Ballet Rose is really nice. The rose cuts the musk out and sort of weirdly sweetens it up a bit. Pure Grace Nude Rose is the same way. 

[Titian06]

Thanks for the info, @alexasteph!  I've give both of those a sniff test!

[nikki]

@alexasteph I really like adding secret genius to pillowtalk poet to give it some depth for a good evening/date night perfume. And I like adding tambourine dreamer to treehouse royal to brighten it and give it a floral punch for a airy daytime perfume. 

[alexasteph]

@nikki Ooh I will have to try those! They sound really nice.

[pocketvenus]

Today it's yet another Fueguia tobacco! I had really high expectations for Ballena de la Pampa. It is classified as an ambery tobacco, which is a more accurate description than the given notes (ambergris, hay and 13 different musks). There is a lovely shimmering, salty opening, but this fades away quickly and is soon replaced with a sweet animalistic amber that is too dense. Ballena lacks a counterpoint or something to cut through the density after the salt disappears. After roughly five hours, the scent becomes more tempered but even when it’s faint I feel it's still a bit too unbalanced. It’s a shame because the notes sounded so delightful...

[blackkitty2014]

If Sephora ever send out a perfume gratis, I'd vote for you @pocketvenus.  You are the perfect person to test and review.  You have the gift to describe scents 😉

[pocketvenus]

@blackkitty2014  That is so kind of you to say ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ I try my best!!

[blackkitty2014]

1/10/18: I’m wearing Tom Ford Venetian Bergamot today. I quite like it! I feel all warm and snuggly 😀

[nikki]

Oh here’s another challenge i need to join

[pocketvenus]

Today I'm testing Kilian's Extreme Oud which is their more "intense" version of Pure Oud. They're fairly similar - which I guess makes sense as they have the same notes - except Extreme Oud feels more plush and rounded out and smoothed down.

[lyravega]

I am not doing the challenge, but I tried a new fragrance today, and felt strongly about it, so I had to share, I guess. It's Atelier Cologne Oud Saphir. 

Notes:
Calabrian Bergamot, Ambrette, Pink Pepper, Violet Leaves, Egyptian Jasmine, Suede Leather, Dark Oud Accord, Birch Wood, Madagascar Vanilla.
Style:
Fresh. Leathery. Woody.

I really wanted to like this one. Those notes sounded so good, and quite intriguing, to me. But, after almost a whole day of wearing it, only one thing comes to mind - leathery bug spray! Womp womp. This one is definitely not for me... ( My wallet says thank you, though! )

[Titian06]

That's too bad, @lyravega.  I agree with you, the notes sound like this should be a nice scent.  Atelier Cologne is one of my favorite brands.

[Beadshopgirl]

@lyravega I haven’t tried that one, but every Atelier fragrance I’ve tried smells like rotten citrus peels on me. 

[lyravega]

Haha, @Beadshopgirl , I know exactly what you mean. There are many I feel the same about. But, there are some I really like. And, even one I really love!

[Samtian]

@lyravegaI don't like this one either.

[pocketvenus]

@lyravega 

Aw, sorry it didn't work out. Leather bug spray does not sound appealing at all! I'm guessing you're already familiar with TF's Oud Wood, but if not, it's a light, fresh oud, very wearable and shares some notes with the Oud Saphir.

[lyravega]

@pocketvenus  Thanks for the suggestion. I am not a fan of TF fragrances, but I will give this one a sniff first chance ( just because you suggested it. 😉 ). I haven't tried it yet, but I do know about it. 

[pocketvenus]

@lyravega

You can always test it with Sephora 🙂 I hope you like it ❤️