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!

[Titian06]

I bought the 19-69 sample set during the last sale.  It arrived yesterday.  The first scent I tried was 19-69 Capri Eau de Parfum #.  I know you're not supposed to try perfumes cold, but I couldn't wait!  It is a very light citrusy, woody scent that lasted several hours

• Top:  Bitter orange, mandarin orange, mandarin leaf, sweet orange, juniper berries, cardamom
• Middle:  Pink pepper, chamomile, Sichuan pepper
• Base:  Ambroxan, white musk, angelica, orris

Today I'm trying 19-69 Purple Haze Eau de Parfum 1 oz/ 30 mL Eau de Parfum Spray #.  At the very instant I sprayed this on, I caught a very quick, slight whiff of what smelled like pine.  After that, I can smell absolutely nothing!  I sprayed one more time after dry down (for a total of 3 sprays).  I caught the ever so slight whiff of pine again, but still nothing else

• Top:  Cypress, cannabis, bergamot, ravensara, labdanum
• Middle:  Thyme, violet leaf, palmarosa, gurjan balsam
• Base:  Patchouli, vanilla, woodsy notes, black pepper, white musk

19-69 says the scents can be layered or worn alone.  I want to try alone to have an idea of what each scent smells like before layering.

[txcatx]

@Titian06 Capri sounds lovely; I want to try that one!

[txcatx]

A sample of Armani Beauty My Way Eau de Parfum with Vanilla & Orange Blossom and Tuberose  randomly appeared in my mailbox, so I thought I'd give it a try. Immediate first thought was a bright, sunny day in one of those Italian seaside towns with lemon trees and flowers overflowing from balcony baskets. It's a straightforward, lightly warm, fruity floral fragrance--it's basically spring in a bottle. It's very pretty and maybe a tad basic--I pick up on citrus and light florals (package says jasmine and tuberose, but I think it smells more like freesia initially before warming up into jasmine on me), but with a hint of something woodsy as it settles. But overall, I think it's one of those perfumes that's perfect if you're working in a cubicle because it's not overpowering or offensive. 

[QueenMarceline]

Love the honest and thorough reviews 🙂

[QueenMarceline]

Yesterday, I made the conscious choice of going out perfume-free (gasp!) in order to get to try out a few perfumes at my local ULTA when I went to get my pick-up order. After some initial testing, I ultimately decided to try out (on my skin) the Ariana Grande Cloud perfume, because:

1) it was on the main display

2) I was very surprised by how good it smelled at the initial first spritz

3) I was highly intrigued (see point 2)

4) I've heard how this is the ultimate dupe for the coveted/highly desirable Baccarat Rogue (which I have yet to try so I cannot compare, but that is the very common consensus)

5) This is a very talked-up perfume at a very low price point

My thoughts after wearing it for the day: Wow! I am genuinely surprised. I really enjoyed wearing this perfume and it is incredibly long lasting. When you initially spray it it's very sweet and feminine. But it is not sickly sweet, it's more of a vibrant full-bodied sweetness. Almost reminds me of being inside of and getting hugged by a big marshmallow, I can see why they called this perfume cloud because one of the initial thoughts I had was how the scent is almost "fluffy". This is a really hard perfume to explain and put into words, to be honest. However, as some time past this perfume lost it's initial hardcore sweetness and femininity and blended out into a nice full rounded fragrance that I can see passing as unisex. It still smelled amazing and even after running errands all day and then falling asleep for a while, I could distinctly smell this on my wrists many many hours later (it was a long nap, don't judge). Very good lasting power, I think I'll have to add it to my collection at some point because you can find these for $20-30 at some discounted perfume shops. 

[heartsmyface]

@QueenMarceline   Oh my, I want that bottle so I can slap a grumpy bear sticker on it- and even more now that I know it’s similar to baracat rouge! 

[QueenMarceline]

@heartsmyface Ps. The grumpy bear sticker would be an amazing and hysterical idea. Please do post it if or when you do it because it would make me ugly cackle and we all need a great laugh. 😂

[QueenMarceline]

@heartsmyface The bottle is quite eye-catching. Can't wait for it to join my collection when it arrives January 1st 🙂

[QueenMarceline]

@Margalee I agree. The lasting power is what surprised me the most. I honestly don't have high hopes for celebrity perfumes, but the Cloud one is a great release. (Have not tried the others yet)

[Mellmars1185]

@QueenMarceline Wow! That bottle!

[QueenMarceline]

This is a fabuloussssss idea, kudos and I'm IN. I'll be going on vacation for the holidays so I'll have to plan accordingly, but I'm in 😛

[Titian06]

Welcome, @QueenMarceline !  The more, the merrier as the saying goes! 💖💖💖

[QueenMarceline]

What a better time to try out some testers, old rollerballs, vials, etc. than when on vacation? They pack so nicely too. 😊

[txcatx]

Today, I tried a sample of The 7 Virtues Santal Vanille Eau de Parfum 1.7 oz/ 50 mL 

My first impression was exotic spices traveling across the Silk Road...or maybe just the contents of my wooden box of incense. It's fitting for December, since it's reminding me of the three kings with their gold, frankincense, and myrrh--it turns out myrrh is one of the notes of this fragrance. Anyway, as the vanilla starts to develop, the scent turns slightly sweeter, like the most sophisticated spiced custard, before the sandalwood takes center stage.

It's a lovely fragrance, and I'm finding myself becoming drawn to cozy and spicy vanilla scents these days as the temperatures get colder and the nights longer. I definitely don't need another vanilla fragrance in my collection, so I think I'll pass on this one for now.

[Samtian]

@txcatx Ooh this one sounds magical!

[txcatx]

Today, I tried a sample of Maison Margiela Replica When the Rain Stops (I can't seem to find the product to tag, but I know it's available at Sephora because that's where I got the sample). Upon spraying, I got the impression of household cleaning spray. But as the scent began to settle, I got beachy, sea salt notes followed by a warm, rosy floral with a hint of bergamot. About at hour later, I was smelling more jasmine and citrus mixed with a bit of a woodsy note...and there was something that was vaguely reminding me of banana.

I like how Maison Margiela fragrances usually take me on a full journey. I love this particular scent when it leans more fruity floral with the rose and the bergamot a few minutes after spritzing, but I don't love the scent on me as it lingers and transforms throughout the day. 

[Titian06]

Thanks for the review, @txcatx !  I looked for this at the Sephora in Kohl's on Friday, but didn't see it.  Now I'm not so disappointed!

I did finally get to try Autumn Vibes and remembered your review of that.  My ultimate takeaway was Musty Vibes. 😝

[txcatx]

@Titian06 Yes! Autumn Vibes definitely smelled musty at first, but I liked it more on me as it settled throughout the day. 

Edit: I just looked back for my notes and remembered that's the one I thought smelled like an antique shop--yes, musty! 

[WhereYouStand]

 

Day 2 - Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium Eau de Parfum Extreme 1 oz/ 30 mL Eau De Parfum 

I received this perfume in a gratis box that included five different fragrances. And while all of the five are fantastic this is one of my top two fave of the bunch the other being (floral street: sunflower pop) I love warm scents and this ones on the spicy side and includes notes of vanilla and coffee. When spritzing it’s pretty strong at first which I actually tend to like but for those who worry I Out it being overpowering it dries down evenly to an even  balance and fades slightly so it’s not so overpowering. I would repurchase this when mine runs out though but I’ll likely go for a travel size as this makes for a great evening perfume  or at least that’s the impressions I get from it. And i don’t go to many evening events. Though I the bottle is also super cool in design.