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!

[QueenMarceline]

@pocketvenus Where would we be without your amazing reviews and contributions on this (and all other scent-focused threads)? ❤️ I don't think this one particularly fits my vibe unfortunately, most things that lean masculine are just not my cup of tea and it takes a special kind of perfume to break that barrier. 

[pocketvenus]

@QueenMarceline It's funny, I found men's fragrances easier to relate to because the fragrances released in my time for women were either super sweet gourmands, or very fresh clean florals, or some fruity floral combination of the two which I was never very into. Thankfully there's more variety for women now with unisex scents and niche going mainstream 🙂

[thecatsmeow]

@pocketvenus Totally agree! I never thought I would be into any unisex fragrances, but I got the sampler set for September in one of my orders and I have found myself in love with TOM FORD Costa Azzurra Parfum . It's so nice!

[QueenMarceline]

@pocketvenus Absolutely! Although I admit I gravitate more towards the "basic" scent categories you described haha I love a really nice unisex scent especially as of late. The variety in fragrances is always welcomed and appreciated even if it isn't meant for me. Diversity is always great 🙂

[pocketvenus]

@QueenMarceline Totally agree, the return of more variety has been great! It took me awhile to get into genres like fruity florals but I definitely appreciate them more now because I've smelled so many other things even if it's not my personal style ❤️

[pocketvenus]

Had better luck today with Chypre Shot by Olfactive Studio, I house I believe Sephora used to carry.

It's an easy going spicy chypre with a touch of warmth that gives it an almost gourmand vibe. Very contemporary in sensibility and doesn't really make me think of a chypre. The top is not strong on citrus and the bottom is not very bitter, I think that's why.  Despite the bitter notes listed like coffee and oakmoss, it's more dark and overall, it definitely comes off as more ambery sweet. Actually more than coffee and tea, I'm getting a dark and earthy chocolate, I'm guessing from the patchouli. The dry down has a nice, dusted-with-spices kind of texture that's typical of the nose, Duchaufour. There's also a load of cardamom in the opening which I really like.

I like it but I'm not sure I'd pay €220 for a full bottle of 100ml. I'd prefer something with a stronger character and that's not been so done before. Of course, something like Kilian's Intoxicated which is brighter and greener but in the same territory, is around the same price for half as much.

[QueenMarceline]

@pocketvenus Thanks so much for your review 🙂 this bottle is gorgeous and the scent sounds very intriguing. However, I love that you wrote although you enjoy the scent that its not worth the hefty price tag. I'm on a journey to realize that I don't need to own a bottle of every scent I like, haha. 🤣

[pocketvenus]

@QueenMarceline I always tried to be selective but now I've become ridiculously picky 😂 I usually give it at least a couple weeks and a few wears to decide if something I really like is something I'm going to wear repeatedly.

[QueenMarceline]

@pocketvenus Good call! I need to take on some of your picky energy ❤️

[pocketvenus]

Dipped my toes back into Maison Crivelli without reading the scent descriptions and am regretting it big time. Right now, I'm wearing Hibiscus Mahajad which is very syrupy with nothing much to cut that density with. It's funny that the description mentions ice wine because this was precisely what I was thinking: bad ice wine. Good ice wine is syrupy but it balances that with an acidity that can be very uplifting, even sparkling. There's none of that with HM. It's more bearable as it dries down and there's a suggestion of leather but overall, it's suffocating. But I have a low tolerance for sweetness. If you really love your scents very dense and sweet with nothing to counter it, no spice, no acid, no dirt, no texture, this might hit the spot. The one thing it has going for it is that the sweetness is not overly sharp.

I don't know if I have it in me to finish this set 😕

[CookieGirl1]

@pocketvenus if you're hating it, don't force yourself to finish it.  It sucks when you don't like smelling yourself!

[pocketvenus]

@CookieGirl1 🙂 I'll have to think of someone who might appreciate and enjoy this better. Would be a shame to let the whole kit sit unused and of course, they might play better with someone else's skin!

[Titian06]

@pocketvenus - Too bad this scent and this brand are not working for you! 😖

[pocketvenus]

@Titian06 @QueenMarceline Aw, thanks! There are certainly far worse things in life ha ha. My sample pack from Apoteker Tepe just cleared customs so hopefully those will suit me better! 🙂 Can't wait to share my impressions with you all!!

[QueenMarceline]

@pocketvenus Awww so sorry, always a bummer when you hit something that doesn't gel right. 

[Samtian]

Perfume-10 Sabrina-2 maybe.

Instant regret as soon as I sprayed Atelier Cologne Poivre Electrique. I work in a factory that works with black pepper. I spent a lot of time working with the black pepper powder and that stuff is horrible. Horrrriiiblllle! So I can't stand the smell at all. 

Top Notes
tunisian bitter orange, vietnamese black pepper, chinese pink pepper
Heart Notes
samarkand incense, pimento leaf, turkish rose
Base Notes
african myrrh, new caledonian sandalwood, virginia cedarwood

I wish this was my picture

[Titian06]

@Samtian - I'm sorry this one didn't work out! 😔  I love the blue color of the label and your note under the picture! 😄

[Samtian]

@Titian06 haha thanks! I love all those blues!

[QueenMarceline]

@Samtian So sorry this one didn't work out for you. The smell does not seem pleasant at all for what I typically like as well.

[Samtian]

@QueenMarceline Yeah, if this hadn't been in a sampler pack I never would have tried it either. 

[pocketvenus]

@Samtian Sorry this didn't work out for yoU! But at least with a name like that you could be prepared!