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!

[txcatx]

Oh, this perfume sounds so dreamy, @pocketvenus!

[pocketvenus]

@txcatxIt's definitely worth a try, esp if you like oriental frags 🙂

[pocketvenus]

I tested Slumberhouse's Kiste last night - I knew this would be a peach scent but this was like a juicy peach bomb. Boozy, honey drenched peaches dominate the scent and is given a sweet depth with tobacco and a bit of lift with spices. Very rich and too sweet for my taste, although it's a dense, gentle sweetness, not the kind of abrasive, refined white sugar sweetener I can't stand. It lasts for hours and dries down into a pleasant, peachy cloud. Not my favourite Slumberhouse but if you like peaches and bold scents, definitely give this one a try!

[belletrist9]

I love this one! My skin amps smoke and quenches sweet so it's not as sweet on me though still pretty honeyed compared to other fragrances. I couldn't get this one to last more than 3 hours on me, which was surprising given it's initial strength and the fact that it's a Slumberhouse. 

[pocketvenus]

@belletrist9  That's a shame it doesn't last very long! May I ask what other Slumberhouses you've tried/your favourite?

[belletrist9]

@pocketvenus Sure! Well... I think most of them aren't available anymore since the revamp of the packaging, but I had samples of:

Eki: I swear there was a sample by this name but from what I remember it was like Sadanne.

Sadanne: so freaking sweet, like late harvest riesling, just not my deal

Jeke: like burn beat up leather boot in the best possible way, reminded me of how some peat-y scotches smell

Ore: I really wanted to like this one given it's description and that it was like a pirate's hidden treasure den, but I found it sort of musty and non descript

Norne: this was and still is my favorite pine fragrance in the drydown, however, the first 5 hours were sweaty lumberjack BO and I just couldn't get past that part. 5 hours is a very long time.

Baque: tobacco woods but with a very medicinal aspect to it, which made it rather unique among other tobacco woods

Sova: Baque on steroids

Zahd: THE nicest, most sophisticated and artisan interpretation of a cranberry vanilla fragrance I have ever smelled, with incense on a bed of dry woods. Though, at the end of the day, it's still at it's core a cranberry vanilla. I actually have the bottle of this, and I only wear it between Thanksgiving and Christmas. 

I want to say I tried Vikt and Rume too, but I have no real impressions of them. 

[pocketvenus]

@belletrist9  Oh wow, thanks for sharing all your impressions ❤️

Yes, you are correct - some of these are sadly no longer available.

I've tried Jeke and Norne and liked them both although I don't wear them regularly. I like Jeke's end of harvest bonfire vibe - it sounds my skin doesn't emphasize smoke like yours though so the words russet apple (is that even a thing) and sorb apples (no idea how these taste) come to mind. Something tart and a touch sweet from fermentation. As for Norne, I do not get any sweat at all but it is sour for me in the opening. I like how it's not a "fresh" pine - there's an earthiness that works well with the bracing, oily, coniferous opening.

I'm on the fence with New Sibet which is less bombastic than the others and subsequently, more intimate. I want to describe it as comforting but it's far too animalic for that. I quite liked the first few hours, but the dry down gets too "day old skivvies" for me without any other strong notes to take the edge off - and I do like my skank (Absolue Pour le Soir, Salome). If you like iris and animalic notes though, it's worth a try.

[greeneyedgirl107]

@txcatx I just bought the Atelier Advent Calendar for a friend and am super excited for her!  I just hope she can hold out until December!  I'm hoping to buy one for my sister closer to Christmas b/c I know she won't be able to avoid temptation.  I just hope they're not sold out by then.  I'm usually not this excited about gifting!!!

[JJDeco]

 I bought this for myself, and opened the whole of it as soon as it got into my hands....In September.. It was worth it.

[pocketvenus]

@greeneyedgirl107  This gift would take so much self control lol. Did you get one for yourself?

[greeneyedgirl107]

@pocketvenus No!  I did drop a hint to my man, but we all know what that will amount to!  LOL!  😛

[pocketvenus]

@greeneyedgirl107LOL I hope he gets it!! I'd probably have to drop a shopping list with detailed instructions to my beau 😛

[pocketvenus]

Finally got my hands on all my fragrance samples (and my HOF package!!!) so I'll be sharing my thoughts soon 🙂

Right now I'm wearing Dusita's Le Sillage Blanc - it's a gorgeous modern chypre with a generous helping of oakmoss, wonderfully balancing its earthy depth with a lighter green herbaciousness and soft, warm florals. Great projection as well. I am really loving it ❤️

[Samtian]

I've been able to test out my three newest samples:

Atelier Silver Iris-I already knew I loved this one. My favorite Atelier scent. 

    Notes: Tangerine, Pink Pepper, Blackcurrant, Violet Leave, Iris Pallida, Mimosa, Patchouli, White Amber, Tonka Beans. 

Alexander McQueen My Queen- I really like this one. Very nicely balanced.

    Notes: Almond, violets, orange, white musk, heliotrope, white flowers, patchouli, cedar, vetiver, iris and vanilla.

Aerin Tangier Vanille- I found this one to be just ok. 

    Notes:  Madagascar Vanilla, Bergamot, Bulgarian Rose, Amber, Sandalwood, Musk.

I've challenged myself to finish off 2 sample vials from various orders before I can order a custom one. I'm trying to get through the ones I've ordered and all the samples I've gotten from Sephora etc orders. My current vial I am working on is

Burberry My Burberry- I love this, it smells so good. I hate rose scents and I struggle to notice the rose.

    Notes:  Sweet Pea, Bergamot, Geranium, Golden Quince, Freesia, Patchouli, Rain-Tipped Damask and Centifolia Roses. 

Next up for Custom Orders: 

Jo Malone Blue Hyacinth
Frederic Malle Lipstick Rose

[pocketvenus]

A few fragrances I've tried lately:

Frédéric Malle's The Night - A rose-oud scent with a pungent opening reminiscent of blue cheese. Despite this, it maintains a diaphanous, photoshopped quality that I associate with Malle. The Night stands apart from all the other oud fragrances I've tried - this one definitely emphasizes oud over rose. The only other fragrance I'd compare it to is By Kilian's Pearl Oud, which is far denser and creamier and nothing like the other Kilian ouds.

Frédéric Malle's Superstitious - I think I wrote about this elsewhere but may as well add it here 🙂 Delayed trying this as an aldehyde-heavy floral isn't really something I could see myself wearing. Despite the strength of the opening, there's that airy, transparent quality I associate with Malle which it keeps the fragrance from entering Chanel territory with its brilliant, chilly aldehydes. Instead, the chemicals add a diaphanous lift, while the peach and blooming floral notes lend it a plushness.

LeLabo's Santal 33 - This started off well enough, as a gentle leather. But on my skin, it developed into a creamy woody musky morass. The drydown was very tenacious, and to my nose, unpleasant and distracting. Unfortunately, I was out all day and didn't have a chance to try to wipe it down with rubbing alcohol, which is my go-to trick for removing a scent. Throughout the entire evening I kept thinking, "god, what is that awful smell" and then I would realize it was my wrist 😞 I understand the appeal of the scent, it's just not for me.

L'Artisan Parfumeur's Timbuktu - I'd actually tried this ages ago, found it boring (how?) and forgot about it. But I've since rediscovered it. A fragrant woody scent with an uplifting spicy opening. Very lovely.

[Samtian]

I've been trying to order decants when I can, which isn't often lol. But here are a few I've tried. 

Diptyque Trente-Quatre-Dislike. Top: bitter orange, lemon, verbena, grapefruit, lavender, juniper berries, nutmeg, cinnamon, Birch Leaf. Middle notes geranium and tuberose. Base notes cedar, patchouli, incense, labdanum and moss.

Diptyque Olene- Love- A beautiful floral fragrance with notes of wisteria and narcissus. 

Diptyque Philosykos- Like.  A woody aromatic blend of fig tree leaves and white cedar that creates a sparkling fresh fragrance

Dita Von Tesse- Ok- Notes: The scent opens with peonies, bergamot, and slightly spicy Bourbon pepper; the heart is Bulgarian rose, Tahitian Tiaré petals, and fresh jasmine; the base patchouli, musk, and smoky Gaiac wood and sandalwood.

Le Labo Limette-Dislike. The fragrance features lime, bergamot, jasmine, petitgrain, cloves, vetiver, tonka bean and musk

I am awaiting: Aerin Tangier Vanille, Alexander McQueen My Queen, Atelier Silver Iris. I've tried Silver Iris and I love it, but I want a bigger sample.

[LCResz]

@Samtian I too am not crazy about Diptyque's Trente-Quatre. It's quite masculine and medicinal, which isn't for me personally. However I will wear Do Son with abandon!

[Samtian]

@LCResz I haven't tried that one yet, but it is on my list!

[Mcakes]

Ok I'm in love. I have not fallen this hard for a fragrance in a while! Thank you Play! for sending me this little gem 😄

My Burberry Black 

Notes:
Sun-drenched Jasmine, Peach Nectar, Candied Rose, Amber Patchouli.
Style:
Floral. Sexy. Intimate.

http://www.sephora.com/my-burberry-black-P410239?skuId=1838002&icid2=products%20grid:p410239

It goes on so intoxicating and only gets better the longer it stays on my skin. Santa if you're reading this, I've been good this year. I promise 😉

[suzyo]

bump

[Mcakes]

I got Black Tulip from NEST in one of my Play! boxes and I've really been loving it 🙂

Here are the notes:

Fragrance Family:
Floral

Scent Type:
Warm Florals

Key Notes:
Black Amber Plum, Pink Pepper, Japanese Violet

http://www.sephora.com/black-tulip-P415763?skuId=1912047&icid2=nest_lp_perfume_collection_carousel:p...