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!

[Margalee]

I had put off YSL Black Opium Le Parfum for a long time because the other Black Opiums are nose tweakers for me. I went ahead a gave it a whirl or two and so far so good. I really like it and am considering purchasing it. I got on Sephora today and guess what? They are launching Black Opium Red! Haha I am questioning is this akin to the OG or Le Parfum?

[itsfi]

I have the Eau de Parfum (gratis) and Over Red. I have a sample of Le Parfum and tested Illicit Green in store and yesterday, I wore it all day on one wrist and Over Red on the other. One thing to note is that for some reason I don't really pick up the coffee notes in any of these, or if I do, it is very fleeting, which is a bummer for me personally because I love the smell of coffee. That said, here's a quick take on the four - 

• Le Parfum - the opening isn't my favorite but it dissipates quickly and settles into a creamy, cozy vanilla - it's heavy on the vanilla but not in an overwhelmingly heady or overly sweet way. 

• Eau de Parfum - the vanilla here is much softer, lighter than Le Parfum with more of a sweetness and floral scent to it that is present for as long as the fragrance lasts on me. 

• Illicit Green - this is lighter than Le Parfum and Eau de Parfum. Maybe lighter is not the right word because the scent does wear nicely throughout the day. Maybe ... thinner is a better descriptor. It feels thinner than Le Parfum and Eau de Pafum. There's a very faint sweetness to it and a freshness to it that sets it apart from the others - it has more of a green bent (makes sense given the name). 

• Over Red - this has the same "weight" or thinness to it as Illicit Green, but also wears well and long. It differentiates itself from the others in the almond-y sweetness that comes through. Of all four YSLs, this is the one where the fruit notes are more noticeable to me. Slight cherry scent, more like real cherries; not syrupy sweet like maraschino cherries. It's lighter, less bright and sweet than any of the Tom Ford cherry perfumes; this also does not have the smokiness that one of the Tom Ford scents has.

@Margalee @haleyvvvv 

[Margalee]

@itsfi  

I did get to test the Over Red recently. Wow, syrupy cherries in the beginning! Not a bad thing. I think I like Le Parfum more, but would need a couple more sniffs to be sure. Over Red is a bit stronger of a fragrance than Black Opium Le Parfum for me and more "perfumey" than Le Parfum. I would put it in the one to two sprays at most category. I do enjoy Over Red but need to get a small vial for a few days wear.

[itsfi]

Interesting @Margalee. I didn't pick up syrupy. I have a travel size of Over Red; will have to pull it out and try it again. You know, I'd love to see YSL / Sephora have a promo gwp for it. Or even a mini sampler / discovery set with a few of the various fragrances from that range.

[Samtian]

@itsfi Ooh I need to try over red. Sounds amazing, thanks for the notes!

[Margalee]

@itsfi Oh, thanks so much for the review! Sounds hopeful! I'll have to get out there and see is it sets off my sensitivities.

[haleyvvvv]

Thank you, @itsfi!! It sounds really nice!! 

[itsfi]

@Margalee, I have the new Black Opium Red on its way to me and I have the original. I’ll check to see if I have Illicit Green; if not, I’ll aim to head to a Sephora with it to see if I can compare the three and report back. I’ll check to see if I have a sample of the Illicit Green as well. 

Out of curiosity, I took a peek at the INCI list online for all 3 scents. Do you know if you are allergic or sensitive to certain dyes? The OG and Illicit Green contain different dyes. The new Opium Red does not appear to have any dyes. 

[Margalee]

@itsfi Not that I know of but I do find it curious that the OG and the flankers set off my allergies but Le Parfum doesn't. Good thinking to compare their ingredients  I'll have to check that out.

[Titian06]

@itsfi - I'd love to hear your thoughts on Over Red! 🙂  I love the original and Illicit Green.

[itsfi]

I’ll let you know how it goes @Titian06. It should arrive mid-to-late next week; if it arrives on schedule, I should be able to give it a couple of all day wear tests before New Year’s Eve. 

[haleyvvvv]

Same, I'd love to hear your thoughts on the red one @itsfi!! 

[Titian06]

@Margalee - Here are the notes for Black Opium Over Red:

• Top Notes: Cherry and Green Mandarin
• Middle Notes: Jasmine, Orange Blossom and Black Tea
• Base Notes: Coffee, Madagascar Vanilla and Indonesian Patchouli Leaf

I anticipate it having it's own scent like with Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium Illicit Green Eau de Parfum 2.5 oz/ 75 mL .  You can tell it's in the same family, but it smells different from the original.

[Margalee]

@Titian06 I can only wear the Le Parfum. Maybe Illicit Green. I only tried Illicit Green once but I don't remember if I didn't prefer it or it set off my allergies. The rest are nose tweakers. I don't know why Le Parfum doesn't bother me and the others do. So mostly I guess I was wondering about the formulation relating to my sensitivities/allergies. I was hoping someone knew if Over Red was formulated like Le Parfum or the OG Black Opium. I did realize it was and EDP but I like cherry perfumes so I was hoping formulations had changed to my benefit. But thanks for the input.

[Titian06]

Oh, @Margalee , I didn't realize that's what you meant!  I have no idea.  If I see something, I'll be sure to let you know.

[Samtian]

The travel spray for this month is Floral Street Sweet Almond Blossom Eau de Parfum 1.7 oz / 50 ml eau de parfum spray 

3/5- The Almond Blossom perfume is a captivating olfactory journey that commences with a very powerful burst of fragrance upon the first spray. Opening with invigorating notes of apple blossom and a sparkling pomelo scent, it swiftly evolves within minutes to reveal a sophisticated blend of tonka and matcha tea. The dynamic layers of apple blossoms and matcha create a multi-faceted experience, maintaining a strong and delightful presence for a solid six hours of wear. The perfume culminates in a gracefully creamy almond base, seamlessly blending with the preceding notes. Perfect for those who love a bold fragrance.

[pocketvenus]

Loving these detailed reviews @Samtian ❤️

[Samtian]

@pocketvenus Thank you!! 

[Titian06]

Thanks for the review, @Samtian !  I've seen very few little about this scent.

[Samtian]

@Titian06 I was really confused for a while because I was expecting like mostly almond but it was ok. I'm glad I don't own a full size, it was really too strong for me. 

[Samtian]

Each month I am taking one mini and one travel size to use for my use it project. This month the mini randomly chosen was La Chasse Aux Papillion's by L'Artisan Parfumeur. Back when Sephora carried them. 

Not my Image

1/5- It begins with a delightful burst of orange blossom that transitions seamlessly into an earthy cotton note, creating a unique opening.  After about 5 minutes, it evolves into a refreshing lemony cotton aroma, adding a vibrant twist to the fragrance. As it dries down, the scent gradually settles into a very faint, earthy cotton again, leaving a subtle trail that lasts for about 5 hours.