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]

Day 23:  Atelier Cologne – Cedrat Enivrant

Notes:  Maroccan Cedrat, Lime, Bergamot, Chinese Mint, Egyptian Basilic, Juniper Berries, Tonka Bean, Vetiver, Elemi

My nose was very happy after I put this on!

Spoiler

Day 22:  Versace – Eros Pour Femme (EDP)

Day 21:  Elizabeth & James – Nirvana Black

Day 20:  Giorgio Armani – Acqua di Gioia

Day 19:  Nest – Citrine

Day 18:  Nest – Midnight Fleur

Day 17:  Nest – Dahlia & Vines

Day 16:  John Varvatos – Artisan Acqua

Day 15:  Versace - Dylan Blue

Day 14:  Marc Jacobs - Daisy

Day 13:  Atelier Cologne – Figuier Ardent

Day 12:  Acqua Di Gio Pour Homme

Day 11:  Cartier – Vetiver Bleu

Day 10:  Atelier Cologne - Sud Magnolia

Day 9:  Dolce & Gabbana – Light Blue

Day 8:  Escada – Joyful

Day 7:  Escada – Born in Paradise

Day 6:  Moschino – Moschino Fresh Couture

Day 5:  Chanel - No. 5 L'eau

Day 4:  Elizabeth & James - Nirvana Bourbon

Day 3:  YSL - Black Opium

Day 2:  Pacifica - Tunisian Jasmine Lime

Day 1:  Juliette Has a Gun - Not a Perfume

[Anonymous]

I like this one too..it's very clean and fresh!

[angel7594]

Day 23: Marc Jacobs Daisy Dream (sample)

Notes: blackberry, grapefruit, pear, jasmine, lychee, blue wisteria, white woods, musks, coconut water

I am not a fan of this one, it really seems odd on my skin. I smell like rotten grapefruit, lol.

[Alicehoopz]

Yep, this was my pick today too. Thankfully it wasn't unpleasant but it's certainly not one I would recommend. Almost like it is trying too hard and failing, maybe

[alexasteph]

Ooh, rotten grapefruit! That's not good! I used to love this one, but it's lost it's appeal. Doesn't last very long. 

[angel7594]

Yeah, I was a dummy for spraying it on my skin instead of paper first. 😄 Luckily, with the weak staying power I won't have to deal with it much longer.

[Mcakes]

Day 23: Aerin Amber Musk

Notes:
Coconut Water, Rose Centifolia, Ambrox, Benzoin, Musk.

http://www.sephora.com/amber-musk-P388770?skuId=1639228&icid2=products%20grid:p388770

What can I say, I am a sucker for anything with musk in it lol. It is one of the lightest fragrances I have tried with musk in it and it has worn off the fastest on me. It's pretty but I wish it lasted longer. 

Spoiler

Day 22: Maison Margiela Replica Flower Market

Day 21: Stella McCartney POP

Day 20: Viktor and Rolf Flowerbomb

Day 19: Burberry My Burberry

Day 18: Christian Louboutin Tornade Blonde

Day 17: Carven Le Parfum (LOVE)

Day 16: Tory Burch

Day 15: Bvlgari Omnia Crystalline

Day 14: Angel by Thierry Mugler

Day 13: Tom Ford Velvet Orchid

Day 12: Atelier Cologne Collection Azur Sud Magnolia

Day 11: Marc Jacobs Daisy

Day 10: Juicy Couture Viva La Juicy Noir

Day 9: Burberry Brit Sheer

Day 8: Elizabeth and James Nirvana Black and White

Day 7: Stella by Stella McCartney

Day 6: Miss Dior Absolutely Blooming

Day 5: Flower by Kenzo

Day 4: Maison Margiela Replica Lipstick On

Day 3: Commodity Gold (LOVE)

Day 2: Moschino Fresh Couture

Day 1: YSL Black Opium

[alexasteph]

Thanks for your description. This is one I've wanted to try, but if it's not very long lasting it might be okay to skip.  I love musks too though! 

[Mcakes]

They have samples of it at checkout right now! I have an order coming in soon, if they actually ship it I can send it to you to try out 🙂

[alexasteph]

@Mcakes Yeah I saw that and I have it in my basket 😂 I'm hitting Sephora today to look at some other things since I wasn't able to go yesterday, so I'll sample that one while I'm there. 

[k617]

Been MIA for a few days!

Day 20 - I wore something, but I don't remember what.

Day 21 - Calvin Klein Deep Euphoria (yes I wore this already, and yes I cheated and wore it again!)

Day 22 - lounged at home all day, so nothing

Day 23 - Calvin Klein Forbidden Euphoria

Also these odd Euphoria names are a bit "huh?" to me, I am really enjoying the Euphoria scents I've tried so far. Their lasting power is s*** on me though, so I doubt I'd ever buy for myself!

[alexasteph]

Day 23: Marc Jacobs Dot

Dot is VERY sweet, but still pleasant. It starts off very strong with red berries and honeysuckle, and does dry down a bit muskier, but that sweetness is still there. I don't think it's a very mature scent, but the musk does grow it up a bit. Dot was one of the first fragrances I purchased when I just getting in to them, and I totally see how it would have appealed to a younger me. I enjoy it, but I don't think I love it enough to repurchase, especially since I am discovering other scents that fit my "mood" a bit better. I also don't find this one to be terribly long lasting as well, which is typical of Marc Jacobs fragrances for me. I have Honey too, so maybe I'll wear that one tomorrow to remind myself how that one lasts on me. 

Spoiler

Day 1: Alien by Muglar (eh)
Day 2: Estee Lauder Modern Muse Chic (yay!)
Day 3: Atelier Orange Sanguine (yay!)
Day 4: D&G Dolce (yay!)
Day 5: Pinrose Merry Maker (yay!)
Day 6: TokyoMilk Dark Pretty Rotten 33 (no)
Day 7: Fresh snow and a frozen nose
Day 8: Lavender and Peppermint Essential Oils
Day 9: YSL Mon Paris (yay!)
Day 10: Marc Jacobs Daisy Dream (eh)
Day 11: British TV shows
Day 12: Lancôme La Vie Est Belle (yay!)
Day 13: Pinrose Tambourine Dreamer (yay!)
Day 14: Balenciaga B. Skin (double yay!)
Day 15: Pinrose Secret Genius (yay!)
Day 16: Pinrose Pinrose + Secret Genius (yay!)
Day 17: Jose Maran Joy/Sweet Holly (yay!)
Day 18: Chloe Eau du Parfum (yay!)
Day 19: Dior J'adore (yay!)
Day 20: YSL Black Opium (yay!)
Day 21: Elizabeth and James Nivana White (double yay!)
Day 22: Nothing

PS: I don't think my sinuses are 100% clear, but after diffusing lemon and eucalyptus and taking a decongestant I think I've lessened the pressure quite a bit. 

[AMHWKI]

Day 23 - Prada Candy - sweet, very sweet

Day 22 - went to Ulta and sprayed 2 different scents on.  One was Marc Jacobs Kiss.  Like it but cannot see myself buying it (although the bottle screams "buy me!").  The other was some Escada perfume.  It was delicious but I don't know the name of it.  I hadn't seen the bottle before so I think it's new.  More research required....

Day 21 - E&J Nirvana Black

Notes:
Violet, Sandalwood, Vanilla.

[Samtian]

Day 23- Pinrose Gilded Fox

Notes- Cocoa, Rum, Vetiver

I like it, not enough to buy a full size one though, yet. On the pouch it says it 'Spiked Hot Cocoa' they weren't kidding!

http://www.sephora.com/gilded-fox-P407365?skuId=1808005&icid2=pinrose_guildedfox_carousel:p407365

[Titian06]

@Samtian - This sounds interesting...think I'll have to get a sample.  🙂

[alexasteph]

I like this one, but it is quite boozy. I put this and Secret Genius in the same category, and I prefer Secret Genius. 

[Samtian]

I want to try that one.

[alexasteph]

I recommend it 100%, especially if you want something a little sweeter that's not overpowering. It's vanilla and caramel, but a musky vanilla and a salted caramel, to me at least. 

[blackkitty2014]

Jan 21: Lancome La Vie Est Belle EDP: I love it.

Jan 22: Darn it!!!! Nada! I forgot

Jan 23: Atelier Cologne Sud Magnolia: Another favorite from this line.

[alexasteph]

La Vie Este Belle is one of my absolute favorites! It's the only fragrance I've ever actually been complimented on. 

[jemly]

alright ! i'm here for the counter argument to @Libellules take on ELdO Dangerous Complicity. because it's one of my very favorites ! 🙂 hope ya don't mind L, i just find it fun !

Day 8: Etat Libre d'Orange Dangerous Complicity. 

upon first impression, i agree it's not a special or extraordinary. it's another boozy floral and almost could be dismissed as another c-list celeb fragrance or--dare i say--victoria's secret body splash. you dismiss it. but then you notice yourself coming back for more. there's something different going on here.

the key word in it's title is not 'dangerous'. it's 'complicit'.

my take is, this fragrance is suppose to smell innocent with a twist. it's young, fresh and full of booze--and suggests a naivete. the chinese osmanthus (extraordinary) is the main note, mixed with coconut and ginger, all of which give it a young and buoyant vibe, with the rather pronounced rum note boozing it out and adding a sweetness. with all of these elements, it is the lack of vanilla and sugar is what keeps 'dangerous complicity' sophisticated and a level above the rest of its kind. and it is.

sophistication aside, the naivete is key--you'll make people dangerously complicit in thinking naughty things about you, when they can't get enough and surrender to it. they're guilty.

ELdO is a house with a sense of humor. i think the concept behind dangerous complicity (as i've inferred it, at least) is more or less what sooooo many fragrances are marketed as, but never explicitly say as much. ELdO was like "ok, we'll make one of those, lay all the cards out on the table, and make the very best one."

anyway. those are my thoughts ! highly recommend. i find this last on me all day, and melts into my skin extraordinarily well. if anyone tried it and felt 'meh', i understand. i'd recommend giving it a few chances and see if you fall for it.

here's a pic of my wee but nearly empty bottle, with its backup waiting in the wings.

previous days in the spoiler !

Spoiler

DIPTYQUE tam dao EDT
TOCCA colette
ISSEY MIYAKE l'eau d'issey EDT
TOM FORD santal blush
DEMETER - green tea
KEROSENE - blackmail EDP 
JO MALONE - dark amber & ginger lily cologne