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!

[Samtian]

That one is on my wishlist, I want to try it.

[heartsmyface]

I haven't smelled that one yet.  I wish they came in itty bitty bottles or rollerballs so I could experience more of them.  

[blackkitty2014]

It is nice @heartsmyface. Warm, sweet yet complex. Very feminine. I got a 10ml spray bottle from NM. Not sure if it is GWP or just a custom gift from my SA. I agree they should more TF private blends  in sample vials to promote the scents. 

[Anonymous]

Day 7- started out with Eau So Sexy by V.S.  I've had co-workers tell me I'm to old to be wearing it..I'm 47 and most of them smell like coffins anyways.  Is that even a smell?  Got accidentally showered with Miss Dior's Blooming Bouquet...that was a bonus because I've been wanting to try it..had the SA make me up a sample and will more than likely buy it next week.  I agreed to a "no buy", only replacements or essentials but I  conveniently left perfume out of the deal😉!

[Beadshopgirl]

That's so rude of your coworkers! You should wear whatever you like (barring people's allergies), and they can stuff it!  Here's a handy manual for you to keep on your desk:

[Mcakes]

Day 7: Stella by Stella McCartney

This is such a pretty scent! I don't know if I've explained how I'm doing this challenge. I keep all my samples in a candy dish (picture of this is a couple of pages back) and reach my hand in and whatever I get is what I get for the day. It's fun never knowing what I'm going to get! Luckily nothing has been gross yet lol. 

Notes:
Rose, Peony Flower, Mandarin, Rose Absolute, Amber.
Style:
Sensual. Intense. Feminine.

http://www.sephora.com/stella-P50714?skuId=1647510&icid2=products%20grid:p50714

Spoiler

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

[Anonymous]

I love Stella - It's a great rose perfume. 

[heartsmyface]

I like this one a lot!  

My scents are being randomly selected(from a pouch as well, although I cheated and went though a bunch yesterday and today to oust the scents that offended me when sprayed on paper.  I'm confident now that I won't be gagging some early morning this month.

[alexasteph]

Day 7: Fresh snow and a frozen nose.

Not a perfume. Since we've gotten some more I went out to take some pictures and was too bundled up to even smell anything I'd put on. 

[TriesToBoClassy]

Day 6 Olfactive Studio Lumiere Blanche: sheer spicy opening dominated by cinnamon, that mellows out into a milky, musky sandalwood. It is my second try, and I really want to like it but it's a meh. I like spicy and I like sheer, but I am not a fan of sheer spicy.. 

TOP: Cardamom, Star anise, Cinnamon
HEART: Iris, Almond milk, Cashmere wood
BASE: Cedarwood, Sandalwood, Tonka bean, White musks

Day 6 Aedes de Venustas Signature: opens with a burst of bright citrus, which quickly gives way to a green rhubarb accord. It is surprisingly just like slightly unripe fresh rhubarb stems. It slowly turns more vetiver-y. The incense isn't very noticeable but definitely there. I would love a bigger decant of this.

Rhubarb, Tomato leaf, Redcurrant, Honeysuckle, Vetiver, Incense

Day 7 Aedes de Venustas Iris Nazarena: a grey iris. I thought 'shades of grey' (no relation to '50 shades of grey') as soon as putting it on :). The leather and incense are giving the iris note an earthy but dry and comfy background. It's just below ISM as my second favorite iris. Probably full bottle material..

Top: Iris, Ambrette, Juniper berry, Star anise
Heart: Leather, Oud, Clove, Rose de mai
Base: Incense, Woods, Musk, Vetiver

Spoiler

Log - 'love's marked with (*)
Day 1: Neela Vermeire Trayee
Day 2: Neela Vermeire Bombay Bling
           Neela Vermeire Pichola
Day 3: Neela Vermeire Mohur*
Day 4: Neela Vermeire Ashoka
Day 5: Marni Marni
           Eau d'Italie Paestum Rose*
Day 6: Olfactive Studio Lumiere Blanche
          Aedes de Venustas Signature
Day 7: Aedes de Venustas Iris Nazarena 

[Libellules]

I've tried lumiere blanche! I remember it's quite light, and I remember just getting creamy sandalwood as well. 

Aedes de Venustas Iris Nazarena sounds super interesting!

[Samtian]

I started a little notebook page of scents that sound interesting to me because of this challenge. So far I have 4 wrote down...and all 4 have been ones you've tried. 🙂

[TriesToBoClassy]

I am flattered @Samtian 😶😙

[harlequinginger]

Day 7: Blood Orange Chocolat by Note Fragrances

Scent Trunk again. This doesn't so much smell like chocolate as it does chocolate scent. Like the smell of a brown scented marker or a chocolate scented toy. The blood orange is nonexistant on me. 

I'm pretty impressed with the longevity though, especially for a gourmand. No wonder I've been craving brownies all bloody day!

Previous Days:

Spoiler

Day 6: Derek Lam Crosby Blackout
Day 5: Lady Vengeance by Juliette Has a Gun 
Day 4: Fleur d'Aspiration by La Fleur by Livvy 
Day 3: Fat Electrican by Etat Libre d'Orange 
Day 2: Coconut Milk by Sarah Horowitz 
Day 1: Atelier Vanilla Incensee and Orange Sanguine

[unfungirl]

Day 7: Pinrose Merry Maker

i've worn this before, as i had a few sample toweletes here and there, and i really like it! It starts out as a light floral (violet notes) but as it fades i can smell the nectarine and citrus. i need to check out more pinrose scents 🙂

[alexasteph]

LOVE this one! All of Pinrose's scents are amazing. I picked up the mini rollerball set and it's fabulous. I think there are 10, and it's fun to layer them. My favorite combinations are Secret Genius with Pinrose and Merry Maker with Tambourine Dreamer. 

[Anonymous]

Day 7: Chanel Allure Eau de Parfum

"Sparkling notes of Mandarin combine with the softness of May Rose and the sensuality of Vanilla.

Difficult to define, impossible to resist. Clean and sheer, warm and sexy, ALLURE is a floral, fresh Oriental fragrance."

I love this one! One of my favorites. I am going through my sample stash for this challenge, but today I am making an exception...

So feminine, and... comforting? Definitely elegant. It really makes me feel so good.

Day 6: Chloe Eau de Parfum

Fragrance Family:
Floral

Scent Type:
Powdery Florals

Key Notes:
Peony, Rose, Honey, Cedarwood.

Eh. I don't care for this one. Plain and simple. Not sure what about it exactly is offending my nose, but I can't stand it on me.

[Titian06]

Day 7:  Escada – Born in Paradise

Top Notes:  green apple, watermelon, guava

Middle Notes:  coconut, pineapple

Base Notes:  sandalwood, cedar, musk

I really like this scent, except there is something in it that is a little overpowering, making it a bit too sweet (but not the type of sweet that gives me a migraine), possibly the coconut(?).  Unfortunately, this fragrance is LE and I'm about out.  If anyone knows a similar scent, please let me know!

Compiled:

Spoiler

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]

Oh, wow! Those notes sure sound interesting! I wish I could give it a sniff. 😛

[Samtian]

Day 7- Tom Ford Neroli Portofino Acqua

Notes:
Tunisian Neroli, Italian Bergamot, Sicilian Lemon, Winter Yellow Mandarin, Orange Flower, Lavender.

To me this is just an ok scent. I really hate lavender.

http://www.sephora.com/neroli-portofino-P378133?skuId=1489384&icid2=products%20grid%3Ap378133

[EmmyLove]

I am actually surprised that I am quite liking this scent! I HATE lavender but it just doesn't come through on me, and the neroli is just perfection in this.