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!

[blackkitty2014]

Jan 24: Jour d'Hermes EDP: I love love this. 🙂

[angel7594]

Day 24: Gucci Flora by Gucci- Glorious Mandarin (sample)

Notes: Mandarin, Pina Colada Accord, Jasmine, Creamy Wood, White Musk

This is a beautiful fragrance, very feminine. Honestly, I almost put the sample in a give away pile, because the description did not really appeal to me. So glad I gave it a chance! I get the pina colada and mandarin notes mostly on my skin. I want to buy a bottle for summer.

[Alicehoopz]

I feel like this happens often with perfumes! If I love the description, I may hate the actual scent and vice versa!

[AMHWKI]

Day 24 - Aerin Ikat Jasmine - if you like Jasmine, this one's for you.  It's quite lovely and lasts a long time on me!

[Titian06]

Day 24:  Atelier Cologne – Mandarine Glaciale

Notes:  Mandarin, Sicilian Lemon, Calabrian Bergamot, Ginger, Jasmine, Petitgrain From Paraguay, Heart of Vetiver, Oakmoss, White Amber

To my nose, this one smells spicy.  Maybe it's the ginger?  Whatever it is, I love it!

Spoiler

Day 23:  Atelier Cologne – Cedrat Enivrant

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

[alexasteph]

Day 24: Versace Eros Pour Femme EDP

Already at day 24?? Goodness me.

I went in to Sephora yesterday to sample some of the ones you lovely ladies have been listing here, but this one wasn't even on my radar. The SA took me through a few and this was the one I liked the best of her suggestions. And I was really excited about it! At first scent, I could totally detect the brightness of the lemon, pomegranate, and bergamot, with the subtle musk to balance it out. She made me up a sample vial, and of course I wore it today. However... I find it does not last very well on me. As soon as I put it on, I had that big burst of brightness I experienced in store, but it very quickly went away. So I sprayed a bit more, wondering if I just didn't put enough on. Same thing. Now, many hours later, all I can smell is a very subtle musk, too subtle. I have to take a big whiff of myself and really inhale to get anything. The musk is quite nice, don't get me wrong. I smell good. Real good. There just isn't enough there. I will give this one a try again when the challenge is over, because I do enjoy it very much. The SA did a fantastic job selecting it for me. I just... need more! Agh!

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
Day 23: Marc Jacobs Dot (eh) 

[Titian06]

@alexasteph - Did you have a chance to sniff the E&J Nirvana Black?

[alexasteph]

@Titian06 Yes, I did! And I quite liked it. It's definitely very different from Nirvana White, but I can totally see how they would pair nicely. Haven't they done a rollerball set with them both in the past? I'd absolutely consider picking it up if they did. It doesn't look like they have anything like that now though. Maybe at other retailers. 

[Samtian]

Day 24- HISTOIRES DE PARFUM- 1804

Notes-Hawaiian Pineapple, Indian Jasmine, Patchouli.

1804 was inspired by Amantine Aurore Lucile Dupin, known by her pen name, George Sand. A writer of genius, great lover, and iconoclast, she was the incarnation of the first modern woman.

For her contemporary heiresses, the perfume reflects her generosity and sensuality. An amber flower bouquet—in remembrance of George Sand’s bond with nature—is warmed with heady spices and colored by sweet fruits.

I love love love this brand. I got the sample book when it came out. I loved 5 out of the 10. I plan on buying the travel size...someday. I hate pineapple and hippie frou frou $hit as I like to call it (because my mom is a hippie and wears patchouli every day.) But they work together amazingly in this scent. I just want to keep smelling myself. 

http://www.sephora.com/1804-travel-spray-P409743?skuId=1827138&icid2=histoires_de_parfums_chapter1_c...

[Mochapj]

I am not huge into patchouli, or fruity scents in general but I loveloveLOVE the pineapple in this one! 🙂

[Smeegle]

Day 24: Velvet Rose and Oud by Jo Malone.

Verdict: I love this! I would purchase full size for sure!

[jemly]

Day 9: Diptyque Philosykos EDT

took me an hour to write this one out because i'm doing it from work. naughty !

this one is famous for a reason. both exhilarating and calming all at once. i personally find green scents the chicest of the chic, and in such, i feel like philosykos is a lifestyle--a philosophy (har har har)-- in and of itself.

what i love about this particular fig scent is that it is green, rather than (too) fruity. it is the fig leaf--rather than the fruit itself--that dictates the tone and personality. i  adore fig fragrances, but find most (such as d.s. & durga's debasser, which i loved upon first sniff then found cloying and too candy-like) to be too juicy and fruity-sweet which gets flat out irritating after a short amount of time. philosykos is a tad milky too, which comes from a hint of coconut. bliss.

this is also one of the only fragrances i have where i feel like the top notes dominate almost the entire lifespan.

notes

top: fig leaf, fig

middle: coconut and green leaves / grass

base: cedar, "fig tree" (quite vague and general, but it's what is listed).

previous days in 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
ETAT LIBRE d'ORANGE - dangerous complicity

[Beadshopgirl]

Wow, that sounds delicious!

[pocketvenus]

If you've tried L'Artisan P's Premier Figuier, may I ask how it compares to Philosykos?

[jemly]

@pocketvenus i haven't smelled it before, but i've often seen it suggested the two are very similar. i'll go through my box of vials tomorrow and see if i have it !

[pocketvenus]

@jemlywould love to hear your thoughts if you have a sample!

[Samtian]

I haven't tried any Diptyque yet, but this is the one I've been wanting to try the most.

[Libellules]

Day 24: Vert Boheme by Tom Ford

I'd describe this as a bright, green floral, with notes reminding me of grass.

Not at all my cup of tea. 

Notes: Galbanum, Sicilian mandarin, magnolia, honeysuckle, violet leaf, gustavia superba

Spoiler

Keeping running tally so that I won't repeat!
Day 23: Sidi Bel-Abbes by Serge Lutens
Day 22: Black Orchid by Tom Ford
Day 21: Dangerous Complicity by Etat Libre d'Orange
Day 20: Plum Japonais by Tom Ford
Day 19: Rahat Loukoum by Serge Lutens
Day 18: Oud Wood by Tom Ford
Day 17: Rahat Loukoum by Serge Lutens
Day 16: Soul of the Forest by Maison Margiela
Day 15: Ombre Indigo by Olfactive Studio
Day 14: Eau de Sens by Diptyque
Day 13: Honey Oud by Floris
Day 12: Panorama by Olfactive Studio
Day 11: PHI Une Rose de Kandahar by Tauer
Day 10: Jasmin et Cigarette by Etat Libre d'Orange
Day 9: Chance EDP by Chanel
Day 8: Missed - "Eau de me" :x
Day 7: Ombre Leather by Tom Ford
Day 6: Straight to Heaven By Killian
Day 5: Bapteme du Feu by Serge Lutens
Day 4: Fir Balsam by L'Antichambre
Day 3: Borneo 1834 by Serge Lutens
Day 2: Maison Margiela Replica Dancing on the Moon
Day 1: Tobacco Vanille by Tom Ford   

[txcatx]

Day 24: Versace Yellow Diamond. This one is perfectly nice, and I love the bottle (I have the mini from a fairly recent promo code). It's just not a perfume that really speaks to me or leaves a strong impression, I suppose. 

Notes: Citron from Diamante, Pear Sorbet, Neroli, Bergamot, Nymphea, Freesia, Orange Blossom, Mimosa, Amber Wood, Palo Santo, Musk 

[michelleshops]

Day 24: Atelier Cologne Rose Anonyme

My notes - I got lazy and used one of my old favorites.  Floral, a little musky and maybe a little spice? I want to say it's a heady fragrance but I don't really know what that means. 

Real notes - Bergamot from Calabria, Ginger from China, Turkish Rose Essence, Turkish Rose Absolue, Incense From Somalia, Velvet Oud Accord, Patchouli from Indonesia, Papyrus from India, Benjoin from Laos.

[jemly]

@michelleshops ONE OF MY FAVORITES OF EVER ! i'll be wearing and talking about this one soon for sure 🙂