It's been a couple years since we've done a poll about indecision, so three questions about your version of what I call the purgatory basket, where you would keep perfumes (presumably samples or decants, but possibly full bottles) that are not love at first sight but that you are not quite ready to give up on. (For examples, see here and here.)
1. What's the latest fragrance you tried, and weren't sure about but weren't ready to give up on just yet?
2. Name a fragrance you now love, but that initially spent quite some time in your purgatory basket.
3. Name a fragrance you gave up on, but that you keep thinking about and wondering if you should get another sample.
Or, as always, just talk about something else.
Note: top image is Basket grasses [cropped] by Gerry Thomasen at flickr; some rights reserved.
1. Initially, I was not a fan of Malle’s perfume for Acne Studios – the super-bright laundry musks just didn’t do it for me. But I keep revisiting the sample, and it keeps growing on me. I doubt I’ll ever spring for a bottle, but there’s a lot more to it than I first thought.
2. Amouage’s “Interlude Man” was not a good fit for me when I first tried it. It’s not that I didn’t enjoy smelling it, but I had a hard time wearing it – too smoky, too dark. But four years later, it’s an absolute LOVE for me, and I can’t get enough of it.
3. “Cool Water” from Davidoff. I have more than a sample – in fact I have a bottle. A vintage one, at that. I’ve worn it several times, and for a moment I think I understand its appeal, but each time I end up washing it off. I keep hoping an olfactory switch will flip, and I’ll fully appreciate its supposed genius. I repeatedly give up on it, but can’t let it go, for some reason. (Maybe its reputation as a hugely influential fragrance makes it hard for me to ignore.)
Today I’m wearing a scent that I loved at first sniff, and continue to adore. No uncertainty here: “Le Parfum De Therese” from Frederic Malle.
Therese is divine!
I still can’t wear Interlude Man.It’s got a dusty note that bothers me,the Iris version seemed to just amplify that note too.
Total agreement there. “Uncertainty” and “Le Parfum de Therese” definitely don’t belong in the same sentence😊
Strangely enough, and I must be alone on this, I used to love it and then gradually over time came to like it less and then rather actively detest it. I wound up giving it away–to someone who can appreciate it, rest reassured.
I don’t have a purgatory box. I have loads and loads of samples in various places that are set aside as “no urgent need to buy” but I don’t feel they are in limbo. Rather, they are a sort of study or research collection. I turn to them when we have a CP asking for something like a particular feeling or specific note. I hardly had anything for last week’s CP with cypress but did find one of the Mind Game samples I was given and wore it. It turns out to be one I do really like (and had before) though I dislike the entire concept of that collection, the pretentious chess references and ridiculous bottles. Still, I am now wanting at least to get another sample! The one I’m speaking of is As-Suli’s Diamond.
Today I’m wearing Hilde Soliani’s Il tempo delle mele, from the bag of samples I’d ordered awhile back. I have a few that I didn’t give much time to and want to test out more. So far it’s smelling like one of those sour apple candies–not that enticing, but it’s supposed to change as it dries down.
I’m still wanting to get one of the Le Labo city fragrances soon. I held off not because of any doubts but because they’re so pricey.
I had started this comment as an independent post at the bottom of the page, I swear, and somehow it got picked up under my comment. Sorry about that.
This is exactly how I think of my sample collection now, too, Calypso. It’s my research library.
I used to think of it as a pile of resumes I had to process to find the “next great thing”, which made it a source of stress and anxiety.
This is my outlook too, Calypso. I think of it as a “reference basket”. Too many times I’ve swapped something away, only to want to refer to it later.
I also keep a bag of empty samples!
Love Therese!
LOVED “interlude Man” when I sampled it. I have 3 manufacturer samples of it now, which is enough to keep me happy for a while.
Perfume Purgatory, what a place!
Papillion Bengal Rouge. It felt smothering to me. But it had/has love here. One more try in the fall then decision time.
OJ Damask. Bought last summer but didn’t love until this year. Which is good because I have made a huge dent in it.
Nothing special that I would give another chance. I would like a bottle of Babycat. It would not spend anytime in purgatory. Not one day.
SOTD post shower will be Perris Rose de Mai.
The elusive Babycat!I’m on the list as well!🙈🙈
so elusive!
So elusive, I’ve never even tried it. One day.!
I was able to get a sample from Fragrance Line a few months ago.
I do love it.
I do have a friend heading to Japan so perhaps a duty free purchase awaits.
I don’t think I’ve ever put a bottle in a purgatory basket or drastically changed my mind about anything. Nine times out of ten if something is gone it’s because it’s being “ shared” or someone else really wants it. Case in point my daughter is visiting and she doused herself in Tabu which smells amazing on her so she might borrow it in the fall/winter
Thank you so much for mentioning Tabu! An old & dear friend (sadly no longer with us) – I have told this story before here, although not for a while – adored Tabu – this was in the late 70s when we were in our early 20s – she nicknamed it ‘instant brothel’ (!!) & whenever I see Tabu mentioned anywhere it always reminds me of Diane, so thank you again.
I love when a sniff of or mention of a certain perfume reminds us of someone or someplace. I have current formulation which doesn’t smell over the top to me at all. In fact I’ve been wearing 32 sprays of it 😂. It reminds me of Coca Cola or root beer. A really nice spicy sweet fragrance.
That is a wonderfu memory, and your friend sounds like a lot of fun!
*wonderful, that is.
I’m testing Tabu two different ways. On one wrist over a layer of patchouli oil on the other wrist sprayed over a layer of myrrh essential oil. One is chocolate and the other is incense and I love both.
Oooh, sounds wonderful (both)!
You would like both 😂
Those combinations sound amazing!
It gives extra longevity to the Tabu
Myrrh essential oil sounds amazing
Hmmmmmm. I have a bit of patchouli-infused oil. Should try it with Cinnabar.
Thanks for the idea!
Too many to mention!
Like Daniel I’ve kept going back to Acne Studios a couple of times,not sure if I should just take the plunge.
There’s a couple of perfumes I need to re-test before making a final decision though:
Caron Tabac Exquis
Penhaligon’s Portraits collection(I forget the name,but it’s the one with the Elephant head)
Bianco Latte-any thoughts on this one?
SOTD was Volutes edp,and currently taking Penhaligon’s Endymion for a ride straight to bed.
Happy weekend!
XO’s
I did not care for Bianco Latte as I thought it was too strong. I do know there are others though that love it.
Thanks!
I second you on the Penhaligon portraits. I want one of those bottles so bad. But at the price, I need to really love the fragrance. None of them have wowed me.
I totally agree that none of them have REALLY wowed me either!
JB – I felt the same as Kris about Bianco Latte. Not only too strong, but I really disliked the fragrance and I like gourmands generally. But there is so much love for it, you should probably try it and see what you think.
Thanks springpansy,I think I’ll stick to a sample decant for now.Luckily a decant is available in SA at the moment!✌🏻
Happy Saturday! I’m sprawled in my favorite chair, digesting a wonderful breakfast/brunch-ish meal cooked up by Mr. G, and wearing Omnia Ambra. As soon as I feel less like a beached whale, I’ll be finishing some laundry and miscellaneous household chores. Meanwhile, my poll answers:
1. Heeley Iris de Nuit. I’m pretty sure it’s not for me (there’s a musk note that definitely doesn’t work for me) but I feel like I need to try it in winter to be absolutely certain.
2. Imaginary Authors Every Storm a Serenade. Took quite a while to get over my irrational prejudice against (presumably faux) strawberry in perfumery. Turns out the note in ESaS is fresh and vaguely tart-sweet and quite enjoyable.
3. Oh, several classic Guerlains — L’Heure Bleue, Mitsouko and Après L’Ondee are three that come to mind. Aside from Vol de Nuit, it seems I’m just not a Guerlain girl. Or wasn’t, at least, last time I tried one, and tastes do change, and they’re classics … so maybe someday I’ll be a convert?
Not liking classic Guerlains make me feel as if I am admitting that I will never read The Unbearable Lightness of Being or the like, but a while back I decided heck I can be middle, or even low, brow if I wish.
Exactly! (I haven’t read that one either.) Good to know I’m not the only one. ☺️
We all have our own preferences – life would be pretty boring otherwise 🙂 .
Perfume in particular should be all about what each of us enjoys.
Correction: On #2, it was Cape Heartache that has the strawberry and that took a minute to love. Every Storm was instant adoration. Oops.
For some reason I found that one too masculine for my taste. It was probably the pine note smell.
Could be. I love the scent of evergreens, however masculine it may be. Prolly from growing up in the Pacific NW. 🌲 🤪
Guerlain is not the house for me either, although I’ve spent a lot of time trying. Shalimar is beloved and so is Nahema but that’s it.
differences in noses are fascinating and amazing! I’m a Guerlain gal and wear many of them often, especially the colognes and lighter scents like Apres l’Ondee.
Nahema goes funny on my skin but smells fantastic to me on other people
while current Shalimar often gives me migraine headache,
I love wearing vintage Shalimar tho! 😍
I do find it so fascinating how different noses, different skin Ph lead us to embracing or rejecting not only an individual scent, but an entire scent house. I adore Guerlain, there’s a few that just aren’t me, but overall they really work. Chanel however…hm…I’ve never been able to wear anything by them. I’ve tried the Classic #5, both vintage and new, but it assaults my nose. I’ve tried the softer #19, same result. I did keep trying, thinking one day it would magically happen. But now, I’ve come to realize that I’ll never be a Chanel woman and that’s ok. 😉. There’s so many beautiful scents out there I no longer keep anything that doesn’t grab me.
I’ve had an easier time with Guerlain than with Chanel, but as my tastes have evolved, I have found scents from both houses that I love.
But I will never get along with Shalimar.
The latest fragrance that I’m not sure about.
There are always plenty of those, some perfumes are an instant love or hate, but I tend to try things several times so I’m always contemplating something. Right now, I want to try the two new Arquistes a few more times.
A fragrance I now love, after some time in the purgatory basket.
There have been lots of samples in the purgatory basket over the years, but very few FBs find themselves there, because I usually agonise for ages over every purchase. Right now, Le Galion’s L’Âme Perdue is at the top of my buy list, five years after I first sniffed it.
A fragrance I gave up on, but keep wondering about another sample.
There’s a lot of them too, because I know that my tastes can change – see my previous answers! I’ve got a few samples sitting in a shopping cart at Fragrance and Art at the moment, including Azemour les Orangers. I tried it years ago, it gets many mentions here, so it’s time to try it again 🙂 .
Yes to changing tastes: it drives me insane when I *finally* buy something I had liked enough to almost buy at the time, and then realize that meh, it’s only okay.
This has happened to me too.
I don’t have a purgatory basket
The closest I have come to Dithering, which is my own term for indecision, was probably JM Oat and Cornflower. Part of it was the ho-hum packaging, as well as the usual JM lack of longevity. Fortunately, it turned up at a Cosmetics Company for half price a year or two later and at that point I pounced.
Half price is a good decision maker.
I love the word dithering.
Pretty much most of my collection is in purgatory right now. I’m seriously thinking of purging 80% of everything I own because for the last 6-9 months I have lost interest in perfume. I will definitely clear out some stuff this fall/winter, but will wait until another 6-9 months to see if my interest revives. I’m kind of hoping it doesn’t as I have spent far too much on it over the past 20+ years and do not want to get sucked back in to buying. I would like to have a smaller collection I have some chance of using up before I expire.
What???????????? Don’t do anything drastic!!!
I second this!
Thirding!
This happened to me too but the interest came back !!
This is why I’m going to wait a while longer before doing a really big purge… many of the things I have are either no longer available or totally unaffordable now.
I’ve taken breaks from perfume several times over the decades, gave away many bottles I hadn’t used often, it was a way to ease the feeling of being burdened by too many things.
But I’ve always been glad I held on to the favorites. When I have fewer bottles I can easily enjoy them more because the best scents aren’t lost in the crowd.
I lost interest in perfume for a big chunk of last year, and part of this year due to very stressful events. But I knew that eventually my interest in perfume would return.
I hope your lack of interest is short-lived. It’s OK to not wear fragrance for awhile; I completely understand. I sometimes take short breaks or just use my essential oils and lotions. But I will try to keep up with reading comments here even though I don’t always chime in with sotd of essential oil combos, etc.
I imagine your collection is amazing!
Oh, and I’m wearing SDV today – got a compliment at the florist on it. 🙂
I love perfume compliments
I get so few they are extra nice.
You smell great!!
Thank you!
You smell like heaven. 😍
I don’t have a purgatory basket. When I sniff something, I either like it immediately and buy it or dislike it. I have no perfumes that grew on me over time. I have perfumes that I don’t like as much as when I bought them, but they go in the “swap” pile if I don’t wear them.
Today I am wearing Ginger Biscuit.
I’m with you foxbins. I sample and then either like it and buy it or dislike it. Unfortunately, I have bought unsniffed before and that is not always the best idea.
No purgatory baskets here. I’m fairly decisive, so if I don’t like every single aspect of a perfume, it’s not taking up space in my very limited accommodation. I’ve been enjoying what I have and have no interest in purchasing anything else in the near future unless I test and fall in love with Epona from Papillon Perfumes. Perfume is expensive these days, ridiculously so, and if I don’t 100% love every single molecule of it, it gets no space in my tiny home on wheels. Today I’m sporting Kopari sunscreen which has a lovely light fragrance.
I love Kopari products too.
I’ve only ever tried this sunscreen so I’m not really familiar with their products. I do love this SPF 50 oil though. It’s ungodly expensive for what it is so I doubt I’ll repurchase but I’m absolutely enjoying the heck out of the bottle I have!
I’m curious about this oil – is it the Sun Shield Body Glow? Is the mica very obvious? It looks so hydrating. Would be nice for a special treat.
This is the one I have:
https://www.ulta.com/p/sun-shield-body-glow-gel-spf-50-pimprod2030935?sku=2592141
I love it and wish it were more affordable. Also like the high SPF. The shimmer isn’t glittery. Once you rub it in, it gives you lovely sheen (both from the oil and the pearl) but you won’t look like a disco ball. There are several “colors” so not sure if they all have the same scent. They do expire, so it doesn’t pay to save it. Mine expired in May, so probably not effective as a sunscreen at this point…I also use is sparingly because 💸💸💸💸
Thanks, Deva!
Kopari has new body mists. They are pretty fun.
I saw that when I was in Ulta not too long ago. I did a test spray but didn’t care for them. Really wish they had a body spray that matches the sunscreen oil….
sunscreen products can smell so easy and relaxing, now I want to try that one at Ulta next time i visit
Living in a home with limited space sounds like an ideal way to downsize not only perfumes but ALL of my “stuff” (clothes, jewelry, pottery, artworks–cats?)–but I can’t bring myself to do it. I imagine that even if I do wind up moving sometime in the next few years into a smaller house–as I must–I will have to get a storage space, being unable to give up the “stuff”!
I will probably downsize somewhat over the next few years, but I am in no way ready for minimalism or a tiny place. I like my stuff. And probably I like it better than anybody else will, so I might as well use it all as long as I can!
I’m looking for a good sunscreen for my arms now. I’ve seen some new photoaging spots since I moved to Colorado…
I’ve been absent for some months. Fell out of the habit of reading here regularly when I went on a road trip in the spring, topped that off with a cold, and then weeks upon weeks of a sinus infection, which lasted longer than it should have due to incorrect treatment by doctor #1.
Not consuming fragrance-related content is great for my no buy, but on the flip side, I don’t explore or enjoy my collection as much.
Santal Kardamom (a blind buy) was in purgatory for years, and then my nose magically flipped.
Since I’ve been on a no buy, there’s really nothing that I’ve been hesitating to purchase. My collection is so large, adding to it would be ridiculous.
Sprayed Kashnoir earlier today, now contemplating adding some of the aforementioned Santal Kardamom or Perfume de Therese, since Daniel mentioned it.
Welcome back!
Welcome back!
Hi, it’s nice to see you.
Happy to see you back.
MissGoldsmith, hope you can hang around here and enjoy your perfumes more without having to buy more!
Welcome back!
I pretty much know immediately if I like a sample. I have one giveaway box and one keeper box. As for my bottles, anything I don’t really care to wear goes in my daughter’s room. These are the ones I will give away or swap.
Sometimes I take them back after smelling them on her.
I keep re- sampling YSL Libre. I really like it on other people but the lavender keeps me from wearing it ( headaches).
I don’t think I answered the questions right but I have mushy brain today.
I have a keeper box and a giveaway box too. 😊
I, um, have a few keeper boxes. 😳
Cheapie alert!
I almost bought Bianco Latte today,but instead searched for other vanilla perfumes and randomly stumbled on this one from Coty.
https://www.fragrantica.com/perfume/Coty/Chanson-d-Eau-Vanilla-92033.html
It’s like $12 for 100ml edt and really really nice!
SOTD was Jour d’Hermès,and now several spritzes of the above!
What a great deal!
I thought so too!Longevity could be better,but at the price one can spray with abandon!😉
I love Bianco Latte. 🙂
Anything similar to it that I might have smelled?
Hmmm, I’m not sure, maybe Maison Mataha Escapade Gourmande, Chabaud Lait de Vanille, or Xerjoff Lira?
I visited my brother who lives near Tampa, Florida back in 2018 (looking forward to seeing him again in Feb) I had done some research about where to find perfume not readily available here in the UK. Came across a lovely man called Rob (also known back then as ‘Scent Junkie’) who had his own perfume business & had had a presence in a bricks & mortar location at some point but was now doing pop-ups at various locations. We arranged to meet & had a lovely hour or so chatting about perfume, & after sampling quite a few of his offerings I ended up purchasing one I had never heard of before – the brand was ‘Maria L’ & the perfume was ‘Yours Truly’ – very unlike anything I had smelled before & initially I loved it, but recently I’m not so keen – & it was the most money I’d ever spent on a bottle! Not sure if I’ll hang on to it or give it to my best friend, as I did think even when I first tried it that it was more of a hers than mine smell. Rob & I did exchange emails after I came home – he asked me to review his business, which of course I did – but I haven’t been able to find any trace of him in recent years.
Apparently the brand is MariaLux and the perfumer went on to found Nasomatto (I don’t have any, that’s some pricy stuff when you do the per ml math!)
Great story, anyway! Sorry you fell out of love.
I don’t have a purgatory box as my collection is down to what I love or can’t easily replace. My shopping these days is for clothes rather than perfume.
Wearing JHAG Not a Perfume today. It’s turned hot and muggy again and lighter scents are called for.
My shopping is mostly for clothes too. Or things for my house. I haven’t bought perfume in ages. No danger of running out 🙂
Wearing a bit of Egyptian Goddess oil on my wrists because I think a migraine may be brewing. We had some storms overnight and I think changing barometric pressure may be triggering them. I’ve been getting them very frequently since I got here. 🙁
Been keeping busy on my off time beading my little fingers off. Working on this bracelet now:
https://www.instagram.com/p/C_FAUypO2Cg/?igsh=MTV3Z2kwZjBvdWdibg==
Next, I’ll try to bead a card case, actually found a pattern! I’d love to do some beaded perfume bottle covers…Have a relaxing Sunday, folks!
Very nice. I love those colors!
That’s gorgeous!
Deva that is stunning!!!! You should start an Etsy shop and sell them.
Deva, that is beautiful! You have a great talent!
Gorgeous! Do you wear all these bracelets? Or sell them, or ?
I’ve given a few away to friends, have not sold any, have worn them when feasible. Couldn’t wear them when I was working (as a nurse, anyway) wear them occasionally now, but plan on taking many with me on vacation because my wardrobe is minimal and full of solid colors. Beaded bracelets, earrings, and necklaces make me feel a bit more “put together.” I don’t want to take any of my good jewelry with me (not that I have very much, but still…).
That’s a great idea to dress up your vacation!
Deva, you are talented and patient, this one is especially gorgeous.
Thanks so much for all the nice comments! I won’t point out all the mistakes I made..!
Loved the color combo on this one! SO pretty!
I keep trying to cut back, but I have failed in the last couple weeks. Anything that I don’t wear a lot or that bothers me somehow gets sent to my sister. :-).
But I have recently purchased the 13 ml St. Clair Casablanca, thanks to an NSTer’s enabling P S announcement about the sale on their website. It came yesterday, I am wearing it now, love love love this. I also totally caved and bought a big bottle of Irisss, since I tend to douse myself whenever I have any. I also found what is purported to be an intact, unopened original (black bottom box) bottle of Dune. Hope it doesn’t turn out to be a clinker. It has not showed up yet. I am getting little email updates, so I have hope…
So yesterday, I had my 6 week treck to the nice grandfatherly dermatologist, who runs his hands over my skin and zaps existing and pending bumps, blotches and nasty flakey patches along my hairline. No more waiting until a spot becomes a basal cell carcinoma for this woman! He is a very nice man, who showed me adorable pictures of his new granddaughter, bundled up in a coddling blanket with a sweet smile on her face.
So then I did a trip to Macy’s to reduce the sting of all those lasers spots. After discussion and sampling I bought a jar of Dior night cream. The saleswoman said, “it’s good to start early.” I laughed. “How old do you think I am?” She looked more carefully and asked “Little younger or little older than 60?” When I said 71 her jaw dropped and she called her coworkers over for an examination of my skin. The attention was fun. I told them Lamcime for years, until that reformulation gave me red blotches. Then Clinique, but it just lacked oomph for thirsty skin. Now I am switching to Dior- I want skin care that has history and experience behind it. Then I got a No. 5 Leau egg to top it all off. Once that windfall check comes and I pay my credit card off, I will be living on a spartan cash only budget, so this little splurge will have to do me for the foreseeable future. 🙂 Sorry to be long winded- hope everyone is having a great late August weekend!
Lancôme- stupid spellcheck!
I think good skincare is so important!I’ve rarely been judged over 35 and I turned 48 this year!
Sleep/Water/Sunscreen and a great moisturiser!👍🏼🕺🏼
How nice to have a treat and a splurge! And so smart to get your skin checked. Enjoy the Dior and report back.
I had mohs surgery for a spot near my hairline last year, it went well, and the surgeon froze off my pesky flaky spots there too. I need to up my skincare, thank you for mentioning Dior. 😊 I used to like Clinique.
The Clinque was non irritating, but over time didn’t seem to be stimulating renewal, or lacked hydration, or something. So I moved on. The Dior seems good so far. Basically I am using up what I have and switch to. Dior product as I rum out of something else. Now have everything but day time cream. The eye cream is great.
I will happily accept my enabler pin!!!! We are house twins today.
🙂 What are you wearing- she sent some samples of other things which I do not know about…
I’m wearing First Cut. She sent me a sample of Blue Marble
Wow! You are definitely someone to ask about skincare tips and tricks.
Finding a dermatologist is on my “To Do” list.
I have a bit of a love/ hate with rose perfumes. I love smelling rose ( especially in a garden) but seem to find it difficult to wear, a bit suffocating. So, SL Fille de Berlin was one perfume that I liked the sniff of but took ages to wear. Even now I have to be in the right mood. The thing that saves it is that it’s not too sweet whereas something like Rose Jam is often a bit too much. Overture Woman is another that has taken a while to grow on me and I think it’s because boozy perfumes hit me in a similar fashion to rose, in so much that they can be overbearing. Wearing Chypre Mousse today, just right for yet another cold and bleak day.
Your cold and bleak weather is hitting us this coming weekend,temps gonna drop something like 10-15 degrees C!
Happy Monday!✌🏻
I’m with you exactly on rose scents.
Just a bit of Santal Pao Rosa today. Need to get off my dead *ss and bake a blueberry pie before the fruit I bought goes bad. Will fix a cuppa to get myself going.
Please pass me a slice 🥧 when you are done
Santal Pao Rosa is gorgeous! 😍
First Cut from the bottle I bought for my husband (“ honey, I am all out of my hay perfume!”) but I was holding off on buying because prices have gone up. But it’s the only thing he likes, wears and doesn’t bother his seasonal allergies. I stole a spray today before my ten mile walk. One spray and it developed so beautifully on my hot and sweaty skin. If it wasn’t his fragrance I could easily see it being my signature. Definitely in the top five list.
Such restraint! You do smell fantastic!
This is probably the only fragrance I wouldn’t dare do my 12-32 sprays . It really is good but the bottle isn’t mine 😂
🤔
What happened to what’s mine is mine and what’s yours is mine? 🤣
10 miles! Wow!
My first thought too! Although you must get a lot of steps in at work, lillyjo.
I do. It’s really my only form of exercise though.
sotd = SDV from a decant
because cazaubon mentioned it, and it’s beautiful.
Loved reading everyone’s thinking about purgatory perfumes. I’m like those who don’t usually let things sit in limbo. It either works or it doesn’t, tho it may take multiple wearings to be sure.
Wow! SDV – gorgeous! I may have the world’s largest purgatory.
I think rose can be my nemesis. I’ve tried several rose-ish things and mostly end up selling or swapping them away. I think it’s my skin chemistry that makes things go south with them.
I have Agent Provocateur edp and a L’Occitane Arlesienne oil in my purgatory box right now. However someone here mentioned that possibly the new Shalimar this fall may be a rose version? So I’m sure I’ll be in a quandary as I usually love most Guerlains.
I think it’s patchouli but there are so many these days that I can’t remember what’s what. That said, have you tried Tauer PHI June Rose de Kandahar?
It could also be patchouli! Yes, I have a mini of PHI une Rose; that one is good on me.
Actually, I’m wrong. Patchouli is the “new” reissue of Patchouli Ardent. You could very well be right about Shalimar Rose!
If you *do* decide to rehome your Agent Provocateur, I know someone who would be happy to have it. 😉
I’ve thought of you several times as I seem to remember you mentioning it before. If we get back down south this winter I’ll send it out to you!
Inattentively watching “Furiosa” as I do chores, not really caring for it though don’t have the energy to interrogate why right now. Maybe it’s a simple as nearly everyone is absolutely vile.
Since I raised the topic of movies: saw “Blink Twice” on Friday, thought it was fantastic. That said, I understand why there was a trigger warning.
Wearing Ineke Sweet William and enjoying it. Need to look up the notes, it’s not my usual speed, getting floral fruity sour, not sugary. Purchased it as a blind buy in a small format early in my fragrance journey, it had already been discontinued and I generally love Ineke (have 6 FB).
The flower Sweet William smells wonderful. What Inekes are your favorites?
I have the following Ineke in FB:
– Field Notes From Paris
– Gilded Lily
– Hothouse Flower
– Idyllwild
– Jaipur Chai
– Scarlet Larkspur
I really do enjoy all of them, but given the size of my collection (💀😱💀) they don’t get enough love.
My top 3 are Field Notes, Idyllwild and Jaipur Chai. If I had to kick one of those 6 off the island, it would be Scarlet Larkspur.
If I had to choose a favorite, after much mulling, I pick Idyllwild. There’s not much in my collection that hits the same spot: a brisk, refreshing, unisex wood. I wore it a lot when I was still going into the office.
It satisfies the same craving as Timbuktu. They’re not dupes for each other, but there are definitely similarities. Some may find Idyllwild more accessible and less challenging (not that I personally find Timbuktu challenging).
Thank you for sharing your knowledge. Ineke is a house I recall sampling years ago but I didn’t keep up.
Happy Monday NST. Today I am wearing No 5 L’eau, my favorite perfume of the summer, to tackle indoor chores. I didn’t do any laundry over the weekend because I didn’t feel like it, which is so dumb because I still don’t feel like it but now the pile is ginormous and must be dealt with. First world problem, for sure.
Hope everyone has something positive happen today.
We were laundry twins today!
Do you have the No. 5 L’Eau Egg, or the regular bottle?
Regular, it’s a partial bottle I found online in my budget. That egg is really cute.
I’m sitting here waiting for my son to finish with his yearly physical. The weather is thick with humidity and we are expecting storms for the next few days. The weather guy said that this particular week has been stormy for the last decade or so.
My sotd is LVEB Crystal Soliel, layered with bbw Coco Paradise.
I don’t miss the kind of summer humidity that you are dealing with!
How’d your son’s physical go?
Hope your son’s physical went well.
Mirto di Panarea. Wanted something fresh and uplifting.
A massive attack happened today – the air raid alert lasted 12 hours, which is a new record. Lots of missiles and drones aimed at Ukraine’s energy system. Not much information how bad the damage is this time. No power for the last 2 hours, and it looks like this is going to be a long blackout, followed by more blackouts.
I am sitting here crying, not knowing what to do and what will happen next.
Wrote to my Python group that I am not sure if I will be able to present our project on Wednesday. They were supportive and told me not to worry about it.
Oh Glannys I am so sorry you are going through this.
Thank you!
I read about it in the Dutch papers.
I cannot even imagine what you are going through. I’m just so, so sorry.
Thank you!
I am so, so sorry for everything happening to you and your country, Glannys. I wish there were better words.
Thank you! I feel so isolated during the blackouts. It is just nice to read the replies here.
And compared to people who lost their homes, lives… I am fine, I guess.
I was just thinking how trivial perfumes and SOTD’s are while you are going through literal hell,untill I read your reply here.I’m glad you can at least find some comfort here at NST!🌹🌹
Glannys, I wish you could leave again. I know it not a permanent fix but at least you would be safe. Sending you, your mom, Kora and all your friends and loved ones hugs. I just can’t even imagine what you’re going through…
I sometimes think of leaving Ukraine at least for a month in winter. Rent and Airbnb or something… But it is both expensive and complicated if you are travelling with a cat.
I’m so sorry that you are still living through hell. I hope today is more peaceful.
I’m so sorry, Glannys. I admire you for posting here when you have so much going on in your country. And you’re right-difficult to plan to be away if you have a pet. Is it too trivial to say you smell amazing, and I’m keeping you and your country in my thoughts. Please take care.
Stay tough Glannys!
I cannot even imagine.✌🏻
I heard about Kyiv in one of my news feeds this morning. Simply horrible. So sorry that you and your loved ones are dealing with this (expletive).
Sending you and your mom and kitty big hugs! I really hope that you can stay safe.
Sending you hugs. This has got to be terrible for you. Sure wish you had the option of going somewhere else.
Oh, Glannys, I’m so sorry you are going through this. Words are so insufficient.
Stay safe Glannys, hope the power came back. I find you very courageous through all those months of uncertainty and upheaval, it’s so understandable you feel down and cry sometimes.
I had perfume fun this morning. I doused myself with Irisss and came to the outpatient clinic to get a blood draw, check my thyroid levels and what not. I went into the little room where the nurse took some blood, and could smell my perfume more in that antiseptic space, so ai checked to make sure I wasn’t obnoxiously fragrant.
“Oh, geez, I smell my perfume in this clean room! I hope it’s not too much?”
Nurse says, No, it’s light and very pretty! What is it?
Irisss, says I.
Oh, I love it. I am a perfume girl, I don’t feel dressed without scent, says she.
Cool! What is your favorite at the moment?
She says, Something called Santal 33….
La Labo!, I said. I love sandalwood scents!
She was pleased I knew it. We had a nice little perfumista moment there.
Happy Monday one and all. Hope my A1C and triglycerides are down and my HDL is up!
That is fun! It’s not often to find another perfume lover in the wild.
How nice! Great way to get distracted from the needle.
Needles don’t really bother me . She was very experience and efficient.
🙂 A good experience all around!
How nice to find a fellow fraghead in the wild!
So rare to find another perfume person IRL, it seems.
One perfume I am dithering on is Tom Ford’s Tobacco Vanille. I have always been iffy on vanilla as a main note. I do enjoy Vanilla Flash and SVD. I am going to post about the Tobacco Vanille body spray some time today. Started the post last night but got side tracked with the dogs last night.
I keep meaning to do a perfume cull to get some extra cash. I am not quite game for Ebay, consignment shops in my area don’t accept perfume. So the only choices are a flea market or garage sale.
I am aboutbto wear either Memoir or Lyric today.
Dawn, I’m thinking about culling some of mine, too. I was wondering about Reddit, or the Facebook Fragrance Friends. Have you considered those options?
Remind me what SVD refers to? All my brain can come up with is Spiriteuese Double Vanille, but that’s not quite right
Re: culling, are you a hard pass on anything that requires boxing/shipping, or just don’t want to deal with eBay in particular?
Wearing whatever is on my laundered top. Very faint, but it’s still there. I’m going to spritz UBV today, which is nice and light. Busy day of running into civilization trying to track down packages whose status states, “undeliverable,” and stock the larder.
Sad weekend as we had two preventable fatalities here Saturday. As soon as I saw the the sheriff zip by the office with lights and sirens, I knew. Nothing EVER happens here. Then just a bit later a SAR helicopter combing an area just down the road. Sobering stuff.
Hope this Monday treats everyone well.
Sounds like a grim weekend. I hope today goes well
Yikes.
I know what you mean about preventable fatalities. There have been a record number of drownings here in Colorado this summer in lakes, rivers, and reservoirs.
It’s terrible! I don’t know whether I’m more angry or sad. 100% preventable! ☹️
It most definitely blows. Such a d@mn waste.
https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/article/2024/aug/25/want-to-smell-the-pre-raphaelites-uk-gallery-to-use-scent-alongside-paintings
An article about a Pre-Raphaelite exhibition that is using scent infusers.
Wet, cold, bleak, grey…still winter in other words. I watched the movie Eileen last night ( Ann Hathaway ) and it was a good, creepy thriller…also chilling. Wearing Boucheron today.
Interesting concept, I’ll go check out the article. Weirdly, I will often leave shops that are overly scented themselves, even though I love perfume! This never happens in actual perfume shops. Hopefully the museum exhibit is subtle in its handling of scent.
I had a fantastic perfume experience in Halifax on Saturday. There’a a great independantly owned store, and I went in. The owner is so nice. They sell by Terry cosmetics, and RMS cosmetics. And they sell the BDK perfumes, and the Roja Dove line (the owner worked with RD at Bergdorf). So many people came in, and sprayed and sniffed, and we were all complementing each other. Then four young guys came in-one had a birthday, and they were spraying and sniffing the Marly line. One guy bought a bottle, and I asked him what it smelled like. He took his brand new bottle out and sprayed the back of my hand! I loved that he was sharing his beautiful new purchase with me. They were laughing because we were all wearing blue stried shirts-me included. I got to smell the new Creed, Carmina, which I really liked. There was a BDK amber safrano, and I was given a large sample to try. I bought some by terry lipsticks and just had a great time. Real life snifapolooza! I loved every minute of it.
Your sniffathon sounds like fun!
I loved every minute of it, JB 🙂
How cool!
Sounds wonderful!
Happy Monday!
I had to sit today out,the mother of all migraines crept upon me early this morning and I was out of service basically the whole day.
SOTE is a tiny spritz of comfort in CSP Vanille Extreme.
I think I got triggered by spraying too many vanilla-rich perfumes on Sunday-all from my own stash-trying to find a milky/lactonic/coffee/vanilla scent from the collection.It involved Iris Ganache/Vanille Extreme/Coco Extreme etc….
Perfume.A love and a curse.
XO’s
SO hard to know what triggers a migraine, JB-you have all my sympathy. But your SOTE sounds great-elegant, and low key. Hope you feel much better, and soon 🙂
Thank you so much,I do feel much better!
🌹🤗
Glad your headache is gone. I guess it was too much of a good thing all those vanillas.
Yuck, sorry to hear that you were dealing with a migraine today. Hope your head is done hurting now.
Happy you are feeling better now.
Enjoying moderate temperatures here this Monday afternoon. My weather apps are saying it’s between 77 and 84 degrees F, which is absolutely lovely for late August. 🌞🌈
I had a semi annual apartment inspection this morning. Twice a year, the complex I am in checks fire/smoke detectors, HVAC, and faucets. Teflon kitty was very unhappy about the smoke detector tests and was hiding behind the couch. She got a small dollop of sour cream after it was finished to soothe her jangled nerves. 🙀😾
I visited Mr. Jalapeno’s Mom yesterday in her memory care facility. She was in good spirits and was glad to see me and Mr. Jalapeno’s sister, who gave me a ride down there. Her pain management is much better than it was back in February, and she was mentally present.
But she has had some really bad days that I have not been around to witness. Dementia sucks.
Onto the poll questions!
1. Latest fragrance tried, not sure about? Dame Perfumery Bergamot, Jasmine & Labdanum. IDK if it’s the wrong season for it, or something that I am not a fan of. Will try it later on in the year.
2. Fragrance you now love, but spent time in Perfume Purgatory? Ironically, it’s another Dame Perfumery scent: Lime, Gardenia & Benzoin. Smells much better in Colorado than it did in New Jersey. Go figure.
3. Fragrance you gave up on, but still think about? Maybe Fzotic Ummagumma? According to the notes, I should love it. But it smothered me each time I tried it. And I have a fair number of heavy hitters in my Perfume Wardrobe.
SOTD = commando today. Dealing with a bit of a rash. Hopefully it continues to clear up.
I have not tried number 1, but wondering if the jasmine is indolic and offensive to you. It could be too woody or musky I suppose. Or maybe it was like me on your number 2 and you just don’t like it.
It’s difficult (but not impossible) to find a jasmine that is TOO indolic for me, heh.
I need to give Bergamot, Jasmine & Labdanum a better test. My first one was just a quick “drive by sniff” of it on a Kleenex. Also, there might have been a bit of perfume in the sprayer tube that had gone off a bit.
I’m glad Teflon Kitty got her sour cream. Hopefully the rash clears soon.
Thanks! It’s looking better today than it did yesterday, and I wore perfume yesterday.
Hope the rash goes completely by today.
Monday report: Wore Ineke Idyllwild on one arm, L’AP Timbuktu on the other for most of the day, and now I have spritzes of three Ineke florals, inspired by ringthing’s question earlier in the thread.
Feeling overly tired today, will be sure to go to bed early. Speaking of sleep: started a new medication about a month ago, and had a few nights of sleep-onset insomnia. Just hours and hours of lying there. I hadn’t used melatonin in years. Just got some gummies that combine melatonin, magnesium, gaba and something else (l-theanine, maybe?) They have definitely helped when I’ve taken them. Now, I do not know that those were nights where I would have had insomnia, but my feelings of sleepiness improved, which helps combat the “revenge sleep procrastination” which I also sometimes subject myself to.
Oh, and thanks everyone for all the “welcome back” greetings and well wishes yesterday!