Perfume Chat Thread

[Swanky]

I’m
A Byredo fan too! I wear
Bal ‘dafrique but it doesn’t last on my.

I have some old bottles that I love but I can see they’ve changed color over the years and do smell different.

You may consider storing them in a refrigerator, Le Labo stores theirs until you purchase, then they recommend it as well.
My SA said if you use it daily it’ll be gone in a year so don’t worry about keeping it cool, but if it’s not your daily fragrance, refrigerate it.

I'm counting on that. These are some of the fragrances I purchased over the last month or so... I'm still waiting for Lalibela, which is backordered at NM. I need to check in at the Perfume Ban Island ASAP.
View attachment 5354170

 

[dustysh]

What does everyone think of matching perfume to the season/weather?

I live somewhere where it's hot and humid all year long but I love 'heavier' notes like woody, spicy incense even though I feel like people around me probably would rather I go for something more summery and fresh lol. But then again it seems like they also love musky oud in the Middle East even though it's hot there.

 

[Bag peace]

I'm behind on the thread, so please excuse me if my post isn't following on from the ones prior. I just wanted to give a brief update on the anosmia progress since I started re-training my senses. Smelling different scents during the day is really working!

Comptoir Sud Pacific:
Vanille abricot- smells like confectionary sugar to me every time I try it. Lovely, but I can't get the fruitiness others describe. Maybe too subtle for me to pick up in this stage of my recovery.
Amour de Cacao- first application smelled like burnt coffee. Second attempt- a week later- was much more successful. I could pick up milk chocolate, vanilla, sweetness. My nose definitely found nuance where earlier it got a single note of bitter.

Atelier Cologne: Orange Sanguine! They highlight of my attempts! The first time since catching covid that I could distinctly say I can smell orange/tangerine, rather than just "some sort of citrus". The marker that showed me I was actually improving!
I love this for summer. I'm a little upset that I discovered it after they had their clearance sale before shutting up shop. I would have ordered a few scents at their clearance prices had I known. Oh well. I'll forever love this scent because it marks a milestone in my long-covid recovery.

By Kilian: Apple brandy on the rocks. It's a complex scent; too layered for me to figure out with the anosmia. I cannot identify what I'm smelling. I like it but have decided it's not love, yet. I'd like to try it again when I'm more healed and see what I smell at that stage. There are a bunch from this house that I want to sample when I'm better, actually.

Goutal: Eau de Monsieur- I could pick up individual notes on this one from the first attempt. Citrus at first, then more musky amber as it settles.

Akro: Awake. This was a journey similar to Amour de Cacao. The first application was just bitter, overwhelming and unpleasant. Then, after about a week, I tried again. I got coffee. Strong, Turkish coffee. A little citrus as well. Really pleasant and nothing like the first time I smelled it.
There's something else in this scent that my nose can't identify yet. I have enough of the sample left to give it one more go in a few weeks. Will be interesting to see if I improve further.

And finally, Maison Margiela's replica. One sample gave me an allergic reaction and the other smells like feet.
Sorry to any fans. Please know that this is partly my allergies and partly my current skewed sense of smell, so not at all a reflection on the perfume.

I really wasn't sure this exercise would work but am pleased it has. I'm hoping as my sense of smell improves, my taste will also return to normal. Thanks for letting me share this wacky journey!

 

[JenJBS]

I'm behind on the thread, so please excuse me if my post isn't following on from the ones prior. I just wanted to give a brief update on the anosmia progress since I started re-training my senses. Smelling different scents during the day is really working!

Comptoir Sud Pacific:
Vanille abricot- smells like confectionary sugar to me every time I try it. Lovely, but I can't get the fruitiness others describe. Maybe too subtle for me to pick up in this stage of my recovery.
Amour de Cacao- first application smelled like burnt coffee. Second attempt- a week later- was much more successful. I could pick up milk chocolate, vanilla, sweetness. My nose definitely found nuance where earlier it got a single note of bitter.

Atelier Cologne: Orange Sanguine! They highlight of my attempts! The first time since catching covid that I could distinctly say I can smell orange/tangerine, rather than just "some sort of citrus". The marker that showed me I was actually improving!
I love this for summer. I'm a little upset that I discovered it after they had their clearance sale before shutting up shop. I would have ordered a few scents at their clearance prices had I known. Oh well. I'll forever love this scent because it marks a milestone in my long-covid recovery.

By Kilian: Apple brandy on the rocks. It's a complex scent; too layered for me to figure out with the anosmia. I cannot identify what I'm smelling. I like it but have decided it's not love, yet. I'd like to try it again when I'm more healed and see what I smell at that stage. There are a bunch from this house that I want to sample when I'm better, actually.

Goutal: Eau de Monsieur- I could pick up individual notes on this one from the first attempt. Citrus at first, then more musky amber as it settles.

Akro: Awake. This was a journey similar to Amour de Cacao. The first application was just bitter, overwhelming and unpleasant. Then, after about a week, I tried again. I got coffee. Strong, Turkish coffee. A little citrus as well. Really pleasant and nothing like the first time I smelled it.
There's something else in this scent that my nose can't identify yet. I have enough of the sample left to give it one more go in a few weeks. Will be interesting to see if I improve further.

And finally, Maison Margiela's replica. One sample gave me an allergic reaction and the other smells like feet.
Sorry to any fans. Please know that this is partly my allergies and partly my current skewed sense of smell, so not at all a reflection on the perfume.

I really wasn't sure this exercise would work but am pleased it has. I'm hoping as my sense of smell improves, my taste will also return to normal. Thanks for letting me share this wacky journey!

Great news that your sense of smell is returning!

 

[JenJBS]

What does everyone think of matching perfume to the season/weather?

I live somewhere where it's hot and humid all year long but I love 'heavier' notes like woody, spicy incense even though I feel like people around me probably would rather I go for something more summery and fresh lol. But then again it seems like they also love musky oud in the Middle East even though it's hot there.

Sometimes I wear my 'spring/summer' floral or light scents in the winter, as a sort of rebellion against the weather. I find orange works for Christmas season really well. I don't mind my heavier scents in the summer, but in the evening when it's cooler, or when I'll be in an air conditioned building. Some place crank up the AC so high it feels more like winter than summer. Then the heavier notes are perfect.

 

[Chanbal]

I’m
A Byredo fan too! I wear
Bal ‘dafrique but it doesn’t last on my.

None of the Byredo perfumes lasts on my skin, but they smell so good. Bal d'Afrique is one of the longer lasting ones for me. In contrast, the longevity and projection of Parfums de Marly is excellent based on the amount of complaints I get from my family each time I wear Delina. Returning to Byredo perfumes, I purchased a few travel atomizers and reapply them as needed.

I have some old bottles that I love but I can see they’ve changed color over the years and do smell different.

I had to dispose of some bottles because of smell changes.

You may consider storing them in a refrigerator, Le Labo stores theirs until you purchase, then they recommend it as well.
My SA said if you use it daily it’ll be gone in a year so don’t worry about keeping it cool, but if it’s not your daily fragrance, refrigerate it.

I like to rotate perfumes a lot, which makes it difficult to finish them in a year. Storing perfumes in a refrigerator sounds like a great idea, but I would need to get a mini fridge… not ready for that yet.

 

[Chanbal]

What does everyone think of matching perfume to the season/weather?

I live somewhere where it's hot and humid all year long but I love 'heavier' notes like woody, spicy incense even though I feel like people around me probably would rather I go for something more summery and fresh lol. But then again it seems like they also love musky oud in the Middle East even though it's hot there.

Today is a typical Spring day for me and I'm wearing Angels' Share which is a great perfume for the Winter Holidays.

 

[Purses & Perfumes]

I'm behind on the thread, so please excuse me if my post isn't following on from the ones prior. I just wanted to give a brief update on the anosmia progress since I started re-training my senses. Smelling different scents during the day is really working!

Comptoir Sud Pacific:
Vanille abricot- smells like confectionary sugar to me every time I try it. Lovely, but I can't get the fruitiness others describe. Maybe too subtle for me to pick up in this stage of my recovery.
Amour de Cacao- first application smelled like burnt coffee. Second attempt- a week later- was much more successful. I could pick up milk chocolate, vanilla, sweetness. My nose definitely found nuance where earlier it got a single note of bitter.

Atelier Cologne: Orange Sanguine! They highlight of my attempts! The first time since catching covid that I could distinctly say I can smell orange/tangerine, rather than just "some sort of citrus". The marker that showed me I was actually improving!
I love this for summer. I'm a little upset that I discovered it after they had their clearance sale before shutting up shop. I would have ordered a few scents at their clearance prices had I known. Oh well. I'll forever love this scent because it marks a milestone in my long-covid recovery.

By Kilian: Apple brandy on the rocks. It's a complex scent; too layered for me to figure out with the anosmia. I cannot identify what I'm smelling. I like it but have decided it's not love, yet. I'd like to try it again when I'm more healed and see what I smell at that stage. There are a bunch from this house that I want to sample when I'm better, actually.

Goutal: Eau de Monsieur- I could pick up individual notes on this one from the first attempt. Citrus at first, then more musky amber as it settles.

Akro: Awake. This was a journey similar to Amour de Cacao. The first application was just bitter, overwhelming and unpleasant. Then, after about a week, I tried again. I got coffee. Strong, Turkish coffee. A little citrus as well. Really pleasant and nothing like the first time I smelled it.
There's something else in this scent that my nose can't identify yet. I have enough of the sample left to give it one more go in a few weeks. Will be interesting to see if I improve further.

And finally, Maison Margiela's replica. One sample gave me an allergic reaction and the other smells like feet.
Sorry to any fans. Please know that this is partly my allergies and partly my current skewed sense of smell, so not at all a reflection on the perfume.

I really wasn't sure this exercise would work but am pleased it has. I'm hoping as my sense of smell improves, my taste will also return to normal. Thanks for letting me share this wacky journey!

So glad to hear that the perfume sampling is helping improve your sense of smell.

Tolu is nice imo, but fortunately it didn't make my list for a full bottle.

I actually really liked Tolu, but I have no plans to buy any full bottle if I can help it, since I already have too much perfume!


Regarding matching perfume to season and weather, I wear heavier, spicy, woody perfumes in summer too, but just spray less than I might in winter.

 

[chowlover2]

I'm behind on the thread, so please excuse me if my post isn't following on from the ones prior. I just wanted to give a brief update on the anosmia progress since I started re-training my senses. Smelling different scents during the day is really working!

Comptoir Sud Pacific:
Vanille abricot- smells like confectionary sugar to me every time I try it. Lovely, but I can't get the fruitiness others describe. Maybe too subtle for me to pick up in this stage of my recovery.
Amour de Cacao- first application smelled like burnt coffee. Second attempt- a week later- was much more successful. I could pick up milk chocolate, vanilla, sweetness. My nose definitely found nuance where earlier it got a single note of bitter.

Atelier Cologne: Orange Sanguine! They highlight of my attempts! The first time since catching covid that I could distinctly say I can smell orange/tangerine, rather than just "some sort of citrus". The marker that showed me I was actually improving!
I love this for summer. I'm a little upset that I discovered it after they had their clearance sale before shutting up shop. I would have ordered a few scents at their clearance prices had I known. Oh well. I'll forever love this scent because it marks a milestone in my long-covid recovery.

By Kilian: Apple brandy on the rocks. It's a complex scent; too layered for me to figure out with the anosmia. I cannot identify what I'm smelling. I like it but have decided it's not love, yet. I'd like to try it again when I'm more healed and see what I smell at that stage. There are a bunch from this house that I want to sample when I'm better, actually.

Goutal: Eau de Monsieur- I could pick up individual notes on this one from the first attempt. Citrus at first, then more musky amber as it settles.

Akro: Awake. This was a journey similar to Amour de Cacao. The first application was just bitter, overwhelming and unpleasant. Then, after about a week, I tried again. I got coffee. Strong, Turkish coffee. A little citrus as well. Really pleasant and nothing like the first time I smelled it.
There's something else in this scent that my nose can't identify yet. I have enough of the sample left to give it one more go in a few weeks. Will be interesting to see if I improve further.

And finally, Maison Margiela's replica. One sample gave me an allergic reaction and the other smells like feet.
Sorry to any fans. Please know that this is partly my allergies and partly my current skewed sense of smell, so not at all a reflection on the perfume.

I really wasn't sure this exercise would work but am pleased it has. I'm hoping as my sense of smell improves, my taste will also return to normal. Thanks for letting me share this wacky journey!

I am so sorry about your anosmia. I had a period after nasal surgery where I lost my sense of smell, so frustrating as I love fragrance. I usually do summer/winter fragrances as I live in the Northeast. Oddly enough what helped bring my sense of smell back was Nasonex allergy spray. My ENT switched my allergy meds up and it got better and better the more I used it.

I love the Replica fragrances, I just tried and bought Under the Lemon Trees. I am on the hunt for some new summer scents and this one is perfect. I haven't tried them all, what you describe sounds like it may be Whispers in the Library. To each his own. Before I forget, do you have Chanel's original Coco? I wear that with CSP Vanilla Abricot. I put on a spritz of each, rub and come up with something different and delightful. Most vanillas are too cakey for me, that is why I was drawn to the CSP. I have found a vanilla I like since then, the Aerin Tahitian Vanilla.

 

[Chanbal]

I actually really liked Tolu, but I have no plans to buy any full bottle if I can help it, since I already have too much perfume!

I also like Tolu, but don't see myself wearing it much to justify a full bottle. I'll likely get Ta'if and either Ormonde Woman or Ambre Royal. I need to test these 3 again, but I have a few other perfumes ahead of them.

Have you tried any of Sylvaine Delacourte's fragrances? She used to work for Guerlain, and I'm curious about her own collection.

 

[Bag peace]

Great news that your sense of smell is returning!

So glad to hear that the perfume sampling is helping improve your sense of smell.

Thank you both so much for celebrating with me!

Oddly enough what helped bring my sense of smell back was Nasonex allergy spray. My ENT switched my allergy meds up and it got better and better the more I used it.

Oh this is a wonderful tip! Thank you so much!

Before I forget, do you have Chanel's original Coco? I wear that with CSP Vanilla Abricot. I put on a spritz of each, rub and come up with something different and delightful. Most vanillas are too cakey for me, that is why I was drawn to the CSP. I have found a vanilla I like since then, the Aerin Tahitian Vanilla.

I do not have any Coco, but I can imagine the Vanilla Abricot pairs well with others!
I'll play around and see what happens, thank you.
Initially, I was just trying to figure out if it smells like anything more than "sweet" because reviews said it has fruity notes in it. I'm not sure if it's my anosmia that prevents that from coming through.

CSP made me realize that I like vanilla scents a lot, so I'll pick up a sample of Aerin Tahitian Vanilla to test out as well.
Thanks a lot for the help!

 

[Purses & Perfumes]

I also like Tolu, but don't see myself wearing it much to justify a full bottle. I'll likely get Ta'if and either Ormonde Woman or Ambre Royal. I need to test these 3 again, but I have a few other perfumes ahead of them.

Have you tried any of Sylvaine Delacourte's fragrances? She used to work for Guerlain, and I'm curious about her own collection.

I've seen some people reviewing her fragrances on YouTube (I didn't actually watch the reviews), but I haven't tried any of her perfumes. Houses on my "to test next" list are Profumum Roma and maybe Parfums de Nicolai, but I also have various vintage scents that need to be given a proper wearing first.
If you love rose, you should check out Parfums Rosine. I only had one of their samples and it was really nice. I think they offer a sample kit.

 

[Chanbal]

If you love rose, you should check out Parfums Rosine. I only had one of their samples and it was really nice. I think they offer a sample kit.

Haha, thanks for the suggestion! I ordered a sample set from Les Parfums de Rosine. I must stop now, because I'm also waiting for Discovery Kits from BDK, Memo (my Lalibela bottle continues on backorder at NM, and I have decided to test some of the other Memo fragrances), and Xerjoff.

Your post made me want to wear Rose Of No Man's Land by Byredo today, which I

 

[chowlover2]

I've seen some people reviewing her fragrances on YouTube (I didn't actually watch the reviews), but I haven't tried any of her perfumes. Houses on my "to test next" list are Profumum Roma and maybe Parfums de Nicolai, but I also have various vintage scents that need to be given a proper wearing first.
If you love rose, you should check out Parfums Rosine. I only had one of their samples and it was really nice. I think they offer a sample kit.

I have yet to find a Parfums de Nicolai I dislike, and I have been wearing the throughout the last dozen years. It used to be that way for me with Estee Lauder. Neither of the granddaughters have Estee's nose. Estee also put out fewer new fragrances. You waited and really were excited about a new fragrance launch.

 

[konejohuq]

Gucci Guilty fans.. are you here?