VIDEO: My Current Favorite Fragrances

Confession: up until last week, I was using a paper plate as a vanity tray. I wanted to be able to grab a fragrance on my way out the door, but I was having an awful time finding a tray I liked, sooooo I improvised. I'm grateful that so many smart people reminded me that Etsy exists, because now I own a beautiful vanity tray that fits perfectly on my card catalogue. No more paper plates!

Brief Thoughts on Recently Hyped Fragrances

I have this rather embarrassing tendency to hoard perfume samples like a fragrant dragon, it's true, but I don't think I can be entirely blamed for it. These teeny vials are a dime a dozen; I regularly have two or three thrown in my Sephora and Nordstrom orders, sales associates have no problem making me a trial size of whatever I'm interested in, and a lot of my friends who don't wear fragrances just dump their samples on me. I also have a slight obsession with pretty discovery sets and am forever on the quest for Full Bottle Worthy scents, but, you know...let's just ignore that and pretend it's not my fault.

What I must work on, though, is thinking carefully about hype before I make my purchases and free sample selections. For instance, I'm vaguely aware that I encounter two different forms of fragrance hype. First, there are the chic, "don't you want a lifestyle like this" Instagrammers who post carefully posed pictures of unisex fragrances in minimalist bottles, the types of perfumes that smell like musk, citruses, ambroxan, and a hint of millennial pink. (I openly admit that I am sometimes guilty of this.) Then there's the YouTube "frag comm," which is male dominated and tends to favor rich, spicy, or textured fragrances loaded with patchouli, leather, vanilla, incense, and tobacco; if it's a niche fragrance, all the better, my man. I enjoy both communities, and somehow, I get suckered in to both forms of hype.

Hence, I now own a number of samples from Commodity and Replica (minimalist Instagrammers), as well as a few bottles from Imaginary Authors (Frag Comm). And I think it's time to give you some of my thoughts on them. Please note that the product images you're about to see were stolen from Sephora and/or the house's website, since my broke ass doesn't have full bottles of any of these.

Lipstick On, by Maison Margiela Replica

I used to snark that Replica fragrances were just lazy attempts at making people feel like they've moved beyond the department store. Then I realized I was being a fucking fragrance hipster, which is annoying. I still stand by my belief that the range as a whole is merely okay, initially became popular because of the minimalist bottles versus any sort of outstanding smell, and is overpriced for the quality. But you know what? Some of these are nice, easy-to-wear-without-smelling-too-generic perfumes, and I get why people love them.

Lipstick On is one of the few I never got to smell in stores, so I'm glad it popped up in one of my recent Sephora orders. When first spritzed, this perfume smells like straight up lipstick wax--not like old school perfumed lipsticks, not like a candle, but like an actual waxy lipstick. That might sound gross, but as a lipstick lover, I really appreciated this brief but nostalgic top. After 15-ish minutes, it fades in to soft, sweet, very slightly powdery floral, with notes of vanilla, iris, and heliotrope dominating. Lipstick On had typical Replica fragrance performance on me: it sat close to the skin and faded within 3-4 hours.

Again: merely okay and blatantly overpriced, but easy-to-wear and, for me, vaguely nostalgic. If they sold smaller bottles of this at a reasonable price, I might actually get one just for that waxy top.

Book and Tea, by Commodity

I probably should've known that Commodity's range isn't for me. The people who wear their fragrances tend to have very different tastes, and the note lists don't usually inspire me. They also claim that their perfumes are meant for mixing to create "your own unique scent," which I get is a thing some people enjoy; it just kind of seems like an easy way to excuse a high price tag for a super simple fragrance. However...I had that $20 off of a $50 Sephora purchase email. And there was a discovery set. I'm weak for discovery sets. And the set included candles! Instagram fodder! Wee!

Yeah, no, this was a bit of a disaster. I actually love how the Oolong candle smells--I'm burning it as I write this, even--and I sort of expected the Tea fragrance to smell similar. The minute I sprayed it on, I realized I'd made a mistake. Not only does it smell thicker, muskier, and less fresh, but it has a jasmine note in it. Now, I love jasmine to bits, and it usually smells amazing on me. But jasmine can also go very fecal. And that's what happened with Tea: I smelt like a Port-a-John for a full hour until a subscriber was kind enough to suggest removing it with rubbing alcohol. Even when I sniff it in the bottle, it smells weirdly rank. What a shame.

I have a slightly different problem with Book. I actually can see why people enjoy this one, but I don't think it's as unique or complex as people suggest, and I'm not entirely sure why it gets so much hype. Admittedly, it has a simultaneously green and woodsy quality that I think makes it very unisex and pleasant; there's earthy vetiver, some crisp, bright cucumber and herbal eucalyptus for freshness, and a little bit of sandalwood that adds texture. But it's just...okay. It's like Cool Girl cologne, and that's not a terrible thing, but it's also not something that stands out to me. And as with every other Commodity fragrance I've tried, Book doesn't last more than 4 hours (though it has okay projection while it's on).

As a side note, a lot of people compare Commodity Book to Le Labo Santal 33. While they share some notes and have a similar tangy quality to them, I really think they're being compared because they're both popular right now. Book reads more green and fresh, Santal 33 is thicker and more textured.

Slow Explosions, by Imaginary Authors

I'm very open about my appreciation for the Imaginary Authors range, as well as my preference for leather fragrances. So you'd think I'd jump right on Slow Explosions when it came out in 2016.

Instead, I waited it out. Fragrances are expensive, and niche lines like Imaginary Authors are pretty much impossible to smell ahead of time unless you live in a big city with a quirky perfume shop or are able to snag a sample. Since I didn't have those opportunities, I gathered information from oodles of raving YouTube reviews and waited for a bottle to float my way.

When I first sprayed this perfume, I actually said out loud, "Oh my God, why the Hell did I get this?" The initial blast is an unpleasant, chemical leather smell that reeks of melting car tires. I almost scrubbed it off, but I waited ten minutes...and I'm glad I did. While I'll never enjoy that acrid opening, the middle is stunning. Large amounts of saffron give the leather a soft, almost powdery feel, a dash of tarte apple lingers in the background, and there's a muskiness underlying all of it that makes it quite sexy and smooth. This is definitely a modern fragrance, and while I admit that my personal preferences play a part in this, I truly feel it's way cooler than almost anything else I've sniffed recently.

Then again, I like to eat a gallon-sized bowl of popcorn while watching The Great British Baking Show in bed, so I don't know if I'm the best judge of "cool."

Sillage is moderate with this fragrance, provided you only do one or two sprays (which is more than enough). I get pretty solid staying power from Slow Explosions, but though it does sit closer to the skin after the first couple of hours.

How I Pick My Scent of the Day

I've gotten used to owning a wide range of fragrances, mostly in the form of samples or splits, and switching up my scent regularly. This is different from most of my friends: they own one or two perfumes that they wear daily like a signature. Unlike them, I have to make a conscious choice as to what I want to smell like that day. I've done this for so long that it's become sort of intuitive to me--I know what will and won't work for whatever I'm doing--but there is a method behind the madness.

Before we get too engrossed, let's break down a couple of definitions for those of you who are newer to fragrance.

• Longevity refers to how long a fragrance lasts. Opinions vary as to what constitutes good longevity. Personally, I think anything that lasts for more than 8 hours is strong, less than 4 is weak, and everything in between is average.
• Sillage (usually pronounced "see-ahj") or projection refers to how much a fragrance "pushes off" of the skin. If you can smell someone's perfume from across the room, they've either bathed in it, or they're wearing a couple of sprays of something with very strong projection. 
• Notes are the individual scents that make up a perfume. Most fragrances contain three "levels" of notes: top or head notes are smelt immediately and usually fade quickly, middle or heart notes make up the majority of the fragrance, and base notes are the long-lasting, underlying smells that support the rest of the perfume and/or become apparent at the end of the perfume's lifespan.

(ETA: Huge thank you to Emi for pointing out that I'd borked up my definitions in the original draft. My apologies!)

I won't lie to you: this post is partially an excuse for me to post a bunch of charts. I love charts. So let's start with this first chart, which breaks my fragrance collection in to four broad categories. I've provided a few examples in each category for clarification.

Now, you must remember that this isn't an exact science. The four categories I created for this post are far from inclusive; there are fragrances that could be put in multiple slots, and each slot contains fragrances that smell very different. Commodity Book and Juliette Has a Gun Lady Vengeance are nothing alike in terms of notes, longevity, sillage, or overall feel. But I tend to wear them in very similar situations, which is why they're in the same group.

For clarity's sake, I'm going to briefly describe the types of scents in each category using broad terms. The first category in yellow features citrus and fresh/clean smells. These are the sorts of fragrances my mother loves. They tend to be "bright" and clean without smelling soapy; they're usually very light and inoffensive. Examples include Atelier Cologne Orange Sanguine, which reminds me of orange juice; L'artisan Mure et Musc Extreme, a very classy mixture of tart berry and smooth musk; and Thierry Mugler Womanity, which is a salty, oceanic smell. The sillage and longevity in this group tends to be quite low.

Next are the white or light florals and "sheer" sweets. By sheer sweet, I mean that they are sugary and fresh versus syrupy. Examples include By Kilian Love, which smells of spun sugar and candied flowers; Dame Perfumery Desert Rose, a rose-water-in-a-bottle fragrance; Montale Intense Cafe, a sweet vanilla and rose with a hint of coffee for interest; and Tokyo Milk Tainted Love, which smells of sweetened tea. Note that none of the florals in this category are especially powdery; these types of smells are generally smooth and rarely have much texture.

The third category includes gourmands, rich scents, and fragrances with a lot of spice. Again, we're talking about some very different fragrance profiles, but because I tend to wear them in the same situations, I've grouped them together. On the rich side, we have Hermes Ambre Narguile, which wraps you in warmth and sweetness. On the spicy side, we have Commodity Book and Dame Perfumery Dark Horse; they both have a "dry spices cracking on the autumn wind" sort of vibe. I'd put Juliette Has a Gun Lady Vengeance in the middle: there's sweetness and richness from the vanilla and amber base, and the patchouli and rose add some texture.

The textured, thick, complex or unusual category encompasses my more "artisan" fragrances, the kind of stuff that people who aren't in to perfume tend to hate because it can be weird or strong or this-smells-like-nothing-in-nature-ish. Notes that tend to be very heavy, textured, or enveloping usually push a perfume in to this category. These notes include rich vanilla, which makes up the base of Thierry Mugler Alien Essence Absolue and Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille; leather, with a suede variety dominating Papillon Anubis and a more chemical sort blended in to House of Matriarch Black #1; tobacco, patchouli, myrrh, and oud are also common. I admit that these are the sorts of fragrances I'm inherently drawn toward. For the most part, fragrances in this category last for hours and have powerful projection.

The most important factor in what fragrance I'll wear that day is whether or not I'm leaving the house. I'll never forget when a fragrance reviewer's FAQ video included the statement, "I want my fragrance to fill up a room; I want everybody to smell me." It's just...so the opposite of what I want. Not only do I dislike the idea of dominating a room, I also know that not everybody likes the same fragrances. Personally, I just don't want to force myself on anyone, and that includes my smell.

This is especially important when you consider my jobs. I teach and I work at a doctor's office; in both instances, I'm working closely with a lot of different people. Their tastes will vary, yes, but more importantly, they're stuck in a situation where they cannot get away from me. So if a student hated my perfume or had severe allergies, but I decided to "fill up the room," they'd be shit out of luck.

Lastly, I used to deal with chronic migraines. While perfume wasn't a trigger, smelling a really strong, nose-piercing smell absolutely made the pain worse. I'll never forget the time I had a migraine in a clothing store: a woman wearing boat loads of Thierry Mugler Angel (one of the strongest designer perfumes I've ever encountered) walked past me, and the smell was so strong, it felt like I was being stabbed in the face. Fighting weekly migraines has made me more cognizant of things within my control that might trigger problems for others.

The above flow chart breaks down my basic thought progress. If I'm not going anywhere, I'll wear whatever I want. If I'm going to work, I only use fragrances from the yellow and orange categories, since they usually have less projection and shorter lifespans. And if I'm going somewhere else, like to the store or to the bar, I let the weather guide my choices.

This is where things get interesting. As I mentioned earlier, I'm drawn to rich, thick, spicy smells. Perfumes with leather and vanilla are my krytonite. But when it's 98 degrees outside and the humidity is past 80%, wearing something as heavy and enveloping as Mugler Alien Essence Absolue is a bad move. Not only will it feel weird to wear something so "warm" on an already hot day, but the hot weather makes the fragrance project even more. And while being hugged by a vat of vanilla and amber is awesome on a cold day, nobody wants that in the middle of a Pennsylvania summer.

The weather is the final deciding factor in my fragrance choices. As the above chart shows, I don't wear those light, citrus-y fragrances all that often. This is partially because they're Not Usually My Thing; I just find them too thin and fleeting. But in the summer, that's exactly what I want. Perfumes like Atelier Cologne are sort of refreshing on a hot day. And as gross as it sounds, I've long said that Mugler Womanity smells like "sexy sweat," so if you're going to sweat like crazy anyway...

Spring and autumn are the most flexible times of year, since the temperature in Pennsylvania tends to stay in the "temperate" category with occasional shifts to slightly cold or slightly hot. For example: this past October, I wore Dame Perfumery Desert Rose on a shopping trip, then switched to House of Matriarch Black #1 when I went to a drag show later that note. It was relatively temperate that day, so I had no qualms about jumping from something as light and feminine as Desert Rose to the very complex and weird Black #1.

Winter is my favorite time for fragrance because I can use my perfumes to add a feeling of "warmth." Scents like Papillon Anubis are especially lovely sprayed on your favorite sweater. I never wear those lighter citrus smells in the winter, even if I'm going to work, because it just doesn't feel right. If I want a perfume to wear to work on a snowy day in December, I'll reach for something like Tokyo Milk Tainted Love Instead. It's too chilly to smell like oranges.

At the end of the day, you should wear what you want when you want, though I always recommend taking those around you in to consideration. Fragrance is just so incredibly personal. But there's a thought process behind what I choose, and perhaps it will be helpful to those of you struggling to pick the perfect bottle for your day ahead.

VIDEO: The Return of Stink Pretties

I'm on a quest to find my perfect warm weather fragrance, and my fiance Kirby is here to help! Today, he sniffs scents ranging from the bright, citrus-full Atelier Cologne Orange Sanguine to the flowerrific Thierry Mugler Alien Eau Extraordinaire.

Try This: Niche Pocket-and-Purse Sprays Under $30

My apologies for the late post; I've been whammied by a sinus infection this past week, so I've spent most of my time blowing my nose and falling asleep to Golden Girls re-runs. Pro tip for those who find themselves similarly congested: I rub Bag Balm around my nostrils and above my lip about a dozen times a day to prevent cracking and bleeding. Yes, it's for cows. Yes, it works.

Now that we're past that, let me tell you that one of the things I hate most about congestion is that it renders fragrances useless. I love fragrance, you guys. I'm one of those weirdos who gets super-excited to pick out her perfume every morning. I thumb through my full bottles, splits, samples, and decants and take my time finding the scent that best suits my outfit and mood. For me, it's the final step in getting ready for work or a night on the town, just as important as a swath of highlighter or the perfect shirt.

That said, fragrance is an expensive indulgence. It's one of the reasons why I have so many splits and decants: $150+ a bottle makes me cringe. But there are absolutely affordable options on the market, even if you're in to the more expensive real of niche perfumery. Here are a few of my favorites.

Dame Perfumery: Dark Horse, $10 for 5ml

 Let me just say that I think the entire Dame Artist Collection is 100% worth it. Black Flower Mexican Vanilla turns weirdly rubbery on me, alas, but it smells amazing on everybody else; it's the ideal grown-up vanilla. Desert Rose is simple but beautiful, a stately rose smell that's simultaneously fresh, flowery, and light. But for me, the real winner from the collection is Dark Horse. This is a Pennsylvania autumn day in a bottle: it opens slightly sweet, yet never cloying. I'm reminded of taking hikes in our local parks with my partner, the air crisp and filled with the sound of dry leaves and branches cracking. It develops in to a slightly spicy guaiac-and-vetiver shroud throughout the day. While it maintains a light quality a la most summer scents, I'd definitely say this is an ideal cold-weather fragrance, and it's delightfully unisex. As a side note, their customer service can't be beat: my original 5ml of Desert Rose arrived with a goofy nozzle, and they immediately sent me a new bottle, no charge, no return.


SIZES: $85 for 100ml, $35 for 10ml, $10 for 5ml
NOTES: bergamot, lemon, cinnamon, jasmine, carnation, rose, clove, guaiac wood, vetiver, vanilla, musk
PURCHASE AT: Dame Perfumery

 Etat Libre d'Orange: Remarkable People, $12 for 4.7ml

Alright, truth time: I'm not that wild about most of the Etat Libre d'Orange line. It's not that their fragrances are bad, per se. I just think that they come up with these risque names and intricate backstories, and then the actual perfumes are...rather run-of-the-mill. The same could be said for Remarkable People, which has hardly any staying power and a note list that looks rather benign. So why do I love it? Those top notes, guys, those top notes! Remarkable People opens with a tangy-yet-effervescent mix of champagne and grapefruit that just brightens my day and makes me, of all people, actually enjoy a citrus smell. The pop of cardamom adds a hint of smoothness. The top notes barely last an hour before fading in to a slightly sweet, relatively generic mixture of sandalwood and jasmine, but because this is a low sillage fragrance, you can keep layering it on. I keep this in my work bag because it's so happy and inoffensive.

SIZES: $149 for 100ml, $90 for 47ml, $52 for 30ml, $12 for 4.7ml
NOTES: grapefruit, champagne accord, cardamom, jasmine, curry je, black pepper, labdanum, sandalwood, lorenox
PURCHASE AT: Sephora

Juliette Has A Gun: Lady Vengeance, $28 for 7.4ml

This option definitely has the most luxe packaging on the list: the bottle is heavy glass rather than plastic, the spray is very fine, and it arrives with plush padding in a matte box. Of course, you pay for this fancy presentation, but I think Lady Vengeance is worth it. Despite the wicked name and the scary-for-some notes list, I (as a wearer of many heavy, thick fragrances) find Lady Vengeance very wearable. The rose is a partially powdery, partially sweet, and the vanilla keeps the patchouli from being too dark or sweaty-smelling. It's a crowd pleaser, too; my mom normally only likes perfumes that smell soapy and "clean," but she really loves this one on me. Overall, I think this is a textured rose fragrance that works in a variety of situations: one spray for work, two sprays for a date.

SIZES: $135 for 100ml, $100 for 50ml, $28 for 7.4ml
NOTES: bulgarian rose, patchouli, lavender, vanilla
PURCHASE AT: Sephora

PK Perfumes: Gold Leather, $20 for 5ml

I've tried almost every fragrance from Paul Kiler's eponymous brand, but Gold Leather remains my favorite. Despite the absolute laundry list of notes, I find that this is, at its heart, a pure leather fragrance. By that, I mean this smells like actual leather--it's probably the most realistic leather smell I've ever owned, and I've owned quite a few. This opens sunny and sweet, with a mixture of freshly squeezed citrus (the satsuma is especially prominent) and some clean white florals. After a few hours, the scent becomes a bit richer, with notes like amber and tobacco taking over. And always, there's that leather in the background: a freshly-treated but not overtly chemical sort of leather scent, a smell that actually reminds me of opening up a new pair of boots or putting on your favorite jacket. There are a number of lovely fragrances from this line, and almost all of them are available as 5ml purse sprays for $15 to $20, but Gold Leather is one of the few that tempts me to buy a full bottle.

SIZES: $165 for 60ml, $110 for 30ml, $75 for 15ml, $20 for 5ml
NOTES: gardenia, tuberose, ylang ylang, helichrysum, honeysuckle, lily, jasmine, cananga, genet, satsuma guava, red mandarin, bergamot, smoke tree, amberwood, tobacco, clary sage, patchouli, oakmoss, leathers, benzoin, tonka, styrax, fossilized amber, musks, civet
PURCHASE AT: PK Perfumes 

The Hype Machine: Diptyque Candles

The Hype Machine is a series that takes a critical look at well-loved, cult classic, appears-in-every-other-Instagram-photo products and asks: are they worth the hype?

You can't swipe through a beauty-related Instagram feed without spotting a Diptyque candle. Maybe it's a half-empty jar of Tubereuse next to a nightly skincare routine, or maybe it's a cleaned out glass of Vanille full of brushes and lip pencils. Regardless of the scenario, it's clear that Diptyque's candles have obtained a cult following.

I'd be skeptical about these candles, too, if it weren't for so many glowing reviews. Many a YouTuber has proclaimed Feu de Bois the holiday gift to beat, and the comments on retailer pages are loaded with statements like "These are the best candles I've ever used, worth every penny, would repurchase!" And since one of my favorite retailers, Nordstrom, had a trio available, I decided to take the plunge and spend some coins.

The trio arrives beautifully packaged in a simple white box secured with plastic wrap. You can actually smell these candles as soon as you pull off the plastic, which gave me high hopes for the throw. Each candle is clear glass with white wax and the trademark labels. Said labels kind of feel like stickers to the touch, but the stood up to me scraping them with a fingernail to sate my curiosity, so I think we're okay

The three scents in the trio are some of the brand's most popular. Baies ("Berries") is especially acclaimed, and I can see why: it's a balanced mixture of sweet and woody that reminds me of a juniper bush. Shocker of shockers, Roses smells like rose, but it's not at all powdery. Rather, it's fresh and airy, and there's a bit of a watery quality to it when it's burned. It reminds me of newly opened roses in a vase. Figuier ("Fig Tree") was my least favorite of the bunch, and I chalk that up to personal preference. The scent in the jar is a little herbal and (as fig can be) vaguely coconut-y; when burned, however, it takes on more of a traditional fig leaf scent, with a tiny bit of fruity pulp and dry bark in the mixture.

When I got my trio, I read the little instruction sheet and followed it to the letter: I put the Roses candle on a flat, safe surface and prepared to burn it for 2 full hours. Unfortunately, the candle had no intention of burning. I tried lighting it for several minutes, but the wick wouldn't light. When I finally got the flame to catch, it was a tiny pin prick, and it only stayed lit for a few minutes before fading out. I was baffled. I tried to light the candle again and the same thing happened: it wouldn't stay lit. I may not be an expert in home scents, but I'm certainly not a novice, and this has never happened to me with a brand new, visibly fine product.

Frustrated, I sent the trio back to Nordstrom and asked for an even exchange. I'm glad I purchased through Nordies because their customer service can't be beat: they sent me a brand new trio within a week of receiving the package, and when I tweeted that I was impressed with their service, they sent a "glad to be of service" response.

This is as bright as it got. The flame burned out shortly after I took this photo.

My new trio seemed to be much better. Roses burned evenly and beautifully for a full two hours, and while the scent was quite light, it certainly filled the room while burning and lingered. Figuier wasn't quite as strong--I had to be within a three foot radius to smell it while it was lit--but again, it burned well and had some throw.

I will say that while these scents are pretty, they aren't especially unique. Baies is the only one that stands out to me, and even then, I'm sure I could find a comparable berry-scented candle if I looked. I've also gotten the same amount of throw (or better!) with some of my cheaper candles housed in less attractive jars. Still, they got the job done. I was satisfied.

Then I decided to light Baies, the one I was the most excited about. And despite the fact that it looked no different from the other two candles in the trio in terms of the wax level or wick length, it happened again: it took me several minutes to get the wick to catch, and the tiny ball of flame disappeared within 5 minutes.

I sent a message to Diptyque expressing my disappointment. One candle? That's a fluke; it's totally permissible. Two out of six? That's a pattern.

To be clear, I'm not knocking these candles entirely. They aren't the worst money can buy, and in fact, they brighten up a room by smelling and looking pretty. But because two of the three candles I sniffed weren't particularly special, and because I experienced quality control issues with both sets I tried, I just can't recommend that you spend an entire paycheck on Diptyque. As for me? I'm going to enjoy Roses and Figuier, and I'll chalk Baies up as a loss.

BOTTOM LINE: Diptyque candles look and smell lovely, but they aren't more potent or special-smelling than what most other candle brands produce. You shouldn't have persistent quality control issues at this price point, either. It might be worth finding one or two special scents for "Treat Yo Self" days, but if you decide to pass on these candles, you won't miss much.

The Hype Machine is a series that represents my experiences and opinions. It is not meant to be a personal attack on a specific company, product, or consumer. I always recommend that you try products for yourself and see how they work for you. Everybody is unique, after all!

Paper Bag Challenge (aka Fragrance Beauty Roulette)

A couple of weeks ago, I gathered up 20+ perfume samples and decants that weren't getting enough love and sent them to somebody interested in expanding their fragrance horizons. I then reorganized my many vials, totally sure that I'd made major headway in my collection...and I realized I still have upwards of 100 of the little suckers. Shamefacedly, I admit that I also had more samples headed toward me via various splitting and sampling services. But can you really blame me when there's a jasmine-rose-vanilla fragrance named after the Peacock Throne? THE FREAKING PEACOCK THRONE?!

Um. I digress.

 My issue with fragrance hoarding comes from the fact that I have so many and try so much. I put a perfume on for a few days, tuck it away in my drawer to make room for something else, and then when I try to clean out my collection, I can't remember if I really loved that particular scent. I'm bad at keeping notes about individual fragrances unless it's an insta-love/hate or I'm writing a review. So I keep it, just in case.

I decided that, since I'm really enjoying my Finish 13 by Halloween challenge, I should tack on another Project Pan/Beauty Roulette style fun fest: a Paper Bag Challenge! The goal will be to try at least three fragrances, selected at random, over the course of a week; then I can decide whether or not I want to keep them. I'll keep track of my selections and decisions using an Excel spreadsheet.

I tossed about half of my samples and splits in to a paper bag, just because I worry about leakage and I wanted to be able to pull everything out and upright relatively quickly. Then I closed my eyes, gently shuffled the vials around with my hand, and picked three at random. My first selections: L'Artisan Timbuktu, Tokyo Milk La Vie La Mort, and Etat Libre d'Orange La Fin Du Monde.

Now, because the semester has just started and none of these first three is particularly potent or daring, I was able to try one-a-day for three days straight. And...I made the decision to get rid of all three. La Fin Du Monde is cool in theory (popcorn note), but it turns really screechy on my skin. I forgot that I don't like La Vie La Mort at all--there's too much tuberose and very little complexity. And while Timbuktu is lovely, it doesn't totally rock my world. That's the trick, really: I only want to keep things I truly love and could see myself using up or buying in a larger size. With all three of those babies dealt with, I'm due to start another week already.

I don't think I'll go through every set of three quite as quickly. Again, I'm funny about the scents I wear to work, so there will be days when I use an old faithful full bottle (like Byredo Black Saffron or Imaginary Authors Memoirs of a Trespasser) instead of re-acquainting myself with a decant. But I'm hoping to go through my sample collection and cull it immensely. I've been posting weekly updates on my Instagram page, and I'll try to do a few update posts here as well.

My Partner's Favorite Fragrances

 

My partner, Kirby, sometimes gives my hair a mighty sniff and tells me I "smell nice," but with the possible exception of Imaginary Authors Memoirs of a Trespasser, he's never found a perfume he can name or call a true love. So I thought it'd be fun to have him huff some of my 'fumes in a perfume showdown!

FRAGRANCES MENTIONED:

Byredo Black Saffron

PK Perfumes Gold Leather

House of Matriarch Black No. 1 (formerly Blackbird)

Amouage Fate Woman

Thierry Mugler Alien Essence Absolue

Imaginary Authors Memoirs of a Trespasser

Jo Malone Orange Blossom

Dame Perfumery Desert Rose

Psssst: Kirby writes film reviews! Check 'em out here.

Comparison Review: Olfactif vs. Scent Trunk

Beauty subscription boxes have become all the rage, but for the most part, I've avoided purchasing them for myself. A small part of this is because I've watched YouTubers and bloggers open some pretty mediocre boxes containing nonsense like hair ties and granola bars, but more importantly, I am too picky and narrow in my makeup tastes to enjoy most of what comes in them. Hair products? I have wild woman hair, end of story. Powder blushes? I haven't worn them in at least two years. Eyeshadow? I have one palette and a dozen or so singles left in my collection, that's it. Really, it just never seemed worth the $10-20 a month.

Then companies started producing perfume sample boxes, and I was totally hooked. I knew these subscriptions would provide perfume and perfume only, so there'd be no disappointment on my end. Even better, there were subscription services that focused on niche perfume lines, which are my personal preference. Enter Scent Trunk and Olfactif, possibly the two biggest fragrance subscription services on the market.

Bear in mind that I tested these subscription boxes in fall of 2015, so services may have changed. Scent Trunk currently has one of those annoying set-ups where you can't see a price breakdown or get a feel for the service unless you register for an account, so I had to reset my account to get in, but I did not sign up for a new subscription. Hence, some of what I experienced may be different from the set-ups Olfactif and Scent Trunk currently use. I will try to make it clear where things have definitely changed over the past few months.

Scent Trunk

HOW IT WORKS: You create an account and answer questions about your taste in fragrances, like "What kinds of notes do you like?" and "What are some of your favorite perfumes?" You receive three hand-picked fragrance samples, tailored to your tastes. Each vial is 2mL. While the boxes appear to have changed a bit, I'm assuming the contents are still similar: you receive your three vials, plus cards describing each scent, some testing strips, and a card that provides background on each fragrance. All of this is put in a little pouch, packed in a small cardboard box, and shipped out safely in a bubble mailer. When I subscribed, Scent Trunk offered a masculine, feminine, or unisex box option and I chose the unisex; it looks like they may have slimmed down to the masculine and feminine options.

COST: There are varying subscription options: $18 a month, cancel any time via the website, $96 for 6 months, or $180 for the year. The sixth month and yearly subscriptions will save you a few dollars on your boxes. This is a massive improvement from when I used the service--at that time, they only had the $18-a-month subscription, and you had to email them a "cut-off date" to stop your subscription. This actually made me a little uncomfortable, so I'm glad they have added a "cancel now" button.

SHIPPING: Scent Trunk currently ships to Canada and the US. Shipping is included in the cost of your subscription.

PROMOS AND REWARDS: Referring new customers to Scent Trunk will net you points, which you can use towards discounts on a full bottle. The company also runs "half off your first box" promo codes from time to time.

PRODUCT VARIETY AND QUALITY: Scent Trunk's vials are beautifully packaged, and my first box definitely seemed tailor-made to my tastes: there were two scents I'd already tried, one of which I knew I loved. My second box, however, didn't fit me very well because it was full of powdery or herbaceous florals. Regardless, some of the notes listed on Fragrantica.com matched up to my preferred notes, so I think this was just a fluke of the system. They have a decent, but not massive, variety of fragrances from different houses, ranging from affordable indies (like Olympic Orchids) to costly niche darlings (like Amouage). The vials have sticker labels and the atomizers work well.

WEBSITE: The Scent Trunk website has greatly improved since I tested out the service--back then, it was almost impossible to navigate. They have since made the website much more user-friendly, with clear links to the different section, a well-organized account page, and a streamlined design. I'm still irritated, though, that you have to sign up to really see how the service works. I'll also note that many Scent Trunk users requested that they add an "I've already tried this scent" option so you don't receive something you know you hate, but that doesn't appear to have been worked in yet.

CUSTOMER SERVICE: Customer service with Scent Trunk is very personal, quick, and friendly; I have always received immediate and pleasant responses from their staff. However, sometimes the service is a little too personal and borderline creepy. When I first signed up to check out the website (because, again, you can't see how anything works or what it costs until you create an account), I received an email asking why I didn't complete my registration (aka pay up), plus a half-off my first box code. While I understand this sales tactic, I'm not a fan of it; I feel like it pushes customers to subscribe.

OTHER NOTES: 1.5% of Scent Trunk's monthly sales are donated to the Brain and Behaviour Research Foundation.

Olfactif

HOW IT WORKS: You choose your subscription (making an account is optional unless you choose a monthly box), then check out. You can choose either a unisex subscription, which is what I chose, or a subscription tailored to more traditionally masculine scents. Every month, Olfactif comes up with a theme, then sends you three fragrance vials based on that theme. Vials are 2.25mL unless a fragrance is very expensive; then the amount drops to 1.75mL. Past themes have included "Falling," "What's in a Name?", and "Layered." The vials are packaged in a sleek box with a pull-out tab and a card describing the scents; this is shipped in a cardboard box.

COST: There are varying subscription options: $18 a month, cancel any time via the website, $51 for 3 months, $96 for 6 months, or $180 for the year. The three month, sixth month, and yearly subscriptions will save you a few dollars on your boxes. I signed up for the 3 month subscription; when it ran out, I was not required to cancel my subscription, they just stopped sending boxes.

SHIPPING: At this time, Olfactif only ships within the United States. Shipping is included in the cost of your subscription.

PROMOS AND REWARDS: Each month, you receive an $18 off coupon that can be used on a full bottle of any of the fragrances in your box. Subscribing to the newsletter will net you 15% off your first sample order. Olfactif does not run many other promotions, but once in a great while, they will offer free shipping or an additional coupon.

PRODUCT VARIETY AND QUALITY: Olfactif's packaging feels and looks luxe, with professionally printed vials, quality atomizers, and a nice, clear card listing each fragrance. I was lucky enough to enjoy all three themes I received (Tauerville, Falling, and Layered), though of course, some of the scents were bigger hits than others. Olfactif has a large range of houses, though for most of the houses, they only stock a few scents. I will also note that, when I was a subscriber, they allowed you to purchase previous theme boxes for $20 each; it looks like that is no longer an option, which is a major shame.

WEBSITE: The Olfactif website is clean, professional, and easy to use. It is incredibly easy to find each part of the website, no matter what page you're on. Examining the available scents and your subscription options can be done without creating an account.

CUSTOMER SERVICE: Olfactif's customer service was polite and professional. They respond to customer issues: when several subscribers mentioned that one of the scents in the Falling box was giving them a rash, Olfactif sent out an email noting that this fragrance contained an oil some people would be sensitive to and suggesting that subscribers use caution during testing. Oddly enough, they did not offer to reimburse subscribers for this vial, even if it caused them a problem, and that strikes me as an oversight. If you know something you sent out is going to give some people rashes, you should probably do a bit more than say, "Hey, just so you know, this might cause you pain, sorry if that happened already!" UPDATE: Shortly after this post went live, Olfactif contacted me and informed me that subscribers who'd had issues or concerns with Autumn were sent three extra samples of their choice.

OTHER NOTES: Olfactif provides a link so you can gift a subscription.

Overall

When I first subscribed to these services, Olfactif was the clear winner. It had more luxe scents, a nicer website, and more varied and easy-to-use subscriptions. But the fact that they've taken a few steps back, combined with Scent Trunk's progress, have put the two neck-and-neck for me. In the end, I have to say which service you choose will be based on what you want from a fragrance subscription box.

Choose Scent Trunk if:

• You want your likes and dislikes taken in to consideration so you can receive more personalized scents.
• Customer service is of the utmost importance to you.
• You prefer to accumulate points/rewards that you can use on any product.
• You live in Canada.

Choose Olfactif if:

• You want to be surprised by what you receive.
• You prefer more luxe scents.
• You dislike having to cancel subscription services and want something that will automatically end. 
• You want to be able to preview the service easily before you purchase.

As it stands, I give both of my experiences with these companies a 4 out of 5.

Sign up for Scent Trunk at ScentTrunk.com.

Sign up for Olfactif at Olfactif.com.

The Hype Machine: Byredo Fragrances

The Hype Machine is a series that takes a critical look at well-loved, cult classic, appears-in-every-other-Instagram-photo products and asks: are they worth the hype?

Byredo has become the fragrance house of choice for the chic and social media-savvy, a photogenic darling that appears in almost every Into the Gloss Top Shelf. We see the elegant yet no-fuss bottles owned by elegant yet no-fuss people, and we ask ourselves, "Will Byredo make me that cool?" At least, that's what I asked myself after seeing bottles of Gypsy Water and Bal d'Afrique all over the internet. So I procured a slew of Byredo fragrances in various forms: manufacturer's samples (pictured above), handmade splits and sample vials, and full bottles.

My initial impression of the Stockholm-based line was "cool and modern." The bottles are simple: round glass, white label, black block print. The names are evocative and interesting--how can you not want to try something called Baudelaire?! And the note breakdowns imply fascinating surprises, like the "carrot and pimento berries" top notes in Seven Veils. Suffice to say, I had high expectations.

A few of Byredo's fragrances managed to meet, or almost meet, those expectations. I figured I would enjoy Oud Immortel because oud is one of my favorite notes, and sure enough, it's fabulous. When you first apply this fragrance, you get the strange, exotic bitterness and sensuality of the oud, but there's also the bright, sharp, slightly acidic scent of lemons. It's a thrilling and spiky start. Oud remains the star player, but it's backed by different notes as the day progresses: patchouli and rosewood make the middle more balsamic, and it all ends with a base of moss, patchouli, and wet leaves. It's all very punk rock and dangerous.

Seven Veils is also an interesting addition to the line. It's a grown-up gourmand, insofar as it always smells delicious, but never goes in to "cheap candle" territory. While the top does include those interesting carrot and pimento berry notes to add some spice and texture, the main player in this one is the vanilla. It's warm, sweet, and tasty throughout. Though relatively linear, Seven Veils does end with a slight tangy note.

Perhaps the highest quality Byredo fragrance I tried was Mojave Ghost. This is one of the sweetest fragrances I've ever smelt, to the point that I--queen of the "fragrance has no gender" mantra--have a hard time seeing it as anything but "traditionally feminine." That being said, this fragrance develops throughout the day and takes the wearer on a journey, which I appreciate. It starts out with full-on Jamaican naseberry (aka sapodilla), and you get this fruit in both smell (extremely sweet) and texture (slightly grainy). As the day progresses, Mojave Ghost becomes thicker and heavier; I get the impression of flower petals and fruit rinds stomped in to a thick syrup. The drydown pushes the fruits and florals to the background and focuses on a woodsy, almost vanillic musk. It's not my type of scent, but I appreciate its quality.

 
My favorite of the bunch is probably Black Saffron, a sweet, smooth fragrance that's often compared to Tom Ford Tuscan Leather because they both contain raspberry and leather. But Black Saffron isn't an exact dupe of Tuscan Leather. Black Saffron has a sweeter raspberry, a softer leather (think suede), and an overall less dramatic feel than the Tom Ford offering. It somehow manages to be very wearable despite the note breakdown. Though it is quite linear, it's such a nice smell that I don't mind the lack of change. I actually have a full bottle of this one!

The thing is...none of these smelt particularly new to me, nor did they smell like the "best version" of X type of fragrance out there. Yes, Oud Immortel is a good oud with some interesting qualities, but does it smell better than some of my favorite oud fragrances, like House of Matriarch Blackbird? Not a chance; I'd choose Blackbird over Oud Immortel any day. How does Seven Veils compare to other vanillas on the market? Well, it's good, but it's not as heady as Thierry Mugler Alien Essence Absolue or as cozy as Imaginary Authors Memoirs of a Trespasser. They don't stand out from the crowd. And this ended up being my reaction to most of the Byredo fragrances: they didn't live up to their cool names or the hype around them.

Take the two roses I tried, Rose Noir and Rose of No Man's Land, as an example. Both names sound fascinating: Rose Noir conjures up images of something dark, sexy, and mysterious, while Rose of No Man's Land suggests you'll be getting something truly different and unearthly, or at least something with a sort of "journey" to it. But that's not what you get. Rose Noir starts sweet and slightly spicy, then quickly fades in to a pleasant but simple green rose with a bit of an airy quality. Rose of No Man's Land feels more like Rose of Every Man's Land, insofar as it's the same rose I've smelt on every other perfume wearing woman throughout my life. Yes, the opening is kind of interesting--it has a sort of mildewed quality that I find weirdly appealing--but again, that opening quickly fades in to something boring.

That's not to say that Rose Noir and Rose of No Man's Land smell BAD, because they don't. They smell fine. They're just...really bland and run-of-the-mill. And at this price point, with this level of hype, I better get more than just "run-of-the-mill."

Then there are the fragrances that just didn't work for me. I sort of knew Blanche wouldn't be a favorite of mine because the note breakdown includes plenty of white florals and powdery notes, and powdery isn't usually my thing. I didn't expect the overbearing "cleanness" of it, however; it actually smells like laundry detergent on my skin. Buyers who are in to intensely clean, powdery, and chemically white fragrances may enjoy this one, but I find those buyers are few and far between.

The oh-so-popular Bal d'Afrique was another fail for me; as soon as it hit my skin, it smelt like plastic, cheap sunscreen, and lemon Pledge. Shortly after applying Bal d'Afrique, I went to the theater to see Hotel Transylvania 2 (because I'm an adult), and I noticed that there were small children sitting all around me. I occasionally noticed something that smelt vaguely like urine and I assumed it was the children...until I got out of the theater and realized it was me. Something about this one stinks like straight-up pee on my skin! Maybe it's the jasmine they used, because jasmine can smell quite fecal, or the fruits and musks just don't blend well with my chemistry. But that bad smell is definitely there. To be fair, the drydown is decent on my skin: it's an unusually smooth and soft vetivier. But a few hours of not-so-bad vetivier do not make up for the rest of it.

Shortly after receiving my manufacturer's samples, I contacted Byredo and asked them if I should try 1996 or M/Mink. They responded within the week and sent a very helpful and thoughtful email. But after trying almost half of the line, I've come to the conclusion that Byredo fragrances aren't worth the price for me. Maybe I'll try M/Mink in the future, but for now, I think I'll leave the line to the fashionistas and the cool guys.

BOTTOM LINE: Byredo makes some lovely fragrances, but very few are unique or outstanding. Much of the love for this line seems to come from the scents' wearability and the brand's "chic factor." Best for folks who like easy-to-wear standards that will look great on their vanity.

The Hype Machine is a series that represents my experiences and opinions. It is not meant to be a personal attack on a specific company, product, or consumer. I always recommend that you try products for yourself and see how they work for you. Everybody is unique, after all!

My Fall/Winter 2015 Fragrance Line-Up

Oh, fall! Oh, cold weather goodness! Oh, terrible snowy days that technically suck a lot, but make it easy for me to wear warm, spicy frags! I do so love this time of year. Here are the fumes I think I'm gonna wear out this fall and winter.

Byredo Black Saffron -- This name is a lie. While there is saffron here, this perfume is dominated by raspberry and underpinned with leather--so Black Raspberry might be a more apt name. Black Saffron is often compared to Tom Ford Tuscan Leather, and I can see why. But the leather in Tuscan Leather is like an oily, thick leather jacket, while the leather in Black Saffron is softer, akin to a suede boot. This fragrance also has a stronger and sweeter raspberry note. Overall, this is a somewhat unique fragrance, but it's not so weird or overpowering that I can't wear it to work, and it's not so sweet it gives me a headache.

Tauer L'Air du Desert Marocain -- If you know fragrance, you know LADDM. This famous juice smells like the Moroccan desert air of my fantasies: dry, incense-laden, and slightly sweet, full of spices from the bazaar and the barely-there scent of sand. Thanks to the strong sillage and great longevity, I've made this split last, but I think I'll be depleting it over the next few months.

Haus of Gloi Hearth -- One of Haus of Gloi's limited edition Christmas scents, and the first fragrance my boyfriend remembers me wearing. This gourmand has strong apple, spice, and vanilla-type notes, with a bit of spice and woods peeking out at the base. It's too sweet and foody for me to wear on a regular basis, but rest assured, I'll be rocking the stuff when I visit my boyfriend for Christmas.

Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille -- As soon as the temperature hit below 70 degrees, I whipped this beauty out. Tobacco Vanille is the ultimate boozy vanilla, slightly gourmand but still beautiful and wearable. The titular notes are sweet but not overbearing: vanilla adds creaminess, tobacco brightens and boldens. The spices in this are especially nice as well. Tobacco Vanille is one of the most unisex scents I own, and it's a major compliment-getter.

VIDEO: Olfactif and Scent Trunk Unboxing

Here's the unboxing of my second Scent Trunk box and my first Olfactif box. A review comparing these two services should be forthcoming this fall (I'd like to try at least 2 boxes from each first), so stay tuned!

SCENT TRUNK REFERRAL: https://scenttrunk.com?refer=7663
or use code 7663.

(Referral gives you $7 gift credit and gives me 50 points.)

Scent Trunk: http://scenttrunk.com
Options: men's, women's, unisex

Olfactif: http://olfactif.com
Options: unisex, men's

VIDEO: Unboxing and First Impression of Scent Box Subscription Service

Just what it says on the box: this is my first impression and unboxing of the Scent Box Subscription service, which sends personalized samples right to your door. I don't do these types of videos too often, and I'm just now using my phone to record videos, so let me know how you feel about these!

SCENT TRUNK WEBSITE: http://scenttrunk.com

REFERRAL CODE (totally optional)!: 7663

NOTE: You can also comment on this post if you'd like me to get you an email referral. An email referral will get you 40% off of your first box.

FULL REVIEW COMING SOON!

PS: Here are my sliders! I get the unisex box.

My NYC Purchase: Jo Malone Orange Blossom

Going to NYC and not buying everything I saw at the gigantic Macy's was pretty darn tough. I ooed and awed over the MAC lipsticks, circled around the Chanel eyeshadows, and even did my fair share of swatching. But when it came time to purchase color cosmetics, I resisted. I've decided that I need to consider my purchases very, very carefully from now on, especially when it comes to personal weaknesses like lipstick.

But I knew I needed a summer fragrance. Because I'm generally attracted to heavier notes (leather, oud, vanilla, etc.) and find the usual citrus-and-soap summer fair insanely boring, I decided to think of florals that I like. Thierry Mugler Alien is a gorgeous jasmine-and-amber mix, but it's a bit too thick and heady for a humid, hot New York morning. My go-to summer floral is, in fact, orange blossom...with little else. Add more notes, and suddenly, it's too much for summer. So I went for the Jo Malone counter.

The sale's associate tried to talk me in to the larger bottle of perfume, which is $120 for 3.4oz. That's a relatively fair price, but I know my budget and my fragrance needs, so I stuck with the 1oz bottle, which costs $60.



 Jo Malone's bottles appeal to me: they're clear, square glass with simple labels. The only difference between the scents is the tiny title at the bottom of the label. If you stumble around your fragrance cabinet all bleary-eyed in the morning, this could make Jo Malone bottles slightly less attractive to you. I wait until I'm fully awake to agonize over my fragrance decisions, however, so I'm totally fine with this design choice.

For the most part, Jo Malone's scent is just what it says on the label: sweet, soft orange blossom. It manages to be floral without feeling old, powdery, or heavy. There are also some added citrus notes, however, which ups the "orange" factor; Fragrantica says it's clementine and citron, which I can definitely detect. I don't pick up too much of the mentioned lilac note, however, unless it's adding more flowery goodness to the orange blossom and smoothing out the edges. Overall, it reminds me a bit of The Body Shop's Satsuma scent, but with a gentle blanket of white florals on top. It's what I wanted By Kilian Sweet Redemption to be.

It's worth noting that my mother really likes this one. Mom usually has two reactions to my perfumes: "You smell clean!" (meaning she likes it), or "Ugh, I can smell your hairspray!" (meaning she hates it). When she sniffed Jo Malone Orange Blossom, she turned to me and said, "Ooooh, I really like that. That's pretty. You should wear that more often."

Now, this scent isn't particularly strong or long-lasting. I'd say it gives me medium to soft projection, and it lasts 4-6 hours on my skin and hair depending on the weather. Light and simple scents are actually something Jo Malone is known for, so I'm certainly not going to downgrade it for that. Just be aware that you're not going to get anything beastly out of this 'fume.

And can we just take a moment to appreciate how beautifully Jo Malone NYC packages things? This photo I posted on Instagram was comparatively popular, and it's obvious why. Watching the sales associate calmly cut several ribbons to wrap my box and tie up the top of the bag was strangely hypnotic.

Orange Blossom is like most of Jo Malone's scents: simple, no-fuss, and wearable. I'm generally a fan of much more complex and potent scents, but Orange Blossom still manages to warm the cockles of my heart.

RATING: 4 out of 5

The Hunger Dames: Scent of a Drag Queen

Welcome to an extra special episode of The Hunger Dames, featuring our old friend Scarlet Fairweather and our guest Miguel! Our olfactory explorers smell a variety of fragrances and let us know that we smell like fruity plastic, condoms, and Nair.

flute music:SoundBible

Scarlet Fairweather: Facebook

My Summer/Spring 2015 Fragrance Line-Up

It's time to pluck out the stuff I think I'm gonna wear over and over again as the weather warms up! Obviously, my whole collection is fair game year-round. But when we hit spring, I find myself lusting after soft, feminine flowers (April showers bring May flowers and what-not). And of course, the summer heat makes a lot of my beloved oud and vanilla fragrances feel smothering, so I switch to brighter, sweeter, fruitier stuff.

Dolce & Gabbana Eau de Toilette -- D&G's EDT is one of the most wearable and unisex fragrances in my collection. It's weird: I'd never label this an all-time favorite, since it smells rather soapy and clean (not something I usually go for) and isn't stunningly unique. But as you can probably tell, I use it a lot. It's just such an inoffensive dumb reach for business casual situations. There's a burst of bright, tart citrus at the start that quickly fades in to the shower-ready smell of lavender and musk. It's one of those scents that people like, but don't remember...so it won't impress, but it also won't offend. Fair note: this is an older formulation, and I hear the newer version isn't quite as powerful or pleasant.

PK Perfumes Gold Leather -- I raved about this scent in my Paul Kiler review, and I eventually caved and bought this purse-size vial. Now I'm preparing myself to pay the incredibly high cost for an even bigger bottle (it's Kiler's most expensive perfume yet), because this is probably my favorite daytime leather. Gold Leather is definitely a leather scent, but there's nothing heavy about it. It is sunshine in a bottle--I spray this and my entire day brightens up. The honeysuckle and citrus notes blend beautifully with the leather to create something that is wearable all year round, but is particularly attractive for warm weather formal occasions.

Andy Tauer PHI Une Rose de Kandahar -- While I initially devoted my attention to Tauer's infamous L'Air du Desert Marocain, I slowly but surely began to favor this unique beauty. This is the scent that opened my eyes (er, my nose?) to what a great rose fragrance can be. It's a sweet, spicy, sultry rose scent, with a strong kick of cinnamon and a lot of vanilla and sandalwood in the background. It's a great compliment-getter, too, and people always say they've never smelt anything quite like it. Unfortunately, there's a rare rose oil used in this fragrance, which means it's only available at certain times of the year, and you won't be able to buy a full bottle of this beauty until September 2015.

Haus of Gloi Moon Dog -- This affordable guy has been in my collection for years, and it still epitomizes summer to me! Moon Dog is dominated by coconut and sandalwood, a combination that sounds gross on paper, but works in person. It's a fresh coconut smell that doesn't even begin to tip in to that icky sunscreen territory. Sweet, light, and never cloying, this is one of the most wearable scents HoG produces.

Thierry Mugler Womanity and Alien -- Like many fragrance fans, my first foray in to the Mugler line was Angel. While I still enjoy that scent from time to time, these days I find it a bit too heavy and sweet for regular wear. I'm much more attached to Womanity, a scent with an incredibly simple note list and an oceanic feel to it. I wear this, and I feel like I've just stepped out of the ocean on a hot summer day. Alien is more suited to temperate spring days: the warm jasmine reminds me of the India portion of Phipps Conservatory. I may one day buy a full bottle of Womanity, but I'm still a bit torn on Alien, seeing as one spray goes a stupidly long way.

Lady Gaga Fame -- Produced by Haus Laboratories, this is a fragrance that wants to be edgy, but never really reaches that lofty goal. On my skin, it's a straight-up fruity floral (primarily a blend of honey, apricot, and nowhere-near-as-heady-as-Alien jasmine), with nothing particularly unique or startling popping out. It's also very light: 2-3 sprays lasts about 5 or 6 hours with moderate to soft sillage on my skin. That being said, this is another fragrance that people tend to enjoy, but not gush over. Add in the very floral and whispery nature of this scent, and you have another dumb reach for warm weather--this one at a better price point, and in a more traditionally feminine vein, than the D&G.

PK Perfumes Giveaway! - CLOSED

I've recently become enamored with Paul Kiler's work, particularly Gold Leather, so I decided to prep for a giveaway. Because I'm a fan of "reader's choice," I decided to let a super-scientific poll decide which PK Perfumes fragrance I selected for the giveaway.

And the poll results said...

...it's a tie. Oops. I honestly expected Gold Leather, Red Leather, or Violet Chocolatier to win the day, so this wasn't entirely surprising. But a tie? Hmmmm. I finalized the results with a coin flip (also super-scientific!), and Violet Chocolatier was the winner.

But! I bought myself a Gold Leather purse spray. Hence, I'll be adding a sample vial of Gold Leather to the prize, along with a few other bits and bobs I have floating around. :)

For a chance to win PK Perfumes Violet Chocolatier (and the aforementioned bits and bobs), comment on this blog post with a description of your dream fragrance. What would it smell like? Where would it take us? If paintings had smells, which would your dream scent smell like?

Please be aware that there are some rules for this contest. You must be at least 18 years old and located in the US to enter. You must be prepared to provide me with your full name and address if you win. You may only enter once. Entries will be finalized on March 18th, 2015 at 11:59pm EST. I will use Random.com to pick a winner.

You do NOT have to be subscribed to this blog to enter, but I will announce the winner in a blog post, so it might help to bookmark BOGL for the next two months if you've entered. If you do not respond to that blog post within a week, I will draw a new winner. Make sure your name is on the comment, because that's how I'll announce the winner. (I don't recommend just typing up your e-mail; you're asking for spam.)

Also, I want to remind everyone that I pay for these giveaways out of my own pocket. That's not me trying to guilt you, that's just me saying that I have to have the money available to send the products out. Hence, it may take me a week or two to get the goodies sent to you after you win. But they will be sent! :)

REVIEW: Imaginary Authors Fragrances

Whew, 10 fragrances! This is a long video, kids, so fetch yourselves some popcorn!

Imaginary Authors can be purchased at ImaginaryAuthors.com. Please see the text below the video, or in the YouTube info box, for a table of contents and song and image credits.

TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Overview (packaging, price, availability) -- 00:20
Falling Into the Sea -- 04:10
The Cobra and the Canary -- 06:35
L'Orchidee Terrible -- 10:00
Yesterday Haze -- 14:20
Violet Disguise -- 17:40
City on Fire -- 19:25
Cape Heartache -- 22:40
Memoirs of a Trespasser -- 25:45
Bull's Blood -- 29:55
The Soft Lawn -- 32:30
Final Thoughts -- 35:50


Intro images 2, 3, and 4 were shamelessly stolen from:
http://www.fragrantica.com
http://www.cafleurebon.com/


SONG LIST (in order of appearance):
Alias - "Goinswimmin"
My Brightest Diamond - "Everything Is In Line"
The Head and the Heart - "Honey Come Home"
Julie London - "In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning"
Eisley - "Marvelous Things"
Aqua - "Roses are Red"
Beck - "Farewell Ride"
Clint Eastwood - "I Still See Elisa" (from Paint Your Wagon)
Beats Antique - "The Lantern"
Yodelice - "Time"
Matthew Broderick - "I Believe in You" (from How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying)