Following great tradition started by two wonderful bloggers, Birgit (Olfactoria’s Travels) and Portia (Australian Perfume Junkies), once a week I or one of the guest writers will keep the lights on in this virtual leaving room, but I hope that you, my friends and readers, will engage in conversation not only with me or the other host, but also with each other.
Saturday Question #6:
What Was The Last New Perfume You Tried?
As always, I have more questions that just the main one. What was the last new (for you) perfume that you tried? Where did you get it (unless you tried it at a store)? What’s your impression?
My Answer
Recently I had a surge of desire to test perfumes I hadn’t tried before. And I thought that supporting a local business might be not a bad idea at the moment. So I ordered several samples from Tigerlily. In addition to samples I ordered, they’ve included one more – Hereafter by Sarah Horowitz.
It’s oil perfume with the notes of blood orange, cardamom, Iso E Super, cedarwood, sandalwood, amber and vanilla.
I don’t think I would have tried this perfume even if I saw it at a store: a couple from this brand that I’d tried didn’t work for me before, and I usually don’t like oil perfumes. But since it just appeared at my house, I gave it a try. And unexpectedly I liked it very much. It starts with a touch of sweetness that subsides into a slightly bitter woody notes. I will be testing it more but I’m tempted to get that small bottle to use as a shared perfume for air travel. I mean, I hope, we still have some of those in future.
How about you?
What Was The Last Perfume You Tried?
Image: Tigerlily site (but I think it’s from the brand)
Undina's Looking Glass 
Liquides Imaginaires Phantasm, from a sample made up in the shop. Confusingly there are two completely different note listings for this. Thankfully one of them matches the scent I was given, all black tea and rice steam. I really like the DNA of Liquides Imaginaires and this one is very excellent. Those two notes are something I’m often left meh about but really really want to find good examples of.. which Phantasm is! How I wish I could take myself to the (now closed) shop and spray it abundantly!
LikeLike
Black tea and rice steam sound like an interesting combination in a perfume, and I imagine it’s hard to overdo – is there even such a thing as too much hygge?
The only LI perfume I’ve sampled so far is Dom Rosa, and quite liked its champagne-rose effect.
LikeLike
I’m familiar with the situation when notes are listed differently on different sites. Especially it surprises me when one of the two is the brand’s own. But it rarely bothers me since I can’t tell apart most of them anyway ;)
I liked LI perfumes that I tried so far but their bottles are too big. If I ever see this one at a store, I’ll be curious to smell this combination, though rice steam isn’t something I expect to like in perfumes.
LikeLike
I’m going with the last perfume I sought out in a store which was Memoire d’Une Odeur by Gucci. That was last December in an Edinburgh department store. The SA was so much more helpful in getting me not 1 but 2 samples compared to down in London. I wanted to try it as I’d heard good things from people I trust and the central note being chamomile was intriguing. Oh and the retro packaging was a definite pull! I liked it a lot and if I didn’t have too much already I might have been tempted to get a bottle for spring. I do love a green floral.
LikeLiked by 2 people
It didn’t make much of an impression on me when I tried it in the shop, but I find I prefer testing at home. I have a sample here that I’ll be wearing soon, didn’t want to wear it in the heat!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I also read good things about that perfume but after spraying at the store, I wasn’t impressed – so I didn’t try to get a sample. Now I wish I did. But maybe one day when stores open…
LikeLiked by 1 person
I managed to get a sample from a SA after I’d had a quick spray in the store. I like the bottle and the colour.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was going to buy it because I love it but then in all the stress of traveling completely forgot. Ah well, it will be my treat for later in the year!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Last new perfume I tried was Diptyque Eau Capitale. I even thought about buying it to myself for my 30th birthday but then the pandemy started and it didn’t happen yet.
Another “new” perfume was Iris Shot by Olfactive Studio. I’m saying “new” because I tried it first a year ago, it was supposed to launch last fall but it didn’t. I think it’s being released soon, unless they postponed it due to the virus…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Because of you I got a sample of Eau Capitale to test at home: after smelling it first at the store (I don’t remember whether I went for a skin test or just a paper strip), I wasn’t impressed. But then I read that you thought of buying it, so I got a sample to re-test at home. I should do it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Eau Capital was also the last new perfume I’ve tried two months ago and I love it a lot. It has a retro vibe and an elegant feel. I’ve quicky decided it would be my spring perfume and my birthday present for myself…then the world was suddenly turned upside down and I forgot about it. A few days ago I’ve checked two online sites but it wasn’t available. Now I’m a bit worried.
LikeLike
I tried Ineke Jaipur Chai. I was hoping to like it enough to write a review, but it didn’t really strike me. I’ll give it another try. I love anything India-related, and I love chai. We’ll see. I answered your question on my site. I don’t know if it notifies you when I do, but I don’t think so. Hereafter sounds nice. There have been a few of her perfumes I really enjoyed.
LikeLike
It doesn’t notify me, but I have a routine of re-visiting blogs where I left a comment to read a reply :) So, maybe not the same day but I always read responses.
I’m exactly in the same boat with Ineke’s last perfume. I was even thinking of doing a … let’s call it “not positive” review, since the brand was mature enough not to be harmed… but under current circumstances I probably won’t. And I keep re-testing it hoping something will change. Maybe once it gets warmer?
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was just very one dimensional on me.
LikeLike
I’ll have to see if I can get my hands on a sample of Jaipur Chai. I bought a couple of sampler sets of Ineke several years ago (the original collection and the library collection). I have full size bottles of Derring Do and hot house flower.
LikeLike
Don’t spend money on it: I’ll pass my sample to you once we’re done with the “sheltering” – there is still enough in it for testing. Please remind me if I forget.
LikeLike
Randomly, the last “new to me” perfume I have tried is Bond no 9 Chinatown. A friend gave me a box of samples that she was given at a local upscale clothing store that apparently carries the line. (My local Nordstrom used to have it, I think, but the price and the large bottles always put me off.) While it seemed nice enough it wasn’t enchanting enough to keep me sniffing my arm and getting a deeper impression. There are four or five samples in the box; I will probably do a sampling day to try them all at once and then pass them on.
LikeLike
I decided once that I would not be testing that brand – and I’m sticking to that decision. But from what I heard, Chinatown was one of the favorites in Perfumeland, so it’s interesting that you weren’t impressed by it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Same here on that brand and I have not changed my mind either
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s interesting. I also decided not to test any new houses that have more than 10 perfumes in production. This goes for Bond No 9 too, of course. What was your motive?
LikeLike
The owner.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ditto!
LikeLike
Why the Owner ? Have I missed something?
LikeLike
You can read here the post and then there is an additional link in comments: http://www.thenonblonde.com/2008/01/how-i-saved-230.html?m=1
LikeLike
Thank you for the link about Bond. I had no idea about this.
LikeLike
Time and again I keep asking why brands only have huge bottles in their lineup. Who wants to make that commitment to any perfume unless they absolutely love it. And then there’s the cost.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think it’s an interesting topic on its own. Let me see if I can put my thoughts together for a post.
LikeLike
The last new (new to me) perfume I tried was January Scent Project’s Smolderose. I loved it and I need a bottle. I didn’t think I would like a smoky rose, but it’s well done and fairly subtle. A beautiful different take on rose.
LikeLiked by 1 person
One of the samples that I bought from Tigerlily this time was from that brand (Eiderantler): I remembered liking it during the previous visit. Now I’m not sure if I got the right sample: I expected perfume to be much greener (in color, not scent) then it looks in the vial – though, maybe it’s the same as with the ocean water? :)
LikeLike
I got my discovery set from Shay & Blue this week and the last couple of days I’ve been trying them out. Yesterday was Black Tulip. Notes per the brand. Top Note – Snowdrops and cyclamen.
Heart Note – Black tulip and plum.
Base Note – White chocolate and soft woods for a smooth finish.
I definitely got the jammy plum and creamy white chocolate. Really very nice and comforting.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t think I’ve tried any of Shay & Blue’s perfumes. Somehow I’ve never come across them anywhere, which is a pity because I like those bottles (at least on pictures).
LikeLike
I’m not sure if they’re on sale in U.S. I bought mine from their web shop.
LikeLike
Hi Cassie, what do you think about their longevity? They feel more like colognes, right?
LikeLike
I found Black Tulip to have good longevity, the creamy base hums along nicely. Blood Orange also. Atropa Belladonna, despite what the blurb says, didn’t last so well and had virtually disappeared after about two hours.
LikeLike
Today! I tried and love (someone please sell me your bottle) Hermes Galop d’Hermes. I have a horse; so, this one has always called to me. I got a 4 ml sample and sprayed up today. As with most Hermes, this one is very close to the skin, does not last long and is NOT worth the asking price, but I love it. If I could nab a bottle someone else doesn’t love I would spray up with this sucker and go to the barn like I did today
LikeLiked by 1 person
I bought a bottle when it was first launched. It is one of my favourite perfumes ever. It is a pure parfum, and does lie close, but it lasts forever on me. Beautiful. And much more affordable (when we all are earning again) in the refill 125ml bottle – but I dunno if they do that anymore. x
LikeLike
I think it is discontinued, hence the price increase. :(
LikeLike
I am gonna go check a couple of stores around here when they reopen. Those that I know had the 125ml refill bottle. Maybe they still do. I would buy it. It has not changed in price here though, not the 50ml bottle, it is the same as when I bought it. Hmmmm. xxx
LikeLiked by 1 person
I remember that I tried it when it launched but, as most Hermes perfumes, it was “like” but not “love” – so, I never even got a sample.
LikeLike
I feel the same about Hermes, especially because they don’t last. Until Twilly. and her flanker. Those are massive loves for me, and I had to get full bottles. Not typical of Hermes, and they last!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Before Ulta closed, I tried Tory Burch Love Relentlessly Fou De Toi. It was a like for me but I only purchase a fragrance if I truly love it. I have and love the original Tory Burch, and have tried every subsequent release from this house, but no luck. Yet.
LikeLike
That is one long name! :)
I’m “boycotting” this brand: once I bought very expensive flats from them (I needed something to wear on a trip), and they fell apart within 2 months.
LikeLike
The Jorum Studio collection. I got a bottle of Trimerous, the iris based one, and samples of all the others. Very interesting collection. Also the Senyokos, as they were made by the same perfumer Euan McCall. Tried all these around a breakfast table in a cafe! Was very fragrant, and the coffee excellent. ❤️
LikeLike
I don’t think I tried any of these, but I just read Cynthia’s (The Fragrant Journey) review of Senyoko. I wonder if this is a sign that I should try getting some samples from the line?
Breakfast at a cafe?! Have things improved already, or was it before the lock-down? There is no eating in anywhere in our area, only take-outs are allowed.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh no. This was in October in Edinburgh. Another lifetime right now. 😀
LikeLike
Last scent I sampled was Merchant of Venice Andalusian Soul, because someone sent me this with a decant I bought. Maybe I would like it when it’s cold, but it felt too dense and heavy for spring.
LikeLike
This is one more brand that I haven’t seen around. I came across it at a Duty Free, I think, in Kiev last year, but I didn’t have enough time before my flight to test it properly.
LikeLike
Coincidentally, the last scent I tried is also from Sarah Horowitz. I was fortunate enough to win the bottle of Shades of Green through Cafleurebon and it showed up yesterday in the mail. It is the perfect scent to use for a spring pick me up while stuck at home! While more quiet than my normal taste in scents it is a lovely sparkling green that dries down to a soft clean musk. Comforting and clean and peaceful. Not something I would have chosen for myself but, I am sure between my mom and I it will get good use this spring.
And in response to your kind reply last week, I’m doing well. I’m glad to be home with family during all of this!
LikeLike
In spring (whatever stands for it in my area that doesn’t really have winter) I feel drawn to green scents, so your description suddenly sounds very appealing.
LikeLike
I had to think hard and then I gave me permission to just decide which one qualified as the most recent 🤣. Guerlain L’Heure Blanche in the beautiful gauzy white bee bottle: light, powdery, musky and milky – 🤍 even though it does not last long; an 8 spritz therapeutic dose lasted 3 hours but hey, no problem, just respritz! Oh, and it was a large sample…living dangerously…
For your visual enjoyment:
.
LikeLike
That bottle! Beautiful. How did you even know they released it? Have you actually bought it unsniffed? 145 ml “sample” is impressive even by your standards ;)
LikeLike
The new Merveilles one, Ombre de Merveilles I think its called and I hated it on me. After thinking about it, I think its the black tea note, those seem to turn bad on me. Its a pity because I love the line. I wished I had tried some more perfumes while I was in Europe but I had to leave head over heels to get back home on time and forgot all about perfume 😞 Now of course I wish I had some samples to play around with!
LikeLike
This line doesn’t work for me (I tried multiple times since so many people like it), but I usually try each new one, just in case.
It’s good you managed to get home. Hopefully, there will be plenty of opportunities to test perfumes once the World gets back to … well, less crazy, if not normal.
LikeLike
Hard to remember as I think the last few things I tried were in a Sephora and I was trying all kinds of things, none of which made much of an impression and it was a while ago. I’ll go with the last thing I deliberately sought out to try and got a sample of. I had read about Serge’s Datura Noir and while I know that’s not a new perfume I hadn’t tried it before. I liked it quite a bit but there is something swampy in the background that I pick up after a while and I ended up not finishing the sample.
LikeLike
Datura Noir is one of SL perfumes that has a lot of fans, but it never worked for me. But, in general, with the number of perfumes in the line-up (and those from the non-export line), it’s not surprising that we haven’t tried them all. I think that there’s at least a dozen that I haven’t smeled, let alone tried on my skin.
Whenever I try anything at Sephora, usually it is a blur, and later I cannot remember what exactly I tried there – unless I go there specifically to try something that I know they carry.
LikeLike
I genuinely can’t remember, sorry. Mind (albeit a bit preoccupied) has gone a complete blank. If I stumble across a vial that looks like a possible contender I will come back and say!
LikeLike
I should have asked what yarn was the last you used ;)
LikeLike
Hi there Undina,
The last two brand new to me perfumes I tried in store were at Singapore Airport on the way back from Thailand a couple of weeks ago (it seems like decades in the wake of all the C19 changes).
Herba Mimosa by Chloe is very nicely done. To my nose the mimosa is ringed by dried grasses, honey and butter. It has a gorgeously powdery feel and is pretty good value. REALLY want a bottle.
Rouge Trafalgar by Dior. If you like berries, grapefruit and blackcurrant backed by a sandblasted clean, sheer, patchouli/musk then this will be a thing of great beauty for you. It’s got the perfect poise of a later Dior Prive and smells good. It didn’t capture me though, I felt let down by its generic sweetness and flat base. Bummed because the name is excellent and I would have bought it on the spot if it worked better on me.
Portia xx
LikeLike
Wow… You’ve just created two lemmings! Especially the mimosa one.
Dior… After they revamped their Prive line, I’m lost completely: there are too many of them, some based on the same main note… Probably if I had a better access to the line, I would have gone through all the newer scents and figured it out but whenever I see them in store on my rare SF trips, I get overwhelmed.
LikeLike
Yes Undina, 100%
Dior did a very silly thing. DCing most of a line and then bringing 12 new fragrances in at once is stupid. It felt like a cheap money grab and how could they possibly have spent their time well creating so many at once. It all felt a little too conveyor belt for a supposed Prive line. Now that they have slowed the production rate back to 2 a year (I think) it feels more doable.
Portia x
LikeLiked by 1 person
A Five-Pack Trial set from Aftelier.
LikeLike
One was, I assume, Cuir Gardenia. What were the other 4?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nice, you must have peaked at my profile ;). Vanilla Smoke, Fig (I have two poems about them scheduled, Cepes and Tuberose and Amber Tapestry. They are not “mainstream” but they are so artistic and I enjoy the fact they are all natural, quality ingredients.
LikeLike
Well, I usually first read at least some of the older posts before following new blogs :). I like the idea behind your blog.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks it just happened naturally as I already had an existing poetry blog. I’m happy to find a fellow fragrance blog on here. I find when people just write plain reviews of WordPress, they don’t get a lot of traction. But you and I add a touch of creativity into it. I see we’re both Amouage fans. I’m up to 4 bottles now, Epic, Lyric, Interlude and Memoir – all for men. But I’ve tried a few others as well.
LikeLike
I seriously cannot remember exactly which one was the last perfume I tried, maybe Slowdive. I found that one very good. Rules for import tax changed, so I think I will be placing fewer, but bigger, sample orders this year than last.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Do you have to pay taxes even on sample orders?
Slowdive, same as the majority of honey-rich perfumes, didn’t work for me.
LikeLike
Yes, we have to pay a fee to get merchandise through customs, plus 25 percent VAT on perfume. Before, smaller orders of 350 NOK (shipping included) was exempted. It is hoped that some of the bigger online businesses will register to pay Norwegian VAT directly, which would mean a simplified procedure for customers and less double payment of VAT at least.
LikeLike