Occasionally, I try a perfume for the first time and feel an immediate rush of excitement. It smells so wonderful, so perfect, that I think I’ve discovered a new favorite. But then, on subsequent tries, I can never recreate that initial feeling. The magic seems to vanish, leaving me wondering if I imagined it all.

Saturday Question #248:

Have You Ever Experienced a Chimera Scent?

Has that ever happened to you? Do you remember any specific perfumes that behaved this way? Have you ever been able to recreate that initial feeling with the same perfume?

My Answer

As it’s clear from the introduction to this post, this has happened to me more than once. I’d discover a perfume that seems perfect on the first try, only for that magical connection to slip away on subsequent wears. Luckily for me, these discoveries would occur before I paid for a full bottle. And still it feels disappointing.

Atelier des Ors has never been “my brand.” Those perfumes that I tried, I didn’t dislike, but none of them clicked with me. To explain how much I didn’t care for the brand, I must share that I refused free samples that a fellow-perfumista who worked with the brand at that time offered to send me: based on the previous experience, I didn’t expect to like other perfumes from the line, and I wanted to avoid an awkward explanation why I wouldn’t be writing anything positive about the brand.

On my visit to ZGO, a San Francisco-based perfumery, I tried a relatively new perfume, Pink me Up, only because I was fascinated by its color and thought that the name was a clever play on it. I liked it very much. The opening fruity-champagne burst was so appealing and carefree that I felt falling in love with the scent with each next whiff. It was one of the five samples that I bought there this day.

A couple of days ago, I tried Pink me Up again, for the last time. My sample is empty. Never once in these 15 months was I able to relive the scent I smelled at the store. I kept hoping it was an anomaly, and the next time I’d experience perfume I liked the first time. It hasn’t happened.

I do not have a theory why it happened in this case. Was my nose conditioned by the dozen of other perfumes I tried before it? Was I just excited to be at a great perfume store after a couple of years of “sensory starvation” caused by quarantine restrictions on travels? Was I seduced by the bottle?

It reminds me of wine tasting at vineyards. There, a wine sampled in the picturesque surroundings of a winery can seem extraordinary. Yet, when that same bottle is opened at home, it might not live up to the memory. Interestingly, with wine, the opposite can also happen: a wine that seemed just “nice” (bought on the trip in lieu of paying for testing) can transform into something special when enjoyed in a more relaxed, familiar setting or with good food. I don’t remember that ever happening with perfumes though.

How about you?

Have You Ever Experienced a Chimera Scent?

In everyday conversations, the word “interesting” often wears many hats. At times, it’s a sincere compliment, a way to acknowledge something as novel, captivating or thought-provoking. But in some contexts, “interesting” becomes a social buffer, a diplomatic way to mask uncertainty or mild disapproval. Whether it’s a friend’s questionable outfit choice or a movie that missed the mark, “interesting” is often a stand-in for “I’m not sure what to say, but I don’t want to sound rude.”

Perfumes conversations aren’t immune to that phenomenon. We often encounter scents that defy easy categorization. When words like “beautiful,” “fresh,” or “sensual” don’t quite fit or are not enough, “interesting” easily slips into the description. But what does it really mean when we call a fragrance “interesting”? Is it praise, critique or simply a placeholder for mixed emotions?

Saturday Question #247:

Is “Interesting” A Compliment In A Perfume Description?

When do you characterize perfumes as “interesting”? Do you have any examples? What do you think when you read someone else’s description that includes this adjective?

My Answer

While I was thinking about this question, I was sure that in my vocabulary this definition came mostly in combination with “but not for me” or “but I don’t want to wear it.” But once I started looking into what I actually write as impressions in my daily wear diary, I discovered that during my testing, in 1/3 of the time when I mentioned that something was “interesting,” it was for perfumes that I liked (but didn’t love from the first sniff), wanted to test more and ended up getting at least a decant (and sometimes a bottle). But in the majority of cases, while acknowledging that perfume in question wasn’t bad, I knew that I wouldn’t want to wear it.

“Interesting” perfumes that stayed just that (an example, there were many more of such): By Killian Back to Black, Eris Parfums Belle de Jour and Frederic Malle Carnal Flower. “Interesting” that became “love”: Annick Goutal Ambre Fétiche, Hiram Green Arbolé Arbolé and Serge Lutens Boxeuses.

How about you?

Is “Interesting” A Compliment In A Perfume Description?

I hope everyone who celebrates had wonderful time with people (and furry creatures) important in your life. One more holiday to go – and then another year waiting for the next holiday season. Oh, well… Meanwhile, let’s see what this year brought us in terms of our common hobby.

Saturday Question #246:

What Are Your Top 10 (5? 3? Any?) Favorite Perfumes of 2024?

Do you remember years in the past when bloggers ran multiple lists of the best perfumes of the year, sometimes in different categories, from different authors… These days, I wouldn’t trust most of the lists that are made to place affiliated links to those products. But in our almost hermetic environment, let’s name those perfumes that impressed you in 2024. And if you can’t come up with anything created this year, it might be something significant that you tried this year for the first time.

My Answer

I was sloppy this year with my record keeping: I still have some records that are stored in the text file that I need to transfer to my database. So, I might be a couple of perfumes off. But looking through my database, I see that in total, I tested just about 15 perfumes created in 2024.

Out of these 15, I kind of liked 3 of the 4 perfumes in Jo Malone‘s Scented Mementos limited edition collection (Ginger Beer, Passiflora and Emerald Thyme) and two perfumes from  The Estée Lauder Legacy Collection (Azuree Legacy and Estee Legacy). But this “like” was as in “it was pleasant, I might consider finishing my sample,” and it haven’t resulted in buying anything.

The only new favorite that I want to mention was 2023 Ormonde Jayne release, Arabesque, that I tried and appreciated this year.

How about you?

What Are Your Top 10 (5? 3? Any?) Favorite Perfumes of 2024?

Holidays are officially here. Christmas, Hanukkah, New Year. Love and look forward to all of them.

Saturday Question #245:

Will You Give Any Fragrant Gifts This Holiday Season?

Not necessarily perfume, but anything scent-related – candles, room sprays, aroma diffusers, etc.?

Do you expect to get any presents of this type yourself?

My Answer

This year, we keep the gift exchange to a minimum. The closest to the topic of this SQ gift that I’m giving is a set of skincare products for my MIL: I made sure they are scented because I noticed that she didn’t enjoy a great, in my opinion, scent-free moisturizer from Ordinary that I gave her.

I know that I’m getting a scented item as a New Year gift from my vSO. It was my choice, and I’ll write about it soon. I can’t wait to use it!

How about you?

Will You Give Any Fragrant Gifts This Holiday Season?

First, I want to share something not related to this week’s question. Do you remember a SQ from a couple of months ago? Which Perfumes Would You Take If You Had To Evacuate? Last week, I went through that exercise. We had a tsunami warning and an evacuation… well, not order but advice. We had about 30 minutes to collect things and drive to a higher grounds. Since even in the worst case scenario I didn’t expect that water would come to the second floor where my perfume collection resides, I voted against trying to pack even those 5 perfumes from my list, but took a single bottle from the top of that list – Lancome Climat. Luckily, soon after we got to the grocery store on the hill, the warning was lifted, and we could return home. All-in-all, it wasn’t the most pleasant experience. I do not recommend. But back to this week’s question.

Saturday Question #244:

Where Do You Forage for Perfume Content?

Which blogs do you read? Do you visit any of the forums/sites? Do you belong to any Facebook perfume groups? Do you use Instagram? X? Do you subscribe to any newsletters? Watch YouTube channels? Something else I didn’t think of?

My Answer

My perfume world has shrunk significantly in the last several years. I still read all blogs from the “My Reading List” section (see the list on the right (desktop)/further down (mobile)). I am still subscribed to several more blogs that are hidden from the list because they stopped publishing, so if a new post appears, I’ll read it.

I regularly visit Instagram, but I’m not actively seeking any new content and mostly watch perfume-related posts from people I follow.

I stopped using Facebook (for no particular reason), and Twitter was abandoned by the most of whom I followed long time before it became X.

I tried watching several perfume channels on YouTube, but as much as I like beauty content, seeing perfume bottles and hearing scents’ descriptions weren’t “my thing.”

So, my main grazing ground is Perfume Blogosphere.

How about you?

Where Do You Forage for Perfume Content?

Recently, I watched a random beauty channel on YouTube where the creator repeatedly mentioned being “into perfume” and having another perfume-centric channel. Then, over the course of the video, it became obvious that she wasn’t really familiar with Guerlain perfumes – other than vaguely knowing Shalimar and recalling trying one of the Aqua Allegoria scents. That made me realize that many people who like and buy perfumes might never venture beyond what’s offered at major department stores. Now I’m curious about your choices when it comes to that category of perfumes.

Saturday Question #243:

What Is The Most Mainstream Perfume In Your Collection?

You can define “mainstream” however you see fit. The only condition is that it must be a full bottle you bought yourself or swapped (so, no gifts or “pass-overs”).

My Answer

Eons ago, I created a classification system for perfumes in my collection (Sorting Hat: Perfume Categories). I subdivided them into the following categories: Mall scents, Mainstream,  High-end mainstream, Boutique, Niche, High-end niche, Indie and One of a kind. According to this system:

Mainstream – this category will include mass-market, designer and celebrity perfumes (e.g. Estee Lauder, Lancome, Prada, YSL, Thierry Mugler, Bvlgari);

Using this approach, I’d say the “most” mainstream perfume in my collection is Prada Infusion d’Iris EdP. It’s one of the few perfumes in this category in my collection that is still in production. Most of the rest, from my “civilian” days, have since been discontinued.

How about you?

What Is The Most Mainstream Perfume In Your Collection?

Yes, it is December. Thanksgiving is behind us. Let’s decorate. Even if you do not have any holiday to celebrate this month or do not feel in the mood, let’s find something positive and worth looking forward to. Lights, scents and festive food usually help.

Saturday Question #242:

Do You Scent Your Home For Holidays?

Do you have any special ways to introduce holidays-related or holidays-inspired aromas into your home?

A bonus question: do you plan to decorate your space for any of the upcoming holidays?

My Answer

I love-love-love winter holidays! If the weather permits, we might put on outdoor lights this weekend. Since our tree is artificial, we can put it up at any time. I’m not sure when we will though. Probably not this weekend, but maybe next. But since it is artificial, I miss the smell of fir and resin that a natural tree brings. And to rectify that, over years, I introduced different sprays (one was very naturally smelling… but it had something headache-inducing, so I had to get rid of it), fir-scented candles (so far, I haven’t found the one I would like to re-purchase – any advice?) and, the most successful product, Frasier Fir hand wash from Thymes (I have a little left from the previous year, but I haven’t checked yet if it’s still good, and I need to get a refill soon).

Additionally, this year I decided to get a small natural wreath… but hang it inside – just for the smell. I found just what I was looking for at Trader Joe’s and hanged it on one of the walls using a sheet of foil wrap as a backdrop to prevent damage to the wall behind in case the branches used in the wreath still have any sap or resin left. I know it’s unorthodox, but once I got that idea in my head, I just had to do it.

How about you?

Do You Scent Your Home For Holidays?

I was going to use the word “hoarder,” but it felt too serious for a lighthearted SQ. I decided to rephrase. As I discovered, various characteristics are attributed to this small furry creature and meanings of that comparison range widely (including quite cheesy pickup lines). I’m using it in a fun and lighthearted way to describe someone who keeps more than they need but isn’t truly excessive but in a sense of resourcefulness and foresight.

Saturday Question #241:

Are You A Squirrel?

First, let’s talk about perfumes. And to clarify further, we are not talking about the number of different perfumes in our collections (it is a collection after all). But what about different sizes, different concentrations, multiple “vintages” and backup bottles? Do you keep samples and decants even after you’ve gotten a bottle of that perfume? Do you have EdT, EdP and extrait of your favorite perfumes and then maybe a hair mist or a body lotion? If yes, do you wear all of these?

Switching the focus from perfumes, do you have a tendency to stash away acorns supplies for future use? Do you buy multiple items in advance when you get a good deal? Or do you live in the moment going by what you need now?

My Answer

Guilty. For perfumes I love, I want to have them in all possible versions and forms – sometimes even multiple bottles of the same size – and it’s tough for me to let go of a sample or decant, even if I already have a lifetime supply of that perfume. What if I need a smaller size to take with me? It’s irrational: not only can I always make myself a decant for traveling if I need to, but I also have no issues making a sample or a small decant from my bottle for someone else. But that first sample/decant that came before the bottle… Oh, and usually I wear only one of the versions I have – but I still want to have the rest. Just in case. Luckily, it’s just a handful of perfumes that make me feel this way.

With non-perfume stuff, I am awful: since I don’t like change, if something works for me – be it household items, supplies, beauty products or even clothes – I want to be able to use it… always. So, if there is a chance something will become unavailable, or if I find a good deal or a bulk purchase at a better per-unit price, my knee-jerk reaction is to buy and squirrel it away. I think I was always inclined to be over-prepared, but COVID has exacerbated it – not so much in terms of fearing unavailability, but rather to avoid being dependent on the external world or having to venture into it unless absolutely necessary.

This year “Black Friday month” is especially hard for me. I don’t think I’ve ever planned to or bought a big-ticket item during that traditional American pastime, so for years, I thought I was immune to it. But for the last 3 weeks, I’ve been bombarded with deals for the most mundane items – skincare, hair care, tea, socks, vitamins, cleaning supplies, etc., etc. And then, some non-recurring items are offered at a much better price than I saw them since I started watching them planning to buy eventually (for example, wine glasses I wanted to buy for a while). I can’t buy everything, even if it’s something I will use up (and eventually buy more): both my budget and storage space have limits I must respect. But psychologically, it bothers me that in six months, I might have to spend extra money on something I could have bought cheaper today – even if it’s just a $3-$5 difference.

How about you?

Are You A Squirrel?

Before COVID, in larger cities perfume enthusiasts used to organize in-person events – Sniffapalooza in New York, Perfume Lovers London and others. When the pandemic started, many events moved online, which made a lot of sense: samples can be delivered via post, and then the discussion might happen virtually. These days, some events returned to brick-and-mortar boutiques, while others maintain their online format. So, the question for you this week:

Saturday Question #240:

Do You Participate In Perfume Events?

Event in person where a specific brand is presenting their lineup (if it’s a new brand) or the most recent collection. Or a virtual one where samples are delivered in advance of the online meeting? If you do, do you enjoy the format? If you don’t, why?

My Answer

In the last couple of years, I’ve been in a low-buy to no-buy mode. So, from time to time I decide that, being a perfume blog, I have to do some testing of current offerings that I can’t try in my local department stores. So, from time to time, I sign up for online events that include receiving sets of samples. A part of signing up for these events, paying and receiving the sets work for me wonderfully: samples bought this way are much cheaper than you’d pay for the same number/volume of samples if you were to order them separately. But after that… I did connected to a couple of events organized by the Beautyhabit. But, in general, after trying perfumes when they arrive and not liking most of them (a regular thing for me), I don’t feel compelled to spend another hour listening to how the brand had arrived at the creation of perfumes that I didn’t like – so, after getting and testing samples I just skip the meeting itself.

The last brand I tried this way was Frederico Perfumes. It was organized by Sniffapalooza. I got a set of 6 perfume samples, tried them all and realized that since I do not even like, let alone love, any of them, I could care less about the story behind their creation. So, I skipped the meeting altogether.

There are a couple of in-person event in the next month in San Francisco, but since I do not plan to buy any of those perfumes, it doesn’t make much sense to attend them. I’m still eyeing the Beautyhabit‘s Up Close & Personal event with Parfums de Nicolai. They offer 5 new fragrances for $30 (including S&H and a $10 discount for future purchases), so it seems like a good offer – but I am not really into gourmand scents, and there’s just one Nicolai’s perfume that I like – so I’m not sure if I should spend even $30 to try these new perfumes…

So, if I’m being completely honest, I do not care much for these events, but I treat them as an opportunity to test perfumes I wouldn’t have otherwise, not expecting to find the next Holly Grail.

I know that you’re here not for this. But if have a postal address in the US and would like to try Frederico Perfumes, just add to your comment “I’m in the US” or “I’m in,” and I’ll add you to the draw for an almost new set of 5 samples from this brand – maybe they’ll work better for you.

How about you?

Do You Participate In Perfume Events?