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Tuesday scent of the day 10/7

Posted by Robin on 7 October 2014 133 Comments

crayons

If you have a spare moment, do tell us what fragrance you're wearing today.

It's a testing day for me...I'm wearing a mix of things, with more to come, some on skin, some on paper. Do you tend to test on paper, or skin?

Reminder: this Friday, 10/10, wear a fragrance you discovered via a blog or other online review, and link to the review if you can. Bonus points for not linking to a review on Now Smell This, since everyone commenting here already knows about Now Smell This — hopefully this will help all of us expand our perfume reading!

And for those of you who like to plan ahead, see Scent of the day ~ Friday community projects 2014, where I'll try to always have the next six or seven weeks mapped out in advance.

Note: top image is Lavender and Pink Crayons [cropped] by Pink Poppy Photography at flickr; some rights reserved.

Filed Under: poll
Tagged With: sotd

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133 Comments

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  1. Elisa says:
    7 October 2014 at 10:36 am

    SOTD is Mohur. I should *love* this, but I’m not sure. It’s kind of a Play-Doh rose.

    When I’m in a store I always spray on paper first. At home, I usually just go straight for skin, but I have blotters around for when I’m really afraid.

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    • Janice says:
      7 October 2014 at 10:45 am

      Oh, now I have to try Mohur again. I didn’t love it either but now I need to look for the Play-Doh. (Which for me might not necessarily be a bad thing, actually.)

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      • Elisa says:
        7 October 2014 at 10:49 am

        As Play-Doh accords go it’s a pretty good one!

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        • austenfan says:
          7 October 2014 at 12:16 pm

          seems a lot of money for Play-Doh. Which I’ve never smelled by the way.

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          • Robin says:
            7 October 2014 at 12:59 pm

            More expensive playdoh: Luctor et Emergo by People of the Labyrinths. Yum.

          • austenfan says:
            7 October 2014 at 1:09 pm

            I never tried that one, though I know it used to be a cult favourite.

          • Elisa says:
            7 October 2014 at 1:37 pm

            I actually like the POTL better than the Mohur and I don’t find it too doughy. It’s pretty great.

          • rivercitylizzy says:
            7 October 2014 at 8:17 pm

            I totally got the Play-Doh accord in POTL; fun and playful, sure, but with the cherry and almond into the mix it was kind of a dealbreaker for me as far as a full-bottle is concerned. But I keep the sample around for kicks ;)

    • mals86 says:
      7 October 2014 at 2:32 pm

      Oh gah. Hate Play-Doh accords.

      But I liked Mohur, and now I’m afraid I’ll go back to that sample and find the dreaded Play-Doh. Dang.

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      • Elisa says:
        7 October 2014 at 3:19 pm

        Oops, sorry Mals! I smelled Play-Doh mostly in the beginning and more rose as it went on.

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  2. austenfan says:
    7 October 2014 at 10:43 am

    I test both on paper and skin, these days I tend to try on paper first as I find wearing something I dislike so uncomfortable.
    SOTD is Sacrebleu. Gorgeous as always.

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    • Robin says:
      7 October 2014 at 11:09 am

      I use paper now more often than I used to.

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  3. Janice says:
    7 October 2014 at 10:46 am

    I usually test on paper, especially if I have a few samples at once and am trying to decide which to wear first. Then I’ll try most of them on skin later unless it’s clear from the paper that something just absolutely isn’t going to work for me.
    I’m wearing Byredo 1996 today.

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    • Robin says:
      7 October 2014 at 11:09 am

      You smell great!

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    • missylulu says:
      7 October 2014 at 12:05 pm

      Scent twin! I love this one. I wish the price point wasn’t so high but it is a beautiful perfume. I love it for this chilly weather.

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    • rivercitylizzy says:
      7 October 2014 at 8:19 pm

      That sounds gorgeous! On my wish list for samples it goes…

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    • yukiej says:
      7 October 2014 at 9:56 pm

      You smell awesome!!

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  4. nisotu says:
    7 October 2014 at 10:48 am

    Today I’m wearing Parfum Sacré. I absolutely love this on the right day, and thankfully today is it! There’s a cool bite to the air here in London and I’m sitting next to an open window (work on my building means that the windows are open while the painters and decorators do their thing outside) – brrr.

    Parfum Sacré is like an extra layer of warmth with its peppery spices and enveloping rosy woodsiness and incense. I visualise it as an invisible thin merino layer.

    (By the way this is my first comment after reading the blog for a while. Excited to be sharing my SOTD as well as reading others’ :) )

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    • Robin says:
      7 October 2014 at 11:10 am

      Hi and welcome! Hope you’ll keep joining in, & of course you have great taste in perfume :-)

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      • nisotu says:
        7 October 2014 at 11:23 am

        Thanks! I will do. Already have an idea what to wear on Friday for the community scent…

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    • Barqs says:
      7 October 2014 at 11:45 am

      Nice description of Parfum Sacre. It is such a lovely scent! I have a small decant of it, and I think it will go on my Christmas wish list this year

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      • nisotu says:
        7 October 2014 at 12:08 pm

        Good plan! I actually think of PS as a really ‘Christmassy’ scent – I think because myrrh is one of the notes and that was one of the gifts of the Three Wise Men :)

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    • AnnS says:
      7 October 2014 at 2:41 pm

      Oh – I love Parfum Sacre. I wore that just the other day. You smell great!

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  5. lupo says:
    7 October 2014 at 10:48 am

    Morning everyone,
    I’m wearing Gucci pour Homme II, the tea/cinnamon one.

    I always spray on skin: a number of perfumes that tested on paper turned significantly different when I wear them. On paper, top notes last much longer than on skin and I don’t really get the sense of how the perfume develops. That’s certainly the case for Gucci II: on paper it lasts and lasts, on skin… not quite :)

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    • Robin says:
      7 October 2014 at 11:10 am

      So true about paper vs skin…very different.

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    • AnnS says:
      7 October 2014 at 2:42 pm

      tea & cinnamon. Hm I think I need to seek this one out. Recently I’ve been looking more and more across the aisle to find unexplored and interesting fragrances.

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    • mals86 says:
      7 October 2014 at 2:50 pm

      I have the same philosophy about skin vs paper. I never bother with paper, because if I’m wearing perfume I’m wearing it on my skin, and I just don’t care what it smells like on paper.

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  6. relleric says:
    7 October 2014 at 10:48 am

    SOTD is Au The Blanc (Bulgari)

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    • Robin says:
      7 October 2014 at 11:27 am

      Nearly a classic now…

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    • rebeccat94 says:
      7 October 2014 at 2:07 pm

      I love that one!

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    • SheriG says:
      7 October 2014 at 4:07 pm

      You smell great!

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  7. AnnS says:
    7 October 2014 at 10:53 am

    Robin – I hope if you are doing a lot of smelling today that a new review is in the works!

    SOTD is AG Vanille Exquise. I’m looking in the back of the drawer – I almost forgot I had this one. I wore it a lot about 2 years ago and then didn’t so much after that. I do like it – the bottle is less than 1/2 full, which says a lot these days. Now I’m also remembering one of my fav things to do with it was layer with Ce Soir ou Jamais.

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    • AnnS says:
      7 October 2014 at 10:55 am

      Oh BTW – I almost never test on paper unless it’s the rare time I’m in a store and don’t want to waste precious skin space on things I may not like. Usually if I’m in a store, I’m with my 6 YO daughter, so testing is kind of like hit and run and I’ll sniff while I’m on the ride home.

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      • austenfan says:
        7 October 2014 at 12:21 pm

        I like the concept of hit and run testing! And you’ve reminded me that I haven’t worn my VE in a long time. I’m too well stocked on the vanilla front I suppose.

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        • AnnS says:
          7 October 2014 at 2:44 pm

          I only have a few true vanillas – AG VE, Diptyque Eau Duelle, Givenchy Organza Indecence, TM Alien Essence Absolue (although I’m still thinking this is strongly in the major jasmine oriental category), and IPDF Ambra del Nepal (but isn’t this really just an awesome amber?). I am really trying to dig deep and explore this category, but I wanted to revisit the ones I have to examine what I think I am lacking or wanting from another fragrance.

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          • austenfan says:
            7 October 2014 at 4:58 pm

            We only share the Goutal then. I’ve got the 2 Artisan Vanillas, 2 Nicolaïs, MPG Fleur des Comores and 2 CSP’s. I remember loving Eau Duelle when it came out. I didn’t purchase because I didn’t find it distinctive enough. I’ve yet to try all those Muglers.

    • Robin says:
      7 October 2014 at 11:11 am

      I should hopefully manage two reviews this week, including AG Vent de Folie today…but these are for future reviews :-)

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  8. melissa says:
    7 October 2014 at 10:54 am

    Prada Infusion d’Iris for me. I only use blotters in the store, unless I want to check sillage or I try something that seems weird on skin and I think it might do better on fabric — then I’ll grab a card at home.

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    • Delacey says:
      7 October 2014 at 12:56 pm

      You smell lovely – this is one of my favourites!

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    • Undina says:
      7 October 2014 at 6:46 pm

      I like Infusion d’Iris as well.

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  9. MikasMinion says:
    7 October 2014 at 10:57 am

    La Maroc Pour Elle. Tested it for the first time last night and it was instant love. Reminds me of a weird hippie perfume oil that I had in college only well crafted. Makes me feel like listening to angry girl rock, lurking in bookstores, and feeling angsty ;) Off to find my leather jacket and jump boots…

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    • MikasMinion says:
      7 October 2014 at 11:12 am

      Oh, I almost always spray either a blotter (if I’m really unsure) or a curtain (just to be safe and I get a scented room that way). If something smells significantly different from what I expect there’s a greater chance I won’t like it.

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      • missylulu says:
        7 October 2014 at 12:07 pm

        Um, spraying a curtain is an absolutely genius idea. I bet your house smells great!

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        • MikasMinion says:
          7 October 2014 at 2:59 pm

          I have really heavy velvet blackout curtains on many of my windows that get pretty full of cat hair and dust but take a full day to take down and air out so the spritz of perfume is my regular “cleaning”. It’s a great way to use some of the scents I like but don’t want to wear.

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    • MikasMinion says:
      7 October 2014 at 11:15 am

      *Le Maroc… blasted auto-correct.

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    • ihadanidea says:
      7 October 2014 at 11:53 am

      Go on with your bad, riot grrl self.

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    • austenfan says:
      7 October 2014 at 12:17 pm

      Lovely scent, even if I didn’t get all the angsty associations.

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  10. Mary Carol says:
    7 October 2014 at 10:57 am

    SOTD for me is Andy Tauer Sotto La Luna, On me, this one has a nice soft, powdery gardenia and I am liking that.

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  11. Eleebelle says:
    7 October 2014 at 10:58 am

    I’m a mess today. I put on modern YSL Opium this morning and decided that wasn’t what I wanted, so I washed it off and put on L’heure Bleue. Unfortunately, I don’t think I washed off all of the Opium and now I smell dusty, nutty, and a little sour (kind of the way some sunscreens end up smelling sour on me). It’s truly bizarre and I really hope these two scents come to some sort of understanding before somebody else notices.

    In a store, I always test on paper first to see if I want it on my skin (that’s valuable real estate if I’m on a long shopping trip). If it’s a sample I already own, though, I just put it right on my skin…. which likely caused my L’heure Opium situation.

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  12. solanace says:
    7 October 2014 at 11:11 am

    Estée Lauder Sensuous.

    I usually boldly spray on skin. Sometimes, of course, I regret.

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    • rose pepper says:
      7 October 2014 at 11:44 am

      I do that too … normally my skin can handle a lot of perfume and I don’t get overwhelmed. Sometimes I forget to use a light hand with a new fragrance, and regret it. Especially for lighter musks – they are way more overwhelming to me that the darker, more animalic musks!

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  13. pyramus says:
    7 October 2014 at 11:13 am

    SOTD is Perry Ellis Reserve, almost certainly the beat of the large PE men’s catalogue. Subdued and masculine without being boring.

    I always and only test on skin, because you’re going to be wearing the scent on your skin anyway, and I don’t find that a blotter tells you much of use.

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  14. Mary Carol says:
    7 October 2014 at 11:17 am

    I test on paper if in a store, but always test samples at home on skin.

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  15. ihadanidea says:
    7 October 2014 at 11:20 am

    Thank you all so much for your birthday wishes last week – so very much appreciated! I went back and thanked you individually.

    Indulging in the much loved Ormonde Woman today. Interesting combination of green and spice. It’s not me, but I do respect the scent.

    Have a lovely day, fumies.

    P.S. Anyone else catch a sniff of Uncle Serge’s Incendiare yet?

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    • Laila says:
      7 October 2014 at 3:51 pm

      Belated birthday wishes for a year filled with wonderful scents, good health and much happiness (I saw your post over the weekend but was unable to post at that time.) I so enjoy reading your delightful posts as you discover the joys of the fragrant world!

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    • hajusuuri says:
      7 October 2014 at 6:59 pm

      I had such an ordeal with Barney’s this past Beauty Event that I am considering dropping him. He did follow through with everything but it took over 3 weeks and 5 emails and probably 15 texts before everything got resolved (have I ever mentioned I’m persistent?). Anyway, all these to say that I scored a sample of L’Incindiare but I haven’t worn it yet because Ingot it right before I left for vacay. I’ll report back!

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  16. rose pepper says:
    7 October 2014 at 11:26 am

    SOTD is Cristalle … late morning and very tired, this woke me up nicely ;)

    I only test on paper with those sample strips at the store. I don’t like spraying on too many things at once, because they get mixed up and I can’t remember what was sprayed where. I always ask for samples to try later though. I have to smell it on me to determine if I like it, the paper strips just don’t translate. I have a problem with stores that don’t give out samples when they are selling very expensive perfume. I think its ridiculous to choose a fragrance based on how it smells on paper or with one spritz (among many others).

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  17. farouche says:
    7 October 2014 at 11:38 am

    I’m wearing Boxeuses again *sigh*

    Round one is on paper, round two is on skin, and round three ( if I get that far), is a sample or decant. Round four: FB!

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  18. Barqs says:
    7 October 2014 at 11:41 am

    I’m wearing Jo Malone Nutmeg & Ginger today. I have a small sample I received with a purchase. It’s a fun scent, and perfect for today.

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  19. platinum14 says:
    7 October 2014 at 11:44 am

    Left home in a hurry this morning. When I got to work I realized that I was FragranceFree!
    Fortunately I found, at the bottom of my work bag, a travel spay that I had filled with Jacomo de Jacome.

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  20. ringthing says:
    7 October 2014 at 11:51 am

    I’ve started testing first on paper more frequently these days, then on skin. Im finding that more perfumes trigger headaches. Today’s sotd is new to me, Angel Les Parfums de Cuir. Nice in a small dose but I wish there was more Cuir and less Angel. I know it’s ironic that I mentioned headaches when Angel seems to cause them for many people but not me :)

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    • CM says:
      7 October 2014 at 11:59 am

      Cuir is great. I’m waiting for colder weather. Can’t wait to wear this!

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    • MikasMinion says:
      7 October 2014 at 12:05 pm

      Coincidentally, a patient just walked in absolutely soaked in Angel and I’m feeling quietly queasy two rooms away. The assistant, who had a terrible headache already, has retreated to the kitchen and turned a funny color. I just can’t handle the stuff unless it is applied (to someone else) with a lot of restraint.

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      • nebbe says:
        7 October 2014 at 12:09 pm

        Someone should run a sillage awareness campaign.

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      • ihadanidea says:
        7 October 2014 at 12:25 pm

        That one always gets to me too.

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      • mals86 says:
        7 October 2014 at 2:52 pm

        I am getting a sympathetic headache just reading this.

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      • SheriG says:
        7 October 2014 at 4:11 pm

        I shouldn’t laugh, but can’t help myself. :)

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      • nozknoz says:
        7 October 2014 at 11:10 pm

        Sorry to hear about the Angel incident! We all live in fear of being stuck in an elevator with someone like that. I was surprised, actually, that Mugler did that recent video ad, “Beware of Angels.”

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  21. CM says:
    7 October 2014 at 11:56 am

    Tried and true Fate today although I kept thinking about Theorema. I managed to not wear Fate for a whole week. Needed a hit. :)

    In stores I always test on paper. If it grabs me in the first 5 minutes or so I’ll keep the test strips. Will often wander around a store strips in hand sniffing away. If I like one, I’ll test on skin. I usually tuck the strips in my purse. Sometimes I’ll put them in the A/C vents in my car for the ride home.

    At home, though, I rarely use strips. I’ll sniff the vial and then spray on hands… Back of thumb area is a good spot and east to wash off if it’s horrid.

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    • nebbe says:
      7 October 2014 at 9:49 pm

      “Sniff the vial” just reminded me of Spinal Tap and their “album” “Smell the Glove”

      Mwah ha ha :)

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      • CM says:
        8 October 2014 at 12:33 am

        Snort! Haha!

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  22. PetronellaCJ says:
    7 October 2014 at 12:02 pm

    Scentfree today, since I have spent the day with a friend who can’t handle smells. Might go for a little evening scent now you all have inspired me :).

    I accept scent strips when they are handed to me in a store, but if I want to form my own impression of the scent I need to test it on skin. I usually can’t handle more than four scents at a time :).

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  23. foxbins says:
    7 October 2014 at 12:02 pm

    I always test on skin, but if I’m testing a lot at once, I might spray on a blotter and label it. When I get home I can smell my skin and find the name of the scent on the blotter as I tend to forget which spray is which when I have six or seven on my arms and hands.

    Today is Ex Indolo Thirty Three. Nice, but I’m not really a rose girl, the exceptions being Incense Rose and Union’s Gunpowder Rose, which are both interesting to my nose despite being rose-centric. Thirty Three smells like a soliflore on me after the oud/rose opening.

    Going through the perfume cabinet to find my unloves to pass along for the swapmeet. I have about six bottles so far, remnants of my early days blind-buying by note lists.

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    • nebbe says:
      7 October 2014 at 12:11 pm

      Smart of you to label your voters and coordinate with skin testing! Will have to add this to my M.O. when I am doing a heavy testing day. Thanks!

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      • nebbe says:
        7 October 2014 at 12:11 pm

        Voters=blotters…

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  24. Squirrely says:
    7 October 2014 at 12:03 pm

    I’m in Safran Troublant today, but it’s “wrong.” I got dressed, applied it, but then changed my clothes, and Safran Troublant doesn’t work with what I’m now wearing. Oh well, somehow I’ll manage…

    If I’m intrigued past a bottle sniff on a scent, I’ll always put it on skin. Sometimes things will smell consistently pleasant on paper and go all wrong with body chemistry, so I’d rather rule out and move on quickly, then think something will work in the long run based on scent strips (looking at you, Peony & Blush Seude…).

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    • SheriG says:
      7 October 2014 at 4:14 pm

      It’s frustrating when both clothes-mood and fragrance-mood are very strong yet mutually exclusive, isn’t it? Happens to me a LOT.

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  25. missylulu says:
    7 October 2014 at 12:12 pm

    SOTD is Byredo 1996. I like its dryness and warmth for damp, rainy days where it keeps things from feeling too muggy and for some reason it also seems to have great sillage when there’s a little chilly drizzle going on outside.

    If I am at a store, I almost always test on paper, unless it’s one I’ve tried on paper multiple times and am now in round two of testing. At home, if I get samples, I usually put them right on my skin because I am so impatient. Now, though, I think I am going to have to spray my curtains! :-)

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  26. Omega says:
    7 October 2014 at 12:14 pm

    Champagne de Bois, SSS. Such a great sandalwood.

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    • Laila says:
      7 October 2014 at 3:53 pm

      Hi, Omega, we’re scent twins today in this haunting beauty of woods/spices/amber – my favorite kind of fall scent! I find it as appropriate for a formal event at the country club as it is for fall camping in the woods (and I’m much more likely to do the latter than the former!)

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    • rivercitylizzy says:
      7 October 2014 at 8:25 pm

      Oh, I love that one! It needs to go back into my rotation now that the days of 100s seem to be done ;)

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  27. scentfromabove says:
    7 October 2014 at 12:18 pm

    I tend to always test on my skin. This gives me a true sense of how a fragrance will really smell on me.
    Today I am wearing Tuberose Angelica by Jo Malone.

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  28. nebbe says:
    7 October 2014 at 12:19 pm

    Chanel no.5 edp.

    The edt doesnt work on me, but the edp and eau premiere are lovely.

    In stores I test on paper first, then skin. Plenty get ruled out by the paper test, ha ha.

    At home I like to grab a pile of samples and a roll of toilet paper and play “let’s sniff perfume” with Mr. B. Each toilet paper square gets a spritz, and we decide what we like. Something about the toilet paper allows the scent todiffuse nicely.

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    • nebbe says:
      7 October 2014 at 12:20 pm

      I would like to amend my answer to the weekend poll question “any quirky perfume habits” to this one!

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      • Eleebelle says:
        7 October 2014 at 12:44 pm

        I do this all the time and it hadn’t even occurred to me that this might fall into the category of “quirky.” :)

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        • nebbe says:
          7 October 2014 at 1:17 pm

          It’s so fun! And pretty adorable to see my tough guy wafting ;)

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        • MikasMinion says:
          7 October 2014 at 1:26 pm

          I use toilet paper sometimes too and for the same reasons. If three of us do it, it isn’t strange ;)

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      • SheriG says:
        7 October 2014 at 4:15 pm

        You people crack me up. :)

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      • floragal says:
        7 October 2014 at 7:05 pm

        Too funny. I was just about to write this… That this would be a great answer for that question.

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    • missionista says:
      7 October 2014 at 4:35 pm

      The toilet paper thing cracks me up. It’s a great idea though, I’ll have to give it a try.

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    • nozknoz says:
      7 October 2014 at 11:14 pm

      I do something similar when I want to test sillage: I’ll spray a piece of crumpled kleenex two or three times and leave it in another room, then walk in from time to time. I think it works better than scent strips – more surface area and air circulation.

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      • nebbe says:
        8 October 2014 at 12:13 am

        Definitely trying this! Thanks, nozknoz!

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  29. mitopazler says:
    7 October 2014 at 12:41 pm

    Guerlain L’Homme Ideal

    Just got it for my birthday…I like it! I have seen a lot of reviews where people don’t rate it favorably. ??? Probably not their shot of amaretto.

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  30. Delacey says:
    7 October 2014 at 1:03 pm

    Trying Dior Homme today, to see if it’s another iris scent to add to the list. I’m finding it a bit too sweet for me.

    And as for testing, I usually start on paper if in a store, to try to eliminate options first. I have a narrow tolerance for sweetness generally (though I find a few surprises, like the new NARCISO) so it’s a good way to sift those ones out.

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  31. rivercitylizzy says:
    7 October 2014 at 1:06 pm

    Iʻm wearing Yesterday Haze by Imaginary Authors, spritzed from a decant I recently received, and it is a glorious Fall scent–jammy, creamy fig dusted with spices, powdery orris, and wrapped in rich woods. Gah. I like it very much!

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    • Deva says:
      7 October 2014 at 1:19 pm

      Geez, that sounds great! I need to get some samples of this line ASAP!

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      • rivercitylizzy says:
        7 October 2014 at 7:53 pm

        I also have decants of Cape Heartache (evergreens and strawberries, an oddly appealing combo and probably great for Winter Holidays) and Mosaic, which I loved during the Summer almost as much as my sample of Cologne du Maghreb–but it had much better sillage and longevity!

        Surrender to Chance has decants available of several Imaginary Authors scents, including Yesterday Haze and Cape Heartache ;)

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    • Parley says:
      7 October 2014 at 2:08 pm

      oh wow that sounds delicious! I’ve been wanting to try out Imaginary Authors for awhile now and fig+orris sounds right up my alley…

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      • rivercitylizzy says:
        7 October 2014 at 8:06 pm

        At the end of the day it still has pretty good sillage and has settled into a “cozy sweater” scent–very comforting!

        Iʻve liked all three from the Imaginary Authors line that Iʻve tried, so samples of The Soft Lawn, Bullʻs Blood, and Memoirs of a Trespasser are on my wish list now.

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  32. Deva says:
    7 October 2014 at 1:18 pm

    Skin, always on skin. A lot of perfumes never even make it to first base with me, though. If I sniff the spritzer (in stores) and don’t like it immediately, it never gets skin time.

    This is the way I see it: there are A LOT of perfumes out there and life is short! I will only ever think about buying a full bottle if I love every stage of the perfume (not including some blind bottle buys, which I have been pretty lucky with!). And it has to be BIG LOVE! if I don’t like the opening, why bother? If I LOVE the opening but the dry down is MEH, why bother? I think I am one of those “all or nothing” people.

    When I get samples, I skip the pre-skin sniff test and just slap it on and start assessing. No sniff from those little .5ml samples can tell me anything.

    SOTD is Tauer Un Rose de Kandahar. When you look this one up in the dictionary, it’s defined as follows: “Deva’s Biggest Love” with a picture of my blissed-out face next to the definition. This one is a home run for me =)

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    • Laila says:
      7 October 2014 at 4:00 pm

      Deva, I love your post . . . and your passion! I am also an “all or nothing” person. I might add to your ‘life’s too short’ that life’s too short to ever apologize for loving a fragrance that’s “less than” what one thinks is appropriate for a perfumista and, conversely, life’s too short to spend a whole lot of time trying to force oneself to “like” a perfume that’s praised by the perfumista-world when you know you don’t. Enjoy that Kandehar – sounds like a ‘grand slam’ rather than an ordinary ‘home run’ to me. :-)

      I rarely test on paper, only if I’m in a store and I’m not sure of the scent and want to resniff later. Usually I spray the air a little bit first and then give it a sniff, if I like it it goes directly to my skin.

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    • rivercitylizzy says:
      7 October 2014 at 8:14 pm

      Hahaha, “go big or go home,” yeah? I love it!

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  33. teri says:
    7 October 2014 at 1:25 pm

    I popped Indult’s Isvaraya out of my patch sample set from Lucky Scent to try today. Wow, this is a heavy hitter (which is fine, I LOVE heavy hitters). The combo of patch and jasmine is a recipe for longevity indeed, and this is still going strong 5 1/2 hours after I put it on. Not sure I’d call this a work scent, so thank goodness I have a forgiving work environment. Nice, though.

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    • rivercitylizzy says:
      7 October 2014 at 8:31 pm

      Oooh, heavy-duty patch + jasmine? YES, PLEASE.

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  34. PriscillaE says:
    7 October 2014 at 1:31 pm

    SOTD is Balenciaga Florabotanica. I love the topnotes in this by the drydown is very soapy. As for testing I live in a very small town without any place to test fragrances – nothing but Wallyworld or drugstores. However in very rare instances when I am in a store that has the facility for testing I test on paper first, usually because that is the way the SAs start out. If I like it well enough I’ll test on skin. However this requires preplanning because I have to go out of town to hit a department store, perfume discount store, etc. If I know that I am specifically going to test I deliberately go without scent for that day.

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  35. AnnieA says:
    7 October 2014 at 1:53 pm

    Wearing CdG Carnation with my long-sleeved, bright red shirt I just took out of storage.

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  36. Parley says:
    7 October 2014 at 2:10 pm

    I’m in Sacrebleu, my no-brainer for drizzly chilly days like this! It’s very comforting and goes well with my oversized cardigans and gigantic pashmina shawls.

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    • austenfan says:
      7 October 2014 at 2:15 pm

      Scent twin today!

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  37. rebeccat94 says:
    7 October 2014 at 2:12 pm

    SOTD is Coco Noir. I have been favoring this one recently. I usually spray on paper, and if my interest is peaked, I go to skin.

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  38. sweetgrass says:
    7 October 2014 at 2:29 pm

    I’m wearing Frapin Speakeasy today. I have a decant from a previous swap that I hadn’t given much attention. I really like it, but it was actually my second choice. I really wanted to wear Volutes, but I couldn’t find my decant this morning, which was annoying. Maybe that just means I need to buy a bottle.. :P I do have gift cards I’ve been trying to decide how to spend…

    As for testing, it depends where I am. If I’m in a store, I sometimes sniff the bottle first to see if I’m even interested. If it passes that test, then I’ll spray on a blotter – or a stray piece of paper in my purse if there aren’t blotters. Then if I like it on the blotter and I have skin space available, I’ll try it on skin.

    If I’m testing samples at home, I usually go straight to skin. If it’s a dab vial, I’ll open it and sniff the cap first. Sometimes if it’s a spray vial I’ll spray on a piece of paper first just to make sure I don’t hate it.

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    • Deva says:
      7 October 2014 at 3:44 pm

      I have Volutes EdT- is Speakeasy similar? I have been wanting to sample it but will save me time and money if its a close cousin to Volutes.

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      • sweetgrass says:
        7 October 2014 at 8:20 pm

        I’ve only smelled Volutes in EDP, so I can’t speak exactly to the EDT, but the two do have considerable differences. I found my Volutes decant so now I can smell them side by side.

        Speakeasy has a more masculine cologne thing going on in the top with lime and geranium– I think there’s supposed to be mint as well, but I don’t smell it– and tobacco and leather peek through, taking over as the top fades, along with immortelle. The geranium also lends a slight soapiness. Speakeasy doesn’t have the iris, honey, dried fruit or saffron that Volutes has. My comparison is based in the EDP, and I’ve read that the iris is less prominent in the EDT.

        I hope that’s helpful.

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  39. Filomena says:
    7 October 2014 at 2:43 pm

    SOTD is Estee’ Lauder’s Modern Muse…it works well for the office.
    I am trying to wear something different each day as so many of my fragrances get neglected.

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  40. catmom says:
    7 October 2014 at 2:51 pm

    SOTD is Ineke’s Field Notes in Paris. And I’m starting to suspect I have an allergy to something in it (oh, please let it just be fall allergies, I love it so!) Does anyone else persist in wearing something even if it’s making your eyes water?

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    • Robin says:
      7 October 2014 at 3:13 pm

      Most common perfume reactions are either skin rashes, or respiratory (a few perfumes make my throat close up). I don’t think I’ve ever had a perfume make my eyes water…hope someone else will chime in if they have! Certainly I’d set it aside until the tree pollens calm down so you can be sure.

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      • Deva says:
        7 October 2014 at 3:48 pm

        “make my throat close up” =0

        That makes the nurse in me want to run for the epinephrine! Yikes!

        Have you noticed a common ingredient in the perfumes that cause this reaction?

        It may behoove you to nail it down and then scrupulously avoid it. Reactions can become more and more severe with subsequent exposures…

        Just sayin….

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        • stinker_kit says:
          7 October 2014 at 4:31 pm

          I have noticed with certain fragrances that my lips get numb and my ears turn red and get hot. I wonder if when I am smelling fragrances on myself that I am actually getting some perfume on my lips, where it does not belong! This reaction never lasts long and is not unduly distressing…..scent of the day is Bvlgari Omnia.

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          • catmom says:
            7 October 2014 at 8:06 pm

            Oh, thank goodness that it’s just some sniffling and eyes watering, have never had a fragrance make my throat close up yet! *knocks on wood* I’ve had the irritated skin in the past, too; I just dab it on my clothing instead.

          • perthgirl says:
            7 October 2014 at 9:05 pm

            That happens to me!! Especially the ears thing! I thought it was just a weird coincidence but maybe it IS the perfume..

            Leather perfumes often make me wheeze too, which Ventolin doesn’t help.

    • rivercitylizzy says:
      7 October 2014 at 8:41 pm

      I understand your hope that the allergies are from the environment and not Field Notes–I love that one as well and would be heartbroken if something in it was triggering an allergy! Got my fingers crossed for you <3

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  41. mals86 says:
    7 October 2014 at 2:54 pm

    Mariella Burani today. Finding it a lovely comfort to wander about in a cloud of aldehydes, citrus and benzoin… I’ve been wearing the heck out of this one recently and am going to miss it once it’s gone. It’s discontinued enough that stocks are disappearing, sigh.

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    • farouche says:
      7 October 2014 at 5:24 pm

      Sooo beautiful. I have a bottle with only a third remaining, but I know that I should go ahead and use it rather than lose it!

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  42. sterling925 says:
    7 October 2014 at 3:04 pm

    Today I am wearing Osmanthe Yunnan. I haven’t worn it in ages and forgot how perfect it is. My coworker said, “our office smells like fresh-cut flowers! Is that your perfume? It doesn’t smell like perfume! It smells wonderful!” I was surprised she could smell it but will take it as a nice compliment. :)

    I think this will go on my Christmas wish-list…

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    • yukiej says:
      7 October 2014 at 9:59 pm

      You smell great! Osmanthe Yunnan is so light that sometimes I forget how far you can smell the lovely sillage. Sometimes I forget I am wearing it and then I surprise myself by that wonderful smell…where is it coming from oh it is me :)

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  43. SheriG says:
    7 October 2014 at 4:37 pm

    SOTD is Tom Ford Violet Blonde. I love it for crisp, sunny fall days like today.

    With testing, I try to stick to paper if I haven’t researched a scent. When I test samples I’ve ordered from somewhere (after reading everything I can find about it), I go straight to skin … but usually forearm skin first because it’s a little less sensitive to new chemicals.

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  44. missionista says:
    7 October 2014 at 4:37 pm

    Like many of you, I prefer to test on skin.

    SOTD was an inadvertent layering–I used an Eu The Vert scented body lotion in the morning, and that stuff is TENACIOUS! I sprayed with AC Bois Blonds, and that worked pretty well on top of the The Vert, but it disappeared quickly

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  45. Absolute Scentualist says:
    7 October 2014 at 4:56 pm

    SOTD is Guerlain AA Mandarine-Basilic, which wears more like an edp than an edt on me today. I put it on around 7:30 this morning and it’s still going strong. So glad I picked up a bottle.

    For first impressions I like to test on a test strip. If it smells promising after that, I’ll devote an elbow or back of an arm.

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  46. juicejones says:
    7 October 2014 at 5:34 pm

    First time trying out the newest incarnation of Sortilege. Very different from the original. The initial aldehyde blast is spot on for a retro feel but fairly soon it goes from floral to a vanilla bomb on me. I don’t recall vanilla as one of the notes mentioned.
    Big and sweet for most of the day but now, in hour eight, I just smell like an old sugar cookie.

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    • morgana says:
      7 October 2014 at 9:44 pm

      Sortilege is not going on my to-try list …

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  47. floragal says:
    7 October 2014 at 7:09 pm

    Today I enjoyed Bottega Veneta as my scent.
    Tonight, I’m trying out a sample of Voile d’Ambre by Yves Rocher which I’m really enjoying. Cozy amber/vanille/insence fume.

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  48. perthgirl says:
    7 October 2014 at 9:13 pm

    Ninfeo Mio today. The weather if finally beginning to warm up so it’s nice to start rotating the selection. I usually wear this in the heat of summer though and as much as I love it I think it’s better suited to hot days.

    Depends. If I’m just curious it goes on paper. If I like the smell from the nozzle or from a scent strip it goes on skin, unless there’s no skin available or it’s not the right weather..
    At home- straight on skin

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  49. lizanuing says:
    7 October 2014 at 9:23 pm

    A few sprays of YSL Paris eau de parfum today. There isn’t much left in the bottle. My mother used to wear it and it was always on my wish list though I could only bring myself to buy it for my own use a couple of years after her passing. I inherited my love of perfumes from her and I always thought my father buying them for her was an incredibly romantic thing to do. YSL Paris is the last of her perfumes that I had left to buy for myself, as she stopped wearing perfumes in her 50’s. This makes me a little sad though I suppose I could always go through her perfumes again, starting with Estée Lauder Beautiful

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  50. yukiej says:
    7 October 2014 at 10:01 pm

    Always on skin, though I had never thought to try toilet paper as a number of people have mentioned above :)

    SOTD is Olympic Orchids Ballet Rouges, which I am falling hard for. I didn’t even realized I needed another rose perfume, but it is so gorgeous and almost maybe might be wearing me instead of the other way around but I don’t really care because I just want to keep smelling it.

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