Friday is finally here! (And don't forget our splitmeet is still open.) Our community project for today is Still Ticking Friday: wear the perfume in your collection that has been on the market longest (so the perfume with the earliest launch year, that is still in production — not necessarily your oldest bottle).
What fragrance did you pick? As always, do chime in with your scent of the day even if you’re not participating in the community project.
I am sure I will not the the only one going back to 1889 with Guerlain Jicky. I am wearing a tiny drop of the vintage Extrait.
Reminder: on 10/7 we're doing "At the movies" — name a favorite movie, and wear a perfume that fits the movie or a character in the movie
And for those of you who like to plan ahead, see Scent of the day ~ Friday community projects 2016, where I'll try to always have the next five or six weeks mapped out in advance.
Note: top image is detail from Still Life - Vase With Fourteen Sunflowers, Vincent Van Gogh, 1888 or 1889, public domain.
Fougère Royale (Houbigant). A stretch, I know. TGIF! 🙂
1882!
I am in Shalimar today. Is that older then No5? Not sure-but I felt like Shalimar nonetheless.
Just came back from a wonderful family get together upstate. Got some great gifts from the land of the wooden shoes-a nice green tea/and another herbal tea and my toddler got a Miffy stuffed animal and some stickers. I am literally stuffing myself with these flat waffles with syrup in the middle and these ginger chocolate cookies.
Has anyone ever tried Courrèges Blanc de Courrèges? Thoughts?
Shalimar and No. 5 are both 1921, so you’re good either way.
Sorry to be such a pedant but Shalimar was actually launched in 1925 😉
So..I should of wore No5..
Oh well..Shalimar is more fitting for this gray day
You smell absolutely wonderful! And thankfully choice of perfume is free.
We really ought to write a newspaper article about the story of Shalimar 😉
Not pedantic at all. Fragrantica does list the launch date as 1925, but Wikipedia says that it was created in 1921 and re-released in 1925, so I don’t even know what the correct date is.
NST has 1925 and the Guerlain site lists 1925 as well.
Monsieur Guerlain (the website, not any particular member of the Guerlain family) says it was “finished” in 1921 but its “first public showing was scheduled to coincide with Paris’ large-scale Exposition des Arts Décoratifs in 1925”, so I guess that date makes sense.
We really ought to write a newspaper article about the story of Shalimar 😉
I posted this in the wrong place first time around.
Forgot to acknowledge that my perfume is from a generous NSTer who didn’t get much use out of her Shalimar perfume. Its in a not so nice looking bottle.. but the juice is good..
Is it the ribbed one that is sort of diamond-shaped? I love the bottles they’re currently using, though it can be hard to tell one from another.
no its a refill “bottle” for a bottle
Oh, got it. Like most houses, Guerlain did have some years of ugly bottles (though no one beats Caron in that respect.)
That sounds lovely! Nice to get away outside the city.
You smell great.
Stroopwafels, yummy! 🙂
YES! They are so yummy!
I’ll have a bunch of scent twins too, guaranteed!
Wearing Shalimar, and smelling as fabulous as millions of other perfume lovers since 1925. Love this stuff! 🙂
HAPPY FRIDAY!! Bring on the weekend!!
Will not be surprised if Shalimar is the most-worn today.
My favorite community project was Shalimar day. I loved the idea it wafting from cities all over the world 🙂 We should do it annually (imho.)
You definitely do smell fabulous!
Hey twin, don’t we smell faaabulous!
My beloved NSTers – I have missed you so much.
I am frankly kind of ragged right now – doing the work of three people at my job (two of my colleagues have departed and I’m picking up the slack), and looking for the exit, as the place appears to want to both punish competence by dumping extra work on the effective employees (me) and try to rebrand me as the administrative assistant that I am not. I am worn out, exhausted and have barely been wearing perfume lately. But my birthday is on Sunday, and damnit, I’ve decided to indulge and not let distraction and busy-ness steal a chance at some joy. I’m wearing Songe d’une Bois d’Ete, and loving it today.
I owe dear Providence Pepper her samples, especially because she was SO generous to me, and keep finding new things to put in her package. I WILL GET THIS OUT NEXT WEEK – I promise I promise. I am so sorry it’s delayed.
In preparation for the birthday weekend, today after work I am taking a friend and several of her buddies on a sniffing adventure at Barney’s, which should be fun, and I’m hosting friends at my apartment (!) on Sunday. I texted the roommate (who has purchased an apartment and is set to move in November) and asked if I might have the apartment for a few hours on that day, and he said yes, making me extremely happy.
I have missed you all so much, and am going to really try to make the time to visit more regularly.
I really hope everyone is well – healthy, happy and well-fragranced!
What did I miss?
Happy Birthday!
Enjoy. ::D
Thanks Bear! I hope you’re very well!
Thanks ihadanidea.
At least there is light at the end of the tunnel with your roommate.
Take care of yourself, your physical being will nourish your psyche.
Now say hello to Mr. Jim Beam for me this weekend.
Carpe Diem.
Haha – I will be saying hello to mimosas actually, but same difference! Thanks so much for the support.
It’s good to see you back. Your dedication to your work mirrors your patience with your roommate.
Have a wonderful birthday in advance and have a great time at Barneys!
Aww – thank you Wendysue!
I work in a non-profit in development, so it’s easy to be dedicated – taking care of others in any way is pretty motivational. But there does come a time when it’s too much and something’s gotta give. I may have reached that point, and like I said, I’m looking for the exit.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! Been wondering where you’ve been off to! 🙂
Good for you for reclaiming your joy! Life becomes much more bearable when we claim a bit of time and fun for ourselves! ROCK ON!
Thanks for the encouragement Jada!
Happy Birthday. Have lots of fun!
Thanks Perfumelover!
I hope you have a great birthday on Sunday and Songe d’un Bois d’Eté is a stunner.
Thanks Austenfan!! I tend to agree *huffs wrist*
Have a fantastic birthday weekend, and sure hope work gets better OR you find better work — good luck!
Thank you!! Better work seems to be on the horizon, and I’ll keep you all informed. 🙂
Happy Birthday, delightful to see you again, and how thoughtful to check in from the midst of the craziness. The non-profit sector can be brutal on its hardest workers…
I hope you have an amazing birthday weekend! You certainly deserve one. Take care of yourself, and enjoy your time with your awesome friends.
Thanks so much Sistine!
Dreadful dreadful. Here are some energizing hugs. Have a wonderful, relaxing birthday weekend!
Thanks so much Koyel! I plan on it. I’m so excited to host my first (sort-of) party in my home and feed my guests dim sum and Italian pastries (not homemade of course – I live in a primarily Chinese/Italian area, and am excited to treat everyone to the tastes of the neighborhood).
Goodness, you do sound so busy. I hope things ease up for you a bit. I also hope you have a lovely birthday! We are one week apart! (mine was last Sunday)
Enjoy your bday to the fullest!
Happy happy (belated) birthday Jenkr! How was your day??
It was a relaxing weekend of hiking and eating. The in-laws took me out Saturday night and so instead of going out again for Sunday I asked my husband to make me a recipe. We both love Indian so I found a good korma recipe for him to make and it was absolutely wonderful.
I hope your gathering on Sunday goes off well. Dim sum and Italian pastries sound amazing! Get lots of rest and have a wonderful weekend! You deserve some “me” time and I totally agree with what Wendysue said about your patience applying to your apt situation and work. You really are a kind and patient person. I hope everything you do gets rewarded.
Happy Birthday ihadanidea! I hope your birthday celebration is fun and relaxing.
Thank you dear! (Your kitty face icon has contributed to my sense of well-being as well, so thank you. 🙂 )
Hugs!
Thanks babe! And I haven’t forgotten your Casmir!
We have missed your posts.
Have a wonderful weekend and happy birthday!
Aww, thanks Princess of Power!
Happy Birthday weekend! So sorry about your work situation. Hoping the fun weekend activities offers you some needed relief. And Songes is wonderful. I’ve been enjoying my new decant, myself.
Thank you!
Isn’t it gooooood?
Happy birthday! I hope things get brighter for you very soon 🙂
Thank you! Sweet messages like all of these certainly help. 🙂
Wishing you a wonderful birthday weekend and that–one way or another–things get better at work.
Thanks Liza!
Happy birthday, and enjoy your trip to Barney’s! I know all about being run ragged at work and being too tired to scent yourself – take some time to relax and enjoy your weekend with friends.
Thanks so much Jirish! I will apply myself to doing just that.
I hope you have a happy smelly birthday! And good luck on the job front – knowing when to leave a job is a very important life skill. Best of wishes to you!!! (And fyi, I tend not to wear fragrances when I am really stressed out b/c then forever I’ll associate a fragrance I may have really liked to that stress. And I might not ever enjoy wearing it again.)
Thank you and thank you!
I totally get what you mean about when you choose not to wear fragrances. For me, mostly I just haven’t been wearing scent because I haven’t had the presence of mind to put it on in the mornings, but the past couple days I have returned to this one because it’s finally cool enough, and it’s made me feel that much better about life.
Hey there!
1) I am feeling you on the work front!
2) I finally closed and moved into my home, and it’s better than I could have imagined!I also now have a housemate who is very sweet and happily settled in. I am so deeply privileged to be living in my home.
3) I bought Black Jade to celebrate.
4) I know you will have a swell birthday and dim sum and cannolis sounds PERFECT.
1) Solidarity!
2) Congratulations!! Enjoy every happy, nesting moment!
3) More congratulations!!
4) Thank you! I’m excited.
Ihadanidea! You have been missed!
Sorry to hear work has been so difficult, that can really suck the life out of you. I do hope a solution is not far off.
Hope you have a very happy birthday, with much laughter and good smelling things. Hugs..
I love your new icon – lovely!
Thanks so much for all the good wishes!
Happy birthday Sunday! Hope you have a good one.
And I hope your work situation is only temporary.
Thanks so much, sweet Sweetgrass!
Happy Birthday! Weathering multiple difficult situations in life is draining; your strength is admirable. Nice to see you back. 🙂
Thank you Siciliana! The kind words mean a lot.
Happy Birthday (early)! Hang in there with everything else!
Thank you dear!
Happy early birthday! 🙂
Thanks Mariann!
Happy Birthday. have a wonderful weekend celebrating you!
Thanks Laila!
Hello my dear, I’ve been missing you’re contributions and have been wondering about u this week, and hoping everything ok with u. Good to ‘see u’!
So sorry about work, pilling on the pressure, so unfair.
Happy Birthday, it really sounds like you’ve had a tough year, what with difficult/selfish flat mate, and now tough time at work, I would say u deserve a bottle of something truly gorgeous!
Have u been dating recently?, if so I hope it’s going well.
That’s so sweet, Mayfly – thank you!
I have not been dating recently – I kind of gave it up about a year ago, but am giving it a try again now. We’ll see where it goes. I don’t have the greatest of luck on that score, but I’m trying to be open to various possibilities. I’ll keep you updated. 🙂
Happy birthday! Sounds like a great birthday weekend is planned. Sorry about the job woes, I hope something much better falls in your lap!
Thanks Cazaubon!
So glad to see you! I was wondering if you were okay and what was happening with the roommate. At least that is finally worked out. Have a very happy birthday! Let us know what the indulgence is!
You’re too sweet – thank you!!
Happy Birthday, and very sorry to hear about the problems at work.
Thanks Gaynor!
Happy Birthday and have a fabulous weekend! I love visiting Barney’s when in NYC. The guys at the Malle counter are great. Have fun!
Thanks Laura! They seemed to really enjoy themselves, especially in the Serge niche, where they could smell so much that was completely unlike what they’d smelled before, but Malle played a big role too.
Happy birthday – what doesn’t kill us makes us stronger!
Indeed – thanks Koenigsberg!
Happy Birthday!
Thanks Lillyjo!
OH thank God you are back! I was so tempted to email you but held back because I know you have a good reason for staying away. I hope you had fun at Barneys and happy birthday and a wonderful get-together on Sunday.
Aww – Thanks so much Haju! Also – cute puppy! Is he yours?
Mitsouko parfum circa 1988, matches the cold, grey, autumnal sky.
There is indeed a time for everything.
🙂
Yes there is!
MeeToo! And First time EVER and it is beautiful. Feeling so elegant.
You smell marvelous!
I am wearing Vintage – a small decant from TPC!! Amazzzing! Hubby likes it too!!
You can’t go wrong, if hubby and you agree.
Enjoy !
Scent twins on Mitsouko which is perfect for our fall rainy weather today!
Yes.
This weather. Dreary.
But dreary has its time.
Enjoy !
I bet you smell goooood in your ’80s Mitsy!
As far as I can tell, Mitsouko, launched in 1919, is the oldest scent in my collection. In three years we’ll be celebrating its centennial!
According to the production code as translated at Raiders of the Lost Scent, my bottle of EDT was produced in November of 2005, and I’ve tried a few of the EDP and parfum versions over the years but this is still my favourite version — bright and sharp, sunshiny citrus and peach on top but always with that looming storm cloud of oakmoss to keep it from being too cheerful. It’s not concerned with being pretty: it’s too busy being dramatic.
Ah, I wonder what fantastic anniversary bottle Guerlain will come up with? They’ll be hard pressed to improve on the wonderful Japanese porcelain one they did this year.
That was stunning, wasn’t it? So creative.
If I were designing a centennial bottle for Mitsouko I would make an exact replica of the original, but massive, five or six inches high, with a tiny cavity for a quarter ounce of extrait (and an ounce of refill in a plain bottle). I know, not original (it’s been done, most theatrically in the Baccarat Larmes Sacrées de Thebes bottle), but I think it would look great and really tie into the history of the scent and the brand.
Ditto to you both.
I was looking at that bottle earlier this week.
Ah, that would be lovely.
Your description is wonderful!
Agreed.
I have a bottle of Mitsouko edp from about 2005 and it is really perfectly rendered. I have some extrait, but it is softer and has more of what is like a carnation spice smell. The edp is perfect.
I’m wearing modern Mitsouko EDP from a vial given to me in a swap…I’m guessing it’s at least a couple years old. It’s much gentler than I remember. Might be related to my expanded senses since getting into perfumes, or my slightly deadened smell from allergies this morning?
I’m in Mitsouko in edp from a bottle circa… er…..2009, I think. Not the best, from what I’ve been told, but it works.
Apres l’Ondee. So lovely.
Have a great weekend!
You smell perfect.
Beautiful.
Twinsies! So beautiful, but so fleeting. I’m trying to give it a boost with Kusmi Violet tea, but I’m losing the battle. Sigh.
SOTD is the fabulous number one fragrance in my perfume collection: Chanel No. 5 extrait. Not enough words to describe the beauty of this rose, jasmine, iris, ylang-ylang masterpiece. A dream, an extreme emotion every time I wear it. I think no other fragrance would ever take the place that No.5 has in my heart and my collection. A toast for it!
Cheers to No 5!! It was a toss up for me between Mitsouko and No 5, and I chose Mitsouko if only because of the weather, it’s slightly earlier birthday, and the fact that I wear No 5 at least once every week and only Mitsouko a few times a year. I love the vintage No 5 extrait for sheer perfection. You smell divine!
You also smell amazing! I adore Mitsouko too.
No. 5 is just gorgeous.
So nice to have a perfume yhat mives you so much. It’s made me think about what I have in my collection that does that for me (not quite sure yet).
Cheers! I have a similar reaction and the extrait is breathtaking. I’ve worn the spray cologne a couple of times this week, which I also adore. The extrait is so intimate, I think it might make me feel a bit exposed worn in public. I use it at bedtime.
I’m proudly wearing my oldest fragrance. Created in 1853, Eau de Cologne Impériale is still gorgeous, although I doubt that it smells exactly as Pierre-François Pascal Guerlain created it. It doesn’t matter, I still enjoy it.
I’ve had a tiring week, so I plan to do a lot of resting during my weekend.
Nice! I wear Imperiale during the summer and use it also as a linen spray. I love the spicy lime.
It seems the most bracing of the Guerlain Eaux.
I’ve gone with Guerlain Vetiver which dates back to 1957 I believe.
Yum.
I am also wearing the one and only Mitsouko, in the edt version. Continuing thanks to Doc Sinister who gifted me with this bottle.
Exact twins! I love the brazen EDT much more than the smooth, polished parfum and EDP.
Jicky is probably the oldest in my collection. I have have the edt and edp, but wearing neither today. (The edp is my favorite of the two.)
SOTD is a mashup: Ginger Honey body wash and sugar scrub (Caldrea), finished with a generous spritz of Jo Malone’s Nutmeg & Ginger Cologne.
You smell like a warm and wonderful hug. Perfect.
Finally a twin!
Much as I would have liked making a dent in my huge estate-sale find of vintage Joy edt, decided on Liu because it was released one year earlier, in 1929. While I doubt my decant is very vintage, it’s lovely!
I love Liu!
I do too. So sophisticated!
SOTD: 4711 Original Eau de Cologne.
Been on the market since 1799!
Wow! I have some of this, so I guess it will be my choice as well! Thanks for saving me the trouble of doing the research 🙂
You’re welcome! The more the merrier! 😀
Oldest and still the best for waking up in the morning!
The shower gel refreshing too!
I need to get a new bottle of 4711. I have one of those jumbo 20 ounce-rs and it’s just about empty. Very good stuff!!
Ah, you might win!
Thanks for the reminder – I didn’t think I had anything too old, but I’ll splash some on now!
Guerlain Eau de Cologne Imperiale (1853). when it wears off I am going to put on Apres l’Ondee. (I wasn’t feeling Jicky this morning).
I am drinking a cup of MF Polo Club mate–I keep hoping to hit on a mate I like. this is the closest one yet.
Scent twins again!
I’ve only tried Mate once, didn’t like it, and never tried it again.
Scent twins with Robin! Although I’m wearing the modern EDT of Jicky. I wouldn’t have chosen it today if it wasn’t for the project because there’s a pep rally at school today and I would normally wear something more frivolous. However, Jicky’s been around a long time, and I can’t imagine this is the first pep rally it’s ever wafted across.
My heart skips a little beat and says “yes!” to those wearing Jicky today. I like Shalimar, but Jicky is more appealing to my nose.
Hey twin! My son is playing a pep rally just about now, I think. Rain took out the homecoming parade last night and may take out the homecoming game tonight, but they will do a pep rally anyway.
Bummer.
Another twin here!
Emeraude today! Released in 1921 and predating the Empress Shalimar (whom I admire but don’t love). I’m wearing some 1970s parfum de toilette.
Oh, I forgot about Emeraude! So lovely! I have some of the vintage pdt, and it smells so good.
I’m in Cuir de Russie (1924), although Apres L’Ondee, No 22 and of course 4711 – and maybe a couple of others I own – are in fact older. But I haven’t worn CdR for a while and was missing it. God, I really do love this one.
You smell great, and I have to say that of those you listed, you picked my favorite.
I thought you might go for Cuir de Russie. You smell positively fabulous 🙂
I really wanted to wear the oldest thing I had, but have since realised that 4711 is even older.
Mind you, I’ve since added some PdN New York.
You smell awesome, of course.
It is an amazing scent. It will be cold enough this weekend in NE Canada to wear this.
I wore CdR yesterday after a spring/summer hiatus and enjoyed it immensely. You smell wonderful!
CDR is wonderful. I have total smell-envy browsing through this thread – all the things I could have worn! Digging my Cuir out later.
You smell exquisite!
Bowing out of the challenge today. I’m still working on getting through my samples and when I do I have a plan for my FBs as well.
So today I’m in a modern chypre, the lovely Opus I by Amouage. When I first sprayed it on I thought: uh oh, maybe today wasn’t the day, but now… YES it’s definitely exactly what I needed today.
Sounds perfect!
I’m doing a sample day today too. Winner so far: Safran Troublant, a nice, woody pudding.
Well I’m not wearing something old and classic (if I were I would choose my vintage bottle of Habit Rouge EDT). I’m wearing Patchouli Intense from Nicolaï Parfumeur Créateur that I just bought yesterday!
Ah, the thrill of a brand-new bottle – hard to resist, isn’t it. 🙂
I chose Tabac Blond, and boy do I smell wonderful. My decant is the EDT formulation and I have no idea what vintage, but I think it’s been quite a while since Caron made it in EDT. I’m on my third decant now and believe there is no more to be had (at least, not at STC), so when this is gone I will be very sad.
Enjoy it while you can, you smell great!
Guerlain Champs-Élysées, 1904. It’s probably nothing like the original.
Yeah, the 1996 Champs-Elysées wasn’t a relaunch or even a reformulation but the reuse of an old name for a really modern fruity-floral (melon, blackcurrant, peony, almond, things that weren’t in use in 1904). But your version has a lot of fans!
I am wearing Jicky (pdt, current version) to which I owe an apology, because I still love you, Jicky! You’re beautiful!
It helps that the high is 63 (17 C) today, with clouds and rain.
I put on a couple spritzes of Eau du Cologne Imperial on my arm too, knowing it wouldnt last.
Oh, and I forgot – my husband is inadverentky participating by wearing Old spice original. He diesnt actually know about the project, but that one’s his oldest by decades.
Old Spice is really great.
My husband uses Old Spice deodorant, and he always smells good to me.
Hey twin! (really, quadruplet I think)
Quintuplet?! Go, Team Jicky! And your husband smells great in Old Spice, too.
I chose Shalimar Parfum today from a vintage bottle. Although it isn’t my oldest fragrance launched, that would be Apres l’Ondee, I just wanted a warm scent today.
I bet you smell great!
I’ve only worn the EDT and EDP, so I’m imagining how wonderful you smell… ????
Started the day in original 4711 (1792) from a bottle that dates to sometime in the early eighties, topped off with a spritz of Florida Water (1808), and finally added a dab of SMN Ambra (1828) from a sample. I only remembered about the Ambra because of my invaluable spreadsheet and I can’t imagine that I would have played along today if I had needed to use my brain.
I’m glad that my three oldest scents are all fleeting because I’m considering stopping by the new Nordstrom to see if they are handing out samples. Today’s the grand opening and I would expect them to be more generous than usual, besides which I am curious to see if they went all out with their fragrance department to compete with the Neiman’s in the same complex. I would rather wait until the crowds die a smidge but they’re offering triple points through Sunday and what if I need to buy something? We’ll see if I actually make it or wait until Tuesday afternoon when it should be calmer.
wow..new Nordies! Where is this..
North Austin. I’m really hoping that they have a better fragrance dept. than other places in central TX. Now maybe I won’t have to drive all the way to San Antonio. Admittedly, there is another Nordstrom in Austin but I don’t really care for the mall it’s in and getting there is more of a hassle than stopping into SA when I’m down that way, which is fairly frequently.
I’m willing to drive quite a long way to avoid Austin traffic/roads/parking.
Where or where did they build this Nordies?? I’m originally from Austin and my family is still there. But hadn’t heard they built a new one!
How much fun! Good luck getting samples.
The Nordstrom I usually shop at has containers of empty atomizers every few feet throughout the fragrance & cosmetics departments. I very much appreciate this policy, encouraging decanting. Don’t all the Nordstrom stores do this?
The Nordstrom I usually go to has the sample bottles out but they are often hidden behind the boxes on the shelves and you have to ask for the atomizers. They are usually “out” of the atomizers unless you buy something. I know I’ve seen people fill sample after sample, back when they had the little vials readily available, so it does seem like a reasonable precaution to me.
I ended up scrapping my Nordies plan today. Forgot ACL Fest and lots of fall festivals start this weekend and even the traffic out where I live is just incredible. People seem to be extra crazy today so triple points aren’t worth it.
Lame. I’ve never seen anyone else making decants when I’ve been there, but I have had SAs happily offer to make them up for me from multiple bottles. That said, I’m in Seattle, the city that built Nordstrom (on their promise of incomparable customer service) so maybe things are different here.
Giving out free samples is the best way to ensure future sales, so even if people (like me) fill multiple vials, the cost is surely a fraction of the cash it brings back in.
My closest Nordstrom (Old Orchard mall in Skokie, IL) quit providing the empty atomizers a few years ago. The SA told me it was because people were simply pocketing the empties, but it irritates me that other branches still offer them. SAs are supposed to cheerfully provide requested samples, but haven’t had great luck with that.
That story sounds highly unlikely to me, not to mention that they probably cost less than a penny per vial.
I’ve never seen empty atomizers out at my local Nordstrom, but the SAs will make samples of anything. (Well, if there are testers. Half the Parfums de Marly testers were empty when I was there last week.)
Well played on today’s challenge! Hope you had good luck at Nordstrom.
Fighting a transitional Autumn cold since Tuesday.
I guess people might laugh but the perfume with earliest launch date that I have is Prada Amber Pour Homme. I like my perfume contemporary 😉
That was one of my first FB early perfumista purchases(the “intense” version). I should revisit that one.
Hope you feel better soon!
Hi Lucasai, thank u for you’re kind offer of Sonoma scent studio samples, what can I send u in return?- what are you’re favourite notes/accords? My email is; rosiemay79@gmail.com
Thanks!
Hi Mayfly. If you have a fragrance wardrobe done on fragrantica or parfumo.net maybe let me know your nick and I’ll have a look. Or you can mail me via Chemist in the Bottle
Hope you fight off that cold soon!
My hubby wore this back in the day. So so good!
My oldest one is Guerlain L’Heure Bleue . I am wearing more current extrait which is absolutely beautiful..
Almost your scent twin!
I’m wearing L’Heure Bleue EDT today.
Fragrance goes all the way back to 1912, according to fragrantica.
Scent twin!
You smell great. Such a lovely scent.
I am on a mini-vacation and brought some Guerlain decants for the adventure.
I will wear Mayotte this morning and try Shalimar Ode a la Vanille Sur la Route du Mexique later on for the first time! I am excited to try this one with all the good press it gets.
Happy Friday!
Wearing Chanel 22 today.
Ever since the weather turned to fall, I have been drenched in Chanels.
Scent twin! I decided on wearing the oldest scent I own in full bottle form. I only have decants/samples of Jicky, Mitsouko, Shalimar, No. 5, etc.
Love No 22 and fall/winter is my favorite time to wear it. I tried it on a warm day this summer and swore I’d never make that mistake again. But maybe that’s just me – I tend to prefer florals in cold weather.
This was always just a different Chanel Aldehyde monster ( which I love) to me, until about 3 weeks ago. That day, I smelled the flowers for the 1st time.!! It was as if the skies had opened up and the angels were singing.
Very pretty! No. 5 is too cold for me (or I am too unsophisticated for it), but No. 22 is lovely.
Forgot this week’s challenge and put on K de Krizia. I’m not usually into florals, but it’s raining & blowing outside and I needed a quick lift.
K de Krizia will do that. Great choice.
It’s working! ????
Oooh, nice. Perfect for stormy weather IMO.
I’m glad I went with it. ????
One of my all time favourites.
It’s a forever sort of classic.
Happy Friday and end of month!
1) Reports, reports and closing of the books- plus a clean lab audit! Yay! However…
2) I am feeling I Had An Idea above.
3) I Hah, as a new kid on the (perfume) block the oldest made perfume in my collection is Coromandel, so there it is. Perfect for a chilly morning with hot homemade coffee and avocado toast.
You smell fantastic!
Wearing my last precious drop of vintage Fidji today. Haven’t smelled the current version for fear of severe disappointment.
An ongoing drainage project behind my house keeps knocking out my Verizon services, so I’m quite behind on everything/everyone, but I’ve missed you all. (It’s probably a good thing I missed the split meet last week, too!)
Be well, everyone!
You smell wonderful! I love vintage Fidji.
ooh, my holy grail.
Emeraude (parfum?), release date 1921, from a very vintage micromini. This is smokier and deeper than the vintage cologne I have. Too bad the current version isn’t this good
LURVE vinty Emeraude. So wonderfully smooth.
TGIF.
Robin, you smell great, twin! My Still Ticking fragrance for today is Jicky (EDT) (1889). It’s just so freakin’ good. Kudos to anyone with an even older scent!
Have a good weekend!
Hey twin! We’ve been beat by 4711 but we smell great anyway.
Yep, while smelling this good, I can live with getting beat. ????
Walked out of the house at 4 this morning wearing Opus 1. When I get home, I am scrubbing it off and wearing L’here Bleue.
Hey twin!
Enjoy L’heure Bleue later!
L’Heure Bleue is a gorgeous perfume for evening.
I have to try Opus I. You’ll smell fav in HB!
Chypre Mousse launched in 1914 but then went away and came back right? So does that count? If so, then perhaps my most venerable full bottle.
I didn’t even think of that one! You smell fantastic!
That is such a unique scent. You smell great.
I adore Chypre Mousse, you smell great!
This is the only scent in that entire line that wears well on me, and it is amazing
Yay, you! I LOVE Chypre Mousse. You smell great!
L’Heure Bleue edp 1912 is what I chose since it is the oldest in my collection, though I was sorely tempted by Habanita L’Esprit which is a flanker of an oldie-but-goodie, and a well-done one IMHO. Both are powdery sweet and perfect for the cool, rainy day today.
Definitely a great choice for your weather–enjoy!
After checking to see which of Mitsouko, Tabac Blond, and Narcisse Noir was the oldest, I ended up in Narcisse Noir.
Ooh, Narcisse is amazing!
Finally! I’ve been in training sessions all week, so I couldn’t get here. My SOTD is perfect for today’s cool fall weather: Guerlain Mitsouko extrait.
The oldest fragrances I have that are still, technically, in production even if changed or modern version, are 4711 (1792!!!). Guerlain Eau de Cologne Imperiale (1860!!!), Mitsouko, No 5, Bois des Iles, Shalimar, Vol de Nuit, and Je Reviens (Worth). This is a really fun challenge. I like the old stuff!! I actually have a bottle of No 5 that is likely from the early 1920s based on the shape of the stopper. It’s pretty turned over, but the base still smells good.
You smell great. I like the old stuff, too!!!
I’m in Lancome Climat (1967). Don’t know if it’s the oldest one in my collection; but hell, still in production and it’s a win for all of us lovers of retro-aldehyde-florals. Although I haven’t tested what Climat smells like these days. Maybe next time I’m stranded in an airport.
I do have some old Caron Tabac Blond somewhere, which is probably even older than this one. Although still in production, I think it’s an entirely different thing now.
Climat – at least in the La Collection format – is just lovely. I don’t wear it often, but when I do, it’s just right.
Glad to hear it’s not gone downhill. I’m lucky enough to have a vintage bottle – with the blue string! Privately, I’m convinced Climat was the inspiration for Amouage Gold.
I have one of the Les Collections Climat and it is very pretty. I’ve never smelled the vintage stuff. Very green and lovely.
I’ll have to try this one. Sounds right up my alley.
I’m in L’Heure Bleue parfum today from a bottle I bought back in the ’80’s that I dole out drop by drop so it will last.
I was mailing splitmeet packages yesterday and noticed that the Post Office is selling stamps commemorating the repeal of the Stamp Act. That struck me as funny.
I smelled the current parfum for the first time recently, and I thought it was gorgeous. I can imagine the vintage has to be a stunner.
I have both current and vintage, and although vintage smells a little richer and “deeper” (I think it’s the musk) the current parfum IS lovely.
It is funny, though the stamp act was unrelated to postage 😉 (it was a form of taxation imposed by the Brits on the colonies.)
Wow! I’m impressed that you have bottles you bought in the 80s! I don’t have anything I’ve saved for that long – perfume or otherwise. I have a ring I bought around 1991 (that I still wear all the time) which I’m amazed I haven’t lost through all the moves and purges 😉
SOTD is Pierre Guillaume Collection Croisière “Foudre”, last in the series of manly florals. I wore this for tea week only a short while ago, using my sample from the PGCC/Huitième Art discovery pack, and here it is again in the Blooms subscription pack. But – I like it, and that’s enough reason to repeat. It doesn’t last, so I won’t be buying it.
Oh, and as for perfume seniority, this is an Epic Fail – it’s from 2015. :^)
I’m on an incredibly tight deadline for a something I am writing, and my computer is doing a Hal number, rebooting for the last 45 minutes, and ignoring my pleas to let me get on with it. I want to throw something at it. I’m on my iPad while I wait, chilling (not really) with NST. I planned on wearing Mitsouko in honor of the challenge, but My hand grabbed Bombay Bling, and it seemed like a better idea just then. I got this bottle a few months ago, and just haven’t been into it. Today, voila, it works. More than I can say for my still “updating” computer.
I love Bombay Bling and so think you smell amazing. I how the computer woes end soon!
I ran into this at 1 am, paying bills.
Bombay Bling sounds amazing, I bet u smell incredibly gorgeous!
My computer updated for most of yesterday morning and wants to restart again now…
Computers slow down and crash in an inverse ratio to how urgently you need them to function…
So true!
Grrrr. Can’t tell you how many times in the last few weeks I’ve wanted to chuck both of my laptops out the window. Glad BB is working for you.
Bombay Bling is both gorgeous and Fun, so perfect to counteract a stressful day. I should have used a few drops this week.
I probably have something old, but no time to dig it out and I’m still really enjoying Angel Muse, so that’s my scent today!
Interesting to read about the history on some of these scents.
Happy Friday!
I have GOT to have Angel Muse. I’m going to put it on my Christmas wishlist. ….and if I don’t get it, I’m buying in January! 🙂
I’m so tempted to get the 30ml bottle of AM, so yummy, u smell good!
30ml is perfect! Didn’t realize they had it that size.
Yes, I was very excited to see they do 30ml too!
Chanel is releasing No 5 L’eau in a 35 ml, so maybe the big perfume houses are finally responding to the market re: sizes…
That’s the size I have 😉
Raiding my husband’s fragrances for the challenge today. Wearing Aqua di Parma Colonia, which fragrantica has coming out in 1916, so older than his Knize Ten, which came out in the 20s. But don’t expect this to last very long on me, so will be switching later to something else. I’m trying to use up my spray samples before they evaporate on me.
Like Ihadanidea, I am exhausted from work. Took yesterday and Sunday off to have a 4 day weekend, and spent yesterday doing blessedly nothing! Just walked the dog and napped with the dog. Tomorrow is my 28th anniversary, and I’m looking forward to dinner out with my husband. We’ve been on a search to find the best fried chicken in Chicago, and are going to try a fancy-pants version of it. I’ve found an extra 5 pounds on my body during this search, so I’m going to have to end it after this restaurant.
But what a fun pursuit!
Happy Anniversary!, enjoy you’re chicken hunt, sounds good!
Happy Anniversary!
A worthy pursuit! Oddly enough the same thing happened last time I visited my sister and pursued a goal of eating as many French pastries as was humanly possible in the 10 days I was there 🙂
I might also add that IMHO it’s not just the fried chicken that matters but the sides offered with it, which is what makes Roscoe’s in LA the best chicken place ever. (I skip the waffles and order mine with smothered potatoes and collard greens.)
Happy Anniversary!
Sounds right up my alley(we did burgers and pizza a while back)!Happy Anniversary and enjoy the chicken????
Happy Anniversary–and enjoy that fried chicken!
Happy anniversary!
Back when I lived there (more than 20 years ago), it was Harold’s.
Some vintage L’Heure Bleue parfum from an almost-empty bottle. Even more almost-empty because I knocked it over one day and half of what was left spilled onto my shelf. I was sad but of all my vintage ones, I think LHB smells the best in current formulation. When I run out I’ll be itching for some EdT!
I’d sell a kidney for vintage L’Heure Bleue! I have a small bottle, and always have to remind myself that perfume is for wearing and not for hoarding.
That was one lucky, fantastic-smelling shelf! ????
My actual oldest is L’Heure Bleue, but since my little bottle has suffered quite a bit of evaporation, I’m wearing my 2nd oldest, Mitsouko, instead.
Twins! You smell fantastic!
Awkward, almost twins.
It’s ok, we both smell good. 🙂
I’m wearing a bit of Coty La Rose Jacqueminot – 1906!
Oh, I’m not familiar but am intrigued by this one and must look it up!
I’m not sure how old my version is but it’s very nice!
How is it?
I’ve never heard of this one! I love learning about new scents here….Keeps it fun and interesting! 🙂
I have a bit of that, but I know mine is of the 80s rerelease. Lovely rose chypre, though.
Team Jicky! I smell like bergamot, I smell like Colette. For some reason, Jicky always strikes me as a “Don’t @&*€ with me” perfume, and after dealing with a lot of horse caca at work this week, it’s exactly what I need. 🙂
Have we ever done a Don’t Mess With Me fragrance project? It would be a public service, I think.
Yes we need to do this!
+1
I’m in!
I agree!
Woot, Team Jicky is making the world smell awesome today! I think Jicky is simultaneously laid back…so it’s like a “Hey, I’m cool, but don’t test me!” scent. ????
Right!
Apres l’Ondee for me today., as the oldest that is in my collection.
In other news, had gunning sniffing around town yesterday with some perfume pals. Tried Galop and was not wowed. Smelled the Louis Vuittons and was completely underwhelmed. The JM Rare Teas were downright nasty to my nose. Two things really rang my bell of the hundreds sniffed; Bel Ami Vetiver and Bois d’Argent.
*Geez, had fun not gunning!
Lol!
The ways of autocorrect are very mysterious.
I assumed American women shot at their empty perfume bottles the way guys shoot at their empty beer cans. And maybe not even empty. I’ve certainly tried some samples this year that should have been shot, along with their creators.
Love Bois d’Argent. Though I bought it in July, it has settled in as a winter scent for me, due to the powderiness, I guess.
Did you smell anything great after I left? I agree with every single one of your assessments! Turns out we might have similar noses, if not similar skins (oh yeah, do you still smell like a honeydew 😉 )
We broke for wine pretty soon after you had to go. My nose was pretty used up by then! Thankfully the honeydew disappeared quickly :p
I don’t seem to have anything really old, so went with Parfum Sacre today and will follow up with Eau de Merveilles.
Parfum Sacre is perfect this time of year
yes!
Today I’m wearing Murray and Lanman Florida Water, which Wikipedia tells me dates back to 1808.
I wear it once or twice a year, in tribute to my best friend who passed away 10 years ago. He adored good ol’ Florida Water, and I am flooded with happy memories every time I open the bottle.
Thats such a nice tribute. I had never heard of Florida Water until NST. How does it compare to Eau de Cologne….it is more orange and spicy?
Yes. It smells very much like a pomander: oranges, cloves, and perhaps a bit of lavender.
Scent twins! Although I rarely wear this cologne, I also have a sentimental attachment to it. My maternal grandparents, who were farmers along the gulf coast of Florida and would be 128 years old if they were still alive, typically used Florida Water to refresh after a hard, hot day out in the fields. When I asked my grandmother about the cologne many, many years ago, she mentioned that her mother and grandmother also used it for the same purpose. So my best guess is that this cologne has been “still kicking” in my family since about 1860, if not longer.
Wow. What a great story. Does the fragrance actually have roots in Florida?
A lovely tribute!
Although I have 4711, as has been mentioned above, and Borsari Violetta di Parma (formula is said to date to 1870 although Borsari’s scent debuted in 1970), this cool, rainy fall day is not the day for either of these. But Coty L’Origan (1905-1906), with its sunny, spicy orange certainly is and that’s my choice for SOTD. I love ‘spice’ in the fall and L’Origan has been a favorite for many years.
L’Origan is really lovely. A lady I go to church with wears it exclusively, and she smells wonderful.
Last day of my honeymoon and we’re presently stranded at the condo due to a dead car battery, which gives me some time to check in on how lovely everyone smells today!
I’m also on the Shalimar train (because it was in my purse and I didn’t think to pack for today’s project), which is an unexpected juxtaposition with a sunny day at the beach. Gonna be hard to go back to real life tomorrow, but I’m definitely looking forward to seeing our kitties again.
Hope you guys had a great week. I wouldn’t mind being stranded in Shalimar at the beach today, but hope your battery is up and charged soon.
Having kitties waiting at home always make coming back from vacation less awful. I miss mine when we go away.
I am in Nanban today (thanks to Pixel for showing me how beautiful it is). I have to sit today’s project out – work is crazy and no brain cells left to try and think what is the oldest frag Ihave
Nan an sounds amazing, it’s somewhere near the top of my ‘autumn sniff list’.
I watched a movie called Me Before You last night, and the main character stops into the L’Artisan boutique in Paris and buys a bottle of Chasse Aux Papillons, so I was inspired to dig out my bottle today. Not really a fall scent, but then again, Southern California hasn’t gotten the memo that it IS fall! (90s again today…whew!)
I thought the film was done really well, loved the novel, and jojo moyes in general, I loved that bit!, don’t remember it in the book tho. I blind bought Chasse shortly after watching it, and I really adore it, u smell lovely.
I was so pleased to read that in the book! Sadly, I didn’t like the book, and thus have not sought out the movie, but I got really happy at the mention of Chasse 🙂
I loved the movie too , so many nice scenes and love the mention of the perfume. I will watch it again.
I was pleased to see on the news today that 2 Van Gogh paintings that were stolen from the Amsterdam museum have been recovered in Naples, Italy.
That’s wonderful! (Though it makes Naples look pretty bad.)
It’s all over the news here in Holland. The paintings are still in very good condition apparently.
One of the amusing bits coming out was that apparently the policemen who discovered them were stunned to find them. They were hunting for a mafia boss, but didn’t expect to find great art in the process.
I love a good heist, particularly an art heist 🙂 Good to hear they weren’t marred in the process, though surely the thieves had some interest in taking care they weren’t damaged.
The thieves being notorious Camorra gangsters and the paintings having originally been paid for by Dutch tax-payer’s money, I must admit being rather more excited about their being found again, after 14 years.
14 years! Wow.
I’ve been sympathizing with the southern CA folks weather-wise. Still in the 80s here.
My Tweed dates back to 1933, but given the weather I went with SMN Acqua di Rose, 1381 (though the label says the house was founded in 1612). Is rose water cheating? Too generic? Come to think of it, I’d love to know how rose water production has changed over the years. Someday: still working on my Italian.
Well, because I have both L’ Heure Bleu and Mitsouko and wasn’t sure which was older, I checked the Guerlain history. Whoa, I was totally surprised to find Apres L’Ondee was older than both of those (1906). So that must be the oldest one I own (I dislike Jicky). Though I only have the modern version of Apres L’Ondee. (I have a L’Heure Bleu from the 80s, though, and amazingly a friend found me a bottle of Mitsouko from the 60s.)
I almost wore my (dwindling) decant of Apres l’Ondee, but the weather didn’t seem to suit. It’s gorgeous, though.
I’m wearing vintage shalimar edp, topped up with vintage edt this afternoon, and topped that off with Bluebird Tea’s Earlgrey Creme, which tastes just like shalimar smells, if that makes any sense!
Other perfume news- I smelt Dzing! for the first time yesterday, I absolutely love it!- so weird and gorgeous.
In Guerlain Eau de Cologne Imperiale from 1860. Might top it off with Jicky (1889), though as Imperiale just lights up the room and then leaves, as colognes are wont to do.
Weather stunning today–heat and humidity finally dropped and the sun is bright. Headed out for some gardening.
Have a great weekend, all!
Running on about 2 hours sleep. Had a very early morning that was lovely, then a bit later morning that was more of a challenge and included some discouragement. Oh well…
Debated Shalimar vs Mitsouko. I’m wearing the latter, but it is from an EdP I got back in about 2010 I think. It seems a bit thin to me. I need to wear this more often, to get a better sense of it.
Hoping you’ll have a better day tomorrow, LizzieB!
I find very early mornings discouraging in themselves, so a lovely one sounds truly amazing. I hope tomorrow morning is lovely for you again.
Jean Marie Farina from Roget Gallet (1806) from a beautiful old bottle i picked up in an op shop (charity shop).
I love Jean-Marie Farina. My first trip to Paris with my husband we stayed in a little hotel that had it as their guest toiletries (now called Extra Vieille). Every time I smell it I think back to that trip and taking hot baths after long days of walking through Paris.
I heart Jean-Marie Farina. You smell fabulous.
Shocked that I am the only one so far in Nuit de Noel (1922). I thought about Sous le Vent, but then realized it is not as old as NdN and is also no longer in production.
You smell great. I love Nuit de Noel.
I had totally different fragrant plans for today but read Lovestosmellgood’s post about Shalimar bottles, which got me looking at mine, which ended up with my being drenched in Ode a la Vanille… Mexique.
Back in my apartment as of Tuesday night but still have not pulled out Fall perfumes. Perhaps I’ll do that today. After I unpack the 18 boxes (not exaggerating) of kitchen items. WTH. This moving back into my own apartment business needs to result in further winnowing of our belongings, and weeding out more clutter.
Yes! to weeding out clutter. I find that empty space can be more precious than all the stuff. And makes room for more important things. (wink, perfume, wink)
I’m all for empty space, hate clutter, and love throwing things out (usually to our local thrift store.) Except perfume, of course, which I can always make more room for 😉
Joining a few others in Apres L’Ondee this morning. I realised I hadn’t worn it for ages. I’m delightfully fragranced for the Saturday morning housework, and am inspired by coments above to go with Narcisse Noir in the afternoon.
Hope you enjoy it as much as I did! (I was surprised that I was the only one wearing that 1911 release). Today, I switched to one of the relative newcomers on my list: Mitsouko.
SOTD was originally going to be Apres L’Ondee, but I just wasn’t feeling it. Maybe because it is still raining where I live. So I went with a sample of Jicky EdT instead. 🙂
Wearing not the oldest in my collection,but a vintage nonetheless,K de Krizia.She’s definitely a cousin to No.5.
Do you get an incense vibe from it, or is that just me?
I’m wearing Jicky as well, however, it is not the vintage perfume, just the EDP. I couldn’t decide between Jicky, Chanel No. 5 or Shalimar.
The earliest launched, still in production in my collection is that classic, Mitsouko. My bottle is from the mid90s. I don’t wear it often, but it still smell wonderful.
Attention Coromandel lovers, I just added a bottle of the edt onto the splitmeet! My resolve crumpled and I bought one of the last bottles I could find. It’s the massive 200ml. ???? But I’m happy I did. And now I will share the love and hope that Donatella forgives me….????
Sotd is Fan de Fendi. Traveling so can’t participate in project. But if at home I would have worn Mitsouko!
I think if you bought a bottle to split, you won’t get the stink-eye from D.
I’ve been wearing Russian Tea by Masque Milano. It’s a really lovely perfume.
My goodness! Over 300 comments already. I am late to the party as usual.
SOTD = Caron N’Aimez Que Moi (1916) and MFK Grand Soir (2016)
How I managed to find perfumes launched a century apart must have been a twist of fate! My Caron is the very modern. version which I got 2 years ago. If you are so inclined, you can read about how I obtained it in Undina’s blog. RIP Caron Boutique NYC.
https://undina.com/2015/04/26/perfume-shopping-caron-boutique-new-york/
As for MFK Grand Soir, I bave been waiting impatiently for my decant. I managed to snag an unofficial sample at BG.
Both share a powdery balsamic amber base, with N’Aimez Que Moi leaning floral and Grand Soir incensy.
PSA for the Splitmeet. When I get home tonight, I will post a split for Hermes nomads (not Hermessence).
Apparently, there is a Caron boutique of sorts in NYC, by appointment only:
http://www.cafleurebon.com/fragrance-review-caron-paris-acaciosa-ernest-daltroff-1927-floral-divine-leave-a-comment-win-urn-fragrance-sample-draw/
Yeah, I know about the by appointment only boutique but just the idea of by appointment only annoys me. It is more convenient for me aand I have not managed to get there, because BY APPOINTMENT ONLY! So to me, it is still RIP but to those in NYC or visiting, yes, definitely make the appointment. Thanks for the link Laurels.
SotD = Chanel No. 5 EdP spritzed over a dab of parfum, favorite combination. Eau Premiere + parfum is nice too. No. 5 parfum solo = amazing.
I found a perfume counter tester of No. 5 EdT yesterday to compare. My mum has an old No. 5 EdC I’ll sniff tomorrow. I’ll be on the hunt for a tester of No. 5 L’eau next week, hoping most department stores will have it out by then.
It’s all No. 5, all the time around here. As my little horde of decants and samples disappears, I must stop dithering and make a commitment. What to do?
Happy Friday, NST, w00t w00t!
W00t indeed! WWHD? Buy whatever your heart desires. It sounds like parfum may be the way to go! I’m probably going to stop by Macys – it’s their Scent Event, I have $20 in Macys money and I am in the Thanks for Sharing program and I am sure I will exceed the $250 breakeven point before yearend. Oh goodness I just realized I am more than halfway there!
I’m approaching a significant milestone with the number five in it, so No. 5 feels fortuitous and appropriate.
The heart wants what it wants. Thanks for the nudge. 🙂
Oh, nice. I love all the iterations of No 5 (not so crazy about Eau Premiere but anxiously awaiting a decant of L’eau in the mail.) Not to enable you even further, but I have the parfum, edt, edp, and spray cologne, each purchased on ebay for +/- $25. I personally feel I can rest assured No 5 will always be plentiful and inexpensive because so many women have gotten it as a gift over the decades but never use it/are willing to sell it.
The vintage EdC I’ve got whomps the current edt & edp in terms of longevity and pizzazz! Will have to try your Eau Premiere & parfum layering tip.
I was planning to cheat a bit and wear Amouage Homage Attar. Of course, Amouage itself is not a venerable brand, but the Arabian rose-oud combination must date back centuries. Instead, I ended up in vetiver essential oil, which is certainly ancient.
I suppose my actual oldest must be Guerlain Jicky (1889), but I’m rarely in the mood for it, I might have been tempted to wear Coty L’Origan (1905), instead.
Wearing Dana Tabu (1932). My bottle is not from 1932, but is from the early 1990s. Back in the day, I wore it all year round, but today I’m glad the temperature stayed below 90. I got a sharp blast of alcohol upon first spraying, and for the first half-hour or so, it smelled a bit…stale. After that, it smoothed out a bit, and began smelling strongly of root beer (benzoin?), which I did not remember it doing 20 years ago. Now it has settled down, and I’m getting the warm spices and powdery amber I remember.
I had forgotten I still had a little Tabu left, and started doing an inventory of my small collection, which is not quite as small as I’d thought. I decided that for the purposes of today’s project, I wouldn’t count samples and decants as part of my collection. I have 32 full (or once full) bottles of at least 1oz (and a 5ml bottle of perfume oil, which I’m counting as a FB), 33 minis, and 16 rollerballs, solids, or travel sprays. My guess as to the oldest was the original (but sadly, not truly vintage) Opium, which dates to 1977. Even excluding Tabu, I was wrong. I have a rollerball of Penhaligon’s Orange Blossom, from 1976, according to Fragrantica.