It's the fifth day of Christmas and the fourth day of Kwanzaa, and it's our last Friday community project for the year: wear one of your favorite fragrance releases of 2017.
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'm in the fragrance that produced the biggest smile for me this year, Arielle Shoshana Eau de Parfum.
Reminder: on 1/5, we're doing Color My World...wear a perfume with a color in its name. If you don't have one, tell us what color you think matches your perfume. Suggested by Pyramus.
And for those of you who like to plan ahead, see Scent of the day ~ Friday community projects 2018, where I'll try to always have the next five or six weeks mapped out in advance.
Note: top image is Passiflora caerulea x racemosa cv. racemosa (1826). [cropped] by Swallowtail Garden Seeds at flickr; public domain.
In the morning I sprayed Carner Barcelona Sweet William. It’s a spicy floral – mostly carnation and ylang ylang on me. There is also a weird note which reminds me of paper. Overall, I like Sweet William – it’s a bright and pretty carnation scent. I just wish this scent were deeper and more sensual (and lasted a little longer).
However, later I happened to be next to a big perfume shop with a good selection of designer and niche fragrances. So I tested another 2017 release – Laboratorio Olfattivo Vanhera. It’s a lovely, smooth woody vanilla scent. In addition to vanilla, wood and spices I also get a soft leather (even though it’s not listed). While it’s not a ground-breaking and original (actually, I have a feeling I smelled something similar before), Vanhera is a very cosy woody gourmand for winter.
Oh, and today I finally tried Galop d’Hermes – yay, they had a tester bottle this time! I admit this is not my kind of leather, but it’s a distinctive scent and I think it’s very Hermes.
You smell great, Sweet Wiliam is among my favorite perfumes of 2017
Enjoyed your Chemist in the Bottle yearly review. Sweet William is on my list of future must-sniff fragrances.
I also enjoyed your list. I’m really wanting to try the PdE and Parfumerie Moderne ones.
SOTD Arielle Shoshana perfume, I smell fruity and beautiful on this bitter cold day!
Just finished reading Grain de Musc best of 17, and I want to re-visit Lui by Guerlain amoungst the others on her list
I enjoyed her list! And now want to try Le Galion L’Ame Perdue and PdE Le Cri de la Lumiere as well as the Guerlain Lui (which Kafka liked, too).
I loved your list too, just read it!
(link is in twitter feed but here it is again if anyone needs it:)
http://themuseinwoodenshoes.com/sorta-kinda-best-of-2017-in-fragrance-maybe-not-really/
Thank you for the link to mals’ best of 2017. Feedly stopped keeping me up to date on The Muse in Wooden Shoes.
I enjoyed reading your list mals. I’m thinking of trying Le Galion too.
Great list Mals!
I enjoyed your 2017 list. (WordPress won’t let me comment over there for some reason. Probably my clunky old laptop has a cookie problem.)
I’m with you on the screechy jasminoid in certain scents, ugh, do not understand it. I am now lemming after Petrichor, thank you for giving me one that will be easy to satisfy. 😉
Hey twin!
Hey Twin, we smell good don’t we!
Yes we do!
Scent twins or triplets?! I’ve only got a sample vial currently but a bottle will be mine in 2018. It’s cheerful, yes, and also intelligent.
Hey Suzy Q we smell good don’t we? Happy New Year!
I loved Arielle’s fragrance as well. I’m crazy about passionfruit notes in perfume, and to have one that makes it the star of the fragrance was just terrific to me. Definitely one of my favorite releases of 2017!
Another nod to Arielle Shoshana perfume. It is innocent and a little naughty, intellectual but eminently wearable.
Wishing everyone a happy and safe weekend.
I’m wearing Jacques Fath Rosso Epicureo today as it’s one of 20 fragrances from my list of favorite 2017 perfumes.
It’s a combination of rose I love and tuberose that I hate, blended so that overally I love the fragrance.
Now I wonder if my idea for community project that I sent to Robin months ago will be included in 2018 schedule 😉
Then you better remind me!
I sent you an email
I’m in this year’s rereleased Iris Ganache.
A mule kindly brought me back the 20 ml spray from Paris but I should have sprang for the full bottle. It sold out in a few weeks…hopefully they will make it available again in 2018.
I have a PB from prior to discontinuation. Do you note any changes in the new releases??
It is more modern and less cloying to my nose compared to my old decant but it is true to the spirit of the original. I think it is very well done.
Iris Ganache is too good. Shame I only got to wear it few times (as long as my sample lasted) before it became impossible for me to get
What is this one like? How is the Iris? Powdery? Sharp?
As fas as I remember it was very creamy and buttery. Like melting white chocolate.
Yes, powdery and smooth.
I’m so curious about IG. As you said, maybe they’ll release it again next year.
Well, no surprise here: Ummagumma. It’s just so dang wearable!
Happy Friday????
OK – I really do need to get a sample of this one.
I’m gonna order a sample today……Deva has convinced me! 🙂
I have two samples up for grabs – one completely full, one with 4 spritzes missing. If you would like one or both, shoot me an e-mail at payne underscore cm at yahoo door com.
Wearing Bruno Fazzolari Ummagumma. The best perfume release that I tried this year and was worthy of a full bottle. The other two that brought smiles and happiness to me this year were Arielle Shoshana Eau de Parfume and L’Artisan Un Air de Bretagne, both also ended up in full bottle purchases.
Have a wonderful Friday everyone! ????
I knew we would be Ummagumma twins eventually! ^5 Twin ????
Hi twin! We smell gorgeously gorgeous! ????????.
SOTD – I have plumbers knocking out pipes that froze during my recent bout without power, so I went with a beautiful soothing scent – Dame Perfume New Musk Oil
Ugh. Hope you’re all fixed up by the end of the day.
Oh, dear, I sympathize, having had two recent occasions to employ plumbers, who do NOT come cheap!
So sorry hannahmom!
It turned out to not be nearly as bad as it could have been. Stackpipe commercially unfrozen, kitchen tap replaced and pipe in kitchen repaired.
No bill yet, but it doesn’t seem as if it will be horrid.
My best friend took the morning of her day off to be at the house to let the plumbers in – some people are worth their weight in gold !!!
What an awesome friend! I’m glad the pipe crisis wasn’t as bad as it could have been.
Some guy tried to unfreeze his pipes in Montreal with a blowtorch and cause a huge conflagration. Glad yours wasn’t too bad!
The only new releases in my possession are the Cire Trudon coffret and an Ummagumma sample which I sampled again last night and, turns out, it exceeds my sweetness/gourmand tolerance, so if anyone in the US would like my sample: Pretsky 35 in hot mail land.
SOTD is CT Olim which is among my 3 favorites from the collection, though I like them all. Bruma and Revolution were contenders but Olim has the most heft and won’t get completely smothered by all the layers I’m wearing. I also have a small spritz of Shalimar PDT on my hand for comparison. Both are beautiful.
Ummagumma sample has been rehomed.
Finally, another person for whom this “exceeds my sweetness/gourmand tolerance.” I’ve been feeling very lonely around here.
Ha! Nice to have company????
My samples of BF are on their way. Can’t wait to try Ummagumma. I don’t think I have an upper limit on sweetness, so your problem, I hope, won’t be mine.
I think one of the most interesting things down here in the rabbit hole is all our different tastes, and particularly, how differently we experience the same perfume. I shall report back.
I hope you’ll like it! I actually liked the shadow of its smell after I washed it off (it’s tenacious). The sample was a freebie with my Lampblack order so no love lost and I adore Lampblack.
It wasn’t sweet on me at all, more’s the pity. I was really hoping for that chocolate note but got nada.
Huh. It was all syrupy chocolate liqueur on me, with a bit of varnished wood.
Under a crushing deadline today so I am in Chanel No 19 Poudre to remain calm and serene. I have had a few smiles this year from scents but I don’t think they were made in 2017. The one I am sure was introduced this year is Stora Skuggan Moon Milk. It’s a beautiful oddball.
What’s Moon Milk like?
It’s a LOT of sandalwood with a little light floral note. It’s somehow green, too. It doesn’t smell like a mainstream scent at all. It’s something fairies would concoct in a wooded glen (as if I would even know what that is!). If I were into that sort of thing, I would wear this to some kind of pagan ritual. A modern good witch perfume.
Oooh nice description. I’m interested in trying it.
Ooh, nice description. I’ll have to check it out-her others were also off the beaten path.
I have a sample of Fantome de Maules, which is nice but reminds me of something I can’t quite put my finger on…
OOoh! Sandalwood! Now I’m interested :), thanks!
Good witch perfume, that’s perfect. I had a similar thought while sniffing Le Sillage Blanc yesterday.
You smell fab! I wore that one for part of the festivities during the holidays..
Wearing SSS Rose Volupte and loving every cuddle up and enjoy the hot coffee with dark chocolate moment! Laurie does a fabulous job. And this perfume lasts all day. Trying Bee’s Bliss next.
I tried Bee’s Bliss few days ago but I kind of feel like I can’t fully admire it in Winter. I might need to wait for spring to fully appreciate it
I know what you mean and I was going to wait till spring too. But then I remembered that I liked some of my BWFs in the winter… so I’m trying Bee’s Bliss today, to see what it does in nearly zero degree, very dry air.
Looking forward to your thoughts. This one is in my Top 3 of 2017 to try. I’ve been wanting to pick up a small bottle of Equestrian, anyway, so I might just cave so that I can get a sample of BB 🙂
Haven’t tried that one, but I’ve been meaning to place a SSS order for ages. The problem is, I want a sample of EVERY scent she’s got.
Do I NEED to try Rose Volupté? How is it different from other rose scents?
I can’t do it justice! I’m not great at describing what I’m smelling. Maybe read the reviews on the Sonoma Scent Studio site for Rose Volupte’- scroll to the bottom of the description page. —After I tried it I agreed most with Scent of Abricots and Blacknarcissus blog reviews.
On me the dry down is much more interesting / complex than SL Fille de Berlin. It also lasted on me longer than FdB. Laurie must use a high percentage of oils. The price point is great and it comes in small sizes.
I smell no aldehydes. It doesn’t smell of violets, patchouli or cosmetics to me.
Hope that helps!
Same and same but I’m really going to place an order in January for my bday, I swear!
I actually counted up how many 2017 releases I managed to try this year, and it was 10. Just ten, out of . . . how many? more than 2000?
Might have been higher if I lived in a major urban area with good access to several lines I could sniff free rather than purchasing samples (yeah, sorry, that’s my obligatory small-town whine). Ah well, I have the internet, so there’s that. Apologies for the whine.
Arielle Shoshana was probably my favorite release of the year, but I passed on my unfinished sample to a friend who wanted to try it, and I haven’t bought another yet. (I will. Definitely. Maybe a couple. I don’t really want a 100ml bottle of it, but until the 30ml/15ml/travel size comes out, I’ll make do with samples.)
Papillon Dryad was my other favorite, so I’m using the last of that sample now. It’s quite magical stuff, almost otherworldly, and in a tangential way reminds me a bit of vintage Magie Noire.
I also really liked Dryad but I neglected to ask for a sample when I tried it at Twisted Lily. Clearly, I don’t take advantage of the Big City perks.
Well, if you know you can get back there sometime soon, there’s no mental pressure. 🙂
Too many releases Mals! That’s why I appreciate the perfume blogs. I live in the perfume desert ( about 50 miles to any place that sells basic perfumes.), and I wouldn’t have any kind of an idea what was out there if it wasn’t for you all. Thanks for all the testing you do!
Enjoyed your list. Dryad intrigues me, since I’m another Le Temps d’Une Fête lover. I really do need to order a sample of Ari’s scent one of these days….
I have only smelled a couple of this year’s new releases, but there’s one I really enjoy: Aesop Hwyl. And that’s my SOTD.
Really looking forward to that one — it hasn’t arrived here yet. Good to hear it’s another winner. I love the Aesop fragrances, all three, and Hwyl sounds right up my alley.
Hadn’t heard of that one, but now that I have, I’m going to visit the Aesop shop here and see if they have it. How do you pronounce it?
No vowel- Hwill. The SA said it’s Welsh.
“w” is a vowel in Welsh!
Where there you have it, then! My Welsh is rusty ????
I have quite a few samples ( infused cloth/ tissue ) and it is great in summer. I really like the dry down. Probably a bit more “masculine” than Tacit. I think Mystra from way back is still my favourite
Good morning Y’all…..and hope everyone has a nice New Year’s weekend! I’m planning to stay warm and cozy at home, doing some waaaaaay overdue painting.
I’m also planning to bring Perfume Geek back to my YouTube channel, with a New Year’s video this weekend! One of my resolutions is to make time for my interests and passions every now and then! 🙂
Wearing Chanel Gabrielle today. This was definitely a favorite launch of mine in 2017, although it is definitely not loved by all. I am so grateful and indebted to a fellow NST pal who sent her bottle to me! (Proof that not everyone was blown away by it. LOL)
Looking forward to 2018’s perfume launches, AND discovering older ones that haven’t been sniffed by my nose yet! 🙂
I can’t wait to watch your new video!
Yay, more Perfume Geek!
Yay! I love your channel, great news!
Enjoy!
I liked Mon Guerlain which doesn’t get much love
I like Mon Guerlain too…I got the Scentbird size, which is the perfect amount for when the mood hits!
I didn’t like Gabrielle when I first tried it but I have now worn it more and find it’s really wearable and lovely in the summer. I don’t get the same impression of it that Mals describes in her blog…to me it is similar to YSL In Love Again or even a little like Jour d’Hermes. The dry down is a little uneventful however.
I had a sample that provided 3 wears, and I liked it more each time I wore it. I’d actually really like some more. But amongst perfumistas it sure doesn’t get much love. I’ve read some scathing reviews…
I think that for people like me (who lives in the perfume wastelands) Gabrielle smells better than 90% of anything else (new) I have tried this year (Scandal, Tiffany, better with you, Obsessed etc.) whereas for most perfumistas it smells worse than most things they have tried…because they get to test better perfumes
I’m looking forward to watching Perfume Geek on the big screen, now that I discovered that my cable provider has a You Tube app.
Yay.. i love your videos as well! And I hope your kitties make guest appearances ????.
Yay! I’m so glad!
I’m so behind, I think the only new release I tried this year was Twilly! Which I do Not Like, especially since my sample has contaminated a whole office drawer. So I decided to go with a new-TO-ME-in-2017 fragrance, Equipage. My biggest discovery this year was the pleasure of wearing masculines, so it is a nice way to round out the year. Happy New Year everybody!
I’ve surprised myself by how much I’ve been liking more masculine scents too. Any favorites?
My very favorite is Monsieur Balmain. And I have really been enjoying my Hove Louis Quatorze solid!
Which ones have you been wearing?
I’ve only been able to sample what’s available in my local stores. But I really like Tom Ford Noir, not the extreme, the first one. Also Gucci Pour Homme 2 and Gucci Guilty Absolute.
I am also LOVING masculine scents, and raid my hubby’s side of the vanity from time to time. I bought a bottle of Replica At the Barber’s for him at Christmas, and I love it too!
I was able to try quite a few Designer releases this year. I didn’t care for most of them. My two favorites were Alien eau Sublime, and Wonder Bouquet (I’m nothing, if not predictable) once I see 32 degrees again, I will be wearing the Alien, but today, drained my sample of Wonder Bouquet. Also, thanks to a generous Nster was able to try Superstitious. I am really enjoying it. It’s a little glamorous, and a little crazy, it makes me feel like Joan Crawford lol????.
Ah, forgot I have a sample of that Alien somewhere. I liked it.
Ha! Just saw the Joan Crawford part. That’s perfect for Superstitious ????
Ha! Yeah…. It’s the first thing that came to mind????I really do like it though.
Ha! I love the Joan Crawford reference. I’ll have to summon her next time I wear it 🙂
I didn’t go testing much this year, so missed most new releases. I likely have a few samples, like Velvet Haze, that I haven’t tried yet. The two 2017 scents I wore most were Saint Julep and Twilly. Just too cold to wear the former, so Twilly it is today! I may move later to something more warming.
Hapoy New Year everyone! Here’s hoping it’s filled with wonderful scents and good health.
I really liked Saint Julep, and you’re right, it’s way too cold!
Happy almost end of year to everyone! I’m wearing Camel today, not because I consider it best of 2017 but because I just got it and it is from 2017, and I’ve only got two others on hand. So I don’t have any very well-grounded opinions on this topic. I’m glad to hear others’ recommendations so I know what to look for or get samples of to try. The other morning my very affectionate and needy Persian cat Armani (I didn’t name him, and he was recently re-homed with me–long story) woke me up with a gentle pat–on my eyelid! including a scratch! Ouch and now my eye is puffy. I hope an ER visit is not in this weekend’s holiday itinerary. 🙁 Other than that, I’ll be heading back to Galveston to be with my mom for several days, mostly staying indoors as it’s supposed to be pretty cold here again, and may even dip below freezing–rare for us.
I hope your eye gets better soon. The worst place for a cat scratch!
Thanks for the movie report. I haven’t seen it but You expressed my reservations ( from having seen the trailers and read the gushing reviews).
Oh dear. I’m familiar with the pat on the face, but I’m sorry about the eye! Hope it clears up quickly.
Ouch. Hope it doesn’t get worse and glad your eye was closed!
Ow on the cat scratch! Makes me hurt just thinking about it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I47floRRAFs
You have a quirky sense of humor! ????
BEAR! Lol!
That sounds painful. I hope it heals quickly!
I think I only tried 3 (!) 2017 releases: Gabrielle, Twilly and Bucoliques de Provence. I really disliked Gabrielle, could not make up my mind about Twilly and fell head over heels for Bucoliques. In my mind that’s what I’m wearing today, but in reality I’m not wearing any perfume, although I did use my lovely Sleepy body lotion this morning. So glad they decided to bring that one back this year. And if I take a good sniff, I can still smell it a bit all these hours later.
I must try Bucoliques de Provence. I like many scents from L’Artisan Parfumeur and share your feelings about Gabrielle and Twilly. Perhaps we have similar noses. 😉
Who knows? 🙂 I remember it as a lavender iris with hay. It’s lovely, soft and dreamy.
Gabrielle, on the other hand, made me want to saw off my arm. ????
The only bottle that I bought was You Or Someone Like You. So, that would be one of my favorite releases.
And, very importantly, it is available in 30ml for under $50.
The mint made me smile and brought back memories of clumps of mint growing by a childhood home.
Yes, I bought that little bottle too. I wish more companies gave us that option!
Twin! That was my only 2017 release purchased this year. (And my SOTD.)
The New York Times has an article on the Perfumarie, owner Mindy Yang, and blind perfume shopping:
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/26/style/what-perfume-are-you-wearing.html?_r=0
Interesting! I would love to visit the shop and smell the paper swans.
Fun article! I clicked over to the Parfumerie site to read the list of curated mystery perumes on tap. Two of my favorites, 4711 and Caron Pour un Homme, are there.
Happy Almost New Year, everyone!
My favorite releases this year were: Bruno Fazzolari Unsettled; Chanel Gabrielle; Cire Trudon II; E&J Nirvana Amethyst; Zoologist Elephant. Currently unscented, thanks to having a cold. Boo. Might try some Unsettled later, the sandalwood may be able to drill thru this cold…
Nirvana Amethyst! That is a good one I’d forgotten about.
Hope your cold lets go soon. Take care. 🙂
Hope you feel better soon! I need to try Unsettled, I bought Ummagumma and Feu Secret.
I’m still getting whiffs of Margiela’s Promenade in the Gardens, applied yesterday evening before going out with my husband to meet a friend for dinner – slobby day at home today, hence lack of shower!! – still getting used to Promenade, seems quite strong when first applied, but I do like it. Yesterday morning, prior to my weekly voluntary stint at a local charity shop, I finally (hurrah!) used the last of my beloved Penhaligon’s Bluebell – very handy to be able to take a swift sniff of something so lovely depending on the task at hand at times – you’d be surprised how many people use “donating items” as a clear-out of stuff they can’t be bothered to dispose of properly…! Have to now decide whether to promote Promenade or Privet Bloom to my “work” perfume, or just vary it each week & also use some samples I’ve got stashed, some of which I’ve had for a few years so should probably be used.
All the very best to everyone here for a happy, healthy & peaceful 2018 when it comes.
Bluebell is so pretty. I smelled it for the first time just last week. Promenade and Privet Bloom look like worthy successors. 🙂
So glad you got to try Bluebell & liked it, & thank you for your ‘worthy successors’ comment! I love Privet Bloom, it’s the only other fragrance I’m aware of with a privet note other than my much loved & missed Eau de Camille, but Space NK here in the UK have stopped stocking it, so unsure of sourcing any more – the bottle I currently have was sent by Hampton Sun from New York to friends in Seattle who we were visiting, so I may have to time a further purchase with a further US trip!
Of the very few 2017 releases that I tried, not a one grabbed my attention. Thus, I am wearing a new-to-me in 2017 fragrance: By Kilian Amber Oud. (This is my second sample. Might be a possible split at the next splitmeet…)
Ah, but in reading through these now, I remember that I did very much like Bruno Fazzolari Unsettled as well as Ari’s eponymous passion fruit fragrance, both of which I was able to sample from generous swappers… will have to revisit these.
Happy 2018, all.
By Killian’s last and last and last and last don’t they? Not sure about the one you are wearing?
I am hesitant to test on the skin because if you don’t like it, it will be days before is disappears. I did like Gold Woman, and Beyond Love is still a favorite of mine.
I find this one (the BK) very soft and ethereal. Unlike what you would expect from the notes of amber and oud, for sure – I almost didn’t try the first sample when I saw the name! It’s exactly as Mals says below – not oudy or ambery and so smoooooth.
A pretty one. Neither very ambery nor very oudy to me, but that was okay because I’m not a big fan of either, and the BK is so smooooth, like satin.
I tried very few 2017 releases this year too. Next year I will try to sample more perfumes with oud.
Mmm I love Amber Oud and have very little left in my little decant. I would love to get in on your split if you do it.
I’m glad you’ve enjoyed Unsettled!
SOTD DSH December vdp. From my holiday sample pack. Once again a lovely cozy scent. I think I smell candles and incense and chocolate, and maybe some herb I can’t decipher.
You smell wonderfully Robin! Arielle Shoshanna may be the only 2017 release I have smelled, and I think it is fantastic, and definitely smile producing 🙂
I would like to thank you Robin, and all the NST community for bringing me lots of joy and camaraderie in 2017. My world is a more interesting and better smelling place because of you. December has been so busy, but I wanted to make sure I popped in to say “thanks” before 2017 is over!
Best wishes to all for a happy and healthy New Year!!!
+1 for Ari, Robin, and all of NST!
Thank you both!
SotD = MFK Grand Soir
A few dabs on one wrist from a sample vial. Grand Soir smells glorious over last night’s No. 5 edp.
Enjoying everyone’s choices today while taking notes for future sampling. I hope to make time for more regular excursions to perfume shops and counters next year. It takes me forever to sample new scents. My nose is done for the day after sampling three or four fragrances.
That’s a beautiful photo of passiflora. Ari’s fragrance is my favorite from the summer of 2017.
I forgot that I got a sample of Grand Soir with my Christmas present, looking forward to trying, it’s been on my list since Angela’s wonderful review!
I hope you enjoy Grand Soir. It makes a statement. 🙂
Grand Soir is pure glamour. You smell great.
Thanks, lucasai!
I agree, Grand Soir has presence.
The last time I wore Grand Soir (which I really like) someone at work walked into the room and said:
“P! U! It smells like “man” in here!”
I’m really NOT making that up. I often feel like a stranger in a strange land. ????
bwahahahahah, you should wear MORE Grand Soir next time. I’m pretty sure it is marketed to everyone.
WTH?? People are strange. Grand Soir is totally unisex.
The only perfume released this year that I managed to try was Malles Superstitious, which I thought I would adore, but actually left me rather cold.
Favourite perfume discovery was Papillion Anubis, which will compete with Coromandel as my Autumn/winter FB purchase next year.
I’ve been really enjoying reading the best of lists today, I don’t buy many samples these days, but if I’m in a store, there are many I would love to try.
I have fallen back in love with Tom fords Tobacco Vanille this winter, which a generous SA gave me two samples of.and Kenzo Jungle l’elephant.
Newish Perfumes I’m really hoping to try are: Twilly, Dryad, Bottega Veneta Eau de velours, Grandiflora Queen of the night.
Oldish: Arquiste Nanban and MFK Absolu Pour Le Soir which have been on the to try list for far to long!
Hope everyone has a lovely holiday weekend.
I did not adore Superstitious either, but keep thinking I need to give it another chance.
http://www.harpersbazaar.com.sg/beauty/fragrances/niche-perfume-indie-fragrances/?utm_source=addthis&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=addthis#.WkZkXJvoQCU.facebook
Interesting article on “10 niche fragrance houses that you’ve never heard of”–most of us have heard of them but I hadn’t heard of ALL of them. (Saw this on the Zoologist Facebook page just now.)
Oo La, now that one is new to me. And glad to see Tauer on the list, I’m a new fan.
Thanks for the link! 🙂
Yes, I knew them all except for Oo LA. So happy for Andy!
Thanks for the cool link!
Thanks for the link. That was fun reading!
Went through the entire list for 2017 on fragrantica and don’t think I’ve tried a single one of them. But someone above mentioned Bees Bliss, and I do have a sample of that so will try it once I stop being completely lazy and actually get out of bed and jammies. My company gave us today off and I’m taking FULL advantage, propped up with latte and ipad. Happy Friday, scented friends!
Well, dang – can’t find the BB sample anywhere. Might have left it in a desk drawer at work. So I’m in a sample of Nuit de Noel EDT, which feels more like an EDP and which I like very much.
Hope it was a fun day off!
I am wearing Lanvin Arpege. I know it wasn’t released in 2017, lol, but I just discovered it this past year. I love wearing this one so much. I love my 2017 “new” treasure 🙂
I just bought a vintage mini Arpege Parfum on evilbay. It’s so lovely! You smell fantastic!
I’m wearing Dryad, definitely in my top 5 of 2017. I can’t believe how much oakmoss she used in this! It’s very mossy, woody green right away with galbanum the most prominent and then I pull a lot of narcissus before it settles to mostly oakmoss.
I was too busy to post the last couple days, but I was wearing other 2017 faves Arielle Shoshana and January Scent Project Eiderantler. I highly recommend people try the January Scent Project perfumes. They’re fun and well done. I just placed my order for a sample of Vaporocindro, which Jessica reviewed here. Oh, and I wore Ummagumma on Tuesday. It’s one of my top faves.
I can’t wait to read everyone’s favorites of 2017. I barely scraped the surface out this year’s releases. I’ll post my faves in the best of 2017 post.
Oh dear, I guess I better check out January Scent Project.
Off the top of my head, I would have said I had sampled very few 2017 perfumes, but then I realized I made several trips to Fumerie, where I smelled Nuit de Bakelite, Ummagumma, the new Imaginary Authors one, and a bunch of other things that didn’t make a lasting impression. I liked Twilly, hated Gabrielle and Galop for being wimpy, and came away from the By Kilian counter in Honolulu with a 10ml tester of Woman in Gold. However, today I am wearing FeelOud Bengal Sandal oil because it called repeatedly from the shelf. I think it was released in 2017.
So you found Galop wimpier than Twilly? We had opposite reactions, although I didn’t love either of them.
I’m boring today and totally not participating. I’m back in No. 19. I’m having a hard time tearing myself away from her this week!
You smell sooo good! It’s one of my faves.
I’m not doing the project because I don’t generally buy a fragrance its first year out. I usually wait till the price goes down at the decant houses, or I buy a discovery set. SOTD is Samsara edp.
Samsara! Lovely!
Because the weather has perked up a bit today (high 50s but very windy), I decided it was warm enough to break out my new 10 ml rollerball pen of DSH Habibi, one of my very favorite new releases of 2017. I have only recently succumbed to the charms of orange blossom, and this may be my favorite of the bunch, and the easiest to wear.
Habibi (‘beloved’) is a happy, sunny, orange blossom and honey delight, with light tinges of non-indolic jasmine and tiny (very tiny) whiffs of sandalwood, styrax, and castoreum, which seem to keep the florals from soaring too high. The latter effect makes this an extremely wearable orange blossom, even in the workplace; it stays closer to the skin than most other fragrances with these florals. There is a bit of oud in here, and as one sensitive to that note, I can say that I’m barely able to even detect it, so this is not a typical ‘Middle Eastern’ style perfume. Dawn told me that she was trying to conjure a Middle Eastern garden that was luxurious and carefully tended, with the heat and the sun releasing the sweet fragrances of exotic (to the region) flowering trees and blossoms. It certainly achieves its effect, and is simultaneously narcotic but grounded. It’s a very happy, warm, and beautiful fragrance that brings a smile to my face every time I catch a waft of it here at my desk. Highly worthy of sampling, and in the 10 ml options for edp spray or rollerball, an affordable treat for yourself! PSA and additional enabling: her 20% off sale is still going on until next week….I may need to get myself another 10 ml of this one, because I’m going to use up this one pretty quickly.
That sounds gorgeous!
I don’t order samples so my list is all mainstream and blind buy
Best easy to find and cheap: Lush What would love do? Amelie Mae , and Cardamon Coffee….better in spray than solid.
Best hospital ward and waiting room ( inoffensive but covers smells of everything you encounter in a six-bed male room ) Gabrielle ….I can imagine a whole new advertising feature with Kirsten Stewart as a nurse emptying bed pans
Best better than I expected but too expensive for what it is: Concrete ( coolest bottle / paper weight combo though)
Best laugh in a blind buy: Glamour Yeti
Best disappointment: JM oaks/ nuts/ currants…whatever their real names are
Best haven’t smelled it yet but want to: Grandiflora Boronia
Best have smelled it: Epidor
Best flanker ( not a flanker but it is) Zadig &Voltaire Let it Rock for her ( almost exactly like For Her but its gift pack has a different-coloured cosmetic purse freeby …so different in that regard). Best worst iteration of an original: Obsessed…( must have been ‘opposite day’ when they named it).
Best unisex Hwyl
Kristen Stewart is on my irrational hate list, and so I love your image!
Regarding KS I keep thinking I’m missing something that other people ‘get’…I was really underwhelmed by Personal Shopper. I seem to get lifeless where others get profound.
Perfume-paperweight combo sounds is the product we never knew we needed. 🙂 Although it would have been more useful some decades ago when there was more actual paper.
Great list!
My favorite of 2017 got in just under the wire – a bottle of SSS Bee’s Bliss that I got this month. It’s so pretty! It reminds me of a neighbor who turned her yard into a cottage garden and sold bouquets of what she called “the humbler flowers” from her garden. It’s that lovely combination of cut flowers right out of a sunny garden and a hint of beeswax that makes me love it.
Hey Twin! I couldn’t agree more.
I bought it too, fabulous stuff!
I generally track things down long after they have first been released, so I’m often not sure what’s actually new without a bit of research (well, my research is just checking Fragrantica, so I can’t really dignify that by calling it research). One new perfume that has gone onto my buy list is Dryad, it would be ideal for today, but my sample is long gone.
Meanwhile, I’m finishing breakfast in a dab of Neroli Outrenoir, which Lovestosmellgood mentioned in her comment on the best of 2017. I wasn’t too sure about it on the first few sniffs, but it’s definitely growing on me. I think it’s heading for the ‘definitely consider a FB’ list.
How did it dry down on you?
Off work today, so I don’t have to be back until Tuesday. We are staying put because we got about 12 inches of snow in the last 2 days. Was very thankful to get home last night from work without being rear-ended or side-swiped.
We are going to walk to the pub for lunch. I am going to wear my Frederic Malle Iris hand lotion as a body butter along with SL Iris Silver Mist in honor of all the snow.
Thank goodness you are safe, and you smell glorious.
Second that!
Best of mornings, NST. Like Kanuka, I haven’t really kept up with new releases. It’s too expensive to get samples to A-NZ, even if companies post here, which many don’t. I was amused to see that my five samples of Bruno Fazzolari cost $30, and the postage cost $22. I hope I love Ummagumma as much as I want to.
My best purchases and wears of 2017? Well, boringly, they aren’t new releases, but here goes:
Best heavy gorgeous perfume bought this year—1270. Love it in all its moods, in all weather, for all purposes.
Best light airy perfume—Berdoues Assam of India. Crisp and fresh, and astoundingly long lasting, given how light it is.
Best old favourite(s)—spoilt for choice here. Black Cashmere, for sure. Bel Respiro, all that damp garden glory. La Pausa, all dry elegance. Coromandel, because, you know, patchouli. Ambre Narguile. I like smelling like apple crumble. Jungle L’Elephant. I need to trumpet A Statement every now and again. I think you get the general idea about this category.
Best drop-dead-world, I-don’t-give-a-damn perfume: Cristalle. All situations, all conditions. Works every time.
Best what-am-I-missing here? Arbole Arbole. Angela and Lucasai reviewed it differently but glowingly. I bought it blind, and I find it deeply odd. Really just very strange. No clear picture to give, just that it’s weird on me. Not quite unpleasant, just peculiar.
I could keep going with these categories, but I’m conscious I’m cheating, because most of these are long established scents. New perfumes I want to try? Lots, but I’m trying not to think of them, ‘cos I probably won’t encounter most of them. I’m happy with what I have.
I hope you’ll forgive my interpretation of the best of 2017. Be well, all.
This is a great list! Thank you! And I agree with Cristalle!
That is a good list…Bel Respiro and La Pausa are wonderful.
I like yours too. You’re more adventurous than I am, by quite a measure. I think you have broader taste. I tend to stick with gourmand, citrus/cologne, incense/woods. Mind you, that’s an advance on where I was in 2009. Back then, it was all florals, really girly stuff, and, I dare say, not remotely matched to my personality. Ummm. I’m not at all sure that sweet perfumes say much about who I am either, but never mind. Perhaps they’re aspirational.
Cristalle The Great!
Hello all!
1) Christmas: Spent at Cannon Beach, with lots of hiking, wild crashing waves, crazy winter surfers, and a dusting of snow. The godkids were awesome teens who indulged their crazy and uncool auntie with hiking and tearing themselves away from electronics.
2) SOTD: Epidor by Lubin, which is a slightly sweeter, slightly spicy and more sparkling version of Gabrielle. Gorgeous perfume, and I may see treat myself for a FB next year, depending on finances!
3) Bills, bills, bills- but this year I paid them ALL OFF- yes, even my medical bills! I bought a new UnCalender Planner and have started making plans for the New Year.
Lucky you! Cannon Beach is wonderful in the winter, and snow there is so unusual. Congrats on paying off the bills!
Oh wow,I love Cannon Beach and Epidor! You are rocking it today!
“UnCalendar Planner” sounds great….since I’m the best unPlanned Planner…
Congratulations on being debt free!
Hello fellow scent hounds!! Hope you are all in the middle of a lovely holiday season full of food, fun, and fragrances.
I didn’t smell all that much new this year, but I did love Ineke’s Idyllwild–wore it through out the week and am wearing it today. May have to spring for a full bottle this year.
You smell great. I fell in love with Idyllwild on first sniff.
No scent as I have been sick and cannot smell anything.
Favorite 2017 releases – this was a meh year as far as I am concerned (or I am getting picky). The best release for me was Areej Le Dore Ottoman Empire. Other spots go to January Scent Project – Smolderose and Selperniku – truly impressive esp for someone who is self taught. Slumberhouse Lanz was great and I am happy that Baque is back. Both Feu Secret and Ummagumma (people give me a blank stare when I answer what I am wearing). The new Unum with a long and painful name that I will never be able to remember. La Parfumerie Moderne Belle Reeves and Grandiflora Boronia round up the list
Feel better soon!
I’m very late, so you might not see this clarissa but our lists are quite similar: my Areej Le Dore is Flux de Fleur and the newest Unum, I am wearing today – this was at the top of my list until the package from January Scent Project arrived just before Christmas. I have fallen heavily for Selperniku, and almost have to force myself to wear anything else. Smolderose was the other that I bought, also lovely.
I hope you feel better soon and can get back to enjoying your lovelies.
Yesterday I wore one of my fav 2017 releases: Dryad
Other favourites from this year:
Siberian Musk (by Areej le doré)
Vetiver Blanc (by Sultan pasha, though this could be a late 2016 release..)
Sotd is Black Orchid, gorgeous in cold weather, strong enough to beat hospital smells and also comforting and strengthening.
Condition of my mother is still very worrisome. A liver transplantayion seems to be the only chance to prolong her life. But in Netherlands they dont accept her because of her age. There are options abroad, we are already in contact with a hospital who wants to take her case and start pre-screening procedure.
Such a stressfull situation. But reading your best of 2017 choices is a nice distraction!
(And thanks again for all the kind and sweet messages 🙂
I deeply wish that 2018 brings good health to your mom. Sending hugs to you both!
Thank you!
Hugs back to you. Christmas time is extra hard when you’ve recently lost a loved one, so my thoughts are with you and your family as well.
I am sure your mother appreciates your love and kindness and the deep care for her wellbeing, both physical and emotional. You are a great daughter!
Thank you!
And hey, I ‘learned’ this from the best…my mother of course. 🙂
Other 2017 releases also worth mentioning imho:
MEM by Bogue, Truffe Noir by Sultan Pasha.
2017 releases I still want/need to try:
The new Hiram Green (Slowdive)
The January Scent Project releases
And Ummagumma or whatever its spelled like 🙂 (it gets so much love here, I am so curious)
I wish you, and your mom, all the best. It sounds like a very difficult situation.
Thank you! Yes these are rough times. Weirdest christmas time ever.
Hugs to you and your mom. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Oh geez. What a thing to hear. I wish you and your mom the best in whatever may come of this.
You are in my thoughts and prayers. Your mother is lucky to have you with her, sorting through her medical options. Please remember to take care of yourself, as well. It’s tough being the caregiver! In the meantime, you smell terrific.
Prayers to you!
I hope that your mom receives the best medical care available. Hugs to you!
Sending good wishes and healing prayers for your mom. Big hugs to you!
Hoping she gets what she needs, medically. She is certainly getting lots of love and care from you and your family, which is equally important. Hugs to you, Jiji!
To my surprise, I’ve actually tried quite a few perfumes that were released this year. I’m participating in Tauerville When We Cuddle and I Can Smell your Perfume on My Clothes. To borrow a phrase from lucasai, it is (as the name suggests) a delicious cuddlefluff. (And thanks to NSTer laura for the supply!)
What I tried:
The good: LPRN Black Perfecto, above-mentioned Tauer. I tried and enjoyed Arielle Shoshana, but it had little projection or longevity on my skin; same goes for Hermès Eau des Merveilles Bleue.
Good first impression; needs more exploration: Chanel Gabrielle, Penhaligon’s Savoy Steam, and Clandestine Clara. The last deserves some kind of anti-medal for bearing the worst name in perfume history. “Clandestine Clara” sounds like the eponymous character from an 18th-century morality tale, no? Children be warned! *finger wags*
Not for me: Dame Perfumery Monsoon, MFK Aqua Celestia, Tauer L’Eau and Patch Flash, Masque Mandala. Masque Times Square was fun, but one wearing was enough 😉
A puzzlement: FM Superstitious
Tried in a store and forgot about 10 minutes later: Hermes Twilly
Tried in a store and just about killed me: Atelier Café Tuberosa
Happy Friday!
HA Love these descriptions “Tried in a store and just about killed me”
Haha on the Clandestine Clara! I thought it sounded like a Clue character.
Ha!
Ooof, where did this week go? I was going to get SO MUCH done before the end of the year . . .
I don’t keep up with new releases very assiduously, but I did fall in love with DSH’s Chinchilla this year, so that’s my scent for today. I also tried A*Men Kryptomint, which was so-so, and Civet, which I liked and need to try again.
Happy New Year!
I have a sample of Civet, just a dabber, but haven’t tried it yet. Thanks for the reminder.
I never did try Kryptomint, and I meant to! So glad to hear it was so-so.
I have a small decant and I suspect it will be nicer in hot weather. It’s light and sweet, and the mint note isn’t very prominent. Just not much to it, I’m afraid.
SOTD is Stephen Jones “Stephen Jones” – not a 2017 release and indeed I don’t think I’ve deliberately tried anything from this year.
Notes are – or rather are listed as – violet, cloves, carnation, jasmine, heliotrope, Guaiac tree, clover, vetiver and amber. Actual notes are carnations and soap. Lots of soap. It’s very nice soap, but it won’t do as a perfume for me. :^)
The sun came out today and we had lunch in the open air on the beach. Coming from the West of Ireland, that always feels like a ridiculously improbable thing to be doing in December. :^)
My only 2017 release that I actually purchased a bottle of (although it was a travel spray): ELdO’s You or Someone Like You. I tried it when it was released, wasn’t impressed, passed on my sample, and yet couldn’t stop thinking about it and ended up buying the travel spray at the end of November,
Other 2017 releases that I really liked: Arielle Shoshana, Epidor, L’Eau by Tauer, Concrete by CDG, Bucoliques de Provence, Amsterdam by Gallivant, Feu Secret and Unsettled.
Not participating in the Friday project today. The samples I have of perfumes released in 2017 are too light to go with the blast of winter-y weather that has settled in my area.
SOTD = Alien Essence Absolue. Take that, Old Man Winter!
Another late day.. I participated today wearing Bee’s Bliss. I blind bought a 5ml. It’s so lovely that I need a bottle and I am thrilled with my purchase!
Wearing Papillon’s Dryad, a Christmas gift. Instant love! Green. SO green. Did I mention GREEN? I can’t stop sniffing my wrists! Truly, this could be a longstanding “signature” fragrance for me, though I have many others I love.
Wearing Bottega Veneta Eau de Velours and got a compliment at the post office. 🙂 It’s a winner!
You do smell great! Funny, most of my compliments come from people working behind a counter.
Happy Friday All! One scent that I was pleasantly surprised that I liked was Twilly d’Hermès. A coworker of mine who knows my love for fragrances picked up a sample for me when she was shopping at Nordstroms.
So, my SOTD is Twilly d’Hermès. My only issue with it is that it doesn’t last as long as I would like for it to. Hope everyone has a great weekend and Happy New Year!
In terms of new fragrances, I enjoyed Arielle Shoshana, Eris Mx., and the Cire Trudon coffret (which may have the highest percentage of scents that I like of any coffret I’ve tried).
This was the year I finally broke down and bought Roja Dove Diaghilev, when I found a discounted bottle (and the paper label version, at that). Still more than two normal luxury perfumes, but worth it.
Also had a lot of fun at Chanel this year with Akil and Wendysue, and bought the new EdP versions of Bois des Îles and Sycamore.