Donatella, Our Lady of Fragranced Forgiveness,1 has finished up her collab with Dua Lipa and discharged her immediate duties as co-chair of Elton John AIDS Foundation’s Rocket Fund. She has squeezed in a few moments to hear the confessions of her flock. She'd very much like to know what you bought in the 2nd quarter (April, May and June) of 2023.
Note that if you have javascript disabled, you won't be able to vote in the poll, but you can still record your purchases in the comments.
My purchases...
Donatella, I am sorry. I bought nothing, again.
As always, report your purchases in the comments if you dare! And as always, we don't include samples or gifts, and you can count miniatures, decants and bottle-splits howsoever you like (I usually count them as half bottles). Samples don't generally count at all, even though some of us spend considerable sums obtaining them.
1. Why does Donatella host (against her will, mind you) the damage polls? There is no real reason other than the picture of her perfume collection, which shows that she indulges regularly at the perfume counter. The image, by the way, is originally from Allure magazine and appears here courtesy of Blogdorf Goodman.
I bought 3 bottles of 4711 Acqua Colonia fragrances, and two minis of Guerlain Aqua Allegoria fragrances. I also bought a few decants.
I have been MIA for months but randomly saw the Donatella post on Twitter so decided to pop in to see the results. I voted none, I have bought very little since my “365” year when I wore something different every day and still had many rows on my spreadsheet that didn’t get checked off (to be fair, mostly samples, but still…) having some anxiety over “stuff” as the day (year) when we downsize comes closer, kid in college now. I look forward to enjoying others’ purchases vicariously!!
I understand the anxiety over stuff. Spending this month decluttering and getting rid of unused, extra items while “baby” is away at summer camp. She’ll be a senior this fall and downsizing is on our horizon as well.
Also downsizing here. Getting rid of “stuff” is difficult and time-consuming.
This time around I bought three fragrances (and one ancillary product):
1. Guerlain Habit Rouge Rouge Privé (100 ml) + Habit Rouge shower gel (200 ml)
2. Acqua di Parma Bergamotto di Calabria (75 ml)
3. Terre d’Hermès Eau Très Fraîche (125 ml)
My favourite of the three acquisitions is Eau Très Fraîche and the only one I would probably buy again. I am miffed at myself for not giving it a chance before it was discontinued. It is now not only difficult to find but expensive too. But at least there is Eau Givrée.
Bought a mostly-full bottle of OJ Muscat from a perfume pal, and Reve en cuir by Indult in Etiket in Montreal.
I thought this might be my first “nada” quarter since falling down the rabbit hole, but no — Ganymede and Acqua di Sale joined the collection in May. I did acquire a large decant (really — not a euphemism) of Caleche edt during the past quarter, but that was a gift/swap so it doesn’t count.
One of the fragrances I regret passing up a couple of years ago is Calèche Eau de Toilette. There was a tester bottle going for a song online but I did not get it.
I told the poll that I bought two bottles. I got a bottle of Xerjoff Irisss at the discounters for a great price and then I bought the travel size of Harvest Mouse during the Splitmeet. To round out the quarter, I bought samples of the entire Kerosene line, and they cost more than Harvest Mouse, so I reckoned 1 bottle plus two half-bottles.
I’m kind of amazed at my restraint, but I’ve done very little online perfume browsing lately.
Which retailer did you find the Irisss at? Congratulations on that score!
It was $229 at Jomashop.
Oh good to know this is a legit site! I’ve seen such good deals sometimes I’ve been skeptical.
The browsing-buying connection is strong chezMossy. 🙂
-Prada Infusion de Vetiver, 100ml bottle
-Prada Infusion d’Amande, 100ml bottle
– Kenzo Amour 100ml bottle.
-Comme des Garcons Zargorsk, 50ml bottle
-Zoologist Bee, 10ml travel size spray
– Hermes Violette Volynka, 10ml decant
– Kayali Pistachio, 10ml decant
You got Zagorsk! Good for you!
Yay Zagorsk! Definitely my favorite from that series
I bought a bottle of Fox in the Flowerbed, Teone Reinthal Embers Renaissance, and the 4160 Tuesdays crowdfund fragrance Hush Hush. Not exactly a no-buy but one bottle a month is a big improvement for me. I expect next quarter to be zero.
Unbelievably to me, I was very restrained. Technically, I bought two bottles but since one of them was only $3.95, I voted that I just bought one. Oh, and my larger purchase was made in the last two weeks of the quarter so I was close to making it without a real purchase. But there was a sale that was too good to pass up. I did manage to avoid buying decants at the split meet, which is the first time that’s ever happened, I think.
My two purchases (only the one counts 😉):
Bath & Body Works White Tea & Ginger Fine Fragrance Mist 8oz $3.95
Regime des Fleurs Willows 3.3oz $50
In 2022 I only bought 1 or 2 bottles.
This year I am already doing better with 4 purchases in a quarter 😄 all of them full bottles
Dior Gris
La Panthere
Comme des Garçons 2 Man
Concentre d’Orange Verte Hermès
Donatella, it is my belief that you prefer us to buy and collect. That being so, I am asking for forgiveness for my meager contribution below.
I’m counting all of the below as 2 bottles:
– a bottle of Mx. in early June which I split at our last splitmeet, AND separate from that, got to meet Barbara Herman in person at a Seattle event 😀
– a travel size of Mxxx. (oooh, that ambergris!) which I will have soon
– bought several orders of samples
Donatella never did like me and now she has good reason to kick me off the island. Hanging my head in shame. 0 bottles bought, at least not that I remember. 😭
She’ll have to go through me and T-rex if she even thinks about kicking you off!
In my anxious craving for summer weather, I bought a full bottle of Terracotta (having somehow lost my decants) and a wee rollerball of Monyette Paris this past quarter. Bless me, Donatella, for I am beachy.
I’ve been thinking about Terracotta lately too, you smell good this summer!
Terracotta has a gorgeous bottle!
Yes it does!
A relatively light quarter for me!
1. Chasing Scents Tea Service — best jasmine tea so far! I don’t wear this often but nice having it around.
2. Chanel No. 22 EDT vintage — got a good deal on Mercari, and it satisfied my No 22 appetite enough that I don’t need the current EDP.
3. Hikayat Purnama — rosy and herbaceous oud from a Malaysian perfumery
4. Chanel No 5 Eau Premiere travel sprays — from the splitmeet, and I’m already almost through one refill! Probably my most used perfume this season.
5. Nez Ambre a Levres — also a great love, so easy to wear when I want a makeupy scent without having to dress up for it.
6. Chanel No 5 Eau Premiere older formulation — it is more full bodied than the current version, so I am glad to have both. Also got it via a good Mercari deal.
I think my only real regret is Tea Service as I don’t wear it much at all. While I like it, I certainly do not need a full bottle. Would have been happy with 5ml to sniff every now and then.
Tea Service sounds lovely, and perfect for a muggy NYC summer.
I am not counting items acquired during the Swap and Split Meets, nor am I counting bottles purchased on vacation because I consider those souvenirs. Even with those loopholes, I think Donatella would be satisfied by my effort:
1. D.S. Durga – Carlisle
2. Barrios – Ganymede
3. Hermes – Equipage
4. PdN – Caravanserail
5. Chanel – Eau Cristalle Verte
6. Kayali – Yum Pistachio
7. MFK – A La Rose
and panic purchases of some Diors, which were only available in the 250ml size, so I’m already set to go for our next split meet:
8. Grand Bal
9. Mitzah
10. Granville
With summer in full swing now, I expect this will be it until cooler weather, so hopeful Donatella will grant me an indulgence for next quarter.
Oh, good work and nice buys.
I thought Mitzah was discontinued?? 🤔
All three are, apparently. Hence the panic buying of oversized bottles — it was the only size option available. ShopFrance tracked down the Mitzah and Granville for me.
I was told Grand Bal is not discontinued, but only available from Dior boutiques. I’m thinking about chasing down Dioramour, also on the chopping block, just to smell it.
I’m glad to hear to that!
I tried to nab Cuir Cannage, but I think it was long-gone! Glad you got yours, even if you had to go with the dresser bling giant size!
My deepest apologies, Lady D. I bought nothing. Well, some samples, but they don’t count, being too small to see without reading glasses and I feel sure that D doesn’t wear reading glasses (or won’t admit to it…)
And I actually got rid of 2 bottles, so I’m at -2 for the quarter. For shame!!
A friend is doing some winnowing of books and records, so well done to you too!
Good job! I’m aiming to do the same.
I bought four bottles, I think, two blind , two sighted.
Love Tuberose , blind, following something about the perfume notes in a article pfsh posted …can’t remember exactly ( heliodine and Nathalie Lorson)
Coffee Break, blind, wearable not wonderful, think aeroplane coffee rather than Italian ( or Swedish) cafe
Daphne, a surprise find as I had a bottle a long time ago and thought it was discontinued
Mallow on the Moor, better than expected. Creaminess of mimosa cardamon with a fresh spice undertone plus I had to use shop rewards before they expired, so it was perfume or underpants for my husband, and perfume won.
How do you like Love Tuberose? I have that one and I *do* love it.
LOL at airplane coffee.
Perfume always wins!
“… Perfume or underpants for my husband” has got to be one of the best lines on NST ever!
😂😂😂
I remember not liking Coffee Break, but had trouble putting the words together explaining why. You nailed it exactly.
Daphne was relaunched a couple of years ago, I got a second bottle. Love Tuberose is probably my favorite tuberose, so easy to wear compared to others. As for the perfume vs. underpants, easy decision. 🙂
This is a very good confession in so many ways. 😀
I voted none but forgot that I went in on two splits and acquired three of the newer Zoologists (Snowy Owl, Harvest Mouse, and Chipmunk). Two are travel bottles and one is a decant.
Donatella, rest assured that in the low-buy months for perfume I am often on high-buy in the jewelry department, so I’m still helping to keep up appearances! 😉
😀
It’s a case of hubris, I am on a low buy and did well last quarter I thought it was easy but I came across good deals and longed for perfumes and BUBs etc… and caved in. Will have to do better next quarter
1. Natori 100ml £12.99 free shipping BUB
2. Vintage Emeraude 100ml cologne BUB and 15ml pure parfum £18 free shipping my favorite purchase
3. Vintage Dior Diorling 50/112ml £27.50 basically I wanted to know if by adoring the modern one I was missing anything. The answer is no modern Diorling is still perfect
4. Caudalie Eau Des Vignes 100ml £12.75
5. SJP Dawn EDP 100ml £10.99 my second celebrity scent and my first SJP
6. E Coudray Ambre et Vanille 100ml £25 I acquired all my Coudray perfumes at below £30 and it’s just as well because the sprayers are faulty, only one is ok out of 3 bottles but the scents themselves are very good fortunately
7. Jean Patou Ma Liberté EDP 50ml £31.95 free shipping my second favorite purchase
8. La Perla Eclix 30ml £12.05
9. Boucheron Quatre Iconic 100ml £30 I had fallen in love with this flanker at the duty-free shop
10. Christian Lacroix C’est la Fête Patchouli 24 2ml samples £12.99 free shipping, well they’re samples so don’t count for Donatella
Good to know about Diorling!
The vintage is ok, not very different.
I will second lillyjo on the Diorling.
And it’s funny how perfume hubris sneaks up on a person… 🙀
The vintage is similar, the modern has better floral notes.
I love Ma Liberte edp – that was a good deal for a great scent. It’s my top lavender scent, too. Natori is so good that I’d say it is perfume-math free.
So glad you love and have Ma Liberté edp, it is both bracing and comforting, I also have my own vintage of the edt bought on release in 1989 in France, I think, I have a quarter left only (the scent remains fresh) so the edp was a BUB of sort, the good price is because the vendor had more than 10 to sell. Natori is such a good fruity scent isn’t it, it used to be popular on NST.
I definitely remember buying one bottle and I think that was all. L’Esprit libre from Divine. It’s gorgeous and very wearable. I also got the Divine Divine candle and a bottle of fig scented Caudalie body oil. Both heavenly.
One purchase, Ingenious Ginger.
Five bottles for my birthday gifts – free to me!
Yay for friends and family who understand your love of perfume!
Hello all! I started my no buy right in the beginning of April so I only have two to report:
(Accidental) BUB of 31 Rue Cambon EdP
Vintage Euroitalia bottle of Dolce & Gabbana (Red cap)
Neither were anywhere close to retail, thankfully. I cannot tell you how bemused I am about having two bottles of that Rue Cambon…. How in the world did I forget?
Coumarin, I had a bottle of vintage Cabochard stashed away that I had forgotten about for well over a decade! Lol. I was just trying to keep it safe.
How fun! I forget I have perfumes too but this is the first time I thought, “Where and when did I buy this?” I even checked my inbox/order histories/eBay. I think I willed that first bottle into my life. 😂
This is a two quarter confession, so it’s quite lengthy. Most of my purchases were from my overseas trip in April, so completely appropriate and justified 🙂
In Paris, I bought:
Three from Serge Lutens – La Couche du Diable, Ecrin de Fumée and a bell jar of Rousse. I had wanted Madarine Mandarin for years, but discovered it was discontinued.
Le Galion – Bourrasque
Plume Impression – Rivalité Impériale
Divine – L’Été Narguilé (one of the limited editions)
Ausmane – Noir Suprême (this seems to quite an obscure brand, we found them by accident in our neighborhood on a previous visit)
Parfums de Nicholai – Caravansérail Intense (my sister-in-law bought a FB, and it came with a 15ml freebie)
Dior – Diorling. I’ve wanted this for a long time, we both date from 1963.
In Athens, I was keen to buy something Greek: Manos Gerakinis – Sillage Royal.
Quite apart from the trip, I also blind bought three of the Jean Patou heritage collection. I went to order L’Heure Attendue from Fragrancenet and was taken aback to find they no longer ship to New Zealand. On the rebound, I bought two that I could get locally, Colony and Deux Amours. Then I found L’Heure Attendue at another online discounter and bought that too!
Oh no, Mandarin Mandarine discontinued?? Tragic. I honestly didn’t expect Lutens to discontinue anything. I’m glad you got a few to love though!
I didn’t know about Mandarne Mandarin, so sad.
Those are excellent choices! I’ve got Ecrin de Fumee waiting in the wings for an outing, but my first impression of it was very good.
250 ml LT Piver Heliotrope Blanc $23
250 ml LT Piver A La Rein des Fleurs $25
17 ml Red Door Perfume $4
15 ml Philosophy Living Grace $9……..
…… which prompted the purchase of 120 ml Living Grace EDP, 32 oz body lotion, 32 oz hair/body wash set $79
20 ml Aromatics Elixir $23
100 ml Anais Anais L’Original $33
60 ml Jergens Original Cherry Almond Scent Edp with 32 oz body lotion and body wash bundle $40 with 25 percent off discount
How do you like the current Anais Anais?
I absolutely love it!! And so glad to have it back in my collection
You and Aurora are neck and neck for finding the most incredible bargains.
I figured since I am breaking my no buy might as well look for the bargains 🤣
LOL “…which prompted…” My whole perfumania is a loooong chain of “prompts.”
Ahaha!! I can definitely relate!! You know I bought the Living Grace travel spray because it is supposed to be a dupe of Gap Heaven my wedding day scent. It isn’t but I still liked it enough to research purchasing more and found that sweet deal on QVC. I sent my 15 ml to a good friend, now that I have a 4 oz bottle 😂. I’m saving it for the Fall and may stick with it for a while as my work fragrance.
I was truly hoping for a No Buy quarter this time around. But it seems that the will of Donatella works in mysterious ways. Two days before the end of this quarter, ooops, I did it again.
1. Mugler Angel Eau Croisiere EdT 2020 version, 50mL — $79.86.
FOMO strikes again, dangit!
But I am still no track for a Very Low Buy of 1 – 3 bottles for 2023.
That’s a very good flanker. I always cave at the end of the quarter.
I remember you saying that the bottle was rather pretty as well. Bottle pr0n + FOMO = No Buy Fail!
It might be the last Mugler perfume you liked, IIRC.
I also liked Iced Star, but it is very similar to 2019 Eau Crosiere ( mango vs pineapple) which I already have. Although if I found a good deal… lol
Well done on the low buy. Those Croisière flankers have the reputation of being good.
Thank you!
Errr, I think you handled *your* Mugler FOMO very well. All *I* can say is that I defeated the urge to scoop up various OG stars just based on their looks. I have the Glamourama and the Fruity Fair stars, and those will have to do. I sampled the 2020 Croisiere and liked it but not more than Fruity Fair. Also, Angel is still not my favorite Mugler, Alien is. But I never say never with a Mugler.
I received samples of the 2020 Angel Eau Croisiere from a couple of NSTers and really liked it! That fig note is right up my alley.
I really shouldn’t be getting any more perfume at all. Moving is going to be such a PITA…
I bought 3. I think Donatello would both forgive me and cheer me on as I was in Florence for 3 months so only 3 bottles seems pretty good! There were several very nice shops that made perfume right there in Florence so that’s were I focused rather then scents available elsewhere.
Really, they should count as souvenirs…
I think AnnieA has the right idea.
One bottle: FM Carnal Flower 50 mls. It was too good of a deal to pass up at $135.
That is an excellent deal!!
I thought so too!😀
Dang!🤘
I know!🤘😎
NICE!
👍😎
3 for me.
1. Angel Innocent gift set.
2 and 3.. I won an auction for a 20ml RL Safari and it came with a bottle of JC Couture Couture.
I like everything.
I did give away about 8 bottles and body sprays at work.
So you are at -5 bottles for this quarter?
I guess so!
Safari is so good!!! Lucky you!
Great list, and well done for giving away. I finished three bottles in my case.
You’ll be getting an enabler badge for Angel Innocent. Also, I always remember that Gaia The Non-Blonde liked that one, and wrote in her clever way how it surprised her. Great list – and how nice that you shared perfume love and fun at your job!
I purchased a bottle of Tears of Iris from frag-net. It’s love and I don’t regret a thing. ❤️
Yay for another Iris! *Rushes over to f-n with curiosity piqued*
“F-n” is something entirely different in my lexicon!
That was not a good choice on my part! 😮
It’s so good. It doesn’t have a great deal of longevity, but iris perfumes rarely do. I just spray with abandon. ❤️
I believe I didn’t buy any full bottles this quarter but I did obtain through various swaps, splits and testing samples, several coveted scents in small amounts. I actually seem to have quite an array of summery juices that are serving me well in the hot humid beginning of summer in Michigan. Plus a couple of “OMG I am saving my pennys for a FB of this and that” lemmings. But no FB’s I am aware of…
Another sinful season for over 15 deals. Tho I feel less guilty as many of them are cheapies.
Lyra and Lyra 2 from Alain Delon, 30 ml bottle each, cost me only $10. Lyra 2 is a fruity floral, in a youthful 80s manner. Lyra is fantastic. It is a lovely sibling between Shalimar and Shalimar Eau Légère. Lyra is lighter than Shalimar as it has a brighter citrus opening and replaces the dark animalic leather of Shalimar with all-layer powdery. Yet, it is deeper than Eau Légère as it has a more prominent woody and ambery base. The perfumer of Lyra 2 is unknown, but Lyra is signed by Maurice Roucel and Christine Nagel. Rumour goes that Maurice Roucel values the formula quite much and, despite the commercial failure, Lyra then becomes the original structure for Musc Ravageur.
I also did some preparations for the heat. Lacoste (Vintage) is a classic fougere, with a soapy base. Jean Kerleo is basically the guarantee of quality.
Eau Fraiche de Leonard (Vintage) is a lemon version of the classic fresh structure. Its herbal spices and oakmoss base is cooling and enables its decent longevity.
L’Eau Mixte. Nicolai can hardly be regarded as a cheapie, but I have to mention it for Mme. Nicolai’s subtle treatment of mint and oakmoss.
Plan for the upcoming quarter:
Yuzu Fou. We have two hottest days in a row the earth-history. While the heatwave is no way near an end, I believe another citrus deal can be excused.
Land from Lacoste (Jean Kerleo), Eau d’Eden from Cacheral (Jean Guichard), Sybaris from Antonio Puig (Alberto Morillas and Rosendo Mateu). These vintages on my watching lists have names that I adore (incl. AM in his early days.) Yet, based on the reviews, I have some concerns that they may be too classic and lacking some original nuances. I am waiting for an impulse for the deal, I guess.
Fascinating- you buy by the perfumer, cheapie or no
Sounds like you got some favorites! I’ve definitely gone through with some blind buys because I like the perfumer, but I couldn’t say that I recognize styles. I should do more “research!”
Nothing, although after losing some of my decants due to evaporation I was tempted. I have to remind myself that I should be careful with money and that actually I do not need all these scents. It is hard to stop hoarding.
I have been good so far.
Well done on the self-restraint
Keep up the good work!
Once again I gave in to DC/Reformulation FOMO, this time with Mugler. Among the treasures, Angel Glamourama Star, Angel edt in the adorable Comet bottle, Angel Muse edp (I fell hard for Muse in edp and edt), Alien edt (got the TMP version of that), and a 30ml CFG refill kit of Angel edt. Reluctantly, I got a back up NIB tester of Alien Fusion, but I do hope to share it at swap meets, so I think Donatella will be proud of me! I paid something like original retail (including the tester, which I am sure the seller got way-discounted), or a bit less for all of them via Ebay. All were in excellent shape and smell wonderful. Other highlights: Shalimar edc, Sand and Sable, Caron Nocturn, Lentheric Tweed, Prince Matchabelli Prophecy (vintage bottle in the style of a Windsong bottle I have), and Afnan Ornament Purple. The last is because some reviews compared it to Alien, because I’ve never tried any of Afnan’s myriad offerings, and a little bit because I appreciate elaborate bottles. I’m not counting splits and minis, but there are a few of those.
You got some very nice purchases. I’ve been looking for Muse edt lately.
I got Muse edt from a Canadian seller on Ebay. That seller is out of it now – I just checked. FYI, someone on Fragrantica mentioned it was discontinued in the US sooner than in Canada. I was very apprehensive about international shipping (even with our *neighbor*) but it worked out. I could kick myself for passing over it at TJX. Just a few months ago, ours had it for weeks!!!
You got Nocturnes de Caron??? Swoon!! I emptied more than half a dozen bottles of that one in the 80s and 90s including a 200 ml splash that I bought for $39. It’s getting harder and harder to find. My one regret is that I never bought the pure perfume.
*Someone* featured it on Fragram! 🙂
LOL! guess I earned an enabler pin 🙂
LOL! guess I earned an enabler pin 🙂
You picked up a BUB of Alien Fusion? Lucky!! 🤩
Isn’t it good? I wonder how much M. Mugler was involved – Dominique Ropion and Fanny Bal were the noses. He was on the original Alien with Laurent Bruyere.
That’s a very nice list. Glad you found Angel Muse edt, I slightly preferred it to the edp when I tested them as it is fruitier so that was the one I bought 2 or 3 years ago, now with the unfathomable discontinuation I wish I had gotten both. Shalimar EDC is wonderful any time of the year. Tweed is a classic gem, many Lentheric deals here on ebay.uk.
Apparently, I continue to worship at the shrine of Donatella’s perfume wall.
FZOTIC Unsettled and Au Dela from the sale
vintage Anne Klein
Parfum d’Empire Iskander
Le Galion Eau Noble
Jil Sander #4
Pierre Guillaume L’Ombre Fauve
Oscar de la Renta Sargasso
Pierre Guillaume Costume Liquide
Arquiste L’Etrog and Masque White Whale from my visit to Indigo
Hermes Jour d’Hermes for a song
Pierre Guillaume Drama Nuui from luckyscent’s clearance page
Plus 3 more partial bottles from the swapmeet, but I sold two bottles from my collection, and I’m on track to sell two more. Gaah!
Sargasso was an excellent choice! I have a travel spray. And vintage Anne Klein would be singing my song.
I bought 3 :
– 100 ml Commodity Gold Expressive
-50 ml Byredo Gypsy Water
– small roller bottle of Clean Reserve Skin
I was choosing between Gold and GW for quintessential “woody dry vanilla” and ended up caving for both. The Gold is actually longer lasting than the (more expensive) G-water but the G-water has an incense note that is so addictive. I know things have gotten out of hand when I am lying awake at night trying to choose perfumes. At least now I can sleep.
Clean Reserve Skin is supposed to be vanilla and musk but I mostly get laundry musk, not bad, but 10 ml is enough.
I am above my yearly 2023 self imposed limit of 3 (5 bottles so far) but enjoying myself so I guess that is the point of collecting. It isn’t stuff we need.