Anyone want to take a scent adventure with me?

[Poppyfields]

Hi beauties.  I have decided to get off the bench and take the perfume discovery adventure course called Perfume 101 as offered by Perfume Posse.  

Perfume 101 here:  http://perfumeposse.com/2006/05/30/perfume-primer-notes-from-the-edge-of-an-atomizer/

Perfume Posse site here: http://perfumeposse.com/

Perfume samples from The Perfumed Court here: http://theperfumedcourt.com/Products/Beginner-Classic-and-Niche-Sampler-Pack-(Perfume-Posse-Blog-picks)---20-samples__BEGINNER.aspx

I have long been interested in perfume, reading about the classic scents, wishing I could afford to experience them all; interested in learning to identify scents.  Loving even as a child the atmosphere evoked by the perfume ads and the glamor they held.   How about you?  Not having the disposable income to indulge in such luxury has held me back.

I started reading Perfume Posse a couple of years ago, and despaired at all the reformulations and the classics dying away, and quit reading.  That dreamy world of the perfume ads was fading away in the cold light of the 21st century.  Well, waiting longer won't help me find them.  When one of you posted about The Perfumed Court (which I had been avoiding due to lack of funds) I found that they have a collection of the small vials (read affordable) which correspond to the Posse's lists of 'must experience'.  

Has anyone here purchased one of the collections at the Court?  Would anyone be interested in joining me?  I figure I might learn even more if a few beauties experience and report their feelings about the perfumes here.  Might be a lot of fun, right?

Or, if not the 101 collection, they have collections by house, nationality, or scent base that would be just as fun to try.    Call it an item on my 'bucket list' but I've been meaning to do this forever and I'm not getting any younger.    In the small vials, the world's great perfumes become a rather affordable luxury niche to explore.  Ordering them from one website makes it too easy.  I'm out of excuses.  

Anyone care to explore the perfume world with me this fall?

from the Perfumed Court's webpage:
This sampler pack is for you if you are new to classic and niche fragrances. These are some of the scents that Perfume Posse thinks are important for anyone who wants to learn more about niche and classic fragrances, and they are a wonderful reference point. They are some great examples of their type, whether it be as a classic chypre, an example of a great iris, or leather, or a reality scent.  

[Kelly]

Pops, I"d love to do this, but unfortunately, I have a somewhat defective nose. I doubt I'd ever pick up the subtleties between chypre and vetiver and leather. I do know floral and oriental, but my nose would quickly become overwhelmed.

Where is Eurodivas when you need her??

[hopflower]

Actually, I have ordered from these people fairly often. I am fond of perfume and have studied it and tried it for years now. Some of those on the list I used to wear, although by no means were all of them tried. I would love to do this in a concise way, but I just got my hours cut back by one day again (for winter). Needless to say I am unable to afford it at this time, but eventually would love to do this.

[makinalist]

I would love to try a few of these at a time, but I am afraid that this many would confuse me.  I have to really live in a new scent for a while before I can evaluate it. 

[Kelly]

I have to really live in a new scent for a while before I can evaluate it. 

I think this is true for me, as well. I wonder if professional sniffers have a highly attuned sense of smell because it's like wine tasting for me — too many sips, and it all starts tasting the same.

I also discovered recently that spritzing or dabbing on my wrists is a waste of scent. If I really want to enjoy a fragrance (and not be obnoxious to people in my waft zone), I target the scent down my cleavage, and then I get to smell it all day.

That said, I am truly envious of those of you who can distinguish between all the notes. I feel like Emperor Joseph II when talking about Mozart, "Too many notes."

[Poppyfields]

Hopflower, its good to hear others have found The Perfumed Court reliable.  I am very intrigued by the category of scents and the best examples of perfume in each category that they offer.  I'm hoping by using some of their guided tours I can develop a bit of a 'nose'. 

Yes, I agree with living with a scent for a while.  And like m/u colors, scent is very personal and different on each of us.  This is why I'm excited about the samplers.  You purchase a 1 oz vial of each of the collection (the same size vial we used to get as samples in the small cardboard folders a decade ago when they used to launch perfumes with samples).  Enough for a couple days use to get a good feel for the scent and how it works on you. 

If you find one you particularly like, you can purchase a larger sample and live with it even longer.  I'm anticipating playing with 2 scents a week, reading up on each scent when wearing it, and trying to comprehend what makes it great, beyond my initial gut reaction.  I'm not expecting to love them all.

I am expecting to get an education, and have fun along the way. 

I need to rectify the fact that at 53 yrs old, I have never used a real perfume - only EdT.  I find that I am lacking in the old fashioned womanly arts.     I should have been dabbling my whole adult life like you beauties.  Instead I found one perfume, purchased by my DH, which we both love and is not available any more. KL by Karl Lagerfeld.  An 80's Spicy oriental.  Time to open the door to a wider world, right?  And I should then know what I most enjoy in a scent and find an affordable new perfume to claim as mine.  Like ZZ finding the perfect taupe.   

[BettyBoop]

Poppy, I used to wear KL also. I recall it had a very cinnamon-y scent but not heavy like EL's Cinnabar.

[BettyBoop]

As with everything else out there, I find the choices in fragrance very overwhelming. I tend to stick with fairly "standard" fragrances that can be purchased locally rather than some of the more esoteric ones. I think I just don't have enough patience to wade through all the new fragrances to find another favorite. I have a few that I like and once in a while I'll come upon a new one that finds its way into my rather small collection.

I recently received a sample of Lancome's Hypnose Senses. I generally do not like Lancome fragrances, other than Magie Noire, but this one is a possibility. It's almost powdery. Usually I just wear a scented body lotion to work. The other day I was complimented on my Philosophy Eternal Grace which is very subtle.

[SuePhilly]

I'm going to sniffapalooza next month and hope I learn how to distinguish notes. Been buying from perfumed court for years and it's saved me from spending a ton of money on untested fragrance

[Kelly]

As with everything else out there, I find the choices in fragrance very overwhelming. I tend to stick with fairly "standard" fragrances that can be purchased locally rather than some of the more esoteric ones. I think I just don't have enough patience to wade through all the new fragrances to find another favorite.

That's because fragrance ain't your thang.

Imagine if you and I had the same obsession with fragrance as we apparently do with makeup? Eek. A MUCH more expensive hobby!

I think I shall leave well enough alone.

[Kelly]

Been buying from perfumed court for years and it's saved me from spending a ton of money on untested fragrance

I also recently purchased several fragrances from them:

Chanel Bois des Iles Pure Parfum
Tocca Aqua Profumata: Set of 3 in Amalfi, Catania and Salina
Reminiscence Rem
Profumum Acqua di Sale

The only one I have given a workout so far has been the Acqua de Sale ... enough that I actually thought about spending the $260 on a bottle. But then I came to my senses and remembered that I am perfectly happy with the much less $$ Mr. Hulot's Holiday.

[Kelly]

I'm going to sniffapalooza next month and hope I learn how to distinguish notes.

I'd love to do that.

I can't wait to read about your thoughts on the experience. I hope you come back with funny stories!

[BettyBoop]

I have a couple of friends going to Sniffa, too. One of them used to be into makeup but is now a perfum maniac. She knows everything about fragrance.

I was actually certified by some fragrance organization when I worked for Chanel. I had to study several guides and take an exam. I still have my certificate somewhere. Yet, I'm still a complete novice.

[Poppyfields]

Well, br, I suppose they only cared that you learn about Chanel fragrances.
Its a huge subject.  Hard to feel anything but a novice.

[hopflower]

I need to rectify the fact that at 53 yrs old, I have never used a real perfume - only EdT.

Definitely. You must experience a world class traditional fragrance in its pure form; you never get the true scent in an EDT. Not that EDT cannot be nice, but it is never the same. Be kind to yourself and really enjoy a rich perfume of whatever you fancy. But do it. You have one life, and you should enjoy it.