Bloom Perfumery Yearly Sample Pack: May 2017: Fragrant Travel

My May Bloom Perfumery Sample Pack arrived on Thursday and last month's picks were Fragrant Travel.

The theme for May is "fragrant travel and the pack is showcasing rare natural materials sometimes used only in one formula among the ranges we stock and which come from a very specific location (e.g. sausage tree extract, for instance) or a material which has become part of identity of a place".

Gaiac Wood & Paraguay:

The first one to jump right out at me was from favourite perfumer Carner Barcelona - Palo Santo EdP (50ml - £85, 1ml - £2) is a creamy lush woody blend with rich buttery notes. It has top notes of Indian davana and rum accord, a heart of warm milk, Paraguayan guaiac and Venezuelan tonka beans with a base of Moroccan cedarwood, vetyver from Haiti and Dominican Republic amyris. Simply adore & full size is going on the to buy list!

Rose de Mai & Provence:

The next one I couldn't wait to try was Dusita Melodie De L'Amour which has just landed (just my luck it's super expensive!) Extrait de Parfum (50ml - £250, 1ml - £5) and it's stunning! It has top notes of heady gardenia, honey and tuberose, a heart of broom, Indian jasmine, lily of the valley and peach with base notes of cedar and musk. Bloom Perfumery say "A towering sultry floral with a jasmine heart surrounded by myriads of white floral shades".

The third one I can honestly say I want to buy is New In: You or something Like you EdP (50ml - £82, 1ml - £2) by Etat Libre d'Orange is a mouthwatering fresh blend of molecules one might find in mint, shiso, violets and citruses but designed in a lab and not corresponding to any particular plant. It's light and fresh and perfect for summer. With notes of eucalyptus, green leaves, shiso, violet leaf, white mint, spearmint and garden mint. LOVE!

Pine & Canada:

From Imaginary Authors is Cape Heartache EdP (50ml - £90, 1ml - £2) "the formula has authentic raw material to take you to the quietude of a boreal forest". With notes of douglas fir, pine resin, western hemlock, vanilla leaf, strawberry, old growth and mountain fog.

Sausage Tree & Central Africa:

Naiviris by Huitième Art EdP (50ml - £88, 1ml - £2) which is woody and green. It has notes of red iris and zebrano wood. I'm not so keen on this one. 

Wild Vanilla & Mexico:

Anima Dulcis by Arquiste EdP (100ml - £135, 1ml £2) which is a powerful blend of wild vanilla, chilli and cloves. With top notes of sesame seed, cinnamon bark and oregano, a heart of clove bud, cumin, night blooming jasmine and chilli infusion with a base of Mexican vanilla, cocoa bean absolute and oriental-chypre accord.

What do you think of this month's choices?

Bloom Perfumery: Yearly Sample Pack April 2017: Violets

I was very happy indeed to receive my Bloom Perfumery sample pack for April. (I loved last month's Green scents and February's Vanilla picks). This month's theme is violets.

Bloom Perfumery are "showcasing the use of violet leaf absolute, a natural material derived from the plant, as well as violet flower aroma interpretations: from bon-bon candied petals to aroma derived through the 18th century enfleurage technique".

There is one perfume we've had before in the pack from last June - Bendelirious EdP (50ml - £82) (violet leaf absolute) from Etat Libre d'Orange where two roots (iris and violet) are used to create the sweetest of leathers. With notes of champagne, cherry, cherry lollipop, grapefruit, iris absolu, iris butter, leather, musk, tonka beans, vetiver and violet leaf absolute.

I simply love the very gorgeous Violet Disguise EdP from Imaginary Authors (50ml - £90, 1ml - £2) (bon-bon violet flower interpretation) which is the scent of "violet flowers aroma as we know it from candied purple sweets and violet petal jam". "This is a versatile fragrance which will remind you of the simpler joys in life". With notes of plum, violet, dried fruits, balsam and amber.

From Zoologist there is Nightingale EdP (60ml - £135, 1ml - £3) (violets bouquet aroma) a "subtle linear floral beading sweet flowers one by one: violets, plum blossom and rose and stitching them onto a sensual sandalwood-ambegis canvas". With top notes of bergamot, lemon and saffron, a heart of japanese plum blossom, red rose and violet with a base of oud, patchouli, sandalwood, moss, frankincense, white musk, labdanum and ambergris.

Aleksandr EdP by Arquiste EdP (100ml - £135, 1ml - £2) (violet leaf absolute) "a witty reference to 19th century formula when dandies would use violet water to moisturize the skin. Violet leaf absolute smells green, leathery and a touch earthy on its own but in a formula can provide a perfect lasting deep background for lighter notes". With top notes of neroli, aldehydes, iced vodka accord and birch leaves, a heart of violet leaf, orris, cognac and leather with a base of fir balsam, birch tar, moss and animalic musk accord.

Sideshow by Gri Gri is New In EdP (can't see it online right now) and the "perfumes are inspired by some tattoo technique. Sideshow is based on the 'old-shool' anchors and mermaids, romantic, colourful and a bit kitch". The initial scent is surprisingly bubblegum (really!) with a heart of cotton candy and candy apple. Base notes are hyraceum, tolu balsam and leather.

The final scent this month is Queen of Spades by Brocard EdP (100ml - £21, 50ml - £17.50, 1ml - £2) (violet petals jam aroma) "sweet like violet petals jam, the fragrance has a plump floral core of magnolia, jasmin, lily-of-the-valley, violet and orchid" along with musk and woods.

Bloom Perfumery: Yearly Sample Pack: November 2016: Exploring Cashmeran

My November Bloom Perfumery Sample Pack arrived the other day. This month the theme is Exploring Cashmeran.

"Cashmeran is a slightly unusual but incredibly distinctive ingredient that is widely used in perfumery - both for the way it smells and they way it exalts and affects a blend. Also called musk indanone, Cashmeran is a lot of the time referred to as blond woods by perfumers because it has a very velvetine and rich quality to it; but it also smells sharp, woody and clean. It's essentially a spicy musky woody note".

Grossmith Floral Veil EdP (50ml - £170, 1ml - £5) with top notes of cassis, green leaves and lemon, a heart of geranium, rose, tuberose, vanilla and ylang ylang with a base of amber, cashmeran and musk.

Praline de Santal by Parfumerie Generale EdP (100ml - £117.50, 50ml - £81.50, 1ml - £2) the cashmeran helps the hazelnut to sit at the top of the scent. With top notes of hazelnut, a heart of cedar and heliotrope with a base of cashmeran, musk and sandalwood.

Angela Ciampagna Ducalis EdP (100ml - £160, 50ml - £95, 1ml - £5) which is one of my favourites from this month's selection. It has top notes of nutmeg, geranium and salt accord, a heart of rose, may-lily, cyclamen, ylang ylang, acacia and cedarwood with a base of sandalwood, rosewood, leather, amber, musk and vanilla.

Parfumerie Generale's PG10.1 Bouquet Massai EdP (100ml - £117.50, 50ml - £81.50, 1ml - £2) cashmeran helps the floral notes fuse with the gourmand-ish fruitier notes. With notes of peony, magnolia, karo karounde, coffee, cashmeran, sandalwood, tolu balm and fruity notes. I like this one too.

From Olfactive Studio we have Lumiere Blanche EdP (100ml - £108, 50ml - £74, 1ml - £2) which is gorgeous! With woody notes and spices. With top notes of cardamon, cinnamon and star anise, a heart of almond, cashmere musks and iris with a base of cedar, sandalwood, tonka beans and white musk it cocoons and comforts. Love this one.

The final perfume this month is Just Landed: Arquiste ELLA EdP (100ml - £135, 1ml - £2) which is floral, leather and spicy. With notes of cannon ball tree flower, angelica root, carrot seed, Turkish rose, jasmine absolute, cardamon absolute, black buckwheat honey, ambergris, patchouli, civet, vetiver, cigarette smoke and chypre accord. This is a very heady scent which is growing on me!

What do you think of this month's picks?

Bloom Perfumery: Yearly Sample Pack: April 2016

My Bloom Perfumery April samples arrived on Saturday and this month the theme is "Citrus Breeze". The picks are fresh and citrus (and there's only one in the pack which doesn't make me swoon!)

I've had a sample before of Phaedon's Verveine Figuier EdT (£69 - 100ml, £2 - 1.6ml) and I loved its refreshing verbena and earthy fig notes. With notes of benzoin, fig tree leaves, licorice, musk, ooakmoss, Texas cedar and Verbena. It's the perfect scent for spring and summer.

I am totally smitten with NEW IN: Art de Parfum's Sensual Oud Extrait de Parfum (£88 - 50ml, £2 - 1.6ml) and I'd say it's up there with TARDES by Carner as one of my favourites from the whole year. It has notes of rose, leather, cloves, cypress, jasmine absolute, patchouli and geranium.

From Olfactive Studio we have Flash Back EdP (£74 - 50ml, £2 - 1.6ml) which is sweet and tangy with top notes of grapefruit, orange and rhubarb, a heart of Granny Smith apples and pink pepper with base notes of amber, musk and vetivert.

Spice Bazaar Extrait de Parfum from Nishane (£110 - 50ml, £5 - 1ml) is spicy and woody with top notes of ginger, juniper, rosemary and yuzu with a heart of cedar, cinnamon and cumin and base notes of black pepper, saffron and vanilla. I also loved their Boszporusz scent.

Arquiste's L'Etrog Acqua EdP (£135 - 100ml, £2 - 1.6ml) is woody and citrussy and has notes of bergamot, cedrat, labdanum, mandarin, myrtle, petit grain and vetivert.

I find Arquiste's Fleur de Louis EdP (£125 - 55ml, £2 - 1.6ml) a little too powdery for my tastes. With top notes of bergamot, cypress, galbanum and neroli, a heart of clove, jasmine, orange blossom and rose and a base of amber, cedarwood, Italian iris root, labdanum and vetivert.

What do you think of this month's picks?

Bloom Perfumery: Yearly Sample Pack: November to March Favourites

I've now only a few months left of my Bloom Perfumery subscription. I've absolutely loved it and it has introduced me to loads of perfumes I'd never normally have tried which are now firmly on the wishlist. You can see my favourites for July, August, September and October HERE.

These are my favourites from November - March:

In November, Bloom Perfumery switched it up and gave the girls the guys selection and vice versa. Initially I was a bit surprised but ended up really loving one of the scents (for me, rather than hubby).

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CUIRS by Carner EdP (£81 - 50ml) totally stole my heart. It has notes of oud and leather with saffron, gaiac wood, sandalwood, Texas cedar, violet, Amyris wood, patchouli, musk, tonka beans, cistus and nagarmotha. I also adore TARDES by Carner (review).

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In December my favourite was Esprit Divin EdP by Paul Emilien (£140 - 100ml) a spicy, woody and floral scent with top notes of clove, ginger, grapefruit, frankincense, nutmeg, rose saffron, vanilla, amber and cardamon with a heart of musk, nagarmotha, patchouli, rosewood, sandalwood and violet leaf with a base of amber, labdnum, musk, spices, tobacco and Turkish rose.

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January saw me fall for Foudre by Parfumerie Generale EdP (£80 - 50ml) a floral and woody scent with a hint of freshness which has notes of black tea, champaca, pepper, cashmeran, musk and vetivert.

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In February I loved Nanban by Arquiste EdP (£135 - 100ml) which is smokey and woody and has notes of black pepper, black tea, Chinese osmanthus, coffee, copaiba balm, frankincense, leather, myrrh, saffron and styrax.

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Last month I just loved Boszporusz by Nishane Extrait de Parfum (£110 - 50ml) a breezy sea inspired scent with notes of cypress, galbanum, sage, seaweed, gardenia, jasmine, amber, musk, oakmoss and patchouli.

Sign up to a Bloom Perfumery Yearly Sample Pack Subscription HERE. It costs £120 for the year and monthly you get 5 x 1.6ml samples, a promocode for 10% off that month's selection and a 1.6ml sample of a recent launch.

Bloom Perfumery: Yearly Sample Pack: February 2016

My February Bloom Perfumery subscription arrived on the final day in February! I've been enjoying trying out the scents which are spicy, sensual and slightly aphrodisiac.

My absolute favourite this month is Just In: Nanban by Arquiste EdP (1.6ml - £2, 100ml £135) which is smokey and woody. With notes of black pepper, black tea, Chinese osmanthus, coffee, copaiba balm, frankincense, leather, myrrh, saffron and styrax.

My second favourite is the unusual New In: PG10.1 Bouquet Massai by PG EdP (1.6ml - £2, 50ml - £81.50) which has notes of coffee (it gives the floral notes an unusual coffee aroma!), karo karounde, magnolia, cashmeran, peony, tolu balm, peach and sandalwood.

I'm also loving Best Seller: Exclusive: Rubj by EdP .vero.profumo (1.2ml - £5, 50ml - £156) which is a heady lush floral with top notes of bergamot, mandarin, neroli and passionfruit with heart notes of basil, orange blossom and tuberose and a base of cedar, musk and oakmoss.

Best Seller: Embers by Rouge Bunny Rouge Edp (1.6ml - £2, 50ml - £95) is a beautiful sexy smokey scent. With top notes of cloves, nutmeg and pink pepper and heart notes of freesia, jasmine, cistus and incense with a base of styrax, Peru balsam and sandalwood.

Exclusive: Dzari by Phaedon EdT (1.6ml - £2, 100ml - £69) with notes of cashmeran, cedarwood, dates, malaga wine, sandalwood and tonka beans. The drydown is sweet and spicy.

The final perfume this month is Caravelle Epicee by Frapin EdP (1.6ml - £2, 100ml - £98) which is spicy and woody. It has top notes of coriander and nutmeg, a heart of gaiac wood, pepper and thyme and a base of amber, patchouli, sandalwood and tobacco.

I've actually really enjoyed wearing all the perfumes in February's subscription pack.  Do you have any favourites this month or are there any from the selection you fancy trying?

Bloom Perfumery: Yearly Sample Pack: September 2015

I'd forgotten that I was due my Bloom Perfumery September sample pack so it was a nice treat to receive it when I arrived home from work yesterday. This month the scents are perfect for the start of autumn - warm woods infused with vanilla, amber, frankincense, ginger and more. I actually love all the scents this month.

The pefume that stands out the most for me is one which is new in Beaufort London Coeur de Noir EdP (£95 - 50ml - £2 - 1.6ml) - it's a simply stunning perfume and unlike anything I own. From a new British Perfume House which draws inspiration from ships, sea battles, voyages and tattoos. It has top notes of ginger, ink and rum, heart notes of leather, paper and vanillin with base notes of cedar, tobacco and birch tar. It starts off very powerful and mellows to a smokey sexy scent. Love it!

Passion Boisée (Frapin) EdP £98 - 100ml - £2 - 1.6ml) is a warm and spicy scent with top notes of mandarin and nutmeg, a heart of cypress and rosewood with base notes of ambrette seed, sandalwood and vanilla. It appears quite subtle and perfect for autumnal days.

Eau de Madeleine (Au Pays de la Fleur d'Oranger) EdP £110 - 100ml - £2 - 1.6ml) a beautiful scent which has notes of frankincense, leather, sandalwood, vanilla and incense.

Hasu-no-Hana (Grossmith) EdP £185 - 50ml - £5 - 1.6ml) it's nice to be able to try a perfume I'd never be able to afford! This is a classic formula from 1888, an oriental chypre which is rich with flower, spice and wood notes. It has top notes of bergamot, bigarade orange with heart notes of iris, jasmine, rose and ylang ylang and base notes of oakmoss, patchouli, cedar, sandalwood, tonka bean and vetiver.

The Architects Club (Arquiste) EdP £135 - 100ml - £2 - 1.6ml) a delicious autumn amber with a note of Mexican vanilla, benzoin and resins and woods. It has notes of ambermax, amber, angelica root, bigarade orange, gaiac wood, juniper, lemon, oak and vanilla.

The final perfume this month is best selling PG18 Cadjméré (Parfumerie Generale) EdP £117.50 - 100ml - £2 - 1.6ml) which is comforting and gentle. A soft sandalwood with a hint of vanilla. With a top note of tangerine, a heart of cypress and rosewood and base notes of ambrette seed, sandalwood and vanilla.

I really love all the scents this month and I'm looking forward to trying them out. Do any of the perfumes included this month jump out at you?

Bloom Perfumery: Yearly Sample Pack: July 2015

I signed up for Bloom Perfumery's Yearly Sample Pack (£100 inc P&P) at the end of June and received my first pack yesterday. It includes 5 x 1.6ml samples of niche scents delivered to you each month for a year (and this month an extra perfume which is new in). This month the selection is summer florals.

It will be my monthly treat as I'm going back on a spending ban 11 August...until...gasp 30 December.

You can also buy sample packs FOR HIM or UNISEX.  I chose the FOR HER selection.  See more details HERE.

PG15 Ilang Ivohibé (Parfumerie Générale) (1.6ml - £2, 50ml - £81.50) "the imagined scent of a rare fantastical flower, which only blooms on the tropical Comoros islands". This EdT has top notes of Lavender and Vanilla, a heart of Egyptian Jasmine, Iris butter, Orange and Ylang-Ylang with a base of Patchouli.

Première Danse (Paul Emilien) (1.6ml - £2, 50ml - £60.00) "inspired by the first dance of a debutante at a ball, the fragrance is a sweet gentle floral". An EdP which has top notes of Bigarade Orange, Blackcurrant, Italian Iris and Mandarin. With heart notes of Mimosa, Vetiver and Violet and base notes of Amber, Benzoin, Cistus, Incense and White Musk.

Néroli Blanc EdP Intense (Au Pays de Fleur D'Oranger) (1.6ml - £2, 50ml - £55.00) this EdP is June's bestseller and is "bright, radiant and juicy". It has top notes of Bergamot, Mandarin, Neroli, Orange Blossom and Verbena with a heart of Jasmine and Rose and a base of Cedar, Musk and Vanilla. This is one I've tried out and I think it's just perfect for summer.

Infanta en Flor (Arquiste) (1.6ml - £2, 55ml - £125.00) this is the most layered perfume from the selection. An EdP it is "daringly luxurious layered floral with a leather accord". It has top notes of Bergamot, Cistus and Immortelle with a heart of Jasmine, Leather, Orange Blossom and Rose with base notes of Benzoin, Musk, Rockrose and Tonka Beans.

TARDES (Carner) (1.6ml - £2, 50ml - £81.00) this is Bloom Perfumery's all time bestseller. It was the first scent I tried from the pack and I love it. Full size being added to my wishlist!  The EdP is a "musky woody floral with a shy elusive rose" and has top notes of Almond, Bulgarian Rose and Geranium with heart notes of Plum and Virginian Cedar with base notes of Heliotrope, Musk, Rosewood and Tonka Beans.

There was also an extra sample included - NEW IN:

Mojito Chypre (Parfumerie Générale) which retails at £80.00 for 50ml and is a modern Strawberry Chypre with notes of Adehydes, Labdanum, Lime, Oakmoss, Mint, Patchouli, Rum, Strawberry, Vanilla and Vetivert - perfect for summer holidays!

I'm looking forward to trying all of these and will update you with my thoughts later.  Also included is a special code to receive 10% off any of the above in full size for a limited time.