The Perfume Society: The Travel Edition

I ordered The Travel Edition as soon as it was offered to VIP Subscribers and then waited 14 days for it to be delivered! The Perfume Society really need to sort out their courier problems as this is not the first time I've had issues with an order.

As ever the box is fabulous and stuffed full of gorgeous perfumes and other goodies.

This little set surely is the cutest! It contains a mini soap (30g) and perfume spray. Fragonard Pivoine 4ml EdT is from the FLORAL family. With top notes of redcurrant, rhubarb and mock orange, a heart of pink, red & white peony, jasmine and mimosa and a base of musk, powdered iris and amber. It really is a beautiful feminine summer floral.

The next perfume to jump out at me is the quirky Moschino Pink Fresh Couture 5ml EdT mini in the shape of a bottle of flash!  It's from the FLORAL FRUITY WOODY family and has top notes of pink grapefruit, cassis and lily of the valley with a heart of pomegranate, pink jacinth and wild rose and a base of cedarwood, ambrox and musk.

I'm already a huge fan of Etat Libre d'Orange's You or Someone Like You 2ml EdP (having received it my May Bloom Perfumery Sample Pack). It's from the FRESH family and has notes of roses, mint and wild grasses and is a really luscious and mouthwatering scent. Full size is already on my wishlist.

From Atelier Cologne we have Cedrat Enivrant Cologne Absolue 2ml which is also from the FRESH family (and is beautiful). With top notes of cedrat, lime and bergamot, a heart of mint, basil and juniper berries with a base of tonka bean, vetiver and elemi. It's a really beautiful sparking citrus (I also love that the samples come with a pretty postcard).

From Weleda is Onagre 1.5ml eau naturelle which is from the GREEN FLORAL family with top notes of magnolia, a heart of cardamon and a base of sandalwood. This is a really nice spicy scent.

I've tried Annick Goutal's Eau D'Hadrien 1.75ml EdP before and loved it. This perfume is from the FRESH family and is bursting with zingy citrus. It has top notes of Sicilian lemon, bergamot, citron and grapefruit with a heart of cypress, galbanum, basil, juniper berry and ylang ylang with a woods base.

Azzaro Chrome Pure 1.2ml EdT is from the FRESH family and has top notes of bergamot, mandarin and pepperwood with a heart of Akigalawood and orange blossom with a base of tonka bean, cedar and musk. This is a male scent so I'll pass it on!

Issey Miyake's Nuit Bleu Astral 1ml EdT is from the WOODY family and has top notes of lime and coriander with a heart of gentian and leather accord with a base of amber and vetiver. I really like this unisex scent.

Narciso Rodriguez For Her Fleur Musc 1ml EdP from the ORIENTAL family which is a really pretty feminine scent. It has top notes of bergamot, mandarin, tuberose, pimento leaves, ginger, saffron, honey accord and rum with heart notes of orange blossom, orchid rose and heliotrope with a base of myrrh, sandalwood, suede, tobacco and vanilla. 

The two extras this month:

30ml Molton Brown Costal Cypress & Sea Fennel Bath & Shower Gel

30ml Philosophy the microdelivey exfoliating face wash

It really is a fabulous box. Pick yours up HERE.

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: June 2016

This is my final pack from my Bloom Perfumery yearly subscription (but I recently signed up for another year as I love it so much!)

This month the samples are "exploring Ambroxan" which is "an isolated ingredient that perfumers often refer to as a wonder molecule. It's a natural ingredient which comes from clary sage".  "It's an ingredient that universally, almost everyone likes the scent of". "In a blend ambroxan extends fleeting ingredients whilst also acting as an olfactive magnifying glass, glazing over top notes and making them shine whilst also rounding out the overall punch of a perfume".

Bloom Perfumery have included a 1% solution of ambroxan to identify the molecule's unique and projective properties.

My favourite perfume this month is Wūlóng Chá by Nishane (50ml Extrait de Parfum £110, 1ml Extrait de Parfum £5) which has top notes of bergamot, mandarin, litsea and orange with a heart of nutmeg and oolong tea and base notes of fig tree fruit and musk. It's the perfect summer scent.

I'm also loving Etat Libre d'Orange's Bendelirious (50ml EdP £70) which is a fun loving scent with notes of champagne, cherry lollipop, iris absolute, leather, tonka beans, violet leaf absolute, grapefruit, musk and vetiver.

Phaedon Paris's Rue de Lilas (100ml EdT £69, 1.6ml £2) has just landed and has notes of lily-of-the-valley, opponax, rain drops, musk, palisander and white lilac.

Grossmith's Floral Veil (50ml EdP £170, 1.6ml £5) with top notes of cassis, green leaves and lemon with a heart of geranium, tuberose, ylang ylang, rose and vanilla and a base of amber, cashmeran and musk. 

I've loved all the Nishane perfumes I've tried via the subscription but unfortunately I found Rose Turca (50ml Extrait de Parfum £120, 1ml Extrait de Parfum £5) just a little powdery and heady for my tastes. It has top notes of Isparta rose essence and ylang ylang, a heart of Egyptian jasmine and Sardinian jasmine with a base of Isparta rose absolute and musk.

The final perfume this month is NEW IN: Paul Schütze Cirebon (50ml EdP £135, 1.6ml £2) and is a bold citrus. With notes of bergamot, cedar, orange blossom, sandalwood, bigarade orange, magnolia, petitgrain and vetiver. I kind of like this one.

See my reviews of the rest of the year:

2016: May, April, March, February, January 

2015: December, November, October, September, August, July

Bloom Perfumery: Yearly Sample Pack: May 2016

I can't believe this is my second last month of my subscription! I've loved receiving beautiful perfumes every month. This month is "Sea, Sand and Sun Lotion" and the picks are gorgeous!

My eye was first drawn to CARNER'S Costarela EdP (which is new in) (50ml - £85, 1.6ml - £2) which captures a coastal Mediterranean breeze and has top notes of Bergamot and Saffron, a heart of hot sand accord and sea spray accord with base notes of Ambrozan and Virginia cedar. Love.

Next up is Art de Parfum's Sea Foam Extrait de Parfum (50ml - £88, 1ml - £5) which smells of the ocean, salty and foamy as it breaks onto the shore. With notes of Bergamot, Frankincense, Haiti Vetiver, Lemon, Sandalwood, Eucalyptus, Guaiac Wood, Laurel, Patchouli and Seaweed.

Absolutely loving Parfumerie Generale's Bois Naufrage EdP (50ml - £81.50, 1.6ml £2) which has top notes of carob tree (Egyptian Fig), a heart of salt and a base of Ambergris and Vetiver. Bestselling Paris Seychelles EdP (50ml - £80, 1.6ml - £2) is a white floral blend (lush) with notes of Black Pepper, Galbanum, Lily, Petitgrain, Coconut milk, Ginger, Monoi Oil and Plumeria.

NEW IN: Neon Graffiti by Jazmin Sarai EdP (50ml - £72, 1.6ml - £2) has notes of Ambroxan, Cardamon, Grapefruit, Jasmine, Mint, Sunflower, Bergamot, Frankincense, Ivy and Mimosa and is fresh, floral and fruity.

The final one this month is Best Selling: Eau de Protection by Etat Libre d'Orange EdP (50ml - £70) with a salty note wrapped up in the ginger and rose heart. With notes of Benzoin, Black Pepper, Cocoa, Frankincense, Patchouli, Bergamot, Bulgarian Rose, Ginger, Jasmine and Salt.

What are your thoughts as to May's selection?

Bloom Perfumery: Yearly Sample Pack: March 2016

My March Bloom Perfumery Sample Pack arrived on Friday and this month to commemorate the first flowers of spring iris is a note used in all the scents.

"the scent of iris is derived from the root of the plant so the sensation of its smell can often be a little misleading when people think of it as a flower".

"Considered powdery and earthy, Iris also smells aqueous, as if it's bursting with a violet like freshness. On it's own it can smell like warm, sunned skin or as a natural musk, but in tandem with other ingredients it's effect is startlingly individual. It can inject a dry streak into a floral perfume or soften an oriental composition".

My absolute favourite this month is Nishane's Boszporousz Extrait de Parfum 1.2ml (50ml - £110, 1ml - £5). It has just landed at Bloom and is Exclusive and is simply gorgeous. It has top notes of cypress, galbanum, sage and seaweed with a heart of gardenia and jasmine and a base of amber, musk, oakmoss and patchouli. A pretty floral with salt, sage and seagrass notes reminiscent of the Bosphorous strait shores.

Next to capture my heart is PG's 21 Felanilla EdP 1.6ml (50ml - £81.50, 1.6ml - £2) which is a best seller at Bloom Perfumery. "This is vanilla for grown-ups" and has top notes of saffron, vanilla with a heart of hay and iris absolute and a base of amber.

The final four are Etat Libre d'Orange Benderelious EdP 1.6ml (50ml - £70) which has notes of champagne, cherry lollipop, grapefruit, iris absolu, iris butter, leather, musk tonka bean, vetiver and violet leaf absolute.

Exclusive to Bloom Perfumery .vero.profumo. Mito EdP 1.2ml (50ml - £138, 1.2ml - £5) with top notes of green leaves, a heart of champaca, magnolia grandiflora and tuberose with a base of galbanum and hyacinth

Grossmith's Diamond Jubilee Bouquet EdP 1.4ml (50ml - £195, 1.6ml - £5) which was created to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee. The heart is a powder iris.  It has top notes of lemon, lily of the valley, narcissus and orange with a heart of carnation, iris, jasmine, rose, vetiver and violet with a base of amber, hawthorn, tonka beans and vanilla.

New In The Merchant of Venice's Ottoman Amber EdP 1.6ml (100ml - £120, 1.6ml - £2) which has notes of labdanum, myrrh, oud accord, patchouli and vanilla.

What are your thoughts on this month's selection?

Bloom Perfumery: Yearly Sample Pack: October 2015

Saturday was a good day for parcels and one of them was my October Bloom Perfumery sample pack.

This month it's evening scents - luxe floral formulas "olfactive equivalents of tiaras and mink stoles".

I'm finding I'm loving the perfumes from Parfumerie Générale - this month it's Gardenia Grand Soir EdP (50ml - £81.50, 1.6ml sample - £2) - A lush green Gardenia with top notes of Bergamot and Green Accord, heart notes of Gardenia and Sandalwood with a base of Musk.

My second favourite is Rozy EdP (.vero.profumo.) (50ml - £138, 1.2ml - £5) - a delicious fruity honey rose with top notes of Damask Rose and Passion Fruit, a heart of Lilac and Peach with base notes of Honey and Sandalwood.

Next up is Jasmin et Cigarette EdP (Etat Libre D'Orange) (50ml - £70) - "a reference to old Hollywood chic" with notes of Jasmine Absolute, tobacco, Apricot, Tonka Beans, Curcuma, Amber, Cedarwood and Musk.

New in is Shermine EdP (Huitieme) (50ml - £88, 1.6ml - £2) - "a rich powdery perfume with a fantasy ermine note". With Argentinian Lemon and Iris-Ermine accord.

Classic Dali EdP (Salvador Dali) (50ml - £49, 1.6ml - £5) - "an absolute classic". It has top notes of Bergamot, Violet Leaf and Clove with heart notes of Rose, Jasmine, Ylang Ylang and Mimosa with a base of Sandalwood, Oakmoss, Patchouli and Musk. This is quite powdery which I usually avoid - but I quite like this one!

Just landed Duftbluten by Nishane (50ml extrait de Parfum - £120, 1ml - £5) - is a "musky woody floral". It has top notes of Gardenia and Magnolia with heart notes of Osmanthus and Patchouli with a base of Frankincense and Oakmoss.

Introducing Photoshop Oil (Ami lyok) - a moisturising body oil with a little bit of shimmer and Monoi Tiare flower oil, shea butter and tocopherol - which is a lovely extra!

What are your thoughts as to this month's selection?

Bloom Perfumery: Yearly Sample Pack: August 2015

I've had my Bloom Perfumery August sample pack a couple of weeks now and already have a few firm favourites.  As you know I'm on a spending ban but I'm planning on picking up the perfume I've loved most in the (July - December period) after my ban as a little treat.  You can see what I received in July HERE.

This month the samples come in plastic vials (exactly the same if you buy a sample online).

Inside the package is 5 x 1.6ml samples - and this month includes fruit, honey and patisserie inspired fragrances. There is also a 1 x 1.6ml of a recent launch and a promo code for 10% off one of the perfumes included in this month's selection.

My absolute favourite this month is Parfumerie Generale PG16 Jardins de Kerylos (50ml - £81.50) which is a delicious fig scent perfect for summer. In fact it is a "summer fruity best seller". Inspired by a fruit orchard on a cliff in Cote d'Azure and has top notes of Fig tree fruit, heart notes of Peach and Sycamore with base notes of Musk and Tuberose. Love!

Ciel D'Airain (Huiteme Art) (50ml - £88) is a woody and fruity scent. It is "a study of a pear" and includes fruit notes, bark, leaves, ambergris and olive tree twigs. It is quite unlike anything I've worn before but I really like it.

The all year round best seller among the fruity scents is 1270 (Frapin) (100ml - £98). The perfume is a tribute to the year the Frapin family started making Cognac in the Grand Champagne region in France. This is fruity and sweet with notes of Cocoa, Coffee, Pineapple, Prunes, Raisins, Grape Blossom, Immortelle, Linden, Pepper, Gaiac Wood, Honey and Vanilla.

Like This (Etat Libre d'Orange) (50ml - £70) - a gourmand edible scent which is rich and sweet. With notes of Ginger, Heliotrope, Immortelle, Musk, Neroli, Pumpkin, Rose, Spices, Tangerine and Vetiver.

This best-seller PG03 Cuir Venenum (Parfumerie Generale) (50ml - £81.50) is my second favourite this month. It has top notes of Orange Blossom, a heart of Leather and Tamanu Oil with base notes of Atlas Cedar, Honey, Musk and Myrrh. I love it's leathery scent with floral and honey notes.

The final sample is new-in Pasion Choco (Nishane) (50ml - £110) - which is sweet and comforting with notes of Passionfruit, coffee, carmelised Grapefruit, dark Chocolate, Orchid, Coriander, Vanilla, Benzoin, Patchouli and Dark Musk.

What do you think of the choices this month?