Let's revive our old perfume threads, perfumistas!

[shins]

I know it might seem like we've nothing left to say but I'm sure we have :)

I have to tell you: Seville a l'Aube is on the TK Maxx website for half price - lots of other L'Artisan perfumes but that one is very special and I wore nothing else all summer!

SOTD: Cuir de Russie. Like a fuzzy hug with vague undertones of marauding Cossacks from the 19th century.

Sunrise, thank you very much... I shall go and visit but probably after Christmas, for financial reasons. Your selections sound delicious; we shall expect full reports!

What would you all like to find from Santa (or anyone else) on Christmas morning? I think I'd like a bottle of Eau Suave, from Parfums d'Empire. I've loved three samples so far, but haven't succumbed to temptation, especially as I'd want a bottle of Equistrius too, to justify the postage.

Meanwhile it's been back to the Juliette Has a Gun samples today. SoTD is Another Oud, which is very delicately pretty oud, quietish too -- because I had my Christmas nails done a slightly sparkly onyx shellac (with a single penguin on my LH ring finger) and I wouldn't want to swamp my lovely manicure lady with anything very potent.

Sunrise - I adore Ambre Narguile, and those others sound interesting too.

SOTD (and yesterday) has been Gucci Envy. I have had two frantic days at work, and I needed something crisp. Not a time for comforting amber!

Hoping they'll be a bottle of Theo Fennell EDP under the tree (spotted a reasonably priced bottle on Ebay and dropped big hints...). Have been intrigued since reading the Turin and Sanchez 5* review.

Am giving a lot of L'Artisan Parfumeur thanks to TK Maxx, including some sweet little 4 x 5 ml sample sets.

Anyone familiar with Caligna? Have picked this up blind for partner as he likes citrussy woods.

Do you mean Theo Fennell "Scent"? It's outrageously knickery and sexy. If you like that you will LOVE Papillon Salome and Worth Courtesan.

Knickery?! Blimey!

Knickery?! Blimey!

Sorry for duplicate.

SotD: Molton Brown's Londinium. Nicely blended incense and whiskey. Overall quite a masculine fragrance but very wearable as it omits any of those standard notes that shout 'male' reassuringly to nervous types.

Today I got for Christmas Marc Jabobs Decadence! I've been wanting it - walking through the perfume hall and sampling it - for months and so that's what I told my husband to get me. I just love this stuff.

How nice, Mutton. It's one I haven't tried yet.

Wearing LADDM today; as ever, it's my festive fragrance of choice.

Happy Christmas, perfumistas!

I got my Bruno Fazzolari! Chuffed to bits!

Hope everyone had a lovely day? Very excited to have received a copy of The Secret Of Scent. Have only skimmed but see it had drawings of molecules - very excited to be reading more about the science.

Did also receive Theo Fennell'S Scent. (My lovely family did me proud). Have waited til late to test so as not to frighten children or elderly relatives (or our cat). Boy does it have an unexpected opening: strong, dirty cumin. 45 mins and that's only just starting to recede. leaving something powdery, musky and more wearable. Interesting! Would need to think carefully about when and where to wear this and to factor in the timing.

Which Bruno Fazzolari did you get? I have had samples of Lampblack, Jimmy, au Dela and Seyrig. They are fab.

Mrs Cocoa- it is very sexy isn't it? Definitely date night stuff!

MissBattleaxe - the powdery rose/musk at 90 mins in is compelling and gorgeous. But not sure how often I'll be in the mood for the first hour or so of the journey? (You weren't wrong about the knickers).

Any perfume-related pressies to report?

If you've missed Luca Turin, lots of his reviews on Style Arabia!

Santa took the hint and brought me the classic I'd asked for- First by Van Cleef and Arpels

My enduring favourite it Guerlain's Vol de Nuit but I had a sniff at the counter recently and see it has been reformulated. It's nice, but lighter and lacking the initial bitter note. Anyone else noticed that?

Most perfumes are being reformulated because of eu regulations banning several allergens

Yes, Mutton's right, many chypres have been reformulated because real oakmoss has been banned by IFRA. Vintage scent can still be bought on ebay but you take your chances as some, although authentic, may not have been stored right.

Thanks Frugal - that's a great resource.

I've just looked at that link Frugal, and I love his review of Papillon Salome. He is spot on.

Yes, i knew about the banned allergens/ endangered plant and animal ingredients but being a suspicious person I wonder whether it's a great opportunity for the perfume houses to come up with less costly formulations? An indiscrete industry insider would be most welcome to come in!

It very possibly could be a way of using cheaper ingredient, I agree. I find that niche and indies usually don't skimp on ingredients. Mandy Aftel of Aftelier uses all natural ingredients which is pretty hard to do, but then she is in the USA and not Europe so maybe she can.

MissBattle I got Au Dela Narcisse des Montagnes, the limited edition. It's AWESOME!

With it came 4 free samples of Seyrig, Lampblack, Jimmy and Montserrat.

Seyrig is divine, all my female family thought so. Lampblack is also lovely and popular.

I am so pleased!

Wow! I'm impressed at the Au Dela special edition. I loved Seyrig and Jimmy the best.