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The Big Sniff

560 replies

CountFosco · 21/01/2018 19:57

Welcome to The Big Sniff!

Some of us on the Perfumista threads have decided it might be fun to have a synchronised perfume smelling. The idea is once a week, probably a Sunday, we all try the same perfume and post our opinions here. We’re very friendly so don’t worry if you’re not an expert (I’m definitely not!), the idea is to have some fun.

We’ve contacted The Perfume Society and have wangled a 20% discount on a mixed box of 9 perfume samples (plus a hand cream, some cleanser and a bar of Green and Black chocolate - what’s not to like?). The Box we’re going for this time is The Velvet Collection. All you do is visit The Perfume Society website, Add The Velvet Collection to your cart and use the coupon Mumsnet (we’re original like that!). The box is normally £19 (or £15 if you’re a VIP subscriber), but with our discount it is £15.20, (or £12 if you’re a VIP subscriber of The Perfume Society). There are some other lovely boxes on sale at the moment which come highly recommended by some of our Perfumistas and would make lovely gifts or to keep for yourself not enabling at all oh no

If you are interested then sign up here and get over to The Perfume Society and order your box. We’ll do the first Big Sniff on Sunday 28th January. Oh, and before you eat all the chocolate have a look at the sniffing notes, there’s some on the chocolate as well.

The contents of the box are as follows:
• Atkinsons Pirates Grand Reserve 1.2 ml eau de parfum(full size £120 for 100 ml)
• Floral Street Chypre Sublime 1.5 ml eau de parfum(full size £55 for 50 ml)
• Connock Andiroba Eau de Parfum 1.5 ml eau de parfum(full size £75 for 100 ml)
• Avery‘E’ 4 ml pure perfume (full size £90 for 30 ml)
• Lalique Rêve d’Infini 1.8 ml eau de parfum(full size £72 for 100 ml)
• Map of the Heart Gold Heart v.4 1 ml eau de parfum(full size £150 for 90 ml)
• Ruth Mastenbroek Firedance 2 ml eau de parfum(full size £90 for 50 ml)
• Vince Camuto Amore 7.5 ml MINIATURE eau de parfum(full size £60 for 100 ml)
• Valeur Absolue Rouge Passion 1.5 ml eau de parfum(full size £59 for 45 ml)
• philosophy purity made simple 3-in-1 cleanser for face and eyes30 ml lotion (full size £19 for 240 ml)
• Cochine White Jasmine & Gardenia Hand Cream5 ml (full size £24 for 100 ml)
• Green & Black’s Velvet Edition Orange & Almond Chocolate 100 g

OP posts:
BluebellGal · 21/01/2018 20:25

I’m in! Thanks Fosco for setting this thread up. Looking forward to it.

I’m most excited about the Floral Street as they’ve been making some pretty big claims about being different to other Perfume brands out there, so I’m naturally intrigued.

BluebellGal · 21/01/2018 20:29

For anyone wondering what these perfumes are like they are a very mixed bag of florals, gourmands (perfumes based on food), Chypres (perfumes for classy ladies!), woody and fruity. So come along for the ride and discover what notes you like (as well as don’t like!).

MrsMacNally · 21/01/2018 21:24

I'm in - Thank you Count. I always wanted to smell like a pirate-. I have eaten the chocolate already...

CountFosco · 21/01/2018 21:30

Tut tut MrsMac. I'm also excited about the Pirate perfume, clearly I'm a child at heart.

OP posts:
Judydreamsofhorses · 21/01/2018 21:59

Here you are - I’m in if my box ever appears!

BluebellGal · 21/01/2018 22:01

I’ve also eaten the chocolate Blush

The pirate perfume sounds pretty interesting...rum & chocolate!

Calmwhoknows · 21/01/2018 22:10

I’m in! (Chocolate now gone 😪 !)

Silverstreaks · 21/01/2018 22:22

I've ordered. I read the perfume thread/threads sometimes and marvel at the descriptions and the passion from some of the posters.
Hopefully I'll educate my nose and learn something in the coming weeks.

BluebellGal · 21/01/2018 22:44

chuffed to have you on board Smile. I’m sure it will be a great learning experience for all of us.

I’ve sent the link to the Perfume Society as they are keen to follow along and hear our thoughts.

BluebellGal · 22/01/2018 12:16

The Perfume Society got back to me and are following along!

Any more takers?

MrsPestilence · 22/01/2018 15:11

I'm in. Have ordered and am hoping my sinuses clear soon.
Here is the Perfume Society box we are talking about.

The Big Sniff
BluebellGal · 22/01/2018 17:51

Good to see you on here Pest hope we all feel better soon- no SOTD for me, can’t smell or taste anything Sad having a bath now to clear my sinuses

flimp · 22/01/2018 18:03

ooh, I'm in! I adore perfumes but I'm not very knowledgable, so I'm ready to be edumacated Smile

CheapTarnishedGlitter · 22/01/2018 19:15

Hello!! I'm in - have box and ready to sniff.

(Have also managed to go all weekend without devouring chocolate!! Halo )

BlaWearie · 22/01/2018 19:30

I've just ordered it. I need some new and interesting perfumes; I'm mostly using up some old samples that came with skincare & makeup which really belong in the bin!

64BooLane · 22/01/2018 19:38

Ordered. Exciting!

I’m just going to ignore the fact I have too much perfume already.

TransformersRobotsInDaSky · 22/01/2018 19:38

Great idea thank you. I've ordered it and looking forward to some new and interesting smells.

MrsGruber · 22/01/2018 19:41

Too much? Shock Are you quite sure Boo?

MrsPestilence · 22/01/2018 20:08

DH once muttered something about too much perfume Shock strange man Grin

Have just remembered that one of my adorable DC got me this for Christmas (and somehow there is loads left). It is nice chocolate, with a different sort of melt.

The Big Sniff
EliseC1965 · 22/01/2018 20:15

I’d love to, but still a week and a bit till payday and I already bought the Latest Launches (twice!).

I’ll sit and lurk, until I have spends to buy it. ;)

CountFosco · 22/01/2018 20:18

That's just showing off MrsP.

OP posts:
MrsPestilence · 22/01/2018 20:26

I'm hiding it again Count, chocolate and blocked sinuses don't mix well. Sad.

Elsie I am impressed with two latest launches Grin We don't start sniffing until the 28th. Plus we will only be doing one a week. So you should be able to join in with eight out of nine sniffs.

MrsGruber · 22/01/2018 20:56

I'm in. What are we starting with?

BluebellGal · 22/01/2018 21:08

We could go in order of perfume house? So Atkinsons first & Vince Carmuto last which means it’s random and not because I’m keen to smell like a pirate

We also need to decide if we wanna do scoring - perhaps a score out of 10 for the opening and drydown (these are the two main stages of the sniffing experience- and can smell quite different) also whether it’s going on the Full Bottle (FB) wish list?

GuyMartinsSideburns · 22/01/2018 21:13

Just placemarking if that's okay, this is my kind of thread! Off to bed shortly so will read properly tomorrow.