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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:
lasttimeround · 12/02/2018 08:38

Avery E ended up being worn lots last week. Turns out I like it. But I like iris generally - although this is a dryer iris than I'm used to. It took days to almost be able to smell it really. A very interesting scent without the gimmicks that usually mark out an interesting scent.

lasttimeround · 12/02/2018 12:02

Ohhhh liking connock

Silverstreaks · 12/02/2018 18:22

Wow, it's amazing how different we all are, I got a power hit of Parma violets immediately. Whoever mentioned soap pinpointed what I'm smelling now. It's only been 15 minutes so it'll be interesting to see what else comes out.

ThisYear · 12/02/2018 23:56

I am also loving this weeks selection and my first smell was Parma violets too. This is definitely more my thing than the previous two.
I was wondering if there is anything you can buy to help you identify certain smells? A sort of single note - it’s hard to identify notes when you don’t know them. I know there is something similar available in wine tasting.

Motoko · 13/02/2018 10:10

Yes, something like that would be really handy. I think that's why I have trouble distinguishing different notes if I don't know what they smell like.

positivepineapple · 13/02/2018 10:37

I was wondering the same @Motoko I would really love to learn a bit more. I have my eye on a few books but I haven't seen anything like the wine one you mentioned - it's kind of scratch and sniff isn't it.

positivepineapple · 13/02/2018 10:39

Sorry @ThisYear, you mentioned the Wines book. My mistake. Is it the one they are selling on NOTHS?

ItWillAllBeOkayInTheEnd · 13/02/2018 16:21

I used the cleanser on my weekend away. It's very nice, but wash-off, which I didn't realise at first (much gin may have been drunk!). The handcream is also lovely, nice smell and very moisturising.

MrsGruber · 13/02/2018 19:18

If you can run to it, the 4160 Tuesdays workshops are fabulously educational. Its possible to learn a huge amount in an afternoon as you get to play with raw ingredients. Highly recommended.

The other great educational thing is the Turin and Sanchez Perfumes: the A-Z Guide. Reading the reviews whilst sniffing is a really good way to learn more about notes and composition.

puppydogmummy · 14/02/2018 09:45

Just tried this weeks scent. I have stinky cold but am getting a sort of peppery smell??? Quite liking it so far

positivepineapple · 14/02/2018 17:21

Thanks @MrsGruber that was one of the books I've had on my amazon wish list for a little while now so I've bought it. The 4610 workshops look amazing - unfortunately I'm nowhere near London, but I will absolutely try to factor in on my next trip.

wowfudge · 14/02/2018 18:43

@ThisYear I'm with you on the Connock being more my thing too. Yes to Parma Violets! I wish the mid notes were stronger tbh. Not sure I'd go for a FB but if someone bought it for me, I'd wear it.

ThisYear · 14/02/2018 20:19

@MrsGruber the course looks really interesting, it would be a real treat to go on, I shall be dropping heavy hints before my birthday.

@positivepineapple I can't remember where I saw it. I was looking for a gift for my husband who is really into wine. It was a box of small containers each with a different smell.

lasttimeround · 15/02/2018 09:50

It's really interesting how this big sniff is making me engage more with each sample. After several wears of the connock I find I'm less into it than I was on first day. Love the opening. Dry down is just bit soapy and blah. Total opposite with the Avery E last week which I almost couldn't smell on day one but after several days just loved because it was so varied. I should give samples etc more of a chance

positivepineapple · 15/02/2018 12:34

My box has arrived Smile love receiving parcels, especially fragrant ones.

I'm going to wear each scent for a day and make some notes & then post my thoughts, catching up with you guys on Sunday for VC Amore?

MrsGruber · 15/02/2018 18:56

Thisyear - they are really extraordinary experiences. Sarah McCartney is a very knowledgeable and funny teacher. You get some limbering up time smelling perfume and notes and talking about composition before being let loose to create. Such a good way to learn - and you get to take your own private concotion home.

AnotherPinkiePieStory · 16/02/2018 20:28

I have fallen into the scent rabbit hole! Listening to Fume Chat and googling perfumes at every chance! DH has commented a few times but such a worthwhile hobby I think and such a personal thing. At work I’m very close to people and so it’s really a public service!
Loving the Big Sniff and will def be wandering over to main thread after this. And freezing my credit card Blush

CountFosco · 17/02/2018 11:11

Floral Street Chypre Sublime tomorrow folks.

OP posts:
CheapTarnishedGlitter · 17/02/2018 18:20

Been looking forward to the Floral Street one!!

explodingkittens · 17/02/2018 18:35

Yes, me too! Hoping it's good because their FBs are reasonably priced.

Or maybe that should be, hoping it's awful for the sake of my bank balance!

Buntyforgirls · 17/02/2018 18:49

What is a "chypre" please??

CountFosco · 17/02/2018 18:58

If I like the chypre sublime I think the discovery set might be in order. But not till March, I've got loads of samples I've not tried yet.

OP posts:
CountFosco · 17/02/2018 19:09

Chypre - a very classic style of perfume. Top notes of citrus, middle notes include labdanum and base notes include oakmoss. But the modifiers really change what they can be like, famous examples include: Mitsouko, ckOne, lots of early Doir perfumes, Chanel 19, Aromatics Elixir.

OP posts:
Buntyforgirls · 17/02/2018 19:21

Thank you- looking forward to trying- no idea what to expect!

Buntyforgirls · 17/02/2018 19:25

Especially from labdanum...