Finally Using Up Perfume Samples.

I've lost count of the amount of perfume samples I've ended up with this year thanks to beauty boxes, samples with purchases, online orders or just good old freebies from some lovely girls on fragrance counters. The majority of vial samples end up getting passed on to friends/family because I'm so unbelievably fussy when it comes to scents. My fragrance taste changes quicker than the wind and I've even been known to refuse getting into a taxi as the person in it before me had worn such overpowering perfume it knocked me sick. Of course the majority of samples will smell like your grannys granny, especially ones received through beauty boxes (Glossybox) but I've found a few gems I really like and even rediscovered some old favourites.

Heres the four samples I've been working my way through...

Thierry Mugler Angel: Angel was one of my favourites throughout school. I went through it at an alarming rate (if you've tried this you'll know its very strong and should last ages as you need so little) and cant even imagine how many nostrils I must have assulted. I loved it, couldnt get enough but as I got older it became too much and is now a frangrance I put in the 'headache inducing' category. I still like Angel, from a distance. I know theres now a lighter version of Angel but I havent tried it yet.

Narciso Rodriguez For Her: This is one I'd wanted to try for a long, long time and finally got the chance when it arrived in Glossybox. I love it on other people but on me it just doesnt work. I keep using it though in the hope that my body chemicals/whatever change and it somehow smells beaut but so far it doesnt. Its also quite strong and in the heat makes me feel a bit ill.

Flower By Kenzo: An old favourite. I'm so glad I got this sample, I bloody love it! I'm sure I've still got a half empty bottle lurking around in one of my old bags. Flower is fresh and floral without being too floral. Its a lovely summer scent but to be honest I'd probably wear it all year round.

Paco Rabanne Lady Million: I had a squirt of this maybe 2 years ago in Debenhams and really didnt like it at all but now I kinda do. Its strong but doesnt make me want to rip my skin off to get rid of the smell. I've been wearing it quite a lot over the last week but I'm still not sure I'd purchase a bottle.

Whats your thoughts on this lot? Do you own, love, hate any of them?

Scented Sundays #9

Armani Code

How strong is that sun today?? I was blinded while taking photos and the above pic is the best of a bad bunch.

Armani Code is probably more of a wintery fragrance. Its strong with notes of orange blossom, madagascar vanilla, honey and sambac jasmine. Jasmine is just something that I really cant stand, it makes me feel ill and brings on the mother of all headaches but somehow Armani Code gets away with it and makes it work.

The staying power is brilliant, topping up during the day isnt necessary which makes the bottle last a long, long time. I would describe Code as the grown up sister of Diesel Loverdose. I'm not sure if its only me who thinks they smell similar. What do you think?

Armani Code 30ml £37

Scented Sundays #8

Stella In Two Peony

In Two Peony by Stella McCartney launched in 2006 and as far as I know its now been discontinued. In Two Peony is so different to other perfumes I own. Its a floral scent with notes of peony, rose, pepper, virginia cedar, patchouli and amber. I've noticed that quite a lot of the perfumes I want lately have pepper/pink pepper (Love Chloe).

Because its so hard to get hold of now I find myself being too scared to use it. I love the bottle, its easy to hold, fits nicely in the hand and its pretty to look at :] I dont think I've ever disliked a fragrance from Stella, she tends to bring out sheer versions of her other scents so heres hoping she decides to do the same with this beauty!

In Two Peony can still be found online but the price varies quite a bit from site to site. Have you tried this before? Love/hate?

Scented Sundays #7

I dont know why but I always cringe when I mention celeb perfume. Most are just plain revolting but I've managed to fall in love with 2 lately, however this isnt one of them. Britney Spears Radiance ended up in my ever growing perfume collection back in 2010. I've maybe used it 4/5 times and as you can see, the bottle is still almost full.

'Inspired by Britney’s captivating journey of self discovery, we see Britney Spears transformed into her most luminous and confident self. She is poised and ready to choose her own destiny.A sensual white floral, radiance truly shines with top notes of luscious wild berries and soft dewy petals entice and beguile. In the radiant heart, a pure white bouquet of tuberose, jasmine, orange flower and iris exudes unforgettable femininity. All this wrapped in captivating cashmere woods, luminous amber with the sensual glow of musk. Discover what its like to shine brightly with radiance.'

How over the top is that description? I wouldnt say I hate Radiance but I dont love it either. Its wearable but I just find it very boring, theres nothing unique about it and if I smelt it on someone else I wouldnt stop and think 'ooh, I need to find out what shes wearing!'. Its a sweet scent and exactly what you would expect from Britney. Now, I love sweet scents, the sweeter the better but I feel Radiance is best suited to girls in their early teens.

I've decided I'm not going to let my unloved perfumes gather dust anymore, (unless they're the type that make me feel ill - Miss Dior Cherie etc) I'm on a mission to use them up and maybe replace them with some old favourites. :] I've chucked Radiance into my bag and it wont be coming back out untill its time to appear in an empties post. Thats the plan anyway.

Britney Spears Radiance 30ml £23

Let me know your all time fave perfume(s), enable me and my habit :]

Scented Sundays #5

Flora by Gucci has been in my collection for around 3 years. I've never repurchased, reason being I 'lost' it for well over a year but then it showed up in one of my old handbags. I love finding old things, its like going shopping all over again and not having to part with any cash!

At first I couldnt get enough of this scent, and I still like it but dont find myself reaching for it as often as I should.

'Flora by Gucci is an original, feminine fragrance is faithfully rooted in the Italian fashion house's glamorous past, yet exudes a brightness and modernity that is distinctly of the moment. Utterly feminine, yet deeply sensual, Flora by Gucci is characterized by contrasts. The core of this fragrance is composed of both rose and osmanthus flower, a rare and delicate bloom originating in China. Fresh citrus and peony are used as a top note, which impart a sensual youthfulness. These sweeter notes are reigned in by a powerful base composed of sandalwood and patchouli, signatures of the Gucci fragrance world.'

The scent is floral but without being overpowering. I've read a few reviews which describe Flora as a light scent but light isnt how it comes across to me. Once I run out of Flora I dont think I'll repurchase, I do like it but I think I'll try the Eau Fraiche version instead. Have any of you tried both?

Flora by Gucci - 30ml £37

Whats your most reached for perfume?

Scented Sundays #3

This should really be week 4 but I forgot last week, oops!

This weeks perfume is also one I fell in love with through a sample, its not one that I would of purchased or even tried in a shop. I always think of celeb perfumes as naff and the majority of them are but I was pleasantly surprised by this one.

Beyonce Pulse 30ml, RRP: £23.50 but can almost always be found on offer.

'Sparkling top notes of Pear Blossom, effervescent Blue Curacao accord and frosted Bergamot give way to Bluebird Orchid, delicate Peony and fragrant Midnight Blooming Jasmine. Finally, Pulse is anchored by powerfully sexy, irresistible base notes: warm, opulent Madagascar Vanilla, seductive Musk and sensual precious Woods.'

I love Pulse so much that I ordered a back-up in the Christmas sales. I would say its more of a summery scent but if you're like me then you'll just wear what you want when you want. The scent is sweet but not sickening in anyway, theres almost a creamy smoothness to it. The staying power isnt great but the price isnt going to break the bank and I love it so much that I dont mind having to top up more than I normally would.

I dont really get whats going on with the bottle? Its hideous and not practical for carrying around in your bag. What were you thinking Beyonce??

Pulse is a nice everyday fragrance and I'm sure I'll be repurchasing untill the sad day that its discontinued.

Today I bought.. | Rimmel Peppermint Swatch

Two posts in one today, lazy?

Boots still have some perfume sets reduced and a few weeks back I was sent a sample of Diesel Loverdose, didnt expect to love it as I'm not a fan of the usual Diesel type scents but it was love at first sniff! It kinda reminds me of Armani Code but sweeter, I have no idea if the two contain similar ingredients but to me they smell really similar.

I think this was around £25. I wont use the shower gel or body lotion but I couldnt wait to get my hands on it, hunting around online then waiting for it to be delivered just seemed like a scary thought, I needed it now!

I've been trying out the Sally Hansen Insta-Dry and really like it so thought I would try out the Diamond Strength Instant Nail Hardener aswell. I think this was just under £9. Is it only me who thinks this is pricey for a highstreet type brand?

Rimmel Peppermint has been in my collection for around 2years (I think), well over a year anyway but its only lately that I've fallen in love with it. I find a lot of minty shades usually make the hands appear a lovely shade of lobster but I dont have that problem with this beauty.

I cant get enough of this colour at the mo. I find it lasts a good 4/5 days before chipping, not bad for a few quid. Fully opaque with two coats and its so easy to apply.

Products Used:

O.P.I Ridge Filler

Rimmel Peppermint (2 coats)

Sally Hansen Insta-Dry

Esme Perfume Pendant.

The Esme Perfume Pendant is a gorgeous egg shaped enamelled pendant, adorned with crystals and comes complete on a 30 inch silver plated chain. The pendant is hinged with a magnetic closure and opens up to reveal a tiny refillable roller ball and funnel which you simply spray your perfume into.

I received the black pendant, well presented inside a box. I love the idea of a perfume necklace and I love even more that you dont end up with perfume all over your fingers like you would with a solid perfume.

The chain length is brilliant, the long necklace really sets off any outfit, whether you're going for a casual or dolled up look, and black just goes with everything.

The pod holds approx 0.3ml which isnt a lot but enough for a few top ups throughout the day. Esme also do perfume keyrings and their own perfume. The perfume pendants vary in price and style, my black one is £24.99 and can be found here.

PR Sample



Scented Sundays #2

CERRUTI 1881 pour FEMME

Like last week, this is a perfume I've had in my collection for years. I think it was the first proper grown up perfume I owned.

CERRUTI 1881 pour FEMME was created in 1995. I started wearing it when I was around 11 and I think thats why I love it so much, it reminds me of school and certain people. Its described as a woody floral but thats not how I would describe.

Olfactive Pyramid:

'Among the top notes the delicate femininity of mimosa, freesia and violet.

                  At the Heart, orange blossom and jasmine bring to mind the feel of linen on bare skin.
                               Woody base notes underline the sophistication of the fragrance.'

I cant stand jasmine and had no idea it was in this perfume untill I looked it up.

For:

A confident woman with a free spirit, seductive with the promise of hidden sensuality.

CERRUTI 1881 pour FEMME is the type of scent that any age could wear and even though I was really young when I first discovered it, theres nothing childish about it. The scent is clean, reminds me of fresh bed sheets, getting out of the shower and babies (you know that lovely clean smell that babies have?) I swear I'm not a weirdo.

If you've tried this before what did you think? I love that no matter how much you douse yourself in this perfume its never an assult on the senses.

Scented Sundays #1

Back when I first started my blog I done a post about the perfumes I regretted buying (I'd bought them without smelling them first, just because I really liked the bottles). So instead of doing another post containing all the perfumes I own and love I thought it would be better to post about a different one each week, please dont expect amazing fragrance descriptions though, my nose is about as sophisticated as a brick. My faves are all different prices.. From cheap and cheerful to more expensive, and listed in no particular order.

Dior Addict 2 Summer Litchi

This fresh, floral fragrance by the house of Christian Dior arrived on the market in May 2008. The limited version of the perfume Addict 2 is created in honour of Chinese cherry known as litchi, and it celebrates summer in a bottle with charming, pink motifs. The perfume Dior Addict 2 Summer Litchi includes sparkling notes of grapefruit, with accords of the heart which seduces with notes of litchi and Turkish rose. The base notes introduce white musk. The bottle has the same shape as its pink antecedents and it represents litchi tree in pink nuances.

I've had this perfume in my collection since 2008 and this is my 4th bottle. I'm not sure of the exact price but I buy it every summer when I'm in The Perfume Shop (I think they only sell it in spring/summer and its usually on offer) I loved the bottle, thats the main reason I asked the girl on the counter to let me have a sniff, didnt expect to like it as I'm not a fan of the original Dior Addict.

Ready for my sophisticated description?

Summer Litchi smells like raspberry sparkling water to me. lol Its a lovely scent and the perfect summer fragrance, as the name suggests. I hope it never gets discontinued, summer just wouldnt be the same without it!

Have you tried this? Was it love or hate?

Perfume Collection Part 1.

I'm going to start of with my least favourite perfumes, the ones I will never repurchase. I'll save my faves for another post! I'm not good at picking out top notes and all that jazz so will just keep it simple.

First up are the perfumes I bought just for the bottles, I'm such a packaging hoe!

Nina Ricci - Ricci Ricci. 50ml £39.50. My dad bought this for me at duty free last year, I asked for it.. was excited to get it.. smelt it.. hated it! I've worn it once and am in no hurry to wear it again. The bottle is gorgeous and  looks so pretty on my dressing table but as far as I'm concerned, thats all its good for. If someone is wearing this perfume.. you will smell them before you see them, not good.

Juicy Couture - Viva La Juicy. 100ml £60. Another perfume I thought I needed. So many people love this fragrance though so maybe it's just me? I got this for christmas 2 years ago. I love the bottle, everyone needs a bit of tackiness in their life! I just cant wear this scent without getting the mother of all headaches and feeling slightly sick. Which brings me to the next perfume..

Miss Dior Cherie. 50ml £46. The only word to descibe this nostril offender  is AWFUL, I actually hate it but again, I convinced myself I needed it. I cant even look at IT now without getting a headache. To me it just smells old, in your face, overpowering and sickening, I could go on and on and on but I wont.

Thierry Mugler - Alien. 30ml £50. When Alien first came out I knew I had to have it, Not because I liked the scent (I hadnt even tried it yet) but because I was inlove with the bottle. This is a weird one for me, I really did like it for atleast a year but now I cant stand it. I dont know if I maybe convinced myself I liked it or maybe my taste has just changed? who knows. I highly doubt I would ever buy this again though.

Matthew Williamson - Sheer. 50ml. I'm not sure how much this usually costs but I got it for £10 from The Perfume Shop. I dont hate this perfume but I dont love it either. Yet another one I bought without smelling  first. I'd read so many rave reviews about this I really dont see what so many people are inlove with. It's not an awful scent but I cant see myself repurchasing or using it up anytime soon.

Hugo Boss Femme. 50ml £39. Another christmas gift from 4/5 years ago and I've never liked it, not even the bottle. I really dont have much to say about this fragrance so I'll leave it at that.

There ya go.. a list of my worst perfumes.

Just because I dont like any of these doesnt mean that you wont and sorry to anyone who uses these lol they just arent my cuppa tea, at all.

xo

Another Addiction.

I'm coming to the end of quite a few of my perfumes but it's almost christmas and christmas = new perfumes! I was going to do a perfume collection post.. most used, least used, favourites, which ones I'll be repurchasing and a perfume wishlist.

Should I?

Shouldnt I?

Oh and am I the only weirdo who likes to keep certain empty bottles?  Some just look so pretty, I want to keep them forever. In the past I've even been sad enough to buy perfumes just because I liked the bottles. lol I'm sure I'm not the only one though, you lot are prob just as bad... if not worse. haha

Anyway, Big Brother is about to start so Ciao for now.

xo