December Perfume Challenge: Day 25 - Basic Instinct by Victoria's Secret

Merry Christmas everyone! Okay, so not to sound like a total Scrooge, but does anyone else feel like Christmas is super boring when you're an adult? You don't get presents you can play with all day, everything is closed, and there's nothing on TV! That's why Christmas in Vegas rocks because everything is open! It is the best, seriously. If I was in Vegas, I'd probably be at the Forum Shops at Caesar's browsing around Victoria's Secret. That's why today we have Basic Instinct by Victoria's Secret.

I thought this was called Very Sexy for some reason and it's what I was talking about yesterday, but now that I actually went to look at the bottle I noticed it was called Basic Instinct. I also noticed that pretty much all of the fragrances I own have been discontinued! What is up with that??

I say: "I got this in a swag bag when I was an intern for a shoe company in New York. I don't think this is a fragrance I would have picked for myself, but I actually love it. This is my "going out" scent as it's a little dark, moody and sexy. It's a really nice floral, but there's something about it that makes it so evening appropriate."

They say: "Basic Instinct by Victoria`s Secret is a Floral Fruity fragrance for women. Basic Instinct was launched in 2004. The fragrance features apricot, tuberose, gardenia, plum, patchouli, turkish rose and vanilla." - Fragrantica

Well it makes sense that this launched in 2004, because I lived in NYC in 2005. I don't know when it got discontinued, but it did. Have you been in Victoria's Secret recently? It's like half of the store is bath and fragrance and makeup stuff with a bunch of knick knacks!

I hope you all had a great Christmas. Looking forward to after Christmas shopping tomorrow!

December Perfume Challenge: Day 24 - Paco Rabanne Lady Million

Merry Christmas Eve everyone! Are you all doing anything special? I spent most of the day (or afternoon, really) working on dinner - prime rib, roast potatoes, creamed spinach and yorkshire puddings. YUM! I wanted to pick a Christmas-y scent, but I didn't have one, nor could I think of one, so today it's Paco Rabanne Lady Million. This scent seems really popular right now as I have several friends who absolutely love it. But I guess the real question is, do i?

I say: "I remember the sales girl at Sephora saying this was her favorite scent for going out and I agree that it's more of an evening scent than an every day scent for me. It reminds me of Very Sexy by Victoria's Secret which actually does make me feel sexy (okay, very sexy even). I don't even know where to start with this scent - it's a little musky, dark - not particularly floral per se. I'm at a loss with this one!"

They say: "Vibrant and sensual, Lady Million is like a voluptuous nectar of flowers. Powerfully seductive, the sparkle of bitter orange and a hint of raspberry reveals the fragrance's first breath. Smooth and bright, a burst of neroli follows. Then the lethal weapon: heady orange blossom slips out of its sheath. Its narcotic sweetness then reveals itself, bewitching and demanding all attention. Joining with sambac jasmine and underlined by gardenia, the blend soars into something more carnal—yet ever subtle. Now the obsessive pulsing of patchouli enters the fray, pacifying notes of honey with an addictive and supremely tempting sweetness. Amber endnotes become all enveloping, floating around like a ray of light on a diamond.

Notes:
Neroli, Bitter Orange, Raspberry, Orange Flower Absolute, Sambac Jasmine Absolute, Gardenia, Patchouli, Honey, Amber."

I wonder what absolute is. Probably not vodka. See ya tomorrow on CHRISTMAS!

December Perfume Challenge: Day 23 - Clean Shower Fresh

Today's fragrance is Shower Fresh by Clean. I feel like the name pretty much says it all, I mean I doubt this one is going to smell like tobacco and leather. Okay, well I actually already kind of know what this one smells like because I have the rollerball! I really love rollerballs, they're awesome and convenient and I feel like I might actually use one up.

I say: Yup, definitely smell clean and like a shower. It smells a little soapy, but in a fresh and floral way. Again, this one is very non-offensive and most people would probably just think you took a shower this morning rather than doused yourself in perfume. In fact, I might even wear this in lieu of a shower. Just kidding... sort of... maybe

They say: "The quintessential soapy, fresh-from-the-shower clean scent is a soft and sexy musky floral, that's not overwhelming or pretentious. This pure, clean fragrance blends natural notes of Lily of the Valley with lemon and mandarin orange.

Notes: Lemon, Mandarin, Orange, Jasmine, Lily of the Valley (Muguet), Orange Blossom, Sheer Woods, Musk.
Style: Fresh. Clean. Sexy."

Whoa whoa whoa...I got so many of the keywords right - fresh, floral, soapy. Damn I'm good. I think this fragrance is unisex and I could see it smelling equally delightful on a guy. 

December Perfume Challenge: Day 22 - Oscar de la Renta Live in Love

I remember reading a review of Live in Love where some guy said it smelled like his mom. And I don't think that was meant as a complement. I really love the old timey look of this bottle and I received an adorable tiny version in a beauty box. But the real question is, how does it smell?

I say: I don't really think Live in Love smells like old ladies per se, but it is more mature than Esprit d'Oscar. It smells pretty clean and I feel like there are piney green notes at the end. Or maybe I've just been hanging around too many Christmas trees. This wouldn't be my first choice, but I wouldn't mind wearing this on occasion!

They say: "Live in Love by Oscar de la Renta is a Floral fragrance for women. This is a new fragrance. Live in Love was launched in 2011. Live in Love was created by Jean-Marc Chaillan, Carlos Benaim and Ann Gottlieb. Top notes are hyacinth, galbanum, bergamot, lily-of-the-valley and orchid; middle notes are jasmine, african orange flower and rose; base notes are sandalwood, virginia cedar, woodsy notes, amber and musk."

Woodsy! I knew it! Does anyone else think of Keeping Up Appearances whenever they see Hyacinth? I love that show. 

Anyway, I'm going to be able to make it to the end of the month! I'm running out of samples, but I have some actual purchased scents in my collection. This has been really fun and I've discovered some great scents. I have totally been obsessing over Especially Escada and can't wait to pick up a full size bottle!

December Perfume Challenge: Day 21 - Diptyque Volutes

I sort of did a quick review of Volutes when I received it in my November Sample Society box, but since I'd been hearing a lot about it on various blogs and YouTube, I thought it might be worth revisiting. 

I made it sound kind of horrible in my little blurb, will I still feel the same 6 weeks later?

I say: Okay, so I don't hate Volutes, but I still think it is just too much for me to wear. I can totally see why people really love this, but I can also see myself getting choked and overwhelmed by the scent if I actually wore it. It is very heavy and musky and a hint smokey. If I had a library that was all wood and old books, I would want it to smell like Volutes. I think Diptyque fragrances are unisex and I still feel like Volutes would be great on a guy (in small doses).

They say: "Blond, honeyed Egyptian tobacco transports you to mysterious horizons and far-off shore. Iris strengthens it, spices give it body, and styrax imposes a daring and distinguished leathery note. "

I couldn't agree more with Diptyque's description. Volutes is very mysterious and evokes far away places. Also, in case you are wondering what a "styrax" is (I was!), it is a shrub with fragrant bell shaped flowers hanging below foliage. There ya go, word of the day is styrax. lol

December Perfume Challenge: Day 20 - LIV GRN .earth

As the name might indicate, LIV GRN is a green lifestyle brand dedicated to the health of the planet. You can feel good about buying from the brand because 10% of every sale is donated to Global Green.  I took a quick look through their website and they have some cute t-shirts and bags, but really does logo merchandise constitute a "lifestyle brand"? .earth is one of 3 fragrances and there really aren't a lot of details so I'm not sure what makes this so green. I guess the important thing is how it smells.

I say: .earth actually smells quite nice! It's a light floral and while it doesn't specify on the website, probably better suited to women. I'm surprised it doesn't smell more green or grassy considering the .earth name. I guess we should just be glad it doesn't smell like dirt.

They say: Top Notes: Jasmin, Green Leaves, Mid Notes - Lavender, Lily of the Valley, Ocean, Dry Notes - Musk, Sandalwood

This brand and website are so weird. There is barely any information and the actual fragrance is only available for sale as part of a set with a lotion, scrub and shower gel. The lotion, scrub and shower gel, however, are available for sale individually. I'm not really sure what to make of this brand. They also have a blog, but it hasn't been updated since July!

Do you live green?

December Perfume Challenge: Day 19 - Harvey Prince Yogini

Today we have another selection from Harvey Prince and this time it's Yogini. I imagine Yogini will smell like Jennifer Aniston. Does anyone else associate her with Yoga? Does she even do Yoga? I feel like I've seen pictures of her doing it. I really want to like Yoga, but I'm not sure if it's for me. I tried on two occasions and one time was super easy and hippy-ish and the other time was hot, sweaty and stinky. I think Yoga and I don't get on well because when I work out I like to sing and dance along to pop music and let's face it, that's not really Yoga. Does this fragrance even have anything to do with Yoga?? Enough rambling, on to the fragrance!

I say: I could imagine Jennifer Aniston smelling like this! When I heard "Yogini" I was really anticipating something lighter, brighter and citrusy. This actually smells quite musky to me and a bit heavy. I have the sample in my purse, but I don't know why because I don't really care for it. 

They say: "Get whisked away by Yogini, the fragrance that calms the mind, soothes the soul, and frees the spirit. 

Relaxing, light, lasting. Yogini is the glow that stays with you. Experience the purifying powers of sandalwood, the age-defying glow of grapefruit, and the sensual warmth of Egyptian myrrh. Crafted with the highest quality natural essences and oils, Yogini is Nature's antidote to stress: it will make you feel as good as you smell.

Notes: Sandalwood, golden amber, sensual incense, Egyptian myrrh, pink grapefruit, blackcurrant buds, lily of the valley, star jasmine, rose petals, ylang-ylang, cardamom, madagascar vanilla
Style: Elevating. Luxurious. Serene"

Now, that I think about it, maybe I was approaching this fragrance all wrong. I was thinking of Malibu-style yoga on the beach, not REAL yoga. I guess real yoga does conjure images of incense and exotic India and stuff. Ah well, live and learn. 

December Perfume Challenge: Day 18 - DKNY Women

DKNY evokes an image of a stylish young, modern, urban woman and I would imagine their namesake fragrance to do the same. The sleek bottle even brings to mind New York City skyscrapers. And what exactly does DKNY smell like?

I say: This smells super clean. Remember I said that Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue made me think of a clean guy? Well DKNY is even cleaner! It's even a tiny bit soapy at the end. Very crisp, but not exactly citrusy. I think this is a great non-offensive fragrance for day.

They say: "An opulent perfume for women, a perfume with unusual and magical components; a cold, strict and elegant fragrance for daily and office use. An energetic wave of the top awaits you with the notes of green tomato leaves, red orange juice and cold vodka. The floral heart is composed of water lily, orchid and daffodil. The composition closes with the mild and pleasant notes of birch and tulip." - Fragrantica

Hey, I didn't do half bad! I wouldn't mind having a rollerball of this, but I don't know about a big bottle. 

I have to agree that it would be a great daytime office scent because it pretty much just smells like a shower and clean clothes!

December Perfume Challenge: Day 17 - Salvatore Ferragamo Attimo L'Eau Florale

Today's second selection is Attimo L'Eau Florale by Salvatore Ferragamo. This one shouldn't be too difficult since the name pretty much says it all.

I say: Yup definitely floral! I also get a slight undertone of baby powder. What exactly does baby powder smell like? It smells nice, but not necessarily one I would buy. It's feminine and classic, much like the Ferragamo brand.

They say: "When glamour meets romance no one can resist. A fresh bouquet with a heart of Bulgarian Rose that subtly fuses with delicate and luxurious hints of Pink Peony and Lotus Flower."

Now that they mention it, I do smell the rose, but it isn't as intensely rosy as the Escada. I wonder if I'm going to have enough fragrances to last until the end of the month - I still have 14 days left!

December Perfume Challenge: Day 16 - Dolce & Gabanna Light Blue Pour Homme

Today we have something different because we have a fragrance for men! Does that make it a cologne? What's the difference between a cologne and a perfume (other than the obvious gender differences, of course)?

Also, have you noticed that men's fragrances are a LOT cheaper than women's? For example, you can get a 2.5 ounce bottle of Light Blue for men for $58, while a 1.6 ounce bottle for women is $68! Let me do the math for you. That means for the men's version, you get 56% more product for 15% less money! WTF?

I say: I would love Light Blue on a guy! It smells really clean, like you just stepped out of a shower. Not too cloying or overpowering. I don't think it's really citrusy, but just a little musky and clean. Yeah, I said clean like 10 times, but I don't know how else to describe it! What do the pros say?

They say: "Drawing upon their native home of Italy, this innovative design team have captured the sensuality of the Mediterranean. A refreshing blend of citrus notes combines perfectly with masculine woods and subtle spice to create a distinctive fragrance that epitomizes relaxed sophistication.

Notes:
Sicilian Mandarin, Frozen Grapefruit Peel, Bergamot, Juniper, Rosemary, Szechuan Pepper, Rosewood, Musk Wood, Incense, Oak Moss."

Oh, I guess it is citrus lol. Frozen grapefruit peel? What the hell does that smell like? Just for fun let's look at the notes of the women's version. 

Notes:
Sicilian Citron, Bluebell, Granny Smith Apple, Jasmine Sambac, Bamboo, White Rose, Cedarwood, 

Amber, Musk.

Hm, quite different. I wonder why the price difference? Are the women's ingredients more expensive? Is the women's version more potent? (They are both called eau de toilette, though). Are fragrance manufacturer's sexist??

December Perfume Challenge: Day 15 - Harvey Prince Eau Flirt

Are you guys familiar with Harvey Prince? I don't know a lot about them, but their fragrances are crafted in the US and are 100% cruelty free. Today we have Eau Flirt which is supposed to attract men. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to test this claim out today since I just spritzed myself at 9:30 pm while in bed in my pjs. 

I say: It's interesting that this is supposed to attract men, because the scent doesn't really scream SEXY to me. I guess it's supposed to be more a subconscious attraction. It smells pretty crisp and clean with a slight spice undertone. I like it, but I don't love it enough to buy a whole bottle. 

They say: "This perfume flirts for you.

It starts with whispers…“Who’s that girl?” The irresistible and flirty fragrance of Eau Flirt captures the imagination of the entire room with the subtle, sexy allure of flowers and spice.

“What’s her secret?” Lean in closer. The fragrance contains notes of pumpkin pie and lavender, which have been shown to evoke a more passionate response in men than any other smell. Why do men find these two scents so arousing? Experts believe men subconsciously associate pumpkin and lavender with happy, positive and stimulating memories.
An encounter with Eau Flirt reveals top notes of sweet lavender and a cocktail of bright citrus, followed by a mingling of feminine florals freesia, ylang ylang and jasmine. Delicate spices and warm nighttime amber offer a graceful and balanced flourish." - harveyprince.com

Notes: Lavender, Pumpkin Pie, Citrus, Jasmine, Freesia, Ylang Ylang, Nutmeg, Cinnamon, Ambers

Hey I am getting way better at this! I got the spice note right! Ha! I don't really smell pumpkin pie per se, which is a good thing because I actually really hate pumpkin pie. I like the scent alright, but I hate the flavor. If you could develop a perfume based on your favorite dessert, what would it be? Mine would probably be a refreshing mint and chip ice cream!

That's all for today. I know I'm one day behind because I went out yesterday night with friends, but I'll catch up tomorrow. Have a great Monday!

December Perfume Challenge: Day 14 - Especially Escada

Alright, I'm going to try and make today's post quick because I am watching Lord of the Rings and I am totally intrigued. Yes, this is my first time watching LOTR and yes, I'm like (over) 10 years late! I tried to watch it once before and I remember being totally bored and falling asleep, I wonder what changed!

Well, on to the Escada. Honestly, Escada is a brand that brings to mind old ladies. Will this fragrance do the same?

I say: Wow, I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that I can identify a note in this - I am definitely smelling roses. I actually really like this fragrance and it doesn't smell like old ladies at all! It smells, light, rosy, fresh and young. Dare I say, I might be interested in buying a bottle of this??

They say: "A luxurious and feminine scent, Especially Escada carries a joyful, spontaneous, and glamorous spirit. Inspired by the glistening scent of morning dew on a sparkling rose, Especially Escada says luxury, but in a modern and light-hearted way. 

The fragrance opens with a sparkling top note of pear and combines with the exotic notes of ambrette seeds. A luxurious combination of rose and ylang ylang radiates a fresh and natural aura of floral joy and happiness. Light musky notes complete the scent, adding a subtle touch of femininity.

Notes: Pear, Rose, Ambrette Seeds, Ylang Ylang, Musky Notes." - Sephora

Duuuude, I was totally right about the rose! I'm excited. But I gotta go cuz LOTR awaits! Why are those hobbits always eating stuff??

December Perfume Challenge: Day 13 - Hello Kitty Eau de Parfum

What does Hello Kitty smell like? I'm thinking flowers, glitter, cake and happiness. I'm happy to report that it does not smell anything like cat litter.

I say: Okay, this fragrance is smelling REALLY familiar. I'm pretty sure it is the same thing as the Juicy Couture Viva La Juicy La Fleur. Seriously, my nose has been working over time this month, but yeah, they smell very very similar. The bottle is kind of creeping me out because the bottle curve looks like a weirdo Hello Kitty/Jack O' Lantern smile. 

They say: "You're sure to feel sweet and fancy with this pretty perfume. Made with some of Hello Kitty's favorite things, its notes of green apple and Japanese fruits will make you smile inside. As the fragrance's heart comes forward, you'll smell rich floral accords and a wink of warm vanilla. A little hint of musk is present in the base notes, adding a touch of glamour to a twinkling fragrance created especially for the young-at-heart. 

Notes: Cassis Sorbet, Italian Mandarin, Apple, Magnolia Blossom, Freesia, Orange Flower, Tonka Bean, Vanilla, Musk."

Let's take a look at the notes from Viva La Juicy La Fleur - Wild Berries, Mandarin, Honeysuckle, Gardenia Petals, Soft Jasmine, Vanilla, Caramel, Sandalwood. So I'm seeing Mandarin and Vanilla in both, but not much else. I'm not crazy! Do you know of any fragrance dupes?

December Perfume Challenge: Day 12 - Bvlgari Mon Jasmin Noir

Forget perfume, I could really use some Bvlgari jewelry. Maybe a watch. Do they make watches? Probably.  Yeah, I'll take one of those. Today's fragrance is Bvlgari Mon Jasmin Noir - The Essence of a Jeweller. What is that supposed to mean? It smells like metal? Diamonds? Let's see

I say: I'm going to make a wild guess here and say that this smells like Jasmine. And it's dark, black even. Upon initial whiff (yes, I said whiff), I immediately thought of old ladies. As it dried down, the smell improved, but I still can't say I'm a fan. It's quite heavy and smells almost smokey. Obviously very floral, but I get a hint of an almost incense smell.

They say: "The jasmine flower, a diamond of perfumery and a symbol of beauty and luxury, is the centerpiece of this lighter addition to the Jasmin Noir line of fragrances. Young, modern, and highly refined, it opens brightly with top notes of citrusy golden cedrat and floral lily of the valley. The heart of this eau de parfum dazzles the senses with an unexpectedly modern composition of two jasmine flowers, sambac and angelwing, which linger elegantly as the sensual drydown emerges with essences of light musks and vibrant woods. The award-winning perfumers Sophie Labbe and Olivier Polge created this fragrance with Bvlgari. 

Notes:Golden Cedrat, Lily of the Valley, Jasmine, Sambac, Angelwing Jasmine, Musky Nougatine, Cedar, Patchouli." 

Hey I wasn't that off - did you read that "drydown emerges with essences of light musks!" I'm going to have to disagree with Bvlgari that this smells young and modern though. 

December Perfume Challenge: Day 11 - Lady Gaga

Dude, I haven't heard a Lady Gaga song in forever! Where'd she go? You couldn't turn the radio on without hearing half a dozen of her songs a little while ago. I guess she's just been busy with other ventures like her new-ish fragrance. I really love the bottle and the black liquid, while gimmicky, is still interesting. Unfortunately, the sample I received came in a black plastic tube so I don't know if my liquid was actually black.

I say: Again, this isn't really my type of fragrance. I could actually see older people liking this, even though they might not know who Lady Gaga is. It smells warm, dark and musky. It kind of reminds me of Very Sexy by Victoria's Secret. Definitely better suited to a cool winter evening. 

They say: "Embrace Lady Gaga Fame, the sultry, black eau de parfum. First of its kind in fluid technology, it is black like the soul of Fame  but invisible once airborne. This black fluid exudes a lustful, floral, fruity essence for fabulous little monsters. 

Enriched with tears of belladonna, a black veil of incense, and pulverized apricot, this fragrance may cause illicit fits of extravagance, unrivalled rushes of adoration, and prolonged moments of ecstasy and rapture."

This description just cracks me up. "Tears" of belladonna and "pulverized" apricot? Um, a little overdramatic if I say so myself. I can't wait for other colored perfumes to come out. Who knows what will be next - red, pink, rainbow??

December Perfume Challenge: Day 10 - DKNY Be Delicious Eau So Intense

DKNY Be Delicious Intense smells really familiar, but I can't put my finger on what it reminds me of. How does it smell? Let's see...

I say: I thought this was going to be a bit sweeter and apple-y because the bottle looks like a friggin apple! Despite the "intense" name, it smells fresh, clean and summery. I get citrus and also a little bit of green. I would wear this on a warm summer day.

They say: Donna Karan launches yet another limited edition in summer 2012. It is an intense version of the original DKNY Be Delicious from 2004, which bears the name DKNY Be Delicious Eau so Intense.

Juicy as a fresh and sour bite of an apple, DKNY Be Delicious Eau so Intense captures apple extracts wrapped up in green and moist freshness of grapefruit and magnolia. The heart is a floral bouquet of violet, rose, tuberose and lily of the valley, complemented by the base of fine sandalwood, white amber and blonde woods." - Fragrantica.com

I'm not getting apple from this at all! Maybe I'm expecting more of a Jolly Rancher smell, which doesn't exactly scream $69 bottle of fragrance. Looks like this one is limited edition, but it is still available on Sephora.com

December Perfume Challenge: Day 9 - Arquiste L'Etrog

Okay, I missed yesterday, but I'll make up for it with two posts today. Today we have L'Etrog by Arquiste. I'm not really familiar with Arquiste, but their website says that they create "fragrances that transport you to another place in time." They have a quite a backstory on L'Etrog, which you'll see below. In case you're wondering, according to Wikipedia, an Etrog is a "yellow citron or Citrus medica used by Jews on the week-long holiday of Sukkot

I say: "This definitely smells expensive compared to everything I've reviewed previously. I determined this before I did some googling and found out a 55ml bottle sells at Barneys for $165. This really isn't my type of scent - initially I thought it smelled like old ladies in a Coco Chanel kind of way. As it's dried down, I do get a hit of citrus, but in a powdery sort of way. Yeah, L'Etrog smells expensive and grown up, but it's not for me."

They say: "October 1175, Calabria, Italy. In Medieval Calabria, a family gathers to celebrate a good harvest. Within a cabin built of Palm leaves and other woody branches, an aromatic bounty is presented. The citrusy scent of the Etrog citron, a regional speciality, brightens the air, while bracing Myrtle and lush Date Fruit envelope the sweet warmth of the Mediterranean night. 

Notes include: Calabrese Cedrat, Myrtle, Date Fruit, Vetivert"

Interesting. I wouldn't have really looked to the Medieval times for inspiration for a fragrance because I'm pretty sure everyone smelled like hell back then. L'Etrog actually might be nice as a home fragrance if it was toned down a bit. 

December Perfume Challenge: Day 8 - Betsey Johnson Too Too Pretty

I'm just going to come right out and say it. I'm not a fan of these bust/mannequin perfume bottles - sorry Nicki Minaj and Betsey Johnson. They look creepy! Today we have Too Too Pretty by Betsey Johnson. I wonder if her fragrances will still be around even though she's gone out of business now?

I say: Okay, we're back to a fragrance that smells sort of in the same vein as the Juicys and Justin Biebers. Definitely floral and slightly sweet. As the bottle would suggest, the scent also leans quite young - could you imagine your Grandma with this bottle on her dresser?? I didn't think so either. I like this one, would smell great on a spring day.

They say: "Betsey Johnson TooToo Pretty speaks to the girl who is radiant, charming and confident. Vibrant fruity and floral scents infuse with soft musks and woods to create a fragrance that remains true to Betsey's forever playful attitude. 

Notes of Fresh Waterlilies, Sparkling Cassis, Lemon Blossom, Osmanthus, Golden Gardenia, Pink Grapefruit Flower, Skin Musk, Whipped Vanilla, Blonde Woods."

There you go, another inoffensive and young floral scent, if you can get past the weird bottle.

December Perfume Challenge: Day 7 - Oscar de la Renta Esprit d'Oscar

Oh my gosh, I almost forgot to blog today which is why I'm doing it at 10 PM. Today's fragrance is Esprit d'Oscar by Oscar de la Renta. There's nothing I associate more with Oscar de la Renta than feminine elegance and beautiful dresses. I remember my friend and I agreed that if we could choose our parents they would be Oscar de la Renta and Carolina Herrera. I know, WTF lol!

I say: At the beginning of this challenge a lot of the smells kind of ran together, but this one is definitely distinct. I think it smells kind of like roses, baby powder and almonds. It's subtle and feminine, but also a little mature. I wouldn't have chosen this for myself, but I will be more than happy to use up my mini rollerball sample. 

They say: "Esprit d'Oscar Eau de Parfum—a modern interpretation of Oscar de la Renta's signature scent inspired by chic and sophisticated women of today. The spirit of femininity re-imagined in a timeless floral-oriental fragrance that is sparkling in spirit.

Retaining the original oriental - floral character, the new composition begins with citrus notes of Sicilian lemon, bergamot and citron, leading to the floral bouquet heart of Egyptian jasmine, orange blossom and tuberose. The base is oriental, creamy, smooth and very long-lasting with musk, heliotrope, tonka and vetiver." 

I was going to say, wow I got that one totally wrong. But apparently heliotrope has notes of vanilla-almond-cocoa. BOO YA! I still don't think it smells very citrusy and to me it is far more floral. Well you smell and learn. 

December Perfume Challenge: Day 6 - Calvin Klein Contradiction

Today's fragrance is a blast from the past. And one that I actually own! I can't remember when I purchased this, but I'm sure it was ages ago because it was launched in 1997 and has since been discontinued. This was my favorite fragrance for a long time as I thought it was far more grown up than the CK One, Polo Ralph Lauren and Davidoff Cool Water (remember those??) favored by my peers. Yeah, I was that mature lol!

I say: For some reason my memories of Contradiction were that it was very citrusy. Now that I smell it again, it seems a lot greener and a little herbal. I still get a hint of citrus, maybe orange? Or maybe I'm just getting skewed by the color! I still like this scent quite a bit, good thing I still have half a bottle left!

They say: "Calvin Klein feels the time and creates fragrances which are in the full harmony with certain times and generations and more over they set trends. 

Contradiction is a fragrance for an active urban woman, "she is always and never the same". Intensive floriental with a pronounced metal nuance was very actual in later 1990-ties.

The composition opens with the floral notes of rose, peony, jasmine and lily-of-the-valley. The new and modern note of eucaliptus in the middle is refreshing the classic floral buquet. The heart blends with eucaliptus, pear blossom, orchid and syringa. Oriental base includes sandal and Tonka bean" - Fragrantica.com

Okay... looks like I was pretty off on this one. I agree it is definitely refreshing, but it smells more citrusy than floral to me. Maybe it's the pear blossom I'm getting? Yeah right. Well, as I said this one is discontinued, but it seems to still be widely available online including at Walgreens.com and Amazon.com