April in Fragrance

Today's post is a bit of a new concept, coming at you in the form of The Fragrance Diaries. It'll be a monthly delve into the world of perfume, touching on new releases, my most-worn scents and a whole lot more. This series was inspired by a few posts I read right at the start of my blogging journey, where I documented my findings from some of my fragrance shopping trips. I really enjoyed reading over those, so I thought it would be nice to bring them back to the blog, and give a little insight into some of the scents that I might not mention in full reviews here on Behind The Scent.

CURRENT FAVOURITES

Diptyque Philosykos

Chloe Love Story* (review)

LATEST LAUNCHES

The last month has seen some interesting fragrance releases with more of a spring focus. In the floral department, we have Narciso Poudrée, the powdery rose reincarnation of Narciso Rodriguez' Narciso EDP. Then there's Kenzo Flower in the Air Florale, a pretty floral that has been given a facelift for 2016 with the addition of passion fruit to its notes of rose, jasmine and pear blossom. Also this month is the annual My Little Chloé launch, with adorable 20ml sizes of their popular Chloe EDP, Signature EDT and Roses de Chloé. 

More florals, and Stella Pop is a new scent, aimed at "millenials" (what even is a millenial?). The floral woody combination is said to be “a mindset that captures the free spirit of the women who wear it.”, and is composed of two main synthetic notes, tuberose and sandalwood. On the more luxury end of the spectrum, there is McQueen Parfum from Alexander McQueen, "for the woman that blooms in the dark". Combining three mysterious florals, Jasmine Sambac, Ylang-ylang and Tuberose, this sounds just as opulent as the bottle (and the price tag!).

We're all familiar with the classic nineties gourmand, Thierry Mugler Angel, and 2016 sees a modern reworking of that eponymous fragrance. Angel was the fragrance that inspired the current trend for sweet, cotton candy scents, and now Angel Muse will show it's face to redefine everything we thought we knew about gourmand scents. Taking the woody scent of vetiver and a sweet accord of hazelnut cream, Angel Muse will be the new scent that we all love to hate. 

SAMPLING STORIES

This month I joined The Perfume Society and have been working my way though the Discovery Box that came with my subscription. There are 8 samples in the box and I've still got a bit of testing to do, so look out for a post on that in the next couple of weeks. I've also been testing latest Discovery Club Box from The Fragrance Shop. This is a fab service that gives you a selection of the latest launches every season for just £5 a box. You can read that post here.

I got a sample of Thierry Mugler's Angel in a magazine. I always assumed I wouldn't like it, so never really thought of trying it, but I was pleasantly surprised. Yes, it was the strong, heady scent bomb that I expected, but I never thought in a million years that I'd like it. Definitely an addictive and intriguing scent (yes, there is about 1 minute where it smells like sweaty pits), it's the original and best gourmand. It might not be the most "me" scent, but it sure is fun. I'm looking forward to trying Angel Muse!

I popped into town to do a little sampling too. After reading about its launch, I was really excited to try Britney Spears Maui Fantasy, however I was really disappointed. It was really strong and fruity, with a tropical vibe rather than the luscious coconut cocktail that I wanted it to be. It was very young and dare I say cheap smelling, so I was glad I tested it out instead of blind buying it!

After lusting after all three flankers, I picked out YSL Black Opium EDT to try on my skin. It was really sweet and heavy and not really to my taste. It is definitely geared to clubbing, and lacked the finesse that I look for in a perfume. I didn't find it to be that much of a unique scent, and was the typical fruitchouli/gourmand that has dominated the fragrance market over the last few years. Black Opium lasted on my wrist for a hell of a long time. I could still smell a sweet muskiness on my wrists the next morning when I woke up, and it had been on for around 15 hours!

FAB FRAGRANCE READS

How to make a perfume hobby affordable and more fun 

Bois de Jasmin

Kara's spring perfumes
Spread The Sparkle

Courtney's fragrance collection
Blush and Blend

ON THE WISHLIST

This month, I'm adding a few things to my fragrance wishlist. After the success of Thierry Mugler Angel, I think I will try to hunt down a sampler vial. I doubt it's something I'll be able to handle in large doses, so I'd only pick up the 15ml bottle at most (£28). I didn't mention it in my Sampling Stories above, but whilst shopping my friend had a penchant for spraying Givenchy Live Irrestistible and it smelt stunning, a very tropical floral fruity scent.

I know Winter has pretty much passed now, but I have really enjoyed my sampler of Alaia so I think I'll pick up a full size. Even though it is a heavier fragrance, it'll still be suited to evening wear and the leather notes really have me hooked. Whilst researching other scents that have that same leather note, I came across reviews of Lady Gaga Eau de Gaga 001. For such an affordable celebrity scent (you can pick it up for around £10), it has some great reviews, so I'm tempted to pick up a bottle.

Which new perfume launches are you excited about?

*Post contains PR Samples