The second big problem with writing a perfume review is that you grab something you haven’t worn in a while, put it on, fall back in love with it, sit down to write about it while obsessively sniffing at your scented hand, tossing superlatives around in your head, Googling for notes, and find the review you wrote over two years ago. And I don’t care because I remember why I loved it, just wasn’t wearing it because, well, I didn’t have any! How many parallels this runs into in my personal life kind of scares me.
It’s Le Labo Gaiac. I don’t think I have anything new to say except it’s really the perfect cozy warm winter scent. It’s been snuggling up to my nose from my hand all day. And the sun is out. It fits in with my more contemplative frame of mind of balancing the dark with the light – preventing dark from beating the crap out of light and making sure light doesn’t burn so brightly and maybe a little too brightly in an effort to pretend dark doesn’t need to exist.
Y’all seemed to be most in favor of the Xerjoffs staying together or at least keeping the big pieces of it togther, so what I decided to do is keep the Discovery Set together in its cool little unseen kit as a prize for one commenter. It is Discovery Set Part Two, and it has Dhofar, Modoc, Uden, Oroville, Nio and Kobe in it, each of them 15 mls. I’m not sure what any of those scents are like. I’ve thought of a thousand different ways to do a contest for this, but in all of them, I’d wind up being the judge and probably make someone mad. I thought about letting you guys vote, and then thought that could be an even bigger mess – I went so far as to write it all out, then contemplated all the ways it could go wrong and deleted the whole mess. So random draw for this big prize.
Then I have a carded sample set of Elle, Irisss, XXY and Homme that I’ll give away as one set to another commenter. I have two sets of these, and the samples are really generous. I wanted to keep some of the other set for myself to try and for reference, but don’t needa lot, so I’m going to decant out a sample set of the same scents for another commenter from my carded sample set.
I’ve also got a carded sample set of Oesel, Lua, Nio, Oroville and Ibitra. I’ll do the same thing with this. I’ll decant out some of this into a sample set for another commenter to win.
Then they sent me a large’ish sample/decant of Richwood. It’s a gorgeous scent, and really rich. I’m still not sure what I think of it yet. I should have at least 10 samples of this that I’ll give out to another 10 commenters.
So! We will wind up with 11 winners, I think that’s a good compromise and gives a nice big prize and several nice smaller prizes and spreads around the Xerjoff generosity. When I draw the winners (On Tuesday, a day after Valentine’s Day), I’ll announce them in my blog post.
Comment away to be entered. Tell me which one of these you’d most like to smell or bag on the new American Idol judges. I’m a skosh conflicted about them – I miss Simon, but Steven Tyler and J-Lo are really kind of likable. If they’d just booted Randy, who seems to never offer anything to the discussion beyond DAWWWWG, and given us, well, anyone interesting, I could probably be happy enough. Even though I’ll absolutely hate myself in three weeks when I’m still watching it with all the bad contestants left in it that are boring as tadpoles because they are 15 and haven’t lived.
Most interested in Richwood, Kobe and Dhofar, but the prices are truly ridiculous. I’m up for trying them though, if luck is on my side.
scared but desperate to try the Xeroffs!
I haven’t tried any of those so any would be good to try.
I would love to be entered ! I don’t know much about the scents -except that many of thier caps make them look a bit like shoehorns–or an icecream scooper(but still- a pretty gold shoehorn!).And that they are so pricey that it is dangerous to try them with my practically genetic tendancy to fall madly for the hideously expensive.Grr…
As for AI -I never really followed it .I “may” have seen an equivalant of one episode total -no one in my family is interested .The show might be stopped on if (1)the channel surfer stops to speak with someone(2) there is a severe weather alert/closings message scrolling on the bottom of the screen on that channel(3)there is really disgusting commercial/or program on the other networks(waiting through last few minutes on AI ‘s station for the following program.
My workplace had a drawing -guess the AI winner and you win too!-
I had to ask friends and acquaintances who they would choose (I lost anyway)
For sheer perversity, I would most like to try whichever Xerjoff is the most expensive, because that is the one I am least likely to ever actually buy; that way, if I like it, it will seem even better and more desirable because I’ll never own it.
A better answer would probably be Tobacco Oroville, because the combination of carnation and tobacco seems irresistible.
I watched american idol for the first time this year, for the sole reason that my sister is on. I must say, watching the tryout episodes was a bit painful… although if I was getting paid as much as the judges it wouldn’t be too bad – then I could purchase all of these scents! I’m most interested in trying Irisss, although as someone said earlier, trying perfumes of this price is dangerous and possibly heartbreaking – what if i fall in love with it and can’t have it???
You know, I’ve never watched American Idol. Something about it just seemed like it would annoy me too much to watch, but I watch some really bad TV so it doesn’t make a whole lot of sense. I think Oesel sounds the most intriguing to me right now, but I’d love to try any/all! I’m afraid they’re out of my price range though, which isn’t hard when your price range is as low as mine is right now. *blush*
I would much love to try those Xerjoffs- especially Irissssssss. On a Guaiac note- I have not had the pleasure of sniffin the LeLabo- but I love! the Red Flower Guaiac- it is still too cold for me to pull it out yet…. Also- I am upset with myself for failing to record any new American Idol stuff (for the fun of watching Steven Tyler and J-Lo)- as someone put it- nice for them to have judges who have enjoyed successful careers in the bizzzz- hmmmmmm?
I would love to try Oroville, Nio, Richwood, Irisss.. all of them really! Thank you for your effort and generosity in this draw :)
I am extremely curious about Xerjoff, so I am exited that you hold this generous draw. I am most curious about Irisss, sounds like the perfect Iris…
Thanks, Patty! Throw me in for any of them, but especially the Oroville/Ibitira set– mimosa is so beautiful…
I also would be happy with any of them. When it comes to perfume, I want to sniff everything! I’ve only watched Idol a couple of times this year, but I think Stephen Tyler is such a nicer person than Simon cowell. I like his enthusiasm.
i would be happy with any of the great selections you will be sharing with us.
Would love to try any of them but particularly the Irisss. Thank you so much for the drawing!
Really want to try Modoc, Nio and Richwood. I think Steven Tyler’s been a hoot this season on Idol.
Oh my, any of them. But if I’d have to pick..IRIS! Love iris. The Richwood sounds wonderful also. I think I must be the only person in the world who has never seen ‘Idol’ I have seen some individual performers on youtube. But. alas not a single episode.
It is nice to rediscover why loved something so much in the 1st place. Please enter me in the draw. I would love to try any of those fumes.
I’d love to try any Xerjoff scents. No idea when or where else I’d get an oportunity to try. Irisss seems to be favorite on the blog, but I’m intrigued by the whole line. Thanks for the wonderful giveaway! :)
I have not smelled any of the Xerjoffs, so I can only guess which ones I might like. I think I will mostly be interested in a sample set that contains some of their women’s fragrances.
Thanks for a draw!
I’m goingwith “SHARE-off” as pronunciation, but then again, I suffer from Reader’s Disease (not knowing how to pronounce a word, even if meaning is known)…
Richwood sounds interesting. I have tried a few from the shooting stars line (love Kobe), and the casamorati line is extremely generic to me. Have yet to smell the 17/17 series.
HHmmmm perfume expense…my bottom line – the new cheap- has inexorably crept up as I thrill seek ever more, new and over the top…and at the same time I’m finding really cheap stuff, often put out in the late 20th ( a ‘fume decade I missed due to taking it easy with Mitsouko and motherhood), was great, and many of the accords we now see in niche were hammered out back then.
I’d love to be in the draw!
I’ll have to sample Irisss anyway in case its up there in the holy trinity of ISM, A L’Ondee, I Ganache, Mythique…whoops my rule to only get FBs of three personal faves of an idea/note has crumpled I see…
Would love to try Richwood, as I’m a fan of sandalwood. I’m a boring person to ask about TV because I’m just re-watching the entire Buffy series these days.
I would love to try any of the Xerjoffs actually. I’ve been eyeing them for some time now, but haven’t plucked up the courage to fork out mega bucks for any. I’m a relative newcomer to American Idol, as this is only my second season of watching. I actually like all the judges, but particularly enjoy Steven Tyler. I like how he doesn’t take himself too seriously and is a bit of a lovable cad/rogue.
Never cared to watch Am Idol, which probably counts as an opinion.
Of the Xerjoffs (“Zher-yoffs”?), Irisss might appeal the most to me, because of a review I seem to remember on NST. Not that I’d turn down any of them that I might win. Please put me in the Xerjoff drawing/pinata bash!
Steven Tyler wears more makeup than I do… and has had more plastic surgery and hair styling to boot!
Please enter me in the draw, thanks Patty!
I think you’ve come up with a good compromise – 1 big winner and 10 other not so big winners! I don’t watch American Idol (but I loooooooooooooove So You Think You Can Dance!), so no comment there. The only Xerjoff I’ve read much about are Irisss and Richwood, and Richwood sounds pretty nice. Thanks for the generous giveaways!
I have zero experience with that line so I can’t say which sample set would interest me more. Please enter me in the drawing so I can gain that crucial experience! As for the American Idol judges, JLO can’t sing, so why is she judging a singing contest? I love Steve Tyler, but he is ooooooooooooold. He, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and that guy from J.Geils should front a concert tour called “Wrinklepalooza.”
Gee, I’m totally out of it – haven’t smelled any Xerjoffs, and don’t watch Idol. But although I’ll continue to not watch Idol, I’d love to tray any of the Xerjoffs; please do enter me in the drawing.
Richwood is the one Xerjoff that I WILL try come hell or high water. Sounds luscious.
I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the addition of Steven Tyler and JLo. When Steven bent to kiss and hug the young woman in the wheelchair, I ws so touched. He’s quite a softie. Last night he was pretty blunt with some folks but deservedly so.
I would love to win any of the Xerjoffs. I haven’t tried any yet and am very curious to see what might justify their exorbitant prices.
Although I’ve watched a few episodes of American Idol over the years, I’ve never really followed it. However, an adorable 15 year old named Danielle Pease who sang at our local bandstand last summer in a community concert series made it through to the Hollywood round this season. Whether she goes on in the competition or not, she has been giving interviews on local TV that show how thrilled she is that her talent has been recognized and that she has the chance to travel across the country. I may have been a bit dismissive of AO in years past, but now I am really touched by the hope and optimism it can give to young contestants. I hope the new judges will be nice to her.
Hi Kathryn, thanks for sharing that. I may have to start watching it now that we have someone to root for!
I think AI has run its course. I find the new judges inoffensive and/but boring, and I think their proclivity to let just about anyone move on to Hollywood will result in a terribly excruciating set of elimination rounds (and not in a good way). |-)
Also, the way you have set up the fragrance draw is more than fair- lots of opportunities to win a little something special, and one very lucky person will feel like they just won the sweepstakes. Fun fun.
Thanks for hosting the drawing, and putting so much thought into it. I’d love to try the Xerjoffs. The only one I’ve tried is the Irisss, and I thought it was lovely, but I think for the price, I want SL’s ISM.
As for the Gaiac 10, I love it, too. It’s an Annick Menardo fragrance, and much softer than Black, Hypnotic Poison Bois d’Armenie or Bois d’Argent. . .but I love it. I hope Le Labo makes it available again in the US, so others can try it. Most of my favorite LL are the exclusives–the Poivre, the Vanille, the Baie rose, the Musc, AND the Aldehyde. . .it’s like I’m only collecting the city exculsives! (the only “normal” LL I have is the Labdanum 18 :D
PS Natalie and Meg have company–I don’t have cable or an antenna. I have a television, but only for watching DVDs, so I can’t comment on the AI stuff. Steven Tyler sounds like he’d be a hoot as a judge! Be well.
I have found that it makes my life much more relaxing!
This is a totally wonderful place.
I’m able to “visit” places around the world with the folks here, and I’m introduced to fantastic fragrances I would never hear about where I live my “real” life.
I’ve never smelled ANY of the Le Labos, nor the Xerjoffs. (But my wicked, wicked mind always reads that name as something very naughty……):-?
And I agree with mariekel’s comment — I’m slightly shocked they would introduce something SO out-there expensive. I could NEVER justify buying them. Although —- I admit that I do some fancy footwork with the finances to fund my perfume obsession as it is.(sorry about the alliteration – it simply flew out of my fingers as I typed. hahaha)
I’d love to be entered in the draw.
Funny about that Gaiac: I cannot smell anything except a sort of barely-there vanillic woods. Which is odd considering the other Labos step up and start talking.
Those Xerjoffs are awfully tempting but they are sooooo expensive. I am slightly shocked anyone would think to bring out such an expensive line in this economy. I mean, are people really paying hundreds of dollars to have their perfume stored in a little bit of malachite? Couldn’t they bring out a plain little glass bottle for us ordinary mortals? That said, I still want to try them all, of course.
I had sworn off AI after the gorgeous Adam was denied his rightful throne. But I have to admit having had my curiosity piqued by Steven Tyler. Still haven’t gotten over my intense dislike for la diva JLo, though. And you are so right, Randy has become just plain annoying and irrelevant…As to perfumes for these three, I would imagine JLo wears something absurdly expensive and unrelated to her samba-girl frags. randy would probably go for something that screamed music exec, like one of Diddy’s colognes.
but Steven Tyler could prove to be a perfume wildcard. He could rock a really naughty women’s scent like BB Perfect Night or Rochas Femme, or a unisexy like Musc Ravageur.
RE: the Xerjoffs the luxury market is a strange animal. When the economy was way down a year or two ago, the SA at Tiffany’s told my dh their business had actually increased….go figure.
Not familiar with BB Perfect Night, but can totally see ST in Femme or Musc Ravageur!
Irisss is the one I’m most curious about, and regarding the new American Idol judges, well I was surprised/pleased to see a mushy Steven Tyler is the new heart of the judge panel.
Hi–complex but fair, I’d say. Better than one big prize. I’m most interested in Richwood than others, though a good strong iris could be lovely for spring. As for judges. could I talk about the judges on RuPaul’s Drag Race instead? Hurray for Michele, keep Bobbi instead of Santino.
I’d like to try any of them,because I’ve just started getting into perfume and those little sample vials are becoming an addiction. I’d also like to see how a high end perfume line smells (not likely to buy any anytime soon!)
I have to admit it, I’ve never watched American Idol. Nor do I watch much other TV, so I don’t really have a comment that’s anything other than irrelevant. I would like to be entered in the draw–I’ve yet to try anything from this line. I must’ve been too busy swooning over the Cartiers and the new Serges. ;)
I would love to sample anything at all. Strict budget has not allowed any new purchases for a while so I am sticking with old favorites. My husband is a musician so American Idol is banned in our house. Too hard on the ears. I am busy dreaming of an early spring.
I would love to sample anything. I never really got into American Idol for some reason, but I’m chomping at the bit for So You Think You Can Dance to start up again!
Please enter me in the draw – I want to try them all!
American Idol, I have not watched in years…but did check in on the new season for ST and JLo. I must say, they are very entertaining. I even tried to watch this week, but couldn’t find the show (clearly, I didn’t look too hard, thought it was on on Tuesday…guess I’ll have to figure it out.
I’d like to be entered to win any of them…I’ve been wanting to smell Irisss for a while. In fact, since you first mentioned it here! I also had to break down and order a sample of Cartier L’heure IV Fougueuse due to your review the other day!
It’s nice entering a draw and knowing that on some level I’ll be relieved when I lose, because the line is just too $$$$ for me! Haven’t tried Gaiac yet, but it sounds really lovely.
Am I the only person that’s never seen an episode of American Idol?
Nope. I haven’t either. I only know it via blog references and quick glimpses of the early-judge thingy – at best, I’ve seen about 10 minutes of it, Total Time Spent. I did see the exchange where Simon got yelled at by some old lady for being rude. That was very cheering.
However, if RuPaul were to join the judges I would watch Every Week, I promise!!!
xo >-)
That’s a great idea! Even I would turn it on to see RuPaul.
Yes, yes!! RuPaul for Idol!! Can we do a massive write-in vote? :)
Nope, I haven’t either. I didn’t even realize it was on last night when I said we’d be watching this time!
That’s a cracker of a draw! So generous, please consider me. I don’t dare even reading up on their scents because, well, y’know. But Angela raved about Irissss(ssss?) and Richwood on NST and I’d definitely love to give them a whirl.
I don’t watch Idol or any other of Cowell’s reality shows so can’t comment on those.
jeesh! I’d try any! enter me!
I also like JLo and Stephen…but we do need ONE meany on A.I. and Randy isn’t mean enough…but still fun watching!
Richwood sounds….mmmmm.
I’d love to be in the draw, please! I haven’t even heard of these scents, much less smelled them, so the sampling would be fun!
What a draw! Have yet to sniff any of the Xerjoffs. Aside from the high price, it’s just kind of overwhelming how many of them there are. Very tempted by Oesel, though. And Irisss and Richwood sound like they could possibly be amazing.
On the Idol judges…I actually like all of them. I liked Simon and Paula, too. Is there something wrong with me? But I rarely watch the show.
I couldn’t begin to pick- I’m interested in so many of them. I would be delighted to win any.
I have never seen Idol, but have been hearing from trusted sources that it’s worth watching for the always adorable Steven Tyler. I’m waiting for a diet/lifestyle book from him, because seriously- he was “old” when I was in high school, and now he looks younger than I do.