Hey there Perfume Posse! New Scents To Me, OMG how did I get so far behind in the smelling stakes. At one point I thought I was smelling at least 20% of the new releases but nowadays there are whole houses I’ve never even heard of, let alone got my sniff on. It seemed so fun and easy once but it is starting to feel like a chore. TOO MUCH! It has become completely overwhelming. So I just opened a bunch of samples/decants/splits from Surrender To Chance and some frag mates on FB that have been awaiting my sniffing pleasure for a while. So while they are not so NEW any more, they are still New Scents To Me.

New Scents To Me: I’m A Bit Behind

Fragrantica

Tubéreuses Castane by Lancome 2016

Notes of tuberose, chestnut and tonka bean combine in Lancome’s bid at a privé range. US$185 is quite expensive for a Lancome fragrance so I am very excited to have one here to try. Tuberose and caramel popcorn, who’d have thought they’d work together so well. Then the tuberose emerges king, flanked by a drier nut and toffee backdrop. This is a first impression but I really like it. Great bubble gum tuberose lasting power.

Fragrantica

Oud Saphir by Atelier Cologne 2016

Notes of bergamot, pink pepper, ambrette seed, suede, birch, jasmine, agar wood and vanilla open up with citrus and clean birch. A soft suede replacing the rose in their Rose Anonyme. Totally wearable and very nice. If I didn’t already have a few favourite leathers in my collection I would definitely be buying a bottle of this right now. I love how the jasmine and musk create a creamy smoothness through the heart of Oud Saphir. Sadly Oud sapphire does not last well in the humid Sydney summer heat.

Surrender To Chance has samples from $4.79/ml

Fragrantica

Ambre Sauvage Annick Goutal 2015

Notes of patchouli, amber, pink pepper, lavender, iris, vanilla absolute give me a pink pepper rush in the opening with a hefty, cool lavender. Very pretty,  so wearable. Savage? I’m not so sure. A clean and dry heart, with the rustling consistency of dry leaves as you scrunch through them in the gutter in autumn. There is no warmth or comfort in the first hour or so making Ambre Sauvage unusual among ambers. This could easily be a summer amber.

Surrender To Chance has samples starting at $4.50/0.5ml

Fragrantica

Ambre Mythique by Maitre Parfumeur et Gantier 2016

Notes of bergamot, geranium, coriander, incense, myrrh, lavender, labdanum, patchouli, sandalwood, vanilla and tonka bean from a house steeped in niche history. Nowadays MPG feels sadly neglected. I love the updated bottle and lid. The opening is a herbaceous twist in the amber theme, very interesting, like they’ve done complimentary sprays on each arm of a fougere and an amber fragrance. I love the dryness over the crunchy sweet amber that is also dried by the patchouli. I am LOVING this. Quite unique.

Fragrantica

Fleur Narcotique by Ex Nihilo 2014

Notes of bergamot, litchi, peach, jasmine, peony, orange blossom, woody notes, moss and musk create a sheer and intimate floral with cool, unsweet fruits in the opening the heads towards a softly indolic jasmine & orange blossom heart. Very nice but a little too pretty in the opening and feels like a plush ingredient version of the Tocca perfumes. So if you like them but wish they smelled a bit less synthetic then Fleur Narcotique could well be your jam. I think I need to spend some more time with this, it feels like I’m missing some of the story.

Surrender To Chance has samples starting at $6/0.5ml

So what are some New Scents To You?
Portia xxx

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