Well, first off, a bit of news: I received an email from Serge Lutens reading that Datura Noir and Clair de Musc have been resurrected in the form of bell jars, available to order from the mothership at $305 for 75ML. So perhaps Tubereuse Criminelle will eventually receive the same treatment.
Now, onto the main whine. I did notice (but didn’t place the order because of) the fact that N-M was having one of their “Beauty Events” concurrent with my birthday. For those of us who are of a certain age, the Neiman’s Beauty Event was something to save up for. I personally would do a years shopping for gifts and things I thought I might need for the freebie, which usually consisted of a terrible looking bag filled with samples of things you really wanted to try and in sizes that allowed you to really give it a shot, or just go overboard on the application: minis of Creme de la Mer and such, beensy bottles of perfume, branded freebies like mirrors or brushes, mini lipsticks, makeups and mascaras (which I gave to my co-worker, along with the bag), and depending upon the manufacturer you bought from, extras. Annick Goutal was famous for gifting you a large (now TSA sized I suppose) spray of Hadrien with a minimum perfume purchase. It really was a deal that was worth putting off purchases until that 2 weeks in the fall or late spring when the event took place. If you were really in the chips or gluttonous and didn’t mind bankruptcy you could do both.
As time wore on it became less and less of a deal. I suppose with the advent of online shopping and the collapse of retail (as they say on TV) it just sort of became a cheesy bag with a handful of samples that you really should be getting just for showing up, but hey, what do I know. I didn’t go to business school: I’d bring the event back but make it so you had to go into the store to get it. No excuses. Don’t live near a store? Sorry. Give them enough notice that they can plan a trip around it. Don’t give them another reason not to go into the store: I live practically within spitting distance of Saks, N-M and, count them, TWO Nordstroms and never go to them. Why? I can sit my lazy butt on my Eames chair (oh all right, IKEA knock off) and buy from my iPad while watching “Buffy” reruns. Make me work a little. Drive traffic to the store, not the site. Your SA’s will thank you.
In any case, in the pack were samples of the following which I will just touch upon: (In no particular order)
CheckMate Mind Games: Blurb mentions champagne mystery whatever. Looks like some very talented people behind it. It’s very pretty white flowers. It’s a not very pretty $345.
Guerlain Aqua Allegoria Rosa Rossa: A lot more Aqua than Rosa. $145. Next..
Houbigant Essence Rare: So rare in fact I had trouble finding it. I am thinking from the (lack of) description that it must be Quelque Fleurs and it’s far and away the winner of the bunch- a somewhat pared-down version of classical French perfume: one for a jeune fille (or a middle aged man who wishes he was one?). Heartbreakingly lovely and deserves far better than just being plonked in a plastic bag with this motley crew. $285
Maison Francis Kurkdjian Aqua Media Cologne Forte: Delicious. Opens with exactly the smell of ripping open a ripe, juicy orange- one of those hybrid ones that cost the earth but taste like heaven. It’s all there, the pith, the peel, so much so you can practically feel the juice running down your chin. In some ways it can’t help but go downhill from there, but it doesn’t go far- it gets chilly and almost minty and the orange peel never goes far away. MFK is a house that I don’t own any of and I don’t know why. Even the ones that I didn’t care for because I personally don’t like the notes I have to tip my hat to. They simply do nothing wrong, and this one is another one they do so very right. $235
The Harmonist Moon Glory: Night blooming Jasmine marinated in honeyed lychee. Might be your thing, but it’s not mine. $350
Tiziana Terenzi Kirke: Fruit salad and old sweat. No. $285.
Well, there, I just save over $1000! Good on me! To celebrate I will share a pic of the flowers from my b-day that have lasted and are pared-down into a smaller vase.
Do you have any memories of memorable freebies? Share in the comments.
All reviewed items were gifts with purchase from Neiman Marcus. Photos are mine.
I love a free gift w/purchase but I don’t remember any seriously special free gift bags. It sounds like your birthday one was pretty good. You definitely got me interested in Houbigant Essence Rare. I want to try The Harmonist Hypnotizing Fire, though samples are ridiculously expensive. Morning Glory wouldn’t be for me either. I don’t like the type of sweetness lychee gives a perfume.
PS We have a heat advisory now through Friday. Right now it’s 6PM and 96F with dew point in the 70’s. There should be plenty of sweat, old and new around and it’s all free!
Oof that’s awful.. I have friends in the Midwest and they’re getting horrible air, and ones in the south where it’s 115° and humid. So I’m keeping my trap shut.
Lychee is my krypotonite..
I did go in the store (not knowing it was Beauty Time) and Andy gave me a sample bag because who wants to hear the whining of a T-Rex ? Certainly not Andy. I bought stuff, mostly because they need the numbers. Nothing in the bag was for me – I gave the whole thing to my pal M.
I, too, remember when those sample bags were really worth the visit. Alas…
Yeah, I feel like I am a little “Get off my lawn you damned meddling kids!” about it, but those giveaways were better
The only good perfume freebie I recall is a Hermes Eau de Merveilles mini that comes on a long leatherette cord so you can wear it like a necklace. Kind of a “have perfume, will travel” concept. I’m about halfway through “I’ll Take It,” and I love it! I keep busting out in cackles of laughter, and my husband makes a comment. I haven’t laughed so much over a book in ages. My mom is the middle one of 3 sisters from Massachusetts, so that makes the whole book extra funny for me. 🙂
Oh I am so happy you are enjoying that! I think it took me about thre times as long as I would normally take to read because I would just burst out in laughter..
I never did the big whole-store beauty events (never had one of their cards) — I remember Bloomies being one my DC friends put on their schedules. When I was a young lass I loved the Lancome and Clinique beauty days or whatever they’re called, those wee zip up bags with some skincare and a lipstick and little eyeshadow set or something similar. Your fragrance reviews cracked me up! Although … let’s be honest, I personally might love fruit salad and old sweat, I think I own a few of those.
That one I did keep, Missy. I’ll send it to you. You’re welcome.
And those Beauty Bags were my faves, too! Lancome makes the most amazing mascara!!
Lancome was the brand that was always giving the mascara away- I am told it was the best.
Yep, I forgot about that — I loved those mini mascaras, and the Juicy Tubes lol having a flashback
All those mini little anythings just made me so happy- I still remember those mini lippies from Avon. I never used them but all my Mom’s freinds had at least 3 of them for emergencies in thier handbags. No water bottles. Because back then you worried about lipstick more than hydration.
HAHAHA def. send me the nasty fruit!
All for you kiddo!
The mascara freebie was the most coveted by my co-worker. They were prefect- sized for a few months of use and tossed before they became toxic
They really were — I’ve never used up a mascara before it’s time to toss.
That’s why she loved them. I know someone who got conjunctivitis from old mascara. Not a party I want to attend..
LOL! Tom (and March) – I nearly had a heart attack when my friend told me she’d put on mascara for our trip… and it was 20 years old! OMG. I bought her a Maybelline and made her throw that toxic waste tube out!
Oh I remember as kids girls using and sharing cake mascara. I guess the chain smoking and double fisting vodka and dolls (not really) disinfected things.
Those flowers are gorgeous. Free-bees … I used to get the Clinique makeup bags with smaller sized lipsticks, etc, and timed my purchases for the free bags. But then I stopped using Clinique stuff. The only perfume giveaways I really recall are the large number of samples that came along with the bottle of Shalimar perfume I bought several years ago. Possibly the best free-bee ever came with a Xmas hamper from the guy I work for. Generally, he lacks imagination on these gifts (usually Fortnum & Mason — yes, I know I shouldn’t complain) but one year he got the hamper from Selfridges department store in London. Beyond the lovely foods etc, it came with a large cold bag with handles which I still use. Love that thing.
Clinique had nice ones. I’d love a Fortnums Xmas hamper: one time years and years ago my boss asked me to buy a bunch of gift baskets from a place here in the states. For some reason they didn’t take my company purchasing AMEX so I put it on my personal one (points!) and got reimbursed. It was for 20 or so baskets so it was a rather large and expensive order (again, points!)
Since then I have been getting yearly catalogues from them. I’ve moved and they have followed me. I have not spent dime one with the company in 23 years, but I still get them..
I always eagerly awaited the EL & Dior GWP twice yearly promos. Those little pots & tubes of joy went on every holiday with me even pre TSA legislation. I’m sure I still have a Dior nude/pink lippy somewhere in my stash. It was the perfect “your lips but better” shade.
Also the EL make up kit available at a massively reduced cost if you bought a fragrance in the run up to Xmas. I think Lancôme did/do similar.
I remember those EL & Dior promos. ANd yes, they always came with a teensy little lipstick in that wonderful shade that would be perect for me if I wore lipstick. I don’t, so it went to coworkers.
Those beensy little tubes of stuff though- how I love them!
Funny you should mention this Tom, we were talking about it on an Aussie FB page this week.
I remember Aramis did excellent umbrellas when I was a teen. Also had a couple of Polo sports bags.
Guerlain used to give lovely extras if we spent a bomb, usually fragrant candles.
Currently Le Labo is giving away a particularly gorgeous tote bag if you spend over a certain amount. Sadly there’s nothing I need from them.
Portia xx
Yeah, I think I had bunches of those umbrellas. Tote bags too. AG really had the best ones. I think I still have empty Hadrian freebie sized ones hanging around. I’ll have to check out the Le Labo one (if they’re even doing it here)