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I’ve had mystery perfume #346 for a few weeks now. I’m giving it a test run for the Fragrance Advisory Board. Haven’t worn it lately, although it is hard to compete with all the fragrances I have to choose from.

I gave it a good go for one week.  It started growing on me, not seeming as sweet and fruity as it did from the first spray.  In fact, it reminds me of a perfume I have, called “Bendelirious” from Etat Libre D’Orange.   Bendelirious is a delicious blend of Champagne, cherry and grapefruit, followed by iris, violet, leather, musk and tonka bean.

Perfume #346 has a few of these notes, especially the cherry accord.  But it has much more green to it, which I am not crazy about.  It also develops a somewhat powdery note Bendelious doesn’t have.  I even wore both fragrances at the same time, just to make sure they weren’t the same perfume. #346 on the left wrist, Bendelirious on the right. While they start out smelling almost the same, as time goes on, I like Bendelirious a lot more.

I purchased Bendelirious at the Etat Libre d’Orange boutique in the Marais district of Paris this summer, just after my Sniffapalooza perfume trip to Grasse.  If you don’t know this brand, it is worth seeking out, simply because their scents are so different from anything on the market.  The stories behind the perfumes are entertaining as well.  I also like the new “Like This” which was a collaboration with actress Tilda Swanton, and “Jasmine & Cigarettes.”

For those of you interested — and with time read on, The Fragrance Advisory Board sent out a survey. My responses are in bold.  Looking forward to seeing what they do with the survey results.  We are to get one more questionnaire.

Approximately how much of the fragrance product is left in the bottle?

More than three-quarters

Between half and three-quarters

Between one quarter and one half

Less than one quarter

Bottle is empty

Approximately how often do you apply the fragrance product?

More than once a day

Once a day

3-6 times a week

1-2 times a week

Have not used it since the initial application

How do you feel about the scent after using it for approximately one week/two weeks?

Love it

Like it

Neither like nor dislike it

Dislike it

Hate it

What do you specifically like about this fragrance?

The fragrance grew on me over time.  Hated it at first, but on subsequent wearings, I like the floral fruityness of it – feels a little flirty. And it doesn’t come on too strong.

What do you specifically dislike about this fragrance?

I don’t like the green note.  Also dries down to powdery which I also don’t like.  It reminds me of Etat Libre d’Orange Bendelirious which I love, but there’s something missing in this scent 346.

How would you describe the strength of the fragrance after wearing it for a while?

Much too strong

Somewhat too strong

Just About Right

Somewhat too weak

Much too weak

Approximately how long would you say the fragrance lasts after you apply it?

2 hours or less

3-4 hours

5-6 hours

7-8 hours

9-10 hours

10+ hours

How would you rate the length of time the fragrance lasts after you apply it?

Lasts too long

Lasts just the right amount of time

Did not last long enough

To what extent do you feel this fragrance is…?

Clean not at all

Fresh slightly

Unforgettable very much

Unique/different not at all

Feminine very much

Old-fashioned not at all

Modern slightly

Listed below are some attributes that people have used to describe scents. Please select the attributes that you feel best apply to this fragrance. Would you describe this scent as being:

High quality

Light

Youthful

Feminine

Bold

Chemical / synthetic

Soft / gentle / mild

Easy to wear

Harsh

Upscale

Unique / different

Heavy / sickening

Fresh

Masculine

Sophisticated

Refined / elegant

Cheap / down market

Classic / timeless

Unforgettable

With character / personality

Prestigious / classy

Warm

Overpowering

Makes a statement

Difficult to wear

Sparkling / bright

Clean

Familiar

Natural

Pleasant to wear / suits me well

Seems to last very long

Subtle / delicate

Simple

For someone like me

Cold

Rich

Addictive

Casual

Sporty

Modern

Old fashioned

Strong, powerful

Sharp / aggressive

Well rounded

Ordinary / nothing special

Dull / bland

Do you feel this fragrance is… ?

Floral

Dirty

Animal

Oriental

Vanilla like

Watery / marine

Too floral

Sticky

Woody

Green / grassy

Medicinal

Sour / bitter

Fruity

Powdery

Too fruity

Spicy

Dry

Juicy

Herbal

Perfumey

Metallic

Milky / creamy

Sweet

Soapy

Greasy

Citrusy

Edible

Too sweet

Exotic

Which of the following moods, if any, does this fragrance bring to mind?

Energizing / Invigorating

Sensual

Makes me feel good

Refreshed

Happy / joyful

Playful / flirty

Confident

Romantic

Relaxing / calming

Comfortable

Sexy / seductive

Other, please specify

None of the above

For which occasions and times have you worn this fragrance?

Weekends

Special occasions

During the week

Nighttime

Everyday

Daytime

None of the above

In your opinion, is this fragrance.?

For a teenagers

For someone in their 20′s

For someone in their 30′s

For someone in their 40′s

For someone in their 50′s

For someone in their 60′s or older

How would you rate this fragrance overall on the following scale?

Poor

10

9

8

7

6

5

4

3

2

1

0

How much do you like this fragrance compared to when you first applied it, right after you received it? Would you say you…?

Like it much more now

Like it somewhat more now

Like it about the same

Dislike it somewhat less now

Like it much less now

If this fragrance was available where you normally buy fragrances and priced acceptably to you, how likely would you be to purchase it?

Definitely would buy it

Probably would buy it

May or may not buy it

Probably would not buy it

Definitely would not buy it

How likely would you be to recommend this fragrance to a friend or relative?

Definitely would recommend it

Probably would recommend it

May or may not recommend it

Probably would not recommend it

Definitely would not recommend it

Which of the following have you experienced so far when wearing the fragrance?

Received a negative comment on the fragrance itself

Received a compliment on the fragrance itself

Was asked the name of the fragrance

Received a compliment on the strength of the fragrance

Received a negative comment on the strength of the fragrance

Other, please specify – no comments except when i said smell this, and reviews were mixed

None of the above

I just got a box with the fragrance that I’m going to be test driving for the Fragrance Advisory Board.  The letter enclosed with it instructs me not to open it yet!  First, I have to start the online survey.  My mystery perfume is labeled “346,” and it looks like it has a pale lilac color, but that means nothing.  Ok, here we go!

First, they want me to open the bottle and spray just ONCE on my wrist. Easy enough…can I sniff yet?? No, I have to click the “start exercise” button and wait 60 sec.  (Ok I cheated, the fragrance is kind of floral and fruity).

Time’s up.  Now I answer a series of questions.  Do I love it or hate it?  Like it so far…but not crazy about it  yet.  A little sweet to me, some rose, and a big fruity note. Cherry?

What is my initial response? 

“It’s a little sweet — getting some fruity notes, floral too.  Rose? Cherry?  Not offensive, but it does come on a little strong.”

What don’t I like?  “For me it’s too sweet.  Almost bubble gum sweet. “  Also comes on a little too strong.

Fresh? How could anyone think this is fresh?  Certainly not old fashioned.  Wouldn’t exactly call it modern, but there are no other choices.

Frankly, it’s starting to give me a headache.  Oh boy, and I have to wear this all week?  I hope it gets better.  I’m starting to smell like cotton candy.

Just did the sniff test with my husband.  “It’s not anything special.  I don’t like it.”  I have to agree.

It’s sticky sweet, very strong.  I think it’s for a young girl.

If I have to wear this, when would I?  Never, actually, but that’s not a choice.  Ok, weekends.

For the next two weeks, I’m to wear the fragrance as often (or little) as I want, then there will be another survey.  To family and friends, apologies in advance if you don’t like this scent.  Either do I.  The sweetness is toning down some on the dry down. Wonder if this is one of those “celebrity” fragrances?  Can’t wait to find out.

I am going to be a perfume tester.  No, not one of those annoying perfume spritzers spraying everyone who walks through the department store cosmetics counters (although the thought of that brings back memories of Obession).

Instead, I’m actually gonna take part in a Fragrance Advisory Board program where I’ll be sent an unmarked bottle of perfume.  I’ll fill out a survey about my impressions when I first try it on, and about my impressions after wearing it for a couple of weeks.  I hope I like it!!  I’ll blog about the process as I go.  Just be aware, I may come up to you and stick my wrist out and ask you what you think of the scent.

If you are a perfume fanatic (like me), check out the Fragrance Advisory Board’s website.  It’s free to become a member, and you get to take part in online surveys and contribute your voice to the world of perfume.

 

In San Francisco I had a few mintues before meeting a friend for drinks, so I popped into Saks Fifth Avenue.  The have a really small perfume counter, but they carry a well-edited selection.  Bond No. 9 is there, as well as Tom Ford’s line of exotic fragrances (I love his Velvet Gardenia and Black Violet scents).

By Kilian is another line, and it is from Kilian Hennessy.  His name may be familiar should you be a Cognac drinker – yes it is that same Hennessy.  So it should be no surprise that this is a lux line.  The juice is $225 for a 50 ml bottle.  Why?  Just like wine, by Kilian says they source the highest quality ingredients, from flowers to spices. 

 While I’m not buying any time soon, I am intrigued by the scents.  The first thing you notice is all the bottles are black.  The second thing I noticed were the names:  Prelude to Love, A Taste of Heaven, Liaisons Dangereuses.    I tried “Beyond Love: Prohibited” which to me is an intoxicating tuberose fragrance, which I loved. Thought I would like “Straight to Heaven: White Crystal” because the list of ingredients – Rum, nutmeg, dried fruits – you know, ones that smell good enough to eat.  But it didn’t do it for me and also faded fast.  Also tried “Back to Black: Aphrodisiac” which I really liked.  It’s got warm spices – cardamom, nutmeg, saffron, and smoky sweet notes from vanilla, tobacco, cedar.

One cool thing I found surfing the web, there is a store in West Hollywood called Scent Bar, and they sell by Kilian, among others, on premises or online.  You can go there and refill your by Kilian scent…the juice comes out of a “cognac barrel”.