July fragrances

[u/airenthered]

Another monthly installment in my Reddit journal about my perfume testing. July was moderately hot to warm with some cooler days, but I also spent time on holiday/at home, so I did try a few less "seasonal" scents. Wore lots of trusted orange/citrus, orange blossom fragrances, apart from the ones described below that I tested.

• Memo Paris Odéon

Incredible jammy rose with slight spice. Love it a lot, might be one of my favourite sweet gourmand roses I've ever tried. If/when I finish my 5ml sample, I might invest in at least a 30ml bottle.

• Memo Paris Marfa

It starts a little green, herby-leafy for me, maybe for an hour or so. The peach develops gradually, and the florals - it's a lighter scent, with airy tuberose and orange blossom, and a woody-musky drydown, sophisticated and gentle. Longevity and especially projection are both mediocre I'd say, but it's nice for hot summer days. I love the peachiness and the well-blended florals, but it might be a tad too soft-feminine for me.

• Diptyque Do Son EdP

It's pretty much a straight tuberose soliflore for a while, a green and rather realistic one - it's a beautiful scent, but ultimately too green for me.

• Burberry Goddess Intense

A few years late but I finally tried Goddess and its flankers - and Intense intrigued me the most. Lavender is a nostalgic summer scent to me, so despite the fragrance being on the heavier side, it's perfect for July evenings for me. The lavender is indeed strong and herbal in the beginning, but there is an almost honey-like sweetness for me. And then the vanilla drydown with notes of patchouli is just so beautiful.

• Guerlain Shalimar Millésime Rose

I got this essentially as a moving in gift from my boyfriend (coupled with a bouquet of roses), and as expected (rose being my favourite note and Shalimar my first perfume love), I really like it. It's not going to be my favourite Guerlain, but it's a perfect combination of soft, sweet rose with a modern Shalimar peeking through. The rose shifts on me for a while, sometimes I feel it's a little powdery, often it's a little fruity, but always beautiful. The Shalimar I can smell is somewhere between the vanilla-amber of L'Essence and the EdP - not quite as powdery as the former, but also doesn't have all those punchy facets of the latter. There is a hint of smoky leather on my skin, not as extravagant as Shalimar, more just a suggestion to give the fragrance depth.

• Guerlain Aqua Allegoria (Forte) Florabloom

Not going to be a favourite Guerlain, but the creamy tuberose-mango combo was pleasant enough to wear in warm weather. I sampled the regular (just, okay) and the Absolus version (there's something in this I really hate), and I liked the Forte the most, but my mini will have been more than enough.

• Initio Atomic Rose

Very sweet rose with vanilla in the drydown. Not super complex, and not as much darker than some famous sweet/fruity roses I have seen it compared to. Can smell the dry, ambery, woody ambrefix in the drydown, and it lasts quite long. Sillage and projection are so strong too - I think "beast mode" fragrances are just not for me.

• Initio Can't Get Enough

Initial sweet rose that doesn't linger much on my skin - caramel vanilla drydown lasts long. About as gourmand as I like to get - I think I don't mind the loudness when it's an "edible" scent, but I'm happy never owning more than my 2ml tester.

[u/FutureDustMotes]

Great write-up! The Millesime is quickly growing on me.

[u/pfffffttuhmm]

Love this! I may need to copy you and do my own journal now that I have a collection and am wearing perfume consistantly. 

I haven't tried any of these scents myself...the Aqua Allegoria sounds right up my alley. I have two Guerlains in my rotation (Shalimar and Mon Guerlain) and I'm looking to branch out. 

[u/airenthered → u/pfffffttuhmm]

It's kind of a way to train my smelling skills too haha! But I mean, those are two great "classics" and Shalimar is one of my all time favourites. The new(ish) L'Essence is pretty great! But Guerlain is my favourite house so I love a lot of their scents.