It’s that time again! Where I dedicate this post to focusing on a total of six different perfume fragrances and give my review on them and a star rating. As you’ll know from my previous post on this series, this is a relatively new project (this post being the second edition) to my blog which shines the spotlight down on what current perfumes I have been testing out and enjoying. So.. welcome to the second instalment of ‘Sampling The Scents‘, for April 2018. To start it all off, let me introduce you to this month’s samplings..
Intro
As you can see above, my April 2018 ‘Sampling The Scents’ series features; YSL, Aerin, Burberry, MAC, Acqua di Parma and last but not least, Lancôme. These particular samples are from shopping hauls and orders that I’ve made, don’t you just love the fact you get samples with almost every order?! I love it! Let’s get ready to go through them all..
The Fragrances and Their Notes
– YSL Mon Paris; starting off with top notes of strawberry, pear, raspberry, orange and bergamot, with middle notes of jasmine, orange blossom and peony, while ending with base notes of patchouli, white musk, vanilla, cedar and moss. Released globally in June 2016, developed by perfumer’s Olivier Cresp, Harry Fremont and Dora Baghriche-Arnaud. The campaign for Mon Paris was shot throughout Paris at various locations including the Eiffel Tower. It starred French actor Jeremie Laheurte and Canadian model Crista Cober. This gorgeous perfume comes available in a clear bottle with liquid of a pink hue, blazoned with a sophisticated black ribbon tied around the neck, it comes available in the sizes of 30ml, 50ml and 90ml.
– Aerin Amber Musk; top notes of musk, rose, coconut, amber & benzoin, middle notes of lily of the valley & ambroxan, with base notes of sandalwood. Amber Musk launched onto the market in November 2013 under Aerin Lauder’s house (granddaughter to Estée Lauder), Aerin had an inspiration to create a scent for each mood and time of the year. So this particular fragrance was designed to be worn in Winter and warm those who wear it up with aroma’s of ambrox, noted by the light brown colouring lid. The bottle is a design based around ‘Kenlyn’, and pays homage to the floral print decor in her grandmother’s house and features two birds nestling in exotic flowers and foliage. Amber Musk comes available in a 50ml size.
– Burberry My Burberry Blush; top notes of pomegranate and lemon, top notes of rose petals, geranium & green apple, with base notes of rose, wisteria and jasmine. Launching onto the market on 24th July, 2017, My Burberry Blush has been inspired by floral hues and designed for the woman. Powerfully feminine, the scent is thought of to be stepping back into a London garden filled with wisteria, rose petals and freshened with crisp apple. The campaign was shot by Mario Testino and starred actress Lily James as the face of the fragrance, the bottle is a light pink hue with a light brown lid in the shape of a Burberry trench coat button, and features a gorgeous hand-tied gabardine knotted ribbon around the neck in blush pink. It comes available in a 30ml, 50ml and 90ml bottle, as well as a 7.5ml rollerball travel size.
– MAC Ruby Woo Shadescent; top notes of cherry, pink pepper, saffron & leather, with middle notes of orris, may rose, violet, suede, and rounding out with base notes of mahogany, wood, and sandalwood. Ruby Woo, along with several other fragrances that were launched under MAC in November 2016, were all inspired by MAC’s top selling lipstick shades! Known as the ‘shadescents’, Velvet Teddy, Creme De Nude, Lady Danger, Candy Yum-Yum, and My Heroine were all designed to reflect the vibes and style of their name-related lipstick shades. Ruby Woo is a red hue, woody-floral scent that accords red leather. The packaging is a rectangle bottle, labelled with deep red print and reads ‘MAC Ruby Woo’ in simple black font on the front. This MAC lipstick inspired scent comes available in a 30ml bottle and a 2ml sample size.
– Acqua di Parma Peonia Nobile; top notes of peony, turkish rose, black pepper, geranium & raspberry, with middle notes of freesia & amber, and rounding it off with base notes of musk and patchouli. Created as a refined interpretation of the peony flower and with hints of black pepper thrown in to ensure vibrance, the Peonia Nobile fragrance was designed with a celebration of asserted femininity. It launched in July 2016, spilling elegance out everywhere, under the Italian house. Hand-crafted, like all the rest. This bottle is vibrant, with a mid-pink hue and emblazoned with gold labelling spelling out the name in black and corresponding pink font. There is also a body cream and mist spray now available in this scent. The fragrance is available in a 50ml, 100ml bottle size and a 1.2ml sample size.
– Lancôme La Vie Est Belle; top notes of pear & black currant, with middle notes of jasmine, iris and orange blossom, rounded off with base notes of vanilla, praline, patchouli & tonka bean. The french inspired fragrance for women to live their own way and on their own standards, and like it’s title ‘Life is beautiful’, it’s made with the strong woman in mind. Launched in June 2012 onto the market, the gorgeous packaging is a resplendent bottle known as the ‘Crystal Smile’, evoking the imprint of a smile at the heart of the crystal square and a remodelling of the classic original 1949 Lancôme bottle. It features a pearlescent grey silk ribbon tied around the bottle’s neck to signify the two wings of freedom. Known for it’s depth and complexity, a modern interpretation of an oriental fragrance with a twist of iris gourmand. It was developed by Olivier Polge, Anne Flipo and Dominique Ropion. The campaign for this launch featured actress Julia Roberts as the face of the fragrance and the shoot directed by Tarsem Singh. Available in a bottle size of 30ml, 50ml, 75ml, 100ml and a cute 1.2ml sample size. There is also a 10ml glass atomiser travel size available at selected retailers.
[Not a valid template]My Thoughts & Ratings
After a couple of months wearing these each on different occasions and repeated sniffing (haha), I have put together my exact thoughts on all of the sampled fragrances featured in this post. I must say I have quite enjoyed this round up of chosen fragrances. Let’s go over each one in a brief depth:
YSL Mon Paris; when I think of a pretty perfume, this one comes to my mind. Sweet but not over done, in fact it opens very softly and I recognise the white musk straight away. I also notice a bit of a leather-esque scent to it too but I think thats where the patchouli comes in, that isn’t my favourite aspect, to be honest. But it’s so feminine and oozes elegance.. I still like this fragrance a lot & for any occasion, it’s such a divine scent. Rating: I’m going to give this one 4/5 ★★★★☆.
Aerin Amber Musk; ahh another musk, means another favourite of mine. I’m a huge musk fan, as you can tell! I first smelt this scent when I received the sample in a Sephora order and I instantly fell in love. I notice the coconut straight away over the top of the musk, it’s almost similar to Mon Paris from YSL but the coconut and lily blend it toward a different direction. I find I can wear this one wherever, anytime. I simply love it! I ended up buying it in a set from Aerin recently. It’s definitely a favourite of mine! Rating: I 110% give this one a 5/5 ★★★★★.
Burberry My Burberry Blush; it opens sharp, I notice the crisp green apple straight away but it mellows out with the jasmine and pomegranate catching up. It’s a fierce and strong scent yet delectable. I enjoy this one but perhaps find it a little tad too strong for my soft-hue loving self. Nice for a random afternoon but not something I would wear on my favourite night out, does that make sense? It’s a casually worn one for me. Rating: I give it 3/5 ★★★☆☆.
MAC Ruby Woo Shadescent; this one is unique, it’s a quite strong red leathery scent with a noticeable appearance of raspberry, which mind you, SAVES it.. because I personally do not like leather but I can see and understand the direction MAC were going with this one, within being related to the strong fierce lipstick. This one is just not for me. Rating: I’ll give this one 2/5 ★★☆☆☆.
Acqua di Parma Peonia Nobile; I instantly notice the black pepper and peony underneath, and the hues of raspberry come in next, I love this one once it mellows down. At first it can seem quite strong but it softens nicely. It’s a unique scent, or maybe just not what I’ve smelt before. I do enjoy this one, it oozes a touch of elegance to me. Rating: I’ll give it 4/5 ★★★★☆.
Lancôme La Vie Est Belle; upon first smell of this one I smiled and closed my eyes, thats is when I think you know you love what you’re experiencing. Soft from the outset, this feminine scent is perfection to me. I instantly notice the vanilla and orange blossom, then the tonka bean, it’s blended so nicely too. I see myself wearing this one often and for any occasion, as many as I can in-fact, this is the type I would put in my go-to carousel of fragrances. I simply love this, it’s beautiful!! Rating: I give it a 5/5 ★★★★★.
Where To Buy & Availability
Liked the sounds of one of the fragrances you saw on this post? Want to purchase it? I’ve got you covered! Please find below all the info you need on availability, pricing, locations, etc.
YSL Mon Paris – the 50ml for $99.99 AUD at Chemist Warehouse, the 90ml for $139 AUD at Priceline, the 30ml for $99 AUD, 50ml for $165 AUD & 90ml for $218 AUD at Myer, the 30ml, 50ml & 90ml from $99 – $218 AUD at David Jones.
Aerin Amber Musk – the 50ml for $175 AUD or the 8ml Roller-Ball for $45 AUD at David Jones, or the 50ml for $175 AUD at Estee Lauder Australia.
Burberry My Burberry Blush – the 50ml for $59.99 AUD at Chemist Warehouse, the 90ml for $220 AUD at David Jones or 50ml for $110 AUD at Myer.
MAC Ruby Woo – the 50ml is $89 AUD at MAC Cosmetics Australia.
Acqua di Parma Peonia Nobile – the 50ml is $160 AUD at David Jones.
La Vie Est Belle Lancôme – the 50ml is $160 AUD at Adore Beauty, the 30ml, 50ml & 100ml range from $105 – $205 AUD at Lancôme, the 30ml and 50ml is $105 – $147 AUD at David Jones or the 30ml, 50ml, 75ml & 100ml are ranging from $105 – $205 AUD at Myer.
Would I Purchase the Full Sizes?
Back to the bigger question at the end of the day, would I purchase the full size bottles? Yes for some and no for others. Let’s go through them each and my choice. YSL Mon Paris; I like it but I don’t LOVE it so I think I would not buy a full size, sadly. Aerin Amber Musk; yes! I would in a heartbeat. I purchased a travel size set from Aerin which was a limited edition Christmas set, and it had Amber Musk inside it, I am happy to say I would buy the 100ml size in this too, easily. Burberry My Burberry Blush; I like this one but it’s a bit strong, it mellows a little bit not as much as I’d like. It’s a no from me. MAC Ruby Woo; the red leather just turns me off, sadly. It’s a no to purchasing. Acqua di Parma Peonia Nobile; yes I think I would but only a small size, I see it worn casually or on nights out. La Vie Est Belle by Lancôme; its a yes! Definitely! I love the instant soft hue of musk, the vanilla and praline sets in shortly after, I really love this one! That’s a wrap on this post, I hope you have enjoyed reading a little more about these individual fragrances and I hope you’ll join me again for next month’s series. Have a great weekend! xo