I bought this after seeing it on the British Beauty Blogger site. I love perfume and this was perfect. The opportunity to try ten good-sized samples curated by The Perfume Society that you don’t see on the high street. Most of them are exclusive to Harvey Nichols. They are presented wrapped in an beautifully illustrated box which includes a booklet describing each perfume, fragrance notes and information on the ‘nose ‘ who created it. The smelling notes ask you several questions about how the fragrance changes after an hour or who would wear it. It does make you appreciate the depth of each fragrance and how it wears throughout the day.
Trying them was a bit like walking through Harvey Nichols’ fragrance department and spraying all of the perfumes on. In reality, you wouldn’t do that as either it is too intimidating and you can’t remember which is which on your arm or you are put off by the hefty price tag or fragrance family.
So it was nice wafting around work for 10 days with a different fragrance on each day. Some of them I wouldn’t have chosen myself, so you really have to be prepared to take yourself out of your comfort zone fragrance wise but there were none I disliked enough not to wear again. Most were generous samples beautifully presented and some were a bit of a lucky dip, in that you could have one of a selection in your box.
First up is Ella K – Memoires de Daisen in. This is a lovely rich floral scent and probably my favourite with top notes of kumquat, bergamot, lime and tangerine. Next you get a choice from the Experimental Perfume Club. I received Red Hot Wood, described as musky woodiness brightened by bergamot.
Annick Goutal – Eau d’Hadrien is the only one I already knew. Several years ago a friend came to stay with me for a while. She turned up with a bag of clothes and this huge bottle of Eau d’Hadrien, the biggest perfume bottle I have ever seen. She would spray it on liberally and described it as a gin and tonic in a summer’s garden, which to me is the perfect description. It is a subtle blend of citrus and floral notes with a base of woodiness. Absolutely lovely, and every time I smell it I am reminded of her.
Maison Francis Kukdjian – Gentle Fluidity. A really spicy wood fragrance with the warmth of vanilla as the base. Next is Memo Paris Eau de Memo. A lovely warm citrus fragrance with a hint of leather. You get a very generous sample and bearing in mind it costs £45 for 10ml of the eau de parfum, a great deal.
Robert Graham has three fragrances to try, Oriental Fortitude, Valour and Courage – these are the most unisex of the offering and while I like a more woody, masculine fragrance these were a bit too masculine for my taste. One for the man in your life perhaps.
I was a bit hesitant to try the next one, Tiziana Terenzi – Bella Oud. While I do like Oud in a fragrance it can sometimes be too overpowering. I’m glad to say I was wrong, and it is a lovely mix of citrus and spices and smells warm on the skin. The last one is again one from a selection, this time by Serge Lutens. In my box was Un Bois Vanille, another rich woody fragrance.
This would make a lovely gift for the perfume connoisseur and at £45 is a great way to explore new fragrances that are not your usual high street offering and an opportunity to find one that is unique to you.
The Perfume Society has several discovery boxes available from their website for £19 each. It is a great resource for perfume lovers as you can enter your favourite fragrance and they will match you up with some you might like to try or buy for a friend. It will also keep up to date with the latest launches and news.
This post is not sponsored.