33 Comments
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matt's avatar

Love ambre sultan! One of the best amber fragrances on the market, especially after amber absolute was discontinued years ago (though a pretty much exact copy is being made by insider perfumes).

Stora Skuggan, Pineward, Fischersund, Filippo Sorcinelli, and Oriza L. Legrand are some favorite houses at the moment.

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Christina Loff's avatar

I have a discovery set I’m excited to crack open from Fischersund! My fave from Stora Skuggan is Fantome de Maules. And I keep hearing about Filippo - need to get my nose on some!

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matt's avatar

I really enjoy Pine and Azalai myself!

Sorcinelli and his favorite sub brands like LAVS execute some of the best incense fragrances made today, imo. UNUM from LAVS is probably one of his most well known, since it’s used by the Vatican on various robes. He can be pretty experimental so there’s something for everyone I think.

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MAKING SCENTS OF IT ALL's avatar

Those serge vials are so chic

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Christina Loff's avatar

Love how they look! Still wish they were atomizers though!

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Billie Denise's avatar

I got the Bas de Paje discovery set from Stele in December and lovedddd all the scents. I ended up getting a travel size of Olatua from their website but the other two were really, really good as well. Very impressive little collection ❤️

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Lauren Gallo's avatar

Oh no, my wallet! I'm a ho for discovery sets. Thoughts on Regimes des Fleurs?

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Christina Loff's avatar

Love Regimes des Fleurs - and they're upgrading their discovery set to be atomizers which is great, I have a discovery set from them that's all dabber bottles and those are the worst. I like their fragrances but not a go-to for me!

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Lauren Gallo's avatar

I’m OBSESSED with Lá-Bas

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Sogole Kane's avatar

I have lovvvvved Fleurs d’Oranger from Serge Lutens for YEARS now. One of my absolute go tos!

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Christina Loff's avatar

It’s so beautiful.

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Meg's avatar

I've bookmarked Notes de bas de Paje to sample some time! Sounds lovely.

I haven't been buying or smelling much new perfume lately, just enjoying my collection. I got some Serge Lutens samples last year and really liked them! La Couche du Diable and Chergui were highlights for me.

Thanks for this post, always fun to read <3

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Christina Loff's avatar

Not buying and enjoying what you already have in your collection is key! I’ve been doing the same this month although I went over the top purchasing in November and December so there’s a lot still new to me in my collection.

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Courtney Wittich's avatar

AH! I just had this whole story typed up. ISO California or desert oasis scents for my upcoming wedding in May. I’m really loving the bottega venetta 5 samplers and how they feel quintessentially Italian and I’m looking to replace a scent journey (maybe 3) notes im inspired by are: sand, minerals, ylang ylang, pools (like chlorine and sunscreen mixed)

Would love to hear any perfumes or noses that come to mine from the above xx

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Wallis Jewelry Connoisseur's avatar

I love Fleur D’Oranger! I’d love to get my hands on the discovery set. I try to steer clear of super expensive fragrances. I try to purchase dept store brands as the prices are more in my price range. Thanks for sharing!

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Pierre Vouard's avatar

Serge Lutens is such a fantastic brand! I’m so happy you got to dig in their range. My personal favorite is Santal Majuscule, with its creamy sandalwood. As for Ambre Sultan, it might not feel groundbreaking today but it was truly ahead of its time when it launched 30+ years ago. It really set the stage for amber fragrances and sparked a trend that so many brands have continued to build upon. While newer creations may have pushed the envelope and made us expect more originality, you can still sense Ambre Sultan’s influence in many of them. As you can tell, I’m a staunch fan of the brand :) but I really enjoyed your honest take on these scents!

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Christina Loff's avatar

Oh I have read about Santal Majuscule and need to get a sample to smell. Thanks for your insights and for reading.

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Best Friends's avatar

I love the heart platter for the discovery set! So cute and so dreamy! I have the Los Angeles discovery set from thin wild mercury on the way. I’ve never been a perfume person but I can totally get into discovery sets! So fun!

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Christina Loff's avatar

Ohhh they make good stuff. Excited to hear how you like it!

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Lou's avatar

This was such a treat to read. PROLÉGOMÈNES going straight on my list!

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Christina Loff's avatar

You will not regret it!

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Aioli's avatar

Un Air d’Apogée is truly so soft and lovely. I love the way herbal facets were incorporated without any sharpness. Just gentle gentle warmth.

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Christina Loff's avatar

Agree, it’s such a comforting one!

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Lizzie V's avatar

Fleurs d'oranger is an old favourite of mine🧡 Serge Lutens is a true superstar. The old labels looked better, though. I love amber scents too, and L'ambre extrême from L'artisan parfumeur is another good one. Btw, love your picks, overall 😍

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Christina Loff's avatar

I like the older bottles too! And thanks for the suggestion I love a good amber scent.

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Emma Lou Cogan's avatar

oooooh can’t wait to sniff these been dying to get into lutens

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Christina Loff's avatar

You can’t go wrong - hit after hit!

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Francesca Bossert's avatar

Im lying on my sofa very sleepy, imagining all those wonderful perfumes you so vividly describe. I’ve gone back in time this week, wearing a perfume my mother wore in the seventies, and that I wore in the eighties and which was, at the time, what I considered my signature scent. It’s Rive Gauche by Yves Saint Laurent. I love it’s slightly dusty smell! A friend complimented me yesterday, telling me I smelt good. I agree! I think I’m going to wear it a lot again! Thank you for introducing me to so many perfumes. Cesca xx

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Christina Loff's avatar

Sounds like the perfect way to spend a Saturday! Love that you rediscovered an old favorite, that's the best. Thanks for reading <3

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Antonietta Meneghetti's avatar

Rive Gauche is such a classic! One of my favourite YSL fragrances alongside the old formula Y YSL 😍

Is Rive Gauche being discontinued? Can only buy online and no longer is department stores here in Australia

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Rani Vestal's avatar

I too tried and bought Prolegemenes at Stele. It’s fresh. It’s divine.🤍

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