I especially like the laboratory packaging on these, and the fact that they can be customized!

I have, up til now, never had a signature scent. I still don’t, but I’ve decided it is high time I found one.

My current repetoire of perfumes includes: Michael Kors, Issey Miyake, Gucci Envy, and La Vanille Vanilla Grapefruit. Mainstream perfumes like Michael Kors and Gucci are so easy to get stuck with, but to me, they lack sophistication and uniqueness; they’re like shopping in the juniors section at Macy’s- it’s tempting, but probably just not a good idea at my age. The La Vanille is actually my favorite, because it is light and sweet and made without any crazy noxious chemicals….but most days, it is almost a little too light and sweet and I feel it should really only be worn as I run through a field of wildflowers chasing butterflies in the golden sunlight as a Stevie Nicks song plays down from the heavens, which I don’t do too often.

Two other fragrances that I wear frequently (and as a result, have run out of) are Body by Victoria (I know, really? but it smells fantastic, and you never run into anyone else

These come in 5 versions of one scent, each to be used at a different time of the day.

wearing it) and Burberry Brit. I have a love-hate relationship with Brit: when on, it smells sublime, but I can’t stand the ugly bottle. Also, more importantly, I want a perfume that inspires visions of lovliness, romance, mystery, and a soundtrack (see La Vanille description, above) – Burberry Brit makes me feel like I should be wearing lots of hairspray and buying fake handbags out of the back of a truck.

Am I asking too much of a fragrance, that I expect it to transcend this hum-drum smells-like-white-bread reality, and transform me from Me into Princess Me, with just one spritz? I don’t think so, I just need to find a fragrance that can live up to my expectations…(wait, are we still talking about perfume here?) So I’ve posted three of my potentials here – Le Labo, Lisa Hoffman Variations, and Creed. Unfortunately, they are all fairly expensive, sold only at exclusive and inconveniently-located retailers, and none of them send free trials. How can I be expected to purchase perfume sight unseen? (And speaking of free samples, I did really like that L’Artisan Tuberose, that is definitely a finalist.)

Creed has a unisex line with some of the most unique, lovely scents; unfortunately, they are also freakishly expense, even for fine perfume.

Lo and behold, I found this website while I was googling how to spell L’Artisan and they sell, for a nominal price, decanted samples of fine perfumes. I think I will purchase a few and check them out!

Update: I have purchased some samples from the Perfumed Court website. I chose the 5 for $19 Creed samples (Himalaya, Virgin Island Water, Royal Water, Jasmal and Millesime Imperial .) I  considered trying some of the I Hate Perfume scents, but when I visited the website and saw what a self-absorbed douchebag the perfumer is, I decided to pass. I tried some Diptyque scents, as well, because they have no synthetic chemicals – de L’Eau, de Neroli, and des Hesperides. This was a three-piece sampler for $8. I also got the L’Artisan Fleur de Liane (which is supposed to smell like the forest after rain!) i Profumi di Firenzi Ambra del Nepal, and finally, the Jo Malone Night & Day set, Lotus Blossom and Dark Amber, each $3-4 per 1ml vial. Perhaps I will try them and then send them to you!

Update #2, on CB I Hate Perfume: as douchy as this guy is, after further research, his perfumes do look so intriguing! I feel I must try M2 Black March, and In the Library.

Something about Tom Ford fragrances has always intrigued me, although I have never been able to find one I like. Maybe this is why…the tagline for Tom Ford’s new perfume, Urban Musk: The fragrance of bare skin, in a downtown club, sweaty from the music and scented with . . . other body parts.

I’m sorry, but….ewww?