Giveaway: Thierry Mugler Angel Eau de Toilette spray 80ml (2.7oz) bottle. It is full, other than 5ml I used up to review it.
How it works: Please leave a comment answering the following questions: "1) How often do you buy perfume without smelling it first? 2) What was your latest unsniffed perfume acquisition and how did you like it?" Each participant will be assigned a number, and the winner will be selected via a random number generator. Draw will be open till 9am tomorrow morning, and I will announce the winner over the weekend.
Giveaway explanation: anybody from the US or overseas can enter it as long as you answer specific questions explained in the contest rules. My policy is not to retain any full bottles from the manufacturers or PR firms. If a winner does not respond within a week, I reserve a right to randomly pick a runner up.
1. I buy blind perfumes quite often upon reviews found on the net. I am satisfied up to 85% I would say.
2. The last nlind buy - Michelle Balenciaga. I like it very much - a soft tubereuse plus some flowers, simply beautiful.
Thanks!!!
Posted by: Alica | November 07, 2011 at 06:55
1. I just bought my first unsniffed perfume online last friday.
2. It is a set of Terre d'Hermes and Kelly Caleche miniatures. It haven't arrived yet but I hope they are as nice as what the reviews say. I decided to give Hermes a go after reading an online article about Jean Claude Ellena, called A French Perfumer's Seductive Sense.
You can see I'm a novice =]
Posted by: Verona | November 07, 2011 at 07:22
1. I bought some unsniffed fragrances from the net mostly because of the really good reviews from perfume bloggers or unbelievable good price.
2. The last one was Jacomo Art Collection #8. I love it and it is on my Top 10 fall/winter list.
Posted by: Timka | November 07, 2011 at 07:32
1. I buy unsniffed about half the time. My choices are usually based on reviews or comments made on this or other blog sites.
2. My latest one was Ferre, which is often written of and enjoyed by many. While I wouldn't use it every day, it is a favorite "dress-up" scent for evenings out.
Posted by: pam | November 07, 2011 at 07:42
1. I've been burned so many times purchasing unsniffed. Then I moved from bottles to decants, and uh, was that supposed to be any better? Nope. I still get sucked in. Tsk, tsk!
2. Funny enough, my last unsniffed purchase was the new Angel Le Gout du Parfum. Since I'm an Angel fan, this one works. Not a disaster, thankfully.
Posted by: karin | November 07, 2011 at 07:45
1. I've purchased a few unsniffed perfumes - my first unsniffed one was L'Artisan Iris Pallida in the Harvest series a few years ago. I had a 25% off coupon and was going to make good use of it! I was a brand newbie perfumista and had only tried a few niche scents, and a friend of mine was giving me backup support about how great all the L'Artisan's were. I was pleasantly (and thankfully) surprised at how much I loved it when it arrived and would buy it again, although these days I wouldn't dare spend so much on an unsniffed bottle. I think it retailed for $270 before the discount...
These days, I'll never buy a bottle unsniffed, but will buy into a split in a heartbeat. I've found some winners & losers this way, but there's enough for a good sampling/wearing without breaking the bank.
2. My latest unsniffed was a decant (30ML) of chanel coromodel. It's not me, or at least not the summer me. Now that it's getting cooler, I'll try it again. The last acutal bottle was Guerlain Tiara Mimosa. I love mimosa, but this one is also not me - too fruity, too tropical. I've worn it once or twice. Thankfully, it was a online impulse buy that didn't cost a whole lot.
Posted by: Charlotte H | November 07, 2011 at 08:11
1. After being swayed in the past by positive reveiws (but thankfully ordering the smallest size available in things I've detested), I've switched to decants or testers (from the oil-based replicators)and still find it a major waste of money considering the odds of finding "the one."
2. (covers head) Having never tried Mitsouko but reading all the glowing reviews here, I ordered a decant. Ugh. Never in a million years. When I think of all of the "just a couple bucks" I've wasted on these testers that could've gone to a nice-size bottle of something wonderful, I feel a tad nauseated, but then, I'm frugal like that.
Posted by: silverdust | November 07, 2011 at 08:49
1. I like buying unsniffed, it feels exciting, like a blind date!
Sometimes it works out great sometimes, sometimes not.
2. The last one I bouhght unsniffed was Evody Note de Luxe, according to the saleswoman I would probably like it, and in fact I did ;-)
Posted by: Isabeau | November 07, 2011 at 09:01
1. I never buy unsniffed!
2. Have never bought an unsniffed perfume. What a gamble, though come to think of it, I'd like to buy Knowing and I have never sniffed it, yet by the descriptions, I think I will love it.
Posted by: Tilda Shalof | November 07, 2011 at 09:12
There was a time when i would never have considered buying something I had not smelled...now, I do it all the time...from natural perfumers online. The last purchase was from Roxanne Villa and it was Chaparal...divine! Thanks for the giveaway!
Posted by: Margaret | November 07, 2011 at 09:24
1) Yes I do buy unsniffed. Mostly from houses that I know will "agree" with me. Goutal and De Nicolaï come to mind. Actually this blog, and NST are responsible for many a successful unsniffed buy.
2) My last one was Bachmakoff Le Parfum by TDC. I really like it!
Thank you for hosting this draw.
Posted by: Austenfan | November 07, 2011 at 09:34
I used to buy unsniffed a lot, but I found that I liked not loved most of them. I have too many neglected bottles sitting around. I will sometimes buy a less expensive fragrance like a Demeter unsniffed because I'm not out too much if it turns out to be a mistake. My latest unsniffed purchase is a Love and Toast fragrance in Honey Coconut, and we'll see if I like it!
Posted by: KathyT | November 07, 2011 at 09:36
I don't think I've ever bought anything unsniffed. I reserve that for shoes (which almost never fit! LOL!)
2. Based on my love of Amouage Epic and Tribute, I almost bought an unsniffed Al Mas attar....but...man, that's a LOT of money to spend on an Unsniffed. So I demurred.
xo
Posted by: Musette | November 07, 2011 at 09:37
1. I don't often buy completely unsniffed, but sometimes I buy after just a short application and sniff. The latest fragrance i did this with was L'Aatisan Numero 10 from Barney's. I'm still not sure I like it and it's too late to return it.
2. One fragrance i did buy unsniffed was L'artisan Mandarine, I bought it online in a sale and it's ok, just ok. Hmmm, maybe I see a pattern here with L'artisan...
Posted by: Denise | November 07, 2011 at 09:42
Gosh! I so often buy unsniffed!!!! And it s sometime a total disaster..... But it s also terribly exiting! Opening a package with in your mind the promise of a life altering scent. Something that s going to elevate you. It happened to me with Après l ondee from guerlain.
2- my latest blind purchase was ombre Rose from Jean Charles brosseau. I loved everything that was said about it. Then I sprayed it on my skin. It doesn t work for me. I so wanted to love it!
Xx
Anne
Posted by: Anne | November 07, 2011 at 09:50
1. I rarely buy perfume unsniffed. However, I read several perfume blogs now and trust the opinions of the authors and several of their followers! I'm considering buying Balenciaga Paris unsniffed right now!
2. The last unsniffed fragrance I bought was Estee Lauder Private Collection Tuberose Gardenia a few years ago. It is a beautiful fragrance but I wouldn't buy the big bottle again. It is so strong and sweet that I only wear it for special occasions.
Posted by: Cherie Gilbaugh | November 07, 2011 at 09:57
1. Because I live in a rural area with no perfume stores, I buy unsniffed quite often, on-line... mostly classic vintages.
2. The latest unsniffed was a bottle of Sira des Indies, which sort of worked out. Loved the rich top notes, hated the banana in the drydown. But I dislike banana odours in perfume.
Posted by: Danielle | November 07, 2011 at 09:58
1) Not too often...unless it generates RAVE RAVE reviews...from either yourself or 1000 fragrances or other blogs (NST, perfume posse, perfume shrine...) And. It has to contain notes that are so different/that I love (ie-leather) which leads to...2) Bottega Venetta perfume. Leather dry down? Soft, perfect work appropriate scent. I love it!!!
Posted by: Natalie | November 07, 2011 at 10:01
1) VERY rarely! Just can't stand the idea of wasted money. 2) Nu was the last unsniffed purchase and it's fantastic!
Posted by: Paeonia9 | November 07, 2011 at 10:13
1. Never
2. I haven't done it yet.
Posted by: Sandra Levine | November 07, 2011 at 10:15
I rarely buy expensive niche scents unsniffed, but often purchase designer brands from internet stores after reading online reviews or being sucked in by special offers. Almost 100% of my designer scents are bought unsniffed.
The benefit of eclectic taste, and a general love of perfume, is that I'm happy 99% of the time. My last unsniffed purchase was Versace Woman, a predictable but pleasant floral. Wearable, fun, frothy, not too serious!
Posted by: Iz | November 07, 2011 at 10:17
1. I try not to! Just the once, so far.
2. I did buy a small bottle of Bandit not long ago; I had read about Germaine Cellier and was overtaken by girlish enthusiasm. I do like it! It's not for every day, but the sharp green beginning was nice in late summer.
Posted by: Seldomavailable | November 07, 2011 at 10:20
1)I usually don't buy perfume unsniffed, but I make an exception for my favorite brands like Tom Ford, Serge Lutens and Thierry Mugler. 2) My latest unsniffed purchase was the new gourmand version of AMen, which I liked very much.
Posted by: Martin | November 07, 2011 at 10:22
I used to buy more unsniffed a couple years ago, when the perfume blogs were just taking off. I would read a glorious review and find no peace until I got a bottle - usually from eBay. I have spent a small fortune that way - especially in the days when Luca Turin's blog was active. Didn't love most of the fragrances I got, sold most of them back on eBay and got my money back, and usually some more! Those were the times.
Since then I almost stopped buying unsniffed. My latest such purchase was Tiare by Ormonde Jayne when it was first released (over two years ago). My purchase was spurred by Turin's review saying that "Tiare is Cristalle perfected". I love OJ, but didn't like Tiare, much prefer Cristalle EdT, so I sold the bottle on eBay.
As for Angel EdT, I have sampled it once, and don't even recollect how I liked it. But I sure would not say no a free bottle. But the fact that you are giving it away after sampling, means probably that you did not like it a lot. How do you think does it compare to the EdP?
Thanks for the draw!
Posted by: irem | November 07, 2011 at 10:32
1.) Hardly ever. 2.) I bought Un Matin D'orage like that. I may have smelled it months before buying it on-line but couldn't remember the smell. At any rate, I love this perfume. I did not use it for months after buying it but once I started wearing it I fell in love with it.
Thanks for the draw! :) Happy Monday!
Posted by: Raluca | November 07, 2011 at 10:58
I buy unsniffed about 50% of the time,
particularly if it is one of my
favorite brands. The reviews on the
perfume have to be sensational before
I will buy it. The last bottle of
unsniffed was Timbuktu. I enjoy the
fragrance though it is not one of
my top ten fragrance favorites. Please
enter me in the draw.
Posted by: dremybluz | November 07, 2011 at 11:06
1. Rarely, I don't have the disposable income to buy blind usually.
2. My last blind buy was DK Gold and on me it smells like bathroom soap.
Posted by: yellowlantern | November 07, 2011 at 11:11
1. I rarely buy unsniffed with the exception of a find at discount stores. It can be a bit of a thrill if the price is not an issue. I would never buy a $200 bottle unsniffed. In fact, I enjoy reading the reviews, test driving and doing the research before I commit.
2. My most recent unsniffed purchase was Bvlgari Bvl Notte for $26.00. I enjoy the fragrance for something different and I dont feel that I wasted my money. I am reminded though that too many of these kinds of purchases could keep me from that $200 bottle I know I want.
Posted by: AnneR | November 07, 2011 at 11:11
1.) I buy unsniffed perfumes probably 50% of the time. When I do that, my decision is based upon reviews of the perfume and the description of it's "notes", such as what is discussed on this page. For example, I love fruity cyphres and the scent of plum and peach. If that is given in a perfume's description, I'll go for it! :) 2.) My latest "blind buy" was Femme by Rochas. Got a 3.4 oz EDT of it on Ebay for $28 with free shipping---a monster deal!!! Love it, love it, love it. It reeks of luscious fruits, spices, and woods...strongly recommend to anyone who likes the same characteristics in a perfume!
Posted by: dippolf101@mhcable.com | November 07, 2011 at 11:22
1. Very seldom, about once every two years.
2. My last unsniffed acquisition was Very Irresistible Givenchy for men. I didn't like it much at the very first spray (I tend to prefer drier scents), but with time I found it perfect for fall and winter. I think it has not a very refined composition (I'm more into cristalline JCE juices), but I think is quite original, a gourmand-green with a delicious green-apple/sesame note. Most people tend to compare VIG to L'instant pour homme de Guerlain, much better orchestrated.
Posted by: Federico | November 07, 2011 at 11:32
I buy unsniffed at least once every few months, I usually buy from houses that I know I'll like but sometimes I buy based on reviews or how the bottle attracts me. My last unsniffed purchase was Prada Candy, I was a little disappointed and ended ip giving it to my sister.
Posted by: Amanda | November 07, 2011 at 11:58
1) How often do you buy perfume without smelling it first?
I actually buy perfume unsniffed rather often as I live in a location where samples and testers are just too hard to come by and ordering them online constantly can be bothersome. I actually will use your star rating system to help me decide most of the time.
2) What was your latest unsniffed perfume acquisition and how did you like it?
My latest unsniffed aquisition was actually one of the new Blood Concept fragrances. It's called O and is one of the nicest and rather unique leather perfumes I own. I'm very satisfied with my purchase.
Posted by: Treis | November 07, 2011 at 12:05
1. I only once bought a perfume without smelling it, because of its flanker...
2. ...which was a clepsydra shape glass flanker (Tempore DONNA EdP by Laura Biagiotti). Although I was 20 that time and I found it a little bit heavy for my expectations, I loved it and I now miss it a lot....
Congratulations for your worth work here!!! louizkoul@gmail.com
Posted by: louiza koulas | November 07, 2011 at 12:15
1) I've stopped buying unsniffed because I'm getting to the point where I have so many perfumes it's hard to wear them all. Now I only want to buy things I LOVE and not just like.
2) However, there was a time when I occasionally bought unsniffed the last two were: Aqua Allegoria Ylang & Vanille, which I initially disliked, then grew to love; and Youth Dew Amber Nude, which I like.
Oh, and DK Gold, which I really LOVE! How could I forget? I mention all of these because I got them around the same time and can't remember which was last. ;-)
Posted by: Cristine | November 07, 2011 at 12:17
I try to stay away from unsniffed purchases, there about 10% of my purchases. I do unsniffed swaps all the time.
Best unsniffed purchase was Laliques Encre Noire, Kept reading reviews about what a great vetiver it was, they were right.
Posted by: cheesegan | November 07, 2011 at 12:22
i seldom buy anything (except samples and decants) unsniffed but i found Guerlain's Aqua Allegoria Tiare and Mimosa marked way down at Marshalls and bought it based on reviews. I like it very much and it was a summer-staple (and is a prefectly nice scent for cooler months as well so I'll be returning to it). BTW, Angel and I do not get along so if my ame gets drawn please pass it along to someone else to enjoy - thanks!
Posted by: maggiecat | November 07, 2011 at 12:31
1. I never buy full bottles unsniffed. A few times, however, I have bought a decant unsniffed when someone I knew was splitting a bottle at no profit so it seemed like an irresistible opportunity to get hold of something I'd otherwise not be able to afford (or even try in this country).
2. My most recent unsniffed decant was Serge Lutens Vitriol d’Oeillet, which disappointed me as much as it disappointed you! Now I'm hoping I can swap it away for something I've already sniffed and loved.
Posted by: Nina Z | November 07, 2011 at 12:42
I do make blind purchases about every couple of months. I'd like to be able to say that all were loved but a few ended up with relatives.
Stiletto by Nicole Amy was my most recent and was a success. Helmut Lang was another blind purchase and is my all time favorite. Thanks for the informative blog!
Posted by: judith | November 07, 2011 at 12:54
1. I've never bought perfume without smelling it first (in my adult life). Now, as a teenager I did it a few times because it was the trend with my friends.
2. I haven't had an unsniffed acquisition.
Posted by: Payal | November 07, 2011 at 12:54
1. I don't buy perfumes unsniffed much anymore, but that's mostly because my wife put a moratorium on fragrance buying! Plus, I've found a great fragrance shop that stocks lots of hard-to-find perfumes.
2. The most recent unsniffed acquisition was Hermes Caleche. I bought it on ebay and was somewhat pleased. It has a little less character than I had hoped, but I still wear it on occasion!
Please enter me in the draw--I need something to bribe my wife with, so she'll let me go fragrance shopping again!
Posted by: Matt | November 07, 2011 at 13:06
1) More often than I care to admit, since I live in a rural part of the US with poor access to perfume beyond the candy-teen-y-bopper stuff.
2) Latest unsniffed acquisition was Bvlgari Omnia Amethyste. It was okay, pretty-ish but the woody notes just didn't agree with me.
Posted by: Jeff | November 07, 2011 at 13:21
1. I live where a good source of perfume testing and purchase is 3 hours away, so more than half of my purchases go "unsniffed".
2. My latest purchase was Mitsouko and Samasara. I love them both. I use perfume blogs (primarily this one as I've had good luck with the descriptions agreeing with my own assessment)to select new purchases. By checking on perfumes I like, I can get a reasonable idea of a bloggers taste and how it is expressed. It takes some time, but is very helpful.
Alexa
Posted by: lotustar2@gmail.com | November 07, 2011 at 13:23
1. I buy unsniffed probably 50% of the time. My biggest unsniffed disappointment was Narciso Rodriguez which ended up smelling like nail polish remover on my skin. I was very disappointed.
2. Latest unsniffed purchase was Prada Candy and I like it a lot.
Posted by: dleep | November 07, 2011 at 13:24
1. I used to blind buy all the time, but I've stopped doing it at all. I just don't have the money I used to. If I'm going to buy something, I better really want it.
2. Last unsniffed purchase was the L'Artisan Mon Numeros. I didn't like a one of them. :( That was when I made my decision to stop the insanity.
Posted by: Miss Kitty | November 07, 2011 at 13:52
No, I liked it actually, but I've smelled it only briefly while making my decant for reviewing. I just do not keep full bottles from PR firms. That's just my personal ethical policy on BdJ.
Posted by: Victoria | November 07, 2011 at 14:01
I bought Tocade and Jolie Madame in 2008 after reading Angela's perfume wardrobe articles on Now Smell This. They were so inexpensive, it made sense. That was my last unsniffed purchase. Tocade is wonderful as Turin and others say it is, but it is not quite me (I prefer Roucel's Missoni) so I gave it to my younger sister. Jolie Madame grew on me even though it's not vintage, but I wear it very rarely.
Now I always order samples first. Until recently I lived in a big city where I could sample nearly everything in stores.
Posted by: Carla | November 07, 2011 at 14:06
1. I've done this a lot of times (for 1ml samples, which last me so long they're like 10ml decants would be for other people) but I don't do it anymore. I liked them sometimes but I didn't mind if I didn't like them - I would immediately list them on MakeupAlley and someone would take them off my hands.
2. I don't remember which was last because it was such a long time ago. But I think my favorite unsniffed buy was a sample of Encre Noir.
Posted by: slate.of.the.muse@gmail.com | November 07, 2011 at 14:06
1. I rarely buy unsniffed. I've only done it a few times, based on a thorough researching of notes, and really glowing reviews of the fragrances I'm interested in.
2. My most recent unsniffed purchase was some vintage Emeraude EDC. It was on the web, very reasonable, and I was curious about this famous scent. It was definitely a worthwhile purchase.
Please enter me in the drawing. Believe it or not, I've never tried Angel! How did I manage that?
Posted by: Patty | November 07, 2011 at 14:08
1.I never buy perfume bottles unsniffed. I tend to get migraines so easily, therefore I test a perfumes several times to make sure I will be able to actually wear them. However, Bottrga Venetas new perfume sounds so intriguing I am seriously tempted.
2. I have only bought decants unsniffed, some of the latest were Dzing! and Bandit.
Posted by: Vasilisa | November 07, 2011 at 14:21
1. I would say that I buy perfume unsniffed at least half the time.
2. My latest unsniffed acquisition was a bottle of Hello Kitty Intense. I'm a fan of Hello Kitty and I loved the bottle, so decided to take the chance. Turns out I'm quite pleased with the perfume. :-) Thanks for the draw!
Posted by: Claudia | November 07, 2011 at 14:24
1. The only perfumes I buy without smelling first are vintage or discontinued. Even then, the price has to be very low or I have to have read so much about the scent as to be certain I'd like it enough to wear frequently.
2. The last scent I purchased unsniffed was Missoni (2006) as part of a thrift store lot. I had never heard of it (but love the designer), and was highly disappointed at first -- so sweet and choclately, yet I found myself sniffing my wrist constantly. Now, I enjoy it and it has made me understand the appeal of gourmand although that's still not a favourite category of mine. Love the scent of Missoni on fabric.
I'm now intrigued by the thought of the darker chocolate of Angel and I do like patchouli. Will have to give the newest Le Gout flanker a sniff too. Thanks for the draw opportunity.
Posted by: Lindaloo | November 07, 2011 at 14:34
I blind buy perfume kinda regularly now. I really like finding well known scents at great prices at Ross, generally I research first. My most recent blind buy was L de Lolita Lempicka and I adore it! There were no test sprayers to be found and I had read many good things about it.
DH actually bought me a few blind buy perfumes last week, I was grabbing them off the shelves happy with delight, he said the prices were so decent compared to some of the ones I've mentioned before (kilian, Lutens, etc) that I should get them. It was a great perfume day! :D
Thanks for the generous giveaway!
Posted by: Audrey H. | November 07, 2011 at 14:57
Thanks again dear Victoria for a wonderful draw!
I would be delighted if you allow me to enter it. My answers are:
1. I try not to blind buy very often , but sometimes, especially if I see something very keenly priced I allow myself to succumb to temptation.
2. My latest unsniffed purchase was Vivienne Westwood Let it rock edp 30 ml for 19 euros.I love it. Indeed as it was indicated in the perfume guide it feels very much like a light version of Shalimar.It is a soft, luminous, creamy composition which keeps close to skin but lasts for a good 4-5 hours.
Posted by: ana maria andreiu | November 07, 2011 at 15:14
Thanks for the giveway chance!
And my answers:
1. I rarely buy unsniffed perfumes. Moreover, I try not to get frags which I haven't worn at least 2-3 times in different weather. I stick to this policy over the last year since I've made lots of mistakes which I regret.
2. Somehow my purely blind purchases are great - the last is Agent Provocateur - Agent Provocateur, long ago...However, my last fail was Black Orchid which I tested once in a humid and hot summer day and it was pleasantly chocolatey on my skin. I bought it after lots of wondering in early October this year and I was bitterly dissappointed - it turned into cloying white flowers on me...
Posted by: Lyubov | November 07, 2011 at 15:30
Thanks for the oppurtunity to win this Angel-version.
1) 50/50 unsiffed/pre-sniffed. It's part of the fun to buy unsniffed after reading reviews,The Guide and analyzing the information. To me your opinion, Octavians, Perfumeshrine and Grain de Musc are the most influential.
2) My latest unsniffed was 31 Rue Cambon and I'm very please with that one. Before that De Profundis and that perfume fascinates me completaly. One of the best releases in years according to me.
Posted by: Parfumista | November 07, 2011 at 15:59
I very rarely buy blind, since I have lots of places to get a hold of samples (TPC, Luckyscent, Aedes, local shops, swaps online, etc.). The last thing I bought blind was a vintage mini of Patou Vacances on eBay, and it was ok but not great. I decided to not buy vintage anymore since I prefer the more modern styles most of the time.
Posted by: Matildaben | November 07, 2011 at 16:00
Hi everyone,
I too buy unsniffed very frequently if the price is low low low. I'd say my hit rate is 1 out 5. But then my mood can change, or the seasons, and something becomes more appealing. Fendi was a great unsniffed choice...Cartier...So Pretty... and DK Black Cashmere. I guess all the little samples I get from PC or LS are also unsniffed. I rarely fall head over heels in love, but I sure enjoy exploring perfume this way. Best hit there...By Kilian Back to Black and Montale White Aoud. My latest: some BPAL "imps".... not my thing at all. Big unhappy face from me.
Posted by: Cheryl | November 07, 2011 at 16:03
1. About once a year.
2. Vintage Emeraude Parfum de Toilette on Ebay. I love it!
Posted by: Elizabeth | November 07, 2011 at 16:13
1) How often do you buy perfume without smelling it first?
I've bought quite a few unsniffed perfumes in the past, probably somewhere between 10 and 20. I try to avoid it now, but I don't think I'll ever give it up entirely ... I've found some favorites this way.
2) What was your latest unsniffed perfume acquisition and how did you like it?
I believe it was Frederic Fekkai Eau Sensuelle -- which is a great orange blossom!
Posted by: Elisa | November 07, 2011 at 16:31
1) I blind buy based on reviewers who tend to lean the same way as me and who are much more experienced, if I can't locate a sample and I think it is a must buy, I will get it.
2) My lastest unsniffed purchase is Shalimar.
Posted by: Sharryn Stormonth | November 07, 2011 at 17:56
I very, very rarely buy perfume without sniffing it first.
However, based on either the notes and/or the reputation, I have on occasion broken my rules against not sniffing first before buying. Most notably, three years ago, when I bought Estee Lauder Private Collection Tuberose Gardenia direct from the Lauder site. LOVE. So elegant and refined and yet at the same time, full bodied and warm. One of the best florals to come down the pike in years.
Thanks so much for including me in this giveaway. Angel EDT is fantastic!
Posted by: bulldoggirl | November 07, 2011 at 18:11
1. I usually buy unsniffed since in my country I can find only really mass market stuff, not even all the mass market perfumes but only the most traditional ones. So I have to trust in the bloggers opinion and buy through internet.
2. My last unsniffed purchase was Prada Candy. Thanks to your review because I really love it.
Posted by: Marcela | November 07, 2011 at 19:18
1. I very rarely blind buy unless I find a great deal and have read reviews from folks I have a good basis to judge from.
2. Last blind buy was etro etra and that worked out well because it was pretty much what I expected.
Posted by: Sean | November 07, 2011 at 19:48
1. I haven't bought blindly in some time, but I will trade blindly.
2. The last perfume I swapped for unsniffed was Turbulences by Revillon. I'm still undecide whether I like it or not, but that's common -- often, I like a perfume initially and dislike it later, or vice versa.
Posted by: rednails | November 07, 2011 at 20:02
i never buy without smelling but i've bought on a whim thinking ive liked it and then i try it a scond time and HATE IT! happened a few years ago with a jlo perfume
Posted by: samara | November 07, 2011 at 21:34
I rarely buy FBs unsniffed. I am mostly too chicken for that! I am less worried to buy samples and decants unsniffed. However, my most recent unsniffed FB purchase was 1000 Flowers Reglisse Noir, and I love it. So I got lucky. :)
Thanks for such a generous drawing! Fingers crossed, as I really like this new Angel EdT.
Posted by: natalieT | November 07, 2011 at 21:41
I rarely buy perfume without sniffing it, the only I got was Burberry Brit edt. Fortunately I like it, It was great purchase :D
Posted by: Melisa | November 07, 2011 at 22:20
I am an avid and voracious reader of perfume blogs, books, reviews. As it turns out, I buy 80-90% of my perfumes unsniffed, based on my understanding and memory of certain notes.
My last blind buy was Midnight Oud by Juliette Has a Gun. And I have to say, it did not let me down. The roses! The oud! What could be finer? I've gone sideways, too, though. Womanity was blind buy, save a quick sniff on paper at Macy's. Wish I wouldn't have spent the money. C'est la vie.
Posted by: Anna Villines | November 07, 2011 at 22:21
This is fun!
1. I don't buy perfume without sniffing and trying on my skin. Ever.
2. But, my husband bought two Guerlain decants for me last year, along with Idole (because I generally adore Guerlain scents). I enjoy the Apres l'Ondee and L'Heure Bleu decants, but Idole? Not at all. This year I'm asking for a gift certificate to experience samples from an online supplier. For me, the disappointment of a bad match surpasses the pleasure of an "okay" find. I want to be in love.
Posted by: Patrice P. | November 07, 2011 at 22:34
1. I rarely buy perfume without smelling it first.
2. Ummm...my sweetie bought me Breath of God and The Smell of Freedom travel sprays last Christmas. Does that count?
Posted by: Heather | November 07, 2011 at 23:30
Thank you for this draw Victoria,
1. I very rarely buy without sampling. In my early days, I bought a few fragrances from sampling on scent strips only, not on skin and now I pretty much categorize that as buying blind.
2. The last time I bought completely blind was Chergui after reading your
review. We have similar tastes so I wasn't disappointed!
Posted by: Nick | November 08, 2011 at 00:37
1) I'd say I buy ⅕ of my bottles blind - they've turned out to be some of my favourites too.
2) My last one was CdG Avignon…it was exactly what I thought it would be, and I love it. Childhood memories of Easter Mass came flooding back with that one.
Posted by: MK | November 08, 2011 at 02:35
1. I usually sniff samples... but really these days I tend to get split portions of the perfume and they are all unsniffed =) One has to make do when the selection is limited here in Taiwan,
2. My last blind buy is Parfums d'Empire Azemour and it is lovely!
Posted by: Monica | November 08, 2011 at 04:26
1) I never buy perfumes unsniffed, but sometimes my family wants to bring me a perfume for my birthday or Christmas and I suggest some perfumes that I haven't tried or that I have only tried once, but that I know I will propably like.
2) My last "blind gift" was Demeter Wet Garden. I had never tried it because I live in Spain and here I can't find Demeter perfumes. My uncle bought it in Miami. I had written a list with the Demeter perfumes I wanted to have, and Wet Garden was on it. It wasn't exactly as I expected, but it was nice :)
Posted by: Isa | November 08, 2011 at 04:26
Honestly, I can't think of any perfume I've bought unsniffed, so... never? Well, that's not true. I bought a vintage bottle of Diorama which turned out to be a fatice. Should have known better than to buy it if I couldn't put it on skin....
Posted by: Eric Brandon | November 08, 2011 at 04:29
Gosh,I never buy any fragrance that I have not sprayed on or sampled.It is just too expensive to make that kind of mistake.The only exception is when in the duty free that I have bought a set of minis.The last one was of Lolita Lempicka minatures.I have never bought anything blind otherwisw
Posted by: Rene | November 08, 2011 at 06:36