Sephora's Holiday Favorites: Fragrance Cult Classics

Today, for this post, I won't be doing any wear tests, just initial smells. There are 20 sample fragrances in this set, so I'm going to keep it as brief as possible. An affiliate link is provided below as well if you are willing to support your favorite alchemist. Thanks, guys!

** Please read What is Anosmia? How do I live with it? to get a full understanding of the concept of this blog and how I go about "smelling" as an anosmic.

Today, we are going to talk about Sephora's Holiday Women's Perfume Sampler Gift Set (this is an affiliate link; I do make a commission if you purchase at no cost to you) and describe how each fragrance smells at initial spray. This set includes some of the most popular fragrances in the industry.

Disclaimer: When it comes to Sephora's perfume samplers, some brands are stingy when it comes to loading the sampler vials, so be mindful.

First Fragrance: Phlur Vanilla Skin - 10/10 (on my wishlist)

Notes: Pink Pepper, Pink Apple, Sugar Crystals, Lily, Jasmine Petals, Cashmere Wood, Benzoin, Vanilla, Sandalwood, Agarwood

The sample bottle sprays the fragrance out nicely, a nice, powerful spritz. If you like a gentle spritz, you're not gonna like how this sprays out. It's a warm vanilla. It smells like a hot vanilla drink. It's perfect for fall and winter.

Second Fragrance: Good Girl Blush - 8/10 (as mentioned, on my wishlist)

Notes: Bergamot, Bitter Almond, Ylang Ylang, Peony, Vanilla Tonka Bean

There is a little bit of a pickle smell to Good Girl Blush. I've smelled it before, and it is on my fragrance list because I think it's good for layering. If you are new to Good Girl Blush, it can give a pickle smell if you are someone who experiences that with some floral fragrances. If you are someone who does not get a pickle smell with floral fragrances, it smells like a soft flower. What soft petals feel like to the skin; this is the scent version of that feeling/touch.

Third Fragrance: Prada Paradoxe - 10/10 (on my wishlist)

Notes: Pear, Tangerine, Bergamot, Orange Blossom, Neroli Essence, Neroli, and Jasmine Sambac, Bourbon Vanilla, Amber, White Musk, Benzoin

Grown and sexy in a bottle. At initial spray, I got a picture of a glass of whiskey, but make it sexy lol. The amber notes are the shining star in the fragrance, which I love. I feel like amber makes a lot of fragrances more elevated and grown-woman. It's great for the fall season.

Fourth Fragrance: Rare (Original) - 4/10

Notes: Caramel, Pistachio, Pink Pepper, Ginger, Cocoa Beans, Vanilla, Sandalwood, Tonka Beans, Skin Musks

The ginger really comes through with this fragrance, along with the caramel. It reminded me a little bit of Me Espresso by Sabrina Carpenter. Mainly, it smells like Canada Dry's Ginger Ale Bold, but as a fragrance. That is my favorite type of ginger ale, but I don't want to smell like it.

Fifth Fragrance: Tom Ford Soleil Neige - 7/10 (on my wishlist)

Notes: Bergamot Integrale, Carrot Seeds, White Flowers, Orange Blossom, Jasmine Grandiflorum, Rose, Musk, Benzoin Resinoid, Cistus Labdanum, Vanilla

A clean everyday fragrance. Very lightweight on the skin and in the nose. A smidge of pickle smell comes through, but overall it's a nice, clean everyday fragrance.

Sixth Fragrance: Burberry Her Elixir - 10/10 (on my wishlist)

Notes: Strawberry, Blackberry, Jasmine, Vanilla, Amber, Sandalwood

Smells so good and sweet, like candy. Not like the fragrance Sweet Like Candy by Ariana Grande, but it smells sweet like strawberry candy. It's not a childish sweet; it's a grown-woman sweet. Definitely great for a springtime date night. Anyone who smells you would love to snuggle up with you.

Seventh Fragrance: Love Shack Fancy Forever In Love - 9/10 (on my wishlist)

Notes: Green Pear, Italian Mandarin, Gardenia, Jasmine, Rose Petals, Cedarwood

A pretty fruity floral. It's very light and dainty on the nose. It gives cottagecore, which is the brand aesthetic. This is a great daytime fragrance for everyday wear. The pear notes make the biggest appearance in this fragrance, but it's not overbearing.

Eighth Fragrance: Ariana Grande Plush Vanilla - 8/10 (on my list)

Notes: Vanilla Macaron, Orange Blossom, Sugared Petals, Creamy Sandalwood, Cashmere Woods, Amber Crystals, Soft Musk

At first I didn't like this fragrance because all that I could smell was the alcohol. I did my first smell test with this fragrance on 9/16, but today, as I write this on 9/21, I sprayed it again after reading the notes, and they actually came through this time. I don't know how to fully describe this, but it reminds me a lot of Invite Only by Kayali. Maybe like a little sister to this. It's very cozy and warm to the nose. I think it will be great for layering. I will be coming back to this because Invite Only is my favorite Kayali fragrance ever. So a comaprison and layering combo is a must!

Ninth Fragrance: YSL Libre - 0/10

Notes: Lavender, Mandarin Orange, Black Currant, Petitgrain, Orange Blossom, Jasmine, Madagascar Vanilla, Musk, Cedar, Ambergris

I think this fragrance and every variant of Libre is overrated. This is a vibrant yellow floral. Overall, this is doing too much. I don't care for it.

Tenth Fragrance: Marc Jacob's Daisy Wild So Extra - 6/10

Notes: Blue Banana, Pear Nectar, Italian Bergamot, Chocolate Daisy Scentrek, Jasmine Sambac Absolute, Chocolate, Viennois Delight, Orange Flower, Vanilla, Ambrofix, Sandalwood, Trio of Vetiver

Very floral and sweet. Smells like a green Jolly Rancher at the initial spray-down. When it dries down, it doesn't smell like that at all. The fragrance does change, but I'm not sure the best way to describe the Jolly Rancher.

Eleventh Fragrance: Gucci Flora Gorgeous Gardenia Intense - 0/10

Notes: Mandarin Essence, Gardenia Accord, Hedione, Sandalwood Essence

Smells like what Listerine and fluoride treatment taste like. And no one likes the taste of fluoride treatment.

Twelfth Fragrance: Replica Lazy Sunday Morning - 0/10

Notes: Lilly of the Valley, Iris Accord, White Musk

Smells like straight pickles.

Thirteenth Fragrance: Dolce and Gabbana My Devotion Intense - 10/10 (on my wishlist)

Notes: Pear Blossom, Blackcurrant, Peony, Madagascar Vanilla

A pretty springtime fragrance. Very floral, but a soft floral fragrance. It's very elegant and not over the top. No pickle smell. There's a small powdery feel to the nose. I didn't get a vanilla feel, but I do love what I smell.

Fourteenth Fragrance: Jo Malone English Pear & Sweat Pea - 4.5/10

Notes: Pear Blossom, Blackcurrant, Peony, Madagascar Vanilla

I kinda like it, but I kinda don't. It's a clean citrus floral, but something about it kinda leads to pickles as it dries down.

Fifteenth Fragrance: Miu Miu Miutine - 10/10 (Redeemed this one)

Notes: Wild Strawberry, Gardenia, Jasmine, Rose, Brown Sugar, Bourbon Vanilla, Patchouli, Oakmoss, Amber

Smells sweet like licorice. It giving a sexy Twizzler! I'm currently a sucker for strawberry notes in a fragrance.

Sixteenth Fragrance: Lore Lil Softie - 8/10 (on my wishlist)

Notes: Cereal, Milk, Bergamot, Pink Pepper, Musk Mallow, Galbanum, Jasmine, Musk, Milk, Rice Ambroxan, Cotton Musk

I got a clean smell from this fragrance. Although the notes say there's a lot to this fragrance, it just smells very clean to me. I would get this as a staple fragrance.

Seventeenth Fragrance: Commodity Milk - 5.5/10

Notes: Cold Milk, Warm Marshmallow, Skin Musk, Mahogany Wood, Tonka Bean

It smells like coffee with milk. I strongly dislike the smell of coffee, but somehow this isn't bad. I'm not the biggest fan of this, but I'm also not a hater of this either. It's an okay fragrance. I wouldn't buy it, but it's a nice sampler.

Eighteenth Fragrance: Rabanne Million Gold For Her - 0/10

Notes: Pear, Rose, Lavender, Rose Oxide, Feminine White Flowers, Ylang Ylang, Jasmine, Addictive Mineral Musk, Vanilla, Moss

Pickles right off the bat.

Nineteenth Fragrance: Kayali Yum Boujee Marshmallow - 10/10 (Already Own)

Notes: Pink Lady Apple, Italian Lemon, Freesia, Nectarine Blossom, Pink Marshmallow, Strawberry, Coconut Flakes, Orange Blossom, Whipped Vanilla, Raspberry Sugar, Pink Musk, Ambrox

This is one of my favorite fragrances ever. It's very intoxicating. The strawberry and freesia notes create a wonderful blend of a vibrant, sweet gourmand fragrance. I won't make a standalone post about this fragrance. There are so many videos and posts about this; I would just be saying the same thing as everyone about this fragrance. You will see this featured in future posts, layered with other fragrances.

Twentieth Fragrance: Valentino Born In Roma - 100/10 (Already own)

Notes: Blackcurrant, Pink Pepper, Bergamot, Jasmine Grandiflorum, Jasmine Sambac, Jasmine Tea, Bourbon Vanilla, Cashmeran, Guaiac Wood

Y'all know what time it is when it comes to Born in Roma. She's just that girl.

Final thoughts:

Overall, I like this discovery set. Cult classic fragrances all in one, with some new faces too. I think discovery sets, whether done by a retailer or from a specific brand, are always a great gift idea. Anyone can benefit from a discovery set.

On a personal note: I noticed a lot of these fragrances have similar notes, which is pretty interesting from an alchemic standpoint. This gives me a lot more room to play and compose some new combinations. Which is always a good time for The Anosmic Alchemist.

I've created a fragrance holiday wishlist. There's no obligation, but if you are feeling generous this holiday season, I appreciate any gift. It helps to keep the blog alive. Thank you ❤️

Thank you all so much for reading. I will see you in my next blog post.

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Signed,

The Anosmic Alchemist.