Holiday Fragrance Discovery Set

I’m blessed & lucky to say this is my every day parfum. There is a multitude of reasons why. 1- I love to smell it on myself. You only need one spray. 2- It’s subtle but distinctive and pleasantly lingers. 3- You will randomly get stopped and asked “What are you wearing?” So if you’re a social butterfly like me it’s great conversation.

I did not go into Nordstrom today with the intent of buying lingerie, much less a fragrance, yet both occurred. With my birthday approaching and recent weight loss, I decided to try on some NYDJ pants, which led me to lingerie and finally ended up at the fragrance counter. In my scouting for an associate, I patiently waited and smelled different scents. I've been fixated on Giorgio Armani's Si. Nearly 2 years and 5 bottles later to be exact! Upon finishing the last bottle in August, I decided it was time for something more economical, allergen friendly, yet pleasant to my nose. However, this hunt has not be easy and slightly discouraging. What person wants to go without a go-to fragrance for a week much less months? So many perfumes are filled with alcohol and synthetic fragrance that does not mesh with my body chemistry or allergies. I tend to make perfume sweeter or amplify the sweetness when I perspire--this can be annoying and unpleasant to those around me if they are sensitive. You can imagine the days of wearing Bath & Body Works was a nightmare! Moreover, I thought Si was my "big girl" scent until today. I've enjoyed some other perfumes like Elizabeth & James Nirvana Black because I love sandalwood, vanilla, and musk but never purchased--tempted, but just kept looking. Also, I enjoy citrus (lemongrass, orange, nectar, etc.) and a perfume with depth. I tried to love Gucci, Dolce, YSL Black Opium, Viktor&Rolf BonBon, Chanel Coco Mademoiselle, and many others. In the past week, I was intrigued by a few scents by Replica as well as Juliette Has a Gun collection, but again, was not overly impressed that I had to have any one of them immediately. I was almost to the point of just wearing lemongrass and sandalwood oils and calling it a day. So, imagine my surprise when I fell for a Le Labo perfume--in the heat of the moment. I had decided to spray a bit of The Noir 29 on my left arm for shiggles while waiting for assistance. Saw a gal I recognized, and we struck a convo. As time passed, I found myself wanting to keep sniffing my left arm (where I had spritzed the Noir). The gal asked what I had sprayed and I showed her. She was equally impressed as she never smelt the Noir before either. A moment later, the Le Labo manager had returned and my curiosity dominated. I had to know anything and everything about this brand, scent, collection, etc. Approximately 30 minutes later, I found myself walking out the Nordstrom doors with not a sample of this fragrance but rather a 3.4 oz glorious bottle of perfume heaven. I swear this gem was created for me. I thought it was just my body chemistry working some magic. The manager had sprayed the tissue in my gift bag so I have literally sniffed Noir for hours and keep desiring more. It truly gets better as time passes. Safe to say my WOW factor was activated. I am eternally grateful and hooked for life! Now, Le Labo, when shall I expect a laundry detergent? There needs to be a full line of The Noir 29. If nobody else cares for it, goody--more for me. Happy birthday to ye! Ha! On a serious note, do not knock it until you try it. Ps. Apologies for the lengthy review, but I just feel you need to know the intensity, joy and warmth of this experience. Hope you enjoy a similar experience yourself. Now go have fun!

I too got this as sample and had to have a full bottle. I love the scent and do get many compliments. I have had this for a while and just realized the inner part of the sprayer pump thing does not reach the bottom of the bottle which will make it hard and probably nearly impossible to get ALL the contents out of the bottle. Here is a picture of Santal compared to 13. As much as this costs I think they need to have better quality control. Shame on me for not realizing it sooner but I have never had this happen and who checks for those types of things in a perfume bottle?

Santal 33 by Le Labo is a stunner on me. I honestly can't believe there are 33 ingredients in this composition because all I get is sandalwood and iris. I'm by no means complaining. First whiff reveals sandalwood in its purest form. When I spray it on me it is extremely woody, almost sharp. Within seconds the wood softens. This wood is warm and dry and has practically no weight - sort of like fresh sawdust shavings. As it develops on my skin the sandalwood always stays in the forefront, but soon the iris makes her appearance. The iris on me is eloquent, soft as a whisper and very purple. This never becomes a true floral scent on me. It remains woodsy and mysterious and has an unusual good quality paper with a watermark element to it. As the perfume dries down it gets just the slightest bit sweeter, almost like a violet candy. I must spray with a light hand and still it lasts forever on my skin. I get a solid 8-12 hours of enjoyment and it lasts even longer in my hair. This is just gorgeous and I'm so excited to own it!