Fragrance minis

           As a sample collector, it's simply inevitable that I end up  with a large number of fragrance sleeves and vials. However, the number of scents that make it into my rotation are quite limited. As you can imagine samples come from all genres and I, like most, fall into a certain niche. In general, I'm a 'pink' scent person. As a cheerful chipmunk, I can take maximum doses of bright and optimistic florals with citrus. Hints of musk, jasmine, vanilla, and sandalwood appeal to me. More relaxed citrus based scents are ok. I generally dislike oriental, spicy, powdery, or opulent scents. Two sample vials I remember completely using up were DKNY Fresh Blossom and Kate Spade Twirl. Today' I'm sharing the four sample scents that successfully made it into my rotation.

1. Dolce + Gabbana Light Blue - I'm sure I've mentioned this on the blog and twitter before. Out of the four shown here, Light Blue has the best chance running dry due to use! It's not my typical kind of scent, however it's perfect for winding down at home after a long day.  I wouldn't wear this during daytime; it's too relaxing for me. Light Blue's top notes include Sicilian Citron and apple; the crisp scents add the perfect dash of energy to an otherwise warm cedar/amber/musk base. I might buy a rollerball size one day.

2. Tocca Graciella - Graciella is a medium weight floral musk with definite water tones. The florals include ylang ylang and rose de mai. For some reason, I was expecting Toccas to be lighter floral scents. The inclusion of apricot and asian pear results in a mellow fruity tone that I really enjoy. I think the apricot and pear really add a pleasant and unexpected dimension to the scent. However, after the initial burst, it becomes harder to find these elements, and I am left with a more watery and floral musk dry down. I'm really not a water scent type of person, so though I am intrigued, I would not purchase this. I'm pleased with the overall construction the scent, which makes me want to explore other Tocca fragrances (perhaps Cleopatra or Bianca).

3. Miss Dior Eau de Parfum - Miss Dior seems like a scent worn by a young chic sophisticate. It's a weighty floral (jasmine) with citrus and patchouli. The patchouli isn't really noticeable to me, which I like. The scent is a bit sweet. The scent is a bit heavy for me, but I'll try to finish it anyway.

4. Givenchy Play for Her - From the its namesake 'Play' I was expecting a playful energetic fragrance. However, Givenchy Play is a more relaxed feminine scent that isn't overly opulent or complex. It seems like a fairly mild mixture of woody, citrus, and floral scents. This seems like a good scent for a down-to-earth girl who doesn't want to be overwhelmed by flowers. Overall, I think this is a nice scent, but it's a bit too relaxed for my personality. I need something a little more high strung!

         Thanks for reading this episode of fragrance minis! Now that it's warmer, I've rekindled my interest in fragrances and will try my hand at more fragrance writing. What samples or scents have appealed to you lately?

Love, Dovey.

P.S. Sporadic internet service and a tighter schedule have made me a bit slower in replying to comments; however I do plan on getting to them and genuinely appreciate everyone who has taken the time to leave a note!  Hearing from friends, both old and new, always lifts my spirits, especially during busy times :)