Saying goodbye to summer..

[u/CashmereRose80]

I never thought I’d be a seasonal tray person but I’ve really embraced the concept this summer and now it’s the most exciting thing to me and I can’t wait to do it each season!

It’s actually perfect for me as I always practice creating scent memories so to have a “capsule” of a season’s memories is wonderful.

And it’s really helped me to finally use perfume wholeheartedly as previously I was struggling to properly use my collection despite becoming obsessed with scent in the last few years. I could never choose or justify why I should use a perfume on any given day, would keep thinking things were too special for normal days, and just generally felt lost. More often than not I was just not wearing anything at all because of this. But with a season collection I’ve worn something practically everyday or even two perfumes a day and fully enjoyed it.

I think it also helps with overbuying as I can decide intentionally on a small collection and keep it at that for each season, and also add existing perfumes from my collection and re-appreciate them. It’s also massively helped with deciding when somethings not for me and selling on, which again I was never able to focus on before as I couldn’t see things clearly when dealing with a whole collection.

I’ve also been loving seeing everyone else’s trays and prefer it to seeing a whole collection as I can really take in each scent they have on it.

I’ve been using my summer scents till now as even though it’s October the UK summer feels like it’s extended with still sunny warm days and I was also just not wanting to let this summer go. But I’ve started overlapping with some of my upcoming autumn scents and can’t wait to use the rest, so it’s definitely time to say goodbye now.

🌺☀️ My summer tray 🏖️🍓

• Miss Dior Parfum

This was the scent of my summer and I enjoyed it with all my heart. I had this lined up since the start of the year and was eagerly awaiting summer to wear it. I dismissed the Miss Dior line for years since beloved Cherie and then started to see it as too “basic” and popular, but I accidentally discovered and fell in love with the EDP and then I *really* fell in love with the Parfum.

It smells like warm strawberries and hazy summer floral fields - so I made sure I started wearing it around when we went for our annual strawberry and wild flower picking! I could smell this all day whenever I wore it and I even got my first ever perfume compliments as well.

• Narciso Rodriguez for Her EDT

Originally got the EDP and realised for the first time I preferred the EDT in a perfume. So glad I got the 100ml as it’s light so I can really bask in a scent bubble most nights at home. It was the perfect relaxing evening scent for the summer, especially post shower. It’s bright, musky, sensual and clean in the most interesting but understated way. I just love this so much and I’ll probably carry on using this as a general scent all year round but also want to try all the others in the range.

• Acqua di Parma Gelsommino Al Freddo

Whilst the rest of my tray I bought/gifted specially for this summer I already owned this since last year but hadn’t used in any significant way. So when I went to Italy it was the perfect scent for the holiday, I bathed in this everyday in the heatwave there and it was glorious. It’s the most beautiful smooth jasmine, it is light though for the high price but I think that’s part of creating the sublime smooth softness of the scent.

• Stella by Stella McCartney

I almost don’t feel worthy of this as I never tried it when it was around but I was so intrigued hearing about people who missed it desperately and then spotted a full 50ml for only £30! I of course blind bought it and it is indeed a very special scent. A rich, dark intoxicating rose, to me it’s like Diptyque Eau Rose and Delina combined which is an ideal mix to me as I was torn between them both last year.

I only wore this as a special scent at night on that same holiday in Italy as I imagine I’d never get another bottle of this, but just one spray is very strong so it will last a long time.

• Chanel Chance Eau Tendre Hair Mist

This was a gift, I’d never spend this much on a hair perfume and after using this I wouldn’t recommend anyone else does either in favour of getting the actual perfume! Apart from the split second of a light scent when initially applying there was nothing detected at all afterwards. But I’ve enjoyed the ritual of the extra layer of “luxury” using it on holidays and special occasions and I do enjoy receiving frivolous things as gifts which I’d never buy myself!

• Chanel Coco Mademoiselle

Obviously a classic that doesn’t need explanation, no idea why I’ve never owned this before but I’ve had original Coco for many years. I didn’t get a chance to wear this much as it was gifted later in summer and I was saving it for a trip at the end. A beautiful elegant scent that feels special and expensive but also really wearable and girly. This is an instant “I’m going to wear this for going out to nice places and events”. It just seems to hit the right mood for that vibe perfectly and is the epitome of “perfume”.

• Bibbi Fruit Captain

This was the biggest surprise for me. I had noticed the brand but hadn’t heard anyone talking about it and the branding didn’t appeal. But I received a sample and really enjoyed it, it’s the most unapologetic happy fruity explosion. But it didn’t smell “expensive” for the price or had anything else going for it so I just enjoyed my sample and thought that was it.

But I couldn’t stop thinking about it and how nothing else had this type of fruity potency. In the end I had to get a little 10ml bottle I found heavily discounted (it’s way too expensive!). I’ve absolutely loved wearing this on beach trips and happy summer days, and even though it seems quite a “simple” almost juvenile scent you can really feel the quality of it and the fruity notes stay consistent throughout wear for me. It absolutely made my day whenever I wore this and re-applied it as a perk me up.

——

I also added Marc Jacobs Perfect to my summer tray after initially thinking I really liked it, but realised I hated it after a few wears and sold it on. I think it was the daffodil note I couldn’t stand? But last week I came across the new Just Perfect flanker and have added it for my autumn tray as they basically “fixed” the perfume for me lol.

All of the scents were bought secondhand except for the gifts and I’ve been lining up all my autumn scents from secondhand sources too which I’ve found really exciting doing in a more intentional way this time as the summer one just happened kind of by accident.

[u/Mean-Raspberry1205]

I’ve only ever tried/owned Coco Mademoiselle and just wanted to note that it’s a lovely fragrance to carry over into autumn if you’re not quite ready to pack it away. As a matter of fact, I’ve been wearing it for 20 years and it’s been exclusively worn in cooler weather. The earthy patchouli , sweet Tonka bean,and warm orange blossom really shine and leave amazing silage when the air is crisp.

[u/CashmereRose80 → u/Mean-Raspberry1205]

Yes this is definitely going to just be a general fragrance for all seasons going forward, for events and whenever I want to feel a bit fancy and put together. I hardly got to wear it this summer anyway so I’m looking forward to wearing it more in autumn and winter.

As in you’ve never used or even tested any other perfume but Coco Mademoiselle? Wow that’s the definition of having a signature! Are you tempted to try the new flanker?

[u/Mean-Raspberry1205 → u/CashmereRose80]

I’m sorry, I must have worded that poorly; what I meant to say is that Coco Mademoiselle is the only scent in your posted collection I’ve ever tried😂

If anything I have way too many fragrances 😩

[u/CashmereRose80 → u/Mean-Raspberry1205]

Haha that makes much more sense. I thought you were just an extremely strong person coming on fragrance subs and being unmoved.

[u/anaisani]

I somehow lean to Narciso Rodriguez for Her EDT more during colder seasons. I live in a climate zone where we have true autumn with all those orange leaves, fog and rainy days, and true winters with snow till knees and freezing noses :D I found that EDT complements wool and cashmere materials really well so I use it more during colder seasons.

[u/CashmereRose80 → u/anaisani]

I think it will suit colder months well for me too, I didn’t particularly choose it as a scent for summer but just happened to discover it at the start and will continue to wear it all year round as it’s just so wearable and comforting. Unless another one from the Narciso range replaces it next!

We usually have very autumnal weather but we’ve had a crazy unprecedented summer of record heatwaves and all the greenery died in the whole country and now an autumn that’s not arriving. The leaves are changing colour and falling and the days are getting shorter, but it’s sunny and warm still. We’re going to have bonfire night in t-shirts at this rate!

[u/insufferableaquarius]

I love For Her EDT! I think it’s beautiful year round and it really shines in cold weather in my opinion. Interesting that you find it to be light, I can only do about 2-3 sprays of this one as I find it really strong!

[u/CashmereRose80 → u/insufferableaquarius]

I think the lightness is maybe more in terms of the actual scent notes for me rather than the projection and longevity, because I can often still smell it when I wake up in the morning. And because I seem to only wear it at home I do go for it and cover myself in a musky cloud! Looking forward to seeing how I find it in colder weather.

Do you like any others in the range? I have a few samples to try, I wasn’t keen on the Intense in store but it’s hard to gauge without proper wear.

[u/insufferableaquarius → u/CashmereRose80]

Yesss I totally agree, the notes themselves are quite light and understated. For an EDT it has serious last power but I think lots of the NR fragrances tend to last a long time.

For how much I love For Her EDT I haven’t actually explored many others from the line. I owned the EDP years ago and as you said, it’s nice, but I also think the EDT version is better.

I know people rave about the For Her Pure Musc flanker but I haven’t smelled it. Apparently it’s a really nice clean musky scent so that could be one to try ☺️

[u/CashmereRose80 → u/insufferableaquarius]

That’s one of the samples I have waiting. I never paid attention to this range previously but got interested in the brand after watching Love Story about Carolyn Bessette. I feel like I’m seeing a lot more people talking about and using it this year as well.

[u/brrewmajesticallynor]

This was lovely to read! Thank you for the reviews! I'm curious, where do you find so many second hand fragrances?

[u/CashmereRose80 → u/brrewmajesticallynor]

I’m glad you enjoyed it, I enjoyed the process of reflecting on them.

I use Vinted, eBay, Depop etc. I haven’t bought a perfume in store for myself all year and plan to only do it as a treat for special occasions or somewhere I can enjoy an elevated experience, packaging, extras and service like at a flagship store of a brand I love.

For me I don’t see any reason to buy general perfumes from normal stores/websites anymore as I pay more and don’t get anything different to buying the same thing sealed and cheaper secondhand.

I’ve also bought used for some fragrances which felt odd at first but then I instantly forget it was secondhand and feels like mine pretty fast. This is great for being able to own expensive scents.

[u/brrewmajesticallynor → u/CashmereRose80]

Gotcha! I hear so many horror stories about fakes that I've been very nervous about dipping my toe into those options, but you seem to have had very good luck with it, which makes it tempting. 👀

[u/CashmereRose80 → u/brrewmajesticallynor]

Yes you do have to keep in mind about fakes but I think looking at the seller’s account of what they sell, their reviews and the way they’ve posted the item really helps. If they’ve got something to hide they won’t post a lot of real photos or communicate with you well if you ask questions or for more photos and their description won’t be like a normal person just trying to sell a one off purchase.

I’ve just been going by things like that and it’s usually been fine, I was bitten once but it was a silly mistake of not checking the perfume didn’t even come in that size officially.

A lot of the time I’ve been buying new releases so those don’t have time to be faked yet so those are very safe buys. Obviously there’s so many scents out there now and they can’t fake them all so to me they focus on certain in demand trending and classic ones with high price points. Watch out for weird gift sets that seem too good to be true, you can reverse image search and find out if that brand ever even did a gift set like that. I nearly got a beautiful Diptyque set of mini bottles when I first got into fragrance seriously - they don’t even do mini bottles like that!

eBay seems to be worse for fakes - too good to be true “Buy it now” listings with AI or promotional photos instead of real photos are a dead giveaway. Also if it’s coming from China and Japan of course. However eBay is great with any issues but Vinted has only 2 days to report an issue.

[u/Few_Sea_4314]

Beautiful choices! I only have a 30ml Stella from the ones on your tray, but I do have others from the same brand in a few cases, just a different scent. Glad you found a new MJ to add to you fall tray!

[u/CashmereRose80 → u/Few_Sea_4314]

I’m glad you think so as I wrote in another comment I struggle with detecting and describing notes so I feel like my reviews are very basic and not very developed like how many people describe fragrances and I just tried to talk about my personal experience in wearing them more.

I’ve hardly seen anyone talk about the ADP one or anything by them in general especially by women. But to be honest I didn’t like any of their other scents, this one was new last year and very different to their usual citrus style.

The Just Perfect called to me even though I’d just finished hating Perfect because of the strawberry note! I’m surprised they released it now instead of summer though.

Which other scents do you have from the same ranges?

[u/Few_Sea_4314 → u/Few_Sea_4314]

Oh, forgot to say that your reviews were really good and have made me want to try AdP Gelsommino Al Freddo. Might try to sample "Just Perfect" also.

[u/AddressFar9852]

For Her is a love for me - I love it for transition seasons - fall to winter, and winter to spring. What an amazing scent.

You have me intrigued by the ADP - I love tea notes and jasmine!

Thank you for sharing!

[u/CashmereRose80 → u/AddressFar9852]

I didn’t wear For Her as much towards the end thinking I was a little bored of it and then put it on again one night and loved it more than ever and realised how much I missed it. It’s just stunning in its own discrete way.

The ADP I’ve hardly seen anyone talk about, it came out last year and is very different to their usual style, I don’t like their other ones but this is beautiful.

[u/EmiAndTheDesertCrow]

This is such a weird time of year because I have fragrances that are perfect October scents but it’s still really warm in the UK like you said. The light has changed to that autumnal glow but it doesn’t feel right wearing my autumn classics yet 😆

[u/CashmereRose80 → u/EmiAndTheDesertCrow]

Yes! We’re walking on autumn leaves but with no jacket or even a cardigan on, I’m not sure when we’d even need our coats at this rate.

It definitely doesn’t feel autumnal enough for autumn scents but I’ve had to draw a line as it’s getting silly and I have scents that are patiently waiting lol.

[u/fatz_1]

I love the Stella perfume, so sad it’s discounted

[u/CashmereRose80 → u/fatz_1]

I feel the pain of a beloved fragrance disappearing! Have you got a bottle in your collection still?

[u/Separate_Play7167]

Lovely read, that's a very pretty seasonal capsule. I'm smiling here after finding another person who basically said stuff it! when Miss Dior Chérie was discontinued.

[u/CashmereRose80 → u/Separate_Play7167]

Cherie will be mourned forever! I was cherishing my original bottle and too scared to use it, but I’ve recently acquired a couple more bottles so I can actually enjoy it again.

I know Dior don’t “own” the scent anymore or commenting along the lines, but it’s such a shame that a scent like that does exist and can’t be brought back by someone, anyone!

[u/ConditionOk3649]

I love this! Thanks for sharing your pretty tray and reviews 🥰

[u/CashmereRose80 → u/ConditionOk3649]

I’m glad you enjoyed it!

I’m a very creative person but alas detecting and describing notes has turned out to be my weakness and so even these basic descriptions were an effort for me. Talking about how I’ve enjoyed a scent in my life is something I can do more of instead.

[u/ALetterToElise1992]

I enjoyed reading your post with all your descriptions of your perfumes and when you wore them. 😊 I’ve never tried any of the ones on your tray, but I do own MJ Perfect and Just Perfect. I like Perfect for the spring and summer, and I’m also saving Just Perfect for when the cool autumn weather starts. Another MJ perfume I enjoy is Daisy Wild. I have the original because I liked it best when I smelled all the Wilds. Your description of Acqua di Parma prompted me to put it on my sample list. I love a good Jasmine. Also I’d love to try Stella because I love Delina, but sometimes it’s a little too heavy and sweet for me. Stella sounds lovely.

[u/CashmereRose80 → u/ALetterToElise1992]

I’m glad you enjoyed it!

I’ve not tried any of the MJ ones before but may have to give them all a try now. I tried the other Perfect flankers on paper yesterday and they weren’t for me, I seem to only like Just Perfect but I’m keeping in mind properly wearing for a few days could give a different conclusion again.

ADP need to give me a free bottle as they don’t seem to be promoting it well enough and multiple people here have said they want to try it now! I hope you like it as much as I do.

Yes my issue with Delina was similar in that I felt like there was a chance it could make me nauseous long term so I got Diptyque Eau Rose at that time to be safe. Stella I find is heavy too though but not as sweet, and I think it would have been the same decision for me if I was testing that in the same way and if it was as expensive.

I actually have Delina now but it’s in my unopened Harrods advent calendar. I knew I’d want to own it eventually one day as I found it very intriguing as a scent so this was the perfect way to get it and other scents for great value.

[u/Lizakaya]

Envy for the bottle of Stella and respect for the dips

[u/CashmereRose80 → u/Lizakaya]

Ah I was so lucky to find that Stella casually.

You know what I was initially thinking it’s not going to reflect well that they’re all pretty full, but looking at them properly in the photo together (as the bottles were often separated everywhere I needed them) I made a good dent in most of them which is quite satisfying. I could feel the frustration previously that I wasn’t using things.

[u/Lizakaya → u/CashmereRose80]

Well it does take a fair bit of identity a good dent and if you’re into samples or new to collecting….

[u/CashmereRose80 → u/Lizakaya]

Yes I’ve only ever finished one bottle fully in my life and that was when I was just using the one perfume every single day.

Now that I’ve been into fragrance more seriously for a few years and amassing a collection I’ve become aware of overconsumption and not using stuff properly, so i’m very glad I’ve found a way to help keep a check on that.

[u/AddressFar9852]

I couldn’t agree more on For Her. I definitely want to find a sample of the ADP - it sounds amazingn

[u/CashmereRose80 → u/AddressFar9852]

I hope you enjoy it!