It’s time for another perfume roundup! I’ve been exploring more fragrances this year and I’m thrilled to have found so many great new loves. Today I’m focusing mainly on the new ones I love right now but I’ll mention a few misses too.
Maison Francis Kurkdjian Kurky
Maison Francis Kurkdjian Kurky ($245, Nordstrom) is my favorite splurge this year! It’s a creamy fruity gourmand that isn’t too sweet. Has a beautiful mix of musk and vanilla for a bright fun feel. Power is on the softer side so I have to spritz VERY liberally. I haven’t really explored much from MFK over the years but after a recent visit to a local boutique recently I was really surprised to find that most of the ones I tried in store don’t have very long lasting power or throw. Have you experienced this too?
NOTES: Tangy fruity accord, tutti-frutti notes, musk, vanilla.
New from Phlur
Phlur’s new Hair and Body Mists are so fun for summer. Peach Skin* ($25 – $38, Sephora) is another amazing fruity juicy scent with white freesia, jasmin, amber, coconut caramel, sandalwood mixed in. I didn’t realize that I liked peach scents but I really love this one. After trying this I went to investigate another peach from Guerlain Peche Mirage and while it’s nice, it wasn’t pure love. I might check it out again. Sometimes I need a few tries to really get a sense of how a perfume will perform on my skin.
Peach Skin NOTES: Top: Peach Bellini, Plum, Peach Skin, BergamotHeart: White Freesia, Vanilla Orchid, Jasmine NectarBase: Milky Sandalwood, Sheer Amber, Coconut Caramel
Beach Skin* ($25 – $38, Sephora) is the perfect airy beachy coconut scent with bergamot and tiare blossoms. I like this one a lot more than the Coconut Skin which is lovely, but the Beach Skin has more depth with a lighter more summery feel.
NOTES Top: Bergamot, Salted Tiare Flower, Pink PepperHeart: Coconut Milk, Lily of the ValleyBase: Sandalwood, Vanilla, Musk
I did try the Golden Rule* and Rose Whip* from Phlur and I think they’re beautiful, the notes are just not my vibe. I found Golden Rule a little too sweet and Rose Whip is a very velvety rose which I have never been able to pull off in warm weather climates.
Chanel Chance Eau Splendide
Chanel Chance Eau Splendide* ($143 – $176, Chanel) is the latest addition to the Chance family and I think it’s the best one yet. It’s bright, fruity, sweet and youthful with raspberry accord, violet, rose and rose geranium. The scent also has a mix of powdery iris, cedar and musk to give it some more depth. It’s a flirty sweet kind of scent with a very bright and youthful feel. I was surprised how pretty it is as I don’t usually like raspberry scents but this one is really pretty.
NOTES: sparkling raspberry accord, rose, violet, rose geranium, minty note, iris, cedar and white musk.
New from Creed
Creed Eladaria* ($445, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Creed) is a fresh powdery rose with peony. I love how this transforms on the skin once it sets. You can also detect notes of lily of the valley with a bit of musk. It’s a very elaborate complex rose but still fresh. For a floral my heart still belongs to Spring Flower from Creed.
Eladaria NOTES: Top: Mandarin, bergamot, pink pepperMiddle Notes: Rose, peony, lily of the valley, powdery notesBase Notes: Musk, vanilla, ambroxan, cashmere wood
New from Celine
Celine Un Ete Francais ($310 – $450, Celine) is the latest addition to Celine’s fragrance lineup and it’s summer in a bottle. It’s a beachy floral with bergamot, petitgrain, neroli and has a bit of a green feel to it. It’s fresh and the powdery notes are subtle. To me it has a similar feeling to Frederic Malle’s Carnal Flower even though they smell different – the floral notes are very strong and summery to me. Celine Un Ete Francais has a fresh green vibe to it. Shared a quick look at the Celine boutique in Miami here.
NOTES: BERGAMOT, PETITGRAIN, NEROLI, GORSE AND VANILLA ACCORDS.
Byredo Absolus
Both of the new Byredo Absolu editions in Mojave Ghost and Blanche are beautiful. They are both very similar to the originals with very subtle difference on the skin but I find them significantly stronger with better lasting power. These both have more depth and warmth making them more interesting to me. If you already own and love the originals I don’t think you need the new ones unless you’re repurchasing in which case I recommend opting for the absolu.
Blanche Absolu ($280 – $385, Nordstrom) has more warmth while the original Blanche has a very crisp and sharp clean smell to it. The new Absolu is similar but not quite as sharp.
Blanche Absolu Notes Top: Aldehyde, Rose CentifoliaHeart: Peony, VioletBase: Musks, Sandalwood
Mojave Ghost Absolu ($280 – $385, Nordstrom) is also a little warmer and creamier with a richer base. Lasting power is a lot better than the original although I’ve never had issues with Byredo lasting power on my skin.
Mojave Ghost Absolu Notes Top: Ambrette, Jamaican Nesberry, PearHeart: Magnolia, Sandalwood, VioletBase: Cedarwood, Chantilly Musk, Crisp Amber, Vetiver, Amyris
Guerlain Aqua Allegoria Hand Creams
If you’re a fan of some of the Guerlain Aqua Allegoria perfumes they added a few of the scents in super cute Aqua Allegoria Hand Creams ($60). The scents aren’t new but I thought I’d share a quick look because I was super curious. I have and love the Guerlain Aqua Allegoria Forte in Mandarine Basilic ($185) which is a beautiful sweet citrus with basil and green tea. The hand cream is beautifully packaged with a smooth texture. It’s not quite as smooth as the Chanel La Creme Main, but the Guerlain has a nice lightweight texture with minimal stickiness. The hand cream has a lighter scent (as in not as potent as the perfume) and smells very light and fresh. After testing it I don’t think I would call it worth the splurge but I will keep using it until it’s used up. I personally think the Chanel La Creme Main or Dior Le Baumes have a better smooth texture for the hands.
In terms of a citrus perfume I love the Guerlain but still prefer the Chanel Les Eaux de Chanel Paris-Riviera or Paris-Biarritz.
Valaya Exclusif
I loved the original Parfums de Marly Valaya but the new Valaya Exclusif is even better. Valaya Exclusif ($250 – $410, Nordstrom) is softer with a more velvety powdery feel. Both are beautiful but I love the new version better as the original almost smells sharp by comparison.
Valaya Exclusif Notes Top notes: Velvety Almond, Bergamot, MandarinMiddle notes: Orange Blossom, White Flowers, Powdery FacetsBase notes: Akigalawood, Sandalwood, Ambroxan, Vanilla
New Glossier
Glossier You Fleur ($32-$78, Sephora) is a skin-like floral with mineral salt accord. This is the first osmanthus scent I’ve actually liked and it has a mix of ylang-ylang and apricot. It’s subtle and smells like your skin with a subtle musk + floral vibe. It has a similar feel to Glossier You, but the Fleur one pulls more skin-like and more natural smelling. If you want something potent and strong this is probably going to be too light for you.
A quick little peek at my perfume corner in my new beauty closet! We are slowly putting our new place together. I might share more home decor once we have everything setup. We are close to finally having our new place fully furnished. Sneak peeks shared here on my Instagram Highlights if you’re interested!
Press samples have a * next to them. All others purchased by me.
