As a perfume enthusiast, I find it fascinating to see how others react to the scents I love or hate. So, I decided to take three of my non-perfume obsessed friends on a fragrance journey. I gave each of them three carefully selected samples based on their preferences, with the challenge to guess whether each scent was niche or designer. Once again, meet The Laid-Back Traveler, The Busy Mom, and The Outgoing Nurse.
Before diving into their reviews, here were my instructions for the experiment:
On clean, moisturized skin, spray or slowly twist open and dab the perfume on your pulse points letting it air dry.
Wait at least 15 minutes, write down your thoughts down your thoughts, and have fun with it. 😁
The Laid-Back Traveler
Likes: Fresh, floral, sweet, and fruity.
Levant by Ormonde Jayne (Scent Profile: Citrus, Floral, and Fresh)
Her Thoughts: "This is a good one. It’s soft, a little powdery, fresh, and clean. This smells like a shower gel or fresh rain scent. I see green and I see blue. This is an everyday scent and something to wear in the heat."
Mango Skin by Vilhelm Parfumerie (Scent Profile: Tropical, Fruity, and Sweet)
Her Thoughts: "Very disappointed. I was excited when I saw the name because I love mango and tropical fruits. I only smell a heavy sweet vanilla note that takes over the entire perfume and that’s not the type of scent I like. I would only wear it if someone bought it for me as a gift. This is a night-time and going-out scent. I don’t smell mango at all."
Perfect by Marc Jacobs (Scent Profile: Green, Fruity, and Almond)
Her Thoughts: "I knew from the first spray that it would be perfect. The name says it all. It's a soft, subtle, sweet, feminine smell. Not sexy, but flirty and sweet. It reminds me of a summer dress. An everyday scent that I would wear in the office. This is not unique or intoxicating enough for me to go out and buy, but if I were into perfumes I would buy this. I like this. I could see this being used to attract a man and get his attention."
The Busy Mom
Likes: Fresh and aquatic.
Bouquet de Hongrie by BDK (Scent Profile: Fruity, Floral, and Fresh)
Her Thoughts: "I would wear this out of the shower. It’s subtle, mellow, fresh, and I could not smell it at first. I would say this is a niche perfume."
A La Rose by Maison Francis Kurkdjian (Scent Profile: Rose and Citrus)
Her Thoughts: "I like this one because it makes me feel sexy and more feminine. It's gentle and I smell apples or some type of fruit. I would wear this on a date night out with the hubby. It’s long-lasting and my favorite out of the three. Definitely a niche perfume."
Acqua di Gioia by Giorgio Armani (Scent Profile: Aquatic and Floral)
Her Thoughts: "This perfume is just okay. It’s too sweet and too strong for my liking, but it also smells fresh. I would say this may be a designer scent."
The Outgoing Nurse
Likes: Sweet, floral, spicy, amber, and fruity.
Rehab by Initio (Scent Profile: Woody, Aromatic, and Sweet Spicy)
Her Thoughts: "This scent wasn’t my favorite at first—soft, sweet, with what I thought smelled like fresh wood, but also like vanilla. As I smelled it again after drying for a while, I did smell vanilla, but also some of the spicy and sweet notes came through more, giving it something that spikes my interest. I would wear this on a chill day, hanging with my family, or a lazy day around the house. There’s just something about it."
Dolce Melodia by Sospiro (Scent Profile: Fruity and Sweet)
Her Thoughts: "I love this soft and sweet scent. Hints of fruit, maybe some peach (my favorite fruit), which is perfect for these hot LA days. Good for the beach or just a day brunch date with friends. Something sweet to catch attention!"
My Way Intense by Giorgio Armani (Scent Profile: Floral, Citrus, and Sweet)
Her Thoughts: "Definition of bold and sweet. One spray and the smell envelops your nose. I love the bold sweet smell. Could wear this on a night out with the girls and have everyone turning heads. Because that’s the goal, right? Lol. I would definitely make this my go-to scent! Yummy! First word when I sprayed it on my skin. Out of the three, I'm not sure which ones are designer or niche."
The Verdict
It turns out that the non-perfume obsessed public has their own way of experiencing scents, and it’s not always in line with the official notes. Not everyone accurately guessed the full profiles of their samples, but that’s what makes their opinions so interesting. Each of them brought a unique perspective, interpreting the fragrances in ways that felt personal to them. Whether it was imagining fresh rain, a summer dress, or simply being intrigued by something that didn’t immediately appeal, their takes were anything but predictable. It just goes to show how subjective and personal the world of fragrance really is.
A special thank you to my friends who at least pretend to listen when I go on about perfume and for completing this experiment. For everyone else, I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments—did you agree with their reviews? If you enjoyed reading their opinions, don't forget to tap the heart. If you're curious about what they thought of perfumed oils, click here.
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