Perfume101 Archives - Page 3 of 4 -

What are Decoded Perfumes?

In our post called ” How to know if your perfume is authentic?” we talked about decoded perfumes and so many of you asked me to tell you more about this so I gathered more information and took some photos to help you understand this better. I am including the original paragraph here for those of you who did not read that blog post.

If you receive a decoded perfume don’t assume that it is fake. Many suppliers/wholesalers remove the code from some of the designer fragrances because they do not want the manufacturer to find out which country these items are coming from. The code on the box shows the region a fragrance comes from and from what distributor. This does not mean item was used or altered in any ways.
Also, some brands like Viktor & Rolf, Thierry Mugler have unique codes inside their fragrance boxes that can be registered on their website to receive free samples or gifts. Registration number or code is only available if you pay the full retail amount. If a customer is buying at a discount price, the code will not be available to them most of the time. Again this does not mean the items are not original!

Now let’s talk about what decoded perfumes are?

When a part of the fragrance box is removed by the distributor that fragrance is call decoded. This simply is in many cases for the internal use of the manufacturer to be able to track its products and the performance of its distributors. This is the same reason that the code gets remove by some distributors before selling the product.

Why this should not concern you?

This code, unlike the batch number, is not used to prove the authenticity of the product. Therefore you as a customer will not need this code for any reason. As mentioned above, there are some brands with promotional codes that can be used by customers but to receive the code you would have to buy the perfume at the full price.

Also, the products are not tampered with during this process. The quality of the perfume remains the same and this all happens under the supervision of the supplier.

Where is the code located?

The placement of the code varies from batch to batch. As shown in the picture even the same perfume might get decoded differently.

Hope this helps.

Oajan by Parfums de Marly (Arabian Breed Collection)

Oajan by Parfums de Marly is an amazing offering from the Arabian Breed Collection.

This Oriental Spicy fragrance for women and men offers:

Top notes of cinnamon, honey, and osmanthus;
Middle notes of benzoin, labdanum, ambergris, and artemisia;
Base notes of patchouli, musk, vanilla and tonka bean.

(SOS) Snippet of the Scent:

This opulent composition of Oajan is deeply sweet while exuding timeless grace, perfumer Shyamala Maison Dieu balanced each level of this offering development exquisitely. Osmanthus lends a delicately floral apricot aura to the opening, flanked by cinnamon, to add warm woodiness, and honey oozing heavy and golden. It trots steadily to the gate, puffing hot breath from its nostrils, as it shakes it silky mane. A resinous lover’s paradise awaits in Oajan’s heart of labdanum fused with amber and benzoin, then brushed and rubbed down with davana. The dark booziness captures the fragrance’s strength and power, as the resins accent the powerful strides when the scent is truly airborne while in full gallop. The gourmand-tinged, very eastern dry down shows more of the Persian influence on the breed while maintaining its intrinsic beauty and Arabian heritage with a delicate touch of oud. This leaped across the finish line in a cloud of crumbly resin dust and spiced musk. Sillage: is great and Longevity: is excellent!
This Oriental gourmand delicacy is the same vain as glazed almonds, marzipan or amaretto, reminiscent of such delectable delicacies! This one is a MUST for any fragrance lover and a fan of the modern gourmand genre!

How to know if your perfume is authentic.

The gifting season is here and everybody is starting to make their purchases. For those of us who are in love with online shopping, there is always the question of authenticity of the product. So, we created a checklist for perfume authenticity.

Check the Wrapping

Check that the wrapping is not loose. The cellophane is usually thick and clean so, keep an eye out for wrapping that in not clear and clean.

Check the box

Check the quality of the box and check boxes for any misspelled words.

Serial and Batch Number

The serial number on the box should be the same as the one on the bottle. Also, you can check the batch number that is engraved or printed on the box on CheckCosmetic and if the batch is not found you should be concerned.

Check the quality of the bottle

Authentic perfumes have smooth clear bottles. Bubbles, sharp edges, and an imperfect bottle should be red flags.

Know Your Seller

I think this is the most important one. Look for Google trusted websites with good customer reviews. Also, Check that they have all their contact information on their website.

Things to bear in mind:

If you are buying from Ebay or Amazon don’t assume that you know the seller. I’ve seen people buying from those websites and not realizing that there are different sellers listed on both websites.

I’ve also heard many say all the perfumes you buy from those websites are fake. They are both misconceptions. Check the seller if they have good ratings you can trust them. No seller with a 97% rating is going to risk losing their rating and customer by selling counterfeit products.

Slight differences in packaging or smell might happen from batch to batch. Do your research before assuming something is fake. My recommended website is Basenotes, you can check their forums and ask your questions.

If you receive a decoded perfume don’t assume that it is fake. Many suppliers/wholesalers remove the code from some of the designer fragrances because they do not want the manufacturer to find out which country these items are coming from. The code on the box shows the region a fragrance comes from and from what distributor. This does not mean item was used or altered in any ways.
Also, some brands like Viktor & Rolf, Thierry Mugler have unique codes inside their fragrance boxes that can be registered on their website to receive free samples or gifts. Registration number or code is only available if you pay the full retail amount. If a customer is buying at a discount price, the code will not be available to them most of the time. Again this does not mean the items are not original!

Best Perfumes for the Gym

I’ve been asked to do a piece on the best perfumes for the gym. I know many people are opposed wearing perfume to the gym but let’s be honest here people, not everyone can stay fresh and smell good after sweating for an hour in the gym.

If you don’t want to wear a perfume you can wear deodorant (scented or unscented), scented body lotion or body splash. But, if you are like me and addicted to perfumes then be careful. Do not spray too much, the gym is the worst place for overpowering perfumes; and be mindful of others when choosing your scent.

These are some recommendation from me but you can choose anything fresh or mild. Try to go for perfumes with softer sillage.

For Women:

Anyway by Juliette Has a Gun

The main accords are citrus, musky, white floral, amber and, woody

Cool Cotton by Clean Perfume

Any of the clean collection really.

The main accords are Citrus, fresh, green, aromatic, floral and, powdery.

Cool Water by Davidoff

The main accords are aquatic, floral, fruity, ozonic, fresh and sweet.

For Men:

212 Surf by Carolina Herrera

The main accords are marine, citrus, aromatic, patchouli and, salty.

The One Sport

The main accords are aquatic, warm spicy, aromatic, woody and, fresh.

Light Blue pour homme by Dolce & Gabbana

The main accords are citrus, fresh spicy, aromatic, woody and, balsamic.

Bonus Tip:

Let us know if you just want to buy them as pocket perfumes and we might be able to help you there too!

Heavenly Floral Scent

Valentina Collection by Valentino is not just about amazingly beautiful bottles. These perfumes have a heavenly floral scent that is perfect for Spring. Here I am introducing the four that we carry on Maxaroma.com

Valentina Pink :

This perfume was launched in April 2015. It’s very young, energizing and happy. It is Long lasting with moderate sillage. Main Accords are Fruity, Sweet and rose.

Valentina Assoluto:

This fragrance was launched in 2012. It’s a sophisticated, sweet and intense. Valentina Assoluto has moderate Sillage and longevity. The main accords are earthy, white floral, vanilla, savory and animalic.

Valentina Acqua Florale:

This one was launched in January 2013. This perfume is soft and pleasant. Perfect for everyday use.

Moderate longevity and soft sillage. The Main Accords are White florals and citrus.

Valentina:

Valentina was launched in September 2011. This is a clean and classy scent. The longevity is moderate as well as the sillage. The main accords are White floral, vanilla and, sweet.

don’t forget Mother’s Day is around the corner. Enjoy!

*Both pictures are official Valentino campaign ads.

Why You Should Try Pocket Perfumes!

Have you seen our new section called Pocket Perfumes? I’m going to tell you why you should try Pocket Perfumes! Currently, we have 155 perfumes with new ones being added daily. For any special requests, don’t hesitate to contact us and we’ll happily help.

To Take Anywhere

The size of these atomizers is perfect. You can put it in your clutch bag to feel more secure on a date; or if you hit the gym before going to work you can always carry your favorite perfume with you. You can even take them on planes which for me is the best part.

To Sample

The best way to find a new fragrance is to sample it. You should always try perfumes for a couple of days to see if it matches your character and your body’s chemistry. Since it is hard to get a sample of all perfumes our pocket perfumes make it super easy for you; and you can reuse the atomizer after your sample is finished.

To Stay Fresh

If you get bored of using the same fragrance every day and want to switch your scent every week without breaking the bank you can purchase these Pocket Perfumes. You can enjoy 7 different perfumes at once by paying for one regular bottle of fragrance. Isn’t that amazing?

So go to our website and buy your favorite Pocket Perfume(s)!

B9 by Bond No 9

B9 by Bond NO9 B9 by Bond No.9 is a fairly new fragrance from the house of Bond No.9. The inspiration for the name and scent of this perfume comes from the brand’s first store address in New York, 9 Bond Street. The perfume bottle showcases the new logo for their brand, it is star shaped, the signature look for Bond No.9, and, purple colored. This unisex fragrance is very fresh, fruity and very long lasting.

The Fragrance is a well-balanced mixture of the following notes:

Top Notes

Citrus, Saffron

Heart Notes

Gardenia Leaves, Jasmine, Orchid, Agarwood

Base notes

Amber, Sandalwood, Oakmoss, Musk, Vetiver

What others are saying about it:

“Thank you Bond!!!! I feel as though this was created specifically for me. I’m addicted to the smell of Chanel Gardenia (Exclusif), but it is too feminine for me to wear. B9 is the perfect fix. It has the elegance of the gardenia but is strengthened by the amber and musk. These big bottles usually last me a very long time, but I’ve been spraying on B9 everyday since I purchased it. Safe enough for the office, prestigious enough for special occasions and sensual enough for date nights. Another winner from Bond no 9!!” – A.R

“B9 is a complex and disarming floral-woody fragrance that cultivates a deep friendship between feminine floral notes (gardenia, jasmine, orchid) and masculine woody/mossy notes (sandalwood, oud, and vetiver are very noticeable). It’s an unusual take on the fleshy gardenia motif, rendering it a swagger and a sensational genderless beauty. Here are traditional notes presented in an innovative and exquisitely nuanced way that had me fielding all manner of inquiries as to its name.” -Chromatic

Enjoy!

Perfume Etiquette

Like everything else in life wearing perfume has its own proper ways that I’m gonna call Perfume Etiquette. No matter how much you pay for your favorite scent or how much you like it, you should be mindful of others around you while splashing it on. Consider these guidelines the next time you are wearing your perfume.

Less Is More

Don’t overuse your perfume. No one should be able to smell your scent before getting close to you. Also, your smell should not linger in the room after you leave it. Don’t spray too much! Especially if you are wearing a spicy or smoky perfume.

Match The Occasion

Apart from having a day and night perfumes, keep in mind that you shouldn’t wear any perfume to some places like hospitals. This may cause patients discomfort. You may want to use a scented body lotion in this situation. Also, it’s better to not wear the same perfume that you use for a party or a date, at work. Chances are that your night perfume is too strong for a work environment.

Do Not Mask

Some people use perfume to mask unwanted odors such as cigarettes or alcohol. While this might help you at first, the end result may not be in your favor. The combination of your fragrance notes with the scent you are trying to hide might actually result in a worse smell. Only use your perfume to compliment your scent.

Say Goodbye

If your perfume is expired stop using it. I know that it’s hard when you pay a lot of money on your bottle but after a perfume expires it gives out a harsh and overpowering scent.

Don’t Reapply

After a while, you may get used to your own perfume and cannot smell it anymore. Resist the urge to reapply because for others your smell may become intolerable and overwhelming.

Sample It

Perfume is all about chemistry. Don’t blind buy a perfume because of its good reviews or because you liked it on somebody else. Try a sample on yourself for a few days to see if it suits you. (Maxaroma to the rescue)

Know How To Wear It

Do not apply your fragrance on your clothes as some oils may cause spotting. Also, you can learn how to efficiently use your perfume from this article.

Enjoy!

Atelier Cologne 101

Atelier Cologne is a relevantly new brand of perfume. In 2009 Sylvia Ganter and Christophe Cervasel co-founders of Atelier Cologne created the Cologne Absolute family. “Genuine pure perfume exalting the magical freshness and elegance of citruses with exceptional lasting power thanks to very high concentrations of essential oils.”

At MaxAroma we offer 18 perfume from Atelier cologne’s different collections.

Amber Nue

Fragrance notes are Green madarin, bergamot, tajete, orchid nigritella rubra, cinnamon, benzoin, cistus labdanum, patchouli, and tonka bean.

Blanche Immortelle

Fragrance notes are Bergamot, Mandarin, Mimosa, Immortelle, Jasmine Sambac, Turkish Rose, Patchouli, Vetiver, and Sandalwood.

Bois Blonds

Fragrance notes are Tunisian Neroli, Pink Pepper, Moroccan Orange Flower, Incense, Blond Woods, Musks, and Vetiver.

Cedrat Enivrant

Fragrance notes are Moroccan Cedrat, Lime, Bergamot, Chinese Mint, Egyptian Basilic, Juniper Berries, Tonka Bean, Vetiver, and Elemi.

Cedre Atlas

Fragrance notes are Sicilian Lemon, Calabrian Bergamot, Blackcurrant Bud, Atlas Cedarwood from Moroccan Rif, Jasmine, Apricot, White Amber, Indian Papyrus, and Haitian Vetiver.

Figuier Ardent

Fragrance notes are Calabrian Bergamot, Anise, Cardamom, Fig Leaf, Salty Fig, Pepper, Virginian Cedarwood, Tuscan Iris, and Tonka Bean.

Gold Leather

Fragrance notes are bitter orange, saffron, rum, plum, artemisi, eucalyptus, cedar, guaiac wood, agarwood (oud) and leather.

Grand Neroli

Fragrance notes are Orange Blossom Flower, Herbs, Musk, and Vanilla.

Mistral Patchouli

Fragrance notes are Pomelo, Black Pepper, Star Anise, Iris, Incense, Geranium, Heart Of Patchouli, Benzoin, and Haitian.

Oolang Infini

Fragrance notes are bergamot from Calabria, Tunisian neroli, freesia, oolang tea, jasmine from Egypt, blond leather, tobacco flower from the Balkans, gaiac wood from India, and musk.

Orange Sanguine

Fragrance notes are Blood Orange, Bitter Orange, Jasmine, Geranium, Amber Woods, Tonka Beans, and Sandalwood.

Pomelo Paradis

Fragrance notes are Pink Pomelo, Calabrian Mandarin, Blackcurrant Bud, Moroccan Orange Blossom, Bulgarian Rose Essence, Mint, Haitian Vetiver, Tuscan Iris, and Amber.

Rose Anonyme

Fragrance notes are Bergamot from Calabria, Ginger from China, Turkish Rose Essence, Turkish Rose Absolue, Incense from Somalia, Velvet Oud Accord, Patchouli from Indonesia, Papyrus from India, and Benjoin from Laos.

Santal Carmin

Fragrance notes are Bergamot, Limette, Saffron, Sandalwood, Gaiac Wood, White Musk, Papyrus, Cedarwood, and Vanilla.

Silver Iris

Fragrance notes are Tangerine, Pink Pepper, Blackcurrant, Violet Leave, Iris Pallida, Mimosa, Patchouli, White Amber, and Tonka Beans.

Trefle Pur

Fragrance notes are Bitter Orange, Cardamom, Basilic Clover Absolute, Violet Leaves, Tunisian Neroli, Patchouli Moss, and Musk.

Vanille Insensee

Fragrance notes are Lime, Cedrat, Coriander, Jasmine, Vetiver, Oak Moss, Vanilla, Oak Wood, and Amber.

Vetiver Fatal

Fragrance notes are Bergamot from Calabria, Lemon from Sicily, Heart of Bigaradier from Paraguay, Orange Flower Absolue from Tunisia, Violet Leaves, Black Plum, Heart of Vetiver from Haiti, Cedarwood from Texas, and Dark Oud Accord.

And up to March 30th, you can use the coupon code 5AT to get 5% off of Atelier Cologne.

Amouage Sunshine for Men

The composition for Amouage Sunshine for Men:

Base Note: Cedar, Vanilla, Tonka Bean

Middle Notes: Clary Sage, Juniper Berries, Bergamot

Top Notes: Immortelle, Lavender, Orange, Brandy

Amouage Sunshine for men may not be what you expect of this perfume house. It is not
as oriental, heavy or woody as their other men perfumes. Thanks to vanilla and Tonka beans it is a very sweet and easy going scent for men. However, it gets more subdued as the time goes by.

The longevity is exactly what you would expect from Amouage, very long lasting with a moderate sillage.

I should warn you not to spray too much because in the first hour it will be cloying if you do.

This is how Amouage describes Sunshine Men:

“Sunshine Man is a spicy and aromatic fragrance expressing a retro-chic interplay of freshness and sensuality.”

To simply put it, if you like sweet scents this is the fragrance for you!

Enjoy!